Washington Conference (1942)
Encyclopedia
The Second Washington Conference (19 June – 25 June 1942), did not have a code name
because it was hastily called and was regarded at the time as a set of military staff conversations rather than a formal conference. The two delegations were led by Winston Churchill
the British Prime Minister and the American President Franklin D. Roosevelt
.
Immediately before the Conference started, Roosevelt held preparatory talks with Churchill in his home town of Hyde Park, New York
on 19 June and 20 June.
The conference discussed how the Western Allies could best aid the Soviet Union. The Americans were keen to open up a Second Front in France, but the British did not think that it was yet a feasible option and Churchill proposed an developing a joint campaign in the Mediterranean Theater
leading to an attack Italy as the "soft under-belly" of the Axis. Agreement was reached to start preparations for an invasion of the North African Colonies of Vichy France
(See Operation Torch
). One of the first concrete measures taken by Roosevelt to facilitate this strategy was to appoint General Dwight D. Eisenhower
as the Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Forces in the European Theater of Operations
on 25 June.
Roosevelt and Churchill also held discussions with members of the Pacific War Council, King Peter II of Yugoslavia
and his Foreign Minister, and with Soviet and Chinese representatives with whom they discuss strategic problems.
Code name
A code name or cryptonym is a word or name used clandestinely to refer to another name or word. Code names are often used for military purposes, or in espionage...
because it was hastily called and was regarded at the time as a set of military staff conversations rather than a formal conference. The two delegations were led by Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
the British Prime Minister and the American President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
.
Immediately before the Conference started, Roosevelt held preparatory talks with Churchill in his home town of Hyde Park, New York
Hyde Park, New York
Hyde Park is a town located in the northwest part of Dutchess County, New York, United States, just north of the city of Poughkeepsie. The town is most famous for being the hometown of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt....
on 19 June and 20 June.
The conference discussed how the Western Allies could best aid the Soviet Union. The Americans were keen to open up a Second Front in France, but the British did not think that it was yet a feasible option and Churchill proposed an developing a joint campaign in the Mediterranean Theater
Mediterranean Theatre of World War II
The African, Mediterranean and Middle East theatres encompassed the naval, land, and air campaigns fought between the Allied and Axis forces in the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and Africa...
leading to an attack Italy as the "soft under-belly" of the Axis. Agreement was reached to start preparations for an invasion of the North African Colonies of Vichy France
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
(See Operation Torch
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
). One of the first concrete measures taken by Roosevelt to facilitate this strategy was to appoint General Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
as the Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Forces in the European Theater of Operations
European Theater of Operations
The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...
on 25 June.
Roosevelt and Churchill also held discussions with members of the Pacific War Council, King Peter II of Yugoslavia
Peter II of Yugoslavia
Peter II, also known as Peter II Karađorđević , was the third and last King of Yugoslavia...
and his Foreign Minister, and with Soviet and Chinese representatives with whom they discuss strategic problems.