| The Navy is responsible for preventing any sea-borne
expedition attacking our West African colonies. As to the air
attack, if the French bomb Freetown or Bathurst, we will bomb
Vichy. I do not think this will happen.
[In dispatching a Blenheim squadron to Greeceover at full speed. They must
be distributed in at least four fast ships. Could not some of them
come by passenger liner? Let me know what Admiralty can do.
Make sure there is no delay at Purco?s [Purchasing Commissionnaval forces
is, however, considered essential.
The operation should be carried out four days after decision of
His Majesty?s Government is received.
And, finally, from Major-General Irwin to the C.I.G.S.:
As you know, I have already accepted risks in this operation not
fully justified on purely military grounds. New information
possibly increases those risks, but I consider them worth
accepting in view of obvious results of success. De Gaulle has
also committed himself to complete co-operation with British
troops in case of need, and he has not shirked responsibility for
fighting between Frenchmen.
The War Cabinet met for the second time on the 17th at 9 P.M. Everyone was
agreed to let the commanders go ahead as they wished. Final decision was
postponed till noon the next day, it being plain that no time was being lost, as
there was still nearly a week before the blow could be struck. At the request
of the Cabinet, I drafted the following message to the commanders of the
Dakar force:
We cannot judge relative advantages of alternative schemes from
here. We give you full authority to go ahead and do what you
think is best in order to give effect to the original purpose of the
478
expedition. Keep us informed.
This was despatched at 1.20 P.M. September 18.
There was nothing to do now but await results. On the 19th, the First Sea
Lord reported that the French squadron, or parts of it, were leaving Dakar for
the south. This made it pretty clear that it had carried Vichy-minded troops,
technicians, and authorities to Dakar. The probabilities of a vigorous
resistance were increased out of all proportion to the new forces involved.
There would certainly be sharp fighting. My colleagues, who were tough, and
also nimble to change with circumstances, as is right in war, shared my
instinct to let things rip, and the various reports were heard in silence.
On the 20th, Admiral Pound told us that the French cruiser Primauguet,
intercepted by the Cornwall and Delhi, had agreed to go to Casablanca and
was now being escorted thither. The three French warships sighted by the
Australia turned out to be the cruisers Georges Leygues, Montcalm, and
Gloire. At noon on the 19th, the Australia had been joined by the Cumberland,
and they continued to shadow the Vichy ships till evening. These now turned
to the northward and increased their speed from fifteen to thirty-one knots. A
chase ensued. We were not able to overtake them. At 9.0 P.M., his already stopped by the winter ice, which must not be [allowed to
beit was estimated that a very large expansion,
amounting to 71.5 per cent of the number engaged in the metal industry,
would be needed in the first year of war. Actually the engineering, motor,
and aircraft group, which covers three-fifths of the metal industry and which
Note by the First Lord of the Admiralty. May 4, 1940.
419
is discussed in this survey, has only expanded by 11.1 per cent (122,000)
between June, 1939, and April, 1940. This is less than one-sixth of the
expansion stated to be required. Without any Government intervention, by
the mere improvement of trade, the number increased as quickly as this in
the year 1936/37.
Although 350,000 boys leave school each year, there is an increase of only
25,000 in the number of males under twenty-one employed in this group.
Moreover, the proportion of women and young persons has only increased
from 26.6 per cent to 27.6 per cent. In the engineering, motor, and aircraft
group, we now have only one woman for every twelve men. During the last
war the ratio of women to men in the metal industries increased from one
woman for every ten men to one woman for every three men. In the first
year of the last war, July, 1914, to July, 1915, the new workers drafted into
the metal industries amounted to 20 per cent of those already there. In the
group under survey which may fairly be taken as typical of the whole metal
industry, only 11 per cent have been added in the last ten months.
Admiralty establishments, in which employment has been increased by
nearly 27 per cent, have not been considered here, as no figures of the
different types of labour are given.
* * * * *
On January 19, anxieties about the Western Front received confirmation. A German staffmajor
of the 7th Air Division had been ordered to take some documents to Headquarters in
Cologne. Wishing to save time for private indulgences, he decided to fly across the
intervening Belgian territory. His machine made a forced landing; the Belgian police
arrested him and impounded his papers, which he tried desperately to destroy. These
contained the entire and actual scheme for the invasion of Belgium, Holland, and France on
which Hitler had resolved. The French and British Governments were given copies of these
documents, and the German major was released to explain matters to his superiors. I was
told about all this at the time, and it seemed to me incredible that the Belgians would not
make a plan to invite us in. But they did noin the Palatinate.
General Keitel communicates the facts at 1.45. He drives to the
Reichskanzlei at 10 o'clock. I follow at 10.15 to give him the old
draft, ?Prepare Case Otto.? 13.00 hours, General K. [Keitel
A.A. Defences of Scapa
Surely it would be better to have a conference as I suggested and talk
matters over round a table than that I should have to prepare a paper and
raise the matter as a Cabinet issue? The squandering of our strength
proceeds in every direction, everyone thinking he is serving the country by
playing for safety locally. Our Army is puny as far as the fighting front is
First Lord to First Sea Lord, Controller, D.C.N.S.,
Secretary and A.C.N.S.
12.I.40.
First Lord to Controller. 13.I.40.
First Lord to Naval Secretary. 14.I.40.
First Lord to First Sea Lord. 16.I.40.
570
concerned; our Air Force is hopelessly inferior to the Germans'; we are not
allowed to do anything to stop them receiving their vital supplies of ore; we
maintain an attitude of complete passivity, dispersing our forces ever more
widely; the Navy demands Scapa and Rosyth both to be kept at the highest
point. Do you realise that perhaps we are heading for defeat? I feel I must
do my duty, even in small things, in trying to secure effective concentration
upon the enemy, and in preventing needless dispersion.
Fleet Air Arm? Estimated Cost During the First Twelve Months of the Year
I have been increasingly disquieted about the demand which the Fleet Air
Arm involves upon British war -making resources. None the less this estimate
is a surprise to me, as I had not conceived how enormous was the charge
involved. I have always been a strong advocate of the Fleet Air Arm, in fact I
drafted for Sir Thomas Inskip the compromise decision to which he
eventually came in 1938. I feel all the more responsible for making sure that
the Fleet Air Arm makes a real contribution to the present war in killing and
defeating Germans.
2. When some years ago the Fleet Air Arm was being discussed, the speed
of carrier-borne and shore-based aircraft was not unequal; but since then
the shore-based development has been such as to make it impossible for
carrier-borne aircraft to compete with shore-based. This left the Fleet Air
Arm the most important duties of reconnaissance in the ocean spaces, of
spotting during an action with surface ships and launching torpedo seaplane
attacks upon them. However, there are very few surface ships of the enemy,
and one can only consider the possible break-out of a German raider or fast
battleship as potential targets. Provision must be made for this; but certainly
it does not justify anything like this immense expenditure.
