Mission to Britain

by J Eugene Porter

  Jameson took the question to keep Brand safe for the moment. “Sir, I believe the lieutenant provided an outsider’s view of a situation he was unfamiliar with, but on the technology side, I am quite sure he was providing promising ideas.”

  Lord Mountbatten continued. “Lieutenant, not that we are in a safe environment to discuss any of these things, but could you agree to the ideas you passed on to Tedder as being valid?”

  Brand now had the eyes of four senior British officers looking at him, and one of them was the youngest brother of the King. None of this slowed him down, and he went for the quick answer. “Sir, yes, I have made some preliminary calculations to show the air marshal the probability of a successful attack using the concept we had discussed. I will be providing a complete analysis on this using an example based upon the flight characteristics of one of your more common attack aircraft.”

  Prince George now entered the conversation. “Lieutenant, the air marshal described in some detail your idea with me this evening and, as a pilot, I find it rather frightening in dropping a bomb at such a low height and bouncing it into a ship. Will this work? And what about the plane?”

  Ramsey, knowing he could not forestall the Prince’s question, waved Brand on to answer. “Your Highness, as a pilot too, I think if you are attacking an enemy, you will be fearful. Most attacks tracked by our forces to date show lots of near misses and very few hits. If we can get more hits, we will reduce the time the pilot faces anti-aircraft fire. If we could hit on every fourth attempt instead of one out of ten times or worse, how many planes will that save? I feel the attack mode I outlined would be more successful and therefore have fewer losses.”

  Brand looked at Jameson to see if he was on thin ice. Jameson gave him the raised eyebrows which was their agreed to signal to move forward. Brand chose his words very carefully.

  “Think of the torpedo plane dropping its weapon into the water. A pilot must go in low, at a slower speed and maintain that heading for a longer period, all the time being attacked by anti-aircraft cannons. With this approach, we can come in much faster at a steeper angle, steady up on a course with the correct attack angle and drop the weapons. Does that make sense, sir?”

  Prince George thought about it for a minute, and then it hit him like a light being shined into his face, just like what Tedder had seen earlier in the day. “Yes, I think I do. It would, as you say, reduce your time in attack because you are coming in at a greater angle followed by a flare out to drop the weapon. Then you can pull out to any angle which might work to reduce the incoming anti-aircraft fire. Yes, this could be a valuable tool in fighting these convoys.”

  “Can you provide Tedder with the calculations and how to adapt weapons, so they would not break upon impact?” Mountbatten inquired.

  “Yes sir. I have already done some work, and now I would like to run it past some of your experts. Then you can conduct a test or two to see if it works as designed. We can make changes based upon actual tests. The biggest challenge will be in developing speed/distance charts for a pilot to know when to drop. The other major challenge will be looking at the aerodynamics of the bomb itself. I’m not so sure about keeping the fins on a bomb, and then there is the exploder itself. We need to have it timed to not go off on the first bounce but rather arm itself in a set amount of time. These are technical issues that shouldn’t be difficult to address.”

  “Dickie, I am sure some of your people in Scotland can set up a few tests to prove the merits of this concept, plus if the lieutenant is correct, we can also set up a training regimen to pass on to the fliers in Tedder’s command.” The Prince commented to his cousin, Lord Mountbatten, using the nickname that came from Queen Victoria. His great aunt called him Dickie instead of Nicky which she used when talking about her Russian nieces and nephews.

  “I don’t think that will be a problem, sir. We can test very quickly, and if it works, it would be a great tool to slow down the Germans and their Italian friends. I would love to see how they look when they see a bouncing bomb heading toward them.”

  “Here, here,” said the Prince as he lifted his glass. “To our new American friends and their new ways. Long live the United States of America.”

  Everyone picked up his glass and drank a sip to the “special relationship” forged between Churchill and Roosevelt. As Brand looked around the table at these men, he thought how interesting it was to be sitting in a swanky restaurant in bombed-out London with three flag officers and a Prince.

