Naval History and Heritage Command

Introduction
Use and Reproduction Policy
List of Conferences
Glossary

Introduction:

The Allied Combined Chiefs of Staff Conferences during the Second World War were a series of conferences (each composed of multiple meetings) between senior United States and United Kingdom military officers. Soviet officers participated in some meetings. Many of these conferences also included plenary meetings at which President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill were present.

The Combined Chiefs of Staff Conferences were attended by a diverse range of senior officers but there was a core group of attendees, listed below:

United Kingdom Officers: Admirals Sir Dudley Pound and Sir Charles Little, Field Marshal Sir John Dill, General Sir Alan F. Brooke, Lieutenant General Sir Colville Wemyss, Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal, Air Marshal A.T. Harris, Vice Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten and Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew Cunningham.

US Officers: Admirals H.R. Stark, W.D. Leahy and E.J. King; Rear Admirals W.R. Sexton, F.J. Horne, J.H. Towers, and R.K. Turner; Vice Admiral R. Wilson; Generals George C. Marshall and B.B. Somervell; Lieutenant Generals H.H. Arnold; Brigadier Generals D.D. Eisenhower and L.T. Gerow.

USSR Officers: Army General Antonov, Marshal of Aviation Khudyakov, Admiral of the Fleet Kuznetsov.

The conferences were concerned primarily with “the creation of a unified command for combined operation with the goal of achieving the earliest possible conclusion to the war.” To this end, the content of each conference regarded the war in general and specifically “theaters of war, proposed operations, various strategic plans, troops, movement of forces, munitions, equipment, defense, relief, officers, and situation reports.” This finding aid contains a listing of the volumes containing the notes of each of the Combined Chiefs of Staff Conference and the library call numbers of each volume. There is a hyperlink to the tables of contents of each Combined Chiefs of Staff Conference including both papers and minutes of meetings. There is a brief introduction to each conference at the beginning of each section which includes location, date, attendees and notable decisions/discussions of each conference.

Use and Reproduction Policy: These documents are unavailable for loan and must be consulted in the library. Photocopying of more than ten pages from them is not permitted. Use of digital cameras by researchers to reproduce pages from documents is encouraged. The library does not provide a document duplication service. Researchers who are unable to visit the library, but wish to obtain reproductions of documents, should contact the Naval Historical Foundation for duplication services. The use of personal scanners by non-library staff personnel must be approved by the reference staff on a document-by-document basis (Reference: Naval Historical Center Instruction [NAVHISTCENTINST] 5070.1C.).

List of Conferences

1. [ARCADIA Conference] Proceedings of the American – British Joint Chiefs of Staff Conferences held in Washington, DC on Twelve Occasions between 24 December 1941 and 14 January 1942. In Two Parts: Part I Minutes of the Conferences, Part II Approved Documents. (Spec D 735.C6 1942) 
2. [Post ARCADIA Conference] Proceedings of the American – British Joint Chiefs of Staff Conferences held 23 January 1942 – 19 May 1942. Papers and Minutes of Conferences. (Spec D 735.C6 1942a) 
3. [Casablanca Conference] Proceedings of the American – British Joint Chiefs of Staff Conferences held 15-16 January 1943. Papers and Minutes of Conferences. (Spec D 735.C6 1943b) 
4. [TRIDENT Conference] Proceedings of the American – British Joint Chiefs of Staff Conferences held May, 1943. Papers and Minutes of Conferences. (Spec D 735.C6 1943c) 
5. [QUADRANT Conference] Proceedings of the American – British Joint Chiefs of Staff Conferences held August, 1943. Papers and Minutes of Conferences. (Spec D 735.C6 1943) 
6. [SEXTANT Conference] Proceedings of the American – British Joint Chiefs of Staff Conferences held November-December, 1943. Papers and Minutes of Conferences. (Spec D 735.C6 1943a) 
7. [OCTAGON Conference] Proceedings of the American – British Joint Chiefs of Staff Conferences held September, 1944. Papers and Minutes of Conferences. (Spec D 735.C6 1944) 
8. [ARGONAUT Conference] Proceedings of the American – British Joint Chiefs of Staff Conferences held January-February, 1945. Papers and Minutes of Conferences. (Spec D 735.C6 1945) 
9. [TERMINAL Conference] Proceedings of the American – British Joint Chiefs of Staff Conferences held July, 1945. Papers and Minutes of Conferences. (Spec D 735.C6 1945a)

