Post by Diarist on May 22, 2016 21:47:58 GMT 1
At the MoD I had a few problems with COL Thomson, COL Wilkins' replacement. He wouldn't accept that I had something for Secretary Churchill that he doesn't need to know. In the end I suggested that we let Churchill decide whether he should know or not. So I wrote the need to meet Canaris in Lisbon on a piece of paper and 10 minutes later the colonel and I were in Churchill's office.
"This is a list of personnel I've hired so far, sir and since COL Wilkins is using my office do you have a spare room for me here somewhere?"
"Of course we do. Please take care of that, Mike?" He said to the colonel.
"Then there is this matter. I need your approval, sir," handing him the note.
He glanced at it then said, "that'll be all, Mike." After the door was closed he asked, "you mean the Head of German Counter-Intelligence Canaris?"
"Yes, sir and General Gort wants to go with me. I've remained in contact with him but I have no idea why he wants to meet me. Here is his letter plus the translation."
"He doesn't say that he wants to meet you."
"I'm reading between the lines, sir. The admiral already knows which hotel I stayed at in Lisbon."
"General Gort, too? Why?"
"His idea, sir and to be honest I think it's a good one. Back in London he'll have more weight than me."
"Approved. Let's go to the annex. Show me around."
COL Thomson showed me an office and I asked, "do have one with a balcony?" The colonel was the only one not smiling. "Just joking but could you ask a sergeant to organize a file cabinet, a safe and a sofa with matching coffee table? He nodded. "Thank you, colonel."
On the way to the annex I asked about his being at TRADOC tomorrow morning as planned. He confirmed it and I added that AVM Freeman will be going with us. "He's the Head of our Aviation Section." A minute later I introduced him to AVM Freeman. I asked Sally to show George Patton around so that the three of us were alone. "You do realize that what you see tomorrow has to be kept secret and nobody else will be going with us except John Mitchell from Vickers-Armstrong. Even your driver will remain at TRADOC while I drive us the factory. It's a private project funded privately."
"It has an AM Spec. number," Churchill countered.
"Reserved for it, but not yet assigned. My last info was that they have a 1:4 model of it, but priority is now being given to the twin-engine fighter variant for the other spec."
"You sound a bit paranoid, Bob." That was from AVM Freeman.
"No, sir. I simply don't underestimate the Germans. If they find about it they'll build their own. But more tomorrow. Seeing is believing."
Before Churchill left we had permission to takeover the floor above us and the opportunity to meet the government's science and economic advisors on Friday morning. Sally will love that!