Aurora Australis
- Thread starter Syphon
- Start date
David S Poepoe
Banned
It kinda just struck me that this ATL continues to bear passing resemblances to Sterling's Draka ATL. Granted the Australians are fairly liberal minded for the time, but their mass industrialization and position as the world's arsenal for the 'cash and carry' seems for of a nation with a completely reckless foreign policy. While this 'great and loveable Australia' timeline will probably go on and on from high point to high point, one wonders if the Australians will get their just deserts in the end. This appears to be a nation dominated by a military-industrial complex and what would appear to be a dash of liberal national socialism.
Good job syphon. David you raise an interesting point, what happens when Australia wants to fight someone, which is kind of the only excuse for their military buildup. What about those ships Syphon they are now 10+ years old when a hell of a lot of new ideas were coming out, wouldn't obsoletion be a big thing on the admiralitys mind?
David S Poepoe said:
Seeing that I haven't read any of the Draka series I can't comment on any comparision. (It's on my list many of things to do someday)
The Australian government has deliberately built it's industrial base around what it believed it could manufacrure and sell. In the early years the 1920's it chased any company that was willing to build industry in Australia. This is why a lot of German companies set up subsiduaries in Australia in an attempt to avoid any restrictions relating to the Treaty of Versailles. Over time these companies have see the growing armaments race and have simplygearded themselves to where the money is.
In the next few years industry in Australia will look for other markets but developing these products take time so while these new products are developed Australian industry will continue to sell its current products to who ever is willing to buy them.
"One wonders if the Australians will get their just deserts in the end".
Australia will always look out for it's own interests and is very concerned about defence. In this TL the RAAF will always be the strongest of the Australian defence forces because of Australia's location the only way to really attack Australia in with Naval forces.
Australia is developing a policy of being able to havic to these naval forces.
In future Australia will turn away from the construction of large cruisers and concentrate on submarines for sea denial. This deosn't however mean that Australia will not have a surface fleet on;y one that has changed for the current convention.
David
Michael said:
Changes are afoot see my previous post.
As to the Australian Admiralitys mind set they were planing for the type of war that was fought during WW1 having seen the changes in naval warfare they are exploring new options which is why they didn't scream like pigs when the Australian government cancelled all further naval construction. As mentioned above Australia is co-operating with various governments atomic programs and in this TL Australia is parasitic in a way that they help others in exchange for access to their reasearch thus reducing the research costs for developing additional technology.
I invisage Australia as being similar to OTL Japan after WW2 refining others ideas and using that to knowledge todevelope technology of our own.
In regards to fighting someone the only one in the Pacific theatre who they believe to be a real threat is Japan and they have their hands full at present with the Soviets while casting a suspicious at the Nationalist Chinese government. This is one of the reasons the Australian government went out on a limb to support them with the trade agreement against Japans wishes.
David
Phaeton said:
Although Australia has an atomic program it is still very small. When Australia starts to get more details from the British and German programs it will grow and might be mated with the Navy. (Yes I've just had a thought Aussie nuclear subs replacing the obsolete heavy cruisers)
Even though I haven't mentioned it the Aussie Atomic reasearch program will probably be headed by Mark Oliphant and using a lot of the skilled migrants who left Western Europe just before the war.
david
Aurora Australis possible ammentment
How does this sound to your query.
1938: Over the last few years there has been a considerable changing of the guard in Australian politics. The Jewish migrants have a distinctly anti-German sentiment while being distrustfully of the other European powers that tried to prevent them leaving.
The German, Austrian and other former central powers dislike the former colonial powers. With the other migrant groups falling in between these two groups.
All the new migrant groups have had members joining the various political parties whose political leaning most match their own.
What this adds up to is that even though various political parties are still led in the most parts by the old native born Australians who have most of the cabinet posts. The representative nature of Australian politics is reflected in the increasing numbers of “New Australians†who have migrated over the years and now out number the former native born colonials by about three to one.
Just let me know what you think.
David
DMA said:
How does this sound to your query.
1938: Over the last few years there has been a considerable changing of the guard in Australian politics. The Jewish migrants have a distinctly anti-German sentiment while being distrustfully of the other European powers that tried to prevent them leaving.
The German, Austrian and other former central powers dislike the former colonial powers. With the other migrant groups falling in between these two groups.
All the new migrant groups have had members joining the various political parties whose political leaning most match their own.
What this adds up to is that even though various political parties are still led in the most parts by the old native born Australians who have most of the cabinet posts. The representative nature of Australian politics is reflected in the increasing numbers of “New Australians†who have migrated over the years and now out number the former native born colonials by about three to one.
Just let me know what you think.
David
Syphon said:How does this sound to your query.
1938: Over the last few years there has been a considerable changing of the guard in Australian politics. The Jewish migrants have a distinctly anti-German sentiment while being distrustfully of the other European powers that tried to prevent them leaving.
The German, Austrian and other former central powers dislike the former colonial powers. With the other migrant groups falling in between these two groups.
All the new migrant groups have had members joining the various political parties whose political leaning most match their own.
What this adds up to is that even though various political parties are still led in the most parts by the old native born Australians who have most of the cabinet posts. The representative nature of Australian politics is reflected in the increasing numbers of “New Australians†who have migrated over the years and now out number the former native born colonials by about three to one.
Just let me know what you think.
David
Yeah this is the tricky part of your AH & so it's hard to know where to begin dealing with it. Maybe the population ratio is a start. As we know, around 1940ish the OTL Australia had a population of about 8 million. But you've got it that this 8 million is outnumbered three to one. If so, that means there's 24 million "New Australians" making for an overall population of 32 million in 1938. I'd dare say that is about 10 million too many as you've got a figure of only 25 million in 1943. So the local born can't be outnumbered by 3:1. It's probably more like 2:1.
Having said that, let's do the political number crunching. You've got, with these "new Australians" a large number of political refugees, especially the Jews, who you've described as "distinctly anti-German". Well if that's the case, I'd say that this group would support a call to arms against the Nazis. In a similar manner, I'd dare say most of the German & Austrian immigrants would probably be anti-nazi as well (why else would many of them leave if they weren't?). Now they may not support a war against their homelands, but they may not reject one either. As a result, that 2:1 ration against war is really looking more like one part for war, one part apathy & one part who knows what.
Furthermore, there is still, for me, the fact that the Anglo-Celtics are still going to hold onto political power long after the make-up of the general population changes if our current period is anything to judge by. Afterall, the current PM is Howard & the Opposition leader is Latham. They're very much representative of this Anglo-celtic "old Australians" which I'm talking about. Even if you look around further, into the senior ranks of both parties, I can't see any, if only a few, "New Australians", regardless if they're of an Italian/Greek background or Asian one. In fact are there any Asians at all in our Federal Parliament?
So somehow you've got to turn the ALP of the 1930s into exclusively the "New Australian" party, whilst the "Old Australians" only support the coalition parties. This way the party discipline machine can then work for you. Furthermore, if I may make a suggestion, after the PM dies, have an election. Menzies becomes the new leader of the coalition & caretaker PM & goes to the electorate on the basis of a war against Germany. The ALP, meanwhile, stands against the war policy. The results of the election are, say very close, but Labor wins with say a two seat majority (this reflects the OTL somewhat when the independents dump Menzies for the ALP). I think this would reflect the true feelings of the electorate, whilst getting around the pro-"old Australian" power base in government, & get the result you want for your storyline.
Last edited:
[Having said that, let's do the political number crunching. You've got, with these "new Australians" a large number of political refugees, especially the Jews, who you've described as "distinctly anti-German". Well if that's the case, I'd say that this group would support a call to arms against the Nazis. In a similar manner, I'd dare say most of the German & Austrian immigrants would probably be anti-nazi as well (why else would many of them leave if they weren't?). Now they may not support a war against their homelands, but they may not reject one either. As a result, that 2:1 ration against war is really looking more like one part for war, one part apathy & one part who knows what.
Just one point here most of the non jewish Germans and Austrians left before the Nazis came to power so they might not have strong feelings either way for or against the nazis.
So somehow you've got to turn the ALP of the 1930s into exclusively the "New Australian" party, whilst the "Old Australians" only support the coalition parties. This way the party discipline machine can then work for you. Furthermore, if I may make a suggestion, after the PM dies, have an election. Menzies becomes the new leader of the coalition & caretaker PM & goes to the electorate on the basis of a war against Germany. The ALP, meanwhile, stands against the war policy. The results of the election are, say very close, but Labor wins with say a two seat majority (this reflects the OTL somewhat when the independents dump Menzies for the ALP). I think this would reflect the true feelings of the electorate, whilst getting around the pro-"old Australian" power base in government, & get the result you want for your storyline.[/QUOTE]
I thing I'm going to steal your idea about an automatic election should the PM die in office. I think I'll write this idea into the constitutional changes that were made in 1920?
I will consider making the ALP the prefered party for migrants.
What policies do you think this new ALP would need to attract most of the votes of the new migrants?
For me it's back to the rewrite grindstone.
David
Just one point here most of the non jewish Germans and Austrians left before the Nazis came to power so they might not have strong feelings either way for or against the nazis.
So somehow you've got to turn the ALP of the 1930s into exclusively the "New Australian" party, whilst the "Old Australians" only support the coalition parties. This way the party discipline machine can then work for you. Furthermore, if I may make a suggestion, after the PM dies, have an election. Menzies becomes the new leader of the coalition & caretaker PM & goes to the electorate on the basis of a war against Germany. The ALP, meanwhile, stands against the war policy. The results of the election are, say very close, but Labor wins with say a two seat majority (this reflects the OTL somewhat when the independents dump Menzies for the ALP). I think this would reflect the true feelings of the electorate, whilst getting around the pro-"old Australian" power base in government, & get the result you want for your storyline.[/QUOTE]
I thing I'm going to steal your idea about an automatic election should the PM die in office. I think I'll write this idea into the constitutional changes that were made in 1920?
I will consider making the ALP the prefered party for migrants.
What policies do you think this new ALP would need to attract most of the votes of the new migrants?
For me it's back to the rewrite grindstone.
David
A couple of quick things - I know (well my mum more than me) knows a few Austrians & Germans from the WW2 period & they were more than happy to stay in their homelands prior to WW2 & only left after the war. So again I query why such large numbers leave Germany etc unless they're deeply concerned as to what Hitler et al are up to. And I think you find from the OTL, that most of those Germans that did leave left because of what the Nazis were doing.
The other thing is you don't need an automatic election if a PM dies. Good old Sect 57 can see to that. But if not, if the Governor-General feels that the political situation after a death of a PM is unstable, there's a few things he can do. Obviously the new leader of the majority party(s) can be offered the job. Another option is to offer the formation of government to the Opposition if the G-G thinks they'll have the confidence of the House. The final option is a call for elections. So in keeping with the OTL then, the coalition governing parties at this point are put into a bind. They had a two seat majority prior to the death of the PM. Now, with the PMs death, that drops to a one seat majority. Not great as the government must offer up one of its members as the Speaker of the House. This effectively means that the Opposition gains the majority as the Speaker is meant to remain impartial in Parliamentary business. As a result, the G-G should call for new elections as, in a similar fashion, the Opposition doesn't really command a majority either.
The other thing is you don't need an automatic election if a PM dies. Good old Sect 57 can see to that. But if not, if the Governor-General feels that the political situation after a death of a PM is unstable, there's a few things he can do. Obviously the new leader of the majority party(s) can be offered the job. Another option is to offer the formation of government to the Opposition if the G-G thinks they'll have the confidence of the House. The final option is a call for elections. So in keeping with the OTL then, the coalition governing parties at this point are put into a bind. They had a two seat majority prior to the death of the PM. Now, with the PMs death, that drops to a one seat majority. Not great as the government must offer up one of its members as the Speaker of the House. This effectively means that the Opposition gains the majority as the Speaker is meant to remain impartial in Parliamentary business. As a result, the G-G should call for new elections as, in a similar fashion, the Opposition doesn't really command a majority either.
Part One - Revised
I have added a few bits here and there taking into account concerns over water resources and other bits. The amendments have been added in at varoius years that I deemed necessary.
What If – In the aftermath of the First World War the Australian people having lost so many of their sons, husbands and brothers in foreign wars and through them the Australian political parties decide to take a more self-reliant approach to defence and foreign affairs.
Instead of relying on mother England for protection the future Australian governments set in place a policy of building Australia’s armed forces to a level in which Australia would in the decades to come become a power in South East Asia.
1919: After the great Spanish flu pandemic the Australian government starts its long-term plan to be more self reliant in defence and foreign affairs.
This involves encouraging mass migration to Australia. The incentive is land.
Every skilled migrant or migrant family will be entitled to a ¼ acre land grant. Knowledge of the English language is not required but all must show a willingness to learn.
The second part of the plan is to encourage foreign business to start subsidiaries in Australia. To provide incentives for this the Australian government offers free land for the industries to build on as well as lowering taxation and removing all export licences and tariffs. One of the main selling points to the foreign business is Australia’s abundant natural resources and the government’s willingness to assist any firm in their exploitation.
During the negotiations for the Treaty of Versailles the Australian government states that that it would accept non-monetary payment from the central powers in the form industrial development as long as the Australian government held a minimum 25% propriety holding in any industrial concern that sets up an Australian subsidiary.
1920: The Australian citizenship act is passed by the government and signed into law by the Governor General. Australians are now citizens in their own right not mere subjects of the British Empire.
In other changes referendums are passed so the constitution gains a bill of rights and that both houses of parliament must approved a declaration of war petitioned by the Prime Minister.
1921: In the two years since it’s inception Australia’s new emigration policy has been a massive success. Over 250,000 white Europeans a year have migrated to Australia (there is unspoken bias towards white migrants). Of these migrants most are from Germany Austria, Ireland, Wales and North England. On arrival some find jobs in the flourishing mining industry with Ballarat and Bendigo leading the way reopening the gold mines closed during the war and using the newly arrived skilled labor to open new ones.
The rest find temporary work in the construction sector building houses and factories for the arriving migrants and foreign businesses until they can find work in their own fields.
The construction industry will be an industry that relies on the new migrant workers, as there will be a high demand for housing for years to come.
The new workers will be instrumental in the construction of housing and all the infrastructure projects that are required for Australia’s booming population.
Overseas industrial and mining firms always looking for new opportunities start opening Australian subsidiaries. The major companies to take advantage of the Australian government’s offer are Mercedes-Benz, Krupp heavy industries, Blohn and Voss shipwrights, Harland and Wolf shipwrights, Fokker Aircraft company (with Anthony Fokker in residence) and Anaconda. The reason for the preponderance of German Industry setting up subsidiaries is an attempt to avoid restrictions associated with the Treaty of Versailles. These companies based in the countries of the former central powers have also brought many skilled personnel with them to assist and run their new Australian subsidiaries.
To encourage the shipwrights to come to Australia the Australian Government commissioned the construction of six destroyers with the indication of more contracts to follow.
Mercedes-Benz, Krupp heavy industries and Blohn and Voss Shipwrights set up in Melbourne while the Fokker Aircraft company sets up in Geelong. Harland and Wolf shipwrights set up in Sydney along with Anaconda.
The new migrants tend to follow each other with most of the German, Austrian and Dutch settling in Melbourne and Adelaide while the Irish and those from northern England go to the various mining centres around the country.
1922: The RAAF is now using the Fokker D-VII as the mainstay of the airforce using the parts Anthony Fokker brought with him from his German factory. In total the RAAF has 120 D-VII’s with an additional 400 engines that will be used when more airframes are produced.
Along with his airforce contracts Anthony Fokker continues the design for the Fokker F.7 trimotor which would enter production in the next two years.
The Australian governments post war policies are staring to pay dividends with the Fokker Aircraft company selling aircraft to the US Army Air Corps. Mercedes-Benz and Ford motor companies are supplying all Australia’s motorised transport needs while Krupp is starting to produce heavy mining equipment and train engines.
In the resources sector Australia has become the second largest gold producer in the world second only to South Africa with exports of iron and other metals increasing rapidly. The only concern to the government is the main purchaser of these metals is Japan the one country that poses the greatest security threat to Australia. However business is business and if Australia is to continue to grow and get stronger it needs a vibrant economy.
1923: The Washington naval treaty is signed into effect by the United States of America, the British Empire, France, Italy, and Japan. There is one notable exception; Australia withdrew from the treaty when advised that their naval allocation would be included in that of the British Empire. On leaving, Senator the Right Honourable George Foster Pearce, Minister for Home and Territories stated that Australia would not be totally reliant on a foreign power even a friendly former colonial one for it’s sole defence.
1924: The main event of this year is the launching of the first of the new RAN destroyers the HMAS Seaspray. Although nominally a destroyer and designed for this role with a displacement of 3500 tons its main armament is that of a light cruiser with eight six inch guns and a crew of 400. On the international scene Australia and the Netherlands enter into an agreement that Australia will supply repair and replenishment services to the Dutch units deployed in south east Asia in exchange for preferential prices for Dutch oil shipments to Australia.
1925: Having seen the success of the Seaspray class destroyers the Australian government commissions six more. At the same time is asks its contractors to design a heavy cruiser for consideration of the RAN with the view of possible future construction.
The shipyards in Australia are booming with orders from a number of Australian shipping companies who need large merchant ships to transport the manufactured goods and resources to their various markets.
With the RAN looking to the future it places an order for two state of the art O class submarines with Britain with the option to license build more if desired.
The Australian economy is now in transition no longer dependent on primary industry.
Resources as its prime exporter have replaced farming with manufacturing coming third but growing rapidly.
With the growth in Adelaide and the service agreement with the Netherlands the Australian government commissions the construction of a new naval base as well as a north - south railway linking Darwin to Adelaide. To avoid difficulties relating to different gauges of track being used in each state the Australian government introduces the Standard gauge railway act. This act compels the states to build railways using the standard gauge. To stop any grumbles from the states the Federal government subsidises the conversion of all existing tracks. On hearing of these new plans Anaconda asks for permission to build a rail spur from their Mount Isa joint venture with BHP to the new railway. Without much thought by the government permission is granted.
The Army under General Monash is agitating for a bigger cut of the defence cake as it has been left behind in the last few years in favour of the RAN and RAAF.
With the growth of population, the need to develop more resources in particular water becomes a large concern. The Australian government commits itself to the development of four large hydroelectric dam projects. The first started is the Snowy River scheme between NSW and Victoria with others to follow in WA and Queensland as their population grows.
1926: The Minister for defence in an attempt to stop the discord in the army over the increased funding for the RAN and RAAF asks General Monash to develop a force structure for the RAA that would allow it to meet the requirements of protecting Australia from external aggression. The defence minister throws the army a bone by advising General Monash that the Australian Military Industries program have been approved and a government backed privately owned Australian armaments industry will start producing arms for both domestic and foreign needs.
Australia’s population has grown to ten million. Most of the growth has been in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. In the last year a new source of migrants have started to arrive. Italians trying to escape fascism have started arriving in large numbers and settling in Queensland where the start many market gardens and farms to produce food for Australia’s growing population.
The initial designs for the RAN’s heavy cruiser have been received and reviewed by the RAN. In the end the RAN asks both Blohn and Voss and Harland and Wolf shipwrights to get together and submit a joint design using the best of both designs.
In the resource sector Anaconda has just discovered what they believe to be the largest bauxite deposit in the world and quickly get permission to exploit this discovery. More large gold deposits have been discovered in Queensland and Western Australia closing the gap between Australia and South Africa in terms of production.
The naval program is stretching the Australian government’s finances but the increased tax base caused by the massed migration has enabled the program to continue.
The bright side of the equation for Australia is a massive increase in its gold and silver reserves. Overseas banks and institutions knowing of this growing reserve are lending money to Australia on very favourable terms.
