I'm impressed - the couple of times I've tried Writing Under the Influence were...odd, to say the least
Thank you
Chamberlain's Dream - From British Empire to Imperial Commonwealth
- Thread starter Miss Construction
- Start date
I'm impressed - the couple of times I've tried Writing Under the Influence were...odd, to say the least
Thank you
I'm impressed - the couple of times I've tried Writing Under the Influence were...odd, to say the least
Thank you
A Wild Talent
Part One – Jostein and Petra
Jostein turned, knelt, thrust and twisted the blade in a single fluid motion. The hooded figure before him seemed a little stunned as he looked down at the bright Italian steel now protruding from his midsection. Jostein grinned as he withdrew the rapier, stating only “Ist wohl überraschend, oder?” The figure slumped to the floor, but Jostein knew he had little time to appreciate the move. He looked over at Petra, she was in trouble, yet again. Two goblins were on her and she was swinging her blade as inelegantly as ever. He yelled over “Follow the parry with a riposte, how many times do I have to tell you” as his father's dagger flew from his left hand into the back of one of the goblins neck's. Petra didn't pause to thank him, simply drew back her leg and kicked the remaining goblin between the legs with all her might. He shock his head, no sense of style.
She did however swing the ancient sword and neatly decapitate the creature as it doubled over, joking “Don't lose your head now.”
Jostein groaned as he wiped his blade clean “You call that a quip? And they speak German not English remember.”
“Hey it was move appropriate kæreste and my German sucks.”
“Time and place Petra, time and place, and quit calling me sweetheart.” He loved her dearly, but she was his apprentice, a certain decorum needed to be maintained.
“And anyway 'Magister' you try a riposte with this thing.” She raised the heavy broadsword in her hand “Hardly a delicate weapon.”
“That, my dear, is the blade of Flavius Stilicho, an ancient weapon of great power, fully capable of acting with grace and elegance if you let it.” Petra had yet to fully grasp the concept that a sword with an ego needed to be treated with respect. Sorcery she was good at, swordsmanship, not so much.
She snorted “It would be much easier with a good old fashioned gun you know.”
She already knew why they hadn't used firearms, but he humoured her anyway “A goblin is a creature of the Otherworld, and requires an enchanted weapon to dispatch. Enchanting bullets is both time consuming and exhausting.” It was a good thing he loved her, he'd have stabbed her with a kitchen knife some time ago if he didn't. “Now if you would kindly go deal with the vampire, I will check the tomb” as an afterthought he added “Only this time, leave the dagger in the heart until after you cut off her head please.”
Jostein was checking the seals when Petra bounced up to join him, silver dagger in one hand, Gräfin Herz's head in the other. “Oh look at the power in those wards. Whatever's behind this door is way beyond a gang simple goblins, even if they did bring along a vampire for the ride.”
“Countess Herz does, did not work for goblins, Petra. They worked for her.”
She looked closely at the wards. “Leave them alone Petra.” Petra's curiosity and innate gift for wild magic had a habit of getting her in trouble.
She tried to look innocent “What?”
“You've been with me how long now?”
She smiled “Seven years, since I was eighteen.”
“Yes, and I know that look. You're tempted.” Temptation was always a problem for wild talents, that's why the Council trained as many as they could find. Petra was exceptional in many ways, not least the extent of her raw power. Unfortunately that seemed to make her particularly vulnerable to temptation.
“Aren't you even a little bit curious what's behind here?”
“Not in the slightest, only that it stays behind here.”
“But the power of those wards...”
He placed his finger gently on her lips “General rule of thumb lover. If something is carefully sealed behind a door closed with wards of immense power, best to leave it there.” He mumbled an incantation to repair the nickel-iron rod baring the door. It didn't look like any of the actual seals had been weakened, they had arrived in time.
She slumped on the door and sighed “Sometimes you're no fun Jostein.”
He chuckled and kissed her lightly “You are plenty fun for both of us dear.”
The pair sat in a quiet bar in central Flensborg, one of Jostein's safe places. The owner was a changling, but he kept his nose clean and owed Jostein more than a few favours. Jostein savoured his whiskey while Petra fidgeted, her nervous wild energy aching to dissipate. She was gently moving to the music she had conjured in her head. He however was watching the news. It was the usual stuff, war in the Balkans, the Dow had closed over eleven thousand, a tornado in Oklahoma leaving thirty eight dead. Jostein wondered about that one, but that was Daheste's beat. He'd call her in the morning just to check. Petra was twisting herself in some most unusual ways, attracting a few stares. She was never one to keep a low profile. And she was stunning, tall and slender with flaming red hair and deep dark eyes. Even in a sack, she would turn heads. And she most definitely never wore a sack. He turned to her and raised his eyebrows.
“What?”
“You're not exactly being discreet there Petra.” Even subtle magic could attract unwanted attention. Jostein had bought her a portable CD player, but she still preferred to use an enchantment.
“I'm bored. Lets go somewhere fun. There's a hot club over the border in Kiel, great music, dancing, you know, fun.” Jostein didn't think it sounded much like fun to him. Petra's idea of good music was frantic, loud and annoyingly perky, he preferred jazz. But she was a wild talent, her nervous energy needed an outlet, Jostein knew that. One way or another, the tension within her would have to come out. Looking at her right now, likely one way and another.
“It's an hour away Petra.”
She chortled “Not the way I drive.”
Part Two – Restless energy
The powerful Aston-Martin sped along the E45 towards the Ejderen and the border well in excess of the limit of one hundred and thirty. Petra was a superb driver, but the last thing they needed was draw the attention of the rigspolitiet. “Slow down, there's plenty of time, it's only just turned ten.”
She laughed and floored it, the V8 motor roared as the needle leapt well over two hundred. “We'll be in Germany in a few minutes, no speed limits there.” She was enjoying herself. He didn't have the heart to tell her that where he came from they already would be in Germany.
“Yes, but they tend to have police near the border remember, so slow down. Do you really want somebody looking in the boot?”
She pouted for a moment, then eased back to around one thirty. “There you go Farfar.”
Jostein smiled slightly, he was old enough to be her grandfather. Though he hadn't aged since he was forty three, he'd be two hundred and eighty seven in five weeks. He often wondered how old Petra would be when she stopped ageing, wild talents tended to cling to life for some time.
The club was loud and glaring, the lights flashed as people moved to the music. Petra had dragged Jostein to his feet for several songs, but now she was dancing with some pretty German boy. Jostein wasn't jealous, he was well aware he couldn't keep up with her. She was laughing as she danced, lost in the pulsing music. Just so long as she kept in control it would be fine. He worked his way to the bar “Whiskey bitte.” he had to yell to be heard over the music. The young lady behind the bar reached for a bottle of scotch. “Nein Irisch danke” She looked puzzled for a moment. Jostein pointed at the correct bottle. Jostein was very particular about what he drank, his tastes were... settled and he didn't like to disturb them. Petra bounded up beside him, panting but still beaming from ear to ear.
“Now lover, this is fun!” he could hear the word fun illuminated with flashing neon lights in her voice. He smiled and ordered her another Margarita, he never did understand how she drank the things. He could detect her aura shimmering with energy, purple and yellow sparks fitting from her.
“Glad your enjoying yourself, but please be careful, I'd rather not have to... intervene, this time”
She giggled and kissed him “Now why would you need to do that.” She moved to return to the dance floor.
He gently took her hand to restrain her “Finish your drink first.” A little time for her to calm herself might be prudent.
She did understand, but she didn't worry, her laughter bubbled out “I'll be fine.” She grabbed Jostein's hands, smiled, indicated the packed dance floor and dragged him to his feet. She had an awful lot of energy to work off.
They danced, he watched as she moved, gyrating and turning, her aura growing stronger all the time. Jostein knew it was time to stop, but she was lost in the sheer joy of her power, her eyes now glowing pure white. He leant forward, drawing her into an embrace and murmured a few words of power. Petra slumped into his arms as if drunk. A temporary measure at best, her raw energy would soon breach that dam, but it should give him time. There were other ways to quiet her nervous tension. He cradled her in his arms, steering her from the crowded dance floor. A woman looked at them, a little concerned. Jostein smiled “vu veil getrunken.” It must look that way, he quickly mumbled a spell to put her mind at rest, she nodded and smiled. Petra was already stirring when they reached the warm night air outside. He hailed a cab “Bismarkplatz 32, bitte schnell.” A friendly place, well perhaps not entirely friendly, but somewhere safe.
A plain green door, discretion was her hallmark. Petra was humming softly, not much longer now. He knocked and entered. The smartly dressed young man inside appeared surprised to see him “Haben Sie eine Reservierung mein Herr?”
He didn't really have time for this, “Please if you could fetch Madame for me, tell her Jostein Pederson is here.” The young man appeared hesitant, no time for this, a tiny gesture “Now!” He departed on his errand.
He returned shortly, a well dressed attractive woman in tow. She appeared to be in her late forties, though Jostien knew she was already ancient before he was born. She frowned, in a somewhat friendly manner, when she saw him and dismissed her receptionist. “Jostein I really would rather appreciate if you didn't bewitch my staff.” She looked upon Petra's restless form “My you do seem to have your hands full with that little one though.”
“She's about fit to burst.”
She chuckled “So I see. And I assume you would like a room, with a bed.”
He grinned “That was the idea.”
Jostein held her lightly in his arms, she had finally fallen asleep, her fretful wild energy eventually spent. He was exhausted, but he knew Jasmin would be expecting him for breakfast, he was a guest in her house after all. He waited for the knock on the door. “Madame requests the pleasure of your company in the garden mein herr.” He carefully extracted himself from Petra's embrace and dressed for breakfast.
The young receptionist escorted him to the small garden in the centre of the house. He already knew the way, but it was polite. She was waiting patiently, he could detect the delicious smell of fresh coffee. She waited for him to sit “So Jostein, your new apprentice, what brought this on? It hardly seems like you to let a wild talent get so... excited.”
He split a roll “Gräfin Herz.”
She peered at him “Again, that makes how many times you've tried to deal with her now?”
“Seven, eight if you count Budapest.”
She smiled politely “Don't worry, you'll get her eventually.”
Jostein took a cold iron signet ring from his pocket, tossed it on the table and stated simply “Yes.”
She burst into laughter “My apologies, I am impressed, finally. After all these years.” She reached over and kissed him lightly “I believe I owe you that. You must be pleased with yourself.”
He grinned mischievously “Not me Magister, Petra.”
Been reading it. I'm intrigued Good writin, nicely contrasting characters, and a world that I'd be interested in seeing more of... Awesome
Good writin, nicely contrasting characters, and a world that I'd be interested in seeing more of... Awesome
Chapter 17
~1965-69: The cow jumped over the moon.
January 1965: Capitalising on the spreading unrest in the Balkans due to the Warsaw Pact invasion of Bulgaria, former Austrian Emperors Karl and Otto form the Europäische Demokratie Bewegung (European Democracy Movement) to unite opposition movements within the Warsaw Pact. The quickly gain support from the Commonwealth and French Union.
January 1965: The Chinese Nationalist government detonate their first nuclear device.
February 1965: Eric Brown and Trevor Keelor become the first Commonwealth astromariners into space, completing a double orbit in the Hela spaceplane Indus.
February 1965: The new US president Kennedy flies to Berlin for talks with Fromm. He condemns "socialist sponsored terrorism" against the Warsaw Pact and proclaims his support of Germany as a bulwark against communism. He agrees to cooperation with Germany in containing the spread of communism in South East Asia. The Warsaw Pact institute a trade embargo on Cuba after the visit.
