Transgressions: November, 1940
November 3, 1940, Sunday
Tremendous rain and wind, followed by floods.
The extraordinary news from Canada of the arrival there of much of the British Fleet carrying not only Churchill, but the Royal Family and the leading Conservative anti-German politicians—Eden, Duff Cooper, Vansittart—and their families. Churchill has announced the formation of what he calls an Imperial War Cabinet in Ottawa, to which he has invited representation from the Dominions.
November 4, 1940, Monday
The papers are filled with the news from Canada. Lloyd George has denounced “the renegades” and demanded the return of the Fleet. He has declared that the King, by leaving the country without the approval of Parliament, has in fact abdicated and has invited the Duke of Windsor to “resume” the throne. Viceroy Linlithgow has pledged India to London, while Canada, Nova Scotia, Australia and New Zealand have said they will appoint representatives to the Ottawa cabinet.
November 5, 1940, Tuesday
Jack says Lord Cecil is in Canada.
It is Election Day in the U.S. The papers here expect a close contest.
I went to the Dorchester, where I found half of London. I’ve never seen more money spent, or more food consumed than tonight. The dance floor was packed. The contrast between the light and gaiety within, and the blackout (which continues to be enforced) and the gloom outside, was terrific.
November 6, 1940, Wednesday
President Roosevelt has had a real landslide victory.
It is not yet clear which way South Africa and the African colonies will jump.
Another extraordinary report: Most of Bomber Command has flown to North Africa, wave after wave of Wellington bombers landing in Casablanca with thimbles-full of gas remaining. Denunciations of “the traitors” on the BBC and from the Germans.
November 7, 1940, Thursday
My week’s jottings:
The United States Chargé in France has reported that a delegation of officers from Toulon have told Admiral Darlan that they will not collaborate with Germany. They will probably try to get to Algeria.
The United States Chargés in Italy, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Turkey have reported that the Italian invasion of Greece appears to have been undertaken without the approval of Germany and that none of the countries in question believe that it will spread.
The United States Consul General at Casablanca reports that the German delegate controlling the port and shipping movements there has been arrested.
But to whom shall I send this?
November 8, 1940, Friday
I arrived at my office this morning to find the door locked. As a matter of fact, all the office doors were closed and locked and there didn’t seem to be anyone about. The guards said they hadn’t been given any new orders. I looked around a bit more, then decided to take my things down to Welbeck Street, which is more than ever functioning as a boarding house.
November 9, 1940, Saturday
The constitutional arrangements announced in Ottawa are interesting. As King George is now in Canada, the Governor General there is superfluous (not much of a change). Churchill is to be called “the King-Emperor’s Prime Minister,” a title he no doubt relishes, while Mackenzie King remains Prime Minister of Canada.
Jack and I had an excellent lunch at the United Universities Club. Jack says that the Windsors, or, I suppose one should now say, the King and – and what? His wife? The Queen-Empress? – are in Buckingham Palace. Jack “has hopes for a certain role” in the new government, perhaps in the Palace. Livia, whom I saw later, is furious about Jack’s “maneuvering for dishonour.”
November 11, 1940, Monday
Summer time is to continue throughout the winter. It is as if the Government continues to believe that the war has not come to an end for this country.
The bomb craters have now become pools of water.
The British authorities in Egypt have declared for Ottawa.
November 12, 1940, Tuesday
Lunch with Watt at the RAC. “What are your plans?”
“What do you mean?”
“We will probably have a change in management over at my shop. Fellow called Gifford is taking over. You know him, don’t you?”
“We’ve worked together.”
“Unpleasant?”
“I wouldn’t go out of my way to spend time with him.”
“Yes. In any case, I’ve decided to go away for a bit. My father seems to have disappeared in the Low Countries. I’m going north to see if mother needs any help with the hairy cows. Would you like to come along?”
“I wouldn’t wish to impose on your mother’s hospitality.”
“Can you be ready in a couple of hours?”
Clear, a bright moon.
November 13, 1940, Wednesday
The trains were as usual crowded and slow on the main line, empty after Newcastle. This time no one met us at the station, but the old car was there, covered with snow. Watt, rather surprisingly, was skillful at getting the car started and then taking us up to the castle, which looked quite deserted.
“Mother is probably up the mountain, tending to the cattle. You can put your things in your usual room. I’ll get a fire started in the sitting room and see if there is anything left to drink.”
We were sitting by the fire, drinking Port, and listening to the five o’clock broadcast of the news when Edmund’s mother came in, accompanied by the greyhounds, which arranged themselves about the room in that awkward way that greyhounds manage themselves when they wish to lie down: turning about two or three times, then more or less falling over on their sides.
“Edmund says that you are available for work here.”
“If you could find some use for me.”
“Oh, that will be easy. Our men were all taken up by the Army and we have no hope of seeing them until . . . for quite some time. In any case, the work here does not require much experience.”
“Well, then, I’m qualified: being without experience.”
The news bulletin mentioned the rumor that two French warships were moving from Dakar to a Mediterranean port. The Turks are threatening to seize the portions of the Baghdad Railway that go through Syria unless they are allowed the right to transit war material from Basra. Gaullist military forces have completed the occupation of Gabon. The French have lost effective control in the Hanoi area to the Japanese. The local oil companies have initialed an agreement to export petroleum products from the Netherlands Indies to Japan.
November 14, 1940, Thursday
A cold clear morning. Watt has gone down to Cambridge.
November 15, 1940, Friday
There is a rather elaborate radio set-up in one of the towers. Lady Kyloe and I went up there after dinner, listening to the broadcasts from London, Berlin, Moscow, Washington, Algiers and Ottawa in turn. A rather dismal way to spend the evening.
November 16, 1940, Saturday
The big brindle greyhound has attached himself to me in that distant way that greyhounds have. We went up the mountain this morning to look at the cows, the dog diving into snowdrifts and dashing about. The cows seeming to have matters well under control, back down to the house to chop some wood and otherwise make myself useful. Except for the house’s miniature crenellations and such, very much a Vermont farm in the winter kind of existence. There is an extensive library of nineteenth century English novels and eighteenth century French memoirs here. I’ve begun one of each.
November 19, 1940, Tuesday
Mosley is busying himself issuing orders and regulations and making speeches about the New English Spirit. These are answered from Ottawa with blasts of defiance and snippets of Olde English History from Churchill.
November 22, 1940, Friday
Watt has returned, bringing Fiona with him. “How wonderful to have another woman in the house!” Lady Kyloe.
Fiona doesn’t much care for the greyhounds.
November 23, 1940, Saturday
“I’m going back down to Cambridge. Fiona will stay here for the time being. They are not in great need of her at the Treasury. There will be visitors, some of whom you may know. They will stay a day or two. Best not to ask too many questions.” Watt.
“Of course.”
November 24, 1940, Sunday
The Greeks have scored a major victory in Albania against the Italians.
November 30, 1940, Saturday
Linlithgow has changed his mind and allegiance, pledging loyalty to the King-Emperor in Ottawa.
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