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The Lion and L'Aigle
The Sun Rises Yet Again
Chapter 21: The Lion and L'Aigle
March 20, 1926
The day has come, Mosley prepares to formally meet with the French Exiles. He brings with him Fuller, Joyce, Beatty, and several others of relevance to the status of France. Also included is a liaison from Italy to voice Mussolini's interests.
At the head of the French Exiles is none other than Grand Maréchal Philippe Pétain, his right-hand man is Maréchal Ferdinand Foch, a competent leader who introduced many new and bold strategies that kept the Germans on their feet until 1918. Also included is François Darlan, high ranking member of La Royale as the French admiralty suffered great losses during and shortly after the war to old age and imprisonment by or defection to the Commune, Henri Giraud, a POW twice, to both the Germans and the Commune, escaping both times, François de La Rocque, head of maintaining morale which he does quite successfully with his fiery speeches and demeanor, Maxime Weygand, a member of the Supreme Entente War Council established during the war, Paul Baudouin, a successful banker who was forced to leave France and soon took charge of the financial maintenance of the Armée de Terre in exile, Charles de Gaulle, pen officer and a protege of Pétain, and several other politicians, businessman, and military officials. They are set to meet in 10 Downing, this matter is of the utmost importance.
As the British and French file into the room, Mosley walks up to Petain and shakes his hand as he greets him. They sit and prepare themselves for the long discussion to come. Mosley moves to speak first, reaffirming who was dependent on who in this situation.
Oswald Mosley
"Bonjour fine gentlemen! I am not here to waste your time and I know you are not here to do so with mine, so let us not mince our words and be completely candid; we are here to discuss how we can best return you to France and establish a legitimate government."
Phillipe Pétain
"I see you Britannique can both be ceremonious as they come and as pragmatic as a machine."
Oswald Mosley
"As the great ancients have often said, 'Make haste, not speed'."
Phillipe Pétain
"Fair enough. I must say Monsieur Mosley, I am greatly impressed with what you have done for Britain, I believe my fellow Exiles and I are warming up to this Restitutionism of yours."
Oswald Mosley
"That is news that we are all glad to hear. I sincerely hope France, once liberated from the shackles of Marxism, will assist us in the struggle against Germany."
Phillipe Pétain
"Of course, those disgusting Allemands must pay for the humiliation of the War of 1870 and the Great War. When we stand in Paris, rest assured we shall stand with you to crush the Kaiserreich. But we must regain control over France first."
Oswald Mosley
"We understand completely. That is why I have brought Mr. Fuller and Joyce here along with others to discuss how we believe the best course of action to achieve this. Fuller?"
J. F. C. Fuller
"Thank you Your Excellency. My colleagues and I have designed an outline for the coming decade to prepare for the liberation of France and the installation of your government. The first is to end the Spanish Civil War as soon as possible so that Spain can rebuild and prepare for the war of liberation. Second is to invade Algeria and restore the French government in Algiers. With those two things accomplished main preparations for the liberation will be completed. With Italy, Portugal, Spain, Britain, and your army we can take down the Commune. We have specifics on how to accomplish both of these and we will begin cooperating for these endeavors. Joyce?"
William Joyce
"I have talked with my Prime Minister and we agreed that is due time to return the territories our previous governments wrongfully seized and kept. Effective immediately, the French Caribbean and French Africa will be returned to your jurisdiction."
Phillipe Pétain
"It is good to see we are being given the respect we are due."
Charles de Gaulle
"After how much humiliation?"
Phillipe Pétain
"Silencieux Joseph! Do not mind him, he sometimes speaks without thinking, not one for diplomacy. We are most grateful for your deference in this matter."
Oswald Mosley
"It is nothing, I assure you. Britain is committed to establishing peace in Europe, once the mistakes of the Lost Decade have been corrected. Will France join the Righteous League and help us spread the glorious cause of Restitutionism?"
