The Sacred Grove of Britannia

[Darks63]

well no israel for now.

 

[unmerged(47162)]

i wonder where the new zionist state will be now if there ever will be one..

 

[unmerged(28944)]

I told you! Darker and darker.

I'm not buying the shades of gray bit either, Humps! This is almost reminds me of a small novel by some Frenchie from the 1950s I had to read for one of my university classes (and no, I don't remember the name or author, it was that good, eh?). He was having a flashback of his downward spirally life in the two hours leading up to him putting the business end of a pistol in his mouth.

The parallels are kinda scary.



But, damn man, keep it up!!!

 

[Allenby]

I doubt the resignation of the Transport Minister would destabilise the government too much. I wonder why he attracted so much antipathy from some fellow ministers and backbenchers? After all, he was only in charge of a few buses.

 

[CSL_GG]

Oh My...

 

[Sir Humphrey]

cthulhu, I think he was very much unlucky in circumstances. When he plays on his own terms, he is pretty shrewd.
Darks63, well not according to the British government....
lifeless, in the long term, this will probably just create as many problems as any other plan.
Draco Rexus, cool.
Allenby, the MoT will increase dramitically in power if Labout get in and start nationalising everything.
CSL_GG, thats the jist of it...

 

[Sir Humphrey]

25rd May 1937

London​

'Prime Minister, as you know the Peel Commission has recently published its report, and there has been criticism in both the press and the house that the findings are unsatisfactory, and violate the outlined principals of the Balfour Deceleration. It can be argued both ways Prime Minister, but we, that is the Colonial Office, the secretary of Dominion Affairs and the Foreign Office view that an establishment of a state is preferable to that of keeping the mandate. As stated in the report 71% of the population of Palestine is Arab, 28% Jewish and the rest a mixture of anyone else you care to name. The proposals that have been drawn are are as follows, which will require numerous pieces of legislation to go through the house. For starters Prime Minister, we are still in negotiations with Prince Ali – in regards to him assuming the throne in a parliamentary monarchy. This would create a series of friendly client states in the region, coupled with both Iraq and TransJordan, which would receive a greater role in the region under our scheme, keeping them on a tight leach. The Colonial Office has also started negations with the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Arab Higher Authority – which includes representatives from the Christian, Arab, Nashashibis, al-Husaynis and members of Istiqlal. He recently managed to call of the Arab general strike. He is a pragmatic politician. We start negotiations with him and the Arab Higher Authority. We believe that he is willing to work with us, provided we can reach an amicable agreement that will solve the problems for the most part. This proposal, soon to be a white paper will be the corner stone of creating peace and prosperity in the middle east.' Ormsby-Gore bumbled to the cabinet.

'Come up for air yet William?' Chamberlain beamed, followed by murmurings of laughter. The Colonial Secretary was less than amused. 'We have issued a statement to the press concerning the findings of the Peel Commission, and have issued a second statement reinforcing our position over the question of a Zionist homeland. Our interpretation is that the term homeland does not imply that that there be a state formed in the name of the Jews. The draft constitution that will pass before the house, much as the Indian parliamentary did in previous years, it will guarantee equal rights and equal citizenship to the state of Palestine. Free and fair elections to be held, independent courts, modeled much on our system, save that it will be unicameral, without an upper house like the Lords. Power will be established in the common law codes. Of course we keep a close leash on them, make sure they don't get any ideas about running their puppet states themselves. We must maintain control of the Suez Canal and the oil fields of the middle east, whilst keeping this so called Arab nationalism at a controllable level.' Ormsby-Gore finished up to the cabinet.

'How did His Majesty take the coronation ceremony?' Oliver Stanley chirped. 'Went down very well Oliver. Of course he thought it was awful very trivial, but by tomorrow, the picture reels will be playing throughout the country showing him going to and fro, acting regal and all, riding in the carriage, the mounted riders and marching infantry from around the empire giving a guard of honour, looked so splendid. Massive public turnout – reassured the honest man in the street about the state of the country. Now we're shipping him off to India for the Delhi Durbar, and a tour of Australia and New Zealand, and if he, that is our advisers recommend, a trip to Japan. Sort of lucky in some ways, but onto the affairs of state, and not our cordially complacent lord and master. Whats the situation in Spain like? How are our Spanish friends holding up? What happened to the Free British, or British Free Brigade or whatever it was called?' Chamberlain spoke to both the Stanley and Inskip, searching for questions. 'The Free British Brigade was officially disbanded after the fall of Barcelona. We suspect elements escaped or surrendered, some made it into France, others have simply disappeared off the face of the earth, and we can only presume that some are still fighting in Spain, either under the Republican banner or as bandits behind the nationalist lines. In reality we know little, given that the entire expedition was poorly planned, poorly organized and lead by a bunch, of incompetent fools. But given that we cannot turn back the clock, things will surely resolve themselves.' Inskip said. 'Thank you Thomas. Now, whats the situation in the Irish Free State?' Chamberlain said wearily. 'They are in total control. Obviously banditry is rife and general chaos has ensued as would in any revolution, but there are disturbing rumblings in the North. The triumph of the rebellion in the South has spurred some of the lesser welcome in the province in action. Yesterday an RUC post was bombed, in Londonderry a RUC constable was shot and nearly killed. This is turning into a right mess, and understandably, Sir Cyril (Deverell) is becoming worried about patrolling the border with a potentially dangerous neighbor.' Stanley said, adjusted his spectacles. 'No need to worry my dear Oliver. Our intelligence people suggest anything is unlikely, but they are pouring their people into the Free State. Nothing will come it, save more hot air and a lot of talk.' Chamberlain finished the meeting off.

