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The man studied him for a moment, then nodded, clearly unconvinced, and Memling felt a flash of anger at the man’s dismissal of the information simply because it did not fit his pre-conceived theories. Sandys started to ask his assessment of the bomb damage, but Viscount Cherwell interrupted with a question.

‘Major, correct me if I am in error, but are you not the one who first reported the work in Germany on large rocket engines, in, I believe, 1938?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘And again in 1940, as the result of another daring mission behind enemy lines, this time in Belgium, I believe. At that time you supplied an estimate of the capability of rocket engines seen in, I seem to recall, Liege, was it not?’

Memling nodded, glancing quickly to Simon-Benet who was scowling down the table at Viscount Cherwell.

‘Major, you and I have debated the status of the Nazi rocket programme before, and you are well acquainted with my opinion that Germany cannot spare the economic resources for a research and development programme of such magnitude. Now I freely admit’ — he smiled in condescension — ‘that my opinion may be coloured by my own prejudices in this matter, and I would ask you to stop and consider whether, in view of the amazing series of coincidences by which you have ferreted out what you believe to be the secret of enemy rocket research, your own opinion and conclusions are not coloured by your personal prejudices as well?’

‘I say!’ the brigadier exploded, but Memling’s calm answer stopped his further objections.

‘You may be right, Viscount Cherwell. And in your position I would be inclined to ask the same question. Since you first raised your objections nearly a year ago I have given it a great deal of thought. As you may recall, I described in a formal paper how sufficient alcohol could be produced for fuel, and I believe my estimates have since been verified by independent intelligence means.’

‘Not to my satisfaction, ‘I’m afraid,’ Viscount Cherwell interrupted.

Memling ignored the comment and continued: ‘What you say about limited resources and their distribution among various war-effort goals is quite correct. My only objection to your conclusions is that they presuppose a logical and efficient effort directed towards planning. If that were the case, I am certain the rocket, at least at this stage of development, would not be seen as economically feasible.’

He could see that Cherwell was taken aback by his answer, and pressed on: ‘I have spent nearly a year’s time in German-controlled territory, and during that time I never once saw a single bit of evidence to suggest that efficient and effective planning had taken, or was taking, place. Rather I saw the exact opposite. Foreign workers in most industries are treated little better than slaves. The Peenemunde organisation is the single exception, and I would suggest even that will change as the SS becomes more deeply involved. I could begin to detect the same fear there that I found in Belgium… and believe me,’ Memling blurted in a rare moment of candour, ‘I am an expert on fear. Ernst Mundt was an exception, and I hate to think what has happened to him because of me. As additional support for my theory that planning is neither logical nor efficient in the Third Reich, consider the fact that Jews are persecuted in Germany despite the fact that the Jewish population formed the single largest pool of industrial and scientific talent Germany possessed. Instead of being allowed to play a part in the war effort, they have become ruthlessly exploited slave labourers confined to concentration camps. That suggests a system groping through a tangle of political and ideological nonsense.’

‘The rocket project and its extent are consistent, in my view, with the Nazi predilection for grandiose schemes. It is being called a terror weapon, but I have serious doubts, from what Mundt told me, that the Army High Command views it as such, or even as the secret weapon that will win the war. Instead, they seem to think it a useful, if expensive, adjunct. But it will see service, and win the war or not, it will cause great damage to our cities and populations. I have seen it rising above the trees with its engine flaming, and it frightened me to death. If Mundt is correct and the even more powerful rocket is successful, then all major cities within its five- or six-thousand-mile range are doomed to complete destruction.’

Viscount Cherwell stared at him for a moment, but before he could ask a further question one of the other men at the table, a civilian official from the Home Office, asked for Memling’s assessment of the bombing raid on Peenemunde and how it might have affected operational use of the weapon. The air vice-marshal representing Bomber Command stared long and hard as he began.