Phillipe Pétain
"I have seen the results that you and Mussolini have achieved and I believe that this is the ideology of the future. France will join the Righteous League, not the France of old, of the weak 3rd République, but of a new France, inspired by Victorianism, Fascism, of our faith, our nation, our history, our loss, and our eventual rebirth, a France of Restaurationnisme!"
Mosley grabs his glass and stands, the others follow suit.
Oswald Mosley
"A toast then. A toast to a new France, a new Britain, a new Europe, a brave new world waiting for us to usher it in, in all its grandiose beauty. To Britannia and to France!"
The room erupts into a hearty cheer and all down their drinks. The talks continue. Mosley assures the Italian envoy that Italy's right to Corsica, Savoie, and Nice would be held by Italy until the Commune was defeated, following that further discussion would take place to see if a result could be reached that pleased both. Also in discussion was the ceding of claims on Tunis and the Algerian provinces of Annabe, El Tarf, Skikda, Guelma, Souk Ahras, Tebessa, Khenchela, and Oum el-Bouaghi to Italy. Several other discussions take place on the organizing of French assistance in the Spanish Civil War. Also in discussion is the allocation of French fleets to Italian bases to assist in the Mediterranean as need be. The current capital of the new French state would be at Dakar, the largest city in French controlled Africa and close to Europe. Access to thr burgeoning Righteous economic sphere as well as British, Italian, and Portuguese specialists and investment would allow the French Exiles to finally achieve a balanced budget and a permanent base of operations.
With the French, British, Italian, and Portuguese navies combined, the Righteous League is now a significant naval player and is a threat that Germany will be hard-pressed to contain. Mosley has successfully ingratiated himself to the future French government while also asserting his superiority over them. A network of vital and ideologically united European allies has been established and built upon. He is confident in future British military strength, the Claudius II performance was even better than he had hoped for.
His next short term moves are to help Kitson centralise and nationalise the economy, continue preparations for the South Africa Scheme, establish the Loyalist support network to provide arms and finances to Britain's overseas servants, form the Imperial Legion, finalise the creation of I3, help Edward prepare for his visit to various nations, and prepare for the Naval Conference. Japan had sent notice, saying it would attend the Conference, with Prime Minister Hara Takashi as well as admirals Inoue Yoshika, Tōgō Heihachirō, Fushimi Hiroyasu, Osami Nagano, Dewa Shigetō, Uryū Sotokichi, Katō Sadakichi, Yamashita Gentarō, Takarabe Takeshi, and the Navy Minister Katō Tomosaburō all planned to be in attendance. America also sent a message saying they would be in attendance, being the largest navy in the world, only the Kaiserliche Marine being close due both to disrepair and scrapping of many of the USN's ships and massive planned fleet construction programs in Germany. It seems Mosley would have to interact with Coolidge one last time before the 1928 election. But those will be done in all due time, today is a day for celebration, for today, the Lion and L'aigle have united against common foes.
Maréchal Ferdinand Jean Marie Foch, Right-Hand Man to Phillipe Pétain and Second Highest Ranking Member of the French Exiles. He Is Greatly Respected by the French, British, and Germans For Phenomenal Skill Displayed During the Great War, 1914
View attachment 429228
Maxime Weygand, Former Member of Supreme Entente War Council Formed by Prime Minister Lloyd George, and High Ranking General in the Armée de Terre in Exile, 1923
View attachment 429231
Henri Honoré Giraud, POW to Both Germany and the Commune like de Gaulle, and High Ranking General of the Armée de Terre in Exile, 1925
View attachment 429229
François de La Rocque, Head of the Cabinet Noir, the Primary Military and Secret Police of the French Exiles, He Is Also the Head of the Far-Right Movement Called Croix de Feu, Whose Purpose Is to Keep Civilian and Military Morale High, 1924
View attachment 429230
Paul Baudouin, Financial Minister for the French Exiles and a Member of Action Française, Another Far-Right Movement Similar to Croix de Feu With Similar Goals, With Devout Roman Catholic Nationalism and Militarism Being At its Core. Both of These Movements Inspired and Drew Inspiration From Fascism and Victorianism, 1922
View attachment 429232
Chapter 21: The Lion and L'Aigle
March 20, 1926
The day has come, Mosley prepares to formally meet with the French Exiles. He brings with him Fuller, Joyce, Beatty, and several others of relevance to the status of France. Also included is a liaison from Italy to voice Mussolini's interests.
