Post by Diarist on Feb 5, 2015 19:53:52 GMT 1
I didn't have much free time this weekend. Yesterday we prepared for today's meeting with Prince Edward and Winston Churchill then we spent the afternoon with LTC George Patton and CPT Guy Simonds who have just returned "home" from Poland. They have dozens of photos as well as technical drawings which our Polish friends had drawn up. The Germans call it "Krupp-Protze" and it is a six-wheeled 6x4 German truck and artillery tractor powered by a 55 hp Krupp 4-cylinder petrol engine. Its main purpose is to tow artillery, especially the PaK 36 anti-tank gun, and transport motorized infantry. An interesting design and better than anything we have. With "we" I mean all our nations represented here.
Our guests arrived just after 10 o'clock and while General Gort was talking with Winston Churchill and Admiral Keyes I was left to entertain the Prince and Commander Mountbatten. I asked Prince Edward what he knew about TRADOC and he was surprised when I informed him how large we are, with a finger in every pie. He himself wasn't hoping for anything in particular - just wanted to contribute in any way which we think he could be useful. He'd experienced trench-warfare in France and Belgium during the last war and welcomed any new form of warfare to avoid that. I learned that he has a particular interest in science and in 1926 was president of the British Association for the Advancement of Science when his alma mater, Oxford University, hosted the society's annual general meeting. He was amused when I told him about my recruitment poster comment - I didn't mention the parachutist part.
Eventually we joined the others and we were greeted with the news that there would be a new French Government tomorrow and that France is fully committed to a firm policy against Italy and Germany. A joint-staff group in Cherbourg will start making plans for an appropriate response to an Italian invasion of Abyssinia. A round of drinks was served...
The conversation then turned to Prince Edward's duties within TRADOC. He was a temporary Major at the end of the war, that means he will be a Captain here. General Gort explained the security rules and that we don't talk to anybody about the work do here. He's not even allowed to tell his father, King George - that's the Prime Minister's responsibility. Since he is a qualified pilot he will coordinate the pilot training programme within the headquarters and will ensure that suitable aircraft are available and ready for weekend training at RAF Duxford. He will be given office space there in addition to any desk assigned here at our HQ. CPT Carter will show you around here and is available for any questions you may have. Any questions? We both replied, "No, Sir".
I wasn't expecting that at all. It was made quite clear that there would be no special rules for him at TRADOC. I told him that we start work here at 0800 and if you want breakfast you take it beforehand during your own time. PT training is also before or after working-hours.
After Winston Churchill and Admiral Keyes had left General Gort invited the three of us to lunch at our Officer's Club, the Saffron Hotel, but asked CPT Wales to wait outside for a moment. He then gave Commander Mountbatten and I a new special project but more about that later. General Gort and the Commander left first and I had to find captain's insignia for CPT Wales because he had arrived wearing his honorary Colonel's uniform. Welcome to TRADOC, I remarked.
Our guests arrived just after 10 o'clock and while General Gort was talking with Winston Churchill and Admiral Keyes I was left to entertain the Prince and Commander Mountbatten. I asked Prince Edward what he knew about TRADOC and he was surprised when I informed him how large we are, with a finger in every pie. He himself wasn't hoping for anything in particular - just wanted to contribute in any way which we think he could be useful. He'd experienced trench-warfare in France and Belgium during the last war and welcomed any new form of warfare to avoid that. I learned that he has a particular interest in science and in 1926 was president of the British Association for the Advancement of Science when his alma mater, Oxford University, hosted the society's annual general meeting. He was amused when I told him about my recruitment poster comment - I didn't mention the parachutist part.
Eventually we joined the others and we were greeted with the news that there would be a new French Government tomorrow and that France is fully committed to a firm policy against Italy and Germany. A joint-staff group in Cherbourg will start making plans for an appropriate response to an Italian invasion of Abyssinia. A round of drinks was served...
The conversation then turned to Prince Edward's duties within TRADOC. He was a temporary Major at the end of the war, that means he will be a Captain here. General Gort explained the security rules and that we don't talk to anybody about the work do here. He's not even allowed to tell his father, King George - that's the Prime Minister's responsibility. Since he is a qualified pilot he will coordinate the pilot training programme within the headquarters and will ensure that suitable aircraft are available and ready for weekend training at RAF Duxford. He will be given office space there in addition to any desk assigned here at our HQ. CPT Carter will show you around here and is available for any questions you may have. Any questions? We both replied, "No, Sir".
I wasn't expecting that at all. It was made quite clear that there would be no special rules for him at TRADOC. I told him that we start work here at 0800 and if you want breakfast you take it beforehand during your own time. PT training is also before or after working-hours.
After Winston Churchill and Admiral Keyes had left General Gort invited the three of us to lunch at our Officer's Club, the Saffron Hotel, but asked CPT Wales to wait outside for a moment. He then gave Commander Mountbatten and I a new special project but more about that later. General Gort and the Commander left first and I had to find captain's insignia for CPT Wales because he had arrived wearing his honorary Colonel's uniform. Welcome to TRADOC, I remarked.