Chapter 55 Volume 2, Chapter 13, Desperation｜July 1940

Can Britain survive?America's apprehensions Britain's resoluteness As simple as it is, it's reassuring Hitler's 19th of July peace proposal Our response Germany's diplomatic contacts rejected Sweden's king's activities I visit the threatened coast General Montgomery and station in Brighton Importance of the 3rd Division Buses Brooke succeeds Ironside in command of Home Forces My contacts with General Brooke are part of the instructions and memorandums issued in July The defense of London The state of the threatened coastal areas Statistics concerning the growth and equipment of the army Lindemann's Diagram 2nd Canadian Division's move to Iceland Cancellation of plans should prevent enemy ships from massing in the English Channel American rifles arrive in England Special precautions French seven-fifth guns German additional batteries in the English Channel Our countermeasures I arrive Dover visits Admiral Ramsay kindly induces and urges improvement of our batteries shallow water gunboat HMS Erebus Defense of Cape Kent During September the test of growth of British heavy artillery concentration of our forces is passed.

After the fall of France in the summer of 1940, we were left alone.Neither the British Dominions, nor India, nor the colonies can give us strong support or timely supplies.The victorious German army, well equipped, with many captured weapons and arsenals in the rear, is now massing for the final blow against us.Italy, with its mighty army, has declared war on us, bent on crushing us in the Mediterranean and in Egypt.In the Far East, Japan stared at us with ulterior motives and bluntly demanded that the Burma Road be blocked and supplies to China be cut off.Soviet Russia had treaty obligations to Nazi Germany and heavily assisted Hitler with raw materials.Spain has occupied the Tangier International Condominium [1], and may become our enemy at any time, and ask for Gibraltar, or ask the German army to assist it in attacking Gibraltar, or set up artillery to block the passage of the Strait of Gibraltar.France, under the governments of Pétain and Bordeaux, recently relocated to Vichy, may at any moment be forced to declare war on us.What was left of the French fleet at Toulon looked set to fall to the Germans.Indeed, we have many enemies.

【1】Before World War II, Tangier was jointly administered by Britain, France, Spain and Italy.After the outbreak of the war, France was defeated, and Spain sent troops to occupy Tangier on June 14, 1940; in December of the same year, it announced the abolition of international condominium and incorporated Tangier into Spanish Morocco.After Morocco became independent, sovereignty over Tangier was restored.translator After the Oran incident, all countries have seen that the British government and the British people are determined to fight to the end. However, although there is no weakness in morale in Britain, how can these serious concrete difficulties be overcome?We know that our domestic army has no weapons of any kind except rifles.In fact, there are less than 500 field guns of various types and less than 200 medium and heavy tanks in the country.It will be many months before our factories can produce the munitions that will replace our losses at Dunkirk.Is it any wonder that the world generally believes that our end has come?

Extreme panic and unrest prevailed throughout the United States, as did all other surviving free nations.Americans wonder to themselves with a heavy heart: Is it proper to waste one's own very limited resources indulging in a generous and hopeless affection?Should they not redeem themselves for their own neglect of war, with the care and love of every weapon?It takes very good judgment to set aside such compelling, fact-based arguments.Britain is indebted to that wise President and his key officials and senior advisers, who never lost faith in our destiny and will, even in the face of a third presidential election.

It is an honor for me to be able to express that the British people have that spirit of optimism and composure which can save the day.We Britons, who in the pre-war years had fallen into extreme pacifism and short-sightedness, obsessed with party politics; A task: to liquidate their past good intentions and negligent arrangements at the same time.They are not at all frustrated.They scorned the conquerors of Europe.It appeared that they would rather bloody their native England than surrender.This will write a glorious page in history.There have been stories of this kind in the past, and the Athenians were once conquered by Sparta.The Carthaginians once fought against Rome alone.There are many such records in the annals of the past, and there are many tragedies that are not recorded at all or are forever forgotten by people: some heroic, proud and optimistic countries, or even entire nations are wiped out, and only their names are left. Even the name was lost.

Not many Britons, and even fewer foreigners, understand the unique military-technical advantages of our insular status; It is not generally recognized that important facilities are maintained on the Internet.It was nearly a thousand years ago that the Britons saw enemy campfires on English soil. At the climax of the British War of Resistance, everyone was very calm and would rather risk their lives to fight to the death.This is our mood, and the world, friend and foe alike, is gradually recognizing it.What is the basis for this feeling?That is, only violence can solve the problem. There is another side to things.One of our greatest crises in June was when we transferred our last reserves to France to participate in the fruitless resistance of the French army, while our air force was gradually weakened by sorties or transfers to the mainland.Had Hitler been wise, he would have slowed down his attack on the French front, or stopped on the Seine line for three or four weeks after Dunkirk, while at the same time making preparations to invade Britain.In this way he has a wide range of choices, and we are in a dilemma: either abandon France and let it suffer; or use up our last resources for our future existence.The more we encourage France to fight, the greater our commitment to her support becomes, and the more difficult it is to prepare everything for the defense of Britain, and especially to keep the twenty-five squadrons of fighter jets which are vital to Britain's life and death.We will not budge an inch on this point, but to refuse would surely arouse the immense indignation of our struggling allies, and poison all our relations.Some of our senior commanders even expressed a practical sense of relief when speaking of our new and greatly simplified situation.As a waiter at a soldier's club in London said to a dejected member: "At any rate, sir, we've made it to the final, and it's on our own playing field!"

