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The Second World War: The Grand Alliance
Winston Churchill
1948
How the British fought on with Hardship their Garment until Soviet Russia and the United States were drawn into the Great Conflict.

More reliant on telegrams and personal communications to tell the story than any volume so far, The Grand Alliance is less readable than it's predecessors. Churchill's descriptive prose is absent from several chapters, as the volume is largely concerned with the realignment of organizational structure, and all the detailed work such realignments require. Nevertheless, the story is still gripping and advances the narrative smoothly and with suspense.

The realignment of powers comes from the allying of first Russia, then America, with Britain. There is little doubt as to the causes of this union, and Churchill devotes most of the volume to these two staggering events: Nazi push into Russia and Pearl Harbour. Such a major shift in the center of power changes the entire dynamic of the war. No longer is Britain hanging on alone against all odds. The war, as Churchill notes, is now won by the allies. Major offensives, much hardship, and serious diplomatic assurances are required, but if executed properly, the overwhelming force of the three allied nations assures victory.

The major German offensive against Russia occupies a large portion of the first book. As always, this event is described from the perspective of British high command, yet in this instance Churchill includes enough of a vivid retelling that the reader is given a full understanding of the horrors and enormity of the onslaught. The Soviets were caught wholly unprepared, despite warnings from Britain. Once the attack began and the Soviets resisted with might, Churchill immediatly alligned himself with Stalin demonstrating that any enemy of Germany is an ally to Britain. Stalin hesitantly allows this union and immediately begins insisting on the opening of a second front - most likely a British offensive in France or Belgium. It's a natural as the Germans are so committed to the East, an attack from the rear seems logical. As in many other instances in the war, the fact that Britain is an island prevents anysuch movement. It is just impossible to land hundreds of thousands of troops without proper planning. Particularly fascinating are the diplomatic exchanges between Churchill and Stalin. Stalin is terrifyingly cold and deliberate when he writes frankly and sternly his demands to Churchill. He absolutely ignores the fact that Russia was a neutral party (actually a signatory to a non-aggression pact!) while Britain was being bombarded, and that Russia was completely willing to sit idly by while the destruction of Britain unfolded. In fact, Stalin implies on several occasions that the invasion of Russia is somehow Britain's fault. Since Britian is to blame, he believes they are under some sort of obligation to help Russia. It is a remarkable position to take, and only the fact that millions of Russian soldiers are dying seems to allow Stalin to get away with an attitude that would be otherwise insulting. Churchill shines in such an environment. His diplomatic skills are tested never before, and throughout it all he maintians a steady gaze on the ultimate goal. Stalin's repproaches never faze him, he takes them in stride and replies in whatever fashion he has to in order to ensure that Russia and Britain solidify their alliance.

Churchill's diplomatic skills are again illustrated in the way he slowly prods President Roosevelt along creating all opportunities for him to enter the war without exerting undue pressure. Once Pearl Harbour occurs, the conditions are perfect for an easy American transition to wartime. And due to Churchill's efforts, there is no doubt which side the Americans will enter on. Pearl harbour itself is a somewhat minor event: a two hour attack on the American Pacific fleet, crippling them for a time. The major contribution of Pearl Harbour to the story is all the staggering and far reaching ripples the attack effected on the overall war.

Pearl Harbour was shocking to everyone. Churchill dissects the attack with accuracy and an element of the personal. He strives to outline Japanese motives and circumstances, and ultimately portrays the execution of Pearl Harbour as a gamble that was risky and naive. There was no was the Japanese could defeat the USA, and Churchill is shocked that Japan could ever have entertained such fantasies.