Post by Diarist on Oct 27, 2015 15:58:35 GMT 1
I drove the second car to Croydon Aerodrome, the first car had earlier brought Major Collins to London for his Lisbon flight and was already there. MG Fuller was with Sally and myself, colonels can't be greeted by a lowly captain. The plane was punctual and there they were in Wehrmacht uniform. After greetings and introductions I drove General Fuller, and Colonels Guderian and Veiel to the hotel while Sally was with Colonel Schaal and Lieutenant-colonel Rommel. A staff-sergeant was driving. They were shown their rooms and then we drove to our HQ.
General Gort greeted them outside the entrance and we brought them to the conference room where we had coffee and cakes. We had prepared a 'brochure' in German giving basic information about TRADOC and its mission. Each of our guests received a sponsor, I was paired with Rommel because we were both infantry officers.
We went to my office which has a cosy corner sofa so he would be comfortable while I finished my paperwork. I'd learned that he had fought at the Battle of Caporetto as a First Lieutenant in 1917 and had received the Pour le Mérite for his actions. Four years ago I had spent a week in Württemberg, where he was born, so I asked him a few questions in the Swabian dialect - that got him smiling. He asked about my unusual patch and guessed right. Yes, Fallschirmjäger, the General, too. There's more than one form of mobility on the future battlefield. When asked about the training I evaded answering but said that you need to be fit. Landing on your feet while carrying 50 kg of gear is nothing for the frail. I changed the subject to mountain warfare and he told me in detail about the lessons he had learned. I commented that we have more air power now, wouldn't that change things? Not if you have air-superiority....
At 5 o'clock Sally came to get me so the three of us drove to the hotel. I'm allowed to park our car there for a small fee because none of the guests have cars. We took Rommel to see the house which Sally had fallen in love with. I must admit that I like it too. After dinner the plan for tomorrow was announced, a visit to Vickers tank plant. I'd already hinted that there's nothing there for us infantry types so Rommel and I passed. He would talk to me about mountain warfare if I showed him our parachute training area. General Gort gave his blessing and informed General Wavell at Aldershot.
General Gort greeted them outside the entrance and we brought them to the conference room where we had coffee and cakes. We had prepared a 'brochure' in German giving basic information about TRADOC and its mission. Each of our guests received a sponsor, I was paired with Rommel because we were both infantry officers.
We went to my office which has a cosy corner sofa so he would be comfortable while I finished my paperwork. I'd learned that he had fought at the Battle of Caporetto as a First Lieutenant in 1917 and had received the Pour le Mérite for his actions. Four years ago I had spent a week in Württemberg, where he was born, so I asked him a few questions in the Swabian dialect - that got him smiling. He asked about my unusual patch and guessed right. Yes, Fallschirmjäger, the General, too. There's more than one form of mobility on the future battlefield. When asked about the training I evaded answering but said that you need to be fit. Landing on your feet while carrying 50 kg of gear is nothing for the frail. I changed the subject to mountain warfare and he told me in detail about the lessons he had learned. I commented that we have more air power now, wouldn't that change things? Not if you have air-superiority....
At 5 o'clock Sally came to get me so the three of us drove to the hotel. I'm allowed to park our car there for a small fee because none of the guests have cars. We took Rommel to see the house which Sally had fallen in love with. I must admit that I like it too. After dinner the plan for tomorrow was announced, a visit to Vickers tank plant. I'd already hinted that there's nothing there for us infantry types so Rommel and I passed. He would talk to me about mountain warfare if I showed him our parachute training area. General Gort gave his blessing and informed General Wavell at Aldershot.