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If things light up in China, the US will stop the aggressor. Burma/India, Congress will wait to see what Britain does. As far as I remember, there are no ABD agreements between Britain, the Dutch, and the US over Japanese expansionism in Asia. So I only see Congress being interested in China at the moment.

TheExecuter

Of course, China is under Japanese control right now. If Congress is interested in China, it might be how to avoid getting sucked into it.
 
Chapter 138, House of Lords, 22 July 1941

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Halifax strode out of the Chamber. Winston has plotted exceptionally well, he thought sourly. Whatever storms were raging in the Commons, whoever was resigning or protesting or, Halifax thought bitterly, just being bally irritating, the House of Lords was his place, a chamber he dominated. Lords Noel-Buxton, Harmsworth, Darnley, Ponsonby, Caldecote, Stanhope, Swinton and of course Hankey, Simon and Templewood made him secure and welcome regardless of party allegiance.

But today had been different: Churchill’s mad outburst had struck a patriotic nerve; every peer in the Chamber had been yearning to don the mantle of St George (with a smattering, Halifax thought wryly, of Davids, Andrews and Patricks) and lament the nation’s weakness in the Far East. Aroused by the BBC, fuelled by the editorials, they had marched in to tackle their leader. The shame of Munich, Milan, the humiliation of the failed peace mission had often been voiced in the Commons, but now, ever gently, it had galvanised the Lords.

There was, Halifax thought acidly, a long-standing joke that a government in difficulty could only be saved by either a Royal occasion or a war. Neither seemed at all palatable to the Prime Minister and as he struggled to find enthusiasm he began to worry about how he could escape his troubles. He knew that he had lost the argument on Germany and Russia: no British politician would endorse further diplomacy now that two senior figures had so obviously wasted their time, but he rejoiced in the knowledge that a further Anglo-German war looked highly unlikely. Italy’s sabre rattling in the Mediterranean continued to go unchecked as Yugoslavia now faced increasingly bellicose commentary from Rome; but with Germany requiring her client states to do all that they could in the East Halifax was content that it would remain an “angry noise”. Which means, he thought sullenly, that I am required to look to the Orient again.

British prestige required a determined response to Japanese aggression. In the Far East Britannia was the mistress in many areas and Westminster’s continued silence on the militant mood in Tokyo was beginning to look like cowardice. The expanded Hong Kong defences were nearly ready and every month brought more new warships into commission, warships that Halifax intended to send to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Ceylon, so Halifax could feel relief in that. Auchinleck was also confident of the state of the Indian Army. But Halifax was not yet convinced; “the outcome of a conflagration is yet uncertain, and I fear that our Empire will prove fiendishly difficult to defend," he had written to Eden. He needed the support of the Commonwealth (of which he was happily confident) and the Americans. Winston had been correct, he had stated the obvious, that Britain and America had to work together in facing down the Japanese. Halifax now bent his energies into making this happen. He would engage with Roosevelt and steal a march on the hawks in the Party. Smiling with anticipation at Anthony Eden being surprised at his Prime Minister’s complete change of direction, he picked up the telephone.

“I would appweciate not being disturbed for a good half an hour.”

He wrote as he had always done; logically and with a measure of flair. He looked at his recent trip to Germany, evading the obvious failure of the mission (as the war continued) and concentrating instead on the decision to replace Walter Monckton with a career diplomat. This new diplomat, Halifax wrote, should try “to get into the very thick heads of the Germans that if they insist on stepping on the string the gun was very likely to go off. Our visit was our only chance as I saw it of preventing them do it – and it is a difficult line to ride without exposing ourselves to humiliation if we don’t go to war. And that, with you, I have no intention of doing over Ukraine and Belorussia if I can avoid it.”

