The Gathering Storm Part 28

1See Appendix E, Book II.

2Alas, these hopeful reports are not confirmed by the post-war a.n.a.lysis.

3See Appendix I, Book II.

Chapter 10.

1 See Appendix J, Book II. See Appendix J, Book II.

2 See Chapter 5. See Chapter 5.

Chapter 11.

1 September 29, 1939. First Lord calls attention of the Cabinet to the value of Swedish iron ore to the German economy. September 29, 1939. First Lord calls attention of the Cabinet to the value of Swedish iron ore to the German economy.

November 27, 1939. First Lord addresses a minute to the First Sea Lord asking for examination of proposal to mine the Leads.

December 15, 1939. First Lord raises in Cabinet the question of iron-ore s.h.i.+pments to Germany.

December 16, 1939. Circulation of detailed memorandum on the subject to the Cabinet.

December 22, 1939. Memorandum considered by the Cabinet.

February 5, 1940. Detailed discussion of issue in connection with aid to Fin land at Supreme War Council in Paris (W.S.C. present).

February 19, 1940. Renewed discussion of mining of Leads in British Cabinet. Admiralty authorised to make preparations.

February 29, 1940. Authorisation cancelled.

March 28, 1940. Resolution of Supreme War Council that minefields should be laid.

April 3, 1940. Final decision taken by British Cabinet.

April 8, 1940. The minefields laid.

2 See Appendix J, Book II. See Appendix J, Book II.

Chapter 15.

1 The landing at Tanga, near Zanzibar, in 1917. The landing at Tanga, near Zanzibar, in 1917.

Chapter 16.

1 Temporary Surgeon-Lieutenant H. J. Stammers, R.N.V.R. Temporary Surgeon-Lieutenant H. J. Stammers, R.N.V.R.

Appendix M, Book II 1 The The Fiji Fiji cla.s.s mounted 6-inch guns. None the less, the 6-inch cruisers cla.s.s mounted 6-inch guns. None the less, the 6-inch cruisers Ajax Ajax and and Achilles Achilles later fought a successful and glorious action with the later fought a successful and glorious action with the Graf Spee Graf Spee mounting 11-inch guns. mounting 11-inch guns.

2 The The Argus Argus was commissioned and performed valuable service training pilots for the Fleet Air Arm in the Mediterranean. was commissioned and performed valuable service training pilots for the Fleet Air Arm in the Mediterranean.

3 Many practical difficulties were encountered in the development of these nets. The early trials were unsuccessful, and it was not until 1942 that the equipment was perfected. Thereafter it was fitted in over 750 s.h.i.+ps with varying success. Ten s.h.i.+ps are known to have been saved by this device. Many practical difficulties were encountered in the development of these nets. The early trials were unsuccessful, and it was not until 1942 that the equipment was perfected. Thereafter it was fitted in over 750 s.h.i.+ps with varying success. Ten s.h.i.+ps are known to have been saved by this device.

4 This refers to an incident on September 26 when the Home Fleet was attacked by aircraft in the North Sea, without suffering damage. It was on this occasion that the This refers to an incident on September 26 when the Home Fleet was attacked by aircraft in the North Sea, without suffering damage. It was on this occasion that the Ark Royal Ark Royal was singled out for special attention. The Germans claimed that she had been sunk and the pilot who made the claim was decorated. For weeks afterwards the German wireless reiterated daily the question, "Where is the was singled out for special attention. The Germans claimed that she had been sunk and the pilot who made the claim was decorated. For weeks afterwards the German wireless reiterated daily the question, "Where is the Ark Royal? Ark Royal?"

5 Throughout the war a special section of the Trade Division dealt with the needs of fis.h.i.+ng vessels working round our coasts. Throughout the war a special section of the Trade Division dealt with the needs of fis.h.i.+ng vessels working round our coasts.

6 See Chapter 7. See Chapter 7.

7 General s.m.u.ts replied that of course he would do as we wished. General s.m.u.ts replied that of course he would do as we wished.

8 This policy did not become possible until a later phase in the war. This policy did not become possible until a later phase in the war.

9 See Chapter 7 and Appendix H dealing with the magnetic-mine problem. See Chapter 7 and Appendix H dealing with the magnetic-mine problem.

10 Plans for this s.h.i.+p went forward. She became H.M.S. Plans for this s.h.i.+p went forward. She became H.M.S. Vanguard. Vanguard.

11 See Chapters 7 and 11. See Chapters 7 and 11.

12 This minute refers to the unrotated projectile (rocket propulsion), which was then being developed for use against low-flying aircraft. The device consisted of a battery of rockets which, on reaching a predetermined height, released long trailing wires, each carrying a small bomb at the end, and supported by a parachute. An aircraft fouling one of these wires would draw the bomb into its wing, where it would explode. This minute refers to the unrotated projectile (rocket propulsion), which was then being developed for use against low-flying aircraft. The device consisted of a battery of rockets which, on reaching a predetermined height, released long trailing wires, each carrying a small bomb at the end, and supported by a parachute. An aircraft fouling one of these wires would draw the bomb into its wing, where it would explode.

This device was a stop-gap necessitated by our grievous shortage of short-range weapons. Later on it was superseded by more effective weapons.

