Darlan

Roosevelt, who had held his nose in agreeing to the deal with Darlan, assured Americans it was “only a temporary expedient.”

Wild Bill Donovan Douglas Waller 2011

Neither the British nor Coon had any role in the Darlan assassination, however.

Wild Bill Donovan Douglas Waller 2011

Tender after the international uproar over the Darlan deal, Churchill and Roosevelt wanted to reassure the public that the alliance would strike no more sweetheart deals with fascist French admirals or any Nazis now popping up peddling offers to halt the war in exchange for their taking over the government from Hitler.

Wild Bill Donovan Douglas Waller 2011

Donovan was not as optimistic as Eddy that Giraud, Darlan, and other senior French officers would be won over.

Wild Bill Donovan Douglas Waller 2011

Shortly after noon the day before, Murphy had discovered, much to his surprise, that the hated Darlan was in Algiers visiting his polio-stricken son, who was near death in the hospital.

Wild Bill Donovan Douglas Waller 2011

Clark joined the negotiations Tuesday, pounding the table and telling Darlan point-blank that his North Africa army would be destroyed and he would be arrested unless he halted the fighting.

Wild Bill Donovan Douglas Waller 2011

As commissioner, Darlan had surrounded himself with Vichy officers who like he had once backed the Nazis.

Wild Bill Donovan Douglas Waller 2011

Neither the British nor Coon had any role in the Darlan assassination, however.

Wild Bill Donovan Douglas Waller 2011

But after the United States entered the war, Darlan, whom the Americans called “Popeye,” could feel the wind shift and he had begun sniffing out collaboration with the Allies.

Wild Bill Donovan Douglas Waller 2011

Murphy quickly began talks with Darlan, who unlike Giraud was in command of French North Africa forces, and tried to persuade him to order a cease-fire.

Wild Bill Donovan Douglas Waller 2011