The Road to Casablanca - FDR, Churchill and the planning of Operation Torch

[@glennstribling7797]

Fantastic. Paul bring back Paul!

[@golfballwhisperer4643]

Fantastic Show Woody!!! Thanks to Paul Sparrow. Now I'll be looking forward to going down the Lend Lease Rabbithole..

[@philbosworth3789]

What an amazing presentation by Paul. I think I learnt more about FDR during WWII in an hour than I previously even considered. Great show again Woody.

[@staxmarshall]

Excellent program

[@assaulter99]

I dare say, this might be your finest hour Paul.

[@carla3716]

This is one of my favorite episodes. I learned so much.

[@KevinJones-yh2jb]

This was an outstanding presentation by Paul, so much insight into FDR, there is so much more from Paul to be heard, please bring him back. Thank you both

[@susanyu6507]

I circled back and watched this a second time. I really enjoyed learning more about FDR and Churchill, their relationship, and what brings us to this moment. We’d talked about going to see the Roosevelt Library, so going to have to make a trip there. Thanks Paul Sparrow and Paul Woodadge. Invaluable and entertaining. Learning as it should be. Great photos.😮 Emoji for FDR and the Bulldog.

[@curtiswebb8135]

Late again. Sorry Paul. Perfect example of your work ethics. World class. Second to none. I owe you a couple pints brother.

[@georgecooksey8216]

Excellent discussion. Thank you Paul and Paul.

[@scottgrimwood8868]

A very good presentation on the FDR - Churchill relationship.

[@TheVigilant109]

Wonderful presentation by Paul. I learned a lot tonight. Look forward to hearing from Paul again. Many thanks

[@georgewnewman3201]

The passage of the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 occurred in June 1940, which required all men between the ages of 21 and 35 to register with a local draft board before the end of October 1940. After registration, came physical examinations, psychological examinations, and classification into draft groups of 1-A to 4-F and assigning the men who were not exempted a "draft" lottery number of 1-9000. When the draft actually started, they would pull those numbers randomly and then men would be inducted in that order. Often, the earliest draftees had a 21-day leave after induction to wrap up personal and business affairs while later draftees would have as much as three months or more to do this. 16 million men registered on Oct 16th and it takes quite a lot of time to process that many men. Originally, deferments and exemptions were given out to 10 million men, on grounds of medical, psychological, education, family, or occupational grounds. Both of my grandfathers were given deferments; on Dec 7, my paternal grandfather (father's father) was already in his 30s, married, had three sons under 12 (and a wife pregnant with what would be their fourth son) and was a farmer, while my maternal grandfather, also already in his 30s, married, had a daughter 7 years old, and ran dairy processing plants making cheese (any food processing plant was considered a vital war industry). Great show as always, Woody, need to do an expanded version some time.

[@Pam_N]

Superb narration and fascinating accounts.

[@Chiller01]

At 1:05 you ask the question regarding the prominent Anglophobes in the war effort. From a relatively ignorant understanding I would like to know who are the most prominent Americanophobes (I looked it up) in the Commonwealth at the time.

[@WW2TV]

Hmm. I will have to think about that, Lord Halifax possibly

[@Chiller01]

@@WW2TV As an American (actually dual Canadian) I am certain more high ranking British officials were disparaging of Americans’ perceived ignorance and arrogance. Though I can’t remember the source, American troops in North Africa were referred to as “our Italians” by British officers. I’m gonna have to dig a little. I’m really looking forward to Michael Neiberg’s presentation on the politics of Torch. Perhaps something will come to light. Really enjoy your channel.

[@WW2TV]

You're probably right on all counts

[@liamhickey359]

Admiral King wasnt an Anglophobe. He hated everybody.

[@rollotreadway9251]

An excellent presentation which taught me much about Anglo-American relations in this critical period. One thing that does puzzle me is why, given their close personal relationship, Churchill did not attend FDR's funeral, was it a matter of logistics or Churchill's health?

