Post by Diarist on Sept 14, 2016 11:57:46 GMT 1
After dinner at Kenwood House we drove to Liverpool Street station to pick up George, who stays in Colchester during the week, then to the Army and Navy Club. Duff Cooper was already there with GEN Cyril Deverell. "Cyril, here is Winston's newest ally. The pacifists in the cabinet got a mouthful today."
"Everything I said was the truth, Duff. And if one of them leaks that information to the press there will be hell to pay." General Deerell had a querying look. "When John Gort talked me into accepting the position I made it a condition that there be more OPSEC. Something which Winston was also demanding. Apparently the PM has agreed with us and cabinet members have been told to only talk to the press about issues in their own resort. Has that happened, Duff?"
"I can confirm that and I support it."
"I don't want to talk to the press at all, not even about my own stuff. Winston can do that."
"Are you ready for your overseas trip next week?"
"It's looking good. I have a very busy agenda and lots of travel. I also have plenty of reading material this weekend."
Winston Churchill arrived with John Gort. "Gentlemen, good evening. My ears are burning. What have you been saying about me?"
"Only that you had a new disciple in the cabinet meeting this morning, Winston."
"I know that Stanley liked your few words, Bob. He hopes that people will keep quiet now. How was your conversation with Vickers?"
"I'm satisfied. John Mitchell will talk to Hawkers about new ordnance. I'd like a few army colonels with civil engineering background sent to Iran to work with the AIOC. My Dad has no objection. Key people from Burmah Oil want to be in Abadan on the 7th when I am there. It would be good if our engineers could fly with them, in civvies."
"Prepare a request on Monday then I'll approve it. What does Sally think about going to Germany?"
"She's a little apprehensive but I've assured her that it will be safe."
"Have you heard anything from Wilhelm?"
"No. It's too early. Has Anthony Eden received a reply from Berlin?"
"Not that I know of."
"We are offering to renegotiate Locarno. I'm sure that's surprised them."
"We need to inform the French about the offer."
"If Daladier wins and retains his defence post, as is common practice in France, I shall be talking to him this time next week."
"We'll discuss that before you leave."
General Deverell said that the King is recovering well. "Edward introduced me to him last weekend. He seemed in good spirits."
"Yes, he is."
"That was quite a party," George commented.
"It was hard work for me but I really did enjoy it. Is Edward sitting comfortably at my former desk, John?"
"He's doing a good job but I'm looking for someone who is trained for the position. Like your COL Wilkins."
"You can't have him but I can ask him to recommend someone for you."
"Please do that, Bob. Edward has enough work in the Aviation Section."
"Have you heard that Vickers are producing three A13 prototypes with the 2-pdr gun and two ISV's with the 25-pdr?"
"Why with the 2-pdr?"
"So that the suspension and engine performance can be tested at the proving ground. It won't go into production with that gun."
"Rolls-Royce is already producing the engine?"
"No. We received half a dozen from the US. They are being used."
"Has it been decided which armament will be used for the self-propelled artillery?" John asked.
"At the top of the list at the moment are the 4.5" howitzer and the 6" howitzer. We have thousands left over from the last war and they will be refurbished before being utilized on SPA's. It is a huge cost-cutting exercise putting together these new units so we are using as much off the shelf equipment as possible. That reminds me, Winston. I'm ordering our commands in Africa to separate anything which is any good from the captured Italian equipment along with masses of ammunition. Vehicles and spare parts to be included. The Italians can have the rest."
"That hasn't been decided yet, Bob."
"I decided this afternoon. You delegated force-readiness to me and British and allied forces in the Middle-East need equipment. They are last in the queue for new equipment from the UK so they should make best use of local resources."
"What about Italy?"
"What about Italy? Prior to the Italian campaign we all considered they would sooner or later become pro-German so let's reduce them to a useless ally. We did that. So if they are now useless for the Germans aren't they are also useless for us? The best thing they can do is stay neutral. I can't imagine the Germans want to open that can of worms so why should we?"
"I agree with you entirely, Bob. Winston, the Germans without Italy have been denied a Mediterranean strategy. We should keep it that way," Duff argued.
"We don't need Italy if we have air forces in the Balkans, especially Yugoslavia. From there we can bomb targets in southern Germany or any other country that joins Germany. Turkey definitely won't join them again," I continued.
Winston thought for a few moments. "Starting next week we shall have our Friday lunchtime/afternoon Defence Council meetings here. Does anybody second that?"
"I second that," Duff said.
"And the MoD foots the bill," I proposed.
"I second that too. It was your idea, Winston."
