The Churchill Series - Nov. 20, 2005

(One of a series of daily posts about Winston S. Churchill.)

From the first joint Anglo-American war planning conference in Washington in late Dec. 1941 and Jan. 1942, almost until the June 1944 Normandy invasion, the question of when the Allies should launch a cross-channel attack divided the British and American leaders. The British consistently argued for later dates; the Americans for earlier ones.

Their differences led to frequent arguments, usually loud and fierce. Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Marshall Alan Brooke, recorded in his diary that one planning session between American and British chiefs of staff led to "the mother and father of all rows."

At times, leaders of each nation questioned the good sense and motives of leaders of the other nation. But that said, it must always be remembered that when the die was cast, the two nations stood together.

Now let's get Churchill in here.

Of course, Churchill argued for delay. He feared an attack before Germany was near collapse would mean the channel would "run red with blood." Roosevelt pushed for as early a date as possible. His military leaders, especially Army Chief of Staff George Marshall, supported him.

In those contentious circumstances, a joke began circulating among the Americans.

It seems that late one night, the telephone rang at 10 Downing Street.

A young operator, new to the job, answered. Someone with a gruff voice demanded to speak to Churchill.

The operator was intimidated and put the call through without asking who the caller was.

But Churchill immediately recognized the caller's voice.

"Ah, Marshall Stalin, how's everything in Moscow?"

"I don't know. I'm here with my army in Calais."