Chapter 179 Volume 5, Chapter 24, at the ruins of the ancient city of Carthage - Anzio

We were sick with pneumonia on an air trip to Tunisia and some commanders in the Battle of Overlord and the Mediterranean theater were selected President Roosevelt agreed to my proposed appointment of my wife arriving from Great Britain at the climax of the war How to break the stalemate in the Italian campaign The origin of the Battle of Anzio British Chiefs of Staff We agree to this campaign! !The problem of landing craft We had a meeting at Christmas Domestic concerns I reported to President Roosevelt. During this trip and meeting, I didn't feel very well, and shortly after the trip, I developed a fever.A few days later a cold and a sore throat followed, which kept me in bed for most of the time in Malta, and by the time I reached Tehran I was already hoarse.But this time is not very long, so I can still support it.By the time I returned to Cairo, these symptoms had disappeared.But by the end of the meeting, I was very tired again.For example, I find myself not bothering to dry myself after I shower, but instead lying on the bed wrapped in a towel and letting it dry automatically.

Shortly after midnight on December 11, my entourage and I departed for Tunisia in our Yorkie.I originally planned to spend the night at General Eisenhower's local villa, and then fly to the headquarters of Alexander and Montgomery in Italy the next day. It is said that the weather in Italy is very bad, and all flights are intermittent. The next morning, we were already in the sky above Tunis airport.The signal directed us not to land at this point, and we diverted to another airport about forty miles away.We all got out of the plane and people started unloading the luggage.It was another hour for the car to arrive, and then a long drive.When I sit on the briefcase next to the plane, I do feel exhausted.But at this time, General Eisenhower, who was waiting for us at the first airport, called and informed us that they had indicated the wrong landing location and that we could still land at the first airport.So we boarded the Yorkie again in a hurry, and ten minutes later we met him, which was very close to his villa.Always so hospitable and hospitable, Ike waited for us for two hours with aplomb and cheerfulness.I got into his car, and after a while, I said: I'm afraid I'll be here longer than I planned.My mental and physical strength has been exhausted, and I cannot go on to the front until I have regained some strength.

I lay in bed all day, and developed a fever the next day. According to the diagnosis, there were symptoms of pneumonia in the lower lobes of the lungs.And so, at this decisive moment, I was bedridden among the ruins of ancient Carthage. The X-rays showed a shadow in one of my lung lobes, and I found Lord Moran's prior diagnosis and foresight to be entirely correct.Dr. Bedford and other senior medical officers and excellent nurses from the Mediterranean battlefield came from all directions as if by magic.In the early stage of my illness, I used the special medicines M and B, and there was no adverse effect when I used them. Therefore, after a week of fever, the fever subsided.Though Lord Moran has recorded that, in his judgment, the disease was at one time indeterminate, I do not agree with him.My illness this time is not as severe as it was in February. M and B effectively performed their medical functions. M and B are two drugs that I also use to call Moran and Bedford. [1] There is no doubt that the disease of pneumonia today is completely different from that before the discovery of this miraculous drug.I never abdicated my responsibility to direct the affairs of state, nor did I delay the decision that was due to me.

【1】The first letters of the surnames of Moran and Bedford are M and B respectively, and the author makes a pun here.translator Prime Minister to Foreign Secretary December 13, 1943 I suddenly fell ill at the ruins of this ancient city, with a slight fever, and had to stay here until I recovered.His future whereabouts are uncertain. Angola must be freed from the illusion that failure to meet the demands we made on February 15 would effectively mean the end of our union; It is tantamount to rejection in disguise. Request a report from the Chiefs of Staff Committee on whether the Germans have been able to muster sufficient forces to separate and invade Turkey.I believe this is complete nonsense.