P.M. N. Chamberlain
Ld Pres. Vt Halifax
Ld Chance. Vt Hailsham
Privy S. Earl De La Warr
Exch. A. Eden
For. O. O. Stanley
Home O. A. Duff Cooper
Admir. Sir S. Hoare
Ag. & Fish. W. Morrison
Air Sir Philip Cuncliff-Lister
Dom. Aff. M. MacDonald
Col. O. W. Ormsby-Gore
Min. for Co-ordination of Defence. W. Churchill
Bd Educ. Earl Stanhope
Health Sir K. Wood
Lab. E. Smith
Scot. O. W. Elliot
B. o. T. W. Ranciman
Transp. H. MacMillan
War O. Sir T. Inskip
1st C. Works Earl Stanhope
D. Lanc. Earl Winterton

 

[Darks63]

alot of talk and alot of bombs

 

[cthulhu]

I can't imagine why these gentlemen are refusing to do the only honorable and christian thing: restoring the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

 

[El Pip]

Well here's hoping for 'something to come of it in Ireland'. Something going spectacularly wrong after Chamberlains confident assertion might shift him from office.

Unlikely I admit, but a man can hope.

 

[Allenby]

On the buses with Supermac!

 

[unmerged(10426)]

When Chamberlain's idiocy is exposed in full focus to the world entire, Churchill, Eden and Macmillan will be right behind him to pick up the pieces.

 

[unmerged(28944)]

Again, Humps, again you just reinforce my attitude of extreme distaste and dislike for Chamberlain. It'd be so nice for him to like, walk in the path of an oncoming bus, or take a flying leap out a open window several stories up, or even open a letter bomb or something just to get him out of running the British Empire into the bloody ground!!

Okay, I'm done... well not really, but I feel a bit better. I'd be better if Neville was out of the picture, but I can be a patient man... sometimes.

 

[unmerged(51261)]

When Chamberlain's idiocy is exposed in full focus to the world entire, Churchill, Eden and Macmillan will be right behind him to pick up the pieces.

Either them or the Germans


Anyway good Sir Humphery I have just finished reading your beatiful AAR and it is absolutely fantastic. You got me hooked

Thx

 

[Sir Humphrey]

Darks63, shortly followed by action...
cthulhu, honour is perfectly fine, jsut ignored when it conflicts with British interests.
El Pip, maybe the trials of war will produce a memorable leader.
Allenby, well he has no power, but if he gets any ideas about sacking most of the London Transport Authority Board, well things are difficult.
Vincent Julien, Eden, supermac but that drunk Churchill? Bit risky...
Draco Rexus, if he walked into a bus, the Transport secretary might get the blame
HateThemCommies, thanks.

 

[Sir Humphrey]

9th June 1937

London​

(Morning)
'What the hell was that?' Chamberlain blurted out as the dull rumble of an explosion filtered into the cabinet room, where he was reviewing the cabinet agenda. He picked up the telephone in a tired fashion. 'Get Sir Phillip Game (Commissioner of Metropolitan Police) on the telephone please.' Oliver Stanley came into the room, his large frame coming down heavily on a chair. 'Prime Minister, the Foreign Office has just received a communication from Dublin. They have informed us that “due to unassailable differences and the desires of the Irish people to see a single, united Ireland under a single, Irish government of social liberty and union, the army of the United Ireland has undertaken action to rectify the current situation, endorsed by the Free Irish government.”' Stanley read quickly. 'So, assuming that the explosion we just heard was not the result of an accident, we can anticipate that it was the work of these Irish?' Chamberlain mused. 'As much as it pains me to say so Prime Minister, that appears to be the case.' Stanley said, his energy expended. 'I have called the Metropolitan Police Commissioner. They are getting things organized. You can here them now – you can even see the dull gray smoke rising. Seems like they targeted the front of the admiralty building. I wonder if anyone was killed? What are our options Oliver?' Chamberlain mused now. 'We can condemn it, issue statements against it and call on the Dublin government to cease reinforcements and support of these terrorists.' Stanley said, his inexperience in foreign affairs being highlighted. Chamberlain replied bluntly 'I'll make a statement in the House, provided nothing else happens.' Stanley stood on. 'Got the report of about the Marco Polo bridge incident in China?' Stanley said as Chamberlain shook his head. 'Well nothing to worry about. Cooler heads prevailed and war was avoided.'