He raised again the difficulties in defending the scattered Commonwealth and American islands, highlighting the huge scale of the Pacific Ocean and reminding Roosevelt that “a friendly warship cannot be everywhere”. He then turned to his main focus, that of gaining an Anglo-American understanding on the situation. He firstly tackled his concerns that he was not being sufficiently consulted on any of the discussions between Washington and Tokyo. This, he informed the President, gave him concerns over their intentions, especially if war broke out and the Empire was left isolated by the Americans:

“It would be natural for the Japanese to say that they would include Great Britain in a peace offer but only on terms that would ensure our not taking revenge, which would leave the Empire entirely at their mercy and which of course we would not accept. There is of course the possibility that they on their side, and also any allies, may not wish to see the commencement and indefinite continuance of a struggle with all the damage with, though we may be hit harder, it would still be in our power to inflict upon the Japanese homeland.”

Halifax paused, the pen poised over the paper in readiness. He looked up at the bookshelf and tried to formulate the next section carefully. He was terrified, from Menzies’ reports from both the Pacific and London (where he had bugs on a number of high-profile telephone lines) that a lot of the conversation was of the Empire facing Japan alone. Having argued for closer integration with the US, he now tried to deal openly with this worrying prospect, arguing for the Americans to publicly support the Empire:

“If you say to the Japanese that, while you recognize their right to obtain terms that must necessarily be difficult and distasteful to the opposing powers, nevertheless terms which intended to destroy the independence of the Chinese or to liquidate the possessions of the Commonwealth would at once touch the vital interests of the US, and that if such insisted upon, you thought it inevitable that the attempt would encounter US resistance, the effect might well be to make them think again. If you felt it possible in the event contemplated to go further and say that, if they insisted on terms destructive of our position in the Orient and therefore prejudicial to the US, the USA would at once give full support to us, the effect would of course be all the more valuable.”

[Game Effect] – Halifax finally takes action on something, on this occasion a fairly decent letter to FDR trying to tie together the American and British positions on Japan.

The letter excerpts shown in this update are mildly amended versions of letters actually drafted by Halifax for sending to FDR (one of them wasn’t sent). The amended bit is that they actually concerned Germany; by 1941 Halifax wasn’t (in reality) Foreign Secretary and therefore wasn’t heavily engaged in war strategy. As Ambassador in Washington he of course wrote to FDR, but it was much more focussed and on Dill’s arrival with his British mission lost most of its strategic discussion anyway.

As ever, Halifax moves between admiration of US power and condescension – he just cannot reconcile his feelings for the USA and will continue with his muddled strategy.

Sir Humphrey: I think that on reputation alone Churchill could do very well – it all depends on Halifax’s response.

Kurt_Steiner: I think that the US is being very careful – obviously recognising the threat but deterring any madcap schemes to bring down Japan. Hopkins has to be careful – Churchill is not an official representative of the Government.

OutsiderSubtype: :)

Bafflegab: I agree, but Winston would always try to act with Whitehall behind, or at least be aware of his campaign to resist Japan. The Dominions, particularly Australia and New Zealand, are key to his plans, but are, at the moment, the most pro-Halifax (remember his promise that peace in Europe would lead to greater military muscle in Japan).

El Pip: The US Navy did pass legislation to expand in 1940 – though not the Two Navy Act that they did irl. US Navy expansion continued impressively through 1940, and though not the scope of this update, I will be doing a naval update shortly.

MITSGS John: I think that the comparison with the “wilderness years” is striking – he is in the Party of Government but is not in the Cabinet (nor even a junior minister) and is struggling with a PM whom he knows very very well but disagrees fundamentally.

Nathan Madien: Yes, essentially the USN is a gearing-up (logically) for its battle in the Pacific; again a naval update coming soon, but Hopkins has a difficult balancing act – keeping the British vaguely onside whilst reconciling the differences between the US and the Empire.

TheExecuter: In defence of America, America’s 1941 holdings are nothing compared to the vastness of the Empire. But yes, I see your point.

