Post by Diarist on May 5, 2017 8:40:45 GMT 1
I telephoned Prinz Rupprecht yesterday evening and he asked if he could fly with me to Paris Saturday afternoon. I told him that it would be no problem because there are a couple of vacant seats. We agreed to meet at the Army and Navy Club this evening. I also had time to read the preliminary report from the RAE about the radial engines. It doesn't look too good for the R-2600 engines but it's early days. I've made a mental note to ask the Germans if they have a similar project.
As always I arrived at Winston's office early so that we could discuss things before the Friday morning conference. I mentioned the Parachute Regiment and my appointment as Chief of Operations. Winston smiled when I recounted my conversation with Edward yesterday. "Charlie Company can get some desert training and it can also act as an operational reserve."
"I agree," Winston replied. "It is better off in the Middle East than sitting around in England." The CIGS arrived just before 09:00 then the three of us walked to the conference room. Winston gave a report about Hamburg and what as happened since last weekend then I talked about my trip to Berlin and my discussions in the Wehrmachtamt.
"You were not very friendly to their Admiral," Duff commented.
"I made it quite clear that it was my opinion and not that of the MoD or the Admiralty. Also it is a mission they can easily fulfil without an emergency naval construction programme. Germany needs to concentrate on its Army and Air Force."
"You've made no commitments with multinational tenders?" Sir Philip asked.
"No commitments. We have only discussed the possibility. However, they would like to put our 6-pdr tank gun in their Panzer III."
"We won't have enough to export. They would have to produce it under licence," Edward remarked.
"That's what I had in mind because we could use the revenues. I'm hoping that the French will choose our 6-pdr too."
"Have you already consulted them?"
"Not yet, Winston. I intend suggesting it on Sunday in Paris but that depends on the outcome of the Franco-German discussions."
"Are you prepared for Spain next week?"
"As much as I can be. I've written an article to be published in a couple of Spanish newspapers on Monday. Here's the English version of it."
"Anything else I need to know before you leave?"
"I've studied the preliminary report from RAE and it appears that the Bristol radial engines will be available first although I haven't given up hope on the R-2600. I've asked if it's possible to use the sleeve valve technology on the R-2600. Bristol and the RAE are looking into it."
"What's the latest on the Merlin engines?" Sir Philip asked.
"They are being evaluated at Rolls-Royce. I'll be meeting John Mitchell after lunch and if he has any more information I'll let you know. That's all I have but Louis has an interesting report."
"Please, Louis."
"The last of the Italian POW's have left Africa except for those who want to stay in Africa because they have family there. Then there are the indigenous combatants, Askaris who fought for the Italians and others. They want to go to Italy because they fear for their lives if they stay."
"Louis, don't the Italian military personnel have to go back to Italy in order to resign from their armed forces?" I asked. "There's also a contradiction. The Askaris fear for their lives but the Italians don't?"
"I noticed that too, Bob." Winston continued, "if you still intend to visit Rome after Spain could you discuss the matter?"
"Why not? I intend contacting the Foreign Office today so I can ask if they have any thoughts on the subject."
The only other topic of interest for me was Edward's Palestine report. He stated that that all the units assigned to the region should be in place within the next fortnight.
"Does that include the 5th Armoured Division's personnel, Colonel?" Winston asked.
"Yes and more, Mr. Secretary. I've arranged that two battalions of ISV's be sent to the 5th Armoured Brigade to be their armour component until tanks are available. That should keep COL Patton happy."
"Does he know his good fortune yet?" I asked.
"No."
"Then let us surprise him when they arrive."
"That can be arranged."
"Good. I also talked to Prince Rupprecht yesterday evening. He asked if he could fly with me to Paris tomorrow. We have a couple of seats free so I said yes."
"Who will be flying to Paris tomorrow?" Winston asked.
John Gort replied before I could. "COL Windsor, Prince Ruppert, Bob and Sally plus myself."
"The pilot's wife will also be on board. May I suggest a change of plans?" Winston nodded. "There isn't really much point in COL Windsor and Sally travelling with me to Spain because neither can speak Spanish. Instead I'm suggesting they fly to Bern with Prinz Rupprecht to update Giuseppe Motta then fly to Munich and afterwards visit COL Guderian in Würzburg to take a look at his 2nd Panzer Division."
"What do you think, Colonel?"
"I've been invited to Rome and I do want to go there. Italy could be a good business partner for Britain because they need a thorough upgrade of their armed forces. I agree with going to Bern then Germany afterwards. General Gort will be travelling back to London to report about the Paris conference."
