Ah yes pissing off the nation holding the global economy together holding your economy together and supplying you with all the kit for your army is such a good idea
Feel the Bearn - A Timeline of France's Only Carrier in WWII and Beyond
- Thread starter Seafort
- Start date
BlondieBC
Banned
This is great writing. Out of curiousity, which ships do the Japanese surrender on? The Iowa or the Arkansas?
BlondieBC
Banned
Generally speaking the armor decks are a integral part of the ship and can't be removed. i.e. these decks serve both as armor and as structural support.
If you like reading, read about the US Navy trying to convert CA to guide missile cruisers and the huge amount of structural issues encountered. Basically, if you want to remove armor decks, it is cheaper to build a new ship.
I expect the French won't be getting any supplies at least in the ETO, and that includes food shipments.
"Gerneral DeGaulle, since we cannot supply our forces and all of our supplies remain detained in the ports, we regretfully inform you that no supplies of any sort from the United States to French forces or France, including supplies for the civilian population, will be embarked from the United States, those ships carrying only supplies for French forces or France will be diverted, and any supplies in ports in France will be kept in storage until such time as supplies for our forces can move freely. Any attempt to forcibly remove so much as one can of Spam from our warehouses will be considered an act of war. Be informed that any and all work on French warships in US yards will be stopped immediately, and the crews of such ships are confined to the limits of those yards however food and water will continue to be delivered to the crews. No further purchases under Lend-Lease or credit by France will be let, all existing contracts for military equipment will be suspended, contracts for food and medical supplies will continue however such shipments will be held as noted. Should France continue to prevent the shipment of supplies to our forces, or should the military forces of France take any actions against US personnel or supplies, or attempt by force to move supplies earmarked for French forces or France from warehouses under the control of the US, the United States will consider all credit arrangements under Lend-Lease and other loans to be terminated and demand the immediate payment of all monies due. Interest on loans, even those originally interest free, will accrue as soon as they are called. If necessary, repayment will be made made seizure of French assets including gold reserves under temporary US control, assets of French corporations, goods under contract, etc. The United States has no desire to treat France as an enemy, however should France persist in its current course of actions contrary to the United States, we cannot continue to provide goods and financing to France under Lend-Lease and loose credit as we have as an active ally. We will not prevent the lending of monies to France by private banking, however any such loans will be made without any government guarantees at the full risk of the lender. Similarly private purchases of food and medicines will be allowed, however availability is subject to the needs of the US and our active allies first and such shipments will only be allowed to be loaded on to civilian unarmed ships flying the French flag - no armed merchant vessels or contracted foreign flag vessels will be permitted. The United States has a long friendly relationship with France, which we sincerely hope will be restored and continue in to the future. As always, the policy of the United States is reciprocity, those who act toward us with friendship receive the same in return however those who act with less than friendship will also expect a return."
Harry S. Truman, President, sends.
note: France has very few merchant vessels, most are armed with some deck guns/AA (like most merchant vessels now). In any case given the state of things between the UK and France, the odds of such ships making it across the Atlantic in the face of the RN is quite small - which is the idea - "you can ship the stuff, but good luck getting it there especially after you paid up front for it"
"Gerneral DeGaulle, since we cannot supply our forces and all of our supplies remain detained in the ports, we regretfully inform you that no supplies of any sort from the United States to French forces or France, including supplies for the civilian population, will be embarked from the United States, those ships carrying only supplies for French forces or France will be diverted, and any supplies in ports in France will be kept in storage until such time as supplies for our forces can move freely. Any attempt to forcibly remove so much as one can of Spam from our warehouses will be considered an act of war. Be informed that any and all work on French warships in US yards will be stopped immediately, and the crews of such ships are confined to the limits of those yards however food and water will continue to be delivered to the crews. No further purchases under Lend-Lease or credit by France will be let, all existing contracts for military equipment will be suspended, contracts for food and medical supplies will continue however such shipments will be held as noted. Should France continue to prevent the shipment of supplies to our forces, or should the military forces of France take any actions against US personnel or supplies, or attempt by force to move supplies earmarked for French forces or France from warehouses under the control of the US, the United States will consider all credit arrangements under Lend-Lease and other loans to be terminated and demand the immediate payment of all monies due. Interest on loans, even those originally interest free, will accrue as soon as they are called. If necessary, repayment will be made made seizure of French assets including gold reserves under temporary US control, assets of French corporations, goods under contract, etc. The United States has no desire to treat France as an enemy, however should France persist in its current course of actions contrary to the United States, we cannot continue to provide goods and financing to France under Lend-Lease and loose credit as we have as an active ally. We will not prevent the lending of monies to France by private banking, however any such loans will be made without any government guarantees at the full risk of the lender. Similarly private purchases of food and medicines will be allowed, however availability is subject to the needs of the US and our active allies first and such shipments will only be allowed to be loaded on to civilian unarmed ships flying the French flag - no armed merchant vessels or contracted foreign flag vessels will be permitted. The United States has a long friendly relationship with France, which we sincerely hope will be restored and continue in to the future. As always, the policy of the United States is reciprocity, those who act toward us with friendship receive the same in return however those who act with less than friendship will also expect a return."
