I concur, good update. Shame to see corruption and incompetence rife in the Australian army so soon though.
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Thanks Meltdown1986!
Thank even more Gjerg Kastrioti.
Chapter 7 - Actions
"How can we possibly loose?" General Lumsden
The meeting continued unabated, with soldiers lighting paraffin lamps, and the cooks beginning to prepare the evening meal, which was heaving great volumes of spiced and tendered aromas into the air.
"Now gentleman, getting onto the most important aspect of the meeting, before dinner is served, is that of the impending advance upon the native stronghold and capital of Acheen. Now we have some intelligence that indicated the forces of the King Alatohja might have at his disposal. Captain Lloyd!" Lumsden turned round in his wicker chair to face Captain Lloyd.
"It appears from our sources that there are around 10,000 natives, who are garrisoned in the main town, and little or none in the outlying villages." Captain Lloyd said.
"Well, let me hear your views on how we should attack it" Lumsden said with determination and guile. Not one officer said a word, nor even had the stomach to look Lumsden directly in his face.
"I have an idea Sir." Colonel Winchester said brightly and innocently. The reaction amongst the officers, was almost unanimous, they all turned around and faced Winchester, and gave him strange looks, and the thought of why did he speak when Lumsden was about to? passed through their minds.
"Well, what is it then?"
"We use the full force of both divisions to attack the natives, giving us an advantage in numbers, as well as firepower, tactics and skill. A small frontal attack of around 2000 men, with a majority of the small artillery we have will act as a diversion and draw out the natives from their dug in positions. The rest of our force will be divided in two, equal between both flanks, and when the natives attack the frontal diversion, who retreat to prepared positions, they are encircled and destroyed. It's simplicity itself!" Colonel Winchester said with a content look on his face.
"Colonel, that is the most original scheme, and a novel idea that I've heard in the entire planning process! Truly most excellent!"
"Well it was nothing Sir, nothing spectacular..."Colonel Winchester trailed off with a smug look on his face.
"Would you be willing to lead the diversionary attack?"
"I shall do my duty!" Colonel Winchester declared triumphantly.
"Good. Major Cairns, what of the supply situation?"
"We have dispatched the requests for the supplies, and it will probably be another 2 weeks before they arrive, and then at least another until the other division is properly kitted out." The Major replied.
"The date for the next advance shall be the 30th of July!" Lumsden declared.
The divisions would rest and re-equip before the coming battle, along with mounting patrols to further secure the province from any possibility of attack or revolt, which was unlikely given the natives warm liking to the Australian soldiers. The days continued to roll by, with very little activity, except that more men, so unused to the terrible tropical conditions, were falling ill with malaria, dysentery, and other tropical diseases that plagued that particular part of the world. The conditions and disease were chipping away at the strength of the divisions and although only around 1 in 4 soldiers who fell ill died, there were considerable numbers of sick and ailing. The attrition rate was particularly high, and the men were suffering, however they maintained their high morale and continued the meandering pace of the days.
As the day for the advance loomed, the soldiers of the divisions practised and drilled almost constantly, so to prepare for the likely apocalyptic battle, which might see them killed, wounded or even captured by the native soldiers.
The Australian command, i.e. Lumsden expected no resistance, except in the main stronghold of Acheen, which was the capital of province and 'nation' , and the centre of power for the native King. This was the main objective of the advance, capture or kill the King and most of his army in the main town and then clear up any resistance. The plan was simple, and everything appeared to be prepared to plan. On the night before the advance, scouting parties reported that there had been no movement of native soldiers and that they were still encamped in the sprawling town of Acheen.
The supply wagons were loaded, rifles cleaned and sabres polished, and it was the most impressive sight, as the sun was setting on the 29th July, two entire Australian divisions, around 20,000 men were marching through the jungle and along the beaches, making their way to their assigned objectives.
And after days of marching, the main body of the troops first laid eyes upon the slumbering city of Acheen, seemingly oblivious to the mass of Australian soldiery that was about to violate her boundaries.
More in the next chapter...
Well as General Lumsden would say "CHARGE!"Gjerg Kastrioti said:
Chapter 7 – Trial By Fire Part 1
”In times of war, there are only two types of men; cowards and heroes.” General Lumsden.
