Post by Diarist on Apr 2, 2019 21:32:30 GMT 1
Sally and Mum were waiting for us at RAF Duxford. General John Gort was also there. I thanked Jake, Pam and Sam for their company the last month and 35 minutes later we were finally home. I collapsed into an armchair and gladly accepted a glass of beer. "Well, how was it?" Sally couldn't hold back any longer.
"Mostly tiring, darling. We travelled over 10,000 miles and once we left the Middle East the weather started to deteriorate so flying wasn't much fun either. I presume that Louis has arrived back from Spain?"
John was sitting opposite me. "A couple of weeks ago, Bob. We transported troops to Barcelona and Valencia a week after you left Gibraltar and the situation in Spain appears to be less tense."
"Madrid was like sitting on a gunpowder keg but releasing the political prisoners from 1934 revolt set a good signal."
"Why was Canaris with you? Did he have the same idea as Winston?"
"No, I called him after Winston ordered me to somehow get to Madrid. It seemed a good idea at the time and now that I've had time to think about it I still think it was a good idea. Is there any problem with it?"
"Not that I know of but it did raise a few eyebrows. Something unrelated. You need to know that we have a Defence Council meeting on Monday afternoon at the MoD. I suggest a catch-up meeting for you Monday morning across the road. Are you up to it?"
"I shall be. My stay in Germany was very relaxing so I'm not at all worn out. It's just been a long day. How are our new prototypes doing? It's the Hornet that appears to have problems, correct?"
"It's not as bad as it sounds. We are in constant contact with Geoffrey."
"What did the Air Ministry say?"
"They are surprisingly quiet. Winston had a long conversation with Philip Cunliffe about de Havilland and the fact that they will be producing their own Merlin engines appears to have won over the Air Ministry. Enough about work. I'm meeting my wife at the hotel. Want to join us?"
I looked towards Sally and she nodded so we left for a late pint. We took Mum too.
"Mostly tiring, darling. We travelled over 10,000 miles and once we left the Middle East the weather started to deteriorate so flying wasn't much fun either. I presume that Louis has arrived back from Spain?"
John was sitting opposite me. "A couple of weeks ago, Bob. We transported troops to Barcelona and Valencia a week after you left Gibraltar and the situation in Spain appears to be less tense."
"Madrid was like sitting on a gunpowder keg but releasing the political prisoners from 1934 revolt set a good signal."
"Why was Canaris with you? Did he have the same idea as Winston?"
"No, I called him after Winston ordered me to somehow get to Madrid. It seemed a good idea at the time and now that I've had time to think about it I still think it was a good idea. Is there any problem with it?"
"Not that I know of but it did raise a few eyebrows. Something unrelated. You need to know that we have a Defence Council meeting on Monday afternoon at the MoD. I suggest a catch-up meeting for you Monday morning across the road. Are you up to it?"
"I shall be. My stay in Germany was very relaxing so I'm not at all worn out. It's just been a long day. How are our new prototypes doing? It's the Hornet that appears to have problems, correct?"
"It's not as bad as it sounds. We are in constant contact with Geoffrey."
"What did the Air Ministry say?"
"They are surprisingly quiet. Winston had a long conversation with Philip Cunliffe about de Havilland and the fact that they will be producing their own Merlin engines appears to have won over the Air Ministry. Enough about work. I'm meeting my wife at the hotel. Want to join us?"
I looked towards Sally and she nodded so we left for a late pint. We took Mum too.