Post by Diarist on May 18, 2016 15:56:10 GMT 1
At 09:00 George Patton and I had an appointment with LG Gort. He officially appointed us as Project Officers for the upcoming field-training exercise, (FTX). We've located the designated 'battlefield' on the map and it's a 50x25km east-west segment of Salisbury Plain south of Warminster and west of Salisbury. Red forces, (2nd ID), are in the west while we are in the east. We've selected 4th ID in Colchester as our division, the Parachute Regt. is also there. We've selected the 70th RAF Transport Squadron, the other two squadrons TBD later. We would like to have a forward HQ set up near Salisbury to coordinate our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission. We are trying to find out who has received the first A9 ISG Battery - hopefully it's not the 2nd ID.
At 10:00 General Gort informed a couple of dozen officers who had gathered in our conference room. George briefly outlined the nature of the FTX, the number of troops and its location. We are the blue defending force, etc. Then it was my turn.
"COL van Voorhis, since you missed all the fun in the Mediterranean and Africa, you are the forward HQ commander. Your mission is to set up a forward HQ near Salisbury but outside of the FTX area. It must be close to an RAF airfield. Radio communication is strictly prohibited and telephonic communication is only allowed in an emergency and the message can't wait for the twice-daily courier service. Our three Polish colleagues are assigned to the forward HQ. CPT Wales, your mission is to organize a courier section between here and the forward HQ to include air, road and/or rail options. Twice-daily from both here and the forward HQ. MAJ Gaffey, we need a detailed map of the FTX area here and at the forward HQ. I believe the army has 1:12500 scale maps for all of the UK. Colonel Patton or I will be giving you more detailed instructions after this meeting. Be ready to move tomorrow. Thank you. You first Colonel, let's go to my office."
General Gort joined us and I explained that his mission is to set up the forward HQ. "Once it's running have one of your majors run it and we'll have a new mission for you. Our Polish colleagues will have radio direction-finding equipment. Their mission is to locate radio communication sources of 2nd ID if they are stupid enough to use it. Basically we need to locate the enemy and try to deduce their plans. Ideally you should locate something like Hotel Saffron for your HQ. You need to get to know the lay of the land, ideal defensive positions, artillery positions. etc. and a site for the forward HQ during the FTX. Any questions?"
"Seems straight forward. I welcome the chance to get out the office. How long is the FTX?"
"Well it begins on the 24th at midnight and we hope to defeat them in time for tea that evening." They burst out laughing but George and I managed to keep a straight face. "We're serious." More laughter.
George went to the Poles while I went with Edward to RAF Duxford.