World War II: When Lions Roared (1994): Season 1, Episode 1 - Part I - full transcript

Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
Public shouldn't leave reviews for lawyers.

This is Wallace David.

Germany has invaded Polland

and bombed many towns and villages.

The actual number of...

Mr. Chamberlain
speaking from 10 Downing.

And that consequently,
this country is at war

with Germany.

This is the BBC home service.

In a surprise attack,
Germany invaded Norway by...

We interrupt this program



to bring you a bulletin from news.

Germany has invaded Denmark.

The army
invaded Belgium and Holland

early this morning by land

and from the air by parachutes.

In Washington,
President Roosevelt

now clearly taking a harder
line on Hitler's aggression

said "this nation will
remain a neutral nation",

"but I cannot ask that every
American remain neutral

in thought... ".

NBC reports from London

that British Prime Minister
Neville Chamberlain

has just resigned.

Repeating that bulletin,



British Prime Minister
Neville Chamberlain...

With Hitler now master

of most of the continent of Europe,

the world's eyes are on Winston Churchill,

who's been prime minister
for three extraordinary days.

You ask what is our policy.

I will say it is to wage war

by sea, land, and air,

with all the strength
that God can give us.

To wage war against a monstrous tyranny

never surpassed in the
dark, lamentable catalog

of human crime.

That is our policy.

You ask what is our aim?

I can answer in one word.

Victory.

Victory at all costs.

Harry, good.

You read Churchill's cable?

Yes.

And?

The sun's over the arbor.

Join me.

Glad to, sir.

You know I can't lend
Britain 40 or 50 destroyers

without the specific
authorization of Congress.

Much as you know we'd both like to.

You lost a lot of weight in the hospital.

You eating enough?

Trying, you know.

What does the doctor say?

He said they got it all.

You told Churchill we're gonna
be the arsenal of democracy?

Eleanor and I were talking this morning.

What we want, what we both want,

is to get you out of that
little apartment of yours,

move you in here with us.

I can't do that, sir.

The whole country already thinks

I have too damn much influence with you.

They'll tear you to pieces.

You let me worry about the country,

that's what I get paid for.

Anyway,

I need you here.

All the time.

What can we do for Britain right now?

You can ship today 500,000 field rifles,

130 million rounds rifle ammo,

90075 millimeter guns,

80,000 machine guns...

Churchill's got his whole army backed up

on the beaches at Dunkirk.

He could lose it all.

I know.

Get right on it.

The German Army is bound to...

The British Army,
as well as major elements

of the French and Belgian forces,

are being forced to a
small and shrinking pocket

around the port of Dunkirk,

their backs to the English Channel.

This is the BBC home service.

The admiralty today requested
all owners of small craft

to report for what is called
a special requirement.

Something to see, Charles.

Literally hundreds of
boats, from huge barges

to tiny fishing boats
being manned by civilian...

A week ago, I had thought
I would have to announce

the greatest military
disaster in British history.

But that calamity has
not befallen the Allies.

Wars are not won by evacuations,

but there was a victory
inside this deliverance.

We've locked the army away.

We shall not flag or fail,

we shall go on to the end.

We shall fight in France,

we shall fight in the seas and oceans,

we shall fight with growing confidence

and growing strength in the air,

we shall defend our island,
whatever the cost may be.

We shall never surrender, and even if,

which I do not for a moment believe,

this island or a large part of it

were subjugated and starving,

then our empire beyond the seas,

armed and guarded by the British fleet,

would carry on the struggle until,

in God's good time, the new world,

with all its power and might,

steps forth to the rescue
and liberation of the old.

Tell the war department
to make estimates

of how many planes, and
whatever else we can spare.

Generous estimates?

Very generous estimates.

Attacks on
Great Britain last night.

I am standing on a rooftop

near Picadilly Circus,

and I see the searchlights
coming on now, there's one,

there's another.

Now a lot of them.

And there go the guns.

Hitler knows he will have
to break us in this island

or lose the war.

Let us therefore brace
ourselves to our duties.

And so bear ourselves such

that if the British empire
and its commonwealth

last for 1000 years, men will still say

this was their finest hour.

He's right.

Churchill's right, we have
to get the destroyers to him

right now.

It's a start.

You know a lot of this could
be settled if Churchill and I

just sit down together for a while.

What's stopping you?

It can't be arranged right now.

We don't have an ambassador over there,

they don't have one over here.

How about me going over
for you, Mr. President?

No no, can't spare you.

I've got the State of the
Union message coming up,

the budget, the third inaugural,
I need you for all of them.

Plus the fight with Congress.

Yes, but if went and
see it with my own eyes,

I might be some help.

Should Japan enter the war on one side,

and the United States on ours,

ample naval forces will be available

to detain Japan in the Pacific.

Who?

Harry who?

Of course I know who Harry Hopkins is.

A social worker or something involved

in Roosevelt's work relief program.

Really?

Personally?

Well now.

And if any red carpet
has survived the Blitz,

by all means, roll it out
for Mr. Harry Hopkins.

My dear Mr. Hopkins.

What a very great honor this is.

I do hope you've not been kept waiting.

Not at all.

Good.

Well.

This is a great occasion.

Come, I think we can possibly
find a more comfortable place

to drop this.

Tell the president...

Are you warm enough, Harry?

Fine.

England in January.

Tell the president we seek no treasure,

we seek no territorial gains,

we seek only the right of man to be free,

his right to worship his
god and live his life

in his own way,

secure from persecution...

Mr. Prime Minister, I
don't think the president

will give a damn for all that.

You see we're only
interested in how you propose

to beat that son of a bitch in Berlin.

You say you will be here
for three weeks, Harry?

I will make every detail
of information and opinion

available to you.

You will not leave England until you know

everything there is to know.

At 4:00 this morning, Hitler
attacked and invaded Russia.

This was no surprise to me.

In fact, I gave clear and
precise warning to Stalin.

Citizens of the Soviet Union.

The Soviet government and
its head, Comrade Stalin,

have authorized me to make
the following statement.

At 4:00 this morning, despite the fact

that there was a non-aggression pact

between the Soviet Union and Germany,

and without a declaration of war,

German troops attacked our country,

attacked our frontier in many places,

and bombed from their airplanes our cities

of Jittlemere, Kiev,
Siastorpol, Karnus, and others.

