Post by Diarist on Jan 30, 2015 13:45:59 GMT 1
I don't need to say that today's meeting was an important one. All the top military were there as well as the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary. Hitler's peace speech was discussed, especially where Adolf Hitler stated: "In particular, they [the Germans] will uphold and fulfil all obligations arising out of the Locarno Treaty, so long as the other parties are on their side ready to stand by that pact". Hitler considers the Franco-Soviet Pact, from earlier this month, to be in violation of this Treaty. In addition, our British opposition to Italy is causing problems in French government circles.
Starting in 1934, the French Foreign Minister Louis Barthou had decided to put an end to any potential German aggression by building a network of alliances intended to encircle Germany, and made overtures to the Soviet Union and Italy. Until 1933, the Soviet Union had supported German efforts to challenge the Versailles system, but the strident anti-communism of the National Socialist regime together with its claim for lebensraum had led the Soviets to do a volte-face on the question of maintaining the Versailles system. Starting in the 1920s, Benito Mussolini had subsidized the right-wing Heimwehr movement in Austria, and after Engelbert Dollfuss had seized dictatorial power in March 1933, Austria had fallen within the Italian sphere of influence. The terrorist campaign mounted by Austrian Nazis with the open support of Germany against the Dollfuss regime with the aim of overthrowing Dollfuss to achieve an Anschluss had caused considerable tensions between Rome and Berlin. Mussolini had warned Hitler several times that Austria was within the Italian sphere of influence, not the German, and to cease trying to overthrow his protégé Dollfuss. On 25 July 1934 there had occurred the July Putsch in Vienna that saw Dollfuss assassinated by the Austrian SS, and an announcement by the Austrian Nazis that the Anschluss was at hand. In response, Mussolini had mobilized the Italian Army, concentrated several divisions at the Brenner Pass, and warned Hitler that Italy would go to war with Germany if he tried to follow up the putsch by invading Austria. Hitler was forced to beat a humiliating retreat as he had to disallow the putsch he had ordered and he did not follow it up by invading Austria while the Austrian government crushed the putsch by the Austrian Nazis. After Barthou was assassinated on 9 October 1934, his work in trying to build anti-German alliances with the Soviet Union and Italy was continued by Pierre Laval. On 7 January 1935 during a summit in Rome, Laval essentially told Mussolini that he had a "free hand" in the Horn of Africa, and France would not oppose an Italian invasion of Ethiopia.
Britain had learned of this "agreement" and had confronted the French at Cherbourg with the 'Britain or Italy' ultimatum. Against Laval's advice, the French PM Flandin had sided with us and together we turned down the invitation to meet Mussolini in Stresa. Furthermore, our possible military confrontation with Italy is a worst-case scenario for Laval because only Hitler would benefit from such a conflict. We argue that Britain and France would benefit most because we would have control of the Mediterranean, Italian colonies would be isolated and Germany would have no friends in the Med because Turkey would think twice about aligning themselves Italy and/or Germany.
The Prime Minister has decided to go to France, as early as this weekend if possible. We need to clarify the situation, if not Hitler and Mussolini really will benefit from Anglo-French disharmony.
Next was the complaints about TRADOC's interference coming mainly from the Air Ministry. The Army had no complaints about our suggestions/support for the tank programme or airborne forces. The Navy agreed with our support for aircraft-carriers, carrier aircraft and more anti-aircraft capability for capital ships. General Gort argued that the 100+ different aircraft models currently operational or planned shows the dire need for rationalization within the Air Ministry. Britain has limited resources, both financial and with strategic materials, and we shouldn't squander them on useless programmes. TRADOC welcomes the RAF expansion plans but we don't have any aircraft in production which are needed for the new air force. Winston Churchill asked for specifics and we immediately replied that the Fairey Battle is a useless design. Secretary Churchill agreed and the Battle was cancelled. (Finally).
We then argued that biplane bombers are a waste of resources and we should wait for the new monoplane designs with more powerful engines than currently available. Instead we should be building Hawker Furys, Harts and Demons. Fighters and fighter-bombers which can be sold or given to allies when more modern monoplane designs become available. The Hawker Hart can also take a 500lb bomb payload. Churchill agreed with these arguments, too. He asked us, TRADOC, to submit a list of aircraft designs required and it will be discussed at the next meeting.
The Air Ministry wasn't finished. They complained about me 'demanding' AM-Spec numbers for aircraft yet to be determined. Everyone was now looking at me. I stated that we need two numbers. I reminded them that I am the project officer at TRADOC for airborne forces and the parachute infantry need a suitable aircraft. Current designs are not suitable. The new aircraft being designed by Douglas, a larger version of the DC-2, looks good but we need a military version. The second is for an aircraft still in the concept phase and will be a private venture so no government funds are required. I asked foe a spec-number, I didn't demand one. We suggest that P 23/35 be used for Hawker Harts instead of Fairey Battles and that B 27/35 be reserved for the yet to be designed private project. We received the go ahead. Victory on all fronts.
