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Post by Diarist on Jun 25, 2016 4:18:05 GMT 1
It was again an early start for me because I wanted to clear my desk before helping Lucy later. I checked in the map room and I wasn't at all surprised to see that George was already there with I.D. and a SGT Philipps.
"Good morning. Anything new?"
"Not really. The photos of the 'invasion routes' have been developed and we've finished placing the locations of gas stations and telephones on the main map."
"How is the code book coming along"? "We have 24 books at the moment and by Monday there will be another 48. That should be more than enough."
"I agree. Any word on who will be the commanders?" I asked.
"I'm commanding the Heavy Bde and LTC Harry Crerar the Light Bde. COL van Voorhis will be commanding the Blocking Force. You are in charge of the airborne operations and opening moves."
"I'm glad that's finally been decided. Let's locate Colonel Crerar and have breakfast together, George. I'm having second thoughts about our opening moves and would like to suggest an alternative."
We located Harry Crerar. "Bob's getting cold feet," George opened.
"No I'm not. I think I have a better plan because if we open up with all guns blazing just after midnight then we have no time to out-maneuver them. Everybody is wide awake. Where's the element of surprise? I don't want my airborne force trying to capture the Divisional HQ when it's already on full alert."
"I share that view, George. What do you suggest, Bob?"
"First we, I mean my force, has to capture the Div HQ without any artillery barrage going on anywhere on the front. While that's happening one of your battalions infiltrates their positions north of Shaftesbury to capture/neutralize their 5th Bde's HQ at Motcombe. Let Miller-Rommel do that. It's his speciality. Let's pretend we have done that by 01:00. Without their HQ 5th Bde's units will have no coordination at all. That's when the music starts. Our artillery targets their artillery first then after a dozen rounds per gun their infantry is targeted next. While this is happening the gross of your brigades pass through the gaps in their line. The northern flank will be crushed by your advance while the southern end will be contained by the battalion, with artillery support, that's earmarked for that role."
"The artillery in front of 4th and 6th Brigades open fire when we do. Also counter-battery fire then their infantry. Correct?"
"Yes. Let's gain a breakthrough before we wake up everybody. Our advance will have gained momentum while they are still disorganized. At the Divisional HQ we will be issuing confusing orders and that means perfect chaos, gentlemen."
"What if they also start moving just after midnight?"
"5th Brigade's a defensive force. They're going nowhere. If the 6th moves forward Harry's brigade will bump into their rear right flank and if the 4th advances it walk right into a deadly fire-zone. Once we hit the 6th's flank it will hopefully stop their advance anyway. Part of your force, George, will hit the 6th in the rear while the rest advances north to link up with my para's. You need to neutralize any enemy artillery you encounter."
"So the only change is to delay the opening barrage until their HQ's have been neutralized or captured?" George asked.
"Correct. Will the artillery be actually firing blank rounds?"
"That will be decided by the umpires but at 01:00 it's unlikely because the noise would upset the locals."
"Good, do we have a final plan?" We did. "We go to the forward HQ Tuesday morning and stay there." Both nodded.
"I have a couple of errands to take care of this morning so I'll be back some time this afternoon."
In my office I greeted General Gort and informed him that we have a final plan of attack and that George and Harry are putting the finishing touches on the movement plan. On Monday we'll be ready to roll.
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Post by Diarist on Jun 25, 2016 20:58:01 GMT 1
I called COL Thomson and he informed me that Secretary Churchill wants to talk to me and put me through to him.
"Major Carter?"
"Yes, Sir. Good morning."
"Morning, I wanted to inform you that the matter we discussed yesterday has been resolved. Anthony Eden has taken the credit for the proposal but the comments from London yesterday have been dismissed as uniformed sources."
"Then Anthony Eden owes me a favour, Sir?"
"I can't promise that, Bob but do you have something particular in mind?" I explained my deal with Mr. Hewitt. "It would be preferable to receive a copy of the current report instead of last month's."
"I'll see what I can do. This is for the SOE proposal?"
"Yes, Sir. I'm busy looking at all the intelligence services we have and trying to make some sense of it all then streamline them with clearly defined areas of competence and who reports what to who. If we have an integrated intelligence community we should be able to cut out rivalry and achieve a high level of proficiency. I know it sounds idealistic but any improvement will benefit our foreign and defence policies."
"You have my full support. I believe that there is always room for improvement."
"I do too, Sir. On another note, Sir. Yesterday I was serious about you going to Salisbury on Wednesday evening."
"I have it in my calendar, Bob."
"I'm moving there Tuesday so I'll reserve a couple of rooms for you and Colonel Thomson."
"Forget Thomson. The CIGS will be with me."
"Wonderful. I'll inform General Gort, Sir."
"Please do that. Good day, Bob."
"Good day, Sir."
I informed General Gort then went to lunch to meet the ladies.
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Post by Diarist on Jun 26, 2016 0:25:02 GMT 1
CPT Mark Williams was already with me when Wing Commander William Sowrey arrived. He commands the 70th RAF Squadron which has just received Valentia transport/bombers.
"This is CPT Mark Williams. He commands 'A' Company, The Royal Parachute Regiment. We have a mission for you, Sir. Welcome to Blue forces."
General Gort walked into my office then after introductions I continued. "I'll be commanding a force of two Para platoons plus four Lewis LMG teams which need five of your aircraft to drop them off here. In these fields east of Maiden Bradley. Since the aircraft won't be loaded to maximum weight you could theoretically carry some bombs beneath the wings, correct?"
"Yes, we can do that."
"Just enough so that our target, the HQ of 2nd Infantry Division, believes it's a bombing raid and hopefully won't notice our para's. The HQ is here and we need to arrive just after midnight on the 24th, next Thursday."
"A night jump? I can't guarantee the accuracy."
"Don't worry, Sir. We have a few tricks up our sleeves to improve accuracy. We've done this before."
"I'm always willing to learn new ideas."
"The remaining seven aircraft are to fly a dozen troops to these seven airfields. They need to arrive at around four in the morning on Thursday. Their mission is to destroy all aircraft at the airfields. To get the RAF personnel there accustomed to you carry out practice flights next week. Your squadron has received new aircraft and your crews need flying time before going back to Iraq. CPT Williams is commanding that part of our operation so he'll be assigned to your unit starting Monday morning. He shall also be informing you of our tricks. I'll be going to our forward HQ near Salisbury on Tuesday morning so I would appreciate an aircraft picking me at RAF Old Sarum Wednesday afternoon."
"Could you fly myself and a few guests to Old Sarum in the same aircraft? That way your aircraft won't fly there empty," General Gort asked.
"No problem, General."
"Your best crew, please because our guests may include Winston Churchill and the CIGS."
"I'll pilot the aircraft myself, General."
"Mark will show you our map room and answer any further questions about our airborne operation. Show him our O'Club too, Mark. Just give him the map coordinates to test his navigation skills."
After they had gone I said, "All we need now is the weather to be on our side."
"What's the plan B in case of bad weather?"
"We abort the jump and proceed without capturing their divisional HQ. We're not taking unnecessary risks, Sir."
"I agree. This came for you. I had to sign for it." He handed me a letter from the Foreign Office.
I read it then gave it back to him. He read out loud, "Erwin Rommel, his wife and two children have died in a car crash. They were burnt beyond recognition but they have been identified by tracing the car to the owner. He named the occupants. The German embassy in Madrid has been informed."
"I wonder who really died."
"We'll never know."
"I'll tell him on Tuesday. No more contact with anyone in Germany!"
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