Chapter 67 Volume 2, Chapter 25, Mr. Aiden's Mission

October 1940 Retirement of Mr. ChamberlainChanges in the cabinetChanges in the Conservative PartyLeadership of the Conservative PartyReason for my decision to succeed the Conservative PartyReopening of the Burma HighwayCall to RooseveltOur strength on the desert front strengthensMy rebuke of the military and political authorities in the Middle EastConcerns about the island of MaltaMr. Eden flies To the Middle East October 13, 1940 My Appraisal of the Situation Mr. Eden held a meeting with the generals in Cairo His report and request for a gradual strengthening of our forces in Port Matruh Mr. Eden and General Smuts A meeting in Khartoum is scheduled for a pre-emptive attack on the Italians. We should make better use of our manpower and material resources in the Middle East.

Towards the end of September, Mr. Chamberlain's health deteriorated considerably.In July, he had an operation for examination. After the operation, he bravely returned to his post. According to the examination results, the doctors believed that he had cancer, which cannot be cured by surgery.Now he understands the truth and knows that he will never be able to return to work.Therefore, he tendered his resignation to me.Because of the urgency of these developments, I consider it necessary to make the aforementioned changes in the Government.Sir John Anderson is President of the Privy Council and chairs the Cabinet Home Affairs Committee.He was succeeded by Herbert Morrison as Home Secretary and Home Security Secretary, and Sir Andrew Duncan as Minister of Munitions.These changes are effective from October 3rd.

Mr Chamberlain also believes that he should resign as leader of the Conservative Party and that I should succeed him.I have to consider (there may be various views on this issue): the identity of the leader of a major party, and the relationship between the prime minister of the government that I am now in, authorized by the King and Parliament, and formed and formally supported by a coalition of parties. status, compatibility.I have no doubts about the answer to this question.The Conservative Party holds a vast majority of seats in the House of Commons compared to the total number of seats of other parties.Because it is in a state of war, in case of disagreement or deadlock, the dissolution of the parliament and the holding of elections cannot be used to appeal to the arbitrariness of the people.If, in difficult times of crisis, and long years of failure and setbacks, I must have the consent of not only the leaders of the two small parties but the consent of the great party, the Conservative Party, then I shall Can no longer command this war.Whoever is elected, and no matter how good the virtue of self-sacrifice, is going to wield actual political power.For me, I am only responsible for the administration.

These arguments are of course not equally applicable in peacetime; but, I feel, I would not be able to overcome the odds victoriously in war otherwise.And, as far as dealing with the Labor and Liberal parties in a coalition government, the basic fact is that I, as Prime Minister and now leader of the largest party, do not depend entirely on their votes, and I could have ended up doing just as well without them. have the support of parliament.I have therefore accepted the leadership of the Conservative Party at the urging of all of you, and I dare say that without the leadership of the Conservative Party and the loyalty of the Conservatives to their leader I would not have been able to complete my mission before victory. task.If I decline, the other most promising candidate in the Conservative Party is Lord Halifax, who has now put forward his own motion for my succession, which has been unanimously approved by the party.

We have passed the summer in the boundless and stormy sea, but the belief in survival is growing day by day.In autumn and winter we are again in a tangle of intricacies, less serious but more bewildering than the perils of summer.The threat of intrusion has clearly lessened.We have won the Battle of Britain in the air.We have distorted the German beams.Our Home Army and National Guard are already very strong.The autumnal equinox storms in October make the English Channel and Irish Sea choppy and dangerous.All the arguments that I took comfort in the past have been confirmed one by one and become more credible.In the Far East, the danger of Japan declaring war seemed to have lessened.They had waited to see how the Germans invaded my homeland, but the Germans did not invade.The Japanese warlords wanted to find a surefire solution.But there are few surefire solutions in war.If they thought it unworthy of war against us in July, why should they wage war against us now, when the British Empire is more glorious and the world is more unfavorable to Japan?After the blockade of the Burma Road expired for three months, we felt that we had enough strength to reopen it.The Japanese are experienced in naval warfare, and their views on naval warfare may be consistent with the policy of the British Admiralty. However, when we adopted the decision of reopening the Burma Road and allowing supplies to flow into China, we were not at all worried. No.In this general measure of the unknown, we have been shown to be right in our judgment.