April 1965: Since the French Union's withdrawal from Indochina, the region has been wracked by continued unrest as North Vietnam attempts to extend its control. Germany has already committed to supporting the authoritarian governments of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and South Vietnam. Kennedy follows up by committing US military advisors and equipment to combat the growing insurgency.
June 1965: After years of increasing tension between the Soviets and Communist Chinese, Chairman Kosygin ends cooperation with the Chinese.
August 1965: Germany commits combat troops to Thailand.
February 1966: Having been sidelined by moderates such as Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaping after the failure of the Great Leap Forwards, Mao launches the Cultural Revolution to regain powers.
July 1966: The US intelligence gathering ship USS Peublo is attacked off North Vietnam providing intelligence for a South Vietnamese commando raid. Kennedy obtains congressional approval to deploy US combat troops to Vietnam.
July 1966: With nationalist unrest spreading, the Commonwealth Conference adopts the Christchurch Doctrine. All the colonies are to be moved to full home rule within ten years as Commonwealth Territories.
September 1966: Two further Tripoli class assault carriers are ordered for the USN.
October 1966: Imperial citizens are granted the right to reside and work anywhere within the Commonwealth.
November 1966: Cyprus is created a Commonwealth Territory with full autonomy.
January 1967: The Hawker Siddeley Hera jetliner enters regular service. It will come to dominate long distance air travel.
March 1967: The Westminster parliament is again reformed to deal with growing dissatisfaction with India's unrepresentation. Indian politics have fragmented, the Anglised Indian elite backing the Home Nations and white Dominions, with the more radical nationalists calling for reform and one man one vote. India is granted 500 seats but the split in Indian politics prevent India fully utilising its new power.
April 1967: The Commonwealth places the first H4 timekeeping satellite in orbit to assist in navigation.
May 1967: The French Union joins the ETO.
June 1967: Italy joins the nuclear powers.
June 1967: Cyprus is granted home rule as a Commonwealth Territory.
June 1967: The Royal Flying Corp introduce the revolutionary Hawker Siddeley Harrier jumpjet, the first high performance combat aircraft in RFC service since the end of the First Great War.
August 1967: The French Union purchase the light carriers Centaur and Elephant as the Bizerte and Oran to replace their older Colossus class carriers as assault ships.
October 1967: Widespread student protests cause the Hungarian government of Regent László Endre to fall and he flees to Germany. A reformist government under Zoltán Tildy is formed.
January 1968: The North Vietnamese abandon their guerrilla tactics and launch a major offensive across South Vietnam hoping to spark a popular uprising. Despite being caught by surprise, the US forces respond with overwhelming force.
February 1968: The Indonesian government steps up its campaign of armed confrontation in the Netherlands New Guinea and Sarawak, deploying regular, though ununiformed, troops.
March 1968: The Commonwealth introduce the improved Frige spaceplane, capable of carrying fifteen tons into low earth orbit.
March 1968: The Tildy government offers to restore Emperor Karl Hapsburg to the vacant Hungarian throne. Three days later Warsaw Pact troops cross into Hungary on the invitation of exiled Regent Endre.
March 1968: Basappa Jatti becomes the first Indian Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, heading the Liberal Socialist government.
April 1968: The North Vietnamese offensive has proven to be a costly failure with their guerrilla cadres in the South destroyed. The US change their tactics from the small scale Commonwealth counter insurgency methods to the large scale multi division sweeps favoured by the Germans in attempt to swiftly crush the Vietnamese.
April 1968: Organised resistance to the Warsaw Pact invasion of Hungary ends.
September 1968: With German assistance, Argentina detonate an atomic bomb sparking a nuclear arms race in South America.
September 1968: De Gaulle resigns as President of the French Union as is replaced by Georges Pompidou. The French Union has gradually evolved into a state focused on the North African colonies of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. A number of insurgent movements are still fighting in West and Equatorial Africa, but the Union has been held together by de Gaulle's force of personality.
October 1968: Japanese and Korean naval forces clash in the Korea Strait over Tsushima Island.
November 1968: Kennedy is elected for a second term.
January 1969: The Harrier enters service with the US marine corp.
March 1969: Stung by years of continued Guatemalan incursions into Belize, Commonwealth forces are given the right of hot pursuit into Guatemala itself.
March 1969: Indonesia lands 3,000 troops in the Netherlands New Guinea. The incursion is easily defeated.
July 1969: The US astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin become the first men to walk on the moon.
July 1969: By now India and especially the African colonies are undergoing almost explosive growth as low skilled industries relocate from the Home Nations and Dominions to take advantage of lower wage costs. This is causing major dislocation and unemployment in the core of the Commonwealth. There is widespread dissatisfaction and opposition to the concept of the Commonwealth in its very heart. This dissatisfaction all too often is being expressed as racism toward African and Indian residents. Most of the local governments in the core are vocal about the need to halt the flight of these industries, calling for barriers to the free movement of capital, long a cornerstone of Commonwealth development. There are also the first signs of French Canadian separatism in Quebec. The Regina Declaration however, continues support for the free flow of goods, labour and capital but also allows for Westminster to directly provide relief for areas hit by economic dislocation.
August 1969: The raumfahrers Eric Rudorffer and Walter Schuck become the first Germans to land on the moon.
September 1969: Plans are begun to expand the Commonwealth's H4 timekeeping satellite network into an advanced satellite navigation system to be known as the Harrison Navigation Network.
October 1969: The Commonwealth establishes Lothol spacestation in low earth orbit.
December 1969: The top secret Vought V191 research aircraft makes its first flight to test the new RB-PW Swallow air breathing rocket engine.
January 1965: Capitalising on the spreading unrest in the Balkans due to the Warsaw Pact invasion of Bulgaria, former Austrian Emperors Karl and Otto form the Europäische Demokratie Bewegung (European Democracy Movement) to unite opposition movements within the Warsaw Pact. The quickly gain support from the Commonwealth and French Union.
January 1965: The Chinese Nationalist government detonate their first nuclear device.
February 1965: Eric Brown and Trevor Keelor become the first Commonwealth astromariners into space, completing a double orbit in the Hela spaceplane Indus.
February 1965: The new US president Kennedy flies to Berlin for talks with Fromm. He condemns "socialist sponsored terrorism" against the Warsaw Pact and proclaims his support of Germany as a bulwark against communism. He agrees to cooperation with Germany in containing the spread of communism in South East Asia. The Warsaw Pact institute a trade embargo on Cuba after the visit.
April 1965: Since the French Union's withdrawal from Indochina, the region has been wracked by continued unrest as North Vietnam attempts to extend its control. Germany has already committed to supporting the authoritarian governments of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and South Vietnam. Kennedy follows up by committing US military advisors and equipment to combat the growing insurgency.
June 1965: After years of increasing tension between the Soviets and Communist Chinese, Chairman Kosygin ends cooperation with the Chinese.
August 1965: Germany commits combat troops to Thailand.
February 1966: Having been sidelined by moderates such as Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaping after the failure of the Great Leap Forwards, Mao launches the Cultural Revolution to regain powers.
July 1966: The US intelligence gathering ship USS Peublo is attacked off North Vietnam providing intelligence for a South Vietnamese commando raid. Kennedy obtains congressional approval to deploy US combat troops to Vietnam.
July 1966: With nationalist unrest spreading, the Commonwealth Conference adopts the Christchurch Doctrine. All the colonies are to be moved to full home rule within ten years as Commonwealth Territories.
September 1966: Two further Tripoli class assault carriers are ordered for the USN.
October 1966: Imperial citizens are granted the right to reside and work anywhere within the Commonwealth.
November 1966: Cyprus is created a Commonwealth Territory with full autonomy.
January 1967: The Hawker Siddeley Hera jetliner enters regular service. It will come to dominate long distance air travel.
March 1967: The Westminster parliament is again reformed to deal with growing dissatisfaction with India's unrepresentation. Indian politics have fragmented, the Anglised Indian elite backing the Home Nations and white Dominions, with the more radical nationalists calling for reform and one man one vote. India is granted 500 seats but the split in Indian politics prevent India fully utilising its new power.
April 1967: The Commonwealth places the first H4 timekeeping satellite in orbit to assist in navigation.
May 1967: The French Union joins the ETO.
June 1967: Italy joins the nuclear powers.
June 1967: Cyprus is granted home rule as a Commonwealth Territory.
June 1967: The Royal Flying Corp introduce the revolutionary Hawker Siddeley Harrier jumpjet, the first high performance combat aircraft in RFC service since the end of the First Great War.
August 1967: The French Union purchase the light carriers Centaur and Elephant as the Bizerte and Oran to replace their older Colossus class carriers as assault ships.
October 1967: Widespread student protests cause the Hungarian government of Regent László Endre to fall and he flees to Germany. A reformist government under Zoltán Tildy is formed.
January 1968: The North Vietnamese abandon their guerrilla tactics and launch a major offensive across South Vietnam hoping to spark a popular uprising. Despite being caught by surprise, the US forces respond with overwhelming force.
February 1968: The Indonesian government steps up its campaign of armed confrontation in the Netherlands New Guinea and Sarawak, deploying regular, though ununiformed, troops.
March 1968: The Commonwealth introduce the improved Frige spaceplane, capable of carrying fifteen tons into low earth orbit.
March 1968: The Tildy government offers to restore Emperor Karl Hapsburg to the vacant Hungarian throne. Three days later Warsaw Pact troops cross into Hungary on the invitation of exiled Regent Endre.
March 1968: Basappa Jatti becomes the first Indian Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, heading the Liberal Socialist government.
April 1968: The North Vietnamese offensive has proven to be a costly failure with their guerrilla cadres in the South destroyed. The US change their tactics from the small scale Commonwealth counter insurgency methods to the large scale multi division sweeps favoured by the Germans in attempt to swiftly crush the Vietnamese.
April 1968: Organised resistance to the Warsaw Pact invasion of Hungary ends.
September 1968: With German assistance, Argentina detonate an atomic bomb sparking a nuclear arms race in South America.
September 1968: De Gaulle resigns as President of the French Union as is replaced by Georges Pompidou. The French Union has gradually evolved into a state focused on the North African colonies of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. A number of insurgent movements are still fighting in West and Equatorial Africa, but the Union has been held together by de Gaulle's force of personality.
October 1968: Japanese and Korean naval forces clash in the Korea Strait over Tsushima Island.
November 1968: Kennedy is elected for a second term.
January 1969: The Harrier enters service with the US marine corp.
March 1969: Stung by years of continued Guatemalan incursions into Belize, Commonwealth forces are given the right of hot pursuit into Guatemala itself.
March 1969: Indonesia lands 3,000 troops in the Netherlands New Guinea. The incursion is easily defeated.
July 1969: The US astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin become the first men to walk on the moon.
July 1969: By now India and especially the African colonies are undergoing almost explosive growth as low skilled industries relocate from the Home Nations and Dominions to take advantage of lower wage costs. This is causing major dislocation and unemployment in the core of the Commonwealth. There is widespread dissatisfaction and opposition to the concept of the Commonwealth in its very heart. This dissatisfaction all too often is being expressed as racism toward African and Indian residents. Most of the local governments in the core are vocal about the need to halt the flight of these industries, calling for barriers to the free movement of capital, long a cornerstone of Commonwealth development. There are also the first signs of French Canadian separatism in Quebec. The Regina Declaration however, continues support for the free flow of goods, labour and capital but also allows for Westminster to directly provide relief for areas hit by economic dislocation.
