17th February
The heavy emphasis on mutual goodwill and friendly relations in the treaty signed in Ankara today shows the deep mistrust Turkey and Bulgaria have long felt for each other. Bulgaria has never ceased to fear that one day Turkey will seek to regain the territory lost after the Great War and in the Balkan Wars before it, while the build-up of German troops in Bulgaria in recent weeks has alarmed the Turks, who are worried that the Germans' next blow will be delivered in the Balkans and threaten Turkey.
In Japan Foreign Minister Matsuoka Yosuke states that the white race must cede Oceania to the Asiatics. "This region has sufficient natural resources to support from 600 million to 800 million people. I believe we have a natural right to migrate there” says Matsuoka. This speech is not well received in US government circles or in Britain. The Chinese government has serious doubts that 'we' means anyone other than the Japanese.
The British 6th Infantry Division is reconstituted in Egypt. It is intended to use this force in Palestine, allowing the Australian division there to be allocated to the proposed Greek campaign. Another Australian division, the 7th, is due to arrive in a few weeks.
18th February
General Thomas Blamey, General Officer Commanding I Australian Corps, meets with General Archibald Wavell, Commander in Chief, Middle East Command. Wavell explains the composition of a force designated “Lustreforce” intended for operations in Greece. The force is to consist of the New Zealand Division, the Australian 7th and 9th Divisions, the HQ of the I Australian Corps, the 1st Armoured Brigade and an Independent Polish Brigade Group.
Australian troops, 12,000 strong, arrived in Singapore today to reinforce the British garrison. Already the 11th Indian Division has arrived in the theatre, and the III Indian Corps headquarters under Lieutenant-General Sir Lewis Heath is due to be set up in May. The build-up of British strength is in response to the growing menace of Japanese military expansion to the south. Nazi Germany has been urging the Japanese to attack Singapore at once, but the Japanese have their own timescale for offensive operations in the area.
The southward advance of Japan continues to cause anxiety in Australia at a time when the greater part of the Australian forces is engaged in the Middle East. The Singapore base is regarded by Australians as the keystone of defence against Japan, and Britain has assured Australia that if a Japanese attack appeared imminent, a British battlefleet would be sent at once to Singapore. However, there is obviously a need for an army and air force strong enough to hold out in Singapore and Malaya until the fleet arrived. Australia has therefore contributed a brigade of infantry to the garrison.
The Australians are worried about the report they have received from their Prime Minister regarding the poor quality of the troops and defences in the area. As the price for reinforcing, they have asked for a review by a senior officer with operational experience, suggesting that as 6th Australian is currently being refitted in North Africa a suitable officer can be spared to report. The CIGS is rather unwilling to meet this requirement, but the Australians have made it clear that in view of the troops they are providing they consider it only reasonable, and after some controversy in London the idea is approved.
News reaches the British that the Greek Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas, has died in Athens. The planners in London prepare to ask again if the Greek government wants British Army units to help - this has been resisted by Metaxus, who was only prepared to accept RAF help.
In Britain, the light carriers HMS Ocean (recalled from convoy duty) and HMS Colossus are preparing to transport as many Hurricane fighters as they can carry to Malta. From there the planes will be flown to the newly-acquired airstrips in Libya.
Admiral Darlan flies to Algeria to 'look into the situation and encourage the acceptance of the new orders regarding cooperation with Germany'. The visit is the Admirals idea, and he has merely informed the government as he is about to leave for Africa.
19th February
The British Secretary of State Anthony Eden and Field Marshall Sir John Dill (Chief of the Imperial General Staff) have arrived in Cairo to discuss with the local commanders, General Archibald Wavell (Commander in Chief Middle East Command), and General Alan Cunningham (Commander in Chief East Africa Command), whether they can send help to Greece and if so how much. The British political leaders are strongly in favour of sending all that can be spared and Wavell, the military commander who is responsible, believes that this can be done effectively and is, therefore, prepared to recommend it.
Now that Tripoli has been taken, he hopes to be able to rest and reconstitute the formations which have been attacking for the last couple of months. He has been promised more convoys both to replenish their stocks and to build up a force for Greece, once the Greek government actually agrees to one. The visit is useful as it also allows Wavell to discuss some possibilities in French-held North Africa that he has recently been appraised of. One of the results of the discussions is that General Leclerc is summoned to Cairo.