Harry S. Truman, President, sends.
note: France has very few merchant vessels, most are armed with some deck guns/AA (like most merchant vessels now). In any case given the state of things between the UK and France, the odds of such ships making it across the Atlantic in the face of the RN is quite small - which is the idea - "you can ship the stuff, but good luck getting it there especially after you paid up front for it"
BlondieBC
Banned
Agreed. Churchill had an alcohol problem. He also was clinically depressed. He also love risk. He was a gambler. He won big, and he lost huge.
"...there was a terrible fire... in the same dock as the Normandie, yes, how did you know... deeply tragic indeed..."
No, we're not going in that direction..lol. Thanks for pointing the error out!
Ah, the perils of writing when one is tired....
Thanks! Yes, the Missouri will not be there for the surrender. But I do have another ship in mind for that date.
Chapter 3 - Uncommon Commons
June 7, 1945 (8:00 AM EST)
President Harry Truman rubbed his head. Sleep, which had always been fleeting since assuming the office of the Presidency had now been gained in only gasps and snatches in the last week. He had already been up for hours when he had placed the call to the French general, and the pounding headache that he had awoken with early this morning had only grown worse.
Breakfast had been set before him minutes earlier. James Byrne sat at the table a few feet away, spreading jam onto toast. Truman waited until the server had refilled his glass with water and departed before he spoke.
"I read the reports and thought that I could have a better relationship with him than President Roosevelt," said Truman with resignation. "Yet here we are."
"Friendship without self-interest is one of the rare and beautiful things in life," replied Byrne. He took a bite of eggs and then continued, "Of all of the politicians I have met, he is perhaps the most self-interested of all."
"I don't like that son of a bitch," said Truman. "Calling our troops occupiers. Defying Eisenhower on Cueno. I've had just about enough."
"What are you thinking?", asked the head of the Office of Economic Stabilization.
"That we do to him what we threatened Winston with. Cut off Lend Lease. Let De Gaulle rebuild the nation by himself. We'll see how long his damn regime lasts."
"Hmm," said Bryne. He took a sip of orange juice.
"You disagree?"
"You sound like Churchill," replied Bryne.
Truman chortled. "Just because Winston is wrong doesn't mean that he isn't right."
Byrne smiled, "But you're not about to bomb Paris."
"The day is young," said Truman as he took a bite of bacon. He then shook his head.
"No," he said, "I understand what the game is. Any action against De Gaulle would drive him into the arms of the Russians. We have to maintain the status quo, at least for now."
"So does De Gaulle," replied Byrne. "I believe that he's trying a balancing act. I don't think that he wants to end up in the same situation as Mikołajczyk. He will play us. He will play Stalin. He will commit to neither."
"A balancing act," said Truman. He sipped the icy water. "We'll see if he can stay on the high wire."
President Harry Truman rubbed his head. Sleep, which had always been fleeting since assuming the office of the Presidency had now been gained in only gasps and snatches in the last week. He had already been up for hours when he had placed the call to the French general, and the pounding headache that he had awoken with early this morning had only grown worse.
Breakfast had been set before him minutes earlier. James Byrne sat at the table a few feet away, spreading jam onto toast. Truman waited until the server had refilled his glass with water and departed before he spoke.
