Post by Diarist on Nov 15, 2016 18:13:21 GMT 1
Outside Winston asked me what the PM had wanted from me. "Apparently King George's health is failing and there are people who are not very happy about Edward's relationship with Wallis Simpson if he became King. Do we have people in the Cabinet who don't realize the real problems of this world? May God help us if we go to war against all the bad guys at the same time."
"It is a problem, Bob. Wallis Simpson isn't the ideal choice for Queen of England."
"This all stinks of a Palace intrigue. If Princess Elizabeth wants to be Queen then she married the wrong Prince. Since being at TRADOC Edward has been a model officer and definitely not a playboy any more. We couldn't wish for a better Crown Prince. I promised the PM that I would talk with Edward and I will, but to warn him. Could you do with a drink?"
"Why not. How do the contingency plans look, Bob?"
"First, the French didn't need to be convinced to make a move against Hitler if he tries to remilitarize the Rhineland. They will move into the Saar and it will look very stupid if we do nothing. France doesn't need a phone call from us because Article 4 allows them to counter a German move immediately. Act first, consult later."
"I interpret it that way too but what if the Germans, against all expectations, decide to fight a war?"
"We embargo them, bombard them and do everything possible to cripple their economy. Without an economy they're not a threat to anybody. It won't be a war in conventional terms, we'll just be using Germany for target practice with live ammunition. We don't need to worry about that issue but what comes afterwards? Also Palestine could become much more of a problem than Germany and that's why we need to be decisive in the region. We need the Highlanders to help rearrange the Arab furniture. When I go back, sometime in February, I need to go there with a complete military plan for SOE Palestine and with full support from London."
"Anthony asked if we need any help from the Foreign Office. I just smiled and told him that it's a military problem now. The time for diplomacy is over."
"They had their chance and really messed up."
"Your recommendation for Geoffrey Howard to become the new High Commissioner of Palestine and Trans-Jordan has been approved effective 01 January, his promotion too."
"General Wauchope has done a good job in Palestine but he's not the right person for what's ahead."
"I agree with your assessment. Do we need any other changes?"
"No, but please make sure that LG Weir, GOC in Egypt, is told to concentrate on Egypt. Palestine is not his problem. He already has enough on his plate and anti-British sentiment will definitely rise if there is serious fighting in Palestine."
"That will be taken care of. I have to go to back to my office. When are you returning to work?"
"Not tomorrow. I want to visit Rolls-Royce and it's Merlin customers. I'll be back on Wednesday afternoon if that's agreeable with you."
"No problem. You'll be working tomorrow anyway but not in the office. Until Wednesday."
"Good day, Winston."
"It is a problem, Bob. Wallis Simpson isn't the ideal choice for Queen of England."
"This all stinks of a Palace intrigue. If Princess Elizabeth wants to be Queen then she married the wrong Prince. Since being at TRADOC Edward has been a model officer and definitely not a playboy any more. We couldn't wish for a better Crown Prince. I promised the PM that I would talk with Edward and I will, but to warn him. Could you do with a drink?"
"Why not. How do the contingency plans look, Bob?"
"First, the French didn't need to be convinced to make a move against Hitler if he tries to remilitarize the Rhineland. They will move into the Saar and it will look very stupid if we do nothing. France doesn't need a phone call from us because Article 4 allows them to counter a German move immediately. Act first, consult later."
"I interpret it that way too but what if the Germans, against all expectations, decide to fight a war?"
"We embargo them, bombard them and do everything possible to cripple their economy. Without an economy they're not a threat to anybody. It won't be a war in conventional terms, we'll just be using Germany for target practice with live ammunition. We don't need to worry about that issue but what comes afterwards? Also Palestine could become much more of a problem than Germany and that's why we need to be decisive in the region. We need the Highlanders to help rearrange the Arab furniture. When I go back, sometime in February, I need to go there with a complete military plan for SOE Palestine and with full support from London."
"Anthony asked if we need any help from the Foreign Office. I just smiled and told him that it's a military problem now. The time for diplomacy is over."
"They had their chance and really messed up."
"Your recommendation for Geoffrey Howard to become the new High Commissioner of Palestine and Trans-Jordan has been approved effective 01 January, his promotion too."
"General Wauchope has done a good job in Palestine but he's not the right person for what's ahead."
"I agree with your assessment. Do we need any other changes?"
"No, but please make sure that LG Weir, GOC in Egypt, is told to concentrate on Egypt. Palestine is not his problem. He already has enough on his plate and anti-British sentiment will definitely rise if there is serious fighting in Palestine."
"That will be taken care of. I have to go to back to my office. When are you returning to work?"
"Not tomorrow. I want to visit Rolls-Royce and it's Merlin customers. I'll be back on Wednesday afternoon if that's agreeable with you."
"No problem. You'll be working tomorrow anyway but not in the office. Until Wednesday."
"Good day, Winston."