April – HMS Hermes, HMS Indomitable and HMS Formidable are re-equipped with Supermarine Seafires (a point of departure for this being Churchill having ordered the production of Seafires rather than continued production of Fairey Fulmars in 1940). The delivery of 100 Seafires greatly boosts the Fleet Air Arm, which had been operating with obsolete Fairey Fulmars and Sea Gladiators, neither of which were a match against the Japanese Zero. The equipping of the carriers with the Seafire, however limits carrier operations to defensive actions only, with its limited range and primary design as a short range interceptor. Phillips welcomes the boost to the capabilities of his carriers, although continues to press the issue of more carriers with the Admiralty.
The Admiralty in London agree with Phillips assessment that the Pacific theatre requires more carriers, but with Churchill adamant against the very notion the Admiralty try to push for the construction of more carriers without citing the Pacific as their primary destination. Using the example of the Battle of Taranto, the Admiralty push Churchill to place more resources into the construction of carriers and the development of naval aircraft. Churchill, finally bowing down to pressure from the Admiralty orders that more carriers be built. The Admiralty set about specifying the design of the new class of Carriers and would publish the new specification to shipyards within the next month.
Japanese troops in the Philippines also begin their attack on US troops around Bataan. The opening of the battle saw 190 artillery pieces open fire on and hundreds of warplanes bomb American positions. A Japanese spearhead attack on the American left flank drove the defenders back and Japanese troops advanced on the American position. American units were finally routed and a disorganised retreat from their positions, leading to a breakdown in lines of communications between Commanders and troops in the field. Maj Gen Edward King, against orders, surrenders to Japan on the 9th April 1942, allowing Japan to turn their attentions to Corregidor and the remnants of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East. American Prisoners of War from Bataan are forced to march to Capas resulting in 21,000 POWs losing their lives.
Elsewhere, US troops begin arriving in Australia after being invited by the Australian government. Troops from the US 41st Division began arriving in Australia with further support troops following in a process that would see the American presence in Australia increase. With Australia being threatened by Japan, the Australian Prime Minister, Menzies ordered the Australian 6th and 7th Divisions back to Australia to bolster homeland defences against possible Japanese invasion. The order angered Churchill who had expected Australian troops to be used in the defence of North Africa against Rommel’s Afrika Korps. A number of Australian troops were ordered to remain with the British 8th Army in North Africa, although this did little to appease a very angry Churchill. In North Africa, the port of Alexandria, home of the British Mediterranean Fleet, was bombed by Italian bombers. The attack caused negligible damage and no warships were sunk, but it crystallises the thought of Churchill that the Mediterranean and North Africa was the most important theatre of war for the British.
In Singapore, Admiral Phillips orders air defences and anti-air units around the port to be increased significantly to better protect the Eastern Fleet. Equipment from India and Australia is shipped to Singapore to increase the air defences at “Fortress Singapore”. Admiral Phillips receives intelligence from the United States that a Japanese fleet consisting of 5 carriers sailing toward Singapore on a mission to sink the British Eastern Fleet. The next day, Phillips sends out regular reconnaissance missions to locate the fleet. Knowing his carrier’s lack of offensive capabilities, he chooses not to meet the fleet in open naval battle, rather, stay close to land based fighters which will be able to defend the fleet. RAF Spitfires would supplement FAA Seafires. On the 13th April 1942, the IJN task force is sighted 200 miles from Singapore. Phillips orders all fighters to be on a constant state of readiness to scramble for when Japanese fighters are sighted with regular combat air patrols being flown over Singapore.
On the 16th April 1942, Japanese fighters and torpedo bombers are sighted in the air. Seafires from HMS Hermes, on combat patrol around the fleet are directed to engage Japanese fighters. HMS Hermes, Indomitable and Formidable launch all Seafires to battle the incoming Japanese forces. Poor lines of communications mean information on the attack is not relayed quickly to the RAF and it takes 30 minutes before RAF fighters are scrambled to support the FAA against the Japanese. 100 Fighters of the FAA engage 200 Japanese aircraft of the first wave of the attack. By the time RAF fighters arrive in the battle area, 14 Seafires have been shot down for 27 Japanese aircraft. During the attack however, Japanese torpedo bombers manage to sink HMS Hermes, HMS Royal Sovereign, HMS Caradoc and 2 destroyers. HMS Ramillies and Frobisher are heavily damaged in the attack. The arrival of RAF units saw an end to the first wave. The second wave was a smaller force of 100 aircraft and was seen off with no serious damage.
