A Shift in Priorities
- Thread starter rast
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Yeah but is is just the 1940s yet. If we give it a couple of decades more we may have many more. Middle africa,China,France. Maybe the union of south africa. So we will go past ten most likley. Maybe even the Heymstoth in the long run.
considering how anti-technological the heymshtot is, unlikely. too much knowledge has been lost, and probably a huge brain drain going on already.
Yeah, the Heymshtot is not Israel. The demographic profile of the two countries are very different. Still, the last post on the Heymshtot gave us some hope that less conservative elements would regain power at some point. I expect the regions under the Heymshtot's control will be more productive than IOTL, but the boost will be less than the difference between OTL's Israel and pre-Israel Palestine.
Is Italy interested in nukes? I feel like they should be able to produce one, if they want it.
Is Italy interested in nukes? I feel like they should be able to produce one, if they want it.
Nature uses as little as possible of anything.
(Johannes Kepler)
SMU 1225 was completed and in the process of being readied for her maiden voyage, but that didn’t help the rocket scientists much. The world’s first nuclear powered submarine hadn’t been designed and constructed for carrying ballistic missiles; it was intended as a test bed for nuclear powered propulsion and all questions arising from enduring subaqueous operations. The rocket scientist were facing a bundle of interconnected problems: the missile couldn’t be very long and had to carry a heavy load over a long distance. The length was restricted to a maximum of ten metres, preferably less, said the submarine designers. The nuclear bomb specialists thought they could come up with a warhead weighing 1,100 kilograms in about one year’s time. The soldiers said they wanted a range of at least 5,000 kilometres.
Evidently, a solid-fuelled rocket would be the ideal solution, but the German rocket scientist had hitherto only worked with liquid-fuel designs. Thus, they were lacking experience. The Luftwaffe was experimenting with solid-fuelled surface-to-air missiles, but these had never been intended for ballistic purposes, weren’t required to climb higher than 18,000 metres and were carrying lightweight warheads only. After lengthy discussions it was decided to adopt a two-pronged strategy. A liquid-fuel design would be developed on short notice, while a study group led by Colonel Reinhold Tiling was going to explore the solid-fuel approach.
The Kaiserliche Marine thought the missiles could be fired in emerged state – and that time was not an essential factor. The weapons were meant for a second strike; reliability and accuracy had more importance than speed. Therefore, the liquid-fuel approach was agreeable for the admirals. They were aiming for six missiles per boat – as that would allow to keep the vessel reasonably compact. There already had been grave concerns about the size of SMU 1225, which had become rather long and wide because of the need to accommodate a uranium machine. One wasn’t churlish – and quite used to large-sized submarines, but if the craft grew too big, her usefulness in shallow coastal waters might be jeopardised.
[FONT="]But that was not a question that could fascinate the rocket engineers. They were juggling with thrust, payload, fuel weight – and severe size limitation… It wouldn’t be easy, they soon realised, and it was going to take longer than initially anticipated. One had spent so much time developing large rockets, and now, one was experiencing acute troubles in engineering small ones. And Colonel Tiling didn’t think his study group was going to produce any quick results as well… [/FONT]
(Johannes Kepler)
SMU 1225 was completed and in the process of being readied for her maiden voyage, but that didn’t help the rocket scientists much. The world’s first nuclear powered submarine hadn’t been designed and constructed for carrying ballistic missiles; it was intended as a test bed for nuclear powered propulsion and all questions arising from enduring subaqueous operations. The rocket scientist were facing a bundle of interconnected problems: the missile couldn’t be very long and had to carry a heavy load over a long distance. The length was restricted to a maximum of ten metres, preferably less, said the submarine designers. The nuclear bomb specialists thought they could come up with a warhead weighing 1,100 kilograms in about one year’s time. The soldiers said they wanted a range of at least 5,000 kilometres.