August 1969: The raumfahrers Eric Rudorffer and Walter Schuck become the first Germans to land on the moon.
September 1969: Plans are begun to expand the Commonwealth's H4 timekeeping satellite network into an advanced satellite navigation system to be known as the Harrison Navigation Network.
October 1969: The Commonwealth establishes Lothol spacestation in low earth orbit.
December 1969: The top secret Vought V191 research aircraft makes its first flight to test the new RB-PW Swallow air breathing rocket engine.
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Fleet List 1970
RN - Commonwealth
8 x Lion BB (reserve)
4 x Vanguard
3 x Queen Elizabeth II CVA [60,000T 90ac]
6 x Irresistible CV (parts hulk)
2 x New Zealand [Malta angled fd] CV (reserve)
5 x New Zealand [Malta angled fd] CV
2 x Centaur CVH (parts hulk)
3 x Merlin [Hermes] CVH
3 x Audacious [Ark Royal] CVH
4 BB 3 CVA 5 CV 6 CVH
USN - USA
6 x Iowa BB (reserve)
6 x Essex CV (reserve)
4 x Oriskany CV (reserve)
4 x Hancock [Midway] CV (reserve)
4 x United States CVA
2 x Saratoga [Forrestral] CVA
2 x Kitty Hawk CVA
1 x Enterprise CVAN (building)
6 x Wright CVH (reserve)
7 x Tripoli [Iwo Jima] CVH
8 CVA 7 CVH
IJN - Japan
1 x Audacious [Ark Royal] CV
2 x Takao [18,000T 20ac] CVH
1 CV 2 CVH
FNFL - Free French
3 x Clemenceau CV
2 x Centaur CVH
3 CV 2 CVH
MN - Vichy France
2 x Pétain CV [38,000T 45ac]
2 CV
RM - Italy
4 x Littorio BB (reserve)
3 x Mussolini CV [38,000T 30ac] CV
1 x Aquila CVH
3 CV 1 CVH
RKM - Germany, Baltic/North Sea
2 x Scheer [48,000T 32ac] CV
2 x Gneisenau [65,000T 64ac] CVA (building)
2 CV
RKM - Germany, Adriatic
2 x Bismarck BB
2 x Graf Zeppelin CVH
2 BB 2 CVH
VMF - Russia, Baltic
1 x Baku [Kiev] CVL (building)
VMF - Russia, Black Sea
2 x Moskva CVH
2 CVH
VMF - Russia, Pacific
1 x Baku [Kiev] CVL (building)
KM - Netherlands
1 x Centaur CVH
1 CVH
TD - Turkey
2 x Resadiya BB (reserve)
1 x Colossus CVL (rebuilt)
1 CVL
PN - Greece
1 x Kulkis [Rio de Janeiro] BB (reserve)
1 x Goeben CC (reserve)
ARA - Argentina
1 x Majestic CVL (rebuilt)
1 x Colossus CVL (rebuilt)
2 CVL
MB - Brazil
1 x Majestic CVL (rebuilt)
1 CVL
AC - Chile
1 x Majestic CVL (rebuilt)
1 CVL
ZMH - Nationalist China
2 x North Carolina BB
2 x Oriskany CV (rebuilt)
2 BB 2 CV
8 x Lion BB (reserve)
4 x Vanguard
3 x Queen Elizabeth II CVA [60,000T 90ac]
6 x Irresistible CV (parts hulk)
2 x New Zealand [Malta angled fd] CV (reserve)
5 x New Zealand [Malta angled fd] CV
2 x Centaur CVH (parts hulk)
3 x Merlin [Hermes] CVH
3 x Audacious [Ark Royal] CVH
4 BB 3 CVA 5 CV 6 CVH
USN - USA
6 x Iowa BB (reserve)
6 x Essex CV (reserve)
4 x Oriskany CV (reserve)
4 x Hancock [Midway] CV (reserve)
4 x United States CVA
2 x Saratoga [Forrestral] CVA
2 x Kitty Hawk CVA
1 x Enterprise CVAN (building)
6 x Wright CVH (reserve)
7 x Tripoli [Iwo Jima] CVH
8 CVA 7 CVH
IJN - Japan
1 x Audacious [Ark Royal] CV
2 x Takao [18,000T 20ac] CVH
1 CV 2 CVH
FNFL - Free French
3 x Clemenceau CV
2 x Centaur CVH
3 CV 2 CVH
MN - Vichy France
2 x Pétain CV [38,000T 45ac]
2 CV
RM - Italy
4 x Littorio BB (reserve)
3 x Mussolini CV [38,000T 30ac] CV
1 x Aquila CVH
3 CV 1 CVH
RKM - Germany, Baltic/North Sea
2 x Scheer [48,000T 32ac] CV
2 x Gneisenau [65,000T 64ac] CVA (building)
2 CV
RKM - Germany, Adriatic
2 x Bismarck BB
2 x Graf Zeppelin CVH
2 BB 2 CVH
VMF - Russia, Baltic
1 x Baku [Kiev] CVL (building)
VMF - Russia, Black Sea
2 x Moskva CVH
2 CVH
VMF - Russia, Pacific
1 x Baku [Kiev] CVL (building)
KM - Netherlands
1 x Centaur CVH
1 CVH
TD - Turkey
2 x Resadiya BB (reserve)
1 x Colossus CVL (rebuilt)
1 CVL
PN - Greece
1 x Kulkis [Rio de Janeiro] BB (reserve)
1 x Goeben CC (reserve)
ARA - Argentina
1 x Majestic CVL (rebuilt)
1 x Colossus CVL (rebuilt)
2 CVL
MB - Brazil
1 x Majestic CVL (rebuilt)
1 CVL
AC - Chile
1 x Majestic CVL (rebuilt)
1 CVL
ZMH - Nationalist China
2 x North Carolina BB
2 x Oriskany CV (rebuilt)
2 BB 2 CV
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Additions to the 1960s I missed.
April 1963: Indonesia begins a low intensity armed campaign aiming to annex the Netherlands New Guinea along with the Commonwealth territories of Borneo and Sarawak.
July 1964: The mach 2 capable Corsair naval fighter (comparable to the US F4H Phantom) and Buccaneer strike aircraft enter service.
October 1966: Imperial citizens are granted the right to reside and work anywhere within the Commonwealth.
February 1968: The Indonesian government steps up its campaign of armed confrontation in the Netherlands New Guinea and Sarawak, deploying regular, though ununiformed, troops.
March 1969: Indonesia lands 3,000 troops in the Netherlands New Guinea. The incursion is easily defeated.
April 1963: Indonesia begins a low intensity armed campaign aiming to annex the Netherlands New Guinea along with the Commonwealth territories of Borneo and Sarawak.
July 1964: The mach 2 capable Corsair naval fighter (comparable to the US F4H Phantom) and Buccaneer strike aircraft enter service.
October 1966: Imperial citizens are granted the right to reside and work anywhere within the Commonwealth.
February 1968: The Indonesian government steps up its campaign of armed confrontation in the Netherlands New Guinea and Sarawak, deploying regular, though ununiformed, troops.
March 1969: Indonesia lands 3,000 troops in the Netherlands New Guinea. The incursion is easily defeated.
Another few additions to the 60s
April 1961: The US begins construction of the first of five Tripoli class helicopter assault carriers to replace the converted Wright class.
October 1963: With Bulgaria descending into chaos, Warsaw Pact forces cross the border to "restore order." Bulgaria is quickly overrun. This marks the beginning of the Third Balkans War.
September 1966: Two further Tripoli class assault carriers are ordered for the USN.
April 1967: The Commonwealth places the first H4 timekeeping satellite in orbit to assist in navigation.
August 1967: The French Union purchase the light carriers Centaur and Elephant as the Bizerte and Oran to replace their older Colossus class carriers as assault ships.
October 1967: Widespread student protests cause the Hungarian government of Regent László Endre to fall and he flees to Germany. A reformist government under Zoltán Tildy is formed.
March 1968: The Tildy government offers to restore Emperor Karl Hapsburg to the vacant Hungarian throne. Three days later Warsaw Pact troops cross into Hungary on the invitation of exiled Regent Endre.
April 1968: Organised resistance to the Warsaw Pact invasion of Hungary ends.
September 1969: Plans are begun to expand the Commonwealth's H4 timekeeping satellite network into an advanced satellite navigation system to be known as the Harrison Navigation Network.
April 1961: The US begins construction of the first of five Tripoli class helicopter assault carriers to replace the converted Wright class.
October 1963: With Bulgaria descending into chaos, Warsaw Pact forces cross the border to "restore order." Bulgaria is quickly overrun. This marks the beginning of the Third Balkans War.
September 1966: Two further Tripoli class assault carriers are ordered for the USN.
April 1967: The Commonwealth places the first H4 timekeeping satellite in orbit to assist in navigation.
August 1967: The French Union purchase the light carriers Centaur and Elephant as the Bizerte and Oran to replace their older Colossus class carriers as assault ships.
October 1967: Widespread student protests cause the Hungarian government of Regent László Endre to fall and he flees to Germany. A reformist government under Zoltán Tildy is formed.
March 1968: The Tildy government offers to restore Emperor Karl Hapsburg to the vacant Hungarian throne. Three days later Warsaw Pact troops cross into Hungary on the invitation of exiled Regent Endre.
April 1968: Organised resistance to the Warsaw Pact invasion of Hungary ends.
September 1969: Plans are begun to expand the Commonwealth's H4 timekeeping satellite network into an advanced satellite navigation system to be known as the Harrison Navigation Network.
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Chapter 18
~1970-74: Winds of change.
January 1970: After decades of corruption and authoritarian rule, the Republic of Armenia is engulfed in a popular revolution. Within two weeks a communist government is installed. The new government immediately seeks closer ties with Soviet Russia.
February 1970: US troops enter Cambodia to cut North Vietnamese supply lines to South Vietnam.
February 1970: Indonesia launches a direct invasion of the Netherlands New Guinea.
March 1970: Since the moon landing, all spacefaring states have been significantly cutting back their space programs. The Commonwealth program, aided by the lower operating cost of their spaceplanes, survives relatively well.
March 1970: To deal with expanded US military commitments, President Kennedy sets the goal of 15 attack and 5 antisubmarine carriers by 1980. Consequently, the four Second Great War Hancock class and four Oriskney class carriers are to be modernised and recommissioned along with two Iowa class battleships.
April 1970: The Netherlands carrier Karel Doorman is sold to Argentina as the Veinticinco de Mayo. She is replaced by the Commonwealth Centaur class Arrogant, commissioned again as the Karel Doorman.
June 1970: The Indonesian invasion of New Guinea is repulsed with heavy casualties.
August 1970: The insurgency in Burma is finally ended with the Communists surrender after the promise of an independence referendum.
August 1970: The Commonwealth launches an unmanned probe on a Crocco grand tour mission to flyby Venus and Mars to explore the feasibility of manned deep space travel.
February 1971: The Sea Harrier jumpjet enters service with the RNAS and Royal Netherlands Navy Aviation Service (MLD).
May 1971: The Lothol spacestation becomes permanently manned. Plans continue to expand and extend it.
June 1971: With US casualties in Vietnam now over 75,000 dead and no end in sight, the war is becoming increasingly unpopular. The US is suffering widespread left wing protests and even isolated incidents of domestic terrorism. The left is now focused around George McGovern and the Progressive Party originally formed by former President Wallace in 1948. Kennedy begins a policy of shifting the fighting to the South Vietnamese.