The attack on the Eastern Fleet in the Battle of Singapore, was a blow to Admiral Phillips. The loss of Hermes, Royal Sovereign, the Ramillies and Frobisher, both of which had to sail to Britain for repair and refit weakened the Eastern Fleet. Hermes however, was an elderly carrier, considered by many to be obsolete. Churchill however, was incensed at what he saw as a crippling attack that Phillips did little to stop. He ordered Phillips to sale with the Ramillies, thus removing him from command of the Eastern Fleet. Admiral James Somerville takes over command of the Eastern Fleet.
British Minister of Productions, Oliver Lyttelton seeking to increase the rate of construction in Naval Warships adopts American methods of construction including the use of welding. He invites Henry J. Kaiser, owner of Kaiser Shipyards in the US to build shipyards in Canada to his specification as well as reform construction practices in British shipyards in order to greatly reduce the time it takes to build ships.
Roosevelt orders the go-ahead of a bombing mission, labelled by the popular press as the “Doolittle Raids”. The raid hits Tokyo causing embarrassment to the Japanese government and bolsters American morale at home. The mission also showed Admiral Phillips of the potential of fleet carriers as floating islands to use on forward striking positions, to allow offensive operations against Japanese positions without the need of an airfield. The mission provides valuable experience and knowledge to the American fleet in their preparations to go on the offensive in the Pacific. The Japanese Imperial High Command, shocked at the attack on Tokyo orders Admiral Yamamoto to prepare plans to take the atolls at Midway and the Aleutian Islands.
With Allied and Japanese troops locked in combat at Songkhla and Thai Forces being forced back to the British and Allied lines, General Wavell in Burma goes on the offensive attacking Japanese positions in northern Thailand and Indochina on 19th March 1942. His troops, without proper jungle training as troops in Malaya had suffered significant losses. It began a period of attrition between Allied troops in Burma and Japan. Wavell's aim was simple; open a second front against the Japanese, divert their resources and push the Japanese back into Indochina. Military Intelligence suggested to Wavell in the weeks preceding the attack that Japanese forces in South East Asia was stretched as they had not been counting on a protracted campaign against the British in Malaya.
May – Phillips arrives back in Britain. Churchill, still angered at the attack on the Eastern Fleet and the loss of the Royal Sovereign and Hermes won’t give him command of any warships, instead placing him with the Naval Construction Board. Phillips, rather than feeling angry, is secretly relishing the opportunity to have a hand in designing the Navy’s next generation of ships, especially aircraft carriers. On the 17th May 1942, Phillips takes up his position reviewing a plan for the construction of new aircraft carriers. The plan is the product of the Admiralty managing to convince Churchill to order the construction of new carriers for the fleet.
The design calls for two classes of carrier, large fleet carriers (CVs) and light fleet carriers (CVLs). A total of 8 CVs and 16 CVLs were planned to be built. The original specification as follows:
Displacement: Standard- 23,500 tons Full Load- 29,000 tons
Length: 805 ft
Beam: 115 ft
Draught: 37 ft
Speed: 32 knots
Complement: 1,800
Armament: 16 x QF 4.5 in Mk. III, 24 x QF 2 pdr Mk. VIII, 61 x 40mm Bofors, 45 x QF 20mm Oerlikon
Armour: Belt- 100mm, Hanger- 25mm, Deck- 50mm
Aircraft: 60 Aircraft in hanger
Displacement: Standard- 13,000 tons Full Load- 15,500 tons
Length: 695 ft
Beam: 80 ft
Draught: 23.5 ft
Speed: 25 knots
Complement: 1,300
Armament: 30 x 40mm Bofors
Armour: Belt- 75mm, Hanger- 25mm, Deck- 0mm
Aircraft: 36 Aircraft in hanger
Phillips was concerned that the Americans and Japanese were building or already had carriers that could hold in excess of 70-80 aircraft, whereas British ships could hold only 60. Failing a complete redesign, deck parks would be designed into the existing specification allowing the CV to hold up to 81 aircraft and CVL to hold up to 48 aircraft. The design was modified so that they could hold the F4U Corsair fighters being built for the FAA in the United States. The design was tailored to reflect the need for hurried assembly. The CVL would have no armoured fight deck, limited anti-aircraft defences, a single hangar running the length of the ship, a single catapult and two aircraft lifts. Additionally they were designed to Lloyds Register Standards, enabling construction to occur in commercial shipyards, relieving pressure on naval yards already occupied with other warship building programmes. Using the knowledge he gained from the Battle of Singapore Phillips modified the designs slightly to suit combat in the Pacific. The Admiralty approved the modified designs on the 29th May 1942.
Projected Laying Down
Projected Commission Date
HMS Audacious
Aug 1942
Nov 1943
HMS Eagle
Aug 1942
Dec 1943
HMS Agamemnon
Sept 1942
Dec 1943
HMS Ark Royal
Oct 1942
Jan 1944
HMS Hermes
Nov 1942
Feb 1944
HMS Pegasus
Dec 1942
Mar 1944
HMS Invincible
Feb 1943
May 1944
HMS Inflexible
Apr 1943
Jul 1944
HMS Colossus
Jun 1942
Jul 1943
HMS Courageous
Jul 1942
Jul 1943
HMS Conquest
Sep 1942
Dec 1943
HMS Aquilon
Nov 1942
Jan 1943
HMS Africa
Mar 1943
Apr 1943
HMS Aggressor
May 1943
Jun 1943
HMS Canada
May 1943
Jul 1943
HMS Phantom
Jul 1943
Sep 1944
HMS Gibraltar
Aug 1943
Sep 1944
HMS Magnificent
Aug 1943
Oct 1944
HMS Hyperion
Sep 1943
Dec 1944
HMS Leviathon
Nov 1943
Feb 1945
Kaiser Shipyards begin planning for construction of a new naval shipyard near Vancouver, Canada and expansion at shipyards in Saint John, Newfoundland and Sorel, Canada. Henry Kaiser sets up Kaiser Canadian Shipyards to manage and oversee shipyards being built in Canada. Kaiser Canadian (Vancouver) Shipyard is designed to be a 16 way shipyard, while Kaiser Canadian (Saint John) Shipyard and Kaiser Canadian (Sorel) is designed to be expanded to a 12 way shipyard. The shipyards in Vancouver are expected to be complete by late 1944 with the initial construction capabilities by January 1943 and expansion at Saint John and Sorel to be complete by mid-1943. The Admiralty and the British government knew that they could not possibly hope to match American shipbuilding capacity but that they could match the speed in which ships were built and commissioned.
The Canadian population numbered 11,267,000 in 1939. The Canadian Government, headed by William Lyon Mackenzie King (Mackenzie King) was concerned that in order to continue building industrial capacity, Canada would continue to need increasing numbers of workers to man factories throughout Canada. It was becoming clear that Canada’s population as insufficient to sustain the war effort and that Canada’s population would need to increase in order to meet the need for supplies and materials the war required. The United States had effectively banned migration from countries such as China and India in 1941 on the grounds of public safety and taking advantage of that, Canada announced that it would grant rights of residency as a Canadian subject to all those wishing to migrate to Canada, on condition that they are employed at a factory or shipyard supporting the war effort. The primary targets of migrants were those coming from China and India, with massive populations.
In early May, Japan, wanting to secure its defensive positions and consolidate, put into action a plan to invade Tulagi in the Solomon Islands and Port Moresby in New Guinea. The United States learnt of the plans and sent a task force to oppose the Japanese force. The Yorktown and Lexington were both sent and combined with ships from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to fight at the Battle of the Coral Sea. During the battle, the Allies sunk a light carrier, 1 destroyer, while damaging a Japanese fleet carrier for the loss of the USS Lexington, which had to be scuttled due to severe damage. The Allies were able to force the Japanese to turn away from Port Moresby although Tulagi fell to the Japanese. Although the Japanese won a tactical victory at the Coral Sea, Japanese High Command was very worried as they had faced defeat at Singapore, losing the vital supplies in the Malaya peninsula to the detriment of the Japanese war effort and they were now forced back from New Guinea.
Admiral Yamamoto, in his assessment to the Japanese High Command told them that the war in the Pacific was all but lost. He said Japan could not fight off the Americans in the East and fight a resurgent Britain in the West, recommending that Japan should attempt to sue for peace with either the Allies. The Japanese government rejects this idea and many of Yamamoto’s own allies think this is wishful thinking, given the conduct of the war up to now. Japan, having rejected the idea of peace, resolves to fight total war until the very end.
The British government sent a delegation from the India Office to speak with the members of the Indian Nationalist movement, including Mahatma Gandhi of the Indian National Congress and Ali Jinnah of the Muslim League. The Cripps mission was charged by Churchill to offer an agreement to Indian Nationalists. India would receive immediate independence as a Dominion and that Britain would apologise for “actions causing detriment and offence to Indians and wrongs that should never have been made”. The future Dominion of India, would continue to recognise the Monarch as King-Emperor, but that Indians would have full control of their affairs. India would also continue the war effort on the Allied side. The offer was of a great shock to Gandhi. The Indian Nationalist movement was offered a timeframe for independence and a framework for full Dominion Status. It was what they had asked for in 1939 which was rejected by the then British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain. After many days of deliberation and a direct intervention by Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian National Congress agreed to the proposals. The Muslim League was weary of remaining in a union with Hindus and Sikhs within an Indian Union. It had previous held that the Muslim faith was incompatible with Hinduism and Sikhism. Upon reading the proposals put forth specifically that the majority of power would rest with individual provinces, Jinnah reluctantly agreed to the proposals.
Political Administration – The draft constitution provided for a confederation, similar to Canadian Articles of Confederation. India would be divided into 12 Provinces and a Confederation capital at New Delhi. The 12 Provinces would be:
- Kashmir
- Punjab
- Beluchistan
- Gujarat
- Rajputana
- Bombay
- Mysore
- Madras
- Central Provinces
- United Provinces
- Bengal
- Assam
The Executive would be the King-Emperor of India, through his representative, the Governor-General of India. The Governor-General would be appointed by the King-Emperor on the advice of the Prime Minister of India for an indefinite term.
The Indian Parliament would be bicameral, the Lower house called the House of Commons and the Upper house, called the Provincial Council.
The House of Commons would contain a total of 450 seats to be divided in proportion to population between each province. Representatives, styled Members of Parliament (MP), would hold their seats for a maximum of 5 years where the government would be required to dissolve Parliament and hold elections. MPs would be directly elected to a specific constituency. The person that is most able to control a majority would become the leader of the House of Commons and be appointed Prime Minister of India by the Governor General. The Provincial Council would contain 150 seats that would be indirectly elected. Seats would be divided between all provinces in proportion to their population. Members would be styled Provincial Councillors (PC) and be selected by Provincial legislatures. PCs would hold their seat for a maximum of 10 years, with the whole Council being reselected. Parliament would be responsible for setting economic policy, collecting taxes, redistributing them to the provinces and foreign policy.
At a Provincial level, provinces would be able to select whether they wished a unicameral or bicameral system of government. At the head of the executive, would be the Lieutenant-Governors, appointed on the advice of the Provincial Premier. The leader of the party most able to command the confidence of the lower house or provincial legislature, would become the Provincial Premier. Provincial legislatures would be given wide authority to determine their own criminal codes, set their own provincial legislation and retain their rights and customs without interference from the national Parliament.
Franchise – All men and women above the age of 18, regardless of financial wealth, would be given one vote.
Timeframe – The war required that there be continuity of government until an interim government could be formed. A provisional date of the 1st June 1942 was set for when the interim government would run the country. The current government would remain as advisors for the interim government and would continue in that capacity until removed by the Governor-General. The first general election would be held at the conclusion of the war.
Military – The branches of the military will be the Indian Army, Royal Indian Navy and Royal Indian Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of all military forces in India will be the King-Emperor and his representative, the Governor-General. Indian Army troops will remain integrated into British command for the duration of the war while indigenous Indian staff officers are attached to Army headquarter units. Upon conclusion of the war, the army, RIN and RIAF will revert to Indian control.
