American Airpower Comes of Age

QUEBEC
(2) Change in command of Strategic Air Forces to Committee
of RAF-AAF operating under Portal and Arnold for
CCS. 47
(3) British CO for American forces under Mountbatten,
gave me letter in that regard from Dickie. 48
(4) Lancasters for operation against Japan; new [fuel]
tanks, longer range. I did not commit myself on any. 49
Invitation to dinner at Governor-General, His Excellency, etc.,
8:00 P.M. at the Citadel. See dinner table diagram. 50
After dinner Marshall gave me several messages from Russians
and Harriman re Polish patriots in Warsaw. For some
time it has been apparent that if some help was not given to
Polish patriots they would be exterminated in Warsaw. Last
time the RAF sent in planes with supplies they lost some 48
[aircraft] or about 35% and the Germans got most of the supplies
dropped. Now the British are trying to force the Russians
to assist in the enterprise. The Russians would just as soon
have all of the Warsaw Poles exterminated; they are only interested
in the Ukranian Poles. Hence they reportedly stood by
and watched while the debacle was happening in Warsaw. Now
when public opinion is aroused at the lack of help, the Russians
come back with:
Who started the unfortunate uprising in Warsaw?
Why weren’t we notified of it? How can you get our
help if you don’t let us know?
That is our war theatre and you must not interfere.
We will do the job.
If you now feel that you want to help the Poles, give
us your plan and we will look it over.
With that in mind I went to bed and dreamed of alligators lurking
in the shadows, awaiting such victims as came their way. 51
Tuesday, September 12, 1944 [Quebec]
Got off a cable to Deane and one to Spaatz before breakfast.
At least I had concurrence from Marshall–Portal but did not
complete job until JCS meeting at 10:00 A.M. Told Spaatz to
203