Post by Diarist on Nov 11, 2016 18:43:09 GMT 1
I told Sally to stay at home because she is obviously still tired from the long and strenuous journey. I'm not feeling too good myself either so I also intend taking a couple of days off work. My first stop was at MCD where I briefly reminded everybody who I am. I checked my desk and took a few things with me which were really pressing. I had a 10 minute talk with COL John Wilkins and gave him a copy of my notes. The most important news was that the new Merlin engine had passed the 50 hr civilian test and that a couple of dozen pre-production models are being produced. That means the prototypes of various aircraft will be receiving their engines next month.
At the MoD COL Thomson was remarkably friendly. "Good to see you again, Sir Robert."
"Thank you. Do I still have an office here?"
Everything looked fine because all correspondence appears to have been sent across the road. I called Geoffrey de Havilland to tell him about the good news but he had already heard so five minutes later I was in Winston's office with the CIGS also there. "Welcome back. I see you have been busy while you were away."
"Making the most out of my vacation. Good morning. Have you both seen this?" I showed them the Merlin report.
"I see that for the first time." Winston replied. "That is indeed good news."
"A new era is beginning for the RAF. This time next year we'll be masters of the skies. We don't need to fear their panzers either - nothing but tankettes. Their Panzer I's have two 30 calibre MG's and their Panzer II's have a 20mm cannon plus a 30 calibre. Even their Panzer III, still in development, only has a 37mm tank-gun. As long as we don't sacrifice armour for speed we shall outclass them easily!"
"It's how you utilize them that counts isn't it?"
"Yes, Field Marshall and armour isn't mechanized cavalry - it's a whole new breed of warriors."
"Back to business at hand, Bob. We have a 9 o'clock meeting with the PM and Anthony Eden will arrive at ten."
"Good. We need two approvals from the PM, Palestine and Rhineland. Do you have any reservations, Field Marshall?"
"No. I share your assessment about the Rhineland and the German readiness. After all that we have achieved this year against Mussolini we cannot afford to show weakness towards Adolf Hitler. As for Palestine I don't see an exit strategy..."
"That's the decision we need to make. We either exit before it happens or we are in to stay. Can we afford to abandon Palestine?"
"Definitely not." Winston replied. "Palestine is vital for our Middle East interests but I also believe in being prepared. The forces you have suggested do appear to be a minimum requirement."
"That's correct, Winston. We are back to the 51st Highland Division again. They are in theatre, highly trained, combat experienced, highly motivated and are wasted in Eritrea and Port Sudan. There is peace in Eritrea and most of the Italians have left. The brigade in Port Sudan with some divisional troops could move to Aqaba and Suez with the Headquarters going to the former town. We have troops on call in the region and we should use them if needed. A show of force could stifle any Palestinian violence in its early phase and troops are needed for that, not just guns. A couple of battleships clearly visible in Jaffa and Gaza would be nice though."
"They do need to come home soon, Bob."
"Exactly but the home journey should start in Palestine. The troops replacing them arrive during the day and the 51st sneaks aboard the transports after dark..."
"...giving the appearance that we are further reinforcing. I like that." Winston completed.
"They'll have been overseas for one year starting in July. Let's make good use of the remaining six months."
"Good. I'm satisfied. Let's walk to number 10, Bob."
At the MoD COL Thomson was remarkably friendly. "Good to see you again, Sir Robert."
"Thank you. Do I still have an office here?"
Everything looked fine because all correspondence appears to have been sent across the road. I called Geoffrey de Havilland to tell him about the good news but he had already heard so five minutes later I was in Winston's office with the CIGS also there. "Welcome back. I see you have been busy while you were away."
"Making the most out of my vacation. Good morning. Have you both seen this?" I showed them the Merlin report.
"I see that for the first time." Winston replied. "That is indeed good news."
"A new era is beginning for the RAF. This time next year we'll be masters of the skies. We don't need to fear their panzers either - nothing but tankettes. Their Panzer I's have two 30 calibre MG's and their Panzer II's have a 20mm cannon plus a 30 calibre. Even their Panzer III, still in development, only has a 37mm tank-gun. As long as we don't sacrifice armour for speed we shall outclass them easily!"
"It's how you utilize them that counts isn't it?"
"Yes, Field Marshall and armour isn't mechanized cavalry - it's a whole new breed of warriors."
"Back to business at hand, Bob. We have a 9 o'clock meeting with the PM and Anthony Eden will arrive at ten."
"Good. We need two approvals from the PM, Palestine and Rhineland. Do you have any reservations, Field Marshall?"
"No. I share your assessment about the Rhineland and the German readiness. After all that we have achieved this year against Mussolini we cannot afford to show weakness towards Adolf Hitler. As for Palestine I don't see an exit strategy..."
"That's the decision we need to make. We either exit before it happens or we are in to stay. Can we afford to abandon Palestine?"
"Definitely not." Winston replied. "Palestine is vital for our Middle East interests but I also believe in being prepared. The forces you have suggested do appear to be a minimum requirement."
"That's correct, Winston. We are back to the 51st Highland Division again. They are in theatre, highly trained, combat experienced, highly motivated and are wasted in Eritrea and Port Sudan. There is peace in Eritrea and most of the Italians have left. The brigade in Port Sudan with some divisional troops could move to Aqaba and Suez with the Headquarters going to the former town. We have troops on call in the region and we should use them if needed. A show of force could stifle any Palestinian violence in its early phase and troops are needed for that, not just guns. A couple of battleships clearly visible in Jaffa and Gaza would be nice though."
"They do need to come home soon, Bob."
"Exactly but the home journey should start in Palestine. The troops replacing them arrive during the day and the 51st sneaks aboard the transports after dark..."
"...giving the appearance that we are further reinforcing. I like that." Winston completed.
"They'll have been overseas for one year starting in July. Let's make good use of the remaining six months."
"Good. I'm satisfied. Let's walk to number 10, Bob."