24 Sep 1935 - Colchester, Essex

[Diarist]

We first visited the Royal Parachute Regiment Headquarters. MAJ John Hawkins, ex-Experimental Parachute Company, is the acting-Commander of the 1st Battalion. They don't have a jump-trained LTC yet. We talked about Africa for a while. I was commander of Baker Company for 36 hours before I was promoted to a squad leader. Then we got down to business.

General Gort opened, "Secretary Churchill has ordained that TRADOC will command the Blue Forces in the upcoming FTX next month and we are free to choose which units and Bob has decided we need paratroopers."

I continued, "we are talking about a platoon-strength night jump and I particularly need a squad of commo-guys. Can you help?"

"A platoon is no problem, I can offer you a whole company. I've got 4 radio specialists here in my HQ but I can ask around for others with radio experience. I'm receiving about 100 to 150 new personnel each week from the training school so I'll be looking for graduates with the skills you're looking for."

"That's great. I'll gladly accept a company. I have a squadron of Valentia's earmarked so a single aircraft can drop 3 or 4 groups to conduct raids, etc."

"Anything else?"

"I'll be commanding the main jump myself so the platoon leader can be my deputy commander. The company staff can be used to plan the smaller raids, matching up planes, pilots and jump personnel. The aircraft will be arriving at RAF Duxford NLT 04 Oct so if you can arrange the same we'll take over from there. What's the company commander's name?"

"Captain Mark Williams from 'A' Company."

"I just need his phone number then I'm done," I said to General Gort.

"Why don't you join us for lunch at the Officer's Club. We are meeting 4th Infantry leaders there. Do you get many volunteers from them?"

"They are very protective, General. Their troops have been warned about us."

"Maybe we can change that."

Next stop is lunch but I called Sally in London first.

[Diarist]

We arrived before the 4th Infantry so I had a chance to talk to General Gort about Canaris' letter. "He wants me to meet him in Lisbon next Thursday. Is that how you interpret it?"

"Yes and I want to go with you," he replied. "How do you contact him?"

"Through the Spanish Embassies in London and Berlin." I showed him the envelope with a London stamp on it. "I give my letters to LTC Rodriguez, the military liaison officer. All two letters so far. I'll need to get the green light from Winston Churchill as well."

"Of course. When do you intend showing me your new domain?"

"As if you need an invitation. I want to go there next Monday in the afternoon to interview the RAF and RN officers. Would you like to join me?"

"Yes. Let's join the others."

At the table John Hawkins asked, "Do you want the troops now or on the 4th of next month? Colonel Patton has mentioned that he'll be giving 4th Infantry units some extra training before the FTX."

I looked to George, "you think you can teach paratroopers something?"

"There's no such thing as too much training," he answered smiling.

"General, can we have a chat with 'A' Company before going home?"

"Sure we can."

As if on cue, the 4th Infantry commander just walked in.

[Diarist]

We were introduced to MG James Dick-Cunyngham and members of his staff then we ordered lunch. Afterwards General Gort explained that Secretary Churchill has tasked TRADOC to be the Blue defending forces at the FTX Next month. He has in turn nominated George and myself to run the show and they've chosen the 4th Infantry to teach Wavell's 2nd a lesson.

"I'm honoured," the GOC said.

"General, you haven't heard the whole story," I added. "Red forces have the entire 2nd ID plus a support brigade including armour as well as eight RAF squadrons at their disposal. We are limited to 8,000 troops and three squadrons. But after a little extra training we'll run rings around them, blindfolded."

"I'm awed by your confidence, major but please don't misunderstand me, you are a major and Patton is a colonel."

"Don't underestimate my officers, Jim. Patton commanded the Mobile Corps in NW Italy as a LG. His Corps took Turin coming from the east and Bob is the one the who had the idea to attack Italy in the first place. His unit parachuted into Eritrea and captured an Italian airbase at the outset of the campaign. Churchill personally put him in for the DSO and has named him Head of the TRADOC Annex in the MoD."

"I'm impressed, honestly, but general officers have problems taking orders from lower ranks."

"I'm aware of that, sir and I would feel uncomfortable issuing such orders. That's why Lord Gort is here, he gives orders and George and I are his disciples spreading the word." There was no response so I continued, "We don't need or are allowed to take the entire 4th ID. We have the 8,000 man limit. We need your 9 infantry battalions, your Recce Bn plus some engineers to form 9 battalion-sized battlegroups."

"Senior officers, including yourself, are welcome to join our staff to learn the new doctrine. Wavell's troops will be learning it the hard way," General Gort added. "Colonel Patton will return next Monday. Could you arrange for him a meet with your battalion commanders as well as training and operations officers at divisional and brigade level?"

"Of course, sir."

"Good. The lunch is on me. I look forward to seeing you at TRADOC soon."

Back at the Royal Parachute Regiment George was addressing 'A' Company while LG Gort, MAJ Hawkins, CPT Williams and myself were discussing an idea of mine. "We are in the planning and intelligence phase at the moment and the fact is we don't know where the Red forces are. I already have a radio monitoring operation as well as 24th RAF flying to airfields in the area to see which other squadrons are there. I need a ground operation. If you have NCO's who know or have been stationed in the area give them some working-vacation starting next week. They have to go on vacation in Red forces' area and look for any military activity then report in to our forward HQ on the 13th. Do you have company funds for some expenses? I'm willing to donate £1,000 to the pot."

"Cancel that last statement. TRADOC will transfer funds. I like the idea. Could you extend the offer to troops outside of 'A' Company? Twenty should be enough."

"I'm sure that won't be a problem, sir."

"Tell them not to cut their hair and grow a beard so that don't look too much like soldiers snooping around. We might consider asking the 4th's Recce Bn to do the same. After all, that's what they are paid to do."

General Gort continued, "Hire a bus, have them driven to TRADOC, then the bus can take them to Paddington station after we have finished with them."

"Mark, I need you and your platoon leaders at TRADOC on Monday morning, early. By then we should have more info for you."

Now it's back to TRADOC to see what's landed on my desk. I think the day has been very productive.