Post by Diarist on Mar 3, 2017 6:49:20 GMT 1
Back at the MoD Edward and I briefed Winston about the meeting at the RAE. "They will be sending us a report on Monday. The good news is that Rolls-Royce appears to be progressing well with the Merlin F."
"That is indeed good news. Let me inform you about tomorrow. There will be a Defence Council at 09:00 then we travel by train to Southend to board HMS Nelson. We are travelling to Hamburg in style, gentlemen. Everything has received German approval. Rooms have been reserved at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten."
"That's an excellent Hotel with good restaurants. Who's in our delegation?"
"The five from last week plus the CIGS, Duff, Sir Philip, Anthony Eden and Sally. I presume you will busy with the funeral arrangements, Colonel?"
"I will," Edward answered. "The funeral will be held on Tuesday. My three brothers, Albert, Henry, George and I will mount the guard, we call it the Vigil of the Princes, at the catafalque on Monday night."
"We should be back in London in time for the funeral. I only know that General von Blomberg and Konrad Adenauer will be present. The Germans aren't telling us who else will be there."
"I'll call Wilhelm Canaris later. Maybe he knows more. In fact I'd be disappointed if he's not at Hamburg."
"That's all I have for you two. Any questions?"
"Just one. Have you talked to Édouard Daladier about the situation in Syria?"
"I have, Bob. Have you heard about the shootings?"
"Yes. That's why asked. General Huntziger has been very heavy-handed. Did Daladier mention the Golan clause?"
"No, and I didn't press the matter."
"Then until tomorrow morning, Winston."
In my MoD office I first prepared coffee then called Louis about tomorrow's arrangements. He'll inform Wilfrid. John Gort already knows so now it's time to call Berlin.
"Guten Tag, Wilhelm. Do you have five minutes for me?"
"Of course. Guten Tag, Bob."
"Will you be in Hamburg this weekend?"
"Yes and Keitel won't be there."
"Anybody else I know apart from Adenauer?"
"The same five from last week also Guderian and von Manstein will be present. They are hoping that some Wehrmacht officers can be assigned to TRADOC."
"It's a bit premature but we can discuss it over the weekend. Will your ladies be present? I ask because Sally will also be there."
"That can be arranged. I've heard that you'll be arriving on a battleship."
"Yes. A real one not that Dreadnought stuff that Germany has. It's meant to be a goodwill mission. Maybe we can arrange tours for youths."
"Which ship?"
"HMS Nelson."
"We are in for a treat. I have to go, Bob. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodbye, Wilhelm."
I prepared a memorandum and gave it to COL Thomson before going to MCD then home.
"That is indeed good news. Let me inform you about tomorrow. There will be a Defence Council at 09:00 then we travel by train to Southend to board HMS Nelson. We are travelling to Hamburg in style, gentlemen. Everything has received German approval. Rooms have been reserved at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten."
"That's an excellent Hotel with good restaurants. Who's in our delegation?"
"The five from last week plus the CIGS, Duff, Sir Philip, Anthony Eden and Sally. I presume you will busy with the funeral arrangements, Colonel?"
"I will," Edward answered. "The funeral will be held on Tuesday. My three brothers, Albert, Henry, George and I will mount the guard, we call it the Vigil of the Princes, at the catafalque on Monday night."
"We should be back in London in time for the funeral. I only know that General von Blomberg and Konrad Adenauer will be present. The Germans aren't telling us who else will be there."
"I'll call Wilhelm Canaris later. Maybe he knows more. In fact I'd be disappointed if he's not at Hamburg."
"That's all I have for you two. Any questions?"
"Just one. Have you talked to Édouard Daladier about the situation in Syria?"
"I have, Bob. Have you heard about the shootings?"
"Yes. That's why asked. General Huntziger has been very heavy-handed. Did Daladier mention the Golan clause?"
"No, and I didn't press the matter."
"Then until tomorrow morning, Winston."
In my MoD office I first prepared coffee then called Louis about tomorrow's arrangements. He'll inform Wilfrid. John Gort already knows so now it's time to call Berlin.
"Guten Tag, Wilhelm. Do you have five minutes for me?"
"Of course. Guten Tag, Bob."
"Will you be in Hamburg this weekend?"
"Yes and Keitel won't be there."
"Anybody else I know apart from Adenauer?"
"The same five from last week also Guderian and von Manstein will be present. They are hoping that some Wehrmacht officers can be assigned to TRADOC."
"It's a bit premature but we can discuss it over the weekend. Will your ladies be present? I ask because Sally will also be there."
"That can be arranged. I've heard that you'll be arriving on a battleship."
"Yes. A real one not that Dreadnought stuff that Germany has. It's meant to be a goodwill mission. Maybe we can arrange tours for youths."
"Which ship?"
"HMS Nelson."
"We are in for a treat. I have to go, Bob. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodbye, Wilhelm."
I prepared a memorandum and gave it to COL Thomson before going to MCD then home.