The Rise of the Establishment - A British AAR

[Sir Humphrey]

The Rise of the Establishment - A British AAR

Welcome to the new British AAR proudly written by myself. This AAR is based around the United Kingdom of Great Britain and her Empire during the late 1930's and into the next decade.

Basic Facts of the AAR

-Absolutely no cheating (it's just not cricket)
-Core v0.63 is being used for the AAR




Chapter One-The Calm before the storm.

"There will always be a Britain!" Sir Bernard Clipton

The fire burnt intensely, eating away fiercely at the logs, casting dancing shadows on the furniture and the members that had been called to the meeting. Outside, the cold December snows floated softly towards the earth, covering the array of motor vehicles, most of which were Bentley's and Jaguars in a thin white layer of heaven. The meeting began informally, with gin and cigars having been dispensed in the previous five minutes, and all the members having taken their respective places in the large, comfortable leather chairs that sat atop only the finest Indian Silk rug which gave the room a splendid touch of grandeur and lavishness.

The Manor House during the splendid Summer of 1935

The members of this meeting, ranged in age from their mid-thirties right up until the grand age of 60, and the members were varied in their backgrounds, except for one key aspect, that they would all be considered part of the 'establishment'.
"So Bernard, is it feasible to bring the planned action forward to the proposed date?" Alec Bristol said as he lit his pipe.
"It all depends on whether John is ready." Alec was referring to the recently promoted Chief of the Army, Lord Gort, who sat reading the latest edition of 'The Times'.
"With the state our chaps are in at the moment, it's a bally wonder they can do anything. Baldwin has stripped us bare!" Lord Gort said as he smoked a cigarette that had almost extinguished itself. Just as Sir Alec Bristol was about to speak, Arthur Cranwell entered the room through the magnificant mahogany doors, with a cigar in one hand, and a glass of scotch in the other.
"Gentlemen, it is time. Operation Broad Sword shall be launched!"

More in the next section...

 

[unmerged(29305)]

May i be the first to congratulat you on your new HOI AAR. Excellent start, i am a big fan of your empire series.

 

[unmerged(1020)]

Jolly good! About time for the secret Eton/Oxbridge clique to show the Boche who's running the planet!

Oh, a little useless fact- there would be no Jaguars at your meeting, assuming that it isn't a post war retrospective. The company didn't actually use that name until after the war, when it decided that its original marque was no longer appropriate. Well, you'd do the same if you were making cars with 'SS' on the front.

 

[unmerged(7845)]

Another Sir Humphrey AAR, splendid!

 

[Sir Humphrey]

Another Sir Humphrey AAR, splendid!

Thanks for the support Meltdown1986

Jolly good! About time for the secret Eton/Oxbridge clique to show the Boche who's running the planet!
Oh, a little useless fact- there would be no Jaguars at your meeting, assuming that it isn't a post war retrospective. The company didn't actually use that name until after the war, when it decided that its original marque was no longer appropriate. Well, you'd do the same if you were making cars with 'SS' on the front.

Thanks for pointing that out Evil Capitalist!

May i be the first to congratulat you on your new HOI AAR. Excellent start, i am a big fan of your empire series.

Thanks A Trooper for the support, and I'm glad you like it.

Chapter One-The Plan

"This is of the utmost secrecy!" Sir Bernard Clipton

"Now gentlemen; as you are no doubt aware, the situation that has been presented to us would be considered high treason by the government, so if this plan goes belly up, we must all accept the consequences. After this, we cannot go back, for our destiny is in the hands of fate." Arthur Cranwell said as he poked the fire in a gentle manner.
"Everybody in this room is of the same mind. We are doing this for Britain and the Empire. Nobody else." Everybody nodded in agreement as Sir Bernard Clipton said these words between the puffs of his cigarette.

