RamscoopRaider
Donor
That or Turtledove realized how absurd it would be for the much larger US to lose a war of attrition to the smaller and less industrialized CSA
TL-191.5 The Sun Rises
- Thread starter theg*ddam*hoi2fan
- Start date
True that. Though How Few Remain made it clear that the only reason the CSA was able to stand against the US was because Britain and France propped them up - of course, that led to issues as well. I really don't think that manumission would have been as painless as the book made it out to be (one plot against Longstreet, dealt with off-page. Come on!) unless it was made clear openly that it was in name only, but if that happened then Britain and France probably wouldn't have supported the CSA. Well, Britain wouldn't - less sure on France.
On another topic, I've just started reading your TL. So far it's really good, and a major improvement on the original.
OK, so with these short pieces, we come back to the star attraction.
Thanks are due to traveller76 here, who gave me some interesting suggestions.
2-20th February, 1968
Series of negotiations at the Summit Nations building in Geneva, largely sponsored by the United States and by the Empire of Japan. The negotiations are occasioned by the March War, and by recent events in Europe and Africa: the German suppression of the Mittelafrika uprisings; German disengagement from former British Africa; the end of the Austro-Hungarian Civil War and the creation of the Royal Union of the Trans-Danube (still ruled by the House of Hapsburg, but with greater autonomy for the individual territories that make up the Union); and the final collapse of the Ottoman Empire. The negotiations have the aim of establishing a conclusive framework for lasting peace. Ultimately, the following agreements are reached.
1968-1969
Japan and GEATO begin intensive military planning and increase spending, aiming at overcoming flaws revealed by the March War.
The Imperial Japanese Navy, recognising its weakness in Anti-Submarine Warfare, begins a programme aimed at improving its capabilities in this area. Naval experts are hired from Italy, while former CSA and French submariners are contracted to serve as advisors in ship construction and as lecturers in the Etajima Naval College. The United States allows former CS citizens to leave, provided they are definitively proven to have been apolitical. In addition, work begins on the light carriers Junyo and Hiyo, aimed at converting them into Drache-carriers. Increased production of Drachen (or Tonbo as they’re styled in Japan) begins. Allied navies also begin efforts to expand their capabilities in this regard.
Increased production of Tonbo also takes place in the Imperial Japanese Army, who see great potential in Airmobile Infantry. The IJA also invests heavily in new barrel models, and Armoured Personnel Carriers. Knowing that they cannot hope to beat China in terms of quantity, they instead focus on quality.
The bulk of Japan’s increased military spending is devoted to naval and air assets, in particular the Taiho programme, new destroyer models, Tonbo production, and long-range turbo-bombers. The IJA’s Raijin-3 bomber in particular is produced in ever-expanded numbers.*
As Japan focuses on better air and naval assets, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Korea increase funding into their land forces. Japanese military-industrial concerns, encouraged by the government, undertake to supply them with the latest models of Japanese military equipment at very reasonable prices, including the Type 61Main Battle Barrel (Korea, though, has managed to build up a large domestic armaments industry, and tends to use its own Hwarang model over the Type 61). India ultimately becomes a particularly heavy investor in armour, fielding large numbers of the Type 61 and the later Nana-Yon. Inter-allied combat exercises, with an emphasis on combined armour-air tactics and troop mobility, become a regular occurrence.
Burma, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam make it an official policy to train their regular forces in guerrilla tactics (after seeing Viet successes in this area). Caches of weaponry and supplies are concealed throughout the northern and central regions of the nations in question, and heavy research and investment begins into man-portable anti-armour weaponry. Vietnam in particular becomes a major producer of landmines, both anti-personnel and anti-armour, and manages to develop some horribly innovative new models. Minefields are laid at the border, while troops are regularly trained in how to quickly lay mines in the face of an enemy advance. General Staff plans now emphasise defensive guerrilla tactics over conventional confrontation, while labyrinthine tunnel networks and bunker complexes are cited across the region (by 1975, troops theorise that one could walk from Vietnam to Burma without going above ground once. They exaggerate, though not by too much).
Japanese military scientists, spurred on by China’s use of ‘fuel-air’ explosives, begin research into the weapons, seeing in them an alternative to superbombs and a way around laws against disseminating atomic weaponry. As time goes on, they will be joined by scientists from across the GEATO, and gradually allied nations will incorporate the weapons into their arsenals.
* Phoenicia is probably not going to be a stable country...
