17th April 1945 - Whitehall.
Sir Charles Portal, Chief of the Air Staff, sank heavily into his chair and contemplated the accumulation of paperwork on his desk. He was tired. Yesterday's cabinet meeting and the following Chiefs of Staff meeting had gone long into the night, and it seemed only a few hours ago he returned to his club to catch a few hours restless sleep. Big Ben chimed 7 and he instinctively looked at his watch, a habit that had been with him ever since his first posting to the air staff, which at that moment seemed a very long time ago.
Poland, he thought. Why was it always Poland. Twice in six years Britain had been plunged into war over that unfortunate little country, and just when hopes for peace had been so high. Japan's surrender on the 15th April, which came only 15 hours after the use of a second atomic weapon, this time on Osaka, raised hopes everywhere that the worlds people were once again able to live in peace. But it was not to be. The VJ party was just starting to get under way in the streets of London when an urgent phone call informed him there was a flap on at the Foreign Office and an emergency cabinet meeting was being convened immediately, and would Sir Charles please make himself available to attend at the Prime Minister's express invitation.
Hastening to the cabinet rooms it became apparent to Sir Charles that several of the cabinet members had been availing themselves of celebratory drinks, obviously for a number of hours. The Head of Intelligence, the renowned Australian drunk Sir Robert Menzies, could barely stand. Excited murmurs swept the room as each new arrival tried to find out if anyone knew what was up. Finally the Prime Minister swept into the room followed by a worried looking Foreign Minister. "Gentlemen please be seated", he began. "I regret to inform you that a short while ago this government received a despatch from the Soviet Union informing us that as of 1700 GMT a state of war now existed between that country and Poland. The despatch requested that the Allies remain neutral in this conflict, which the Soviets have described as a minor regional matter aimed at rectifying certain border irregularities. I have discussed with my French counterpart and we are of the same opinion. This naked aggression cannot be allowed to stand, and as Poland is a member of our alliance a state of war now exists between us." The room was silent, each man contemplating the ramifications of a war against communism.
Sir Anthony Eden started shaking his head and muttering in a barely audible voice. "Those damn fool Poles. I told them to stop agitating for the return of the occupied provinces, at least until the Asian war was over and France had returned her army to Europe, but they wouldn't listen. Kept on about the honour and sanctity of the Polish nation. Well now I fear they have created a bitter brew and we all must taste a full measure."
"Bullshit" shouted Menzies, "We'll nuke the bastards. What do you say Charlie?". The PM glared at the inebriated Australian, then turned to Sir Charles. " Indeed Sir Charles, I think we would all like to hear what the air staff has in store for our new foes?"
Just then the French Ambassador had entered the room. He had looked ill, and Sir Charles now understood why. Looking up from his desk to two giant maps on his wall, Sir Charles studied for the hundredth time the disposition of allied forces in Europe and Asia. They had been caught on the hop - Stalin certainly picked his moment.
"Sir, please give me 15 hrs to confer with my staff. Can I suggest we reconvene at 1200 tomorrow, for a briefing on our response options?".
And thus was born Operation Nicholas, the subject of yesterday's meeting. Sir Charles reached for the folio on his desk, and pulled out the map contained within. The plan was simple in it's conception but breathtaking in it's ambition.
The plan was to establish a logistics barrier across the breadth of Russia, stretching from Riga on the Baltic to Odessa on the Black sea. Each bomb symbol denoted a three province grouping, each to be assigned to a group of 3 heavy bombers. The explosion marks indicated airfields that were to be attacked in the opening phase of the Operation to gain security for the heavies. The Vickers Valiants may be faster and far more sophisticated than anything the Soviets are likely to possess, but they are all that stands between freedom and slavery, and every bomber is precious. The Royal Navy yesterday issued deployment orders for carriers into the Baltic and the Black Sea which are expected to gain and maintain air superiority along the corridor, while the heavies will shortly be on their way to Copenhagen, Berlin, Rhodes and Cyprus. Additional fighters are being deployed to Central Europe, but a question remains as to how long the ground forces will be able to prevent those airfields from being overrun.
The topic of atomic weapons proved a controversial one, and for the moment authority for their use has not been given. The main concern was from the French, who as always have one eye on the future. Although it wasn't expressly stated the French are fearful that should their army fail to hold the Red Army, the reprisals inflicted upon the French population by an Army whose homeland had been subjected to atomic attack would be fearful. For the moment, the topic has been adjourned.
Sir Charles' contemplation was interrupted by the ear splitting whistle of jet engines. He glanced at his watch, right on time he thought. That will be the Meteor's of 151 Squadron deploying to East Prussia. Good hunting chaps.