As the troops used will be mainly inexperienced, Wavell brings in General Blamey and General O'Connor (who is taking an ordered two week rest after exhausting himself during Operation Compass) to ask about the state of 6th Australian Division, which he is considering using in place of one of the fresh Australian divisions. During the course of their discussions, Blamey asks, as the force will basically be a Australian/New Zealand operation, if it has been agreed with the Australian Prime Minister who is currently in London. Wavell assures him he is sure that it has, but will verify that for him. O'Connor is reluctant to recommend the use of 6th Australian, as he feels they desperately need a rest, and taking them out of North Africa for Greece will make it look like they are being used too heavily.
In Ethiopia, Free French troops capture Jumbo after heavy fighting with Italian forces. In three hours the Italian Artillery fires over 3,000 rounds.
Emperor HaileSelassie, who was brought back to Abyssinia in January to help organize resistance to the Italians, arrives at Dangilla along with Brigadier Orde Wingate's Gideon Force. During the next two weeks, they harass the Italian troops around Bahrdar Giorgis and Burye with considerable success, despite the fact that the Italians have four brigades in the area and the Gideon Force is only 1700 strong. Meanwhile in Italian Somaliland Cunningham's troops cross the river Juba and head towards Mogadishu
One of the Brigades of the 1st South African Division is prepared to move south to replace a brigade of the 1st Free French Army, which is being brought north. While swapping the two divisions has been considered, the transport infrastructure is poor, and would involve considerable disruption of a currently successful campaign. Once one Brigade has been replaced, command will look into replacing a second. In the meantime, the Free French Brigade that has been fighting in North Africa is consolidating near Tripoli, and is being given priority for replacement supplies. There have been political issues involved with the use of South African divisions - initially they were only to be used in the southern part of the continent, but agreement has been reached that they can now be deployed 'in Africa'. The arguments in favour of wider use have been influenced by the success of the Australian and New Zealand troops in defeating the Italians - after all, if they can come all this way to defeat the enemy troops on the African continent, surely so can South African troops. This has not stopped some parties in South Africa complaining, but they have at present lost the argument.
21st February.
An Italian convoy is assembling in Naples, loaded with men of the Arête division and the German 5th light division. Its destination is Tunis.
Eden, still in diplomatic discussions in Cairo, receives a telegram from Churchill with the advice, "Do not consider yourselves obligated to a Greek enterprise if in your hearts you feel it will only be another Norwegian fiasco."
In a second telegram, O'Connor is promoted to Lieutenant-General and made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. He will take over the command of the Imperial troops in North Africa, which are expected to be expanded soon both with new units and once Somaliland and Ethiopia have fallen. The victorious British forces are currently recovering from nearly two months of campaigning, except for the engineering and maintenance men who are busy repairing as much as possible of the armour and transport that has been savaged by the desert conditions. Having possession of all the battlefields, and the well-equipped Italian maintenance facilities, more than expected can be repaired or cannibalised, but it will take time. Since the 7th Armoured is in by far the worst shape, it is being pulled back to Egypt for a full reconstruction while its working equipment is used to strengthen the 2nd Armoured.
The Royal Navy has also pulled its heavy units back; they too need maintenance work done on them, and the carriers airgroups are in poor shape. For the next few weeks the waters off Libya will be covered by the light cruisers and destroyers, unless it is necessary to intercept a convoy. The RAF is also busy in its workshops; it has a huge number of unserviceable aircraft that need maintenance and repair.
22nd February
German military staff arrives in Sofia, Bulgaria as 17 divisions, eight of which are heading for Greece, cross the border in a gesture of fascist good-neighbourliness.
Heavy night raids by the Luftwaffe are still causing serious damage in Britain. However the new night fighters, aided by steadily improving AI radar and training are taking a steadily increasing toll of the Luftwaffe bombers; nearly 60 were shot down in January (as well as the losses to the AA defences), and the success rate is increasing steadily. Fortunately night bombing isn't accurate enough to target precise targets, although the damage and deaths caused by the area bombing is unpleasant, it is not doing serious damage to the British war industry.
The Reaper night fighter is now being produced in sufficient numbers to allow the Beaufighter production to be reassigned to its original role (the limits on the night fighters are currently radar sets rather than fighters). It is hoped to have the first Beaufighter squadron operational in their new role in about three months.
