“Alright — alright,” agreed Fadden with sigh. “Well, by my count, we’ve got one more thing before we call in the Cabinet. What are we going to do with the AIF in Egypt?”
“I have just received word from General Wavell in Egypt. Four Italian divisions, under the command of General Rodolfo Graziani, have crossed the Libyan border into Egypt and are advancing on Sidi Barrani. The Italians have carried out artillery bombardments of General Wavell’s forward positions and tried to bomb targets in Egypt.” Sir Eric Haohoa peered around the Cabinet Office from behind the dispatches. Those present were nodding thoughtfully. The news from Egypt was hardly a surprise, but it wasn’t welcome either.
“Four divisions; that could be 100,000 men. And Archie has 30,000 at most. 7th Armoured Division and 4th Indian Infantry, if I am not mistaken.” General Auchinleck was very rarely mistaken.
“I believe that is correct.” Sir Eric consulted his briefing. “Yes. 7th Armoured and 4th Infantry, with 205 aircraft. The Italians have 300. Graziani has nine divisions: six regular Italian infantry and three Blackshirt militia divisions. And a small armored group. But, the initial reports are that only four divisions have been committed and they are advancing slowly. A battle group from the 7th Armoured is harassing them while the bulk of the division assembles at Mersa Matruh.”
“Gentlemen, I think we are beginning to see the first steps of the Noth Plan taking place.” Lord Linlithgow sounded depressed. “Is there any sign of German involvement in this attack?”
“No, Your Excellency. This, and the fighting in East Africa, appear to be a uniquely Italian effort.”
“That proves it then. The Germans are holding their forces ready for the thrust through Turkey and Iraq.” General Auchinleck drummed his fingers angrily on the conference table. “Otherwise, they would be supporting the Italians in the assault on Egypt. What is happening in Iraq?”
“The situation there is deteriorating fast. With the outbreak of the war, the Iraqi Government broke off diplomatic relations with Nazi Germany. However, they have refused to take the next logical step and declare war upon Germany. Our man in Baghdad, Nuri as-Said, has been replaced by the nationalist and antiBritish Rashid Ali.”
“Nationalist does not mean hostile.” Pandit Nehru had a warning tone in his voice.
“Indeed, it does not; a point that we are trying very hard to impress upon the Americans at this moment.” Sir Eric shook his head. “However, Ali has made covert contacts with German representatives in the Middle East, though he is not yet an openly pro-Axis supporter. He appears to be a much closer equivalent to Subhas Chandra Bose than is comfortable for us. It is due to his influence that Iraq did not break off diplomatic relations with Italy when they joined the war on the side of Germany. The Italian Legation in Baghdad has become the chief center for Axis propaganda and for fomenting antiBritish feeling in the region. It would appear that the next scene of German activity will be in Iraq and the key to what happens there will be our position in Egypt and the Sudan. If the Commonwealth position there holds firm, then we will indeed be in a much better position to counter German moves on Iraq.”
“What worries me is, if we can see that, why can’t the Germans?” Sir Martyn Sharpe didn’t like interfering in military and intelligence matters, but there was something about the situation that felt askew. “If this offensive in Egypt is so critical to their plans for Iraq, shouldn’t they be supporting it?”
“Logistics.” Auchinleck spoke decisively. “The transport facilities are inadequate to carry the supply tonnage needed for a larger force forward to the battle areas. The ports along the North African coast don’t have the capacity to land supplies for much more than the present order of battle. Graziani actually has more troops than he can use at the moment. So, there is no need for the Germans to get involved and they’re better off getting ready for the seizure of Iraq.”
“There’s a political aspect to this as well.” Sir Eric picked up where Auchinleck had left off. “Egypt is technically neutral and the British troops deployed there are supposed to be guarding the Suez Canal. The British Army in Egypt reports directly to London. There is no Governor-General to whom authority might be considered delegated. So, an attack on the British troops there is a direct attack on London. An Italian assault is one thing; it can be written off as an affair conducted by a third party. Any German involvement would be an entirely different matter; a direct breach of the ceasefire they signed back in June. If anything, this Italian adventure must be deeply embarrassing to the Germans and put at risk all they gained from Halifax’s actions.”
“So, no German involvement then.” Harold Hartley summarized that conclusion with a degree of relief. “But it appears that the mess in the Middle East will be the center of attention until it gets tidied up. And that may take some time.”
“It will also require resources.” Auchinleck was despondent. The truth was that with Britain out of the war, the resources needed for the Commonwealth to carry on were simply not there. Britain had been the center of the Commonwealth in much more than just name. “The Seventh Armoured Division is just about the only full-sized armored division outside the German Army at this time. Lot of armored brigades of course, but it’s the only armored division available. How it will keep its tanks running is anybody’s guess.”
“Canada is gearing up to produce Valentine tanks, but it’ll be next year before we see any.” Sir Martyn shared the general depression. After the heady excitement of fulfilling a dream and setting India on the path to independence, the practical realities involved were crushing down on him. In his eyes, they could be summarized as ‘a complete lack of everything.’ “We don’t even have the spares to keep what we have running.”
“There may be a solution to that, at least.” HH opened a file he had brought with him. “We have had an offer from an American gentleman, a Mr. William Pawley of the Intercontinental Aircraft Corporation of New York. He is known to us already; he arranged the export of Waco YQC-6 and Douglas DC-2 aircraft to Tata Airlines. Now, he has come to us with an offer to obtain second-hand aircraft production machinery from the United States and install it in a factory here. He suggests that the machinery he can obtain will not allow us to produce our own aircraft, but will permit the support of American–built aeroplanes here. Tata Airlines speak well of him; they describe him as a man of his word who drives hard bargains but is scrupulously honest in carrying them out.”
“There is something else you ought to know about our friend Mr. Pawley.” Sir Eric also had a file on the man. “Despite being a very active Republican, he is closely involved with the Roosevelt administration, and, in particular, its policy of sending aid to China. He is already reported to be forming a volunteer group to fly fighters for the Chinese Air Force. If he has approached us with this offer, we can conclude it is because supporting us has become American government policy. Why that is, of course, we can but conjecture.”
“Doubtless we shall find out in due course. I wonder if the other Commonwealth countries have received similar offers?” Lord Linlithgow drummed his fingers on the table. “We need that conference of Commonwealth leaders. Is there any progress on that front?”
“All are agreed that it is essential. The Australians propose holding it in Melbourne, the South Africans in Capetown, the Canadians in Vancouver. We have suggested Bermuda. It is a compromise everybody can live with and I believe it will be accepted. Having suggested the appropriate location will be a benefit to us, politically speaking, of course.”