On Progress of the War - February 23, 1942

Introduction

• Address by the President on February 23, 1942, over a nationwide and worldwide radio hookup

• Commemorates the 210th Anniversary of George Washington's Birthday

• Links past struggles of General Washington with contemporary wartime challenges

General Washington's Leadership

• General Washington faced formidable odds during the Revolutionary War, consistently lacking supplies and equipment.

• Symbolized moral stamina amidst calls for negotiated peace from detractors: "Washington's conduct...provides the model for all Americans."

• Emphasizes importance of freedom and security as crucial for the nation's survival.

The Nature of the Current War

• This war is uniquely global, encompassing every continent, island, sea, and air lane.

• The traditional idea of isolation as protection is obsolete; oceans are no longer barriers but battlegrounds.

• Urges listeners to visualize the global nature of the conflict with a map, highlighting battle lines that encircle nations.

Strategy Against Axis Powers

• Advocates carrying the war to enemies in distant lands instead of adopting a turtle policy focusing solely on home defense.

• Explains potential negative consequences of isolating from allies like Britain, China, and Russia:

  1. Aid to China would cease, compromising their defense against Japan.

  2. If communication with the southwest Pacific is lost, it could lead to Japanese domination in the area, risking the Western Hemisphere.

  3. Stopping munitions supply to British and Russian operatives would aid Nazi expansion in the Mediterranean and beyond.

  4. Abandoning North Atlantic supply lines would mean undermining British and Russian military efforts, ultimately harming allied victory.

Maintaining Global Communication Lines

• Four main maritime routes of communication crucial for war logistics:

  1. North Atlantic

  2. South Atlantic

  3. Indian Ocean

  4. South Pacific

• These routes are vital for transporting troops, munitions, and receiving resources back to the U.S.

• Emphasizes the need for daring, resourcefulness, and large-scale production to ensure successful military operations.

Air Power and Strategy Requirements

• Control of air routes is critical for protecting sea lines of communication, necessitating two types of planes:

  1. Long-range heavy bombers

  2. Various smaller aircraft for support

• The logistical challenge includes transporting smaller planes to distant theaters of operation, such as the southwest Pacific.

• Reference to successful deployment of American bombers and troops engaging in combat operations in the Southwest Pacific.

The Situation in the Philippines

• Describes the strategic encirclement of the Philippines by Japanese forces, preventing reinforcements.

• Historical strategy called for a delaying tactic, but recent defense by General MacArthur exceeded expectations.

• Japanese occupation and surprise attacks exploited their initial advantages.

Misconceptions Following Pearl Harbor

• Addresses myths about losses at Pearl Harbor and aims to reassure the American public:

  • Official losses reported: 2,340 killed, 940 wounded; only 3 combat ships permanently put out of commission.

  • Emphasizes continued strength and rebuilding of the Pacific Fleet.

  • Misinformation spread by Axis propaganda is dismissed as baseless.

The Path to Victory

• The commitment to win against Axis powers is stressed without propaganda distractions.

• Importance of uninterrupted production of war materials emphasized; outlines production goals for planes, tanks, and ships.

• Asserts that losing the war would destroy the democratic ideals and that effort must be unified to prevent this.

American Commitment and Sacrifice

• Calls for steadfastness in national effort and unity without pursuing selfish gains or advantages.

• Promises of ensuring consistent work without interruption even during disputes.

• Suggests that this generation recognizes the importance of collective sacrifice for a greater good.

Conclusion

• Invokes the historical determination of past Americans to correlate with the current resolve.

• Reiterates the urgent need for national unity against the Axis threat, drawing parallels to the perseverance of past leaders like Washington.

• Inspiring end reference to Tom Paine's words: "The summer soldier and sunshine patriot..." reinforcing the message of resilience necessary for achieving victory.