Conflict over Convoys
Anglo-American Logistics Diplomacy in the Second World War

A study of tensions in Anglo-American diplomacy during the Battle of the Atlantic.

Kevin Smith (Author)

9780521497251, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 7 March 1996

336 pages, 2 maps
23.6 x 16.1 x 2.3 cm, 0.616 kg

"...Smith has made an important contribution to our knowledge of numerous aspects of the World War II Grand Alliance." Mark A. Stoler, American Historical Review

Conflict over Convoys examines the Battle of the Atlantic from the perspective of Anglo-American diplomacy, deepening our understanding of Allied grand strategy, British industrial policy, and operations TORCH and OVERLORD. Failure to build and maintain enough ships to feed the people and wage war made Britain dependent upon American-built merchant ships and American logistical support, yet British strategists aspired to dominate Allied strategy, while Roosevelt mismanaged merchant shipping allocations. The resulting gap between strategic ambition and logistical reality embittered the controversy over the 'Second Front'. Victory in the Atlantic finally led to American dominance of Allied logistics diplomacy and strategy. Conflict over Convoys relates these tensions to the decline of British hegemony and the rise of the USA to global influence.

Introduction
1. 'Not what it could or should be': Britain's shipping situation
2. 'Beyond our power without your help': Britain's Battle of the Atlantic
3. 'But westward, look, the land is bright': American shipping assistance from neutrality to belligerency, March 1941–November 1942
4. Roosevelt's promise: 'Your requirements will be met'
5. The Casablanca Conference and its aftermath: a 'most curious misunderstanding'
6. Reaping the whirlwind: the perils of impending victory
Postscript and conclusions
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Second World War [HBWQ], British & Irish history [HBJD1]