As was required, Jack informed the Under Secretary of the Navy of his intended meeting with King George VI. Gene saw no problem with it; in fact, he encouraged Jack to be open and frank with the King.
On the Monday after his chance encounter with the King Jack called the palace and spoke with Major Hardinge. A suitable time was arranged: Jack would meet with the King on the following Monday morning 25th November at 11 am.
The Embassy car, a Lincoln Continental this time, drove Brigadier Doherty to Buckingham Palace for his meeting with King George. As with his father, the King’s secretary Major Hardinge met him.
He was led down the same magnificent hall to enter the King’s private office. He recalled his father’s description of the King’s office; it was just as his father had described years earlier:
‘It was not just an office. It was quite large and had bookcases on three sides. It overlooked some magnificent gardens. Various priceless paintings adorned the walls and the desk was something to behold - an eighteenth-century Chippendale originally made for King George III.’
Brigadier Doherty was invited to sit on the leather lounge and wait for the King to appear. He didn’t have to wait too long when George VI entered his office and shook the hand of the American officer.
‘Brigadier, I appreciate your taking the time out of what I am sure is a very busy schedule.’
‘It is my pleasure, your Majesty.’
‘I am naturally very concerned about how this God-awful European war is going. We are being stretched to the limit as you probably already know and Hitler seems to be making gain after gain.’
‘I can assure you, your Majesty, President Roosevelt is extremely concerned and is trying to help as much as he can. Having said that, he and the American people have no desire to enter into another European war. We are still licking our wounds from the last one.’
‘Mr Churchill informs me that you have undertaken some actions that seems to be hurting Hitler and his allies, the Japanese.’
‘That’s true. We have embargoed oil, denying Japan fuel. It’s estimated that they have about one month’s supply remaining.’
‘Wouldn’t that force them into invading countries to secure more supplies?’
‘We believe our embargo will in fact prevent the Japanese from attacking your oil-rich territory in East Asia i.e. Malaya and Singapore, and Holland’s Indonesia. Are you aware of the terms of the ‘Lend Lease Program’, your Majesty?’
‘I am aware that we are receiving loans from America to help us and our allies purchase much needed weapons.’
‘America has so far lent Britain and its allies close to fifteen billion dollars. A total of $50.1 billion worth of supplies were shipped. That represented 17 percent of the total war expenditures of the US. In all, $31.4 billion went to Britain, $11.3 billion to the Soviet Union, $3.2 billion to France, $1.6 billion to China, and smaller sums to other Allies. Reverse Lend-Lease comprised services such as rent on air bases that went to the US, and totalled $7.8 billion; of this, $6.8 billion came from the British and the Commonwealth.’
Jack continued, ‘Additionally on 2nd September 1940, President Roosevelt signed a ‘Destroyers for Bases’ agreement with Britain. Under the terms of this agreement, the United States will give you more than fifty decommissioned destroyers, in exchange for ninety-nine year leases in Newfoundland and the Caribbean, which will be used as US air and naval bases.
‘Your Prime Minister, Winston Churchill originally requested that Mr Roosevelt provide the destroyers as a gift, but our President knew that the American people and the Congress would oppose such a deal. So, it can be said that America fully supports your war effort.’
‘You don’t think America will enter the war, unless it is attacked?’
‘No, your Majesty, however President Roosevelt had given orders that any German ship found in the eastern Atlantic should be fired on and sunk. This means to a certain extent, the United States has more or less entered the War of the Atlantic. We are determined to keep Britain’s sea routes safe.’
‘It is an uncertain world we live in Brigadier. Are you prepared if by chance you are forced into the war?’
‘We are. The US Army has grown massively from 267,767 personnel in 1940 to 1,460,998 currently.’
‘We as a nation appreciate America’s help, Brigadier.’
‘The American people fully support you. In fact, 83 percent of Americans want Britain and France to win the war against Germany.’
‘Really? Not one hundred percent?’
‘Well, considering 17 percent of our population is of German decent it’s a pretty high figure.’
‘I see. Hhmm. Yes, you are right.’
The King thanked Jack for his honesty and his time and bid him farewell.
When he returned to his office Jack began to write his report to the Under Secretary of the Navy.