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Yeah, after all they're only human. Those poor souls don't see that they chose the wrong side of history, or to say my history.I almost feel sorry for the American Syndicalists.
Almost
As said, one can never win in such a surrounded position. Question will be, how willing will the USA be to aid the Canadians to go Back to the Motherland (pun intended ), especially after an exhausting civil war in which they also lost territory to Canada?
), especially after an exhausting civil war in which they also lost territory to Canada?
I get your pun, but do other people get it?As said, one can never win in such a surrounded position. Question will be, how willing will the USA be to aid the Canadians to go Back to the Motherland (pun intended
The US-Canadian relations in the aftermath of the civil war will be handled in the next chapter.
They do not need to know until it is doneI get your pun, but do other people get it?
... But a bit of secrecy can't hurt, right?
I'm sure they won't mind. It makes them all the more likely to check out your account more oftenThey do not need to know until it is done
Episode VIII: Aftermath
Episode VIII: Aftermath
13th of June – 24th of August 1938
With the Second American Civil War, the bloodiest conflict on the American continent in history, over, the question was whether the old regime would be restored. Already General McArthur and his military dictatorship had cracked down on all remaining CSA and AUS elements. Also, negotiations with Canada on the future of their relationship were now heating up as Canada had taken much of the former US territory.
On the 13th of June 1938, the US backed coup in Mexico succeeded, ending syndicalism in the country and installing a Military Junta under Pablo Gonzalez Garza. The threat south of the border was neutralized and Mexico became a de facto puppet of the US. On the 14th of June, an American and a Canadian delegation sat together at Niagara Falls, the symbolic place where the two countries would discuss their future. It was a heavy discussion, but in the end both parties reached an agreement. The Kingdom of Canada was allowed to hold on to Alaska and the Panama Canal, Columbia and New England were returned to the US. The USA also formally joined the Entente.
In the plans for the War of Homecoming, Greenland and Iceland were of vital importance for naval control over Britain. That’s why on the 30th of June, Canada demanded the two territories from Denmark. Denmark ceded the land under pressure from the Entente. Now with the combined fleets of the US and Canada and naval bases in Nuuk and Reykjavik, naval control around Britain would be uncontested in Entente hands.
On the 24th of August 1938, a civil war broke out in South Africa between Dominionists, who wanted to return to the Entente, and Afrikaner Nationalists, who wanted independence and stay neutral. Similar to the American Civil War, it could be an opportunity to strengthen the Entente. If Canada intervened in favour of the Dominionists, they might join the Entente once again, giving them a foothold in Southern Africa. And so it was decided that both the US and Canada would send volunteers to South Africa.
The dust settled in Northern America with the end of the American Civil War, the successful coup in Mexico and the Treaty of Niagara Falls. Canada secured its interests in Greenland and Iceland in preparation of the future war. The biggest question now was if the civil war in South Africa would distract Canada from the more important task of returning to the British Isles.
Alexander Coleville woke up in a bright room. His eyes took some time to get used to his surroundings. Not much was to be seen, he was tied to a chair and in front of him was a desk. The room was illuminated by a lamp hanging from the ceiling. On one side of the room, there was a door leading to unknown territory. Suddenly that door opened and an older, rather chubby man entered.
“Lieutenant Alexander Coleville, 31 years old, you live with your grandma at 71 Duke Street London. You lost both your parents in the Revolution of ’25. Since then you joined the army. You were stationed in Scotland and later volunteered to fight in the American Civil War. Your career looked promising, until now that is.” The man started speaking.
“How do you know all of this?” Alexander asked with disbelief.
“It is my job to know. Now, on to more important matters,” the man continued, “You will inform us about the military installations in Scotland.”
“And why would I do that?”
“Well first of all you don’t have a choice. If you help us, you might get a chance of seeing your grandma again. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck in this cell for the rest of your life, which regarding your age, will be a very long time.”
“You have a point, but I will never betray my country!” Alexander shouted.
