Post by Diarist on Sept 19, 2016 18:34:45 GMT 1
The meeting with Édouard Daladier didn't last long. He told me that France welcomed further military cooperation with the United Kingdom. "We would be informed if there were any changes to the contingency plan?"
"Sir, there wouldn't be any changes without a prior French approval. All we are asking is that The Saar is occupied if Germany tries to remilitarize the Rhineland and that the RAF be allowed to transfer six squadrons to the region. All efforts must be made to avoid bloodshed."
"Good. I share your opinion that Germany isn't in the position to fight a war. Please inform Prime Minister Baldwin that I intend visiting London before the Christmas holidays."
"I'll ask Sir George to do that. That's a Foreign Office responsibility. General Gamelin, do you have a training area in the Metz-Nancy area?"
"We do."
"It might be a good idea to move the 1st Motorized Infantry Division there. It could becoming the training unit for other divisions in the French Army."
"It would hopefully not go unnoticed by the Germans too."
"Precisely my point, General. Have you updated your alliance with Belgium. The 1920 agreement is very vague."
"That is a very polite way of describing it. There is no cooperation between our armed forces. Will Colonel de Gaulle be travelling with you to Belgium."
"No. I am hoping that you have an assignment for him. I believe he has shown that he is well qualified to command the armoured troops of the 1st Division. His family is in England so he will have return to sign off at TRADOC. We shall miss him. If you have nothing more for me I would like to retire and prepare for my flight to Brussels."
"Thank you for your very constructive visit, Sir Robert. I look forward to meeting you in London soon."
"So do I, Sir. It's been a pleasure working with you, General Gamelin. Until soon."
"To the residence?" The driver asked.
"No, to the British Embassy please."
"Sir, there wouldn't be any changes without a prior French approval. All we are asking is that The Saar is occupied if Germany tries to remilitarize the Rhineland and that the RAF be allowed to transfer six squadrons to the region. All efforts must be made to avoid bloodshed."
"Good. I share your opinion that Germany isn't in the position to fight a war. Please inform Prime Minister Baldwin that I intend visiting London before the Christmas holidays."
"I'll ask Sir George to do that. That's a Foreign Office responsibility. General Gamelin, do you have a training area in the Metz-Nancy area?"
"We do."
"It might be a good idea to move the 1st Motorized Infantry Division there. It could becoming the training unit for other divisions in the French Army."
"It would hopefully not go unnoticed by the Germans too."
"Precisely my point, General. Have you updated your alliance with Belgium. The 1920 agreement is very vague."
"That is a very polite way of describing it. There is no cooperation between our armed forces. Will Colonel de Gaulle be travelling with you to Belgium."
"No. I am hoping that you have an assignment for him. I believe he has shown that he is well qualified to command the armoured troops of the 1st Division. His family is in England so he will have return to sign off at TRADOC. We shall miss him. If you have nothing more for me I would like to retire and prepare for my flight to Brussels."
"Thank you for your very constructive visit, Sir Robert. I look forward to meeting you in London soon."
"So do I, Sir. It's been a pleasure working with you, General Gamelin. Until soon."
"To the residence?" The driver asked.
"No, to the British Embassy please."