I would like to send a telegram to the President with news that I think will please him and the American people. former navy personnel to president roosevelt October 4, 1940 The three-month blockade of the Burma Road will expire on October 17. After long-term consideration of various related issues, we have decided to reopen it today.The Foreign Secretary and I will make an announcement to Parliament on Tuesday, the 8th.I am prepared to say that our hopes of a just settlement between Japan and China have been dashed, and that the Tripartite Pact restores the Anti-Comintern Pact of 1939, with its unmistakable marks directed against the United States.I know how difficult it is for you to make any statement that would commit the United States to a presumed course of action in the Pacific, but I would venture to ask: Wouldn't a simple action be better than empty words at this time?Can't you send an American fleet, the bigger the better, to Singapore for a goodwill visit?The Singaporean side will welcome them in a fully formal and appropriate manner.If you wish, you can also use the opportunity of this visit to conduct technical discussions on naval and army issues in the waters of Singapore and the Philippines, and you can invite the Dutch to participate.In this regard, as long as a small move is enough to have a deterrent effect on Japan, it will not dare to declare war on us because of the reopening of the Burma Road.If you consider taking action in these areas, I would be very grateful, because it will play an important role in preventing the spread of the war.

The fact that the Vichy government managed to establish relations with us despite our total failure at Dakar is indicative of a trend in France that they have felt the pressure from Germany and have seen us able to defend ourselves. Although our position in the air is increasing step by step in terms of actual strength and comparison with the enemy, the need for aircraft is still urgent.Several important factories were badly damaged and productivity was hampered by air raid sirens.On the other hand, the casualties of my pilots were not as high as might be imagined, since, fighting over our own country, a large number landed unscathed or suffered only minor injuries.

When your officials visited here, we focused on the issue of the driver.We are now beginning to think that, so far as the immediate future is concerned, the airplane is what will limit us. I cannot think that the danger of invasion has passed.The gentleman had undressed and put on his bathrobe, but the water was getting colder and there was an autumnal wind in the air.We maintain the highest vigilance. These exciting events on the other side of the world clear the way for us to take stronger action in the Middle East.We have to concentrate all our energies on Italy, and they are moving more slowly than I expected.Strong reinforcements have arrived at General Wavell.Two tank regiments have reached the desert.General Maitland Wilson, who commanded what is now known as the Army of the Nile, spoke highly of the potential of Matilda's force to give the infantry tank the Type I alias.At this time, our defensive position in Port Matruh had been greatly consolidated (this, I did not know at the time), and the staff and planners in the Middle East Command had begun to brew some new plans.Obviously, our next important task is to strengthen our forces in the Middle East, especially in the deserts of West Africa, from Britain and India.

I am still arguing with the Admiralty about trying to route the military convoys through the Mediterranean.I said: You can see clearly now, we should try it at that time.But they said: there is no need to be in such a hurry.I am very dissatisfied with the deployment of existing troops in the Middle East, and, in my opinion, the disparity between supply and combat effectiveness is also very large.I am extremely apprehensive about the island of Malta.I urged General Wavell and the Secretary of War on these matters, both directly and indirectly through the Chiefs of Staff Committee.I wrote a letter to Mr. Eden:

prime minister to secretary of state for war September 24, 1940 We did not disagree on principle; but the application of the principle gave rise to many disputes over details, especially in view of the drawing down of my home defense forces at the present time when the threat of invasion was imminent.At the same time, the staff continued to ask for the transfer of troops from the Middle East, such as the transfer of the Australian Seventh Division to the Malay Peninsula.It is currently proposed to transfer the two Indian brigades to these tropical jungles in case of a possible war with Japan and, less likely, a Japanese encirclement of Singapore.

