Stalwart Lion Redux: The Survival of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland

Askelion

Hello lads and lassies!
Welcome to the newest development in my quest to make a realistic Rhodesian survival timeline. I hope that you all don't mind its earlier POD, and if you can't deal with ethnic Scots, Irish, Africans, and even (gasp!) Northern Rhodesians attaining positions of power in your Rhodesia, I suggest you leave :D.
This TL will be presented in a format different than my usual one. In this timeline, the bare-bones presentation of dates will be accompanied by the modern story of Sergeant Patrick Dermody, a trooper in the 1st Rhodesian SAS.

I hope that you enjoy the timeline. And if you do, please post to tell me so. If you have nitpicks, let them loose. I do love nitpicks far more than most, and will very much appreciate you for doing them!

Thanks,
Askelion
 

Askelion

The Saga Begins...

Stalwart Lion
An Askelion Timeline

The area around Ndola, Northern Rhodesia-
Sovereign Dominion of Rhodesia, Exact Location Classified
March 13, 2009

Sergeant Dermody stepped lightly outside of his barracks. The air was colder than usual tonight, and he could hear the sweet and gentle cacophony of the Zambian brush. He had been born in Nyasaland to an Irish father and a native African mother, as was relatively often the case in that region. He had received much grief as a college student in Salisbury for his upbringing, but the jokes had more to do with his Irish ancestry than anything else. In this time, only fringists and old fogeys maintained serious racism. Nevertheless, his nickname soon became “Brown Irish”, shortened in time to “Irish”. He had served honorably for ten years in the Special Operations Team of the Royal Dominion Police Service in Nyasaland. From there, he joined the Dominion Security Forces, the Army in particular. Unsatisfied with the general Army, he passed the selection for the 1st Dominion SAS Regiment only a year after enlisting.

His cigarette hung loosely from the side of his mouth, and he walked carefully into the brush around the barracks. He had only seen one mission with the SAS, and was honestly okay with the fact. As long as the Dominion was at peace, he didn’t care if he got any more action. He was adjusting his baseball cap to better cover his head when a call erupted over the comm.

“All elements, 1st SAS, this is Command. Report to Ndola Base ASAP. You have one hour to prepare for deployment. Over and Out.”

The Sergeant heard his Captain respond robotically in a well drilled fashion;

“Roger wilco Command, Bravo element on its way. Over.”

Sergeant Dermody shook his head with a sly grin on his face. He glanced at another trooper who had also just stepped outside. The two nodded, and moved back towards the barracks. Patrick hated his job and its effects, but he certainly loved being the best at it, and couldn’t help feeling excited for the new op. He opened his locker and put on his kit, slung his sidearm over the right side of his chest, and grabbed his helmet and night vision. Before he closed it, he saw a picture of his father, who had died in the Bush War. He spoke to the picture, saying the same words he said before every operation:
“See ya soon Da.”
 

Askelion

The Timeline Begins...

· February 4, 1961: The United Kingdom responds the growing tension in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland between the various polities within the Federation by working to remedy the situation via the Discussion for the Preservation of Union, brainchild of Prime Minister Rab Butler, who seeks to improve upon the decolonization strategy of his predecessor Harold Macmillan*. The Discussion is organized primarily by the Rightist Conservatives in Parliament, including the Scottish Unionist Party and Conservative Monday Club, all of whom agree that maintaining a strong influence in Africa is necessary to British success in the region. After the recent secession of the Republic of South Africa, the Butler government knows that it will be unable to retain direct UK control over the British territories in Africa, and hopes to at least perform damage control by consolidating the loyalty of the soon-to-be independent states. Chief among these remaining territories is the wealthy and prestigious Federation.

· February 5, 1961-May 13, 1961: The Discussion continues for months, with the Southern Rhodesian elite being extremely hesitant to give up power. In the end, however, the British gain South Rhodesia’s cooperation by aligning the various factions via their common disdain for communists in the region, elaborating that a divided Rhodesia will be highly vulnerable and extremely unprepared to engage the nationalist movements arising in the area. The appeal is successful, and the Federation plans a process of arduous reformation. The renovated state is to be a member of the British Commonwealth, with a Parliamentary system divided into districts seen as fair to the peoples within them and voted upon as such by referendum. The Discussions ultimately result on a federal system with both a Parliamentary Prime Minister and a directly elected presidency which rotates between three presidents, one in each territory.

· May 14, 1961-December 8, 1961: The newly reformed Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, now dubbed the Sovereign Dominion of Rhodesia, works to consolidate power and legitimacy. The Dominion continues to operate under the leadership of the current Federation government, which acts as a provisional group until the first Dominion elections can be held. During the consolidation, Britain and the US funnel large amounts of arms and war vehicles to Rhodesia, fearing the growing communist aggression in the region, particularly in Portuguese Africa.

· December 10, 1961:The first elections are held in the Dominion, with Reverend David Kaunda, Hastings Banda, and Winston Field elected as the Presidents of Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, and Southern Rhodesia respectively. Roy Welensky is elected Prime Minister of Rhodesia, and the British Parliament formally declares the Dominion of Rhodesia to be independent, and Queen Elizabeth II accepts the title of Queen of Rhodesia.
 

Askelion

DuQuense said:
That would be Rhodesia - Nyasaland - & Botswana.
Click to expand...