June 1971: The Soviets launch the first of a series of Salyut spacestations into orbit.
July 1971: The issue of the racist apartheid policies has now become a dominant and highly divisive factor in Commonwealth politics. Despite South African opposition, the Singapore Conference agrees the Manchester Doctrine applies. A Royal Commission, headed by the respected Dutch politician Louis Beel, is established to investigate the matter.
July 1971: Burma narrowly votes in favour of continued membership of the Commonwealth.
August 1971: The USN orders five Nassau class assault carriers.
September 1971: With his health failing and the Cultural Revolution causing massive upheaval, Chairman Mao of Communist China's designated heir, Lin Biao dies in mysterious circumstances. Mao's hardline wife Jiang Qing seizes power supported by Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen.
September 1971: South Africa unilaterally declares itself independent of the Commonwealth. Approximately one quarter of South African recruited military units defect to the new Afrikaans Republic. Commonwealth forces however retain control over South West Africa, Cape Province and Natal, surrounding and isolating the new republic. Germany and the Warsaw Pact nations, with the exception of Italy, immediately recognise the new republic's independence.
October 1971: Citing the York Doctrine, the areas of South Africa under Commonwealth control are placed under direct rule from Westminster. A total oil, arms and export embargo is imposed on the Afrikaans Republic. Portugal agrees to ensure ports in Mozambique are not used to break the embargo.
October 1971: Germany commits troops to Vietnam.
November 1971: A referendum in the Afrikaans Republic votes in favour of independence. The Jatti government rejects the referendum due to the disenfranchisement of non-white voters.
January 1972: The Communist regime in Indonesia falls in a military coup. The new government of Muhammad Suharto breaks with the nation's previous Soviet backers and begins courting the US-German block.
April 1972: The German and US backed Argentine military regime occupies the Commonwealth possession of the Falkland Islands. The Commonwealth dispatches a task force to retake the islands based around the fleet carrier New Zealand and commando carriers Merlin and Glorious, both carrying Sea Harrier jumpjets. Germany and the US both support Argentina, sending carrier groups to "monitor" the situation.
June 1972: The Germans complete the last of their five manned lunar missions.
June 1972: Commonwealth aircraft from the New Zealand sink the Argentine carrier Veinticinco de Mayo. The Argentine navy withdraws from the conflict as a result.
June 1972: Commonwealth troops land on the Falklands. The US withdraw their carrier group.
July 1972: Mozambique rebels, backed Afrikaans and German mercenaries seize control of Lourenco Marques, breaking the Commonwealth embargo on the Afrikaans Republic.
July 1972: The Beel Commission reports to the Brisbane Conference. The report details systematic racism and abuse of native and mixed race populations under apartheid. Wide reaching reforms are recommended. The Conference supports the rejection of Afrikaans independence establishing the Brisbane Doctrine that independence from the Commonwealth may only be achieved by the expression of a clear majority of a regions entire population. It is also agreed to provide support to the Portuguese in combating Afrikaans and German backed rebels in Angola and Mozambique.
July 1973: The US places their Skylab spacestation into orbit.
July 1972: Despite very aggressive German "monitoring," including frequent mock attack runs, the Commonwealth retake the Falklands.
August 1972: With Saudi funding the fundamentalist Wahhabi Muslim Brotherhood has been becoming increasingly influential in unrest in the Middle East. Concerned over this trend, the secular Pan-Arab movements in Egypt and Iraq break with the Saudis.
September 1972: The Government of South Africa Act disestablishes the Union of South Africa. The individual provinces will remain under direct rule while the reforms of the Beel Commission are implemented.
September 1972: Widespread rioting and unrest erupt in Argentina in the wake of their defeat in the Falklands War. The government response is harsh and bloody crackdown starting the so called "Dirty War."
October 1972: Brazil detonate their first nuclear device. With eight nuclear powers, concerns over proliferation are becoming very widespread.
November 1972: Kennedy is narrowly reelected for an unprecedented third term despite growing unpopularity due to the Vietnamese quagmire.
December 1972: Apollo 17 brings the US lunar program to an end.
January 1973: Chile and Mexico both detonate atomic bomb bringing the number of nuclear states to ten.
February 1973: Jatti's Liberal Socialists are reelected in a landslide victory.
March 1973: Concerned about continued nuclear proliferation and environmental issues, the nuclear powers sign a Non Proliferation Treaty prohibiting the transfer of weapons technology and banning atmospheric testing. Considerable incentives are included to encourage non nuclear powers to sign.
March 1973: The success of the Sea Harrier jumpjet in the Falklands war leads to further cuts in Commonwealth carrier forces with The New Zealand and Tasmania both reduced to reserve, with the other three New Zealand class carriers are to follow in the next three years.
April 1973: Indonesia invades Portuguese Timor. It is rapidly overrun and annexed.
April 1973: After the end of the Second Great War, seven major Japanese warships were raised after being sunk in Commonwealth harbours. The majority have long since been broken up but the battleship Tosa and carrier Hakuho still exist as accommodation ships, having been retained intending to expend them in another nuclear weapons test. It is recognised such a test is now impossible. The ships are sold back to the Japanese for £1 each for preservation.
June 1973: In the nearly thirty years since the end of the Second Great War Soviet Russia has changed dramatically. Under Chairman Kosygin the vast damage of the war has been repaired and reforms gradually introduced transforming the Soviet economy to a state capitalist model. The Soviets are now using their new economic strength to expand their navy with the goal of a true blue water fleet. The first real sign is the commissioning their first true aircraft carrier, the Baku. A light carrier operating ASW helicopters and Yak 38 jumpjet fighters, they also carry a heavy fixed battery of missiles and antisubmarine weapons.
August 1973: A probe to conduct a soft landing and return on Mars is launched by the CSA. The mission will result in a successful landing but failure to retrieve the lander.
August 1973: Mohammed Khan overthrows King Zahar Shah of Afghanistan in a non violent coup. His progressive regime turns to both the Commonwealth and Soviets for assistance in modernising the country.
August 1973: The FNFL introduce the Sea Harrier for service on their two helicopter carriers.
September 1973: Kennedy begins to apply diplomatic pressure to the Netherlands to cede the Netherlands New Guinea to Indonesia in order to further bring the nation out of the Soviet orbit. The Commonwealth supports the Dutch.
September 1973: The Focke Wulf Fw 391 jumpjet fighter enters service. It will prove to be disappointing in service due to its poor thrust to weight ratio, high wing loading and redundant lift engines.
September 1973: The split of the Pan-Arab movement from the Saudis has greatly reduced the movements effectiveness. As a result, a political settlement is achieved in Iraq whereby it becomes a Commonwealth Dependency with observers in Westminster, with full membership within five years.
October 1973: Unexpected atmospheric drag due to solar activity forces the Commonwealth to boost the Lothol spacestation to a higher orbit.
October 1973: In response to continued price manipulation by multinational oil companies, the twelve members of OPEC, lead by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Mexico, Indonesia and Iran, dramatically cut production, more than doubling world oil prices. This oil shock has profound effects worldwide. The US is particularly hard hit, while the Commonwealth, with its huge reserves in the Middle East and Africa is insulated from it. The Commonwealth, fearful of alienating its Arab population and losing influence in the wider Arab world, refuses to increase its own oil production to counter OPEC.
November 1973: President Kennedy is assassinated and succeeded by Vice President Dean Rusk.
November 1973: Jiang Qing succeeds in securing Deng Xiaoping's arrest and removal. Zhou Enlai however survives efforts to similarly remove him.
January 1974: The US ambassador to South Vietnam is assassinated. Rusk authorises an invasion of North Vietnam.
March 1974: Spain purchases the US helicopter carrier Cabot as the Delado and German Fw 391 fighters to operate off her.
April 1974: The Commonwealth introduce the Sceandu spaceplane into service. Powered by the Swallow air breathing rocket, it is capable of lifting fifty tons into low earth orbit.
April 1974: The Portuguese dictatorship of Americo Tomas is overthrown in a bloodless military coup.
June 1974: Germany's Lilienthal spacestation becomes operational.
September 1974: The supercarrier Hermes is sold to Japan as the Hiryu.
October 1974: A referendum in the Netherlands New Guinea rejects union with Indonesia in favour of independence.
October 1974: Construction the first Unahiroa class spaceship begins at Lothol station. Powered by a nuclear rocket, it is intended as the first of a fleet of five to establish a permanent lunar base.
November 1974: A referendum in Portugal reestablishes a constitutional monarchy with Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza as king.
November 1974: Facing increasing costs, the Soviets agree to pool their space program with that of the Commonwealth.
December 1974: Korea detonate their first atomic weapon.
December 1974: Nasser's successor in the Free Egypt Movement, Anwar Sadat, reaches an agreement to end the insurgency in Egypt. The colony will be given full self government as a Commonwealth Territory, with a referendum on independence within two years.
December 1974: The Portuguese set a policy of independence for all their colonies within two years.
January 1970: After decades of corruption and authoritarian rule, the Republic of Armenia is engulfed in a popular revolution. Within two weeks a communist government is installed. The new government immediately seeks closer ties with Soviet Russia.
February 1970: US troops enter Cambodia to cut North Vietnamese supply lines to South Vietnam.
February 1970: Indonesia launches a direct invasion of the Netherlands New Guinea.
March 1970: Since the moon landing, all spacefaring states have been significantly cutting back their space programs. The Commonwealth program, aided by the lower operating cost of their spaceplanes, survives relatively well.
March 1970: To deal with expanded US military commitments, President Kennedy sets the goal of 15 attack and 5 antisubmarine carriers by 1980. Consequently, the four Second Great War Hancock class and four Oriskney class carriers are to be modernised and recommissioned along with two Iowa class battleships.
April 1970: The Netherlands carrier Karel Doorman is sold to Argentina as the Veinticinco de Mayo. She is replaced by the Commonwealth Centaur class Arrogant, commissioned again as the Karel Doorman.
June 1970: The Indonesian invasion of New Guinea is repulsed with heavy casualties.
August 1970: The insurgency in Burma is finally ended with the Communists surrender after the promise of an independence referendum.
August 1970: The Commonwealth launches an unmanned probe on a Crocco grand tour mission to flyby Venus and Mars to explore the feasibility of manned deep space travel.
February 1971: The Sea Harrier jumpjet enters service with the RNAS and Royal Netherlands Navy Aviation Service (MLD).
May 1971: The Lothol spacestation becomes permanently manned. Plans continue to expand and extend it.
June 1971: With US casualties in Vietnam now over 75,000 dead and no end in sight, the war is becoming increasingly unpopular. The US is suffering widespread left wing protests and even isolated incidents of domestic terrorism. The left is now focused around George McGovern and the Progressive Party originally formed by former President Wallace in 1948. Kennedy begins a policy of shifting the fighting to the South Vietnamese.
June 1971: The Soviets launch the first of a series of Salyut spacestations into orbit.
July 1971: The issue of the racist apartheid policies has now become a dominant and highly divisive factor in Commonwealth politics. Despite South African opposition, the Singapore Conference agrees the Manchester Doctrine applies. A Royal Commission, headed by the respected Dutch politician Louis Beel, is established to investigate the matter.
July 1971: Burma narrowly votes in favour of continued membership of the Commonwealth.
August 1971: The USN orders five Nassau class assault carriers.