Last night, I worked with the Chiefs of Staff on the documents concerning the Indian reinforcements.You can see from the report that one division is to be sent to Malaya, another to Basra, and one corps to Iraq, thus taking as much of the Indian reinforcements as could be brought in in 1941 All used up.This geographical disposition or dispersion of our forces indicates the prevailing thinking at present, which is entirely wrong in a strategic sense, yet they explained to me that although these forces had been earmarked for specific theaters, However, if necessary, they can all be transferred to the Middle East.Therefore, I agree to add language to the document stating this.Even so, I was not impressed by the fact that there was no mention of the need for war in the section on the deployment of these divisions. Second, we have to note: the waste of the army in Kenya is increasing, and the waste in Palestine is continuing.The situation has improved somewhat in Palestine, but in Kenya the situation is reversed, and a mountain battery has been transferred instead of being transferred to the Sudan.I fear that when General Smuts goes there, he will be affected by the local conditions.However, I intend to communicate with him by telegram. Last but not least: the waste of British regulars in the Suez Canal Zone, Cairo and Alexandria, used only for police duties, Middle East Command in terms of concentrating maximum effort on warfare and bridging the gap between supplies and combat effectiveness , It was also carried out loosely and ineffectively.I have requested figures on this issue and have not received any reply so far. My thoughts are with yours, that is, to assemble the strongest army in the Middle East in the last few months, and I have indicated in other documents the number of divisions I hope to be assembled there, but, I think, first, the Ministry of War and the Egyptian commander The Ministry should make the best possible use of the large number of troops they have, for which we have paid enormous sums. Furthermore, I am deeply disturbed by the situation in Malta.Now everyone has agreed to send two battalions of reinforcements; but they have been looking back and forth, bargaining, and making many excuses, saying that the island cannot accommodate so many people!General Dobby had an estimate of the situation on the ground. He reported that each of his battalions would hold a fifteen-mile line, and that all reserves had been sent to guard the airfield. Have you seen the report?We do not have command of the sea on the island of Malta. Italy can attack the island of Malta with an expeditionary force of 20,000 to 30,000 at any time, with the support of the Italian navy. Do you realize this?Although our control of the Atlantic prevents the enemy from attacking Freetown, it is proposed that these two battalions be moved there to supplement a local brigade.I'm sure you'll forgive me for asking you these questions because they reveal tendencies that are quite at odds with the battle plan you have in mind. prime minister to general ismay October 6, 1940 Whenever the fleet sails from Alexandria to the middle of the Mediterranean, reinforcements should be sent to Malta, an island which, I think, is at present in extreme danger.These reinforcements could be drawn from several battalions of the army stationed in the Canal Zone, and the remaining defenses would be replaced by the unmounted Zodiac cavalry currently stationed in Palestine, or by Australian detachments, or else by South African troops to be transferred from Kenya.Do advise me on these points, and send at least one battalion to Malta next time.We cannot waste regular battalions on internal security in Egypt.If they are required to serve as field troops, of course they cannot be mobilized, but they are not currently used in field operations. I was in such agreement with the Secretary of War, and felt that we should take our views to the local area without having to go through endless telegrams. Therefore, I asked him if he would like to go to the Middle East to see for himself. one time.He was very willing and set out immediately.He generally inspected the entire theater of operations.While he was away, I was in charge of the War Department. At this time, I submitted to the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Services Committee my views on the general military situation, as I had seen. Prime Minister to General Ismay, Transfer to the Chiefs of Staff Committee October 13, 1940 1. The top priority now is to reinforce Malta: (1) try to send additional cyclone planes to the island; (2) Utilize the convoys currently in preparation, with the greatest anti-aircraft defenses possible, and battalions and artillery. I am informed that another troop transport is about to be ready; (3) One battalion, preferably two battalions, drawn from the Suez Canal zone or from the troops on police duty in Palestine, to be dispatched the next time the fleet sails from Alexandria to Malta.General Dobby's recent assessment of the situation on the ground has indicated the urgent need for reinforcements of the defense.We should do our best to meet his needs, because if Italy feels that Malta is a thorn in their side, the enemy may mobilize troops to attack.The movement of these reinforcements should therefore be completed before any significant action is launched from the island of Malta. (4) Even having three infantry tanks on the island of Malta can play an important role, not only in terms of actual defense, but also as long as the enemy becomes frightened when they know that Malta has three tanks, it is also possible to put some