Post by Diarist on Nov 9, 2014 11:50:47 GMT 1
Yesterday, Guy Simonds and I went to the Saffron Hotel for lunch and we had a long chat with our new colleagues afterwards. We talked about the 6 pdr and 75mm guns planned for our armour. Also the 400hp aircraft engine being designed for vehicles and our interest in the Christie tank design. It was a long and lively discussion. We our going to have fun at TRADOC!
Our meeting at the Ministry of Defence was also quite lively. We were surprised to meet the French Foreign Minister Laval and Minister of War Maurin there. A few senior officers were also present but weren't introduced to us. Laval is the architect of the French Treaties with Italy and Russia; he was also in favour of going to Stresa after Hitler's violations of the Treaty of Versailles but was overruled in Cherbourg last month.
Winston Churchill voiced our concern about Mussolini's massive build-up of forces in Eritrea and inquired about France's assessment of the situation. Laval was convinced that there is still time for a diplomatic solution and that any move against Italy would drive them into the German camp, something which France, (i.e. Laval), wants to avoid at all costs. Britain believes that they will become an ally of Hitler anyway but that doesn't mean they should be allowed to conquer Abyssinia. We are not talking about going to war with Italy, instead what are our options if diplomacy fails and Italy invades Abyssinia. Our desire is a common Anglo-French approach and we propose that we draw up joint contingency plans just in case.
Laval considered this to be premature but would discuss it with the Prime Minister on his return to Paris. We stressed the need for secrecy and that any communication about this matter be conducted face-to-face or by courier. That was the end of the meeting.
After the meeting Colonel de Tassigny was given an outline of our plans and asked if he knew anybody in the French Air Force and Navy who would be valuable to us at TRADOC. We would draw up plans at TRADOC then present them to his French superiors at a more appropriate time. Colonel de Tassigny assured us of his support and discretion.
The meeting wasn't a complete flop after all.
Our meeting at the Ministry of Defence was also quite lively. We were surprised to meet the French Foreign Minister Laval and Minister of War Maurin there. A few senior officers were also present but weren't introduced to us. Laval is the architect of the French Treaties with Italy and Russia; he was also in favour of going to Stresa after Hitler's violations of the Treaty of Versailles but was overruled in Cherbourg last month.
Winston Churchill voiced our concern about Mussolini's massive build-up of forces in Eritrea and inquired about France's assessment of the situation. Laval was convinced that there is still time for a diplomatic solution and that any move against Italy would drive them into the German camp, something which France, (i.e. Laval), wants to avoid at all costs. Britain believes that they will become an ally of Hitler anyway but that doesn't mean they should be allowed to conquer Abyssinia. We are not talking about going to war with Italy, instead what are our options if diplomacy fails and Italy invades Abyssinia. Our desire is a common Anglo-French approach and we propose that we draw up joint contingency plans just in case.
Laval considered this to be premature but would discuss it with the Prime Minister on his return to Paris. We stressed the need for secrecy and that any communication about this matter be conducted face-to-face or by courier. That was the end of the meeting.
After the meeting Colonel de Tassigny was given an outline of our plans and asked if he knew anybody in the French Air Force and Navy who would be valuable to us at TRADOC. We would draw up plans at TRADOC then present them to his French superiors at a more appropriate time. Colonel de Tassigny assured us of his support and discretion.
The meeting wasn't a complete flop after all.