Post by Diarist on Sept 22, 2016 14:39:07 GMT 1
In Alexandria we were met by LG George Weir, GOC British Troops in Egypt. "I vaguely remember you as a major walking around with those Combined Ops people."
"I still am a major, General but as a Minister I wear civvies. My wife, Lady Sally Carter who is also my personal secretary. Could somebody arrange accommodation for my personnel?"
"Of course. A suite has been reserved for you. This way, please."
"Excuse me, General. I would like to say hello to my personnel from Combined Ops. One moment please." I greeted Orde and Thomas in Arabic, much to the dismay of the others present, while Sally greeted them in Hebraic. "General Weir, what do you have planned for this evening? I would like to include my two officers."
"I imagined a dinner at the Officer's Club."
"Splendid. You heard General Weir and wear a decent uniform please. You have my full attention now." We drove to the Headquarters building in a black Bentley. No idea which model.
"How did you become a cabinet minister?"
"The easy answer would be 'in the wrong place at the wrong time' but the PM was under fire for supposedly not doing enough to counter Germany's massive rearmament program. At the same time I was head of TRADOC Annex in the MoD but my major's rank meant that Winston often had to tell generals to follow my directives. So they killed two birds with one stone. In my first cabinet meeting my one minute speech silenced Stanley Baldwin's critics and now I don't have any problems with the generals."
"Very practical. I have my staff available for a briefing if you wish."
"Excellent. I want to make sure that everyone understands what to do with the captured Italian equipment and stores."
"There are a few questions there." We were now at the HQ.
"We need 15 minutes to get organized then I hope I can answer all your questions." I opened my briefcase. "This is for you in reference to the Italian stuff. A large pot of coffee would be nice."
"It's on its way."
Shortly afterwards we were introduced to his immediate staff and we sat at a large conference table. "I've studied the document you gave me and I'd like to ask about the augmentation of our forces. Could you be more specific please."
"In the new doctrine infantry will have more firepower than ever before and there is a lot of captured Italian equipment which can be put to good use. There's no reason why a platoon can't have an extra MG section, or a company be given a light mortar section. A battalion could have a mortar platoon assigned to it. We did that in Eritrea when 51st Highlanders captured Massawa. If the equipment is available make use of it because you are at the end of the queue for new equipment from England."
"The equipment for five brigades of infantry - 20,000 troops?"
"To equip friendly regional forces."
"Which forces?"
"To be determined. I haven't decided yet."
"Then finally send the rest to Italy after the junk has been separated and destroyed."
"That is correct. Not that difficult is it?"
"There are still a lot of questions open."
"None that concern your Command, General. This way the excess equipment won't need to be guarded to prevent it getting in the wrong hands. The equipment used to augment British forces won't be taken elsewhere. The next unit arriving will inherit it."
"Most of the attention is being given to Palestine while we appear to be neglected despite the increase in tension in Egypt."
"On the contrary. Winston Churchill wants British forces in Egypt to keep a low profile. Leave security problems to the Egyptians. It is felt that an increase of troops in Egypt would only make matters worse, not better. However there are contingency plans to move a brigade of the 51st to Egypt if it is felt necessary but Secretary Churchill hasn't authorized that move yet."
"Would the new armoured brigade be available?"
"It doesn't exist yet and won't be available for at least six months but don't think of it as a regular brigade. Its HQ is for administrative purposes only. The brigade would form 4 or maybe 5 battalion-sized battlegroups from the units assigned to it. I'm sure that 1 or 2 could be used in Egypt if needed."
"Why such a long time? We may not have six months. The battalions are already assigned to it."
"The brigade is assigned to Combined Ops for use in Palestine, General. Not Egypt. Please hand me the 5th Armoured Division dossier, Sally." I put it in front of General Weir. "Please read the cover, General."
"My name is not on the distribution list."
"I'm glad that is covered. Thank you, Sally. Isn't Egypt keeping you busy enough?"
"I'm not complaining."
"I can assure you that the Middle East is not being neglected. It has command attention at the highest level. I am here to make an assessment and make recommendations to Secretary Churchill. The Prime Minister is also involved. I have a few questions if I may."
"Please."
"Is there any evidence of German involvement in the protests in Egypt?" I addressed the Chief of Intelligence.
"No, Sir."
"Any other outside involvement?"
"Again no. Arab nationalism is the prime driving force."
"Pan-Arabian nationalism? Do events in Syria or Palestine influence the Egyptian protests?"
"It's more the other way around, Sir. The Anglo-Egyptian Treaty is encouraging others."
"I was afraid you might say that because I've come to that conclusion too. Would you agree that a crackdown in Palestine would aggravate the situation in Egypt, possibly in Syria and Iraq as well?"
"The situation in Palestine is of a different nature. There is only student unrest here."
"...but it is anti-British."
"Yes. In Palestine it's Arab vs. Jews. A conflict with history and German policies are making the situation worse."
"I agree. The increase in Jewish immigration is a major problem given the current high unemployment and the lack of opportunity for Arabs. British actions against the Arab community in Palestine would influence the students here. Do you agree, colonel? It might change the nature of their protests."
"That's a distinct possibility, Sir."
"The protests originate at Giza University. Is that correct?"
"That is correct."
"My suggestion is to close down the University then reopen it the next day as the Egyptian War College. I'm serious, General. If the students prefer to be on the streets then they can stay there and forfeit their chance to become academics. Why educate troublemakers?"
"I'll suggest it to the Egyptian Chief of Staff."
"Discretely, please. It would send a clear message and we British are not involved. Is there anything else because I would like to speak to General Weir alone before dinner."
There was nothing else.