Part Three

Operations

 

‘…Agents in Dublin, Belfast and Glasgow report the departure of ships for the Middle East. It is expected that US convoys will join off West Africa. Large quantities of the new six-pounder anti-tank gun and Sherman tanks, together with the new Priest self-propelled heavy gun, and other vehicles, are aboard. Troops have been assembled at camps in and around Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow and it is believed that these troops are also part of the convoy, which is without doubt intended to reinforce the British Middle East Forces…’

Dispatch to Führerhauptquartier from

German Minister in Dublin via Madrid, 11 July 1942

 

‘…It is reported from Rome that the Anglo Saxons may be preparing to land a force in western North Africa, whence later on they intend to launch their first blows against Europe. It is believed at Naval Headquarters, Berlin, however, that this force is an operation for the provisioning of Malta. Whatever the truth, it is clear that the success of such an operation will depend on the British in the Middle East being reinforced to the point where they can not only resist General Rommel in Egypt but can also drive him back in sufficient disarray as to make a landing or an attempt to relieve Malta feasible. In view of this, every attempt must be made to prevent the British being reinforced in the Middle East…’

To Kriegsorganisation VI from

Dept IVF (Navy), Berlin, July 1942