September 1971: With his health failing and the Cultural Revolution causing massive upheaval, Chairman Mao of Communist China's designated heir, Lin Biao dies in mysterious circumstances. Mao's hardline wife Jiang Qing seizes power supported by Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen.
September 1971: South Africa unilaterally declares itself independent of the Commonwealth. Approximately one quarter of South African recruited military units defect to the new Afrikaans Republic. Commonwealth forces however retain control over South West Africa, Cape Province and Natal, surrounding and isolating the new republic. Germany and the Warsaw Pact nations, with the exception of Italy, immediately recognise the new republic's independence.
October 1971: Citing the York Doctrine, the areas of South Africa under Commonwealth control are placed under direct rule from Westminster. A total oil, arms and export embargo is imposed on the Afrikaans Republic. Portugal agrees to ensure ports in Mozambique are not used to break the embargo.
October 1971: Germany commits troops to Vietnam.
November 1971: A referendum in the Afrikaans Republic votes in favour of independence. The Jatti government rejects the referendum due to the disenfranchisement of non-white voters.
January 1972: The Communist regime in Indonesia falls in a military coup. The new government of Muhammad Suharto breaks with the nation's previous Soviet backers and begins courting the US-German block.
April 1972: The German and US backed Argentine military regime occupies the Commonwealth possession of the Falkland Islands. The Commonwealth dispatches a task force to retake the islands based around the fleet carrier New Zealand and commando carriers Merlin and Glorious, both carrying Sea Harrier jumpjets. Germany and the US both support Argentina, sending carrier groups to "monitor" the situation.
June 1972: The Germans complete the last of their five manned lunar missions.
June 1972: Commonwealth aircraft from the New Zealand sink the Argentine carrier Veinticinco de Mayo. The Argentine navy withdraws from the conflict as a result.
June 1972: Commonwealth troops land on the Falklands. The US withdraw their carrier group.
July 1972: Mozambique rebels, backed Afrikaans and German mercenaries seize control of Lourenco Marques, breaking the Commonwealth embargo on the Afrikaans Republic.
July 1972: The Beel Commission reports to the Brisbane Conference. The report details systematic racism and abuse of native and mixed race populations under apartheid. Wide reaching reforms are recommended. The Conference supports the rejection of Afrikaans independence establishing the Brisbane Doctrine that independence from the Commonwealth may only be achieved by the expression of a clear majority of a regions entire population. It is also agreed to provide support to the Portuguese in combating Afrikaans and German backed rebels in Angola and Mozambique.
July 1973: The US places their Skylab spacestation into orbit.
July 1972: Despite very aggressive German "monitoring," including frequent mock attack runs, the Commonwealth retake the Falklands.
August 1972: With Saudi funding the fundamentalist Wahhabi Muslim Brotherhood has been becoming increasingly influential in unrest in the Middle East. Concerned over this trend, the secular Pan-Arab movements in Egypt and Iraq break with the Saudis.
September 1972: The Government of South Africa Act disestablishes the Union of South Africa. The individual provinces will remain under direct rule while the reforms of the Beel Commission are implemented.
September 1972: Widespread rioting and unrest erupt in Argentina in the wake of their defeat in the Falklands War. The government response is harsh and bloody crackdown starting the so called "Dirty War."
October 1972: Brazil detonate their first nuclear device. With eight nuclear powers, concerns over proliferation are becoming very widespread.
November 1972: Kennedy is narrowly reelected for an unprecedented third term despite growing unpopularity due to the Vietnamese quagmire.
December 1972: Apollo 17 brings the US lunar program to an end.
January 1973: Chile and Mexico both detonate atomic bomb bringing the number of nuclear states to ten.
February 1973: Jatti's Liberal Socialists are reelected in a landslide victory.
March 1973: Concerned about continued nuclear proliferation and environmental issues, the nuclear powers sign a Non Proliferation Treaty prohibiting the transfer of weapons technology and banning atmospheric testing. Considerable incentives are included to encourage non nuclear powers to sign.
March 1973: The success of the Sea Harrier jumpjet in the Falklands war leads to further cuts in Commonwealth carrier forces with The New Zealand and Tasmania both reduced to reserve, with the other three New Zealand class carriers are to follow in the next three years.
April 1973: Indonesia invades Portuguese Timor. It is rapidly overrun and annexed.
April 1973: After the end of the Second Great War, seven major Japanese warships were raised after being sunk in Commonwealth harbours. The majority have long since been broken up but the battleship Tosa and carrier Hakuho still exist as accommodation ships, having been retained intending to expend them in another nuclear weapons test. It is recognised such a test is now impossible. The ships are sold back to the Japanese for £1 each for preservation.
June 1973: In the nearly thirty years since the end of the Second Great War Soviet Russia has changed dramatically. Under Chairman Kosygin the vast damage of the war has been repaired and reforms gradually introduced transforming the Soviet economy to a state capitalist model. The Soviets are now using their new economic strength to expand their navy with the goal of a true blue water fleet. The first real sign is the commissioning their first true aircraft carrier, the Baku. A light carrier operating ASW helicopters and Yak 38 jumpjet fighters, they also carry a heavy fixed battery of missiles and antisubmarine weapons.
August 1973: A probe to conduct a soft landing and return on Mars is launched by the CSA. The mission will result in a successful landing but failure to retrieve the lander.
August 1973: Mohammed Khan overthrows King Zahar Shah of Afghanistan in a non violent coup. His progressive regime turns to both the Commonwealth and Soviets for assistance in modernising the country.
August 1973: The FNFL introduce the Sea Harrier for service on their two helicopter carriers.
September 1973: Kennedy begins to apply diplomatic pressure to the Netherlands to cede the Netherlands New Guinea to Indonesia in order to further bring the nation out of the Soviet orbit. The Commonwealth supports the Dutch.
September 1973: The Focke Wulf Fw 391 jumpjet fighter enters service. It will prove to be disappointing in service due to its poor thrust to weight ratio, high wing loading and redundant lift engines.
September 1973: The split of the Pan-Arab movement from the Saudis has greatly reduced the movements effectiveness. As a result, a political settlement is achieved in Iraq whereby it becomes a Commonwealth Dependency with observers in Westminster, with full membership within five years.
October 1973: Unexpected atmospheric drag due to solar activity forces the Commonwealth to boost the Lothol spacestation to a higher orbit.
October 1973: In response to continued price manipulation by multinational oil companies, the twelve members of OPEC, lead by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Mexico, Indonesia and Iran, dramatically cut production, more than doubling world oil prices. This oil shock has profound effects worldwide. The US is particularly hard hit, while the Commonwealth, with its huge reserves in the Middle East and Africa is insulated from it. The Commonwealth, fearful of alienating its Arab population and losing influence in the wider Arab world, refuses to increase its own oil production to counter OPEC.
November 1973: President Kennedy is assassinated and succeeded by Vice President Dean Rusk.
November 1973: Jiang Qing succeeds in securing Deng Xiaoping's arrest and removal. Zhou Enlai however survives efforts to similarly remove him.
January 1974: The US ambassador to South Vietnam is assassinated. Rusk authorises an invasion of North Vietnam.
March 1974: Spain purchases the US helicopter carrier Cabot as the Delado and German Fw 391 fighters to operate off her.
April 1974: The Commonwealth introduce the Sceandu spaceplane into service. Powered by the Swallow air breathing rocket, it is capable of lifting fifty tons into low earth orbit.
April 1974: The Portuguese dictatorship of Americo Tomas is overthrown in a bloodless military coup.
June 1974: Germany's Lilienthal spacestation becomes operational.
September 1974: The supercarrier Hermes is sold to Japan as the Hiryu.
October 1974: A referendum in the Netherlands New Guinea rejects union with Indonesia in favour of independence.
October 1974: Construction the first Unahiroa class spaceship begins at Lothol station. Powered by a nuclear rocket, it is intended as the first of a fleet of five to establish a permanent lunar base.
November 1974: A referendum in Portugal reestablishes a constitutional monarchy with Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza as king.
November 1974: Facing increasing costs, the Soviets agree to pool their space program with that of the Commonwealth.
December 1974: Korea detonate their first atomic weapon.
December 1974: Nasser's successor in the Free Egypt Movement, Anwar Sadat, reaches an agreement to end the insurgency in Egypt. The colony will be given full self government as a Commonwealth Territory, with a referendum on independence within two years.
December 1974: The Portuguese set a policy of independence for all their colonies within two years.
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Chapter 19
~1975-79: The new wave.
January 1975: The Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria are organised into the West African Federation and accorded Dependency status.
February 1975: Zhou Enlai is able to get Deng Xiaoping rehabilitated, increasing the strength of the moderates in China.
March 1975: A referendum in the Netherlands New Guinea rejects union with Indonesia and votes in favour of independence.
June 1975: German Chancellor Frederich Fromm dies. he is succeeded by Adolf von Thadden.
August 1975: Referendums in the Portuguese colonies of Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Goa and Mozambique all result in clear majorities in favour of independence. However Macao elects to remain an overseas province of Portugal. Angola and Guinea-Bissau quickly fall under pro Soviet regimes while Mozambique descends into civil war between the German and Afrikaans backed Resistência Nacional Moçambicana (RENAMO) and the socialist Frente de Libertação de Moçambique (FRELIMO) backed by the Soviets and Commonwealth. Only in Goa, surrounded by Commonwealth India, does democratic government take hold.
September 1975: After a bloody battle, Hanoi falls to US and German troops.
October 1975: The CSA attempts another unmanned landing and recovery on Mars. This mission is successful this time.
November 1975: Spanish dictator Franco dies and is followed as head of state by the restored King Juan Carlos. Spain by this time has been plagued by an ongoing terrorist bombing campaign by Commonwealth backed left wing groups. However, unlike most Warsaw Pact states, there are no German troops stationed on its territory, a situation now only shared by Vichy France and Italy within German dominated Europe.
December 1976: The Unahiroa is completed and begins lunar test flights.
January 1976: Zhou Enlai dies, removing Jiang Qing's leading opponent for control of China. Mao appoints Jiang's ally Zhang Chunqiao as Premier to replace Zhou.
February 1976: German Chancellor von Thadden begins a policy of courting Communist China and scaling back involvement in Indochina.
March 1976: After years of Commonwealth pressure and encouragement, President Castro of Cuba begins a gradual program of liberalisation, reducing controls on free speech and allowing some free market reforms.
April 1976: The referendum in Egypt results in a 50.2% vote to remain in the Commonwealth.
April 1976: The CSA establishes Kelvin station in geosynchronous orbit. The station is intended to simulate long endurance space flight, allowing the development of life support systems.
April 1976: On the sixtieth anniversary of the 1916 Dublin rising, Irish republicans launch a bombing campaign across the Commonwealth with attacks in London, Ottawa, Sydney and New Delhi.
June 1976: Indonesia invades the newly independent West New Guinea. The New Guinean government appeals to the Commonwealth for aid. Forces including the supercarrier Ark Royal are immediately dispatched from Australia and Malaysia to assist.
July 1976: King Juan Carlos appoints the moderate conservative Adolfo Suarez as his first Prime Minister of Spain.
July 1976: The Coventry Commonwealth Conference discusses the Egyptian referendum. Premier Sadat of Egypt demands a second referendum, claiming by extension the Brisbane Doctrine also requires a clear majority in favour of continued membership. After heated debate, it is agreed to hold a second referendum in five years time. Also, in the wake of the upsurge in Irish republican terrorism, a Royal Commission headed by former Prime Minister Macmillan is formed to investigate a political solution.
