23rd February
The British Foreign Secretary, Anthony Eden, arrived in Athens today with a senior military mission including Sir John Dill, CIGS, General Wavell, Admiral Cunningham and Air-Marshall Longmore. The main item for discussion with King George and his government is the question of British military aid to Greece.
There is some reluctance on the part of the Greeks to accept the help offered by Eden, on the grounds that insufficient British help might serve only to precipitate an attack by the Germans.
Eden's task is to reassure the Greeks that, although the forces being offered, which would have to be withdrawn from the army in North Africa, are all that Britain can spare at the moment, they are well-equipped and trained and will acquit themselves well.
Talks are well under way this evening, and look like lasting well into the night, with the Greeks insisting that they will fight with or without British help.
Representatives of the French Colonial governments of Syria and Lebanon are received, very quietly and unofficially, in Cairo where they have requested to talk with General Wavell and the Free French leaders.
In Italian Somaliland the main Italian forces defending the line of the Juba River have been defeated. The troops of General Alan Cunningham are now advancing very rapidly toward Mogadishu.
The first Corvette built in the USA as their part of the 'Ships for Bases' deal undergoes sea trials. Due to the still-delicate nature of the US state of neutrality, the British crew are dressed as civilians. Once the ship has passed trials, she will sail to Britain for Asdic to be fitted, and then work up. It is hoped to have the rest of the Corvette order completed during the next four months.
25th February
In Cairo Wavell decides against the projected bombing of the Ploesti oilfields/ First it would necessitate violating Turkish airspace, and secondly it might attract the attention of the Germans to a British presence in Greece
British Nigerian troops of the 11th African Division have begun to occupy Mogadishu after a day's lightning advance up the coast from Brava, 120 miles away. Meanwhile, the 12th African Division pushes up the river Juba towards the Abyssinian border town of Dolo.
A meeting is held in Washington, D.C., concerning defences in Hawaii. The minutes state that “in view of the Japanese situation the Navy is concerned with the security of the fleet in Hawaii, and apparently the new commander of the fleet there has made a check and reported it to Washington and the Secretary of the Navy has outlined the situation to the Secretary of War. Their particular point is the type of air force in Hawaii, particularly Pursuit. They are in the situation where they must guard against a surprise or trick attack. It is necessary for the fleet to be in anchorage part of the time and they are particularly vulnerable at that time. I do not feel that it is a possibility or even a probability, but they must guard against everything. We also have information regarding the possible use of torpedo planes.”
The Italian convoy which has been assembling in Naples is ready to sail, but the Italian Navy refuse to let it proceed until they have mustered a stronger escort. In particular they intend to wait a few more days to allow a number of submarines to get into position against possible RN attacks.
The results of the trials of the new Mosquito aircraft are encouraging enough for the MAP to place a production order before the trials are complete. The plane has the advantage of not needing much in the way of some limited resources, like aluminium, but will require a unique method of construction to be planned and implemented. DeHavilland promise that despite this they can get 60 produced by the end of the year.
26th February
After talks in Athens lasting all night and much of the day, the Greek Premier, Alexander Korizis, agrees in principle to Eden's proposal for British aid.
The Greek government agrees to accept a British force which at this stage is intended to be 100,000 men with suitable artillery and tank support. The Greeks are very reluctant to accept anything less since it would not be enough to fight the Germans off and would only encourage them to attack. The disposition of the British and Greek forces is also discussed. The British prefer a position along the line of the Aliakmon River but the Greeks are unwilling to give up the territory which this line does not cover.
A final decision is postponed until it can be discussed with General Blamey, the proposed Army commander.
A Free French Brigade is now outside Tripoli, having been resupplied. Tripoli itself is supplying part of 6th Australian Division. The Australians are happy to be in Tripoli and its entertainment; the authorities in Tripoli are rather less enthused.
As well as the 2nd Free French division which has been forming (the first Brigade of which is at Tripoli), the French have also been forming an Armoured Brigade. Unfortunately no tanks will be available for it for some months (the first tanks ordered from the USA by France are not expected until June). However there are considerable numbers of captured Italian tanks, including nearly a 100 Italian M13 tanks (not dissimilar to the US tanks on order) are available, over 80 having been captured in the Benghazi maintenance depot, as well as considerable number of lighter Italian tanks as well as spares and support equipment. These are offered to the French until the US tanks arrive, which will enable the Brigade to be operational in a few weeks
Its proving a bit more difficult than I thought.