DonnieBaseball: A fact realised by Hankey and the Admiralty – the old ‘R’ Class battleships are plodding around the med whilst the KGVs, reinforced by the Queen Elizabeths (although older than the ‘R’s, they were better ships) are either in the Far East or are being prepped for it. Of course, the old “Fortress Singapore” mentality does prevail.

Nathan Madien: The Empire is in a decent position – the Army, though obsessed with European tank warfare, is decent, the Fleet is expanding and the RAF can send out pretty much most of its strength. The bases are the Achilles’ heel – the loss of Singapore/Hong Kong and some of the American facilities cripples the operational ranges of the RN.

El Pip: :)

Atlantic Friend: :)

DonnieBaseball: A fair point – though in this AAR the UK will be less dependent upon US assistance. IRL, as a Briton I hate the US undermining of my nation during WW2, but I have to accept (as did a lot of the Cabinet) that Britain would have done precisely the same.

MITSGS John: The question is this who will Japan go for first!

The Executer: Essentially you are correct – only the Imperial Pacific Defence Arrangements (IPDA) from Chapter 78 are Commonwealth only. So the US will, at the moment, be concerned with China first and foremost.

Nathan Madien: Well, here I’m going to use artistic licence – the AI has annexed China, but I think that a guerrilla insurgency could be going on.

Enewald: And? You should be cheering him on – it’s the best chance you’ve got of a war in this AAR!
 
Hrm. We shall see how this turns out, because I feel that perhaps maybe a letter isn't the correct thing, a personal mission by someone might be better.
 
To rouse the Lords against Halifax Churchill really must have struck a nerve, though as the update mentioned it could just have been the straw that broke the camels back.

Obviously looking forward to the naval update, who doesn't like a bit of naval porn, but I must confess I'm feeling decidedly confused on the Far East. If Japan tries something it really looks like it will end in tears for them, they were massively lucky in OTL and that was when facing off against a distracted Britain and surprised US.

This time there will be proper forces in Singapore (complete with radar operators who know what they're doing so no chance of a Pearl Harbour surprise), competent officers, a strong fleet and plenty of RAF strength. It just can't go that badly wrong even if Britain is as unlucky as OTL. While this should be good news I'm left with the nagging fear Halifax may end up being seen as a great leader for winning the Pacific War....
 
While this should be good news I'm left with the nagging fear Halifax may end up being seen as a great leader for winning the Pacific War....

THE HORROR! THE HORROR! :eek::eek::eek:
 
To rouse the Lords against Halifax Churchill really must have struck a nerve, though as the update mentioned it could just have been the straw that broke the camels back.

Obviously looking forward to the naval update, who doesn't like a bit of naval porn, but I must confess I'm feeling decidedly confused on the Far East. If Japan tries something it really looks like it will end in tears for them, they were massively lucky in OTL and that was when facing off against a distracted Britain and surprised US.

This time there will be proper forces in Singapore (complete with radar operators who know what they're doing so no chance of a Pearl Harbour surprise), competent officers, a strong fleet and plenty of RAF strength. It just can't go that badly wrong even if Britain is as unlucky as OTL. While this should be good news I'm left with the nagging fear Halifax may end up being seen as a great leader for winning the Pacific War....

What? You didn't think that was going to be the outcome from the start? :p

I'm more or less just waiting to see HOW that happens :p
 
What? You didn't think that was going to be the outcome from the start?
I've been making liberal use of the wondrous powers of repression and denial. Sadly there's only so long they work for before reality seeps in. ( :D )
 
What if Britain would join Germany in the war agaisnt Bolshevism?
Japan takes Soviet far-east, Germany liberates Europe and Britain finally finishes the Great Game. Take all of Central Asia. :cool:
 
So Halifax is sending FDR a letter. I know Roosevelt will send a respond. The question is: will he write it himself, or have his secretary take dication? It sounds small, sure, but small actions speak loudly.

What if Britain would join Germany in the war agaisnt Bolshevism?
Japan takes Soviet far-east, Germany liberates Europe and Britain finally finishes the Great Game. Take all of Central Asia. :cool:

You never run out of outside-the-box ideas, do you?
 