“The Union of Britain is built on betrayal!” the old man shouted angrily while punching the table, “Every day reports come in from people being dragged away by the police, because they were betrayed by their neighbours. The syndicalists built their nation on their betrayal of the democratic system and their everyday neighbours! Now tell me Alexander, is that a nation you want to be loyal to?”
“Those people who are being dragged away are the traitors, they only want chaos in Britain for their own gains.”
“Those people are innocent civilians who happened to turn on the radio and accidently tune to Radio Dublin, albeit just to listen to sport news from the rest of the world. Now you don’t want your grandmother to be dragged away like that, do you? Think about it, I’ll be back in half an hour.” The man said and he left the room.
This struck a nerve with Alexander. He knew his grandma listened to Radio Dublin, but he didn’t think of it as an act of treachery. Something in the voice of the old man sounded like a personal threat. Alexander now feared for his grandmother’s life, and his loyalty to her came before his loyalty to the Union of Britain. After half an hour, the old man entered the room again, now with an assistant by his side. Alexander started describing the military installation in Scotland where he was stationed and the assistant was writing down every detail on paper. It now dawned on him, the old man was Winston Churchill, the guy who ordered Gallipoli back in the Weltkrieg.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And so the Civil War is ended and the future of Canada and the US is set in stone, or rather on a piece of paper. Things are brewing in Africa and Churchill is following his plan for victory. However, we are moving closer and closer to the beginning of the Second Weltkrieg, the beginning of the end.
13th of June – 24th of August 1938
With the Second American Civil War, the bloodiest conflict on the American continent in history, over, the question was whether the old regime would be restored. Already General McArthur and his military dictatorship had cracked down on all remaining CSA and AUS elements. Also, negotiations with Canada on the future of their relationship were now heating up as Canada had taken much of the former US territory.
On the 13th of June 1938, the US backed coup in Mexico succeeded, ending syndicalism in the country and installing a Military Junta under Pablo Gonzalez Garza. The threat south of the border was neutralized and Mexico became a de facto puppet of the US. On the 14th of June, an American and a Canadian delegation sat together at Niagara Falls, the symbolic place where the two countries would discuss their future. It was a heavy discussion, but in the end both parties reached an agreement. The Kingdom of Canada was allowed to hold on to Alaska and the Panama Canal, Columbia and New England were returned to the US. The USA also formally joined the Entente.
In the plans for the War of Homecoming, Greenland and Iceland were of vital importance for naval control over Britain. That’s why on the 30th of June, Canada demanded the two territories from Denmark. Denmark ceded the land under pressure from the Entente. Now with the combined fleets of the US and Canada and naval bases in Nuuk and Reykjavik, naval control around Britain would be uncontested in Entente hands.
On the 24th of August 1938, a civil war broke out in South Africa between Dominionists, who wanted to return to the Entente, and Afrikaner Nationalists, who wanted independence and stay neutral. Similar to the American Civil War, it could be an opportunity to strengthen the Entente. If Canada intervened in favour of the Dominionists, they might join the Entente once again, giving them a foothold in Southern Africa. And so it was decided that both the US and Canada would send volunteers to South Africa.
The dust settled in Northern America with the end of the American Civil War, the successful coup in Mexico and the Treaty of Niagara Falls. Canada secured its interests in Greenland and Iceland in preparation of the future war. The biggest question now was if the civil war in South Africa would distract Canada from the more important task of returning to the British Isles.
Alexander Coleville woke up in a bright room. His eyes took some time to get used to his surroundings. Not much was to be seen, he was tied to a chair and in front of him was a desk. The room was illuminated by a lamp hanging from the ceiling. On one side of the room, there was a door leading to unknown territory. Suddenly that door opened and an older, rather chubby man entered.
“Lieutenant Alexander Coleville, 31 years old, you live with your grandma at 71 Duke Street London. You lost both your parents in the Revolution of ’25. Since then you joined the army. You were stationed in Scotland and later volunteered to fight in the American Civil War. Your career looked promising, until now that is.” The man started speaking.
“How do you know all of this?” Alexander asked with disbelief.
“It is my job to know. Now, on to more important matters,” the man continued, “You will inform us about the military installations in Scotland.”