"Right then, before the balloon goes up, shall we cover the Operational Plans for the final time?" Once again the heads of the members of the meeting all nodded.
"Phase one." Arthur Cranwell began.
"As you all know, we have through our very considerable assets secured the support of the police and most of the papers in London and the other major centres. As you also know, we also have considerable support of the middle and upper classes who view that Stanley Baldwin and the current ramshackle of a government are turning Britain into a 2nd rate power. As soon as our main objective has been achieved, the whole world will hear of our triumph. Phase two: Sir Bernard is having lunch with Baldwin and the top members of the cabinet. He is to wait until the troops are in place, and then to stop Baldwin and the Cabinet from making any rash decisions. This is meant to be a velvet revolution and nobody is to be hurt in the slightest. John here will lead the troops on the ground personally. His chaps, from the 1st Wessex Rifles, will surround the streets, blocking off any possible escape route. They'll park the armoured car at the front of No.10 and the troops will enter. Once the Prime Minster and the cabinet are in our grasp, phase 3 shall begin. Carton De Wiart and his men are to seize the British Broadcasting Corporation HQ, and announce to the nation on the wireless that the current government is no longer in power. Phase four is the most difficult, and could possible undermine the whole operation." Arthur Cranwell paused for a drink of Single Malt Scotch.

"Phase four, is possibly the trickiest part of the entire operation, and I cannot stress the importance of this. Although many of us know the King on a personal basis, not all of the palace guard are so eager to accept what is happening. This could prove a problem, but the guards that see our side of the situation will subdue them. The gates as the front of the Palace will be blown up by sappers from the Royal Engineers, and then our chaps can help secure the King and his family. If he is hurt, then we may have lost all our support. It is imperative that the King and his family are unharmed. The final phase of Operation Broadsword is the securing of other centres, such as Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast by our chaps, and from our intelligence sources; it should not be a problem. The rest of the army is commanded by generals who shall not be a problem, and merely view this as a change of government, same with the Royal Air Force, who are in no position to intervene in our affairs, and the Admiralty, I can say is firmly on our side." This was followed by rapturous applauses from the gathering, with toasts being shouted and celebrating the excellent news.

Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart, the eccentric genius tasked with capturing the BBC Head Quarters

"Just remember, that was the overall briefing, your individual details you have already received. Gentlemen, the balloon will go up on the 23rd December. Please raise you glassed in a toast to the Empire!" Every glass was raised in the great toast.
"FOR THE EMPIRE!" The members shouted in their finest toasting voices, for the balloon was due to go up in ten days time, and it would either succeed to their wildest expectations or they would face a firing squad for treason...

More in the next chapter...

 

[unmerged(29305)]

A velvet revolution... i like that

I am intrigue as to what is going on!

 

[unmerged(16040)]

A most excellent start. Keep it up Sir Humphrey!

 

[Sir Humphrey]

Chapter One-The balloon goes up.

"I think you are intellectually and morally corrupt, and you know it; it is time for you to go." Sir Bernard Clipton to Stanley Baldwin.


The 23rd December 1935 was a cold and grey day, the cloud hung low over the London skyline as an aircraft bearing the Imperial Airways scheme cut its way through to reach its target of Croydon. On the ground people wrapped themselves in warm clothing and went about their business, and paid little attention to the military convoy that speed along the streets of London. The convoy consisted of a Rolls Royce Armoured Car, of which Lord Gort was riding from the open turret, followed by a jet-black staff car and 5 muddied and scruffy looking Bedford Army Lorries, upon which a Vickers machine-gun and it's gunner sat rattling atop the lorry and their faces being frozen by the wind. The convoy sped on, the traffic being polite and letting the convoy pass on.

Sir Bernard Clipton sat with Stanley Baldwin in his office; a cup of tea, (whose steam wafted into the slightly cold air) in one hand, taking the occasional sip between breaks in the conversation.
"So Stanley, how do you find running the country?"
"Fine, just fine. We've had the occasional bump along the way; especially the mess in Ireland, those IRA are really playing havoc in the North. And then there are those -" Baldwin was interrupted by a civil servant bringing a message.
"Prime Minster and Sir Bernard, your presence is requested in the dining room." The faceless civil servant said with little emotion.
"Come Bernard, Anthony (Eden) is looking forward to seeing you." Stanley Baldwin said as he rose from his chair and placed the drained cup of tea on his desk. Both of them walked down the hallway towards the dinging room. The convoy, spearhead by Lord Gort, hurtled along the Victoria Embankment.

The dining room was abuzz with chatter of politics and gossip, but Sir Bernard, perhaps having growing cynical, could fail to see the difference. Anthony Eden sat all prim and proper, whilst Sir John Simon, the Home secretary was engaged in a debate with Neville Chamberlain about the state of labour for the armaments industry.
"Gentlemen, please save your breath for the actual cabinet meeting!" Stanley Baldwin said in a jovial fashion. His wife was entertaining the other wives in the parlour with the latest gossip and rumours that hurtled around the capital.

