18 Feb 1936 - Rome

[Diarist]

When we landed in Rome the British Ambassador to Italy Lord Perth was waiting at the airport. "Lord Perth, it is nice of you to meet me personally but a car would have been enough."
"Good morning, Sir Robert. Normally I wouldn't be here but both the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence are eagerly awaiting your arrival in Rome."
"I sent Secretary Churchill my Palestine report a couple of days ago but I can't imagine that it would have cause so much excitement."
"Here is a copy of this morning's Times - it may explain the situation." He handed it to me and Spain was in the headlines. The Socialists have narrowly missed receiving a majority and are claiming election fraud.
"Anthony Eden should still be in Southeast Asia so who called from the Foreign Office?" I asked.
"Lord Halifax."
"In London they are probably more informed about Spain than we are here. I was briefly in Madrid before travelling to Palestine. Have you recently talked to Sir Henry?" Sir Henry Chilton is our ambassador to Spain.
"Yes and he informed me that there are riots in some socialist strongholds and a General Franco is recommending martial law in those regions."
"Franco is the Army CoS and is known to be heavy-handed. Do you recall the Asturia crackdown in '34? Franco's work."
"I have heard about that incident."
At the embassy I received a can of fresh coffee then called Colonel Rosa in Madrid. That got me a confused look from Lord Perth. "Franco's adjutant," I whispered. "Buenos dias, Coronel Rosa. This is Sir Robert Carter calling from Rome. I realize that you are busy but what can you tell me about the situation in Spain?"
"Good morning, Sir Robert. It is indeed an inconvenient time. The situation is very fluid and unpredictable at the moment. General Franco is now meeting with senior government leaders."
"Unpredictable sounds ominous and I presume you mean members of the pre-election government. Is that correct?"
"Si, that is correct. I said unpredictable because some members of the police are siding with the demonstrators."
"So there are demonstrations not riots as has been reported in some newspapers?"
"Mainly demonstrations but some have turned violent."
"I understand, coronel. I've also heard rumours of martial law. That would be a very drastic measure and I'm sure that General Franco realizes that. I have to call London now so is there anything else you can tell me which would ease their concerns."
"General Franco is aware of that and I have already told you all that I know. I shall inform the General that you have called. Could I have your telephone number in Rome please?"
"Of course. My greetings to General Franco." I gave him the telephone number then hung up.
"It's a long story but my connections with Madrid are from TRADOC within the MoD. Colonel Rosa is my point of contact in the Spanish MoD. I also met General Franco and Colonel Rosa at King George's funeral last month. They were guests of TRADOC for a couple of days afterwards. Could you call Lord Halifax while I talk with Winston Churchill? I shall ask Winston to call Lord Halifax to bring him up to date."
"That's acceptable."

[Diarist]

Instead of calling Winston I dialled Louis Mountbatten's number. "Good morning, Louis. Bob Carter here calling from our Embassy in Rome. How are things in London?"
"Good morning, Bob. Winston has been trying to contact you. Have you talked to him?"
"Not yet, I want to get briefed first. Have you talked to him? About Spain?"
"No, but he has called General Gort and Colonel Wilkins."
"So Louis, is Winston aware of your contingency plans for Spain?"
"I'm not sure, Bob."
"Louis, connect me to John Gort then call Winston and ask him to come to MCD. Tell him that I've talked to someone in Madrid."
After a few seconds, "Bob, John Gort here. Where are you?"
"With Lord Perth in Rome. Are you up to date on our contingency plans for Spain? I'm not but Louis said that he would personally organize something involving French forces north of the border."
"I have the dossier and most of it is not applicable yet. We have sent our transports to Gibraltar in case troops need to be moved around."
"I presume they have enough escorts."
"That has been arranged, Bob. By the way, Sally arrived back from Germany yesterday. She's at home today resting. My orders."
"Thank you, John. I'll call her later. Do you know if Winston has received my package from Palestine?"
"Ask him yourself. He's just walked in my office. Winston, Bob on the line from Rome."
"So Bob, we finally talk."
"I like to get briefed before reporting to you. John and Louis have our plans for Spain which we can't mention on the phone but I have spoken to Franco's adjutant in Madrid." I filled him in and reminded him that someone should talk to Colonel Rodriguez at the Spanish Embassy. "Have the Spaniards arrived at TRADOC yet? If so they should have good contacts at home."
"That's a good point, Bob."
"So can I continue my journey home now and could you call Lord Halifax?"
"Why Halifax?"
"He's also calling Rome looking for me on behalf of the Foreign Office. Could you handle that please? Lord Perth is talking to him at the moment."
"Then ask him to tell Halifax that he if wants information he should visit me at the MoD. As for your first question I want you in Madrid. You have good MoD contacts there and I trust information from you."
"Well that is a truly crazy idea. I don't even know where it is safe to land."
"You'll think of something, Bob. Let me know when you are there. The courier arrived from Egypt. What shall I do with all the other things?"
"They are probably presents from Irvine Miller for his family. Give them to John or Sally when she returns to work. I can't talk you out of the Madrid idea?"
"No. You have your orders, Bob. I trust your judgement."
"I feel much better. Goodbye, Winston."
Well that did go down well. Time to rebel. My next call was the phone number King Umberto had given to me in London. 10 minutes later my flight crew and I were guests of the King.
"Lord Perth, I have two things for you. Lord Halifax is welcome to visit Secretary Churchill at the MoD at anytime and I've been ordered to somehow get to Madrid. Thank you for your support this morning. I've made arrangements to get out of Rome so until next time, Sir."