Evidently, a solid-fuelled rocket would be the ideal solution, but the German rocket scientist had hitherto only worked with liquid-fuel designs. Thus, they were lacking experience. The Luftwaffe was experimenting with solid-fuelled surface-to-air missiles, but these had never been intended for ballistic purposes, weren’t required to climb higher than 18,000 metres and were carrying lightweight warheads only. After lengthy discussions it was decided to adopt a two-pronged strategy. A liquid-fuel design would be developed on short notice, while a study group led by Colonel Reinhold Tiling was going to explore the solid-fuel approach.
The Kaiserliche Marine thought the missiles could be fired in emerged state – and that time was not an essential factor. The weapons were meant for a second strike; reliability and accuracy had more importance than speed. Therefore, the liquid-fuel approach was agreeable for the admirals. They were aiming for six missiles per boat – as that would allow to keep the vessel reasonably compact. There already had been grave concerns about the size of SMU 1225, which had become rather long and wide because of the need to accommodate a uranium machine. One wasn’t churlish – and quite used to large-sized submarines, but if the craft grew too big, her usefulness in shallow coastal waters might be jeopardised.
[FONT="]But that was not a question that could fascinate the rocket engineers. They were juggling with thrust, payload, fuel weight – and severe size limitation… It wouldn’t be easy, they soon realised, and it was going to take longer than initially anticipated. One had spent so much time developing large rockets, and now, one was experiencing acute troubles in engineering small ones. And Colonel Tiling didn’t think his study group was going to produce any quick results as well… [/FONT]
All socialism involves slavery.
(Herbert Spencer)
Edith Rowley felt relieved, the menace had been averted. Sometimes, she really wondered what people in London were imagining they were thinking. Prime Minister Bevin had been deadly serious about sending a set of nuclear bombs to Canada, as contingency, for the defence of the realm against US aggression. – Only that unloading nuclear bombs in Halifax was the safest way to prompt US aggression. President Patton would immediately go on the warpath, howling and sputtering, crying for scalps. For him, it would be the golden opportunity to turn his boring and unflashy term into a glorious triumph: George S. Patton, the Conqueror of Canada. And for all Edith and her political advisors knew, this was exactly what might happen.
The US had turned quite isolationist and self-sufficient, at least on the political side, if not necessarily in the field of economics. For Britain that meant toleration of her rule over Canada – as long as the Yankees were perceiving no threat. Edith had taken great pains to sooth them and give them a warm and fuzzy feeling concerning their northern neighbours. – Stationing British nuclear weapons in Canada would turn everything topsy-turvy; the US would rally behind the old warhorse Patton – and steamroller Canada… Their nuclear capability was as great – if not even larger – as Britain’s; their armed forces weren’t terribly strong but reasonably modern and well trained; and they could draw on the resources of a continent-sized nation.
This was an aspect Edith was frequently pondering: in possession of Canada, Britain could well keep up with the US and Russia – except for her population, which was only half of what the US or Russia could muster. This was a grave impediment, even if Britain was highly industrialised. Therefore, she had recorded with satisfaction the massive influx of Asian workers passing through Vancouver. Someone over there was showing laudable initiative. These Asian blokes were just what was needed: hard working entities who never would qualify as citizens – and who could be sent home after the end of their turn. She had already signalled that more of them were welcome…
These foreign workers would allow her to pamper the fastidious urban Canadians, who still considered themselves as middle class. Maintaining the pretence was important, the Yankees were watching. These Asians were hardworking, modest and obedient; one could employ them almost everywhere – out of sight… Edith edited a mental note to identify the controller who had come up with this labour force deal. This man – or woman – certainly had shown great discretion and prudence. He should be rewarded for grasping the nettle.
