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At last the shocking truth is revealed. Halifax is not merely a wuss - he's a Wussian spy! :rofl: I imagine the Wussians, being the wusses they awe, will gwatefully coexist with the Fuhwew. Russians, though... You never know with those crazy vodka-soaked bastards. Will we see a Molotov-Ribbentropp pact or an early Barbarossa? I'd bank on the latter option, as Hitler's just too anti-communist and now probably drunk with power and successes to let Uncle Joe alone. We'll probably see a double war in due time - Hitler vs. Stalin and Tojo vs. the Commonwealth.
 
Chapter 80, RAF Church Fenton, Yorkshire, 21 August 1940

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“And you say that you can defend our shores against an aerial assault?” The King seemed impressed. Halifax, Hoare and Dowding, escorting the Royal Family, watched a squadron of Hawker Hurricane Is swoop low over the airbase, before a squadron of the newer Supermarine Spitfires followed in their wake. Dowding calmly pointed out the difference in design and functionality to his guests, before the station CO beckoned them over to a table draped in the RAF flag, where lemonade and ginger ale were waiting to refresh them.

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Hoare gratefully took a lemonade after conducting a brief inspection of some of the base personnel. “They look impressive, Sir Hugh!”

Dowding assumed that his minister was talking about the planes. He nodded without conviction. “Not enough of them, Minister. I need more squadrons.”

The King, concerned (and pleased to be included) rounded on Hoare. “W-well, Sir Samuel?”

“We are trying to bring new squadrons of both Hurricanes and Spitfires into service.”

The King looked suspiciously at Hoare. He glared at the Air Minister. “A-are you sure?”

Dowding, realising that this was his chance, turned to face his Sovereign. “We can build the planes, it’s the pilots that concerns. At one point in the Battle of France we had nearly two-thirds of my pilots missing, dead, wounded, or long overdue for relief. I must have a pledge to continue the Commonwealth Air Training Plan!”

Halifax, so far trying to avoid being involved in a debate in which he was clearly not an expert, nevertheless found the King staring at him expectantly. “Air Chief Marshal, as I briefed the Dominion Pwime Ministers, we shall continue the scheme.”

Dowding, like a terrier, wouldn’t relent. “They need modern training aircraft, renewed funding.”

Hoare, as ever outmanoeuvred by his Chief of Staff, looked uncertain. “But, Hugh, the war is over! We can adopt a more measured pace!” The King, embarrassed to be present in this dispute, led Halifax away from the arguing pair.

“Edward, I am concerned with Sir Samuel. He lacks,” the King struggled, trying to find the right word. “He seems to lack the mastery of his brief that I would have hoped for.”

“I doubt that it is a lack of mastewy, more a lack of agweement with Dowding. But he and I have already discussed his future, and I feel now is the time to move him to another ministwy.”

“I also hear rumours, Edward, that Sir Hugh may not be the popular leader of the Air Force that we hoped he would be.”

“Weally, Sir?”

“I hear, unofficially, of course, that there are those working for the Chief of the Air Staff who doubt his policies for the Air Forces.”

“Dowding wemains my favoured choice as CAS,” Halifax said, wary of further scheming in the RAF. “So far his ideas for the Air Defence of the Home Islands have pwoven reliable.”

“Just so, E-Edward, just so. I merely thought to counsel you that I look for a strong, unified team in our forces.”

The warning was obvious. The King had been speaking to someone within the RAF and was using his regal power of warning the Prime Minister. Halifax would, in time, find out who the court gossip was; though presumably it was someone reasonably high within the Air Force’s senior echelons. A quiet chat with the King’s people would provide the name, Halifax hoped. Usually the court gossips were a nuisance, and one that Lascelles would be pleased to get rid of. Deciding that military in-fighting was best left for another day, Halifax sought to change the subject.

“I hear, Your Majesty, that the Brazilian Ambassador is to be recalled.”

