I was shocked to realize how quickly I had forgotten what hell the bombing brought.
In common with many of the official buildings in the area, Admiralty House looked like a fortress: at ground level every inch of the perimeter was protected by walls of sandbags about twelve feet high. Above, the windows were sealed with metal shutters. Clearly, it would be no more able to withstand a direct hit from a high-explosive bomb than any other building, but it was certainly intended to survive almost everything else.
Dr Burckhardt, together with two other officials, was waiting for me in a small anteroom along the main hallway. He greeted me effusively, speaking in excellent English with what I discerned to be a cultivated accent.
‘Our meeting is to be delayed somewhat,’ he said, after we had reassured each other that we were well and in good order. ‘Because of the raid last night, the Prime Minister felt he should go on a short personal tour of some of the worst-hit areas. He says it is the best morale-raiser he knows. There is some tea here, if you would like a drink.’
For the next hour we waited, usually in silence, engaging only in small talk. Throughout our wait, the door to the room was open. From my seat I could see along most of the hallway outside. When Mr Churchill arrived he did so without fuss or ceremony. I saw the shadows of movement beside the main entrance as people passed through the narrow corridor created by the high banks of sandbags, then a man in a civilian suit walked in. He was closely followed by the familiar figure of the Prime Minister, who was dressed in a brown overcoat and tall-crowned hat and carrying a cane. He wore a gas-mask case on a strap hung across his shoulder. As he began to divest himself of all this, more of his entourage came into the hallway behind him: two or three more civilians, uniformed senior members of the navy, army and air force, and a superintendent of police. Churchill nodded to these people briefly and shook hands with them, then walked down the hallway towards us. He was accompanied by one other man.
We stood up quickly as he came in. He was not as short as I had imagined him to be. He was slimmer about the waist too. He was also much more spry and youthful in his movements than I had anticipated. To see his famous face so close up was, in spite of my many hostile feelings about him in the past, a considerable experience.
Finally, he spoke. ‘Let me apologize for keeping you waiting, gentlemen. I realize how important your mission to see me is, but as you no doubt know we suffered a serious raid last night. I like to get about to see the people if I can. However, I am ready to proceed.’
We followed him out of the room, Dr Burckhardt walking alongside the Prime Minister as we ascended a wide, curving staircase. The interior of the building was gloomy, because the windows were shuttered and the electric light bulbs which were in use were low-powered, but it was still possible to glimpse the grandeur of the famous building, from which Britain’s naval operations were directed. I glanced at my wristwatch - it was eleven fifteen.
20
UK Government; Cabinet papers protected under indefinite rule (Order in Council 1941); released under EU Public Interest Directive 1997, Public Records Office (www.open.gov.uk / cab_off/pro /)
Minutes of prime ministerial meeting, commencing 11.18 a.m.,
Wednesday May 7, 1941, Cabinet Room, Admiralty House.
Present:
P.M. (Prime Minister, Mr Churchill)
C.O.S. (for Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Ismay)
For. Sec. (Foreign Secretary, Mr Eden)
War. Sec. (Secretary of State for War, Capt. Margesson)
Air. Prod. (Minister of Aircraft Production, Lt. Col. Moore-Brabazon)
Air Min. (Air Minister, Sir Archibald Sinclair)
Pr. Sec. Air Min. (Private Secretary to Air Minister, Grp. Capt. Sir Louis Greig)
H.M. Ambassador - Spain (Sir Samuel Hoare)
H.M. Ambassador - Portugal (Sir Ronald Campbell)
Intn’l. Red Cross (Dr Carl Burckhardt)
Br. Red Cross (Mr J. L. Sawyer)
R.S.O.F. (Religious Society of Friends [Quakers], Mr Thomas A. Benbow)
Note-taker (Self, J. Colville)
[Minutes remain in handwritten note form, as agreed by all parties. File to remain exempt from 30-year rule for Cabinet papers. File closed indefinitely by Order in Council]
PRIME MINISTER: [Introduction]: Welcome to all.
Introductions all round. Compliments to Dr Burckhardt -P.M. is a great admirer of Red Cross. Apologies received from Count Folke Bernadotte (Swedish Red Cross), Mr Attlee (Lord Privy Seal).
C.O.S. to represent all armed forces’ interests; agreed nem con.
[Meeting commences]: I have read your paper and commend you for it. It is an ingenious work of great historical interest. Will enter annals of magnanimous achievements. Undoubted skill and diplomacy. Great congratulations. However, it is unacceptable in theory as well as in practice. It will not hold. I will have none of it. The War Cabinet will have none of it. The Br. people will have none of it. We have no intention of making a deal with Germany.
DR BURCKHARDT: It is not a deal with Germany, but a restitution of peace and order in Europe. Not one-sided. A separation of Britain and Germany from the state of war. Our best information is that Hitler himself is probably behind it.
H.M. AMBASSADOR - SPAIN: The former king has endorsed it.
P.M.: The endorsement of our former king is not relevant to affairs of state. That is not to be discussed today. Where have I seen you before?
J. L. SAWYER: I don’t know.
P.M.: Why aren’t you wearing your RAF uniform?
J. L. SAWYER: I am not a member of the armed forces. I am an unconditionally registered conscientious objector.
P.M.: I can’t talk to Hitler. He won’t talk to me. We cannot pursue that line of approach. It would bring Japan into the war and keep the USA permanently out. Stalin will have none of it. The USA will have none of it. The Polish, Free French and Commonwealth powers will have none of it.
C.O.S.: Intelligence reports from Poland confirm German troop concentrations are continuing to build up on Soviet border.
FOR. SEC: Stalin has been informed about German build-up but he is suspicious of our motives.
C.O.S.: We can’t stop Hitler if he moves eastwards. We should not even try.
P.M.: [Sums up Br. approaches to Soviet Union on this.]
[Continues]: Hitler always said he never wanted a war on two fronts. If he is about to start something in Russia, nothing could be more to our advantage. Gentlemen, thank you again for your magnificent contribution to the cause of peace, but H.M. Gov’t has no position to make to or defend against Hitler. We are at war and shall see it through. That is the final word on the matter. Good day to you all.
P.M. indicates the meeting has ended.
DR BURCKHARDT: [Appeals for further discussion.]
[Continues]: We have a genuine opportunity for peace with prospects for stability within Europe thereafter. The war could end this month. Neither side would make concessions to the other. A ceasefire and withdrawal. Britain’s pre-war position apropos Europe restored. Commonwealth secured. Sovereignty of France restored.