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You never run out of outside-the-box ideas, do you?
He never runs out of fascist fantasies certainly, though I'm fairly certain that's not something that should be encouraged.

On your other point I'd wager on dictation, I can't see a close relationship being formed between FDR and Halifax as the latter is not a chap one warms to. Which is perhaps a good thing, a slightly more hard nosed approach to the US isn't going to do any harm and could reap large benefits. (For instance selling jets to the US not giving them away)
 
...a slightly more hard nosed approach to the US isn't going to do any harm and could reap large benefits. (For instance selling jets to the US not giving them away)

Particularly AFTER Japan throws FDR into bed with Halifax by slaughtering US sailors...

Actually, it would be interesting to carry the analogy through, instead of jumping into bed with Winston and, uhrm, having his way with the Empire...perhaps Halifax will be waiting in turn?

"So sorry Franklin, but could you turn around, I prefer...<CENSORED>..."

BURN AFTER READING!

TheExecuter
 
If their relationship runs along the lines that it did IRL, Roosevelt will rely heavily on the impressions and opinions of Harry Hopkins. Here and now, Hopkins and Churchill met in early 1941. They found, somewhat to their mutual surprise, that they liked and respected one another, and that was all FDR needed to know. FDR and WSC had met once before, in 1918, and neither of them were impressed enough to remember the meeting.

By the way, when I referred to "Congress" in my post above about the Far East situation, I meant the Congress Party in India.
 
FDR was notorious for delaying decisions 'til the last possible moment, and as Churchill discovered, even what seemed unequivical spoken or writen promises could not always be taken at face values. I'm afraid Halifax will not get a very satisfactory response, and even if he DOES get a satisfactory response he'd be naive to rely on it... wait, did I write Halifax and naive in the same sentence? ; )
 
Particularly AFTER Japan throws FDR into bed with Halifax by slaughtering US sailors...

Huh? :confused:

FDR was notorious for delaying decisions 'til the last possible moment, and as Churchill discovered, even what seemed unequivical spoken or writen promises could not always be taken at face values. I'm afraid Halifax will not get a very satisfactory response, and even if he DOES get a satisfactory response he'd be naive to rely on it... wait, did I write Halifax and naive in the same sentence? ; )

Roosevelt liked to keep his cards close to his chest. There's no way he is going to show his hand to Halifax...especially since their relationship is not built on friendship but circumstances.
 
Pearl Harbour I'd guess. Assuming that goes off as usual the US and Britain are going to end up at least co-belligerents against Japan. At which point you'd hope some form of alliance, or at least co-operation and co-ordination, regardless of any relationship between Halifax and FDR.

At that point, as Britain hasn't needed any help from the US in Europe, it's going to be much more an equal partnership. Indeed with much of the US Pacific Fleet sunk Britain could be the dominant partner at the start, till US production really kicks into gear of course. That said if the initial Japanese assault fails as it hits competent resistance Japan could be defeated before the first Essex is even commissioned. It's a thought. ;)
 
I've been making liberal use of the wondrous powers of repression and denial. Sadly there's only so long they work for before reality seeps in. ( :D )

The Five Stages of Halifax:

Denial - "He can't possibly pull that off. He's too incompetent! :rofl:"

Anger - "WHAT? WHAT?! NO! :mad: NO WAY!"

Bargaining - "Okay, give him that, but it's just temporary. He'll be replaced soon... :confused: Right?"

Depression - "Oh God... It's all over. He's, he's... :( oh God..."

Acceptance - "Well, might as well get used to Prime Minister Halifax's third term in office... :wacko:"

:D

Interesting to see Halifax finally taking some action, even if it is the very British action of sending a letter to someone. Maybe he'll actually succeed in doing some good in the Far East, though far less efficiently than someone better would have done in the same circumstances.
 