“And why would I do that?”
“Well first of all you don’t have a choice. If you help us, you might get a chance of seeing your grandma again. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck in this cell for the rest of your life, which regarding your age, will be a very long time.”
“You have a point, but I will never betray my country!” Alexander shouted.
“The Union of Britain is built on betrayal!” the old man shouted angrily while punching the table, “Every day reports come in from people being dragged away by the police, because they were betrayed by their neighbours. The syndicalists built their nation on their betrayal of the democratic system and their everyday neighbours! Now tell me Alexander, is that a nation you want to be loyal to?”
“Those people who are being dragged away are the traitors, they only want chaos in Britain for their own gains.”
“Those people are innocent civilians who happened to turn on the radio and accidently tune to Radio Dublin, albeit just to listen to sport news from the rest of the world. Now you don’t want your grandmother to be dragged away like that, do you? Think about it, I’ll be back in half an hour.” The man said and he left the room.
This struck a nerve with Alexander. He knew his grandma listened to Radio Dublin, but he didn’t think of it as an act of treachery. Something in the voice of the old man sounded like a personal threat. Alexander now feared for his grandmother’s life, and his loyalty to her came before his loyalty to the Union of Britain. After half an hour, the old man entered the room again, now with an assistant by his side. Alexander started describing the military installation in Scotland where he was stationed and the assistant was writing down every detail on paper. It now dawned on him, the old man was Winston Churchill, the guy who ordered Gallipoli back in the Weltkrieg.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And so the Civil War is ended and the future of Canada and the US is set in stone, or rather on a piece of paper. Things are brewing in Africa and Churchill is following his plan for victory. However, we are moving closer and closer to the beginning of the Second Weltkrieg, the beginning of the end.
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The island hopping of Greenland and Iceland reminds me of the colonising island hopping people do in EU4. Quite amusing actually, but a very strategic and logical decision of the Entente. If the Union of Britain is smart they should be worried by now.
At least now that border dispute with Greenland is solved
Indeed he is, he has been preparing for this moment ever since he had to flee to Canada.
Episode IX: Uprising
Episode IX: Uprising
25th of August 1938 – 30th of September 1939
The beginning of the South African civil war in August of 1938 was a prelude to bigger unrest in Africa. In the beginning of October, the Tuareg Confederation and Guinee both broke free from the Kingdom of France. On the 4th of December, the French were able to defeat Guinee and reintegrate the rogue state. Three days later, on the 7th of December, the Tuaregs also capitulated, thus ending the native uprisings in North and West Africa. The Kingdom of France managed to get away easily. Members of the French secret service suspected syndicalist interference in the recent rebellions. Fortunately, they did not succeed in breaking the one true French nation.
All the while, the South African civil war was still raging on. Dominionists, with the help of American and Canadian volunteers, closed in on Pretoria from the south, in the north, the Dominionist puppet state of Rhodesia was also moving in on the capital of the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek. Back in the US, the Colorado River Dam officially opened on the 19th of February 1939 and was named the McArthur Dam, honouring General McArthur’s contributions during the civil war.
On the 23rd of March, the first steps were taken in America to heal the wounds of the civil war. Former sympathisers of the enemy states were fully reintegrated into the US and given back all their political rights. Collaborators with blood on their hands were sentenced in court, with most of them given jail time. On the 3rd of May, good news arrived for King Edward. His prospectors had found oil in Alaska. The deal with the US had paid off in their favour.
By the 28th of June 1939, the South African civil war ended in favour of the Dominionists. They were able to defeat the Afrikaner nationalists with the help of American and Canadian volunteers. While Rhodesians may now be proud of their contribution in the war, the Federation of South Africa looks outward to join the Entente. Two days after the end of the civil war, on the 30th of June, the Federation formally joined the Entente.
