England Expects More....

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England Expects More.... CH 3-5
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    • vpsoccer

    CHAPTER 3 Part 5: England Expects More....

    FIVE

    “Lyons, we have to get to the train. Is everything ready? What's that in your hand?”

    “Sir, it's a note from the Admiralty. The First Lord, Mr. Balfour, would like a brief meeting with you today when you reach London. I've taken the liberty of scheduling it for late this afternoon, just before tea time. That will leave time to visit Admiral Jackson before hand, in case you want to find out what Mr. Balfour might want to see you about.”

    “Hmm. Good idea: forewarned and all that. See if Admiral Jackson can see me for a few minutes, please. I can just walk in on him but I'd rather not if it can be helped.”

    “Very good, sir.”

    == ==

    The train was almost restful, and with the aid of his wheelchair, plus Lt. Lyons and a steward, Moore was able to get to his club for lunch and some sleep before reaching the office of the First Sea Lord. Admiral Sir Henry Jackson, in good time.

    “Gordon. Do come in. I trust you have been able to negotiate the train travel without undue difficulty?”

    “Yes, sir. My energy gets a bit better, and the chair is a substitute for expending too much effort on needless waiting or even locomotion. And if truth be told it is a tonic to have a solid job upon which to get down to work.”

    As 1SL, Admiral Jackson was as much a diplomat as a naval commander, so he kept silent on how drawn and weary Moore looked – to say nothing of the clear effort he was making to put strength in his voice and his words. He recognized the signs of a man wanting to do his all – not wanting to be convalescing in the countryside while the real crisis was upon them.

    “Of course Lieutenant Lyons is helpful and I tip the porters well for their assistance. On the London end, I had an additional steward lined up to help me get around for today and tomorrow. Rank hath its privileges....”

    “Indeed. Now, I am sure that you asked to see me in order to find out what Mr. Balfour wishes to see you about – but I have no idea. All I can say is that he was most precise in specifying the time he would be available to meet with you, but that he has not yet entered the building.”

    “Very good, sir. The Prime Minister already told me that I could have any help I needed, and I don't know what else it might be. What about liaison with the French anti-submarine command?”

    “Perhaps the French, but he's made the political contacts and we're working on the details from here. In fact I hope to hear from them as soon as today or tomorrow. They've been a bit reluctant to part with some of their small number of specialists – let alone one who fits into your staff. So don't expect a large team. It might be something you and I can talk about in the morning if we have a moment.”

    Moore sat quietly for a moment. “It's not numbers that we need, sir, it's ideas.”

    “That's why we have you and young Torrance Smythe on the job, Gordon.”
     
  • Index
    • England Expects More.... CH 3-6
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    • vpsoccer

    CHAPTER 3 Part 6: England Expects More....

    SIX

    It was still early for Moore's appointment with the First Lord, so they passed a few short minutes in admiral's gossip: senior command assignments and the general conduct of the war.

    A quick knock was followed by a Captain opening the door and briskly standing aside as a certain Admiral of the Fleet entered, followed by the First Lord, Mr. Arthur Balfour, and an aide in naval uniform with an unusually heavy top hamper of braid. The unexpected visitor brought Admiral Jackson to his feet, and Vice Admiral Moore made to rise form his wheelchair.

    “Remain seated, please.” A pause as a hand was held outward to reinforce the command. “I insist.”

    “Your Majesty. Thank you.” Moore responded.

    “Your Majesty.”

    “Admiral Moore I heard that Mr. Balfour was meeting with you today and invited myself along to see how you are doing in your convalescence.”

    “Very well, sir. Thank you for enquiring.”

    “Whether you like it or not you are both a popular and a very real hero, and so it is my responsibility to ensure that you are doing well and have everything you need. When we met a month and a half ago you were barely sitting up long enough to eat a reasonable meal. It is good to see you doing so well now. I also heard of the job you have taken on, voluntarily I might add, and am here to express to you my utmost support.”

    “Thank you, sir.”

    “No thanks required, Admiral Moore. I have routine briefings with the Prime Minister, and I am aware of the dramatic increase in shipping losses. Within these walls I can say that right now you have one of the most important tasks in the British Empire. I know that Admiral Jackson and Mr. Balfour are extending all the assistance they can, even as they continue to pursue other avenues with other pieces of the RN. But, you are the one without any other basic responsibility to distract you. I know that you have a staff of very clever and creative men, but there is one thing I can add which should help to open doors where even Mr. Asquith's edict of similar nature may not reach.