Our cause is good.

The enemy will be smashed.

Victory will be ours.

This is the end.

Why, Harry?

It doesn't make sense to me.

What does Hitler have in mind?

Do you think he's trying
to get the world opinion

on his side by attacking communism?

That's what he thinks,

Winston will set him
straight in one big hurry.

I think Hitler has just
made his first big mistake.

No one has been a more
consistent foe of communism

than I have for the last 25 years.

I will unsay no word that
I have spoken about it.

But all this fades away

before the spectacle
which is now unfolding.

This bloodthirsty guttersnipe Hitler

has launched his mechanized armies

of slaughter, pillage, and devastation.

Can you doubt what our policy will be?

We are resolved to destroy Hitler

and every vestige of the Nazi regime.

On this, nothing will turn us, nothing.

We shall fight him by land.

We shall fight him by sea.

We shall fight him in the air.

Until with God's help, we have
rid the Earth of his shadow

and liberated the people from his yoke.

It follows, therefore,

that we shall give whatever
help we can to Russia.

It is not for me to speak to the action

of the United States...

A lot of people, the usual
ones, are taking the position

that since Russia can't hold out,

there's no point sending them stuff then.

I don't agree.

But this I will say, if Hitler imagines

that his attack on Soviet Russia

will cause the slightest division of aims

or slackening of effort
in the great democracies,

he is woefully mistaken.

Comrades, brothers, and sisters.

Men of our army and navy.

In spite of the heroic
resistance of the Red Party,

the enemy continues to push forward.

Hitler's troops have succeeded
in capturing Lithuania,

a considerable part of Latvia,

the western part of Belarussia,

and part of the western Ukraine.

A grave danger hangs over our country.

In case of a forced retreat,

all the rolling stock must be evacuated.

The enemy must not be left
a single pound of grain

or a gallon of fuel.

All that cannot be
withdrawn must be destroyed.

Conditions must be made
unbearable for the enemy,

the must be hounded at every step.

His secretary of the navy says

the best information he can get

said it will take anywhere
from six weeks to two months

for Hitler to clean up on Russia,

but Ambassador Davies
just cabled from Moscow.

He says that the Red Army will
amaze and surprise the world.

These people have shown
themselves worth backing.

The advantage we should reap

if the Russians could keep the field

and go on until the winter
closes is measureless.

Find out what they need, Harry,

and how we can get it.

Yes sir.

In this war of liberation,
we shall not be alone.

We shall have loyal allies in the people

of Europe and America.

Our forces are numberless.

The masses of our people will
rise up in their millions.

All forces of the people for
the demolition of the enemy.

Forward to victory.

We've just gotten their
first requests, Mr. President,

they're enormous.

3000 bombers, 3000 pursuit planes.

Well, Davies the result
will depend on air power.

We are making, Marshall Stalin,

very heavy air attacks,
both by day and by night

on all Germans within our reach.

Then we hope to force Hitler to bring back

some of his air power to the west,

and gradually take some
of the strain off of you.

We've only got to go on fighting

to beat the life out of these villains.

We're going to have to start
coordinating with the British

all across the board.

What they'll get, what we
should both give to Russia,

strategy...

How about me going back
over for you, Mr. President?

Would you, Harry?

Tell Churchill everything.

Especially tell him not to ask

when we're coming into the war.

I only met Churchill once, in 1918.

Yes, I was Assistant
Secretary of the Navy.

We had dinner together
in London, at Gray's Inn,

the whole war cabinet was there.

He was already famous.

Whatever impression he
made on you, Mr. President,

I'll bet you made just
as big a one on him.

He was a real stinker.

Rude as could be, lorded it over us.

Tell him I think we ought
to get together personally

as soon as possible.

Set that up for me, will you Harry?

Yes sir.

The position of the
Soviet forces at the front

remains tense.

The military situation of the Soviet Union

as well as Great Britain
would be considerably improved

if there could be established

a front against Hitler in
the west in northern France,

which could not only divert
Hitler's forces from the east,

but at the same time make it
impossible, Prime Minister,

for Hitler to invade Great Britain.

Anything sensible and
effective that we can do to help

will be done.

I beg you, however, to
realize the limitations

imposed upon us by our resources...

I fully realize the difficulties
involved, but I have to...

The Germans have 40
divisions in France alone.

The whole coast bristles
with cannon, wire, pillboxes

and beach mines.

To attempt a landing in
force would be to encounter

a bloody riposte.

It would all be over without their having

to move a single unit from your front.

Not withstanding the
difficulties, it should be done.

You must remember, Marshall Stalin,

that we have been fighting
alone for more than a year.

And although our resources are growing,

and will grow fast from now on,

we are at the utmost strain,

both at home and in the Middle East,

by land and air, and also at
the battle of the Atlantic,

on which our life depends,

strains our naval resources to the limit.

It should be done, Prime Minister,

and not only for the
sake of our common cause,

but also Britain's own interest.

This is the most we
can do at the moment.

I wish it were more.

My dear friend.

How are you feeling?

Glad to be here in July,

when a man can take his coat off indoors.

Cognac?

Please.

The situation's a little
different from last time.

Russia's in.

What we want to know, of course,

is when are you going to get in?

That's the one question
the president says

you can't ask me.

But, he did ask that
I get you two together

in some lonely bay as quickly as possible.

The sooner the better.

What he does want us
to discuss right away is,

one, your ability to withstand invasion.

He's concerned your
airfields are vulnerable

to Hitler's parachute troops.

We think he's got 60,000 of them.

Second, the wisdom of trying
to defend the Middle East.

Egypt, Libya, Syria, India,

the equipment and men you're sending there

might be needed here.

As far as the invasion
of Britain's concerned,

we have the situation well in hand,

and we have taken special measures

to defend all our airfields.

And we would be able to
tell three weeks in advance

if the Germans planned
to cross the channel.

In regards to Egypt, in the
Nile Valley we have an army

of half a million men, here.

Nearly half our war
production is sent here.

And in spite of objections from friends,

it will be our policy

to go ahead and reinforce the Middle East.

We really need hard information

on how the Russians are doing.

That would be most valuable.

Everything.

Production, shipping, supplies, strategy,

depends on how long the
Russians can hold out.

