Britain in 1942.
The war for Britain has been going on for close to three years now, and it’s time to look at the state of British. There has been enough of a divergence from OTL, that it’s worth while considering just the changes in British fortunes.
Britain has been kicked out of mainland Europe as per OTL, but that wasn’t her fault, she was let down by her European Allies, well that’s the British slant on the story. She has however retained Crete, which is going to have an affect on how Airborne troops are seen. The events in Crete will have an effect on British Airborne tactics, Britain was already developing Airborne units, however after Crete is unlike to allow them to grow bigger than a brigade size. Which given the lack of transport aircraft, is probably a good thing.
In the Middle East, after a pre planed fall back, the British counter offensive has managed to push forward ever since. Now while without Rommel, the British are not going to receive the lesson in tank tactics that they did, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Far too many of the units that came back from the Western Dessert, had to unlearn the tactics that they had learned, once confronted with the far more developed ground in Main Land Europe. What works in the wide open spaces of the dessert, is a recipe to get your head handed to you on a plate, in the confided space in Europe.
It isn’t going to be too long before the entire North African shore is free, and the British can run conveys through the Mediterranean, thus saving on shipping. The navy will also be able to move assets, particularly submarines to the Far East, where they will be of more use. With no treat to British shipping in the Indian Ocean, or South Atlantic now, the French having switched sides, this will be two areas that require minimum policing. Oil can also start to flow to Britain from her Middle East fields. It should be remembered that a tanker sailing via the Mediterranean can make three trips, to every two sailing via the Cape.
In the Far East, just holding on to Singapore has changed the game beyond all recognition. There will be no need to spend 1943, trying to dislodge this Japanese from their gains. Britain can afford to take its time and do baby steps to free all British territory by the end of 43. With the aim to liberate FIC in 44, and be in position to attack the Japanese Islands by 45. There is no need to rush, defeating the Germans is first priority, they are always the greatest treat.
At home it’s year three of the war, and the conversion of industry from peace time production, to war time, should be complete. It will not be until 43/44, that America achieves the same. With lower losses in the Middle East, there should have been time to produce a better tank, coming u
Into service in mid 43. The six pounder equipped Valentine is more than enough tank for the Far East, and can serve there until the end of the war. And Britain should by now be able to afford to send some more modern aircraft out to the region too.
It’s going to be interesting to see what happens in the next six months, and if the Allies can carry out a landing in France in 43. It doesn’t have to be early, it could be a smaller landing than Overlord, with the aim to establish a bridgehead over winter, and breakout in spring 44.
RR.