Atlantic MeetingRoosevelt and Churchill in Newfoundland - 1941

The political climate in Europe changed dramatically when Adolph Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany and created a radical single party nation promoting pro-Aryan laws targeting minorities. President Franklin Roosevelt expressed his concern with Hitler’s new policies to European leaders including Winston Churchill and the League of Nations.

Germany’s territorial expansion plans began when citizens voted in the 1935 Saar plebiscite for reunification with Germany after French mandate control.

Addition of the Saar encouraged Hitler to extend Germany’s borders into neighboring countries with German speaking populations while ever increasing numbers of minorities fled.

The League of Nations, unable to impose sanctions as Germany resigned its membership earlier, watched as German re-armament and rhetoric grew. As an interim measure, the League opened a new London office for the ‘High Commissioner for Refugees Coming from Germany’ in 1935.

Thus began the road to the ‘Atlantic Meeting’ of 1941 and a long overdue coordinated response to aggression by the Axis nations whose expansionist ideals were resolved only through conflict.

Semi-postal for benefit of National Culture Fund

This thematic exhibit documents the ‘Atlantic Meeting’ of 1941 between U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill.

Beginning with circumstances prior to the encounter at sea, the exhibit continues with events leading to the meeting, including preparation, attendees, travel, the site and ends with the meeting and ‘joint statement’ outlining the war and peace aims agreed to and reaffirmed by both governments.

Exhibit Focus

1 Political Climate Change2 Catalyst for Action3 A Plea and a Plan4 Secret Preparations 5 Travel to Newfoundland6 The Meeting7 The Atlantic Charter8 Homeward to Victory

Exhibit Plan

Difficult to acquire items arehighlighted in dark blue

Nansen passport revenues 1936Overprinted “Réfugies Sarrois”

(Saarlander Refugee)

London, England to Geneva, Switzerland, 28 August 1937, 2 1/2 pence surface letter rateService mail from the office of the ‘High Commissioner for Refugees Coming from Germany’

3 examples recorded

Note: The term ‘united nations’ may be confusing as the allies referred to themselves as the ‘united nations’ as early as 1942, long before the United Nations organization was founded.

1. Political Climate Change 1935 - 1938

Roosevelt and Churchill

2. Catalyst for Action - Aggression by Germany, Italy and Japan

Germany annexed Austria in 1938 and then pressed claims on other German speaking areas within the borders of neighboring countries.

March 1938 - June 1940

Occupation of Czechoslovakia’s German speaking Sudetenland in 1938 was followed by open warfare with Poland in 1939. Germany expanded the war to other European countries during 1940 and after their defeat, Great Britain quickly became the focus.

Local delivery within Vienna, Austria, 19 March 193824 groschen local letter rate‘Der Führer in Wien’ (The Leader in Vienna) hand stampMailed the day Germany annexed Austria

Warsaw, Poland to Geneva, Switzerland, 27 December 193880 groszy letter rate, 50 groszy registrationto Nansen International Refugee Office

In June 1940, Italy and Japan integrated their war aims with Germany and formed the ‘Axis Powers’. Italy, under Prime Minister Benito Mussolini, occupied Ethiopia and Japan’s incursion into northern China and formation of the state Manchukuo secured raw materials for war.

Hitler & Prime Minister Mussolinijoined forces in June 1940

Selassie pleading for Ethiopiabefore the League of Nations

Japanese occupationoverprint for ShanghaiJapanese Warship Map of Manchukuo

Germanissue

overprintedLuxemburg

Sudetenlandlocaloverprint“We are free”

3. A Plea and a Plan - Churchill’s Plea

King George VI of Great Britain turned to Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister as of May 1940. His reaction to assuming the post produced the famous quote - “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”

London, England to New York, N.Y., 9 December 1941, 2 1/2 pence surface rateOfficial service mail with British censor marking and King George VI definitive issue

“blood, toil, tears and sweat”

Booklet Cover

Churchill knew a strong ally was needed to survive the onslaught, one with great potential reserves. He desperately needed to convince Roosevelt that America should join the allied cause and quickly.

Double background impression missing border

In September of 1940, Britain became the target of an aerial ‘blitz’ as German bombers pummeled London under the cover of night. RAF Spitfires bravely defended the city causing the Luftwaffe’s bombing campaign to gradually halt, delaying the ground invasion indefinitely. This respite provided Churchill time to plan his plea for support.

Battle of Britain

As France fell to German forces in June 1940, more than 500,000 troops were evacuated from the shores of Dunkirk. Britain then stood fully isolated and alone with most of the European continent occupied.

Ships of all sizes and shapes were used during the emergency evacuation of DunkirkSe-tenant Pairs

Semi-postal to benefitthe rebuilding of Dunkirk

May - October 1940

3. A Plea and a Plan - Roosevelt’s Plan November 1940 - January 1941

“In future days, which we seek to secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essen-tial human freedoms. The first is the freedom of speech and expression - everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way - everywhere in the world. The third is the freedom from want - which translated into world terms, means eco-nomic understandings which will secure every nation a healthy peace-time life for its inhab-itants - everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear - which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thor-ough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor - anywhere in the world.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Holyoke, Ma. to Bern, Switzerland. 22 March 19435¢ foreign surface rate (1¢ overpaid)Returned to sender ‘No Service Available’ due to suspended mail service 7 November 1942Block of six of ‘Four Freedoms’ issue

Domestic 1st class rate

Campaign speech 2 Nov. 1940

Roosevelt believed Germany might defeat all of Europe. Facing the growing German and Italian oppression, he suggested U.S. support for allied nations in a 1940 campaign speech.