3. On thThe Cabinet, including the Foreign Secretary, appeared strongly
favourable to this action.
It is therefore necessary to take all steps to prepare it.
First Lord to First Sea Lord and others. 19.IX.39.
400
1. The negotiations with the Norwegians for the chartering of their tonnage
must be got out of the way first.
2. The Board of Trade would have to make arrangements with Sweden to
buy the ore in question, as it is far from our wish to quarrel with the
Swedes.
3. The Foreign Office should be made acquainted with our proposals, and
the whole story of Anglo -American action in 1918 must be carefully set forth,
together with a reasoned case.
4. The operation itself should be studied by the Admiralty Staff concerned.
The Economic Warfare Department should be informed as and when
necessary.
Pray let me be continually informed of the progress of this plan, which is of
the highest importance in crippling the enemy's war industry.
A further Cabinet decision will be necessary when all is in readiness.
On the twenty-ninth, at the invitation of my colleagues, and after the whole subject had
been minutely examined at the Admiralty, I drafted a paper for the Cabinet upon this
subject and on the chartering of neutral tonnage which was linked with it.
Norway and Sweden
Memorandum by the First Lord of the Admiralty
September 29, 1939.
Chartering Norwegian Tonnage.
The Norwegian Delegation is approaching, and in a few days the President
of the Board of Trade hopes to make a bargain with them by which he
charters all their spare tonnage, the bulk of which consists of tankers.
The Admiralty consider the chartering of this tonnage most important, and
Lord Chatfield has written strongly urging it upon them.
German Supplies of Iron Ore from Narvik.
2. At the end of November the Gulf of Bothnia normally freezes, so that
Swedish iron ore can be sent to Germany only through Oxelosund in the
401
Baltic, or from Narvik at the north of Norway. Oxelosund can export only
about one-fifth of the weight of ore Germany requires from Sweden. In
winter normally the main trade is from Narvik, whence ships can pass down
the west coast of Norway, and make the whole voyage to Germany without
leaving territorial waters until inside the Skagerrak.
It must be understood that an adequate supply of Swedish iron ore is vital to
Germany, and the interception or prevention of these Narvik supplies during
the winter months, i.e., from October to the end of April,on Thursday, saw the gunner in
question and had a rocket fired off. Moreover, it was the
Admiralty Committee over which I presided early in the year
which produced the idea of using these distress rockets. I am,
therefore, well acquainted with the subject. The Air Ministry, not
for the first time, spread itself into very large demands, and,
using its priority, barged in heavily into other forms of not less
important production. I agree that P.A.C.8 rockets may be a good
interim defence against low-flying attack, but they have to take
their place in the general scheme. I thought myself about five
thousand a month would be sufficient, but I am willing to agree
to fifteen hundred a week, or six thousand a month. This figure
could be somewhat extended if the wire -recovery projects you
mention were further developed and proved an effective
economy.
(Action this day.)
Prime Minister to General Ismay. 25.VIII.40.
Prime Minister to Secretary of State for Air.
25.VIII.40.
(Action this day.)
Prime Minister to Secretary of State for War. 25.VIII.40.
666
War Office have accepted from the War Cabinet the responsibility
of dealing with delayed -action bombs. This may become a feature
of the enemy attack. A number were thrown last night into the
City, causing obstruction. They may even try them on Whitehall!
It seems to me that energetic effort should be made to provide
sufficient squads to deal with this form of attack in the large
centres. The squads must be highly mobile, so as not to waste
men and material. They must move in motor lorries quickly from
one point to another. I presume a careful system of reporting all
unexploded bombs and the time at which they fell is in operation,
and that this information will be sent immediately to the delayedaction
section of Home Defence, which has no doubt already
been established, and also the various local branches. The
service, which is highly dangerous, must be considered
particularly honourable, and rewards should follow its successful
discharge.
I should be very glad to see your plans for the new section,
together with numbers, and it will also be interesting to have a
short account of the work done up to date and the methods
employed. I presume you are in touch with all the scientific
authorities you need.
On the other hand, I am asking the Air Ministry for information as
to their reciprocating this process on the enemy.
(General Ismay to see.)
I cannot feel you are justified
3. In the West it is important that the responsibility for the opening of
hostilities should rest unequivocally with England and France. At first purely
local action should be taken against insignificant frontier violations.14
* * * * *
On my return from the Rhine front, I passed some sunshine days at Madame Balsan's
place, with a pleasant but deeply anxious company, in the old ch?teau where King Henry
of Navarre had slept the night before the Battle of Ivry. Mrs. Euan Wallace and her sons
were with us. Her husband was a Cabinet Minister. She was expecting him to join her.
Presently he telegraphed he could not come, and would explain later why. Other signs of
danger drifted in upon us. One could feel the deep apprehension brooding over all, and
even the light of this lovely valley at the confluence of the Eure and the Vesgre seemed
robbed of its genial ray. I found painting hard work in this uncertainty. On August 26, I
decided to go home, where at least I could find out what was going on. I told my wife I
would send her word in good time. On my way through Paris I gave General Georges
luncheon. He produced all the figures of the French and German Armies, and classified the
divisions in quality. The result impressed me so much that for the first time I said: ?But you
are the masters.? He replied: ?The Germans have a very strong army, and we shall never
be allowed to strike first. If they attack, both our countries will rally to their duty.?
That night I slept at Chartwell, where I had asked General Ironside to stay with me next
day. He had just returned from Poland, and the reports he gave of the Polish Army were
most favourable. He had seen a divisional attack-exercise under a live barrage, not without
303
casualties. Polish morale was high. He stayed three days with me, and we tried hard to
measure the unknowable. Also at this time I completed bricklaying the kitchen of the
cottage which during the year past I had prepared for our family home in the years which
were to come. My wife, on my signal, came over via Dunkirk, on August 30.
* * * * *
There were known to be twenty thousand organised German Nazis in England at this time,
and it would only have been in accord with their procedure in other friendly countries that
the outbreak of war should be preceded by a sharp prelude of sabotage and murder. I had
at that time no official protection, and I did not wish to ask for any; but I thought myself
sufficiently prominent tcome to a
thorough understanding. This idea had also been expressed in
Stalin?s letter. A delimitation of the spheres of influence must also
be sought. On this point, however, he (Molotov) could not take a
definitive stand at this time, since he did not know the opinion of
579
Stalin and of his other friends in Moscow in the matter. However,
he had to state that all these great issues of tomorrow could not
be separated from the issues of today and the fulfilment of
existing agreements? .
Thereupon Herr Molotov cordially bade farewell to the Reich
Foreign Minister, stressing that he did not regret the air-raid
alarm, because he owed to it such an exhaustive conversation
with the Reich Foreign Minister.