I'm wondering whether
you would find it useful

for me to go to Moscow.

It's a long trip, very hazardous.

You'd be totally exhausted, Harry.

It would be worth doing if Stalin knew,

in an unmistakable way, we mean business,

not a long-term supply job.

Stalin might tell the
truth, or at least part of it,

to a personal representative

of the President of the United States.

Absolutely.

Go.

Tell Stalin.

Tell him...

Tell him...

Tell him,

Britain has but one ambition today,

but one desire, to crush Hitler.

Tell him he can depend on us.

Goodbye Harry.

God bless you.

Thank you, sir.

I don't know what will happen

if Britain is fighting
alone when 1942 comes.

I come, Marshall Stalin,

as a personal representative
of President Roosevelt,

who considers Hitler the enemy of mankind,

and thinks the most
important thing in the world

is to defeat him.

He therefore wishes to
give all possible aid

to the Soviet Union in
its fight against Germany.

Welcome to the Soviet Union.

Your president has asked me to talk to you

as I would talk to him.

The first thing I want to say

is concerning Hitler and Germany.

There must be a minimum
moral standard among nations.

Without such a minimum moral standard,

nations cannot exist.

Therefore, our views coincide.

I have two practical questions

the president wants me to ask you first.

Can you tell me what
Russia will require most

that the United States
could deliver immediately?

And second, what would
your requirements be

based on a long war?

Please, sit.

Immediately we require
anti-aircraft guns,

machine guns, 50 caliber,
to defend our cities,

the rifles, 30 caliber, I
would a million or more.

For a long war, we would
need aviation gasoline,

aluminum for aircraft.

Give us anti-aircraft guns and aluminum,

and we can fight for three or four years.

Come.

Come.

The Germans have found that
moving mechanized forces

across Russia is very different

than moving them over the
boulevards of Belgium and France.

The Germans can move up
another 40 divisions,

but probably not before
the hard weather sets in.

We will hold within 100 kilometers
of our present position,

but tell the president that
while I am absolutely confident

that we can withstand the Germans,

the question of supply is a serious one,

and we need your help.

Hold on.

Hitler's going to lose.

Now, I am sick and tired of hearing

that they are going to get
this, and going to get that,

I don't want to hear what's on order,

I want to hear what's on the water.

Get those planes off with a bang,

even if they have to be
taken from the American Army.

Mr. Prime Minister.

How are you feeling?

Fine, fine, fine.

I think I got what I wanted,
but you can't ever be sure.

Let's go see the president.

The president, Harry.

I cannot tell you how excited I am

to finally to have the chance
to meet him face to face.

I wonder if he'll like me.

What sort of man is he, Harry?

You must tell me all about him.

He doesn't remember.

Welcome aboard, Mr. Prime Minister.

A very great pleasure this
is for me, Mr. President,

to meet you at long last.

But we...

In 1918, in Gray's...

And I'm absolutely delighted
to meet you too, Winston.

Together at last.

Cigarette in holder and the long cigar

at last being lit from the same match.

27 years ago today, began the last war.

We must make a good job of it this time.

Twice ought to be enough.

We will talk about
everything, of course.

But first, I believe these gentlemen

have a little job.

Yes, they do the same job in Britain.

What I want to hear first, Winston,

is how you think this war will be won.

This is a mechanized war,
Mr. President, a mobile war.

In the air, on land, and at sea.

Immense land armies, less important by far

that in the last war.

Fighting on land, in the Middle
East or north Africa, yes.

Anywhere the Germans exist

on even or fairly even terms,

there we must attack them.

But, in fortress Europe, not
with land armies, not at first.

We must destroy the foundation upon which

the German war machine rests,

the economy which feeds it,

the morale which sustains it,

the supplies which nourish it,

and the hopes of victory which inspire it.

This war will be won by
blockade, by subversion,

and most of all, by strategic bombing.

Yes, but...

No major land armies?

What do you tell the Russians?

The war goes upon many fronts.

And before it is over, there may be

yet further fighting fronts
that will be developed,

but our resources, though
immense, are limited,

and it must become a
question as to where and when

those resources can best be used.

I can only reiterate the
absence of a second front

simply favors our common enemy.

Mr. President, it is
inevitable that America

will finally come to grips with
Hitler on some battlefield.

The might of Germany is so great

that even though Russia
will defend herself,

it will be very difficult for
Britain and Russia combined

to defeat the German machine.

The one thing that could defeat Hitler,

and perhaps without even firing a shot,

would be the announcement that you

are going to join in the war.

I hope you won't take
it amiss, Mr. President,

if I tell you that I cannot
answer for the consequences

if Russia is compelled to sue for peace

and say by next spring,
hope has died in Britain

that America is coming into the war.

Governments such as ours

can only move in keeping
with the thought and will

of the great majority of our people.

If I were to put the issue
of peace or war to Congress,

they would debate it for three months.

What I can do is look for an incident.

In the Atlantic, I can wage
war and not declare it.

Hitler will have the dilemma.

Either attack our convoys and our navy,

or hold back and give us
the battle of the Atlantic.

Splendid.

Harry.

You know, I met him once before, in 1918,

when he was Assistant
Secretary of the Navy,

and I was in the war cabinet.

He made a most vivid
impression on me even then.

Extraordinary man.

Prime Minister, the
situation of the Soviet forces

during the last three weeks

has deteriorated considerably,

with the Germans having
transferred to the eastern front

30 to 34 fresh infantry divisions

and an enormous number
of tanks and aircraft.

They consider danger in the west a bluff

and are transferring all their forces

to the east with impunity.

Remember, Marshall...

Being convinced that no
second front exists in the west

and that none will exist.

As the result, we have lost
more than half the Ukraine,

and in addition, the enemy
is at the gates of Leningrad.

Remember, Marshall Stalin...

There is only one way
out of this situation.

To establish in the
present year a second front

somewhere in the Balkans or France

capable of drawing away
from the eastern front

30 to 40 divisions, and at the same time...

Although we should
shrink from no exertion,

there is in fact no
possibility of any British

action in the west, except air action,

which would draw the
German forces from the east

before the winter sets in.

Action, however well meant,
leading only to costly fiascos

will no help to anyone but Hitler.

