THIS IS CHAPTER 13 OF "THE HINGE OF FATE, MR CHUR- CHILL'S FOURTH VOLUME OF SECOND WORLD WAR MEMOIRS
·Gen. Auchinleck had intended to con- tinue his desert offensive in February 1942, but in January Rommel recaptured Beng- hazi, with its stores, and drove the Eighth Army back nearly 300 miles. Loss of fork ward airfields in Cyrenaica now made it impossible to protect convoys for Malta,.. and by April the Navy was unable to use the island as a basė.
From February onwards Mr Churchill ürged upon the Cabinet a resumption of the Westward offensive, Gen. Auchinlech de- clined an invitation to go home in March for: consultation. His unwillingness to advance his time-table was unaffected by pressure brought in Cairo by Sir Stafford Cripps (on his way to India) and Gen. Nye, Vice-Chief of the Imperial General Staff.
at the Malta
THE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER":15, 1850.
DESPERATE POSITION Fly
IN MEDITERRANEAN
efforts to pour all availablo reinforcements into Elypt.
It is therefore, impera tive to take Malta as soon a possible and... to launch an offensivo ugainst tho Sucz Canal not later than 1042... As a wenker alternative Suggested:
ho
If Axle troops do not occupy. Malia, it is imperative that the German Air Force con- Unues Its attacks on the Island to the same extent is hereto- fore, Such attacks alone, will prevent the enemy from building Malta's offensive and defensive capacity.
Hitler and his military ad visers did not relish the plan of seaborne assault. The Fuchrer had only recently given orders for the final cancellation of the long-term plans for the in- vasion of England, which had dragged on since 1940. The
By
Winston Churchill
Army is to attack as soon as possible
«
after the capture of Malta, If the operations against Malta should extend beyond June 1, it may be necessary for the Army
to atlacit without walling for the, Island" He pion of Apr 30
he capture of the
recktonot to destroy the British forces in the field by the oven- mg of the second day, after which Tobruk was to be cap tured by a surprise attack.
Rommel's, intentions may be. contrasted with General Auchin- leck's, who presently sent a telegram in which he offered, to stand on the defensive in the Desert and send considerable reinforcements to India, Thia was entirely
contrary to our
HE interrelation be desperate. In January, while slaughter of his cherished air-
tween Malta and the Rommel's counter-offensive pro- borne troops in Crete
a year spered, Kesseiring struck chicfy before was a deterrent factor. Desert operations
airfields. Under .was never so plain German pressure,
der It was, however, agreed at this ideas. tho
Italian
allan time that Malta should bo used battleships to sup In 1942, and the heroic Navy
Mediterranean Fleet, stricken as forces should participate. Hitler port their Tripoli convoys. The captured, formed the keystone has been described, could offer had reservations, and continued e prolonged struggle only a limited challenge to these to hope that the attacks of the
Our submarines he maintenance of our movements.
bring about and air forces from Malta con-
nce of the island in that
on in Egypt and the tinued, however, to take their e East. In the bitter toll.
fighting in the Wes- Desert the outcome of phase was measured
Raeder Urges
and that German
Luftwaffe would
Right to attack
Soon there arrived
another
to
General
capitulation, or at least paralyse telegram from General Auchin the defence and its activities. Icek seeking further to post-
pone the engagement of hila We tried to run supplies army. I referred this to all my through to Malta from the cast. colleagues, military and politi-
In cal. Four ships were successful January, but the February con- a hand's-breadth, and quently depended on the In February Admiral Raeder, voy of three ships met disaster Prime
by air attack. In March the at which supplies could whose repute at that time stood cruiser Nalad, wearing Admiral ch the combatants by high, sought to convince Hitler Vian's flag, was sunk by a U- of the importance of decisiva boat. By May the island would victory in the Mediterranean, be in danger of famine. r ourselves this meant the The Intervention of the Ger-
voyaga mans in North Africa and ar three months'
+
purely
the
d the Cape, subject to all Mediterranean, which had be
defensive and fun 83
measure to save their weak ally
perils of the U-boats,
employment of enormous from defeat, was now viewed hutles of high-class ship in a new light as an aggressive For the enemy there was means of destroying British tho two... or three power in the Middle East, Ad- miral Raeder insisted that passage across the Medi- Malta was the key, and urged bacan from Italy, involving the immediate preparation
ise of a moderate number transports for its storm, maller ships. But athwart route to Tripoli lay the
fortress of Malta.
1942 the air
attack
on
a mounted formidably and plight of the island became
of
The favourable situation in the Mediterranean, so pronounced at the present time, will prob- ably never occur again. All
confirm that reports
Rommel Planning
[During April and May British and American aircraft- carriera delivered 120 aircraft to Malta, but attempts to run convoys to the island in June resulted in only two out of 17 supply ships arriving, despite severe lorscs by the Navy- and R.A.F.}
Meanwhile Rommel was plan- About the the ning his offensive,
"The Panzer
enemy is making tremendous jiming, he said,
THE CHOICE:
Minister Auchinleck.