"I read the reports and thought that I could have a better relationship with him than President Roosevelt," said Truman with resignation. "Yet here we are."
"Friendship without self-interest is one of the rare and beautiful things in life," replied Byrne. He took a bite of eggs and then continued, "Of all of the politicians I have met, he is perhaps the most self-interested of all."
"I don't like that son of a bitch," said Truman. "Calling our troops occupiers. Defying Eisenhower on Cueno. I've had just about enough."
"What are you thinking?", asked the head of the Office of Economic Stabilization.
"That we do to him what we threatened Winston with. Cut off Lend Lease. Let De Gaulle rebuild the nation by himself. We'll see how long his damn regime lasts."
"Hmm," said Bryne. He took a sip of orange juice.
"You disagree?"
"You sound like Churchill," replied Bryne.
Truman chortled. "Just because Winston is wrong doesn't mean that he isn't right."
Byrne smiled, "But you're not about to bomb Paris."
"The day is young," said Truman as he took a bite of bacon. He then shook his head.
"No," he said, "I understand what the game is. Any action against De Gaulle would drive him into the arms of the Russians. We have to maintain the status quo, at least for now."
"So does De Gaulle," replied Byrne. "I believe that he's trying a balancing act. I don't think that he wants to end up in the same situation as Mikołajczyk. He will play us. He will play Stalin. He will commit to neither."
"A balancing act," said Truman. He sipped the icy water. "We'll see if he can stay on the high wire."
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Chapter 3 - Uncommon Commons
June 8, 1945 (2:02 AM EST)
Jacques Cousteau stood in what was left of the bridge of the Bearn. Wreckage had been long cleared away, and the area scrubbed. Sailors had already painted over the fire damage, leaving the bridge with a strange mixture of the smells of antiseptic, paint, and sea air.
"Sir," said a crewman. "We're approaching the Strait."
He didn't need to be told. The Marblehead had maintained its tow of the crippled carrier while its surviving sailors worked to shore up repairs and prepare the ship for its long journey across the Atlantic Ocean. And they were almost there. Ahead of the American cruiser lay the Strait of Gibraltar. And the British presence that would be watching him. He knew that in minutes that the base could open fire with its myriad of artillery and probably sink his ship before it passed out of range. Yet he had received guarantees from Paris that the conflict was over, and that safe passage was asurred.
Cousteau looked around and realized that despite the repairs, despite all of the back breaking work, he was captain of a shell of a ship. A floating wreck. And all of it wrought by the British, who had killed over two hundred of his crew. Surviving was simply not enough, he thought. There had to be more.
And then he had it.
He turned to another sailor. "Get me the biggest Tricolore that we have."
Jacques Cousteau stood in what was left of the bridge of the Bearn. Wreckage had been long cleared away, and the area scrubbed. Sailors had already painted over the fire damage, leaving the bridge with a strange mixture of the smells of antiseptic, paint, and sea air.
"Sir," said a crewman. "We're approaching the Strait."
He didn't need to be told. The Marblehead had maintained its tow of the crippled carrier while its surviving sailors worked to shore up repairs and prepare the ship for its long journey across the Atlantic Ocean. And they were almost there. Ahead of the American cruiser lay the Strait of Gibraltar. And the British presence that would be watching him. He knew that in minutes that the base could open fire with its myriad of artillery and probably sink his ship before it passed out of range. Yet he had received guarantees from Paris that the conflict was over, and that safe passage was asurred.
Cousteau looked around and realized that despite the repairs, despite all of the back breaking work, he was captain of a shell of a ship. A floating wreck. And all of it wrought by the British, who had killed over two hundred of his crew. Surviving was simply not enough, he thought. There had to be more.
And then he had it.
He turned to another sailor. "Get me the biggest Tricolore that we have."
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Chapter 3 - Uncommon Commons
June 9, 1945 (1:00PM EST)
"Five years ago, I promised you blood, toil, tears and sweat, and your untiring response brought us, in the end, victory over Germany. Today, we still have tears, not so many, thank God, but the conquest of Japan, hand in hand with our American allies, is a formidable undertaking which we must, and will, see through to the end. And we must still look forward, alas, to blood and sweat. We have a terrific task ahead of us. But that is not the only mighty endeavour that we must undertake. As we seek to draw to a close the last remnants of the Axis powers, we have the specter of a new scourge of tyranny arising to our east.
