C&D - To be fair on Britain their default stance on naval sales was always having things built in Britain and it worked in most cases, even in the 1930s. That said they could be flexible for allies, see the Japanese pre-WW1. I was also led to understand that while the Germans did offer more work it did come with strings on using only German suppliers and odd payment terms.
TTL the Dutch haven't actually committed to either side, though they are watching the various BCs with interest and taking notes. The problem for the Dutch admiralty is that while the sabre rattling over the Rhineland has prompted re-armament it's not naval re-armament, they really need Japan to step up and start making threatening noises so they can get their new ships.
gaiasabre11 -Shock! Horror! Complete Absence of Surprise!
Sir Humphrey - Indeed auxiliary cruisers are probably the way if you want to conduct a surface convoy raiding war, certainly far more efficient than using warships. The problem is that they don't last long once the surprise is gone, the Kormoran only got close enough to the Sydney to sink her because of the element of surprise.
Praetonia - Wise words, thus no surprise they were completely ignored.
Nathan Madien - Cheers! And yes I did need a quick burst of the old mental bleach after that image. :shudder:
Davout - For Germany and France certainly, but Britain always has been a sea power and a strong navy was a vital part of the national myth. Even if it wasn't strictly needed there would always be those calling for a larger fleet and it would be a brave politician who completely ignored those voices.
Nathan Madien - Think of the fish!
DonnieBaseball - "The British Army should be a projectile to be fired by the Navy." That's pretty much the war against Italy in a sentence so priorities will not be changing.
C&D - Sadly that logic doesn't apply to German or Soviet tanks. Or indeed to French ones, which must always be watched for treachery.
Atlantic Friend - Possibly, though I was led to believe most of the French merchant fleet operated in the Med and all points East. Even without the RN on side sealing the Med is an easy job for the MN and with the Italian navy is gone most of the actual French fleet is safe.
Of course the Atlantic trade is important, particularly during war time, but it can be left to neutral traders Germany daren't attack for fear of expanding the war. Indeed a particularly cynical French government would send out the odd merchant just to tempt the Germans into attacking and hopefully sinking a Brit or American by mistake, thus gaining that country as an ally. Cynical but effective.
Duritz - While there are certainly problems with the Commonwealth it can't be that bad, if it was why are non-British countries either members or about to become members? Mozambique and Rwanda for instance. Of course it could just be that Rwanda is on a determined 'Wind up France' mission and wants to follow up banning French in schools by joining an organisation committed to the English language. How could anyone not support such a noble cause?
Nathan Madien - Sounds like every political party after a massive defeat, 'tis the circle of political life.
Faeelin - Assuming I ever did have a statist hero (and I don't think I could be drunk enough to do that while being sober enough to type) it would have to end in misery and pain, because that's what big government always produces in the end. There may be false dawns but that's only the brief glow of light before the supernova.
Arilou - Indeed, while the Tories may occasionally be economic liberals they should never be relied upon as social liberals. Plus of course if proper Liberals came to power this really would become a Brit-wank.
Tigey - Interesting, most interesting. I must confess I was somewhat ignorant of those functions, though I was aware that at least Commonwealth money had a chance of getting somewhere compared to conventional aid money which you might as well just deposit in a Swiss bank account directly.
The real problem the Commonwealth faces, in Britain at least, is that if you say anything your being an Imperial throwback trying to enslave Africa but if you keep quiet then people ask what's the point of the organisation. Until the cheap retort of 'Imperialist' loses its sting that problem will remain.
And you have capture Sweden down to a tee.