* * * * *
When in August, 1942, I first visited Moscow I received from Stalin?s lips a
shorter account of this conversation which in no essential differs from the
German record, but may be thought more pithy.
?A little while ago,? said Stalin, ?the great complaint against
Molotov was that he was too pro-German. Now everyone says he
is too pro -British. But neither of us ever trusted the Germans. For
us it was always life and death.? I interjected that we had been
through this ourselves, and so knew how they felt. ?When
Molotov,? said the Marshal, ?went to see Ribbentrop in Berlin in
November of 1940, you got wind of it and sent an air raid.? I
nodded. ?When the alarm sounded, Ribbentrop led the way down
many flights of stairs to a deep shelter sumptuously furnished.
When he got inside, the raid had begun. He shut the door and
said to Molotov: ?Now here we are alone together. Why should
we not divide?? Molotov said: ?What will England say?? ?England,?
said Ribbentrop, ?is finished. She is no more use as a Power.? ?If
that is so,? said Molotov, ?why are we in this shelter, and whose
are these bombs which fall?? ?
* * * * *
The Berlin conversations made no difference to Hitler?s deep resolve. During
October, Keitel, Jodl, and the German General Staff had under his orders been
forming and shaping the plans for the eastward movement of the German
armies and for the invasion of Russia in the early summer of 1941. It was not
580
necessary at this stage to decide on the exact date, which might also be
affected by the weather. Having regard to the distances to be traversed after
the frontiers were crossed, and the need of taking Moscow before the winter
began, it was obvious that the beginning of May offered the best prospectsbeing welcomed by Anthony, Massey,
and I trust a good part of the people of Greenock and Glasgow. We plan to
give them a cordial reception. They are to go to Aldershot, where no doubt
you will go and see them presently.
There have been ten air attacks today on individual ships along the east
coast from Wick to Dover, and some of the merchant ships have been
machine-gunned out of pure spite, some of our people being hit on their
decks.
393
I am sure you must be having a most interesting time at the Front, and I
expect you will find that change is the best kind of rest.
From the moment when we heard that action was joined, we instantly ordered powerful
forces to concentrate off Montevideo, but our hunting groups were naturally widely
dispersed and none was within two thousand miles of the scene. In the north, Force K,
comprising the Renown and Ark Royal, was completing a sweep which had begun at
Capetown ten days before and was now six hundred miles east of Pernambuco, and
twenty-five hundred miles from Montevideo. Farther north still, the cruiser Neptune with
three destroyers had just parted company with the French Force X and were coming south
to join Force K. All these were ordered to Montevideo; they had first to fuel at Rio.
However, we succeeded in creating the impression that they had already left Rio and were
approaching Montevideo at thirty knots.
On the other side of the Atlantic, Force H was returning to the Cape for fuel after an
extended sweep up the African coast. Only the Dorsetshire was immediately available at
Capetown and was ordered at once to join Admiral Harwood, but she had over four
thousand miles to travel. She was followed later by the Shropshire. In addition, to guard
against the possible escape of the Spee to the eastward, Force I, comprising the Cornwall,
Gloucester, and the aircraft carrier Eagle from the East Indies station, which at this time
was at Durban, was placed at the disposal of the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, Captain Langsdorff telegraphed on December 16 to the German Admiralty as
follows:
Strategic position off Montevideo. Besides the cruisers and
destroyers, Ark Royal and Renown. Close blockade at night; escape
into open sea and break-through to home waters hopeless. Request
decision on whether the ship should be scuttled in spite of
insufficient depth in the Estuary of the Plate, or whether internment
is to be preferred.
At a conference presided over destroyers, which have already gone into action
against a U-boat. Kindest regards.
Smuts, far off in South Africa and without the latest information upon the
specialised problems of Insular Air Defence, naturally viewed the tragedy of
France according to orthodox principles: ?Concentrate everything at the
decisive point.? I had the advantage of knowing the facts, and of the detailed
advice of Air Marshal Dowding, head of Fighter Command. If Smuts and I had
been together for half an hour, and I could have put the data before him, we
should have agreed, as we always did on large military issues.
We are of course doing all we can both from the air and by
sending divisions as fast as they can be equipped to France. It
would be wrong to send the bulk of our fighters to this battle,
and when it was lost, as is probable, be left with no means of
carrying on the war. I think we have a harder, longer, and more
hopeful duty to perform. Advantages of resisting German air
Prime Minister to General Smuts.
9.VI.40.
149
attack in this island, where we can concentrate very powerful
fighter strength, and hope to knock out four or five hostiles to
one of ours, are far superior to fighting in France, where we are
inevitably outnumbered and rarely exceed two to one ratio of
destruction, and where our aircraft are often destroyed at
exposed aerodromes. This battle does not turn on the score or so
of fighter squadrons we could transport with their plant in the
next month. Even if by using them up we held the enemy, Hitler
could immediately throw his whole [airtroops know they are cutting their way home to
Blighty. Never was there such a spur for fighting. We shall give
you all that the Navy and Air Force can do. Anthony Eden is with
me now and joins his good wishes to mine.
[Enclosure.Cunningham says that the only
suitable day for ?Menace? [Dakar In practice
much inconvenience would arise if this theoretical equality had many
First Lord to Secretary. 4.X.39.
First Lord to Second Sea Lord, Parliamentary
Secretary and Secretary.
7.X.39.
First Lord to Secretary. 7.X.39.
First Lord to Second Sea Lord and others concerned
and Secretary.
14.X.39.
584
examples. Each case must be judged on its merits, from the point of view of
smooth administration. I cannot see any objection to Indians serving on
H.M. ships where they are qualified and needed, or, if their virtues so
deserve, rising to be Admirals of the Fleet. But not too many of them,
please.
I see no reason to suspend these enlistments or bar the Navy door to the
Dominions in time of war. Most particularly am I concerned with
Newfoundland, about which I have given special directions. The
Newfoundlanders are certainly not to be ?left to find their own way to this
country? from Newfoundland. Care and pains are to be taken to recruit, train
and convey to the United Kingdom as many as possible. I hope we shall get
one thousand. I understand this is in progress, and let me have a report
saying exactly what is being done in Newfoundland.
With regard to the other Dominions, suitable enlistments should be accepted
whether for hostilities only or for permanent service. These ratings can be
trained at the naval ports in the Dominions: at Sydney, at Halifax and
Esquimalt, and at Simonstown. Opportunity will then be given to transport
the men in batches to this country or draft them on to His Majesty's ships
visiting the Dominions.
Pray let a scheme on these lines be put forward with a view to surmounting
the difficulties.
