Post by Diarist on Jun 22, 2016 18:06:01 GMT 1
The breakfast table was full this morning and Mum didn't understand a word when we were talking German. George Patton arrived at half-past eight and drank some coffee before we left. I dropped into the HQ to pick up the mail for Salisbury and to call COL van Voorhis that I'll be there with George Patton and a guest who needs a room.
It took me almost three hours to drive there but we finally arrived in one piece. George went in with the mail and asked the Colonel to meet me outside.
"Good morning, Colonel. Do you remember this gentleman?"
"Erwin Rommel if I'm not mistaken."
"You are mistaken. Erwin Rommel is dead and here is Irvine Miller. He's from Cameroun, went to Germany after the war but doesn't like Adolf or the Nazis so he has emigrated to the U.K. Don't ever mention this Rommel person. We're hiding him here at the forward HQ because too many people know him at TRADOC. Can you try and teach him some military English?"
"Of course. Welcome, Irvine. I'm COL van Voorhis. The forward commander. We have a room reserved for you."
I explained that he knows more about the plan than you guys here. I mentioned the possible mission if we need to confirm where the Divisional HQ is.
"By the way, CPT Bronisław Rakowski speaks German. Are they still maintaining radio silence?"
"There was a bit of activity near Maiden Bradley on Thursday. Probably just testing their system."
"We need to do the same at our dummy HQ which will naturally become the real HQ of our blocking force."
We went into the guest house and in a private room, now Forward Ops., George presented the provisional plan. The final plan will be formulated when we have processed all the info from our vacationers. I asked if some of them are still here and they suggested I check the bars. I did and found a dozen of them in the saloon bar. I introduced myself in case they had forgotten.
"Any of you interested in volunteering for more of the same?" They all said yes. "I can't promise anything at the moment but we might have a mission for a couple of days. Who's the senior here?"
"I am, Sir. LT Paul James."
"You are a platoon leader I presume."
"Yes, Sir"
"Is your platoon sergeant here?"
"Staff-sergeant Bill Watkins at your service, Sir."
"You two drink up and follow me."
I took them to the Ops room and showed them their mission on the map.
"No more alcohol today, gentlemen. You are driving this evening."
Basically they are going to do what Sally and I did in NW Italy. Drive along the planned invasion routes and keep their eyes open.
George, Irvine, Bronisław and I then drove to ridge east of Motcombe, where 5th Brigade HQ is, and looked west along the planned route. On the 24th it will be dark and there is no full moon. We then went 5 miles further north and then viewed the route which the Light Brigade would take. We took photos and made notes on our maps.
In the early evening we bid our farewells and drove back to TRADOC with the mail. A very constructive day.