  Dinner was delightful, possibly because the Prince was in attendance, but it was the best meal Brand and the other Americans had enjoyed in a long time. Tea and coffee were served, and small talk passed between the various participants. Ramsey cornered Captain Jameson to discuss the anti-submarine campaign along the East Coast of the United States. Brand had been in constant aviation talk with Tedder and the Prince.

  But the most involved conversation was that of Lord Mountbatten and Flannigan. They talked for some time about Marine doctrine for amphibious operations and the design of the landing boats being developed in the States. Mountbatten was interested in everything involved in ship to shore operations. Flannigan was also impressed with Lord Mountbatten’s experiences in Combined Operations and their commando attacks in Norway and the Mediterranean. Toward the end of the conversation, Lord Louis referred to a recent operation which he could not discuss but had used both amphibious and parachute forces. Flannigan was very intrigued and asked about the Royal Marines and the Commando units.

  “Captain, perhaps you might want to see what we are doing with our commando units. Would it be possible for you and a few of your men to travel to Scotland and look at our training program? It is in a place called Achnarry, which is near Fort William in the northwest part of Scotland. We have been using this location for some time because it affords us many training options regarding terrain, seacoast, mountains and harsh weather. I would enjoy having some of your Marines attend the school as well, but I know that your time in Britain is limited.”

  “Lord Mountbatten, I would enjoy seeing the facility and your training program. I know Major Jordan at the U.S. Embassy added some additional men to his command and I believe he would jump at the chance to send some of them to the full program. If that is agreeable to you, I will work with him on a schedule. As for myself, if Captain Jameson will agree to let me lose for a few days, I will be very happy to go north to Scotland.”

  “Super, Captain. I am sure the navy will not miss you for a few days, and if you can bring a few of your Marines with you, they can provide some additional views on the training, specifically any amphibious training, which they could share with our senior non-commissioned officers.”

  Jameson had heard his name mentioned and turned to hear the last moments of the conversation and asked Flannigan what was being said. Mountbatten injected himself quickly, convincing Jameson of the merits of the offer. Jameson was told by Admiral Willson to take any opportunity to broaden the knowledge of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps so this fit in just fine with their overall mission. He also realized Flannigan was not needed for most of the meetings with the scientists and security was not going to be that much of a problem, so he quickly agreed to Lord Mountbatten’s request.

  “This is splendid news and an unforeseen opportunity for all of us to look at what you Americans call best process. We should always be learning from each other because our enemies are learning very fast as well.” Mountbatten looked over at Ramsey who smiled.

  The old admiral added his thoughts. “To win this war, we are going to have to do it using the most difficult military maneuver known, seaborne assault on an enemy-held coastline. We have numerous examples of defeats and disasters to study and very few successful ones. Perhaps with the American naval experiences and tactics, we can learn how to do this well. I would like to add a member of my staff to this Scottish holiday, if I might, Louis.” The admiral looked straight at the younger man who was recently made a rear admiral because of his mer
itorious actions in Norway and the evacuations of Greece and Crete.

  “I see no problem in that, Admiral. As soon as I set a date and arrange a plane, I will add one more seat for your person. Let me know who you wish to send, and we will proceed.”

  The Prince asked Brand one more question. “Lieutenant, what else do you want to see or experience while you are in Britain?”

  “Sir,” Brand was quick to reply this time, “we want to meet with Lord Cherwell to discuss some of the recent technologies you are developing. Plus I would like to spend time at Coastal Command and the Western Approaches Command to better understand their strategies and current approaches for hunting U-boats.”

  “Lord Cherwell, now that is an interesting man. He is very tight with the prime minister, but one hears you should never disagree with him, especially on one of his pet projects. Yet, he has come up with some promising ideas through his S-Branch operation, which is telling many people about what works and what does not work. But again, sometimes numbers do lie, don’t they?” The Prince smiled, like someone with special knowledge. No one else took the bait.