The Five Stages of Halifax:

Denial - "He can't possibly pull that off. He's too incompetent! :rofl:"

Anger - "WHAT? WHAT?! NO! :mad: NO WAY!"

Bargaining - "Okay, give him that, but it's just temporary. He'll be replaced soon... :confused: Right?"

Depression - "Oh God... It's all over. He's, he's... :( oh God..."

Acceptance - "Well, might as well get used to Prime Minister Halifax's third term in office... :wacko:"

:D



Interesting to see Halifax finally taking some action, even if it is the very British action of sending a letter to someone. Maybe he'll actually succeed in doing some good in the Far East, though far less efficiently than someone better would have done in the same circumstances.

Remember, the First Step according to Halifaxics Anonymous is to admit that you have a problem.

I wonder who is tagged to be GOC Malaya? (Eyes squeezed shut, fingers crossed: "Not Percival, Not Percival, Not Percival")
In OTL, without Singapore the RN was basically doing business out of Ceylon, though if this RN has something equivalent to the USN fleet trains that's not as big a deal.
 
I can't believe that Halifax thinks he's "stealing a march" on his conservative compatriots... If anything his action will look like he's had a puppet string pulled by Winston... Not that it would be such a bad thing, mind you... Regardless, you can't steal a march, particularly by mail, when your "opponent" has outed you on wireless! Perhaps if he'd had the cahones to CALL FDR and get him to do a radio spot proclaiming his support for cooperative action with the Empire, THEN Halifax could calim some mild form of independence for the move...

At least, if I were Churchill, that is how I would talk up Halifax's new found "will to act"...
 
Chapter 139, Cowes, 2 August 1941

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The season, which had proven (so far) an improvement on last year’s austere, faltering affair, had moved to the Isle of Wight for “Cowes Week”, the relaxed, informal week of sailing that had so vexed Kaiser Wilhelm and Edward VII a generation ago. Managing to be upmarket yet relaxed, the only formality was an occasional brass band and a general disdain for ‘show-offs’. Although generally unwelcome, there were a few Europeans, almost entirely from neutral nations. There were more Americans, in sleek yachts and trim jackets, fitting in with the ‘clubby’ atmosphere and usually avoiding the lazy stereotypes of ‘loud, brash, ostentatious’ that languid Englishmen could pronounce so easily.

Lord Hankey, First Lord of the Admiralty, was enjoying his visit to Cowes. He and Vice Admiral Holland, commanding the Channel Squadron of the Home Fleet, were particularly welcome guests; the two men had anchored the Squadron in the Solent and the fireworks display on the opening night had taken place with the impressive backdrop of HMS Barham. Barham’s guns had been fired to start the races, and the Ship’s Company had ‘volunteered’ to show guests around her upperdeck. The Ship’s band had been brought ashore to entertain the revellers and the battleship had “dressed ship” to welcome the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth whilst her spotter aircraft had given regular updates on the progress of the races. It was as if the Navy, under their amiable political head, was trying to assist the efforts of society to enjoy themselves.

