Mission to Britain

by J Eugene Porter

  Brand looked at Vice Adm. Bertram Ramsey, the architect of Operation Dynamo and the evacuation of Dunkirk. “Admiral, what would it mean if we were able to double the number of submarines in the Mediterranean, focusing on the Italian convoys?”

  The admiral, one of the most respected men in Britain smiled at the young American and replied, “Lieutenant, if it were possible, and I do not know the number available, it could have a profound impact on Italian shipping. Also, if we could increase attacks on the Libyan ports, it would also slow down the German’s ability to strengthen their forces. Perhaps Cunningham could add some submarines at Malta or move the boats he has at Gibraltar to attack these convoys.”

  Brooke now looked at the admiral, who he respected deeply, then looking directly at Captain Jameson stated, “Captain, your young lieutenant has put forth more ideas in five minutes than we have cobbled together in five days. I applaud your openness, Lieutenant, but be careful how open you are with some people. Your ideas are sound, and I like your boldness in saying them. I have but one question for you. How long will it take to push Rommel out of Africa?”

  Brand looked at the chief of staff and then looked back at the map of North Africa. He studied it for a moment or two and replied. “General, yes, I agree that I need to be more reserved, but as we all know, time can be on our side or our enemy can use it. Right now, time is what we need, but losses will occur until we build a combined arms approach to dealing with the Germans. I have some awareness of the overall strategy and the emphasis on defeating Germany first. I agree wholeheartedly with this because of the industrial power and scope of the German hold on Europe.”

  Brand checked the map again. “North Africa is important to Britain, but I feel it’s a sideshow to Hitler. He is stuck there by Mussolini and has only sent a few German divisions to help them. The numbers on each side are evenly matched, and superior tactics will win in this situation.”

  Brand looked directly at the British general and spoke without hesitation. “The answer to your question has two parts. First, Britain and the Commonwealth forces in Egypt must hold then push back Rommel. This will require more men and supplies. America is sending additional Grant tanks and heavy trucks along with large guns. These supplies need to be linked to the additional troops, and they need to be trained in large unit tank attacks. What is needed are additional aircraft in the theater, especially in Malta. Perhaps we can be of assistance in getting some of your planes there.

  “Second, the United States and possibly British forces should land in the French colonies of Morocco and Algeria and push toward Libya. This forces Hitler’s hand to reinforce or pull out. He will not pull out, but by reinforcing his forces, the United Nations can eliminate a much larger force than currently exists and provide the American army with good combat experience on a smaller scale than a jump straight into France. With this said, I believe the timeline to force the Germans out of Africa is twelve to sixteen months.”

  Brooke smiled while many others stared in amazement at the lieutenant’s brazen answer. Ramsey, however, wanted to know more, “So what happens to Vichy in this operation?”

  Brand quickly offered a response, “Sir, Vichy will be occupied rapidly by Germany, but I think after token resistance, the Colonial governments will join the Free French organization. It will also end the threat of the French fleet in Toulon and North Africa because they will either fight us for a while or they will scuttle. The Germans were fools for not occupying the French ports when they had the chance in 1940, so we’ll have new ships to support our efforts, or there will be a lot of new breakwater material available.”

  Ramsey let out a laugh. “This lad has spunk and a good vision of the present situation,” he commented to Brooke. “Much better than many of us. We need this kind of brashness to win the war.”

  Brooke looked at Tedder and then at Jameson telling them, “Thank you for your insights. If you would take Captain Jameson and his team to your office, Tedder, that would allow us to get back to our agenda which has now been clouded by the young lieutenant’s many promising ideas.”

  Jameson and his American officers came to attention and saluted the chief of staff who then came up to Brand and shook his hand. Brooke put his hand on Brand’s shoulder and whispered, “My door is open to you, Lieutenant. Keep up the clever ideas and do not allow others to sway you. Well done.”