Anyway, even two million Asians wouldn’t offset the numeric superiority of the Yankees. Thus, one rather kept eating humble pie. – Fortunately, she had been able to convince the Field Marshal. The ship carrying the bombs had turned back to Britain without ever entering Canadian territorial waters. – Edith thought it preferable that George S. Patton went down in US history as the kind and wise old man who had healed the wounds of the nation – rather than as Conqueror of Canada…
(Herbert Spencer)
Edith Rowley felt relieved, the menace had been averted. Sometimes, she really wondered what people in London were imagining they were thinking. Prime Minister Bevin had been deadly serious about sending a set of nuclear bombs to Canada, as contingency, for the defence of the realm against US aggression. – Only that unloading nuclear bombs in Halifax was the safest way to prompt US aggression. President Patton would immediately go on the warpath, howling and sputtering, crying for scalps. For him, it would be the golden opportunity to turn his boring and unflashy term into a glorious triumph: George S. Patton, the Conqueror of Canada. And for all Edith and her political advisors knew, this was exactly what might happen.
The US had turned quite isolationist and self-sufficient, at least on the political side, if not necessarily in the field of economics. For Britain that meant toleration of her rule over Canada – as long as the Yankees were perceiving no threat. Edith had taken great pains to sooth them and give them a warm and fuzzy feeling concerning their northern neighbours. – Stationing British nuclear weapons in Canada would turn everything topsy-turvy; the US would rally behind the old warhorse Patton – and steamroller Canada… Their nuclear capability was as great – if not even larger – as Britain’s; their armed forces weren’t terribly strong but reasonably modern and well trained; and they could draw on the resources of a continent-sized nation.
This was an aspect Edith was frequently pondering: in possession of Canada, Britain could well keep up with the US and Russia – except for her population, which was only half of what the US or Russia could muster. This was a grave impediment, even if Britain was highly industrialised. Therefore, she had recorded with satisfaction the massive influx of Asian workers passing through Vancouver. Someone over there was showing laudable initiative. These Asian blokes were just what was needed: hard working entities who never would qualify as citizens – and who could be sent home after the end of their turn. She had already signalled that more of them were welcome…
These foreign workers would allow her to pamper the fastidious urban Canadians, who still considered themselves as middle class. Maintaining the pretence was important, the Yankees were watching. These Asians were hardworking, modest and obedient; one could employ them almost everywhere – out of sight… Edith edited a mental note to identify the controller who had come up with this labour force deal. This man – or woman – certainly had shown great discretion and prudence. He should be rewarded for grasping the nettle.
Anyway, even two million Asians wouldn’t offset the numeric superiority of the Yankees. Thus, one rather kept eating humble pie. – Fortunately, she had been able to convince the Field Marshal. The ship carrying the bombs had turned back to Britain without ever entering Canadian territorial waters. – Edith thought it preferable that George S. Patton went down in US history as the kind and wise old man who had healed the wounds of the nation – rather than as Conqueror of Canada…
Speaking of Canada and Yankees. What happen to Rosie and Clyde Barrow and their family?
Nothing interesting. That sounds dismissive, but nothing interesting is about the best outcome those guys could hope for.
That makes perfect sense though. I still have that other Kennedy story in the back of my mind. I've been focused on making copwatch videos on youtube lately though. I've got enough ITTL time though hopefully.
Walking is man’s best medicine.
(Hippocrates)
Wandering about with Montagu Slater was an unusual experience for J. Robert Oppenheimer. He was a strong smoker – and not at all accustomed to sustained physical exercise. But Slater was insisting on hiking.
“I don’t know whether this country is truly socialist – or even communist.” Slater had argued. “But I know for sure it’s a friggin’ police state. Uniformed police, secret police, you name it – and you trip over them everywhere. Keep to the road, or the rail, and you’ll meet the police… And the bloodhounds know your pretty face, and mine… No, we’ll take the narrow paths through the countryside, far away from all hustle and bustle.”
One had to avoid hamlets, villages and small towns as well, Slater had lectured.
