Post by Diarist on Jun 18, 2016 0:34:09 GMT 1
Despite arriving at the Army and Navy Club early I was still the last person to arrive at the table. After dinner it was ADM Keyes who opened the subject about me wanting Louis Mountbatten to head my naval section.
"The mission in Alexandria has changed from a naval one against the Italians to a counter-terrorism problem between Arabs and Jews. Nothing that MAJ Wingate can't take care of."
"That may be true but I consider Louis my deputy commander and hopefully my successor one day."
"If we were to combine our two operations that wouldn't change. A lot of our work overlaps and we did much of the Italian planning together and very successfully if I may add. In Tobruk Secretary Churchill said that he wants TRADOC to plan operations. Has that changed, Sir?"
"No it hasn't," Churchill said. "I want you to plan a mission parallel to and independant of the Plans Department but not instead of them."
"What do you have in mind, Bob?" General Gort asked.
"Combined Operations needs to be invisible, i.e. out of the public eye. Where better to hide it than inside TRADOC? I don't mean subordinate to or even being part of TRADOC. Just hiding inside TRADOC, administratively. Operations would be under ADM Keyes as they are now. A second section would be intelligence gathering for specific problem areas, like Palestine. That could be a joint operation inside TRADOC. Then there is the naval section of TRADOC and TRADOC Annex tasked with formulating a new naval doctrine and assimilating new technologies into the Navy. That already exists. Finally a new section addressing psychological warfare. The Nazis and Soviets are masters of propaganda and we need to counter it. We need to have an active psychological warfare mission even during peacetime. I would go as far as saying that we are actually at war with Germany, Russia and Japan. We are actively planning war so let's accept it and act accordingly."
"That's one way of viewing it but I can't support you that far," Churchill replied.
"Germany was preaching neutrality last month but behind the scenes they were trying to grab Austria and take control of post-war Italy. The conflict for control of Europe has already begun. You don't need a crystal ball to know that Germany wants to re-militarize the Rhineland as well as occupy Austria. We can't afford to sit back and wait for the first shot to be fired before getting involved. I have plently of ideas about how we can put a spanner in the Nazi war machine. In Germany we could create 'accidents' in key industries. We also need the BBC broadcasting our propaganda in German language. Informing the German people what is really happening in the outside world."
"This is beyond the scope of this evening's meeting but you have given me plenty to think about. As for Louis Mountbatten. That isn't my decision. However, I do want your two organizations to sit together and formulate a joint proposal of how you envisage your future. I have to go, gentleman."
After Churchill had left ADM Keyes told Louis that if he wants to work in TRADOC he is free to do so. MAJ Wingate can easily take care of the Palestine situation.
"I'd like to remind you Admiral that MAJ Wingate belongs to TRADOC. It does illustrate how much we are already working together."
"Can you and Louis draft this joint proposal for John, (Gort), and I to review?" We both nodded.
"Is the beginning of November acceptable because of the training exercise TRADOC is involved in later this month?"
Both agreed.
"At 10 pm I'm meeting Robert Mitchell from Vickers at the Dorchester. Do you want to join me, Louis?"
"Of course."
Since Winston Churchill had paid the bill we finished our drinks and decided to walk to the Dorchester.
"The mission in Alexandria has changed from a naval one against the Italians to a counter-terrorism problem between Arabs and Jews. Nothing that MAJ Wingate can't take care of."
"That may be true but I consider Louis my deputy commander and hopefully my successor one day."
"If we were to combine our two operations that wouldn't change. A lot of our work overlaps and we did much of the Italian planning together and very successfully if I may add. In Tobruk Secretary Churchill said that he wants TRADOC to plan operations. Has that changed, Sir?"
"No it hasn't," Churchill said. "I want you to plan a mission parallel to and independant of the Plans Department but not instead of them."
"What do you have in mind, Bob?" General Gort asked.
"Combined Operations needs to be invisible, i.e. out of the public eye. Where better to hide it than inside TRADOC? I don't mean subordinate to or even being part of TRADOC. Just hiding inside TRADOC, administratively. Operations would be under ADM Keyes as they are now. A second section would be intelligence gathering for specific problem areas, like Palestine. That could be a joint operation inside TRADOC. Then there is the naval section of TRADOC and TRADOC Annex tasked with formulating a new naval doctrine and assimilating new technologies into the Navy. That already exists. Finally a new section addressing psychological warfare. The Nazis and Soviets are masters of propaganda and we need to counter it. We need to have an active psychological warfare mission even during peacetime. I would go as far as saying that we are actually at war with Germany, Russia and Japan. We are actively planning war so let's accept it and act accordingly."
"That's one way of viewing it but I can't support you that far," Churchill replied.
"Germany was preaching neutrality last month but behind the scenes they were trying to grab Austria and take control of post-war Italy. The conflict for control of Europe has already begun. You don't need a crystal ball to know that Germany wants to re-militarize the Rhineland as well as occupy Austria. We can't afford to sit back and wait for the first shot to be fired before getting involved. I have plently of ideas about how we can put a spanner in the Nazi war machine. In Germany we could create 'accidents' in key industries. We also need the BBC broadcasting our propaganda in German language. Informing the German people what is really happening in the outside world."
"This is beyond the scope of this evening's meeting but you have given me plenty to think about. As for Louis Mountbatten. That isn't my decision. However, I do want your two organizations to sit together and formulate a joint proposal of how you envisage your future. I have to go, gentleman."
After Churchill had left ADM Keyes told Louis that if he wants to work in TRADOC he is free to do so. MAJ Wingate can easily take care of the Palestine situation.
"I'd like to remind you Admiral that MAJ Wingate belongs to TRADOC. It does illustrate how much we are already working together."
"Can you and Louis draft this joint proposal for John, (Gort), and I to review?" We both nodded.
"Is the beginning of November acceptable because of the training exercise TRADOC is involved in later this month?"
Both agreed.
"At 10 pm I'm meeting Robert Mitchell from Vickers at the Dorchester. Do you want to join me, Louis?"
"Of course."
Since Winston Churchill had paid the bill we finished our drinks and decided to walk to the Dorchester.