The world around us is indeed shattered, and we must help to rebuild it. We must strive for a sane and just peace, both in Asia and in Europe which will save us all and our children from the constant fear of war. Our trade and industry must be restored to a sound peacetime footing, so as to ensure steady employment for all. We must strive to give everybody greater security against poverty, unemployment, sickness and old age. Above all, we must tackle the housing problem with the same drive which we put into our war effort. Up till now, nearly all the builders have been at the wars. Up till now, those at home have been mainly absorbed in bomb repairs. But we are making good headway, and everything in human power will be done.
Here are our tremendous tasks. They cannot be solved by glib promises, but only by national effort, in which all of us must take our share. Every man and woman must be prepared to put his best effort into the job because it is only by hard work, enterprise, energy, and teamwork that we can win. That is why I am asking today for the support of all men and women of goodwill. During the War, I rested my trust in the British people. Time after time, I warned them of the dangers ahead, and I was never wrong. Time after time the British people heeded my warnings, and they never failed each other.
Once again, now, today, I must tell you that, in spite of all our victories, a rough road lies ahead. What a shame it would be and what a folly to add to our load the bitter quarrels and treachery with which the extreme socialists are eager to convulse and exploit these critical years. For indeed, what do these extremists find common cause with? The truth of the lie. The way of oppression. The philosophy of the tyrant. There can be no doubt that socialism is inseparably interwoven with totalitarianism and the abject worship of the State. No such government conducting the entire life and industry of the country could afford to allow free, sharp or violently worded expressions of public discontent. They would have to fall back on some form of Gestapo. My friends, at the very core there is little difference between desires of these men and the drives of those that they find common cause with in Berlin, and now in Paris.
As I have said before, a socialist policy is abhorrent to the British ideas of freedom. Assuredly, the Gestapo of Labour would no doubt very humanely directed in the first instance. But in time this government would gather all of the power to the supreme party and the party leaders, soaring like stately pinnacles above their vast bureaucracies of civil servants, no longer servants and no longer civil. As Hitler and Mussolini have done, as De Gaulle does now, so would these men do. Indeed, a vote for them may as well be a vote for the dictator of France, who serves not his people but only himself.
Do not be misled! The way of Labour is ultimately an attack on the right of the ordinary man and woman to breathe freely, without having a harsh, clumsy, tyrannical hand clapped across their mouth and nostrils. For the sake of the country and of your own happiness, I call upon you to march with me, under the banner of freedom, towards the beacon lights of national prosperity and honour, which must ever be our guides."
- Transcript of Winston Churchill's pre-election radio address
June 9, 1945 (1:30 PM EST)
The operative has set up his encampment within the wreckage of an abandoned French apartment building. That he had such a vantage point he considered ironic, since it was his own government that had rendered the building into its current state.
He activated the radio, and after setting to the appropriate frequency sent out a single message.
"Imperator is confirmed."
"Five years ago, I promised you blood, toil, tears and sweat, and your untiring response brought us, in the end, victory over Germany. Today, we still have tears, not so many, thank God, but the conquest of Japan, hand in hand with our American allies, is a formidable undertaking which we must, and will, see through to the end. And we must still look forward, alas, to blood and sweat. We have a terrific task ahead of us. But that is not the only mighty endeavour that we must undertake. As we seek to draw to a close the last remnants of the Axis powers, we have the specter of a new scourge of tyranny arising to our east.
The world around us is indeed shattered, and we must help to rebuild it. We must strive for a sane and just peace, both in Asia and in Europe which will save us all and our children from the constant fear of war. Our trade and industry must be restored to a sound peacetime footing, so as to ensure steady employment for all. We must strive to give everybody greater security against poverty, unemployment, sickness and old age. Above all, we must tackle the housing problem with the same drive which we put into our war effort. Up till now, nearly all the builders have been at the wars. Up till now, those at home have been mainly absorbed in bomb repairs. But we are making good headway, and everything in human power will be done.