To continue, and at the same time

ensuring to the Soviet Union
30,000 tons of aluminum

and a monthly minimum of aid
amounting to 400 aircraft

and 500 tanks of medium size.

Without these two...

For our part, we are
now prepared to send you,

from British production,

one half of the monthly total

for which you ask in aircraft and tanks.

We hope the United States
will supply the other half.

Every possible effort, $1
billion worth, $2 billion.

Thank you.

As I was saying, without
these two forms of help,

the Soviet Union will either suffer defeat

or be weakened to such an extent

that it will lose for any long period

a capacity to render
assistance to its allies.

Remember, Marshall Stallin...

Experience has taught
me to face up to reality,

no matter how unpleasant it may be,

and not to shrink from telling the truth.

Remember that only four months ago,

we in this island did not know
whether you were coming in

against us on the German side.

Indeed, we thought it quite
likely that you would.

Whatever happens, and whatever you do,

you of all people have no
right to make reproaches to us.

I have cabled our
mission in Moscow today

to make a commitment to Russia

of 400 additional tanks a month

and 3600 additional combat planes.

Very simply, and very bluntly,

we are pledged to pull our own oar

in the destruction of Hitlerism.

I fully sympathize
with Russia in her agony.

But they have no right to reproach us.

We have acted with absolute honesty.

We have done our very best to help them

at the cost of deranging all
our plans for rearmament.

And exposing ourselves to heavy risk.

I know this, and I know what
you are both going through.

But...

Marshall Stalin.

We shall do our utmost to
repair the grievous curtailments

which your war industries have suffered

through the Nazi invasion.

If they keep fighting, it's worth it.

If they don't, we don't have to send it.

Chekov, are you convinced

that we will be able to hold Moscow?

I am asking you with pain in my heart.

Answer me truthfully.

Answer me as a communist.

Commander of His Majesty's Armed Forces

in the Middle East, it is impossible

to explain to Parliament

how our armies have had to
stand for four and a half months

without engaging the
enemy in north Africa,

while all the time Russia
is being battered to pieces.

Order of the day,
declare a state of siege.

Moscow will be defended to the last.

Comrades, brothers and sisters.

I stated at the beginning of the war

that a serious danger
was facing our country.

Today is the result of four months of war,

I must emphasize that
this danger has increased.

The enemy has captured a
greater part of the Ukraine,

Belarussia, Moldova, and Estonia,

has penetrated upon us, is
looming like a black cloud

over Leningrad, and is
menacing our glorious capital,

Moscow.

Wherein lie the reasons
for the temporary setbacks

of the Red Army?

Mr. President, I earnestly hope

that you will be able to
raise the general level

of your war production by an
immediate short term effort.

Double it.

One of the reasons consists

in the absence of a
second front in Europe.

It is a fact that there are
no armies of Great Britain

or the United States on
the continent of Europe

at the present, and this
fact brings about a situation

where the Germans,

considering their rear in the west secure,

have the possibility of
marching their troops

against our country.

If it were possible, Marshall Stalin,

to make any successful
diversion upon the French shore,

we should order it, even
at the heaviest cost.

All our generals are
convinced a bloody riposte

is all that would be sustained.

However,

in order to clear things up
and to plan for the future,

I am ready to send two
generals to meet you in Moscow.

They will be able to tell
you exactly what is possible

and what we think is wise.

Do you want them?

If the generals would come to Moscow

with a view to concluding an agreement

on the two fundamental questions,

war aims and plans for the
post-war organization of peace,

and of mutual military
assistance against Hitler,

I would naturally be
very happy to meet them.

If however the mission of the generals

is confined to secondary matters,

it would not be, I think, worthwhile.

In such a case, it would be very difficult

for me to find time for the conversations.

I don't know what Stalin wants.

Bad relations, a rupture?

Who would that benefit?

Reeling from the Allied embargo

on steel and oil,

Japan did offer some
diplomatic concessions,

but the president said that nothing less

than Japanese withdrawal
from China and Indochina

would be acceptable.

Please get this right off
to the Emperor of Japan.

Mark it personal.

Well.

This son of man has just
sent his final message

to the son of god.

That's the last card I have to play

for peace in the Pacific.

How is that?

It's good.

You're not having lunch with the family?

No, my cousin Ellen Adams
brought all her children down.

Hopkins.

We were gonna have lunch with them.

But it's Sunday.

I thought we might get a
little quiet desk work done

while...

What is it?

No.

There must be some mistake.

I tried to keep us out of war.

I wanted to finish my
administration without war.

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941,

a date which will live in infamy,

the United States of America

was suddenly and deliberately attacked

by naval and air forces
of the Empire of Japan.

I regret to tell you that
very many American lives

have been lost.

Yesterday, the Japanese government

also launched an attack on Malaya.

Last night, Japanese
forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, the Japanese
attacked Wake Island.

And this morning, they
attacked Midway Island.

With confidence in our armed forces,

with the unbounding
determination of our people,

we will gain the inevitable
triumph, so help us god.

So, we have won after all.

England will live.

The commonwealth of nations,
and the empire, will live.

Once again, in our long, lioned
history, we shall emerge,

however mauled and mutilated,

safe and victorious.

We shall not be wiped out.

Our history will not come to an end.

Hitler's fate is sealed.

Mussolini's fate is sealed.

As for the Japanese, they
will be ground to powder!

Today, we are all in
the same boat as you

and the people of the empire, Winston,

and it is a ship which will
not and cannot be sunk.

We are now in this war,

we are all in it, all the way,

every single man, woman,
and child is a partner

in the most tremendous undertaking

of our American history.

It will not only be a long war,

it will be a hard war.

That is the basis on which
we now lay all our plans.

Franklin.

Now that we are, as you
say, in the same boat,

would it not be wise for us
to have another conference?

Delighted.

No need for the horseless
approach to America now.

That's the way we talked to
her when we were wooing her.

Now she's in the harem, we
talk to her quite differently.

Prime Minister, I
propose a treaty between us

with a secret protocol dealing with.

Europe's post-war frontiers.

That the Soviet Union's
frontier with Poland

be based on the Kerza line,

and the Soviet Union is to
regain her frontiers of 1941

with Finland and Romania,

and will recover the Baltic states.

We cannot agree to definite frontiers

without breaking pledges
we have already made

to Poland and others, and
we are not going to do that.