At the head of the French Exiles is none other than Grand Maréchal Philippe Pétain, his right-hand man is Maréchal Ferdinand Foch, a competent leader who introduced many new and bold strategies that kept the Germans on their feet until 1918. Also included is François Darlan, high ranking member of La Royale as the French admiralty suffered great losses during and shortly after the war to old age and imprisonment by or defection to the Commune, Henri Giraud, a POW twice, to both the Germans and the Commune, escaping both times, François de La Rocque, head of maintaining morale which he does quite successfully with his fiery speeches and demeanor, Maxime Weygand, a member of the Supreme Entente War Council established during the war, Paul Baudouin, a successful banker who was forced to leave France and soon took charge of the financial maintenance of the Armée de Terre in exile, Charles de Gaulle, pen officer and a protege of Pétain, and several other politicians, businessman, and military officials. They are set to meet in 10 Downing, this matter is of the utmost importance.
As the British and French file into the room, Mosley walks up to Petain and shakes his hand as he greets him. They sit and prepare themselves for the long discussion to come. Mosley moves to speak first, reaffirming who was dependent on who in this situation.
Oswald Mosley
"Bonjour fine gentlemen! I am not here to waste your time and I know you are not here to do so with mine, so let us not mince our words and be completely candid; we are here to discuss how we can best return you to France and establish a legitimate government."
Phillipe Pétain
"I see you Britannique can both be ceremonious as they come and as pragmatic as a machine."
Oswald Mosley
"As the great ancients have often said, 'Make haste, not speed'."
Phillipe Pétain
"Fair enough. I must say Monsieur Mosley, I am greatly impressed with what you have done for Britain, I believe my fellow Exiles and I are warming up to this Restitutionism of yours."
Oswald Mosley
"That is news that we are all glad to hear. I sincerely hope France, once liberated from the shackles of Marxism, will assist us in the struggle against Germany."
Phillipe Pétain
"Of course, those disgusting Allemands must pay for the humiliation of the War of 1870 and the Great War. When we stand in Paris, rest assured we shall stand with you to crush the Kaiserreich. But we must regain control over France first."
Oswald Mosley
"We understand completely. That is why I have brought Mr. Fuller and Joyce here along with others to discuss how we believe the best course of action to achieve this. Fuller?"
J. F. C. Fuller
"Thank you Your Excellency. My colleagues and I have designed an outline for the coming decade to prepare for the liberation of France and the installation of your government. The first is to end the Spanish Civil War as soon as possible so that Spain can rebuild and prepare for the war of liberation. Second is to invade Algeria and restore the French government in Algiers. With those two things accomplished main preparations for the liberation will be completed. With Italy, Portugal, Spain, Britain, and your army we can take down the Commune. We have specifics on how to accomplish both of these and we will begin cooperating for these endeavors. Joyce?"
William Joyce
"I have talked with my Prime Minister and we agreed that is due time to return the territories our previous governments wrongfully seized and kept. Effective immediately, the French Caribbean and French Africa will be returned to your jurisdiction."
Phillipe Pétain
"It is good to see we are being given the respect we are due."
Charles de Gaulle
"After how much humiliation?"
Phillipe Pétain
"Silencieux Joseph! Do not mind him, he sometimes speaks without thinking, not one for diplomacy. We are most grateful for your deference in this matter."
Oswald Mosley
"It is nothing, I assure you. Britain is committed to establishing peace in Europe, once the mistakes of the Lost Decade have been corrected. Will France join the Righteous League and help us spread the glorious cause of Restitutionism?"
Phillipe Pétain
"I have seen the results that you and Mussolini have achieved and I believe that this is the ideology of the future. France will join the Righteous League, not the France of old, of the weak 3rd République, but of a new France, inspired by Victorianism, Fascism, of our faith, our nation, our history, our loss, and our eventual rebirth, a France of Restaurationnisme!"