1927: The design for the RAN’s ten new heavy cruisers has been agreed to and initial construction will start on these powerful ships shortly. The design is a combination of the conservative RN standards with the use of German technical proficiency. The class will displace 32000 tons have a length of 800 feet with a beam of 81 feet and a draft of 31 feet. They will be armed with 8 x 12inch main guns in four turrets fore and aft, secondary 10 x 6inch guns with 8 x 533mm torpedo tubes and two aircraft. Anti aircraft defences consist of 10 x 40mm and 20 x 20mm cannons. The ship has a peacetime crew of 800. Their construction will us the new technique of electric arc welding with the ships being powered by four shaft geared steam turbines run by eight oil fuelled boilers with a maximum speed of 35 knots. These ships will be expensive yet the cost must be accepted if Australia is to grow strong.
In other developments Australia’s population continues to grow while exports to Asia and particularly Japan continue to grow.
On the industrial side an aluminium smelter has started construction in Geelong while the Fokker Aircraft Company continues to sell large numbers of its trimotor. Anthony Fokker has turned his mind to other projects including an all-metal transport / bomber plane and a mono wing scout / fighter aircraft.
1928: The United States of America, the British Empire, France, Italy, and Japan object to the Australian government about the building of the new heavy cruisers. In response the Australian Prime Minister Stanley Bruce advises them that as Australia is an independent country and they saw fit not to allocate Australia it’s own ship tonnage at the Washington Treaty summit Australia cannot be obliged to uphold a treaty that it did not sign. Even though this statement causes a cooling of relations between the governments in question it does not stop these governments purchasing the cheap primary goods and resources Australia has for offer.
After much delay the RAN finally take possession of its new O class submarines which are then named the Oxley and Otway. The Oxley is commanded by Lt. Cdr Frank Edmond Getting while Lt. Cdr N H Shaw commands the Otway.
On the domestic scene General Monash has developed a force structure for the RAA that would allow it to protect Australia. The Australian Defence plan calls for a mobile Australian Army using vehicles capable of traversing all types of terrain with either towed or self propelled artillery and spotter planes to advise field commanders where any potential enemy might be.
The Defence minister calls on business operating in Australia to make submissions on the possible supply of vehicles that meet the operating criteria.
On receiving this proposal the Australian manager of General Motors asks permission to enter into a merger with Holden motor body builders in an attempt to get the inside running by claiming to be an Australian company not merely an overseas subsidiary of a foreign firm.
Anthony Fokker holds a high level meeting with Rolls - Royce at the end of the meeting both companies agree to set up a joint venture aircraft engine company using the best engine designs both companies produce.
1929: The Finance minister seeing the gathering storm clouds caused by the stock the stock market crash issues a statement to the stock exchange. In the statement he announces that any company or business that the government deems to be in the national interest will have all their loans paid off by the Australian government in exchange for an equity interest in the firms in question equal in value to the loans repaid.
The Fokker Aircraft Company shows the RAAF and the RAA it’s new mono wing spotter plane. Both organisations are interested in new aircraft but are concerned about lack of performance and endurance. After several weeks of discussions both organisations order 30 aircraft for training purposes while Fokker improves the design.
The export of resources has slowed as the world economy goes into a deep recession over the stock market crash. In order to keep the mines, business and the people employed, the Australian Government enacts a policy of the Australian National Reserve. What this policy entails is that the mining industry can continue production of resources at the current levels and whatever resources are not used or sold will be purchased by the government and stored as part of the Strategic Resource Defence Reserve.
The merger of General Motors Australia and Holden has been completed and the new company GMH demonstrates a robust truck that might meet the army’s requirements. The army buys ten of these vehicles to test them while stating that any further purchases will be dependant on GMH’s ability to completely manufacture the vehicles in Australia.
1930: Australia’s population has now reached 12 million with more people of Europe migrating to escape the effects of the depression that is gripping the world.
Australia has escaped the worst effects of the Great Depression by encouraging business to be more conservative with their finances. As a number of banks have failed in Australia, the Australian government had the Commonwealth Bank purchase the secured loans of these institutions to prevent an avalanche of mortgage foreclosures.
In business circles the Australian government has taken significant equity interests in most of the foreign companies that set up subsidiaries in the last decade though the companies continue to be run by their existing management teams.
What was surprising for the government is that the Strategic Resource Defence Reserve although activated has purchased only small quantities of resources as Japan for some unknown reason has decided to increase imports of Australian resources at the expense of the USA.
The first of the RANs’ heavy cruisers has been launched HMAS Sydney when finished fitting out will join HMAS Australia as the nucleus of Australia’s naval fleet. To encourage the shipwrights to continue investing in Australia, the Australian government commissions five further heavy cruisers and a further five destroyers.
The RAN also gains permission to build five locally produced O class submarines.
BHP seeing the need for more control over the delivery of its resources commission a number of bulk carriers to transport these minerals to it’s clients.
1931: BHP in partnership with Royal Dutch Shell discovers the Bass Strait oil fields.
After lengthy discussions between the government and BHP / Royal Dutch Shell ownership of the oil belongs to the government with the consortium being paid 3% of the income from the fields to develop and manage the find.
The Fokker Aircraft Company in cooperation with Rolls – Royce have developed a new aircraft. The new all metal fighter / Spotter plane makes use of the new Rolls-Royce Merlin engine using conventional aviation gasoline. Designed as an all purposes airframe the Fokker FA-1 will be capable of ground attack as well as fighter duties. Both the army and airforce are very impressed and order five each to test.
In foreign developments Japan invades Manchuria in China. All the countries of the world object to the invasion but other than that do nothing.
New Zealand is suffering badly from the depression and they approach Australia for assistance as Great Britain has already refused due to their own problems. The negotiations take months yet by November both countries have enacted laws creating
the ANZEZ (Australia New Zealand Economic Zone) alliance. The basis for this agreement is for total free trade between the two countries with no tariffs or limits on the amount of goods the can be traded between the two countries. There is one problem for New Zealand however, Australia insisted on the metric system of measurements and a joint currency based on the current value of the Australian Pound. New Zealand knowing that Australia would walk on the agreement if it refused accepts both proposals. So as of the 1 January 1932 the Shell will become the standard currency between the two states. The Shell will be based on the decimal system with one Shell equalling 100 grains. The short-term effect on New Zealand will be severe, as many people will lose up to 50% of their savings. On the bright side is that there will be no restrictions on New Zealanders working and living in Australia and the New Zealand banks won’t have to convert currency between the two neighbours. The metric system will be the standard used however both countries will have a phase in time where both the old and new measurement systems will be displayed on all goods and services.
1932: The new currency for Australia and New Zealand have been well received especially by the migrants of Australia who had difficulty with the old monetary system.
The metric system caused confusion in both countries for the existing citizens this was however alleviated in Australia by the fact the new migrants now outnumber native born Australians.
The population in Australia continues to grow and has now reached 13 million thanks to a flood of unemployed Europeans caused by the depression over the last two years.
Concerned by the actions of Japan the Australian government signs a deal with Mercedes - Benz and GMH to build six hundred motorised fighting vehicles. At the same time Krupp is commissioned to build 300 pieces of towed 8 inch or 203-millimetre artillery.
The Army is instructed to begin National Service of all male eighteen-year-old citizens. This national service will last for two years or if Australia gets involved in a war until its end.
1933; The naval base in Darwin is complete and has been acting as a supply base for the Dutch. With growing concerns about Japanese intentions in the Asia-Pacific rim the Australian government starts construction on a major airforce base on the other side of Darwin close to where the newly completed north – south railway runs.
At the same time the RAAF gets permission to begin production of the Fokker FA-1. The initial contract is for 300 aircraft.
The RAN thinking that it is better to be hung for a sheep than a lamb asks for and gets permission to build a further 5 heavy cruisers, ten destroyers and 15 O class submarines.
This massive build up will wipe out the entire Australian trade surplus plus most of its gold reserve. Concerned on the effect this will have on the economy the Prime Minister instructs the Foreign Affairs Minister to approached all the world’s governments to try to open new or enhance existing trade agreements.
On the International scene the NAZI party of Germany wins the election and Adolf Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany.
In the USA Roosevelt has just got his new deal passed and hopes this will help bring America out of the depression.
England while unhappy with Australia over its refusal to act like a good little dominion is looking to increase it’s own fleet and is considering getting Australia to build some ships while claiming that the ships are not in fact theirs until after the Washington Treaty expires.
1934: The Australian Foreign Affairs Minister has spent the last year travelling from country to country negotiating new or improved trade agreements.
The English have asked Australia to build several battleships under the table for them.
The Germans having heard from their Australian relatives what England has done, does the same. All these ships will be built at the naval yards in Perth well way from the prying eyes of the US and Japanese embassies on the East Coast.
America declined the invitation for increased trade.
Italy needing greater access to resources for their military build up also signs a large comprehensive trade agreement with Australia.
Japan on hearing the proposal jumped at the opportunity and doubled their imports asking also to purchase some of the robust trucks that the RAA has started using.
The Kuomintang government of Chiang Kaishek, having also noted the Japanese invasion of Manchuria and even more concerned than Australia about the Japanese intentions. They sign a massive trade deal with Australia. This deal is very valuable to Australia as it enables them to off load all their old Fokker D-VII as well as selling thousands of weapons, explosives and other materials needed to fight a war.
1935: The Australian Foreign Affairs Minister finally back in Australia is pleased with the outcome of overseas trip. Australia has signed secret deals with both German and England to build battleships for them. Because of the nature of the deals payments were made up front and were more expensive than if they had built them themselves. On the plus side both countries has complete deniablity of have broken treaties to which they were signatories. Japan is not so happy, their country is getting the resources they need yet they have protested most strongly to Australia about the trade agreement with Kuomintang government stating that Australia is arming potential enemies of the empire.
The Kuomintang government on the other hand is happy as Larry after having found a country with which they can purchase anything they desire as long as they have the money to pay for it.
A new wave of migrants is poring into Australia. The Jews of Germany and Europe seeing the growth of anti-Semitism are migrating in large numbers taking everything they can carry. This is seen, as a double boom for Australia as not does Australia’s population increase but these migrants also bring with them a large skill base as well as a large portion of their wealth. The Jewish migrants seeing that most of the other European migrants have settled on the East coast decide that they will form their own communities in the west starting in Perth from where they see the opportunity to expand into the vast empty veldts of Western Australia.
The new Jewish migrants are amassed by the friendly reception they receive. In the past when they had moved to a new country they were either met with open hostility or at best total indifference. They quickly went about setting up their homes and businesses thinking what a lovely friendly place Australia is. After awhile they realise this is not an act and Australians really are a tolerant and friendly people. When they realise this they quickly write to their friends and relatives in Europe and around the world advising them of this wonderful place and advising them to migrate at once. The Jewish community leaders on hearing that some to their brethren can not afford to migrate set up an entirely self funded Jewish migration fund to help the poorer members of their belief migrate to this land of opportunity.
1936: The Australian population has reached 15 million thanks mostly to the influx of Jewish migrants.
The Finance Minister breathes a sigh of relief. Australia’s massive defence spending over the last fifteen years and especially the last five had threatened to destroy Australia’s economy. Only through the grace of God, the spending of Australia’s entire gold reserve, the Machiavellian trades treaties and the massive European migration has allowed him to keep Australia’s economy intact. As he sits in his office he ponders how best to exploit the situation in Europe.
The depression is slowly fading across the world as production increased. This increase can be contributed to the large-scale military build up of Germany, Japan and other nations with territorial ambitions.
Australia has received enormous benefits from their drive for territory supplying everything from trucks and paper to weapons and rubber. Every country on Earth now knows that all they need is money and with this money Australia will supply whatever you need as long as they can produce it.
In Europe, the European leaders issue an objection to Australia’s migration policy claiming Australia is bribing away large numbers of skilled workers. Together they issue a statement to the world saying they are all enacting the new Australian migration law which makes it illegal for any migrant leaving for Australia to take their possessions with them. The only European country not to enact this specific type of law is Germany, which is already confiscating Jewish property and is only too happy to see them leave.
Germany looking to make the best use of Australia’s German population commissions Australia to build a further three battleships for Germany. Along with this deal Germany also starts importing large quantities of raw materials that Germany has had difficulties acquiring in the past.
In Asia, both Japan and the Kuomintang government continue to purchase large quantities to weapons, material and equipment. It becomes obvious to most of the world that both sides are preparing for war.
The foreign firms that originally set up in Australia are sitting pretty with some for their Australian operations making more profits then their parent companies.
1937: In a move that surprises no one Japan launches a massive assault on the Chinese Kuomintang government.
The USA, USSR, France and the British Empire condemn the Japanese attack. After consulting with these countries the USA places a total trade embargo on Japan.
Although Japan makes some impressive gains losses are high as the Kuomintang armed forces make good use to their newly purchased motorised fighting vehicles and mobile artillery to make the Japanese invaders pay a heavy price for every inch of territory they gain.
Australia is approached by the Japanese who then demand that Australia stops selling arms and equipment to what they refer to as rebel bandits. When Australia refuses the Japanese ambassador starts to threaten the existing trade agreement but stops himself before he utters a word. He realises that with the trade embargo against Japan, Australia might be the only country that is willing to supply the resources to keep Japans war machine going as well as the oil that the IJN will need to protect the home islands.
In Europe the anti-Australian immigration laws has slowed migration to Australia. In order to bypass the financial penalties relating to these laws Swiss banks have started acting as agents for the migrants taking possession of their wealth as a fund manager. The genius of this plan is that people can migrate and claim to have no disposable assets. When in fact, they are actually a member of a managed fund, which comprises of the assets of anybody who chose to transfer their assets to any of the Swiss banks who manage these schemes. The Swiss banks as fund managers charge entry and exit fees as well as annual account keeping fees.
In Australia migration has slowed but by no means stopped as the poorer people who don’t have much to lose migrate while the richer ones enter the various schemes allowing them to hide their assets.
With a war waging in China and dark clouds of aggression gathering in Europe the Australian government orders more military equipment.
The RAN get a further 10 more heavy cruisers and 15 O class submarines. The RAAF get a further 300 FA-1 fighters and 90 of the new Fokker B-1 Bombers. The Army gets a further 300 modified MFV these new vehicles will be of half track configuration allowing better access to the desert regions of Australia.
I have added a few bits here and there taking into account concerns over water resources and other bits. The amendments have been added in at varoius years that I deemed necessary.
What If – In the aftermath of the First World War the Australian people having lost so many of their sons, husbands and brothers in foreign wars and through them the Australian political parties decide to take a more self-reliant approach to defence and foreign affairs.
Instead of relying on mother England for protection the future Australian governments set in place a policy of building Australia’s armed forces to a level in which Australia would in the decades to come become a power in South East Asia.
1919: After the great Spanish flu pandemic the Australian government starts its long-term plan to be more self reliant in defence and foreign affairs.
This involves encouraging mass migration to Australia. The incentive is land.
Every skilled migrant or migrant family will be entitled to a ¼ acre land grant. Knowledge of the English language is not required but all must show a willingness to learn.
The second part of the plan is to encourage foreign business to start subsidiaries in Australia. To provide incentives for this the Australian government offers free land for the industries to build on as well as lowering taxation and removing all export licences and tariffs. One of the main selling points to the foreign business is Australia’s abundant natural resources and the government’s willingness to assist any firm in their exploitation.
During the negotiations for the Treaty of Versailles the Australian government states that that it would accept non-monetary payment from the central powers in the form industrial development as long as the Australian government held a minimum 25% propriety holding in any industrial concern that sets up an Australian subsidiary.
1920: The Australian citizenship act is passed by the government and signed into law by the Governor General. Australians are now citizens in their own right not mere subjects of the British Empire.
In other changes referendums are passed so the constitution gains a bill of rights and that both houses of parliament must approved a declaration of war petitioned by the Prime Minister.
1921: In the two years since it’s inception Australia’s new emigration policy has been a massive success. Over 250,000 white Europeans a year have migrated to Australia (there is unspoken bias towards white migrants). Of these migrants most are from Germany Austria, Ireland, Wales and North England. On arrival some find jobs in the flourishing mining industry with Ballarat and Bendigo leading the way reopening the gold mines closed during the war and using the newly arrived skilled labor to open new ones.
The rest find temporary work in the construction sector building houses and factories for the arriving migrants and foreign businesses until they can find work in their own fields.
The construction industry will be an industry that relies on the new migrant workers, as there will be a high demand for housing for years to come.
The new workers will be instrumental in the construction of housing and all the infrastructure projects that are required for Australia’s booming population.
Overseas industrial and mining firms always looking for new opportunities start opening Australian subsidiaries. The major companies to take advantage of the Australian government’s offer are Mercedes-Benz, Krupp heavy industries, Blohn and Voss shipwrights, Harland and Wolf shipwrights, Fokker Aircraft company (with Anthony Fokker in residence) and Anaconda. The reason for the preponderance of German Industry setting up subsidiaries is an attempt to avoid restrictions associated with the Treaty of Versailles. These companies based in the countries of the former central powers have also brought many skilled personnel with them to assist and run their new Australian subsidiaries.
To encourage the shipwrights to come to Australia the Australian Government commissioned the construction of six destroyers with the indication of more contracts to follow.
Mercedes-Benz, Krupp heavy industries and Blohn and Voss Shipwrights set up in Melbourne while the Fokker Aircraft company sets up in Geelong. Harland and Wolf shipwrights set up in Sydney along with Anaconda.
The new migrants tend to follow each other with most of the German, Austrian and Dutch settling in Melbourne and Adelaide while the Irish and those from northern England go to the various mining centres around the country.
1922: The RAAF is now using the Fokker D-VII as the mainstay of the airforce using the parts Anthony Fokker brought with him from his German factory. In total the RAAF has 120 D-VII’s with an additional 400 engines that will be used when more airframes are produced.
Along with his airforce contracts Anthony Fokker continues the design for the Fokker F.7 trimotor which would enter production in the next two years.
The Australian governments post war policies are staring to pay dividends with the Fokker Aircraft company selling aircraft to the US Army Air Corps. Mercedes-Benz and Ford motor companies are supplying all Australia’s motorised transport needs while Krupp is starting to produce heavy mining equipment and train engines.
In the resources sector Australia has become the second largest gold producer in the world second only to South Africa with exports of iron and other metals increasing rapidly. The only concern to the government is the main purchaser of these metals is Japan the one country that poses the greatest security threat to Australia. However business is business and if Australia is to continue to grow and get stronger it needs a vibrant economy.
1923: The Washington naval treaty is signed into effect by the United States of America, the British Empire, France, Italy, and Japan. There is one notable exception; Australia withdrew from the treaty when advised that their naval allocation would be included in that of the British Empire. On leaving, Senator the Right Honourable George Foster Pearce, Minister for Home and Territories stated that Australia would not be totally reliant on a foreign power even a friendly former colonial one for it’s sole defence.
1924: The main event of this year is the launching of the first of the new RAN destroyers the HMAS Seaspray. Although nominally a destroyer and designed for this role with a displacement of 3500 tons its main armament is that of a light cruiser with eight six inch guns and a crew of 400. On the international scene Australia and the Netherlands enter into an agreement that Australia will supply repair and replenishment services to the Dutch units deployed in south east Asia in exchange for preferential prices for Dutch oil shipments to Australia.
1925: Having seen the success of the Seaspray class destroyers the Australian government commissions six more. At the same time is asks its contractors to design a heavy cruiser for consideration of the RAN with the view of possible future construction.
The shipyards in Australia are booming with orders from a number of Australian shipping companies who need large merchant ships to transport the manufactured goods and resources to their various markets.
