Post by Diarist on Jul 7, 2014 17:35:11 GMT 1
Yesterday evening we introduced our TRADOC Command to the French Minister of War, Louis Maurin, and a small group of General Officers. We explained the scope of it, its goals and why it is a secret command. We are bringing together experts from the military, the arms industry and the scientific community in order to optimize are weapons design and better utilise our limited resources. There was a lively discussion afterwards and M. Maurin said that France needs a similar organization. That's when we said that we were hoping some of your military personnel would join our command and our industry and theirs exchange ideas, i.e. we work together. We told them that invitations had already been sent to Australia, Canada and South Africa and all have agreed to send personnel. They showed interest but more consultations would be required.
We then talked about the threat from Germany and Italy. That latter had ambitious plans for their Navy and will become a problem for our Mediterranen strategy in the not too distant future. The French agreed, and are especially concerned about the large number of light cruisers, destroyers and submarines. We explained our Deterrence Policy in general terms and inquired if they could contribute. More troops in Tunisia; more aircraft on Corsica, etc. All done discreetly, of course. The PM's and Foreign Secretaries were discussing this in their separate meeting, so we agreed to wait until tomorrow.
We also learned not to question the Maginot Line - their pride and joy! Are they praying for another Miracle on the Marne if the Germans violate Belgian neutrality again?
We then talked about the threat from Germany and Italy. That latter had ambitious plans for their Navy and will become a problem for our Mediterranen strategy in the not too distant future. The French agreed, and are especially concerned about the large number of light cruisers, destroyers and submarines. We explained our Deterrence Policy in general terms and inquired if they could contribute. More troops in Tunisia; more aircraft on Corsica, etc. All done discreetly, of course. The PM's and Foreign Secretaries were discussing this in their separate meeting, so we agreed to wait until tomorrow.
We also learned not to question the Maginot Line - their pride and joy! Are they praying for another Miracle on the Marne if the Germans violate Belgian neutrality again?