ARCADIA

Introduction: The ARCADIA Conference took place directly in the wake of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It was the first of the Combined Commanders Conferences and was attended by both US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and United Kingdom Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Notable decisions included both the focus of winning the war in Europe before concentrating on the war in the Far East and the combination of allied forces in Europe under one commander. 

List of Papers

JCCSs-1 24 December 1941, Subjects Discussed

1. Defense of the British Isles.
2. Heavy Bombers.
3. Relief of British Troops in Northern Ireland and Iceland.
4. Greenland.
5. Anti Submarine Measures and Escorts.
6. Portuguese and Spanish Islands in the Atlantic.
7. Occupation of Africa.
8. Brazil.
9. The Curacao-Aruba Area.
10. The Pacific Area.
11. Bombardment of Japan.
12. Russian Situation.
13. Spain and Portugal.
14. Airplane Carriers.
15. PBY’s for the British.
16. British Crews for American Ships.
17. Guns for Merchant Ships.
18. Naval Dispositions in the Atlantic.
19. Priorities in Expeditions.
20. West Africa.
21. British chiefs of Staff Memorandum (Annex 1).
22. British Estimate of Attack on West Coast of North America.

Annex 1: American-British Strategy.

  British WW-1 (US Revised)

Annex 2: Probable Maximum Scale of Enemy Attack on West Coast of North America.

  Appendix A to Annex 2: Distance Chart

25 December 1941, Subjects Discussed

1. Program of Planning (Joint Planning Committee).
2. Disposition of the MOUNT VERNON.
3. Diversion of Reinforcements (intended for the Philippines).
4. Unified Command.
5. Disposition of Forces Destined for the Far East.

Annex 1: Memorandum for the President: Utilization of the United States Forces in Australia.

26 December 1941, Subjects Discussed

1. Priorities for the United States and United Kingdom Overseas Expeditions in the Atlantic Ocean. (ABC-4/1)
2. Northwest Africa Project

Annex 1: Priorities for United States and United Kingdom Overseas Expeditions in the Atlantic Ocean. (Report by Joint Planning Committee) 
US Serial ABC-4/1 
British Serial WW (J.P.C.) 1

Annex 2: Project – GYMNAST (Report by Joint Planning Committee) 
US Serial ABC-4/2 
British Serial WW (J.P.C.) 2

27 December 1941, Subjects Discussed

1. ABC-4/1 – Priorities for United States - United Kingdom Expeditions in the Atlantic Ocean.
2. ABC-4/2 – Plan for Expedition to Northwest Africa.
3. American – British Strategy.
4. Program of Work of the Joint Planning Committee.
5. Unity of Command.
6. Utilization of the United States Transports now being used in the Indian Ocean.

ANNEX 1: Proposed Draft of Instructions to the Supreme Commander Southwestern Pacific Theater. ABC-4, C/S USA.

29 December 1941, Subjects Discussed

1. Priorities for United States and United Kingdom Overseas, Expeditions in the Atlantic Ocean.
2. American British Strategy (British WW-1). (Action Deferred)
3. Northwest Africa Project (US ABC-4/2), (British WW (J.P.C.) 2). (Action Deferred).
4. Supporting Measures for the Southwest Pacific (US ABC-4/3), (British WW (J.P.C.) 3). (Action Deferred).
5. Unity of Command in the Southwestern Pacific Theater.
6. Proposed Communication to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Sheik.