I do believe that you're mistaken sah. Botswana was never a part of the federation.
Thanks for the interest though!
:)

PS: For clarification, the three provinces are Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland.
 
Last edited:

Dathi THorfinnsson

Askelion said:
I do believe that you're mistaken sah. Botswana was never a part of the federation.
Thanks for the interest though!
:)

PS: For clarification, the three provinces are Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland.
Click to expand...
Northern Rhodesia -> Zambia
Southern Rhodesia -> Rhodesia/Zimbabwe
Nyasaland -> ?Malawi?, yes, that's right.
 

Askelion

Dathi THorfinnsson said:
Northern Rhodesia -> Zambia
Southern Rhodesia -> Rhodesia/Zimbabwe
Nyasaland -> ?Malawi?, yes, that's right.
Click to expand...

You are indeed correct sir!

Forgive me if anyone does't know the geography...as a Zimbo I guess I take it for granted sometimes. I'll post a map soon.

Thanks for the interest!
 

Askelion

mowque said:
What the heck is that?
Click to expand...


A Zimbabwean/Rhodesian. Zimbo is a hell of a lot more manageable in language than 'Zimbabwean'. I'd use 'Rhodie' as in 'Rhodesian', but that's actually become quite derogatory.

And Spangler, my friend, I currently have five timelines active right now (Stalwart Lion, Espadas y Mariposas, Nine Thousand Humble Lances, Hounds of Ares, Lance of Poseidon, and Star Rising Over Russia) although Humble Lances and Hounds of Ares are about to go on hiatus for a while. :D

Thanks for the interest!
 

Monopolist

I forgot about Hounds of Ares and Nine Thousand Humble Lances!

I can't even believe myself! I slap myself in utter disbelief at my stupidity! *slap, slap*

That said, good Luck with all of them, and this one seems good thus far. :)

*slap*
 

Askelion

Hey guys! Just letting everyone know that my computer's down but will be up shortly. Sorry for the looong delay :).
 

stubear1012

Great idea!!

I am looking forward to reading this thread. I have often tried to imagine what if Gandhi had stayed in South Africa and if that would lead to a less racial and more equal government and economic system. I would then wonder if this could have lead to some type of economic federation between the English possessions in the Southern part of Africa and the Portugese possessions.

In your timeline, are you thinking that the Federation might tug South Africa, Angola, Mozembique, and so on toward a more balanced political and economic system?

Regards

Stubear1012
 

Askelion

stubear1012 said:
I am looking forward to reading this thread. I have often tried to imagine what if Gandhi had stayed in South Africa and if that would lead to a less racial and more equal government and economic system. I would then wonder if this could have lead to some type of economic federation between the English possessions in the Southern part of Africa and the Portugese possessions.

In your timeline, are you thinking that the Federation might tug South Africa, Angola, Mozembique, and so on toward a more balanced political and economic system?

Regards

Stubear1012
Click to expand...

Thanks for your interest!
Your idea is quite interesting as well-you should write about it!
And yes, it is likely that we will end up with a less negative dynamic in the South than OTL (albeit with some new problems all their own).

Oh, and I have some...interesting...plans for Moçambique I assure you ;).

The first new update comes tomorrow!
 

Archangel

An economic union between English and Portuguese colonies is difficult in the 60's. Maybe later if the ATL Carnation still occurs, there could be a movement by Portuguese settlers in Mozambique towards that option.

Salazar would not allow such an union, while some of the more conservative elements of the military after a deposition of the Portuguese dictatorship would also oppose, other more centre-right and centre-left elements would accept it. The far-left would oppose on the grounds of not being in the orbit of Moscow.

It will depend on the emigration towards the colonies and the developments at Portugal (and who appears to control a post-revolutionary government, regardless of actual popular support: the far-left, the conservatives, or the centre-left/centre-right).

If a post -revolution Portugal seems very leftist oriented (like in OTL), the governement would try to keep the colonies as independent nations, with Moscow oriented regimes. European settlers and non communists might be divided between getting closer to South Africa or the ATL Rhodesia.

If it seems to be more centre oriented, like what would happen with a less intense colonial wars, but which would also take longer to erode the remaining support for the dictastorship, the government might see with good eyes some kind of cooperation with ATL Rhodesia, even if the non-communists in the colonies would be divided between simple independende, cooperation with Rhodesia or cooperation with South Africa.

If the conservatives appear to control the Portuguese government, there would be a push for a maintenance of the union with Portugal.
If internal political relations of forces wouldn't allow that, there would be a support by some in the government for unilateral independence or a cooperation with South Africa; and by other conservatives and remaining democratic forces for cooperation with ATL Rhodesia.

I hope this helps.:)
 
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stubear1012

Thank you

Thank you for the feedback. One of the things that I like about these threads is the amount of information and support that is available.
 

Burton K Wheeler

Moderator
I really love seeing Southern Africa TLs, and it's really great to see one being done by somebody who's actually from the area.
 

Askelion

Sorry for my absence! I've been in a rough RL patch for a while. Nevertheless, I've returned with a stronger resolve and a dedication to ending, refurbishing, and debuting my works as needed. Thanks for your patience, and be sure that the Stalwart Lion will be roaring again within a day or so.

-Askelion
 
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