Post by Diarist on Oct 30, 2017 11:03:06 GMT 1
I've spent the last few days sightseeing and visiting units of the 51st Highland Division in southern Palestine. In Aqaba I had a great evening with the 154th Infantry Brigade, the unit I was with in Khartoum last year. Their campaign took them to the gates of Asmara, the Eritrean capital, where the Italians surrendered. They then spent several months shepherding 55,000 POW's before they were sent back to Italy.
In El Arish I had dinner with MG Douglas Brownrigg, the 51st Division's commander, and I used the opportunity to thank him for mentioning my name in dispatches which helped me receive the DSO.
"The Italian conflict appears to have been very beneficial for your career, Sir Robert. What exactly do you do at the MoD?"
"Not as much as I would like to because I spend most of the time travelling. Luckily my department has good personnel who take care of the projects when I'm not around. After Italy I headed a newly created TRADOC Annex in the MoD and as a major I was the most junior officer but because many of the senior officers came from TRADOC they were accustomed to me being General Gort's right hand man. Outside of the annex generals didn't appreciate a lowly major giving orders but after a successful FTX and the subsequent quarrel in the War Office the annex was elevated to a ministry and I became a cabinet minister. My job description is a bit vague but I'm ensuring that our limited resources are put to the best use and Winston Churchill decides where the priorities are."
"So the Middle East has now become a priority?"
"Yes and no. My presence here is because I negotiated the truce last December and the PM asked me continue my work in Palestine. Forming a defence alliance in Europe has priority at the moment. The MoD has done its part so now the diplomats have to come up with documents for everyone to sign."
"Hitler's demise was quite a surprise here. Did you have your finger in that pie too?"
"Again that is yes and no. I helped negotiate the alliance with France, Belgium and Holland but it was the Germany military which gave Hitler enough rope to hang himself. My role was to convince everyone that we must respond to a German invasion of the Rhineland. Now I've been selected to head the British delegation in a joint Defence Council with France and Germany. We shall probably be having our first meeting in the fall but hopefully it will be sooner."
"All of this would have been unthinkable a year ago. I wonder if Hitler ever considered the possible consequences before giving his speech in the Reichstag last year."
"I doubt that anyone could have predicted the recent course of events. It's unlikely that we would have intervened against Mussolini if it weren't for Winston Churchill becoming the Defence Secretary. It was an uphill battle against France, especially Laval. Fortunately Winston and Daladier are on good terms."
"That brings us to Palestine. Daladier's Golan decision surprised me greatly. I can imagine that Syria's not too happy, Sir Robert."
"That coupled with giving the Kurdish region to Iraq has really peeved them. Syria is not in an enviable position at the moment. This is a perfect time to hit them while they are vulnerable but I've been given clear instructions not to start a war over here."
"Being given those instructions speaks volumes about your reputation. I believe that I would treat it as a compliment."
"I do, Douglas. But since I don't want to disappoint people who knows what may happen when I'm gone."
"So you are lighting a couple of fuses?"
"No, of course not. I believe that others will have that role."
"The area where the 51st is stationed is very quiet at the moment. Do you expect it to stay that way?"
"Yes, I do. The Saudi king doesn't want to get involved in a war against Britain. The 51st will primarily be preserving law and order in the south of Palestine and Transjordan thus freeing up the Arab Legion for operations in the north if necessary. I'm hoping that the 9th Highland Division will be replacing you in the summer. One of their brigades is being converted to a mountain brigade which may be useful in this part of the world."
"I agree. So a conflict won't delay us going home?"
"No it won't but you may want to remind officers and senior NCO's that the 5th Armoured is still looking for volunteers with promotion a possibility."
"I've already circulated that request and a couple of dozen have grasped the opportunity. I wouldn't have said no if I had been offered Geoff Howard's job."
"Well, he and most of the 5th Infantry went to Palestine. An obvious choice. Between the two of us though there may be an opening for the GOC Egypt position in the near future if you are interested. Eventually the 9th would become part of that Command too."