8 May, '44. The Chiefs of Staff, the Defence Committee, and the War Cabinet have all earnestly considered your telegram in relation to the whole war situation, having particular regard to Malta, the loss of which would be a disaster of first magnitude to the British Empire, and probably fatal in the long run to the defence of the Nile Valley.
We are agreed that, in spite of the risks you mention, you would be right to attack the enemy and fight
л major battle, if possible during May, and the sooner the better. We are prepared to take full res- ponsibility for these general
THIRTY
TANK
MEN-OR ONE
OYS who were six at the time of Munich make up the 1932 age which is being called Isaacs to uniform this year.
BY IROBERT
JESSEL
nsks us to believe, a 17-year-old boy, who won model of "universality,”
scholarships at school, has lost his job as a junior clerk be Having gone so far to make cause of his impending call is conscription is 80 the call-up. selective, and not up.
unfair," Mrs E. M. universal, ought we to go well writes to me from further and call up still fewer Aberland-road, Swindon.
e tells me of a 19-year-old
who wants to be a singer,
to a
men? And, Inevitably, cause No one else will give a job boy who will be on to more heartburning?
the Army In nine months, < the lad is unemployed, There,
others similar position.
The point is this:
Are wo
18, she says, "quite natural- satisfied that the Army really must be many
averse to military ideas, needs
in the to
all of 180,000 conscripts reinforce the 100,000 to be called up. The Regulars already serving?
is the only boy
rs have escaped.
s Ockwell wonders if this
of thing. encourages
nts to develop their chil-
's talents.
The figures
OK at the official -figures.
tat, every hundred boys e 1932 age class:-
ELVD are
away
EVEN get
are
farm
The intake
LOOK at It mother way.
If Mr Strachey, has £30,000
My Select Commitice Manpow would
in
casily. done by full or time civilian labour.
part
directions, leaving you the
necessary
latitude for their execution. In thin you will no doubt have regard to the fact that the wiemy may him- seit be planning to attack you early in June.
cussions. It was decked to send
As a result of theso hora de
General Auchinleck donhite orders which he must obey or be relieved. Itils was a most unusual procedure on our hist towards a high milliary Com- mander,
Latest date
Prima Minister to
Auchinleck.
Générat
10 May, '42. The Chiefs of Staff, the Defence Committee, and the Wor Cabinet have again COO- sidered the whole position. We are determined that Malta shall not be allowed to fall without a battle being fought by your whole army for Its retention. The starving out of this fortress would involve the surrender of over 30,000 men, Army, and Air Force, together with several hundred guns.
Its
a certain degree of, compró- mine which it will be my responsibility in consultation with the other Commandern- Tho in-Chief, to determinie. importance of avoiding an abortive attack has already boen fully set out (by us] and does not need further ex- planation from me...
I repiled at once:
Prime Minister to
Auchinleck.
General
Your interpretation
20 May, '42.
of the in- structions contained in mito of May 10 is absolutely cor- rect We feel that the time has como for trial of strength in Cyrennica, and that the survival of Malta is involved..
Of course we realise that success cannot be guaranteed. There
接着
Or
OTO no cafe battles, But whether this one arises from enemy attack and your forestalling manœuvring counterstroke, or whether 1 has to be undertaken by you on Its OWD,
we have full confidence in you and your glorious army. and whatever
•happens we will sustain you by every means in our power.
I should personally, feel oven greater confidence if you took direct command yourself, da In fact you had to do at Stal Rezegh. On this, however, I do not press you in any way. Ought not the New Zealand Division to bo nearer the
battlefront? If you want a help in dealing with the Now Zealand Government pray re- cur to me.
Not Accepted
possession would give the enemy a clear and sure bridge. to Africa, with all the corse- quences flowing from that. Its loss would sever the air route -upon
which both you and India must. depend for Z substantial part of your air- craft reinforcements,. Besides this, it would compromise any offensive against Italy and future plans such as “ACTO- bat" [the advance into Tripol] axtd "Gymnast" These two last suggestions [occupation of French North were not accepted by General Africa), Compared with the Auchinlock. . He
these disasters, reasons. We shall see how the certainty of we consider the risks you General was forced by events have set out to the safety of to take both these steps. But, Egypt are definitely less, and also, too intel we accept them.
ра
very
We therefore reiterate the views we have expressed, with this qualification that the latest date for engaging the endmywhich we could ap prove is one which provides a distraction in time to help the passage of the June dark- period convoy.
Answer Came
There Was i considerable pause, during which we did not
or resign. At length his answer came.