[@WW2TV]

Both I think

[@fazole]

Very good overview with great anecdotes! I disagree, however, that AH was trying to provoke GB and France into war with the invasion of Poland. History reports that AH was stunned when the allies declared war on him and he tried for months to get a peace deal, even when GB was bombing Germany. Of course, AH proved he couldn't be trusted after violating the Munich Agreement. From the diplomatic letters I've read being issued by US representatives in Moscow in 1941, they speak admiringly of Stalin's rule; even justifying the execution of his non-performing generals and this may have influenced FDRs view of Stalin.

[@morningstar9233]

Agree. That's the only exception i took to an otherwise great presentation. AH was not trying to provoke Britain and France over Poland. I believe he thought it risky but his generals pushed for it. When war was declared AH is famously quoted as saying "Now what?"

[@gerardjoseph17]

It was as if Paul had been in the conversations with FDR, Stalin & Churchill. Could have listened to Woody & Paul a few more hours. Really good informative insight covering all the angles and views from all sides concerning the " what if" question on taking on the Russians. Truman may have needed Valium or nerve tablets through that mess. Fantabulous program, mate!

[@WW2TV]

Thanks, and yes I had a great time chatting to Paul

[@gerardjoseph17]

@WW2TV ... I know you will inform us when he'll be returning... I've already begun watching the program again.

[@lollypop2413]

What british troops were issued use of jeeps? I have one photo of my father with his jeep and driver. I know he was in nweurope discovered belsen bergen during recon. ..i am trying to find out what unit he was attached to...is a jeep significant? Part of his task was hunting and interrogation of ss and gestapo

[@WW2TV]

Jeeps were universally used by all the Allies from 42/43 onwards with tens of thousands being produced

[@cenccenc946]

Totally have him back.

[@WW2TV]

I will

[@zainmudassir2964]

Couldn't catch livestream. Would've asked whether 1942 landings in Europe could succeed

[@WW2TV]

The simple answer is no

[@zainmudassir2964]

The channel Islands perhaps. Probably better than the Dieppe raid which was a disaster

[@Chiller01]

It’s my understanding that the proposition to invade France in 1942 was only to be attempted in a limited fashion and only if Russia’s defeat appeared imminent. The intent to cross the Channel in 43 was a more serious aspiration.

[@WW2TV]

Yes from 1943 there was definityely sufficient personnel for a Second Front, but a shortage of the means of getting them across the channel

[@johnross2086]

What about cheng kai chek and stillwell who were both present

[@WW2TV]

They were not the focus of this programme - simple

[@Mike-yu7ku]

The Atlas Mountains are east of Marrakech so you cannot watch the sunset you watch the sunrise

[@Mike-yu7ku]

Your channel is great I forgot to say. I really enjoy it and I’ve learned a lot. I live on the beach in Mohammedia (Fedala back then) where the landings happened.

[@Mike-yu7ku]

Your channel is great I forgot to say. I really enjoy it and I’ve learned a lot. I live on the beach in Mohammedia (Fedala back then) where the landings happened.

[@therealuncleowen2588]

18:50 FDR: We're going to give the British these weapons and when the war is over, we'll work it out. I know that my country, the USA, was not completely selfless in our conduct during the war. We should have started preparing to fight sooner, we should have probably helped Britain and France sooner. I also know that we did receive payment for the weapons we provided after the war. Nevertheless, I am so grateful that when the time for war arrived, we had a President, FDR, who knew which side we should be on and who did everything he could to help the British.

[@WW2TV]

Take your MAGA beliefs elsewhere, anyone who fails to recognise FDR's massive contribution to the Victory in WWII is naive

[@Chiller01]

So I’m going to guess that you received a distasteful message from someone on the American right wing attacking FDR. I was going to comment that your assertion that Roosevelt is almost universally held in high esteem was, unfortunately, not true among a certain ignorant portion of the US population. There are some troubling parallels between the U.S. OF 2023 and the malignant views that overtook Weimar Germany.

[@therealuncleowen2588]

@@Chiller01 Wow, I never saw the MAGA message that caused Woody to, correctly, defend FDR's contribution to victory. Also, yes, sadly, some among the American public are exhibiting attitudes similar to Weimar era Germany and the end of the Roman Republic. It's hugely concerning. They can't see past the R on the ballot and view the world through a lens distorted by ignorance fed by a small group of cynical pseudo journalists. A few politicians are also crazy. I don't know if our Republic will survive. I certainly hope so.