Post by Diarist on Dec 29, 2016 6:07:06 GMT 1
We drove to Bromley after breakfast and collected Sally's parents, Sara and Itzak. At the MCD the Xmas party was in full swing. I'd given SSG Hargreaves some money to buy drinks and food. There was plenty, even Champagne for Winston. I grabbed a Cornish pasty and a bottle of Brown Ale while Sally introduced her parents to our colleagues. After I'd cleaned up my desk I noticed that Winston and Itzak were together so I joined them. "Itzak tells me you have 'devoured' many of his books."
"I can read quickly if that's what you mean. However I did have problems with a three volume biography of Otto von Bismarck. Being in German wasn't the problem, it was the old gothic script. That took some getting used to. Itzak's speciality is Modern European History. He could become a valuable member of our Versailles team."
"I'll consider it if you are interested, Itzak."
"What we do he is Top Secret so you would have to sign documents and if you were to talk anybody about our work here, including Sara, we'll send you to jail and throw away the key. Like Winston said, only if you are interested."
"I'll bear that in mind. I would like to help if I could in an informal way."
"It's under consideration, Itzak. Do you still have contact with people in Germany?"
"No. Most of my friends have lost their jobs and have been forced to move or have left Germany."
"If you have names, etc. I could have someone research whether they are registered here, in France or Palestine."
"I would appreciate that, Sir."
"I shall be travelling to Palestine again soon and I could give the list to the Jewish Authorities in Tel Aviv. That's where most of the Europeans go."
"Could I travel with you?"
"No. It'll be a business trip, Itzak. I'm not going there as a tourist." He started to respond but I cut him off. "There's nothing you can say, Itzak. Maybe in the summer when you have vacation we can arrange something. Winston, could I talk to you alone for a moment?"
"Excuse me, Itzhak, but business calls."
"There's Prince Edward. Edward, I'm sure you remember Sally's father, Itzak? Could you entertain him for a while?"
"Of course." So he's in good hands.
"What do you have?"
"Two things. My conversation with COL Rosa yesterday was very constructive. I even talked with General Franco for a few minutes. I confirmed the invitation to receive a few Spanish officers at TRADOC, John Gort has given his blessing, and I took the liberty of inviting him and his Navy and Air Force colleagues to London to visit his counterparts here at the MoD. So maybe your office could send a formal invitation."
"I'll arrange that, Bob. It might be good publicity for the current Spanish government and also upset the left wing in Madrid."
"My thoughts entirely." I opened a folder and gave him a nicely typed letter in Spanish. "It just needs your signature."
"Do you have an envelope too?" It was also in the folder.
"I'll give to LTC Rodriguez at the Embassy. The second item is concerning Palestine. The situation in Syria is even worse. Maybe LG Howard, COL O'Connor and I could travel to Paris next week to meet Édouard Daladier and General Huntzinger to discuss coordinating our actions and encourage a Golan Heights decision in our favour. It could also support our initiative in Palestine."
"I'll let you know on Friday but if you do go then no mention of the Confederation."
"Understood. I like to take Itzak and Sara to lunch at the MoD. Is there a party there too?"
"Yes and I hope a few people are still sober."
"We have cause to celebrate this year."
"I'll drink to that."
"I can read quickly if that's what you mean. However I did have problems with a three volume biography of Otto von Bismarck. Being in German wasn't the problem, it was the old gothic script. That took some getting used to. Itzak's speciality is Modern European History. He could become a valuable member of our Versailles team."
"I'll consider it if you are interested, Itzak."
"What we do he is Top Secret so you would have to sign documents and if you were to talk anybody about our work here, including Sara, we'll send you to jail and throw away the key. Like Winston said, only if you are interested."
"I'll bear that in mind. I would like to help if I could in an informal way."
"It's under consideration, Itzak. Do you still have contact with people in Germany?"
"No. Most of my friends have lost their jobs and have been forced to move or have left Germany."
"If you have names, etc. I could have someone research whether they are registered here, in France or Palestine."
"I would appreciate that, Sir."
"I shall be travelling to Palestine again soon and I could give the list to the Jewish Authorities in Tel Aviv. That's where most of the Europeans go."
"Could I travel with you?"
"No. It'll be a business trip, Itzak. I'm not going there as a tourist." He started to respond but I cut him off. "There's nothing you can say, Itzak. Maybe in the summer when you have vacation we can arrange something. Winston, could I talk to you alone for a moment?"
"Excuse me, Itzhak, but business calls."
"There's Prince Edward. Edward, I'm sure you remember Sally's father, Itzak? Could you entertain him for a while?"
"Of course." So he's in good hands.
"What do you have?"
"Two things. My conversation with COL Rosa yesterday was very constructive. I even talked with General Franco for a few minutes. I confirmed the invitation to receive a few Spanish officers at TRADOC, John Gort has given his blessing, and I took the liberty of inviting him and his Navy and Air Force colleagues to London to visit his counterparts here at the MoD. So maybe your office could send a formal invitation."
"I'll arrange that, Bob. It might be good publicity for the current Spanish government and also upset the left wing in Madrid."
"My thoughts entirely." I opened a folder and gave him a nicely typed letter in Spanish. "It just needs your signature."
"Do you have an envelope too?" It was also in the folder.
"I'll give to LTC Rodriguez at the Embassy. The second item is concerning Palestine. The situation in Syria is even worse. Maybe LG Howard, COL O'Connor and I could travel to Paris next week to meet Édouard Daladier and General Huntzinger to discuss coordinating our actions and encourage a Golan Heights decision in our favour. It could also support our initiative in Palestine."
"I'll let you know on Friday but if you do go then no mention of the Confederation."
"Understood. I like to take Itzak and Sara to lunch at the MoD. Is there a party there too?"
"Yes and I hope a few people are still sober."
"We have cause to celebrate this year."
"I'll drink to that."