quote:

Originally posted by Murphy:
if that's not clear...

I think we should have

standing forces (all approximate, but you get the idea)
- 3 divs mid east
- 11 divs india
- 2 divs e africa
- 3 divs f-east
- 6 or so in the UK

and then...
- 2 reaction forces of 3 divisions each, plus air and sea support

Okay.

I have ordered 6 divisions (18th, 38th, 42nd, 46th, 48th, 52nd)to assemble into two corps.



I cannot release any more as I said before, as they're covering ports.

So, we can use these to reinforce a theatre or utilise Murphy's proposal for two instant-deployment corps.

Personally I am in favour of sending these (reserve!) units to Egypt and Malaysia to bolster our presence. The Egyptian troops can be quick-marched to Ethiopia if need be.

In terms of instant-deployment corps, I favour producing a custom-made one, with armour and artillery. Currently none of our division have regimental-level artillery.

quote:

Originally posted by Murphy:
i'm also away for the weekend, so I'm making my recomendations now.

Bearing in mind what the service chiefs have said so far, juggling the needs of home defence & power projection, I think this the Chief of Staff's recomendation to the prime minister:

Liking all of these, I'm glad you're putting such good strategic thought into it all

quote:

- interceptors
- at least one fleet carrier, 2 if at all possible (since they take an age to build)
- aa/radar
- motorised infantry
- light armour
- strategic bombers
- tactical bombers
- naval bombers
- fortifications for our far east possessions (AA inc)
- garrisons
- infantry

I would push for two armoured divisions and some radar for this current round of objectives. Our aircraft are sufficient for homeland defence as we can envision it for now. I am keen on producting our IDC (Instant-deployment corps).

quote:

Now we've got a good idea for the forces we'll have available, i want the service chiefs to come up with thoughts for the following scenarios:


War with Italy
Objectives: we have got to keep our lines of communication open, so ethiopia comes 1st, followed by operations to reduce their navy, hit the mainland or clear out libya.
Army
- a plan to clear the italians from ethiopia and the horn of africa while defending egypt - a task force to Greece to establish an air base.

I think this can be doable at a pinch if we sent troops from Britain. Thankfully roads are slow in mid-Africa, so our ships would definitely outpace them.

quote:

Navy
- can we deliver a powerful blow against their fleet early on? i would consider using elements of the home fleet here.

If anything we'll definitely be able to keep the Italian navy holed up in Taranto or somewhere. Closing the Suez will cause supplies in Ethiopia to dry up.

quote:

Air Force
- if we can establish a base in range, a plan for using strategic bombers and naval bombers against the mainland

There are airfields in Khartoum (Sudan) and Mombasa (Kenya), so I don't think we have a problem here. Our aircraft would be able to reach quite far.

I propose we move the tactical bomber wing in Tel Aviv to Khartoum.

quote:

war with Germany
objectives: our first priority is to dominate the baltic sea, and hit the german fleet hard.
Army
- do we deploy an army to mainland europe, or reinforce Denmark or norway.

I agree with your comments about the Baltic. We can easily bottle up Kiel and Wilhelmshaven.

I think the French Army will be able to handle the Germans - their recently built Maginot Line, the 'shield of France' will be like a brick wall.

quote:

Navy
- plug the baltic with ASW and lighter forces defending in depth, but mainly, the moment we are at war I want to hit their fleet with everything we've got. all our forces to hit their fleet hard - i don't want it to be a factor in any struggle. If they won't come out to play, then...

Under the Rules of War, I believe the Denmark Straits by Copenhagen will be closed to all warships, so we won't be able to enter the Baltic, but we can certainly prevent the Kriegsmarine from entering the North Sea.

quote:

Air Force
- I want a plan to hit their ports with the kitchen sink first.
- use of our airforce to interdict and slow down any land offensive.

Damn right the Home Fleet will make mincemeat of their measly ships.

quote:

war with Russia
Objectives: protect India. simple as that.
Army

- to give us options in attack and defence - do we trade ground and use natural barriers like rivers, or do we advance and sieze mountain passes.

quote:

I favour the defensive for the short-term. India would be a tough nut to crack for them.

quote:

Navy
- uh... land locked.

The Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok would be a priority target, as would Murmansk and Arkhangelsk - I believe these last two ripe for amphibious invasions.

quote:

Air Force
- probably tac and close air only here.

Strategic bombers from India might be useful.

quote:

war with Japan
Objectives: contain japan's advanceArmy
- a plan to re-inforce our garrisions.
- an option to put a force into mainland china.
- also options to get task forces to establish forward bases.

Any war in the Pacific would definitely require major co-operation between our land and sea forces.

quote:

Navy
- tricky, we have to protect our lanes of communication while disrupting theirs. (I see a role for submarines here?

Excellent idea!

quote:

Air Force
- naval bombers and recon here, especially using tac bombers if we intervene on behalf of the chinese...

Agree.

It seems to me that the production issue is a tie between motorised/armour and interceptors/bombers right now.

So I'm opting for the following:

Raising the 1st Armoured Division 'Royal Hussars'


Softness being 59% this unit will get a combined arms bonus and be more effective in combat.

Raising a new wing of interceptors:


If anything we need air cover for the other theatres beyond the UK, so I think this will be a good start.

I've also ordered 3 radar stations to be built:



They will be extremely useful in boosting the effectiveness of our air defences. I'm happy with raising or lowering these in priority as circumstances change.

This, in addition to the pre-existing naval units being built, I believe will be sufficient for present needs.

So now, I am going to hit 'resume' and proceed to April 1st 1936!

Feel free to continue to make your thoughts and suggestions known as we go.

quote:

Originally posted by D M:
Personally I am in favour of sending these (reserve!) units to Egypt and Malaysia to bolster our presence. The Egyptian troops can be quick-marched to Ethiopia if need be.

In terms of instant-deployment corps, I favour producing a custom-made one, with armour and artillery. Currently none of our division have regimental-level artillery.

Egypt is a great idea. Malaysia I don't know, as we apparently have NOBODY left to cover the north of India, since all our troops are guarding ports. Would it be more cost- and time-effective to create a few garrisons so we can place those in ports and airfields that need guarding, and free up our regular infantry troops?

I am very much in favor of custom-made IDCs with armour and artillery, as long as the artillery does not slow them down too much, as I don't expect we have self-propelled artillery yet.

My thoughts on Murphy's requests are on page 7.

quote:

Originally posted by Murphy:
- fortifications for our far east possessions (AA inc)

Important point.

quote:

War with Italy
Objectives: we have got to keep our lines of communication open, so ethiopia comes 1st, followed by operations to reduce their navy, hit the mainland or clear out libya.
Army
- a plan to clear the italians from ethiopia and the horn of africa while defending egypt - a task force to Greece to establish an air base.
Navy
- can we deliver a powerful blow against their fleet early on? i would consider using elements of the home fleet here.
Air Force
- if we can establish a base in range, a plan for using strategic bombers and naval bombers against the mainland

Malta should be in range for the mainland for aircrafts.

quote:

war with Germany
objectives: our first priority is to dominate the baltic sea, and hit the german fleet hard.
Army
- do we deploy an army to mainland europe, or reinforce Denmark or norway.
Navy
- plug the baltic with ASW and lighter forces defending in depth, but mainly, the moment we are at war I want to hit their fleet with everything we've got. all our forces to hit their fleet hard - i don't want it to be a factor in any struggle. If they won't come out to play, then...
Air Force
- I want a plan to hit their ports with the kitchen sink first.
- use of our airforce to interdict and slow down any land offensive.

If we can plug the Baltic Sea it would be helpful. We could then use more power against their North Sea fleet (if we can find it (p.6))

quote:

war with Russia
Objectives: protect India. simple as that.

Navy
- uh... land locked.

