Post by Diarist on Aug 3, 2016 9:58:18 GMT 1
On Saturday General Gort called to tell us that the time had been changed to 14:00 and that there will be dinner afterwards. He had a lot of questions but we had all the answers. He liked the flexibility of the armoured division, it's ability to form up to four brigade-sized battlegroups by making BG HQ's out of Bde HQ's and attaching units assigned to the division based upon the BG's mission. One could also add Corps level troops if required. Similarly the Bde BG could rearranged the companies assigned the battalions to form battalion-sized BG's. MG Fuller was more critical about the equipment which is needed to build the 1938 Divisions. "Do we really need all that stuff?" he asked.
"This is the ideal situation, General," COL van Voorhis answered. "As you may have noticed all the armoured vehicles use the same tank chassis which would great simplify maintenance and supply support. Also the armoured cars and 4x6 trucks for the motorized infantry have a common design. The same design can be used to move towed artillery, AT- and AA-guns if we don't have the full compliment of SP-Artillery."
"We have not only suggested a highly potent combat force but also a sustainable unit. Adequately supplied it would be unstoppable. If the FTX last week had been this armoured division versus a reinforced Aldershot Command we would have easily defeated them," I added. "Especially if it had dive-bombers on call as flying artillery to eliminate stubborn resistance."
"But we have to wait until the end of 1938 to have an armoured force organized along these lines."
"...and with all this ideal equipment," I continued his sentence. "We could have a couple of armoured divisions a year earlier using the current ISV's and a 6-pdr tank-hunter version of it. Or the four independent armoured brigades which could be attached to four of our current infantry division replacing an infantry brigade. They would also be powerful units."
"I'm convinced we have a good proposal here. I intend giving it to Winston Churchill and the CIGS Monday afternoon. You will accompany me as Head of TRADOC Annex, Bob."
"I can call there now to see if he'll be available. Somebody will be there."
"Go ahead."
To my surprise COL Thomson answered the telephone. I asked if LG Gort could have an audience with Secretary Churchill and the CIGS Monday afternoon. I explained why. He suggested 14:00. "That's fine," I answered. "Thank you and enjoy the rest of your weekend, Colonel."
We then had a fine dinner.
Today Sally and I, also George and Beatrice, were invited to Irvine's house for lunch. Earlier I had told Gertrude that Sauerbraten was my favourite German meal so she cooked it for us. Delicious. I also brought a bottle of stout for Manfred. Irvine approved it. In the evening we all went to the hotel. It was a great weekend.
"This is the ideal situation, General," COL van Voorhis answered. "As you may have noticed all the armoured vehicles use the same tank chassis which would great simplify maintenance and supply support. Also the armoured cars and 4x6 trucks for the motorized infantry have a common design. The same design can be used to move towed artillery, AT- and AA-guns if we don't have the full compliment of SP-Artillery."
"We have not only suggested a highly potent combat force but also a sustainable unit. Adequately supplied it would be unstoppable. If the FTX last week had been this armoured division versus a reinforced Aldershot Command we would have easily defeated them," I added. "Especially if it had dive-bombers on call as flying artillery to eliminate stubborn resistance."
"But we have to wait until the end of 1938 to have an armoured force organized along these lines."
"...and with all this ideal equipment," I continued his sentence. "We could have a couple of armoured divisions a year earlier using the current ISV's and a 6-pdr tank-hunter version of it. Or the four independent armoured brigades which could be attached to four of our current infantry division replacing an infantry brigade. They would also be powerful units."
"I'm convinced we have a good proposal here. I intend giving it to Winston Churchill and the CIGS Monday afternoon. You will accompany me as Head of TRADOC Annex, Bob."
"I can call there now to see if he'll be available. Somebody will be there."
"Go ahead."
To my surprise COL Thomson answered the telephone. I asked if LG Gort could have an audience with Secretary Churchill and the CIGS Monday afternoon. I explained why. He suggested 14:00. "That's fine," I answered. "Thank you and enjoy the rest of your weekend, Colonel."
We then had a fine dinner.
Today Sally and I, also George and Beatrice, were invited to Irvine's house for lunch. Earlier I had told Gertrude that Sauerbraten was my favourite German meal so she cooked it for us. Delicious. I also brought a bottle of stout for Manfred. Irvine approved it. In the evening we all went to the hotel. It was a great weekend.