Even today, the German High Command does not underestimate our strength. Ciano said that on July 7, 1940, when he was visiting Hitler in Berlin, he had a long conversation with General von Keitel.Keitel, like Hitler, spoke to him about attacking Britain.He has repeatedly said that, so far, no firm decision has been made.He thought the landing was possible, but had to be very cautious, considering that it was an extremely difficult battle, since the information available on the island nation's military preparations and coastal defenses was poor and unreliable . [1] Large-scale air strikes on the airfields, factories, and major communication hubs of Great Britain seem easy and necessary, but it should also be taken into account that the British Air Force is extremely powerful.Keitel estimated that the British had about fifteen hundred aircraft ready for defense and counterattack.He acknowledged that the RAF had recently stepped up its offensive operations significantly.The bombing missions were carried out with exceptional precision, and the dispatched fleet amounted to as many as 80 aircraft at a time. However, Britain had a great shortage of pilots, and the current group of pilots attacking German cities could not be replaced by completely untrained newcomers. Pilot to replace.Keitel strongly advocated attacking Gibraltar in order to disintegrate the British imperial system.As for how long the war would last, neither Keitel nor Hitler mentioned it.Only Himmler happened to say that the war should be over by the beginning of October.

[1] Ciano: "Diplomatic Documents" page 378. That was the case with Ciano's report.He also proposed to Hitler based on Mussolini's good intentions to send ten army divisions and thirty air force squadrons to participate in the aggression.Army was politely declined.Several squadrons were sent, but with poor results, as will be discussed below. On July 19, Hitler delivered a triumphant speech in the Reichstag, predicting that I would soon take refuge in Canada, and then made his so-called peace proposal.Here are some powerful words from it: At this moment, I ask myself, and I feel it is my duty to appeal again to Great Britain and to other nations, to appeal to reason and common sense.I consider myself in a position to make this appeal, for I am not a loser begging for a boon, but a victor, speaking for reason.I see no reason for the war to continue.When I think about the scars caused by war, I feel sad.

Perhaps Mr. Churchill will dismiss my speech as mere fear and doubt of final victory.If this is the case, no matter what happens in the future, I will not be condemned by conscience. In the days following Hitler's gesture, German diplomacy began in Sweden, the United States and the Vatican.Hitler, having brought Europe to his will, was naturally more than happy to obtain British acknowledgment of what he had done, thus ending the war.In fact, his proposal was not peace, but Britain's immediate abandonment of all purposes for which it entered the war.When the German Chargé d'Affaires in Washington tried to get in touch with my ambassador, I sent the following telegram:

July 20, 1940 I do not know whether Lord Halifax is in Washington today, but Lord Lothian should be informed that no reply should be made to the German chargé d'affaires. However, my initial thought was to have a serious formal debate in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons.I therefore write to Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Attlee at the same time: July 20, 1940 Hitler's speeches probably deserved to be answered by resolutions in both houses of parliament.Resolutions should be introduced by members of both chambers.But on the other hand, doing so will also increase our burden.What is your opinion?