With Canada and the US no longer being distracted by uprisings in Africa and with a stronger presence in the south of the dark continent, preparations for the War of Homecoming were now close to being finished. On the 17th of August 1939, Judgement Day had finally come as the Kingdom of Canada declared war on the Union of Britain, kicking of the War of Homecoming as it was known to the Entente. After more than a week, the Commune of France also declared war on the German Empire, starting the Second Weltkrieg. A de facto alliance against the syndicalists was formed between the Entente and the Reichspakt, but on the 13th of September it was formalised with Belgium in the form of a non-aggression pact.
Initial reports from the Belgian front were very positive, but in the meantime, the powers of the Entente were focussing on preparing their offensive. Before the American and Canadian army could do something, they needed to be in Europe. That’s why in the last months of 1939 and the first months of 1940, a sufficient infrastructure was build in Northern Africa to host a huge amount of troops. They had to act fast, because Communard troops were moving ever closer to Gibraltar, which was currently under control of the Kingdom of Spain, a member of the Reichspakt.
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The Second Weltkrieg and War of Homecoming have both started. If you want to read about the Belgian offensive, check out this post: Episode IV: Beginning of the End. The next post will pick up right after the end of the Belgian offensive into France, be sure to read it.
25th of August 1938 – 30th of September 1939
The beginning of the South African civil war in August of 1938 was a prelude to bigger unrest in Africa. In the beginning of October, the Tuareg Confederation and Guinee both broke free from the Kingdom of France. On the 4th of December, the French were able to defeat Guinee and reintegrate the rogue state. Three days later, on the 7th of December, the Tuaregs also capitulated, thus ending the native uprisings in North and West Africa. The Kingdom of France managed to get away easily. Members of the French secret service suspected syndicalist interference in the recent rebellions. Fortunately, they did not succeed in breaking the one true French nation.
All the while, the South African civil war was still raging on. Dominionists, with the help of American and Canadian volunteers, closed in on Pretoria from the south, in the north, the Dominionist puppet state of Rhodesia was also moving in on the capital of the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek. Back in the US, the Colorado River Dam officially opened on the 19th of February 1939 and was named the McArthur Dam, honouring General McArthur’s contributions during the civil war.
On the 23rd of March, the first steps were taken in America to heal the wounds of the civil war. Former sympathisers of the enemy states were fully reintegrated into the US and given back all their political rights. Collaborators with blood on their hands were sentenced in court, with most of them given jail time. On the 3rd of May, good news arrived for King Edward. His prospectors had found oil in Alaska. The deal with the US had paid off in their favour.
By the 28th of June 1939, the South African civil war ended in favour of the Dominionists. They were able to defeat the Afrikaner nationalists with the help of American and Canadian volunteers. While Rhodesians may now be proud of their contribution in the war, the Federation of South Africa looks outward to join the Entente. Two days after the end of the civil war, on the 30th of June, the Federation formally joined the Entente.
With Canada and the US no longer being distracted by uprisings in Africa and with a stronger presence in the south of the dark continent, preparations for the War of Homecoming were now close to being finished. On the 17th of August 1939, Judgement Day had finally come as the Kingdom of Canada declared war on the Union of Britain, kicking of the War of Homecoming as it was known to the Entente. After more than a week, the Commune of France also declared war on the German Empire, starting the Second Weltkrieg. A de facto alliance against the syndicalists was formed between the Entente and the Reichspakt, but on the 13th of September it was formalised with Belgium in the form of a non-aggression pact.
Initial reports from the Belgian front were very positive, but in the meantime, the powers of the Entente were focussing on preparing their offensive. Before the American and Canadian army could do something, they needed to be in Europe. That’s why in the last months of 1939 and the first months of 1940, a sufficient infrastructure was build in Northern Africa to host a huge amount of troops. They had to act fast, because Communard troops were moving ever closer to Gibraltar, which was currently under control of the Kingdom of Spain, a member of the Reichspakt.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Second Weltkrieg and War of Homecoming have both started. If you want to read about the Belgian offensive, check out this post: Episode IV: Beginning of the End. The next post will pick up right after the end of the Belgian offensive into France, be sure to read it.
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Hopefully the British people actually want Winny and the King to return, much can happen and change in public opinion in ~25 years.
*Grabbing some popcorn*
That's a good point, I'll be writing that into the story, thank you.
