Office of the Historian

Hopkins Papers: Telegram

Prime Minister Churchill to President Roosevelt

most secret
immediate
[Aboard the H.M.S. “Duke of York”, December 18, 1941.]1
1.
It is hoped to reach agreement to following main points during conference.
(i)
Fundamental basis of joint strategy.
(ii)
Interpretation of (i) into terms of immediate Military measures, including re-distribution of forces.
(iii)
Allocation of joint forces to harmonise with (i).
(iv)
Long term programme based on (i), including forces to be raised and equipped required for victory.
(v)
Set up joint machinery for implementing (ii) (iii) and (iv).
2.
Under the direction of Prime Minister Chiefs of Staff are preparing short general review as a basis for discussion under paragraph 1 (i) above, to be followed by paper on (ii), (iii) and (iv).
3.
Chiefs of Staff are giving much thought to machinery for post conference joint collaborations.
  1. The message was transmitted by the British Embassy to the White House with the notation: “Following message has been received from H.M.S. Duke of York, 18. 21. 41.” Copies were promptly sent to members of the Joint Board for their consideration; see post, p. 50.↩