mock tanks Place it where it can be easily detected from the air. 2. The departure of the fleet to Malta must wait until the island's air defenses have been strengthened, but this is a most necessary and extremely advantageous step.I welcome the proposal to station a fleet, even a light fleet, at Malta, as this would immediately enhance the security of the island.As far as I know, it is planned to let this fleet cruise out of the port during the day and return to the port at night to anchor.It should be noted that a sturdy ship like the Valiant was better able to withstand a bomb attack than a light ship, and that she also carried twenty high-performance anti-aircraft guns.Since a light fleet can be stationed in the port of Malta, there is no reason why ships with strong armor and well-equipped weapons should not use the port except for the greater danger.The air mine net arranged by multi-tube non-rotating projectile (rocket password name) weapon can effectively defend against the enemy's dive bombing. I hope the Admiralty will let me know more fully on this matter. The visits of the entire main fleet from time to time will have a great deterrent effect on the enemy's attack, and it will also be a threat to (the enemy's) communication line leading to Libya as long as the enemy is still in Libya. Please state the number of anti-aircraft guns already erected, the maximum capacity of the new transport fleet (the upper anti-aircraft guns), and the expected date of erection. 3. Relationship with Vichy.We cannot accept the position that because the Vichy government bombed Gibraltar, we should obey their will. If this kind of concern goes on, there will be no end to it.We must reiterate the blockade of the Strait of Gibraltar, to all ships, with or without escorts, without violating Spanish territorial waters.For this purpose it is necessary to muster sufficient forces at Gibraltar as soon as possible.At the same time, we should impose the strictest blockade on Dakar that we can afford, and protect Douala and other places from counterattacks by French cruisers at Dakar.Talks with Vichy, if held, might result in a provisional agreement not covering these pressing matters.Of course, if we know for sure that the Vichy government or a part of the Vichy government is sincerely inclined to our side, we can relax them to a large extent.They seem more and more willing to go along with our intentions, and I personally don't believe that putting significant pressure on them will prevent this change in my favor.It has become increasingly difficult for the Vichy government to lead France to fight against me.We need not be too afraid to hinder the development of this trend, because the mainstream in my favor can dominate and overcome the eddy currents such as blockades and possible accidents at sea.I do not believe that we shall have any trouble with the French to prevent the immediate departure of my convoy to Malta.Opportunities exist, but they are just a little far away, and we have to fight for them. 4. The biggest goal of the Bomber Command is to severely damage the Bismarck and Tirpitz and make them lose their combat effectiveness.If the Bismarck can be kept out of combat within three or four months, the King George V can sail to the eastern Mediterranean to carry out activities, thus playing a decisive role in the fleet's occupation of Malta.This would rapidly change the strategic situation in the Mediterranean. 5. If there is no enemy invasion after October, we will sail around the Cape of Good Hope as far as our ships can allow, and begin to reinforce the Middle East as much as possible. According to the original plan, we will transport armored troops, Australian troops and New Zealand troops in November. Send one British division before Christmas and at least four more in January, February, and March.These units are in addition to the required detachments.Please let me know to what extent your current shipping plan can accommodate this task. 6. The time has come to further reinforce the Middle East with bombers and fighter jets.I would like to know to what extent the Chiefs of Staff are prepared to go, knowing that, while the danger is great, so is the need. 7. Please inform me about the plan to replenish the Mediterranean Fleet in the next six months. By the end of the year, three destroyer squadrons could be sent to the eastern Mediterranean, and another to Gibraltar.If the King George V must be reserved for watching the Bismarck, then the Nelson or the Rodney, together with the Barham or the Queen Elizabeth, should proceed to Alexandria.Which cruisers are you going to replenish with?Can the Formidable (aircraft carrier) be sent as well, and when? 8. With the dispatch of these divisions to the Middle East, there should be a corresponding development of the Home Defense Forces and the National Guard to fill the gap left.At any one time there should be at least a dozen mobile divisions (in the country) in reserve, in addition to those serving as beach defense. 