Post by Diarist on Sept 28, 2015 18:21:38 GMT 1
Today's MoD meeting was primarily concerned with the expansion of the Royal Air Force but the Abyssinian crisis was also discussed. From TRADOC were General Gort, AVM Freeman, CPT Wales, WO1 Shaw and myself. Also present at the meeting were two chief science advisors, Henry Tizard and Frederic Lindemann, and it was quickly obvious that they had different and often opposing views.
Secretary Churchill commentated about three of us wearing our Parachute Wings, congratulating us. Then the CIGS asked how advanced are the plans for an airborne assault. General Gort didn't answer at first then played dumb asking, "Which plans?" They then told us about our plan. I was annoyed again and asked if someone had called the Italians so that they can greet us with a Champagne breakfast. I received a swift admonishment but I again replied saying that General Wavell is the only person outside of TRADOC who was informed about this plan, in confidence, to explain why I declined an offer to command a company in the new Parachute Regiment. His main concern was that it would reveal to others that we have airborne forces - so much for his concerns about security. That's when I found out that Winston Churchill had suggested that I be offered a company commander position - a logical reward for the project officer of airborne forces at TRADOC.
The meeting was adjourned so that Winston Churchill, the CIGS, General Gort and I could talk separately. I signalled Thomas Shaw to join us explaining that he is stationed in Khartoum and knows all about our aviation assets in the region as well as our irregular operations in Eritrea. General Gort defended our OPSEC, (OPerational SECurity), policy and stated that General Wavell knew that we would be seeking authorization from you this week. I added that Shaw and I typed the documentation ourselves yesterday so that the typing pool doesn't see it; Prince Edward and the AVM out there didn't know either because they don't need to know. The conversation was getting nowhere.
In the end it was agreed that we actually do what was decided a month ago. TRADOC is coordinating the operational details with Gibraltar and we seek authorization for plans from the MoD - also no radio or telephonic communications. I will be travelling to Khartoum at the end of August and plan an operation, yet to be determined, within the local command. The airborne personnel and their equipment will arrive in Sudan NLT the end of August. WO1 Shaw will ensure that the required aviation assets are available. We then returned to the main meeting.
The discussion was about the expansion of the Royal Air Force and the infrastructure required to support it. It didn't concern us too much. We supported that an expansion of the production facilities must be started now. We also suggested that university graduates be offered a reserve officer commission if they complete fight training. Things got complicated again when the new AM Specification for a twin-engine fighter was being discussed. Someone from the Air Ministry asked if our 'secret' aircraft would be competing. I nudged CPT Wales and said that he is the project officer. He said clearly that the 'private' venture is not a twin-engine fighter although it would be competing for the V-12 Rolls Royce engine and that's why the engine should not be wasted on soon-to-be obsolete designs. "Like the Fairey Battle?", someone asked. Like any non-trainer aircraft that has a single engine and more than one aircrew, we countered. Professor Tizard, who is the Chairman of the Aeronautical Research Committee, said that he would like to review the project so he has been invited to TRADOC.
After the meeting I introduced myself to Professor Tizard and asked him when RADAR will be small enough to fit into the nose of an aircraft. He presumed that I was asking because of our private venture but I changed the subject to a twin-engine night fighter. He'll visit us tomorrow morning.
It was a quiet journey home but I was driving - General Gort and AVM Freeman were with me. At our HQ I asked if I can start my vacation on Friday, flying to Lisbon with MAJ Collins then leave there by train to France then Italy. He approved. I cleaned up my desk then Sally and I left for home. A nice feeling.
Secretary Churchill commentated about three of us wearing our Parachute Wings, congratulating us. Then the CIGS asked how advanced are the plans for an airborne assault. General Gort didn't answer at first then played dumb asking, "Which plans?" They then told us about our plan. I was annoyed again and asked if someone had called the Italians so that they can greet us with a Champagne breakfast. I received a swift admonishment but I again replied saying that General Wavell is the only person outside of TRADOC who was informed about this plan, in confidence, to explain why I declined an offer to command a company in the new Parachute Regiment. His main concern was that it would reveal to others that we have airborne forces - so much for his concerns about security. That's when I found out that Winston Churchill had suggested that I be offered a company commander position - a logical reward for the project officer of airborne forces at TRADOC.
The meeting was adjourned so that Winston Churchill, the CIGS, General Gort and I could talk separately. I signalled Thomas Shaw to join us explaining that he is stationed in Khartoum and knows all about our aviation assets in the region as well as our irregular operations in Eritrea. General Gort defended our OPSEC, (OPerational SECurity), policy and stated that General Wavell knew that we would be seeking authorization from you this week. I added that Shaw and I typed the documentation ourselves yesterday so that the typing pool doesn't see it; Prince Edward and the AVM out there didn't know either because they don't need to know. The conversation was getting nowhere.
In the end it was agreed that we actually do what was decided a month ago. TRADOC is coordinating the operational details with Gibraltar and we seek authorization for plans from the MoD - also no radio or telephonic communications. I will be travelling to Khartoum at the end of August and plan an operation, yet to be determined, within the local command. The airborne personnel and their equipment will arrive in Sudan NLT the end of August. WO1 Shaw will ensure that the required aviation assets are available. We then returned to the main meeting.
The discussion was about the expansion of the Royal Air Force and the infrastructure required to support it. It didn't concern us too much. We supported that an expansion of the production facilities must be started now. We also suggested that university graduates be offered a reserve officer commission if they complete fight training. Things got complicated again when the new AM Specification for a twin-engine fighter was being discussed. Someone from the Air Ministry asked if our 'secret' aircraft would be competing. I nudged CPT Wales and said that he is the project officer. He said clearly that the 'private' venture is not a twin-engine fighter although it would be competing for the V-12 Rolls Royce engine and that's why the engine should not be wasted on soon-to-be obsolete designs. "Like the Fairey Battle?", someone asked. Like any non-trainer aircraft that has a single engine and more than one aircrew, we countered. Professor Tizard, who is the Chairman of the Aeronautical Research Committee, said that he would like to review the project so he has been invited to TRADOC.
After the meeting I introduced myself to Professor Tizard and asked him when RADAR will be small enough to fit into the nose of an aircraft. He presumed that I was asking because of our private venture but I changed the subject to a twin-engine night fighter. He'll visit us tomorrow morning.
It was a quiet journey home but I was driving - General Gort and AVM Freeman were with me. At our HQ I asked if I can start my vacation on Friday, flying to Lisbon with MAJ Collins then leave there by train to France then Italy. He approved. I cleaned up my desk then Sally and I left for home. A nice feeling.