Fantastic speech, Riptide
Good read. Keep it going.
If a mod requests an AAR to continue, is it forum rules I
must update immediately?
The Sound of Drums - A British Hearts of Iron AAR
Part Six
28th February - 13th July, 1937
Interestingly, despite the recent regeneration of Britain’s economy, several countries saw fit to openly challenge the Empire’s authority, if not through direct negotiations then then certainly through a show of force. The Republic of Ireland demanded the territories of Belfast and Ulster, while Italy began multiplying her troop numbers along the Libyan-Egypt borders in northern Africa.
Ireland’s demands were rejected almost flippantly. They could hardly hope to threaten Britain for the northern territories, regardless of the fact that the provinces were completely undefended. It was hardly going to be the end of the situation, though.
Italy was a different matter altogether. Already identified as a major threat against British interests - particularly in the Mediterranean, her mass build-up of troops meant that the new British infantry divisions - consisting of the 4th and 6th Infantry, the 12th Eastern Infantry and the 9th Highland Division (the latter commissioned in a special ceremony by Steviejay) - were deployed to Egypt almost as soon as they were formally commissioned in February and May. The Italians held the distinct advantage in numbers however, though it was generally accepted that British troops were far better trained.
The Libya-Egypt front, mid February.
General PrinceScamp of the Egyptian Army was publicly delighted with finally receiving, well, an army to command. Privately however, particularly with his communications with Parliament, it was clear that he felt it wasn’t enough, and many of the politicians agreed. There was serious talk of shifting several divisions from India to bolster the Egyptian region. Such a debate was delayed by a speech by the Prime Minister, who continued to urge others to use patience in dealing with the Italians, though it was quite clear his own was near breaking point:
If they [the Italians] wish to attack us, then attack us! If they wish to demand concessions from us, then demand it! If they wish to provoke us however, then they will not succeed by pushing a mass of antiquated units towards us in an obvious attempt to threaten us into making the first move. This is Britain, and we are neither rash nor vulgar enough to deal in such ways. Begin talks, begin negotiations, begin working towards mutual co-operation and friendship, or begin the long journey to their own doom…
Excerpt of Prime Minister Sharuminar’s speech to the House of Commons, 5th March 1937
Overdramatic perhaps, but it delayed discussions on increasing the militarization of Egypt for several more months.
British defence was not merely restricted to the provinces in Africa. Research and development were quickly working their way into developing promising new prototype weapons for the nation - the Vickers Mark VI Light Tank, new aircraft doctrines and, interestingly, a grant for companies to begin research into self-propelled rockets. But probably most importantly (certainly most visible) was the creation of the ‘Home Chain’ radar systems along the English southern coast. Between the 17th January 1937 and 29th April 1938, they would be expanded to provide an excellent early-warning system for the Royal Air Force in the event of an airborne invasion.
This was particularly handy as, sadly, the Spanish Civil War came to a decisive end in April of 1937. Driven south to Seville and Malaga, the Republicans put up a brave fight as they attempted to hold off superior Nationalist numbers. Seville fell quickly in early April, but a quick retreat brought hope that Malaga itself could hold off an assault with the 8 Republican divisions there. It didn’t - despite holding off a small assault designed to probe their defences, the last of the Republican armies were forced into disband after a final massive assault into the province by the Nationalists. The war was over, with a now hostile (though severely weakened) Spain threatening Britain’s territories in the south.
The last battle of the Spanish Civil War.
For Germany and Italy however, the victory of the Nationalists was a propaganda dream come true. Their volunteer forces, victorious, returned home to rapturous acclaim.
It was doubtful that the Nationalist victory in Spain had any effect on the ongoing war in China, but the KMT forces there certainly began a massive counter-offensive against the Communist faction in the north. Now free of resistance in the south, they were quite happy to bring all forces to bear on the hostile faction to the north. Initially it went well, with the KMT managing a successful offensive into the centre of the Communist territories. However, the fight was interrupted by a slight incident at the Marco Polo Bridge…
War in the Far East
With this, the British government could relax slightly. Japan had finally made her move, so long coming, against a definate enemy. Most importantly, it was against a nation that could potentially bog Japan down into a massive war of attrition indefinitely, and hopefully permanently away from the holdings and colonies of Britain and her allies…
)
I doubt it would happen but I would love to see a Dalek Caroling