"That's fine with me," I added.
"Good. Then make the necessary arrangements."
"Then I'll see you at lunch, Winston. I'd like to go unless someone else has something for me." Nobody did so I departed.
As always I arrived at Winston's office early so that we could discuss things before the Friday morning conference. I mentioned the Parachute Regiment and my appointment as Chief of Operations. Winston smiled when I recounted my conversation with Edward yesterday. "Charlie Company can get some desert training and it can also act as an operational reserve."
"I agree," Winston replied. "It is better off in the Middle East than sitting around in England." The CIGS arrived just before 09:00 then the three of us walked to the conference room. Winston gave a report about Hamburg and what as happened since last weekend then I talked about my trip to Berlin and my discussions in the Wehrmachtamt.
"You were not very friendly to their Admiral," Duff commented.
"I made it quite clear that it was my opinion and not that of the MoD or the Admiralty. Also it is a mission they can easily fulfil without an emergency naval construction programme. Germany needs to concentrate on its Army and Air Force."
"You've made no commitments with multinational tenders?" Sir Philip asked.
"No commitments. We have only discussed the possibility. However, they would like to put our 6-pdr tank gun in their Panzer III."
"We won't have enough to export. They would have to produce it under licence," Edward remarked.
"That's what I had in mind because we could use the revenues. I'm hoping that the French will choose our 6-pdr too."
"Have you already consulted them?"
"Not yet, Winston. I intend suggesting it on Sunday in Paris but that depends on the outcome of the Franco-German discussions."
"Are you prepared for Spain next week?"
"As much as I can be. I've written an article to be published in a couple of Spanish newspapers on Monday. Here's the English version of it."
"Anything else I need to know before you leave?"
"I've studied the preliminary report from RAE and it appears that the Bristol radial engines will be available first although I haven't given up hope on the R-2600. I've asked if it's possible to use the sleeve valve technology on the R-2600. Bristol and the RAE are looking into it."
"What's the latest on the Merlin engines?" Sir Philip asked.
"They are being evaluated at Rolls-Royce. I'll be meeting John Mitchell after lunch and if he has any more information I'll let you know. That's all I have but Louis has an interesting report."
"Please, Louis."
"The last of the Italian POW's have left Africa except for those who want to stay in Africa because they have family there. Then there are the indigenous combatants, Askaris who fought for the Italians and others. They want to go to Italy because they fear for their lives if they stay."
"Louis, don't the Italian military personnel have to go back to Italy in order to resign from their armed forces?" I asked. "There's also a contradiction. The Askaris fear for their lives but the Italians don't?"
"I noticed that too, Bob." Winston continued, "if you still intend to visit Rome after Spain could you discuss the matter?"
"Why not? I intend contacting the Foreign Office today so I can ask if they have any thoughts on the subject."
The only other topic of interest for me was Edward's Palestine report. He stated that that all the units assigned to the region should be in place within the next fortnight.
"Does that include the 5th Armoured Division's personnel, Colonel?" Winston asked.
"Yes and more, Mr. Secretary. I've arranged that two battalions of ISV's be sent to the 5th Armoured Brigade to be their armour component until tanks are available. That should keep COL Patton happy."
"Does he know his good fortune yet?" I asked.
"No."
"Then let us surprise him when they arrive."
"That can be arranged."
"Good. I also talked to Prince Rupprecht yesterday evening. He asked if he could fly with me to Paris tomorrow. We have a couple of seats free so I said yes."
"Who will be flying to Paris tomorrow?" Winston asked.
John Gort replied before I could. "COL Windsor, Prince Ruppert, Bob and Sally plus myself."
"The pilot's wife will also be on board. May I suggest a change of plans?" Winston nodded. "There isn't really much point in COL Windsor and Sally travelling with me to Spain because neither can speak Spanish. Instead I'm suggesting they fly to Bern with Prinz Rupprecht to update Giuseppe Motta then fly to Munich and afterwards visit COL Guderian in Würzburg to take a look at his 2nd Panzer Division."
"What do you think, Colonel?"
"I've been invited to Rome and I do want to go there. Italy could be a good business partner for Britain because they need a thorough upgrade of their armed forces. I agree with going to Bern then Germany afterwards. General Gort will be travelling back to London to report about the Paris conference."
"That's fine with me," I added.
"Good. Then make the necessary arrangements."
"Then I'll see you at lunch, Winston. I'd like to go unless someone else has something for me." Nobody did so I departed.