The Sacred Grove of Britannia

[unmerged(28944)]

Outstanding!!

It will prove to be quiet interesting when Chamberlain finds out that he is being slowly pushed out.

Originally Posted by cthulhu
Is this the vehicle then, that Baldwin will use to bypass treasure and seriously rearm Britain?

Wouldn't that just be quite dandy?

 

[Darks63]

seems that chamberlain's powers over the purse will soon be badly damaged

 

[Allenby]

What chance of Nev resigning, Humpers? He seems pretty narked.

 

[unmerged(41995)]

I don't think Nev would resign - he was next in line for the PM - all he has to do is bide his time and wait out the rearmament fanatics.

What I think is more likely is for him to be kicked out. He is a real nuisance to many in the cabinet.

 

[Sir Humphrey]

Thanks everyone.
Neville is to smart to resign, let that be assured.
Allenby, you never know what stnut old Nev might pull.
The treasury is all powerful, all mighty, so I dont think Chambers will let it get that bad.

15th May 1936

Whitehall along with the press were in a flurry of activity. The first meeting of the PDREP was about due to begin soon, and during its first meeting, Baldwin would attended, to merely oversea the proceedings, however the leader of the Opposition would not. Chamberlain was keen on not being left out of proceedings, and he caught Stanley Baldwin going over the agenda in a side room. 'Ah Stanley, glad I caught you before the start. I was wondering if I could have a quick word?' Chamberlain had upon his face a small smile, which either showed a plan or pleasure. 'Of course my dear fellow. What do you want to say.' Baldwin maintained a amiable face, rather than his true emotion. 'We've been in government together for some time now, and we have seen it all. [Chamberlain trying to invoke fond memories] When I moved to the Treasury, I had a goal to set Britain and her destiny back onto the right path, through measures of economic soundness. I want what is best for Britain, and the best of Britain is not the Germans marching into Paris or into Piccadilly but us maintaining the economic power of the United Kingdom, not only for today, but for the future generations that may have to live their lives based on the decisions that were made now/' Baldwin looked almost sympathetic. 'What exactly are you trying to say Neville?' Chamberlain now responded. 'Stanley, the treasury is not the enemy, the Germans are, you and I know that. I want to make sure Britain is ready, should diplomacy fail us, but I must be held to my convictions, for I must walk a tightrope, with the defence of the realm on one side and the defence of the economy on the other. Now, should one side become unbalanced, well then you fall off the tightrope. In the cabinet sessions, I was perhaps a little cautious, but that was not without merit. However let me state the treasuries position in PDREP, and nothing more. Why not cast your eyes on this.'

Baldwin was handed the summary page of a large report. He read down for a moment, his eyes darting across and down. 'You cannot be serious Neville?' Chamberlain now responded. 'Yes Stanley. If we do this, it will allow your rearmament plans to grow without unbalancing the national economy. I had a private meeting with a number of the concerned parties last evening, and have gathered their support for this proposal.' Baldwin knew Chamberlain was a shrewd politician, stepping on a few toes would be an unfortunate side affect of Chamberlain. 'Its almost radical in nature, can it work? If so, then I take my hat off to you Neville, you might be able to pull the rabbit of the treasuries hat.' Baldwin was unsure, it was radical and would surely cut to the very heart, but Chamberlain had sprung it on him. Out of the corner of his eye, Eden was spotted. Baldwin quickly got up and only spoke few words 'Beware of Chancellor's baring gifts' and he walked into the room. As the committee assembled, and its members gathered, more than a few eyebrows were raised when Chamberlain walked into the room. Eden was particularly interested in what Chamberlain had to say.

Baldwin was the first to speak after the initial introductions and openings were made. 'Gentlemen, as you may have noticed, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is here, and the Treasury has a proposal that would see the defence requirements of the Empire solved with only limited interference to the economy.' [Eden appears almost repulsed] Chamberlain now spoke. 'As you all know, we are facing a crisis that could well see the integrity of Britain and her Empire compromised to such a degree that effective waging of a war of both a defensive and offensive nature is made unavailable in the list of military options that is present to the Imperial General Staff, Air Ministry and Admiralty. With this proposal Britain shall see the face of her imperial defence needs change from the old and archaic, to be replaced by new and invigorated spirit. Britain's position in the world rests upon her economy gentlemen [MacMillan and Bevin would tend to disagree], and if we become unbalanced along the economic tightrope, we may fall off. So, in this proposal, we are making Britain's Armed Forces as economical viable and efficient as one can be in the modern world. Economy and efficiency with the reduction of waste and a reduction of the ceaseless corruption of the Armed Forces. A sweeping reform of the nations military is in order gentlemen, and I have it all here.' Chamberlain had swept the meeting aside.