The interim government would be headed by Jawaharlal Nehru as the Prime Minister. The issue of who would be the interim Governor-General was resolved with Ali Jinnah becoming the first Indian Governor-General for the Indian Confederation.
__________________________________________
I wanted to change a few parts in the first 2 threads, but it would appear it would only allow a single edit and then lock you out, so I can't update and redact stuff
The Admiralty in London agree with Phillips assessment that the Pacific theatre requires more carriers, but with Churchill adamant against the very notion the Admiralty try to push for the construction of more carriers without citing the Pacific as their primary destination. Using the example of the Battle of Taranto, the Admiralty push Churchill to place more resources into the construction of carriers and the development of naval aircraft. Churchill, finally bowing down to pressure from the Admiralty orders that more carriers be built. The Admiralty set about specifying the design of the new class of Carriers and would publish the new specification to shipyards within the next month.
Japanese troops in the Philippines also begin their attack on US troops around Bataan. The opening of the battle saw 190 artillery pieces open fire on and hundreds of warplanes bomb American positions. A Japanese spearhead attack on the American left flank drove the defenders back and Japanese troops advanced on the American position. American units were finally routed and a disorganised retreat from their positions, leading to a breakdown in lines of communications between Commanders and troops in the field. Maj Gen Edward King, against orders, surrenders to Japan on the 9th April 1942, allowing Japan to turn their attentions to Corregidor and the remnants of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East. American Prisoners of War from Bataan are forced to march to Capas resulting in 21,000 POWs losing their lives.
Elsewhere, US troops begin arriving in Australia after being invited by the Australian government. Troops from the US 41st Division began arriving in Australia with further support troops following in a process that would see the American presence in Australia increase. With Australia being threatened by Japan, the Australian Prime Minister, Menzies ordered the Australian 6th and 7th Divisions back to Australia to bolster homeland defences against possible Japanese invasion. The order angered Churchill who had expected Australian troops to be used in the defence of North Africa against Rommel’s Afrika Korps. A number of Australian troops were ordered to remain with the British 8th Army in North Africa, although this did little to appease a very angry Churchill. In North Africa, the port of Alexandria, home of the British Mediterranean Fleet, was bombed by Italian bombers. The attack caused negligible damage and no warships were sunk, but it crystallises the thought of Churchill that the Mediterranean and North Africa was the most important theatre of war for the British.
In Singapore, Admiral Phillips orders air defences and anti-air units around the port to be increased significantly to better protect the Eastern Fleet. Equipment from India and Australia is shipped to Singapore to increase the air defences at “Fortress Singapore”. Admiral Phillips receives intelligence from the United States that a Japanese fleet consisting of 5 carriers sailing toward Singapore on a mission to sink the British Eastern Fleet. The next day, Phillips sends out regular reconnaissance missions to locate the fleet. Knowing his carrier’s lack of offensive capabilities, he chooses not to meet the fleet in open naval battle, rather, stay close to land based fighters which will be able to defend the fleet. RAF Spitfires would supplement FAA Seafires. On the 13th April 1942, the IJN task force is sighted 200 miles from Singapore. Phillips orders all fighters to be on a constant state of readiness to scramble for when Japanese fighters are sighted with regular combat air patrols being flown over Singapore.
On the 16th April 1942, Japanese fighters and torpedo bombers are sighted in the air. Seafires from HMS Hermes, on combat patrol around the fleet are directed to engage Japanese fighters. HMS Hermes, Indomitable and Formidable launch all Seafires to battle the incoming Japanese forces. Poor lines of communications mean information on the attack is not relayed quickly to the RAF and it takes 30 minutes before RAF fighters are scrambled to support the FAA against the Japanese. 100 Fighters of the FAA engage 200 Japanese aircraft of the first wave of the attack. By the time RAF fighters arrive in the battle area, 14 Seafires have been shot down for 27 Japanese aircraft. During the attack however, Japanese torpedo bombers manage to sink HMS Hermes, HMS Royal Sovereign, HMS Caradoc and 2 destroyers. HMS Ramillies and Frobisher are heavily damaged in the attack. The arrival of RAF units saw an end to the first wave. The second wave was a smaller force of 100 aircraft and was seen off with no serious damage.