It's about time some order comes back to Britain and France and the Entente now has enough experience with putting down petty rebellions.Africa is a mess and Europe is in flames. The King must return home!
Episode X: Operation Flamenco
Episode X: Operation Flamenco
(
)
17th of May – 31st of December 1940
After the Belgian offensive came to a halt along the Seine river, it was clear that this was the moment for the American and Canadian armies to start attacking the Communard troops. Not only because it would open up multiple fronts for the Commune and lighten the burden on the Belgian front, but also because the Commune’s army was heavily affected by the Belgian offensive, making an American-Canadian offensive easier. In May 1940 American, French and Canadian generals sat together in Algiers to discuss how to proceed. An agreement was reached very quickly. America would ask for military access in Spain in return for help in Spain, where the Communards had already crossed the Pyrenees and taken much of the Basque Country and Catalonia. France and Canada would combine their efforts by doing a naval invasion in the south of France. If successful, the American and Spanish troops would meet up with the Canadian and French troops in the south of France to execute a pincer movement. The operation was soon called Operation Flamenco.
The Spanish government soon granted military access to the US, realising that their army would not be able to hold on to the front line for three more months. In the meantime, the French and Canadian invasion of southern France was prepared. Multiple targets were looked upon, but eventually they agreed on landing in Toulon. Under the cloak of the night’s darkness, the Franco-Canadian invasion force left on the 10th of June 1940, to arrive early in the morning of that same day. The 10th of June later became popular as D-Day.
On the 3rd of July, the first American soldiers started arriving in Spain. Throughout the entire month of July, they started pushing the Communards back. In the meantime, the Franco-Canadian army had liberated Marseille on the 14th and Montpellier on the 28th of July. On the 6th of August, the Communard army received a massive blow in the Basque Country in Spain. A substantial part of their troops were surrounded and had no access to a port to escape. On the same day, American and Spanish troops also arrived in Barcelona. On the 23rd of August, Zaragoza was liberated. The Communards were in full retreat and soon they would take defensive positions in the Pyrenees mountain range.
But ultimately, that decision would prove to be their downfall. Because not only was the Franco-Canadian invasion a huge success, but the Americans were now also able to push through a part of the Pyrenees defensive line on the Atlantic Coast. By the 5th of September 1940, American troops had liberated Bordeaux. The American and Franco-Canadian troops would now try to push towards each other in order to encircle the Communard army in the Pyrenees. On the 21st of September, American and Canadian troops met each other not far from Toulouse. The Communard French army was surrounded and had no way to escape. Realizing their dire situation, large amounts of Communard soldiers deserted or went on strike. In a way, this prevented a bloodbath. By the 30th of October, the Communard army in the Pyrenees had surrendered. The focus on the offensive could be reverted back to the north.
On the 5th of November 1940, the first US presidential elections after the Civil War were held. The recent conflict and ideological battles boosted the popularity of moderate and progressive candidates. When the results were in, it was clear that Quentin Roosevelt, grandson of Teddy Roosevelt was the next US President. Social democracy made its first steps into US politics and it was clear that the moderate ideology would heal the wounds and scars that were running across the US. For the remaining decades of the 20th century, Capitol Hill would be dominated by two parties: the Republicans, who were transformed by President Roosevelt into a social democrat, progressive party, and the Democrats, who were more on the liberal side of politics. In the Kingdom of Canada, elections for the House of Commons were also held. The more British Conservative Party made impressive gains, at the expense of the Canadian Liberal Party. The Canadian Conservative politician Bennett made his re-entry as Prime Minister, a position he held ever since the failure of bill C-7 and the fall of the Liberal-Progressive government. Also, Winston Churchill made his re-entry into politics when he was elected as an MP into the House of Commons.