It's a pity.

A transfer of peoples to
Soviet Russia against their wills

is contrary to all the principles

for which we are fighting this war,

and would dishonor our cause.

No one can foresee how the
balance of power will lie

or where the winning armies will stand

at the end of the war.

It seems probable, however,

that the Soviet Union will need our aid

far more than we shall need theirs.

Hitler's losses in Russia

are the prime fact in
the war at this time.

He now faces the shock

of a winter of slaughter

and the expenditure of fuel and
equipment on a larger scale.

He hasn't reached Moscow yet,

and I don't think he's going to.

This message came from
the Marines on Wake Island

just before they were overrun.

"Merry Christmas, send us more Japs."

Anyone want hot coffee?

No.

Tea please, Harry.

Germany's the prime enemy.

Once she's defeated, the collapse of Italy

and the defeat of Japan will follow.

Germany first.

Mhmm.

Our main objective in 1942

should be the occupation of
the whole coastline of Africa.

That would reopen the Mediterranean route

for shipping to the Middle East.

And the far east, and
starts to tighten a ring

around everything the Germans now control.

We'll put three divisions in north Africa,

more if necessary,

I want American forces involved
as quickly as possible.

We can do more.

Help Russia every way we can.

More in Germany.

And blockade them.

Then, in 1943, the way may be cleared

to return to the continent.

Here's to 1942.

Here's to a year of toil,

a year of struggle and peril,

and a long step forward to victory.

Here here.

May we all come through
it safe, and with honor.

Winston, trust me to the bitter end.

I would like to stress that it is now,

when the Soviet Union is
exerting all its power

to throw back Hitler's troops,

that the fulfillment of
America's deliveries,

including aircraft and tanks,

is essential to our common cause.

I'm terribly disturbed that
an adequate number of ships

is not available to Russia.

This government has made
a firm pledge to Russia

and we simply cannot go back on it.

Where's Harry?

Nothing could be worse than
to have the Russians collapse.

I'd rather lose New Zealand,
Australia, or anything else

than have the Russians collapse.

I don't want to be in the
same position as the English,

and the only reason we stand
so well to the Russians

is because we've kept our promises.

We've got to find some ships at once

for this Russian business.

To General Waden, Supreme Commander,

Southwest and Pacific.

I think you ought to realize
how we view the situation

in Singapore.

There must, at this stage, be no thought

of saving the troops or
sparing the population.

The battle must be
fought to the bitter end,

at all costs.

Commanders and senior officers
should die with their troops.

The honor of the British
Empire and the British Army

is at stake.

With the Russians fighting as they are,

and the Americans so
stubborn in the Philippines,

the whole reputation of our
country and our race is invoked.

I realize, Winston,
how the fall of Singapore

has affected you and the British people.

The greatest disaster in our history.

But no matter how serious our setbacks,

and I do not for a moment underrate them,

we must constantly look
forward to the next moves

that need to be made to hit the enemy.

This means we now take
primary responsibility

for the reinforcing of
Australia and New Zealand

and getting assistance
to China, and our navy.

Defense against all further
advances of the Japanese.

When I reflect how I have long prayed

for the entry of the
United States into the war,

I find it difficult to realize

how gravely our British
affairs have deteriorated

since December 7th.

We might as well admit
the difficult military side

of the problems.

There's no use giving a
single further thought

to Singapore or the Dutch Indies.

They're gone.

Australia must be held,

and we are willing to undertake that.

India must be held, and you must do that.

You must hold Egypt,
the canal, Syria, Iran,

and the route to the Caucuses.

I know you will not mind, Winston,

if I tell you that you should
take a leaf from my notebook.

Every month I go to
Hyde Park for four days,

crawl into a hole and
pull the hole in after me.

I wish you would try it.

And I wish you would lay a few bricks,

or paint another picture.

I am so grateful for all
your thoughts about my affairs

and personal kindness.

I went to Chatwell last week

and found spring there in all its beauty.

The goose I called

and the male black swan
have both fallen victims

to the phlox.

The yellow cat, however, made me sensible

of his continuing friendship.

I had not been there for eight months.

I find it very difficult
to get over Singapore,

but I hope we shall redeem it ere long.

Comrades, a long a tremendous front

from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea,

Red Army and Red Navy men
are fighting fierce battles.

At Moscow the Red Army defeated
the German fascist troops

which threatened to
encircle the Soviet capital.

We threw the enemy back from Moscow

and continue to push him westward.

The initiative is now in our hands.

There is a winter, you know, in Russia,

where the temperature
is apt to fall very low.

There is snow, there
is frost, and all that.

Hitler forgot about this Russian winter.

He must've been very loosely educated.

We all heard about it at
school, but he forgot it.

I have never made such
a bad mistake as that.

Mr. President, I doubt
if any single thing's

more important than getting
some sort of front this summer

against Germany.

The war plans division says we've gotta

go to Europe to fight,

and we've gotta quit wasting
resources all over the world,

and still worse, wasting time.

If we're to keep Russia
in, save the Middle East,

India, Burma, gotta begin
slugging with air at west Europe,

followed by a land attack,
as soon as possible.

Still like the idea
of French north Africa.

What do Marshall and the joint chiefs say?

Western Europe is the only place

where vital air superiority can be staged.

The only place where the
bulk of British ground forces

can be committed in
cooperation with US forces,

and success there will
afford maximum support

for the Russian front.

What Harry will tell you, Winston,

has my heart and mind in it.

Your people and mine demand
the establishment of a front

to draw off pressure on the Russians,

and these people are wise enough to see

that the Russians are
today killing more Germans

than you and I put together.

Go to it, Harry.

Yes sir.

And make sure Harry gets to bed early.

I am in entire agreement in principle

with all you propose.

The conception underlying it accords

with the classic principles of war.

Concentration against the main enemy.

Marshall Stalin.

I have in mind a very
important military proposal

to relieve your critical western front.

I wish you would consider
sending Mr. Molotov to Washington

in the immediate future.

Molotov can arrive
not later than May 15th.

It goes without saying that
he will also go to London

to exchange views with the British.

Mr. Cocktail will be welcome here.

You should not agree to any proposal

to start a second front in western Europe

on any assumption that
we do not mean business.