?Salmon's? War Patrol Narrative
I am in entire accord with the Second Sea Lord's Minute of yesterday. I shall
be most willing to concur in the promotion and honours proposed, both to
the officers and to the men. I await the proposals of the Sea Lords in
respect of the promotion. Naval Secretary should prepare submissions for
the Honours to the King, and, if possible, these should be published, both as
to officers and men, before the Salmon sails again. Perhaps His Majesty
would like himself to see the officer (Lieutenant-Commander Bickford), and
conclude the audience by pinning on the D.S.O. Naval Secretary might find
out what they think about this at the Palace. It seems probable that similar,
though not necessarily the same, awards will be required in the case of the
Commander of the Ursula, and hI stressed the disadvantages which an
occupation of Norway by the British would have for us: the control
of the approaches to the Baltic, the outflanking of our naval
operations and of our air attacks on Britain, the end of our pressure
on Sweden. I also stressed the advantages for us of the occupation
of the Norwegian coast: outlet to the North Atlantic, no possibility of
a British mine barrier, as in the year 1917/18. The Fuehrer saw at
once the significance of the Norwegian problem; he asked me to
leave the notes and stated that he wished to consider the question
himself.
Rosenberg, the Foreign Affairs expert of the Nazi Party, and in charge of a special bureau
to deal with propaganda activities in foreign countries, shared the Admiral's views. He
dreamed of ?converting Scandinavia to the idea of a Nordic community embracing the
northern peoples under the natural leadership of Germany.? Early in 1939, he thought he
404
had discovered an instrument in the extreme Nationalist Party in Norway, which was led by
a former Norwegian Minister of War named Vidkun Quisling. Contacts were established,
and Quisling's activity was linked with the plans of the German Naval Staff through the
Rosenberg organisation and the German Naval Attach?in Oslo.
Quisling and his assistant, Hagelin, came to Berlin on December 14, and were taken by
Raeder to Hitler, to discuss a political stroke in Norway. Quisling arrived with a detailed
plan. Hitler, careful of secrecy, affected reluctance to increase his commitments, and said
he would prefer a neutral Scandinavia. Nevertheless, according to Raeder, it was on this
very day that he gave the order to the Supreme Command to prepare for a Norwegian
operation.
Of all this we, of course, knew nothing. The two Admiralties thought with precision along
the same lines in correct strategy, and one had obtained decisions from its Government.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, the Scandinavian peninsula became the scene of an unexpected conflict which
aroused strong feeling in Britain and France, and powerfully affected the discussions about
Norway. As soon as Germany was involved in war with Great Britain and France, Soviet
Russia in the spirit of her pact with Germany proceeded to block the lines of entry into the
Soviet Union from the west. One passage led from East Prussia through the Baltic States;
another led across the waters of the Gulf of Finland; the third route was through Finland
itself and across the Karelia though progressing
rapidly towards the production stage, will not be available in sufficient
quantities, even if all goes well, for many months to come. We have not
been able so far to give the additional armour protection to our larger ships.
The political situation in the Baltic is as baffling as ever. On the other hand,
the arrival of the Bismarck in September adds greatly to the scale of the
surface resistance to be encountered.
2. But the war may well be raging in 1941, and no one can tell what
opportunities may present themselves then. I wish, therefore, that all the
preparations of various ships and auxiliaries outlined in your table and
marked as ?beneficial? should continue as opportunity offers; that when
ships come into the dockyards for repair or refit, everything should be done
to them which will not delay their return to service. And it would surely be
only common prudence, in view of the attitude of Russia, to go on warning
our destroyers for service in winter seas. I am glad to feel that we are
agreed in this.
* * * * *
Mr. Churchill to First Sea Lord. 15.I.40.
415
So far no ally had espoused our cause. The United States was cooler than in any other
period. I persevered in my correspondence with the President, but with little response. The
Chancellor of the Exchequer groaned about our dwindling dollar resources. We had already
signed a pact of mutual assistance with Turkey, and were considering what aid we could
give her from our narrow margins. The stresses created by the Finnish War had worsened
our relations, already bad, with the Soviets. Any latest fendi bags action we might undertake to help the
Finns might lead to war with Russia. The fundamental antagonisms between the Soviet
Government and Nazi Germany did not prevent the Kremlin actively aiding by supplies and
facilities the development of Hitler's power. Communists in France and any that existed in
Britain denounced the ?imperialist-capitalist? war, and did what they could to hamper work
in the munition factories. They certainly exercised a depressing and subversive influence
within the French Army, already wearied by inaction. We continued to court Italy by
civilities and favourable contracts, but we could feel no security, or progress towards
friendship. Count Ciano was polite to our Ambassador. Mussolini stood aloof.
The Italian Dictator was not, however, without his own misgivings. On January 3, he wrote
a revealing letter to Hitler expressing his distaste fin Continental tangles
in order to make it up to them. In that way you have neither the one thing
nor the other; you have the worst of both worlds.
The Romans had a maxim, ?Shorten your weapons and lengthen your
frontiers.? But our maxim seems to be, ?Diminish your weapons and increase
your obligations.? Aye, and diminish the weapons of your friends.
* * * * *
Italy now made a final attempt to carry out the aforesaid Roman maxim. On March 17,
Italy, Hungary, and Austria signed the so-called Rome Protocols, providing for mutual
consultation in the event of a threat to any of the three parties. But Hitler was growing
steadily stronger, and in May and June subversive activities increased throughout Austria.
76
Dollfuss immediately sent reports on these terrorist acts to Suvich with a note deploring
their depressive effect upon Austrian trade and tourists.
It was with this dossier in his hand that Mussolini went to Venice on June 14 to meet Hitler
for the first time. The German Chancellor stepped from his airplane in a brown mackintosh
and Homburg hat into an array of sparkling Fascist uniforms, with a resplendent and portly
Duce at their head. As Mussolini caught sight of his guest, he murmured to his aide, ?Non
mi piace.? (?I don't like the look of him.?) At this strange meeting, only a general exchange
of ideas took place, with mutual lectures upon the virtues of dictatorship on the German
and Italian models. Mussolini was clearly perplexed both by the personality and language of
his guest. He summed up his final impression in these words, ?A garrulous monk.? He did,
however, extract some assurances of relaxation of German pressure upon Dollfuss. Ciano
told the journalists after the meeting, ?You'll see. Nothing more will happen.?
But the pause in German activities which followed was due not to Mussolini's appeal, but to
Hitler's own internal pre-occupations.
* * * * *
The acquisition of power had opened a deep divergence between the Fuehrer and many of
those who had borne him forward. Under Roehm's leadership the S.A. increasingly
represented the more revolutionary elements of the party. There were senior members of
the party, such as Gregor Strasser, ardent for social revolution, who feared that Hitler in
arriving at the first place would simply be taken over by the existing hierarchy, the
Reichswehr, the bankers, and the industrialists. He would not have been the first
revolutionary leader to kick down the ladder by can be entered upon. In this
august association for collective security we must build up defence forces of
all kinds and combine our action with that of friendly Powers, so that we
may be allowed to live in quiet ourselves and retrieve the woeful
miscalculations of which we are at present the dupes, and of which, unless
we take warning in time, we may some day be the victims.
