“I won’t do that, of course. But do you realize what a Spot you’re putting me in with the Air Corps?”
“If the Germans get these fighters operational, Franklin, we will not be able to accept the losses they will inflict on our bomber force-either in a tactical sense or a public-relations sense. That, I respectfully submit, is indeed a strategic consideration.” And how do you suggest we stop them?” Roosevelt asked. That would be the Air Corps’ business,” Donovan said.” Once they recognize the problem, I’m sure they’ll know how to handle it. My people tell me that manufacturing jet engines is considerably more difficult than building piston engines. Not only are they more complex, but they require special metals and special metallurgy. If we can take out the smelters, the special steel mills, or the machining facilities, perhaps we can slow down their development. I doubt if we can stop it, but I think we should be able to slow it.”
“Damn!” Roosevelt said. “I don’t think we can ignore the problem. It win not go away, Mr. President,” Donovan said. Roosevelt turned and glared at him, his eyes cold, his eyebrows angrily raised.
“What exactly is it, Colonel Donovan,” he asked icily, “that you wish me to do?”
“Mr. President, I respectfully suggest that you tell the Air Corps you have given COI intelligence responsibility vis-a-vis German jet aircraft, and then direct them to turn over to me what intelligence they have in their files.” Roosevelt snorted.
“That’s all you want, their files?”
“I want the authority to look into German jet planes,” Donovan said.
“And I don’t want to be in competition with them while I’m at it.”
“They’re not the enemy, Bill,’ Roosevelt said, his temper now in check.
“Their intelligence, Franklin, is being evaluated by Air Corps officers who simply cannot ignore their knowledge that every one of their superiors, every one of them, is dedicated to the theory that heavy-bombardment aircraft can defend themselves. None of them wants to hear about any challenge to that devout belief.” They were back to first names. The crisis had passed. “Very well,” Roosevelt said.
“George Marshall’s going to can at five this afternoon. I’ll tell him then.”
“Thank you,” Donovan said. “Anything else?”
There was a just-detectable hesitation before Donovan said, “No, Sir.”
Roosevelt picked up on it.
“Yes, there is,” he said.
“Let’s have it.” Donovan shrugged.
“I’d like to know what’s happened to Jim Whittaker,” he said.
“Would you, now?” the President said coldly. “Cbesly and I were friends for as long as I can remember,” Donovan said. “As you, and he, and a certain lady are old friends,” Roosevelt’s head snapped toward him.
There was fire in his eyes again.
Oh, God! He thinks I’m talking about Whatsername, his lady friend! I simply forgot about her. “And what lady would that be, Bill?”
Roosevelt asked. “Barbara Whittaker,” Donovan said quickly, “Oh, yes,” Roosevelt said.
“How is Barbara?” Now he thinks that the famous glower has made me hack down! “She’s probably more than a little upset,” Donovan said.
“She hasn’t heard a word from Jimmy since he called her from San Francisco,” “If you think I should,” Roosevelt said, “I will call Barbara and assure her that we’re doing everything possible for Jimmy,” “I’ve already told her that. What she wants to know is where he is, so that she can go see him.”
“That’s going to be impossible, I’m afraid.”
“Because of his condition?” Roosevelt nodded. “What exactly is his condition?” Donovan asked.” Somehow, Bill, I think you know,” the President said.
“I know he’s being held virtually a prisoner at George Marshall’s personal order in the Army hospital at Fort Knox, Kentucky. And I would like to know why.”
“Where did you get the notion he’s a prisoner?”
“When Barbara told me she couldn’t get any information out of the hospital there, I told her that it was probably just the military system at work, and that I would call down and have Jimmy telephone her. But I couldn’t get through to him. They denied all knowledge of him. So I called Georgie Patton, since He’s in command there and an old friend of mine, and at first he wouldn’t tell me anything either.