His plan required preparing the public for a future war footing through radio broadcasts. The most important was the ‘America is the Arsenal of Democracy’ speech on 29 December 1940.

A newly amended American Neutrality Act allowed the allies to purchase ships and military equipment from the ‘Arsenal of Democracy’.

Freedom from FearFreedom of WorshipFreedom of Speech Freedom from Want

‘Arsenal of Democracy’ tanks‘Liberty Ship’ purchase

Roosevelt wished to include his ‘Four Freedoms’, outlined in his speech on 1 January 1941, in any agreement he made.

4. Secret Preparations - Participants, Transport and a Date June - July 1941

The Brooklyn Navy Yard outfitted President Roosevelt’s flagship, the U.S.S. Augusta, with an elevator and ramps to ease his access onboard.

U.S.S. Augusta to Brooklyn, N.Y., 18 July 1941, 3¢ domestic letter rate, Posted during the Augusta’s retrofit in Brooklyn Navy Yard

Military advisors Generals George C. Marshall and Henry ‘Hap’ Arnold attended but leaders like Prime Minister Mackenzie King of Canada were not invited.

Brooklyn Navy Yard Station to Washington, D.C., 14 May 1941, 1¢ post card rate

In a transatlantic phone call in mid-July, the two leaders agreed upon 9 August as the date for their top secret meeting “Somewhere at Sea’.

Advertising tab and booklet stamp

Joseph Stalin conferred privately with Roosevelt’s personal aide at the end of July and unaware of the meeting, sent his requests and views on the conflicts.

Printed in Oranienburg-

Sachsenhausen concentration

camp

German SSpropaganda

forgery

65¢ = 3 ouncedomestic letter rateas of 3 April 1988

Henry ‘Hap’ ArnoldGeorge C. Marshall

20¢ per ouncedomestic letter rateas of 2 May 1974

Mackenzie King

4¢ make-uprate valueas of 1973

Placentia Bay provided concealment from the Atlantic Ocean and had both warship and military seaplane operations to protect it. Additional warships were deployed for security in early August.

4. Secret Preparations - the Meeting Site

A.P.O. 801-A, Argentia Naval Air Station to Rialto, Ca., 15 July 19416¢ airmail rate with naval censorCommissioning DaySigned by base commander

Roosevelt took advantage of the ‘Lend Lease Act’ of 1941 and chose the Argentia Naval Air Station on Placentia Bay in Newfoundland as the secret meeting site. The station was chosen as it was remote and very newly commissioned by U.S. forces.

Placentia Bay

Argentia, Newfoundland local delivery1 December 1941, 5¢ domestic rate

Contractors for refurbishment ofthe Argentia U.S. Naval Air Station

‘Lend Lease’

Air station protectionby sea and air

Self-adhesive, 1st class letter rate

July - August 1941

On departing Scapa Flow on 4 August, one of the greatest cat and mouse dramas of World War II began. In a daring sprint across the Atlantic, the H.M.S. Prince of Wales with Churchill aboard and accompanied by H.M.S. Hesperus, avoided German submarine and seaplane patrols to arrive in Placentia Bay on 9 August.

Churchill on deck at Placentia Bay, picture post card, Valentine & Sons, Ltd. Dundee & London, 1942

5. Travel to Newfoundland - Churchill Sails West

Churchill, three military staff and a foreign affairs diplomat departed #10 Downing Street the morning of 3 August 1941. They traveled to Scotland by train under strictest secrecy.

London to Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, 3 July 1941, (10 Downing St. on rear flap)‘LONDON OFFICIAL PAID’ postmark in red

Ship at Scapa Flow, Scotland, via London to Hatfield, England, 3 January 1940 censor hand stamp with initials, King’s Harbour Master embossed on rear

3 - 8 August 1941

H.M.S. Prince of Wales

German Semi-postal IssuesU-boat commander Seaplane patrol

5. Travel to Newfoundland - Roosevelt Sails North

The presidential yacht, the U.S.S. Potomac, ferried President Roosevelt to an evening rendezvous with the U.S.S. Augusta on 5 August. The Potomac then began a ‘fishing trip’ off the coast of Maine with newsmen reporting that the president was enjoying his fishing vacation. The U.S.S. Augusta steamed stealthily northwards toward Newfoundland.

USS Potomac to Nova Scotia, Canada28 August 1941Reply postal card rate to Canada was 1¢,the same rate as a domestic card (1/2¢ overpaid)

Admiral Ernest King

The cruiser U.S.S. Tuscaloosa and the destroyer U.S.S. Madison escorted the U.S.S. Augusta under flotilla commander Admiral Ernest King.