“W-what, oh well.” The King had failed to get the point. Halifax’s expectant look caused the King to think hard for a moment. “Oh lorks, you don’t mean?”

“I’m afraid I do, Sir. I have already failed to get another extension on the Ambassador’s length of service from his government. Which means...”

“Oh C-Christ!” For the King to blaspheme so openly was exceptionally rare. He turned to Halifax sharply. “You m-must do something!”

“There is nothing we can do, short of ensuring that Madame Maisky comports herself in the standard expected. The role of longest serving ambassadorial couple will go to the Maiskies. Do you wish me to bwief Her Majesty?”

“I’ll b-break it to her. So, Edward, so that I am clear...”

“Madame Maisky will, shortly, assume the role of senior diplomatic wife. Every new ambassador’s wife will be presented by her to Her Majesty the Queen. In addition there will be functions to organise, and to guide Her Majesty with. It is a jealously coveted wole, my wife assures me.”

“B-but, after this spy thing! How can we trust them?”

“We cannot, Sir. Lady Halifax offers herself as a companion to Her Majesty in her dealings with the Maiskies, and I will lunch with our ewwant Russian diplomat to make sure that he understands the obligations placed upon his wife. But more than that, we cannot do.”

The King looked at Halifax with resignation. “You’d better tell Dorothy to get used to diplomatic presentations. I t-think that the Queen will need her assistance!” The King, his stammer pronounced after this unpleasant news, lit a cigarette, sucking in its smoke to calm himself.

At that exact moment three aircraft, twin-engined, thundered over the aerodrome. The King looked at Halifax, who shrugged. Seeking the identity of the aircraft, the two rejoined Dowding and Hoare.

“Blenheims,” Dowding answered their question. “Our medium bombers. These, the Wellingtons, the Wellesleys and the Whitleys make up our bomber force. As for the Battles and the Lysanders..." his voice trailed off.

“Pwesumably, you have a plan for Bomber Command?”

“Indeed, Prime Minister. I intend to build them up in time, though for the moment I’m foccussing on Fighter Command. We do have a new squadron of Blenheims due to enter service soon, but the fighters remain my priority. Soon, we will need good aircraft to support the Army and Navy, as well as to be wielded as a powerful weapon in their own right.”

“Excellent!” The King was beaming. “Presumably your mention of training also links in to the bomber force as well?”

“Absolutely, Your Majesty. The training programme is for all aircraft, from across the Dominions.”

“I-in which case it would seem vital to further develop it, eh Sir Samuel!” Hoare inclined his head, acknowledging the King’s argument.

The visit had come to a close. The King and Queen, due to resume their journey to Balmoral, thanked the station staff for the display and prepared to take their leave of the Prime Minister.

“Edward, I shall not see you again before the election.”

“Indeed, Sir. I hope that we will pwevail.”

“Make sure that you do, Edward!” And with that the Royal couple departed.

[Game Effect] – And so our first real look at the RAF. In this AAR, though spared the trials of the Battle of Britain, the RAF started June 1940 in a worse position – due largely to their sacrifice over France. Thankfully, the King and Dowding are in agreement as to the importance of continuing the excellent Commonwealth-wide schemes for providing pilots, something that Dowding (as well as El Pip in an earlier discussion!) has seen as crucial.

Hoare seems out of his depth, as well as devoid of regal favour, and I think that he would struggle against a Halifax deeply ignorant of the realities of aerial warfare and a Dowding who doesn’t care how he achieves his aim of a strong RAF, just as long as he gets it. It the situation continues expect Hoare to go first; after all it was Hoare who engineered Dowding’s appointment anyway. Historically, he was packed off to Spain; in this AAR I think that Halifax would be kinder, giving him a sideways promotion to something less controversial.

The King’s allusion to RAF internal rumblings is based on historical fact, though I have moved the context and timings. Leigh-Mallory (aided by Bader) was instrumental in unseating Park (and eventually Dowding) during the ‘big-wing’ squabble. Here it is a lot less bitter: someone in the RAF has whinged to the King that Dowding is not doing well, probably someone in the (at-present) not-prioritised Bomber Command. And Halifax, surprisingly, has refused to budge; perhaps, like the senior army appointments, he is wary of causing further chaos. Bottom line: Dowding is safe.

