Post by Diarist on Sept 8, 2016 22:20:47 GMT 1
On their last day in England I took Wilhelm and Heinz on a train ride to Cambridge. After walking around the historic city for an hour we landed in a 14th century pub-restaurant called The Eagle. It had been recommended by a colleague who had studied in Cambridge. Since I wasn't driving I didn't have to worry about drinking a few of the local beers. After a traditional English lunch, sausages and mash with onion gravy, we talked about the report which we had given them to read yesterday. I told them Luigi's account of the campaign and how the Italian leadership in Rome appeared to be paralyzed.
"In Berlin we were surprised at how quickly the Italian forces were defeated," Wilhelm said. "It also took a while before we realized the full extent of their navy's destruction."
"I can't imagine that the Italians were eager to pass on that information and to be honest we were also surprised at how devastating the destruction was. Most of their airfields are near to the coast so our navies wreaked havoc there too."
"Using old destroyers as fireships was original. How many were used?"
"I believe there were fifteen but they were largely ineffective against their ships. They did cause some confusion though."
"We only have twelve destroyers in the entire Kriegsmarine."
"They were all going be scrapped anyway so we gave them a final mission. We considered Mussolini a future ally of Germany but now without Italy Germany has a difficult Mediterranean strategy."
"I'm not even thinking of one. How's life as a cabinet minister?"
"Nothing different so far. There won't be a cabinet meeting until after Thursday's election. Sir Robert does sound good. What do you think, Heinz?"
"Very noble. What exactly do you do?"
"I ensure that our limited resources are not wasted on useless designs. I've cancelled many aircraft designs because I consider them to be obsolete before they even enter service."
"I'm surprised that you have this position," Wilhelm commented.
"The offer surprised me too. I'm doing the same job as before but as a minister I have much more rank than a major. Generals, and Admirals, now say 'Sir' to me. I can now get more done without getting Winston Churchill involved."
"The NSDAP leadership considers Churchill a warmonger."
"What do you think, Wilhelm?"
"He's obviously doing a good job as Defence Minister. You are better organized then we are in Germany. Too much rivalry."
"We have rivalry here too but I ignore it. I don't cancel anything without giving a good reason and I always suggest an alternative. That's earned me some respect from senior commanders. When I was still a major there were four designs for a twin-engine day bomber and I recommended that three of them be rejected and the fourth be extensively redesigned. That really got the Air Ministry angry. Winston organized a meeting and I explained everything in detail and which alternatives should be explored. Winston agreed with my arguments and ended the discussion."
"So Churchill chose you?"
"I presume he had the final word. I am a junior minister in his Ministry."
"He gives you a free hand then?"
"My area of responsibility has been clearly defined and I write a memorandum for him whenever I make a decision. When I go to Europe next month I am thinking of visiting you both in Germany. Would that be possible?"
"As a minister or a private visit?"
"As a private visitor."
"Let me know when you intend arriving and I'll arrange to have you met by one of my colleagues."
"Would it be safe to take Sally? We'll have diplomatic passports."
"I see no problem. If you are my guest nobody would dare harm you. Do you want to meet anybody in particular?"
"Not really. Just you two. I also want to visit where Sally grew up. Maybe meet some of her old friends."
"We can discuss that in Berlin."
"Great. Let's go home. Sally should be bringing a document for you from our Foreign Office."
"In Berlin we were surprised at how quickly the Italian forces were defeated," Wilhelm said. "It also took a while before we realized the full extent of their navy's destruction."
"I can't imagine that the Italians were eager to pass on that information and to be honest we were also surprised at how devastating the destruction was. Most of their airfields are near to the coast so our navies wreaked havoc there too."
"Using old destroyers as fireships was original. How many were used?"
"I believe there were fifteen but they were largely ineffective against their ships. They did cause some confusion though."
"We only have twelve destroyers in the entire Kriegsmarine."
"They were all going be scrapped anyway so we gave them a final mission. We considered Mussolini a future ally of Germany but now without Italy Germany has a difficult Mediterranean strategy."
"I'm not even thinking of one. How's life as a cabinet minister?"
"Nothing different so far. There won't be a cabinet meeting until after Thursday's election. Sir Robert does sound good. What do you think, Heinz?"
"Very noble. What exactly do you do?"
"I ensure that our limited resources are not wasted on useless designs. I've cancelled many aircraft designs because I consider them to be obsolete before they even enter service."
"I'm surprised that you have this position," Wilhelm commented.
"The offer surprised me too. I'm doing the same job as before but as a minister I have much more rank than a major. Generals, and Admirals, now say 'Sir' to me. I can now get more done without getting Winston Churchill involved."
"The NSDAP leadership considers Churchill a warmonger."
"What do you think, Wilhelm?"
"He's obviously doing a good job as Defence Minister. You are better organized then we are in Germany. Too much rivalry."
"We have rivalry here too but I ignore it. I don't cancel anything without giving a good reason and I always suggest an alternative. That's earned me some respect from senior commanders. When I was still a major there were four designs for a twin-engine day bomber and I recommended that three of them be rejected and the fourth be extensively redesigned. That really got the Air Ministry angry. Winston organized a meeting and I explained everything in detail and which alternatives should be explored. Winston agreed with my arguments and ended the discussion."
"So Churchill chose you?"
"I presume he had the final word. I am a junior minister in his Ministry."
"He gives you a free hand then?"
"My area of responsibility has been clearly defined and I write a memorandum for him whenever I make a decision. When I go to Europe next month I am thinking of visiting you both in Germany. Would that be possible?"
"As a minister or a private visit?"
"As a private visitor."
"Let me know when you intend arriving and I'll arrange to have you met by one of my colleagues."
"Would it be safe to take Sally? We'll have diplomatic passports."
"I see no problem. If you are my guest nobody would dare harm you. Do you want to meet anybody in particular?"
"Not really. Just you two. I also want to visit where Sally grew up. Maybe meet some of her old friends."
"We can discuss that in Berlin."
"Great. Let's go home. Sally should be bringing a document for you from our Foreign Office."