Here are our tremendous tasks. They cannot be solved by glib promises, but only by national effort, in which all of us must take our share. Every man and woman must be prepared to put his best effort into the job because it is only by hard work, enterprise, energy, and teamwork that we can win. That is why I am asking today for the support of all men and women of goodwill. During the War, I rested my trust in the British people. Time after time, I warned them of the dangers ahead, and I was never wrong. Time after time the British people heeded my warnings, and they never failed each other.
Once again, now, today, I must tell you that, in spite of all our victories, a rough road lies ahead. What a shame it would be and what a folly to add to our load the bitter quarrels and treachery with which the extreme socialists are eager to convulse and exploit these critical years. For indeed, what do these extremists find common cause with? The truth of the lie. The way of oppression. The philosophy of the tyrant. There can be no doubt that socialism is inseparably interwoven with totalitarianism and the abject worship of the State. No such government conducting the entire life and industry of the country could afford to allow free, sharp or violently worded expressions of public discontent. They would have to fall back on some form of Gestapo. My friends, at the very core there is little difference between desires of these men and the drives of those that they find common cause with in Berlin, and now in Paris.
As I have said before, a socialist policy is abhorrent to the British ideas of freedom. Assuredly, the Gestapo of Labour would no doubt very humanely directed in the first instance. But in time this government would gather all of the power to the supreme party and the party leaders, soaring like stately pinnacles above their vast bureaucracies of civil servants, no longer servants and no longer civil. As Hitler and Mussolini have done, as De Gaulle does now, so would these men do. Indeed, a vote for them may as well be a vote for the dictator of France, who serves not his people but only himself.
Do not be misled! The way of Labour is ultimately an attack on the right of the ordinary man and woman to breathe freely, without having a harsh, clumsy, tyrannical hand clapped across their mouth and nostrils. For the sake of the country and of your own happiness, I call upon you to march with me, under the banner of freedom, towards the beacon lights of national prosperity and honour, which must ever be our guides."
- Transcript of Winston Churchill's pre-election radio address
June 9, 1945 (1:30 PM EST)
The operative has set up his encampment within the wreckage of an abandoned French apartment building. That he had such a vantage point he considered ironic, since it was his own government that had rendered the building into its current state.
He activated the radio, and after setting to the appropriate frequency sent out a single message.
"Imperator is confirmed."
Chapter 4 - Imperator
June 9, 1945 (2:00 PM EST)
"My fellow Britons. Let us review the recent history before us. The Parliament of 1935 had a big Conservative majority, and the policy pursued by the Conservative Government landed this country into war. It was due to the action of the Labour Party that this Conservative Government resigned. Mr Churchill, who had opposed and been opposed by his own Party, worked with Labour to form an all-Party Government, and together we successfully brought our nation to victory.
Now, a new Parliament must be elected. One choice is that same Conservative Party, which heretofore underestimated the dangers of the Nazi regime and now under the guidance of Mr Churchill seeks to compensate by overstating the threat of a neighbor that lies in ruins. One choice is for private enterprise, private profit, and private interests. The other is that of the Labour Party, which demands that, in peace, as in war, the interests of the whole people should come before those of a section. Labour puts first things first: security from war, food, houses, clothing, employment, leisure, and social security for all, must come before the claims of the few for more rent, interest and profit. We have shown that we can organize the resources of the country to win the War; we can do the same in peace. And that is what we seek, peace."
- Clement Attlee in the Labour Party's response to Prime Minister Churchill's address
June 9, 1945 (2:14 PM EST)
The address now over, Attlee arose from the table. His face was red with indignation. What Churchill had said earlier that day had enraged him to his core.
Ernest Bevin approached him and extended a hand, "Excellent response, Clement. I think that --"
"I want you to arrange a meeting with Mr. Sillitoe. Now."
"My fellow Britons. Let us review the recent history before us. The Parliament of 1935 had a big Conservative majority, and the policy pursued by the Conservative Government landed this country into war. It was due to the action of the Labour Party that this Conservative Government resigned. Mr Churchill, who had opposed and been opposed by his own Party, worked with Labour to form an all-Party Government, and together we successfully brought our nation to victory.