On the 6th of December, American troops were able to encircle Nantes at the Atlantic Ocean and move in without any resistance by Communard partisans. They now arrived at the Loire river, which was the first big natural obstacle since the Pyrenees. In the east, near the border of Switzerland, which managed to stay neutral in this conflict, the Canadian offensive was beginning to slow down due to the difficult terrain, but with French reinforcements, they were able to keep attacking the Communard army. In the following week, several attempts were made to cross the Loire, and some of them succeeded. The Communards desperately tried to dig in and blow up bridges to prevent the crossing, but to no effect. With a major breakthrough on the 15th of December, the Communard army was in full retreat. The only problem for them was that they had nowhere to go, because in the North, the Belgian and German army were holding out behind the Seine river. On the 31st of December 1940, just before the new year started, American and Canadian troops had managed to crush all Communard resistance and met Belgian and German troops on several points across the Seine. New Year’s Eve was celebrated in Paris, with the return of the exiled French government.
With the Commune of France defeated, there was only one big enemy left, the Union of Britain. The reason why the Entente went after the Commune first was because of Germany. The Entente feared that the unwilling ally to the east would grab all of France for itself. That’s why they had secret contact with King Albert of the Belgians to convince him of stalling his offensive, so that American, Canadian and French troops could invade the south and have a considerable say in a future peace deal with the Germans. But for now they were still allies, and with the Kriegsmarine in the English Channel and the Royal Navy and US Navy in the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the Doomsday Clock for Britain was ticking.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operation Flamenco was succesful, with the two dancing partners, the US and Canada, meeting up in Southern France. Now, the full attention of both the Entente and the Reichspakt can go to defeating the Union of Britain. In the meantime, both Canada and the US are stabilizing their political landscapes, with the first presidential elections in the US after the civil war and parliamentary elections for the House of Commons in Canada.
(
17th of May – 31st of December 1940
After the Belgian offensive came to a halt along the Seine river, it was clear that this was the moment for the American and Canadian armies to start attacking the Communard troops. Not only because it would open up multiple fronts for the Commune and lighten the burden on the Belgian front, but also because the Commune’s army was heavily affected by the Belgian offensive, making an American-Canadian offensive easier. In May 1940 American, French and Canadian generals sat together in Algiers to discuss how to proceed. An agreement was reached very quickly. America would ask for military access in Spain in return for help in Spain, where the Communards had already crossed the Pyrenees and taken much of the Basque Country and Catalonia. France and Canada would combine their efforts by doing a naval invasion in the south of France. If successful, the American and Spanish troops would meet up with the Canadian and French troops in the south of France to execute a pincer movement. The operation was soon called Operation Flamenco.
The Spanish government soon granted military access to the US, realising that their army would not be able to hold on to the front line for three more months. In the meantime, the French and Canadian invasion of southern France was prepared. Multiple targets were looked upon, but eventually they agreed on landing in Toulon. Under the cloak of the night’s darkness, the Franco-Canadian invasion force left on the 10th of June 1940, to arrive early in the morning of that same day. The 10th of June later became popular as D-Day.
On the 3rd of July, the first American soldiers started arriving in Spain. Throughout the entire month of July, they started pushing the Communards back. In the meantime, the Franco-Canadian army had liberated Marseille on the 14th and Montpellier on the 28th of July. On the 6th of August, the Communard army received a massive blow in the Basque Country in Spain. A substantial part of their troops were surrounded and had no access to a port to escape. On the same day, American and Spanish troops also arrived in Barcelona. On the 23rd of August, Zaragoza was liberated. The Communards were in full retreat and soon they would take defensive positions in the Pyrenees mountain range.
But ultimately, that decision would prove to be their downfall. Because not only was the Franco-Canadian invasion a huge success, but the Americans were now also able to push through a part of the Pyrenees defensive line on the Atlantic Coast. By the 5th of September 1940, American troops had liberated Bordeaux. The American and Franco-Canadian troops would now try to push towards each other in order to encircle the Communard army in the Pyrenees. On the 21st of September, American and Canadian troops met each other not far from Toulouse. The Communard French army was surrounded and had no way to escape. Realizing their dire situation, large amounts of Communard soldiers deserted or went on strike. In a way, this prevented a bloodbath. By the 30th of October, the Communard army in the Pyrenees had surrendered. The focus on the offensive could be reverted back to the north.