Acheen lay sleepy and quiet, completely oblivious to the hellish attack that was about to be unleashed by the overwhelming numbers of Australian soldiers that were advancing along the paths through the jungle and the beaches, readying themselves for the great assault upon the wooden palisades of Acheen and the spears of the enemy.
General Lumsden who was travelling with the senior officers called a special meeting next to a flowing creek, whose water sparkled in the moonlight and of the flames thrown out by the paraffin lamps. Lumsden, who had brought his favorite chair with him, sat down with a glass of local spirits in one hand and his pipe in the other, and turned around to face the other senior officers.
“The attack needs to be pushed back a few hours.” Lumsden said with almost sorrow in his voice.
“Why?” A nameless officer asked from the back.
“2nd Battalion has been held up crossing a river, and it will take a few hours for them to reach our positions, and get into place.”
“Sir, in that case then, we should wait until morning, catch them whilst they are eating their breakfast!” Colonel Winchester said almost out of the blue, before Lumsden had even asked for a reply.
“Good, good! Any other suggestions?” Lumsden asked after he mentally recorded Winchester’s suggestion
“What about infiltration of the town, is there any high ground we could use?” Major Hawkins asked intently.
“According to the maps we have, there is a hill that overlooks the entire city. If we could place our meager artillery pieces on that hill, we could target anywhere, plus it would be easily defensible from counter attack.” Colonel Winchester said in a charming voice, that seemed almost out of context in the situation, a parlor room voice more than that of a battlefield one.
“I would hardly call it a city Colonel!” An officer joked, and received a few laughs in reply.
“This is no time levity! The plans have been changed! Inform the men! This attack must succeed! We shall never be defeated!” Lumsden thrust his body upwards in a truly magnificent movement. As the officers dispersed to their various positions and units, there was a little uneasiness amongst the men, about why they were postponing the attack, and for what reason? They could not help wonder.
Fires were lit, and food prepared, the soldiers tried to sleep where the stood or just off to the side of the paths and ditches, which was not helped by the fact that rain began to pour at around 11 o’clock that evening. It was a restless and boring night to have spent in the jungle, before the assault upon Acheen.
5.00 AM the following morning, Acheen…
“Follow me lads!” Colonel Winchester said in a hushed voice as the command was passed along the lines of creeping soldiers and slowly moving carts hauling the artillery. The sun shone intently, like a giant brass ball rising from the East. The jungle was awakening, with animals and soldiers alike preparing for the coming day. Acheen was asleep, peaceful and content, like a child that would be rudely awaken from it’s sleep. The khaki uniforms of the soldiers acted as almost perfect camouflage in the foliage and in the dirt paths that formed the slumbering town’s alleys and streets. Although higher that the rest of the town and surrounding area, the hill, which was christened ‘Objective King’ by Lumsden, was not as the map described, it was open, with little or no cover and easily assailable sides, it would be a difficult task to defend the hill if the main body of troops did not draw the enemy away.
“Alright, almost there!” Winchester said, with a hand single to try and spur on the men. They were passing a number of huts, some quite large and well built (for a bamboo hut) and could easily contain a large number of the enemy. As the column walked through the deserted area of town, with fixed bayonets and pistols loaded, faint rumblings could be heard in the distance, almost like the sound of faint chanting.
“Hurry it up men!” Colonel Winchester said as he tried to speed the men up. A sleepy native wandered out of a great bamboo hut, the door creaking open, with the push of his hand. The entire column stopped, and Winchester, who faced the native, paused and both considered their predicament. If the native attacked, it would mean almost instant death, where as if Winchester or his men fired, they would reveal the infiltration of the Australian forces. Both men eyeballed each other, the world around them blurring into a garbled mess. The native broke eye contact first, and Winchester fired his pistol into the man’s stomach sending him reeling into the damp soil of the street. That single shot set two things in motion; first it disturbed and consequently awoke the entire town and secondly, it caused the Australian forces under Winchester to begin to run towards the muddied and grassy sloped of the hill that had been designated ‘Objective King’ . The soldiers run, the horses galloped down the street in a headlong charge to the hill, that would either save them or encircle them. spear wielding natives appeared at the end of the of the row of huts. Immediately the 3 nearest Australian soldiers fires their muskets from their shoulder, killing two and sending a third to die in a pool of his own blood on the ground. Powder smoke from the Australian muskets wafted into the air, and into the light breeze that had picked up as the battle was beginning.