prime minister to president roosevelt December 15, 1943 I was delayed at the ruins of the ancient city of Carthage, where you stayed, with a cold which has now turned into pneumonia.Everyone on your side is doing everything they can, but as far as I'm concerned, it's not very comfortable.I hope to be able to send you my proposal for a new commander shortly.I wish you a pleasant journey and good health. Please give my regards to Harry [1]. [1] Refers to Harry Hopkins.translator President Roosevelt to Prime Minister December 17, 1943 I am anxious to hear that you are suffering from pneumonia. Harry and I wish you well and a speedy recovery.I had just left the USS Iowa and was sailing up the Potomac River.The Bible says that you must obey Moran's commands, but at the moment I cannot point to the relevant passage in the Bible.There seems to be nothing more urgent than this at present, so you must listen to Sara and give her my regards.Hope to recuperate at ease.

As the British Defense Secretary responsible to the War Cabinet, it was my duty to propose the appointment of the British Supreme Commander in the Mediterranean.We entrusted this post to General Wilson, and at the same time decided that General Alexander would command the entire campaign in Italy, as he had commanded under General Eisenhower.We also decided that General Devers of the U.S. military would serve as General Wilson's deputy in the Mediterranean battlefield, and Air Force General Ted would serve as General Eisenhower's deputy in commanding the Battle of Overlord. At the same time, the future supreme commander would move his headquarters to France to directly command operations Before the event, Field Marshal Montgomery actually commanded the attacking force across the Channel.It all went very smoothly, with President Roosevelt and I in full agreement, with Cabinet approval, and all parties involved working in a spirit of cooperation and friendship.

I should add that in December 1944, when General Alexander succeeded General Wilson as Supreme Commander in the Mediterranean, I myself proposed on behalf of His Majesty's Government that the American General Mark Clark be appointed under his command to command all The military, about three-quarters of which are British, Imperial or British-commanded forces.He accomplished this task with distinction and success. The telegrams about the various arrangements are as follows: prime minister to president roosevelt December 18, 1943 Thank you very much for your call.I'm at Moran's beck and call so my health is progressing very quickly, but I'm still here for another week.

2. Since our last exchange of views on the reorganization of the command structure, I have given this matter much thought and discussion with Eisenhower, Alexander, and Ted.I also had consultations with my domestic colleagues, and today I had a long talk with the Chief of the Imperial General Staff when he passed by here to return home after his visit to Italy.After much consultation, I can finally make the following proposal to you.If you can agree to these suggestions, I firmly believe that they can be accepted by everyone. 3. I always thought that Alexander should succeed Eisenhower, but the reasons put forward by the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Eisenhower, and others lead me to believe that it is impossible for either Alexander or Montgomery to command the post-Rome campaign in Italy as Supreme Commander.Alexander himself saw this indeed.

4. Therefore, I recommend that General Wilson succeed Eisenhower as Supreme Commander. Below him there will be: (1) An American general commanding the Battle of Algiers.It is said that it was very convenient for you to transfer General Devers from his current post. (2) Alexander, commander-in-chief of the armies stationed in Italy. (3) General Clark in charge of the Anvil Operations Plan.It is understood that this is the person whom you and General Marshall are interested in.If true, we agree. (4) A major general in the British Army who dealt with issues concerning aid to Yugoslavia, Tito, and the Greeks.

(5) Paget, Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East, is responsible for operations in the Mediterranean theater and presided over the Turkish campaign (currently in command of the British mainland forces). 5. Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force shall be appointed by you as an American.Arnold mentioned Brereton and Eck when passing by.We agree with both of these guys, but if Ike is chosen, he can't take care of the tasks related to bombing and preparing the Overlord operation plan.Sholto Douglas will serve as deputy commander in chief of the Air Force and commander in chief of the Royal Air Force in the Mediterranean theater.

