The Battle Of Salerno American and British strategies for defeating the Germans differed. Americans thought an attack across the English Channel, through France and into Germany was the quickest way to victory; however, the British thought that an attack on the Mediterranean was the best. The British and Americans both agreed that the best way to defeat the Germans in Italy was to neutralize the Fascist ally. Winston Churchill, Britain's Prime Minister, convinced President Franklin D. Roosevelt to commit American forces to campaign in North Africa and Sicily. The Allied forces suffered significant losses after fighting in Sicily and were unable to recover in time for S