1920-22 Draft of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom – Page 284

Chapter LXXXIV The jump was going to be now, next passes/mission... and "the company" we had a rendezvous on the ruck moving time. I (meaning that we would do) From my position, none of my people "were there with me," and we would not necessarily be involved. In other words, we were not a part of a "coordinated effort," but we could not ignore completely. The time schedules were becoming more definite and the reports from those of the "more intensively" type operations were more frequent. Then Soviet Russia opened, and we were seeing people passing at all levels with a great increase in that traffic. Basically we were "in the middle." The order was rapidly developing to move the entire force into a more active mode in order to support the developing action in all areas, both in place, and the training areas in Germany - extended ops if which became disastrous. The optimism that time was that all the "extended means" were within control, and that no additional losses might eventuate. One problem, of course, was that no specific warnings were being given, other than what info might come out of Moscow itself. That was no really a whole, and would not go very far down for normal operations (movements) and would relate to neither one case nor the other. In any event we would move when the time came, but ARFOUR CP Group would remain in place to operate controls. The bottom line between what as an essential case for me would be that it would be forward for me. If not, operations were to be set up for a controlled withdrawal if necessary. But we were hopeful that things would go well if coordination worked well with whatever plans were afoot across / - to support overall work. I was in Civ to brief incoming personnel, etc. This trip was complicated as I would be seeing Allen right after time with the visit of a major a "special mission" of deployment type. The purpose would not be readily disclosed but I knew it involved both the hard line on the more (vital) matters that were about to emerge, as well as some other prospective assignments. One of these was apparently to move in at once to a position of increased surveillance and also special penetration operations, as well as the more routine matters. We were to be on the alert for special tasking and follow suggestions. We arrived and this included a rather special situation. They were notified that in addition to our normal operations there were some special matters to be covered regarding highly classified "special studies" on the part of certain echelons involving planning for possibility of emergency operations in Europe. No word on it from headquarters yet. And for the moment still no indial moves were expected, though everyone was made aware of emergency procedures. The briefing was done today, and covered her travels, the findings. The review concerned itself with the situation of what we already knew, although there were some dangeroly leads hinting a possibility of special planned operation - the timing may in the Spring. That was the most we could sence from the indications at that time in the carefully worded statements. I could only await further instructions. As the time moved along, the indications were that there would shortly be a major ... At the same time, the special joint combined exercise was in progress which meant that there would be a greater delay in any immediate mobilization, since the entire movement would interfere with the same. We had no particulars on the new situation at this stage of the game. The time was not good to push the unit, as all training was on a basis of normal operations. So we could only mark time, continue ongoing assignments, and await the developments which were expected to come. His briefing to me covered all the details of the work... on the details there would shortly a delay in the follow through, but that this did not necessarily imply another slowdown. He knew, however, we were obviously moving toward a "hot" situation, perhaps not open conflict. But he believed all the indications were that there would be another major confrontation this year. He also said the indications were that it could be sometime during late Spring or early Summer. One thing we reviewed was that certain "assets" about which reports were being gotten in the chain were highly skeptical. Another point made was that indications were beginning to come in that there was a possibility the Soviets were developing another of their... As we went through, it was obvious a new crisis was emerging. I was to hold myself in readiness to move up and proceed upon receiving orders, and also concerned that the preparation be perfect, no matter what role I was to... We had some preliminary indications that there would be an operation involving East