Eden was almost in shock as the Treasury Proposal unfolded. However it was Churchill, the venerable backbencher who spoke first. 'Never have I seen such a radical proposal from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but Sir John Dill as head of the Imperial General Staff?, I have never seen such an old dilly-dallier not worth his salt be asked to take such a position within the military, establishment.' Churchill echoed in his renowned voice. 'My dear Winston, you need not worry, he is a model of economy and efficiency and has vast experience in these affairs. Sir Archibald [Montgomery Massingberd, Chief of Imperial General Staff] will be maintained as a special advisor on military issues to the government. Sir Edward [Ellington. Chief of the Sit Staff] will be replaced by the most able Hugh Dowding, who will bring a dedicated and invigorating spirit to the Air Staff, with a most fresh look on things. Ernle [Chatfield] shall remain in Command of the Home Fleet, however Sir Roger Backhouse will replace Ernle as 1st Sea Lord, and being such a dynamic figure, he will be as such a breath of fresh air through the musty halls of the admiralty.' With one foul swoop the treasury had inflicted upon the committee a decisive blow. Eden was furious, for it would have been he that would produce a proposal, it would have been he that had emerged victorious over the treasury, that had now delivered a mortal blow to his plans.

'The Night the Treasury Struck', as the press would label it later would go down in history as the day that the establishment was shaken. 'Out with the old, in with the even older; old boys, old hacks and suddenly the halls of the War Office have a new layer of dust.' wrote Liddle-Heart, the Time's Military Correspondent. The press reacted both positively and negativly, however the departure of so many heads would leave its mark, the military establishment would not soon forget the actions of the treasury on this day, and with the problems on the North West Frontier still bitter in the political mouths, it was a time of great change, and the Chamberlain was the man of the hour, hailed for being radical in tackling the defence problems, he had gained a significant amount of publicity and public support, much to the detriment of Eden. After the meeting had closed, Eden knocked on the door of the Prime Ministers Private Office.

'Ah Anthony, about today, I am sorry, but Neville rather sprang it on me, and it seemed like a good proposal.' Eden now responded. 'If I may be blunt, bordering on direct?' Baldwin looked back at him. 'You may Anthony, speak your mind.' Eden breathed in heavily. 'What was that in aid of? That damn silly scheme? Neville has just won himself a lot of support for this! Its a shame that the press and the people can't see the damned truth behind his little game of charades. He be wanting to cosy up to bloody Mussolini and his cohorts next. The proposal we had discussed was far superior to this silly little project.' Baldwin shot back, disappointed yet understanding. 'I know Anthony I know, but I had no choice. The treasury made some good arguments for a change, they are picking up there game now. And its keeping expenditure down, I'm sorry but the committee is going to recommend it.' Eden nodded in sullen acceptance and walked out of the office. Chamberlain passed him in the corridor. 'Politics is a nasty game Anthony, things seem to happen when you least expect them to.' Chamberlain gave a wry grin as he strolled past Anthony, in the corridors of power.



Current Government:
# Stanley Baldwin - Prime Minister and Leader of the House of Commons
# Lord Hailsham - Lord Chancellor
# Ramsay MacDonald - Lord President of the Council
# Lord Halifax - Lord Privy Seal
# Neville Chamberlain - Chancellor of the Exchequer
# Sir John Simon - Home Secretary and Deputy Leader of the House of Commons
# Anthony Eden - Foreign Secretary
# Malcolm MacDonald - Dominions Secretary
# William Ormsby-Gore - Colonial Secretary
# Alfred Duff Cooper - Secretary for War
# Lord Zetland (Bolton Eyres-Monsell) - Secretary of State for India
# Lord Swinton (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister) - Secretary of State for Air
# Sir Godfrey Collins - Secretary of State for Scotland
# Sir Samuel Hoare - First Lord of the Admiralty
# Walter Runciman - President of the Board of Trade
# William Shepherd Morrison - Minister of Agriculture
# Oliver Stanley - President of the Board of Education
# Ernest Brown - Minister of Labour
# Sir Kingsley Wood - Minister of Health
# Lord Stanhope - First Commissioner of Works
# Leslie Hore-Belisha- Minister of Transport

 

[unmerged(10426)]

It's good to see that you're still pushing on with this.

