THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON December 19, 1941 FIRST PRIORITY OF MILITARY STRATEGY THE DEFENSE OF THE ATLANTIC AREA BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGOM 1. How can this be strengthened to make reasonably certain that England certain be invaded and that supplies can be assured? a. Should we establish at once a bombing unit even of modest proportions in England, which would be the nucleus of a large striking force in the future? b. Is it necessary to put ground troops with equipment in England? c. Are we going to use American forces entirely in Iceland, thereby relieving trained British troops for other services? c. Are we going to discontinue the transfer of American flag ships to the British for use in the Atlantic run and run those ships into England under our own flag? e. Should we take over the Atlantic Ferry Service and the operation and defense of the airport at Prestwick so that this be entirely an American enterprise, thereby relieving British pilots and mechanics? f. Are we going to place any PBY's in Ireland or England as originally planned as a defense against the approaches to England and the North of Ireland? g. Can we induce the South of Ireland to make bases available? h. Can we provide airships for transportation between the United States and Foynes? |