Redbeard
Banned
How long did it take Japan to actually get oil out of Inesonai?
I'm also not sure why the EU dies and why the Commonwealth is more successful; are you sure you're not the Tory?
AFAIK some months but they also were very short on fuel when it started to flow. I saw some data once on the Japanese fuel stocks in WWII, but I don't recall where. But I recall the author claiming that a major reason behind the main battle fleet being kept back was lack of fuel to keep it at sea.
Concerning EU/Commonwealth it is my impression that the British humiliation in Malaya and Singapore was a major factor in the Empire collapsing so soon after WWII. The British simply lost their magic and everybody looked elsewhere for partners after the war.
With a glorious victory the wish for freedom and independence of course wouldn't just die away, but I think there is a good chance of the Commonwealth (incl. Dominions) being actually important in politics and economy. That would provide a very interesting sphere of economical and political co-operation for post-war Europe - a very vital rival to EEC/EU. The French and Germans would still need some re-conciliation forum, but for rest of Europe some kind of being let into the Commonweath's trade would be far more interesting than contributing to rebuilding German and French pre-war strength.
Regards
Steffen Redbeard