“People there spot strangers at first sight. Even if they do not work for the system, they talk – and are eavesdropped by the spooks. The big cities are harmless – if you know how to avoid the guardians; people there generally don’t know their neighbours, let alone strangers. In the big cities, you can forage – and even take a shower – without fear. Foraging in rural areas makes you a quarry.”
Oppenheimer was surprised that Great Britain, the motherland of the first industrial revolution, should still offer so much unspoiled countryside. Slater was heading for Maryport in Cumberland; from Glasgow, that was a stretch of way of about 120 miles. Most of the time, they would be hiking through Scotland, the Central Lowlands and the Southern Uplands. There were no major towns on their itinerary; therefore, they had to forage in Glasgow – and carry the stuff in their backpacks.
Slater had planned to cover the distance in four days, but Oppenheimer’s sore feet made this scheme obsolete on day two. One had to go into hiding. It was end of February, and the weather was abominable. By evening of day three, Oppenheimer was shivery. – Slater had erected a shack from branches, dead leaves and grasswrens. It would have been good for one night, but sustained rain made it unusable after the second. – On day four, Oppenheimer’s feet were fit for walking again, but he was feverish.
They carried on. Oppenheimer was keen to get out of Britain. On the evening of day six, they arrived in the vicinity of Maryport. Slater left Oppenheimer shivering in another makeshift shack and went into town in order to contact his conduits. When he returned, Oppenheimer was hot and fantasizing. – Eventually, with the help of four of Slater’s confidants, Oppenheimer was carried to the seaboard and hoisted on board a skiff. The rendezvous with the fishing trawler went smoothly.
But the window of opportunity had already passed by. The PRN destroyer that stopped the trawler had not been in the plans. However, it – most probably – saved Oppenheimer’s life. Within less than two hours, the man was transported to the hospital in Whitehaven, where Lieutenant General Brown visited the reconvalescent famous scientist three days later. – Slater, who had not boarded the trawler, had escaped once more.
(Hippocrates)
Wandering about with Montagu Slater was an unusual experience for J. Robert Oppenheimer. He was a strong smoker – and not at all accustomed to sustained physical exercise. But Slater was insisting on hiking.
“I don’t know whether this country is truly socialist – or even communist.” Slater had argued. “But I know for sure it’s a friggin’ police state. Uniformed police, secret police, you name it – and you trip over them everywhere. Keep to the road, or the rail, and you’ll meet the police… And the bloodhounds know your pretty face, and mine… No, we’ll take the narrow paths through the countryside, far away from all hustle and bustle.”
One had to avoid hamlets, villages and small towns as well, Slater had lectured.
“People there spot strangers at first sight. Even if they do not work for the system, they talk – and are eavesdropped by the spooks. The big cities are harmless – if you know how to avoid the guardians; people there generally don’t know their neighbours, let alone strangers. In the big cities, you can forage – and even take a shower – without fear. Foraging in rural areas makes you a quarry.”
Oppenheimer was surprised that Great Britain, the motherland of the first industrial revolution, should still offer so much unspoiled countryside. Slater was heading for Maryport in Cumberland; from Glasgow, that was a stretch of way of about 120 miles. Most of the time, they would be hiking through Scotland, the Central Lowlands and the Southern Uplands. There were no major towns on their itinerary; therefore, they had to forage in Glasgow – and carry the stuff in their backpacks.
Slater had planned to cover the distance in four days, but Oppenheimer’s sore feet made this scheme obsolete on day two. One had to go into hiding. It was end of February, and the weather was abominable. By evening of day three, Oppenheimer was shivery. – Slater had erected a shack from branches, dead leaves and grasswrens. It would have been good for one night, but sustained rain made it unusable after the second. – On day four, Oppenheimer’s feet were fit for walking again, but he was feverish.