Yet Hankey could sense that all was still not well. The yachts were fewer in number, their masters less impressive and the tone more nostalgic than optimistic. Hankey wondered whether many in the Cabinet realised how much the brief war had affected Britain. For all the gentle “summer dance” atmosphere of the regatta and the underlying might of Barham and her escorts, the eyes of those attending belied their apprehensions. France, just beyond the horizon, was now a fascist, hostile country and still possessed not only a powerful fleet but a huge, modernised army. And then there was Germany: for all the rhetoric of peace between the Empire and the Reich, many wondered whether Hitler, after his epic struggle in Russia, wouldn’t turn to finish off little England next. For all Barham’s strength, she and her sister ships couldn’t be everywhere. Then there was the misery of life at home; many of the blazers and jumpers so casually worn by these well-heeled guests, Hankey noted, were worn, frayed, patched-up, a bit like Britain herself. The talk was of tough times ahead, of unions appeased just that one time too many, of an increasing lack of deference and respect. An ironworks in Hull had recently and spectacularly caught fire: the lack of safety precaution had resulted in needless deaths. No wonder, he thought to himself as he arrived at yet another yacht club lawn party, that we’re turning to whimsy. His remark was prompted in large part by the arrival of David Niven, the charming young actor who had just finished yet another light-hearted film, this one called The Adjutant. Playing a slightly caddish Guards officer who elopes with the daughter of a bishop, it was yet another one of the “society comedies” that was dominating British filmmaking. Niven, the son of an Army officer and himself formerly of the Highland Light Infantry had at least brought some authenticity to the part; he had refused to portray the Army in a bad light, had insisted that his character’s regiment had been named the (wholly fictional) English Guards, and had also succeeded in getting the part of the Guards’ CO, Colonel Barnaby, played by Basil Rathbone and not the Moore Marriott: the latter habitually played older characters whilst Rathbone would only bring gentle humour (rather than the mocking that Moore Marriott would bring) and a powerful on-screen presence.

“Lord Hankey,” the club’s treasurer, Wright, made the introductions. “This is Niven, the actor.”

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“Delighted to meet you My Lord,” Niven shook Hankey’s hand warmly.

Hankey knew that his daughters would never forgive him for giving a poor recollection of the meeting later: like many Englishwomen they found Niven charming. Hankey smiled at the young actor. “Ah, our young Adjutant? Are you relaxing, or researching a new role?”

Niven smiled. “Actually this is my last week in England. I’m off to America on Tuesday.”

“More films? My wife particularly liked you in Charge of the Light Brigade.”

Niven smiled. “And Your Lordship?”

“I preferred Wuthering Heights actually. But don’t tell the Admiral that: he’ll doubt my warlike nature!” Hankey jerked a thumb in the direction of Holland.

Niven laughed. “I’m going to try and persuade Samuel Goldwyn to take me back. Which he might not do: I’ve not made a film for him for nearly two years.” Niven had the slightest trace of apprehension.

“How could you raise your profile? You’ve made a lot of films over here haven’t you?”

Niven smiled sadly. “None of them will cut any ice with Sam Goldwyn. He wants a big film, not a small English comedy.”

Hankey nodded, he had read of the difficulties actors faced after being ‘demobbed’. “Would a large-scale production over here help? Something epic, about the war perhaps?”

“Yes, but what did you have in mind?”

“I think, as does Anthony Eden, that we should stop shying away from our wartime experiences: our servicemen deserve better. We want to make a film about the Army and Navy’s experiences, something patriotic to raise morale. You were there, you served.”

“In England, My Lord. My battalion never made it to France.”

Hankey nodded. But he pointed a bony finger at Niven. “But you at least wore the uniform. You came home to serve your country. That matters a great deal to the people of this nation. And I think that we can serve your interests as well as Britain’s. Or do you like sugary stories about elopements?”

Hankey left Niven with a knowing smile and the First Lord’s calling card. He then found himself besieged by the usual society types: officers’ wives who wanted assurance that their husbands would be safe, country types who held extreme views, and, increasingly, businessmen who wanted a strong Royal Navy (but at the cheapest cost possible) to protect their interests. He found Colonel the Honourable Nicholas Keane, an old friend from his Royal Marine days and an enthusiastic Hampshire yachtsman and the two men enjoyed a much-needed scotch.

“Maurice,” Keane began, familiar enough to avoid a more formal address. “How is the job? Still enjoying being Lord Harmless’ henchman?”

Hankey rolled his eyes. “There’s much more to the job than that, Nick. The Navy needs friends in Parliament. They’re so,” he paused to think of the appropriate word, “short-sighted, bouncing from one election to the next. I had a difficult time getting the new light carriers through, never mind the battleships.”

Keane chuckled, and seamlessly guided Hankey to an elegant, well-groomed (and very tall) guest who was twirling a cigar as he chatted to a giggling young woman. He had a bald, domed head, ringed with a thinning line of reddish-brown hair. “First Lord,” Keane began, making the introductions, “may I introduce you to ‘Jonah’ Jones, he belongs to the Royal Southampton Club, but we tolerate him.”

“I rescue the bloody trophy and he treats me thus,” Jones replied, shaking Hankey’s hand.

“I understand,” Hankey said absent-mindedly, “that you found the trophy in Wales?”

“Second-hand shop in Cardiff. Cost me thirty-five pounds!” Jones chuckled, whilst Hankey was wondering why on Earth Keane had forced this introduction. “Actually, First Lord, I have a feeling that I might be of use to you.”

“You do?” Hankey was alert now, waiting for what an American friend called the “pitch”. He was not waiting for long.

“I happen, in an advisory capacity, to sit on the board of Armstrong Whitworths”.

Ah, Hankey understood, you are circling over the Ansons. As the new battleships were assembled on the slipways, talk had turned to their armament. Hankey had argued, passionately, for seventeen or eighteen inch guns. But British industry was struggling, and the latest forecast from the Royal Gun Factory, the lead contractor for arming the four battleships, was that sixteen, or even fifteen inch guns were the best that could be done. “And what, Captain Jones, does that have to do with me?”

“Well, First Lord, I think we may be in a position to save the Ansons.”

“Go on,” said Hankey, carefully hiding the hope growing within.

“Well, our engineers think that we can build a sixteen and a half inch gun for the new ships.”

“How many, Jones, and how soon?” Hankey saw the smile on Jones’ face and knew that he knew. As Lord Halifax would say, ‘he’s cast a line and got a bite from a big fish’.

“Well, First Lord, you are committed to the following naval building programme. He held a ‘Commissioning List’, a forecast to industry of the Naval orders.

NewPicture4-13.png


“You know that Harland Wolff can be left alone to build your carriers for you, just as your Scottish shipyards will finish off your cruiser and destroyer programmes.”

NewPicture5-14.png


“But, you’re worried that in the spring HMS Anson will be ready for sea trials without any firm commitment on her armament. You know that if this farce continued your nightmare would be the ships’ completion date pushed back as you modify them to take whatever guns you could mount on them. Am I correct?”

“Unfortunately, Jones, you are entirely correct.”

“We are in a position, in our Elswick factory, to modify our tools and plant to make you triple sixteen and a half inch guns and mountings.”

“Like the Nelsons?”

“Not quite, these will be based on the BL fifteen inchers.”

“But they’re museum pieces! The Queen Elizabeths and R Class have them!”

“But, First Lord, these will be capable guns and can be quickly produced.”

“Yeees,” Hankey replied evasively, offering a weak smile. “Perhaps you could call upon me officially in Whitehall to explore any potential contract.”

“Excellent, First Lord. Of course, this could be the start of a long alliance. Perhaps we could start to plan the successors to the Ansons?”

Hankey rolled his eyes. He had privately agonised over the longer-term building programme. The admirals were desperate to secure another battleship programme, ostensibly to replace antiquated R Class (and eventually the Queen Elizabeth Class) Battleships that had served the Empire well for decades; although Hankey wryly surmised that a way would be found to keep these ships “in reserve”. Some, the Fleet Air Arm particularly, advocated new and bigger aircraft carriers. Hankey, though brought up in “the battleship school” realised that carriers were useful. He had therefore privately decided to split the funding to give the Royal Navy a fighting chance in either field. But all that was in the future, beyond the remit of this conversation. “Captain Jones,” Hankey said with warmth, watching as Jones’ eyes alighted on the young lady. “You have scored one success, perhaps I should retire to let you complete another.”

[Game Effect] – Rubbish, soppy rubbish, I know, but I wanted a chatty, fairly harmless update which isn’t epic or terribly important.