Fortunately, the Australians made it to the prearranged position on the hill, and began to prepare themselves for the native onslaught that would no doubt begin. The artillery, which consisted of old British 2 pounders, that had been salvaged during the conflict with Britain, were positioned so that they gave almost complete covering fire of the approaches and streets that led to the Australian positions, but nothing happened, there was no movement, let alone an onslaught from the huts and jungle.
“Natives! Coming down the street!” A sergeant shouted at the top of his voice.
“Prepare the cannon!” Winchester said. The crews hauled their cannons to face the direction that the enemy was advancing from.
“Fire!” Screamed Winchester at the top of his voice. The balls of lead shot out from the cannon’s mouth, accompanied with a spit of flame. The iron balls sped through the air at a tremendous speed, only being slowed by the bodies that were hit in their course. One iron ball, shot from the mouth of Corporal Higgins cannon killed 5 natives in a row, as it passed through their bodies like a hot knife through butter. More shot rang out from the cannons, sending more death down the hill and bulldozing it’s way through numerous bodies and huts.
“Ready men! 150 yards Volley Fire!” Screamed Winchester, whose face was blackened by the smoke thrown from the cannons. The natives, seemingly infinite in number streamed towards the hill. Still the Australian cannon fired into their ‘ranks’. More natives fell to the cannon fire.
“Fire!” Rang out from the officers along the ranks of the Australian soldiery. A massive amount of lead was shot from the muskets, which blocked the rays of the sun from hitting the ground. The 400 or so 8.5 mm lead balls hurtled through the air smashed into the advancing enemy, sending hundreds of their numbers down into the mud.
“Reload! 2nd Rank fire!” Rang out again. Firing over the heads of the reloading 1st rank, the second ranks volley fire felled more of the enemy. The Australian cannon who’s barrels were glowing hot from the exhaustive firing finally ceasing their bombardment, and the crews retrieving their muskets and joining the ranks of the firing lines.
“Fire!” Rang out yet again. The smoke from the black powder was blinding and choking. More natives fell their spears useless against the musketry and cannons of the Australians.
“Cease Firing!” Yelled Winchester, who say the natives were fleeing back down the paths that had acted as the tributaries of the many native dead.
“We have not won. This is only the start of the battle.” Colonel Winchester said to a battle weary major, as he reloaded his pistol.
It continues in the next chapter…
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Chapter 7 – Trial By Fire Part 2
”Honour is the key to winning the battle.” General Lumsden
As the smoke wafted into the air from the Australian positions, many natives lay spread in grotesque positions where they fell, some seemed intact, whilst others had limbs completely blown off, others tried crawling back to some kind of shelter, where they might seek refuge. Dirt and smoke stains plastered the faces of the men that occupied the Australian positions, and now that they lacked the backing of their meager artillery, the next fight would be even harder.
“Sir! Look a rider is approaching!” A young private said at the top of his voice. Galloping at full pace, a rider, who wore great feathered plumes ignored his fallen dead and jumped off the horse.
“Hold fire men!” Lumsden said.
“I ‘ave ‘ere a message” The unknown rider said after he had dismounted from the stead, and he continued.
“Australians, do not fight. If you surrender, you will be allowed to go back to your ‘omes”. The rider said trying to master the English language, rather unsuccessfully. He jumped onto the back of the horse elegantly.
“Stop or we’ll fire!” Shouted Winchester. The rider ignored him.
“Stop!” Yelled Winchester and still the rider ignored him.
“Kill the horse!” One Musket fired, killing horse almost instantly, the great beast collapsing under it’s own weight.
“Interrogate him!” Winchester said, clearly the heat of battle had affected his judgement, how could he have killed such a magnificent animal? He pondered to himself. The enemy did not come, they had retreated their failed assault on the hill and most likely resting and reorganizing. Not a single native was seen through 6the rest of the day, patrols send through the town reported that it was deserted, and so the Australian were relaxed.