"This looks most excellent." Chamberlain said and he looked hungrily forward to the lunch. The covey entered the final approach to Downing Street, the drivers crunching gears to reduce speed.
"Sir Bernard, do you have any plans for the holidays?" Anthony Eden said as he turned to face Sir Bernard. Outside the convoy came to a halt, the armoured car turning its Vickers Heavy Machine Gun to face the door of the Prime Ministers residence. The troops jumped out of the back of the lorries and fanned out to cover the possible escape routes that might be used. Inside, Sir Bernard failed to reply to Eden's question, for he heard the unmistakable sounds of the stopping convoy, and the soldiers shouting to one another as they secured their positions.

"Stanley, may I ask you a question?" Sir Bernard asked without giving a hint of what was about to happen.
"Sure old boy." He said in a friendly and genial voice.
"I think you are intellectually and morally corrupt, and you know it; it is time for you to go." Sir Bernard said in a firm voice.
"What ever do you mean?" Baldwin said in a slightly startled voice.
"It means that you have failed Britain, her Empire and her people. For too long have you raped the country of its worth and its dignity. We could not let it continue. And unfortunately Stanley, this is the thin end of the wedge." Sir Bernard said as he whipped out a loaded and cocked Webley Service Revolver.

"Let me reassure you, every detail has been planned and accounted for. You and your government are no longer in power. As I speak, the country is learning of your failings and reading of our successes."
"You can't be serious!" Chamberlain stood up.
"Have a look out of the window then, and see for yourself the situation." Sir Bernard knew that this was the signal that the troops and Lord Gort were waiting for to storm the building. As Chamberlain brushed aside the curtain with his hand, he saw the armoured car waiting, the troops and the Bedford lorries.
"Good god!" Chamberlain exclaimed, just as the front door of No. 10 was smashed in by troops, with rifles and revolvers loaded.
"As of now, you now cease to function as a government!" Sir Bernard said as troops rushed in to secure No. 10 and No.11 (The Home of the Chancellor of the Exchequer).

Meanwhile at the BBC...

"Oh my dear Mr Rightberry, you must absolutely see this!"
"And what's that Mrs Giles?"
"It's drains, their---who on earth are you?" Exclaimed the actress as she spoke live to nation in the famous wireless sitcom 'Manor Life', for the eccentric Carton De Wiart had just burst into the studio, flanked by troops with their rifles raised.

"Sorry to barge in on you like this, but I have some important news for the nation." Carton De Wiart said. It was now that he dramatically pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and began to read. It was at this point that the outside world learnt of the developments that were transpiring in London, and the other major centres of the United Kingdom.

"There will always be a Britain..." He began, and as he said this, members of the old cabinet were facing the rifles and pistols of the new government, and around the country, centres of old government, police and ministries changed hands, from the old to the new, and in the minds of the new government it was only the most proper thing to do.

Lord Gort about to advance on No.11 Downing Street(to aprehend the Chancellor of the Exchequer)

More in the next chapter...

 

[unmerged(29305)]

Most well described and very intresting!! Keep it coming.

 

[Sir Humphrey]

Most well described and very intresting!!

Thanks A Trooper!


Chapter Two-A Place in the Sun

"Gentlemen, we have changed the course of history and earned our place in the sun." Arthur Cranwell.

The thin electrical wires ran, like a tangled mess to the edge of the street, and with the push of a small red button, the electric circuit was made, and the current of electricity ran along the wires, along the street until the wires ended abruptly at a detonator, which was firmly planted in a sizeable amount of cordite. As the electric current speed along the wire, a corporal of the Royal Engineers shouted.
"Keep you heads down!" and not a second later, the massive iron gates that formed the perimeter defences of Buckingham Palace, were breeched, with one, ear-deafening explosion. This was the signal that the loyal Horse Guards soldiers were waiting for, and they sprung into their pre-planned positions. As the Horse Guards entered into the Palace, three Lorries of regular troops smashed past the remanets of the gates, the lorries suspension creaking as the wheels passed over the small blast crater.