I like Lord Hankey as First Lord and am confident that he can be trusted to come up with sensible decisions (if a tad too battleship centric) whilst in office. Whilst lacking the skills necessary for the cut and thrust of Parliamentary debate, and probably proving hopeless in elections, he was nevertheless an excellent Whitehall operator who, through his Civil Service (and military) background had a much more detailed ‘vision’ of his department than some of his other ministerial colleagues. Hence his long-sighted considerations for the fleet. After the frankly massive SHBBs of the Anson Class (essentially, expect a cross between the Lions and the Vanguards) I think that any future battleships would have to be smaller – the bigger yards would probably get involved with carrier construction and having built monsters the importance of having numbers would probably dominate discussion. Expect modern BBs – if they prove necessary (not telling you what happens). I’ve given the Ansons 16.5” guns, probably the best that British industry could do (and if I’m being really honest, they’d probably end up with 16”) even if I wanted HMS Anson to have 17” or 18”, through Captain Jones’ little deal.

Jones was an interesting character, who really did rescue the Queen’s Cup from a shop in Cardiff. I wanted to introduce him but lacked motive – hence, (fictionally) he lands a job with Armstrong Whitworth to give him a reason to ambush Hankey.

As you can see, the age of respect for rank, and the power of the establishment is still here, and with a hereditary peer as PM not under too much threat from the political class. But, things are a changing – with the economy becoming even more important and the genuine desire to escape austerity I think that some breaking down of barriers would have happened. I also think that the British, faced with international embarrassment and domestic woe would turn to light-hearted media. So Niven, back in England (presumably, he has been demobbed after returning to Britain to join up: though he famously told some senior RAF officers to “fuck off” and ended up – against his wishes – in the Rifles) finds work in light comedies: does this mean and earlier ‘golden age’ for the classic 1950s style comedies?


Trekaddict: You may be right, but Halifax would never simply pick up the phone or send Woolton round to the White House with his instructions – he would establish what we could his “baseline” and work from there.

El Pip: I think it definitely was “the straw that broke the camel’s back”. As for the Far East, well the UK is far less ‘good’ (sorry for the bad grammar) at fighting wars. And the command setup in the Far East, as you’ll see soon, is awful.

Trekaddict::)

Arilou: That’s actually a tad unfair – relying as it does on a number of “what ifs” that both I and the AI could thwart.

El Pip: Oh God, not you too! Didn’t realise that this was becoming predictable.

Enewald: :)

Nathan Madien: At this stage, God alone knows. If the Embassy decides to follow it up then the Americans may take greater notice, but at this stage a polite reply from State is the best that Halifax will probably get.

El Pip: Would FDR get on with Halifax? Historically it took ages, and by then Halifax was sidelined by Churchill, Eden, Dill, and Brooke. So it is a bit of an unknown, although I doubt that they’d become friends.

The Executer: That was a horrific image. And God knows what Halifax, with his prosthetic hand, would be capable of...

MITSGS John: A good point. On the classic FDR question of “is he someone I can handle” the answer re: Halifax is probably “God knows, for he is such a reticent old bugger”. But, if FDR relies on Harry Hopkins, who has seen nothing but Parliamentary chaos and weakness internationally, the future might be grim.

DonnieBaseball: The problem with Halifax is that he took ages to reconcile his contradictory feeling on America and Americans. That was as ambassador, IRL. As PM, it’ll be even worse.

Nathan Madien: Agreed, FDR will be careful.

El Pip: A dream scenario – but no doubt Lord H will mess it up.

Morsky::)

MITSGS John: GOC Singapore is a nonentity, Lt Gen Floyer-Acland. GOC Hong Kong is Franklyn, and both command the basic garrisons, as well as 2 x INF divisions in their respective cities. In Singapore, the INF forces up the peninsula are nominally (for AAR purposes) under GOC Singapore’s command. A fuller update (with lovely diagram) coming up soon.

Bafflegab: You’re right, but we’re talking about Halifax here!
 
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