Post by Diarist on Nov 19, 2016 8:07:42 GMT 1
At the Army and Navy Club we were in one of the smaller rooms. Others had been invited. Sir Philip from the Air Ministry, Duff Cooper from the Admiralty, the CIGS and General Deverell, ADC to King George. They were a little surprised to see Prince Edward with us. John Gort opened. "Bob has an interesting idea for you, Prime Minister."
"You approached me with a problem this morning and I'm doing for you what I do for Winston. I propose solutions. I admit that sometimes my ideas are crazy. Invading NW Italy for example but that crazy idea worked."
"So I presume you have another crazy idea."
"Yes. One which will solve many problems." So I gave them a five minute presentation answering many questions before they were even asked. Again silence.
"I wasn't expecting that kind of response, Bob. I admit that it is an interesting idea. Which other problems does it solve?"
"It fills a vacancy with someone who is qualified for the job and this." I had been writing a few notes on a piece of paper and gave it to the PM. "SOE business. Can't mention here." He passed it to Winston who then asked me to come with him.
"Now we can talk."
"We are preparing contingency plans for a Belgium and Dutch response to a German remilitarization of the Rhineland but who do we talk to once we have plans. The Dutch General Winkelmann is a retired General and nobody in Holland knows why he his here. Both countries are monarchies and who could be a better messenger than our very own King Edward speaking directly to their monarchs. King Leopold already knows and we have his blessing but in Holland it's a different story and they are not even a signatory of the Locarno Treaties. Queen Wilhelmina wears the trousers in Holland and she is no great friend of Britain because of the embargo imposed on Holland during the Great War. Oh, Edward would also make a great recruitment poster."
"Good arguments." He said the same two words to Stanley Baldwin when we returned to the table.
"What do you both think of the idea?" Addressing Winston and the CIGS.
While they were answering the PM I leaned over to Sir Philip and Duff and whispered that Edward is already the project officer for most of the new war-winning RAF and FAA aircraft projects, including the secret ones.
No final decision was made but the conversation lasted well over an hour. A good sign. We were also promised a copy of the acceptance speech which has already been prepared just in case. There may need to be changes made. Very decisive, in my opinion, was General Deverell's comment that King George would greatly welcome the appointment.
"You approached me with a problem this morning and I'm doing for you what I do for Winston. I propose solutions. I admit that sometimes my ideas are crazy. Invading NW Italy for example but that crazy idea worked."
"So I presume you have another crazy idea."
"Yes. One which will solve many problems." So I gave them a five minute presentation answering many questions before they were even asked. Again silence.
"I wasn't expecting that kind of response, Bob. I admit that it is an interesting idea. Which other problems does it solve?"
"It fills a vacancy with someone who is qualified for the job and this." I had been writing a few notes on a piece of paper and gave it to the PM. "SOE business. Can't mention here." He passed it to Winston who then asked me to come with him.
"Now we can talk."
"We are preparing contingency plans for a Belgium and Dutch response to a German remilitarization of the Rhineland but who do we talk to once we have plans. The Dutch General Winkelmann is a retired General and nobody in Holland knows why he his here. Both countries are monarchies and who could be a better messenger than our very own King Edward speaking directly to their monarchs. King Leopold already knows and we have his blessing but in Holland it's a different story and they are not even a signatory of the Locarno Treaties. Queen Wilhelmina wears the trousers in Holland and she is no great friend of Britain because of the embargo imposed on Holland during the Great War. Oh, Edward would also make a great recruitment poster."
"Good arguments." He said the same two words to Stanley Baldwin when we returned to the table.
"What do you both think of the idea?" Addressing Winston and the CIGS.
While they were answering the PM I leaned over to Sir Philip and Duff and whispered that Edward is already the project officer for most of the new war-winning RAF and FAA aircraft projects, including the secret ones.
No final decision was made but the conversation lasted well over an hour. A good sign. We were also promised a copy of the acceptance speech which has already been prepared just in case. There may need to be changes made. Very decisive, in my opinion, was General Deverell's comment that King George would greatly welcome the appointment.