(Afternoon)
'What the hell is going on at the war office? Has someone cracked a fit or gone mad?' Chamberlain said through the telephone. 'It appears thats more than bombs in the capital Prime Minister. Military formations, including mounted infantry, backed by artillery have pushed across the border with force, and are actively inciting open revolt in support of the Southern military invasion.' Sir Thomas Inskip said from the War Office. 'Not a mistake, not possibly an accident?' Chamberlain was bordering on naïve to think so. 'Well its a very organized accident Prime Minister if I may so.' Inskip replied, the hushed sounds of the war office in action could well be heard. 'Keep me informed of the situation. Tell Sir Cyril to maintain control of the situation. I will be on the phone with Lord Craigavon and make sure he hasn't done anything rash. After the house, I will be conducting an emergency meeting here in the cabinet room.' Chamberlain said, realizing that the situation was spiraling out of control.

Eden entered and looked at Chamberlain, and stared back at his Chancellor. 'My dear Anthony, we have truly began the descent into the abyss from which we cannot climb out of. These events have spiraled out of all control, through no fault of our mind you, but alas we cannot be both the master and the servant at the same time, both reacting and determining to the course of time. I do not want war, nor do the British people. I shall be making a speech to the house, then I shall broadcast an address to the British people from Broadcasting House. His Majesty will be most disappointed that calm has not been maintained, and I will leave it to him if he decides to return from his tour of the far east. As I speak Anthony, their armies, or whatever their military machinations can be called are marching across the border, towards a United Ireland. Sir Cyril and his armies are resisting their advance – how well we do not yet know. The War Office, Admiralty and Air Ministry, hardly prepared for the events of the past day, no one could have foreseen them happening, god willing that such a thing be precipitated. So Anthony, as we send Britain's sons to die in the fields of Ireland, for what? What will this generation die for? In twenty five, fifty or even a hundred years from now, what will they say about me? Will they say that I was to led this generation into the battle strewn fields of war and destitution?'

(Early Evening)
The House of Commons rapidly filled with members, words were hushed and full of anticipation. The nation read of the blasts in the evening papers, but few knew of the greater tragedy occurring in Ireland. Once the house settled, the Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain stood and began to speak. 'I do not propose to say many words concerning the situation this evening to the House. Once the session has finished, I intend to broadcast to the British people the terrible burden that has been placed upon their shoulders. As the members of the house will note, there has been this morning a number of blasts, indeed one not far from here launched in a callous and vicious attack on the British people from those of the so called Free Ireland. Along with these blasts, an organized and deliberate attack from the south of Ireland by military forces has taken place. From these sour grapes of wrath and war, we wish to not respond likewise, we wish that that the wines of peace and prosperity could mature, alas as the troops from the South of Ireland cross the Anglo-Irish frontier, we the British people have been propelled into a conflict, from which we cannot escape – yet do not shy away from. As of their deliberate attacks this afternoon, it is my somber duty to inform the house and the British people, that by no fault of British policy or action, a state of hostility has been established by the South of Ireland against the United Kingdom.'

(Past Midnight)
Coffee and biscuits were being served in the cabinet room. Sir Henry Creedy (Permanent Secretary to the War Office) was constantly on the telephone, scribbling messages and passing them on. Sir Maurice Hanky (Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet)was coordinating the meetings. The essential members were there, along with the Chief of the Imperial General Staff and his subordinates. 'Alright, its getting late. What are the military responses, assuming that Sir Cyril does his job properly?' Chamberlain mused. 'We need information. Aerial photography. We will call up the reserves of the Royal Navy and the Metropolitan Royal Air Force. We'll send out a cruiser from Liverpool once she is ready and send out reconnaissance aircraft from Wales and the Midlands. Once we know what and who is where, then we can act.' Chamberlain said whilst Churchill and Sir John Dill raised their voices to each other. 'Well, I suggest everyone get some rest. Its going to be a long day tomorrow.'

 

[unmerged(51642)]

Oh boy, war with Ireland. Sounds exciting


I must say what a nice banner at the top of the update as well.

 

[Darks63]

once more unto the breach eh humps?

 

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...a state of hostility has been established by the South of Ireland against the United Kingdom.' ... Coffee and biscuits were being served in the cabinet room.

I love it Sir Humphs! British under-reaction at its best!

 

[cthulhu]

I almost hope that the Irish will win... :wacko: