In 1947-1949, the Royal Navy was arguably at its weakest in the 20th century: undermanned, underfunded, and poorly maintained due to Britain's financial troubles.
What if Argentina seized the Falklands in early 1948? The Royal Navy had one cruiser and two frigates on station in the Caribbean, one cruiser and two frigates on station in South Africa, and one old Dido cruiser and a handful of destroyers available in the Home Fleet. Of course, the recently-mothballed WW2 fleet could be built up, but it would take several months, and the southern hemisphere winter would soon set in...
I think it is militarily inevitable that the UK will take back the Falklands. But what cost in men and treasure? What will the diplomatic effect be? Could this be an earlier Suez, but under an Attlee government? Does his government survive?
Any thoughts?
What if Argentina seized the Falklands in early 1948? The Royal Navy had one cruiser and two frigates on station in the Caribbean, one cruiser and two frigates on station in South Africa, and one old Dido cruiser and a handful of destroyers available in the Home Fleet. Of course, the recently-mothballed WW2 fleet could be built up, but it would take several months, and the southern hemisphere winter would soon set in...
I think it is militarily inevitable that the UK will take back the Falklands. But what cost in men and treasure? What will the diplomatic effect be? Could this be an earlier Suez, but under an Attlee government? Does his government survive?
Any thoughts?