There lay in my memory at this time some lines from an unknown writer about a railway
accident. I had learnt them from a volume of Punch cartoons which I used to pore over
when I was eight or nine years old at school at Brighton.
Who is in charge of the clattering train?
The axles creak and the couplings strain;
And the pace is hot, and the points are near,
And Sleep has deadened the driver's ear;
And the signals flash through the night in vain,
For Death is in charge of the clattering train.
However, I did not repeat them.
97
* * * * *
It was not until May 22 that Mr. Baldwin made his celebrated confession. I am forced to
cite it:
First of all, with regard to the figure I gave in November of German
aeroplanes, nothing has come to my knowledge since that makes me think
that figure was wrong. I believed at that time it was right. Where I was
wrong was in my estimate of the future. There I was completely wrong. We
were completely misled on that subject.
I would repeat here that there is no occasion, in my view, in what we are
doing, for panic. But I will say this deliberately, with all the knowledge I
have of the situation, that I would not remain for one moment in any
Government which took less determined steps than we are taking today. I
think it is only due to say that there has been a great deal of criticism, both
in the press and verbally, about the Air Ministry as though they were
responsible for possibly an inadequate programme, for not having gone
ahead faster, and for many other things. I only want to repeat that whatever
responsibility there may be? and we are perfectly ready to meet criticism?
that responsibility is not that of any single Minister; it is the responsibility of
the Government as a whole, and we are all responsible, and we are all to
blame.
I hoped that this shocking confession would be a decisive event, and that at the least a
parliamentary committee of all parties would be set up to report upon the facts and upon
our safety. The House of Commons had a different reaction. The Labour and Liberal
Oppositions, having nine min two layers on the sides
of the ?R,? giving the ship the enormous beam of one hundred and forty feet. No
insuperable difficulty exists in fixing these, the inner set in dock and the outer in harbour.
By filling or emptying these caissons the draught of the vessel can be altered at
convenience, and, once past the shallow channel, the ship can be deepened again so as to
bring the armour belt comfortably below the waterline. The speed when fully hoisted might
perhaps be sixteen knots, and when allowed to fall back to normal draught, thirteen or
fourteen. These speeds could be accepted for the operation. They are much better than I
expected.
It is to be noted that the caissons afford admirable additional protection against torpedoes;
they are in fact super-blisters.
It would also be necessary to strengthen the armour deck so as to give exceptional
protection against air bombing, which must be expected.
(2) The caissons will be spoken of as ?galoshes? and the strengthening of the deck as the
?umbrella.?
(3) When the ice in the theatre concerned melts (?) about March, the time for the
operation would arrive. If orders are given for the necessary work by October 1, the
designs being made meanwhile, we have six months, but seven would be accepted. It
would be a great pity to waste the summer; therefore the highest priority would be
required. Estimates of time and money should be provided on this basis.
(4) In principle two ?Rs? should be so prepared, but of course three would be better. Their
Appendix B, Book II
521
only possible antagonists during the summer of 1940 would be the Scharnhorst and
Gneisenau. It may be taken for certain that neither of these ships, the sole resource of
Germany, would expose themselves to the fifteen-inch batteries of the ?Rs,? which would
shatter them.
(5) Besides the ?Rs? thus prepared, a dozen mine-bumpers should be prepared. Kindly let
me have designs. These vessels should be of sufficiently deep draught to cover the ?Rs?
when they follow, and be worked by a small engine-room party from the stern. They would
have a heavy fore-end to take the shock of any exploding mine. One would directly precede
each of the ?Rs.? Perhaps this requirement may be reduced, as the ships will go line ahead.
I can form no picture of these mine-bumpers, but one must expect two or three rows of
mines to be encountered, each of which might knock out one. It may be that ordinary
merchant ships could be used for the purpocan
be spared without prejudice to the Libyan pursuit battle. The
Dodecanese will not get harder for a little waiting. But neither of
them ought to detract from the supreme task of inflicting further
defeats upon the main Italian army. I cannot, of course, pretend
to judge special conditions from here, but Napoleon?s maxim,
?Frappez la masse et tout le reste vient par surcroit,? seems to
ring in one?s ears. I must recur to the suggestion made in my
previous telegram about amphibious operations and landings
behind the enemy?s front to cut off hostile detachments and to
carry forward supplies and troops by sea.
Pray convey my compliments and congratulations to Longmore
on his magnificent handling of the R.A.F. and fine co -operation
with the Army. I hope most of the new Hurricanes have reached
him safely. Tell him we are filling up Furious again with another
even larger packet of flyables from Takoradi. He will also get
those that are being carried through in [Operationbe available at five days? notice to
move into the Delta for internal security or other emergency
employment. The Polish Brigade and the French Volunteer Unit
should move to the Delta from Palestine as may be convenient
and join the general reserve.
9. The movement of the Indian division now embarking or in
transit should be accelerated to the utmost. Unless some of the
troops evacuated from Somaliland and not needed for Aden are
found sufficient to reinforce the Soudan, in addition to
reinforcements from Kenya, this whole division, as is most
419
desirable, should proceed to Suez to join the Army of the Delta
[later called the Army of the Niledo this by fighting his
way to the coast and destroying the armoured troops which stand
between him and the sea with overwhelming force of artillery,
Prime Minister to General Ismay.
24.V.40.
Prime Minister to C.I.G.S.
25.V.40.
85
while covering himself and the Belgian front, which would also
curl back, by strong rearguards? Tomorrow at latest this decision
must be taken.
It should surely be possible for Dill to fly home from any
aerodrome momentarily clear, and R.A.F. should send a whole
squadron to escort him.
Pray find out who was the officer responsible for sending the
order to evacuate Calais yesterday, and by whom this very
lukewarm telegram I saw this morning was drafted, in which
mention is made of ?for the sake of Allied solidarity.? This is not
the way to encourage men to fight to the end. Are you sure there
is no streak of defeatist opinion in the General Staff?
Something like this should be said to the Brigadier defending
Calais: Defence of Calais to the utmost is of the highest
importance to our country and our Army now. First, it occupies a
large part of the enemy?s armoured forces, and keeps them from
attacking our line of communication. Secondly, it preserves a
sally-port from which portions of the British Army may make their
way home. Lord Gort has already sent troops to your aid, and the
Navy will do all possible to keep you supplied. The eyes of the
Empire are upon the defence of Calais, and His Majesty?s
Government are confident that you and your gallant regiment will
perform an exploit worthy of the British name.
This message was sent to Brigadier Nicholson at about 2 P.M. on May 25.