6. The political advisers to the Supreme Commander will include the following three people: (1) Mr. Murphy and Mr. Macmillan, who cooperate with each other; (2) For French affairs, Duff Cooper and Wilson; (3) In the Middle East theater, there is the Secretary of State or his successor. Seventh Bedell Smith will join Eisenhower as Chief of Staff of the British Forces in a few weeks, and the vacancy will be replaced by another British Chief of Staff.We leave it up to you to decide whether you would like to appoint a deputy supreme commander, also from the American side of course. 8. You will understand that I appointed Sir Henry Maitland Wilson after the utmost deliberation.I am satisfied that he has all the equipment and the necessary energy to carry out the major cooperative combat tasks assigned to him.The same is true of the opinion of the Reich Chief of Staff.When I mentioned this to you in Cairo, it seemed that you were also satisfied. 9. Regarding the Overlord battlefield, I suggest to you to appoint Ted as Eisenhower's deputy supreme commander, because in this battle, the Air Force will play a big role, and Eisenhower also agrees with this very much.The War Cabinet intended for Montgomery to command the first expeditionary force.I think the Cabinet was right, because Montgomery was a hero known to all, and doing so would increase the confidence of the British people, and the American people must feel the same way. 10. Regarding these questions, at least some of the key questions, I sincerely hope to get your answer quickly, because we hope that the Commander of Operation Overlord will take office as soon as possible. In order to deal with many details caused by the transfer. President Roosevelt to Prime Minister December 20, 1943 I agree to announce the selection of Eisenhower to command the Overlord campaign on January 1st, Ted to be Eisenhower's Deputy Supreme Commander, Wilson to succeed Eisenhower as Supreme Commander in the Mediterranean (this change will be made when Eisenhower's report to Italy permits), and Eke to command the Mediterranean Theater Combined Air Forces. 2. It is proposed to hold off on announcing the change of secondary command staff until after January next year, because I hope to have an opportunity to discuss this issue with Marshall.He will be in Washington in a few days. 3. I am very glad that your illness has indeed improved greatly, and I hope to meet you in Marrakech.Hopefully you've asked someone for your paintbrush. These days are uncomfortable.Sometimes fever, sometimes fever.I passed the time by thinking about war plans, as if I had forgotten my illness.The doctors tried to keep me from working on my sickbed, but I ignored them.They all say: Don't work, don't rush.The chatter was endless, so I decided to read a novel.I have already read "Sense and Sentiment" by Jane Austen [1], and now I want to read "Pride and Prejudice".Sarah, who was at my foot, recited beautifully.I always thought this book was better written than its companion volume above.What a serene life the characters in the book lead!They don't have to worry about the French Revolution or the fierce struggles of the Napoleonic Wars.They are interested only in that grace which restrains natural emotion as much as possible, and that refined consolation of misfortune.All of this seems to complement each other with M and B. 【1】Jane Austen (1775｜1817), a famous British female novelist.translator Sarah did not come to my sickbed one morning.I was just about to have my telegram box brought during this forbidden hour, when suddenly she came into the room with her mother.I didn't expect my wife to fly here from England to see me.She hurried to the airport to board a two-engine Dakota.The weather was bad, but Lord Beaverbrook was cautious.He went to the airport first and stopped her from going until a four-engined plane was brought in (I always think a four-engined plane is the best thing to do on long cross-sea flights).She arrived here after a very bumpy flight in the middle of winter on an unheated plane.She was escorted by Jock Colville, whose presence added to my current small staff (through whom much business was handled) was welcome.President Roosevelt called and said: Please give my regards to Clemie.I am also relieved that she can be with you as your superior officer. As I lay on my sickbed thinking, we are at the height of the war.Speeding up the Overlord battle plan is the greatest