 

[unmerged(46739)]

Fantastic stuff, Sir Humphrey.

 

[Darks63]

question humps have u diverged from history yet i admit i know little about britians pre ww2 history

 

[unmerged(42080)]

good to go Sir Humphrey, gotta love british politics any day of the week. a larger group of shady backstabbing underhanded fellas you would be hard pressed to find anywere on the face of this planet or below it.

i'm just waiting for the backbencher to strike.

 

[unmerged(41995)]

Neville has done what Neville does best - compromise. I'm not sure about the change in cabinet - but I am sure about Neville's political aspirations - Eden is right to be worried (but then he has the same aspirations!)

 

[Mettermrck]

A right honorable sacking and good post, Sir.

 

[unmerged(35308)]

Wow, finally got down to reading all of this in one sitting, and I have to say, excellent AAR, man! Of all the British AARs out there, yours is most deffinatly the best. Rule Britannia!

 

[unmerged(28944)]

Humps, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were an old hand at interministry politics/back-stabbing from personal experience!

Damn fine update, sir, damn fine!

 

[Allenby]

Fascinating casting of Neville Chamberlain as a camp pantomine villain.

"He's behind you!"

 

[cthulhu]

He's a sneaky one, that Chamberlain. Splendid update, old sport.

 

[Sir Humphrey]

Thanks cthulhu.
Allenby; I'm pretty sure Chamberlain wasn't camp. Otherwise....
Draco Rexus, thanks.
Inkana; Thanks very much.
Mett, thanks.
therev; Chambers is a cunning old codger.
osloweasel; Politics can change in an instant.
Darks63; The rearmament plans have gotten going alot quicker, as well as the abandoning of the Naval Treaties. Things take time, and its only May of 1936, so still a fair bit away.

23rd May 1936

*Disclaimer, some language may be unsuitable for minors.

Peshawar:

'Send word to Major General Auchinleck to start the attack on Peshawar province at once.' Heath said in a brusque manner to the messenger who ran the message out to the awaiting Wapiti [A Light Transport and Communications Biplane]. Heath had gathered his lower echelon officers around outside his tent. 'The men are in high spirits. Delhi has not granted us any RAF support, though the 1st Indian is supporting us from the East, to assist and tie down the tribes of that region. The ultimate goal is the retaken of Peshawar. Once that had been achieved, the region will be pacified from there. Our duty is clear, everyone has been briefed and the objectives are known.' Heath dismissed his officers who filtered back to their units. Heath was a career soldier. Working his way through the ranks and having fought in Mesopotamia and Palestine during the last war, he cared for his men, and would not throw them away uselessly, the drive on Peshawar would be swift and decisive.

Across the Northern outskirts of Abbotsbad, the officers and men hurried about, and began marching north. Long columns of men and supplies began winding North. Heath wished to try and avoid long guerilla warfare in the hills and countryside and draw the enemy out into open battle, much like when he had decimated the cavalry charge the day before. Heath believed he held the upper hand, as he had artillery, an armoured car platoon and a small detachment of engineers. Heath rode in the second armoured car as the columns moved northward. To the East, Auchinleck began his move into Peshawar with almost the same mantra, with Campbellpore the first town to be retaken.

John Singleton, a Lieutenant commanding a platoon in the 5th Indian Division was leading the advance, his men were somewhat ahead of the main column. Singleton was young and arrogant; keen to make his name and earn fame in India, but when he was stationed on the North West Fronter, it was far from the tales of officers clubs and polo matches that his father had weened him on, instead it was a land of sometimes haunting beauty and fierce barbarism. There were ten men in his platoon, all carried rifles except for Private Hoggs who had been delegated the task of carrying the Lewis Gun. As Singleton's platoon moved through the brush and dust to the side of the road, they spotted a forlorn looking abode in a small gathering of dwellings. They appeared abandoned at first glance and Singleton led his men into the small grouping. From the forlorn and roofless dwelling, the barrel of a gun moved slightly in the sun. 'Take Cover!' Singleton yelled as he and his men dived to the side before a number of shots from around the dwellings rang out.

