Opening Moves

“Thank you General. I have been afforded the opportunity to eat and drink. Once I have given you my brief, I would be grateful if you could order your staff to allocate me a modest room where I might catch up on my sleep before I return with your reply.”

“Consider it done General,” and he leant across to the telephone, organising comfortable quarters for the tired looking Spaniard.

Grandes inclined his head in thanks as Ike replaced the receiver.

The Allied general settled back in his chair, his eyes inviting the Spaniard’s information, although all he wanted to do was sit on the edge in anticipation of the words to come, much like a child at the end of a good fairytale.

Grandes spoke firmly and with a lilt only those from Mediterranean climes have perfected.

“General Eisenhower, I am here, on behalf of Generalissimo Franco, to give you the official and irrevocable position of the Spanish nation.”

Eisenhower nodded but did not interrupt the flow with pleasantries.

“The Soviet broadcast on the 6th August made clear the position the Communists have adopted regarding Spain and other countries. My Generalissimo wishes the Allied nations to be very clear on the position Spain has adopted regarding the Soviet Union and her allies.”

A light cough broke his flow.

“Spain believes that America, Great Britain, France, and all the other Allied nations intend to resist this communist aggression. Is that correct general?”

Eisenhower nodded and reinforced the message.

“Since that broadcast on Monday I can tell you that all nations who were committed to the Allied cause in May 1945 have reaffirmed their commitment to opposing this violent incursion into free Europe, as well as additional commitment being made by both the Brazilian and Mexican governments, we have received overtures from Argentina on offering assistance. You, Generalissimo Franco, and the Spanish nation may rest assured that we and our league of free nations will resist this with all our might and we will not stop until Europe is no longer under threat.”

Eisenhower made sure that Grandes would get the real importance of what he was about to say.

“We all will not stop until Nation States since absorbed or made puppets by the Soviet advances are returned to their rightful leaders and peoples all the way to the borders of Russia herself, and that the Soviet Union is made incapable of further acts of aggression for generations to come.”

Grandes looked genuinely shocked to learn of the political position of the allied governments and wondered why it had not been announced.

Eisenhower answered the unspoken question.

“General, we will prevail, that is a given, for the People’s of the World are stirring to our cause. But much as Abraham Lincoln could not announce the emancipation of the slaves without a signal victory, any such words on our part will appear hollow without a victory, our Gettysburg.”

Realising that in his efforts to explain the political position he might have strayed into a part of American history unfamiliar to his audience, Ike apologised.

“Sorry General, not everyone is interested in that part of our history. Allow me to explain a different way.”

Grandes smiled.

“I understand perfectly General Eisenhower. Until you can do something to the communists and they have tasted a defeat of note then no threats, no announcement by you will have standing, either in their eyes or the greater world.”

Eisenhower inclined his head in a gracious acceptance of the Spaniard’s understanding and eloquence.

“General Eisenhower, Spain is with you.”

Four words with much meaning.

“As we speak, the Blau Division is reconstructing and will be ready to be placed at your disposal within the month. The Spanish Army will prepare an Expeditionary Force, which will constitute a full Corps of four divisions. This will be made available, under Spanish Command of course, once the position is made clearer to us regarding what direct threats exist to our homeland.”

Eisenhower had just been given an extra division of troops, not a huge force in the greater scheme of things, but the prospect of a corps of troops from a new ally filled him gave him a huge boost.

“Our ambassador’s in the Allied countries are delivering our promise of support and commitment to the Allied cause as we speak. The specifics of the military support remains solely with me, for you to use as you see fit, given the difficulties experienced by your intelligence services of late.”

In this case, the Spanish eyes in question betrayed nothing of what was known, but the mere fact he had raised the matter made Eisenhower aware of more than a passing suspicion on his new ally’s behalf.

Grandes continued, aware he had been indelicate but not regretting it.

“I have in my possession a tape made by the Generalissimo himself. As you have the facilities here to broadcast it he asks if you would do so tomorrow at the earliest appropriate time.”