ANNEX 1: Priorities for United States and United Kingdom Overseas Expeditions in the Atlantic Ocean. (Report by Joint Planning Committee) 
    ABC-4/1 APPROVED DOCUMENT
    British WW-5
    British WW (J.P.C.) 1

ANNEX 2: Proposed Method of Handling Matters Concerning the Southwest Pacific Theater

ANNEX 3: Memorandum for the President: Draft of Message to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Sheik.

30 December 1941, Subjects Discussed

1. Higher Direction of War in the ABDA Area. 2. Draft Directive to the Supreme Commander in the ABDA Area. 3. Next Meeting, to consider:     a. Northwest Africa Project (US ABC-4/2), (British WW (J.P.C.) 2)     b. Supporting Measures for the Southwestern Pacific (US ABC-4/3), (British WW (J.P.C.) 3)

ANNEX 1: Letter (Mr. Hopkins to Admiral Stark) enclosing Proposed Method of Handling Matters concerning the Southwest Pacific Theater.

ANNEX 2: In Two Parts:
    Part I – Memorandum for the President: Higher Direction of War in the ABDA Area
    Part II – Higher Direction of War in the ABDA Area

ANNEX 3: Draft Directive to the Supreme Commander in the ABDA Area – (US ABC-4/5), (British WW 3)
    Annex 1 to ANNEX 3: Boundaries of ABDA Area.
    Annex 2 to ANNEX 3: Higher Direction of War in the ABDA Area.

31 December 1941, Subjects Discussed

1. Withdrawal of United States Marines from Iceland.
2. American-British Strategy.
3. Supporting Measures for the Southwest Pacific.
4. Northwest Africa Project.
5. Relief of the British Garrison in Northern Ireland.
6. Draft Directive to the Supreme Commander in the ABDA Area.
7. Proposed Tasks for the Joint Planning Committee.
8. Naval Dispositions.

ANNEX 1: American-British Grand Strategy.
    US ABC-4/CS 1 APPROVED DOCUMENT
    British WW-1 (Final)

ANNEX 2: Supporting Measures for the Southwest Pacific (the Far East Area and Adjacent Regions until Establishment of Unified Command. (Approved Report of the Joint Planning Committee)
    US ABC-4/ 3 APPROVED DOCUMENT
    British WW-4 
    British Serial WW (J.P.C.) 3
    Annex I to ANNEX 2 - Chart: Far East Forces and Reinforcements Therefore, United States.
    Annex II to ANNEX 2 - Chart: Far East Forces and Reinforcements Therefore, British Commonwealth.
    Annex III to ANNEX 2 - Chart: Forces Now in the Far East - Dutch and Australian.

ANNEX 3: Draft Directive to the Supreme Commander in the ABDA Area.
    US ABC-4/5 (Final)
    British WW-3
    Annex 1 to ANNEX 3 Boundaries of the ABDA Area.
    Annex II to ANNEX 2 Higher Direction of War in the ABDA Area.

ANNEX 4: Proposed Tasks for the Joint Planning Committee.
    US ABC-4/4 (Final) APPROVED DOCUMENT
    British WW (J.P.C.) 4

10 January 1942, Subjects Discussed

1. SUPER-GYMNAST.
2. Directive for the Supreme Commander of the ABDA Area – Attitude for the Dutch.
3. Procedure for the Assumption of Command by General Wavell.
4. Immediate Assistance to China.
5. Post-ARCADIA Collaboration.

ANNEX 1: Directive to the Supreme Commander in the ABDA Area (Approved by the President and the Prime Minister).
    US ABC – 4/5 APPROVED DOCUMENT
    British WW-6
    (Supersedes ABC – 4/5, WW-3, Final, Annex 4 to JCCSs-7
    Annex 1 to ANNEX 1: Boundaries of the ABDA Area
    Annex 2 to ANNEX 2: Higher Direction of War in the ABDA Area

ANNEX 2: Procedure for Assumption of Command by General Wavell.
    US ABC-4/CS 3 APPROVED DOCUMENT
    British WW-9 (Revised)
    Annex A to ANNEX 2: Draft Telegram from His Majesty’s Government to United States, The Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, China, India.
    Annex B to ANNEX 2: Draft Telegram from His Majesty’s Government to General Wavell.
    Annex C to ANNEX 2: Draft Telegram from British Chiefs of Staff to Chiefs of Staff Committee in London.