Mosley grabs his glass and stands, the others follow suit.
Oswald Mosley
"A toast then. A toast to a new France, a new Britain, a new Europe, a brave new world waiting for us to usher it in, in all its grandiose beauty. To Britannia and to France!"
The room erupts into a hearty cheer and all down their drinks. The talks continue. Mosley assures the Italian envoy that Italy's right to Corsica, Savoie, and Nice would be held by Italy until the Commune was defeated, following that further discussion would take place to see if a result could be reached that pleased both. Also in discussion was the ceding of claims on Tunis and the Algerian provinces of Annabe, El Tarf, Skikda, Guelma, Souk Ahras, Tebessa, Khenchela, and Oum el-Bouaghi to Italy. Several other discussions take place on the organizing of French assistance in the Spanish Civil War. Also in discussion is the allocation of French fleets to Italian bases to assist in the Mediterranean as need be. The current capital of the new French state would be at Dakar, the largest city in French controlled Africa and close to Europe. Access to thr burgeoning Righteous economic sphere as well as British, Italian, and Portuguese specialists and investment would allow the French Exiles to finally achieve a balanced budget and a permanent base of operations.
With the French, British, Italian, and Portuguese navies combined, the Righteous League is now a significant naval player and is a threat that Germany will be hard-pressed to contain. Mosley has successfully ingratiated himself to the future French government while also asserting his superiority over them. A network of vital and ideologically united European allies has been established and built upon. He is confident in future British military strength, the Claudius II performance was even better than he had hoped for.
His next short term moves are to help Kitson centralise and nationalise the economy, continue preparations for the South Africa Scheme, establish the Loyalist support network to provide arms and finances to Britain's overseas servants, form the Imperial Legion, finalise the creation of I3, help Edward prepare for his visit to various nations, and prepare for the Naval Conference. Japan had sent notice, saying it would attend the Conference, with Prime Minister Hara Takashi as well as admirals Inoue Yoshika, Tōgō Heihachirō, Fushimi Hiroyasu, Osami Nagano, Dewa Shigetō, Uryū Sotokichi, Katō Sadakichi, Yamashita Gentarō, Takarabe Takeshi, and the Navy Minister Katō Tomosaburō all planned to be in attendance. America also sent a message saying they would be in attendance, being the largest navy in the world, only the Kaiserliche Marine being close due both to disrepair and scrapping of many of the USN's ships and massive planned fleet construction programs in Germany. It seems Mosley would have to interact with Coolidge one last time before the 1928 election. But those will be done in all due time, today is a day for celebration, for today, the Lion and L'aigle have united against common foes.
Maréchal Ferdinand Jean Marie Foch, Right-Hand Man to Phillipe Pétain and Second Highest Ranking Member of the French Exiles. He Is Greatly Respected by the French, British, and Germans For Phenomenal Skill Displayed During the Great War, 1914
View attachment 429228
Maxime Weygand, Former Member of Supreme Entente War Council Formed by Prime Minister Lloyd George, and High Ranking General in the Armée de Terre in Exile, 1923
View attachment 429231
Henri Honoré Giraud, POW to Both Germany and the Commune like de Gaulle, and High Ranking General of the Armée de Terre in Exile, 1925
View attachment 429229
François de La Rocque, Head of the Cabinet Noir, the Primary Military and Secret Police of the French Exiles, He Is Also the Head of the Far-Right Movement Called Croix de Feu, Whose Purpose Is to Keep Civilian and Military Morale High, 1924
View attachment 429230
Paul Baudouin, Financial Minister for the French Exiles and a Member of Action Française, Another Far-Right Movement Similar to Croix de Feu With Similar Goals, With Devout Roman Catholic Nationalism and Militarism Being At its Core. Both of These Movements Inspired and Drew Inspiration From Fascism and Victorianism, 1922
View attachment 429232
- Lord_Vespasian
- Word Count: 1.5k