  After Tedder and the Americans left the room, Admiral Ramsey exclaimed, “I hope the Americans have more like that young chap. Quite different in approach, but very fast and precise in his ideas. I think I should have a go at the submarines and will talk to Tedder about more planes to hit the Italians.”

  Brooke agreed, “Let me know if you have any pushback on the planes. We need to get more air strength down there. I hear nothing but bombing Germany as the reply to my requests for all other fronts.”

  The remaining officers all admired the two giants of Britain’s military. Later most would agree the young American provided quite a lecture on possible strategies for North Africa and the entire Mediterranean front.

  *****

  Tedder escorted the three officers trailed by the gunny down a long corridor to an office he was using while in London. He had been in town for only a few days and had met with Churchill and the War Cabinet about getting more aircraft and crews sent to his command. He was not promised much in the way of support, even though Churchill had expressed more interest in getting bombers sent to assist the Desert Army’s operations. Commander in Chief of Bomber Command, Air Marshal Arthur Harris had turned a deaf ear to any possibility of expanding the use of his heavy bombers to help Tedder. His plan of area night bombing was touted as being successful in hurting the German war effort, and no one could dissuade him, or for that matter Churchill, of changing the strategy. Tedder would be using older bombers, mainly twin-engine planes with limited range, totally unsuitable for hitting the Italian ports used to resupply Rommel.

  Brand and Tedder discussed the operations in North Africa and how they were challenged by the Nazis and the weather. Tedder’s opinion of his opponent, Field Marshal Kesselring, was positive because he used his assets in a myriad of ways that delayed or upset the British strategy. The Italian air force (Regina Aeronautica) was good in certain areas, but their planes were not equivalent to the Luftwaffe or the RAF, except for their bomber, the Caproni Ca 314, which was used by the Italians to carry out torpedo attacks against British convoys. The pilots were brave and well trained and would carry out their attacks with devastating results.

  Tedder wanted to hear about the use of the PBY for anti-submarine patrol because he knew of the success the team had with the U-boat attack in early February. He and Admiral Cunningham had talked about the need to improve anti-submarine patrols in the Mediterranean after the numerous German and Italian attacks over the past few months. Hitler sent additional submarines to the “middle sea” ready to attack the Royal Navy and their convoys, hoping to put more pressure on the British. The Nazi strategy was working. Brand also asked about the success of the British aircraft on Libya-bound convoys; what was working well and not so well.

  Tedder thought for a minute. “Lieutenant, it appears you are well informed. We are not hitting the enemy with enough precision. Large bombers from high altitudes do not fare well against fast moving warships but do have some chance against slow-moving merchant vessels. The best results have come from low-flying aircraft, such as the Bristol Beaufighter which can carry a medium load of bombs or a single eighteen-inch torpedo. The plane does well in the low approach because it also has four twenty-millimeter guns in the nose, making it a significant attack weapon against shipping. We have a squadron on Malta, but the island is under constant attack by the enemy and has suffered great losses. But these men continue to attack the Italians without complaint. They are not good in a fight with an ME-109, but they do well against most of the Italian fighters. They need an escort, but our Hurricanes don’t have the legs for many of these missions.”

&
nbsp; Brand then asked about the Stuka attacks on British convoys and how they were handled defensively.

  “Well, that’s an interesting story, Mr. Brand. Stukas are excellent dive bombers, and their crews are fearless. If the Stukas have a fighter escort, they can devastate a convoy. On the other hand, if we have planes from one of our carriers or a land-based escort from Malta, we can hold them off. But we don’t have enough planes to support this effort. The Royal Navy has lost many of their planes in support of the convoys because some of them are no match for the Luftwaffe’s fighters.”

  Tedder looked at Captain Jameson, then back at the Brand. He saw him writing more notes and appeared to be hanging onto every word the air marshal was saying. “If the convoy is unescorted, the Stuka pilot will be very patient and work in teams to attack a single ship. This way, if a ship moves erratically, one or the other Germans will hit them. Even a near miss with a five-hundred-pound bomb can damage steering, kill crew members, or buckle plates, so the ship slows or takes on water. Then, like a bunch of wolves, the Germans go after the weakest ship in the convoy.” Tedder looked at Brand who seemed to be moved by his description which the air marshal had heard countless times by the survivors or commanders of escort ships.