ANNEX 3: Immediate Assistance to China. (Approved Joint Planning Committee Report)
    US ABC – 4/9
    British WW-10
    British Serial WW (J.P.C.) 9

ANNEX 4: Post ARCADIA Collaboration
    British WW-8

12 January 1942, Subjects Discussed

1. Shipping for United States Reinforcements for the Far East.
2. Defense of Island Bases between Hawaii and Australia.
    (ABC 4/8, WW (J.P.C) 8).

ANNEX 1: Memorandum of Proposed Shipping Adjustments.

ANNEX 2: Defense of Island Bases between Hawaii and Australia.     US Serial ABC-4/8 APPROVED DOCUMENT     British Serial WW-13     British Serial WW (J.P.C) 8

Annex to ANNEX 2: Table showing Defense of Island Bases between Hawaii and Australia.

13 January 1942, Subjects Discussed

1. Post ARCADIA Collaboration.
2. Movements and Projects in the Atlantic Theater – First Half of 1942.
3. Operation SUPER-GYMNAST.

ANNEX 1: Post-ARCADIA Collaboration     British WW-8     Minute to ANNEX 1: Body to Allocate Equipment

ANNEX 2: Movements and Projects in the Atlantic Theater – First Half of 1942.     US ABC-4/6 APPROVED DOCUMENT     British WW-14     British Serial WW (J.P.C.) 6.

14 January 1942, Subjects Discussed

1. Move of United States Reinforcements to the Far East.
2. SUPER-GYMNAST.
3. Post ARCADIA Collaboration.

ANNEX 1: Operation SUPER-GYMNAST.

    US ABC 4/2A APPROVED DOCUMENT
    British WW-17
    British WW (J.P.C.) 2A.

ANNEX 2: Post ARCADIA Collaboration.

    US ABC 4/CS 4 APPROVED DOCUMENT
    British WW-16

Post ARCADIA

Introduction: The Post-ARCADIA conference was the title given to the 20 meetings of the C.C.S held between 23 January and 19 May 1942 in Washington, DC. The focus of these meetings was on the Southwest Pacific area of operations known as the American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) area (including Burma), and strategic responsibility. 

Table of Contents
Twenty Meetings of the Combined Chiefs of Staff
23 January 1942 to 19 May 1942.

Casablanca

Introduction: The Casablanca Conference took place during 14-24 January 1943. US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and United Kingdom Prime Minister Winston Churchill were in attendance in addition to Free French leaders. Notable decisions included the Allies decision to seek the unconditional surrender of the Axis powers, and the decision to follow the invasion of North Africa with an invasion of Sicily and then of Italy.

Table of Contents: Minutes

TRIDENT Conference

Introduction: The TRIDENT conference, held in Washington, DC in May 1943, was the third of the Combined Commanders Conferences to be held between the United Kingdom and United States. Both President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill were in attendance. Notable decisions included setting a projected date for the invasion of the European continent (Spring 1944), an increase in cargo tonnage moved via air across the Eastern Himalaya’s (known as the “Hump”), and future strategy for the war against Japan. Also included here are the notes from the Algiers conference held at General Eisenhower’s villa in Algiers, and mostly focusing on Operation HUSKY (the invasion of Sicily) and the situation in the Mediterranean, as well as Operation SOAPSUDS (renamed TIDALWAVE – the bombing of the oil fields in Ploesti, Romania).

Table of Contents: Papers and Minutes of Meetings

Table of Contents: Minutes

Algiers Conference: Minutes

QUADRANT

Introduction: The QUADRANT conference was held 14-23 August 1943 in Quebec City, Quebec at Chateau Frontenac and the Citadel of Quebec. This conference was attended both by Prime Minister Churchill and President Roosevelt. Chief areas of concern at this conference were Operation OVERLORD and the war against Japan. While Churchill advocated attacking Germany by moving forward with the invasion of Italy, senior United States military staff were concerned such action would detract from preparations for operation OVERLORD.  A compromise was reached in which the war on the Italian front would be maintained so long as preparations for OVERLORD would continue as scheduled. Also of note is the discussion of HABBUKUK’s, a plan to create an aircraft carrier constructed out of wood and ice, a material known as Pykrete. At one point during the conference Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten shot a sample of this material with his service revolver to prove the material’s strength. With preparations for OVERLORD as the center of attention, the Pacific theater of operations was of lesser importance to conference attendees. Nevertheless, a lively, if inconclusive debate surrounded both the allocation of naval assets to the Pacific theater and the war in Southeast Asia. In addition, the Combined Chiefs of Staff settled on a milestone for defeating Japan within 12 months of Germany’s surrender.

Table of Contents: Papers

Table of Contents: Minutes

SEXTANT Conference

Introduction: The SEXTANT Conference was held 23 November – 6 December 1943 in Cairo, Egypt at Villa Kirk and was attended by President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek. The EUREKA Conference was also held from 28-30 November 1943 in Tehran, Iran, and was attended by President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill and Marshal Stalin. Notes from both of these conferences are contained in the volumes referenced below.

Discussions at SEXTANT in part surrounded the Pacific theater of operations resulting in the Cairo Declaration stating that Japan’s territories acquired post WWI should be stripped, Chinese territories should be returned, and Korea liberated. Discussions surrounding Operation OVERLORD and a follow-on invasion of Southern France known as Operation ANVIL (later renamed DRAGOON) were also continued at this conference.

Discussions at EUREKA involved an overall review of the war and Soviet strategic concepts. Military conclusions of the conference included: 1. Support for Yugoslav partisans, 2. A desire for Turkey to enter the war on the side of the allies, 3. Soviet declaration of war against Bulgaria should Turkey be at war with Bulgaria as a result of her entrance into the war on the side of the allies, 4. Reaffirmation of May 1944 date for OVERLORD and coinciding Soviet offensive on Eastern front, 5. Continued US, United Kingdom, and Soviet communications regarding OVERLORD and a plan to mislead German forces as to the allied plans to invade the European continent.

Table of Contents: Papers

Table of Contents: Minutes

OCTAGON Conference

Introduction: The OCTAGON conference was held 12-16 September 1944 in at the Citadel in Quebec City, Quebec. Discussions at this conference surrounded the possibility of German surrender, the deindustrialization of Germany (known as the Morgenthau Plan) and post war German zones of occupation. The situation in the Pacific theater of operations and plans for bringing the war to a successful conclusion there. One item of note is the discussion of MULBERRY harbors, artificial pier sections towed across the channel to create ports for allied shipping after D-Day. Also included here are the notes of the Combined Chiefs of Staff meetings in London 10-15 June 1944.

Table of Contents: Messages

Table of Contents: Papers

London Conference 1944
Table of Contents: Minutes of Meetings

OCTAGON Conference
Table of Contents: Minutes of Meetings

Table of Contents: Minutes of OCTAGON Plenary Meetings

ARGONAUT Conference

Introduction: The ARGONAUT Conference was held between 30 January and 9 February in Malta and Yalta and included the 182-188th meetings of the C.C.S. as well as Plenary meetings held in Yalta, Ukraine between President Roosevelt (US), Prime Minister Churchill (UK) and Marshal Stalin (USSR). Items of discussion at these plenary meetings included a discussion of zones of occupation in post-war Germany (which would include France), Soviet entry into the war against Japan, and the post war governing of Eastern European nations. It was agreed that Eastern European Nations bordering the USSR would be friendly to the Soviet government but that the USSR would allow free elections in all liberated nations. 

Table of Contents: Papers

Table of Contents: Messages

ARGONAUT Conference
Table of Contents: Minutes of Meetings

Table of Contents: Minutes of ARGONAUT Tripartite Military Meetings

Table of Contents: Minutes of ARGONAUT Plenary Meetings