Post by Diarist on Aug 5, 2016 7:16:38 GMT 1
When Sally and I arrived at TRADOC HQ General Gort came into my office and sat in my cosy corner. "Join me for a moment, Bob." I sat on the sofa next to him. "Churchill and the CIGS are both very impressed with you. Apparently Sir Philip from the Air Ministry and Duff Cooper from the Admiralty have also praised your work. I think Winston has plans for you."
"I'm already Head of The Annex at the MoD. What more could I do? I'm only a Major. There's no way he can promote me without causing a revolt somewhere."
"He could make you a temporary LTC and send you to the Middle East to create a fifth armoured brigade. Promote you out of harm's way. You have made a few enemies, Bob. Lindemann doesn't like you at all."
"The fifth armoured brigade is a good idea but LTC O'Connor should have the job when he finishes school. We could even call it the Mobile Division to fool the Germans. We told the Germans about the lousy compromise during their visit in August. As for Lindemann, I prefer to work with Tizard. He's a really smart guy with practical ideas. His people need to work on new AT ammunition. You're not ordering me to accept the offer are you?"
"Bob, if he does offer you the fifth brigade take it. You'll get an armoured division when the war begins. Three of brigades here in England will have non-British commanders."
"Come back to reality, Sir. If the war breaks out before September 1940 I'll be under 30 years old. Division commanders are older than that. At the MoD this afternoon I said that COL's on the promotion list might be a candidate for one of the armoured division. I'm a non-promotable Major. Did he mention the Middle East and me in the same sentence?"
"No. The CIGS suggested the fifth brigade."
"What about Sally? I can't take her there. It's too dangerous. Anyway, at the moment it's nothing but conjecture."
"You're right, Bob. However, if he does off you the post my recommendation is that you accept it. What are you doing Wednesday?"
"John Mitchell is back from the US. We're going to Hawker Aviation to ensure everything is understood. That 1600 hp engine is better than anything we have and it would be perfect for our twin-engine medium bombers. Four-engine bombers too. Bristol needs to get their engines running or they'll end up producing other firms' engines under licence."
"Beaverbrook would really appreciate that!"
"Say nothing to Sally about the Middle East, please."
"My lips are sealed. Churchill might mention it tomorrow when you two visit Nuffield so be prepared."
"Understood."
We then went to the Armour Section. "Four of you gentlemen are putting together armoured brigades in the very near future. Percy Hobart, George Patton, Jean de Tassigny and Harry Crerar. The Armoured Division proposal was officially accepted this afternoon. Congratulations. The first round is on me this evening."
It will be a fun evening.
"I'm already Head of The Annex at the MoD. What more could I do? I'm only a Major. There's no way he can promote me without causing a revolt somewhere."
"He could make you a temporary LTC and send you to the Middle East to create a fifth armoured brigade. Promote you out of harm's way. You have made a few enemies, Bob. Lindemann doesn't like you at all."
"The fifth armoured brigade is a good idea but LTC O'Connor should have the job when he finishes school. We could even call it the Mobile Division to fool the Germans. We told the Germans about the lousy compromise during their visit in August. As for Lindemann, I prefer to work with Tizard. He's a really smart guy with practical ideas. His people need to work on new AT ammunition. You're not ordering me to accept the offer are you?"
"Bob, if he does offer you the fifth brigade take it. You'll get an armoured division when the war begins. Three of brigades here in England will have non-British commanders."
"Come back to reality, Sir. If the war breaks out before September 1940 I'll be under 30 years old. Division commanders are older than that. At the MoD this afternoon I said that COL's on the promotion list might be a candidate for one of the armoured division. I'm a non-promotable Major. Did he mention the Middle East and me in the same sentence?"
"No. The CIGS suggested the fifth brigade."
"What about Sally? I can't take her there. It's too dangerous. Anyway, at the moment it's nothing but conjecture."
"You're right, Bob. However, if he does off you the post my recommendation is that you accept it. What are you doing Wednesday?"
"John Mitchell is back from the US. We're going to Hawker Aviation to ensure everything is understood. That 1600 hp engine is better than anything we have and it would be perfect for our twin-engine medium bombers. Four-engine bombers too. Bristol needs to get their engines running or they'll end up producing other firms' engines under licence."
"Beaverbrook would really appreciate that!"
"Say nothing to Sally about the Middle East, please."
"My lips are sealed. Churchill might mention it tomorrow when you two visit Nuffield so be prepared."
"Understood."
We then went to the Armour Section. "Four of you gentlemen are putting together armoured brigades in the very near future. Percy Hobart, George Patton, Jean de Tassigny and Harry Crerar. The Armoured Division proposal was officially accepted this afternoon. Congratulations. The first round is on me this evening."
It will be a fun evening.