With the RAN looking to the future it places an order for two state of the art O class submarines with Britain with the option to license build more if desired.
The Australian economy is now in transition no longer dependent on primary industry.
Resources as its prime exporter have replaced farming with manufacturing coming third but growing rapidly.
With the growth in Adelaide and the service agreement with the Netherlands the Australian government commissions the construction of a new naval base as well as a north - south railway linking Darwin to Adelaide. To avoid difficulties relating to different gauges of track being used in each state the Australian government introduces the Standard gauge railway act. This act compels the states to build railways using the standard gauge. To stop any grumbles from the states the Federal government subsidises the conversion of all existing tracks. On hearing of these new plans Anaconda asks for permission to build a rail spur from their Mount Isa joint venture with BHP to the new railway. Without much thought by the government permission is granted.
The Army under General Monash is agitating for a bigger cut of the defence cake as it has been left behind in the last few years in favour of the RAN and RAAF.
With the growth of population, the need to develop more resources in particular water becomes a large concern. The Australian government commits itself to the development of four large hydroelectric dam projects. The first started is the Snowy River scheme between NSW and Victoria with others to follow in WA and Queensland as their population grows.
1926: The Minister for defence in an attempt to stop the discord in the army over the increased funding for the RAN and RAAF asks General Monash to develop a force structure for the RAA that would allow it to meet the requirements of protecting Australia from external aggression. The defence minister throws the army a bone by advising General Monash that the Australian Military Industries program have been approved and a government backed privately owned Australian armaments industry will start producing arms for both domestic and foreign needs.
Australia’s population has grown to ten million. Most of the growth has been in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. In the last year a new source of migrants have started to arrive. Italians trying to escape fascism have started arriving in large numbers and settling in Queensland where the start many market gardens and farms to produce food for Australia’s growing population.
The initial designs for the RAN’s heavy cruiser have been received and reviewed by the RAN. In the end the RAN asks both Blohn and Voss and Harland and Wolf shipwrights to get together and submit a joint design using the best of both designs.
In the resource sector Anaconda has just discovered what they believe to be the largest bauxite deposit in the world and quickly get permission to exploit this discovery. More large gold deposits have been discovered in Queensland and Western Australia closing the gap between Australia and South Africa in terms of production.
The naval program is stretching the Australian government’s finances but the increased tax base caused by the massed migration has enabled the program to continue.
The bright side of the equation for Australia is a massive increase in its gold and silver reserves. Overseas banks and institutions knowing of this growing reserve are lending money to Australia on very favourable terms.
1927: The design for the RAN’s ten new heavy cruisers has been agreed to and initial construction will start on these powerful ships shortly. The design is a combination of the conservative RN standards with the use of German technical proficiency. The class will displace 32000 tons have a length of 800 feet with a beam of 81 feet and a draft of 31 feet. They will be armed with 8 x 12inch main guns in four turrets fore and aft, secondary 10 x 6inch guns with 8 x 533mm torpedo tubes and two aircraft. Anti aircraft defences consist of 10 x 40mm and 20 x 20mm cannons. The ship has a peacetime crew of 800. Their construction will us the new technique of electric arc welding with the ships being powered by four shaft geared steam turbines run by eight oil fuelled boilers with a maximum speed of 35 knots. These ships will be expensive yet the cost must be accepted if Australia is to grow strong.
In other developments Australia’s population continues to grow while exports to Asia and particularly Japan continue to grow.
On the industrial side an aluminium smelter has started construction in Geelong while the Fokker Aircraft Company continues to sell large numbers of its trimotor. Anthony Fokker has turned his mind to other projects including an all-metal transport / bomber plane and a mono wing scout / fighter aircraft.
1928: The United States of America, the British Empire, France, Italy, and Japan object to the Australian government about the building of the new heavy cruisers. In response the Australian Prime Minister Stanley Bruce advises them that as Australia is an independent country and they saw fit not to allocate Australia it’s own ship tonnage at the Washington Treaty summit Australia cannot be obliged to uphold a treaty that it did not sign. Even though this statement causes a cooling of relations between the governments in question it does not stop these governments purchasing the cheap primary goods and resources Australia has for offer.
After much delay the RAN finally take possession of its new O class submarines which are then named the Oxley and Otway. The Oxley is commanded by Lt. Cdr Frank Edmond Getting while Lt. Cdr N H Shaw commands the Otway.
On the domestic scene General Monash has developed a force structure for the RAA that would allow it to protect Australia. The Australian Defence plan calls for a mobile Australian Army using vehicles capable of traversing all types of terrain with either towed or self propelled artillery and spotter planes to advise field commanders where any potential enemy might be.
The Defence minister calls on business operating in Australia to make submissions on the possible supply of vehicles that meet the operating criteria.
On receiving this proposal the Australian manager of General Motors asks permission to enter into a merger with Holden motor body builders in an attempt to get the inside running by claiming to be an Australian company not merely an overseas subsidiary of a foreign firm.
Anthony Fokker holds a high level meeting with Rolls - Royce at the end of the meeting both companies agree to set up a joint venture aircraft engine company using the best engine designs both companies produce.
1929: The Finance minister seeing the gathering storm clouds caused by the stock the stock market crash issues a statement to the stock exchange. In the statement he announces that any company or business that the government deems to be in the national interest will have all their loans paid off by the Australian government in exchange for an equity interest in the firms in question equal in value to the loans repaid.
The Fokker Aircraft Company shows the RAAF and the RAA it’s new mono wing spotter plane. Both organisations are interested in new aircraft but are concerned about lack of performance and endurance. After several weeks of discussions both organisations order 30 aircraft for training purposes while Fokker improves the design.
The export of resources has slowed as the world economy goes into a deep recession over the stock market crash. In order to keep the mines, business and the people employed, the Australian Government enacts a policy of the Australian National Reserve. What this policy entails is that the mining industry can continue production of resources at the current levels and whatever resources are not used or sold will be purchased by the government and stored as part of the Strategic Resource Defence Reserve.
The merger of General Motors Australia and Holden has been completed and the new company GMH demonstrates a robust truck that might meet the army’s requirements. The army buys ten of these vehicles to test them while stating that any further purchases will be dependant on GMH’s ability to completely manufacture the vehicles in Australia.
1930: Australia’s population has now reached 12 million with more people of Europe migrating to escape the effects of the depression that is gripping the world.
Australia has escaped the worst effects of the Great Depression by encouraging business to be more conservative with their finances. As a number of banks have failed in Australia, the Australian government had the Commonwealth Bank purchase the secured loans of these institutions to prevent an avalanche of mortgage foreclosures.
In business circles the Australian government has taken significant equity interests in most of the foreign companies that set up subsidiaries in the last decade though the companies continue to be run by their existing management teams.
What was surprising for the government is that the Strategic Resource Defence Reserve although activated has purchased only small quantities of resources as Japan for some unknown reason has decided to increase imports of Australian resources at the expense of the USA.
The first of the RANs’ heavy cruisers has been launched HMAS Sydney when finished fitting out will join HMAS Australia as the nucleus of Australia’s naval fleet. To encourage the shipwrights to continue investing in Australia, the Australian government commissions five further heavy cruisers and a further five destroyers.
The RAN also gains permission to build five locally produced O class submarines.
BHP seeing the need for more control over the delivery of its resources commission a number of bulk carriers to transport these minerals to it’s clients.
1931: BHP in partnership with Royal Dutch Shell discovers the Bass Strait oil fields.
After lengthy discussions between the government and BHP / Royal Dutch Shell ownership of the oil belongs to the government with the consortium being paid 3% of the income from the fields to develop and manage the find.
The Fokker Aircraft Company in cooperation with Rolls – Royce have developed a new aircraft. The new all metal fighter / Spotter plane makes use of the new Rolls-Royce Merlin engine using conventional aviation gasoline. Designed as an all purposes airframe the Fokker FA-1 will be capable of ground attack as well as fighter duties. Both the army and airforce are very impressed and order five each to test.
In foreign developments Japan invades Manchuria in China. All the countries of the world object to the invasion but other than that do nothing.
New Zealand is suffering badly from the depression and they approach Australia for assistance as Great Britain has already refused due to their own problems. The negotiations take months yet by November both countries have enacted laws creating
the ANZEZ (Australia New Zealand Economic Zone) alliance. The basis for this agreement is for total free trade between the two countries with no tariffs or limits on the amount of goods the can be traded between the two countries. There is one problem for New Zealand however, Australia insisted on the metric system of measurements and a joint currency based on the current value of the Australian Pound. New Zealand knowing that Australia would walk on the agreement if it refused accepts both proposals. So as of the 1 January 1932 the Shell will become the standard currency between the two states. The Shell will be based on the decimal system with one Shell equalling 100 grains. The short-term effect on New Zealand will be severe, as many people will lose up to 50% of their savings. On the bright side is that there will be no restrictions on New Zealanders working and living in Australia and the New Zealand banks won’t have to convert currency between the two neighbours. The metric system will be the standard used however both countries will have a phase in time where both the old and new measurement systems will be displayed on all goods and services.
1932: The new currency for Australia and New Zealand have been well received especially by the migrants of Australia who had difficulty with the old monetary system.
The metric system caused confusion in both countries for the existing citizens this was however alleviated in Australia by the fact the new migrants now outnumber native born Australians.
The population in Australia continues to grow and has now reached 13 million thanks to a flood of unemployed Europeans caused by the depression over the last two years.
Concerned by the actions of Japan the Australian government signs a deal with Mercedes - Benz and GMH to build six hundred motorised fighting vehicles. At the same time Krupp is commissioned to build 300 pieces of towed 8 inch or 203-millimetre artillery.
The Army is instructed to begin National Service of all male eighteen-year-old citizens. This national service will last for two years or if Australia gets involved in a war until its end.
1933; The naval base in Darwin is complete and has been acting as a supply base for the Dutch. With growing concerns about Japanese intentions in the Asia-Pacific rim the Australian government starts construction on a major airforce base on the other side of Darwin close to where the newly completed north – south railway runs.
At the same time the RAAF gets permission to begin production of the Fokker FA-1. The initial contract is for 300 aircraft.
The RAN thinking that it is better to be hung for a sheep than a lamb asks for and gets permission to build a further 5 heavy cruisers, ten destroyers and 15 O class submarines.
This massive build up will wipe out the entire Australian trade surplus plus most of its gold reserve. Concerned on the effect this will have on the economy the Prime Minister instructs the Foreign Affairs Minister to approached all the world’s governments to try to open new or enhance existing trade agreements.
On the International scene the NAZI party of Germany wins the election and Adolf Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany.
In the USA Roosevelt has just got his new deal passed and hopes this will help bring America out of the depression.
England while unhappy with Australia over its refusal to act like a good little dominion is looking to increase it’s own fleet and is considering getting Australia to build some ships while claiming that the ships are not in fact theirs until after the Washington Treaty expires.
1934: The Australian Foreign Affairs Minister has spent the last year travelling from country to country negotiating new or improved trade agreements.
The English have asked Australia to build several battleships under the table for them.
The Germans having heard from their Australian relatives what England has done, does the same. All these ships will be built at the naval yards in Perth well way from the prying eyes of the US and Japanese embassies on the East Coast.
America declined the invitation for increased trade.
Italy needing greater access to resources for their military build up also signs a large comprehensive trade agreement with Australia.
Japan on hearing the proposal jumped at the opportunity and doubled their imports asking also to purchase some of the robust trucks that the RAA has started using.
The Kuomintang government of Chiang Kaishek, having also noted the Japanese invasion of Manchuria and even more concerned than Australia about the Japanese intentions. They sign a massive trade deal with Australia. This deal is very valuable to Australia as it enables them to off load all their old Fokker D-VII as well as selling thousands of weapons, explosives and other materials needed to fight a war.
1935: The Australian Foreign Affairs Minister finally back in Australia is pleased with the outcome of overseas trip. Australia has signed secret deals with both German and England to build battleships for them. Because of the nature of the deals payments were made up front and were more expensive than if they had built them themselves. On the plus side both countries has complete deniablity of have broken treaties to which they were signatories. Japan is not so happy, their country is getting the resources they need yet they have protested most strongly to Australia about the trade agreement with Kuomintang government stating that Australia is arming potential enemies of the empire.
The Kuomintang government on the other hand is happy as Larry after having found a country with which they can purchase anything they desire as long as they have the money to pay for it.
A new wave of migrants is poring into Australia. The Jews of Germany and Europe seeing the growth of anti-Semitism are migrating in large numbers taking everything they can carry. This is seen, as a double boom for Australia as not does Australia’s population increase but these migrants also bring with them a large skill base as well as a large portion of their wealth. The Jewish migrants seeing that most of the other European migrants have settled on the East coast decide that they will form their own communities in the west starting in Perth from where they see the opportunity to expand into the vast empty veldts of Western Australia.
The new Jewish migrants are amassed by the friendly reception they receive. In the past when they had moved to a new country they were either met with open hostility or at best total indifference. They quickly went about setting up their homes and businesses thinking what a lovely friendly place Australia is. After awhile they realise this is not an act and Australians really are a tolerant and friendly people. When they realise this they quickly write to their friends and relatives in Europe and around the world advising them of this wonderful place and advising them to migrate at once. The Jewish community leaders on hearing that some to their brethren can not afford to migrate set up an entirely self funded Jewish migration fund to help the poorer members of their belief migrate to this land of opportunity.
1936: The Australian population has reached 15 million thanks mostly to the influx of Jewish migrants.
The Finance Minister breathes a sigh of relief. Australia’s massive defence spending over the last fifteen years and especially the last five had threatened to destroy Australia’s economy. Only through the grace of God, the spending of Australia’s entire gold reserve, the Machiavellian trades treaties and the massive European migration has allowed him to keep Australia’s economy intact. As he sits in his office he ponders how best to exploit the situation in Europe.
The depression is slowly fading across the world as production increased. This increase can be contributed to the large-scale military build up of Germany, Japan and other nations with territorial ambitions.
Australia has received enormous benefits from their drive for territory supplying everything from trucks and paper to weapons and rubber. Every country on Earth now knows that all they need is money and with this money Australia will supply whatever you need as long as they can produce it.
In Europe, the European leaders issue an objection to Australia’s migration policy claiming Australia is bribing away large numbers of skilled workers. Together they issue a statement to the world saying they are all enacting the new Australian migration law which makes it illegal for any migrant leaving for Australia to take their possessions with them. The only European country not to enact this specific type of law is Germany, which is already confiscating Jewish property and is only too happy to see them leave.
Germany looking to make the best use of Australia’s German population commissions Australia to build a further three battleships for Germany. Along with this deal Germany also starts importing large quantities of raw materials that Germany has had difficulties acquiring in the past.
In Asia, both Japan and the Kuomintang government continue to purchase large quantities to weapons, material and equipment. It becomes obvious to most of the world that both sides are preparing for war.
The foreign firms that originally set up in Australia are sitting pretty with some for their Australian operations making more profits then their parent companies.
1937: In a move that surprises no one Japan launches a massive assault on the Chinese Kuomintang government.
The USA, USSR, France and the British Empire condemn the Japanese attack. After consulting with these countries the USA places a total trade embargo on Japan.
Although Japan makes some impressive gains losses are high as the Kuomintang armed forces make good use to their newly purchased motorised fighting vehicles and mobile artillery to make the Japanese invaders pay a heavy price for every inch of territory they gain.
Australia is approached by the Japanese who then demand that Australia stops selling arms and equipment to what they refer to as rebel bandits. When Australia refuses the Japanese ambassador starts to threaten the existing trade agreement but stops himself before he utters a word. He realises that with the trade embargo against Japan, Australia might be the only country that is willing to supply the resources to keep Japans war machine going as well as the oil that the IJN will need to protect the home islands.
In Europe the anti-Australian immigration laws has slowed migration to Australia. In order to bypass the financial penalties relating to these laws Swiss banks have started acting as agents for the migrants taking possession of their wealth as a fund manager. The genius of this plan is that people can migrate and claim to have no disposable assets. When in fact, they are actually a member of a managed fund, which comprises of the assets of anybody who chose to transfer their assets to any of the Swiss banks who manage these schemes. The Swiss banks as fund managers charge entry and exit fees as well as annual account keeping fees.
In Australia migration has slowed but by no means stopped as the poorer people who don’t have much to lose migrate while the richer ones enter the various schemes allowing them to hide their assets.
With a war waging in China and dark clouds of aggression gathering in Europe the Australian government orders more military equipment.
The RAN get a further 10 more heavy cruisers and 15 O class submarines. The RAAF get a further 300 FA-1 fighters and 90 of the new Fokker B-1 Bombers. The Army gets a further 300 modified MFV these new vehicles will be of half track configuration allowing better access to the desert regions of Australia.
Part Two - revised
And yes Michael there 1947 added just for you
1938: The Japanese ambassador is screaming at the Australian Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons about the increased cost of Australian resources and oil. After he has finished his tirade the Australian Prime Minister asks if he has anything else he wishes to say. The Japanese ambassador states this is blackmail and the Japanese Empire will not pay these prices. On hearing this the Australian Prime Minister says that if this is what the Japanese government wishes so be it. He pauses for effect and then continues by saying if the Japanese don’t want to purchase these resources I’m sure there are other governments who would. Hearing this the Japanese ambassador knowing that his country has no other supplier says that Japan will purchase the resources it will however object and will continue to object to the large cost increases over the last two years. With this said the Japanese ambassador storms out of the Prime Ministers office.
The Australian Finance Minister is looking over Australia’s finances. These finances though not healthy is in better shape than expected this due in no small measure to embargos placed on Japan and to a lesser extent Germany. Still the minister is concerned Australia’s massive naval program along with the other defence programs has stretched the economy to breaking point. He ponders this for a moment and realises that it is only through the exploitation of Australia’s vast natural resources that has kept the Australian trade figures in the black.
In foreign developments the Japanese – Soviet border disputes has developed into a low intensity proxy war with daily artillery bombardments combined with cross border incursions by vassal forces.
In Europe the military build up by all the power blocks has accelerated with these countries chasing resources to fuel their war production.
1939: This was a year of conflict as the great European powers once again went to war for the second time in twenty years.
For most of the year Australia continued its policy of selling manufactured goods and raw materials to anybody who could afford to pay. As the conflicts in Asia and Europe intensified demand for Australian goods and supplies grew to the extent that other countries were in fact paying for Australia’s military build up.
When Germany invaded Poland and Britain and France declared war on Germany the Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies introduced a bill into parliament demanding that Australia support the mother country and declare war on Germany as well.
The debate of the German war bill lasted for several weeks much to consternation of Menzies and the ruling United Australia Party. When the vote finally came, the bill failed passage by 23 votes. In a statement the next day Robert Menzies resigned as Prime Minister stating that if parliament has no trust in his leadership then he in good conscience can’t continue to hold office.
After several hours of behind the scene negotiations between the UAP, Country and Labor parties a government of national unity is formed with Earle Page, Country Party as Prime Minister and John Curtin as his deputy.
While the war waged in Europe and Asia, Australian ships continued to ply the seas trading goods and resources in exchange for technology and other items of value. None of the waring powers attacked these ships as supplies vital to both are carried on the same ships.
With Australia neutral yet containing large numbers of migrants from the belligerent countries the governments of these countries court Australia trying to draw it into their spheres of influence. Although not successful these countries continue to maintain excellent relations and have ordered their forces not to engage any Australian vessels and thus endanger a valuable source of resources.
On the domestic front Australia is struggling with an influx of migrants from Europe who fled their countries as the dark clouds of conflict raced across Europe. Australia’s population is now 19 million with over one and a half million mostly Jewish migrants arriving in the last year alone.