September 1976: Chairman Mao of Communist China dies, sparking a bitter power struggle.
September 1976: The Communist Salvador Allende becomes the democratically elected President of Chile. He embarks on a program of land reform and nationalisations.
August 1976: Kaiser Louis Ferdinand of Germany is finally released from house arrest.
October 1976: An attempted coup to replace Jiang Qing by moderates lead by Deng Xiaoping fails. The coup is followed by a purge of the moderates and Jiang becomes Chairwoman of the Chinese Communist Party.
November 1976: Prime Minister Suarez begins to move Spain toward democratic government. The Commonwealth uses its influence with the Spanish opposition to bring a truce in terrorist attacks.
November 1976: Despite the fall of Hanoi, the war in Vietnam continues as a guerrilla conflict, with the huge combined arms sweeps used unable to defeat the insurgency. The number of US deaths is now over 150,000. With both the Republican candidate Ronald Regan and Democrat Dean Rusk committed to continuing the war, the Progressive Party candidate George McGovern, with his running mate Jesse Jackson, wins the presidential election on a platform of civil rights reform and ending the war.
January 1977: The Macmillan Commission report into Irish republican terrorism highlights the impact continued discrimination against Catholics in Ulster has in feeding republican sentiment. The report also brings to light well entrenched corruption and abuse within the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Particular attention is given to the practice of internment without trial used by the Ulster government for the last ten years.
January 1977: The Kyaaltanhkwan, the second Unahiroa class spaceship is dispatched on an unmanned triple fly past of Venus and Mars. The mission will again include a recovered lander.
February 1977: The Indonesian invasion of West New Guinea is defeated and the Indonesian government agrees to respect West New Guinean independence.
February 1977: President McGovern beings to withdraw US forces from Vietnam.
March 1977: In the wake of the Macmillan Report, the Ulster Police Act is passed. It removes the Ulster Governments competency over policing and disbands the RUC replacing it with an entirely new Ulster Police Service under the direct control of Westminster.
March 1977: With the US announcement of their withdrawal from Indochina, Germany completes their withdrawal South East Asia to focus on the guerrilla war in the Balkans and continue courting Communist China.
March 1977: Corruption and mismanagement by the Soviet backed Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola (MPLA) in Angola leads to a civil war with the German and Afrikaans backed União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA).
March 1977: As a result of the New Guinea War the decision to run down the Commonwealth's carrier fleet is reversed. The force has been reduced to just two conventional carriers. Three new supercarriers are ordered and the surviving five New Zealand class carriers in reserve are to be recommissioned, with the existing HMS New Zealand renamed Zealandia to free her name for one of the new Prince of Wales supercarriers. Production of the Buccaneer and Corsair naval aircraft are also to be resumed pending the development of new aircraft.
June 1977: With the announcement of the US withdrawal from Indochina, the Vietnamese communists scale down their active operations and begin building up forces in Communist China.
June 1977: The Kyaaltanhkwan makes her first flyby of Venus.
July 1977: Democratic elections in Spain result in government lead by Suarez's Democratic Conservatives. Suarez begins drafting a new democratic constitution. Suarez confirms Spain's continued membership of the Warsaw Pact and European Economic Community.
July 1977: Ulster Prime Minister Ian Paisley attempts to gain support for the return of the police in Ulster to local control at the Hong Kong Commonwealth Conference. However it is made clear that unless reforms are made to end corruption and discrimination against Catholics, further action will taken under the York Doctrine.
October 1977: Fenech Adami's Conservative Unionists win the elections, ending nearly nineteen years of Liberal Socialist government in the Commonwealth. Adami begins a limited program of privatisation, undoing the highly regulated post war state capitalism model in favour of a more free market democratic socialism model.
December 1977: The Kyaaltanhkwan makes her Mars flyby, successfully launching and retrieving an unmanned test lander.
January 1978: After months of unrest, opposition to the corrupt and authoritarian regime of Shah Mohammad Reza explodes into rioting and near revolution.
March 1978: Five new 20,000 ton Indomitable class commando carriers are ordered to replace the existing three Merlin class. The three Audacious class commando carriers are to be replaced later.
March 1978: With the commissioning of the third Unahiroa class spaceship Almudhannab, the Commonwealth launch an twelve man long duration mission to the moon. The mission will remain on the surface for a month and establish a base for permanent occupation near the south lunar pole.
April 1978: The McGovern administration in the US cuts support to many dictatorships in Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala and Nicaragua due to their human rights violations.
April 1978: President Daoud of Afghanistan is overthrown in a communist coup lead by Nur Muhammad Taraki.
June 1978: With Guatemalan incursions into Belize continuing, Adami authorises airstrikes in Guatemala itself and begins the covert deployment of Commonwealth troops to assist leftist guerrillas in the country.
June 1978: An attempted coup by the Spanish military fails when King Juan Carlos publicly supports the democratic government.
July 1978: The continued over representation of the Home Nations and White Dominions dominates the Madras Commonwealth Conference. It is finally agreed to reform the House of Commons with 40% of the seats for India, 40% for the Home Nations and Dominions, with the remaining 20% for the rest of the Commonwealth.
August 1978: Suarez announces his intention to withdraw Spain from the Warsaw Pact but not the European Economic Community.
August 1978: The Kyaaltanhkwan makes her second Venus flyby.
August 1978: A new Union of South Africa is formed from Bechuanaland, Cape Province, South West Africa, and Natal.
September 1978: As the Warsaw Pact begins to mass troops on the Spanish border, the Commonwealth and ETO issue a guarantee of Spanish sovereignty and begins moving troops to Portugal and Gibraltar.
September 1978: Chairman Kosygin of Soviet Russia declares his support of democratic Spain. Italy refuses to commit to military action against Spain.
September 1978: With China continuing in the chaos, Chairwoman Jiang finally attempts to bring the Cultural Revolution to an end by replacing Zhang Chunqiao as Premier with Hua Guofeng, one of the few surviving moderates. While maintaining a strict Marxist line, Hua institutes a series of limited reforms and moves closer to Germany.
October 1978: Panamanian dictator Omar Torrijos and US president McGovern sign the Torrijos-McGovern Treaty pledging to transfer the Panama canal to Panamanian control in 1993.
November 1978: With the world lurching to war and attention focused on Spain, a military government is proclaimed in Iran. The new government immediately begins a harsh crack down arresting thousands.
November 1978: With tensions in Europe at unprecedented levels, the Commonwealth orders a general mobilisation. With war now seeming inevitable, US President McGovern calls a conference of the Great Powers in New York. McGovern gives a US support for Spanish independence. With Italy and Vichy France unwilling to support war, the Warsaw Pact accept a Spanish withdrawal provided it remains a neutral state and the ETO ceases support for insurgents in the Balkans.
December 1978: The last US forces leave Vietnam.
December 1978: A referendum in Spain ratifies a new democratic constitution.
January 1979: The Kyaaltanhkwan successfully returns to Earth.
January 1979: The crackdown in Iran has failed to restore order. The Shah flees the country and a government lead by Saudi backed fundamentalist Islamic extremists emerges.
February 1979: Concerned at continued Indonesian incited unrest, West New Guinea requests membership of the Commonwealth.
March 1979: With the continued failure of the Ulster government to make reforms, the Government of Ulster Act suspends home rule and places Ulster under the direct administration of the Colonial Office in Westminster.
April 1979: Allende's government in Chile has lead the nation into a constitutional crisis. The head of the Chilean armed forces, General Carlos Prats has repeatedly rejected plans for a military coup. However with the rule of law breaking down, he reluctantly agrees and Allende is overthrown.
April 1979: The Frente Nacional de Libertação de Angola (FNLA) splits from the MPLA in the Angolan Civil War. The Commonwealth begin support of this new group.
July 1979: The right wing dictatorship of Manuel Samoza falls to a popular revolution lead by Daniel Ortaga's communist Sandinista movement. The Commonwealth immediately begins a policy of engagement with the new government similar to that they pursued with Cuba.
July 1979: The Entebbe Commonwealth Conference debates the request by West New Guinea for membership of the Commonwealth. The Conference agrees to accept the request on confirmation of a clear referendum in West New Guinea. This will become the Entebbe Doctrine for accession to the Commonwealth.
October 1979: With the withdrawal of US and German forces, the communist forces in Indochina have regrouped and returned to aggressive insurgency, supported by the Soviets and Communist Chinese.
November 1979: Prats returns Chile to civilian rule under the conservative Jorge Alessandri.
December 1979: The West New Guinea referendum results in a 78% majority in favour of joining the Commonwealth. It is united with the Commonwealth Territories to form the new Dependency of New Guinea.
December 1979: Communist Afghanistan has become extremely unstable and riven by a power struggle. Islamist opposition has lead to widespread unrest and insurgency. The Soviets commit forces to restore order.
January 1975: The Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria are organised into the West African Federation and accorded Dependency status.
February 1975: Zhou Enlai is able to get Deng Xiaoping rehabilitated, increasing the strength of the moderates in China.
March 1975: A referendum in the Netherlands New Guinea rejects union with Indonesia and votes in favour of independence.
June 1975: German Chancellor Frederich Fromm dies. he is succeeded by Adolf von Thadden.
August 1975: Referendums in the Portuguese colonies of Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Goa and Mozambique all result in clear majorities in favour of independence. However Macao elects to remain an overseas province of Portugal. Angola and Guinea-Bissau quickly fall under pro Soviet regimes while Mozambique descends into civil war between the German and Afrikaans backed Resistência Nacional Moçambicana (RENAMO) and the socialist Frente de Libertação de Moçambique (FRELIMO) backed by the Soviets and Commonwealth. Only in Goa, surrounded by Commonwealth India, does democratic government take hold.
September 1975: After a bloody battle, Hanoi falls to US and German troops.
October 1975: The CSA attempts another unmanned landing and recovery on Mars. This mission is successful this time.
November 1975: Spanish dictator Franco dies and is followed as head of state by the restored King Juan Carlos. Spain by this time has been plagued by an ongoing terrorist bombing campaign by Commonwealth backed left wing groups. However, unlike most Warsaw Pact states, there are no German troops stationed on its territory, a situation now only shared by Vichy France and Italy within German dominated Europe.
December 1976: The Unahiroa is completed and begins lunar test flights.
January 1976: Zhou Enlai dies, removing Jiang Qing's leading opponent for control of China. Mao appoints Jiang's ally Zhang Chunqiao as Premier to replace Zhou.
February 1976: German Chancellor von Thadden begins a policy of courting Communist China and scaling back involvement in Indochina.
March 1976: After years of Commonwealth pressure and encouragement, President Castro of Cuba begins a gradual program of liberalisation, reducing controls on free speech and allowing some free market reforms.
April 1976: The referendum in Egypt results in a 50.2% vote to remain in the Commonwealth.
April 1976: The CSA establishes Kelvin station in geosynchronous orbit. The station is intended to simulate long endurance space flight, allowing the development of life support systems.
April 1976: On the sixtieth anniversary of the 1916 Dublin rising, Irish republicans launch a bombing campaign across the Commonwealth with attacks in London, Ottawa, Sydney and New Delhi.
June 1976: Indonesia invades the newly independent West New Guinea. The New Guinean government appeals to the Commonwealth for aid. Forces including the supercarrier Ark Royal are immediately dispatched from Australia and Malaysia to assist.
July 1976: King Juan Carlos appoints the moderate conservative Adolfo Suarez as his first Prime Minister of Spain.