They carried on. Oppenheimer was keen to get out of Britain. On the evening of day six, they arrived in the vicinity of Maryport. Slater left Oppenheimer shivering in another makeshift shack and went into town in order to contact his conduits. When he returned, Oppenheimer was hot and fantasizing. – Eventually, with the help of four of Slater’s confidants, Oppenheimer was carried to the seaboard and hoisted on board a skiff. The rendezvous with the fishing trawler went smoothly.
But the window of opportunity had already passed by. The PRN destroyer that stopped the trawler had not been in the plans. However, it – most probably – saved Oppenheimer’s life. Within less than two hours, the man was transported to the hospital in Whitehaven, where Lieutenant General Brown visited the reconvalescent famous scientist three days later. – Slater, who had not boarded the trawler, had escaped once more.
Obstinacy is the result of the will forcing itself into the place of the intellect.
(Arthur Schopenhauer)
It was Wednesday, April 16th, 1947, when the Middle African invasion of Südwestafrika began. General Ndeki had stubbornly resisted considerable pressure from Daressalam for an earlier entry, thought his chief of staff, Generalmajor Franz Kapebe. The politicians and their ministerial menials in uniform had been coaxing Joseph Ndeki for results, while the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition had been harassing them – and the media had found fault with all of them.
But Ndeki had seen that the preparations were meticulously implemented. The Ovambos in Ngola had been herded into camps. Fortunately, there were only 48,538 of them, who now had been allocated to eight camps, together with their animals. The Portuguese weren’t happy with this approach, but they had signed the agreement that ceded control of the concentration area to the Middle Africans – and they were taking the money that flowed from this agreement… It made things easy for the soldiers: any civilian found outside the camps was a target.
In the camps, the Ovambos were receiving tuition, or – according to the Portuguese – indoctrination, and health care. One had imported a corps of teachers and medics for that purpose. Nobody expected a great outcome: the Portuguese had not provided any education and medical services, only the Christian churches had ever undertaken some modest attempts. But at least, instruction and examinations were keeping people busy – if not necessarily pleased. They had been separated from their land and their villages, were fed strange food – and were subjected to alien methods, it was a disgrace… Kapebe thought it was an interesting test. Could one uplift alien Africans?
The infantry was now marching across the border, covered by clouds of aircraft. Kapebe didn’t expect serious resistance. Once Ovamboland had been secured, the caravan would stop again – and all installations would leap forward. The Ovambo tribes would be disarmed. One had discussed to put them into camps as well, but there were too many of them, perhaps 150,000. So, disarmament and curfew were the methods of choice. However, once Ovamboland was under control, the bulk of the Southwesters was in the bag. The terrain was not as difficult as down south, therefore Kapebe was confident that the operation could be completed within three days.
General Ndeki was up in the air again, observing the advance of his forces. Kapebe was in charge of the HQ staff and was ready to take command of the field forces in case of emergency – until the General was back. The Armoured Division was in reserve – and would remain so, if things went according to plan. The remnants of the Parachute Brigade had returned home for reconstitution. – The invasion force was made up from fifteen infantry divisions in three waves, covered by four air divisions. Kapebe thought it was irresistible.
[FONT="]Then, all of a sudden, radio traffic was exploding. Contact! Enemy! Need air support! – What was happening out there? [/FONT]
(Arthur Schopenhauer)
It was Wednesday, April 16th, 1947, when the Middle African invasion of Südwestafrika began. General Ndeki had stubbornly resisted considerable pressure from Daressalam for an earlier entry, thought his chief of staff, Generalmajor Franz Kapebe. The politicians and their ministerial menials in uniform had been coaxing Joseph Ndeki for results, while the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition had been harassing them – and the media had found fault with all of them.
But Ndeki had seen that the preparations were meticulously implemented. The Ovambos in Ngola had been herded into camps. Fortunately, there were only 48,538 of them, who now had been allocated to eight camps, together with their animals. The Portuguese weren’t happy with this approach, but they had signed the agreement that ceded control of the concentration area to the Middle Africans – and they were taking the money that flowed from this agreement… It made things easy for the soldiers: any civilian found outside the camps was a target.