*The Raijin-3 is the Avro Vulcan as designed by TTL's equivalent of Dr Horikoshi Jiro. Oh yes.
Thanks are due to traveller76 here, who gave me some interesting suggestions.
2-20th February, 1968
Series of negotiations at the Summit Nations building in Geneva, largely sponsored by the United States and by the Empire of Japan. The negotiations are occasioned by the March War, and by recent events in Europe and Africa: the German suppression of the Mittelafrika uprisings; German disengagement from former British Africa; the end of the Austro-Hungarian Civil War and the creation of the Royal Union of the Trans-Danube (still ruled by the House of Hapsburg, but with greater autonomy for the individual territories that make up the Union); and the final collapse of the Ottoman Empire. The negotiations have the aim of establishing a conclusive framework for lasting peace. Ultimately, the following agreements are reached.
- The three nations possessed of superbomb arsenals will agree not to disseminate the technology any further, even among allied nations, and will cooperate in preventing the flow of the raw materials necessary for superbomb manufacture. Germany was opposed to this at first, but agreed on condition that assistance with civilian atomic research was permitted. Japan and GEATO are particularly in favour of this resolution – now more than ever, they fear China getting the bomb.
- The independence of the Kingdom of Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Yemen, the Republic of Palestine and the Arab Republic of Phoenicia are recognised (Phoenicia encompasses Syria, Transjordan and the Lebanon)*. In addition, the new Sultanate of Turkey is recognised as the successor to the Ottoman Empire (now ruled by a military junta in the name of the Sultan).
- Germany recognises elections held in former British colonies in Africa, and recognises the new regimes established in those nations (the elections displaced German-backed governments). In turn, the Summit as a whole – including African members – recognise German rule over Mittelafrika, South-East Africa, Namibia and Madagascar.
1968-1969
Japan and GEATO begin intensive military planning and increase spending, aiming at overcoming flaws revealed by the March War.
The Imperial Japanese Navy, recognising its weakness in Anti-Submarine Warfare, begins a programme aimed at improving its capabilities in this area. Naval experts are hired from Italy, while former CSA and French submariners are contracted to serve as advisors in ship construction and as lecturers in the Etajima Naval College. The United States allows former CS citizens to leave, provided they are definitively proven to have been apolitical. In addition, work begins on the light carriers Junyo and Hiyo, aimed at converting them into Drache-carriers. Increased production of Drachen (or Tonbo as they’re styled in Japan) begins. Allied navies also begin efforts to expand their capabilities in this regard.
Increased production of Tonbo also takes place in the Imperial Japanese Army, who see great potential in Airmobile Infantry. The IJA also invests heavily in new barrel models, and Armoured Personnel Carriers. Knowing that they cannot hope to beat China in terms of quantity, they instead focus on quality.
The bulk of Japan’s increased military spending is devoted to naval and air assets, in particular the Taiho programme, new destroyer models, Tonbo production, and long-range turbo-bombers. The IJA’s Raijin-3 bomber in particular is produced in ever-expanded numbers.*
As Japan focuses on better air and naval assets, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Korea increase funding into their land forces. Japanese military-industrial concerns, encouraged by the government, undertake to supply them with the latest models of Japanese military equipment at very reasonable prices, including the Type 61Main Battle Barrel (Korea, though, has managed to build up a large domestic armaments industry, and tends to use its own Hwarang model over the Type 61). India ultimately becomes a particularly heavy investor in armour, fielding large numbers of the Type 61 and the later Nana-Yon. Inter-allied combat exercises, with an emphasis on combined armour-air tactics and troop mobility, become a regular occurrence.
Burma, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam make it an official policy to train their regular forces in guerrilla tactics (after seeing Viet successes in this area). Caches of weaponry and supplies are concealed throughout the northern and central regions of the nations in question, and heavy research and investment begins into man-portable anti-armour weaponry. Vietnam in particular becomes a major producer of landmines, both anti-personnel and anti-armour, and manages to develop some horribly innovative new models. Minefields are laid at the border, while troops are regularly trained in how to quickly lay mines in the face of an enemy advance. General Staff plans now emphasise defensive guerrilla tactics over conventional confrontation, while labyrinthine tunnel networks and bunker complexes are cited across the region (by 1975, troops theorise that one could walk from Vietnam to Burma without going above ground once. They exaggerate, though not by too much).