The attack on the Eastern Fleet in the Battle of Singapore, was a blow to Admiral Phillips. The loss of Hermes, Royal Sovereign, the Ramillies and Frobisher, both of which had to sail to Britain for repair and refit weakened the Eastern Fleet. Hermes however, was an elderly carrier, considered by many to be obsolete. Churchill however, was incensed at what he saw as a crippling attack that Phillips did little to stop. He ordered Phillips to sale with the Ramillies, thus removing him from command of the Eastern Fleet. Admiral James Somerville takes over command of the Eastern Fleet.
British Minister of Productions, Oliver Lyttelton seeking to increase the rate of construction in Naval Warships adopts American methods of construction including the use of welding. He invites Henry J. Kaiser, owner of Kaiser Shipyards in the US to build shipyards in Canada to his specification as well as reform construction practices in British shipyards in order to greatly reduce the time it takes to build ships.
Roosevelt orders the go-ahead of a bombing mission, labelled by the popular press as the “Doolittle Raids”. The raid hits Tokyo causing embarrassment to the Japanese government and bolsters American morale at home. The mission also showed Admiral Phillips of the potential of fleet carriers as floating islands to use on forward striking positions, to allow offensive operations against Japanese positions without the need of an airfield. The mission provides valuable experience and knowledge to the American fleet in their preparations to go on the offensive in the Pacific. The Japanese Imperial High Command, shocked at the attack on Tokyo orders Admiral Yamamoto to prepare plans to take the atolls at Midway and the Aleutian Islands.
With Allied and Japanese troops locked in combat at Songkhla and Thai Forces being forced back to the British and Allied lines, General Wavell in Burma goes on the offensive attacking Japanese positions in northern Thailand and Indochina on 19th March 1942. His troops, without proper jungle training as troops in Malaya had suffered significant losses. It began a period of attrition between Allied troops in Burma and Japan. Wavell's aim was simple; open a second front against the Japanese, divert their resources and push the Japanese back into Indochina. Military Intelligence suggested to Wavell in the weeks preceding the attack that Japanese forces in South East Asia was stretched as they had not been counting on a protracted campaign against the British in Malaya.
May – Phillips arrives back in Britain. Churchill, still angered at the attack on the Eastern Fleet and the loss of the Royal Sovereign and Hermes won’t give him command of any warships, instead placing him with the Naval Construction Board. Phillips, rather than feeling angry, is secretly relishing the opportunity to have a hand in designing the Navy’s next generation of ships, especially aircraft carriers. On the 17th May 1942, Phillips takes up his position reviewing a plan for the construction of new aircraft carriers. The plan is the product of the Admiralty managing to convince Churchill to order the construction of new carriers for the fleet.
The design calls for two classes of carrier, large fleet carriers (CVs) and light fleet carriers (CVLs). A total of 8 CVs and 16 CVLs were planned to be built. The original specification as follows:
CV – Implacable Class
Length: 805 ft
Beam: 115 ft
Draught: 37 ft
Speed: 32 knots
Complement: 1,800
Armament: 16 x QF 4.5 in Mk. III, 24 x QF 2 pdr Mk. VIII, 61 x 40mm Bofors, 45 x QF 20mm Oerlikon
Armour: Belt- 100mm, Hanger- 25mm, Deck- 50mm
Aircraft: 60 Aircraft in hanger
CVL
Length: 695 ft
Beam: 80 ft
Draught: 23.5 ft
Speed: 25 knots
Complement: 1,300
Armament: 30 x 40mm Bofors
Armour: Belt- 75mm, Hanger- 25mm, Deck- 0mm
Aircraft: 36 Aircraft in hanger
Phillips was concerned that the Americans and Japanese were building or already had carriers that could hold in excess of 70-80 aircraft, whereas British ships could hold only 60. Failing a complete redesign, deck parks would be designed into the existing specification allowing the CV to hold up to 81 aircraft and CVL to hold up to 48 aircraft. The design was modified so that they could hold the F4U Corsair fighters being built for the FAA in the United States. The design was tailored to reflect the need for hurried assembly. The CVL would have no armoured fight deck, limited anti-aircraft defences, a single hangar running the length of the ship, a single catapult and two aircraft lifts. Additionally they were designed to Lloyds Register Standards, enabling construction to occur in commercial shipyards, relieving pressure on naval yards already occupied with other warship building programmes. Using the knowledge he gained from the Battle of Singapore Phillips modified the designs slightly to suit combat in the Pacific. The Admiralty approved the modified designs on the 29th May 1942.
