Post by Diarist on Jun 27, 2017 21:41:20 GMT 1
Yesterday's discussion in Valencia was very much like the one in Barcelona the day before but there were more journalists present. We appear to have gained their attention which was what we had hoped would happen. Afterwards Sally and I had dinner alone because we wouldn't be seeing each other for a couple of weeks or more.
At the airport this morning I was pleased to see that my luggage had arrived from the destroyer yesterday evening so we could take off just before daybreak. We flew to Malta where we had lunch and stretched our legs. One hour later we flew to Alexandria landing safely just before dusk. There was nobody there to meet us because I had told no one that I would be arriving earlier than planned so I telephoned the SOE Headquarters and Thomas Shaw picked us up 10 minutes later. We didn't discuss much about Palestine because everyone present was eager to learn about events in Europe and it is no secret that I have been in the middle of things. That kept me busy for a while.
I did find time to talk to General Weir in Cairo and we have arranged to meet for breakfast tomorrow before I fly to Jerusalem. Thomas gave me a quick briefing about SOE's training programme and I was very impressed. The Sinai is large and they have been practising combining airborne operations with long range patrols (LRP's). They also have a great map showing where there is potable water and who owns them. Very important because the Bedouin don't like people 'stealing' their water.
Time to get some sleep. It's been a long day and tomorrow won't be any shorter.
At the airport this morning I was pleased to see that my luggage had arrived from the destroyer yesterday evening so we could take off just before daybreak. We flew to Malta where we had lunch and stretched our legs. One hour later we flew to Alexandria landing safely just before dusk. There was nobody there to meet us because I had told no one that I would be arriving earlier than planned so I telephoned the SOE Headquarters and Thomas Shaw picked us up 10 minutes later. We didn't discuss much about Palestine because everyone present was eager to learn about events in Europe and it is no secret that I have been in the middle of things. That kept me busy for a while.
I did find time to talk to General Weir in Cairo and we have arranged to meet for breakfast tomorrow before I fly to Jerusalem. Thomas gave me a quick briefing about SOE's training programme and I was very impressed. The Sinai is large and they have been practising combining airborne operations with long range patrols (LRP's). They also have a great map showing where there is potable water and who owns them. Very important because the Bedouin don't like people 'stealing' their water.
Time to get some sleep. It's been a long day and tomorrow won't be any shorter.