Atlantic Charter

On chapters XXIIV and XXIV of "The Grand Alliance", the Atlantic Charter is presented.

This meeting was of great importance for a narrower definition of relations between the United States of America and the British Empire, defining key points in the relation of these two great powers in a direct and personal way. So far, the relationship between Winston Churchill and Roosevelt were made ​​only by letters, where Churchill identified himself as "Former Naval Person".

The meeting venue has been set: Placentia Bay, Newfoundland. The battleship Prince of Wales was designated to lead the British delegation.

The meeting was held at sea in extreme secrecy. The President Rooselvet was formally resting on a cruise. On sea, he transfer to the cruiser Augusta, leaving his yacht.

USS McDougal (DD-358) alongside HMS Prince of Wales

On the second day, the Prince of Wales encountered heavy seas, remaining two options: slow down or dropping the destroyer escort. Admiral Pound gave the decision, entering in a high speed zone.

Without the escort, in a sea infested by U-Boats, the battleship had to perform several diversions, keeping a radio silence status.

This gave Mr. Churchill a lot of free time, something completely different in his routine.

For the first time for many months I could read a book for pleasure. Oliver Lyttelton, Minister of State in Cairo, had given me Captain Hornblower, R. N., [C. S. Forester], which I found vastly entertaining. When a chance came I sent him the message: "I find Hornblower admirable". This caused pertubation in the Middle East Headquarters, where it was imagined that "Hornblower" was the code-word for some special operations of which they had not been told.

W. S. C. The Grand Alliance. Page 382