ABSTRACT
Churchill's attachment to the Italian campaign contributed to American skepticism regarding British intentions. This concern did not finally subside until November 1943, when Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin agreed on the basic details of the cross-channel invasion at the Teheran conference. At first Churchill continued to push for extended operations in the Mediterranean and postponement of the cross-channel invasion. Clearly D day was the most important day of the war for the Western Allies, and it certainly hastened the final defeat of Germany. By 1944, the Western Allies had produced vast amounts of war material that were essential if the invasion were to be successful. This material was available not only for the cross-channel invasion, but for the war effort in the Mediterranean and the Pacific as well. British interest in the Mediterranean had increased since the agreement at the Casablanca conference to undertake a cross-channel invasion in 1944.
