Read Online Hammer of God (Kirov Series Book 14) by John Schettler - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: John Schettler
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force segregated from the main army, we just might pull
this off.”
“Then
let’s propose this, if it will not unduly weaken his force. It would strengthen
our situation in Palestine immeasurably until I can get a convoy of armor round
the cape for you. It’s underway now, but will be some weeks in transit.”
“At
least you’ve given up on trying to send Tiger Convoy through the
Mediterranean,” said Wavell. “That would have been a disaster.”
“Yes,
I’m a stubborn old bulldog at times, General, but I can be made to see reason
on occasion.” Churchill smiled, taking another sip of his brandy. “Well then,
let us see what General Kinlan can do for us in these operations. We’ll need a relief
column for RAF Habbaniyah immediately, and then anything we can possibly put
together for Operation Exporter. Do you agree with this, Captain Fedorov?”
“Yes
sir. I believe strengthening your eastern and northern flanks now is paramount.
Rommel is in check for the moment. Now is the time to secure Iraq and Syria.
You did so before, odd as that may sound to you, and without our help. Yet I
think we can assist you here, and General Kinlan will cooperate at your
request. In fact, remember that we have helicopters that can get some relief to
Habbaniyah very quickly. I have a small Marine contingent on my ship, and what
about the three helicopters on the Argos Fire? I’m told they have troops
aboard as well.”
“A
capital idea,” said Churchill after Wavell translated. “I think we have the
makings of a good breakfast here. We’ll provide the milk with everything
General Wavell can spare—you stir in a little honey with any detachment that
seems practical and suitable for this operation. But I’m not really happy about
the name. Operation Exporter seems too pedestrian. What about the name of that
tank we’ve been discussing—Scimitar! That has a bit of fire in it, yes? Let’s
call this combined plan for Iraq and Syria Operation Scimitar.”
And
they did.
Kinlan
was brought in and it was soon decided that he could easily spare the Scimitar
scout troops that were attached to his two mechanized infantry battalions.
“It’s
only two troops of eight tanks each, but I suppose I can take another troop
from 12 Royal Lancers and beef this up a bit. That would make for a company
sized force of light armor.”
“Light
to you,” said Churchill, “but I’m told those vehicles are every bit as good as
our own medium tanks, and at the moment we have nothing to send into Syria. The
French will have 90 tanks against us there, so this would be of great
assistance.”
“Consider
it a plan,” said Kinlan. “And I can do you one more service if you need
additional troops. Isn’t there an Indian brigade coming?”
“The
5th,” said Wavell. “A good outfit, veterans from the fighting in East Africa.”
“Well I
have a full battalion of Gurkha Light Infantry here. They might be able to fit
right in with that division, if we brief them appropriately.”
“Excellent,”
said Churchill. “On that note, I’m seeing what we can get from India.
Auchinleck says he can get the 10th Indian Division to sea in short order. The
first of its brigades was going to Malaya, but it can be diverted to Basra.
There are good Gurkha battalions in those units as well.”
Fedorov
was listening to all this, as Wavell was kind enough to keep translating for
him. One worrisome note entered his mind that he thought he should voice. “On
the Gurkhas,” he said. “I wonder if any men in General Kinlan’s battalion might
be related to those being sent in these Indian forces. It might be odd if they
were to meet their great grandfathers, and heaven forbid if….” He hesitated for
a moment, not sure of what he was saying here. “Well, I was just thinking that
if one of these grandfathers were to be killed in these operations, what effect
would it have on the men in Kinlan’s troops?” It was the grandfather paradox in
full boom in
this off.”
“Then
let’s propose this, if it will not unduly weaken his force. It would strengthen
our situation in Palestine immeasurably until I can get a convoy of armor round
the cape for you. It’s underway now, but will be some weeks in transit.”
“At
least you’ve given up on trying to send Tiger Convoy through the
Mediterranean,” said Wavell. “That would have been a disaster.”
“Yes,
I’m a stubborn old bulldog at times, General, but I can be made to see reason
on occasion.” Churchill smiled, taking another sip of his brandy. “Well then,
let us see what General Kinlan can do for us in these operations. We’ll need a relief
column for RAF Habbaniyah immediately, and then anything we can possibly put
together for Operation Exporter. Do you agree with this, Captain Fedorov?”
“Yes
sir. I believe strengthening your eastern and northern flanks now is paramount.
Rommel is in check for the moment. Now is the time to secure Iraq and Syria.
You did so before, odd as that may sound to you, and without our help. Yet I
think we can assist you here, and General Kinlan will cooperate at your
request. In fact, remember that we have helicopters that can get some relief to
Habbaniyah very quickly. I have a small Marine contingent on my ship, and what
about the three helicopters on the Argos Fire? I’m told they have troops
aboard as well.”
“A
capital idea,” said Churchill after Wavell translated. “I think we have the
makings of a good breakfast here. We’ll provide the milk with everything
General Wavell can spare—you stir in a little honey with any detachment that
seems practical and suitable for this operation. But I’m not really happy about
the name. Operation Exporter seems too pedestrian. What about the name of that
tank we’ve been discussing—Scimitar! That has a bit of fire in it, yes? Let’s
call this combined plan for Iraq and Syria Operation Scimitar.”
And
they did.
Kinlan
was brought in and it was soon decided that he could easily spare the Scimitar
scout troops that were attached to his two mechanized infantry battalions.
“It’s
only two troops of eight tanks each, but I suppose I can take another troop
from 12 Royal Lancers and beef this up a bit. That would make for a company
sized force of light armor.”
“Light
to you,” said Churchill, “but I’m told those vehicles are every bit as good as
our own medium tanks, and at the moment we have nothing to send into Syria. The
French will have 90 tanks against us there, so this would be of great
assistance.”
“Consider
it a plan,” said Kinlan. “And I can do you one more service if you need
additional troops. Isn’t there an Indian brigade coming?”
“The
5th,” said Wavell. “A good outfit, veterans from the fighting in East Africa.”
“Well I
have a full battalion of Gurkha Light Infantry here. They might be able to fit
right in with that division, if we brief them appropriately.”
“Excellent,”
said Churchill. “On that note, I’m seeing what we can get from India.
Auchinleck says he can get the 10th Indian Division to sea in short order. The
first of its brigades was going to Malaya, but it can be diverted to Basra.
There are good Gurkha battalions in those units as well.”
Fedorov
was listening to all this, as Wavell was kind enough to keep translating for
him. One worrisome note entered his mind that he thought he should voice. “On
the Gurkhas,” he said. “I wonder if any men in General Kinlan’s battalion might
be related to those being sent in these Indian forces. It might be odd if they
were to meet their great grandfathers, and heaven forbid if….” He hesitated for
a moment, not sure of what he was saying here. “Well, I was just thinking that
if one of these grandfathers were to be killed in these operations, what effect
would it have on the men in Kinlan’s troops?” It was the grandfather paradox in
full boom in
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