event and duty in the whole world.Our country's overseas main forces are all in Italy. Do we have to give up everything we can do there?Shall we let it be a stagnant pool where we once had all the fish we wanted?In my opinion on the matter, the Italian campaign, fought by a British, British-controlled and Allied force of over a million men, was an absolutely indispensable and complementary part of the main campaign across the Channel.The coherent, logical, large-scale, mass-produced way of thinking of the Americans is remarkable here.In life, people must first learn to focus on the main aspects.This is undoubtedly the first step out of confusion and ignorance, but it is only the first step.The second stage of the war is to coordinate everything so that the various war efforts can be coordinated, and at the same time, every bit of war power can be brought into full play at any time.All our thoughts and activities revolve around this important battle of crossing the sea.I'm sure that the heavy campaigns in Italy in the first half of 1944 would have been of great help to the aforementioned important campaigns, but to get the staff to agree that the Italian campaign was a necessary or important item (let me use these clichés ) have to be worked out, as if the success or failure of our main goal depends on this project.Even ten or twenty landing craft loaded with vehicles have to be obtained later, as if the key to the main problem lies in these landing craft. In my opinion, the problem is extremely simple.All our ships are to be used to bring to England all arms and forces which the United States may supply.Therefore, we naturally cannot transfer large numbers of troops from the Italian battlefield by sea, and they will continue to play a role there.Either they will take Italy easily and move quickly into the German interior, or they will keep a large number of German troops out of the field where we are going to attack after we cross the Channel.On that battlefield, we will decide the date of attack at the end of May or the beginning of June, depending on the moonlight and tide. Our forces in Italy were stuck in a stalemate with German resistance on the eighty-mile coast-to-coast front, and General Eisenhower had long wanted to launch an amphibious flank attack.He had planned to land south of the Tevere River with a division and to advance towards Rome, and at the same time to cooperate with the attack of the main force.In view of the fact that the main force was blocked and the distance from the landing site was too great, it was considered that more than one division was needed.Of course, I agree with what the Americans call endrun and what I call cat|claw.I have never successfully employed in any of our desert marches such a tactic as can be practiced by a nation with command of the seas, but General Patton twice used the initiative of the naval outflank in Sicily as he advanced along the northern shore of the island. and obtain great effect.At Carthage and Marrakesh I was so close to the line of fire that I was able to call meetings of all the important commanders. There is also considerable support among military personnel for this approach.Eisenhower had agreed in principle to do so, but since he was newly assigned to command the Overlord campaign, he had different weighing principles and new views.Alexander, who was Deputy Supreme Commander and commanded the Italian Army, thought the campaign was right and necessary; Bedell Smith was in every way enthusiastic and willing to assist.Admiral John Cunningham, who holds all the power in the Navy, and Air Admiral Ted, have the same attitude, so I have a solid body of experts on Mediterranean issues.Besides, I am sure that the British Chiefs of Staff will also approve of the plan, and their approval will be approved by the War Cabinet.When one cannot move the work by giving orders, one must be prepared for a difficult and long-term effort. The Battle of Overlord in May must not be easily changed.Only a month ago, we had pledged in Tehran.All questions which stand in the way of our highest duty should be out of consideration.In this respect, the power of the army, air force, and navy will not be an obstacle.The key to everything is the tank landing craft.Landing craft are also included here, since getting tanks to land is only a small part of their indispensable job.Accordingly, long letters and telegrams were exchanged back and forth in code