"Churchill, Ike, and the King of England " Topic

"On this day (-4 approximately) in 1944, Winston Churchill called Dwight Eisenhower. The conversation went something like this: "Ike, I want you to put me on one of the ships to observe the invasion. We've waited so long for this moment. It will be a turning point in the history of all mankind. And, I can not send so many brave boys to meet danger or death without showing them I share some risk."

Ike replied something like – "Mr. Prime Minister, I understand your feelings completely. But you are such a symbol of the Allied cause that I cannot allow you to take the risk. If something happened to you, it would be a setback to the war effort no matter what fate we met on the beach."

Churchill threatened to call FDR but Ike said he would resign before letting Churchill board the invasion fleet. Churchill then reminded Ike that he (Churchill) had once been First Lord of the Admiralty. Therefore, he said "I think I still have enough friends in the British Navy to get aboard some vessel whether you like it or not." The reply – "Perhaps, Mr. Prime Minister…but I assure you I shall do everything I can to prevent it."

Later that day, Ike took the unusual step of calling Windsor Castle. He asked to speak to George VI, the King of England. After excusing his own impertinence, Ike told the King that Churchill was being foolish and stubborn and that if anything happened to Churchill the war effort would suffer regardless of other events…"
Full article here
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Amicalement
Armand

Sounds like Winston. KG6 played it very well. Well done to both of you. It's nice to know they were brave enough to put themselves in harms way along with their boys. Somehow I don't see Hitler willing to do that. May we be worthy of such leadership and blessed to receive it again.

Well handled that King there!

The King had actually been with the Grand Fleet at Jutland in 1916, an old Navy man himself. Eisenhower seems to have told this story in his memoirs. Winston had an opportunity to reply when he wrote his history of WWII, and tells the story a little differently.

Neither one mentions it, but if Churchill had been present, even as an observer, or in an unofficial role, and the invasion failed, he would have taken some of the blame, psooibly undermining his position. The way it was, Eisenhower would have taken all the blame for failure.

Grelber

A brilliant story, and one I'd not heard before. Thanks for that, Armand.

Glad you had enjoy it my friend!.

Amicalement
Armand

A brilliant story, and one I'd not heard before. Thanks for that, Armand.

Thought that did the rounds decades ago. Another sign of my old age then.

A god story

BTW the King made it over to Normandy on June 16th

Churchill did get to witness the landings for Operation Dragoon. The captain of the British vessel he was on would not get closer than 7000 yards, it was a hazy day, and Winston was somewhat put out that he couldn't see anything.

Great story, Armand! Thanks for sharing that.
Peter

A votre service mon ami! (smile).

Amicalement
ARmand

That's a very old ship pictured behind them; deliberately beached as a breakwater?