The outbreak of war has increased the need for national defence with naval construction already a high priority the air force benefits greatly with the Australian government ordering a further 30 B-1 bombers and 600 Fokker FA-2 fighter-bombers. These aircraft have nearly twice the range of the FA-1 but more importantly they are able to use air dropped torpedoes the design of which was part of a trade agreement with Japan.
The Australian government realising that Australia can only be attacked by air and naval forces start a program to upgrade all the FA-1’s and the early production models of the B-1 bomber to enable them to use air dropped torpedoes.
Over the last five years Australia has had a cooperative exchange program for military technology running with all their trading partners. Although Australia has chosen not to use most of the technology due to the cost of development, the technical plans were used to improve the basic designs of Australia’s homegrown equipment.
1940: The war in Europe has taken a turn for the worst with Germany invading the Low Countries to out manoeuvre the Anglo-French forces in Belgium and France.
By the middle of the year Germany will have conquered France, Belgium and the Low Countries. The war on the continent is effectively over with only air and to a lesser extent naval battles between the UK and Germany. With most of their ground forces freed from combat Germany starts a military build up on the Soviet border.
In a move that surprises the world Australia with the blessing to the Dutch government takes control of the Dutch East Indies. Australia will administer these Dutch possessions until their status can be determined after the European war.
In order to prevent any power just walking in and over running the DEI Australia bases a cruiser squadron and ten FA-2 fighter squadrons to protect the Dutch interests.
Of the major powers only the Americans and Germans object to Australia’s actions with the Germans acknowledging the later determination of these territories status is not unreasonable. In private the German Ambassador expresses his governments displeasure with Australia’s action but with the war continuing in Europe and Germany’s increasing need for raw materials no further action is taken.
Japan is similarly surprised by Australia’s actions, their Ambassador however agrees to publicly support Australia if Japan gets a preferential deal for the purchase of oil from the DEI and the Bass Strait fields.
Captain F E Getting of the HMAS Canberra, while escorting Australian merchant ships through the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea notices the effectiveness of German and Japanese submarines. After some thought he writes a paper on the effectiveness of sea denial by submarines in Co-operation with surface units and aircraft. This naval paper is forwarded to the naval command through the usual channels. Captain Getting then returns to his duties as captain of the Canberra.
In other surprising developments the Japanese and the Kuomintang government of China agree to a cessation of hostilities. The terms of peace are the ceding of all of northern China to the Japanese by the Kuomintang government. In exchange for this territory and the end of hostilities Japan must assist the Kuomintang government in eradicating the communist insurgents in both Northern and Southern China.
With the war in China an inequitable draw both the Japanese and Kuomintang governments start a massive rearmament program to replace the equipment lost during the three-year war. The Kuomintang government asks Australian manufacturers to build them large numbers of mobile anti-tank artillery based on the German 88mm guns currently seeing service in Europe. They also purchase replacement motorised fighting vehicles, artillery and aircraft.
In the North of China the small scale Japanese – Soviet border war has taken on a life of it’s own with both side taking more direct action instead of through their proxy forces. Both sides continue their military build ups and it is considered only a matter of time before one or the other invade.
In Germany on December 8th the German Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler while being briefed on the preparations for the attack on the Soviet Union suddenly slumps forward and falls across the table. By the time medical assistance arrives the Fuhrer has died from the results of a massive stroke. The political manoeuvres that follow sees Rudolf Hess become Fuhrer with Reinhard Heydrich promoted to Reich Minister and deputy Fuhrer.
The Egyptian campaign has been a disaster for Great Britain and her allies. With the loss of so much equipment in France, the British army had to lay the burden of defence for Egypt on the shoulders of the colonies. Responding to the call to arms New Zealand sent five divisions to Egypt to help in the defence of the Suez Canal. The New Zealand army corps along with two English brigades and several divisions from South Africa and India is all the forces deployed to protect Egypt. The forces were deployed along the coastal road in such a fashion as to deny easy passage to the numerically superior Italian forces. What the allied forces didn’t take into account was the lack of allied naval forces in the Mediterranean. This was brought about by the need of the Royal Navy to scatter across the Atlantic searching for the powerful German battleships raiding convoys and attacking smaller naval vessels. On top of this threat was the u-boats acting in concert with the battleships. The threats posed by these German naval forces forced Great Britain to recall the Mediterranean squadron to combat the Germans in the Atlantic.
The Italian declaration of war came as a nasty surprise to the British who suddenly found themselves with more tasks for the navy than ships available. When advised of the situation Churchill made a calculated decision to allow the colonial forces to defend Egypt without naval support. This led to a situation where Italian navy and airforce backed by the Luftwaffe were able to smash the dug in colonial forces while the Italian army was able to advance with little direct opposition. When the battle at Tobruk was finished the allied forces had been routed with the New Zealand army corps virtually destroyed and the other allied units so badly mauled that they didn’t stop running until they reached reinforcements at Alexandria. The only thing that stopped the Italian army from conquering all of Egypt was their misguided belief that they were being led into a massive defensive belt and the forces that they had crushed had been left behind to buy time for the defences to be completed.
1941: The capture and execution of Mao Tse-tung in January was the spark that started the great Soviet- Japanese war. When the Japanese did this the Chinese communist party fell into a power struggle that was to fracture the party for all time with the pro-soviet verses the Chinese nationalist communists not only fighting amongst themselves but also the Japanese and the Kuomintang governments. To stop their socialist brothers from being destroyed the Soviet Union launches a massive attack on Japanese Manchuko and Northern China. Although the Soviet gains are initially impressive, losses amongst the Soviet tank forces are high as the newly acquired mobile anti-tank artillery built both in Japan and Australia inflict casualties that can only be made up by diverting forces from other regions of the USSR.
At the end of the year the USA decides it must support democratic governments around the world and starts offering for sale at commercial rates military hardware.
Of the countries to take advantage of this offer only Free France, Canada, the UK and surprisingly Australia ask to either licence build or purchase directly equipment built in America. Australia although in the USA’s bad books for ignoring the Japanese embargo is still allowed to licence certain technology. The biggest surprises however is the Australian governments’ request for the plans to the Essex class aircraft carrier so that Australia could build their own carriers.
For Great Britain and Germany 1941 is a year of change. In Germany Rudolf Hess the new Fuhrer and Reinhard Heydrich consolidate their power base. To do this they need to show that the war is nearing conclusion.
Just after the New Year the German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop acting through the Spanish offers Great Britain peace. The offer includes German withdrawal from Norway and the Low Countries so long as certain conditions are met relating to the passage of German ships and other defence concerns as well as the Italian withdrawal from occupied Egypt. No mention of France or Poland is made.
Churchill after hearing the German peace plan vowels never to accept peace with Germany as long as they hold a single inch of occupied territory. This causes much unrest in the war cabinet and parliament as the Germans have offered a very reasonable peace plus they have offered to remove the Italian troops from Egypt with out Britain having to fight to get Egypt back. After this statement is made Anthony Eden approaches Churchill and advises him to reconsider, as there is considerable discord with this stance. Churchill refuses stating that he would resign rather than negotiate with the fascists. The stand off between Churchill and the war cabinet continued for several days. When the issue finally came to a head Churchill lost a vote of no confidence and resigned as Prime Minister. His replacement was Anthony Eden who then on the advice of the war cabinet accepted the German peace plan.
Thus ended the Second European Civil War. The winner’s from the war were Germany who retained occupied France including all its overseas territories and Poland. The British retained their empire and got back Egypt. The only compromise they had to make was to acknowledge Italian sovereignty of Italian East Africa and the return of Germany’s overseas colonies.
For Italy they came out with a new confidence in their military and a promise of German assistance in the conquest of Yugoslavia if they withdrew from Egypt. Mussolini although not happy with being pressured to give up territory won on the field of battle will comply as long as Germany assists with the conquest of the Slavs and further down the track perhaps Greece as well.
The other policy change in Germany involved the Jews. Instead of being rounded up and placed in concentration camps the Jews were forcibly relocated to Australia who welcomed them with open arms. Germany pays for the cost of the forced relocation with the confiscated assets of the Jews. The Jews themselves though happy to be safe from the Nazis are displeased by the confiscation of their assets and start agitating the worlds politicians to force Germany to return their assets. Their pleas fall on deaf ears, as no one is willing to go to war over such an inconsequential matter.
1942: The Soviet- Japanese war has proved a disaster for the Soviets. The war in Northern China has cost the Soviets large numbers of their T-34 tanks due to Japanese mobile anti-tank guns. With the continued losses Stalin orders more of the Red Army’s best units to head east to combat the Japanese in Northern China and to attack their forces occupying Vladivostok.
The assault on Vladivostok was a masterstroke by Admiral Yamamoto he used the entire IJN in the assault to support the marines and regular army. So effective was the attack that the port was captured intact and the Japanese were able to flood the area with troops and overwhelm the defenders. After having captured the city Japanese forces then started to expand outside the city taking with them large numbers of artillery and anti-tank weapons to hold off any Soviet attempt to retake the city. By the end of the year Soviet forces will be redirected from the North China front in an attempt to break the Japanese hold on this strategic city.
Italy with covert backing of Germany invades Yugoslavia. Even though all the major countries denounce the invasion nobody comes to Yugoslavia’s aid. The only assistance they get is military equipment either given or leased to them by Britain or the USA.
The Asian wars have proved a boom for Australia as most the Asian nations order the purchase of Australian military equipment to ward off the perceived threat of Japan.
The two largest purchasers of military equipment are the Japanese and the Kuomintang governments. Both ask to purchase large numbers of aircraft, armoured fighting vehicles artillery and anti-tank weapons. Both governments also continue to purchase large quantities of oil and other resources essential to their domestic needs.
In the aftermath of the Second European Civil War the Dutch seeing that it would be impossible for them to protect their Asian colonies cede them to Australia in exchange for 25% of the revenue generated from the Dutch East Indies oil fields for the next 20 years.
The RAAF seeing the improvement in the Japanese airforce asks Anthony Fokker to design a twin engine interceptor based on the FA-2 design.
Mercedes-Benz with the assistance of Krupp heavy industries start to produce an Australian version of the German Panzer V panther tank. There are several differences in the Australian version however as Mercedes-Benz has decided to go with a more powerful diesel engine and with the assistance of Krupp heavy industries have changed the main armament to the Krupp 105mm K18 L/52 at the request of the Australian Army.
Captain F E Getting having completed his tour of duty as captain of HMAS Canberra is surprised to receive a summons to the First Naval member of the Board. After a two hour meeting Captain Getting is surprised with his promotion Commodore and his new assignment as the commander of Submarine development.
1943: The Soviet- Japanese war has degenerated in a trench warfare style stalemate. The Soviets continue to throw more and more T34 tanks at the Japanese who in turn throw in more aircraft, anti-tank guns and artillery.
The Australian T-1 tank prototype is demonstrated by the Mercedes-Benz - Krupp consortium. The tank impresses everyone present even though it has some teething problems that will be fixed if there is demand for production. After the demonstration the RAA commission the construction of 300 tanks. This order is however dwarfed by the orders placed by the Japanese and the Kuomintang governments who each purchase 1500 tanks each. The German military attache on seeing the performance of the tanks is particularly interested in the main gun. On his recommendation and with the blessing of the General Staff all future German panzers will be armed with the Krupp 105mm K18 L/52.
The RAAF is impressed by the twin engine interceptor designed Anthony Fokker and gets permission for limited production of 120 aircraft of the FAI-2.
Anthony Fokker and the Fokker Aircraft Company in cooperation with Messerschmitt have plans to produce Australia’s first jet aircraft. This aircraft will be a virtual copy of the Me262; the Fokker Aircraft Company using the best ideas from the current Rolls Royce, BMW 003 and Jumo 004 engine designs will build the jet engine.
The Italian war in Yugoslavia continues to consume men and equipment. Benito Mussolini is already starting to have second thoughts about this war but is unwilling to admit error so the war continues.
The Australian finance minister succeeds in his bid to stop any future naval construction apart from those already approved. His impassioned plea to parliament has born fruit and for the first time since 1922 no new naval ships will be laid down.
The most important change in Australia this year is the dissolution of the government of national unity and the holding of elections. The Labor party wins a small majority and forms government pledging social reform and a continuation to the strength of Australia.
In a strange development both Germany and Great Britain independently approach Australia for help in a special project each are running. Secret agreements are reached with both governments, which differ slightly from each other. Germany will share the technology with Australia while Australia will supply the mineral resources and an island for testing.
In payment Germany will cede their newly returned Pacific island holdings (including Papua) to Australia while Australia will provide Germany with cheap resources and sell Germany at cost the T 1 tanks and the jet engines currently being developed by the Fokker aircraft company.
Great Britain agrees to share the technology in exchange for resources and a test area.
In payment Australia gets a preferential trade agreement, very cheap loans and British New Guinea in exchange for a treaty to help protect Britain’s Asian possessions.
Australian now has access to two of the five world powers atomic programs.
America concerned by the activity of the Nazis and the British in atomic research massively increase funding to their atomic program.
The race for the atomic bomb has begun.
In Australia the CSIRO sets up the Australian Atomic Research division under the directorship of Mark Oliphant who has returned to Australia from England.
In his first act as director Mark Oliphant decides that unlike England and Germany who are looking for superbombs the AARD will concentrate on the peaceful usage of the atom.
In other world news Germany takes formal possession of the former French colonies in Indo-china and the Americas (the pacific island colonies having already been ceded to Australia). Resistance by the French colonialists was met by as series of short bloody battles that resulted in German victory and the deaths of hundreds of French colonists.
The Australian population continues to grow with the latest migrants from France and the French colonies fleeing German rule. These French migrants settle in the Northern Territory. Germany has continued its policy of expulsions, running low on Jews the Germans turn their attention to the Slavic people under their control.
Australia’s population has now reached 25 million.
1944: Australia and New Zealand after years of discussions hold referendums to be joined as one nation. The New Zealand referendum is to join the Commonwealth of Australia. In the Australian referendum, Australia has offered statehood to the Northern Territory and the islands of New Zealand, New Guinea, Timor, Celebes, Borneo, Java and Sumatra. After the votes are counted the referendums in both countries are passed and the islands are admitted to the Commonwealth of Australia as Sovereign States.
With the addition of the new states and the European migrants the Australian Commonwealth population is now 65 million.
To bring the new states up to the standards of the original states the federal government introduces a massive education campaign, which includes the building of schools with adjacent health care clinics. Attendance at the school is mandatory for all children between the age of six to sixteen with any higher education voluntary but encouraged. Another part of the program is a weekly learning session in the local town hall so the parents of the children also get the benefit of some education.
To fund this program the Australian government will suspend all future naval construction for the next five years or until the tax revenue has increased to enable adequate funding of this program.
The federal government will also look at other means of generating income to fund the education and the defence programs currently in place.
The Soviet- Japanese war has caused massive losses for both parties. The Japanese however have been unable to produce the equipment required by their army. The Japanese ambassador to Australia approaches the Australian Prime Minister and enquires if Australia has any surplus military equipment that it would be willing to sell to the Japanese. After consultations with the defence chiefs the Australian Prime Minister advises the Japanese ambassador that Australia is in the process of upgrading it’s military and that a lot of the older equipment could be sold ahead of schedule if the equipment was paid for up front. The Japanese agree and the first transfer of equipment begins in early May. With this agreement in place Australia will be weaker over the next couple of years as new more modern equipment is produced to replace the old. By the end of this time however Australia will have one of the worlds’ most modern armies and air forces composed of modern tanks, tracked armoured fighting vehicles, self propelled artillery and both jet and piston powered aircraft.
The tanks already being produces by Mercedes-Benz - Krupp consortium have left their mark on the army and the Australian government increases its order to 3000 units. This consortium also wins the contract for the 203-mm self-propelled artillery.
The AFV’s will be produced by GHM after they submitted a composite design using the best features of both the British and German designs.
At the Fokker Aircraft Company, Anthony Fokker has successfully tested his new jet engine. Examples of this engine will be fitted to the JF-1 jet fighter for test and evaluation. If successful both the jet engine and aircraft will be put into full production.
The Italian war in Yugoslavia is starting to look better for the Italians as the Germans have sold all their surplus old design panzers to the Italians. The German army is now made entirely of motorised and mechanised vehicles with panzers of nothing less the up-gunned mark V and the new Tiger II. (Due to the war ending early the Tiger I only had a production run of a few hundred vehicles)
With their new panzers the Italians will be able to break the back of the Slavs before the year is out and will be posturing on the Greek border their intent clear.
The Germans are watching the Soviet- Japanese war with interest. The Germans take particular note of all the Soviet panzer units sent to the east. For the first time the Germans actually have more panzers and men in Europe than the Soviets. The Germans know they only have to wait a short time until they will be able to land the knockout blow to Bolshevik menace. With their new panzers, jets, rockets and the promise of a new super bomb the German general’s start planning the aborted operation Barbarossa.
The United Kingdom has not been idle since the peace treaty. New tanks, jets and ships have been constructed to lessen the threat of the Third Reich. While these were being constructed research continued on the atomic project and the UK made closer ties to its Commonwealth countries and the United States.
Anthony Eden sits in his office and ponders the lost chances. England can no longer defeat Germany, she must now wait and bide her time until the Reich destroys itself.
1945: The war in the east has taken a turn for the worst for the Soviets. The Japanese army re-equipped by the former Australian army AFV’s and tanks have launched a lightening raid from Northern China and pocketed the Red Army between itself and the Vladivostok enclave. This battle could prove to be the turning point in the war as neither side has the ability to replace the equipment being consumed or the finances to purchase replacements.
Seeing yet more forces being moved east by the Soviets, Fuhrer Hess orders Germany to war against the Bolsheviks. After consultation with his generals it is decided the war will commence on July 4th.
The Italian war in Yugoslavia has come to an abrupt end as Italy’s new panzer divisions have smashed organised resistance. Although he had planned to continue the war into Greece, his generals convince Benito Mussolini that the continuing partisan attacks should delay any move on Greece until the partisans are crushed.
In Australia the army and airforce have been gutted by arms sales to Japan. All 600 of the airforce’s FA-1 and 300 of the FA-2 aircraft have been sold to Japan along with 600 of the army’s MFV’s and 300 pieces of 203mm towed artillery.
The proceeds of the sale of this equipment will go to the purchase of the new equipment ordered the previous year.
The Fokker Aircraft Company’s JF-1 jet fighter has been approved for production and 600 aircraft are ordered to replace those sold to Japan.
The Fokker JE-001 jet engine is the leader of the field as it was developed using the best ideas from both Germany and England. This engine weighed 950kg with two turbines and afterburner. Although larger than the engines used in the Me262 it produces 1500kg of thrust. This allows the JF-1 jet fighter a maximum speed of 620mph or 990km/h at 8000m and a maximum service ceiling of 13000m.
In other Australian news the incorporation of the various islands into the Commonwealth is progressing well with one noticeable exception. The inhabitants of Bougainville and their relatives on the Solomon Islands have been agitating to be reunited. Australia offers to include the Solomon in the islands’ territory that is being organised for eventual entry as a state as long as the United Kingdom agrees with their inclusion. This focuses the attention of the islanders on the UK and away from Australia.
The Australian Atomic Research division under the directorship of Mark Oliphant has developed the world’s first experimental atomic power plant. The plant is very small and has only been designed to prove the feasibility of atomic power. It will be another two years before the AARD are ready to design a unit that produces an economical power output in relation to the cost of construction.
1946: Germany’s attack on the USSR has been a raging success. German units in the north managed to encircle Leningrad and liberate the Baltic States. By the end of the year German forces of Army Group North are closing a ring of steel around Moscow. The central and southern Army Groups have raced forward initially against little opposition and such is the success of these drives that unless Soviet forces are withdrawn from the east the Germans will reach the Ural mountains by the middle of next year.