Have
ཝཱ།
hin
General Auchinleck to Prime
Minister.
22 May, '42.
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THE HONG KONG JOCKEY
CLUB
NOTICE TO MEMBERS ELEVENTH RACE MEETING Monday 13th and Saturday 18th November, 1950
The arst bell will be rung at 11.30 am, and the first race win bell will be rung at 1.30 pm, and the first race will be run at be run at 12.00 Noon on the 1st day. On the 2nd Day the first 2.00 p.m. The Timin Interval is after the fourth race (1.30pm) on the 1st Day.
There are 10 races on the 1st Day and έ races on the 2nd Day (18 in all).
Through tickets for the Second Day at $18.00 each miý pa obtained at the Compradoro Omce of the Treasurers; 1st noor, Telephone House, also tickets for the Cash Sweep on the last race of the Mecting as well as the Special Cash Swiếp on the "Pearço Memorial Cup" scheduled to be run on 28th February, 1951.
To avold congestion at the Club's Offices at Telephone Hơipe, non-members are requested ta
their Bwcep purchase Hckets at the Club'e Branch offices at:-
5. D'Agillar Street, Hong Kong
or
382, Nathan Road, Kowloon, MEMBERS' BADGES AND ENCLOSURE
...Members and guests are reminded that they and incir ladies MUST wear their badgeş prominently displayed throughout the Meeting.
NO ONE WITHOUT A BADGE WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE MEMBERS' ENCLOSURE
I am now absolutely clear as to.
my task, and I will do my utmost to accomplish it to your satisfaction.
Badges admitting ladies not in possession of Brooches or Am most grateful for your most Beason tickets and gentlemon, non-mibiërs of the Club, to the generous expression of con- Members' Enclosure and Club Rooms at $10.00 per day includitia Adence in the anny com tax, for ladies or gentlemen are obtainable through the Secretary mand and in myself, and for on the written or personal introduction of a member, such member the assurance of your support, le be responsible for all visitors introduced by him, and for pay- the measure of which has ment of all chits etc., been proved to us so often Badges admitting to Members Enclosure will NOT be on rain. and so amply in the past. at the RACE COURSE,
The Branch Offices and the Treasurers Compradore Office Corps, could for example, be know whether he would accent Much är 1 would like to take will close at 10 am. on the Sut. Day and at 11 am. on the 2nd command personally in Libya, Day...The Secretary's Once, will close at 10 am, the 1st Day and I feel it would not be right course to pursue. I have and the Secretary's Office are situated at 1st floor, Telephone at 11.45 a.m. on the 2nd Day. The Treasurer? Compradore Omeo considered the possibility
** | House. most carefully, and have con- cluded that it would be most dificult for me to keep a right sense of
proportion became immersed in tactical problema. in Libya.. I feel that a situation may arise al- msat at any time when I shall
The price of admission to the Fublie Enclosure is $3.00 each have to decide whether I can day including tax for all persons including ladies, and is pay- continue 10 reinforce 'and
the
*** able at the Gate, ・・ Eighth Army strtain without serious hindrance, whether I must hold back and consider the building up of our northern front, which I am now weakening in order to give Geberal Ritchie all the help possible.
Take away all those parades and inspections for troops in the non-fighting arms, and not many conscripts would be found working a 25-hour pro- ductive week.
Many work hard
deed.
GREAT many men in the Services work very hard for My Select Committee be interested in those therefore would start by examining the various who don't. A visit for the com- reasons which the Government mittee might be arranged to has advanced since 1945 for the gunner regiment at Lark
hill, which is so stretched, so having the call-up at all.
starved
of manpower, that It has had to recall some re- servists from civilian life.
First, we were told, it was
to spend, ought he to spend it to release the wartime voterans
on one new Centurion tank, straining to be demobilised.
OR on calling up and training
for two year 30 slightly re sentful soldiers?
By 1047 it was to build up a trained reserve in the Terri- torials.
Might not come
of these 30
them -perhaps a dozen of be doing much more to help
By 1948 the purpose of the exempted the nation
If, instead, they call-up was "to put heart into medical an
were sent to join the 250,000 the French." workers needed by Mr Isaacs for his rearmament.
off
workers
because gramme?
nT
ENTY-SIX are "deferred"
25-hour week
cut the AN
If we could winkle out this
and mayto dozen Army's intake, by a third,
Yet it contrives to alve seven weeks' holiday a year to its Regulars.
The committen would special- ly be interested in what has the half million happened to ex-conscripts who have passed through Mr Strachey's maga machine sinco 1945.
