Churchill’s War Andrew Cunningham papers in British Library, London Great Russell St, WC1. Tel. 020 7636 1544 ext 367. Some of the entries may be fleshed out at a later date and posted again. We invite comments, corrections and expansions. Please give date of entry referred to. [ comment ] Diary of Admiral Andrew B.
Cunningham , 1883-1963, C in C Mediterranean 1939-1942; 1st Sea Lord, Aug 1943 to 1946. [ diary 1944 | diary 1945 | diary 1946 ] 1944 Sat Apr 1 1944 So many interesting things are happening that I think it behoves me to keep a diary.’ (Details of Anvil). Sun Apr 2 (Refers to the delay of the appointments of Somerville and Frazer). M
on Apr 3 In connection with Bombing and Overlord, at the Cabinet meeting Considerable sob stuff about children with legs blown off & blinded old ladies but nothing about the saving of (?) to our young soldiers landing on a hostile shore.’ Tues Apr 4 C.O.S. meeting as usual nothing very interesting but Crossbow reports show progress by the enemy in his preparations.’ Thurs Apr 6 After lunch went to the A&N stores & found they had a surprising amount of fishing tackle.
Found the CAS on the same lay buying waders etc.’ (Details of Mtg in PM’s Map Room re Fleet Train. Nothing decided). M
on Apr 10 (Re Greece) ‘P.M. butting in and a (? recommendation) to leave it to the man on the spot, Rawlings.’ (Re Anvil) ‘The PM is however trying once more to get agreement by a personal signal to Marshall on the basis of the battle for joining the bridgehead having first priority then a look round & a decision whether to carry out Anvil or go on in Italy.
The extra LSTs from the Pacific to be sent to the head (MED?) in the meantime.’ (Agreement reached on 1944 building programme and fleet train) ‘The PM is sound on the fleet train but wants the Admiralty to surrender ton for ton given for the F.T.’ Tues Apr 11 (Shaved in cold water.) ‘It’s time they renovated and brought up to date that Chequers house.’
Cabinet meeting 18.00 — ‘The Foreign Secretary is away & the PM is doing his job obviously with much enjoyment from the flow of telegrams couched in melodious language which we had read out to us.’ (Did not think much of General Alexander) ‘I cannot believe that he is of much use as a General.’ Fri Apr 14 (Expressed the hope that he had persuaded the PM to abandon ANVIL). M
on Apr 17 (CAS came in for criticism because the CROSSBOW threat was of the same size as last week). (Reference to Bombay explosion). (Re Greece) ‘Some confused thinking on the PMs part about maintaining discipline as evidenced by his message to Government.’ Apr 18 (PM did not like Daniels and yet Cunningham said he had no intention of changing him). (With reference to Egypt) ‘The PM as usual out for the use of force regardless of the fact that the necessary force is not there.
He also as usual said a few hard things about the CinC.’ (With reference to Somerville and Frazer and CinCs in general) ‘Presumably if his strategical views do not coincide with those of the PM he does not get the job. This appears to be nearing a relapse to the times when an admirals correct political views were a better reason for his employment rather than his ability.’
Sat Apr 22 (Re Greece) ‘ PM approved my signal to C in C suggesting torpedoing of the Haephestos & at the same time sent me a very after lunchy minute about what the C in C should do & what precautions he should take.’ (Cunningham ignored this completely). M
on Apr 24 (NB written on Thursday). PM much worked up about losses of shipping in Bombay explosion & fire. Demanded that I arranged a researching enquiry.’
Tues Apr 25 (Silenced PM on further naval bombardment). (Dinner at 10 Downing Street) ‘Rather dull but PM in great form & showing his extraordinary memory in talking of the various invasions of this country’, Apr 26 (Bombings in France, Cunningham concerned that the French might end up by hating us because of heavy losses. concluded that there was both a military and political angle to this matter — the former was that it would help Overlord.
His overriding feeling was that the situation was the same as it had been three weeks’ ago). Apr 27 (In connection with OVERLORD) ‘I suspect the basis on which expenditure is worked out is much inflated with many margins for safety.’ (Decision to stop bombing of France. Cunningham felt that it had been the indecision of three weeks ago which was at fault) Tues May 2 Very little time left which I devoted to watering down the statement made by the PM yesterday that the anti U boat war was won.
