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What crimes would he have been guilty of ? Repeatedly being a Prussian hobnob ?
Google Belgium and WW1 for example. Forum rules you know.
The two were connected, I would argue the former was very much driven by the latter. Peer pressure is an exceptional motivator for success and advancement in everything from engineering to the arts, in general colleague vying to top colleague will produce quite outstanding progress.
The process is perhaps not quiet as effective as war, but frankly the collateral side affects are generally lower and thus it is preferable in my book. (This does not apply to diplomats and politicians, but as I said achievement and progress that was probably implied
)
What crimes would he have been guilty of ? Repeatedly being a Prussian hobnob ?
Crimes against millinery;
Exhibit A
That hat is not even so bad it's good, it's just so bad it's bad. The crest on the front is particularly bad as it looks like it's a dropping the eagle has done, indeed the eagle looks quite proud of the dropping and appears to be gloating.
Hell it's the kind of thing even Prince Charles would refuse to wear, and he'll put on pretty much any hat the locals give him when he's on a state visit!
I'd rather blame the General Headquarters for that. Apparently "young" Moltke practically had a heart attack when his Kaiser said the reich should respect Belgium's neutrality, and he forcefully got his orders confirmed. Ineterstingly enough, the same happened in Russia, with the Imperial High Command shutting down all the phones so the Czar could not countermand the mobilization orders. And as the war dragged on, Germany was basically run by Ludendorff and Hindenburg.
Frankly I see WW1 as a textbook example of the military leaders refusing to answer to their civilian masters.
I have to reluctantly agree the hat is so bad it's downright dreadful, particularly in a civilized era before Carmen Miranda and haute couture designers dropping absynth as their favourite drug.
Either the eagle is understandably proud to have shat the Kaiser, or he's (also understably) mortally embarrassed to end up on this atrocious couvre-chef.
Wilhelm II cannot pass through a single metal detector and it's the hat that bothers you?
Chapter 40, London, 7 June 1940
Wintringham snarled as he read the newspapers. The Tory-leaning press were scathing in their description of the violence in the East-End. The Daily Mail, in particular, was violently anti-protester, calling them “Traitorous scum, craven pawns of Bolshevism”. Wintringham was incandescent at their missing the point, at their applause for Halifax authorising the ominous, threatening, placing of Matilda tanks in streets adjacent to the disorder. Wintringham feared for the rioters. They’re the only ones fighting for your freedoms you fools, he raged in his thoughts. Finally, he had had enough. Grabbing a phone directory, he made a quick call and then stormed outside.
It was a warm, breezy morning. Wintringham, tasked by the same Government he now ranted against to prepare a civil defence movement, looked with satisfaction at the training work going on in the grounds.
The training at this stage was, in Wintringham’s eyes, laughably basic. He was turning a motley collection of civilians into what he viewed as a people’s army. Basic drill, weapons training and local fighting doctrine were his priorities. Engrossed in the training, Wintringham was snapped out of his reverie by his guest’s arrival.
“Lovedean, good to see you,” Wintringham welcomed him. Lovedean went to speak, Wintringham gestured to remain quiet. Taking his friend by the arm, the two men walked in the leafy groves.
“You’ve come from Warwick Street?”
“What’s left of it. The police have been backed up by the Army. Our friends have dispersed. It’s awful.”
Wintringham shook his head. “I know, I know. The authorities sit back whilst fascism is allowed to flourish.” His eyes looked into the distance, remembering, no doubt, the horrors of the Spanish War.
“We could do something?”
Wintringham looked doubtful. “Not in the East End. Halifax has shown his hatred. No, we have to strike at the head of the snake.”
“I don’t follow.”
“Whitehall. We strike the Government and show them that our voice must be heard.”