13 The development of concrete s.h.i.+ps promised important relief to our vital war industries. It seemed that they could be built quickly and cheaply by types of labour not required in normal s.h.i.+pbuilding and would save large quant.i.ties of steel. These claims were found on examination to be based on false a.s.sumptions and many unforeseen technical difficulties arose. An experimental s.h.i.+p of two thousand tons was built, but was a failure, and although experimental work continued, the use of concrete hulls was only successful in barges up to about two hundred tons. The development of concrete s.h.i.+ps promised important relief to our vital war industries. It seemed that they could be built quickly and cheaply by types of labour not required in normal s.h.i.+pbuilding and would save large quant.i.ties of steel. These claims were found on examination to be based on false a.s.sumptions and many unforeseen technical difficulties arose. An experimental s.h.i.+p of two thousand tons was built, but was a failure, and although experimental work continued, the use of concrete hulls was only successful in barges up to about two hundred tons.

14 This plan was swept away by events. The Fleet Air Arm made its contribution to the R.A.F. during the Battle of Britain. Later the development of the U-boat war taxed to the utmost the resources of Coastal Command which itself drew heavily on Bomber Command to meet its ever-growing commitments. This plan was swept away by events. The Fleet Air Arm made its contribution to the R.A.F. during the Battle of Britain. Later the development of the U-boat war taxed to the utmost the resources of Coastal Command which itself drew heavily on Bomber Command to meet its ever-growing commitments.

Later again in 1941 the advent of the "Escort Carrier" type enabled the Fleet Air Arm to play a conspicuous part in the defeat of the U-boats operating beyond the range of normal sh.o.r.e-based aircraft.

15 This refers to the mining of the Norwegian Leads. Owing to many political complications referred to in Chapter 11, the operation did not take place until April 8. This refers to the mining of the Norwegian Leads. Owing to many political complications referred to in Chapter 11, the operation did not take place until April 8.

16 In Chapter 8 my minutes are recorded dealing with the difficulties which arose over bringing the In Chapter 8 my minutes are recorded dealing with the difficulties which arose over bringing the Exeter Exeter home after the River Plate action. She now remained under repair for many months. home after the River Plate action. She now remained under repair for many months.

17 The "fast escort vessels" became known as "Hunt" cla.s.s destroyers, as their names were all selected from famous packs of hounds. Large numbers were built and they served with distinction both in the anti-U-boat war and in our amphibious operations. Later ancient names were revived. The "fast escort vessels" became known as "Hunt" cla.s.s destroyers, as their names were all selected from famous packs of hounds. Large numbers were built and they served with distinction both in the anti-U-boat war and in our amphibious operations. Later ancient names were revived.

The "whalers" became known as "corvettes" and later types were called "frigates."

Escort vessels became "sloops."

18 As a result of these deliberations the battles.h.i.+p As a result of these deliberations the battles.h.i.+p Warspite Warspite was ordered to return to the Mediterranean, but with the opening of the Norwegian campaign she was recalled to Home waters and did not reach the Mediterranean until May. was ordered to return to the Mediterranean, but with the opening of the Norwegian campaign she was recalled to Home waters and did not reach the Mediterranean until May.

Before the Italian declaration of war in June, the Malaya, Ramillies, Malaya, Ramillies, and and Royal Sovereign Royal Sovereign had also joined the Mediterranean Fleet from convoy duty in the Atlantic. had also joined the Mediterranean Fleet from convoy duty in the Atlantic.

19 See also First Lord's Minute of April 12 above. See also First Lord's Minute of April 12 above.

20 Our s.h.i.+ps were using Skjel Fiord in the Lofoten Islands as an advanced base. This covered the approach to Narvik through West Fiord. Our s.h.i.+ps were using Skjel Fiord in the Lofoten Islands as an advanced base. This covered the approach to Narvik through West Fiord.

21 Iceland was occupied by British forces on May 10. Iceland was occupied by British forces on May 10.

About the Author.

One of the most significant leaders of the twentieth century, Winston Churchill was born in 1874. He served as a war correspondent during the Boer War and after his capture and release became a national hero in England. He parlayed his celebrity into a political career, getting elected to the Conservative Party just ten months after his return. Churchill joined the Liberal Party in 1904. After serving as Home Secretary under David Lloyd George, he became Lord of the Admiralty, but a military setback suffered in World War I forced him to resign. Churchill's political career suffered many ups and downs during the 1920's and 30's owing, in part, to his support of King Edward VIII during his abdication. But when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, Churchill was reappointed Lord of the Admiralty.

In 1940, Churchill succeeded Chamberlain as Prime Minister and remained in office until 1945. During that time, he successfully guided the nation through World War II, inspiring and mobilizing the British people and forging crucial ties with American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Despite his success in the war, Churchill's government was voted out in 1945, owing in part to the nation's lack of confidence in his domestic policies. He remained in Parliament and was reelected in 1951, ultimately resigning in 1955 at the age of 80.

After retirement from public life, Churchill spent his time writing, publis.h.i.+ng The History of the English Speaking People. That work, along with his six-volume history of World War II and The World Crisis, his history of World War I, earned Churchill the n.o.bel Prize for Literature in 1953. In 1963 Churchill was made an honorary U.S. citizen. Winston Churchill died in 1965 at the age of 90.

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