If we are at war we are at war everywhere. Pacific fleet and Black Sea fleet would be of foremost importance though.

quote:

war with Japan
Objectives: contain japan's advance
Army
- a plan to re-inforce our garrisions.
- an option to put a force into mainland china.
- also options to get task forces to establish forward bases.
Navy
- tricky, we have to protect our lanes of communication while disrupting theirs. (I see a role for submarines here?
Air Force
- naval bombers and recon here, especially using tac bombers if we intervene on behalf of the chinese...

We need to fortify our ports at Singapore and Hongkong against sea- land- and air attacks. We probably need a sort of hinterland for those as well or we will be pushed into the sea. Not a problem with Singapore so far but maybe difficult with Hongkong.

Hasa,

What movements should we make with our Navy?

St. Count,

That's a very good point and one I didn't consider. Garrisons aren't quite as tough as divisions though, so I'd favour placing, say, one division as a backup for every two ports in an area to rush in if they're threatened.

At the next production round (my next report for April 1936), we can see if we can get some underway.

quote:

Liking all of these, I'm glad you're putting such good strategic thought into it all

I serve at the pleasure of the king.

on building, i'm still pushing for a new naval carrier. I'd remind you one of your prime objectives is keeping the royal navy strong, and this should future proof us to an extent.

on the deployment corps, I counsel against getting too fixated on new units for them - it should be at least partially about de-shuffling our existing forces.

if we are going with 2 corps, lets base one in the middle east (egypt is as good a place as any) and one over in india or burma. We want these forces to be able to cover as much of the empire as possible.

with that in mind, the far eastern units shouldn't be too heavily equipped.

And each force should come with support attached - some of our older fleet units should do nicely, plus tac air.

I strongly support the Chief of Staff's views on aircraft carriers, but I believe we should wait until a new class of carriers is ready to be constructed (when technology is improved). As soon as these are done (hopefully late 1936), I am fully in favour of getting 2 carriers laid down.

Doin' Fleet deployment, should be done in 3 hours.

just on fleet deployment, would it be worth sending our obselete ships to places like the caribbean and africa, and concentrate our more modern forces together - subject to availablitity, that is?

quote:

Originally posted by D M:
I strongly support the Chief of Staff's views on aircraft carriers, but I believe we should wait until a new class of carriers is ready to be constructed (when technology is improved). As soon as these are done (hopefully late 1936), I am fully in favour of getting 2 carriers laid down.

Agreed. There'd be little point in building more obsolete ships.

Home Fleet:

1 Carrier (oldest)
3 Battleships
3 Heavy Cruisers
4 Light Cruisers
4 Destroyer Flotillas
2 Submarine Squadrons

Channel Fleet:

1 Battleship
5 Heavy Cruisers
6 Light Cruisers
6 Destroyer Flotillas
--------
Western Med:

1 Carrier (old)
2 Battleships
2 Heavy Cruisers
4 Light Cruisers
4 Destroyer Flotillas

Eastern Med:

1 Carrier
2 Battleships
3 Heavy Cruisers
4 Light Cruisers
4 Destroyer Flotillas
2 Submarine Squadrons
--------
East India:

1 Carrier
2 Battleships
2 Heavy Cruisers
3 Light Cruisers
5 Destroyer Flotillas
--------
China:

2 Carrier (Singapore)
2 Battleships (1 in Hongkong)
3 Heavy Cruisers (1 in Hongkong)
4 Light Cruisers (2 in Hongkong)
5 Destroyer Flotillas (2 in Hongkong)
3 Submarine Squadrons
--------
Africa:

2 Light Cruiser
2 Destroyer Flotillas
--------
Americas:

2 Light Cruiser
2 Destroyer Flotillas

I want to keep the older carriers closer to home so they can be replaced first and I put them in places where a carrier's use is limited (but didn't want to give it up entirely - fighter screen for bomber.) They are at the moment placed for power projection not war as I don't know what opposition is where. I didn't place the transports as I don't know how they are used in the game. Fleet stationed in India is positioned to help either in the Med or in the Pacific should we need to do that.