On the way back to the HQ General Gort asked me about the private venture. It was new to him. I explained that it really is just a concept. He decided that we shall be having a working-dinner this evening.
Further reading: Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remilitarization_of_the_Rhineland
Starting in 1934, the French Foreign Minister Louis Barthou had decided to put an end to any potential German aggression by building a network of alliances intended to encircle Germany, and made overtures to the Soviet Union and Italy. Until 1933, the Soviet Union had supported German efforts to challenge the Versailles system, but the strident anti-communism of the National Socialist regime together with its claim for lebensraum had led the Soviets to do a volte-face on the question of maintaining the Versailles system. Starting in the 1920s, Benito Mussolini had subsidized the right-wing Heimwehr movement in Austria, and after Engelbert Dollfuss had seized dictatorial power in March 1933, Austria had fallen within the Italian sphere of influence. The terrorist campaign mounted by Austrian Nazis with the open support of Germany against the Dollfuss regime with the aim of overthrowing Dollfuss to achieve an Anschluss had caused considerable tensions between Rome and Berlin. Mussolini had warned Hitler several times that Austria was within the Italian sphere of influence, not the German, and to cease trying to overthrow his protégé Dollfuss. On 25 July 1934 there had occurred the July Putsch in Vienna that saw Dollfuss assassinated by the Austrian SS, and an announcement by the Austrian Nazis that the Anschluss was at hand. In response, Mussolini had mobilized the Italian Army, concentrated several divisions at the Brenner Pass, and warned Hitler that Italy would go to war with Germany if he tried to follow up the putsch by invading Austria. Hitler was forced to beat a humiliating retreat as he had to disallow the putsch he had ordered and he did not follow it up by invading Austria while the Austrian government crushed the putsch by the Austrian Nazis. After Barthou was assassinated on 9 October 1934, his work in trying to build anti-German alliances with the Soviet Union and Italy was continued by Pierre Laval. On 7 January 1935 during a summit in Rome, Laval essentially told Mussolini that he had a "free hand" in the Horn of Africa, and France would not oppose an Italian invasion of Ethiopia.
Britain had learned of this "agreement" and had confronted the French at Cherbourg with the 'Britain or Italy' ultimatum. Against Laval's advice, the French PM Flandin had sided with us and together we turned down the invitation to meet Mussolini in Stresa. Furthermore, our possible military confrontation with Italy is a worst-case scenario for Laval because only Hitler would benefit from such a conflict. We argue that Britain and France would benefit most because we would have control of the Mediterranean, Italian colonies would be isolated and Germany would have no friends in the Med because Turkey would think twice about aligning themselves Italy and/or Germany.
The Prime Minister has decided to go to France, as early as this weekend if possible. We need to clarify the situation, if not Hitler and Mussolini really will benefit from Anglo-French disharmony.
Next was the complaints about TRADOC's interference coming mainly from the Air Ministry. The Army had no complaints about our suggestions/support for the tank programme or airborne forces. The Navy agreed with our support for aircraft-carriers, carrier aircraft and more anti-aircraft capability for capital ships. General Gort argued that the 100+ different aircraft models currently operational or planned shows the dire need for rationalization within the Air Ministry. Britain has limited resources, both financial and with strategic materials, and we shouldn't squander them on useless programmes. TRADOC welcomes the RAF expansion plans but we don't have any aircraft in production which are needed for the new air force. Winston Churchill asked for specifics and we immediately replied that the Fairey Battle is a useless design. Secretary Churchill agreed and the Battle was cancelled. (Finally).
We then argued that biplane bombers are a waste of resources and we should wait for the new monoplane designs with more powerful engines than currently available. Instead we should be building Hawker Furys, Harts and Demons. Fighters and fighter-bombers which can be sold or given to allies when more modern monoplane designs become available. The Hawker Hart can also take a 500lb bomb payload. Churchill agreed with these arguments, too. He asked us, TRADOC, to submit a list of aircraft designs required and it will be discussed at the next meeting.
The Air Ministry wasn't finished. They complained about me 'demanding' AM-Spec numbers for aircraft yet to be determined. Everyone was now looking at me. I stated that we need two numbers. I reminded them that I am the project officer at TRADOC for airborne forces and the parachute infantry need a suitable aircraft. Current designs are not suitable. The new aircraft being designed by Douglas, a larger version of the DC-2, looks good but we need a military version. The second is for an aircraft still in the concept phase and will be a private venture so no government funds are required. I asked foe a spec-number, I didn't demand one. We suggest that P 23/35 be used for Hawker Harts instead of Fairey Battles and that B 27/35 be reserved for the yet to be designed private project. We received the go ahead. Victory on all fronts.
On the way back to the HQ General Gort asked me about the private venture. It was new to him. I explained that it really is just a concept. He decided that we shall be having a working-dinner this evening.
Further reading: Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remilitarization_of_the_Rhineland