July 1976: The Coventry Commonwealth Conference discusses the Egyptian referendum. Premier Sadat of Egypt demands a second referendum, claiming by extension the Brisbane Doctrine also requires a clear majority in favour of continued membership. After heated debate, it is agreed to hold a second referendum in five years time. Also, in the wake of the upsurge in Irish republican terrorism, a Royal Commission headed by former Prime Minister Macmillan is formed to investigate a political solution.
September 1976: Chairman Mao of Communist China dies, sparking a bitter power struggle.
September 1976: The Communist Salvador Allende becomes the democratically elected President of Chile. He embarks on a program of land reform and nationalisations.
August 1976: Kaiser Louis Ferdinand of Germany is finally released from house arrest.
October 1976: An attempted coup to replace Jiang Qing by moderates lead by Deng Xiaoping fails. The coup is followed by a purge of the moderates and Jiang becomes Chairwoman of the Chinese Communist Party.
November 1976: Prime Minister Suarez begins to move Spain toward democratic government. The Commonwealth uses its influence with the Spanish opposition to bring a truce in terrorist attacks.
November 1976: Despite the fall of Hanoi, the war in Vietnam continues as a guerrilla conflict, with the huge combined arms sweeps used unable to defeat the insurgency. The number of US deaths is now over 150,000. With both the Republican candidate Ronald Regan and Democrat Dean Rusk committed to continuing the war, the Progressive Party candidate George McGovern, with his running mate Jesse Jackson, wins the presidential election on a platform of civil rights reform and ending the war.
January 1977: The Macmillan Commission report into Irish republican terrorism highlights the impact continued discrimination against Catholics in Ulster has in feeding republican sentiment. The report also brings to light well entrenched corruption and abuse within the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Particular attention is given to the practice of internment without trial used by the Ulster government for the last ten years.
January 1977: The Kyaaltanhkwan, the second Unahiroa class spaceship is dispatched on an unmanned triple fly past of Venus and Mars. The mission will again include a recovered lander.
February 1977: The Indonesian invasion of West New Guinea is defeated and the Indonesian government agrees to respect West New Guinean independence.
February 1977: President McGovern beings to withdraw US forces from Vietnam.
March 1977: In the wake of the Macmillan Report, the Ulster Police Act is passed. It removes the Ulster Governments competency over policing and disbands the RUC replacing it with an entirely new Ulster Police Service under the direct control of Westminster.
March 1977: With the US announcement of their withdrawal from Indochina, Germany completes their withdrawal South East Asia to focus on the guerrilla war in the Balkans and continue courting Communist China.
March 1977: Corruption and mismanagement by the Soviet backed Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola (MPLA) in Angola leads to a civil war with the German and Afrikaans backed União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA).
March 1977: As a result of the New Guinea War the decision to run down the Commonwealth's carrier fleet is reversed. The force has been reduced to just two conventional carriers. Three new supercarriers are ordered and the surviving five New Zealand class carriers in reserve are to be recommissioned, with the existing HMS New Zealand renamed Zealandia to free her name for one of the new Prince of Wales supercarriers. Production of the Buccaneer and Corsair naval aircraft are also to be resumed pending the development of new aircraft.
June 1977: With the announcement of the US withdrawal from Indochina, the Vietnamese communists scale down their active operations and begin building up forces in Communist China.
June 1977: The Kyaaltanhkwan makes her first flyby of Venus.
July 1977: Democratic elections in Spain result in government lead by Suarez's Democratic Conservatives. Suarez begins drafting a new democratic constitution. Suarez confirms Spain's continued membership of the Warsaw Pact and European Economic Community.
July 1977: Ulster Prime Minister Ian Paisley attempts to gain support for the return of the police in Ulster to local control at the Hong Kong Commonwealth Conference. However it is made clear that unless reforms are made to end corruption and discrimination against Catholics, further action will taken under the York Doctrine.
October 1977: Fenech Adami's Conservative Unionists win the elections, ending nearly nineteen years of Liberal Socialist government in the Commonwealth. Adami begins a limited program of privatisation, undoing the highly regulated post war state capitalism model in favour of a more free market democratic socialism model.
December 1977: The Kyaaltanhkwan makes her Mars flyby, successfully launching and retrieving an unmanned test lander.
January 1978: After months of unrest, opposition to the corrupt and authoritarian regime of Shah Mohammad Reza explodes into rioting and near revolution.
March 1978: Five new 20,000 ton Indomitable class commando carriers are ordered to replace the existing three Merlin class. The three Audacious class commando carriers are to be replaced later.
March 1978: With the commissioning of the third Unahiroa class spaceship Almudhannab, the Commonwealth launch an twelve man long duration mission to the moon. The mission will remain on the surface for a month and establish a base for permanent occupation near the south lunar pole.
April 1978: The McGovern administration in the US cuts support to many dictatorships in Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala and Nicaragua due to their human rights violations.
April 1978: President Daoud of Afghanistan is overthrown in a communist coup lead by Nur Muhammad Taraki.
June 1978: With Guatemalan incursions into Belize continuing, Adami authorises airstrikes in Guatemala itself and begins the covert deployment of Commonwealth troops to assist leftist guerrillas in the country.
June 1978: An attempted coup by the Spanish military fails when King Juan Carlos publicly supports the democratic government.
July 1978: The continued over representation of the Home Nations and White Dominions dominates the Madras Commonwealth Conference. It is finally agreed to reform the House of Commons with 40% of the seats for India, 40% for the Home Nations and Dominions, with the remaining 20% for the rest of the Commonwealth.
August 1978: Suarez announces his intention to withdraw Spain from the Warsaw Pact but not the European Economic Community.
August 1978: The Kyaaltanhkwan makes her second Venus flyby.
August 1978: A new Union of South Africa is formed from Bechuanaland, Cape Province, South West Africa, and Natal.
September 1978: As the Warsaw Pact begins to mass troops on the Spanish border, the Commonwealth and ETO issue a guarantee of Spanish sovereignty and begins moving troops to Portugal and Gibraltar.
September 1978: Chairman Kosygin of Soviet Russia declares his support of democratic Spain. Italy refuses to commit to military action against Spain.
September 1978: With China continuing in the chaos, Chairwoman Jiang finally attempts to bring the Cultural Revolution to an end by replacing Zhang Chunqiao as Premier with Hua Guofeng, one of the few surviving moderates. While maintaining a strict Marxist line, Hua institutes a series of limited reforms and moves closer to Germany.
October 1978: Panamanian dictator Omar Torrijos and US president McGovern sign the Torrijos-McGovern Treaty pledging to transfer the Panama canal to Panamanian control in 1993.
November 1978: With the world lurching to war and attention focused on Spain, a military government is proclaimed in Iran. The new government immediately begins a harsh crack down arresting thousands.
November 1978: With tensions in Europe at unprecedented levels, the Commonwealth orders a general mobilisation. With war now seeming inevitable, US President McGovern calls a conference of the Great Powers in New York. McGovern gives a US support for Spanish independence. With Italy and Vichy France unwilling to support war, the Warsaw Pact accept a Spanish withdrawal provided it remains a neutral state and the ETO ceases support for insurgents in the Balkans.
December 1978: The last US forces leave Vietnam.
December 1978: A referendum in Spain ratifies a new democratic constitution.
January 1979: The Kyaaltanhkwan successfully returns to Earth.
January 1979: The crackdown in Iran has failed to restore order. The Shah flees the country and a government lead by Saudi backed fundamentalist Islamic extremists emerges.
February 1979: Concerned at continued Indonesian incited unrest, West New Guinea requests membership of the Commonwealth.
March 1979: With the continued failure of the Ulster government to make reforms, the Government of Ulster Act suspends home rule and places Ulster under the direct administration of the Colonial Office in Westminster.
April 1979: Allende's government in Chile has lead the nation into a constitutional crisis. The head of the Chilean armed forces, General Carlos Prats has repeatedly rejected plans for a military coup. However with the rule of law breaking down, he reluctantly agrees and Allende is overthrown.
April 1979: The Frente Nacional de Libertação de Angola (FNLA) splits from the MPLA in the Angolan Civil War. The Commonwealth begin support of this new group.
July 1979: The right wing dictatorship of Manuel Samoza falls to a popular revolution lead by Daniel Ortaga's communist Sandinista movement. The Commonwealth immediately begins a policy of engagement with the new government similar to that they pursued with Cuba.
July 1979: The Entebbe Commonwealth Conference debates the request by West New Guinea for membership of the Commonwealth. The Conference agrees to accept the request on confirmation of a clear referendum in West New Guinea. This will become the Entebbe Doctrine for accession to the Commonwealth.
October 1979: With the withdrawal of US and German forces, the communist forces in Indochina have regrouped and returned to aggressive insurgency, supported by the Soviets and Communist Chinese.
November 1979: Prats returns Chile to civilian rule under the conservative Jorge Alessandri.
December 1979: The West New Guinea referendum results in a 78% majority in favour of joining the Commonwealth. It is united with the Commonwealth Territories to form the new Dependency of New Guinea.
December 1979: Communist Afghanistan has become extremely unstable and riven by a power struggle. Islamist opposition has lead to widespread unrest and insurgency. The Soviets commit forces to restore order.