In Australia the Fokker Aircraft Company has the JF-1 jet fighter in full production. Such is the demand for the jet engines that both Mercedes-Benz and a newly formed BMW Australia have licensed the rights to build these engines for both internal and export markets. One of the surprise purchasers of these engines is the US who has finally decided to start building jet aircraft.
In a chance meeting in Canberra, Mark Oliphant and Commodore F E Getting run into each other. After apologising to Mark Oliphant Commodore Getting offers to buy him lunch. During the course of a pleasant meal both men talk about their work and enjoy each other’s company. They pledge to keep in touch as they go there separate ways.
The Soviets in a last ditch effort manage to break out of the Japanese encirclement and rush westwards to try and stop the Germans form capturing any more of their European territories. The result of this effort is that the Soviets effectively cede control of Northern China and Vladivostok to the Japanese.
America seeing the potential dismemberment of the Soviet Union commences the sale of large quantities of military equipment in the hope of slowing the German and Japanese advances.
England’s colonial troubles are starting to cause serious strain on their military and finances the Solomon Islands have descended into a war zone with any non native being a fair target. In Africa, the Royal army is deployed in an attempt to prevent Germany or Italy gaining more territory. On top of these troubles is the increasing racial tensions in South Africa along with that countries increasingly friendly relations with Germany.
Australia is now in transition as the new states have put tremendous strain on its economy. The new schools and medical clinics are absorbing a large percentage of resources yet this must be done to prevent them falling back into their old tribal conflicts. The various government ministers are meeting to discuss the allocation of resources at the end of this meeting it is decided that the children of the new states will receive the bulk of the educational resources. The general consensus is if the children are educated to current western standards they will be able to assist administering their states and in time will form not only their own governments but also most of Australia’s. As the cost of the incorporating the new states is increasing a decision is made to stop all future construction of naval surface units for the next ten years while encouraging investment and development of resources will continue. In a closing statement the Prime Minister tells parliament that although the road ahead is difficult the rewards of successful integration of the new states far out weigh the short term cost.
1947: In a move that surprises nobody Marshal Zhukov, led a coup against Stalin and Beria. What does surprise the rest of the world is a negotiated settlement with the Nazis. In exchange for all territory west of the 35th meridian that includes the city of Leningrad, Germany will assist Russia in a war to push the Japanese from the Far East. The German assistance will mostly be economic and material although the peace treaty does leave room for Germany to enter as a combatant at the request of Russia.
Marshal Zhukov does not like the deal that has been made but it is better to have most of your own country under your control, than none at all. After all once the Japs are dealt with he can always start planning the return of the western lands.
In Germany Hess and Heydrich are resentful of the fact that they had to make peace with the Slavs. However as Reich minister Speer had informed them that unless Germany reduced it’s expenditures and started repaying it’s debts the entire German economy would come to a halt and Germany would be facing the 1920’s hyperinflation all over again. Making the best of a bad situation they offered peace to Zhukov in exchange for most of they territory already captured. In this way they could lift some of the burden of war from the people while still claiming victory. After all both men know that this is only a temporary measure until the new super-weapons are available to destroy the Slavs once and for all.
The news for England is getting worse year by year. The use of RN surface units to try to put down the rebellion in the Solomon Islands has done nothing more than inflame an already volatile situation. The deaths of hundreds of villagers by naval gunfire after a canoe filled with explosives was paddled up to a British destroyer and detonated by a small group of radical islanders did nothing but inflame an already desperate local population.
In India, the local population seeing the rebellion in the Solomon’s demands the independence that was promised during the war.
To cap off an already bad situation South Africa having already been castigated by England over their new apartheid laws declares independence and immediately partitions entry to the Axis. The application is granted by Germany and Italy before England has a chance to formally respond to the declaration of independence.
In the Far East the war has turned ugly for the Japanese. Betrayed by their German allies the Japanese are now facing the full might of a nationalistic Russia, which is purchasing the very latest panzers and aircraft from their former allies. In the course of just a few months the Russians have managed to push the Japanese back to the positions they held before the German entry into the war.
Seeing the very real danger this new alliance posses to themselves the Japanese Ambassador approaches the Australian government seeking to acquire more panzers, aircraft and any other military equipment Australia will provide to stave off any threat to Northern China and Vladivostok until their super-weapons are ready. In exchange for the equipment and even more oil and resources Japan will transfer three Akagi class carriers to Australia as well as giving Australia access to it’s atomic, chemical and biological weapons programs.
Australian now has access to three of the five world powers atomic programs as well as access to chemical and biological programs that might help rid Australia of the rabbits and cane toads that are infesting southern and northern Australia.
Mark Oliphant and Commodore F E Getting having become firm friends are meeting for their weekly luncheon appointment. While eating Mark invites Frank to a tour of the Australian Atomic Research division.
During the tour three days later Frank getting is amassed by the prospects of atomic power. In a discussion with Mark Oliphant both men decide to push their respective organisations into closer Co-operation. As he stands to leave Frank turns to Mark and says what an amassing world we are creating to think that it is within our power to create a ship or submarine that would only need to refuel every few years. Before he leaves both men pledge to make atomic propulsion a reality and not something from pulp fiction stories.
The Australian economy is starting to rebound after the expense of the organising the new states. Although this program is far from complete the additional military orders from Japan, Nationalist China, South Africa and India has all Australian industries running at maximum output in addition to the military orders these nations are also buying non military products to replace or punish those who had betrayed or exploited them in the past. Even though the British have threatened to break the agreements they made at the end of the war, the Australian finance minister is not concerned after all India and China alone has four times the population of England.
If England breaks their agreement; Australian has new markets in south-east and south-west Asia to exploit. As he sits in his office pondering what to do should England negate their agreements he smiles and thinks to himself why should we be so beholden to a dieing colonial power when there are new markets to open for trade and other ties waiting in line.
In America their atomic bomb program is advancing and seems only a matter of time before the new super-bomb will be ready.
However in the rest of the US things are not so rosy the trade deals made with the Russians have petered out with peace being made with the Germans. After all why buy second rate tanks when you can have state of the art ones from the Germans and Australians. President Truman sits in his office and thinks of what a poison chalice he has been given since taking over the presidency. The US economy is drifting in and out of recession and it appears that the only people willing to trade with the US is Canada and that is because their next door. Even this is a charade as the Canadians are buying all their military equipment from England and Australia. As he sits there he ponders what is required to boost the US economy then it dawns on him; advancing technology is the way to go. By the end of the year new laws will be passed giving enormous tax breaks to anyone who can develop new technologies that can give the US the edge in consumer merchandise and military equipment.
And yes Michael there 1947 added just for you
1938: The Japanese ambassador is screaming at the Australian Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons about the increased cost of Australian resources and oil. After he has finished his tirade the Australian Prime Minister asks if he has anything else he wishes to say. The Japanese ambassador states this is blackmail and the Japanese Empire will not pay these prices. On hearing this the Australian Prime Minister says that if this is what the Japanese government wishes so be it. He pauses for effect and then continues by saying if the Japanese don’t want to purchase these resources I’m sure there are other governments who would. Hearing this the Japanese ambassador knowing that his country has no other supplier says that Japan will purchase the resources it will however object and will continue to object to the large cost increases over the last two years. With this said the Japanese ambassador storms out of the Prime Ministers office.
The Australian Finance Minister is looking over Australia’s finances. These finances though not healthy is in better shape than expected this due in no small measure to embargos placed on Japan and to a lesser extent Germany. Still the minister is concerned Australia’s massive naval program along with the other defence programs has stretched the economy to breaking point. He ponders this for a moment and realises that it is only through the exploitation of Australia’s vast natural resources that has kept the Australian trade figures in the black.
In foreign developments the Japanese – Soviet border disputes has developed into a low intensity proxy war with daily artillery bombardments combined with cross border incursions by vassal forces.
In Europe the military build up by all the power blocks has accelerated with these countries chasing resources to fuel their war production.
1939: This was a year of conflict as the great European powers once again went to war for the second time in twenty years.
For most of the year Australia continued its policy of selling manufactured goods and raw materials to anybody who could afford to pay. As the conflicts in Asia and Europe intensified demand for Australian goods and supplies grew to the extent that other countries were in fact paying for Australia’s military build up.
When Germany invaded Poland and Britain and France declared war on Germany the Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies introduced a bill into parliament demanding that Australia support the mother country and declare war on Germany as well.
The debate of the German war bill lasted for several weeks much to consternation of Menzies and the ruling United Australia Party. When the vote finally came, the bill failed passage by 23 votes. In a statement the next day Robert Menzies resigned as Prime Minister stating that if parliament has no trust in his leadership then he in good conscience can’t continue to hold office.
After several hours of behind the scene negotiations between the UAP, Country and Labor parties a government of national unity is formed with Earle Page, Country Party as Prime Minister and John Curtin as his deputy.
While the war waged in Europe and Asia, Australian ships continued to ply the seas trading goods and resources in exchange for technology and other items of value. None of the waring powers attacked these ships as supplies vital to both are carried on the same ships.
With Australia neutral yet containing large numbers of migrants from the belligerent countries the governments of these countries court Australia trying to draw it into their spheres of influence. Although not successful these countries continue to maintain excellent relations and have ordered their forces not to engage any Australian vessels and thus endanger a valuable source of resources.
On the domestic front Australia is struggling with an influx of migrants from Europe who fled their countries as the dark clouds of conflict raced across Europe. Australia’s population is now 19 million with over one and a half million mostly Jewish migrants arriving in the last year alone.
The outbreak of war has increased the need for national defence with naval construction already a high priority the air force benefits greatly with the Australian government ordering a further 30 B-1 bombers and 600 Fokker FA-2 fighter-bombers. These aircraft have nearly twice the range of the FA-1 but more importantly they are able to use air dropped torpedoes the design of which was part of a trade agreement with Japan.
The Australian government realising that Australia can only be attacked by air and naval forces start a program to upgrade all the FA-1’s and the early production models of the B-1 bomber to enable them to use air dropped torpedoes.
Over the last five years Australia has had a cooperative exchange program for military technology running with all their trading partners. Although Australia has chosen not to use most of the technology due to the cost of development, the technical plans were used to improve the basic designs of Australia’s homegrown equipment.
1940: The war in Europe has taken a turn for the worst with Germany invading the Low Countries to out manoeuvre the Anglo-French forces in Belgium and France.
By the middle of the year Germany will have conquered France, Belgium and the Low Countries. The war on the continent is effectively over with only air and to a lesser extent naval battles between the UK and Germany. With most of their ground forces freed from combat Germany starts a military build up on the Soviet border.
In a move that surprises the world Australia with the blessing to the Dutch government takes control of the Dutch East Indies. Australia will administer these Dutch possessions until their status can be determined after the European war.
In order to prevent any power just walking in and over running the DEI Australia bases a cruiser squadron and ten FA-2 fighter squadrons to protect the Dutch interests.
Of the major powers only the Americans and Germans object to Australia’s actions with the Germans acknowledging the later determination of these territories status is not unreasonable. In private the German Ambassador expresses his governments displeasure with Australia’s action but with the war continuing in Europe and Germany’s increasing need for raw materials no further action is taken.
Japan is similarly surprised by Australia’s actions, their Ambassador however agrees to publicly support Australia if Japan gets a preferential deal for the purchase of oil from the DEI and the Bass Strait fields.
Captain F E Getting of the HMAS Canberra, while escorting Australian merchant ships through the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea notices the effectiveness of German and Japanese submarines. After some thought he writes a paper on the effectiveness of sea denial by submarines in Co-operation with surface units and aircraft. This naval paper is forwarded to the naval command through the usual channels. Captain Getting then returns to his duties as captain of the Canberra.
In other surprising developments the Japanese and the Kuomintang government of China agree to a cessation of hostilities. The terms of peace are the ceding of all of northern China to the Japanese by the Kuomintang government. In exchange for this territory and the end of hostilities Japan must assist the Kuomintang government in eradicating the communist insurgents in both Northern and Southern China.
With the war in China an inequitable draw both the Japanese and Kuomintang governments start a massive rearmament program to replace the equipment lost during the three-year war. The Kuomintang government asks Australian manufacturers to build them large numbers of mobile anti-tank artillery based on the German 88mm guns currently seeing service in Europe. They also purchase replacement motorised fighting vehicles, artillery and aircraft.
In the North of China the small scale Japanese – Soviet border war has taken on a life of it’s own with both side taking more direct action instead of through their proxy forces. Both sides continue their military build ups and it is considered only a matter of time before one or the other invade.
In Germany on December 8th the German Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler while being briefed on the preparations for the attack on the Soviet Union suddenly slumps forward and falls across the table. By the time medical assistance arrives the Fuhrer has died from the results of a massive stroke. The political manoeuvres that follow sees Rudolf Hess become Fuhrer with Reinhard Heydrich promoted to Reich Minister and deputy Fuhrer.
The Egyptian campaign has been a disaster for Great Britain and her allies. With the loss of so much equipment in France, the British army had to lay the burden of defence for Egypt on the shoulders of the colonies. Responding to the call to arms New Zealand sent five divisions to Egypt to help in the defence of the Suez Canal. The New Zealand army corps along with two English brigades and several divisions from South Africa and India is all the forces deployed to protect Egypt. The forces were deployed along the coastal road in such a fashion as to deny easy passage to the numerically superior Italian forces. What the allied forces didn’t take into account was the lack of allied naval forces in the Mediterranean. This was brought about by the need of the Royal Navy to scatter across the Atlantic searching for the powerful German battleships raiding convoys and attacking smaller naval vessels. On top of this threat was the u-boats acting in concert with the battleships. The threats posed by these German naval forces forced Great Britain to recall the Mediterranean squadron to combat the Germans in the Atlantic.
The Italian declaration of war came as a nasty surprise to the British who suddenly found themselves with more tasks for the navy than ships available. When advised of the situation Churchill made a calculated decision to allow the colonial forces to defend Egypt without naval support. This led to a situation where Italian navy and airforce backed by the Luftwaffe were able to smash the dug in colonial forces while the Italian army was able to advance with little direct opposition. When the battle at Tobruk was finished the allied forces had been routed with the New Zealand army corps virtually destroyed and the other allied units so badly mauled that they didn’t stop running until they reached reinforcements at Alexandria. The only thing that stopped the Italian army from conquering all of Egypt was their misguided belief that they were being led into a massive defensive belt and the forces that they had crushed had been left behind to buy time for the defences to be completed.
1941: The capture and execution of Mao Tse-tung in January was the spark that started the great Soviet- Japanese war. When the Japanese did this the Chinese communist party fell into a power struggle that was to fracture the party for all time with the pro-soviet verses the Chinese nationalist communists not only fighting amongst themselves but also the Japanese and the Kuomintang governments. To stop their socialist brothers from being destroyed the Soviet Union launches a massive attack on Japanese Manchuko and Northern China. Although the Soviet gains are initially impressive, losses amongst the Soviet tank forces are high as the newly acquired mobile anti-tank artillery built both in Japan and Australia inflict casualties that can only be made up by diverting forces from other regions of the USSR.
At the end of the year the USA decides it must support democratic governments around the world and starts offering for sale at commercial rates military hardware.
Of the countries to take advantage of this offer only Free France, Canada, the UK and surprisingly Australia ask to either licence build or purchase directly equipment built in America. Australia although in the USA’s bad books for ignoring the Japanese embargo is still allowed to licence certain technology. The biggest surprises however is the Australian governments’ request for the plans to the Essex class aircraft carrier so that Australia could build their own carriers.
For Great Britain and Germany 1941 is a year of change. In Germany Rudolf Hess the new Fuhrer and Reinhard Heydrich consolidate their power base. To do this they need to show that the war is nearing conclusion.
Just after the New Year the German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop acting through the Spanish offers Great Britain peace. The offer includes German withdrawal from Norway and the Low Countries so long as certain conditions are met relating to the passage of German ships and other defence concerns as well as the Italian withdrawal from occupied Egypt. No mention of France or Poland is made.
Churchill after hearing the German peace plan vowels never to accept peace with Germany as long as they hold a single inch of occupied territory. This causes much unrest in the war cabinet and parliament as the Germans have offered a very reasonable peace plus they have offered to remove the Italian troops from Egypt with out Britain having to fight to get Egypt back. After this statement is made Anthony Eden approaches Churchill and advises him to reconsider, as there is considerable discord with this stance. Churchill refuses stating that he would resign rather than negotiate with the fascists. The stand off between Churchill and the war cabinet continued for several days. When the issue finally came to a head Churchill lost a vote of no confidence and resigned as Prime Minister. His replacement was Anthony Eden who then on the advice of the war cabinet accepted the German peace plan.
Thus ended the Second European Civil War. The winner’s from the war were Germany who retained occupied France including all its overseas territories and Poland. The British retained their empire and got back Egypt. The only compromise they had to make was to acknowledge Italian sovereignty of Italian East Africa and the return of Germany’s overseas colonies.
For Italy they came out with a new confidence in their military and a promise of German assistance in the conquest of Yugoslavia if they withdrew from Egypt. Mussolini although not happy with being pressured to give up territory won on the field of battle will comply as long as Germany assists with the conquest of the Slavs and further down the track perhaps Greece as well.
The other policy change in Germany involved the Jews. Instead of being rounded up and placed in concentration camps the Jews were forcibly relocated to Australia who welcomed them with open arms. Germany pays for the cost of the forced relocation with the confiscated assets of the Jews. The Jews themselves though happy to be safe from the Nazis are displeased by the confiscation of their assets and start agitating the worlds politicians to force Germany to return their assets. Their pleas fall on deaf ears, as no one is willing to go to war over such an inconsequential matter.
1942: The Soviet- Japanese war has proved a disaster for the Soviets. The war in Northern China has cost the Soviets large numbers of their T-34 tanks due to Japanese mobile anti-tank guns. With the continued losses Stalin orders more of the Red Army’s best units to head east to combat the Japanese in Northern China and to attack their forces occupying Vladivostok.
The assault on Vladivostok was a masterstroke by Admiral Yamamoto he used the entire IJN in the assault to support the marines and regular army. So effective was the attack that the port was captured intact and the Japanese were able to flood the area with troops and overwhelm the defenders. After having captured the city Japanese forces then started to expand outside the city taking with them large numbers of artillery and anti-tank weapons to hold off any Soviet attempt to retake the city. By the end of the year Soviet forces will be redirected from the North China front in an attempt to break the Japanese hold on this strategic city.
Italy with covert backing of Germany invades Yugoslavia. Even though all the major countries denounce the invasion nobody comes to Yugoslavia’s aid. The only assistance they get is military equipment either given or leased to them by Britain or the USA.
The Asian wars have proved a boom for Australia as most the Asian nations order the purchase of Australian military equipment to ward off the perceived threat of Japan.
The two largest purchasers of military equipment are the Japanese and the Kuomintang governments. Both ask to purchase large numbers of aircraft, armoured fighting vehicles artillery and anti-tank weapons. Both governments also continue to purchase large quantities of oil and other resources essential to their domestic needs.
In the aftermath of the Second European Civil War the Dutch seeing that it would be impossible for them to protect their Asian colonies cede them to Australia in exchange for 25% of the revenue generated from the Dutch East Indies oil fields for the next 20 years.
The RAAF seeing the improvement in the Japanese airforce asks Anthony Fokker to design a twin engine interceptor based on the FA-2 design.
Mercedes-Benz with the assistance of Krupp heavy industries start to produce an Australian version of the German Panzer V panther tank. There are several differences in the Australian version however as Mercedes-Benz has decided to go with a more powerful diesel engine and with the assistance of Krupp heavy industries have changed the main armament to the Krupp 105mm K18 L/52 at the request of the Australian Army.