    “My equerry has the documentation. This is to authorise you, Vice Admiral Sir Archibald Moore, to make enquiries in my name on any subject such as may be required in the course of your work.”

    “Thank you, sir. Thank you very much. I will not abuse that trust, but will use it if it will help us. We do not know where our research may take us, and will not be able to tell those whom we are asking for help. Not everyone will be aware of the vital nature of what we are doing.”

    Admiral Jackson chimed in: “Thank you, Your Majesty. We may face times when relatively junior officers of Admiral Moore's staff will need information which is closely held by powerful hands.”

    “It is little enough. The fate of the country and the Empire is in your hands.”

    The King paused. He spent enough time touring hospitals and convalescent homes to see when a man was straining, possibly endangering himself, to get back to his duty. What could he say without slighting a senior officer, a true hero, who was fighting his injuries to return to the service of the Realm? He realised that it was the responsibility of any officer to look after his men, and Moore was his man.

    “Please keep looking after yourself, and make sure to use your staff for as much as you can.”

    Moore replied: “Yes, sir. I have a good steward looking after my every need.”

    “Good. And I hope the quacks are also continuing to take good care of you.” The King glanced at Admiral Jackson, trying to will him to ensure that Moore had all the stewards or sick-berth-attendants or drivers or others that he might need. He continued, attempting a slightly jocular tone: “Somewhere down one of these halls is Surgeon Vice Admiral Sir Arthur May – who is incidentally my honourary physician – mayhap I shall call upon him and make sure he knows I have my eye on your recovery, make sure he finds a sawbones with a top-rank Harley Street practice and currently doing his duty for the RN who can superintend your convalescence."

    Moore could not really protest this added attention from his Sovereign, from the King Emperor. “Thank you, Your Majesty. You can assure him that I am being taken care of very well.”

    “Gentlemen, once again thank you for the fine work you are doing. Now, I will go in search of Vice Admiral May, and Mr. Balfour can have his planned discussion with you.”

    At that, King George turned and left – his naval equerry having slipped out a moment earlier to find Vice Admiral May.
     
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    • Deleted member 94680

    A simple yet effective boost to Moore’s work. That letter from the King will open any and all doors Moore needs it to. From all parts of the Empire too, I imagine.
     

    Schlock

    The way things are going, if Moore is successful with the Anti-Submarine efforts and his actions at Dogger Bank and Jutland, combined with the Kings explicit favour, I think for one he's already been shortlisted for a Peerage and likely the position of First Sea Lord post war.
     
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    El Pip

    Schlock said:
    The way things are going, if Moore is successful with the Anti-Submarine efforts and his actions at Dogger Bank and Jutland, combined with the Kings explicit favour, I think for one he's already been shortlisted for a Peerage and likely the position of First Sea Lord post war.
    Click to expand...
    It is possible he will be somewhat burnt out after the war due to working while still injured, I think he may need an easier posting while he fully recovers. Let others serve as the various Sea Lords and handle the post-war demobilisations and the fights with the Treasury about peacetime budgets and what ships to scrap and which to finish, all of which will be highly fraught.

    Moore might be better used running the 'lessons learnt' review as a senior Admiral but not a Sea Lord, it should be a bit less stressful (less politicians for starters!) but is an important job, a good use of his skills and he has the reputation that his conclusions will carry weight.
     

    steamboy

    The 1st Sea Lord must have the back room fighting capabilities of a politician as well, and perhaps Moore's not quite got that. But 3rd Sea Lord..the chap responsible for ship design and construction?

    Also an excellent update and it gives Moore the best and biggest name drop possible!
     
    GarethC

    GarethC

    Donor
    All the bearer has done, he has done for the good of France.

    One should be careful what one writes...
    ...and to whom one gives it...
     
    England Expects More.... CH 3-7
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    • vpsoccer

    CHAPTER 3 Part 7: England Expects More....

    SEVEN

    Jackson was the first to recover. “Now, Mr. Balfour. You had important matters to discuss.”

    “Yes, thank you, Admiral.” Balfour paused a moment to decide which items to go with first.

    “First, I have heard from the French and they have promised one of their most experienced anti-submarine officers. They do not know when he will be available, but will try to give the Admiralty more information by the end of the working day tomorrow. It seems the problem is that last week he got his ship sunk from under him, for the second time, and is home in the countryside on a brief leave.”

