Re: Info on HMS Vascama & HMS Aarla
Posted by:
alan morton
()
Date: August 05, 2004 09:39AM
Hi Nick. Would it be possible to have copies of photos of Vascama? I have outline of her movements from 12 may 43 until posting to Azores early Oct. 1943. This is an interesting time in her career as Churchill and Roosevelt were threatening Portugal(and that is the correct term to use)with taking the Azores by force if she had objections to U.S. forces occupying those islands.The Portugese prime minister, Dr. Antonio de Oliveira Salazar,had no problem with the idea of British forces being there as Portugal was her oldest ally, so the thinking was Germany would 'understand'.The Portugese,however,were naturally worried about the Germans taking a dim view of U.S. involvement and her border with Spain made her vunerable to invasion from German forces IN HER VIEW.Churchill promised to safe guard her borders,ludicrous of course,but never the less a communication was sent to that effect.Portugal relented, but hacked out a deal for 4 A/S patrol boats to be transferred to her navy to be employed in her terrotorial waters.The threat from the Churchill was sent to the British Consulate in Lisbon for the attention of our naval attache.I am not sure wether or not the Portugese were ever aware of it,probably were.