His blood was rushing, heart pounding. Singleton drew his revolver and cocked it, the hammer drawing back. His men were split by the road, half in the dry water ditches to either side. Private Cox had been shot in the stomach, he twitched slightly where he fell as blood flowed from the wound onto the dusty road. His hands now lifeless trying to clutch the wound in his stomach. 'Fuck it!' Singleton yelled as his searched for the hidden enemy. 'Get that fucking Lewis gun set up! Give us covering fire Hoggs!' Private Hoggs, slid the magazine into place and tapped the trigger, firing up into the curtainless window from which they supposed the rifle fire was coming from. The others were firing in every direction, slightly disorientated as the dust swirled around; both sides were exchanging furious fire. Singleton seized the moment – if he were to be a damned hero he thought, this would be the opportunity to do it. Under fire, he ran revolver in hand towards the door of the house, and flying into a kick, knocked it down.

The interior of the house was bare and dirt ridden for it had not been occupied for some time. Private Harris followed him in under the covering fire. 'What a bloody fuck up this is Sir!' The young private exclaimed, his Liverpudlian accent throwing weight behind his claim. A bearded man in rough khaki with a turban flashed passed the opening above them. 'Harris, give me that bloody Mills bomb!' No sooner than Harris had passed it to him than Singleton had thrown it up into the second floor. They hurled themselves onto the dusty floor as the explosion of the grenade above them churned the dust and shook the entire dwelling. Silence, complete silence abounded. Harris was the first go up the ladder closely followed by Singleton. A single shot rang out as Harris emerged from the lower floor. It killed him and he slouched forward. Singleton enraged scampered up the ladder to find the floor a mess, blood in every direction. Propped up against the side wall the turbaned man was trying desperately to shove a fresh clip into his rifle. Singleton seeing the dead Harris lying in a pool of blood squeezed the trigger of his Webley revolver. Six times until the chamber was empty. Still he pulled the trigger and chamber clicked. All six bullets had entered into the tribesman whose body was pour blood onto the floor, which was dripping down into the floor below. Singleton had snapped during his first combat. He walked over to the bullet ridden corpse and began pummeling the dead mans face, yelling obscenities. 'This is for Harris you bastard!' His hands were covered in blood which was beginning to spatter onto his uniform. The Webley was stained with the mans blood as it continued to strike his face. Eventually Private Sturd pulled the young Lieutenant off the dead man. 'First time Sir?' Sturd said, looking into the dead eyes of Singleton. 'Yes Sturd. Rather different than what I had expected.' Singleton was gazing into middle distance. 'Not need to worry Sir. Its all over now. Now lets get you cleaned up and get on with it all.' Singleton presented a sorry sight, broken, covered in dirt and blood. His arrogance was fading away into the sun and his dreams of India were no longer secure.

The columns would pass through the village, not wishing to know the details of the fighting that had taken place. The dead had been moved to the ditch to the side of the road to await removal, and the advance on Peshawar continued unabaited. As Heath passed through, from atop of the armoured car he saw sitting by the roadside a young officer covered in blood and looking as if he had went through hell, and for Lieutenant Singleton he seen the devil himself.

London:

Baldwin seemed tired; he did not sleep well the previous night. He was growing with concern over the split between Eden and Chamberlain, who both thought each other would be the next prime minister. Baldwin was concerned about the appointment of Sir John Dill as the Chief of the Imperial General Staff. 'Ah Neville, could I have a quick word.' [Chamberlain seems inquisitive] 'Yes Stanley?' Baldwin now took a serious notion. 'Are you sure Sir John Dill was the right choice? He seems to think that motor transport would be a good thing for the army.' Chamberlain is taken aback by this comment. 'Stanley I can assure you, that he is perfectly alright. We, that is the Treasury reached an agreement with him about his ideas, and the influence of economics on them. So don't worry, if the ideas are impractical, then the treasury will thwart them easily.' Baldwin accepted the strong words of Chamberlain. 'Fair enough Neville. As long as everything is under control.' Baldwin gave a hollow laugh, for the treasury had many things under its control, which now extended to the Generals.

 

[unmerged(28944)]

It's a Very Bad Thing, when the economists have power over the generals.... things have a tendency to lose their value other than plus or minus money to the coffers, know what I mean?

 

[unmerged(41995)]

I remember reading that the Chiefs of staff of the US Army during the Vietnam war, being the good economists that they were, would order tens of thousands of body bags before offensives - just on the off chance you know.

The British and French in WWI seemed pretty much caught up in the statistics of war also.

Generals have to think about costs material, but I'm glad Heath is in charge of the Peshwar offensive - I get the feeling he will treat them as his most precious resource.

Great going Sir Humphry

 

[unmerged(10426)]

Chamberlain. Don't trust him. No sir.

 

[Darks63]

another fine update humps