His Majesty King George V, sat as he did every morning eating his breakfast, with a copy of 'The Times' open at the second page. The bright red, immaculate uniforms of the Horse Guards were little use for concealment as the soldiers of the Horse Guard, who maintained their allegiance to the King found out that they were easy targets for the rifle and pistol fire. The King who looked down on the court yard saw the dying members of the loyal Horse Guard, the blood seeping through their red uniforms and onto the ground with the tracer fire from the Vickers Heavy machine gun flying through the air, with steam rising from their barrels in the cool weather. As he was wondering what was going on, the door of the room was thrown open and the King, face to face with a Webley revolver felt obliged submit to the new government. The King, and his entire family were rounded up, and walked with Bayonets inches from their backs, down the immense hallways to the waiting lorries in the courtyard. Their destination; the Tower of London, where they would be meeting the former members of the cabinet.

It was decided (by Sir Bernard) , that the Tower of London would not be the most suitable long term confinement for the Royal Family, so it was arranged, through the strong support that the group held with the Admiralty, that HMS Hood, the Pride of the British Fleet, would moor in the Thames and act as a floating prison for the old cabinet and the Royal Family, until a more suitable location could be found.

For it was the first time since Oliver Cromwell, that the Royal Family of the United Kingdom and her government been overthrown and replaced by another, in what was termed the 'Velvet Revolution'. Throughout the country the ordinary people, from the lowest labourer to the highest Lord, young and old, gathered in the streets as news spread, not in protest, but in support of the revolution, there was little or no violence, as the main centres of administration were already under control.

The evening editions of the papers, all ran stories of the revolution, with headlines that included "A NEW GOVEERNEMNT A NEW BRITAIN"(The Times), "BALDWIN NO LONGER" (The Daily Express),"GOVERNEMNT IN DISSARRAY"(Daily Mirror), "EMPIRE IN SHOCK!" (News of the World), "WORKERS DREAMS CRUSHED!" (The Daily Worker) and "NEW POSSIBILITIES" cried the Times of India.

Although relatively bloodless, with only a few military casualties and the injuries sustained from celebratory parties, Britain ground to a halt, with a national holiday marking the upheaval, and generally applauded, however, the new government which faced the pleasures of a liberated nation, did not receive such international support, with an emergency meeting of the League of Nations called. However there were certain elements with British society that did not welcome the new government, namely the Communist League(s), and the British Union of Fascists, which immediately launched a campaign against the new government, though friendly newspapers of those organizations immediately started to pump out propaganda.

And on the 23rd December 1935, as the sun was setting, the cold and grey began to clear, and brilliant golden sunlight filtered through, splashing itself on Britain and her Empire.

HMS Hood in the mouth of the Thames

More in the next chapter...

 

[unmerged(29305)]

A most brilliant update Sir Humphrey! Please keep it coming!

 

[Sir Humphrey]

A most brilliant update Sir Humphrey!

Thanks A Trooper!

Chapter Two-Cementing the Position

"We can finally get on with running the country properly for once." Sir Bernard Clipton

The 27th December 1935 was crisp and bright, without a hint of cloud in the sky. In the previous days, Britain and her Empire had watched as the last bastions of the old government were imprisoned in the Tower of London, which was only a temporary stop until HMS Hood arrived in the Thames. With the old cabinet out of the picture, Sir Bernard Clipton and his associates met in the Cabinet Room, in order to establish the positions and structure eof the new government.

"Gentlemen, this is the first meeting of the new cabinet. It is of vital importance that there be no conflicting issues, and that our duty be clear. All positions, as previously agreed upon, will remain intact, but for all intensive purposes, the positions shall reiterate." Sir Bernard said to the meeting.

"Firstly, I am to bare the burden of the Prime Ministership, which was unanimously agreed upon at the last meeting. Arthur here will be the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary (of State) for Armaments, whilst Alec will be in charge of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Alan, as arranged, you are given the tasks of Home Secretary, and our friend Mr Storrs from Military Intelligence Section 5 will now report directly to us on all intelligence, both home and overseas. As the Prime Minister, I have taken it upon myself to be the Chief of the Armed Forces, whilst Lord Gort maintains his position as Chief of the Army. Henry Portal, one of the brightest lights to emerge out of Royal Air Force, has been promoted to Chief of the Air Staff, whilst Giles, has been placed over at the Admiralty." Sir Bernard Paused for a second.