The final decision not to relieve the garrison was taken on the evening of May
26. Till then the destroyers were held ready. Eden and Ironside were with me
at the Admiralty. We three came out from dinner and at 9 P.M. did the deed. It
involved Eden?s own regiment, in which he had long served and fought in the
Prime Minister to Secretary of State for War, and C.I.G.S. 25.V.40.
Prime Minister to C.I.G.S.
25.V.40.
86
previous struggle. One has to eat and drink in war, but I could not help feeling
physically sick as we afterwards sat silent at the table.
Here was the message to the Brigadier:
Every hour you continue to exist is of the greatest help to the
B.E.F. Government has therefore decided you must continue to
fight. Have greatest possible admiration for your splendid stand.
Evacuation will not (repeat not) tathis morning that you had instructed
General Gort to continue to carry out the Weygand plan. General
Weygand now informs me that, according to a telegram from
General Blanchard, the British Army had carried out, on its own
initiative, a retreat of twenty-five miles towards the ports at a
time when our troops moving up from the south are gaining
ground towards the north, where they were to meet their allies.
This action of the British Army is in direct opposition to the formal
orders renewed this morning by General Weygand. This retreat
has naturally obliged General Weygand to change all his
75
arrangements, and he is compelled to give up the idea of closing
the gap and restoring a continuous front. I need not lay any
stress upon the gravity of the possible consequences.
Up to this time General Weygand had been counting on General Fr?re?s army
advancing northward on Amiens, Albert, and P?ronne. They had, in fact, made
no noticeable progress, and were still forming and assembling. The following
are my replies to M. Reynaud:
25.V.40.
My telegram last night told you all we knew over here, and we
have still heard nothing from Lord Gort to contradict it. But I
must tell you that a staff officer has reported to the War Office
confirming the withdrawal of the two divisions from the Arras
region, which your telegram to me mentioned. General Dill, who
should be with Lord Gort, has been told to send a staff officer by
air at the earliest moment. As soon as we know what has
happened, I will report fully. It is clear, however, that the
Northern Army is practically surrounded and that all its
communications are cut except through Dunkirk and Ostend.
25.V.40.
We have every reason to believe that Gort is still persevering in
southward move. All we know is that he has been forced by the
pressure on his western flank, and to keep communication with
Dunkirk for indispensable supplies, to place parts of two divisions
between himself and the increasing pressure of the German
armoured forces, which in apparently irresistible strength have
successively captured Abb?ville and Boulogne, are menacing
Calais and Dunkirk, and have taken St. Omer. How can he move
southward and disengage his northern front unless he throws out
this shield on his right hand? Nothing in the movements of the
B.E.F. of which we are aware can be any excuse for the
abandonment of the strong pressure of your northward move
across the Somme, which we trust will developto the utmost in Kenya in
order to reinforce the Soudan. The one concession which is
needed for Kenya is about ten cruiser tanks. If these were put on
suitable vehicles on the railway, they could strike with deadly
effect, and with surprise, at any Italian movement. But the mere
piling-up of guns and brigades is a most painful process to watch.
In order to raise these points, I must ask that the move of the
Prime Minister to Minister of Supply.
23.IX.40.
{Action this day.)
Prime Minister to Secretary of State for War and C.I.G.S.
23.IX.40.
683
mountain battery from Aden to Kenya shall be held up, and that
instead the question of moving it or another battery to the
Soudan shall be considered. Please let me have a statement
showing ration, rifle, machine-gun, and artillery strength of all
troops in Kenya.
Am delighted that your ship should be named after the great
Duke of Marlborough, and I am sending you one of his
handwritten letters for your Ward Room for luck. Thank you so
much for your kind message.
Lord Lothian?s proposal to return for a flying visit appeals to me.
Pray authorise it, and arrange it as you think most serviceable
and convenient.
If these facts [about the use of the blind beam for bombing
M.A.P. Ministry of Aircraft Production
M.E. Middle East
M.E.W. Ministry of Economic Warfare
M. of I. Ministry of Information
M. of L. Ministry of Labour
M. of S. Ministry of Supply
O.K.H. Oberkommando das Heeres. Supreme Command of the German
Army
O.T.U. Operational Training Unit
P.M. Prime Minister
U.P. Unrelated projectiles, i.e., code name for rockets
V.C.A.S. Vice Chief of the Air Staff
V.C.I.G.S. Vice Chief of the Imperial General Staff
V.C.N.S. Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
W.A.A.F. Women?s Auxiliary Air Force
W.R.N.S. Women?s Royal Naval Service. ?Wrens?
755
Book One
Chapter 1
* Eisenhower ?Crusade in Europe.?
1 The house in Downing Street, usually occupied by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer.
2 The Defence Committee met 40 times in 1940, 76 in 1941, 20 in 1942, 14 in
1943, and 10 in 1944.
Chapter 2
1 Volume 1, page 378.
2 The French ?mobilisation? of five millions included many not under arms ?
e.g., in factories, on the land, etc.
3 ?Operation Royal Marine? was first planned in November, 1939. The mines
were designed to float down the Rhine and destroy enemy bridges and
shipping. They were fed into the river from French territory upstream. See
Volume I, Book II, pages 508?10.
4 As other accounts of what passed have appeared, I asked Lord Ismay, who
was at my side throughout, to give his recollection. He writes:
?We did not sit round a table, and much may have been said as we walked
about in groups. I am positive that you did not express any ?considered
military opinion? on what should be done. When we left London we considered
Notes
756
the break-through at Sedan serious, but not mortal. There had been many
?breakthroughs? in 1914?18, but they had all been stopped, generally by
counterattacks from one or both sides of the salient.
?When you realised that the French High Command felt that all was lost, you
asked Gamelin a number of questions, with, I believe, the dual object, first of
informing yourself as to what had happened and what he proposed to do, and
secondly of stopping the panic. One of these questions was: ?When and where
are you going to counter-attack the flanks of the Bulge? From the north or
from the south?? I am sure that you did not press any particular strategical or
tactical thought upon the conference. The burden of your song was: ?Things
may be bad, but are certainly not incurable.? ?
5 His two volumes, entitled Servir, throw little light either upon his personal
conduct of eveof the rest of
the Australian Corps. Perhaps you will let me have a note on this,
showing especially dates at which the moves can be made.
6. You must not think I am ignoring the position in the Middle
East. On the contrary, it seems to me that we should draw upon
India much more largely, and that a ceaseless stream of Indian
units should be passing into Palestine and Egypt via Bombay and
[by? His tone was extremely peculiar.
Nimoxing, Yin Kexi and the others were familiar with his voice after spending time with him, they were surprised when they heard this voice and all turned towards him. They were even more shocked when they saw his face, it had somehow has completely changed, his face had the appearance of a zombie before but now it looked even odder.
Fawang, Nimoxing and the others were slightly worried, ?So this person possesses such great internal energy, even his face changes. He?s circulating his internal energy so he can immediately strike out; does he want to show the Valley Master a thing or two?? They all put their guards up when they thought about this.
