Even without calling, Sikorski could find the Rhodes Foundation's office in London, because the Rhodes Foundation's London office is diagonally opposite the Southern African Embassy in the UK.
With King's Road as the center, the London offices of major southern African companies are all nearby.
Directly opposite the Embassy in the UK is the London office of the foundation under Phyllis' name. Next to it is the headquarters of Rand Bank in London. Next to it is the Ziwei Hospital in London of the Johannesburg Medical Group. Ziwei Hospital used to be the umbrella
Because southern Africa is so densely populated with businesses, Kings Road is also known as "Little Southern Africa".
Among all the buildings, the 30-meter-tall marble building where the Rhodes Foundation office is located is particularly eye-catching.
After the outbreak of the European War, the business volume of the Rhodes Foundation increased dramatically. Only then did many people realize that the Rhodes Foundation was not only engaged in charity but also in business. Brewster Rhodes once declared: In the Rhodes Foundation,
You can get everything you want.
After leaving No. 10 Downing Street, Sikorski called Brewster Rhodes and agreed to meet at the Rhodes Foundation at 10 a.m.
At half past nine, Sikorski left his apartment and headed to the Rhodes Foundation.
The weather is not good, it is drizzling, London is always like this in winter, damp and cold, just like the interpersonal relationships here, there is no warmth at all.
"Mr. Sikorski, Mr. Rhodes asked me to pick you up." In front of the apartment, the car sent by Brewster Rhodes had arrived. The driver was very polite and took the initiative to hold an umbrella for Sikorski.
"Thank you" Sikorski, who had been treated coldly in London, suddenly became more fond of him.
The car must be a good one. Sikorski usually doesn't pay much attention to cars. He doesn't know what brand it is, but it gives Sikorski a good feeling.
The leather seat is comparable to a sofa, and the armrests on both sides can be lowered to effectively support the elbows.
The temperature inside the car is just right, just like sitting in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot coffee and a blanket on a snowy night. The traditional oriental sachet hanging on the door next to Sikorski is exuding
There was a faint fragrance, and there was a newspaper in the storage bag on the back of the driver's seat. Sikorski pulled it out casually, and it was the "The Times" that was just released today.
Sikorski himself didn't even notice that less than two minutes after he got in the car, his expectations for today were already maxed out.
Before this, Sikorski had never dealt with the Rhodes Foundation.
In fact, the reputation of the Rhodes Foundation is not good. Just like the famous but despised South African company, it is not loved by the British.
However, the strength of the Rhodes family is well known. During the last world war, South African companies accounted for 30% of all imported food in the UK, of which packaged food accounted for 70%.
five.
During this world war, the Rhodes family was still Britain's most important food supplier.
Sikorski also heard about the Rhodes Foundation when he was teaching at the Saint-Cyr Military Academy in France.
There are also many students in France every year who are able to study abroad in Southern Africa precisely because of the help of the Rhodes Foundation.
Most French students stay in Southern Africa to work directly after graduation, and some return to France.
So in recent years, more and more French people have spoken for Southern Africa, and the French have a better and better impression of Southern Africa. Therefore, after the outbreak of the European War, Southern Africa became the first choice for French immigrants, and they were willing to go to Southern Africa.
of French people, more than those who immigrated to the French North African colonies.
This explains the problem very much.
The driver's driving skills were very good and the car was speeding along without Sikorsky feeling any bumps.
When getting off the bus, Sikorski solemnly took out his wallet and gave the driver a pound tip.
The driver politely thanked him and escorted Sikorski into the office lobby under an umbrella.
There were not many people in the lobby, and the staff were neatly dressed and well-trained. Sikorski registered at the front desk and went directly to the third floor under the guidance of the front desk staff.
Brewster Rhodes is forty-two years old. He is the youngest son of Smith's uncle, Herbert Rhodes.
Brewster graduated from Oxford University, which was also the alma mater of old Cecil Rhodes. Brewster has been working in London since graduation and rarely returns to southern Africa.
"Hello, General Sikorski." Brewster smiled sincerely and took the initiative to leave his desk and shake hands with Sikorski.
"Mr. Rhodes, good morning." Sikorski took off his coat and Brewster naturally took it and handed it to the secretary next to him. Sikorski was slightly surprised.
Brewster is a core member of the Rhodes family. Based on Sikorski's understanding of these big British families, Brewster's ability to do this is outstanding.
Don't underestimate the detail of helping to pick up clothes, this reflects Brewster's service awareness.
