ABC-1

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ABC-1 was the name of a series of secret talks between British and American staff officers in early 1941, where - several months before the actual entry into the war the United States - a common strategy in the Second World War was advised.

background

After the German successes, especially in Western Europe ( Western campaign ) and the continued Japanese aggression in Asia ( occupation of Indochina ), the military planners of the USA had the impression that they were going to support Great Britain against the Axis powers Germany and Italy, which had been allied in the Tripartite Pact since September 1940 and Japan might soon have to go to war against them herself. In his Plan Dog memorandum in November 1940 , the Chief of Naval Operations Harold R. Stark had stated that in the event of a war on two fronts in Europe and the Pacific it would be necessary to give Great Britain direct support in the Atlantic-European theater of war. Stark's assessments had been largely confirmed by the Joint Board of the US Armed Forces (forerunner of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ) in December 1940 and the political leadership had authorized the initiation of staff talks with the prospective allies.

The conference

The British and American military delegations met from January 29th to March 29th, 1941 in Washington, DC The formula of "Germany first" was quickly agreed, that is, the focus of mutual efforts on the imminent defeat of Germany. The US Pacific Fleet should support the defense in the Pacific to the best of its ability. No agreement was reached regarding the deployment of American naval units to Singapore . The British, who wanted to secure the port as their main position in the Far East according to the Singapore strategy , did not get American approval for this.

agreement

The final document of the conference was finalized on March 27th. A facility, called ABC-2 , dealt with issues related to air force cooperation and was added on March 29.

The main objectives of the joint strategy were defined as follows:

  1. Defense of the Western Hemisphere ,
  2. Defending the British Isles in all circumstances and ensuring the continued existence of the Commonwealth, with the particular importance of maintaining a position in the Far East,
  3. Protection of the sea routes between the associated powers.

The agreed common strategy comprised seven points;

  1. Economic blockade of the Axis powers at sea, on land and in the air as well as through diplomatic and financial measures.
  2. Continued air offensive to destroy the military potential of the Axis powers.
  3. Early elimination of Italy as an ally of the Axis powers.
  4. Execution of commandos and other low-threshold military operations.
  5. Support for neutrals and resistance groups in occupied Europe.
  6. Build troops for a final offensive against Germany.
  7. Conquering positions from which such an offensive would have to be carried out.

Attendees

United States
Great Britain

consequences

As a result, the USA corrected its war plans, including plans to conduct a joint war with the Allies. The basis of the planning was a revised version of the Rainbow 5 plan . In May 1941, permanent military missions were exchanged in the capital of the other country.

The principle of "Germany first" was confirmed at the first war conference of the anti-Hitler coalition in January 1942.

See also

literature