Post by Diarist on Nov 2, 2015 9:32:13 GMT 1
I arrived in Cairo at 09:30 and made my way to the British Army Headquarters at the Citadel. I had managed to sleep for about five hours and I was ready for a large breakfast. I love eating a steak with a couple of fried eggs. Afterwards I drank coffee and read newspapers until Commander Mountbatten arrived. Admiral Keyes was with him which was ideal. We retired to an office where could speak undisturbed. I explained what I had learned yesterday in Port Sudan and presented the new plan for approval.
Instead of a brigade only a reinforced company of the 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, (their reconnaissance regiment), will be sent down the 'coastal' road to link up with forces advancing eastwards from Kassala. The remainder should land at a bay about 20 miles north of Massawa, Eritrea's main port. That started a lively discussion because we don't have amphibious assault capability. I explaind that we have a 20,000 ton passenger liner at Port Sudan which can easily transport 5,000 troops and their equipment. There are dozens of lifeboats on board. We intend bombarding the port on the first morning anyway so we shall have plenty of naval fire support available and the Italians have nothing at the bay. It'll be an unopposed landing. If the Italians do send troops north from Massawa the naval gunfire will take care of them. If we manage to capture the port on the first day of our intervention it would be an enormous blow to the Italians. We just need to inform the Royal Navy not to destroy all the docks area because we'll need it to off-load the division's heavy equipment.
One problem was the passenger liner. It's supposed to go back to England to embark part of the 'floating reserve', 3rd Infantry Division, but other arrangements could be made. I told them about Major Wingate's plans and that I was beginning to feel a little bit sorry for the Italians. The good news is that the plan has been approved.
At lunch Admiral Keyes asked me why we have a German with us in Sudan so I told him about Erwin Rommel and that he has been very useful. We also discussed Italy's demands at the League of Nations. Article X prohibits member states from attacking another member so expelling either Italy or Abyssinia would solve that issue for Mussolini. I doubt that anything will come out of Monday's meeting. The League isn't known for making swift decisions.
I've decided to stay overnight in Cairo so I did some shopping to send home to Sally.
Instead of a brigade only a reinforced company of the 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, (their reconnaissance regiment), will be sent down the 'coastal' road to link up with forces advancing eastwards from Kassala. The remainder should land at a bay about 20 miles north of Massawa, Eritrea's main port. That started a lively discussion because we don't have amphibious assault capability. I explaind that we have a 20,000 ton passenger liner at Port Sudan which can easily transport 5,000 troops and their equipment. There are dozens of lifeboats on board. We intend bombarding the port on the first morning anyway so we shall have plenty of naval fire support available and the Italians have nothing at the bay. It'll be an unopposed landing. If the Italians do send troops north from Massawa the naval gunfire will take care of them. If we manage to capture the port on the first day of our intervention it would be an enormous blow to the Italians. We just need to inform the Royal Navy not to destroy all the docks area because we'll need it to off-load the division's heavy equipment.
One problem was the passenger liner. It's supposed to go back to England to embark part of the 'floating reserve', 3rd Infantry Division, but other arrangements could be made. I told them about Major Wingate's plans and that I was beginning to feel a little bit sorry for the Italians. The good news is that the plan has been approved.
At lunch Admiral Keyes asked me why we have a German with us in Sudan so I told him about Erwin Rommel and that he has been very useful. We also discussed Italy's demands at the League of Nations. Article X prohibits member states from attacking another member so expelling either Italy or Abyssinia would solve that issue for Mussolini. I doubt that anything will come out of Monday's meeting. The League isn't known for making swift decisions.
I've decided to stay overnight in Cairo so I did some shopping to send home to Sally.