"Now that everything has been made official, we need to get with the running of the country. I shall today be contacting the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth to come to London to hold an emergency meeting, regarding the Royal Family and our new head of state, instead of the Windsor's. Although little time has passed since we began our journey in Government, it is absolutely essential that we receive international recognition of our government, though we need prove little to the British people, the League of Nations may not be so accepting, and the commonwealth may be touchy over the Head of State issue, however we shall stand firm. It is important that we, as a government present our case to the world, as a peaceful and caring new government, for we do not want a repeat of the chaos that Herr Hitler caused in Germany." Sir Bernard paused for a glass of water that refreshed his drying lips.

A messenger, burst into the room waving a piece of paper frivolously in his hand.
"Give it to me." Sir Bernard said in a stiff voice. His eyes darted along the lines of the hand written message, and as he neared the end of the message, a strange look appeared upon his face.
"It appears that we have hit our first problem." Sir Bernard with a grave voice.
"What is it old boy?" enquired Arthur Cranwell.
"It appears that Edward VIII the Prince of Wales, has managed to escape and has fled to France." Sir Bernard trailed off.
"Great Scott!" Alan Colby cried out.
"We can't touch him, as we have no diplomatic representation in Paris at this moment. We cannot do anything." Sir Alec said in a despairing tone.
"This is indeed a worrying development, however, it is not our top priority, we need to establish our position in the world, and if the Commonwealth Heads attend, then we shall have at least some validation in the international community. We can do little with the Prince of Wales at this moment, so we should bide our time, and concentrate on picking up our own game, and get the country running again, which I can assure it won't be too difficult. It is set that on new years day, the 1st January 1936, that we shall hold a review of not only Britain and her Empire in every conceivable detail, and the international situation as well." Sir Bernard finished off by sitting down into the chair, exhausted after talking for so long.

The New Cabinet​

The cabinet dispearsed, to their offices and ministries to cobble together the information that would be required for the next meeting, the Grand Review of the Empire!

More in the next chapter...

 

[unmerged(7845)]

I just caught up with the events, viz your grand updates since the first: Your coup d´etat really surprised me! It´ll be interesting to hear what changes of policy this means.

 

[unmerged(29305)]

How comes George the V is still head of state, is he to stay as HOS or not?

 

[Sir Humphrey]

How comes George the V is still head of state, is he to stay as HOS or not?

This question shall be brought up during the next cabinet meeting and at the Commonwelath meeting as well.

just caught up with the events, viz your grand updates since the first: Your coup d´etat really surprised me! It´ll be interesting to hear what changes of policy this means.

There is change in the air.

Chapter Two-Empire in Review - part 1

"Gentlemen, this is the situation." Sir Bernard Clipton

Inside the cabinet meeting room, the air was thick with smoke, from cigarettes, cigars and pipes of all sorts. Adding to the smokescreen was the heating, which turned the air of the room into a stifling environment.

"Gentlemen, you have all contributed to the white papers that are to be reviewed during the course of this meeting. The top priorities of these white papers are to highlight the current military and economic situation, along with future policy for the Empire. Also there is considerable internal policy discussions that must take place, however, the Empire's defence needs assessing." Sir Bernard said as he tried to breath on the smoke filled air.

"The defence of the Empire is paramount! The white paper shall now be reviewed by the cabinet, and as chief of the armed forces, I would take great pleasure in assuring the cabinet that the Empire, would have sufficient forces to quell any internal trouble quite easily, however, if the armed forces of the British Empire were required in offensive action, whether in Europe, the Near of Far Easts, the situation would be rather different. I will now let the individual chiefs of the army, Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Henry, would you please tell us the situation, without skirting round the issue." Sir Bernard sat down after what were becoming his standard long passages of speech.

"In no uncertain terms, the Royal Air Force has for to long received the least attention and least spending. If Britain is to maintain her place in as the world's most modern military, the RAF requires immediate rearming in both pilots and equipment. Henry (MI5 liaison that reports directly to the cabinet), has informed the Air Ministry that Germany is about to begin testing their latest single-engined fighter, called the Messerschmitt 109, which is capable of 292 miles per hour and carries 2 machine guns, which far exceeds anything of RAF fighter command. The latest RAF fighter is the Hawker Fury, which our designers have concluded is the penultimate biplane design. Bomber Command is both inflexible and old, with slow and weak bombers capable of carrying a small load of bombs, however I am of the belief that air superiority is the key to success. Coastal Command is an absolute shambles with aircraft left over from the 1920's! The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) is just as bad, wouldn't you agree Giles?" Henry Portal asked the First Lord of the Admiralty. Giles nodded his head in agreement.