My colleagues agreed that this would be overkill.It was decided instead that the Foreign Secretary would reject Hitler's gesture by radio.On the evening of the 22nd, the Foreign Minister brushed aside Hitler's exhortation to surrender on his own terms.He contrasted the vision of Hitler's Europe with the Europe we fought for, and declared that we will not cease fighting until freedom is assured.In fact, however, the British newspapers and the BBC, having heard Hitler's speech on the radio, rejected any idea of ​​negotiations without waiting for His Majesty's Government. Referring to his other meeting with Hitler on July 20, Ciano said: The reaction of the British newspapers to Hitler's speech yesterday showed that there was no prospect of an understanding at all, and Hitler therefore prepared to deal a military blow to Britain. He emphasized that Germany's strategic position and the scope of its efforts and economic control had already greatly weakened the possibility of British resistance, so in the first round Great Britain would collapse.The airstrikes started a few days ago and have been intensified.British anti-aircraft installations and fighter jets were unable to effectively stop the German air attack.We have made full preparations and are now studying how to launch a decisive attack. 【１】 [1] Ciano: "Diplomatic Documents" page 381. Ciano also recorded in his diary: On the evening of the 19th, when the British's indifferent response first came, there was an unconcealed sense of disappointment among the Germans.Hitler was willing to come to an understanding with Great Britain.He knew that the war against England was a bloody one, and he knew that people everywhere had an aversion to bloodshed.Mussolini, on the other hand, feared that the British might find an excuse in Hitler's extremely cunning speech to start negotiations.Ciano said: This will disappoint Mussolini, because he needs war now more than ever. 【1】He needn't worry.The war he needed would come sooner or later.There is no doubt that Germany continues to conduct diplomacy behind the scenes.On August 3rd, the King of Sweden considered that the time had come to discuss the matter with us. I proposed to the Foreign Minister to reply him with the following words, and the official reply was written on this basis: (‧开‧start) On October 12, 1939, His Majesty's government made a thoughtful report to Parliament on Germany's peace proposal, explaining its position in detail. Since then, Nazi Germany has invaded its small neighboring country and committed a new and heinous series of crimes.Norway has been ravaged and is now occupied by an army of German invaders.Denmark was attacked and plundered.Although Belgium and Holland tried their best to meet Mr. Hitler's wishes, and the German government gave them various guarantees of respect and neutrality, they were still occupied and enslaved by the German army.Especially in the Netherlands, the insidious and cruel acts that have been planned for a long time have reached a point of no return in the massacre of Lujiangdam, in which thousands of Dutch people were killed and important parts of the city were destroyed. . [1] "Ciano's Diary" two hundred and seventy-seventh two hundred and seventy-eight pages. These terrible events have left a dark record in the annals of European history, staining it with an indelible stain.His Majesty's Government has learned from these events that there is no reason to depart from the resolutions and established principles they adopted in October 1939.On the contrary, they are determined to use all means possible to carry the war against Germany to the end, until Hitlerism is completely smashed, and the world is liberated from the disaster brought by a villain. Their determination is so firm : They would rather die together than cower or shirk their responsibilities.They are convinced that, with God's help, they will never be helpless in accomplishing their task.The task may be long-term; but, as Germany did in 1918, it may at any time demand an armistice or openly propose peace, but before any such demand or proposal is made, Germany must The words made effective guarantees for the restoration of a free and independent life in Czechoslovakia, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, and especially France, while at the same time providing effective security guarantees for Great Britain and the British Empire in a general peace. (over) I added: I feel that some concepts in the memorandum of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seem to be too clever and red tape in the form of policy, which is not suitable for the current era and the solemn and simple atmosphere of the relevant issues.At present, we have no achievements at all, and the slightest opening will cause misunderstanding.A firm answer like the one I drafted is the only way to compel Germany to make proposals that are not empty words. On the same day, I issued the following statement to the press: August 3, 1940 The Prime Minister wants everyone to understand that the possibility of an attempted German attack is by no means closed. We should be doubly skeptical about the rumors that the Germans are spreading that they do not intend to attack, and we have always doubted what they are saying. We feel that our strength is growing and our preparation is increasing, but we must not let our guard down or relax our spirits. At the end of June the Chiefs of Staff recommended to me in Cabinet, through General Ismay, that I should inspect the threatened areas along the eastern and southern coasts. I therefore set aside a day or two each week for this pleasant occupation, sleeping when necessary in my special train; I had all my facilities on board for my daily work, and was in constant communication with Whitehall.I inspected the Tyne and the Humber, and many possible landfalls.The Canadian Division (which was soon to be supplemented by a division transferred to Iceland) held an exercise for me in Kent.I inspected the landing fortifications at Harwich and Dover.On one of my first inspections I visited the 3rd Division under General Montgomery, a general I had not seen before.My wife is with me.The 3rd Division was stationed near Brighton.The division had been prioritized for re-equipping and was preparing to be transferred to France when French resistance ended.General Montgomery, who had his headquarters near Sterning, gave me a little maneuver, the chief feature of which was the flanking movements of light machine-gun vehicles, of which he could only muster seven or eight at that time.After the maneuvers we drove together up the coast, past Shawlong and Hove, to the well-known Brighton Line, of which I have many childhood memories.We had lunch at the Royal Albion Hotel, just facing the end of the quay.The restaurant is completely empty, and most of the people here have evacuated, but some people are still walking by the beach or on the playground.I saw a group of soldiers from the 1st Regiment of the Guards building a machine-gun stronghold with sandbags in a pavilion on the pier.The weather on this day is very pleasant.I had a pleasant conversation with the general and enjoyed the trip.However: (Same day action only) prime minister to secretary of state for war July 3, 1940 I was disturbed, but more disturbed, by the fact that the Third Division was deployed along a thirty-mile stretch of the coast, and not, as I had imagined, concentrated in reserve, ready to meet the advance of an enemy invasion force. Surprised that the division's infantry, while otherwise adequately mechanized, lacked the buses necessary to transport soldiers to combat locations [1].Having buses ready and ready for immediate use is of the utmost importance to all mechanized units, but especially to the 3rd Division which is spread out over such a long coast. [1] This is the old method I devised for the Marine Brigade of the Royal Navy Division when I landed on the coast of France in September 1914.We collected fifty buses from the streets of London, and the Admiralty sent them to France overnight. I have heard similar complaints from Portsmouth, where the troops have not yet had transports ready and ready for use.Given the abundance of domestic means of transport, both buses and trucks, and the many motorists returning with the British Expeditionary Force, this shortcoming should be compensated at once.In any case, I would like you to inform the Commander of the 3rd Division today that, if he wishes, he may requisition the large number of buses that have hitherto been running up and down the Brighton seafront for excursions. In mid-July the Secretary of State for War suggested that General Ironside should be replaced by General Brooke in command of the Home Forces.On July 19, as I continued my inspection of areas of possible intrusion, I visited Southern Command.They held some sort of tactical maneuver for me, with no fewer than a dozen tanks (!) participating in this maneuver.I spent the whole afternoon in a car with General Brooke, who commanded this line of defense.His exploits are remarkable. Not