Captain F E Getting having completed his tour of duty as captain of HMAS Canberra is surprised to receive a summons to the First Naval member of the Board. After a two hour meeting Captain Getting is surprised with his promotion Commodore and his new assignment as the commander of Submarine development.
1943: The Soviet- Japanese war has degenerated in a trench warfare style stalemate. The Soviets continue to throw more and more T34 tanks at the Japanese who in turn throw in more aircraft, anti-tank guns and artillery.
The Australian T-1 tank prototype is demonstrated by the Mercedes-Benz - Krupp consortium. The tank impresses everyone present even though it has some teething problems that will be fixed if there is demand for production. After the demonstration the RAA commission the construction of 300 tanks. This order is however dwarfed by the orders placed by the Japanese and the Kuomintang governments who each purchase 1500 tanks each. The German military attache on seeing the performance of the tanks is particularly interested in the main gun. On his recommendation and with the blessing of the General Staff all future German panzers will be armed with the Krupp 105mm K18 L/52.
The RAAF is impressed by the twin engine interceptor designed Anthony Fokker and gets permission for limited production of 120 aircraft of the FAI-2.
Anthony Fokker and the Fokker Aircraft Company in cooperation with Messerschmitt have plans to produce Australia’s first jet aircraft. This aircraft will be a virtual copy of the Me262; the Fokker Aircraft Company using the best ideas from the current Rolls Royce, BMW 003 and Jumo 004 engine designs will build the jet engine.
The Italian war in Yugoslavia continues to consume men and equipment. Benito Mussolini is already starting to have second thoughts about this war but is unwilling to admit error so the war continues.
The Australian finance minister succeeds in his bid to stop any future naval construction apart from those already approved. His impassioned plea to parliament has born fruit and for the first time since 1922 no new naval ships will be laid down.
The most important change in Australia this year is the dissolution of the government of national unity and the holding of elections. The Labor party wins a small majority and forms government pledging social reform and a continuation to the strength of Australia.
In a strange development both Germany and Great Britain independently approach Australia for help in a special project each are running. Secret agreements are reached with both governments, which differ slightly from each other. Germany will share the technology with Australia while Australia will supply the mineral resources and an island for testing.
In payment Germany will cede their newly returned Pacific island holdings (including Papua) to Australia while Australia will provide Germany with cheap resources and sell Germany at cost the T 1 tanks and the jet engines currently being developed by the Fokker aircraft company.
Great Britain agrees to share the technology in exchange for resources and a test area.
In payment Australia gets a preferential trade agreement, very cheap loans and British New Guinea in exchange for a treaty to help protect Britain’s Asian possessions.
Australian now has access to two of the five world powers atomic programs.
America concerned by the activity of the Nazis and the British in atomic research massively increase funding to their atomic program.
The race for the atomic bomb has begun.
In Australia the CSIRO sets up the Australian Atomic Research division under the directorship of Mark Oliphant who has returned to Australia from England.
In his first act as director Mark Oliphant decides that unlike England and Germany who are looking for superbombs the AARD will concentrate on the peaceful usage of the atom.
In other world news Germany takes formal possession of the former French colonies in Indo-china and the Americas (the pacific island colonies having already been ceded to Australia). Resistance by the French colonialists was met by as series of short bloody battles that resulted in German victory and the deaths of hundreds of French colonists.
The Australian population continues to grow with the latest migrants from France and the French colonies fleeing German rule. These French migrants settle in the Northern Territory. Germany has continued its policy of expulsions, running low on Jews the Germans turn their attention to the Slavic people under their control.
Australia’s population has now reached 25 million.
1944: Australia and New Zealand after years of discussions hold referendums to be joined as one nation. The New Zealand referendum is to join the Commonwealth of Australia. In the Australian referendum, Australia has offered statehood to the Northern Territory and the islands of New Zealand, New Guinea, Timor, Celebes, Borneo, Java and Sumatra. After the votes are counted the referendums in both countries are passed and the islands are admitted to the Commonwealth of Australia as Sovereign States.
With the addition of the new states and the European migrants the Australian Commonwealth population is now 65 million.
To bring the new states up to the standards of the original states the federal government introduces a massive education campaign, which includes the building of schools with adjacent health care clinics. Attendance at the school is mandatory for all children between the age of six to sixteen with any higher education voluntary but encouraged. Another part of the program is a weekly learning session in the local town hall so the parents of the children also get the benefit of some education.
To fund this program the Australian government will suspend all future naval construction for the next five years or until the tax revenue has increased to enable adequate funding of this program.
The federal government will also look at other means of generating income to fund the education and the defence programs currently in place.
The Soviet- Japanese war has caused massive losses for both parties. The Japanese however have been unable to produce the equipment required by their army. The Japanese ambassador to Australia approaches the Australian Prime Minister and enquires if Australia has any surplus military equipment that it would be willing to sell to the Japanese. After consultations with the defence chiefs the Australian Prime Minister advises the Japanese ambassador that Australia is in the process of upgrading it’s military and that a lot of the older equipment could be sold ahead of schedule if the equipment was paid for up front. The Japanese agree and the first transfer of equipment begins in early May. With this agreement in place Australia will be weaker over the next couple of years as new more modern equipment is produced to replace the old. By the end of this time however Australia will have one of the worlds’ most modern armies and air forces composed of modern tanks, tracked armoured fighting vehicles, self propelled artillery and both jet and piston powered aircraft.
The tanks already being produces by Mercedes-Benz - Krupp consortium have left their mark on the army and the Australian government increases its order to 3000 units. This consortium also wins the contract for the 203-mm self-propelled artillery.
The AFV’s will be produced by GHM after they submitted a composite design using the best features of both the British and German designs.
At the Fokker Aircraft Company, Anthony Fokker has successfully tested his new jet engine. Examples of this engine will be fitted to the JF-1 jet fighter for test and evaluation. If successful both the jet engine and aircraft will be put into full production.
The Italian war in Yugoslavia is starting to look better for the Italians as the Germans have sold all their surplus old design panzers to the Italians. The German army is now made entirely of motorised and mechanised vehicles with panzers of nothing less the up-gunned mark V and the new Tiger II. (Due to the war ending early the Tiger I only had a production run of a few hundred vehicles)
With their new panzers the Italians will be able to break the back of the Slavs before the year is out and will be posturing on the Greek border their intent clear.
The Germans are watching the Soviet- Japanese war with interest. The Germans take particular note of all the Soviet panzer units sent to the east. For the first time the Germans actually have more panzers and men in Europe than the Soviets. The Germans know they only have to wait a short time until they will be able to land the knockout blow to Bolshevik menace. With their new panzers, jets, rockets and the promise of a new super bomb the German general’s start planning the aborted operation Barbarossa.
The United Kingdom has not been idle since the peace treaty. New tanks, jets and ships have been constructed to lessen the threat of the Third Reich. While these were being constructed research continued on the atomic project and the UK made closer ties to its Commonwealth countries and the United States.
Anthony Eden sits in his office and ponders the lost chances. England can no longer defeat Germany, she must now wait and bide her time until the Reich destroys itself.
1945: The war in the east has taken a turn for the worst for the Soviets. The Japanese army re-equipped by the former Australian army AFV’s and tanks have launched a lightening raid from Northern China and pocketed the Red Army between itself and the Vladivostok enclave. This battle could prove to be the turning point in the war as neither side has the ability to replace the equipment being consumed or the finances to purchase replacements.
Seeing yet more forces being moved east by the Soviets, Fuhrer Hess orders Germany to war against the Bolsheviks. After consultation with his generals it is decided the war will commence on July 4th.
The Italian war in Yugoslavia has come to an abrupt end as Italy’s new panzer divisions have smashed organised resistance. Although he had planned to continue the war into Greece, his generals convince Benito Mussolini that the continuing partisan attacks should delay any move on Greece until the partisans are crushed.
In Australia the army and airforce have been gutted by arms sales to Japan. All 600 of the airforce’s FA-1 and 300 of the FA-2 aircraft have been sold to Japan along with 600 of the army’s MFV’s and 300 pieces of 203mm towed artillery.
The proceeds of the sale of this equipment will go to the purchase of the new equipment ordered the previous year.
The Fokker Aircraft Company’s JF-1 jet fighter has been approved for production and 600 aircraft are ordered to replace those sold to Japan.
The Fokker JE-001 jet engine is the leader of the field as it was developed using the best ideas from both Germany and England. This engine weighed 950kg with two turbines and afterburner. Although larger than the engines used in the Me262 it produces 1500kg of thrust. This allows the JF-1 jet fighter a maximum speed of 620mph or 990km/h at 8000m and a maximum service ceiling of 13000m.
In other Australian news the incorporation of the various islands into the Commonwealth is progressing well with one noticeable exception. The inhabitants of Bougainville and their relatives on the Solomon Islands have been agitating to be reunited. Australia offers to include the Solomon in the islands’ territory that is being organised for eventual entry as a state as long as the United Kingdom agrees with their inclusion. This focuses the attention of the islanders on the UK and away from Australia.
The Australian Atomic Research division under the directorship of Mark Oliphant has developed the world’s first experimental atomic power plant. The plant is very small and has only been designed to prove the feasibility of atomic power. It will be another two years before the AARD are ready to design a unit that produces an economical power output in relation to the cost of construction.
1946: Germany’s attack on the USSR has been a raging success. German units in the north managed to encircle Leningrad and liberate the Baltic States. By the end of the year German forces of Army Group North are closing a ring of steel around Moscow. The central and southern Army Groups have raced forward initially against little opposition and such is the success of these drives that unless Soviet forces are withdrawn from the east the Germans will reach the Ural mountains by the middle of next year.
In Australia the Fokker Aircraft Company has the JF-1 jet fighter in full production. Such is the demand for the jet engines that both Mercedes-Benz and a newly formed BMW Australia have licensed the rights to build these engines for both internal and export markets. One of the surprise purchasers of these engines is the US who has finally decided to start building jet aircraft.
In a chance meeting in Canberra, Mark Oliphant and Commodore F E Getting run into each other. After apologising to Mark Oliphant Commodore Getting offers to buy him lunch. During the course of a pleasant meal both men talk about their work and enjoy each other’s company. They pledge to keep in touch as they go there separate ways.
The Soviets in a last ditch effort manage to break out of the Japanese encirclement and rush westwards to try and stop the Germans form capturing any more of their European territories. The result of this effort is that the Soviets effectively cede control of Northern China and Vladivostok to the Japanese.
America seeing the potential dismemberment of the Soviet Union commences the sale of large quantities of military equipment in the hope of slowing the German and Japanese advances.
England’s colonial troubles are starting to cause serious strain on their military and finances the Solomon Islands have descended into a war zone with any non native being a fair target. In Africa, the Royal army is deployed in an attempt to prevent Germany or Italy gaining more territory. On top of these troubles is the increasing racial tensions in South Africa along with that countries increasingly friendly relations with Germany.
Australia is now in transition as the new states have put tremendous strain on its economy. The new schools and medical clinics are absorbing a large percentage of resources yet this must be done to prevent them falling back into their old tribal conflicts. The various government ministers are meeting to discuss the allocation of resources at the end of this meeting it is decided that the children of the new states will receive the bulk of the educational resources. The general consensus is if the children are educated to current western standards they will be able to assist administering their states and in time will form not only their own governments but also most of Australia’s. As the cost of the incorporating the new states is increasing a decision is made to stop all future construction of naval surface units for the next ten years while encouraging investment and development of resources will continue. In a closing statement the Prime Minister tells parliament that although the road ahead is difficult the rewards of successful integration of the new states far out weigh the short term cost.
1947: In a move that surprises nobody Marshal Zhukov, led a coup against Stalin and Beria. What does surprise the rest of the world is a negotiated settlement with the Nazis. In exchange for all territory west of the 35th meridian that includes the city of Leningrad, Germany will assist Russia in a war to push the Japanese from the Far East. The German assistance will mostly be economic and material although the peace treaty does leave room for Germany to enter as a combatant at the request of Russia.
Marshal Zhukov does not like the deal that has been made but it is better to have most of your own country under your control, than none at all. After all once the Japs are dealt with he can always start planning the return of the western lands.
In Germany Hess and Heydrich are resentful of the fact that they had to make peace with the Slavs. However as Reich minister Speer had informed them that unless Germany reduced it’s expenditures and started repaying it’s debts the entire German economy would come to a halt and Germany would be facing the 1920’s hyperinflation all over again. Making the best of a bad situation they offered peace to Zhukov in exchange for most of they territory already captured. In this way they could lift some of the burden of war from the people while still claiming victory. After all both men know that this is only a temporary measure until the new super-weapons are available to destroy the Slavs once and for all.
The news for England is getting worse year by year. The use of RN surface units to try to put down the rebellion in the Solomon Islands has done nothing more than inflame an already volatile situation. The deaths of hundreds of villagers by naval gunfire after a canoe filled with explosives was paddled up to a British destroyer and detonated by a small group of radical islanders did nothing but inflame an already desperate local population.
In India, the local population seeing the rebellion in the Solomon’s demands the independence that was promised during the war.
To cap off an already bad situation South Africa having already been castigated by England over their new apartheid laws declares independence and immediately partitions entry to the Axis. The application is granted by Germany and Italy before England has a chance to formally respond to the declaration of independence.
In the Far East the war has turned ugly for the Japanese. Betrayed by their German allies the Japanese are now facing the full might of a nationalistic Russia, which is purchasing the very latest panzers and aircraft from their former allies. In the course of just a few months the Russians have managed to push the Japanese back to the positions they held before the German entry into the war.
Seeing the very real danger this new alliance posses to themselves the Japanese Ambassador approaches the Australian government seeking to acquire more panzers, aircraft and any other military equipment Australia will provide to stave off any threat to Northern China and Vladivostok until their super-weapons are ready. In exchange for the equipment and even more oil and resources Japan will transfer three Akagi class carriers to Australia as well as giving Australia access to it’s atomic, chemical and biological weapons programs.
Australian now has access to three of the five world powers atomic programs as well as access to chemical and biological programs that might help rid Australia of the rabbits and cane toads that are infesting southern and northern Australia.
Mark Oliphant and Commodore F E Getting having become firm friends are meeting for their weekly luncheon appointment. While eating Mark invites Frank to a tour of the Australian Atomic Research division.
During the tour three days later Frank getting is amassed by the prospects of atomic power. In a discussion with Mark Oliphant both men decide to push their respective organisations into closer Co-operation. As he stands to leave Frank turns to Mark and says what an amassing world we are creating to think that it is within our power to create a ship or submarine that would only need to refuel every few years. Before he leaves both men pledge to make atomic propulsion a reality and not something from pulp fiction stories.
The Australian economy is starting to rebound after the expense of the organising the new states. Although this program is far from complete the additional military orders from Japan, Nationalist China, South Africa and India has all Australian industries running at maximum output in addition to the military orders these nations are also buying non military products to replace or punish those who had betrayed or exploited them in the past. Even though the British have threatened to break the agreements they made at the end of the war, the Australian finance minister is not concerned after all India and China alone has four times the population of England.
If England breaks their agreement; Australian has new markets in south-east and south-west Asia to exploit. As he sits in his office pondering what to do should England negate their agreements he smiles and thinks to himself why should we be so beholden to a dieing colonial power when there are new markets to open for trade and other ties waiting in line.
In America their atomic bomb program is advancing and seems only a matter of time before the new super-bomb will be ready.
However in the rest of the US things are not so rosy the trade deals made with the Russians have petered out with peace being made with the Germans. After all why buy second rate tanks when you can have state of the art ones from the Germans and Australians. President Truman sits in his office and thinks of what a poison chalice he has been given since taking over the presidency. The US economy is drifting in and out of recession and it appears that the only people willing to trade with the US is Canada and that is because their next door. Even this is a charade as the Canadians are buying all their military equipment from England and Australia. As he sits there he ponders what is required to boost the US economy then it dawns on him; advancing technology is the way to go. By the end of the year new laws will be passed giving enormous tax breaks to anyone who can develop new technologies that can give the US the edge in consumer merchandise and military equipment.
Michael said:Great work Syphon, one question at the moment
Basically yes. Stress of office with war being waged across the globe but not being directly involved economy improved by arms sales though a lot of development programs that the US had were not started or were much degraded through not having war time demands.
One area that will be mentioned is the slower development of long rang aircraft.
I'm now writing 1948 and the B29- C47? equivalent aircraft is only just being developed by the Germans with the US not far behind.
Did you like my reference to Atomic propulsion? I have definate goals for this and I tried to write a certain, often very certain Admiral in however I could not work out a way to get him to be an Aussie as his migration to the US from Poland predated the POD and at the POD he was already at the US naval academy.
there should be more about the US in coming segments.
Here you go Michael 48,49 50 & 51
Don't expect too much more after this week as my holidays will be over
The next parts
1948: The war in the Far East has deteriorated into a slug feast with the Russians and Japanese throwing men and equipment at each other with gay abandon. In the last year there has been no real movement of lines with the Japanese well-entrenched in Northern China and Vladivostok. Each side has tried and failed in assaults on the others positions. As the year wore on the combat sank further and further from the modern mobile battlefield and back to the trench warfare of WW1.
The RAN and AARD present to the Australian government a joint proposal for atomic propulsion. AARD has had an experimental atomic pile producing electricity for nearly a year now both organisation are petitioning the government for further funds by saying that if the funding is granted Australia could conceivably construct ships and submarine with nearly unlimited range. After several months of debate cabinet authorises the new program. Frank Getting is promoted to Rear Admiral and is placed in overall command of project Nemo. The goals of Project Nemo is simple to produce a feasible atomic power plant for ships and submarines as well as assisting the development of atomic super-bombs for national defence.
The German economy is slowly improving with all the sales of material and equipment to the Russians. However the coast of the atomic bomb and rocket programs are crippling. Fuhrer Hess is in a quandary seeing the disruption that has started in the British Empire and not wanting this to happen to the Reich he reluctantly orders the demobilisation of the conscripted units in the wehrmacht. It is hoped the demobilisation will inject much needed manpower into the economy while reducing overall military costs. Hess smiles as he thinks how happy Heydrich will be with the reduction to the wehrmacht and how the Waffen SS will now have more active units than the army.
In the US the technological development act has already born fruit with Bell Laboratories developing the transistor. This small electrical component will enable the US to produce radios and televisions that are smaller and lighter than anything seen before.
Other developments in the pipeline is a new large aircraft that can fly across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans without stopping to refuel and computational machines to assist government and business.
Anthony Eden sits in his office and reads of the latest developments of the empire. The news is not good. In India British army regulars fired upon a raging mob. The deaths of hundreds of civilians inflamed an already volatile situation. The Solomon Islands has disintegrated into anarchy and Africa is a powder keg waiting to happen with the Nazis, Italians and Afrikaans; throwing matches to light it off. As he sits there Eden wonders how England ever got into this mess.
Towards the end of the year a new dawn erupts over the Sahara desert in German East Africa, Germany has detonated the world first atomic bomb. A week later at Moruroa Atoll, in the Pacific the British does the same. The atomic age has arrived.
In December the German ambassador to Australia approaches the Australian Prime Minister with an unusual proposition. Fuhrer Hess concerned by the spying activities of the Russians and British have asked for Australian assistance in testing the Reich’s new A6 missile. In exchange for a secret test site and complete privacy Germany will share knowledge of production techniques for the A4 and its precursors. After thinking for a while the Australian PM agrees.