A new order is placed for more light bombers from the USA, partly for the RAF partly for the French Air Force (although again most of these will be 'lent' to the RAF)
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 starts 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. The RAF is in any case against it for at least a month due to the need to rest the aircrew and repair the aircraft after the all-out effort to support O'Connor.
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 (fighters). 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 Royal Navy attacks.
The results of the trials of the new Mosquito aircraft are encouraging enough for the Ministry of Aircraft Production 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 at least 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), over 80 having been captured in the Benghazi maintenance depot. There are also a considerable number of lighter Italian tanks, considered useful for training, 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.
27th February
At a meeting of the British War Cabinet to discuss the situation in the Middle East, Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies agrees to send Australian troops to Greece. He has been informed by telegram by General Blamey that the task is far more uncertain that some of the proponents of the plan have been making out, and he sets the condition that an Australian be put in command (as it is basically an Australian and New Zealand force), and that he is responsible, in case a German invasion forces a withdrawal, for deciding when and where this will happen. Churchill is unhappy about this, but as the only alternative is to give Libya back to Italy by withdrawing the troops there (who in any case will not be ready to fight for some weeks), he agrees.
28th February
France capitulates to Japan's ultimatum to accept its proposals for settlement of the border dispute between its colony in Indochina and Thailand.
The Vichy cabinet's decision in the early hours of the morning came only hours after the Japanese ultimatum expired. Throughout yesterday Japan made it clear that it was ready to implement its proposals by force if necessary. When the agreement is signed Indochina will cede to Thailand all of Laos west of the Mekong and an important part of north-western Cambodia. Japan wants military bases in southern Indochina and Thailand, and expects to capitalise on its intervention by making a military pact with Thailand.
1st March
The 11th African Division begins a lighting pursuit of the retreating Italian forces in Somaliland north from Mogadishu towards the Ogaden Plateau.
General Cunningham reports on the East African front to Wavell:
"Enemy evacuating whole of Italian Somaliland. Force at Ischia Baidoa apparently withdrew via Neghelli. Free French Div. was unable to cut it off through lack of petrol. Light forces are moving to occupy Lugh Ferrandi and Dolo. Bardera has been occupied.
...Force at Mogadishu has outrun supplies. Harbour cannot be entered for some days pending sweeping operations. Movement of motor transport by ship to Mogadishu not possible, and the rains beginning to render road from Kenya precarious."
An Italian convoy finally sails for North Africa; it carries the advance units of the German 5th Light Division and the Italian Ariete Division. The convoy's first task is to avoid the aircraft from Malta searching for it; accordingly for the last three days Malta has been heavily bombed by the Luftwaffe and Italian Air Force, which has caused considerable damage as well as reducing the number of aircraft operational on the island. It has also reduced the number of Axis aircraft available, if needed, to support operations in North Africa. The convoy also carries Luftwaffe personnel to allow a fast preparation for an airbase; in particular, Rommel wants Me109 fighters to secure his air cover as soon as possible.
2nd March
Eden finds out from General Heywood that the Greek government had failed to carry out the agreement reached at Tatoi and that no order for the withdrawal of troops from Macedonia and Thrace had been given.
Mussolini flies in to Albania, hoping his presence will raise the morale of his troops. It doesn't.
Germany officially admits that its troops (of the XII Army) had entered Bulgaria. According to a High Command communiqué: "The German army, in agreement with the Royal Bulgarian government, has been marching into Bulgaria since Saturday." In the Bulgarian parliament the Prime Minister, Professor Filov, said that Germany had asked permission to send in the troops on a temporary basis in order to "safeguard peace in the Balkans".
All day today the Germans have been pouring into Bulgaria by way of pontoon bridges across the Danube. Meanwhile there are reports that the vanguard of the German forces is already approaching the Greek frontier at four points. With the Luftwaffe present in strength, the German attack on Greece seems imminent.
In London, the Chiefs of Staff estimate that one German armoured division and three motorised divisions could reach the Bulgarian-Greek border by March 6, with an infantry division arriving by March 11. This is thought to be the maximum strength that the Germans could field until April 15.
General Wavell is asked how soon his troops will be ready. He replies that the New Zealand Division can sail as soon as transport is arranged, but that it would be unwise to send this formation on its own. He suggests they are immediately sent to Crete, which he needs to hold in any case. Meanwhile General Cunningham has light forces on to Ferfer (about 200 miles north of Mogadishu and Dolo) which will complete the occupation of Italian Somaliland.