  Brand then asked about RAF bombing techniques. “Sir, if I may ask, what is the standard approach for bombing a ship?”

  Tedder’s answer was straightforward, “If it is a Beaufighter, we go in with a torpedo, usually looking for a drop of four hundred yards from the target. If possible, two planes will attack the same ship from two different sides, thus maximizing hits. If it is a bomber, say a Bristol Blenheim or a Ventura, we try to do a glide bombing attack with a drop at maybe a thousand feet or so. We don’t have any real dive bombers, but your American P-40 Tomahawk does double duty for us. It can dive well and can carry several small size bombs.”

  Brand thought for a minute and offered a suggestion. “Sir, have you ever skipped a rock across a lake or stream?”

  Tedder visualized his boyhood playing with his friends when he lived in the Shetland Islands north of Scotland. “Yes, but what does that have to do with bombing?”

  “Sir, it’s a principle of physics that allows a rock thrown at a certain speed and a certain angle to bounce along the surface of the water. When the friction builds up to a point, it captures the rock. Or the speed decreases from the friction of the air or from bouncing on the water and the rock sinks. Now, think about an airplane flying in at an angle of ten to twenty degrees, very slight to the line of sight. Now if a plane were to drop a bomb, say two hundred fifty pounds, what do you think will happen to the bomb?”

  Tedder looked very strangely, then smiled, “It will bounce at least a few times, and the speed it was dropped at will carry it toward a target. Yes, I see it now. If the bomb’s casing were strong enough, the bomb would not blow up or fall apart but continue in a straight line to the target. Bloody brilliant, Lieutenant.”

  Before Tedder could continue, Jameson joined the conversation, “James, we would have to know the speed, weight, angle, and range to target to create a drop chart for the pilot, correct?”

  “Yes, Captain, it would need some experimenting, but any object that could withstand the pressure of hitting the water should continue to move forward for some distance. I can build a model quickly, then all we need to do is to test the theory.”

  Tedder quickly seized on the idea. “Brilliant idea, Lieutenant. I know from my own experience when we have dropped practice bombs, I have seen them bounce several times and not collapse. If you can give me some estimates for speed, distance, weight, and angles, we can conduct a test to see if this works, which I think it will. And the improved accuracy would be a huge advantage in our attacks.”

  Brand was already mentally working on formulas to prove the theory of what would be known as skip bombing.

  The meeting continued for another half hour before Major Hollister requested Tedder to rejoin the meeting with General Brooke and Admiral Ramsey. They parted company and began their walk out. It took another five minutes to locate the other Marines who were telling the usual lies and sharing tall tales with their British counterparts. As they departed the building, the desk sergeant stopped Major Hollister and asked him to take a call from Air Marshal Tedder. The major gestured for the Americans to wait while he took the call. After a few yes sirs and no sirs, he ended the call, gave the phone back to the desk sergeant and turned to Captain Jameson. “Sir, the air marshal and Admiral Ramsey want to invite you and your officers for dinner this evening. Would that be convenient?”

  Jameson immediately replied, “We would be most happy to dine with the air marshal and the admiral.”

  The major, expecting a positive answer, stated in a matter of fact voice, “Please meet the air marshal and the admiral at 2000 hours at the Savoy. If they are not there, please inform the maître di you are waiting for the admiral, and you are to be seated. Thank you, gentlemen. I will inform the air marshal.” With that last comment, he saluted, then turned and walked back toward his meeting.

  After they had returned to the U.S. Embassy, Major Jordan was very excited to hear of their evening plans. Ramsey was one of the most influential men in Britain and held in high regard by the prime minister. Ambassador Winant informed them this was a fantastic opportunity to further cement U.S.-British relations and he wanted a full report in the morning.