Our disposition is to take great risks

to relieve the Russian front.

At the same time, the
Japanese take control

of the Indian Ocean, not only will

the Middle East be in danger,

we shall lose the oil supplies
from the Persian Gulf.

Yes, Australia and the Middle East

will certainly discharge an obligation,

but our whole heart will be
in the cross channel invasion

in 1943, 1942 if necessary
to avert a Russian collapse.

Our view is the decision to
proceed with a second front

in Europe is one of the
most momentous ever faced.

The decision, once taken,
cannot be reversed.

If adopted, this will
constitute the major effort

of the United States in the war.

Then there is complete unanimity

in the framework of the cross
channel invasion in 1943.

Full preparations can now go ahead.

I feel better about
the war than any time

in the last two years.

Let me now set out my own view

of what had so far been decided

what I thought should be done.

I was ready to give the cross
channel assault a fair run,

with other sugggestions,
northwest Africa, northern Norway,

before the planning committee.

I was almost certain that
the more it was looked at,

the less it would be liked.

But.

I had to work by influence and diplomacy

in order to secure harmonious action

with our cherished ally,

without whose aid nothing
but ruin faced the world.

I did not, therefore, open
any of these alternatives

at our meeting.

I've been charged by my
government to come to London

to discuss the establishment
of the second front.

This is no new problem.

The coming weeks and
months on the Russian front

are fraught with the
most serious consequences

to both of us.

You must know how we view the prospects

of throwing off at least
40 German divisions

from the USSR in 1942.

The problem of landing
in France this year

is being studied.

Preparations are being made.

Please.

Thank you, thank you.

Two points should
however be born in mind.

First, with the best will and endeavor

it is unlikely that any
move we could make in 1942,

even if we were successful,

would draw off large
numbers of enemy land forces

from the eastern front.

In the air, the position is different.

If our plan for forcing air
battles over the continent

proves successful, the
Germans might be faced

with the choice either of seeing

the whole of their fighter air
force in the west destroyed

or making withdrawals from
their air strength in the east.

The second point, relative
to your proposition

that our aim should be
to draw off not less

than 40 German divisions from Russia,

we have confronting us
in Libya, Norway, France,

and the low countries, 44 divisions.

But we are not satisfied,

and if any plan can be made

for drawing the weight off Russia in 1942,

we shall not hesitate.

I have no doubt that you
genuinely wish for the success

of the Soviet Army against
the Germans this summer?

What is your view of the
prospects of our success?

Whatever your views might be,

I would be glad for a frank
expression of your opinion,

good or bad.

We feel great confidence
in the strength and ability

of the Soviet Army.

Now, you want to talk about
the treaty of alliance

between our countries.

These are the minimum conditions
my government insists on.

Recovering the territory
violated by Hitler,

the Baltics, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia.

We must secure our frontiers.

Poland is the most delicate question,

but the Soviet government will do its best

to come to terms with Poland.

We propose to substitute
for a territorial agreement

a general treaty of alliance for 20 years,

omitting all references to frontiers.

The difficulties are mainly
that we cannot go back

on our previous undertakings to Poland,

and have to take account of
our own and American opinion.

The big question is,
can we work with Russia,

now and after the war?

Is it Stalin's aim to overrun
and communize the continent?

We are most grateful to you
for meeting our difficulties

in this treaty as you have done.

I am sure the reward in the
United States will be solid.

We have done a great deal,

breaking down the barriers
between our countries.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Churchill is a strong man.

Very strong.

Unfortunately he'll never
make a good communist.

Has launched the
Africa call to the attak.

Logged it, captured Tebrook.

This may be the biggest
battle we have ever fought.

Our losses so far are 10,000
men, 350 tanks, 345 guns,

enemy killed and wounded probably equal

and possibly greater than ours.

This is a business not only
of armor, but willpower.

Everybody must fight!

They must fight!

Exactly as they would if Kent
or Suffolk were involved!

Mr. President, I am here, as you know,

to talk about a second front.

This year Hitler is the
master of all Europe.

To be sure the rations
might hold and fight on

all through 1942, but
it is only right to look

at the dark side of the picture.

Hitler might throw in such
reinforcements in manpower

and material that the Red Army

might not be able to hold out.

So Mr. President, I put this
question to you frankly.

Can you undertake such
offensive action as to draw off

40 German divisions?

If the answer is yes, the
war will be decided in 1942,

if no, we will fight
on alone doing our best

and man will expect
more from us than that.

My government wants to
know what position you take

on the question of a second front

and whether you are
prepared to establish one.

I request a straight answer.

You may inform Marshall Stalin

we expect the formation of
a second front this year...

Mr. President.

We must never let the plan
for invading north Africa

pass from our minds.

Tell Marshall Stalin...

We'll put it in the communique.

Full understanding has been reached

with regard to the creation
of a second front in Europe

in 1942.

Good.

Good.

Tell Molotov to come
back through London,

see Churchill again.

We are making preparations
for landing on the continent

in August or September of 1942.

It is impossible to say in advance

whether the situation will be as such

as to make the operation
feasible when the time comes.

We can therefore make no
promise in the matter.

But if it appears sound and sensible,

we shall not hesitate to
put our plan into effect.

Never before has our
association been so close,

or our mutual pledge for
the future so complete.

Wanting a second front

and having a second front

are two different things.

The important thing is we may be,

and probably are, faced with real problems

on the Russian front,

and must make our plans to face it.

Arrangements are being made.

Bless you, Harry.

For a landing on the coast of
northern France in September.

We are disturbed here
by what appears to be

a lack of clear understanding between us

in the event the Russians
get pushed around.

We do not favor an operation
certain to lead to disaster.

It would not help the Russians,
whatever their plight.

It would gravely delay the
main operation in 1943.

No responsible British military authority

has so far been able to make a plan

for crossing the channel in 1942

which has any chance of success,

unless the Germans become
utterly demoralized,

of which there is no likelihood.

Tobruk has surrendered,

with 25,000 men taken prisoner.

Defeat is one thing,

disgrace is another.

What can we do to help?

I am ashamed.

I cannot understand why Tobruk gave in.

25,000 of our men put up their hands.

If they won't fight, I don't...

Send 300 Sherman tanks,

100105 millimeter self-propelled guns

to the Middle East right away.

