Post by Diarist on Jul 21, 2014 22:54:52 GMT 1
We left Canada a few days ago and the seas have rougher on the way home but I've managed to avoid being seasick so far. We've also been kept busy preparing our proposals for the next Defence Council Meeting which will be convened on board tomorrow.
We shall be recommending:
a. the formation of an experimental Parachute Company at Aldershot. The Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, Major-General Wavell, served in Russia a few years ago when the Soviets demonstrated their airborne capability. Volunteers from the Division should be used for personnel,
b. a series of armoured cars should be developed using a 6x6 truck chassis as basis and be powered by a 150 to 200hp engine.
c. the Royal Navy should inspect twelve protected cruisers which were sold for scrap a decade ago but were never scrapped. Could they be converted to light aircraft carriers for convoy duties? If they are not suitable the four ships of the Hawkins-class cruiser should be considered for conversion.
d. a limited number of unemployed able-bodied men be called up for Military Service. We consider 100,000 to be a reasonable figure and that their military training include learning a trade for later civilian life.
We are delaying proposals for Abyssinia until we have had a chance to review the reports from the delegation accompanying the Foreign Secretary.
We shall be recommending:
a. the formation of an experimental Parachute Company at Aldershot. The Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, Major-General Wavell, served in Russia a few years ago when the Soviets demonstrated their airborne capability. Volunteers from the Division should be used for personnel,
b. a series of armoured cars should be developed using a 6x6 truck chassis as basis and be powered by a 150 to 200hp engine.
c. the Royal Navy should inspect twelve protected cruisers which were sold for scrap a decade ago but were never scrapped. Could they be converted to light aircraft carriers for convoy duties? If they are not suitable the four ships of the Hawkins-class cruiser should be considered for conversion.
d. a limited number of unemployed able-bodied men be called up for Military Service. We consider 100,000 to be a reasonable figure and that their military training include learning a trade for later civilian life.
We are delaying proposals for Abyssinia until we have had a chance to review the reports from the delegation accompanying the Foreign Secretary.