Later that evening…
“Natives!” Cried out the sentry.
“Everybody stand to! Hurry for gods sake!” Sergeants yelled and officers back up. Lit by the torches of the Australian camp, the natives sneaked their way to with 20 yards of the Australian position, and with a bellowing cry, they charged, a great mass of bodies rushing towards the Australian, that was interrupted by the tremendous amount of lead shot from the Australian muskets. Two more volleys were fired in quick succession, falling more natives. However the inevitable happened, the native numbers were great, and hand to hand fighting enveloped the Australian Position.
“No Surrender!” Cried out a sergeant who was slaughtered by a spear-carrying native. However the natives could not compete with the muskets and bayonets of the Australians. They began to retreat back down the hill.
“No Prisoners! Follow them! Fire at Will!” Cried out Lumsden waving his hand to follow the retreating enemy. 2nd Battalion, which arrived late, used their initiative and began advancing through the town, shooting anybody whom even looked suspicious. The rest of the division followed suit and began their attack plans, the native contingent crushed between two enveloping pincer movements, the momentum of Winchester and the mass of the 2nd Battalion crushed the attack, and began advancing up to the Imperial Hut which sat in the middle of a massive square.
What appeared to be natives rushed out of the massive bamboo hut, the king being carried on a bamboo platform by his slaves. Unbeknown to the Australians, flames were licking the timbers of the hut, and in other areas of the city as well. Although most of the inhabitants had fled, the supporters of the King would rather see Acheen burnt to the ground than to have it as an Australian province. The Flames spread quickly, the bamboo and cane and exotic timbers catching alight easily. The Australian troops were ordered to the outskirts of the town, to let Acheen burn. The fire was tremendous, the damp wood sending great volumes of black smoke into the air. The King had escaped, but Acheen had not and burnt well into the morning. The Australian’s were victorious on what remained of the battlefield yet again, but the war continued.
More in the next chapter…
”Honour is the key to winning the battle.” General Lumsden
As the smoke wafted into the air from the Australian positions, many natives lay spread in grotesque positions where they fell, some seemed intact, whilst others had limbs completely blown off, others tried crawling back to some kind of shelter, where they might seek refuge. Dirt and smoke stains plastered the faces of the men that occupied the Australian positions, and now that they lacked the backing of their meager artillery, the next fight would be even harder.
“Sir! Look a rider is approaching!” A young private said at the top of his voice. Galloping at full pace, a rider, who wore great feathered plumes ignored his fallen dead and jumped off the horse.
“Hold fire men!” Lumsden said.
“I ‘ave ‘ere a message” The unknown rider said after he had dismounted from the stead, and he continued.
“Australians, do not fight. If you surrender, you will be allowed to go back to your ‘omes”. The rider said trying to master the English language, rather unsuccessfully. He jumped onto the back of the horse elegantly.
“Stop or we’ll fire!” Shouted Winchester. The rider ignored him.
“Stop!” Yelled Winchester and still the rider ignored him.
“Kill the horse!” One Musket fired, killing horse almost instantly, the great beast collapsing under it’s own weight.
“Interrogate him!” Winchester said, clearly the heat of battle had affected his judgement, how could he have killed such a magnificent animal? He pondered to himself. The enemy did not come, they had retreated their failed assault on the hill and most likely resting and reorganizing. Not a single native was seen through 6the rest of the day, patrols send through the town reported that it was deserted, and so the Australian were relaxed.
Later that evening…
“Natives!” Cried out the sentry.
“Everybody stand to! Hurry for gods sake!” Sergeants yelled and officers back up. Lit by the torches of the Australian camp, the natives sneaked their way to with 20 yards of the Australian position, and with a bellowing cry, they charged, a great mass of bodies rushing towards the Australian, that was interrupted by the tremendous amount of lead shot from the Australian muskets. Two more volleys were fired in quick succession, falling more natives. However the inevitable happened, the native numbers were great, and hand to hand fighting enveloped the Australian Position.
