US Presidency
1944

Germany was practically in control of North Africa and the Mediterranean, and was beating at the gates of the Suez Canal and the route to India. Italy was still an important military and supply factor as subsequent, long campaigns have proved. Japan was in control of the western Aleutian Islands; and in the South Pacific was knocking at the gates of Australia and New Zealand and also was threatening India. Japan ( she ) had seized control of ( nearly one half ) of the Central Pacific. American armed forces on land and sea and in the air were still very definitely on the defensive, and in the building up stage. Our Allies were bearing the heat and the brunt of the attack. In 1942 Washington heaved a sigh of relief that the first War Bond issue had been cheerfully over subscribed by the American people.