  Ramsey decided to move onto new areas of interest. “Captain Jameson, if you have some additional time while you are in our fair country, please arrange a meeting with me and some of my staff to discuss your thoughts on amphibious operations and the U-boat hunt. If you could do this after your visits to Liverpool and Western Approaches Command, that would be best.”

  “Certainly, sir, it would be an honor to see you once more before we go back to the States and to share any new thoughts or ideas we gain upon our way.”

  “Excellent, Captain, I look forward to our next meeting, and if you gentlemen would not mind, I need to get some rest before the next morning’s meetings.” Ramsey stood, and as the senior officer present, his wish was a command. The Prince shook everyone’s hand and along with Lord Mountbatten and Ramsey walked toward the door while Tedder stood and talked to the three Americans about setting up more meetings and arranging schedules for trips to Liverpool and meeting with Lord Cherwell.

  As the three senior officers walked into the lobby, officers saluted, and ladies curtsied to the Prince until they got to the door where Ramsey looked at the two younger men. “You realize that this young man Brand is the future for all of us. No longer is it going to be important to have thirty or forty years of experience, but rather it is going to be important to be able to comprehend the sciences and new technologies and then interpret all the facts without being blinded by your own history. I hope we have more Brands than the Germans.” He wished them good night and walked out the door to his waiting car.

  The Prince and Lord Mountbatten were still chatting when the Prince spied a young Wren waiting by her car. He pointed her out to Mountbatten, and they both walked over to the car where the Wren was standing.

  “Lady Margret is that you?” The Prince said with a wide smile.

  “Your Highness, sir, I am sorry sir, yes, it’s me, Margret.” Her words were jumbled, and she was distressed at being in the presence of the Duke of Kent whom she had known since she was a child.

  “Lady Margret, I do not know if you have met my cousin Louis, Lord Mountbatten?”

  “Why yes, I have met the gentleman, but it must have been some four or five years ago. I think it was when your cousin Prince Philip visited from Greece.”

  Mountbatten looked at the young lady in the Wren uniform and smiled. “Oh yes, I do remember you at Philip’s party on the estate. So, tell me, Lady Margret, what are you doing driving a staff car for the Wrens?”

  “Sir, it is the right thing to do. I left my studies at Cambridge and was able to gain a job as a driver which is much more fun than being stuck in an office pool typing boring orders all day long.”

  Prince George laughed at the comment. “Lady Margret, you know the war wouldn’t go on without paper, lots of paper. But it is probably more fun driving a car full of admirals around than being locked up in an office. Definitely more interesting work and you do get outside.”

  Mountbatten decided to inquire deeper into what she was doing, especially since he now recalled she had been a student at Cambridge, which was quite a jump from the society balls attended by a young member of the peerage. He was very excited about education and had been to the Royal Naval College and specialized in electronics, with radio signaling being his favorite topic.

  “So, Lady Margret, who are you driving?”

  “Sir, I am driving a group of American naval officers and Marines around to meetings for the next few weeks. A very interesting group, sir.”

  The Prince looked at her more intensely saying, “It would not be the American Captain Jameson and his two officers that you are chauffeuring around London?”

  “Why yes sir, I am taking them to their meetings and being available to them as required.”

  Mountbatten now saw an opportunity for intelligence and personal interest. “Lady Margret, what do you think of Lieutenant Brand? We just completed dinner with him and the others. What is your impression?”

  “Sir, I have not heard him speak very much, but the other two officers and all of the Marines who guard him are most respectful and, if I can add, almost reverent in their approach to him.”

  “Why do you say that, Lady Margret. How do they show this reverence?” The Prince moved in closer to hear her comments.

  “Well, sir, they watch him very closely. I heard one of the sergeants say the lieutenant isn’t to go anywhere without two guards. They also commented to one another while waiting for the officers to come out of the embassy that they hoped they could go with him to sink another U-boat. Another one wondered how the lieutenant knew how to bomb the submarine as he did. It appears that he is a very special person and they all want to make sure he is well looked after. Is that what you wanted to know, sir?”