“No Surrender!” Cried out a sergeant who was slaughtered by a spear-carrying native. However the natives could not compete with the muskets and bayonets of the Australians. They began to retreat back down the hill.
“No Prisoners! Follow them! Fire at Will!” Cried out Lumsden waving his hand to follow the retreating enemy. 2nd Battalion, which arrived late, used their initiative and began advancing through the town, shooting anybody whom even looked suspicious. The rest of the division followed suit and began their attack plans, the native contingent crushed between two enveloping pincer movements, the momentum of Winchester and the mass of the 2nd Battalion crushed the attack, and began advancing up to the Imperial Hut which sat in the middle of a massive square.
What appeared to be natives rushed out of the massive bamboo hut, the king being carried on a bamboo platform by his slaves. Unbeknown to the Australians, flames were licking the timbers of the hut, and in other areas of the city as well. Although most of the inhabitants had fled, the supporters of the King would rather see Acheen burnt to the ground than to have it as an Australian province. The Flames spread quickly, the bamboo and cane and exotic timbers catching alight easily. The Australian troops were ordered to the outskirts of the town, to let Acheen burn. The fire was tremendous, the damp wood sending great volumes of black smoke into the air. The King had escaped, but Acheen had not and burnt well into the morning. The Australian’s were victorious on what remained of the battlefield yet again, but the war continued.
More in the next chapter…
Another fine update Sir Humphrey. It is a shame that Acheen did not survive the war but the main thing is, you have won the battle. I look forward to you next update.
Please don't say that this AAR is dead
Keep on fighting the good fight - or the bad fight too, if you think you can get away with it...
Keep on fighting the good fight - or the bad fight too, if you think you can get away with it...
Sorry about the lack of updates, just there has been alot going on (not counting my British AAR as well), so you can all expect an update within the next few days!
Many regards
Sir Humphrey
Many regards
Sir Humphrey
Some of the pictures don't seem to work anymore.
Anyway, keep it up sir Humphrey, it;s always interesting to see what the australians who look suspiciously like British WWII generals will get up to next.
Anyway, keep it up sir Humphrey, it;s always interesting to see what the australians who look suspiciously like British WWII generals will get up to next.
Yeah, since uploader.co.uk has disbanded, I have lost all the pics, but they shall be reloaded with another image uploader shortly.
And here it is! Sorry about the wait lads.
Chapter 7 - The Victory of Peace Part 1
"This is a great day for Australia" General Lumsden
With Australia having defeated the forces of the Kingdom of Atjeh in its capital province, Australia had but only to secure it's position and advance upon the last remaining forces of the King, which numbered not more than 1000 men. Having beat a hasty retreat from their capital, the King now lead his army personally, though with no modern equipment, training or ideas, they could do nothing but delaying actions until the Australians overran their positions. Wanting to advance quickly on the enemy, to avoid giving them the advantage of defensive positions, Lumsden, once the area was secure immediately began the advance towards the final province wish the enemy still controlled.
The Australian Army set off, covered by torrential rain, their Khaki uniforms soaked right through, and their rifle powder being almost made useless by the ever-present rain. Tramping through the jungle was tough work, and although little enemy contact was made, the advance was slowed by the almost impenetrable jungle, and only the left flank advancing along the almost unbroken beaches were making progress.
Every day that passed, General Lumsden grew unhappier and more irritable to his officers and men. As July turned into September, the temperature increased but the rains subsided, which caused many men to fall from heat exhaustion and lack of water, but Lumsden insisted that the advance continue, and it was on the 10th September that the forces of Atjeh and Australia would clash in open battle for the last time.
The battle plan that was to be used was of an almost standard practise around the world, the Australian's would advance rapidly towards the enemy, with the flanks advancing ahead of the central front, enveloping the enemy, which is then crushed by the central front.