Timetable of Carrier Construction
CV
Projected Laying Down
Projected Commission Date
HMS Audacious
Aug 1942
Nov 1943
HMS Eagle
Aug 1942
Dec 1943
HMS Agamemnon
Sept 1942
Dec 1943
HMS Ark Royal
Oct 1942
Jan 1944
HMS Hermes
Nov 1942
Feb 1944
HMS Pegasus
Dec 1942
Mar 1944
HMS Invincible
Feb 1943
May 1944
HMS Inflexible
Apr 1943
Jul 1944
CVL
Jun 1942
Jul 1943
HMS Courageous
Jul 1942
Jul 1943
HMS Conquest
Sep 1942
Dec 1943
HMS Aquilon
Nov 1942
Jan 1943
HMS Africa
Mar 1943
Apr 1943
HMS Aggressor
May 1943
Jun 1943
HMS Canada
May 1943
Jul 1943
HMS Phantom
Jul 1943
Sep 1944
HMS Gibraltar
Aug 1943
Sep 1944
HMS Magnificent
Aug 1943
Oct 1944
HMS Hyperion
Sep 1943
Dec 1944
HMS Leviathon
Nov 1943
Feb 1945
Kaiser Shipyards begin planning for construction of a new naval shipyard near Vancouver, Canada and expansion at shipyards in Saint John, Newfoundland and Sorel, Canada. Henry Kaiser sets up Kaiser Canadian Shipyards to manage and oversee shipyards being built in Canada. Kaiser Canadian (Vancouver) Shipyard is designed to be a 16 way shipyard, while Kaiser Canadian (Saint John) Shipyard and Kaiser Canadian (Sorel) is designed to be expanded to a 12 way shipyard. The shipyards in Vancouver are expected to be complete by late 1944 with the initial construction capabilities by January 1943 and expansion at Saint John and Sorel to be complete by mid-1943. The Admiralty and the British government knew that they could not possibly hope to match American shipbuilding capacity but that they could match the speed in which ships were built and commissioned.
The Canadian population numbered 11,267,000 in 1939. The Canadian Government, headed by William Lyon Mackenzie King (Mackenzie King) was concerned that in order to continue building industrial capacity, Canada would continue to need increasing numbers of workers to man factories throughout Canada. It was becoming clear that Canada’s population as insufficient to sustain the war effort and that Canada’s population would need to increase in order to meet the need for supplies and materials the war required. The United States had effectively banned migration from countries such as China and India in 1941 on the grounds of public safety and taking advantage of that, Canada announced that it would grant rights of residency as a Canadian subject to all those wishing to migrate to Canada, on condition that they are employed at a factory or shipyard supporting the war effort. The primary targets of migrants were those coming from China and India, with massive populations.
In early May, Japan, wanting to secure its defensive positions and consolidate, put into action a plan to invade Tulagi in the Solomon Islands and Port Moresby in New Guinea. The United States learnt of the plans and sent a task force to oppose the Japanese force. The Yorktown and Lexington were both sent and combined with ships from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to fight at the Battle of the Coral Sea. During the battle, the Allies sunk a light carrier, 1 destroyer, while damaging a Japanese fleet carrier for the loss of the USS Lexington, which had to be scuttled due to severe damage. The Allies were able to force the Japanese to turn away from Port Moresby although Tulagi fell to the Japanese. Although the Japanese won a tactical victory at the Coral Sea, Japanese High Command was very worried as they had faced defeat at Singapore, losing the vital supplies in the Malaya peninsula to the detriment of the Japanese war effort and they were now forced back from New Guinea.