between me and the British Government and Washington.The details of this tense and succinct debate may be of future interest to those who study military matters, of which only the outlines are published here.In order to carry out the Overlord operation plan, the tank landing craft must arrive in the UK by the specified date.These dates have been calculated with great precision.Of course, at each stage of military planning, there is also room for expansion and contraction to deal with contingencies, but if this room for expansion and contraction is not controlled from top to bottom, almost all campaigns cannot be carried out.If at each stage everyone demands room for flexibility, the sum often becomes nothing. On December 19th, I started working.On this day, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff returned home from Montgomery's headquarters in Italy and came to see me when he passed through Carthage.We were going to travel together, but I couldn't leave here due to illness.We had a good discussion, and I found that, although General Brooke had a different train of thought from mine, he had reached exactly the same conclusions as I had.We agreed on policy, and it was decided that I would study it on the spot with the commanders-in-chief, while he endeavored to overcome all difficulties at home.Brooke then flew to London.I sent a telegram saying: Prime Minister to Chiefs of Staff December 19, 1943 I am anxiously awaiting a complete list of all landing craft of all types currently stationed in the Mediterranean Sea, which would need to state their current status and purpose, and in particular whether the section on a large number of landing craft that are said to be dedicated to supply work and not capable of amphibious missions true.There can be no doubt that the stalemate of the whole campaign on the Italian front has become more and more ridiculed.The visit of the Chief of the Reich General Staff confirmed my worst predictions.The complete neglect of amphibious campaigns on the Adriatic coast, and the failure to deal the same blow to the enemy on the Western Front, had dire consequences. The landing craft in the Mediterranean theater have not been used (assault) at all for three months. They have neither returned home to prepare for the Battle of Overlord, nor prepared to participate in the attack on the islands in the Aegean Sea, nor participated in the Italian campaign.There were few instances, even in this campaign, of such valuable troops being laid idle. The chiefs of staff of the three armies obviously also considered the issue in the same way, so after listening to General Brooke's report, they responded on the 22nd: We fully agree with you that the current stagnation should not be allowed to continue.Regardless of the perspective, we must try to step up our work.As you point out, the solution obviously lies in our use of the power of amphibious warfare to strike the enemy's flank and open the way for a swift advance to Rome. After withdrawing some of the landing craft on January 15 in preparation for the Battle of Overlord, General Eisenhower still had enough transport capacity in his hands for an amphibious landing of a division and more troops, and he had drawn up a plan to land behind enemy lines just south of Rome.The disadvantage of this plan was that the aforementioned division-plus force could not be used to attack the coast until Fifth Army had come within range to support the landing force.But if the transport capacity for landing could be increased, it would be possible to land a stronger force without waiting for the main force to come within supporting distance.In addition, such a landing would have a more far-reaching impact on the conduct of the entire campaign, and it would be more likely to open the way for a rapid advance.We believe that the goal should be to prepare at least two divisions with means of transport capable of landing. We have telegraphed the Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean to provide you with the information you need on the landing craft.We very much hope that some savings may be made in this respect, but something else must be done if General Eisenhower is to have landing vehicles for two divisions. One source of possible supply is the landing craft that are returning to the Mediterranean from Southeast Asia.A handful of landing craft remain in Southeast Asia. They explained that this plan would necessitate