Post by Diarist on Jun 16, 2016 20:38:05 GMT 1
Sally and I went to TRADOC only to pick up correspondence needing to go to London. I went to the Annex long enough to say hello to COL Wilkins and give him a Thompson SMG to go with the two Finnish SMG's he had acquired then proceeded to the MoD. COL Thomson was very cooperative and informed me that a COL Sharpe is the man I need to talk to about umpiring exercises and after settling in my office and making coffee I called him. We arranged that he comes to my office in ten minutes.
He arrived punctually and I explained that the current manual doesn't meet the needs of today's doctrine and that TRADOC has taken the liberty of drafting a new manual incorporating mechanized and airborne warfare as well as addressing the increased role of air warfare. I gave him the draft and asked him for his opinion. While he was reading it was taking care of other things such as calling my brother Robert and he confirmed that he'd be at the Dorchester at 10 pm. COL Sharpe asked the occasional question and I did my best to answer him. For example, "Yes, I can arrange that air-droppable umpires be available."
He liked the well designed tables and the idea of radios with a different frequency for umpires. After an hour I asked him, "What do you think, sir?"
"Excellent. Well written and easy to understand," he replied.
"We want it to be used for the upcoming exercise that starts on the 24th of this month. What do you need from us in order to accomplish that?"
He told me about a Lieutenant-General in the Training Section but it might take some time.
"Follow me Colonel." We left my office and went to see Secretary Churchill's adjutant. "I only need 5 minutes but the Secretary might need a few more," I said.
A few minutes later we were ushered in. I introduced COL Sharpe and explained the situation. Churchill thumbed through the draft manual, asked COL Sharpe a few questions then to me, "If I understand correctly you wish that I expedite things, Carter. Is that correct?"
"That is correct, Mr. Secretary. The current manual is totally inadequate for an exercise involving mobile warfare."
"What exactly do you need?"
"Ideally 500 copies by next Friday morning. Enough for Blue, Red forces and umpires as well as copies for observers, etc., Sir."
"Anything else, COL Sharpe?"
"No, Sir"
Churchill called the General and COL Sharpe was sent on his way.
"So General Wavell is to receive a dose of mobile warfare. I'm beginning to feel sorry for him. What's your role?"
"General Gort has appointed LTC Patton, i.e. LG Smith, and myself as the patron Saints of Blue forces, Sir."
I was dismissed with a smile on his face.