  Mountbatten now spoke very softly to the Prince and Lady Margret. “Yes, that is what we wanted to know. We cannot provide you with any other details, but if you hear or see something that would help us understand him or his mission, please let me know.” Lord Mountbatten pulled out a card and wrote another phone number on it, plus the name of his principal aide and gave it to her.

  “Sir, if you could help me out as well, the Americans do not know who I am. I am just Margret, and I am from someplace called Staffordshire. Please keep it that way, sir.”

  Prince George looked at the young woman, daughter of the sixth Baron of Bagley and a family with a long great naval tradition. Her grandfather had been a vice admiral in the Royal Navy, and most of her relatives were also in the navy serving far and wide in the Empire.

  “Certainly, Lady Margret. Your secret is fine with us. One last thing. What do you think of Lieutenant Brand?”

  “Sir,” she grinned a bit then developed a bit of a blush, “he is a handsome young man for an American and appears to be well mannered and highly educated.”

  The Prince smiled back. “Lady Margret, I do not know about how handsome he is, but he is one of the most highly educated men in the world and both the Americans and British need his genius, so please drive safely and take diligent care of Lieutenant Brand.”

  5

  17 March 1942

  Embassy of the United States of America

  London, England

  • United States Naval Forces Europe is established.

  •The United States, in agreement with Allied governments, assumes responsibility for the strategic defense of entire Pacific Ocean.

  The past few days seemed like a blur to James as he worked through some of the reports promised to the British admirals and generals. He was content in the knowledge that he had been proven correct on several suggestions. The British were very intent on developing new weapons and were aggressively searching for new technologies that would give them and their American Allies an advantage against the Germans. He found the other war, the one with Japan, was not as pressing of a subject, especially after the fall of Singapore in late February. Thi
s was the largest surrender of a British army in history, and the leadership was having a hard time explaining how the impregnable fortress of Singapore surrendered to an army one-third the size of the defenders.

  People like Tedder and Ramsey, however, saw many lessons in this fast-paced conquest by the Japanese and their continuing movement into Burma. The Japs were pushing fast so they could close the Burma road which connected India to China. If they succeeded, the Allies had no way to supply the Chinese. Ramsey had seen the impact of aircraft against ships during the Dunkirk operation. If it were not for heroic sailors and airmen, the whole of the British army would be prisoners of the Nazi’s.

  Aircraft operating alone, as the Japanese had demonstrated, can destroy unprotected naval forces. Aircraft working with ships could defeat or at least minimize the impact of an aerial onslaught as opposed to the slaughter the Japanese had unleashed on the American-British-Dutch-Austrailian (ABDA) ships operating in the Java Sea. These vessels were left to die without any serious air support. The airplanes that had shown up, Ramsey informed Brand, had been underpowered, ill-informed of Japanese movements, under armored, and poorly flown.

  These uncoordinated efforts by the Dutch, British and American planes failed against an enemy who was much better prepared, organized, and more aggressive. Ramsey had warned the far eastern commanders that an unescorted ship left without any serious air cover was doomed against a well-trained enemy. The losses at Dunkirk would have been far worse if it had not been for the RAF using much of its fighter strength to fight off the attacks by the Germans. As it was, the British lost many irreplaceable destroyers and aircraft during the battles off Dunkirk.

  Ramsey had also commented on the need for improved seaborne radar. The early types used during the war were not very effective at providing altitude and bearing, let alone providing a critical time warning of an attack. Some of the early radars were good at finding ships but not planes, which were often not detected until they were within five miles of the ship. Ramsey was very supportive of the radar team in the UK that had built the first cavity magnetron and then perfected it by miniaturizing it. These teams were creating all sorts of improvements in radar units which allowed its installation on planes as well as ships. He had seen some of the new units being mass produced in the U.S. and brought to England, and this gave him great satisfaction knowing the two countries were working so closely together.