The Valley Master replied, ?My ancestors did work in the Tang court as officials, when they saw what state the court had falling into under Yang Guozhong, they were furious and left to reside in a secluded place.?
Xiaoxiang Zi laughed, ?Your ancestors must have drunk the water that Royal Concubine Yang had washed her feet with.?
Everyone?s face in the hall changed as soon as these words came out. It was a challenge to the Valley Master and he was going to make his move very soon.
Fawang and the others were surprised, thinking, ?This Xiaoxiang Zi is extremely crafty, he always lets other people go first in all matters, why has he volunteered to go first suddenly??
The Valley Master ignored him and signaled to the old long bearded man. The old bearded man said clearly, ?Our Master has treated you with respect as guests, how can you say such things??
Xiaoxiang Zi laughed and said in his strange manner, ?Your ancestor has definitely drunk the foot water of Royal Concubine Yang; if they haven?t drunk it, I?ll cut off my head for you.?
Ma Guangzou was surprised and asked, ?Brother Xiaoxiang, how do you know? Could it be that you drank some that day as well??
Xiaoxiang Zi laughed, his voice changed again as he said, ?If they didn?t drink the foot water and upset their stomachs, what other reason is there for them not to eat meat??
Ma Guangzou clapped and laughed, he called out, ?Yes, yes, it must be for this reason.?
But Fawang and the others frowned, they all felt that Xiaoxiang Zi?s words were going a bit too far; everyone has their own eating habits, how can you use it as a joke? Not mentioning the fact that the six of them were deep in this valley, the people of this valley were definitely not kind people; even if fists had to be raised, a backup plan should b
One of the most fascinating works of history ever written, Winston Churchill's monumental
The Second World War is a six -volume account of the struggle of the Allied powers in
Europe against Germany and the Axis. Told through the eyes of British Prime Minister
Winston Churchill, The Second World War is also the story of one nation's singular, heroic
role in the fight against tyranny. Pride and patriotism are evident everywhere in Churchill's
dramatic account and for good reason. Having learned a lesson at Munich that they would
never forget, the British refused to make peace with Hitler, defying him even after France
had fallen and after it seemed as though the Nazis were unstoppable. Churchill remained
unbowed throughout, as did the people of Britain in whose determination and courage he
placed his confidence.
Patriotic as Churchill was, he managed to maintain a balanced impartiality in his description
of the war. What is perhaps most interesting, and what lends the work its tension and
emotion, is Churchill's inclusion of a significant amount of primary material. We hear his
retrospective analysis of the war, to be sure; but we are also presented with memos,
letters, orders, speeches, and telegrams that give a day-by-day account of the reactionsboth
mistaken and justified-to the unfolding drama. Strategies and counterstrategies
develop to respond to Hitler's ruthless conquest of Europe, his planned invasion of England,
and his treacherous assault on Russia. It is a mesmerizing account of the crucial decisions
that have to be made with imperfect knowledge and an awareness that the fate of the
world hangs in the balance.
The Gathering Storm is the first volume of The Second World War. In some ways a
continuation of The World Crisis, Churchill's history of World War I, The Gathering Storm is
his attempt to come to grips with the terrible circumstances that gave rise to Nazi Germany
and a second, even more destructive world conflict. As he notes in his preface, Churchill
was perhaps the only person who held such prominent positions of power in both world
wars, so he is remarkably well-qualified to tell the tragic story of war to peace to war. The
Gathering Storm considers the stipulations and consequences of the Treaty of Versailles,
the rise of Adolf Hitler, the capitulation at Munich and the entry of the British into the war.
The volume is pervaded by Churchill's somber feeling that the Second World War was
largely a se
Libyan communications while they last.
Let me have the number of A.A. guns now in position, and the
whole maximum content [of them inThe one named Yang, are you going to marry my daughter??
Yang Guo saw that she spoke madly and was impervious to reason; how could she force him to marry her daughter after just speaking a few words? But if he bluntly refuses, it would be extremely embarrassing for Lu E. There?s also the fact that this granny?s martial arts are extremely high and her character extremely weird; if he said any words that were just slightly displeasing, she would kill him immediately. He saw that the most important thing right now was for the three of them to get out of this place so he said, ?Please relax Old Senior; Yang Guo is not a man without a conscience; I will never dare to forget the kindness that Lu E has shown me.? These words were extremely agreeable; though he didn?t agree to marry Lu E, the words pleased the ears of Qiu Qianchi; she nodded, ?You?d better not.?
Gongsun Lu E of course knew what Yang Guo meant by this; as she looked at Yang Guo, there was a look of disappointment in her eyes and she lowered her head. A while passed before she said to Qiu Qianchi, ?Mother, how did you get down here? Why did father say that you were dead and let me stay saddened for all these years? If I?d known you were here, I would have risked my life to come and find you.? She saw that her mother was unclothed; if she let her mother wear Yang Guo?s gown then she would be insufficiently dressed; so she tore the back and front of the gown and draped it over her mother?s shoulders.
Yang Guo was saddened when he saw what a state the gown that Xiao Longnu had made for him had fallen into; it stirred the Passion Flower?s poison and his body broke out with unbearable pain once again.
When Qiu Qianchi saw this, her face moved slightly and her right hand searched for something on her person; but after a thought, her hand came out empty handed.
From her mother?s expression and actions, Lu E had an inkling of her mother?s thoughts; she pleaded, ?Mother, can you cure the Passion Flower?s poison that brother Yang has in him??
Qiu Qianchi said in a subdued manner, ?I have my own troubles being trapped down here; if others can?t save me, how can I save others??
Lu E said anxiously, ?Mother, if you save brother Yang, he will definitely help you. Even if you can?t save him, brother Yang will do all he can to help you. Isn?t that right brother Yang??
Yang Guo did not have a good opinion of Qiu Qianchi but he should help her on behalf of Lu E; so he said, ?Of course. Senior has beenagainst us. It is therefore a race. They will not be able to get
Prime Minister to Secretary of State for War.
27.VI.40.
Prime Minister to Professor Lindemann.
29.VI.40.
173
the captured factories working immediately, and meanwhile we
shall get round the invasion danger through the growth of our
defences and Army strength. But what sort of relative outputs
must be faced next year unless we are able to bomb the newly
acquired German plants? Germany also, being relieved from the
need of keeping a gigantic army in constant contact with the
French Army, must have spare capacity for the air and other
methods of attacking us. Must we not expect this will be very
great? How soon can it come into play? Hitherto I have been
looking at the next three months because of the emergency, but
what about 1941? It seems to me that only immense American
supplies can be of use in turning the corner.
* * * * *
As the month of June ground itself out, the sense of potential invasion at any
moment grew upon us all.