I quoted some pretty telling figures.’ Wed May 3 PM in most genial & reasonable mood.’ (Reacted fiercly to news of a BBC statement of MEW spokesman). Sun May 7 Pottered about.’ this is the whole diary entry for the day May 8 (Meeting 23.00) ‘The Simalur project trotted out & at last I had to say quite plainly that I did not agree with it. PM took it very well but moaned about there being apparently nothing for the British forces to do against the Japanese this year.’
Tues May 16 (Re Japan) ‘We are quite hung up by want of decision.’ (Meeting at noon) ‘ PM had passed a statement rather high flown & with some statements of doubtful accuracy in it particularly as regarded future plans.’ Winston for ? rather halting & appeared to have difficulty in finding suitable phrases. Perhaps the doubt of how it would appear in the press was influencing him.’
May 17 (PM sent a severe minute to Percy Noble about not leaving Washington) ‘Some people cannot keep their mouths shut. I suspect it is the PM himself who has been chattering.’ (Refers to Somerville diary and Criticism of Mountbatten). May 18 (PM carried through building programme) ‘on his own’ (was sound on this). May 29 Whit Monday Found another memorandum from PM refusing to let James Somerville be relieved, such stupid reasons — he really is quite childish sometimes.’
May:30 (Discussion about CROSSBOW). May 31 (Re Brendan Bracken:) ‘a nasty piece of work . . . (reputed to be one of Winston’s bastards but I doubt it).’ Fri June 2 (PM in worked up state. Plans to embark in Belfast for OVERLORD. The King wrote to him and seemed to have had some effect). June 3 I told the others CAS Meeting of the PM’s movements. Hollis thought the King’s letter had done the trick. Personally I believe it was all bluff & that he never really meant to go. M
on June 5 (Downing Street) ‘A good lunch & as usual lots of wine. PM very worked up about OVERLORD & really in almost a hysterical state. Much conversation. He really is an incorrigible optimist. I always thought I was unduly so but he far outstrips me.’ ‘ PM very worked up about him.’ (This refers to General de Gaulle whom Cunningham calls in the diary ‘Prima Donna de Gaulle.’) Tues June 13 (Woken up by air warnings) ‘So CROSSBOW has come at last.
The results from the Hun point of view can hardly be considered satisfactory as only one fell in the built up area of London.’ (Bethnall Green). (Meeting to discuss CROSSBOW, SHAEF to attack the Supply and launching sites). (Cabinet Meeting 18.30) ‘ PM looking a bit sunburnt from his trip to the beachhead was a bit childish at times. Wed June 14 To my surprise no CROSSBOW attack during the night. Sat June 17 COS meeting as usual.
Considerable discussion over CROSSBOW which appears to be more of a threat than was originally thought. M
on June 19 (Meeting of CROSSBOW committee with PM in the chair) ‘He was at his best and said the matter had to be put robustly to the populace.
That their tribulations were part of the battle in France & that they should be glad to share in the soldiers dangers.’ (Decided to sound sirens as little as possible so that they could all get a good nights sleep because) ‘you either woke well rested or in a better land. (Later cabinet meeting) ‘First Lord confronted by the PM saying he could not visit the coast of France. Tue June 20 (Another bad night because of the FBs). Much reduced effort by the flying bombs during the day . . .
The sites have I think been heavily bombed today which may reduce their activity. Wed June 21 (Operation CROSSBOW affected Constitution Hill, St Georges Hospital, Buckingham Palace Garden wall). (COS Meeting) ‘ PM has stepped in on Admiral King’s removal of the US naval forces without consultation with us.
As usual without knowledge so we had to curb him a bit. (Map Room Meeting with Smuts in attendance) ‘Then the PM who had lunched well developed his ideas and altogether the COS two good hours. Thurs June 22 (Meeting 22:30) ‘I had some firm exchanges with the PM about the bombarding ships. He must poke his nose into what does’nt (sic) concern him. However he got little change out of me.
He suggested that I had made him complain to the President about General Kenys(?) unilateral action in removing his forces from OVERLORD. I told him quite plainly that I had not wished or asked him to signal to the President. We closed down quite friendly at about 01 15. Fri June 23 (Details of flying bombs coming towards Admiralty but which in fact landed on Watneys brewary). M
on June 26 (COS 18:00. Called out by PM to deal with Stark) ‘ PM handled this well & we were all smiles. (Further meeting with PM to do telegrams to US turning down ANVIL and pressing for completion of N Italy campaign). Tues June 27 (CROSSBOW, Duncan Sandys, the Professor Lord Cherwell at the meeting.