U.S.S. Tuscaloosa to New York, N.Y., 6 April 1941, penalty clause paid domestic postage (top)U.S.S. Madison via Portsmouth, Va. to Washington, D.C., 4 June 1941, penalty clause paid postage, 6¢ airmail issue added to pay airmail service fee (bottom)

5 - 8 August 1941

Commemorative hand cancel devices of the U.S.S. Arkansas and the U.S.S. Augusta, President Franklin Roosevelt’s Flagship, 9 August 19413¢ domestic letter rates, dated on the day the ‘H.M.S. Prince of Wales’ arrived with Prime Minister Churchill aboard

Souvenir cacheted envelope printed by order of Roosevelt for use of the crew members of all ships, commemorative ship cancels most likely backdated

6. The Meeting - Arrival in Newfoundland

On 9 August, the U.S.S. McDougal guided H.M.S. Prince of Wales to the anchorage of the U.S.S. Arkansas and U.S.S. Augusta.

U.S.S. Arkansas

9 August 1941

U.S.S. McDougal to New Orleans, La., 10 April 1942, penalty clause paid domestic postage rate (3¢) without stamp

6. The Meeting - Discussion and Agreement

U.S. officers discussed supply planning and resource distribution with their British counterparts as well as battle strategies to ‘Stamp Out!’ the three Axis Powers of Germany, Italy and Japan.

Washington, D.C. to New York, N.Y., 3 October 1942, 3¢ domestic letter rate, Minkus patriotic cachet - Stamp ‘em Out!

Churchill’s most important goal was to get the U.S. to make a ‘joint statement’ and join the war on the side of Great Britain and her allies.

Roosevelt promoted self-governance of nations and colonies and assistance to refugees to “hold out hope to the enslaved peoples of the world”.

Both leaders found compromise in eight points of the ‘joint statement’ which later served as inspiration in founding the United Nations.

Stamp design - ‘hold out hope to the enslaved’1¢ Certificate of Mailing fee paid by UN definitive

Two recorded examples

Se-tenant pair, domestic letter rate as of 3 Feb. 1991Roosevelt / Augusta and Churchill / Prince of Wales

The two world leaders met from 9 through 12 August 1941, alternating between the U.S.S. Augusta and the H.M.S. Prince of Wales.

9 - 12 August 1941

Prime Minister Hideki Tojo and Japan were a subject of conversation. The ‘joint statement‘ was also meant as a warning to Japan on further aggression in China.

Double impression of background before border was printed4 mm offset to left

Great Britain, China and USA flags

Prime Minister Hideki Tojo of Japan

Churchill on Prince of Wales

7. The Atlantic Charter - War and Peace Aims Defined

The ‘joint statement’ outlined war and peace aims of both leaders. A typed, hand-corrected draft was wired to Washington and London for affirmation by the U.S. Congress and the British Parliament.

U.S.S. Augusta to Washington, D.C., 14 August 1941, 3¢ domestic letter rate (Army & Navy Register Publishing Co. was a private military news publisher 1879-1948)Posted on the day the ‘Atlantic Charter’ was announced to the world - Only recorded example

Clement AttleeLabour Leader

Clement Attlee, in London, broadcast the ‘joint statement’ on British radio at 3 p.m. on 14 August 1941. A U.S. broadcast was made at the same time - while Churchill and Roosevelt were still at sea. London’s Daily Herald quickly dubbed it - the ‘Atlantic Charter’. Churchill

still at sea

U.S. CongressIssue of 1923

2006 reprint

14 August 1941

British Parliamentgutter pair

Wireless transmission receipt ‘on Board British Ships’

8. Homeward to Victory - A Successful Meeting

The ‘Atlantic Charter’s importance was made clear when 26 ‘Nations United for Victory’ all declared allegiance and signed the ‘Declaration by United Nations’ on 2 January 1942. ‘Declaration by United Nations’

Signed in Washington, D.C. 2 Jan. 1942

Mountain, Wi. to San Francisco, Ca.25 May 1945, 6¢ airmail rate

rear flap of 1942 patriotic envelopeOffice of War Information (OWI)

‘UNITED we are strong’

‘Nations United for Victory’Signed by designer

Leon Helguera

Roosevelt returned home having ensured his ‘Four Freedoms’ ideals were included in the text of the ‘Atlantic Charter’. His support plans for the allies became the driving force behind the ideal of ‘UNITED we are strong’ and a symbol for ‘Nations United for Victory’.

Un-watermarked paperRegular stamp issued

on watermarked paper‘PEACE’

‘Nations United for Victory’

to win a lasting ‘Peace’.

Patriotic envelope front

As the H.M.S. Prince of Wales steamed homeward, she encountered an allied convoy made up of English, Canadian and American ships. On Churchill’s order, the H.M.S. Prince of Wales sailed through their center, signaling that Churchill was aboard and wished them a “Good Voyage”. Churchill returned home with a guarantee of war supplies for Britain and the allied nations. He had succeeded with his plea for assistance.

Signalman on convoy shipArmed convoy ship

August 1941 - January 1942

3¢ domestic letter rate, Pitney Bowes postage meter with advertising slug, Signal flags use international code