Post by Diarist on Mar 20, 2017 6:47:51 GMT 1
Before leaving Windsor I talked with Queen Wilhelmina and I admitted that nobody had any reason to believe the Germans would make their move so early. "At least we got rid of that wretched Hitler," I commented. When I told her that there will be unofficial three-way talks in London Her Majesty expressed her desire to be present. I passed it on to Winston later. We left Windsor Castle just after 5 o'clock and arrived home an hour later. In a couple of hours Wilhelm and I need to be at the Army and Navy Club. John Gort too so he said he would meet us at the fish and chip shop just after seven. Sally and Manfred Miller ate haddock and chips with us then Sally drove him home after we left for London.
We deliberately arrived a little earlier and much to my surprise I see Edward. "What are you doing here? I thought you are busy this evening."
"I'm busy here. What are you doing here?"
"SOE meeting with General Franco, the Spanish Chief of Staff. Who are you meeting?"
"Winston. He is my boss. Hallo, Wilhelm. Wie geht's Ihnen? Why is Germany involved, Bob."
"Wilhelm speaks fluent Spanish and we have agreed to exchange intelligence information."
Winston and the CIGS arrived followed shortly by Louis. I quietly asked Winston what King Edward is doing here. He'd told me that Edward isn't SOE. "Just Spain," he replied. "A touch of royalty can't harm."
After we had ordered dinner Winston opened the discussion and it was obvious that he and Franco had already talked about my conversation at Windsor Castle this afternoon. "Do you have any plans, Bob?"
"Nothing concrete. I suggested promoting the new European peace initiative in Madrid and/or Barcelona. Holding discussions with selected groups but we must avoid getting involved in the election campaign. Of course we realize that we can't control what questions are asked. A door may be opened."
"Who do you suggest should go there apart from yourself?" Edward asked. "I presume you'll be going to Italy then Palestine afterwards."
"That's correct and I wish Wilhelm and someone from France who speaks Spanish to travel with me to Spain. We could always add King Edward and Crown Prince Ruppert von Bayern. A touch of royalty can't harm," I replied while smiling to Winston. "They might encourage more royalists in Spain to vote for the incumbents and not the left-wing opposition."
"An excellent idea." General Franco added.
"My plan is to go to Paris this weekend as an observer at the Franco-German summit, no pun intended, then travel by train or air to Barcelona. Would it be convenient to meet us there Monday or Tuesday, General Franco?"
"Yes, that would no problem at all. What do you think, Secretary Churchill?"
"Britain is willing to support Spain wherever we can and we look forward to a friend and partner after the elections."
After we had eaten I was alone with Winston and Louis. "You are learning politics fast, Bob."
"Why thank you, Winston. I thought that was why you invited Edward here, to get him involved. By the way, tomorrow morning is planned. MCD at 10:00 sharp in our conference room. Do we invite Wilhelm and tell him the half-truth?"
"I don't see why not."
"Good, so lunch at the MoD afterwards?"
"Correct."
"Will you be taking Sally with you next weekend?"
"Only to Spain and Italy. Did anyone talk with King Umberto II?"
"The PM and Anthony did."
"Louis, is it possible for HMS Rodney to arrive at Barcelona next Monday? It is already in the Med."
"I'll talk to the Admiralty first thing in the morning."
"I talked to President Roosevelt before coming here. We discussed the situation in Europe and he's concerned about the pace of the changes."
"Winston, he's only worried that we might fix the problems in the world before America gets its act together. Worried that the US won't have a seat at the table when we discuss the new world order. Another reason to plan moving our fleet to the South China Sea and Australia in the near future."
After a moment thinking about it Winston agreed that we need to develop a Far East strategy.
"We are in the starting blocks, Boss. Just waiting for someone to pull the trigger."
"Bang."
"OK. Can we secretly add a few German ships?"
"Secretly."
"We're experts at that so don't tell the PM or Duff until we have a finished plan please."
"And when will that be?"
"Ask Louis. I'm going to Palestine. Besides it's more a Royal Navy exercise but we do need a greater RAF presence there."
"Agreed."
"I forgot to mention that Vickers and Rolls-Royce are expanding their operation in Australia. It's a joint project so hopefully there will be locally produced Spitfires in the theatre before the end of the year."
"We need Merlin engines first, Bob."
"Work in progress."
We joined the others.