We later discussed a Champagne and Cigar Tax to pay for it. Needless to say Winston promised to veto that in the cabinet. Time passed quickly and before I knew it Sally arrived to drive us home. She'd spent the evening with Wallis Simpson and a few friends.
"Everything I said was the truth, Duff. And if one of them leaks that information to the press there will be hell to pay." General Deerell had a querying look. "When John Gort talked me into accepting the position I made it a condition that there be more OPSEC. Something which Winston was also demanding. Apparently the PM has agreed with us and cabinet members have been told to only talk to the press about issues in their own resort. Has that happened, Duff?"
"I can confirm that and I support it."
"I don't want to talk to the press at all, not even about my own stuff. Winston can do that."
"Are you ready for your overseas trip next week?"
"It's looking good. I have a very busy agenda and lots of travel. I also have plenty of reading material this weekend."
Winston Churchill arrived with John Gort. "Gentlemen, good evening. My ears are burning. What have you been saying about me?"
"Only that you had a new disciple in the cabinet meeting this morning, Winston."
"I know that Stanley liked your few words, Bob. He hopes that people will keep quiet now. How was your conversation with Vickers?"
"I'm satisfied. John Mitchell will talk to Hawkers about new ordnance. I'd like a few army colonels with civil engineering background sent to Iran to work with the AIOC. My Dad has no objection. Key people from Burmah Oil want to be in Abadan on the 7th when I am there. It would be good if our engineers could fly with them, in civvies."
"Prepare a request on Monday then I'll approve it. What does Sally think about going to Germany?"
"She's a little apprehensive but I've assured her that it will be safe."
"Have you heard anything from Wilhelm?"
"No. It's too early. Has Anthony Eden received a reply from Berlin?"
"Not that I know of."
"We are offering to renegotiate Locarno. I'm sure that's surprised them."
"We need to inform the French about the offer."
"If Daladier wins and retains his defence post, as is common practice in France, I shall be talking to him this time next week."
"We'll discuss that before you leave."
General Deverell said that the King is recovering well. "Edward introduced me to him last weekend. He seemed in good spirits."
"Yes, he is."
"That was quite a party," George commented.
"It was hard work for me but I really did enjoy it. Is Edward sitting comfortably at my former desk, John?"
"He's doing a good job but I'm looking for someone who is trained for the position. Like your COL Wilkins."
"You can't have him but I can ask him to recommend someone for you."
"Please do that, Bob. Edward has enough work in the Aviation Section."
"Have you heard that Vickers are producing three A13 prototypes with the 2-pdr gun and two ISV's with the 25-pdr?"
"Why with the 2-pdr?"
"So that the suspension and engine performance can be tested at the proving ground. It won't go into production with that gun."
"Rolls-Royce is already producing the engine?"
"No. We received half a dozen from the US. They are being used."
"Has it been decided which armament will be used for the self-propelled artillery?" John asked.
"At the top of the list at the moment are the 4.5" howitzer and the 6" howitzer. We have thousands left over from the last war and they will be refurbished before being utilized on SPA's. It is a huge cost-cutting exercise putting together these new units so we are using as much off the shelf equipment as possible. That reminds me, Winston. I'm ordering our commands in Africa to separate anything which is any good from the captured Italian equipment along with masses of ammunition. Vehicles and spare parts to be included. The Italians can have the rest."
"That hasn't been decided yet, Bob."
"I decided this afternoon. You delegated force-readiness to me and British and allied forces in the Middle-East need equipment. They are last in the queue for new equipment from the UK so they should make best use of local resources."
"What about Italy?"
"What about Italy? Prior to the Italian campaign we all considered they would sooner or later become pro-German so let's reduce them to a useless ally. We did that. So if they are now useless for the Germans aren't they are also useless for us? The best thing they can do is stay neutral. I can't imagine the Germans want to open that can of worms so why should we?"
"I agree with you entirely, Bob. Winston, the Germans without Italy have been denied a Mediterranean strategy. We should keep it that way," Duff argued.
"We don't need Italy if we have air forces in the Balkans, especially Yugoslavia. From there we can bomb targets in southern Germany or any other country that joins Germany. Turkey definitely won't join them again," I continued.
Winston thought for a few moments. "Starting next week we shall have our Friday lunchtime/afternoon Defence Council meetings here. Does anybody second that?"
"I second that," Duff said.
"And the MoD foots the bill," I proposed.
"I second that too. It was your idea, Winston."
We later discussed a Champagne and Cigar Tax to pay for it. Needless to say Winston promised to veto that in the cabinet. Time passed quickly and before I knew it Sally arrived to drive us home. She'd spent the evening with Wallis Simpson and a few friends.