An Independant Newfoundland in NATO

Sachyriel

Banned
So, a few butterflies involving the First World War and more surviving Newfoundland Men to make a stronger, united Newfoundland, and a lack of political will in Canada to absorb Newfoundland leads to an independent Newfoundland (no they're not going to be an American state:rolleyes:) sometime after WW2 (which isn't butterflied away, but the Newfie WW1 survivors give their boys some tips that make them come home more alive) perhaps when NATO is being formed would Newfoundland join NATO?

To me, it seems rather likely, since they speak English and were allied, but I'm having some trouble with the idea of an armed Newfoundland; its military will not be big, I suppose it won't be so keen on infantry rather than air power and naval power though.

So, tell me, AH.commers with your wisdom, what do you think of this scenario?
 
I would have guessed it would. Whilst, like you say, its military would have been small, it would have still been West-leaning, and not everyone in NATO had a large military like the US, UK or West Germany
 

MacCaulay

Banned
There's no Canadian SAS.
Also with about half a million citizens, you'd be looking at the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg with a navy :p

Correction: There's no Canadian SAS anymore.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Special_Air_Service_Company

I honestly haven't looked at the Wiki, but from what I remember from the books on my shelf, they were formed in 1947 and only existed for a few years. They differed from the SAS groups of other nations in that their primary purpose was less to operate as a combat unit and more as a SAR and cadre force, which means that they were to be able to bring their formation up to battalion strength using the company as a trained core.

I know they did at least one jump to save some stranded folks: in post-WWII Canada, the use of parachutists as Search-and-Rescue personnel was almost more important than their possible use in a combat role.
 
So we'd be more or less looking at another Iceland in NATO? Basing, ports, airfields, that sort of thing?
 
BINGO

So we'd be more or less looking at another Iceland in NATO? Basing, ports, airfields, that sort of thing?

Right on! That was exactly what I was thinking. Maybe a small SWAT/Special Forces group to back up the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary but with a larger 'Navy' than Iceland. Probably a few icebreakers and about a dozen patrol boats (between a modern corvette and frigate in size for seakeeping/stability reasons).
Quite a few helicopters for disaster relief/SAR are possible too and 4-6 small transport planes (DHC-5 Buffalo?) to get stuff around (especially in Labrador).
 

MacCaulay

Banned
Quite a few helicopters for disaster relief/SAR are possible too and 4-6 small transport planes (DHC-5 Buffalo?) to get stuff around (especially in Labrador).

You need to look at the sorry ass state of Canadian SAR right now. If an independent Newfoundland had 4 DHC-5s in it's inventory right now, they'd be miles ahead of Canada considering the space they'd have to cover.

According to the latest issue of Canadian Military, they're down to six Buffalos now. (which is awful anyway, it should be said.)
 

abc123

Banned
Hmm, I know that NE part of Labrador is rich with iron, but wouldn't independent Dominion of Newfoundland simply give that area to Canada, to buy goodwill of Canada for independence?
 
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abc123

Banned
Hmm, I know that NE part of Labrador is rich with iron, but wouldn't independent Dominion of Newfoundland simply give that area to Canada, to buy goodwill of Canada for independence?


IIRC province of Newfoundland and Labrador how has population of 510 000. With lesser losses in WW1, today's Newfoundland ( without Labrador ) could have about 550 000? More?
:confused:
 
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