Act Two of the Channel Pact
All nations participating in the Channel Pact agree to guarantee each other’s national sovereignty, and agree to not intervene into any wars that these nations might become involved in unless the nation itself is threatened. Would this occur, Act Eight of the Channel Pact will be invoked.
Further away from home, Imperial Japanese forces made short work of China and their cliques. A Chinese puppet was established and Siam forced into satellite status. With their affairs in Asia now complete, the Japanese are rumoured to have started the construction of an enormous war fleet to oppose their American rivals. In return, the USN has started a massive expanse. With their supremacy on the sea jeopardised, the Royal Navy High Command had to decide on a future for the RN. For this, a top summit was held on Malta, known as the Valetta Summit, with admirals from around the whole British Empire attending to make a decision.
The following events took place on the 9th of March, 1941, Valetta, Malta (British Empire)
“To sum it all up, I suggest the construction of an additional eight Elizabeth class Battleships, combined with Heavy and Light Cruisers and more escorts for the Merchant Fleet. Combined with the old Chapters, this should be more than enough to guarantee the success of the RN”. Sir Barry. E. Domvile smiled, looking over the hall filled with the finest sea commanders the world had to offer, hanging from his lips. “All in favor?”. A sea of hands was raised.
“I reject”
Dozens of heads moved simultaneously, as a mumbling of astonishment grew over the crowd. Standing in the doorway was Grand Admiral De Nil, a veteran of the Great War and the early colonial wars. He walked up to the centre table and spread out a series of documents, construction plans and intelligence reports. Domvile was annoyed by this celebrity’s sudden appearance.
“You can never get enough attention do you, De Nil?”
“If this concerns the Royal Navy, it concerns me. Don’t worry about you forgetting to inform me of this summit, I found my way here myself”
“You are a nuisance old man, you’ve been stuck on land for years”
Vincent stared at Domvile’s ship plans
“From this, it’s obvious you have not even the slightest idea of naval strategy, Domvile. I mean, what the hell? Battleships?”
“Elizabeth Class Battleships might I add” Domvile boasted “sporting more firepower than any in the world”
“You are an idiot.” Vincent took up a piece of chalk and started drawing out plans on the planning board on the wall.
“I can assure you gentlemen, if you agree to this lunatic’s Fleet Plan, you’ll all be sailing on His Majesty’s Rafts after the Japanese are through with you.”
Another Great War veteran stood up
“What are your plans then? This has worked for centuries, it will work again”
“Wrong. During the colonial war with France of 1923 I was leading a vital escort to Alexandria to deliver codes and supplies, when we were intercepted by the Lorient, one of their most modern aircraft carriers. I attempted to damage their carrier, but they were able to fight from a long range, ravaging my fleet with naval bombers. We only got out alive because aircraft from Gibraltar received our distress call and managed to keep the bombers off us. A battleship is useless against a carrier, because it will never get into range. This is the truth. Times are changing. Carriers are the future. They might have been only for escorting in the early twenties, but now aircraft are growing increasingly more modern, I see them taking on a capital role in our battlefleets.” He silenced for a while for the dramatic effect.
“Our Chapters are outdated, slow and unreliable ships of whom we should get rid of as soon as possible. Renewing the entire RN is our only option”
Domvile was furious
“This is lunacy! Do you think we have the funds or supplies to get these done in time?”
“We do. But only if we mobilise the entire British economy to the construction of these new fleets.”
Mumbling filled the room
“For centuries, the Royal Navy has secured our overseas colonies and interests. If we fall back now, I can assure you, not only the Navy but the entire Empire will crumble to the Defects and the Japanese. I have assembled a team of the finest, most experienced naval engineers in the world in Scapa Flow. They are known as the Order of the British Navy. If the High Command gives them a permit, they will commence engineering of a new and devastating class of supercarrier, the Implacable. I want twelve of these to be active by 42. The New Fleet will consist of one mayor and two minor Carrier Task Forces. The Hood is scrap metal, a reef waiting to happen. The new flagship of the Royal Navy will be the HMS Illustrious, a carrier. I also suggest an immediate expansion of the Royal Air Force to add striking power to the carrier fleet. The future is now.”
The head of the Gibraltar Defence Force, who was also attending, stood up
“And what about the Army? Who will supply us?”
Vincent grinned “That’s the best part. In accordance with the first Act of the Channel Pact, the Wehrmacht Obernkommand has agreed to supply the entire British army in exchange for raw materials.”
“British fighting with German arms? That’s ridiculous!”
“You already are. If I recall correctly you received an armaments shipment last month with ammunitions and Mark IV Lee-Enfields”
“Yeah, state of the art weapons. But what does that have to do with…”
“Those weren’t Polish”
The man grew silent
A small admiral on the first row stood up
“Grand Admiral De Nil has served the British interests since 1917, he is one of the most experienced captains that walk this earth and has achieved victory over victory even against overwhelming odds. If he says carriers are the future, I believe him. The RN must head towards the future! Rule, Brittania, rule the waves!”
Suddenly the entire crowd came into motion to sing the ancient RN anthem
When Britain first at Heav'n's command
Arose from out the azure main;
Arose, arose from out the azure main;
This was the charter, the charter of the land,
And guardian angels sang this strain:
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves!
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves!
Arose from out the azure main;
Arose, arose from out the azure main;
This was the charter, the charter of the land,
And guardian angels sang this strain:
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves!
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves!
“All in favour of the Carrier Fleet Plan?”
A thundering “Aye” filled the room, leaving Domvile completely astonished. Vincent grinned. The Empire would need a strong navy for the battles to come.
Now sanctioned by the High Command, the Order of the British Empire commenced engineering on a new class of carrier, while in the meanwhile the Twelve Carrier plan was brought into execution
The entire British economy was activated for the construction of these massive warships, while enormous funding into naval aviation research had commenced. The oldest warships were given to the Kriegsmarine in accordance with the First Act, who happily accepted these new additions.
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