On the 5th of November 1940, the first US presidential elections after the Civil War were held. The recent conflict and ideological battles boosted the popularity of moderate and progressive candidates. When the results were in, it was clear that Quentin Roosevelt, grandson of Teddy Roosevelt was the next US President. Social democracy made its first steps into US politics and it was clear that the moderate ideology would heal the wounds and scars that were running across the US. For the remaining decades of the 20th century, Capitol Hill would be dominated by two parties: the Republicans, who were transformed by President Roosevelt into a social democrat, progressive party, and the Democrats, who were more on the liberal side of politics. In the Kingdom of Canada, elections for the House of Commons were also held. The more British Conservative Party made impressive gains, at the expense of the Canadian Liberal Party. The Canadian Conservative politician Bennett made his re-entry as Prime Minister, a position he held ever since the failure of bill C-7 and the fall of the Liberal-Progressive government. Also, Winston Churchill made his re-entry into politics when he was elected as an MP into the House of Commons.
On the 6th of December, American troops were able to encircle Nantes at the Atlantic Ocean and move in without any resistance by Communard partisans. They now arrived at the Loire river, which was the first big natural obstacle since the Pyrenees. In the east, near the border of Switzerland, which managed to stay neutral in this conflict, the Canadian offensive was beginning to slow down due to the difficult terrain, but with French reinforcements, they were able to keep attacking the Communard army. In the following week, several attempts were made to cross the Loire, and some of them succeeded. The Communards desperately tried to dig in and blow up bridges to prevent the crossing, but to no effect. With a major breakthrough on the 15th of December, the Communard army was in full retreat. The only problem for them was that they had nowhere to go, because in the North, the Belgian and German army were holding out behind the Seine river. On the 31st of December 1940, just before the new year started, American and Canadian troops had managed to crush all Communard resistance and met Belgian and German troops on several points across the Seine. New Year’s Eve was celebrated in Paris, with the return of the exiled French government.
With the Commune of France defeated, there was only one big enemy left, the Union of Britain. The reason why the Entente went after the Commune first was because of Germany. The Entente feared that the unwilling ally to the east would grab all of France for itself. That’s why they had secret contact with King Albert of the Belgians to convince him of stalling his offensive, so that American, Canadian and French troops could invade the south and have a considerable say in a future peace deal with the Germans. But for now they were still allies, and with the Kriegsmarine in the English Channel and the Royal Navy and US Navy in the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the Doomsday Clock for Britain was ticking.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operation Flamenco was succesful, with the two dancing partners, the US and Canada, meeting up in Southern France. Now, the full attention of both the Entente and the Reichspakt can go to defeating the Union of Britain. In the meantime, both Canada and the US are stabilizing their political landscapes, with the first presidential elections in the US after the civil war and parliamentary elections for the House of Commons in Canada.
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Episode XI: Their Finest Hour
Episode XI: Their Finest Hour
1st of January 1941
2 p.m., 1st of January 1941, Winston Churchill was standing before the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada. News had reached the Americas about the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Paris. The same atmosphere that had taken France, now also took Canada. It was now Churchill’s turn to shine, he had prepared a speech for this very moment. This speech would later be known as the most famous speech by Churchill and is considered as the basis for his later popularity and success in politics after the war. Winston took a deep breath and started speaking with an intense voice, knowing very well that his speech was transmitted live on the radio throughout the entire Commonwealth.
“What General Weygand called the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization in Britain. Upon it depends our own British life, and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire. I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves able to return to our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of syndicalism, if necessary for years, if necessary alone. At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty’s Government-every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation.
The British Empire and the Kingdom of France, linked together in their cause and in their need, will take back their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength. We shall go on to the end, we have fought in France and now we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall take back our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, our army or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, ‘This was their finest hour.’”
