Fairfax, Virginia, December 24, 1954
Fairfax, Virginia, December 24, 1954
Vice-Admiral Heydrich prepared to celebrate Weinachten with his family: Claire, and their children Reinhard II, Silke, and Marte. (The oldest son, Klaus, had been killed in a traffic accident. The driver of the car which had hit him had died not long thereafter in mysterious circumstances.)
Grandfather Ernest had been there, and after dinner had asked to speak to his son-in-law privately. When they were alone, he began:
“Reinhard, you’ve been a credit to the family and to the country. Have you considered what you will do after you retire?”
“Not particularly. I expected to die in battle.”
“That’s not likely anymore. The Reds have nukes, but their only plane is a copy of our B-29. The Air Force —” he scowled, “is building a detection system, like the Germans had during the war.
“We can prevent their maritime efforts with submarines. Our submarine force was successful in the Pacific, as I’m sure you’ll remember. And — keep this to yourself for now — West Germany will receive full sovereignty soon, and they have expertise.”
“As long as we don’t waste money and effort on nuclear propulsion,” Heydrich said. “I’ve tried to rein in that Rickover but it looks like he’ll get his first boat next year sometime. Conventional boats are cheaper so if one gets lost, it won’t matter so much.”
“But that’s because of politics,” King said. “You must know this. At the Naval War College I wrote a paper on government. I said:
“Historically ... it is traditional and habitual for us to be inadequately prepared. This is the combined result of a number factors, the character of which is only indicated: democracy, which tends to make everyone believe that he knows it all; the preponderance (inherent in democracy) of people whose real interest is in their own welfare as individuals; the glorification of our own victories in war and the corresponding ignorance of our defeats (and disgraces) and of their basic causes; the inability of the average individual (the man in the street) to understand the cause and effect not only in foreign but domestic affairs, as well as his lack of interest in such matters. Added to these elements is the manner in which our representative (republican) form of government has developed as to put a premium on mediocrity and to emphasise the defects of the electorate already mentioned.”
“And you think I can do something about this?”
“You have the reputation, you’re a younger man, full of energy.” King got up. “No need to do anything about this now, but think about it.”
Vice-Admiral Heydrich prepared to celebrate Weinachten with his family: Claire, and their children Reinhard II, Silke, and Marte. (The oldest son, Klaus, had been killed in a traffic accident. The driver of the car which had hit him had died not long thereafter in mysterious circumstances.)
Grandfather Ernest had been there, and after dinner had asked to speak to his son-in-law privately. When they were alone, he began:
“Reinhard, you’ve been a credit to the family and to the country. Have you considered what you will do after you retire?”
“Not particularly. I expected to die in battle.”
“That’s not likely anymore. The Reds have nukes, but their only plane is a copy of our B-29. The Air Force —” he scowled, “is building a detection system, like the Germans had during the war.
“We can prevent their maritime efforts with submarines. Our submarine force was successful in the Pacific, as I’m sure you’ll remember. And — keep this to yourself for now — West Germany will receive full sovereignty soon, and they have expertise.”
“As long as we don’t waste money and effort on nuclear propulsion,” Heydrich said. “I’ve tried to rein in that Rickover but it looks like he’ll get his first boat next year sometime. Conventional boats are cheaper so if one gets lost, it won’t matter so much.”
“But that’s because of politics,” King said. “You must know this. At the Naval War College I wrote a paper on government. I said:
“Historically ... it is traditional and habitual for us to be inadequately prepared. This is the combined result of a number factors, the character of which is only indicated: democracy, which tends to make everyone believe that he knows it all; the preponderance (inherent in democracy) of people whose real interest is in their own welfare as individuals; the glorification of our own victories in war and the corresponding ignorance of our defeats (and disgraces) and of their basic causes; the inability of the average individual (the man in the street) to understand the cause and effect not only in foreign but domestic affairs, as well as his lack of interest in such matters. Added to these elements is the manner in which our representative (republican) form of government has developed as to put a premium on mediocrity and to emphasise the defects of the electorate already mentioned.”
“And you think I can do something about this?”
“You have the reputation, you’re a younger man, full of energy.” King got up. “No need to do anything about this now, but think about it.”