Post by Diarist on Oct 29, 2015 16:49:20 GMT 1
This morning I took a look at the NW Italy invasion plans - they look really good. To avoid units getting 'lost' the troops landing at the various ports during the night are advance guards of the units which are intended to occupy those ports. They also have plans to occupy the private airfield west of Albengo, not a parachute mission, simply landing if no enemy troops are there. Guy Simonds and I then drove down to the harbour to look at the French fleet. There are a lot of ships there and the port is bustling with activity.
We had lunch while waiting for my flight-crew. We were airborne shortly after they arrived and we headed for Tunisia turning east just before the coast so as to avoid flying too near to Sicily. We landed at about 16:00 and there was a Lieutenant waiting for me. After ensuring that the pilots had a place to stay I was driven to Combined Operations, HQ (Malta). There the duty officer asked if I am the person looking for an Austrian. When I said yes he pointed to the bar. Rommel had arrived a few hours earlier and had made himself comfortable. He was even wearing what I guessed to be an Austrian uniform, a major. We greeted each other and I said that Admiral Canaris appears to have been busy.
Apparently there had been no hitch at all getting the necessary documents and uniform. His unit has been told that he is going to East Africa as an observer and everybody is assuming he'll be observing on the Italian side of the front. He flew to Geneva yesterday afternoon then from there to here this morning. Technically Europe is at peace but Italian airlines aren't welcome at Malta. I put my luggage in my room then we went looking for the restaurant that had been recommended to me yesterday. On the way I showed Rommel our 'transportation', the Southampton seaplane. I also sent two postcards home. One to Sally and the other to General Gort. I included the word 'Trollinger', a Württemberg wine, which told him that Rommel was here. The restaurant wasn't difficult to find and we sat at a table outside. We were already eating when the pilots arrived.
We didn't stay late because we want to leave early tomorrow. Even with two passengers we can easily make it to Alexandria in one leg.
We had lunch while waiting for my flight-crew. We were airborne shortly after they arrived and we headed for Tunisia turning east just before the coast so as to avoid flying too near to Sicily. We landed at about 16:00 and there was a Lieutenant waiting for me. After ensuring that the pilots had a place to stay I was driven to Combined Operations, HQ (Malta). There the duty officer asked if I am the person looking for an Austrian. When I said yes he pointed to the bar. Rommel had arrived a few hours earlier and had made himself comfortable. He was even wearing what I guessed to be an Austrian uniform, a major. We greeted each other and I said that Admiral Canaris appears to have been busy.
Apparently there had been no hitch at all getting the necessary documents and uniform. His unit has been told that he is going to East Africa as an observer and everybody is assuming he'll be observing on the Italian side of the front. He flew to Geneva yesterday afternoon then from there to here this morning. Technically Europe is at peace but Italian airlines aren't welcome at Malta. I put my luggage in my room then we went looking for the restaurant that had been recommended to me yesterday. On the way I showed Rommel our 'transportation', the Southampton seaplane. I also sent two postcards home. One to Sally and the other to General Gort. I included the word 'Trollinger', a Württemberg wine, which told him that Rommel was here. The restaurant wasn't difficult to find and we sat at a table outside. We were already eating when the pilots arrived.
We didn't stay late because we want to leave early tomorrow. Even with two passengers we can easily make it to Alexandria in one leg.