Japanese military scientists, spurred on by China’s use of ‘fuel-air’ explosives, begin research into the weapons, seeing in them an alternative to superbombs and a way around laws against disseminating atomic weaponry. As time goes on, they will be joined by scientists from across the GEATO, and gradually allied nations will incorporate the weapons into their arsenals.
* Phoenicia is probably not going to be a stable country...
*The Raijin-3 is the Avro Vulcan as designed by TTL's equivalent of Dr Horikoshi Jiro. Oh yes.
One more
4th February, 1969
Launch of the atomic-engined airplane carrier Taiho. 342 metres in length, and displacing 95,000 tonnes, the ship is the most advanced carrier in the Imperial Japanese Navy.
4th February, 1969
Launch of the atomic-engined airplane carrier Taiho. 342 metres in length, and displacing 95,000 tonnes, the ship is the most advanced carrier in the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Hey everyone. Just a random thought - less about my timeline, more about the cultural impact of the post-war setup that Turtledove left in America, and that's carried over to mine (BTW, I plan to do a couple of rest of world bits, one where I outline the course of the Years of Hate, the other where I show what happened in Europe, but I'm going to be Japan-centric for the next couple of updates). Basically, even when open resistance in the South fails the Federal Government is going to always be watching the South. And there's going to be a fair amount of paranoia among the populace for some considerable time. With that in mind, I'm having some ideas about popular culture - I imagine that espionage and thriller novels, movies and TV shows will focus far more on 'the enemy within' than external threats. Would you say that sounds a reasonable extrapolation?
23rd April, 1969
Attempted coup in the Republic of China, led by a cabal of military officers dissatisfied with the unfavourable treaty that ended the March War. The coup is prevented by General Tsao Yibo, the General who oversaw the liberation of Hong Kong. Though the coup is thwarted, the General’s actions – during which he made use of veteran troops from the Hong Kong operation, men personally loyal to him – gain him considerable prestige and influence. From now on, though the civilian government officially runs the nation, the real authority in China is General Tsao. He immediately begins a major programme of military modernisation, aiming at an expansion of China’s armoured units and Air Force in particular. In addition, expanded production of fuel-air weaponry is ordered.
Attempting to take advantage of what they think is a period of uncertainty, Mongolian independence activists begin an armed uprising against China.
4th September, 1969
First Chinese civilian reactor comes online near Harbin.
Japanese Amaterasu-1 rocket puts the Empire’s first satellite into orbit. Japan is investing in space technology, but they aren’t in any great hurry, preferring slow but steady advances (particularly in the field of satellites).
1970
2-9th January
A week of major fleet exercises begins in the Banda Sea, a collaborative effort between the Second Air Fleet (now incorporating the carrier Taiho), the Imperial Vietnamese Navy, the Royal Thai Navy and the (still-embryonic) Indonesian Navy, together with land-based naval bombers. The aim of the exercises is threefold: to encourage greater inter-alliance naval cooperation; to give the new Indonesian naval personnel experience of large-scale exercises; and as a warning to the Kingdom of Australia against any aggressive actions in the region.
Australia begins an expansion of mine operations, in particular near Perth, Adelaide, at Hunter’s Hill near Sidney, in the Rum Jungle, and at Radium Hill. The heavy secrecy surrounding this operations convinces Japanese intelligence that they need more eyes and ears inside Australia…
March
The Japanese government unveils the ‘Future Development through Learning’ initiative. Under this, free places are offered at Japanese universities to promising students from across the Greater East Asia Treaty Organisation…and from outside. This will become particularly popular in Africa, as students from Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria will become common sites in Japanese universities. The move is unpopular among the right-wing, but goes largely unnoticed among the population (after all, it’s just university places – no-one’s going to be allowed to live permanently in Japan). This will inspire the Kingdom of Italy to make a similar move (they also see the long-term potential).
At the same time, Japanese zaibatsu are moving to begin expansion into Germany’s old Mandates. They have a particular eye for extractive and construction industries.
4th April
Release of the film Southern Seas provokes outcry from the government and from right-wing societies. The film is a revisionist look at the Spanish-Japanese War and the subsequent occupation of the Philippines, highlighting repressive policies against the Filipino population.
By now, over fifteen million Japanese settlers are living in the Northern Philippines, most of whose families have been living on the islands since the early part of the century. Between that, and the intensive Nipponisation policies followed by the government (offering jobs and university education to those who speak Japanese and take Japanese names), Filipino Christian culture has been gradually eroded beyond the point of no return. Moro culture, on the other hand, is flourishing thanks to a comparatively hands-off approach from Japan.