only because he fought a decisive flank battle near the Ypres as our army retreated to Dunkirk, but also in command of the new troops we sent to France during the first three weeks of June. When he was in the army, he faced unimaginable difficulties and chaos, but with his extraordinary perseverance and vigilance, he fulfilled his responsibility.I was also connected personally with Alan Brooke through two of his brave brothers, my friends from early military life[1]. [1] When I joined the 4th Hussars, his brother Victor was in the 9th Lancers, and I formed a deep friendship with him between 1895 and 1896.On one occasion his horse reared up and fell backwards, breaking his pelvis and causing him lifelong pain, yet he continued to serve and was able to ride.During the retreat from Mons in 1914 he was honorably killed by exhaustion while serving as our liaison officer with the French cavalry divisions.General Brooke also has a brother named Ronnie.He was older than Victor and several years older than me.In 1895-1898 he was considered a rising star in the British Army.This is not only because he has made outstanding achievements in the previous battles at that time, but also because he was outstanding in the staff school.In the South African War he was adjutant-deputy in the South African Hussars (which had six battalions of cavalry), and I was assistant adjutant for some months during the reinforcements to Ladysmith.We fought together at Spinkop, Valkrantz, and along the Tugela River.I learned a lot of tactics from him.On the night Ladysmith was liberated, we rode into the city together.Later, in 1903, although I was only a young member of Parliament at that time, I was able to help him direct the Somalia campaign, in which he again gained a high reputation.He suffered from severe arthritis in his early years. During the First World War, he could only command a reserve brigade at home.Our friendship lasted until his early death in 1925. My opinion on major questions of selection does not rest on these personal connections and memories, but they are the basis of the personal friendship on which my ongoing wartime relationship with Alan Brooke has continued and has grown. Mature.On that July afternoon in 1940, we drove together for four hours, and we seemed to agree on Homeland Defense.After the necessary consultations with the others, I agreed with the Secretary of State for War that Brooke should succeed General Ironside in command of the Home Forces.Ironside accepted the advice to retire with the military dignity which is characteristic of him in all circumstances. During the year and a half of the threat of invasion Brooke organized and commanded the Home Forces, and then he was appointed Chief of the Imperial General Staff, and we continued to work together for another three and a half years until victory was achieved.I will go on to describe the many benefits I gained from his persuasion in August 1942 to make a decisive change in command in Egypt and the Middle East, and in the command of Operation Overlord, which crossed the sea and attacked the mainland in 1944. The reason for his great disappointment.His long tenure as Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff and Chief of the Imperial Staff for most of the war made him a significant service not only to the British Empire but to the Allies as well.In the various volumes of this book I will occasionally refer to some of our differences, but also to mention our many very agreeable views in common, and to show a friendship I cherish. At this time, we are watching more and more carefully and tenaciously the possibility of enemy invasion.Some of my memos will show this process. (Same day action only) Prime Minister to Air Secretary and Chief of Air Staff July 3, 1940 It is reported that all parties concerned agree that you should concentrate your efforts on bombing the ships and barges in the ports controlled by the German army. prime minister to general ismay July 2, 1940 See letter from Mr Wedgwood MP (on London Defense).This letter is very interesting and has its own characteristics.How is the situation in London?I have a very clear view, that is: we have to fight every inch of London, so that it can eat a large number of invading troops. Prime Minister to Mr Wedgwood July 5, 1940 Thank you for your letter.I hope to get more rifles soon to continue arming the National Guard (Local Defense Volunteers).Believe me, we will defend every street in London and its suburbs. If the invading enemy dares to penetrate into London, London