Admiral Yamamoto, in his assessment to the Japanese High Command told them that the war in the Pacific was all but lost. He said Japan could not fight off the Americans in the East and fight a resurgent Britain in the West, recommending that Japan should attempt to sue for peace with either the Allies. The Japanese government rejects this idea and many of Yamamoto’s own allies think this is wishful thinking, given the conduct of the war up to now. Japan, having rejected the idea of peace, resolves to fight total war until the very end.
The British government sent a delegation from the India Office to speak with the members of the Indian Nationalist movement, including Mahatma Gandhi of the Indian National Congress and Ali Jinnah of the Muslim League. The Cripps mission was charged by Churchill to offer an agreement to Indian Nationalists. India would receive immediate independence as a Dominion and that Britain would apologise for “actions causing detriment and offence to Indians and wrongs that should never have been made”. The future Dominion of India, would continue to recognise the Monarch as King-Emperor, but that Indians would have full control of their affairs. India would also continue the war effort on the Allied side. The offer was of a great shock to Gandhi. The Indian Nationalist movement was offered a timeframe for independence and a framework for full Dominion Status. It was what they had asked for in 1939 which was rejected by the then British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain. After many days of deliberation and a direct intervention by Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian National Congress agreed to the proposals. The Muslim League was weary of remaining in a union with Hindus and Sikhs within an Indian Union. It had previous held that the Muslim faith was incompatible with Hinduism and Sikhism. Upon reading the proposals put forth specifically that the majority of power would rest with individual provinces, Jinnah reluctantly agreed to the proposals.
The Proposal
- Kashmir
- Punjab
- Beluchistan
- Gujarat
- Rajputana
- Bombay
- Mysore
- Madras
- Central Provinces
- United Provinces
- Bengal
- Assam
The Executive would be the King-Emperor of India, through his representative, the Governor-General of India. The Governor-General would be appointed by the King-Emperor on the advice of the Prime Minister of India for an indefinite term.
The Indian Parliament would be bicameral, the Lower house called the House of Commons and the Upper house, called the Provincial Council.
The House of Commons would contain a total of 450 seats to be divided in proportion to population between each province. Representatives, styled Members of Parliament (MP), would hold their seats for a maximum of 5 years where the government would be required to dissolve Parliament and hold elections. MPs would be directly elected to a specific constituency. The person that is most able to control a majority would become the leader of the House of Commons and be appointed Prime Minister of India by the Governor General. The Provincial Council would contain 150 seats that would be indirectly elected. Seats would be divided between all provinces in proportion to their population. Members would be styled Provincial Councillors (PC) and be selected by Provincial legislatures. PCs would hold their seat for a maximum of 10 years, with the whole Council being reselected. Parliament would be responsible for setting economic policy, collecting taxes, redistributing them to the provinces and foreign policy.
At a Provincial level, provinces would be able to select whether they wished a unicameral or bicameral system of government. At the head of the executive, would be the Lieutenant-Governors, appointed on the advice of the Provincial Premier. The leader of the party most able to command the confidence of the lower house or provincial legislature, would become the Provincial Premier. Provincial legislatures would be given wide authority to determine their own criminal codes, set their own provincial legislation and retain their rights and customs without interference from the national Parliament.
Franchise – All men and women above the age of 18, regardless of financial wealth, would be given one vote.
Timeframe – The war required that there be continuity of government until an interim government could be formed. A provisional date of the 1st June 1942 was set for when the interim government would run the country. The current government would remain as advisors for the interim government and would continue in that capacity until removed by the Governor-General. The first general election would be held at the conclusion of the war.
Military – The branches of the military will be the Indian Army, Royal Indian Navy and Royal Indian Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of all military forces in India will be the King-Emperor and his representative, the Governor-General. Indian Army troops will remain integrated into British command for the duration of the war while indigenous Indian staff officers are attached to Army headquarter units. Upon conclusion of the war, the army, RIN and RIAF will revert to Indian control.
The interim government would be headed by Jawaharlal Nehru as the Prime Minister. The issue of who would be the interim Governor-General was resolved with Ali Jinnah becoming the first Indian Governor-General for the Indian Confederation.
__________________________________________
I wanted to change a few parts in the first 2 threads, but it would appear it would only allow a single edit and then lock you out, so I can't update and redact stuff