  Jordan also told them they had been assigned permanent rooms in the embassy for their stay. The staff was most accommodating, and the rumor mill had been flying all day about this strange group of sailors and Marines who had come in the dark of the night and now were meeting some of the most influential people in the British military. The major had all their belongings moved to two rooms with Jameson having his own room, and Flannigan and Brand sharing a room which included a bath, which was quite nice for lowly naval officers.

  Jordan had one of the embassy staff press their uniforms so that they would look very sharp at the Savoy. Jordan informed them the Savoy had miraculously been spared in the bombings and was still the place to be seen in London. Its restaurant did miracles with the mediocre quality of food available. If you ordered fresh fish, you were given real fresh fish, perfectly prepared, and served with all the pomp a grand restaurant could provide.

  At the designated time, the entourage of two staff cars driven by the two young Wrens arrived at the Savoy, and the three officers with only two Marines providing security entered the building. This time the Marine non-coms, Staff Sergeant Laird and Corporal Dean, carried two small soft bags that perfectly accommodated their Thompson submachine guns. They also carried their Colt .45 pistols in slide holsters underneath their tunic so as not to raise too much attention.

  Upon arrival, Captain Jameson led the men to the grand dining room and informed the maître di of their meeting with Admiral Ramsey. “Captain Jameson, so good to meet you and your officers. I expect the sergeants will not be dining with us this evening?”

  Jameson could see that the maître di was squirming about having two ordinary soldiers soil his carpets, but these were Americans, and they were probably twice as grimy.

  “You are correct. These men are part of our security detail and will be in the foyer during the dinner.”

  Jameson turned to Sergeant Laird, “Sergeant, you know the drill, keep an eye out and let me know if anything comes in from the communications desk.”

  Laird, having been briefed by Jameson about the class distinction they would have to deal with, looked at the captain and replied, “Aye, aye, sir. I understand my orders, and I will maintain surveillance, sir.” Laird and Jameson had prepared for this, so the hotel or restaurant personnel would know the Marines were there for an important purpose and would be visible.

  “Thank you, Sergeant, carry on.” Jameson turned back to the overbearing maître di, smiling, “My men will try not to be too intimidating, but we have to maintain security, would you not agree?”

  “Oh yes, of course, sir
. There are many very important people here this evening, and we do take the security of our guests very seriously.”

  He now gestured the Americans to follow him, and they moved through the densely packed tables full of distinguished looking people, some in uniform, but many in black tie like it was a party or a New Year’s Eve event. At the back of the room, there was a large table with Air Vice Marshal Tedder and Admiral Ramsey plus two other officers.

  Jameson approached first with Flannigan and Brand just behind. Before he could come to attention, Tedder jumped up saying, “No need for overt military courtesy here, Captain. I am certain Admiral Ramsey would agree.”

  Ramsey stood shaking the captain’s hand and replied, “Yes, Tedder, I fully agree, we have been very military all day, so it’s good to be somewhat casual.”

  Brand thought Ramsey’s comment was slightly silly because of the atmosphere and the amount of gold braid on everyone’s coats. How does one be casual in this situation? Then it got a lot worse.

  Ramsey introduced the other two men who were wearing a significant amount of gold braid. “Captain, may I introduce, Adm. Lord Louis Mountbatten, Chief of Combined Operations.”

  A tall and amazingly young-looking man stood up, shook hands all around, and remained standing for the next introduction. Ramsey continued, “And I would like to introduce His Royal Highness, Prince George, the Duke of Kent, who is one very good pilot and serves as an air commodore on the Imperial Staff.” He stood, and everyone shook his hand. Each officer received a nice hello and smile from the youngest brother of King George VI.

  The Prince sat down, and everyone followed suit, but before the Americans caught their breaths, Mountbatten started to speak. “Captain, I have heard wonderful things about you and your team from both the air marshal and the admiral. It appears that your youngest member had some rather strong views on strategy and technology for fighting the Germans. Is that so?”