Five Brothers and a War

Operation Manna/Chowhound

The Allies outlined their plans for the air drops, but aside from occasionally asking questions and raising objections, no progress was made because the two German lawyers said that they could make no definite commitments until Seyß-Inquart had examined the proposals. Thereupon, de Guingand demanded that they should be reviewed carefully before the next meeting, which should be attended by Seyß-Inquart himself, newly appointed Wehrmacht commander in Holland, Generaloberst (“General-Colonel”, equal to U.S. Four-Star General) Johannes Blaskowitz, and any and all necessary experts to ensure immediate action. The request of the Germans that the next meeting be on their side of the line was refused, but they were told they would not be blindfolded next time. The following day, April 29, Brigadier Bogert, accompanied by Brigadier Kitching, Maj. Magee and an interpreter, followed soon afterwards by Lt. Gen Foulkes and Brigadier Wrinch, returned to the same rendezvous to meet with German Lt. Gen. Hermann Plocher, who was accompanied by three staff officers. With their interpreters the two senior officers promptly adjourned to the least-damaged house in the vicinity to confer briefly over the Allied demands and to work out details for the meeting scheduled for the next morning. The Germans were told "in no indefinite terms" that there would be no firing anywhere close to the negotiations. Within an hour, the meeting concluded with an understanding of the ground rules for the next meeting.

the war

The two aircraft that were chosen by the Allies were the Lancaster for the British and Canadians and the B-17 Flying Fortress for the Americans.

Five Brothers and a War

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