Public knowledge Air War Plans Division

roosevelt incorporated army s, navy s , air staff s detailed plans executive policy called victory program . roosevelt hoped engage public opinion in favor of victory program because increase in production promised meant more jobs , healthier economy. opponents of policy included powerful supporter of isolationist america first committee, senator burton k. wheeler. wheeler obtained copy of victory program, classified secret, source within air corps, , leaked plan 2 isolationist newspapers on 4 december 1941, chicago tribune , washington times-herald. vocal public opposition plan ceased 3 days later on 7 december 1941 when japanese attacked pearl harbor. congress passed victory program few changes.

german agents monitoring american newspapers wired compromised secret program berlin franz halder, chief of german general staff, realized critical importance. on 12 december, adolf hitler issued directive 39 countered american strategic bombing , invasion plans massing air defenses around key industries , increasing atlantic ocean attacks allied invasion fleet not formed. hitler directed forces opposing soviet union go on defensive hold ground @ least cost. 4 days later, after visiting eastern front , seeing extent of strategic failures there, hitler angrily , irrationally rescinded directive 39 , focused armies once again on attack.