Now, a new Parliament must be elected. One choice is that same Conservative Party, which heretofore underestimated the dangers of the Nazi regime and now under the guidance of Mr Churchill seeks to compensate by overstating the threat of a neighbor that lies in ruins. One choice is for private enterprise, private profit, and private interests. The other is that of the Labour Party, which demands that, in peace, as in war, the interests of the whole people should come before those of a section. Labour puts first things first: security from war, food, houses, clothing, employment, leisure, and social security for all, must come before the claims of the few for more rent, interest and profit. We have shown that we can organize the resources of the country to win the War; we can do the same in peace. And that is what we seek, peace."
- Clement Attlee in the Labour Party's response to Prime Minister Churchill's address
June 9, 1945 (2:14 PM EST)
The address now over, Attlee arose from the table. His face was red with indignation. What Churchill had said earlier that day had enraged him to his core.
Ernest Bevin approached him and extended a hand, "Excellent response, Clement. I think that --"
"I want you to arrange a meeting with Mr. Sillitoe. Now."
Chapter 4 - Imperator
June 10, 1945 (6:02 AM EST)
"The crisis in the Levant now over, the crew of the French aircraft carrier Bearn proudly line their decks as they pass through the Strait of Gibraltar. From ashore the British watch as their former nemesis sails by, but there shall be no fighting today. Allies once more in the combined struggle against the forces of Imperial Japan, the Bearn sails on to America and to once more continue the fight. Long may the flag of the freed French nation wave."
The newsreel closes with the Bearn passing within view of British soldiers at Gilbraltar. A mammoth Tricolore flutters from behind the carrier's island.
- British Movietone newsreel in London prior to the matinee showing of Back to Bataan
June 10, 1945 (6:15 AM EST)
The same newsreel had just finished playing in the office of Winston Churchill. After a few seconds the film had at reached its end, and it began spinning and flickering. The Prime Minister remained still for several moments, until finally slamming a half filled glass of Ararat brandy down upon his desk.
"I want the head of whoever put together that film," he said gravely.
The lights were raised and Major-General Colin Gubbins stepped forth from the shadows. "Certainly you do not mean literally."
"No comment is a splendid response. So I shall use it again."
Churchill beckoned the head of the Special Operations Executive to sit down. Gibbons took the seat before him and was handed his own glass of brandy.
"All of our assets are in place. Imperator is ready. Rahab is awaiting your command."
"And the other matter that we spoke of?"
Gubbins blanched. "Yes."
"Good," replied Churchill. After finishing his glass he noticed the General's expression.
"What is it, General?", he asked.
"Are you certain, Prime Minister? Once the order is given, there is no turning back."
"The order is given!", said Churchill angry. His voice took on a deep, almost gravely tone as he leaned forward. "Do it."
"The crisis in the Levant now over, the crew of the French aircraft carrier Bearn proudly line their decks as they pass through the Strait of Gibraltar. From ashore the British watch as their former nemesis sails by, but there shall be no fighting today. Allies once more in the combined struggle against the forces of Imperial Japan, the Bearn sails on to America and to once more continue the fight. Long may the flag of the freed French nation wave."
The newsreel closes with the Bearn passing within view of British soldiers at Gilbraltar. A mammoth Tricolore flutters from behind the carrier's island.
- British Movietone newsreel in London prior to the matinee showing of Back to Bataan
June 10, 1945 (6:15 AM EST)
The same newsreel had just finished playing in the office of Winston Churchill. After a few seconds the film had at reached its end, and it began spinning and flickering. The Prime Minister remained still for several moments, until finally slamming a half filled glass of Ararat brandy down upon his desk.
"I want the head of whoever put together that film," he said gravely.
The lights were raised and Major-General Colin Gubbins stepped forth from the shadows. "Certainly you do not mean literally."
"No comment is a splendid response. So I shall use it again."
Churchill beckoned the head of the Special Operations Executive to sit down. Gibbons took the seat before him and was handed his own glass of brandy.
"All of our assets are in place. Imperator is ready. Rahab is awaiting your command."
"And the other matter that we spoke of?"
Gubbins blanched. "Yes."
"Good," replied Churchill. After finishing his glass he noticed the General's expression.
"What is it, General?", he asked.
"Are you certain, Prime Minister? Once the order is given, there is no turning back."
"The order is given!", said Churchill angry. His voice took on a deep, almost gravely tone as he leaned forward. "Do it."
Hmm. Don't worry...this is an element that will come into play soon enough in a way you might not entirely anticipate.