The Admiralty charts of tides and state of the moon, Humber,
Thames Estuary, Beachy Head, should be studied with a view to
ascertaining on which days conditions will be most favourable to
a sea-borne landing. The Admiralty view is sought.
A landing or descent in Ireland was always a deep anxiety to the Chiefs of
Staff. But our resources seemed to me too limited for serious troop
movements.
It would be taking an undue risk to remove one of our only two
thoroughly equipped divisions out of Great Britain at this
Prime Minister to General Ismay.
30.VI.40.
Prime Minister to General Ismay.
30.VI.40.
174
juncture. Moreover, it is doubtful whether the Irish situation will
require the use of divisional formations complete with their
technical vehicles as if for Continental war. The statement that it
would take ten days to transport a division from this country to
Ireland, even though every preparation can be made beforehand,
is not satisfactory. Schemes should be prepared to enable two or
three lightly equipped brigades to move at short notice, and in
not more than three days, into Northern Ireland. Duplicate
transport should be sent on ahead. It would be a mistake to send
any large force of artillery to Ireland. It is not at all likely that a
naval descent will be effected there. Air-borne descents cannot
carry much artillery. Finally, nothing that can happen in Ireland
can be imitation louis vuitton wallets immediately decisive.
* * * * *
In bringing home the In addition to the above, at
least three batteries of British artillery, although horse -drawn,
must be embarked immediately from India for Suez. Admiralty to
arrange transport.
10. Most of the above movements should be completed between
September 15 and October 1, and on this basis the Army of the
Delta should comprise:
(1) The British Armoured Force in Egypt.
(2) The four British battalions at Mersa Matruh, the two at
Alexandria, and the two in Cairo ? total, eight.
(3) The three battalions from the Canal Zone.
(4) The reserve British Brigade from Palestine ? total, fourteen
British Regular infantry battalions.
(5) The New Zealand Brigade.
(6) The Australian Brigade from Palestine.
(7) The Polish Brigade.
(8) Part of the Union Brigade from East Africa.
(9) The Fourth Indian Division now in rear of Mersa Matruh.
(10) The new Indian division in transit.
(11) The eleven thousand men in drafts arriving almost at once at
Suez.
(12) All the artillery (one hundred and fifty guns) now in the
Middle East or en route from India.
(13) The Egyptian Army so far as it can be used for field
operations.
420
11. The above should constitute by October 1, at the latest thirtynine
battalions, together with the armoured forces; a total of
56,000 men and 212 guns. This is exclusive of internal security
troops.
(Part II)
12. It is hoped that the armoured brigade from England of three
regiments of tanks will be passed through the Mediterranean by
the Admiralty. If this is impossible, their arrival round the Cape
may be counted upon during the first fortnight in October. The
arrival of this force in September must be deemed so important
as to justify a considerable degree of risk in its transportation.
(Part III) Tactical employment of the above force:
13. The Mersa Matruh position must be fortified completely and
with the utmost speed. The sector held by the three Egyptian
battalions must be taken over by three British battalions, making
the force homogeneous. This must be done even if the Egyptian
Government wish to withdraw the artillery now in the hands of
these three battalions. The possibility of reinforcing by sea the
Mersa Matruh position and cutting enemy communications, once
they have passed by on their march to the Delta, must be studied
with the Naval Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet.
Alternatively a descent upon the communications at Sollum or
farther west may be preferred.
14. All water supplies between Mersashould be most leniently viewed,
even if the consequences are not pleasant.
1. Mr. Dulanty is thoroughly friendly to England. He was an officer under me
in the Ministry of Munitions in 1917/18, but he has no control or authority in
Southern Ireland (so-called Eire). He acts as a general smoother,
representing everything Irish in the most favourable light. Three-quarters of
the people of Southern Ireland are with us, but the implacable, malignant
minority can make so much trouble that De Valera dare not do anything to
offend them. All this talk about partition and the bitterness that would be
healed by a union of Northern and Southern Ireland will amount to nothing.
They will not unite at the present time, and we cannot in any circumstances
sell the loyalists of Northern Ireland. Will you kindly consider these
observations as the basis upon which Admiralty dealings with Southern
Ireland should proceed?
2. There seems to be a good deal of evidence, or at any rate suspicion, that
the U-boats are being succoured from West of Ireland ports by the
malignant section with whom De Valera dare not interfere. And we are
debarred from using Berehaven, etc. If the U-boat campaign became more
dangerous we should coerce Southern Ireland both about coast watching
and the use of Berehaven, etc. However, if it slackens off under our counter -
attacks and protective measures, the Cabinet will not be inclined to face the
First Lord to First Sea Lord and others. 24.IX.39.
First Lord to First Sea Lord, D.C.N.S. and D.N.I. (For general
guidance.) (Most secret.)
24.IX.39.
556
serious issues which forcible measures would entail. It looks therefore as if
the present bad situation will continue for the present. But the Admiralty
should never cease to formulate through every channel its complaints about
it, and I will from time to time bring our grievances before the Cabinet. On
no account must we appear to acquiesce in, still less be contented with, the
odious treatment we are receiving.
While anxious not to fetter in any way the discretion of C.-in-C., Home Fleet,
I think it might be as well for you to point out that the sending of heavy
ships far out into the North Sea will certainly entail bombing attacks from
aircraft, and will not draw German warships from their harbours. Although
there were no hits on the last occasion, there might easily have been losses
disproportionate to the tactical objects in view. This opinion was expressed
to me by the hundred
and fifty to two hundred aircraft, and the two hundred and fifty
thousand rifles, also anything else that is going? I consider we
were promised all the above, and more too. Not an hour should
be lost in raising these questions. ?Beg while the iron is hot.?
I am very pleased with this telegram [about the Cavalry Division
in Palestine It has been heartbreaking to me to watch these
splendid units fooled away for a whole year. The sooner they
form machine-gun battalions, which can subsequently be
converted into motor battalions, and finally into armoured units,
the better. Please let nothing stand in the way. It is an insult to
the Scots Greys and Household Cavalry to tether them to horses
at the present time. There might be something to be said for a
few battalions of infantry or cavalrymen mounted on ponies for
the rocky hills of Palestine, but these historic Regular regiments
have a right to play a man?s part in the war. I hope I may see
your telegram approving this course before it goes.
I have read your papers on the new programme. I understand
you are going to redraft your Memorandum after reading the one
1 presented to the Cabinet in March. I am not content at all with
the refusal to reconstruct the Royal Sovereign class.9 I think
these should have precedence over all battleships, except those
which can finish by the end of 1942. This would mean that you
could get on with the Howe, the position of the other five capital
ships being considered next year when the time for presenting
the navy estimates comes. I see no reason why work should not
proceed on the aircraft-carrier Indefatigable, and on the eight
suspended cruisers. I am quite ready to approve the |
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