Finally, the gossipy bit about Maisky’s wife is also true. When the then Foreign Secretary Halifax was faced with the Brazilian ambassador’s departure he begged Brazil not to recall their man. This they kindly did, and Maisky’s wife was denied her important position. Here, the Brazilians have recalled him again, and this time the unthinkable will happen.

Sir Humphrey: I think you're right, and this wagnerian forecast will be one that would appeal to Halifax, keeping him (and the Empire) out a war that he dreads.

Kurt_Steiner: Halifax is more of a port and sherry man. Whisky probably gives him a sour stomach.:D

Sir Humphrey: Halifax will struggle to understand nuclear weapons.

DonnieBaseball: It's a gamble, but a tempting one for the British; sit it out whilst the Russians and Germans slaughter each other. But it's very shortsighted: whoever wins such a struggle would undoubtedly dominate Europe.

El Pip: To be honest, bar the Royal Commission on the Army and this gentle building up of the RAF not much is going on until the election is resolved.

Morsky: The idea of Halifax being a Russian spy was just too hilarious!:rofl:

Enewald: No, he couldn't get away with it earlier (when negotiating with Germany) so he won't now.

Johnny Canuck: :D
 
You know I think KGVI could turn out alright, he is clearly joining Halifax on the slow journey to having a spine and proper stiff upper lip (the latter would certainly help his stutter no end in any case). In fact on the evidence of that update he is further forward than his still regrettably timid (in certain ways) PM.

Excellent news on Dowding staying and the CATP, I suspect the lure of flying will keep the volunteers flowing even if certain Dominion governments are less keen.

At to Hoare he's a complex character, certainly he had more spine than Halifax and normally had a good grasp of public opinion and the general situation. I'm slightly surprised at being out of his depth, he was normally pretty competent and certainly put the hours in; even if you disagree with what he did, he tried hard to do it. On the other hand his Air Ministry experience was all during the 1920s and doubtless more focused on cutting expenditure than expansion so I suppose it could go either way.

Another good update sir. :)
 
I presume Malsky is the Soviet Ambassador? Or what?
 
Ivan Maisky. Soviet Ambassador in London, 1934-1943, perhaps?
 
Hopefully Bomber Command, while not getting the aircraft it wants, will undertake some realistic exercises and develop navigation/bomb aiming aids, so that when more and better aircraft are rolling off the lines they'll be able to hit something more vital than enemy cow pastures. ;)

Dowding--there's a guy who did not get all the gongs he deserved... :mad:
 
Sir Hugh is a shifty fellow. The PM can't very well refuse defense spending when his Majesty is in the same room.
 
Ivan Maisky. Soviet Ambassador in London, 1934-1943, perhaps?

Arilou/Kurt_Steiner: Exactly that - Russia's man in Whitehall, and his wife the Queen's nightmare...
 
Gads, man, everyone knows airplanes are horridly overrated and perfectly useless noisy machines. Dirigibles are the future of aerial warfare, Sirrahs! I thusly propose the scrapping of the grossly inefficient RAF with the new and improved Royal Dirigible And Blimp Service, which shall doubtlessly strike fear into the shriveled hearts of those slitty-eyed Japanese savages! In addition, what's this about Bolsheviks being allowed near court? Can't have the dodgy Reds snooping about and bolsheviking all over Whitehall, wot wot!

Kind regards,

Colonel (Ret.) Sir Ernald P. Blimp, MA (Oxon), OBE, VC, GC, YMCA, IOU, SOS, XYZ

Let us hope Halifax will pwewail in the elections. :p
 
Blimp? what is this colonial vulgarism?
 
Sir Humphrey: Halifax will struggle to understand nuclear weapons.

Are the British even doing nuclear research at this point?