abandoning the capture of Rhodes and a small amphibious campaign on several coasts of Burma.They concluded by saying: If you agree with our thoughts above, we recommend that the issue be referred to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for immediate action based on these comments. This calls for a rigorous investigation of all our resources.Some landing craft were originally used to attack the Andaman Islands, but now because of the cancellation of this operation plan, they are returning to the Mediterranean via the Indian Ocean.Some are about to return home to participate in the Battle of Overlord.These are all things we desperately need. We have spoken to President Inonu about the attack on Rhode Island, and I am not willing to give up this attack.We must make a greater effort against the Turks, and at the same time vigorously expedite the campaign, and bring back the landing craft after the campaign, to prepare for Operation Anvil (the attack on southern France).On December 23rd, however, I was ready to let Turkey take a neutral stance.I answered from Carthage: You will see that while you are considering making decisions about the Italian field, Ike is looking forward to the Anvil campaign, which now occupies his main attention.I have realized that if the Turks cannot enter the war, we may have to abandon the Aegean policy, especially since it is costly and time consuming to carry out, but I hope that after a full study of the overall situation, Make this decision again.I am going to meet with Eisenhower today.Alexander is here looking at me.I will also invite Jumbo (that is, General Wilson) to come and see me here on the way home.I intend to discuss all the issues in the next three or four days.If Turkey falters and Rhodes cannot be opened, we'll have to have a massive Roman amphibious campaign and some raids on the Dalmatian coast, especially at Argostoli and Corfu Activity.We must not give up attacking Rome for the Riviera campaign.We must do both. At this time, I had a long talk with Alexander.He took issue with the suggestion that he didn't care too much about the Anzio landings.He asked to land two divisions, but the question was how to get the means of transport for the landing.Biddle Smith, who was also here at this time, thought that if the airborne troops were included, he could almost make up the two divisions for the landing.If this means of transport could be obtained, and a decision was made tomorrow or the day after, Alexander would be able to attack in the last week of January.The problem is how to get the landing craft.When I asked Bedell Smith why the issue of the Overlord landing craft, etc., was not delayed until after February 15th, he replied that he would not ask for a third extension.But I have no such concerns. In the Mediterranean, there are a total of 104 tank landing craft, but most of them will be transferred back to participate in the Overlord operation plan.By mid-January we were down to thirty-six ships, and about that time another fifteen were due to be brought in from the Indian Ocean.It is said that if two divisions are to be carried, eighty-eight landing craft will be needed.No more landing craft could be brought in until April.The only solution is to keep most of the Mediterranean landing craft for another three weeks.We are very hopeful that we can do this without affecting the Overlord plan or the landings on the Riviera. On the twenty-fourth, the chiefs of staff of the three services sent a detailed report stating their views, together with a draft proposal for sending to their American colleagues.They are in favor of this plan, but they are worried that we will never be able to obtain the consent of the US side. Their conclusions are: We ask the Joint Chiefs of Staff to agree to: (1) For the remaining ships and ships that attacked the Andaman Islands, they should be ordered to return to the Mediterranean. (2) All landing craft which reach the middle of the Mediterranean in due time shall be used by the Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean region to launch an amphibious campaign with two divisions, the object of which is to capture Rome and move the troops towards the Pisa|Rimini line go ahead.Instructions on the above points shall be given immediately.There will be sufficient time to bring these landing craft back to support the attack on southern France. (3) On the current basis, continue to negotiate with