The Man who Missed the War Read Free Page B

far more shipping than we could possibly build, and if that had gone on for another few months our war industries would have dried up through lack of raw materials from America, until finally we should have been faced with starvation and compelled to surrender.’
    ‘Yes, that was a grim time. But we got the menace under control by the convoy system.’
    ‘I know, and maybe the convoy system would do the trick again—or maybe it wouldn’t if our enemies happen to have thought up some new device to counter it. Torpedo-carrying aircraft, perhaps, or something like that. Anyhow, sir, if I were their Lordships at the Admiralty I should have only one concern: the absolute paramount and vital necessity of being one hundred per cent secure in what was found to be our weak spot last time. I would take risks anywhere else and yet face a war with confidence if I could only be certain of keeping our Atlantic lifeline open.’
    The Admiral shrugged. ‘The protection of our trade routes has always been a first principle of British Naval strategy, and you need have no fears as to the efficiency of the convoy system; particularly as we too shall have aircraft to assist us in convoy protection next time. But their Lordships certainly don’t share your views about taking risks in other spheres. It’s no secret that under the last Naval treaty we are entitled to build three new battleships for delivery in 1939, and every Ministry of Marine in Europe must know by now that
King George V, Prince of Wales
and
Duke of York
are on the stocks.’
    ‘Good God!’ exclaimed Philip. ‘But that’s sheer madness!’
    ‘Philip!’ said his father in a sharp warning voice.
    ‘But Dad!’ He stood up and once again threw out his large-jointed hands. ‘Think of the money those great ships will cost! At the very least twenty million pounds! And the Atlantic
won’t
be safe for shipping if they’re going to rely on the old convoy system of two or three escorts for forty or fifty cargo vessels. The Germans are not like us. They don’t neglect the lessons of past wars. D’you think they’ll enter the next one with only fifty or sixty U-boats? Not likely! Submarines can be built in parts, and stored in secret. Within two or three months of the outbreak of a new war the Germans may have two, three, perhaps five, hundred U-boats at sea. They’ll hunt in flotillas, and the convoy escorts will be helpless against such numbers. We’ll need hundreds of small, fast submarine chasers and spotting aircraft to co-operate with them. With all these millions we could build them; yet the money’s to be squandered on these absurd outmoded monsters that can be blown up in five minutes by half a score of big armour-piercing bombs. I tell you their Lordships are stark staring crazy!’
    ‘Philip!’ rapped out his father. ‘Whatever your opinions may be, to air them with such lack of restraint is positively disgraceful. You will apologise to Admiral Jolly at once!’
    For a moment Philip stood there as though he had not heard. His face was flushed, his blue eyes seemed to glitter with the strength of his emotions, and he was trembling slightly. Suddenly he said in a fierce, low whisper:
    ‘I won’t! It’s the weakness and stupidity of the politicians that your generation has placed in power which is making it possible for the Germans to fight us again. But at least you might see to it that my generation is given decent weapons to fight with when the time comes. No! I’m damned if I’ll apologise!’ And turning on his heel he marched out of the room.
    The embarrassing silence which followed his exit was broken at length by a most unexpected remark from the Canon.
    ‘What a splendid young man! You know, I envy you, Vaudell, having such a son. I’m sure our friend here’—he waved a beautifully proportioned hand towards the Admiral—’is far too much a man of the world to resent honest criticism of his Service, even when delivered with a lack of