At around 9 in the morning, the first contact with the enemy was made. The ambitious Australian plan went into action, with the left and right flanks hastily advancing in an attempt to encircle the enemy. Greatly outnumbered and out-gunned, the weak and exhausted native contingents fled their poorly-held positions. In the chaos of defeat, the panic stricken King, and the remains of his once proud and crumbling army were left with little protection form the relentless Australian fire. The natives were wiped out, almost to a man. Only the King and a hanful of his closest and most loyal warriors managed to survive the carnage. After fleeing into the dark Sumatran jungle, they were never seen again. Lumsden was delighted by the news of the final defeat of the King and his army. The fiercely proud Atjehn monarch had lost his Kingdom and peple to the fledging First Republic of Australia. As General Lumsden gallantly rode through the shattered capital on his magnificent white stallion, he knew that this was only the beginning.
Part 2 a tad later...
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Hurrah for the Australian Lion
Sir Humphrey so pleased to see the young lion is not dead only rested.
Great AAR. Love your work (so much so I had to stop lurking) keep it up!!!
Sir Humphrey so pleased to see the young lion is not dead only rested.
Great AAR. Love your work (so much so I had to stop lurking) keep it up!!!
Sorry for the long break in updates, but things have been rather hectic recently.
Chapter 7 - The Victory of Peace Part 2
"Long live the new Australia." Field Marshall Lumsden
With the kingdom of Atjeh under the thumb of Australia, and the King being entertained by Lumsden at his camp, the President of Australia was meetign with the cabinet to discuss the policy of how Atjeh would be run, post war.
The cabinet was divided in two, with the Puppets and the Expansionists fighting it out in the halls of power in Sydney. Although the two sides had the same goal, seeing that Australia control Atjeh, their methods were somewhat different.
The puupets wanted to install a friendly local cheftien, who would merely act as a puppet to the Australian administration in Atjeh, but would handel most local matters, and have no real power. Their choosen model was based on that of the Raj, in British India, and that it was hoped that this would foster a new native elite, fostered in the ways and styles of what Australia dictated. Where as the Expansionists, the so called 'Hawks' of the cabinet, offered direct annexation, with the Australia runnign Atjeh directly, through a provincial governor, who would rule almost without question, and only take the most senior orders from Sydney. If this method was choosen, the it would mean agrivated natives, who would be reporting directly to Australian Officials, and be under rule from Australian police.
The Australian President sat listening as the conversation ebbed and flowed, and in his mind, the cabinet appeared to be like small children, fighting over a piece of chocolate, with neither side able to conclusively silence the other. Each scheme offered pros and cons, but in different ways.
The Foreign secretary burst open passionately;
"You mean we would go through a native? That is preposteruous!"
"Why?"
"Listen! I'm the bloody Foreign secretary!"
"Gentlemen, please. This is going nowhere - "
"Message Sir" A pale faced messanger said as he handed a note to the President.
"Foreign Secretary, notice that have installed provincial governor Colonel Winchester, awaiting further orders." The note was read out aloud by President John Grimes.
"That imputent fool! He can't just do that! I ough to have him shot!"
"This message is alread 3 days old, we can't recidn it, anyway it was the right decision!" The Foreign Secretary said smugly.
Meanwhile in Atjeh, Colonel Winchester, who was very much the Protoge of the recently promoted Field Marshall Lumsden, started the job of building the new colonial capital. Field Marshall Lumsden had already brought in the emminent civillian architect and planners, who at his constant insistance, had chalked up the plans in almost record time. If anybody knew outside his inner circle of these plans, then it would have been the quickest deisgned city in the world, with large sweeping avenues, vast colonial mansions, palm trees, a modern port and all the sweeping and grand visions of any colonial city. In reality, Lumsden was the Governor of Atjeh, with Winchester being tasked with the administration, whilst Lumsden toured the region. Winchester saw however, that Lumsden was not content with Atjeh, and that he would be the new force.
On the 28th September, in a grand and pompus ceremony, Atjeh ceased to exist, and became the first land of the new Australia. Bands played and people cheered, and John Grimes signed the document, co-signed by Lumsden and the former King, starting a new period of Australian history.
More in the next chapter...
Chapter 7 - The Victory of Peace Part 2
"Long live the new Australia." Field Marshall Lumsden
With the kingdom of Atjeh under the thumb of Australia, and the King being entertained by Lumsden at his camp, the President of Australia was meetign with the cabinet to discuss the policy of how Atjeh would be run, post war.
The cabinet was divided in two, with the Puppets and the Expansionists fighting it out in the halls of power in Sydney. Although the two sides had the same goal, seeing that Australia control Atjeh, their methods were somewhat different.
The puupets wanted to install a friendly local cheftien, who would merely act as a puppet to the Australian administration in Atjeh, but would handel most local matters, and have no real power. Their choosen model was based on that of the Raj, in British India, and that it was hoped that this would foster a new native elite, fostered in the ways and styles of what Australia dictated. Where as the Expansionists, the so called 'Hawks' of the cabinet, offered direct annexation, with the Australia runnign Atjeh directly, through a provincial governor, who would rule almost without question, and only take the most senior orders from Sydney. If this method was choosen, the it would mean agrivated natives, who would be reporting directly to Australian Officials, and be under rule from Australian police.
The Australian President sat listening as the conversation ebbed and flowed, and in his mind, the cabinet appeared to be like small children, fighting over a piece of chocolate, with neither side able to conclusively silence the other. Each scheme offered pros and cons, but in different ways.
The Foreign secretary burst open passionately;
"You mean we would go through a native? That is preposteruous!"
"Why?"
"Listen! I'm the bloody Foreign secretary!"
"Gentlemen, please. This is going nowhere - "
"Message Sir" A pale faced messanger said as he handed a note to the President.
"Foreign Secretary, notice that have installed provincial governor Colonel Winchester, awaiting further orders." The note was read out aloud by President John Grimes.
"That imputent fool! He can't just do that! I ough to have him shot!"
"This message is alread 3 days old, we can't recidn it, anyway it was the right decision!" The Foreign Secretary said smugly.
Meanwhile in Atjeh, Colonel Winchester, who was very much the Protoge of the recently promoted Field Marshall Lumsden, started the job of building the new colonial capital. Field Marshall Lumsden had already brought in the emminent civillian architect and planners, who at his constant insistance, had chalked up the plans in almost record time. If anybody knew outside his inner circle of these plans, then it would have been the quickest deisgned city in the world, with large sweeping avenues, vast colonial mansions, palm trees, a modern port and all the sweeping and grand visions of any colonial city. In reality, Lumsden was the Governor of Atjeh, with Winchester being tasked with the administration, whilst Lumsden toured the region. Winchester saw however, that Lumsden was not content with Atjeh, and that he would be the new force.
On the 28th September, in a grand and pompus ceremony, Atjeh ceased to exist, and became the first land of the new Australia. Bands played and people cheered, and John Grimes signed the document, co-signed by Lumsden and the former King, starting a new period of Australian history.
More in the next chapter...
Book III – Australia Impériale
“This is a turning point for Australia, and we shall leave our mark on it.” – Unknown Paper columnist.
President: John Grimes
Prime Minister: The Prime Minster
Foreign Minister: Clive Woods
Chancellor of the Exchequer: Bernard Clipton
Chief of the Army: Field Marshall Lumsden
Chief of the Navy: Admiral Sommers
Colonial Governors: Colonel Edward Winchester
*A slight revision of characters since I have lost all the original documents.
With Atjeh firmly in the bag, the country began to get back to normal again. People starting worrying about themselves and about was on the table. Australia now had an empire, and as such, her people expected that she be treated like an empire on the world stage. Australia was the newest country on the earth, and she had already made a great impression upon the other nations. Britain stood shocked and appalled at her former colony breaking away from mighty empire, and was fearful that others might do the same, like India, Canada or even Ireland. It was reported from Westminster that Britain was increasing her peace time military spending by 400% and was building numerous new infantry divisions in both the Home Islands and India. The world chugged on, nobody the slightest bit interested. Africa was being eaten up the Europeans, and North America by the United States, ever expanding into great interior. The Australian government looked at that proposal, and found that the interior of Australia was completely barren, and unsuitable for agrarian needs. The only inhabitants of the sparse interior were bands of tribal natives, and occasional hardy herders and grazers that fought not only the elements, but also the natives as well. Along the coast, trade between the cities started up again, with clippers sailing up and down the coast bringing exotic produce from Queensland towards the Southern States, and clippers sailing from the pacific rim islands, bringing Kanacas (Slaves) to work in the Queensland sugar fields. Although no other state practised this, Queensland was fiercely defiant about keeping her traditions.