1949: In the Far East one last great push by the Russians has forced the Japanese back into an enclave consisting of Vladivostok and it’s environs. The cost however was enormous with more then two million dead and thousands of tanks and aircraft destroyed Marshall Zhukov nearly succeeded in pushing the Japanese into the sea. Only the direct fire support from the IJN and the combined use of all naval and airforce units prevented a Japanese defeat. In the end the battle for the Far East was a technical draw with the Russians having regained more of their territory at a terrible cost.
For the Japanese they continue to hold this vital harbour but the losses incurred cannot be replaced overnight.
The situation in the Far East is now one of stalemate with both sides exhausted but still fighting for what they believe belongs to them. Both sides now start to lick their wounds and to prepare for future battles. However in the mean time there is a peace of sorts undeclared while both Russia and Japan built their forces for a decisive battle.
At Project Nemo Rear Admiral Frank Getting is having a long discussion with his friend Mark Oliphant. The point of discussion is what would be best vehicle to test the atomic propulsion system in. After much discussion with their various team members it is decided that HMAS Sydney, which is due for a complete overhaul will be fitted with the new propulsion system. As Mark Oliphant states to his friend these ships are already steam powered it is only a matter of converting them to the atomic pile instead of oil fuelled boilers. Rear Admiral Getting agrees with his friend and says he will have the Sydney made available for conversion. Before Mark leaves he asks if the new atomic propulsion system can be make smaller to fit into a submarine. Mark thinks for a while and says I don’t see why not I’ll have a design started immediately. Frank smiles at this and says while you do that please keep me advised as to the size of this system so the new design team for our next generation submarines can incorporate it into their design.
After several years of both violent and peaceful demonstrations Great Britain finally decides to honour its commitment to Indian Independence. From Buckingham Palace King George VI, King of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and Emperor of India in attendance with Anthony Eden Prime Minister of Great Britain announce the independence of India. Lord Mountbatten will be the last royal regent to India while elections are organised and held to determine the new government of India.
In other news Britain quietly transfers sovereignty of the Solomon Islands to Australia to rid themselves of another trouble spot in the empire.
The news of the ceding of the Solomon Islands greeted with joy by the islanders but with rather less relish by the Australian government at it leaves it with yet another island that needs to be educated. In the end the Solomon Islands are incorporated with the other Pacific Islands and will be administered by Canberra as Australian Territorial possessions.
In other Australian news Australia’s detonates an atomic bomb on Fabgatunfa Atoll in late May. Australia’s bomb program is an add on to the Atomic power and propulsion programs and the test is only made to show the world that if need be Australia can build and use these weapons too.
The rest of the year is used continuing the education of the new states and more research in to the various projects the government had previously committed itself to.
In the commercial sector Fokker Aircraft has decided to concentrate on fighters and small bombers, as it can’t compete with German and US firms. Apart from this decision the rest of Australian industry is operating at maximum capacity to meet the growing need for equipment from Japan and Australia’s own domestic needs.
The US detonates its first atomic bomb in late September.
The development of the transistor has shot the US economy into high gear as the US starts to sell radios, TV’s and other miscellaneous electronic equipment to whoever wishes to buy it. In Seatle the Boeing C97 flies for the first time in the coming years it will rival the large German cargo passenger aircraft.
In Germany the first flight of the Junkers Ju EF100 across the Atlantic takes place. This aircraft is capable of taking 100 passengers and their baggage 9000km before refuelling.
The rest of Germany is going through considerable change as the former soldiers of the Reich return to their peacetime trades. This enables Germany for the first time in years to actually start exporting goods to other countries and thus generating income for the Reich to pay off some of the debts it owed to the US and other countries that lent it money through the thirties and forties.
1950: In the Far East nothing really happens apart from both sides building up their forces for a decisive battle. For Japan, Vladivostok and its environs are defended by the IJA 33rd Army. Under General Masaki Honda are seven divisions, including two artillery and one armoured division with lots of recoilless anti tank guns deployed to the infantry.
Russia is building a sizeable army of its own with four armoured divisions, twelve infantry divisions and ten artillery divisions. As the army assembles Marshall Zhukov tells his army commander General Bodin the 8th army must win the war next year or die trying. Explaining himself he once we deal with the Japanese we can then get our lands bank from the fascists in the west who have stupidly demobilised half their army.
In Australia Anthony Fokker demonstrates his new JF-2 jet fighter the engines of this fighter has been improved with methanol injection and during testing this aircraft might even break the sound barrier in a dive. Although a completely Australian construct the design of this aircraft was a combination of the talents of Willy Messerschmitt and Anthony Fokker. The influence of this assistance is not one way, as there will be a considerable Fokker influence in the design of the new Me270.
The Australian government purchases several JF-2’s for testing proposes but otherwise commits itself to no further military expenditure.
Great Britain continues to have problems with its colonies only the continued deployment of the British army prevents other rebellions from breaking out.
Germany continues its economic revival there are however storm clouds on the horizon with several colonies mostly in South East Asia agitating for independence.
Of all the countries of the world the US is in the best shape. The technological development the US government is encouraging has seen the US economy explode with export potential with the US selling all manner of equipment to the South American countries as well as to Britain and other non totalitarian countries. The US could be in even better shape if it wasn’t for the continuing embargoes against the Axis nations and Japan.
South Africa has become one of Australia’s leading trading partners in a few short years. After having disputes with Great Britain over their policies regarding apartheid the South Africans looked for others to supply the equipment, both military and commercial to build their country. With most of Germany’s military construction either being retained for the Germans themselves or being sold to the Russians have left the path open for Australia to supply the goods that the axis can’t and the US won’t. This is a mutually beneficial trading relationship as South Africa has great natural wealth like Australia with which it can purchase goods while having a small industrial base due in no small regard to its racial policies.
Australia’s population including all the islands has reached 70 million. It is however showing a tendency to decline due the greater education taking place amongst the younger women of the island states. A cessation of large-scale migration due to the cost of incorporating the islands of the former Dutch East Indies has also assisted in the relatively small increase in population over the last few years.
1951: The battle for Vladivostok started on the second of February and continued through till June. During this period both sides tore into each other with a vengeance committing more and more forces. It was only in May after three months of heavy fighting was it decided by the Japanese Army command that it was not possible to hold this important city. After having defended the city for so long the 33rd army was unhappy to receive order to prepare for a withdrawal by sea.
In the aftermath of the battle for Vladivostok the Japanese have eventually been forced to withdraw from the city with a seaborne escape the likes of which has never before been seen. The Japanese managed to withdraw over 200,000 solders yet they left behind a further 2500 to slow the advance of the Russians. These troops weren’t the only thing left behind for sitting in a ramshackle hut is a bomb more powerful than any used in the current war.
Three hours after the last of the evacuated troops left, while the fanatical diehard Japanese forces left behind to delay the Russians and while the Russians are flooding the city to flush out the Japanese a new sun lights the morning sky. The first Japanese atomic bomb has just been used.
The Japanese policy of leaving nothing behind for the victors in the event of defeat has taken a new and vicious turn for the worst.
In Northern China the 28th Army under General Tokutaro Sakurai recently reinforced by the forces rescued from Vladivostok is prepared to fight a vengeance war against the Russians who the believe will storm south after what has happened to their Far East Army.
The Kuomintang government of Chiang Kai Shek had been watching the developments in the Far East with some interest. They had been contemplating a move to reunite China when the atomic bomb went off and changed their plans in a hurry. Knowing that to try to take on the Japanese without weapons of this kind of there own would be suicide Chiang Kai Shek looks around for a target of opportunity. Just south of him is Burma a newly independent state that had been freed from colonial rule by the British, as it was too much trouble to control. Smiling he calls his generals together to start planning the invasion of Burma.
HMAS Sydney is recommissioned amongst many fanfares as a CBN atomic powered large cruiser. The atomic propulsion system is not the only change to have taken place over the last three years. The Sydney has also acquired the very latest RADAR controlled gunnery systems and a new transistorised communications along with a brand new electronic jamming system. When it set out on an around the cruise to show the flag it contained the most modern weapons, communication, propulsion and jamming systems of the world. Apart from the old hull the Sydney is the most modern warship on the seven seas.
As it made its way around the world the various governments of the world were shocked and surprised that Australia could build such a modern ship. Little do the world know that within the next year or so Australia will launch the worlds first atomic submarine but won’t announce it like they did the Sydney.
With the success of the Sydney the RAN decides that as each large cruiser comes due for their next overhaul all will be converted to CBN’s.
Within months Germany, Britain, the US, Italy and Japan had either started constructing new ships better that HMAS Sydney or converting existing hulls to compete with Australia. A very new naval race has just begun.
In Australia the Prime Minister is pleased by the reaction to the Sydney. He has already fielded requests from Japan, Britain and Germany for information on the rebuild and has referred all requests for assistance to the RAN.
The Prime Minister has other problems in the last couple of years there has been a growing swell among the new citizens of Australia for a referendum on Australia remaining a constitutional monarchy. With the British Empire falling apart many citizens believe it is time for Australia to formally sever its ties to King and for Australia to become a republic. After careful consideration by him and the cabinet it is decided to call an early election on November 3rd and to hold a referendum at the same time.
In Russia Zhukov is stunned by the loss of the Far East Army in the atomic fireball that consumed Vladivostok. Quivering with anger he was about to order all his forces in a head long charge into China only to be talked out of it by the STAVKA who asked if this is what the Japs want so we can run into another of these hellish weapons.
Having changed is mind about the invasion Zhukov then orders a crash program to develop these weapons as well. Knowing that Russia would need technical assistance he summons the Foreign Minister and asks him to get the Australian ambassador to see if the Aussies would be willing to assist Russia. Zhukov knows what the answer will be he just wonders what the cost will be for the Australian assistance.
Apart from the odd colonial troubles for the colonial powers and economic renewal programs not much happens in the rest of the world.
Don't expect too much more after this week as my holidays will be over
The next parts
1948: The war in the Far East has deteriorated into a slug feast with the Russians and Japanese throwing men and equipment at each other with gay abandon. In the last year there has been no real movement of lines with the Japanese well-entrenched in Northern China and Vladivostok. Each side has tried and failed in assaults on the others positions. As the year wore on the combat sank further and further from the modern mobile battlefield and back to the trench warfare of WW1.
The RAN and AARD present to the Australian government a joint proposal for atomic propulsion. AARD has had an experimental atomic pile producing electricity for nearly a year now both organisation are petitioning the government for further funds by saying that if the funding is granted Australia could conceivably construct ships and submarine with nearly unlimited range. After several months of debate cabinet authorises the new program. Frank Getting is promoted to Rear Admiral and is placed in overall command of project Nemo. The goals of Project Nemo is simple to produce a feasible atomic power plant for ships and submarines as well as assisting the development of atomic super-bombs for national defence.
The German economy is slowly improving with all the sales of material and equipment to the Russians. However the coast of the atomic bomb and rocket programs are crippling. Fuhrer Hess is in a quandary seeing the disruption that has started in the British Empire and not wanting this to happen to the Reich he reluctantly orders the demobilisation of the conscripted units in the wehrmacht. It is hoped the demobilisation will inject much needed manpower into the economy while reducing overall military costs. Hess smiles as he thinks how happy Heydrich will be with the reduction to the wehrmacht and how the Waffen SS will now have more active units than the army.
In the US the technological development act has already born fruit with Bell Laboratories developing the transistor. This small electrical component will enable the US to produce radios and televisions that are smaller and lighter than anything seen before.
Other developments in the pipeline is a new large aircraft that can fly across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans without stopping to refuel and computational machines to assist government and business.
Anthony Eden sits in his office and reads of the latest developments of the empire. The news is not good. In India British army regulars fired upon a raging mob. The deaths of hundreds of civilians inflamed an already volatile situation. The Solomon Islands has disintegrated into anarchy and Africa is a powder keg waiting to happen with the Nazis, Italians and Afrikaans; throwing matches to light it off. As he sits there Eden wonders how England ever got into this mess.
Towards the end of the year a new dawn erupts over the Sahara desert in German East Africa, Germany has detonated the world first atomic bomb. A week later at Moruroa Atoll, in the Pacific the British does the same. The atomic age has arrived.
In December the German ambassador to Australia approaches the Australian Prime Minister with an unusual proposition. Fuhrer Hess concerned by the spying activities of the Russians and British have asked for Australian assistance in testing the Reich’s new A6 missile. In exchange for a secret test site and complete privacy Germany will share knowledge of production techniques for the A4 and its precursors. After thinking for a while the Australian PM agrees.
1949: In the Far East one last great push by the Russians has forced the Japanese back into an enclave consisting of Vladivostok and it’s environs. The cost however was enormous with more then two million dead and thousands of tanks and aircraft destroyed Marshall Zhukov nearly succeeded in pushing the Japanese into the sea. Only the direct fire support from the IJN and the combined use of all naval and airforce units prevented a Japanese defeat. In the end the battle for the Far East was a technical draw with the Russians having regained more of their territory at a terrible cost.
For the Japanese they continue to hold this vital harbour but the losses incurred cannot be replaced overnight.
The situation in the Far East is now one of stalemate with both sides exhausted but still fighting for what they believe belongs to them. Both sides now start to lick their wounds and to prepare for future battles. However in the mean time there is a peace of sorts undeclared while both Russia and Japan built their forces for a decisive battle.
At Project Nemo Rear Admiral Frank Getting is having a long discussion with his friend Mark Oliphant. The point of discussion is what would be best vehicle to test the atomic propulsion system in. After much discussion with their various team members it is decided that HMAS Sydney, which is due for a complete overhaul will be fitted with the new propulsion system. As Mark Oliphant states to his friend these ships are already steam powered it is only a matter of converting them to the atomic pile instead of oil fuelled boilers. Rear Admiral Getting agrees with his friend and says he will have the Sydney made available for conversion. Before Mark leaves he asks if the new atomic propulsion system can be make smaller to fit into a submarine. Mark thinks for a while and says I don’t see why not I’ll have a design started immediately. Frank smiles at this and says while you do that please keep me advised as to the size of this system so the new design team for our next generation submarines can incorporate it into their design.
After several years of both violent and peaceful demonstrations Great Britain finally decides to honour its commitment to Indian Independence. From Buckingham Palace King George VI, King of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and Emperor of India in attendance with Anthony Eden Prime Minister of Great Britain announce the independence of India. Lord Mountbatten will be the last royal regent to India while elections are organised and held to determine the new government of India.
In other news Britain quietly transfers sovereignty of the Solomon Islands to Australia to rid themselves of another trouble spot in the empire.
The news of the ceding of the Solomon Islands greeted with joy by the islanders but with rather less relish by the Australian government at it leaves it with yet another island that needs to be educated. In the end the Solomon Islands are incorporated with the other Pacific Islands and will be administered by Canberra as Australian Territorial possessions.
In other Australian news Australia’s detonates an atomic bomb on Fabgatunfa Atoll in late May. Australia’s bomb program is an add on to the Atomic power and propulsion programs and the test is only made to show the world that if need be Australia can build and use these weapons too.
The rest of the year is used continuing the education of the new states and more research in to the various projects the government had previously committed itself to.
In the commercial sector Fokker Aircraft has decided to concentrate on fighters and small bombers, as it can’t compete with German and US firms. Apart from this decision the rest of Australian industry is operating at maximum capacity to meet the growing need for equipment from Japan and Australia’s own domestic needs.
The US detonates its first atomic bomb in late September.
The development of the transistor has shot the US economy into high gear as the US starts to sell radios, TV’s and other miscellaneous electronic equipment to whoever wishes to buy it. In Seatle the Boeing C97 flies for the first time in the coming years it will rival the large German cargo passenger aircraft.
In Germany the first flight of the Junkers Ju EF100 across the Atlantic takes place. This aircraft is capable of taking 100 passengers and their baggage 9000km before refuelling.
The rest of Germany is going through considerable change as the former soldiers of the Reich return to their peacetime trades. This enables Germany for the first time in years to actually start exporting goods to other countries and thus generating income for the Reich to pay off some of the debts it owed to the US and other countries that lent it money through the thirties and forties.
1950: In the Far East nothing really happens apart from both sides building up their forces for a decisive battle. For Japan, Vladivostok and its environs are defended by the IJA 33rd Army. Under General Masaki Honda are seven divisions, including two artillery and one armoured division with lots of recoilless anti tank guns deployed to the infantry.
Russia is building a sizeable army of its own with four armoured divisions, twelve infantry divisions and ten artillery divisions. As the army assembles Marshall Zhukov tells his army commander General Bodin the 8th army must win the war next year or die trying. Explaining himself he once we deal with the Japanese we can then get our lands bank from the fascists in the west who have stupidly demobilised half their army.
In Australia Anthony Fokker demonstrates his new JF-2 jet fighter the engines of this fighter has been improved with methanol injection and during testing this aircraft might even break the sound barrier in a dive. Although a completely Australian construct the design of this aircraft was a combination of the talents of Willy Messerschmitt and Anthony Fokker. The influence of this assistance is not one way, as there will be a considerable Fokker influence in the design of the new Me270.
The Australian government purchases several JF-2’s for testing proposes but otherwise commits itself to no further military expenditure.
Great Britain continues to have problems with its colonies only the continued deployment of the British army prevents other rebellions from breaking out.
Germany continues its economic revival there are however storm clouds on the horizon with several colonies mostly in South East Asia agitating for independence.
Of all the countries of the world the US is in the best shape. The technological development the US government is encouraging has seen the US economy explode with export potential with the US selling all manner of equipment to the South American countries as well as to Britain and other non totalitarian countries. The US could be in even better shape if it wasn’t for the continuing embargoes against the Axis nations and Japan.
South Africa has become one of Australia’s leading trading partners in a few short years. After having disputes with Great Britain over their policies regarding apartheid the South Africans looked for others to supply the equipment, both military and commercial to build their country. With most of Germany’s military construction either being retained for the Germans themselves or being sold to the Russians have left the path open for Australia to supply the goods that the axis can’t and the US won’t. This is a mutually beneficial trading relationship as South Africa has great natural wealth like Australia with which it can purchase goods while having a small industrial base due in no small regard to its racial policies.
Australia’s population including all the islands has reached 70 million. It is however showing a tendency to decline due the greater education taking place amongst the younger women of the island states. A cessation of large-scale migration due to the cost of incorporating the islands of the former Dutch East Indies has also assisted in the relatively small increase in population over the last few years.
1951: The battle for Vladivostok started on the second of February and continued through till June. During this period both sides tore into each other with a vengeance committing more and more forces. It was only in May after three months of heavy fighting was it decided by the Japanese Army command that it was not possible to hold this important city. After having defended the city for so long the 33rd army was unhappy to receive order to prepare for a withdrawal by sea.
In the aftermath of the battle for Vladivostok the Japanese have eventually been forced to withdraw from the city with a seaborne escape the likes of which has never before been seen. The Japanese managed to withdraw over 200,000 solders yet they left behind a further 2500 to slow the advance of the Russians. These troops weren’t the only thing left behind for sitting in a ramshackle hut is a bomb more powerful than any used in the current war.
Three hours after the last of the evacuated troops left, while the fanatical diehard Japanese forces left behind to delay the Russians and while the Russians are flooding the city to flush out the Japanese a new sun lights the morning sky. The first Japanese atomic bomb has just been used.
The Japanese policy of leaving nothing behind for the victors in the event of defeat has taken a new and vicious turn for the worst.
In Northern China the 28th Army under General Tokutaro Sakurai recently reinforced by the forces rescued from Vladivostok is prepared to fight a vengeance war against the Russians who the believe will storm south after what has happened to their Far East Army.