In the camps, the Ovambos were receiving tuition, or – according to the Portuguese – indoctrination, and health care. One had imported a corps of teachers and medics for that purpose. Nobody expected a great outcome: the Portuguese had not provided any education and medical services, only the Christian churches had ever undertaken some modest attempts. But at least, instruction and examinations were keeping people busy – if not necessarily pleased. They had been separated from their land and their villages, were fed strange food – and were subjected to alien methods, it was a disgrace… Kapebe thought it was an interesting test. Could one uplift alien Africans?
The infantry was now marching across the border, covered by clouds of aircraft. Kapebe didn’t expect serious resistance. Once Ovamboland had been secured, the caravan would stop again – and all installations would leap forward. The Ovambo tribes would be disarmed. One had discussed to put them into camps as well, but there were too many of them, perhaps 150,000. So, disarmament and curfew were the methods of choice. However, once Ovamboland was under control, the bulk of the Southwesters was in the bag. The terrain was not as difficult as down south, therefore Kapebe was confident that the operation could be completed within three days.
General Ndeki was up in the air again, observing the advance of his forces. Kapebe was in charge of the HQ staff and was ready to take command of the field forces in case of emergency – until the General was back. The Armoured Division was in reserve – and would remain so, if things went according to plan. The remnants of the Parachute Brigade had returned home for reconstitution. – The invasion force was made up from fifteen infantry divisions in three waves, covered by four air divisions. Kapebe thought it was irresistible.
[FONT="]Then, all of a sudden, radio traffic was exploding. Contact! Enemy! Need air support! – What was happening out there? [/FONT]
While the methodical approach might of worked on a simple tribal rebellion, the Middle Afrikans have forgotten that the Southwesters have had access to the global arms market in that time and a benefactor in South Africa willing to do the purchasing for them. I also wouldn't be surprised if American 'advisors' were there to train them.
I also imagine that the Portuguese were also secretly making contact with Sudwest Africa, in providing arms and training, and in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if there were actually a number of German mercs working alongside the Sudwest Africans, who may also be targeted by Middle Africa.
I also think that the Ovambo's being herded into camps is going to seriously blow up in the Middle African's faces, especially when neighbors such as the West African Protectorate which has a lot of US black Africans, South Africa and others regardless of how much Middle Africa speaks of 'health care and improved conditions'. Come to think of it, I could imagine that if the US were sending advisors, they might be sent via a proxy in West Africa and also included in that groups are black US expats who'd immigrated to the Protectorate. G'Norrebe and Bauer might also decide to send advisors also to spite Middle Africa.
I also think that the Ovambo's being herded into camps is going to seriously blow up in the Middle African's faces, especially when neighbors such as the West African Protectorate which has a lot of US black Africans, South Africa and others regardless of how much Middle Africa speaks of 'health care and improved conditions'. Come to think of it, I could imagine that if the US were sending advisors, they might be sent via a proxy in West Africa and also included in that groups are black US expats who'd immigrated to the Protectorate. G'Norrebe and Bauer might also decide to send advisors also to spite Middle Africa.
I agree. There's no way that this thing doesn't end up being a public relations disaster at best for Middle Africa, and that when news of these actions comes out it would immediately have a dramatic effect of the popularity of the war in Southwest Africa in Middle Africa. They'd just emerged from colonialism only a year ago and now they're doing the same thing that the whites did to Africa? This, not to mention the fact that Middle Africa isn't exactly an ethnically homogeneous group either, and that there could be growing fear amongst various groups that the government might try to do the same thing to their own minorities if they try speaking up.
This sort of thing will also sour relations with Germany regardless of the political spectrum, in that the various peaceniks on the left will have ammunition that the Middle Africans have gone insane, while the right will foam on about how they shouldn't have trusted the Middle Africans with independence and even argue to use sanctions and such to put the Middle Africans back in their place.
