[Homer_J_Simpson]

On November 15 General Gamelin Issued his Instruction No.8, confirming the agreements of the 14th, whereby support would be given to the Belgians “if circumstances permitted” by an advance to the line Meuse-Antwerp. The Allied Supreme Council met in Paris on November 17. Mr. Chamberlain took with him Lord Halifax, Lord Chatfield, and Sir Kingsley wood. I had not at that time reached the position where I should be invited to accompany the Prime Minister to these meetings. The decision was taken: “Given the importance of holding the German forces as far east as possible, it is essential to make every endeavour to hold the line Meuse-Antwerp in the event of a German invasion of Belgium.” At this meeting Mr. Chamberlain and M. Daladier insisted on the importance which they attached to this resolution, and thereafter it governed action. This was, in fact, a decision in favour of Plan D, and it superseded the arrangements hitherto accepted of the modest forward move to the Scheldt.

As a new addition to Plan D there presently appeared the task of a Seventh French Army. The idea of an advance of this army on the seaward flank of the Allied armies first came to light early in November 1939. General Giraud, who was restless with a reserve army around Rheims, was put in command. The object of this excursion of Plan D was to move into Holland via Antwerp so as to help the Dutch, and secondly to occupy some parts of the Dutch islands Walcheren and Beveland. All this would have been good if the Germans had already been stopped on the Albert Canal. General Gamelin wanted it. General Georges thought it beyond our scope, and preferred that the troops involved should be brought into reserve behind the centre of the line. Of these differences we knew nothing.

In this posture therefore we passed the winter and awaited the spring. No new decisions of strategic principle were taken by the French and British Staffs or by their Governments in the six months which lay between us and the German onslaught.

Winston S. Churchill, The Gathering Storm

[Homer_J_Simpson]

If it had been up to me we would have led with the sinking of the Africa Shell by what might be a German pocket battleship. Or even the Al Capone story. But I was over-ruled by the editor, who liked the story of a Brooklyn judge getting off the hook. This could be a low traffic day at WWII+70.

See two perspectives on “Plan D” in the replies above.

Martin is Cleared by Senate, 28 to 19, in Removal Vote – 1-3
Incidents in European Conflict – 2
Need for Amen Ended By Election, Mayor Feels – 3
Al Capone Is Freed From Prison; Guarded in Baltimore Hospital – 4-6
Shoots Ex-Employe Then Ends His Life – 5
Fusion Over, Says Baldwin – 7
British Ship Sunk by Surface Raider Near East Africa – 8-9
End of Britain as a World Power Is Proclaimed as Germany’s Goal – 11-12
Visiting Editors Praised for Work – 13