"I could select my own staff?"
"Probably but don't jump the gun. Nothing has been decided except that General Weir will be retiring after Egypt. Keep that to yourself, Douglas."
In El Arish I had dinner with MG Douglas Brownrigg, the 51st Division's commander, and I used the opportunity to thank him for mentioning my name in dispatches which helped me receive the DSO.
"The Italian conflict appears to have been very beneficial for your career, Sir Robert. What exactly do you do at the MoD?"
"Not as much as I would like to because I spend most of the time travelling. Luckily my department has good personnel who take care of the projects when I'm not around. After Italy I headed a newly created TRADOC Annex in the MoD and as a major I was the most junior officer but because many of the senior officers came from TRADOC they were accustomed to me being General Gort's right hand man. Outside of the annex generals didn't appreciate a lowly major giving orders but after a successful FTX and the subsequent quarrel in the War Office the annex was elevated to a ministry and I became a cabinet minister. My job description is a bit vague but I'm ensuring that our limited resources are put to the best use and Winston Churchill decides where the priorities are."
"So the Middle East has now become a priority?"
"Yes and no. My presence here is because I negotiated the truce last December and the PM asked me continue my work in Palestine. Forming a defence alliance in Europe has priority at the moment. The MoD has done its part so now the diplomats have to come up with documents for everyone to sign."
"Hitler's demise was quite a surprise here. Did you have your finger in that pie too?"
"Again that is yes and no. I helped negotiate the alliance with France, Belgium and Holland but it was the Germany military which gave Hitler enough rope to hang himself. My role was to convince everyone that we must respond to a German invasion of the Rhineland. Now I've been selected to head the British delegation in a joint Defence Council with France and Germany. We shall probably be having our first meeting in the fall but hopefully it will be sooner."
"All of this would have been unthinkable a year ago. I wonder if Hitler ever considered the possible consequences before giving his speech in the Reichstag last year."
"I doubt that anyone could have predicted the recent course of events. It's unlikely that we would have intervened against Mussolini if it weren't for Winston Churchill becoming the Defence Secretary. It was an uphill battle against France, especially Laval. Fortunately Winston and Daladier are on good terms."
"That brings us to Palestine. Daladier's Golan decision surprised me greatly. I can imagine that Syria's not too happy, Sir Robert."
"That coupled with giving the Kurdish region to Iraq has really peeved them. Syria is not in an enviable position at the moment. This is a perfect time to hit them while they are vulnerable but I've been given clear instructions not to start a war over here."
"Being given those instructions speaks volumes about your reputation. I believe that I would treat it as a compliment."
"I do, Douglas. But since I don't want to disappoint people who knows what may happen when I'm gone."
"So you are lighting a couple of fuses?"
"No, of course not. I believe that others will have that role."
"The area where the 51st is stationed is very quiet at the moment. Do you expect it to stay that way?"
"Yes, I do. The Saudi king doesn't want to get involved in a war against Britain. The 51st will primarily be preserving law and order in the south of Palestine and Transjordan thus freeing up the Arab Legion for operations in the north if necessary. I'm hoping that the 9th Highland Division will be replacing you in the summer. One of their brigades is being converted to a mountain brigade which may be useful in this part of the world."
"I agree. So a conflict won't delay us going home?"
"No it won't but you may want to remind officers and senior NCO's that the 5th Armoured is still looking for volunteers with promotion a possibility."
"I've already circulated that request and a couple of dozen have grasped the opportunity. I wouldn't have said no if I had been offered Geoff Howard's job."
"Well, he and most of the 5th Infantry went to Palestine. An obvious choice. Between the two of us though there may be an opening for the GOC Egypt position in the near future if you are interested. Eventually the 9th would become part of that Command too."
"I could select my own staff?"
"Probably but don't jump the gun. Nothing has been decided except that General Weir will be retiring after Egypt. Keep that to yourself, Douglas."