As for the remaining European colonies, I'd imagine that they would want to remain in a sort of dominion status, even if they gain their independence, out of fear of Middle Africa.
After all the shit they pulled against the US in the 30s, I can't say I'm disappointed to see that now the shoe is on the other foot.
The pluarity the total population is 400000. german mercaneries is probably a fact if only relatives of all the Germans nationals living in southwest.
Genuine tragedies in the world are not conflicts between right and wrong. They are conflicts between two rights.
(Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel)
It didn’t take the Middle African general staff officers long to find out what had happened. The Southwesters had enacted a variation of the German 1917 ‘Abwehr im Stellungskriege’. One had not thought this was possible without artillery, and the Southwesters had no field artillery to speak of. But they had substituted the guns by mortars, cheap models copying the British Stokes design. Several hundreds of them had been found on the battlefield. There were no recognizable trenches or fortified positions, the defenders had fought from natural low ground, holes and reverse slope positions.
It had been a trap, a giant trap. Dispersed pickets had engaged the advancing Middle Africans and had drawn them into the fields of fire of countless machine guns. Once the infantry had manoeuvred into apparently secure terrain, they had been shelled by the mortars. – But there the similarities already ended. By dusk – and before the mass of the Middle African artillery had been in position, the Southwesters had broken battle – and disappeared, leaving behind a plethora of weapons and equipment.
They had taken casualties, especially from the air strikes. But they had inflicted far more casualties than they had taken. It was annoying. One had taken 372 prisoners of war, which was a ridiculous figure. – However, one was in possession of the battle field, therefore one could sell the frontier battle as a victory. But it had been a stinging lesson. The Southwesters had modern weapons galore – and they had wireless down to the squad level, up-to-date off-the-shelf stuff made in Russia and Germany. The Middle African infantry only had cumbersome outdated radio equipment down to company level.
Yet, the direst casualty was the morale of the Middle African infantry. They had taken heavy losses – and had become extremely jumpy. Well, they had been untried. Now, they had been in combat. The jumpiness would go away over time – and with due discipline. Meanwhile, the conquest of Ovamboland could continue. – But the Ovambos were gone…
(Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel)
It didn’t take the Middle African general staff officers long to find out what had happened. The Southwesters had enacted a variation of the German 1917 ‘Abwehr im Stellungskriege’. One had not thought this was possible without artillery, and the Southwesters had no field artillery to speak of. But they had substituted the guns by mortars, cheap models copying the British Stokes design. Several hundreds of them had been found on the battlefield. There were no recognizable trenches or fortified positions, the defenders had fought from natural low ground, holes and reverse slope positions.
It had been a trap, a giant trap. Dispersed pickets had engaged the advancing Middle Africans and had drawn them into the fields of fire of countless machine guns. Once the infantry had manoeuvred into apparently secure terrain, they had been shelled by the mortars. – But there the similarities already ended. By dusk – and before the mass of the Middle African artillery had been in position, the Southwesters had broken battle – and disappeared, leaving behind a plethora of weapons and equipment.
They had taken casualties, especially from the air strikes. But they had inflicted far more casualties than they had taken. It was annoying. One had taken 372 prisoners of war, which was a ridiculous figure. – However, one was in possession of the battle field, therefore one could sell the frontier battle as a victory. But it had been a stinging lesson. The Southwesters had modern weapons galore – and they had wireless down to the squad level, up-to-date off-the-shelf stuff made in Russia and Germany. The Middle African infantry only had cumbersome outdated radio equipment down to company level.
Yet, the direst casualty was the morale of the Middle African infantry. They had taken heavy losses – and had become extremely jumpy. Well, they had been untried. Now, they had been in combat. The jumpiness would go away over time – and with due discipline. Meanwhile, the conquest of Ovamboland could continue. – But the Ovambos were gone…
- Status