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CHAPTER 2 Part 2: England Expects More....

TWO

The door opened and PO MacPherson stepped through and held it as Vice Admiral Sir Archibald Gordon Moore stepped slowly forward. All jumped to their feet, and on recognizing that it really was Moore standing at the head of the table, all stood a bit straighter. There were smiles all around.

“Thank you, gentlemen. Please be seated.” His flag lieutenant slipped unobtrusively into a corner as CPO Davies pulled the chair off to the side.

“Commander Torrance Smythe – Smithy – has by now given you the essence of your task. My job will be to help, to guide, and to protect you as you get down to work, as you ask questions and test solutions. My job will be to open doors for you. If you need to see anyone about anything, ask any question, I can open that door.

“Smithy will be in day-to-day command, and for formal purposes I shall be the commanding officer, and you may use my name, if necessary, when requesting information or help of any kind. We don't have a name, but I suppose you could say you are part of my staff. Administration will be from HM Dockyard, but the chain of command will be that I report directly to their Lordships. I have no other assignment or command. You are not just one of many responsibilities – this will be my sole focus. The U-boat menace is critical for the United Kingdom and the Empire.

“Admiral Jackson was rather terse, he said he doesn't want lengthy written orders distracting us from getting on with the job. And the job is simple: do whatever it takes. To quote the written orders: “Determine means by which the RN or other forces can sweep enemy submarines from critical sea lanes in order that merchant ships can come and go from United Kingdom ports in safety.” We can coordinate with others, whether RN or scientists, seamen of any kind. Druids for all anyone cares. Find out what they know, and what they are doing. But we, you, have to put the pieces together, see where they work together or at cross purposes, and cut across departmental or other command lines if and when required. Find a solution, or many solutions, whatever works.

“My own job, as the figurehead-in-chief,” he gave a wry smile, “will be to use my gold braid and my recent elevation in public esteem, to cut across lines of any sort. To ask, persuade, or press gang anyone, anywhere, to help us. And I can add,... just a moment....”

As he spoke, Moore turned his head a bit and angled his hand toward MacPherson who quickly moved out to the hall. Moore continued, “I will be honest with you. Standing here for a few moments is showing off – more to myself than to you – but I am still recovering from a few scrapes and bruises I picked up when we had that donnybrook with the Huns a few months ago.”

Davies held the door as MacPherson came back with a wheelchair which they positioned, and then MacPherson held Moore's arm as he lowered himself into it.

“Ahh. Thank you.” Moore nodded toward his helper. Clearly this was not MacPherson's first time helping him get around.

“I try to save those bursts of energy for when I really need it. I am getting a bit stronger every passing week, but I shall always have limits to that.

“Most days I will be here for a short time if at all, or when my presence seems especially useful. Other days I will be meeting with the Admiralty or other departments, or anyone in high places who might be able to help us. The First Lord, Mr. Balfour, has assured me that he speaks for the Prime Minister when he says that the country will support us, 'howsoever you may require.' to use his exact words”

Smithy spoke up: “Sir, there is a whole anti-submarine and sea patrol apparatus that is already working for all they are worth to stop the U-boats. How do we fit in, and how do we avoid conflicts?”

“Good question. First, they are doing the work and we will respect them at every turn. We will learn from them at every opportunity. Whatever we learn ourselves, we will share. When we think we figure something out, we will ask if it has been tested. We will work on testing it with them. We will give credit where credit is due. Credit will come to all in abundance from finding a solution. Second, we are intended to work outside the usual lines, to ask questions, to gather information from different sources to compare and contrast. We are not going to invent some new weapon ourselves, but we might see something at odds in the reports, or in the way that U-boats are currently viewed. In that way we are to be free of operational necessities or traditional fiefdoms and open to free thinking. We are a long shot, but Admiral Jackson as 1SL, and Admiral Jellicoe who had us with the Grand Fleet, thought that given the success Smithy and I had with the FACT system, might strike it lucky once again.”

Moore paused and looked around, then smiled slowly. “None of you are here entirely by accident. The least that can be said is that in your previous posts you were considered creative, and in some cases independent-minded or even downright impertinent, or indeed worse – from a traditional point of view. I will let you trade details later over drinks, but suffice it to say your previous commanding officers considered you to be thinkers who were not always completely bound by the KR&AI. With this assignment, that is a definite asset.”

Lieutenant Commander Barker, was looking down at his hands and smiling, while Lieutenant Robinson could not help but chuckle as he spoke. “Sir, I suppose I might have learned too much from some of my clients...my less socially compliant clients...before the war. Sir.”

Moore shared in the laugh. “Exactly. We have to look where others are not and figure out whatever it takes to stop the U-boats from sinking our ships and scaring the neutrals coming to port with the goods and resources Britain needs. Smithy and I have worked together in the past, and we have spoken a few times these past two weeks. He has my complete confidence. As to our group, I am optimistic and I am sure we will soon develop a similar level of confidence in each other.

“And so gentlemen, we have our task. We have a wide-open mandate to pursue anything which might help get more U-boats sunk and allow ships to get to and from our ports. The total of losses is rising every week, and will soon be a threat to our ability to wage war in France.

“I have a few things to discuss with Commander Torrance Smythe before I go. Smithy, what do we have for an office? Lead on.”

Moore turned his head a bit. “MacPherson, if you would, please. Flags, oh...stop! Before we go, gentlemen: this is Lieutenant Lyons,* my new Flag Lieutenant. You will see him around from time to time as he does my legwork for me. Alright, let's go.”
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*Ficticious character. We can't go through this story just calling him Flags.