Post by Diarist on Jan 10, 2017 4:44:19 GMT 1
Sally and I stayed at the bank until one o'clock then drove to the MoD to have a late lunch with Winston and the CIGS. He was amused when I told him about Daladier's private dining room. "An important project for next year," he commented.
"You need to get your priorities right, Winston."
"I gather from your notes that we shall receive the Golan if the French are in dire straits."
"Yes, but YOU or the PM need to contact Daladier if we deem the time has come. Don't go through Flandin under any circumstances. He tried to delay the agreement using the League as an argument. I quickly shot back and asked if France had got the League's permission to stuff the ballot boxes in the 1930 rigged election. After a couple more questions of that nature Daladier instructed Flandin to prepare the agreement as originally negotiated the evening before."
"And giving Syrian Kurdish territory to Iraq?"
"He loved that idea. One less friend for a future independent Syria."
"You mentioned that you also talked to him about Versailles."
"He requested it and I didn't mention my crazy idea but I did have to tell him a few of my truths."
"Such as?"
"That the Maginot Line will only help defend France if the Germans don't attack." We all started laughing. "Also that we won't build Merlin engines in continental Europe because we don't want the factory to be captured by the Germans."
"How did he take it?" The CIGS asked.
"He thanked me for my honesty. I had previously said that they are my opinions not those of our government. I then gave him a few tips like the tank engine from the US. I suggested France gets a licence to produce that too. He said that he would suggest it that's when I told him that we order things to get done in the UK. He also agreed that Germany will probably have march into the Rhineland before toppling Hitler."
"How are you progressing on the Versailles package? Making headway?"
"If I get a free weekend I should have a draft version on Monday. I told Daladier we would be ready mid-January."
"I want you to head the delegation, Bob." He put up his hand to quieten me. "I talked with Stanley Baldwin and Anthony Eden this morning. They both agree that you are the ideal candidate. You know the subject matter, you know the people and you speak fluent French and German. John Simon also put in a good word for you."
"Probably because he wants to stay out of it."
"He's now the Home Secretary, Bob. He was on loan last weekend."
"Then I can select my team?"
"Of course, but it still needs to be approved. You won't have a blank cheque like yesterday."
"I realize that, Winston. I'd choose John Gort, he also speaks fluent French and German; Prince Edward, the same reason plus we'll be dealing with royals in Belgium and Holland; finally Sally. She knows the subject matter and speaks fluent German."
"No one from the Foreign Office?"
"It's a military matter and both Anthony Eden and John Simon believe that I'm well qualified. I could take Malcolm Hewitt from their German Section. He's helped us at the Annex."
"Good. I'll get back with you."
"Next week we shall be testing the new SMG. Would you like to be there?"
"Where exactly?"
"The Royal Parachute Regt at Colchester. I'd like to have a squad of paras test it too. We are busy on Monday so would Tuesday be fine?"
"Excellent. Arrange it please. What time will you both be arriving this afternoon."
"We've brought a change of clothes with us," Sally answered. "We want to visit Fort Belvedere after leaving here."
"I talked to the Palace and General Deverell informed me that Prince Edward will be with his family."
"I know that's why we are suggesting that Wallis Simpson goes to our house at Saffron Walden. She's no stranger there or at the hotel either."
"Invite her to Chartwell, Bob. I'm serious."
"I'll do that. What's more, I'll insist upon her joining us."
"Do that."
"You need to get your priorities right, Winston."
"I gather from your notes that we shall receive the Golan if the French are in dire straits."
"Yes, but YOU or the PM need to contact Daladier if we deem the time has come. Don't go through Flandin under any circumstances. He tried to delay the agreement using the League as an argument. I quickly shot back and asked if France had got the League's permission to stuff the ballot boxes in the 1930 rigged election. After a couple more questions of that nature Daladier instructed Flandin to prepare the agreement as originally negotiated the evening before."
"And giving Syrian Kurdish territory to Iraq?"
"He loved that idea. One less friend for a future independent Syria."
"You mentioned that you also talked to him about Versailles."
"He requested it and I didn't mention my crazy idea but I did have to tell him a few of my truths."
"Such as?"
"That the Maginot Line will only help defend France if the Germans don't attack." We all started laughing. "Also that we won't build Merlin engines in continental Europe because we don't want the factory to be captured by the Germans."
"How did he take it?" The CIGS asked.
"He thanked me for my honesty. I had previously said that they are my opinions not those of our government. I then gave him a few tips like the tank engine from the US. I suggested France gets a licence to produce that too. He said that he would suggest it that's when I told him that we order things to get done in the UK. He also agreed that Germany will probably have march into the Rhineland before toppling Hitler."
"How are you progressing on the Versailles package? Making headway?"
"If I get a free weekend I should have a draft version on Monday. I told Daladier we would be ready mid-January."
"I want you to head the delegation, Bob." He put up his hand to quieten me. "I talked with Stanley Baldwin and Anthony Eden this morning. They both agree that you are the ideal candidate. You know the subject matter, you know the people and you speak fluent French and German. John Simon also put in a good word for you."
"Probably because he wants to stay out of it."
"He's now the Home Secretary, Bob. He was on loan last weekend."
"Then I can select my team?"
"Of course, but it still needs to be approved. You won't have a blank cheque like yesterday."
"I realize that, Winston. I'd choose John Gort, he also speaks fluent French and German; Prince Edward, the same reason plus we'll be dealing with royals in Belgium and Holland; finally Sally. She knows the subject matter and speaks fluent German."
"No one from the Foreign Office?"
"It's a military matter and both Anthony Eden and John Simon believe that I'm well qualified. I could take Malcolm Hewitt from their German Section. He's helped us at the Annex."
"Good. I'll get back with you."
"Next week we shall be testing the new SMG. Would you like to be there?"
"Where exactly?"
"The Royal Parachute Regt at Colchester. I'd like to have a squad of paras test it too. We are busy on Monday so would Tuesday be fine?"
"Excellent. Arrange it please. What time will you both be arriving this afternoon."
"We've brought a change of clothes with us," Sally answered. "We want to visit Fort Belvedere after leaving here."
"I talked to the Palace and General Deverell informed me that Prince Edward will be with his family."
"I know that's why we are suggesting that Wallis Simpson goes to our house at Saffron Walden. She's no stranger there or at the hotel either."
"Invite her to Chartwell, Bob. I'm serious."
"I'll do that. What's more, I'll insist upon her joining us."
"Do that."