Turkey, but abandon the amphibious campaign in the Aegean Sea. (4) Notify Admiral Mountbatten of the above decision, and direct him to draw up final proposals for operations in that theater of operations on the basis of available landing craft. I had only General Hollis of the Ministry of Defense at my side during this tense period, yet he showed great energy.I was also greatly helped by Captain Power in the Royal Navy, who was Deputy Chief of Staff (in charge of planning) to Admiral John Cunningham.He resolved many of the arguments that prevented us from making a decision.His excellent report, which was fully approved by Admiral Cunningham, states: The tank landing craft currently stationed in the Mediterranean Sea are fully trained.They all saw at least two assault campaigns and had many additional duties, such as transporting to and fro, loading and unloading on the coast, in the docks or on the docks.These ships are properly manned and trained for sailing or maneuvering in tight formations.They no longer needed any naval training before the Overlord plan, except for tidal problems and the technical problems of loading and unloading on beaches at high tide.But they are excellent sailors, and therefore need only a short education and training if they are to master new problems.Our experience in the Mediterranean showed that it was not until eleven days before the actual campaign that the landing craft and the troops involved were brought together for three days for the initial loading, six days for the maneuvers, and two days for the additional loading. I estimate an extra seven days for tidal training is more than enough time for these well-trained ships. Therefore, the total training time is about three weeks.They can have plenty of time before the Overlord campaign, they just can't all re-equip at once. As a result of my exhaustive discussions with the assembled commanders, after midnight on the 24th, I issued the following proposals to the country: Prime Minister to Chiefs of Staff and First Sea Lord December 25, 1943 (at 12:30 midnight) Speak to General Wilson, General Alexander and Air Marshal Ted and their staff tonight about Anzio. We agreed that the campaign must be conducted on such a scale as to ensure victory, that is, at least two divisions would participate in the attack.The date of the attack was around January 20.We assume that there will be no fighting in Rhode Island.We are convinced that the only correct way now is to suspend the removal of all British tank landing craft (56 in total) that were scheduled to leave the Mediterranean between January and February 1, for a period not exceeding one month.Fifteen landing craft from the Bay of Bengal were too late to take part in the Battle of Anzio, but there was still a chance to show their skills at the Battle of Overlord shortly thereafter. I hope that the Chiefs of Staff of the three services will study the report prepared by Captain Ball at my request as soon as possible.This report proposes time-saving measures that can be implemented in the preparation of landing craft for the Overlord campaign.Those who attended tonight's talks agreed that Powell's report shows that he has a deep understanding of the situation and that his recommendations should be implementable. The chiefs of staff of the armed forces were not convinced of this at the beginning.They mention all sorts of little details, and the little details are decisive.They also earnestly hoped that I would agree to their presentation to the Joint Chiefs of Staff explaining the situation.I think we must first agree among ourselves on all important points, so I reply as follows: Prime Minister to Chiefs of Staff December 26, 1943 I have studied the facts with the utmost care with the Admiral and General Gale and their staff.Unless all fifty-six landing craft were retained for another three weeks, until February 5, it was hopeless to launch the Battle of Anzio with two divisions.These landing craft have already received a lot of training on assault landings in the Mediterranean.Please let me know the advantages and disadvantages of retaining three weeks versus a month, and let me know exactly what the returned ships are used for each day.And I hope you can arrange the docks so that twenty-five landing craft can be refitted every month. Whether the battle of Anzio can be won or not depends entirely on the strength of the initial landing.If two full-strength divisions