How
many of Utem gould report tomorrow to a known. job: in a known regiment on ND now? It is because Re- recapt of an order broadcast gular Army recruiting has after the 0 o'clock news to bges so poor that conscripta night?
theatres.
students For apprentices. couldn't Mr Suchey release are needed
a third of his Regulars from
Mr Strachey, does not
in
operational
it worth while to inter the bloated training machinery their essential training for operational theatres) where It is time for Mrs Ockwell's
they will be called up National Servicemen are now industry will have to being sent?
boy to be given a more satis factory reason why he must not be a singer untiï 1052.
the bay of 15)
others get off because
My Investigations muggest that the Class Z reserve, plutse the reserves I have listed, plus
Regular Reservists, already the War Office with provide twice
as many mén as the Army could' digest and equip with modern arms in the first My Manpower Commitice compassionate HE time in long overdue would wingat partainly rise of a future World War
THE
part timi! some cost of con- for Parliament tu sat, up, A Select Comitice on Marociation will be thecary for whale Jeara la cobe. It will be will icavo 40 out of power to, ajudy, this
to conscientious objector.
going to live fir Au-
OF on
ginal
Lost jobs
10001933 question of call-up, say Mr. Derwelk Thero
at on unitoring vand: 99/ Into the Army
JAVE.
III;
a long, loni tiuie Biodora thero uro: 280,000′′ Regulara, inn ATTRE...
Whit in wanted' is something on, the same Inds, as the Select
A
Welcome
General Auchinleck to Prime
Minister.
19 May, '42.
My intention is to carry out the instructions of your message of May 10.
I am assuming ibat (your tele- gram] is not meant to imply that all that is required is an operation solely to provide 'n' distraction to help the Malta, convoy, but that the primary object
offensive in of an Libya is still to be the des- truction of the enemy forces decupation of
and tho Cyrenaica ap a step toward the eventual expulsion of the enemy from Libya. If I am wrong in this assumption, then I should be so informed at once, na plans, for a major offensive differ entirely from. thods designed merely to pro- quico a distraction. I am pro- 'creding as, if my sinumption
is right.
Major offensive.
Assuming that a majer ‘offen- sivo is to be carried out but that its inception, must be sƠ- Umed as to provide distraç- tion to help the Malin con- voy, the actual moment of the lounabing of the offensive will be governed by three considerationsfirst, the sail-
or
On balance I think my place is. here, but you can rely on me,
House provided they are ordered in advance from the No. 1 Boy A limited number of Uins will be obtainable at the chită
(Tel. 27818).
NO CHILDREN WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE CLUB'S FREMISES DURING THE MEETING.
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· SERVANTS' PASSES ··
Servants passes will be issued to private box holders Only, who are requested to distribute them with discrimination and
their 10, endorse
names on the passes. Holders "of EUCH
I hope, to adapt myself to the parses are not permitted in the. Member Enclosure, except for on their duties viid must remain in their
aituation and to take hold it passing through need arises. I am in very employers' stands.
close touch with General Ritchie, and há is fully in my mind. I hope all will be well.
Once more I thank you for your inopt Bustaining message. There will be
hard fighting. go there was before, I have great confidence in our troopa axxl In our dispositions have a firm hope of victory, pray that it may
and
to greater things.
Icad
Celebrated tale
I have often tried to set down
ing date of the convoy; cond. the strategie truths I have com enemy Pacitan between. now
and them; third, the relative air. prehended in the form of simple strength of the enemy and anecdotes, and they rank, this ourselves. All these are under wat my
In the
tale of the man tion here
gave the powder to the brar. Ho
powder There are strong signs that there that chat only the in-
with the mod
Brostest care, making enatny intends to attack un in
I bit the proporti the immediate future. dper attack, our future action were absolutely correct, must be governed by the rolled it up in a largo paper
́spill, sults of the balike and cannot down the bear throat, But the and was about to blow 11 be forpcant now.
„bear, blow funt.
close and continuous examina- when larut. One of them
, MANPOWER · Commulitresuming that the enemy dock
up.right: (away, could
not attack us frat, la ta and If I venture to eat this down intention that Crucial Bilonis this "moment. "In my storyt Is because. If an emboldened by shairunch his offensive, in time words of Socrates: The Extra on, the date which will genius of Tragedy, and Comedy pet at in with the otzipat providing 1 thnoclamant dile, thus should be waisten by, the are cedentiaŭ the same, and
Committee' on Expendittire. (Ita That does 20% men, howe produce the evidenco to papve diny should be to report of the ever, that we necessarily needy can. In time, for the New Impirations, of Calling up the body any of 370,000 18 Year young singer from Cumber- produce. Mr Attlee's landerend, Swindon, and the force of ten diviaform) and a. rest of the 200,000 = "oduserija modest component of "Ack-Ach.
targe
Bom
NESCAFE
Jun Aild Hot Waan
The Hoscalf li made th`tha'
gate) Ho chisory! Cóflis b's producing += Pep-cofet
WESCAR
BY ORDER,
8. A. BLEAP.
Secretary.
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