"There is however some light between the doom and gloom of the Royal Air Force, along the South East Coast of England, there are RADAR stations being constructed, which means that we can tell where an aeroplane is heading beyond visual range, which gives us an advantage over most other continental powers. I cannot stress it any more seriously that the RAF requires far greater investment and far greater power in order to be an effective fighting force. Having said that, the strength of the RAF is of the following:
Fighter Command:
2 Squadrons of Hawker Fury Biplanes at around 70% strength
Bomber Command:
1 Squadron of Handley Page Hampden Twin engine bombers
2 Squadrons of Fairey Battles single-engined light bombers
Fleet Air Arm:
4 Squadrons of Fairey Swordfish Biplane Torpedo Bombers
RAF Middle East:
1 Squadron of Fair Battle single-engined light bombers
RAF Far East and India:
2 Squadrons of Fairey Battles single-engined light bombers

Although we have a considerable amount of Squadrons available they are spread thin and lack modern equipment and training." Giles said, with some faces of cabinet looking rather worried.

"I shall present the Army's white paper, and there are some great flaws and gaps in the Army, both in equipment, size and structure. The current deployment allows us to only suitably manage internal disputes, we have no tanks, which are an important facet to modern warfare, and have a small army at Home, but substantial assets in India, and the Middle and Far East do have some protection, though they are little better than garrisons, and capable of nothing more than holding actions, as it is a desperate situation, if ever Britain went to war in Europe, we would find it impossible. The standard British infantry division has around 12,000 men, which is on par with the standards of Europe, though our equipment is not out of date, without more support, that situation could soon change.

The number of troops station here in Britain is pitiful, if ever we need to fight a European War, we would face great difficulty in taking it to the enemy. As it stands we have:
British Isles:
48,000 troops around Britain

The Portsmouth Garrison
Middle East:
24,000 troops, not counting Egyptian, Iraqi and Trans-Jordanian forces
India:
132,000 Indian troops, though they are not at full battle strength
Far East: (Singapore, Hong Kong and Ceylon)
23,000 though they are depleted and no where near full strength
Other: (Gibraltar, Malta and the Commonwealth)
15,000 plus around half million in the commonwealth, though I cannot be sure of the accuracy of those figures.

The British army requires much more investment, and I am recommending that we introduce conscription, to help fill the ranks. The detailed plans are laid out in the Heite paper, that would take far to long to explain." Lord Gort said as he read from the folder marked 'Army Defence White Paper'.

"Now Admiral Giles, what do you have to report?" Sir Bernard asked.
"Well Sir, the Royal Navy is the most powerful in the world, Britain is the leader in Marine technology and has the best training and equipment,but it lacks two essential elements, suitable transportation ships and destroyers, though the design of the current destroyers are good, we do not have many of them. As described in the Admiralty White Paper, the Royal Navy wishes to pursue a more theoretical approach, and devote more resources to the sciences of Naval Warfare and improving the design of the warships and bringing new equipment to full operational capacity. However, Britain does not have the ship building capability she once had, and it takes many months to build even the simplest warship unless new designs are brought through, though we would benefit from help from research and intelligence establishments. All current battleship building is to be maintained, however, it is the Admiralty's decision not to carry the construction of any more, but instead focus on destroyers, transport ships and the new County Class Cruisers. Those are my recommendations to the cabinet." Admiral Giles said with calm and coolness.

"So gentlemen, Britain is in a dire situation, but we must set priorities. I am sure we can come to an agreement. Now to the Home Front..." Sir Bernard looked towards the Home Secretary.

Fairey Battle, standard single-engined bomber

Hawker Fury Biplane

Handley Page Hampden

Fairey Swordfish Torpedo Plane


More in the next chapter...

 

[unmerged(16040)]

This AAR is coming along nicely. Keep up the great work Sir Humphrey.

 

[unmerged(7845)]

Brrr. These guys sure are creepy militarists. Whatever happened to the good old "peace in our time" sentiments?

I´m curious what their policy regarding the home front will be.

 

[unmerged(18043)]

Very Good Update I look foreward to reading more.

 

[Sir Humphrey]

Brrr. These guys sure are creepy militarists. Whatever happened to the good old "peace in our time" sentiments?
I´m curious what their policy regarding the home front will be.

Well the Empire needs to be defended from both external and internal threats...

Very Good Update I look foreward to reading more.

Thanks!


