Sir John Valentine Carden Survives. Part 2.
- Thread starter allanpcameron
- Start date
Just read the new contemptible sin one sitting - always like your work sir as good in 2014 as now
An occupied homeland and a massive archipelago to defend doesn't leave enough troops to defend everywhere adequately.
Are they seriously want to play the blame game? Why do I feel like that is very unlikely....
IMO If they really want to play this game I feel like they would combine their blaming efforts to instead blame the Americans for the fact they stuck with to do this since the Americans did not defend Philippines enough to make it a Japanese resources mini (for now) black hole like Malaya ITTL.
Maybe blame a certain egotistical idiot with a Scottish-sounding name? Question though, what will the USA do with MacArthur if the British and Dutch refuse to have him as overall commander?
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marathag
Banned
Promoted to be head of Defense of Alaska,
if he doesn't retire for reasons of Health
So the Japanese raid on Alaska goes better in this TL as MacA manages to lose here too 😋
Ramp-Rat
Monthly Donor
While Lieutenant Colonel van den Hoogenband, and Henry Moorhead, are both European officers in command of colonial troops, that is were the only similarity between them ends. The Dutch colonial forces in their East Indies are a totally separate force to the Dutch home army, and are not designed to fight alongside regular troops, or against a first class foe. The Indian Army is as was the pre war British Army, a highly professional force, designed to take its place alongside the British Army, and fight against any other military force in the world. As it has in East Africa, North Africa and the Middle East, during this war, and during the previous Great War, including fighting against the Germans in France. Henry in addition to his recent experience against the Japanese, will most likely have taken part in actions against the various hill tribes on the North West Frontier, and thus is a well seasoned commander. van den Hoogenband, might have taken part in what was essentially a police action, but could have served up until now without hearing a shot fired in anger.
While in a sane world Hoogenband would swallow his pride, and accept that not only is Moorhead far more experienced than he is, but he also has a far greater appreciation of the upcoming conflict. Unfortunately at this time, the improvements small though the are, that the British have enacted, have not been implemented by the Dutch establishment. Yes they are beginning to slowly change their stance, but given just how spread out the DEI are, and how poor the communications were at this time. There are going to be many who haven’t received the message as yet, and haven’t yet adjusted to the new situation. However the situation in Balikpapan, is such that the failure of Hoogenband to adjust to the reality of the present situation, is not a problem. The basic aim of the Japanese is to capture the oil fields and infrastructure linked to them, intact, which given the preparations that have been made, is not going to happen. Provided that the planned demolitions take place, and are completed before the Japanese can invade, said invasion is in many ways completely worthless. The Japanese unlike the Anglo Dutch, are in no position to repair and rebuild the oil infrastructure of anywhere in the DEI, at this time.
While the Anglo Dutch have a vast number of highly experienced and skilled oil men to draw on, and can source the equipment they need from America. The Japanese will have very few skilled workers and little experience, plus they are already struggling to find resources. If in addition to the casualties they suffer once they land in Balikpapan, the Anglo Dutch naval forces can inflict some additional losses before the landing. If the British can successfully evacuate after causing significant losses on the Japanese while defending the airfield. And the Dutch likewise, having inflicted greater than they suffer casualties on the Japanese, before retreating into the jungle, and continuing a guerrilla campaign. This Japanese attack and invasion will have been a very costly waste, especially if the Allies retain Java and Sumatra, as what we then be a very isolated garrison. Will require significant military resources to support, thus diverting them from where they are most needed. And the British will be able to increasingly support and supply the various guerrilla factions, thus making the Japanese task even harder. Without the capture of Malaya, Singapore, Sumatra and Java, Balikpapan is going to become a bleeding sore for the Japanese.
RR.
While in a sane world Hoogenband would swallow his pride, and accept that not only is Moorhead far more experienced than he is, but he also has a far greater appreciation of the upcoming conflict. Unfortunately at this time, the improvements small though the are, that the British have enacted, have not been implemented by the Dutch establishment. Yes they are beginning to slowly change their stance, but given just how spread out the DEI are, and how poor the communications were at this time. There are going to be many who haven’t received the message as yet, and haven’t yet adjusted to the new situation. However the situation in Balikpapan, is such that the failure of Hoogenband to adjust to the reality of the present situation, is not a problem. The basic aim of the Japanese is to capture the oil fields and infrastructure linked to them, intact, which given the preparations that have been made, is not going to happen. Provided that the planned demolitions take place, and are completed before the Japanese can invade, said invasion is in many ways completely worthless. The Japanese unlike the Anglo Dutch, are in no position to repair and rebuild the oil infrastructure of anywhere in the DEI, at this time.
While the Anglo Dutch have a vast number of highly experienced and skilled oil men to draw on, and can source the equipment they need from America. The Japanese will have very few skilled workers and little experience, plus they are already struggling to find resources. If in addition to the casualties they suffer once they land in Balikpapan, the Anglo Dutch naval forces can inflict some additional losses before the landing. If the British can successfully evacuate after causing significant losses on the Japanese while defending the airfield. And the Dutch likewise, having inflicted greater than they suffer casualties on the Japanese, before retreating into the jungle, and continuing a guerrilla campaign. This Japanese attack and invasion will have been a very costly waste, especially if the Allies retain Java and Sumatra, as what we then be a very isolated garrison. Will require significant military resources to support, thus diverting them from where they are most needed. And the British will be able to increasingly support and supply the various guerrilla factions, thus making the Japanese task even harder. Without the capture of Malaya, Singapore, Sumatra and Java, Balikpapan is going to become a bleeding sore for the Japanese.
RR.
As I noted before, if Balikpapan hurts the Japanese badly enough, they might not have enough strength to actually take Banjarmasin, which would turn half of Borneo into a running-sore.
The Aleutian islands campaign was bit of a forgotten theater, but with MacArthur in charge, coupled with his love for showing off, it probably won't be as forgotten ITTL.
It might not here, as I suspect the Japanese will be far too busy in SEA to have the forces to spare for some frigid islands in the far north Pacific.
MacArthur pushes for a Northern front, bombing Japan from Attu....
Re-read The New Contemptibles. Really enjoyed it again! The Crete story passed me by when you first posted it and that was fun too.
Cheers!
You know back when I lurked more around places I was always curious how the war would have changed with Allan providing intel and angles of development.