The military misfortunes
of the last fortnight

have transformed the situation
throughout the Mediterranean.

We have lost upwards of 50,000 men.

Rommel has advanced nearly
400 miles from the desert

and is now approaching the
fertile delta of the Nile.

The evil effects of this events
have not yet been measured.

If there are any would-be
profiteers of disaster,

if we labor to paint the
picture in darker colors,

they are certainly at liberty to do so.

American ground forces
must be put into position

to fight against German
ground forces in 1942.

I do not believe we can wait until 1943

to strike against Germany.

Invading France is of
such grave importance

that every reason calls for it.

If we cannot do northern France,
we must take second best,

French north Africa or the Middle East.

You're gonna have to go see
Winston for me again, Harry.

Mr. President.

Sorry it took us so long to get through.

The British will not willingly

go ahead with France this year.

Damn.

If France is definitely and
finally out of the picture,

I want you to determine another place

for US troops to fight in 1942.

North Africa is by far the best chance

for effective relief to the Russian Front.

Take into consideration the effect

of losing the Middle East.

Here is the true second front of 1942.

Losing the Middle East
would mean the loss of Egypt

and the Suez Canal.

The loss of Syria.

The Persian Gulf, access
to Persian Gulf oil.

Germany and Japan joining up

and the probably loss of the Indian Ocean.

North Africa in 1942.

Full steam ahead.

As you say.

Full steam ahead.

Franklin.

About shipping for Russia.

We've been considering very carefully

the number of convoys we're able to send.

And it seems to me that any word

reaching Stalin that our
supplies were stopping

would have a most unfortunate effect,

I fear not only the political
repercussions in Russia,

but even more the fact that our supplies

will not reach them promptly.

I beg you
not to press us on this.

Of the current convoy, only four ships

have reached our kingdom,
out of 33 that were sent.

Out of 600 tanks, little
more than 100 have arrived.

This cannot help anybody except the enemy.

I must reluctantly agree.

Marshall Stalin,

my naval advisors tell
me that the German forces

can now guarantee the complete destruction

of any convoy to northern Russia.

It is therefore with the greatest regret

that we have reached the conclusion

that to attempt to run convoy number 18

would only involve dead
loss of common cause.

At the same time, I give you my assurance

that if we can devise arrangements...

The British government
refuses to continue

the sending of war supplies
to the Soviet Union.

I must explain the
dangers and difficulties

of these convoy operations.

In wartime, no important
operation can be affected

without risks or losses.

In any case, I never expected
that the British government

would stop dispatch of war materials

just at the very moment when,

in view of the situation
on the Soviet-German front,

we require these materials more than ever.

Believe me, my comrade and friend.

No no, no no, strike that.

No.

Believe me, if one or two of our very few

most powerful battleships were to be lost,

the whole command of the
Atlantic would be lost.

Besides affecting the food
supplies by which we live,

our war effort would be crippled.

Our naval experts consider your reasons

wholly unconvincing.

They are of the opinion
that with good will

and readiness to fulfill your obligations,

those convoys could be
regularly undertaken.

Above all, the great
convoys of American troops

that cross the ocean presently,

80,000 in a month would be prevented,

and the building up of a really
strong second front in 1943

rendered impossible.

1943?

The second front in 1943?

In spite of the agreed communique

concerning the urgent task
of creating a second front

in 1942, the British government
postpones until 1943?

I must state in the most emphatic manner

that the Soviet government
cannot acquiesce

in the postponement of a second
front in Europe until 1943.

I do not propose to
embark upon an argument...

Winston, your reply to
Stalin must be handled

with great care.

You've got always to bear in mind

the personality of our ally

and the very difficult
and dangerous situation

which confronts him.

Try to put ourselves in his place.

I am willing, Marshall Stalin,

if you invite me,

to come to meet you.

I could tell you plans we have
made with President Roosevelt

for offensive action in 1942.

Believe me, there is nothing
that is useful and sensible

that we and the Americans
will not do to help you

in your proud struggle.

We hope to resume the
convoys to September...

The enemy is moving
into the area of Cortuban.

They will overrun the
last line of defense.

Organize the rear guard with instructions

to fight to the death
to give the army units

time to pull back.

I will come to Moscow,
I will if you desire,

fix a convenient...

You can't, the enemy stands
two miles from this city.

Stalingrad may fall today or tomorrow.

See to it that the commanders

of the north and northwest
forces strike the enemy at once.

To delay now is a crime!

Any date would suit me.

Mrs. Harpy.

Send a telegram to the president.

I should greatly like your aid

in my talks with Joe.

I have somewhat of a raw job,

I carry a large lump of
ice to the north pole.

What is it my duty to say to them?

This stubborn Bolshevik state.

I once tried so hard
to strangle his birth,

and which, until Hitler appeared,

I regarded as the mortal
foe of civilized freedom.

What is it my duty to say to them now?

I would not have come to Moscow

unless you had felt sure
that you would be able

to discuss realities.

There are no people with weak
nerves here, Prime Minister.

I suppose you want me
to come to the question

of the second front.

As you wish.

I wish to speak frankly,

and to invite complete
frankness from you in return.

When Mr. Molotov came to London,

I told him that we were
trying to make plans

for diversion in France.

I also made it clear that I could make

no promises about 1942.

Since then, an exhaustive
examination of the problem

has been carried out.

The British and American governments

do not feel themselves able
to undertake a major operation

in September, which is the latest month

in which the weather
is to be counted upon.

But, as you know, we are preparing

for a very great operation in 1943.

Is it impossible to attack
any part of the French coast?

In 1942, yes.

There is not a single German division

of any value in France.

There are, in France,
25 German divisions,

nine of which are of the first line.

And you are unwilling
even to land six divisions?

War is war, but not folly.

And it would be folly to invite disaster.

If by throwing in 150 to 200,000 men,

we could render you aid

by drawing away from the Russian front

appreciable German forces,

we would not shrink from this
course on grounds of loss.

But if it drew no men away,
and spoiled the prospects

for 1943, it would be a great...

My view of war is different.

A man who is not prepared to
take a risk cannot win a war.

Troops must be blooded in battle.

If you do not blood your troops,

you have no idea what their value is.

Why are you so afraid of the Germans?

I cannot understand.

