Post by Diarist on Sept 25, 2015 14:44:58 GMT 1
I've finished my third week of the course - less physical training now - more about the technique. Learning how to land in different directions because it is unlikely that one will drop vertically. I 'm amazed at how much you can see at night time when your eyes are accustomed to the darkness. We've also had some training with the Thompson SMG - I thought we would only have the wooden mock-up. So now I know how to assemble/disassemble it and clean it - and fire it. Awesome!
General Wavell, commander of 2nd Infantry Division, joined us at the 'TRADOC table' during dinner yesterday evening and asked if would like to command one of the platoons in the new Parachute Regiment. I reminded him that I'm a Captain not a Lieutenant. It would be the cadre for a company and I would then be the company commander. I considered for a few seconds then declined. Even General Gort looked at me questioningly. I believe that my current assignment is important and I want to stay there.
Back at our platoon building I showed General Gort a plan I had drafted for a para-mission in NW Eritrea. It required a reinforced platoon to capture an Italian airfield at Teseney, near to Kassala, one our bases in Sudan. The only Eritrean airfield in the area. I told him that I wouldn't mind commanding that. I also informed him that I have learnt Arabic from Thomas Ellis and could use a little practice in Sudan. We went to look for General Wavell, found him and presented it to him. He studied the draft then commented that I want to be a platoon leader after all. I denied that, saying that the platoon leader would command the platoon, I would like to be the commander of the operation which includes more than the parachute platoon. There's the aircraft involved, the resupply and reinforcements by air after we have captured the airfield. I have been working on our response to an Italian invasion of Abyssinia so I know what our plans are. This would greatly enhance those plans.
General Wavell had his reservations about the operation including revealing to our adversaries that we have airborne forces. I refrained from reminding him that he won't be commanding the Parachute Regiment but I did mention that we already know that the Russians and Germans are forming such units. We need to convince our own leaders the value of airborne forces - a successful operation in Eritrea would enable us to argue for a Parachute Brigade, or even a Division. The decision has been postponed until we are back at our HQ, i.e. we have to talk to Winston Churchill.
Next week we have daytime jumps on Monday thru Thursday then a night jump Thursday evening. Friday is graduation day. Wish me luck....
General Wavell, commander of 2nd Infantry Division, joined us at the 'TRADOC table' during dinner yesterday evening and asked if would like to command one of the platoons in the new Parachute Regiment. I reminded him that I'm a Captain not a Lieutenant. It would be the cadre for a company and I would then be the company commander. I considered for a few seconds then declined. Even General Gort looked at me questioningly. I believe that my current assignment is important and I want to stay there.
Back at our platoon building I showed General Gort a plan I had drafted for a para-mission in NW Eritrea. It required a reinforced platoon to capture an Italian airfield at Teseney, near to Kassala, one our bases in Sudan. The only Eritrean airfield in the area. I told him that I wouldn't mind commanding that. I also informed him that I have learnt Arabic from Thomas Ellis and could use a little practice in Sudan. We went to look for General Wavell, found him and presented it to him. He studied the draft then commented that I want to be a platoon leader after all. I denied that, saying that the platoon leader would command the platoon, I would like to be the commander of the operation which includes more than the parachute platoon. There's the aircraft involved, the resupply and reinforcements by air after we have captured the airfield. I have been working on our response to an Italian invasion of Abyssinia so I know what our plans are. This would greatly enhance those plans.
General Wavell had his reservations about the operation including revealing to our adversaries that we have airborne forces. I refrained from reminding him that he won't be commanding the Parachute Regiment but I did mention that we already know that the Russians and Germans are forming such units. We need to convince our own leaders the value of airborne forces - a successful operation in Eritrea would enable us to argue for a Parachute Brigade, or even a Division. The decision has been postponed until we are back at our HQ, i.e. we have to talk to Winston Churchill.
Next week we have daytime jumps on Monday thru Thursday then a night jump Thursday evening. Friday is graduation day. Wish me luck....