02 Jan 1936 - Ministry of Defence

[Diarist]

At 09:00 I arranged a meeting with the Rhineland Response team emphasizing the need to utilize our own rail system to speed-up our advance while at same time send railway personnel to takeover the Reichsbahn rail network. All their locomotives and rolling stock must be 'liberated' and any 'useful' freight loaded moved out of Germany for use at home. Food however should be distributed for free in nearby towns. I also mentioned the need to takeover local NSDAP buildings to secure documents and detain key Nazi personnel. They showed me their list of things-to-do and I told them to forget this meeting ever happened. They already have an extensive list.
Next I called Lords Norris and Beaverbrook. We got off to a bad start last year. Let's do better this year. I've invited them to a late lunch at the MoD on Monday. I also got in touch with Reginald Shepperd so he and Harald Turpin will be in Colchester next Tuesday. They will bring a dozen SMG's along with 2,000 rounds of ammunition. I'm now at my MoD office because it is quieter and I want to work on my Versailles proposal. After 2 hours Sally called to ask if I'd had lunch. I haven't so we're going to the MoD restaurant. I locked my notes in my safe along with my typewriter then Sally arrived.
"Making progress?" She asked.
"Yes. I'm keeping it straight forward. Our goal must be no more war in Central Europe whichever path we go down. That should appeal to the French and Germans if the latter are interested in peace and not just a truce or armistice."
"When do I get to see it? As a team member."
"When it's finished, darling team member."
We sat with the LG Gathorne-Hardy and MG Wavell. "I hear that next week your Guards Brigade is being deployed to get a sun tan."
"They are always glad to help out."
"Pleased to hear that because there's a good chance it won't be a picnic over there. Will the rest of the division be replacing the 51st when it returns home in summer?"
"No, it's just the one brigade and this brigade won't be used for the 2nd Armoured Division's motorized brigades."
"When shall we be receiving the new tanks?"
"In the autumn if everything goes smoothly. A few prototypes are being produced with the 2-pdr gun so that the vehicle itself can be tested."
"So the 6-pdr isn't available yet?"
"That's also being tested. It will be a few more months before it can go into production."
Winston sat at our table. "Bad news, Bob." He gave me a file.
"Merde. Has Rolls-Royce been told?"
"I thought you would prefer to do that."
"I'll call them first thing after lunch." Sally was giving me one of those looks. "The Merlin failed the 100 hour military test."
"Oh. That's not good. What's next?"
"We need a new prototype and the E-versions being distributed can only be used with precaution. I'll know more after I've talked to them. You need to photograph these 5 pages and have copies sent to Rolls today."
"I'll do that. I've almost finished here anyway."
"You have seen my memorandum about next Tuesday, Winston?"
"10:00 if the weather is fine and 09:30 if it isn't. Are we having our lunch special tomorrow?"
"No real need to. We'll be having an important meeting Monday morning."
"I've invited Stanley Baldwin for that."
"It's only the draft proposal!"
"If he doesn't like the draft...."
"I got most of it typed this morning. It's in my office here if you want to review it after lunch."
"I'll do that."

[Diarist]

After studying my draft for several minutes Winston asked what happens if they don't accept the offer.
"They will probably have to sign the peace treaty first. I can't imagine them disposing of Hitler without violating Article 4."
"Me neither. You are proposing not to offer them the partnership package until after they've signed the treaty. Why?"
"If they are serious about wanting peace then they'll sign it. If not...."
"....we dismantle the Third Reich with or without their support. Do you think this 'Code 13' will work?"
"If there is an opportunity we should grasp it. The decision to implement the operation will have to be made during the negotiations so someone high-ranking will have to be there."
"You are high-ranking enough, Bob. You need to plan the operation first though and get it approved."
"One second, Winston. This is about the negotiations with Germany not Versailles."
"Yes, and you will be my representative there. We've discussed this before, Bob. You have the best qualifications."
"We have not discussed this before."
"We just have, Bob. I've made my decision. Now plan this Code 13 operation and the alternative." He then walked out of my office making quite clear that the conversation is finished. But he's overlooked something. The French haven't accepted it yet. I called Louis and asked him to come over to my office. When he arrived I showed him my notes and told him about the post-Rhineland mission that needs to be planned.
"British forces only need to be involved with Wehrkreise II, X and possibly XI. One division per Wehrkreis. (A Wehrkreis is a Military District). If the ships leave England in the evening they can easily be at German ports before first light the next morning, correct?"
"That's no problem," he answered.
"I'll contact the Parachute Regiment and reserve a battalion, a company for each port. They have firepower with Thompsons. A company of Royal Marines would also be helpful."
"I'll arrange that. I presume that the Royal Navy will provide fire support."
"If they aren't too busy doing other things. It would be optimal if we could combine it with the existing Rhineland plans."
"I agree. I'll meet with Duff Cooper at the Admiralty tomorrow." I reminded him that Duff will be here tomorrow morning. "You don't sound too happy with the situation, do you?"

"Louis, this civilian job is getting out of control. I accepted the Versailles post because it is my proposal but the peace talks are way above my experience level. There is too much at stake here."

"You won't be alone, Bob."

"With a bit of luck it may help me to become Lord Protector of the Oktoberfest."

"Think positive."
"I'll talk with our Rhineland team tomorrow morning before the meeting. I have to call Rolls-Royce now. There are problems with their new engine."
I called Ernest Hives and told him the bad news. "The report has been photographed and a courier will catch the train to Derby shortly. Arrange to have someone meet him at the station, please." I then cited a few of the comments from memory.
"We've been considering a scaled up version of the Kestrel arrangement."
"And the Merlin E's can be upgraded?" I asked.
"Definitely. That won't be a problem. I'll call you tomorrow after I have had time to study the report."
"Please do that Ernest. Goodbye."
Back to Germany. From north to south along the border are VI, XII and V Wehrkreise below Wehrkreis X. All the Wehrkreise have an Infantry Corps with the same number as the Wehrkreise. That makes them easy to remember. Now all I need is to find out which British infantry divisions are not busy and we can discuss everything at tomorrow morning's meeting.