Post by Diarist on Jul 25, 2014 11:08:51 GMT 1
Finally home again - I'm really glad to be here. As expected, a lot of paperwork has accumulated on my desk.
We had lunch in Aldershot today with General Wavell and his senior staff. General Gort informed them of the decision to form an experimental Parachute Company in Aldershot with 2nd Infantry Division as its parent unit. General Wavell welcomed the decision and had several questions and suggestions. Which aircraft would be used? What weapons would they carry with them? The Russians climbed onto the wing of a bomber and were dragged-off by the wind - scarcely an acceptable method for large-scale operations...
We agreed that there was still a lot of questions to be answered. General Wavell suggested that parachutes could be utilised to air-supply forward units and that a quick exit from the aircraft would be required if we didn't want supplies being scattered all over the countryside. This could lead to a method for deploying troops as well. A large side door in the aircraft, behind the wings but not too near the tailplane. (I immediately thought about air-dropping supplies to troops operating behind enemy lines).
We left with a long list of questions and on the way home I talked with General Gort about air-supply, behind enemy lines and East Africa - maybe they belong together. I ended up being the liasion-officer to the 2nd Infantry Division and Project Officer within TRADOC for airborne operations. He then suggested that I volunteer for parachute training as well - I replied all of us at TRADOC should! If a battalion is to be air-droppable then all members of the unit must be parachute-trained, including the cooks and HQ personnel. Also, what better way is there to advocate this airborne doctrine? He gave me a thoughtful look but didn't answer.
Anyway, I want to clear my desk before retiring this evening.
We had lunch in Aldershot today with General Wavell and his senior staff. General Gort informed them of the decision to form an experimental Parachute Company in Aldershot with 2nd Infantry Division as its parent unit. General Wavell welcomed the decision and had several questions and suggestions. Which aircraft would be used? What weapons would they carry with them? The Russians climbed onto the wing of a bomber and were dragged-off by the wind - scarcely an acceptable method for large-scale operations...
We agreed that there was still a lot of questions to be answered. General Wavell suggested that parachutes could be utilised to air-supply forward units and that a quick exit from the aircraft would be required if we didn't want supplies being scattered all over the countryside. This could lead to a method for deploying troops as well. A large side door in the aircraft, behind the wings but not too near the tailplane. (I immediately thought about air-dropping supplies to troops operating behind enemy lines).
We left with a long list of questions and on the way home I talked with General Gort about air-supply, behind enemy lines and East Africa - maybe they belong together. I ended up being the liasion-officer to the 2nd Infantry Division and Project Officer within TRADOC for airborne operations. He then suggested that I volunteer for parachute training as well - I replied all of us at TRADOC should! If a battalion is to be air-droppable then all members of the unit must be parachute-trained, including the cooks and HQ personnel. Also, what better way is there to advocate this airborne doctrine? He gave me a thoughtful look but didn't answer.
Anyway, I want to clear my desk before retiring this evening.