Australia was proud, and like her short history, she was always part of an Empire. Instead, she was leading it, rather then being subservient to another. As the new colonial ministry was set up, which duties would be performed by the man on the ground, Colonel Winchester, got under way and began improving the communications from Atjeh to Sydney, as it could takes weeks for messages to arrive. Meanwhile in Atjeh, Winchester lived like a prince, with the finest foods, drinks and accommodation available. Although the city had been burnt to the ground, construction work was fast, and a marvellous new colonial palace, which was parallel to anything in India, was his Head Quarters, and large billowing Australian flags fluttered in the warm tropical breezes. The Queensland guards swam on the beach, resting and recuperating from the fighting which had previously plagued this part of the Australian empire. Rubber, coffee and tobacco merchants were quick to establish themselves on the island, as it was teaming with plantations that would grow Australian business, and rubber, coffee and tobacco from the Australian empire would fill the worlds supply of these goods, and already the budget had recovered and the Chancellor of the Exchequer was expecting a hefty surplus.
Australia, had entered, what would later be recorded in the annals of history as her happiest time.
“This is a turning point for Australia, and we shall leave our mark on it.” – Unknown Paper columnist.
President: John Grimes
Prime Minister: The Prime Minster
Foreign Minister: Clive Woods
Chancellor of the Exchequer: Bernard Clipton
Chief of the Army: Field Marshall Lumsden
Chief of the Navy: Admiral Sommers
Colonial Governors: Colonel Edward Winchester
*A slight revision of characters since I have lost all the original documents.
With Atjeh firmly in the bag, the country began to get back to normal again. People starting worrying about themselves and about was on the table. Australia now had an empire, and as such, her people expected that she be treated like an empire on the world stage. Australia was the newest country on the earth, and she had already made a great impression upon the other nations. Britain stood shocked and appalled at her former colony breaking away from mighty empire, and was fearful that others might do the same, like India, Canada or even Ireland. It was reported from Westminster that Britain was increasing her peace time military spending by 400% and was building numerous new infantry divisions in both the Home Islands and India. The world chugged on, nobody the slightest bit interested. Africa was being eaten up the Europeans, and North America by the United States, ever expanding into great interior. The Australian government looked at that proposal, and found that the interior of Australia was completely barren, and unsuitable for agrarian needs. The only inhabitants of the sparse interior were bands of tribal natives, and occasional hardy herders and grazers that fought not only the elements, but also the natives as well. Along the coast, trade between the cities started up again, with clippers sailing up and down the coast bringing exotic produce from Queensland towards the Southern States, and clippers sailing from the pacific rim islands, bringing Kanacas (Slaves) to work in the Queensland sugar fields. Although no other state practised this, Queensland was fiercely defiant about keeping her traditions.
Australia was proud, and like her short history, she was always part of an Empire. Instead, she was leading it, rather then being subservient to another. As the new colonial ministry was set up, which duties would be performed by the man on the ground, Colonel Winchester, got under way and began improving the communications from Atjeh to Sydney, as it could takes weeks for messages to arrive. Meanwhile in Atjeh, Winchester lived like a prince, with the finest foods, drinks and accommodation available. Although the city had been burnt to the ground, construction work was fast, and a marvellous new colonial palace, which was parallel to anything in India, was his Head Quarters, and large billowing Australian flags fluttered in the warm tropical breezes. The Queensland guards swam on the beach, resting and recuperating from the fighting which had previously plagued this part of the Australian empire. Rubber, coffee and tobacco merchants were quick to establish themselves on the island, as it was teaming with plantations that would grow Australian business, and rubber, coffee and tobacco from the Australian empire would fill the worlds supply of these goods, and already the budget had recovered and the Chancellor of the Exchequer was expecting a hefty surplus.
Australia, had entered, what would later be recorded in the annals of history as her happiest time.
Yay! Happy times! Glad to see you writing again.
Though it's too bad for the lost documents thing.
Though it's too bad for the lost documents thing.