August
Australia vigorously protests Indonesia’s purchase of thirty Raijin-3 bombers, arguing that these aircraft could only have one possible target. Indonesia responds that Australia has nothing to fear from Indonesian aggression…unlike the fear that Indonesians have had of Australian aggression since ANZAC troops arrived to support Dutch colonial forces and since the Kingdom occupied New Guinea.
Japanese intelligence reports that the expanded Australian mining facilities are producing uranium. This is of considerable worry to the Empire – Japan gets its stocks of uranium from Tummalapelle in India, so Australia having such large domestic stockpiles means that it could develop atomic weapons and technology at a much faster rate. Intelligence assets inside Australia are placed under considerable pressure to determine if this uranium is for export (which, if the buyer is China, would be just as bad), or for a domestic atomic programme.
October
American President Kennedy makes a highly-publicised visit to the Empire of Japan, meets with Prime Minister Tanaka and is granted an audience with the Showa Emperor.
One upshot of Kennedy’s visit is an invitation to the Imperial Japanese Navy and the navies of the GEATO allies to take part in a major naval exercise, to be held in June and July of the following year. The exercise will involve not only the United States Pacific Fleet, but also Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru. The Japanese admiralty agrees, though is in somewhat of a quandary: do they send their most advanced ships, and so enhance national prestige, or do they send older ships so that the Americans can’t gain intel on their newer ships? In the end, the decision is made to send the Second Air Fleet – though the Americans will get a look at Taiho, Japan will get a look at America’s most advanced warships and maybe come away with ideas for innovation and improvement.
1971
March
Launch of the destroyer Tanikaze, first of her class. Tanikaze is a landmark vessel – the first destroyer to be built with a Tonbo flight pad. The IJN claims that this will make the ship ideal not only for submarine hunting, but also for rescue and retrieval operations.
Mongolian uprising finally put down. Precise casualty figures are unknown, though Mongolian exiles and activists in the West and GEATO claim as many as 85,000 Mongols (rebels and civilians alike) killed by Chinese forces. Reports filter out of large-scale purges and massacres, and of forced dispersions of Mongolian civilians into other parts of China.
Japanese allow Mongolian refugees entry to Eastern Siberia (another way to marginalise the few Russians left in the territory). Large Mongolian community gradually forms in Urajiosutoku.
April
Construction begins in China on Harbin-Ulaanbaatar Railroad. Plans are made for a future Qinghai-Tibet Railroad, once rail connections to Qinghai are improved. Though the military puppetmasters behind the civilian government are somewhat reluctant to take money away from their budget, they recognise the strategic advantages the railroads will have.
Attempted coup in the Republic of China, led by a cabal of military officers dissatisfied with the unfavourable treaty that ended the March War. The coup is prevented by General Tsao Yibo, the General who oversaw the liberation of Hong Kong. Though the coup is thwarted, the General’s actions – during which he made use of veteran troops from the Hong Kong operation, men personally loyal to him – gain him considerable prestige and influence. From now on, though the civilian government officially runs the nation, the real authority in China is General Tsao. He immediately begins a major programme of military modernisation, aiming at an expansion of China’s armoured units and Air Force in particular. In addition, expanded production of fuel-air weaponry is ordered.
Attempting to take advantage of what they think is a period of uncertainty, Mongolian independence activists begin an armed uprising against China.
4th September, 1969
First Chinese civilian reactor comes online near Harbin.
Japanese Amaterasu-1 rocket puts the Empire’s first satellite into orbit. Japan is investing in space technology, but they aren’t in any great hurry, preferring slow but steady advances (particularly in the field of satellites).
1970
2-9th January
A week of major fleet exercises begins in the Banda Sea, a collaborative effort between the Second Air Fleet (now incorporating the carrier Taiho), the Imperial Vietnamese Navy, the Royal Thai Navy and the (still-embryonic) Indonesian Navy, together with land-based naval bombers. The aim of the exercises is threefold: to encourage greater inter-alliance naval cooperation; to give the new Indonesian naval personnel experience of large-scale exercises; and as a warning to the Kingdom of Australia against any aggressive actions in the region.
Australia begins an expansion of mine operations, in particular near Perth, Adelaide, at Hunter’s Hill near Sidney, in the Rum Jungle, and at Radium Hill. The heavy secrecy surrounding this operations convinces Japanese intelligence that they need more eyes and ears inside Australia…
March
The Japanese government unveils the ