This week in the War, 23–29 August 1943: The First Quebec Conference

The Quebec Conference, August 1943. With Churchill and Roosevelt are: Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King (second row left) and Canadian Governor General the Earl of Athlone (front row right). Chateau Frontenac is in the background. [Public domain]

The Quebec Conference, August 1943. With Churchill and Roosevelt are: Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King (second row left) and Canadian Governor General the Earl of Athlone (front row right). Chateau Frontenac is in the background. [Public domain]

This week in the war, on 24 August 1943, the eight-day conference in Quebec City drew to a close. Churchill, Roosevelt and the Canadian Prime Minister were in attendance.

Decisions made included giving priority to the British and US air offensives against German industry and coming up with a firm date for Operation Overlord, the D-Day invasion of Europe. The date chosen was 1 May 1944. Plans to invade the Italian mainland were also given the go-ahead. There was also agreement for closer collaboration in nuclear energy research, including the development of the atomic bomb.

Afterwards, Churchill spent a few days fishing in the Province of Quebec. He caught a number of speckled trout before heading to the United States for further conversations with Roosevelt.

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