The Kuomintang government of Chiang Kai Shek had been watching the developments in the Far East with some interest. They had been contemplating a move to reunite China when the atomic bomb went off and changed their plans in a hurry. Knowing that to try to take on the Japanese without weapons of this kind of there own would be suicide Chiang Kai Shek looks around for a target of opportunity. Just south of him is Burma a newly independent state that had been freed from colonial rule by the British, as it was too much trouble to control. Smiling he calls his generals together to start planning the invasion of Burma.
HMAS Sydney is recommissioned amongst many fanfares as a CBN atomic powered large cruiser. The atomic propulsion system is not the only change to have taken place over the last three years. The Sydney has also acquired the very latest RADAR controlled gunnery systems and a new transistorised communications along with a brand new electronic jamming system. When it set out on an around the cruise to show the flag it contained the most modern weapons, communication, propulsion and jamming systems of the world. Apart from the old hull the Sydney is the most modern warship on the seven seas.
As it made its way around the world the various governments of the world were shocked and surprised that Australia could build such a modern ship. Little do the world know that within the next year or so Australia will launch the worlds first atomic submarine but won’t announce it like they did the Sydney.
With the success of the Sydney the RAN decides that as each large cruiser comes due for their next overhaul all will be converted to CBN’s.
Within months Germany, Britain, the US, Italy and Japan had either started constructing new ships better that HMAS Sydney or converting existing hulls to compete with Australia. A very new naval race has just begun.
In Australia the Prime Minister is pleased by the reaction to the Sydney. He has already fielded requests from Japan, Britain and Germany for information on the rebuild and has referred all requests for assistance to the RAN.
The Prime Minister has other problems in the last couple of years there has been a growing swell among the new citizens of Australia for a referendum on Australia remaining a constitutional monarchy. With the British Empire falling apart many citizens believe it is time for Australia to formally sever its ties to King and for Australia to become a republic. After careful consideration by him and the cabinet it is decided to call an early election on November 3rd and to hold a referendum at the same time.
In Russia Zhukov is stunned by the loss of the Far East Army in the atomic fireball that consumed Vladivostok. Quivering with anger he was about to order all his forces in a head long charge into China only to be talked out of it by the STAVKA who asked if this is what the Japs want so we can run into another of these hellish weapons.
Having changed is mind about the invasion Zhukov then orders a crash program to develop these weapons as well. Knowing that Russia would need technical assistance he summons the Foreign Minister and asks him to get the Australian ambassador to see if the Aussies would be willing to assist Russia. Zhukov knows what the answer will be he just wonders what the cost will be for the Australian assistance.
Apart from the odd colonial troubles for the colonial powers and economic renewal programs not much happens in the rest of the world.
1952: The Russian atomic research program has been set up at Petropavlovsk, Russia. Marshall Zhukov tours the facility with the program director Serge Malenkov. Much has been accomplished in the last year with the help of the Australians; turning to Malenkov Zhukov asks when we will no longer need the Australians. Malenkov sighs and replies to Marshall Zhukov, at least two years maybe three. Turning to face the Marshall, Malenkov says we have gutted every university and technical institute to set up this facility. Even with the Aussies helping and shipping us all the equipment required to build an atomic pile and the separating - processing site we simply have too much to learn. Zhukov grumbles and says what of the cost. The Aussies are taking much gold and gems for their assistance. How are we to build our forces to retake our lost lands in the west and the vengeance war against the Japanese if all this wealth is flowing to Australia? Malenkov replies with if we don’t get atomic weapons fast, the Japanese and the Nazis will sweep across the motherland and take the wealth for themselves. We either give to the Aussies in exchange for their assistance or risk having it taken by our enemies. I know what I would prefer, what about you comrade Marshall? Zhukov looks at Malenkov and frowns but says nothing more.
In Northern China General Tokutaro Sakurai is pleased that the Russians didn’t come south. He issues a prayer of thanks to the Emperor and instructs his supply officer to make sure the 28th Imperial army is fully equipped by the time the Russians come. General Sakurai is not pleased. When he was last in Tokyo he was informed that it was unlikely that any further equipment will be purchased from the Australians as Japan has run out of money. The government only managed to keep the oil, food and resources flowing and the equipment his army was issued the year before last by trading three carriers and what remained of Japans treasury to the Australians. As he walks back to his quarters, General Sakurai wonders what will happen went the world realises that Japan is broke. As he kicks at a stone the general wonders what can be done to raise more money for Japan. After all Japan is not like Australia who can simply stop building their own military and sell their equipment to whoever has the money to pay. Japan has enemies to the north, west and south just waiting for a sign of weakness. Gazing around he notices one of the local Chinese labourers smoking an opium pipe and wonders what sort of money the gaijin in the western countries would pay for the pleasure of the poppy. With the thought fresh in his mind he turns and runs to the communications centre to make a proposal to the IJA command on how to make the money required for the next war.
The Kuomintang government of Nationalist China continues to prepare for the invasion of Burma. Chiang Kai Shek looks over the plans and decides to wait another year for Great Britain to sink further into recession before making his move.
The worldwide recession has hit Germany hard. The loss of military contracts to the large manufacturers has led to a reduction of the work force and increased inflation. Fuhrer Hess ponders what to do in his office when Reich Minister Speer walks in. After discussing the Reich’s economic problems it is decided to sell surplus military equipment to anybody how can supply cash. In the next few years Germany will sell equipment to nationalist movements around the globe and encourage any country with border grievances to wage war to take what they believe is theirs.
Great Britain has suffered much in the last few years. The empire that was built over the last two hundred years has crumbled in the last four. The new British PM Sir Oswald Mosley contemplates the dissolution of the empire with regret. However the economic problems facing the UK need to be rectified first. After speaking with his service chiefs it is decided that Britain will start a building program to restore the army and Royal navy to their former glory. To fund this the remaining colonies will be require to pay more taxes and increase the resources sent to the mother country. In exchange Britain will station more troops and ships to protect the colonies from any external threats. With the empire moribund Sir Oswald decides to try to create a trade network the will help the mother country and the former colonies that don’t have much in the way of industry. By the end of the year the British Commonwealth has been formed with nearly all the former colonies taking part with one noticeable exception. South Africa tiring to being preached to by Great Britain and the US declines to join.
South Africa continues its military build up. With Japan stopping its imports of Australian equipment, South Africa gladly steps up to take up the slack. The Afrikaans have just one goal. To be the pre-eminent ground and air power in southern Africa within five years.
Australia has gone though many changes in the past three decades. None however have been like the one that has taken place this year. The elections and referendum were both voted on at the same time. One result was expected the other not. A large majority passed the referendum and subsequently Australia became a federal republic with a president that was elected by the both houses after nominations were received from the general public. The new president is Gerald Delany and although he is head of state the role is mostly ceremonial with no real power. These powers remain with the Prime Minister and the elected government.
The second result comes from out of the blue. While both Labor and the new Liberal parties expected to win office it was the new Aurora Australis party that won in an unexpected landslide. The AAP is a nationalistic party whose goal is to ensure that Australia remains a power in the Asia Pacific Rim. As its name says the AAP wants Australia to be the shining light of the world capable of defending itself or helping its friends. The AAP is nominally a national socialist government in a true meaning of the term. One of its first laws passed is a social welfare bill that provides medical care for all citizens. Part of this bill also introduced mandatory superannuation to ensure that all citizens have sufficient savings to be able to retire without requiring a government pension. To make this possible all employers have to contribute five percent to the central superannuation fund for all employees while the employees themselves must contribute ten percent of their salaries. Both contributions are made prior to the wage being given to the employee and are tax deductable.
The AAP immediately looks towards Australia’s defence. This area has been neglected in recent years as funds were redirected to the integration of the new states. The newly renamed Australian Republican Airforce (ARAF) is asked to design a force structure that will allow full integration with the other services. To do this, the government requests that the Australian aeronautical industry design a multi function fighter-bomber that is capable of supporting the Army, Navy and Airforce. This aircraft must be capable of operating off improvised airfields, carriers and fixed airforce bases.
The Australian Republican Army (ARA) and the Australian Republic Navy (ARN) are asked to design force structures the will complement each other. In time the AAP wants to have a fully integrated military that is mission capable without the old inter service rivalries.
The Australian economy is not in a bad position with most industries running at maximum output. Most of the sales are going to South Africa and Nationalist China even though the AAP has doubts that these countries need this equipment it is better to have employment than unemployment so the sales progress without change.
With the ending of mass migration and the increased levels of education, family planning and food amongst the island states, Australia’s population has started to decline.
The USA is one of the few countries not affected by the worldwide recession. The decision by President Truman to invest in technology has paid great dividends with all the worlds industrialised countries wanting to purchase and license build the products of American industry. The US government is wary of selling to various countries and still has embargoes against Japan and Germany. Yet these countries still manage to benefit from the USA’s discoveries as they either purchase these products through third parties or make their exchange part of trade agreements.
In Northern China General Tokutaro Sakurai is pleased that the Russians didn’t come south. He issues a prayer of thanks to the Emperor and instructs his supply officer to make sure the 28th Imperial army is fully equipped by the time the Russians come. General Sakurai is not pleased. When he was last in Tokyo he was informed that it was unlikely that any further equipment will be purchased from the Australians as Japan has run out of money. The government only managed to keep the oil, food and resources flowing and the equipment his army was issued the year before last by trading three carriers and what remained of Japans treasury to the Australians. As he walks back to his quarters, General Sakurai wonders what will happen went the world realises that Japan is broke. As he kicks at a stone the general wonders what can be done to raise more money for Japan. After all Japan is not like Australia who can simply stop building their own military and sell their equipment to whoever has the money to pay. Japan has enemies to the north, west and south just waiting for a sign of weakness. Gazing around he notices one of the local Chinese labourers smoking an opium pipe and wonders what sort of money the gaijin in the western countries would pay for the pleasure of the poppy. With the thought fresh in his mind he turns and runs to the communications centre to make a proposal to the IJA command on how to make the money required for the next war.
The Kuomintang government of Nationalist China continues to prepare for the invasion of Burma. Chiang Kai Shek looks over the plans and decides to wait another year for Great Britain to sink further into recession before making his move.
The worldwide recession has hit Germany hard. The loss of military contracts to the large manufacturers has led to a reduction of the work force and increased inflation. Fuhrer Hess ponders what to do in his office when Reich Minister Speer walks in. After discussing the Reich’s economic problems it is decided to sell surplus military equipment to anybody how can supply cash. In the next few years Germany will sell equipment to nationalist movements around the globe and encourage any country with border grievances to wage war to take what they believe is theirs.
Great Britain has suffered much in the last few years. The empire that was built over the last two hundred years has crumbled in the last four. The new British PM Sir Oswald Mosley contemplates the dissolution of the empire with regret. However the economic problems facing the UK need to be rectified first. After speaking with his service chiefs it is decided that Britain will start a building program to restore the army and Royal navy to their former glory. To fund this the remaining colonies will be require to pay more taxes and increase the resources sent to the mother country. In exchange Britain will station more troops and ships to protect the colonies from any external threats. With the empire moribund Sir Oswald decides to try to create a trade network the will help the mother country and the former colonies that don’t have much in the way of industry. By the end of the year the British Commonwealth has been formed with nearly all the former colonies taking part with one noticeable exception. South Africa tiring to being preached to by Great Britain and the US declines to join.
South Africa continues its military build up. With Japan stopping its imports of Australian equipment, South Africa gladly steps up to take up the slack. The Afrikaans have just one goal. To be the pre-eminent ground and air power in southern Africa within five years.
Australia has gone though many changes in the past three decades. None however have been like the one that has taken place this year. The elections and referendum were both voted on at the same time. One result was expected the other not. A large majority passed the referendum and subsequently Australia became a federal republic with a president that was elected by the both houses after nominations were received from the general public. The new president is Gerald Delany and although he is head of state the role is mostly ceremonial with no real power. These powers remain with the Prime Minister and the elected government.
The second result comes from out of the blue. While both Labor and the new Liberal parties expected to win office it was the new Aurora Australis party that won in an unexpected landslide. The AAP is a nationalistic party whose goal is to ensure that Australia remains a power in the Asia Pacific Rim. As its name says the AAP wants Australia to be the shining light of the world capable of defending itself or helping its friends. The AAP is nominally a national socialist government in a true meaning of the term. One of its first laws passed is a social welfare bill that provides medical care for all citizens. Part of this bill also introduced mandatory superannuation to ensure that all citizens have sufficient savings to be able to retire without requiring a government pension. To make this possible all employers have to contribute five percent to the central superannuation fund for all employees while the employees themselves must contribute ten percent of their salaries. Both contributions are made prior to the wage being given to the employee and are tax deductable.
The AAP immediately looks towards Australia’s defence. This area has been neglected in recent years as funds were redirected to the integration of the new states. The newly renamed Australian Republican Airforce (ARAF) is asked to design a force structure that will allow full integration with the other services. To do this, the government requests that the Australian aeronautical industry design a multi function fighter-bomber that is capable of supporting the Army, Navy and Airforce. This aircraft must be capable of operating off improvised airfields, carriers and fixed airforce bases.
The Australian Republican Army (ARA) and the Australian Republic Navy (ARN) are asked to design force structures the will complement each other. In time the AAP wants to have a fully integrated military that is mission capable without the old inter service rivalries.
The Australian economy is not in a bad position with most industries running at maximum output. Most of the sales are going to South Africa and Nationalist China even though the AAP has doubts that these countries need this equipment it is better to have employment than unemployment so the sales progress without change.
With the ending of mass migration and the increased levels of education, family planning and food amongst the island states, Australia’s population has started to decline.
The USA is one of the few countries not affected by the worldwide recession. The decision by President Truman to invest in technology has paid great dividends with all the worlds industrialised countries wanting to purchase and license build the products of American industry. The US government is wary of selling to various countries and still has embargoes against Japan and Germany. Yet these countries still manage to benefit from the USA’s discoveries as they either purchase these products through third parties or make their exchange part of trade agreements.
Auroa Australis 1953
1953: In a world first the Third Reich launches the worlds first artificial satellite. This satellite was launched using the newly developed A7 rocket that was built at Peenemunde and tested at the joint Austro-German Woomera rocket range.
The Kuomintang government of Nationalist China commences the invasion of Burma. Chiang Kai Shek is pleased with the initial progress as his newly acquired armoured divisions push aside all resistance from the Burmese forces.
In the US there has been an increase in crime. Upon further investigation by the police forces it is discovered that the increase in crime corresponds with an increase in the use of an illicit drug that has recently started being used by unemployed under classes.
The various state police forces decide to continue to monitor the situation but not to actively intervene, as this is only a minor problem that only effects the blacks and Hispanics.
The ARN in the presence of Prime Minister Keith Robins and Rear Admiral Getting secretly launch the ARN Stonefish. The Stonefish is the worlds fist atomic powered submarine. Designed in Co-operation with the CSIRO’s, AARD directorate this submarine can stay submerged for weeks at a time needing only to surface to replenish food supplies for the crew.
Impressed by the new submarine the PM after holding discussions with the navy decides to commission dozens of these new subs. Wanting to keep these new subs a secret for as long as possible it is decided to build a new submarine base at Toora on Victoria’s southern coast. This town will quickly become one of the most important naval bases in Australia. The submarine pens will be hardened concrete constructions based on German designs only accessible from the seaward approaches underwater. From the air the naval base will resemble a standard training and maritime rescue base with all major facilities located underground. All future personnel serving at the new base will commute using a rail link limiting the number of vehicles that are parked on the surface. Rear Admiral Frank Getting is promoted to Vice Admiral and is given command of all ARN subsurface forces. His new command will be based at ARN base Toora.
In other Australian news the Fokker Aircraft company shows the ARAF the design for a new fighter-bomber that was requested the previous year. After much discussion amongst the ARAF and the ARN who are requiring a new plane for the aircraft carriers. Discovering that the carriers that Australia possesses are not large enough for the purposes of deploying jet aircraft the ARN approaches Harland and Wolf shipwrights to design a new large carrier that will be able to accommodate these new aircraft.
In the mean time the ARN and ARAF get permission to for the production of five prototypes for test and evaluation purposes.
While the ARN and ARAF are conspiring to make the ARA the forgotten third child in the Australian military Field Marshal Thomas Blamey appoints Major General Raymond L Sandover to develop the modern Australian Army. Blamey’s only instructions to Sandover are don’t let those bastards grind us under foot. Your are the future of the Australian Army, design a modern application for fighting bushfire wars not long drawn out ones as the government won’t commit forces to that type of conflict unless Australian territory is directly invaded.
The British response to the invasion of Burma is a strongly worded condemnation with a demand for nationalist China’s withdrawal. Great Britain is however unable to intervene militarily as her armed forces are a shadow of their former selves are years of neglect.
Seeing the lack of action by Great Britain and the USA over the invasion of Burma both Argentina and South Africa start to eye off their neighbours for potential conquest.
1953: In a world first the Third Reich launches the worlds first artificial satellite. This satellite was launched using the newly developed A7 rocket that was built at Peenemunde and tested at the joint Austro-German Woomera rocket range.
The Kuomintang government of Nationalist China commences the invasion of Burma. Chiang Kai Shek is pleased with the initial progress as his newly acquired armoured divisions push aside all resistance from the Burmese forces.
In the US there has been an increase in crime. Upon further investigation by the police forces it is discovered that the increase in crime corresponds with an increase in the use of an illicit drug that has recently started being used by unemployed under classes.
The various state police forces decide to continue to monitor the situation but not to actively intervene, as this is only a minor problem that only effects the blacks and Hispanics.
The ARN in the presence of Prime Minister Keith Robins and Rear Admiral Getting secretly launch the ARN Stonefish. The Stonefish is the worlds fist atomic powered submarine. Designed in Co-operation with the CSIRO’s, AARD directorate this submarine can stay submerged for weeks at a time needing only to surface to replenish food supplies for the crew.
Impressed by the new submarine the PM after holding discussions with the navy decides to commission dozens of these new subs. Wanting to keep these new subs a secret for as long as possible it is decided to build a new submarine base at Toora on Victoria’s southern coast. This town will quickly become one of the most important naval bases in Australia. The submarine pens will be hardened concrete constructions based on German designs only accessible from the seaward approaches underwater. From the air the naval base will resemble a standard training and maritime rescue base with all major facilities located underground. All future personnel serving at the new base will commute using a rail link limiting the number of vehicles that are parked on the surface. Rear Admiral Frank Getting is promoted to Vice Admiral and is given command of all ARN subsurface forces. His new command will be based at ARN base Toora.
In other Australian news the Fokker Aircraft company shows the ARAF the design for a new fighter-bomber that was requested the previous year. After much discussion amongst the ARAF and the ARN who are requiring a new plane for the aircraft carriers. Discovering that the carriers that Australia possesses are not large enough for the purposes of deploying jet aircraft the ARN approaches Harland and Wolf shipwrights to design a new large carrier that will be able to accommodate these new aircraft.
In the mean time the ARN and ARAF get permission to for the production of five prototypes for test and evaluation purposes.
While the ARN and ARAF are conspiring to make the ARA the forgotten third child in the Australian military Field Marshal Thomas Blamey appoints Major General Raymond L Sandover to develop the modern Australian Army. Blamey’s only instructions to Sandover are don’t let those bastards grind us under foot. Your are the future of the Australian Army, design a modern application for fighting bushfire wars not long drawn out ones as the government won’t commit forces to that type of conflict unless Australian territory is directly invaded.
The British response to the invasion of Burma is a strongly worded condemnation with a demand for nationalist China’s withdrawal. Great Britain is however unable to intervene militarily as her armed forces are a shadow of their former selves are years of neglect.
Seeing the lack of action by Great Britain and the USA over the invasion of Burma both Argentina and South Africa start to eye off their neighbours for potential conquest.