The Professor trying to make out that all his prophecies had come true) ‘There is no doubt we have been caught. (Cabinet meeting 18:00) ‘discussion on CROSSBOW initiated by Home Secretary by a rather intemperate and overdrawn memo.
I think the PM and Air Ministry do take this threat too lightly’ . . . saw the differences as political ‘The Labour members of the Govt tending to be sentimental & the Conservatives taking what they probably thought the robuster line ‘This is nothing we can take it’ sort of attitude. Sat July 1 (COS Meeting 10:30) ‘Discussed PM draft telegram to President. I do not at all like its tone. I feel we should have done better to give way more gracefully.
Still he knows his man and may well be right. (Telegram amended and passed at a later meeting). Slight discussion on the FB [flying bomb]. I worked up the PM on the subject of trying to abate the nuisance by reprisals on small German towns.
He is all for it but says there must be some excuse such as making parts of the machine otherwise he will be right up against Jesus Christ as exemplified by the Archbishop of Canterbury!!. (Noted that the V1 launching sites appeared to be lightly constructed & can be run up in no time). M
on July 3 (Discussion of flying bomb). Tues July 4 (Bottomley talking about Cherbourg peninsular sites. Refers to a draft telegram PM wants to send to President. Did not think that it would do good and doubts the wisdom of sending it). Wed July 5 (Re telegram discussed at COS Meeting) ‘The trouble is the PM can never give way gracefully. He must always be right & if forced to give way gets vindictive & tries by almost any means to get his own back.
Thurs July 6 There is no doubt [that the] PM is in no state to discuss anything — too tired and too much alcohol. But he was in a terrible mood. Rude and sarcastic. I had a couple of blows with him about the Far East.
The net result was that we sat from 22:00 to 01:45 listening to him talking mostly nonsense & got nowhere (Noted that Eden, Cuttler ? and Lyttelton were going against him) ‘his obstinacy & general rudeness may be the last flurry of the salmon before you get the guff into him. Sat July 8 (Refers to PM rather immoderate minute) ‘He obviously had a bad day after his statement in the House of Commons.
Sunday July 9 There is no doubt the PM has got the sticky end over these L.C. [landing craft] M
on July 10 (Cabinet Meeting 17:30 re CROSSBOW) ‘ PM in very sweet & chastened mood, probably remembering last Thursday. (To do with L.S.1) ‘ PM obviously afraid it would put CULVERIN out of court & rather unwilling. Has sent a memorandum. Thurs July 11 (CROSSBOW crash in Sweden) Fri July 14 (Far East Strategy) ‘The attitude of mind of the politicians about this which is astonishing.
They are obviously afraid of the Americans laying down the law as to what is to happen when Japan is defeated to the various islands posts & other territories . . . But they will not lift a finger to get a force into the Pacific they prefer to hang about the outside & recapture our own rubber trees.
No decision of course though there are indications that the 3 ministers are starting to disagree with the PM. (Chequers dinner, with Henry Stimson as guest) ‘ PM in great form & good conversation at dinner.’ M
on July 17 (Bomb details). Wed July 19 PM has gone over to France for two days and is living on board Enterprise. It is to be hoped that no one drops a bomb on him. Mon July 24 PM full of his visit to France & was more inclined to talk than to listen. PM very polite about his living in Enterprise at Arromanches. Wed July 26 (Cabinet Meeting — PM tells COS that their manpower requirements are ridiculous for Japan). Thurs Jul 27 (Cabinet Meeting on the ‘rocket’).
Fri July 28 PM who apparently had lunched well in a jocular mood so business proceeded slowly. Sun July:30 Found a memorandum from the PM asking what sort of fleet could on have on 4,000,000 men against the Japs. I hope we shall be able to bring him down to earth. M
on July 31 PM’s minute on the study of retaliation by gas was to the effect that he could do nothing if the warriors as well as the parsons were against him. (PM in good form in Cabinet Meeting. Discussion about bus drivers and air raid warnings.) ‘He had to set down any passengers that wished to be set down & that it was at his discretion to continue the journey. The judgement of Solomon!. Wed Aug 2 PM speech on the wireless.
Sounded not too bad but it was made to appear that the army had landed themselves in France without any help from anyone. Aug 3 It appears that the PM wishes to go off to Italy for a rest taking CIGS [Brooke] & CAS [Portal] with him. Mountbatten’s arrival should put him