[Game Effect] – The idea of a SCW veteran leading an attempted coup in London may seem far fetched but was actually at one point a possibility. Tom Wintringham, avowed Communist and anti-appeaser was so disgusted at the (in reality) Foreign Secretary Halifax's peace initiatives that he contemplated a mad-cap scheme to seize him and force the war to go on. I’ve been slightly unrealistic in bringing forward his Home Guard adventures by about a month, but given the slackness of direction from Halifax it is not unreasonable to assume that Churchill/Eden/Stanley would have been a bit more proactive in organising civil defence.
With (in this AAR) PM Halifax achieving a ceasefire, with the ratification looming, Wintringham loses it and prepares his revolution. At the moment it’s a dream, but with the right backing and a hesitant government – who knows what will happen?
Will reply to comments when I return from Christmas on Dec 27. In the meantime, I hope Father Christmas empties his sack all over you.
Wintringham snarled as he read the newspapers. The Tory-leaning press were scathing in their description of the violence in the East-End. The Daily Mail, in particular, was violently anti-protester, calling them “Traitorous scum, craven pawns of Bolshevism”. Wintringham was incandescent at their missing the point, at their applause for Halifax authorising the ominous, threatening, placing of Matilda tanks in streets adjacent to the disorder. Wintringham feared for the rioters. They’re the only ones fighting for your freedoms you fools, he raged in his thoughts. Finally, he had had enough. Grabbing a phone directory, he made a quick call and then stormed outside.
It was a warm, breezy morning. Wintringham, tasked by the same Government he now ranted against to prepare a civil defence movement, looked with satisfaction at the training work going on in the grounds.
The training at this stage was, in Wintringham’s eyes, laughably basic. He was turning a motley collection of civilians into what he viewed as a people’s army. Basic drill, weapons training and local fighting doctrine were his priorities. Engrossed in the training, Wintringham was snapped out of his reverie by his guest’s arrival.
“Lovedean, good to see you,” Wintringham welcomed him. Lovedean went to speak, Wintringham gestured to remain quiet. Taking his friend by the arm, the two men walked in the leafy groves.
“You’ve come from Warwick Street?”
“What’s left of it. The police have been backed up by the Army. Our friends have dispersed. It’s awful.”
Wintringham shook his head. “I know, I know. The authorities sit back whilst fascism is allowed to flourish.” His eyes looked into the distance, remembering, no doubt, the horrors of the Spanish War.
“We could do something?”
Wintringham looked doubtful. “Not in the East End. Halifax has shown his hatred. No, we have to strike at the head of the snake.”
“I don’t follow.”
“Whitehall. We strike the Government and show them that our voice must be heard.”
[Game Effect] – The idea of a SCW veteran leading an attempted coup in London may seem far fetched but was actually at one point a possibility. Tom Wintringham, avowed Communist and anti-appeaser was so disgusted at the (in reality) Foreign Secretary Halifax's peace initiatives that he contemplated a mad-cap scheme to seize him and force the war to go on. I’ve been slightly unrealistic in bringing forward his Home Guard adventures by about a month, but given the slackness of direction from Halifax it is not unreasonable to assume that Churchill/Eden/Stanley would have been a bit more proactive in organising civil defence.
With (in this AAR) PM Halifax achieving a ceasefire, with the ratification looming, Wintringham loses it and prepares his revolution. At the moment it’s a dream, but with the right backing and a hesitant government – who knows what will happen?
Will reply to comments when I return from Christmas on Dec 27. In the meantime, I hope Father Christmas empties his sack all over you.
Is it me or the Matilda has its gun missing?
Revolutionary concept of warfare, indeed. Just keep the revolters down by rolling over them. A pity that a dead cow could run faster than the Matilda.
Revolutionary concept of warfare, indeed. Just keep the revolters down by rolling over them. A pity that a dead cow could run faster than the Matilda.
Is it me or the Matilda has its gun missing?
Revolutionary concept of warfare, indeed. Just keep the revolters down by rolling over them. A pity that a dead cow could run faster than the Matilda.
Well quite - the only photo I could find of a Matilda in an urban environment!
How so? I suspec the Iron Duke would have quite appreciated tanks as a proper measure against rioting.