landed, plus the paratroopers, it would be decisive, because they could cut off the communication lines of all enemy forces facing the Fifth Army.Therefore, the enemy must withdraw from the front of the Fifth Army in order to destroy the landing force, or must immediately retreat.Without two divisions, success cannot be achieved.Because of the unpredictable weather, it was necessary for the landing party to carry at least four days' supplies.We do not intend to keep these divisions long on the beach, but to culminate the war in a week or ten days. It is useless for you to call the Joint Chiefs of Staff unless we agree on one important issue, namely, a three-week delay in bringing back fifty-six tank landing craft.The victory or defeat of the Italian campaign all depended on this. In their reply of December 27, the Chiefs of Staff eloquently set forth many reasons for their anxiety, and added: We feel that this should not be concealed from you: if we take what we see to be true Tell the chiefs of staff of the United States armed forces frankly, and we will have a lot of trouble with them. Our meeting in Carthage continued throughout Christmas morning. Eisenhower, Alexander, Bedell Smith, General Wilson, Ted, Admiral John Cunningham, and other senior generals were in attendance.The only one not at the meeting was General Mark Clark of the Fifth Army.This was an oversight which I regret, since it was his army which was ultimately responsible for the conduct of the campaign, and so this background should have been kept in his mind.We agreed that landing without two divisions would not be enough.At this point I was thinking of a surprise attack by two British divisions of the Eighth Army, whose Montgomery was about to be replaced by General Leith.I think that amphibious operations may cause casualties to the landing force, and I would rather the British troops take this risk, because I am responsible to the British.In addition, in this case, the assault force will become uniform, rather than split between Britain and the United States. Everything was diverted from the landing craft, which had for some weeks severely hampered our entire strategy.All plans were strictly limited by the rigid date fixed on the Overlord plan, and by the need to mobilize, repair, and refit less than a hundred of these small ships.The cables we exchanged showed how we got out of it, even though we were messed up too.But I must also confess that, having concentrated my efforts on the struggle for principle, I have not succeeded (indeed I have not yet dared to claim) enough strength for outflanking.實際上，我們有足夠的登陸艇，可以按照計劃來進行戰役，而且按照我的看法，如果將軍事機構漫無節制的要求削減一些，我們就能夠在不影響其他義務或諾言的情況下，在特韋雷河南面，使更大數量的兵力一舉登陸，並且還可以有充分的機動性。但是，這個問題當時是按照軍隊的常規要求，以及按期關於騰出登陸艇來參加霸王戰役等條件來解決的，儘管我們當然已考慮過它們在比斯開灣冬季氣候條件下回國的問題，以及重新裝配這些艦艇最多需要多少時間的問題。如果我曾經要求得到一次運送三師兵力的運輸工具，我必然會一無所獲。人們總想使自己能到手的東西得到滿足，這樣的事例在生活中真是太多了！但是，我覺得最好還是適可而止。 五十六艘登陸艇延期三星期返回英國我們必須正視這一無情的事實。而與此形成強烈對照的，則是發動霸王戰役的日期五月。讀者在下列電文中，將看到六月六日這一日期的初次出現。 首相致三軍參謀長 一九四三年十二月二十六日 我是完全根據在五月進行霸王戰役這一基礎進行工作的。我相信，如果我們堅持不懈地努力，這一點可以做到，而且問題也可以解決，但是，我也可以非常秘密地告訴你們，艾森豪威爾和蒙哥馬利兩人，對於他們聽到的有關霸王的現行計劃，表示非常不滿，而且據我了解，他們要求的第一批渡海進攻的兵力要多得多。我認為，他們研究了這一計劃後，很可能會建議延期。我們談妥的日期是在五月間，但是，如果負責的將領要求在六月六日前後的六月的月光下發動戰役，並且能夠說明那時的機會要好得多，那麼我就不知道對於這樣延期一星期，是否可以讓步。空軍的預備性轟炸，無論如何也要在五月間開始。 因此，應當注意不要犧牲我們在意大利的重大任務，來遷就無論如何可能由於其他更大的理由而必須延遲的日期。 艾森豪威爾甚至說，在他一旦獲得了實際的指揮權並且可以主管這一問題時，立即親自打電報給斯大林，要求適當延期。 我本人絲毫沒有贊助這種做法，因為我是根據德黑蘭（協議）的精神為這個問題進行鬥爭的，但是，我更希望你們能夠幫助我。不過此事只限於你們自己以及在戰時內閣國防委員會中工作的三位大臣，艾德禮先生、艾登先生和利特爾頓先生知道。 在迦太基舉行的這次有決定意義的聖誕節會議結束時，我向羅斯福總統發去下列電報，同時，又向國內發出同樣的電報。我很慎重地、坦率地介紹了基本事實。 一九四三年十二月二十五日 我今天曾同艾森豪威爾和他所有的高級將領舉行了會議。The report is as follows: 亞歷山大將軍擬於一月二十日左右在安齊奧舉行登陸，如果他能有運輸工具運送兩師人登陸的話。這次登陸將決定羅馬戰役，可能達到殲滅很大一部分敵軍的目的。如果使用不到兩師的兵力進行突擊，將導致一場災難，因為我們已經考慮了第五集團軍和第八集團軍到那一天可能到達的陣地。 為了達到這一目的，就需要八十八艘坦克登陸艇。我們要獲得這些登陸艇，唯一辦法是將定於一月十五日以後駛離地中海的五十六艘坦克登陸艇延期遣返，並從二月五日起，再用護航隊將它們護送回國。登陸艇如果少於這個數量，絕不夠用。從印度調來的十五艘坦克登陸艇不能按時到達，儘管它們在補充受傷的艦艇和組織鐵砧作戰計劃這兩方面，都是非常有用的。 我們使用這種種權宜辦法以後，相信所損失的三個星期還是可以挽回的，而目前為霸王作戰計劃規定的兵力也可以維持不變。 我們既然已經在這麼久的時期內，把這五十六艘登陸艇留在地中海，而現在到了它們能作出決定性的貢獻的這一星期，卻要把它們調走，看來是不合理的。如果讓意大利戰役再繼續三個月停滯不前，而且情況愈來愈糟，那麼還有什麼比這更危險的呢？我們不可能一方面前進，而另一方面卻留下一個僅僅完成了一半的巨大任務。因此參加會議的人們都認為，應當盡一切努力，在一月二十日前後，以兩師兵力發動安齊奧戰役，並且已對亞歷山大將軍發出指令，要他按此計劃進行準備。如果我們不能抓住這個機會，我們就等著一九四四年的地中海戰役的徹底失敗了。因此，我懇切地希望你能同意讓這五十六艘坦克登陸艇延期回國，並訓令所有的負責人員注意絕不能因此而影響五月間的霸王作戰計劃。 我遺憾地認識到，為了照顧這些更大的利益起見，關於羅得島和愛琴海的政策必須暫緩實行，而且很可能，為了集結三師兵力在法國南部登陸，勢必要把獵野豬計劃（即對緬甸西部的若干海岸的襲擊）修改為不獵野豬計劃。這使我很痛心，但是如果不這樣做，意大利戰局就會陷於停頓，甚至會帶來巨大的禍患，而這是我不願面臨的一種局面。 就是在這個一切問題都懸而未決的時刻，我憂心忡忡地從迦太基飛往馬拉喀什。