will eat it. However, we still hope to drown most of them in the sea. good. Oddly enough, the German Army Commander in charge of planning the invasion had also used the word eat in relation to London, and now decided to avoid it. prime minister to general ismay July 4, 1940 What measures are currently being taken to encourage and assist those living in threatened ports to build proper shelters in case of enemy invasion?Active steps should be taken immediately.Military officers or representatives of the local authorities should go door to door and explain to those families who do not heed our advice and decide to stay, to stay in the basement and to brace the building above.They should be provided with advice and assistance with materials.Their gas masks should be checked. These efforts should be actively pursued starting today.Such an approach would facilitate their voluntary evacuation while at the same time making proper preparations for those who remained. prime minister to general ismay July 5, 1940 At present, clear instructions should be issued to the relevant departments on the issue of residents living in threatened areas along the coast: (1) Every possible effort should be made to encourage them to evacuate voluntarily. Propaganda is carried out locally (not nationally) through local governors or local groups. To those who wish to stay, or who have nowhere to go, say that once they meet an invading enemy in their coastal towns, they cannot go until the war is over.Therefore, they should be encouraged and helped to tidy up the basement so that they have a safe place to hide.They should be supplied with the various Anderson home bomb shelters they have (I hear there are some new ones that don't use steel). Only those who can be trusted are allowed to stay.Suspects must all leave. Please draw up specific plans on these points and submit them to me for approval. Prime Minister to Professor Lindemann July 7, 1940 (Copy sent to General Ismay) I intend to have the Bureau of Statistics draw up a chart of the equipment of the thirty divisions, showing the progress of their complete equipment.Each division is represented by a square, and each square is divided into the following parts, respectively: officers and personnel, rifles, light machine guns, light machine gun vehicles, anti-tank guns, anti-tank guns, field guns, medium field guns (if any) and enough transport for three brigades at the same time, etc.When most of the equipment represented by these small squares is completed, the chart can be colored red. I like to review the chart once a week.The same diagram could be drawn for the National Guard, but it would suffice to illustrate only the rifles and uniforms. prime minister to secretary of state for war July 7, 1940 You were as surprised as I was when General MacLaughton informed us yesterday that the 2nd Canadian Division was fully dispatched to Iceland.It is of course a great mistake to put such an elite force into such a distant battlefield.Apparently the first three battalions had already started.No one has ever heard of it.We should organize the two Canadian divisions into one corps as soon as possible. I have taken full note of the arguments concerning training etc., but none of those arguments convince me.We should conduct a full re-examination in this regard.Of course, the second-line home defense force could be transferred to Iceland, and they should be fortified at key points, and then equipped with an elite battalion of the Gubbins type to strike at any enemy troops that landed.I would be very grateful if you would take care of this matter. Prime Minister to Admiralty and First Sea Lord July 7, 1940 1. I do not understand why any ship is tolerated without attacking the French coast.Just using the Air Force is certainly not enough.Destroyers should be dispatched under the cover of aircraft.Are we really going to sit back and watch the Germans build up a huge fleet in the English Channel right next to our bedside, and sail up and down the Straits of Dover with aplomb?This is a new and very threatening beginning that must be fought back. 2. I would like to have a report sent to me not only to clarify the above-mentioned points, but also to explain the state of our minefields over there and how they can be improved.Did the mines lose their effectiveness after ten months?If this is the case, several new rows should be laid.Why not try to lay a minefield in the French shipping lanes at night, awaiting the arrival of enemy ships to clear the passage?We must not deprive ourselves of our navy just because the Germans hold the French coast.If the Germans were to fire on us, a huge warship should be sent down to bombard them under proper air cover. In July, a large shipment of American weapons arrived safely in England across the Atlantic.I think this is a big deal, so I have repeatedly issued orders that great care should be taken in shipping and receiving. prime minister to secretary of state for war July 7, 1940 I have asked the Admiralty to make special arrangements for the introduction of your rifle convoy into port.They have sent four destroyers to meet them from afar, and they will all enter the port on the 9th.You can inquire with the Admiralty about the time of arrival.I am very pleased to hear that you have made all preparations for unloading, receiving and distributing this batch of rifles.At least 100,000 rifles should be delivered to the troops that night or at one or two o'clock the next morning.These weapons and munitions should be distributed by special vehicles on time and accurately according to the plan formulated in advance, and senior officers who are thoroughly familiar with this business should go to the port of loading and unloading to take charge of the command.It appears that you may be in favor of distribution to the coastal areas first, so that the National Guard in the danger zone will be the first to receive these weapons.I would like you to inform me in advance of the method you have decided on. prime minister to general ismay July 8, 1940 What steps have been taken regarding the subsequent shipment of American ammunition and ammunition by faster ships than the previous one?I don't know what kind of ships transported the recently consigned batch of arms. What is the speed of these ships?You'd better check with the Admiralty to find out. prime minister to secretary of the navy July 27, 1940 Consignments of guns and ammunition were coming in in such great quantities that nothing we had ever shipped by sea, except the Canadian division, could match this consignment.Don't forget that two hundred thousand rifles means two hundred thousand people because people are waiting for these guns.It is really good that the ships for delivery can only arrive on July 31st, and we should do our best to ensure that they arrive safely.It would be a most unfortunate thing to lose these guns and field artillery. By the time the ships carrying the most precious weapons reach our shores from America, special trains are waiting at the various ports for loading.The National Guards of the counties, towns and villages stayed up all night waiting to receive these weapons.Both men and women work day and night to equip these weapons for use.By the end of July, we were an armed nation in terms of dealing with enemy paratroopers and airlift-landed troops, and we were now a hornet's nest.At any rate, if we had to fight (and I do not expect such a thing), many of our men and some of our women had arms in their hands.The arrival of the first half a million rifles of caliber 0.303 for the National Guard (although only about fifty rounds of factories have not yet started manufacturing), we will be able to allocate 300,000 British .303 caliber rifles to the growing regular army. Some fastidious specialists despise the seventy-five guns with a thousand rounds each.Now there is no tractor to pull the gun, no immediate way to get more ammunition.The different calibers brought many difficulties in operation, but I don't care about these. Throughout 1940 and 1941, the 900 75 guns greatly increased the combat power of our National Guard.A lot of machinery was designed, and a crew was trained to push the guns off the boards and onto trucks for transport.When you are fighting for survival, any gun is better than no gun. Since the British 25 gun and the German howitzer, this French 75 gun has become obsolete, but it is still a must. A very good weapon. We paid great attention to the addition of German heavy artillery in the English Channel in August and September.The places where the forts are especially dense are near Calais and Cap Graynose, and it is obvious that their purpose is not only to prevent our warships from entering the channel, but also to control the shortest route across the channel.We now know that by mid-September the following cannon had been erected for use in this area: (1) In the south of Gray Nose Point, the Siegfried Fort is equipped with four 38cm caliber cannons. (2) There are three 3.5cm caliber cannons in the Friedrich-August Fort north of Bugne. (3) In Huibijiao, there are four cannons with a caliber of 28 cm in the Fortress of the Grand Elder Marquis. (4) Between Calais and Cape Blanche, the Duke Henry's Fort is equipped with two 28 cm caliber cannons. （5）在加來東邊，奧登貝格炮台設有二十四公分口徑的大炮二門。 （6）在灰鼻角｜加來地區，M‧1，M‧2，M‧3，M‧4炮台一共設有十七公分口徑的大炮十四門。 除此之外，到八月底，為了防禦而沿法國海岸架設的德國陸軍重型和中型炮台不下三十五座，另外，還用繳獲的大炮架設了七座。 六月間，我曾下令在多佛爾海角架設射程可達海峽對岸的大炮，現在已經收到了成果，儘管成果不如預期的那樣大。 我個人很關懷這件事。我在今年夏季動盪不安的那幾個月裡，曾經到多佛爾去視察過幾次。在城堡的要塞中，巨大的地下走廊和地下室都是在白堊層中挖成的，城堡有寬闊的陽台，天氣晴朗時在陽台可以望見現在落入敵人之手的法國海岸。當時的司令官海軍上將拉姆齊是我的朋友。他是第四輕騎兵團一名上校的兒子，我年輕時曾在這位上校手下服務，那時拉姆齊還是小孩子，我常常看見他到奧爾得肖特的兵營廣場來。 戰前三年，他因為和本土艦隊司令意見不合辭去了參謀長職務，他為這件事同我商量過。這次，我和他談了很長的時間，然後和多佛爾要塞司令一同去視察我們那些正在迅速改進的防禦工事。 我在多佛爾和倫敦仔細研究了有關的情報，這些情報幾乎每天都報導了德國炮台的發展狀況。我在八月間就多佛爾炮擊對岸一事發出的一連串備忘錄表明，我很想在對方的大炮來不及還擊之前摧毀他們的一些重炮陣地。我深信，這在八月間就能辦到，因為我們至少擁有三門射程可達海峽對岸的最大的重型大炮。後來，由於德軍力量太強，所以我們不能和他們硬拚。 prime minister to general ismay 一九四○年八月三日 一‧我命令在多佛爾架設的十四吋口徑大炮應及早安裝就緒，以便對付德軍新設的炮台。在所有的大炮架齊之前，決不應開炮。但是現在即應制定射擊的計劃，同時，我也希望知道，在這一使人興奮的射擊中，對於有強大的戰鬥機隊保護的落彈觀測機曾進行了什麼安排。此外，架設在鐵路炮架上的兩門十三‧五吋口徑的大炮也應作好準備，不管其射程是否能達到目標，都要準備好。應在其他不同地點架設其他偽裝的大炮，設法發出適當的閃光、濃煙和塵土。請告訴我能想出什麼辦法。在鐵路支線架設十三‧五吋口徑大炮的工作，想已著手進行了。請向我報告。 二‧德國艦隊之向南移動，進入基爾運河，形成了另外一種局面，同不久前本土艦隊總司令要求在重型軍艦的支援下跨過狹窄的海峽進擊大陸的意見書內所說的局面有所不同。 應徵詢海軍部，如果總司令要提出進一步的意見的話，他是應當注意到敵人已改變了部署。 prime minister to secretary of the navy 一九四○年八月八日 在多佛爾的十四吋口徑的大炮很快而且很有效地就定出位置並架設起來，使我深受感動。請你轉達那些協助完成這一任務的人們說，我對他們所做的真誠的努力備致嘉許。 敵人的炮台在八月二十二日第一次開火，轟擊運輸艦隊，未收成效，後來又轟擊多佛爾。我們用已安裝完畢的十四吋口徑大炮之一還擊。自此以後，便不時發生炮戰。多佛爾在九月間受到了六次轟擊，最猛烈的一次是在九月九日，發射的炮彈超過一百五十發。運輸艦隊沒有受到多大的損失。 首相致海軍大臣及第一海務大臣 一九四○年八月二十五日 如果你們提出由埃里伯斯號【１】轟擊灰鼻角德軍炮台的計劃，我將不勝感激。聽說你們認為這是切實可行的，我覺得非常高興。這最適合我們的需要。沒有理由一定要等待安裝在鐵路上的大炮，如果它們安裝好了，當然可以在破曉時和那門十四吋口徑的大炮一起轟擊。我們一定要粉碎那些炮台。我希望，我們不必等到下一個月埃里伯斯號開來了才幹，我願知道你們認為什麼樣的月光條件最適宜。 【１】埃里伯斯號是第一次世界大戰中的一艘淺水炮艦，配有兩門十五吋口徑的大炮。經過重新裝備後，於八月間駛往斯卡帕灣進行射擊演習。由於演習中發現缺點，加上天氣不良，因而延誤了時間，直到九月底才駛抵多佛爾，因此，它到九月二十九｜三十日夜間才開始襲擊加來。 首相致伊斯梅將軍及參謀長委員會 一九四○年八月二十七日 敵人企圖逐步控制多佛爾海角和海峽最狹窄之處，這似乎不是沒有道理的。這是進攻英國的一個當然的準備步驟。敵人從此要繼續和我們的空軍戰鬥，想要以多取勝，把我們的空軍力量消耗殆盡。這樣一來，就會把我們的軍艦趕出海峽的基地。我們預料，他們還要在法國沿岸集結許多炮隊。我們在用重炮保衛多佛爾海角方面正在進行什麼佈置？我在兩個半月以前曾提出要架設重炮。已經架設了一門。鐵路上的兩門大炮也將架設停當。現在我們聽說，這些大炮由於裝藥過多而不準確。我們應當把大部分重炮炮筒內部加厚，改成較小的口徑，加強炮筒的來復線，使射程至少達五十哩，這樣在射擊二十五或三十哩的時候，就會比較準確了。我不明白，為什麼直到現在還沒有人就此事向我提出建議。應在多佛爾海角保持優勢的炮兵陣地，不論這些陣地易於遭受什麼樣的攻擊，我們也一定要堅持這樣做。我們一定要爭取用大炮來控制海峽，粉碎敵人的炮台，並加強我們自己的炮台。 我在另外一份備忘錄中，曾要求由埃里伯斯號發動一次出敵不意的奇襲，我想這艘炮艦當可摧毀灰鼻角的炮台。 這是一艘裝甲炮艦，可以抵禦空襲。在這方面曾採取什麼措施？它何時投入戰鬥？空軍部當然應當協作。戰鬥應採取攻勢。我們應當在白天用飛機進行落彈觀察。也許由配備有麥林二十型機槍的旋風式戰鬥機第一中隊擔任這項工作最為適宜。如果埃里伯斯號一旦遭受空襲，我空軍即應給予以有力的保衛，並立即攻擊敵人的空軍。 請把你們的計劃交來。 首相致伊斯梅將軍轉參謀長委員會 一九四○年八月三十日 我曾經就防衛肯特海角一事提出備忘錄，此外，我們必須預料到，德軍將盡快在法國沿岸設立許多威力巨大的炮台。 德軍想要用大炮控制海峽，這種想法是很自然的。目前我們比他們強，因為我們已有十四吋口徑的大炮一門和架設在鐵路上的十三‧五吋口徑的大炮兩門。此外，還應該盡快把一大批最新式的六吋或八吋口徑的大炮供給駐在多佛爾的海軍上將。我知道，海軍部正考慮把正在大修中的紐卡斯爾號或格拉斯哥號的大炮卸下使用。應該用前所未有的速度安裝其中的一兩個轉塔。請把這方面的工作和日期用書面向我報告。有一門九‧二吋口徑的陸軍演習用大炮正在架設中，我們肯定還有一些架設在鐵路炮架上的十二吋口徑的大炮。 如果我們的艦隻不能利用海峽，敵人也休想利用。即便大炮射程達不到法國海岸，這些大炮還是非常有用的。 我們的某些重型大炮，如十八吋口徑的榴彈炮和九‧二吋口徑的大炮，應該架設在能夠阻止敵人登陸的港口和地方，而且，正如帝國總參謀長所說的，能夠支援旨在阻止敵人建立橋頭陣地而發動的反攻。我們上次戰爭中保留下來的這批大炮大都擱置未用，而且修理了整整一年。 請交給我一份關於支援反攻並阻止敵人在泰晤士河南北兩岸登陸的周密計劃。我已經見到，在北邊稍遠的地區架設了一些很好的重炮。 我還希望了解關於多佛爾與倫敦、哈里奇與倫敦之間真正的（實際的）佈防情況。現在沿岸的防禦工事業已完成，我們沒有理由不加強這一帶防線，這些防線毫不違背猛烈反攻的原則。 但是，目前最迫切的問題是如何用一門或兩門新式的六吋口徑大炮轟擊三萬五千碼以內的所有德國船隻。同時，我正努力從美國獲得至少兩門十六吋口徑的海岸炮。這種大炮的射程達四萬五千碼，不用裝過多的炸藥就能發射一‧二五噸的炸彈。所以這種炮一定非常準確。美國陸軍的斯特朗將軍曾向我提及這種大炮，說是有希望取得的。他認為無需通過政府，美國陸軍就可以從一些複式炮台勻出幾門炮和炮架來。 請向我報告有關這種大炮的詳細情形。在三個月之內築成混凝土的基座想必是可能的，我想把這些炮運到這裡也需要同樣長的時間。能夠在甲板上裝運這種大炮的艦隻是很少的。 首相致伊斯梅將軍及第一海務大臣 August 31, 1940 對法國海岸炮台的攻擊現在已經非常迫切。昨天的照片表明，那些大炮實際上已經按照方位支起，所以聰明的辦法是：在那些大炮能夠還擊之前就先向它們開炮。敵人已經有足夠的大炮安裝停當了。所以我認為，埃里伯斯號不應延誤，每多過一天，我們的任務就愈加艱鉅。 由於我們在炮台方面的準備工作遠遠落後於敵人，所以破壞敵方的炮台並阻止其擴展似乎是當務之急。 九月初我們海防的重炮力量如下： 戰前的海防力量 九‧二吋口徑大炮兩門 六吋口徑大炮六門 最近增加 十四吋口徑大炮（海軍）一門 九‧二吋口徑大炮兩門（鐵路炮架） 六吋口徑大炮（海軍）兩門 四吋口徑大炮（海軍）兩門 除此之外，很快就要從舊戰艦艾恩公爵號卸下兩門十三‧五吋口徑的大炮來補充，這兩門大炮將安裝在鐵路炮架上，另外還有一座炮台安有從胡德號卸下的四門五‧五吋口徑大炮。這些補充的大炮大部分都由皇家海軍和海軍陸戰隊操縱使用。 雖然我們在數量方面還比不過敵人，但我們照這樣做法，就可集中強大的火力。 此外，我在第一次世界大戰後保存下來的一門十八吋口徑的榴彈炮和十二門十二吋口徑的榴彈炮已經架設起來，準備對付敵人登陸。所有這些大炮都是機動的；不論敵人在什麼地方登陸，都能予以迎頭痛擊。 因為七八兩月沒有發生什麼災難便過去了，所以我們的心就鎮定下來，覺得越來越有把握，能夠進行長期的、艱苦的戰鬥。我們確信，我們的力量正在日益增長。全國人民都不遺餘力地勞動，當他們經過一天的辛勞和通宵工作之後去睡覺時，心裡感到十分愉快，愈來愈覺得：時間是我們的，我們一定要勝利。所有的海灘現在都佈滿了各式各樣的防禦工事。全國各地都編成了防區。工廠大量生產軍火。到八月底，我們已經有二百五十多輛新坦克了！美國出於信義的行動已經收到成效。受過訓練的全部英國正規軍和本土防衛隊從早到晚不停地操練，而且渴望著去和敵人打仗。國民自衛軍的人數超過了一百萬，缺少步槍的時候，他們就趕快拿起散彈鎗、獵槍或私人用的手槍，或者，如果沒有槍枝的話，就拿起長矛和棍棒。在不列顛不存在第五縱隊，雖有少數間諜已被加以慎重逮捕和審問，並對他們進行了審查。為數甚少的共產黨人已經銷聲匿跡。每一個人都把自己所有的一切貢獻出來。 里賓特洛甫在九月去羅馬訪問時，對齊亞諾說：英國的國境並沒有設防。只要一師德國兵就足夠把它徹底打垮。這樣的話只能說明他的無知。不過，我還是常常在想：假如二十萬德國衝鋒隊真的登了陸，情況又將怎麼樣呢？雙方都將遭到殘酷的大屠殺。誰也不會對對方仁慈或寬大。他們一定會使用恐怖政策，而我們也準備不擇手段。我打算提出這樣的口號：我們至少可以一個拼一個。我甚至考慮到，這樣恐怖的一幕最後一定會使美國的態度有所轉變，然而這些起伏波動的思潮一個也沒有見諸事實。忠勇的艦隊遠在北海和英吉利海峽灰濛濛的海面上游弋巡邏，徹夜注視敵人。戰鬥機飛行員在空中駕機飛翔，或者在他們優秀的飛機旁邊沉著待命，一聲令下便可立刻起飛。這是一個使人把生死置之度外的時代。