Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

Dear Mac,

In researching the American Lend-Lease program during WWII I was surprised to learn that Harry L. Hopkins, Roosevelt's chief advisor, played such a large part in influencing the war to a successful conclusion. A History Channel has published an article on the Net that clearly summarizes his important role, and his relationships with not only Roosevelt, but also Churchill and Stalin. It was Hopkins who instigated Churchill's trip on the HMS Prince of Wales to meet Roosevelt in founding the Atlantic Charter. As a matter of fact Hopkins had been in England to see Churchill and in Russia to see Stalin, and in returning home, accompanied Churchill in the Prince of Wales. See http://www.historynet.com/culture/politics/3026926.html?showAll=y&c=y for a summary of Hopkins' career. Churchill called him the "Lord Root of the Matter" and Stalin trusted him more than he did any foreigner. Roosevelt hoped that Hopkins would succeed him as president, but in 1937 Hopkins had most of his stomach removed due to cancer and was not able to function on a full-time basis. He lived some of those years at the White House, and when he visited Churchill, he lived with him at Ten Downing Street, on one occasion living there for a six week period.

And Hopkins also sat in on war conferences of the highest importance, but would keep quiet during the discussions, but most often came up with a solution, according to Admiral William Leahy, Roosevelt's chief of staff during the war.

Rush Webb
Sandusky, Ohio

Rush,

Nice as always to hear from you.

I have always known the huge influence and trust Hopkins had with Franklin D Roosevelt, and the direction that the US took in WW2.

Roosevelt sent him off to both Churchill and Stalin when he wanted a personal approach other than getting on the telephone or using a written method to communicate with them, he was the right hand and even both hands of the US President at crucial periods of WW2.

Here is a note from my "HMAS Canberra story on the Battle of Savo Island."
 

SHERWOOD'S COMMENT
It is of interest, that Sherwood in his second volume of "The White House Papers of Harry L. HopkIns" noted,

    "on September 7, three American cruisers and an Australian Cruiser were surprised and sunk in the slot between GuadalcanaI and Savo Island and the position of the land forces was critical and terrible, with the Japanese largely in control of the sea communications."

Sherwood, was of course referring to the Battle of Savo Island on the night of 9 August, 1942, during which the US cruisers QUINCY, ASTORIA, VINCENNES and the Australian cruiser CANBERRA were all sunk. I find it very difficult to comprehend how the "Hopkins Papers" could record the loss of the 3 US cruisers and CANBERRA as 7 September instead of 9 August. Hopkins was very much a trusted personal aide to Rooseveldt. He wielded great influence and used the President's authority to the utmost through the years of 1939-45 and would have had access to all of Rooseveldt's service intelligence and records.

I do not know if you are aware of  Robert Sherwood's two volumes  The White House Papers of Harry L Hopkins- an intimate History.

Vol 1 covered the period September 1939- January 1942, and ran to 491 pages.

Vol 11 covered the perion January 1942- July 1945, and had 476 pages.

They were published about 1948, if my fading memory is at all working, and I can recommend you having a look at them if possible, you would certainly enjoy both Hopkins style and achievements.

Best regards, 
Mac.