Churchill’s New Year’s Speech was received with immense applause from all parties in the House of Commons. The next few days, all newspapers were very positive about Churchill and his intervention in Parliament. Even in Québec, people were talking about how competent the man was. Historians later theorized that Churchill’s reference to Christianity spoke to the deeply Catholic French Canadians. In the Union of Britain, the speech could be heard on Radio Dublin. Due to the time difference, it was transmitted around 7 p.m., as every one was home from their job in the factories. So was Mrs Coleville. The old woman sat all alone in her living room, with her ears very close to the radio, so that no one else could hear that she was tuning into Radio Dublin. She recognized the name of Winston Churchill. She listened to his speech, and more importantly to the secret message that was hidden within. Churchill gave the signal to all sleeper agents to begin the counter-revolution.
Less positive news came the next day, when it was reported that large manifestations in London, Oxford and Cambridge where violently repressed by police and armed forces. It seemed that 15 years of syndicalism in Britain had not been good for everyone. Mainly people who had lived in the Victorian era took it onto the street and demanded the return of the King. Many people were arrested or killed. Of course this event didn’t make it into the Union’s official news bulletin, but Radio Dublin made sure the news was spread across Britain. It was definitely a huge blow to the national unity and the legitimacy of the Union of Britain and the beginning of social unrest on the island, as old scars were opened again.
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A very interesting thing I want to say about Churchill's speech which he made here, is that it is actually composed of two of his real speaches. I've just used some of the more iconic pieces and changed only a few words to make it fit into this context. If you want to read the original ones, here they are: "We shall fight on the beaches" and "Their finest hour". The speech was something I decided to add after Tom's comment about whether or not the British people even want the King and Churchill back. I hope this has answered that question a bit.
1st of January 1941
2 p.m., 1st of January 1941, Winston Churchill was standing before the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada. News had reached the Americas about the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Paris. The same atmosphere that had taken France, now also took Canada. It was now Churchill’s turn to shine, he had prepared a speech for this very moment. This speech would later be known as the most famous speech by Churchill and is considered as the basis for his later popularity and success in politics after the war. Winston took a deep breath and started speaking with an intense voice, knowing very well that his speech was transmitted live on the radio throughout the entire Commonwealth.
“What General Weygand called the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization in Britain. Upon it depends our own British life, and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire. I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves able to return to our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of syndicalism, if necessary for years, if necessary alone. At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty’s Government-every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation.
The British Empire and the Kingdom of France, linked together in their cause and in their need, will take back their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength. We shall go on to the end, we have fought in France and now we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall take back our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, our army or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, ‘This was their finest hour.’”
Churchill’s New Year’s Speech was received with immense applause from all parties in the House of Commons. The next few days, all newspapers were very positive about Churchill and his intervention in Parliament. Even in Québec, people were talking about how competent the man was. Historians later theorized that Churchill’s reference to Christianity spoke to the deeply Catholic French Canadians. In the Union of Britain, the speech could be heard on Radio Dublin. Due to the time difference, it was transmitted around 7 p.m., as every one was home from their job in the factories. So was Mrs Coleville. The old woman sat all alone in her living room, with her ears very close to the radio, so that no one else could hear that she was tuning into Radio Dublin. She recognized the name of Winston Churchill. She listened to his speech, and more importantly to the secret message that was hidden within. Churchill gave the signal to all sleeper agents to begin the counter-revolution.
Less positive news came the next day, when it was reported that large manifestations in London, Oxford and Cambridge where violently repressed by police and armed forces. It seemed that 15 years of syndicalism in Britain had not been good for everyone. Mainly people who had lived in the Victorian era took it onto the street and demanded the return of the King. Many people were arrested or killed. Of course this event didn’t make it into the Union’s official news bulletin, but Radio Dublin made sure the news was spread across Britain. It was definitely a huge blow to the national unity and the legitimacy of the Union of Britain and the beginning of social unrest on the island, as old scars were opened again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A very interesting thing I want to say about Churchill's speech which he made here, is that it is actually composed of two of his real speaches. I've just used some of the more iconic pieces and changed only a few words to make it fit into this context. If you want to read the original ones, here they are: "We shall fight on the beaches" and "Their finest hour". The speech was something I decided to add after Tom's comment about whether or not the British people even want the King and Churchill back. I hope this has answered that question a bit.
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