Many members of big families in the UK have been pampered since childhood and have been used to being served by others. They have no sense of serving others at all.
Of course, this also varies from person to person. Different people look at the problem and draw different conclusions from different positions.
For example, in Brewster's view, members of the British aristocracy are very sensible and even attentive.
"Although Germany annexed Poland, the Poles did not surrender. We have formed a highland brigade and will form more troops next. We will definitely fight the Germans bloody to the end!" Sikorski revealed his heart.
Brewster listened very seriously.
This is polite.
But Sikorski never felt that with the British.
"General Sikorski, you may not know that there is also a Polish force in Port Elizabeth in the Near East." Brewster provided a situation that surprised Sikorski.
"Really?" Sikorski really didn't know.
Port Elizabeth is the headquarters of Umbrella Company.
Many mercenaries of the Umbrella Company were originally Polish. After Germany annexed Poland, some Poles who escaped from Poland via Romania and Hungary are now gathered in Port Elizabeth.
"Yes, they have established an infantry division under the organization of Colonel Slaughter Potnicka and are receiving training from the instructors of the Umbrella Company." Brewster's words made Sikorski's heart surge. There is still hope for Poland.
.
Strictly speaking, Slaughter Potnica is not a Polish person, but a Southern African. He has become a Southern African citizen. A colonel is equivalent to a senior executive in Umbrella Company.
"If possible, please arrange for me to go to Port Elizabeth immediately." Sikorski couldn't wait.
"Don't worry. I suggest that the troops should not rush to the battlefield before they have received complete training. We should be responsible for the lives of those passionate young people. They are our unparalleled precious wealth." Brewster's words directly made Sikorski blush.
Eye circles.
The contrast is really too stark.
The British government's attitude towards the Poles was that they did not even provide weapons and equipment, let alone complete training, and just rushed the Highland Brigade onto the battlefield.
Needless to say, after arriving in France, the only highland brigade in Sikorski's hands would definitely be used as cannon fodder by that coward Gamelin.
The Rhodes Foundation not only took in more Poles, but also provided complete military training to the Poles in a more responsible manner.
Compared with going to Port Elizabeth, obtaining weapons and equipment for the Highland Brigade was more important. Sikorski would definitely not let his troops fight the Germans with bare hands.
London is not far from Saint-Roch, and the Rhodes Foundation even has its own plane in London, which gave Sikorski a new understanding of the strength of the Rhodes Foundation.
St. Roch is still overcrowded. After so many days, the number of people fleeing into St. Roch has not decreased at all, but is increasing.
Now the streets and alleys of Saint-Roch are full of tents.
Saint Roque has coordinated almost all available resources, but still cannot accommodate so many people.
The shipping company's cruise ships are operating at full power, traveling between San Roque and Luanda day and night.
Luanda has replaced Walvis Bay as the largest immigrant import point in western southern Africa.
Compared with Walvis Bay, new immigrants disembarked in Luanda, and the voyage was shortened by nearly 1,800 kilometers.
The warehouse of Walvis Bay Ocean Shipping Company is located in the dock storage area. It has two warehouses, 15,000 rifles, 2,000 pistols, 400 general-purpose machine guns, 24 high-level dual-purpose machine guns, and mortars of various calibers.
There are 120 guns in total.
According to French standards, these weapons are enough to equip two divisions.
No wonder the French took the case to the International Court of Justice to get these weapons back.
"The total freight from Walvis Bay to St. Roch is 5,400 rand, and the two warehouse storage fees are 300 per day. In addition, you also need to pay a compensation. The total plus one dollar is 165,000 rand." said Walvis Bay Ocean Shipping Company.
The person in charge, Yao Yuan, is very happy that someone is finally willing to take over this hot potato.
"Of course, in addition to weapons, there are nearly five million rounds of ammunition, 18,000 rounds of various artillery shells, and nearly 100,000 grenades. These are all given away for free." Yao Yuan is very good at doing business and is also good at seizing opportunities: "If
If you need other supplies, I can help you find them. We have everything here, including fabrics, military backpacks, and gas masks. If you need military vehicles, I can also help."
It was an eye-opener for Sikorski. Forget about military cars and the like, Sikorski couldn't even pay for the storage fees. It was too extravagant.
"Your bill is wrong." After all, Brewster is a top student at Oxford, and his math scores are much better than some scumbags.
"Oh, Mr. Rhodes, you have to understand that our Walvis Bay Ocean Shipping Company has put in a lot of effort for this business." Yao Yuan meant something profound. Some things need not be said clearly, everyone knows it.