More because of the rioting itself and the fact that it because France is left to its own devices.
Lightly armed Home Guard irregulars vs. government veteran troops with tanks and machineguns. Something tells me the coup has "abortive" written all over it.
Well quite - the only photo I could find of a Matilda in an urban environment!
It's certainly a nice photo, although I am worried about the children just kinda standing there near a tank.
Heh, a commie coup. A good reason to join germany against russians!
I think it is a bit premature for that.
Chapter 41, Chartwell, 8 June 1940
Halifax departed the capital in great secrecy. Terrified of the publicity (and subsequent ridicule) that had enveloped Chamberlain during the Munich negotiations, he and Butler had left very early that morning to fly from RAF Uxbridge to Milan. Halifax, even more terrified of a cabinet rebellion in his absence, had dragged Attlee and Sinclair with him and had left the day to day running of the government to the Home Secretary, Sir John Anderson, with Sir John Simon and Neville Chamberlain providing support. Churchill, banished to the back benches, hadn’t even been told of the arrangements; in a sombre and gloomy mood he had retreated to Chartwell and it was in this setting that a small convoy of cars approached. Halifax, listening to Chamberlain (who, Churchill feared, was reasserting himself behind the scenes), had spitefully pulled any measure of security protection from Churchill as soon as his resignation/dismissal was announced. Thankfully, Thompson, his inspector, had loyally stayed with his ex-minister and had joined Churchill’s family in trying to support the great man at this most trying of times.
Clementine was the first to spot the cars. Driving up the road they were a dark contrast to the white/gray gravel path. Sensing trouble, she alerted the house and Sawyers, Churchill’s Valet, joined Thompson in receiving these unannounced visitors. Two men, dressed in an attempt at military clothing, clambered out of the first car and approached the building.
“That’s far enough. What do you want?” That was Thompson.
“Is Mr Churchill here?” That was the taller figure; Thompson recognised him but was struggling to remember the name. He noted the respectful way they said his employer’s name.
“Mr Churchill is currently writing and is not to be disturbed. But I am sure that Mr Sawyers here will kindly take a message.”
For the first time the figures seemed uneasy, as if the butler and policeman had stalled their plan. The shorter figure looked to the taller figure, who looked above Thompson and Sawyers to the building beyond, as if hoping to catch the attention of the great man within. “Could you give him this,” he handed Sawyers a scrappy bit of paper. Sawyers wordlessly took the paper and turned to take the message inside. Thompson waved a hand to stop him.
“Wait a minute Frank,” he ordered calmly. “What’s on that?”
The taller figure paused for a moment whilst he decided whether these men were to be trusted. Reluctantly, he acquiesced. “My name is Tom Wintringham. That paper is a declaration to the people of this nation. It details how we will tear down this sham of a government and replace it with an authority that will truly follow the wishes of the people.”
Sawyers took great pride in not showing any reaction. Thompson tried to do likewise, though he could not resist a supplementary question. “And you want Mr Churchill to become involved in this?”
“It is my passionate wish that he will.”
Thompson nodded to Sawyers who walked with deliberate nonchalance into the house. Wintringham and his colleague were unsure what to do next. His first instinct was to go forward, to enter the house. But Thompson had an air of authority and command that held him back. Sheepishly, he and his colleague waited.
[Game Effect] – A shrewd move by Wintringham. Would he have attempted to get Winston Churchill, arch anti-communist, involved in his great coup? Well possibly. Churchill is the highest ranking casualty of Milan, and therefore a potential rallying point for the disaffected. The notion of a Churchillian figurehead to some sort of ad-hoc regime solves a lot of problems with Wintringham’s plan and would widen his supporter-base. But, with Churchill an outsider of the pro-Treaty Conservatives Wintringham is further radicalising his actions and alienating himself from the establishment. Not that bringing down the National Government would ever be applauded, of course…
Trekaddict: Wellington would not have let things go this way...
Arilou: As well as a well-armed infantry force. He was not a fan of disorder.