[Diarist]

Thirty minutes later I was at the Quirinal Palace which is the official Royal Residence in Rome. I was assigned a room and less than hour later I was having a late lunch with King Umberto.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty. It is good to see you again."
"You are welcome guest, Sir Robert. I entertained your charming wife and Prince Rupprecht here just over a week ago."
"Apparently Sally arrived back in England yesterday but I haven't had the chance to talk to her yet."
"Well I'm glad that you are here and I hope that we have time to discuss several of the topics discussed in London last month. There was so little time available."
"We all had a busy schedule, Sir. Unfortunately my stay in Rome has been cut short. I've been ordered to Madrid so I shall be leaving Rome tomorrow morning at the latest. I have been looking forward to meeting you and your senior ministers but duty calls. I have prepared a few notes if you wish to review them."
"That is unfortunate because I too have a lot to discuss. How was your visit to Palestine?"
"Two steps forward and two steps backward but I tied up a few loose ends. I also found time to visit some biblical sites."
"I'm pleased that your journey wasn't a complete waste of time."
"It was very constructive in fact because they were important loose ends. What do you wish to discuss, Your Majesty?"
"Italy wishes to contribute to a lasting peace in Europe and wishes a more active role."
"I know that Britain would welcome that very much, Sir. We are hoping for your support in SE Europe, especially with Yugoslavia. At the moment Britain is concentrating on a final non-aggression treaty with France and Germany. We then hope to expand our economic and military cooperation. Once we have a working alliance we shall invite other nations including Italy. Before then nations can apply for associate membership. We share common goals but without the obligations which a full membership would entail."
"Which obligations do you envisage?"
"At the moment there is only a non-aggression policy being finalized. A landmark agreement when one considers the recent history of our three nations. There is also talk of mutual cooperation in armed forces modernisation. For example, a common new assault rifle for our infantry or at least new rifles which all use the same ammunition. This all takes time though."
"Are there any economic policies being discussed?"
"Harmonizing our tax systems and cutting Customs and Excise duties for member nations. Your Majesty, there are no reasons why some of these measures can't be introduced before full membership is offered. Britain would welcome bi-lateral agreements with associate members. I believe they would ease the transition to full membership at a later date. All of Europe is still suffering from the effects of the depression. We should do whatever we can as soon as possible."
"I share that belief, Sir Robert. Please consider staying overnight because I wish further discussions this evening. I also have duties this afternoon."
"I accept your offer, Your Majesty. I do need to make some confidential telephone calls. Could that be arranged please."
"Of course. If you need anything just ask my assistant, Giovanni."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Your command of the Italian language is impressive, Sir Robert."
"You are too kind, Giovanni, but you and I know that I'm struggling."
"Not at all, Sir. You'll be surprised what other foreigners have to offer. You can telephone from here, Sir. It is a private line. My office is two doors further on the left."
"Thank you, Giovanni."
I first called Sally to tell her that I'm in Rome and safe and that I miss her. Next it was my turn to do something crazy so I called Berlin.
"Wilhelm, Bob Carter calling from Rome. Can we talk?"
"We can. Are you on your way home via Germany?"
"That was my original plan but I've been ordered to get to Madrid somehow. How would you like for us to work together. I have an aircraft but it has RAF roundels on it and I'm not sure who will control Spanish airspace in a couple of days."
"An interesting suggestion. I can fly to France tomorrow."
"Is Toulouse convenient?"
"I can meet you at the airport just after lunchtime, 14:00 at the latest."
"I'll be there, Wilhelm. Auf Wiedersehen."