DonnieBaseball: It's a gamble, but a tempting one for the British; sit it out whilst the Russians and Germans slaughter each other. But it's very shortsighted: whoever wins such a struggle would undoubtedly dominate Europe.

Interestingly, that's an scenario Stalin historically convinced himself of. That's one of the reasons why the Soviet Union was so unprepared for the German invasion. Mr. Man of Steel strongly believed the British wanted to provoke a war between Berlin and Moscow so they can defeat Communism without actually having to fight themselves.
 
Actually, the term was a British invention that was then plagiarised - like the rest of the Queen's English - by shifty colonials. See here, my good man. A blimp is, also, a specific term for an airship without a rigid skeleton. Oh, and, did anyone catch the mention of Halifax in the article I linked? Apparently he was twying to get Low to ease up on all the cwiticism of Hitlew and Mussolini. :D Vewy vewy Halifaxish.

Anyways... the whole "play one side against the other" scenario has some serious downsides, not least the fact that one of the sides may not be weakened by the war enough to become easy pickings. Although I remember one game where Germany overran the Soviet Union but kinda forgot to garrison the coast of Western Europe, and the US cut through the Reich like a hot knife through Nazi butter.
 
Chapter 81, Aldershot, 27 August 1940

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Not for the first time did Ironside inwardly sigh as this morning’s briefing, like every other briefing, descended into a bickering contest. This is supposed to be a senior review of the British Army, not a Delhi bloody Durbah! Boiling with rage, he turned to the culprit, the GOC BEF (what was left of it), Gort. We are supposed to be addressing the fact that we got a damned licking, and he’s talking about bloody gas mask bags! All we need now is Mont bloody gomery or that creeping little rodent Percival to chime in, although thankfully the little turd is in India, and it will have been a standard day for us. Fortunately, and sadly necessarily, the Naval presence on the Commission, Captain Tenant, coughed pointedly.

“Forgive me, General Gort. But if this was a naval matter we would give that to our supply chaps. Perhaps we could close this matter, and move to item two on this morning’s agenda, the review of our mobile forces?”

Gort bridled, but with Hobart agreeing and Montgomery seemingly disinterested he relented. Captain Tenant, an incredibly patient officer whose humanity and patience had made his tour as the Naval contact in Northern France (where he had been responsible for liaison between the Germans, French and BEF) a triumph, was rapidly becoming a Godsend to the Commission. With a knack for spotting the exact second where the senior officers were running into confusion, he feigned ignorance (as a Naval officer for him it was forgivable) and saved egos. Ironside composed himself and paused for a moment; Gort was quiet so he could risk it, and continue.

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“Right, so we are generally in agreement. We need to massively restructure our armoured formations; no more penny packets but dedicated armoured divisions, with motorised infantry, perhaps even mechanised infantry, in support. Righty-ho. Now that we’ve seen what went wrong in France, and we’ve looked at what our German and Italian, er, Friends, are doing, how do we use this restructured army. General Hobart?”

Hobart, rapidly becoming the unruly prophet of the commission, leapt to his feet and, on the blackboard, started drawing what appeared to be a battle front, with arrows and crosses representing the advancing British (at least Ironside guessed it was British) advance. Hobart, staring at them through thick-rimmed spectacles, addressed them.

“Sirs, the future is clear. Deal away with slow, thickly armoured tanks for infantry support in favour of faster, admittedly less well-protected cruiser tanks!”

“I believe that General Ironside has already said that,” Mongtomery said tartly. Hobart glowered and moved on.

“We will use them for deep penetration, like the Germans did. With threats of an armoured force in his rear, near mobilisation centres the enemy’s nerves will be fraught. And when the preparations for our main strategic stroke are ready, then we strike in combination with all our forces. Tank thrust in this case will be at a vital point, and pushed really home, by which I mean we must accept our losses. But here, as at all times, the tanks’ true role is to attack weakness. Use the line of least resistance, use speed, surprise!”

