Amidst the Swirl of Important War Events in February 1941, Winston Churchill Finds It Hard to Make Private Commitments

February 1941 was packed with momentous events. The Italian attack on Greece was spreading to include the Germans and British. Hitler sought to press Yugoslavia to join the Axis. On February 9, in a famous speech on the war broadcast over the BBC, Churchill told President Roosevelt in a heartfelt plea, “Give us the tools, and we will finish the job.” The U.S. House of Representatives passed Lend Lease and Churchill began considering what that would mean in terms of munitions. On the 10th Britain severed diplomatic relations with Romania due to the presence of 500,000 German troops in that country. A few days later German General Rommel arrived in Libya to take over the Afrika Korps, and began operations against the British. On the 15th, Churchill warned President Roosevelt that the Japanese might attack the U.S. in the Pacific. A terrible three nights of the Blitz ended on February 21, but more was imminent. On the 22nd Britain agreed to sent an expeditionary force to Greece, and Hitler said the U-Boat campaign, already seemingly in full gear and sinking British ships, would intensify.

Winston Churchill’s main source of income was not his salary as a Member of Parliament, but as an author. He wrote 43 book length works in 72 volumes, and also wrote some 10,000 articles for newspapers and magazines over a period of decades on a broad variety of subjects. In many cases, these newspaper articles were for The News of the World, which was so fond of his work that from 1936 and 1939, they paid him £400 for article, which would be £12,000 (or over $15,000) in today’s money. Quite a sum to pay a columnist during the Depression, and enough to keep Churchill in his Pol Roger champagne and Romeo y Julieta brand cigars. Major Percy Davies was director of the News of the World, and Sir Emsley Carr was the editor in the 1930s, and Churchill was grateful to them. When Carr died in August 1941 Davies ascended to the editorial position. It was with these men that Churchill dealt.

In February, Davies invited Churchill to a luncheon to mark Carr’s fifty years in the editorial chair.

Typed letter signed, on his Prime Minister’s letterhead, London, February 22, 1941, to Davies, stressing that the onrush of events in the war made it impossible for him to make and hold to commitments. “Perhaps you would let me know whether the gathering would be public or private. If it were public I feel that my acceptance would draw upon me many other requests which I have hitherto consistently declined. Also my affairs are rather uncertain under present conditions, and even if I made a promise, I could not as your letter foresees be sure of keeping it. I will however make a note of the date, and if I am unable to come I will certainly send a message.”

But despite his work load, Churchill had second thoughts about not attending an event honoring Carr. Four days later, on February 26, he again wrote Davies, saying he could not take the Chair, but would come as a guest instead. “This would not prevent my saying a few words about the N of W [News of the World] and our friend.” The luncheon took place at the Dorchester Hotel at 12.30 on May 1, and the King sent a telegram of congratulation. Churchill was in fact able to attend, and he spoke briefly saying: ‘ When things are not at their best in this country, it is to the journalist people turn for inspiration’. Churchill acclaimed Carr’s record, and then excused himself on the grounds that he must get on with other important affairs.

We thank the Churchill Archives Centre for their generous assistance regarding this correspondence, which shows how Churchill resolved his dilemma.