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Fleet List 1980
RN - Commonwealth
6 x Lion BB (reserve)
2 x Lion BB
4 x Vanguard (reserve)
2 x Queen Elizabeth II [60,000T 90ac] CVA
3 x Prince of Wales [75,000T 90ac] CVA (building)
2 x Hermes [80,000T 90ac] CVAN (planned)
6 x Irresistible CV (parts hulk)
5 x New Zealand [Malta angled fd] CV
2 x Centaur CVH (parts hulk)
3 x Merlin [Hermes] CVH
3 x Audacious [Ark Royal] CVH
5 x Indomitable [20,000T 24ac] CVH (building)
5 x Ocean [30,000T 36ac] CVH (planned)
2 BB 3 CVA 5 CV 6 CVH
USN - USA
4 x Iowa BB (reserve)
2 x Iowa BB
6 x Essex CV (reserve)
4 x Oriskany CVS (rebuilt)
4 x Hancock [Midway] CV (rebuilt)
4 x United States CVA (rebuilt)
2 x Saratoga [Forrestral] CVA
2 x Kitty Hawk CVA
1 x Enterprise CVAN
1 x Kennedy CVA
1 x Nimitz CVAN
2 x Nimitz CVAN (building)
7 x Tripoli [Iwo Jima] CVH
5 x Nassau [Tarawa] CVH
2 BB 11 CVA 4 CV 4 CVS 12 CVH
IJN - Japan
1 x Queen Elizabeth II [60,000T 90ac] CVA
2 x Takao [18,000T 20ac] CVH
1 CVA 2 CVH
FNFL - Free French
3 x Clemenceau CV
1 x Charles de Gaulle CVN (building)
1 x Charles de Gaulle CVN (planned)
2 x Centaur CVH
3 CV 2 CVH
MN - Vichy France
2 x Pétain CV [38,000T 26ac]
2 CV
RM - Italy
3 x Leonardo da Vinci [45,000T 40ac] CV
3 CV
RKM - Germany, Baltic/North Sea
2 x Gneisenau [65,000T 64ac] CVA
2 x Deutchland [70,000T 60ac] CVA
2 x Beck [75,000T 64ac] CVAN (building)
4 CVA
RKM - Adriatic
2 x Scheer [48,000T 32ac] CV
2 CV
VMF - Russia, Baltic
1 x Baku [Kiev] CVL
1 CVL
VMF - Russia, Black Sea
2 x Moskva CVH
1 x Baku [Kiev] CVL
1 x Baku [Kiev] CVL (building)
2 CVH 1 CVL
VMF - Russia, Pacific
1 x Baku [Kiev] CVL
1 CVL
KM - Netherlands
1 x Centaur CVH
1 CVH
TD - Turkey
1 x Colossus CVL (rebuilt)
1 CVL
PN - Greece
1 x Wright CVL
1 CVL
ARA - Argentina
1 x Majestic CVL (rebuilt)
1 CVL
MB - Brazil
1 x Majestic CVL (rebuilt)
1 CVL
AC - Chile
1 x Majestic CVL (rebuilt)
1 CVL
ZMH - Nationalist China
2 x North Carolina BB
2 x Oriskany CV (rebuilt)
2 BB 2 CV
AE - Spain
1 x Wright CVL
1 CVL
6 x Lion BB (reserve)
2 x Lion BB
4 x Vanguard (reserve)
2 x Queen Elizabeth II [60,000T 90ac] CVA
3 x Prince of Wales [75,000T 90ac] CVA (building)
2 x Hermes [80,000T 90ac] CVAN (planned)
6 x Irresistible CV (parts hulk)
5 x New Zealand [Malta angled fd] CV
2 x Centaur CVH (parts hulk)
3 x Merlin [Hermes] CVH
3 x Audacious [Ark Royal] CVH
5 x Indomitable [20,000T 24ac] CVH (building)
5 x Ocean [30,000T 36ac] CVH (planned)
2 BB 3 CVA 5 CV 6 CVH
USN - USA
4 x Iowa BB (reserve)
2 x Iowa BB
6 x Essex CV (reserve)
4 x Oriskany CVS (rebuilt)
4 x Hancock [Midway] CV (rebuilt)
4 x United States CVA (rebuilt)
2 x Saratoga [Forrestral] CVA
2 x Kitty Hawk CVA
1 x Enterprise CVAN
1 x Kennedy CVA
1 x Nimitz CVAN
2 x Nimitz CVAN (building)
7 x Tripoli [Iwo Jima] CVH
5 x Nassau [Tarawa] CVH
2 BB 11 CVA 4 CV 4 CVS 12 CVH
IJN - Japan
1 x Queen Elizabeth II [60,000T 90ac] CVA
2 x Takao [18,000T 20ac] CVH
1 CVA 2 CVH
FNFL - Free French
3 x Clemenceau CV
1 x Charles de Gaulle CVN (building)
1 x Charles de Gaulle CVN (planned)
2 x Centaur CVH
3 CV 2 CVH
MN - Vichy France
2 x Pétain CV [38,000T 26ac]
2 CV
RM - Italy
3 x Leonardo da Vinci [45,000T 40ac] CV
3 CV
RKM - Germany, Baltic/North Sea
2 x Gneisenau [65,000T 64ac] CVA
2 x Deutchland [70,000T 60ac] CVA
2 x Beck [75,000T 64ac] CVAN (building)
4 CVA
RKM - Adriatic
2 x Scheer [48,000T 32ac] CV
2 CV
VMF - Russia, Baltic
1 x Baku [Kiev] CVL
1 CVL
VMF - Russia, Black Sea
2 x Moskva CVH
1 x Baku [Kiev] CVL
1 x Baku [Kiev] CVL (building)
2 CVH 1 CVL
VMF - Russia, Pacific
1 x Baku [Kiev] CVL
1 CVL
KM - Netherlands
1 x Centaur CVH
1 CVH
TD - Turkey
1 x Colossus CVL (rebuilt)
1 CVL
PN - Greece
1 x Wright CVL
1 CVL
ARA - Argentina
1 x Majestic CVL (rebuilt)
1 CVL
MB - Brazil
1 x Majestic CVL (rebuilt)
1 CVL
AC - Chile
1 x Majestic CVL (rebuilt)
1 CVL
ZMH - Nationalist China
2 x North Carolina BB
2 x Oriskany CV (rebuilt)
2 BB 2 CV
AE - Spain
1 x Wright CVL
1 CVL
Great stuff
It gets interesting in the 80s
Correct me if I am wrong but as it stands the world is split into 4/possibly 5 power blocks.
The imperial commonwealth the largest and arguably the most powerful of the factions due to its massive size each of the other powers can cause internal problems easily but with its massive industrial upgradation of Africa and India on course it will be match of the other factions combined by the 1990s.
The USSR slowly recovering from having its nation nearly shattered mostly breeding like rabbits and rebuilding pre-war infrastructure with some upgrades due to the SGW being much more of meat grinder and destructive than WW2 the USSR does not have the manpower or infrastructure to be at the level of advancement the OTL USSR was at in the 1980s.
The German Reich intact infrastructure but over taxed in its economies with the semi-conquering of Europe in the SGW and propping up the conquered territories post war. The German manpower is also reduced with its population have been the other side of the meat grinder with the USSR.
The USA intact in infrastructure and population up very weak economically due the reforms to keep out of the wars in Europe and no ww2 to pull it out of the Great Depression. However its influences has grown to the point of post ww1 levels and has military intervention of post ww2 (not Cold War).
The possible faction is a untied France.
The imperial commonwealth the largest and arguably the most powerful of the factions due to its massive size each of the other powers can cause internal problems easily but with its massive industrial upgradation of Africa and India on course it will be match of the other factions combined by the 1990s.
The USSR slowly recovering from having its nation nearly shattered mostly breeding like rabbits and rebuilding pre-war infrastructure with some upgrades due to the SGW being much more of meat grinder and destructive than WW2 the USSR does not have the manpower or infrastructure to be at the level of advancement the OTL USSR was at in the 1980s.
The German Reich intact infrastructure but over taxed in its economies with the semi-conquering of Europe in the SGW and propping up the conquered territories post war. The German manpower is also reduced with its population have been the other side of the meat grinder with the USSR.
The USA intact in infrastructure and population up very weak economically due the reforms to keep out of the wars in Europe and no ww2 to pull it out of the Great Depression. However its influences has grown to the point of post ww1 levels and has military intervention of post ww2 (not Cold War).
The possible faction is a untied France.
Pretty much. The US and Commonwealth are at the top of the tree. The US did suffer worse in the Great Depression but the SGW pulled it out plus it kept its military budgets much lower and only started engaging in the world in the 60s under Kennedy. The big change in the US is it's more right leaning. The civil rights movement is only just starting and its "rugged individualist" streak is much stronger. Still very much a democracy but it tends to see the Commonwealth as proto communists and willing to work with the highly authoritarian Germany. The Depression did produce a radical left ini the US which is only just starting to show up now as it coalesces into a three party state (Republicans on the right, Progressives on the left and Democrats in the center)
The Commonwealth has been badly strained by trying to hold itself together in the post war era and the need to pay for upgrading India and Africa, hence it allowed its military power to run down. But that upgrade is now coming on stream. Its gone down a very socialist democracy path with strong state intervention and direction of the economy. The Commonwealth's big problem is it's shear size. It's very hard for it to focus on one thing and bring that power to bear, but when it does, it's impressive.
The Soviets have basically done what China did OTL. Kept their heads down and reformed their economy. They are much weaker than OTL but actually have the advantage of being able to work with the Commonwealth. The two states are closer ideologically than in the OTL. Both have a state capitalism economic model and left leaning socialist policies. The Commonwealth is democratic version, the Soviets the single party autocracy. The Soviets were also greatly helped by the US under Wallace pouring money into its recovery in the immediate wake of the SGW.
Germany did basically conquer Europe. It totally dominated from the Ukraine to the Atlantic. It bled itself white in Russia doing it and later holding it. Plus, while it's no longer Nazi, it hasn't ever addressed that part of its past. It's now very authoritarian right wing state.
Slight change to the 70s. Taylor's too old so I've replaced him with Vincent Hallinan and brought in as his running mate Jesse Jackson.
June 1971: With US casualties in Vietnam now over 75,000 dead and no end in sight, the war is becoming increasingly unpopular. The US is suffering widespread left wing protests and even isolated incidents of domestic terrorism. The left is headed by former President Wallace's protege, Vincent Hallinan and the Progressive Party. Kennedy begins a policy of shifting the fighting to the South Vietnamese.
November 1976: Despite the fall of Hanoi, the war in Vietnam continues as a guerrilla conflict, with the huge combined arms sweeps used unable to defeat the insurgency. The number of US deaths is now over 150,000. With both the Republican candidate Ronald Regan and Democrat Dean Rusk committed to continuing the war, the Progressive Party candidate Vincent Hallinan, with his running mate Jesse Jackson, wins the presidential election on a platform of civil rights reform and ending the war.
June 1971: With US casualties in Vietnam now over 75,000 dead and no end in sight, the war is becoming increasingly unpopular. The US is suffering widespread left wing protests and even isolated incidents of domestic terrorism. The left is headed by former President Wallace's protege, Vincent Hallinan and the Progressive Party. Kennedy begins a policy of shifting the fighting to the South Vietnamese.
November 1976: Despite the fall of Hanoi, the war in Vietnam continues as a guerrilla conflict, with the huge combined arms sweeps used unable to defeat the insurgency. The number of US deaths is now over 150,000. With both the Republican candidate Ronald Regan and Democrat Dean Rusk committed to continuing the war, the Progressive Party candidate Vincent Hallinan, with his running mate Jesse Jackson, wins the presidential election on a platform of civil rights reform and ending the war.
Good timeline here with a very interesting world. Did the Soviet Union manage to avoid the economic problems that killed it in OTL? How's Germany doing now that Spain pretty much broke away from it and showed the other powers can limit it?
Also, not sure who the US President is, the person mentioned wasn't listed among the candidates.
Also, not sure who the US President is, the person mentioned wasn't listed among the candidates.
The Soviets are very much weaker the OTL. That they were able to play on the global stage post war was mostly due to the fact that the US wasn't playing. As soon as Kennedy started up they were forced out, making an alliance with the Commonwealth to bolster their position. Yes they've reformed and now far more like China OTL. They're a growing power.
Germany is waning now. They've tried to hold onto Europe. They've already got a Vietnam style war in the Balkans and yes, Spain has just really hurt them. They backed down and now their satellites will be looking for an out. Italy will probably be next, with Vichy France coming up close behind.
And Hallinan? Very much a fringe person OTL. In the OTL when Wallace broke with the Democrats in 48 he formed the Progressive Party and ran with Glen Taylor in 48. The party survived into the 50s OTL and ran Hallinan in 52. He was the third highest polling candidate. ITTL the Progressives have survived and drawn in the more radical Democrats such as Jackson, while the Democrats have pulled in some of the liberal wing of the Republicans. So it's become a three party state.
Changed Hallinan to George McGovern. Not only better known, but Hallinan is still too old.
Just wondering but where is the German Soviet border after the SGW? 1939 border after poland annexed? or further east?
Same as the armistice line. Though you have a buffer of German puppets before you hit Germany proper
3rd February 1945: The Germans and Soviets sign an armistice. Germany is left in control of Poland, the Baltic states, Belarus and the western Ukraine. The armistice line runs from Narva in the north, though Pskov, Mogilev and Karkov, then to Kherson in the south.
3rd February 1945: The Germans and Soviets sign an armistice. Germany is left in control of Poland, the Baltic states, Belarus and the western Ukraine. The armistice line runs from Narva in the north, though Pskov, Mogilev and Karkov, then to Kherson in the south.