As Hobart, eyes burning with the passion for his form of warfare, sat down, Ironside saw Gort jotting down a question. Thinking quickly, Ironside sought to avoid a further Gort question-session and turned to Mongtomery with a raised eyebrow.

“Speaking to Eden,” and here, in three short words, Montgomery conveyed an air of superiority, “he tells me your plans here” Mongtomery looked further down the agenda, which today was largely Hobart’s, “is fantastical. There will be no armoured army!”

“Sirs, I am a mere matelot out of my depth. May I ask what you mean, General Montgomery?”

Montgomery sighed. “If I can refer you to item three, we see that General Hobart has listed his requirements for his vision. With ten thousand tanks, wholly armoured formations and a GOC ‘Armoured Army’. Percy,” Mongtomery said with the hint of a smile to his brother-in-law, “Eden was explicit. We cannot afford all of these reforms.”

Hobart bristled. Ironside interjected. “Then, we as a Commission must give the Secretary of State our priorities. And the rebuilding of the BEF will go ahead to achieve your aim, General Hobart, though perhaps with a modified structure,” he chuckled softly, trying to raise Hobart’s spirits. We will focus the resources available to us on a tank building programme, with motorised and mechanised infantry to support them. That’ll do you Hobart?”

“That’ll do him,” Hobart said slowly, “though I would like my list of requirements noted.”

“Duly noted,” Ironside said equably. So! We have the basic doctrine, speed and flexibility. Thanks to General Gort we have had a forensic analysis of small arms and infantry equipment. I think that we now need to look at the proposed new vehicles. General Montgomery?”

[Game Effect] – A snapshot of the work of the Royal Commission on Army Reform, which you may recall Halifax graspingly set up after the fall of France.

I think that the British, in the circumstances of this game, would try and emulate Germany. Hobart’s appointment to the Commission has been a stroke of luck: his moments of excessiveness aside he was probably unique in having a vision of the future, though an “Armoured Army” was never going to be possible given the strains on Britain in 1940. What we will see, and what Ironside is going to help him with, is a much more mobile BEF. In game terms, expect new units built in the UK to be of the ARM, MOT or MEC variety, with suitable brigade attachments (I baulk at being too gamey so will offer a variety of augmentee brigades). What effect will this new BEF have in the Pacific, where Halifax has committed Dill (keeping his distance from the Commission, probably out of tactful kindness to Ironside and Gort) to meeting the challenge posed by the Japanese? Probably little, as this is a BEF that still (implicitly) has a continental focus. Given the Prime Minister’s reluctance to commit to Europe, this is interesting. Either Ironside is being visionary, playing a ‘long game’ to deliver an army capable of taking on the Wehrmacht, or he has ‘missed a trick’ and has focussed the lion’s share to a force that will probably languish in barracks in England.

El Pip: Hoare is probably struggling to keep up with both Dowding and Halifax. I agree though, he was very hardworking and able, and Halifax will still have a use for him even if he goes.

Enewald: Though I am not a fan of the current day RAF, the 1940s RAF will have an important role to play.

Arilou/Kurt_Steiner: Already answered.

DonnieBaseball: The future of Bomber Command is an intriguing one. Halifax and Dowding will push for fighters all the way, but I think that Dowding was an able enough man to develop some sort of improved bomber force.

Trekaddict: Agreed – and I think that Dowding would indeed use every opportunity he had. The King’s heart is in the right place and he will push Halifax where he feels the PM is being dilatory.

Morsky: :rofl:

:rofl:

Morsky: For the record I love the film.

Nathan Madien: Not into weapons – anything at this stage is in the grove of academia.

:rolleyes:

Morsky: The whole ‘sit it out’ approach will be attractive to Halifax, but the Tory party is already preparing itself to implode and watching and waiting for one side to annihilate the other could tip it over the edge.
 
At least some people have an incling of sense. Although, if you do build MEC to support ARM, then you wont get the combined Arms bonus, as MEC is considered a hard unit like Tanks.