    “That's one kind of experience,” Moore said dryly.

    “Yes. Quite.” Balfour added, equally dryly. “Their Minister of Marine says he is considered a very good officer, and very intelligent. He described him as: 'A man to whom you give your problems.' Admiral Moore, I have come to know Rear Admiral Lacaze since he became Minister of Marine, and even with all the trouble we have working out our Mediterranean priorities with the French Navy, he is a solid man. If says he is sending his best, I believe him.”

    “Yes, sir. Thank you.”

    “Second, I am here to pass on to you, Admiral Jackson, that Cabinet has today approved your request to transfer two fully operational RNAS squadrons of Sopwith 2-seaters from France to Cornwall and County Cork. They have further instructed me to say that the squadrons are to be moved with all dispatch, and to be provided with any replacements or supplies they may require. More may follow if they are found useful for additional anti-submarine patrols. Certainly the preliminary information suggests they are useful.”

    “That's good. Thank you.” Jackson hesitated. “We will commence movement forthwith. But what of my request to plan for use of the big new Handley Page bombers for patrols? They have the range and endurance aloft to provide much more effective patrols, and with two engines can be risked farther from shore.”

    “I have no favourable answer for you there – they want to use them to strike directly at the Germans, at least for now. Just as they are reluctant to part with the Sopwiths."

    Balfour took an extra breath before going on. “Finally, I am here to tell you that Cabinet has discussed convoys and has determined that convoys are not to be considered for our overseas trade. Their disruption of shipping flows and effective capacity would hand the Germans their victory. The idea of every ship waiting for days until the group is ready, and then sailing at the speed of the slowest – and all that kind of argument – has been quite persuasive.”

    “The Admiralty has had its doubts about the workability of convoying so many ships, as we have discussed several times,” Admiral Jackson added. “Gordon, the Admiralty analysis of this was to be, is still to be, the main subject of our meeting tomorrow morning with your Commander Torrance Smythe.”

    Balfour continued: “Very good. I leave the operational discussions to you, and merely pass on the Cabinet view at this time. That is that while convoys may work for taking troops through war zones, such as across to France or even to the Dardanelles, that is predominantly in the face of potential surface attacks. Against unseen U-boats it will be gathering their prey for them. Unless and until you have some new information, that is the government's decision.”

    He paused. “Admiral Jackson my office will pass along additional information for your meeting tomorrow – the document is being prepared even now. And with that, gentlemen, I should go in pursuit of the King and try to make sure he doesn't get up to any further royal mischief here at the Admiralty.”
     
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    • FriendlyGhost

    FriendlyGhost

    It's always difficult to see past the 'well of course, that's obvious' kind of arguments - even when wrong, they can be very persuasive, often because they appear to be 'obvious'.
     

    Deleted member 94680

    Jeremak said:
    On case of convoys, and their usefullness, certain commander may appear in this story due his report: Henderson
    Click to expand...
    Hell of a career he had (and family too judging by all the admirals!) and seemed to be ‘right’ about quite a lot.

    Real shame he died so early.
     

    vpsoccer

    Thanks for the comments. It is good to know that you guys haven't given up on me!
    This will continue to be a slow-moving story of the back rooms - although the passage of time may be fairly fast sometimes.
    Notes:
    • Moore was 3SL before the war. This was referred to (briefly) in England Expects. At this point, it's hard to know what he might do post war.
    • The bit with the King got written in here because I keep changing the structure and timing of this series of meetings and moved it from elsewhere. (My editor is driving me nuts!) There will be more on that - but it is also good to know that KGV cares about his man even as he worries about his realm. And BTW KGV is no Richelieu. He gives Moore only the authority to ask for information. LOL.
    • We do not know if Moore will need to use that "royal knock" to open a door, but it about all KGV can do so he does it.
    • And...as I have said before, what is obvious to us was not at all at the time (or else there would be no controversy today!) but they also had reasons. Convoys were not just a 'religious' debate as some might suggest.
    • New Chapter (4) starts tomorrow, I think.
     
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    Spencersj345.346

    You know one of the bigger problems the RN doing well so at Jutland might cause is that they might not be spending nearly as much effort on being prepared for night battle in the interwar period which will bite them in the ass come WWII. Oh and the USN might not realize they should copy the Germans damage control doctrine and where applicable methods which will cost lives in WWII
     
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