Chapter Two - Empire in Review - Part 2

"Fog in Channel; Continent cut off." Sir Alec Bristol

"Now gentlemen, we must face now the Home Front, that also includes our new foreign policy as well. Alan (Colby, Home Secretary) would you please tell us the current situation, and the future plans for the British Isles." Sir Bernard said as he sat down and Alan Colby stood and began to speak.

"Gentlemen, at this point in time, there are many dangerous forces at work in Britain, that range from the far right to the far left, for although our little revolution has been widely accepted in Britain, there are groups who resent that fact. Namely the British Union of Fascist, lead by that fool Mosley and the various communist groups, whose support has waned somewhat since the Soviet Union came under the grubby thumb of Stalin. These problem groups can be handled by the police, and put through the courts, and most of members can be arrested under current law already in place. There is however a more serious problem, and that is of the trade unions, especially those of the mining areas in the Midlands, who have been troublesome to past governments, and I suggest that to avoid a future repeat of the General Strike, the unions should be neutralized, by cutting off their support base, we offer the miners especially better conditions and pay, therefore nullifying the purpose of the unions. However if there should be a repeat of the general strike, then I would have no problem in ordering the strikes to be broken up by the army. However I hope that it will not come to that. Education is also to receive greater funding, with more schools being constructed and more teachers trained. The health system however is another story, with the hospital system in a state of decay. As underlined in my submission, the formation of a 'British Health System' or BHS, which would be publicly funded, would help increase the level of health of the British people, as well as increase our governments popularity. Through the introduction of conscription, this would help eliminate chronic unemployment that has become endemic in some areas, and help get the economy going again. There is also much support for the monarchy."

The face of the TUC, Arthur Cook

"That is mixed news Alan, however we all wish to avoid a general strike, as it brought the entire country to a halt and the question of the King is indeed a tricky one, but we must consent the commonwealth on that issue. Sir Alec, would you please present the foreign situation." Sir Bernard said flicking through the cabinet agenda.

"Have any of you heard of the saying 'Fog in channel; continent cut off'? because for to long has Britain involved herself in the affairs of the continent. It is quite clear that Britain in not part of the continent and we should therefore not involve ourselves in their squalid little affairs. Most of the European governments have not recognised us, and the French have made their position quite clear that they demand that the old government be reinstated, and the British embassy in Paris has not received the most warm of French messages. Herr Hitler has made it perfectly clear that he intends to ignore the Treaty of Versailles, and Mr Mussolini has ignored the league of nations and invaded Abyssinia, which although in our back yard of the Near East, poses no threat, because his forces there will find it difficult to hold onto it anyway. Germany is not Britain's enemy, and nor is Italy. We at the Foreign Office are more concerned with India and the Near East, as there are rumblings in the interior, since our man in Baghdad has reported that our puppet, I mean king Ghazi is not as loyal as we first thought, and the situation could spread to Trans-Jordan and Egypt, though I will keep the cabinet informed of the situation.

The King of Iraq

The sub continent is a different matter, with that bald, half naked fakir Ghandi spreading his non-violence against the raj, which could have disastrous results, though without violence. The Viceroy is sending a report to me right away. There is however a far greater problem closer to home, and I am surprised that the Home Secretary did not mention it, the IRA that has plagued our land is getting out of hand, and we need to put pressure on the Dublin government to crack down on them, other wise, we made need to do it ourselves, and yes, it would be unpopular, another land war in Ireland, something that I hope can be achieved diplomatically, rather than by the use of the British Tommy. I therefore recommend that Britain avoid being drawn into a European conflict. The commonwealth is meeting with Bernard at the Palace in 5 days time, to sort out the Head of State mess, and to sort out their recognition of the government. The foreign Office pends it recommendation upon the conclusions of the Commonwealth meeting regarding the King." Sir Alec paused for a moment.

"Most embassy staff who are not tolerant of our new government are being recalled, and as submitted, the staff are to be sent according to rank and availability. I am today meeting with Herr Ribbentrop, the German ambassador, about an unknown subject. So gentlemen, I have finished." Most cabinet members blew a sigh of relief.

Herr Von Ribbentrop, the German Ambassador

"Now, is there anything else?" Sir Bernard asked.
If you have any questions, please post them

More in the next chapter...

 

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I feel this is about to become very intresting, what with Von Ribbentrop visiting the isles, and if it was what he's 'real' visit was about then great!