Have you ever asked yourself why Hitler

did not come to England in 1940,

when he was at the height of his power?

When we had only 20,000 trained
troops, he did not come.

The fact is that Hitler was
afraid of the operation.

It is not so easy to cross the channel.

That is no analogy.

The landing of Hitler
would have been resisted

by the people.

The British landing in France

and the people would be on
the side of the British.

It seems that you expect to pay
your way by bombing Germany.

The present bombing of
Germany's centers of industry

is nothing to what will be done in six

or even three months' time.

It is not only German
industry they should be bombing,

but the civilian population too.

We look upon the morale
of German civilians

as a military target.

We sought no mercy and
we shall show no mercy.

If need be, we hope to
shatter almost every dwelling,

in almost every city in Germany.

That would not be bad.

It'll be better still.

We've now begun to use four ton bombs.

Let's talk again about the second front,

which is what I've come for.

I do not think France is the only place

for such an operation.

We and the Americans

have decided upon another plan,

which I will now tell you about secretly.

You.

I hope nothing about it will
appear in your British press.

I wish I could control the British press

as you control the Soviet press.

You have quite enough
powers to exercise control

whenever you wish to.

We want to take the strain off you.

Our plan is called Operation Torch.

If we can end this year

in possession of north Africa,

we can threaten the
belly of Hitler's Europe.

This is the crocodile.

Our intention is to attack

the soft underbelly of the crocodile,

and thus open another front,

and all the time holding
the enemy in France.

When will this be?

No later than October 30th, 1942.

First, this Operation Torch

will hit Rommel in the back, yes?

Mmhmm.

Second, it will overhaul Spain, yes?

Third, it will reduce
Germans fighting Frenchmen

in France, yes?

And fourth, it will expose Italy

to the whole brunt of the war.

And fifth, it will shorten the sea route

to the Mediterranean.

Stalin will make a big mistake

if he treats us roughly
after coming so far.

Stalin is a very wise man.

You may be sure that however
he argues, he understands all.

No.

Organization of the second front in Europe

was decided during the
visit of Molotov to London.

You have not kept your promise.

I repudiate that statement.

An aid memoir was given to Mr.
Molotov which distinctly said

"provided that it proves
sound and sensible."

No we wonder whether
we can in fact believe

in the African campaign.

Which is only a political
front, not military.

Why are you so much afraid of Germans?

Your convoys scatter.

For the first time in history,

the British Navy turns sail,

your British infantry
should be like the Russians.

They would find it not so bad.

You have to fight one way or the other.

You cannot win a war without fighting.

I pardon that remark

only on account of the
bravery of the Soviet troops.

Where is the guarantee
that this solemn promise

to invade western Europe in 1943

will also not be broken?

The British Prime Minister
will once again prove to us

that his country is not in
a position to sacrifice men.

While we're sacrificing
10,000 men a day.

No ring of comradeship in your attitude.

I have traveled far to establish
good working relations.

We have done our utmost to help Russia,

and will continue to do so.

Remember, we were left entirely alone

for a year against
Germany and Italy, alone.

Now I find that you do
not believe the sincerity

of my statements.

Now I hear you distrust my motives.

I tell you this.

Now that the three great
nations are allied,

Victory is certain provided
we do not fall apart!

By god, I like your spirit.

Why should we not have some drinks?

I'm always in favor of
such a policy, in principle.

What do you think, should we
let Molotov have one with us?

Is the Marshall aware

that on Molotov's recent
visit to Washington,

he said he was going to
pay a visit to New York

entirely by himself, and
the delay in his return

was not due to any defect in the airplane,

but because he was off on his own.

He wasn't in New York.

He was in Chicago with
all the other gangsters.

The one thing about
Molotov is he can drink.

Any differences that exist
between us in this war

are all at once omitted.

We will try to remove even
those differences by deeds.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Excellent.

I'm sure it was better
to have it come this way

than any other.

He knows the worst, and we parted

in an atmosphere of good will.

All is clear.

A campaign in Africa and Italy.

They simply want to be the first

in reaching the Balkans.

They want us to bleed white

in order to dictate their
terms to us later on.

I demand every nation,

every nation,

to defend Stalingrad.

That part that's been
captured must be liberated!

Winston.

Torch.

The north African attack
should be launched

at the earliest possible date.

Full blast!

I feel very strongly
that the initial attacks

must be made by an exclusively
American ground force,

supported by your naval and
transport and air units.

The British will come
in only as and when

you judge expedient.

All our hopes now are
centered on the battle.

Alexander and Montgomery are
going to fight against Rommel.

He may well be the key to the future.

Tell Alexander, let me have
the word zip when you start.

Mr. President, Prime Minister.

Our position in the Stalingrad
area has deteriorated

due to the shortage of fighters,

which makes it impossible
for us to defend our troops.

If together you could supply
us with 800 fighters a month,

Britain giving roughly 300, the US 500.

We will ship you 276
combat planes this month.

We will give you 150.

Tens and hundreds of
thousands of Soviet men, women,

and children are dying, and
Churchill wants to barter

of a couple of dozen hurricanes.

Rely only on ourselves,
don't count on getting

any aid from our allies.

Zip.

The great battle in Egypt has opened well.

Mr. President, the whole
force of the British Army

will be engaged.

All the Shermans and self-propelled
guns which you gave me

on that dark Tobruk morning,
they will play their part.

Mr. Fraser, you will have seen with pride

all that your valiant
New Zealanders are doing.

Mr. Curtin, you will have
observed with pleasure

the distinguished part which
the ninth Australian division

are playing, they are cutting
into the enemy in the air,

the ground, and the sea.

General Alexander, if your
hopes can be maintained,

I propose to ring the
bells all over Britain

for the first time this war.

Yes?

Thank god.

Thank god.

That sounds grand.

Congratulations.

Casualties are comparatively light.

Much below projections.

Thank god.

We've landed in north Africa.

We're striking back.

We have begun offensive
operations in the Stalingrad area.

Rommel's army has been defeated.

It has been routed.

They've been very largely
destroyed as a fighting force.

The operation is
proceeding satisfactorily.

Now this is not the end.

It is not even the beginning of the end.

But it is, perhaps, the
end of the beginning.

Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
Public shouldn't leave reviews for lawyers.