01 Oct 1935 - TRADOC HQ

[Diarist]

Sally and I went with our parents to the hotel last night and we naturally told a few people that we'd married so at the HQ this morning everybody already knew. Sally picked up correspondence for the annex and left for London ahead of me. I first had a chat with the people who had been to Salisbury over the weekend. They were busy updating the almost 20 year old maps. There were more roads, more bridges and less woods/forest.

At 09:30 our visitors from Colchester arrived and after refreshments the "vacationers" were organized as ten pairs and each pair assigned to a village or small town which would be their 'base'. MAJ Gaffey showed them our map room and gave them a short briefing about the FTX area. I gave them a list of what to look for. Not just red force activity but also juicy targets for our air force or demolition teams. The latter would require a nearby safe drop-zone or even a meadow where a Valentia could safely land and take-off. They were photographed so we could identify them at our forward HQ at Salisbury. They were then told what to do if they were detained by the local police or military police. They then were handed magazines full of crosswords and puzzles, (for making notes), and £30 in fivers. They would receive a further £20 at the HQ on 5th or 6th of October. On the 13th they would receive a train ticket to Colchester. If you take a camera make sure to take pictures of churches, etc. or take a picture of your partner with interesting stuff in the background. Above all, blend in and be inconspicuous!

Finally the Army's most senior paratrooper, LG Gort, addressed them. "I've never seen such a scruffy bunch of troops, Captain Williams or is it part of their disguise to look like tramps so people look the other way and ignore them?"

"We've been told to blend in, General, and that's what people look like in Wiltshire."

"I see. The sacrifices we make in the Army. Have a good time, gentlemen and good hunting!"

So Phase I is taken care of. Next we have to collect our remaining troops like the ISV's in Aldershot. Guy Simonds is an artillery officer so he'll be accompanying General Gort there tomorrow to take command and arrange for them to be transported to Salisbury. The General reminded me that we are leaving for London in 10 minutes so it's time collect my paperwork.

[Diarist]

Back at TRADOC I went to Edward and informed him about the FTX and airfields. "We need to expand our operation with the 24th." I told him. "I'm praying for a foggy morning but a clear night."

"Wishful thinking. I.D. White will be replacing me when I'm gone. Also we have films from the Salisbury HQ, you'll have the photos tomorrow morning."

"Great. I'm going to the hotel in an hour or so. It's been a long day and I'm hoping to meet Luigi."

"I'll come to your office before I leave."

Next stop was Guy Simonds. He showed me the new organization for the ISV Battlegroup:

• HHC: 2 x ISV and 4 x Bren Carrier
• 8 x ISV Coy: each with 4 x ISV, 2 x Bren Carrier and 3 Platoons of Infantry
• Heavy Weapons Coy: Selected equipment from the two battalions being reorganized (1 x Inf Bn plus the Reece Bn)

Each ISV will have 1 Lewis LMG and 2 x LMG's per Bren Carrier for AA support.

"That looks good for starters. Do you have a copy for me?" He handed me a copy. "You'll be driving with LG Gort tomorrow and I'm sure he'll have questions. Good work, Guy."

When I returned to my office Edward and Luigi were waiting for me. "You two must be thirsty! I need 10 minutes with General Gort then I'm done for the day. Can one of you inform Sally of the plans?"

I entered the General's office and brought him up-to-date. "Here is the provisional structure of the ISV BG. This will be our sledge hammer."

"So you do have a plan?"

"In concept only. We're taking a page from Frederick the Great's book; refuse one flank and march with everything else on his other flank. We haven't decided which flank to refuse yet. It depends on where the enemy intends to attack."

"Block where he intends attacking then pounce on his flank."

"Yes, but before he attacks. We aim to massively disrupt his preparations by blowing bridges where he intends advancing and capturing bridges ahead of our advance. Also disrupting communications, attacking supply dumps and HQ's, etc.."

"With airborne forces?"

"And infiltration. That's what George Patton will be teaching them in Colchester. We intend crossing into their territory one second after midnight while they are still sleeping."

"I like it. An excellent plan."

"Like we said, sir. We'll have defeated them in time for tea that evening."

I believe that!"

"There will be a huge outcry afterwards, so be prepared, sir. Anything else? My new CinC is waiting for me."