9. By the end of September, six divisions of amphibious combat units can also be provided, two of which should be armored divisions.Options for utilizing such forces are under study. At this time, Mr. Eden was on an inspection trip.He was deeply impressed by the rapid progress of Gibraltar's defense work recently. He said that this work has been pushed forward with great energy, determination and many ways.The morale of the troops is high, and the defenders of the fortress are full of confidence.He was more concerned about the situation in Malta, and asked for at least one more battalion and a battery of twenty-five-pounder cannons, with continuous air reinforcements, of course.Governor-General Dobby considered it important that Malta avoid an offensive policy that would provoke reprisals until April 1941, when reinforcements of aircraft and anti-aircraft guns Various plans will be completed. On the 15th, Mr. Eden arrived in Cairo.He had a thorough discussion with General Wavell and General Maitland Wilson, who commanded the Desert Corps.They were confident of repelling the Italian attack.General Wilson estimated that the maximum force that Italy could use to attack Port Matruh was no more than three divisions. The limiting factor was supplies, especially water and transportation.For the Italian offensive, he had the 7th Armored Division and the newly transferred tank regiment, the 4th Indian Division, the Matruh Port Garrison consisting of five rifle battalions, a machine gun battalion, and eight or nine artillery teams.The Sixteenth British and New Zealand Brigades have arrived from Palestine.An Australian brigade was stationed west of Alexandria; another Australian brigade was moving there as well.There was also a Polish brigade.Eden wrote that General Wilson believed that this mass of troops would be sufficient to meet the enemy threat and defeat the enemy if the Air Force assured adequate support.Eden also said that the plan I had previously suggested to create a flood zone [1] had been implemented and anti-tank barriers had been set up.He sent a detailed list of munitions, especially aircraft.At that time, the enemy's bombing of London was at its climax, and it was easy to say, but it was really difficult to allocate the aircraft.He urged that the November military convoy should include an infantry tank company destined for Port Sudan in order to launch an offensive against the Italian forces in Kassala. 【1】Using the flooding of the Nile River, create a flood zone at a suitable location to prevent the advance of the enemy.translator Eden also asked the right question in Cairo: what would happen to our troops if Italy stood still?Regarding this question, the generals first said that they wanted to take the offensive.Aiden called and said: From our discussion today, the infantry tank (Matilda) played a far greater role in the battle on this battlefield than we imagined.General Wavell wanted another battalion of tank Is, as well as a brigade repair platoon, which were particularly important to keep the tanks at peak utilization. Although there was no mention of an offensive in the Secretary of State's telegram, I was so pleased with the good news that I urged him to continue the inspection. prime minister to secretary of state for war October 16, 1940 I have read all the calls one by one, I am very interested, and I think your inspection this time is very valuable.We are considering how to meet your needs.At the same time, please continue to keep abreast of the situation on the ground.There is no rush to return. Eden also made arrangements for a delegation of the Turkish Army to come to our army, and proposed to meet with General Smuts in Khartoum to discuss the overall situation, especially the plan to launch an offensive from Sudan and my attack on Kenya. Garrison too much to blame.The meeting was fixed for October 28, a date that later took on its significance.I hardly need to say that requests for all kinds of equipment were flooded in, including ten thousand rifles to aid the Abyssinian uprising, and especially for anti-tank guns, anti-tank guns, anti-aircraft guns and air reinforcements .At this time, we prefer to meet these needs as much as possible by reducing the home defense force.Each gets less than half what he needs, and therefore, whatever is given to one cannot be given to, or taken from, another who is also in danger. Mr Eden intends to fly back to London via Lagos immediately after the talks in Khartoum to verbally report in detail what he has seen and what he has done.I was so encouraged by this scene that I was eager to go on the offensive in the deserts of West Africa.So I sent him a telegram: October 26, 1940 Before you leave, you should discuss in detail with the generals of each army whether it is possible to take a pre-emptive offensive.I cannot offer any advice from here, but it is not strategically sound to wait until a substantial force has been assembled and deployed if other avenues are available.I think that the present plan of repelling the enemy's attack by defensive warfare and counter-offensive is very appropriate, but what if the enemy does not rush to attack us until the German army arrives in large numbers?There is no need to reply to this question, and a thorough discussion will be conducted after returning to England. Please study carefully the field conditions of the Army of the Middle East in order to obtain the greatest proportion of combat soldiers and combat units out of the sheer number of men our supply forces can supply.Please study whether it is possible to temporarily draw troops from the Caucasian contingent to undertake security tasks in the Suez Canal area and within Egypt.All British battalions should be mobile so that they are ready for combat.I worry that the ratio of fighting power to supporting power in the Middle East is worse than anywhere else.Please don't be satisfied with general answers.Even ordnance and depot personnel and other technical detachments in the army can maintain order in their area and should be organized for use in emergencies.Not only must the most elite troops play their roles, but also the second and third ranks. As a result, people at home and at the scene gradually tended to agree on the main issues.