Trekaddict: Agreed.
Morsky: Wait and see...
Nathan Madien: Well, it's a bit excitement for the little blighters!
Enewald: Whoah there - hold your enthusiasm!
Nathan Madien: Agreed...
Halifax departed the capital in great secrecy. Terrified of the publicity (and subsequent ridicule) that had enveloped Chamberlain during the Munich negotiations, he and Butler had left very early that morning to fly from RAF Uxbridge to Milan. Halifax, even more terrified of a cabinet rebellion in his absence, had dragged Attlee and Sinclair with him and had left the day to day running of the government to the Home Secretary, Sir John Anderson, with Sir John Simon and Neville Chamberlain providing support. Churchill, banished to the back benches, hadn’t even been told of the arrangements; in a sombre and gloomy mood he had retreated to Chartwell and it was in this setting that a small convoy of cars approached. Halifax, listening to Chamberlain (who, Churchill feared, was reasserting himself behind the scenes), had spitefully pulled any measure of security protection from Churchill as soon as his resignation/dismissal was announced. Thankfully, Thompson, his inspector, had loyally stayed with his ex-minister and had joined Churchill’s family in trying to support the great man at this most trying of times.
Clementine was the first to spot the cars. Driving up the road they were a dark contrast to the white/gray gravel path. Sensing trouble, she alerted the house and Sawyers, Churchill’s Valet, joined Thompson in receiving these unannounced visitors. Two men, dressed in an attempt at military clothing, clambered out of the first car and approached the building.
“That’s far enough. What do you want?” That was Thompson.
“Is Mr Churchill here?” That was the taller figure; Thompson recognised him but was struggling to remember the name. He noted the respectful way they said his employer’s name.
“Mr Churchill is currently writing and is not to be disturbed. But I am sure that Mr Sawyers here will kindly take a message.”
For the first time the figures seemed uneasy, as if the butler and policeman had stalled their plan. The shorter figure looked to the taller figure, who looked above Thompson and Sawyers to the building beyond, as if hoping to catch the attention of the great man within. “Could you give him this,” he handed Sawyers a scrappy bit of paper. Sawyers wordlessly took the paper and turned to take the message inside. Thompson waved a hand to stop him.
“Wait a minute Frank,” he ordered calmly. “What’s on that?”
The taller figure paused for a moment whilst he decided whether these men were to be trusted. Reluctantly, he acquiesced. “My name is Tom Wintringham. That paper is a declaration to the people of this nation. It details how we will tear down this sham of a government and replace it with an authority that will truly follow the wishes of the people.”
Sawyers took great pride in not showing any reaction. Thompson tried to do likewise, though he could not resist a supplementary question. “And you want Mr Churchill to become involved in this?”
“It is my passionate wish that he will.”
Thompson nodded to Sawyers who walked with deliberate nonchalance into the house. Wintringham and his colleague were unsure what to do next. His first instinct was to go forward, to enter the house. But Thompson had an air of authority and command that held him back. Sheepishly, he and his colleague waited.
[Game Effect] – A shrewd move by Wintringham. Would he have attempted to get Winston Churchill, arch anti-communist, involved in his great coup? Well possibly. Churchill is the highest ranking casualty of Milan, and therefore a potential rallying point for the disaffected. The notion of a Churchillian figurehead to some sort of ad-hoc regime solves a lot of problems with Wintringham’s plan and would widen his supporter-base. But, with Churchill an outsider of the pro-Treaty Conservatives Wintringham is further radicalising his actions and alienating himself from the establishment. Not that bringing down the National Government would ever be applauded, of course…
Trekaddict: Wellington would not have let things go this way...
Arilou: As well as a well-armed infantry force. He was not a fan of disorder.
Trekaddict: Agreed.
Morsky: Wait and see...
Nathan Madien: Well, it's a bit excitement for the little blighters!
Enewald: Whoah there - hold your enthusiasm!
Nathan Madien: Agreed...