I would like to have more submarines in the Far East. And I would like to have one more battle group in the Med and in the Far East.

quote:

Originally posted by Murphy:
just on fleet deployment, would it be worth sending our obselete ships to places like the caribbean and africa, and concentrate our more modern forces together - subject to availablitity, that is?

I kept them in but hope I don't have to rely on them.

Update for January!

Hasa, your fleet movements have been carried out. No pictures as yet as they're still on the move and it'd look a bit confusing!

So, what's happened in January?

Demise of the Crown

"I may not be a clever man, but if I didn't learn a thing or two from all the smart people I've met, I'd be an idiot"

- HM King George V

quote:

Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign Lord King George the Fifth of Blessed and Glorious Memory by whose Decease the Crown is solely and rightfully come to the High and Mighty Prince David: We, therefore, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of this Realm, being here assisted with these of His late Majesty's Privy Council, with representatives of other members of the British Dominions Beyond the Seas, with other Principal Gentlemen of Quality, with the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of London, do now hereby with one voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim that the High and Mighty Prince David is now, by the Death of our late Sovereign of Happy Memory, become King Edward the Eighth by the Grace of God King of this Realm and of all His other Realms and Territories Beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, Defender of the Faith, to whom His lieges do acknowledge all Faith and constant Obedience, with hearty and humble Affection; beseeching God, by whom Kings and Queens do reign, to bless the Royal Prince Edward the Eighth with long and happy Years to reign over us.

Colleagues, His Majesty the King-Emperor, George V, has passed away this January 20th.



King George succeeded his father Edward VII in 1910 and led Britain and her Empire into the Great War. In the postwar years he was a bulwark of stability in the face of socialism and fascism. Without him, we'd still be fighting in Ireland now.



King George is succeeded by his eldest son, David, who has taken on the name Edward VIII. I'm sorry to say I do not trust the new King. He has the reputation of a wastrel, and is known to have very modern views. He even thinks the monarch should be able to ignore the advice of his Ministers! Such as it is, Vivat, Vivat Rex. No doubt he'll get into the routine of how a proper constitutional monarch should act.

Update for February!

On February 8, a conservative revolt broke out in Spain, which was defeated by the government. Spain has been a republic since 1931 but the clergy, the army, and a large portion of the population sought to restore the monarchy and veer spain to the right.





With the coup aborted, Spain has erupted into a civil war.



The Nationalists control most of the countryside; the Republicans possess most urban centres and Madrid.

Thankfully Hasa's fleet deployments has ensured a sizeable British naval presence at Gibraltar - not, I think, that either side, the Nationalists or the Republicans, would dare bother with us for now.

*suddenly a bristle-moustache man bursts into the room and thrusts a note into my hand*

What? Oh, Anthony. What is it?

*reads*



Oh dear. Thankyou Anthony.

Italy and Germany have sent supplies, arms and advisors to the Nationalists; the Soviets have done the same for the Republicans.

So, what's our next move? It seems we can help to tip the balance towards the Republicans if we so wish:



But caution: this would deplete our stockpiles of money, resources and supplies quite sharply. In the middle of a major military reorganisation this may be problematic.

Moreover - while intervention supporting the Republicans may aid our cause, it's known that the government is riddled with socialists and communists under the pay of Moscow. Dare we give them another flank to threaten us? Would a Fascist Spain be such a bad thing, given this?

quote:

Originally posted by D M:
Without him, we'd still be fighting in Ireland now.

I love the fact that I cannot tell how you intend this statement.

quote:

Originally posted by Hive:

quote:

Originally posted by D M:
Without him, we'd still be fighting in Ireland now.

I love the fact that I cannot tell how you intend this statement.

(speaking in context of 1930s statesmen)

Vivat Rex!

I would still like any available information on our most likely enemies' and our allies' fleets to fine-tune the fleet deployment.

Hasa,

The espionage information on previous pages is the best we can gather at present. I will keep you posted though.

Re: Spain. It seems our main current concern, Italy, would be in a position of strength if their Nationalist allies won the Civil War.
I'm not very keen on aiding the allies of the USSR either, however.
Which side would be the lesser threat, do you think?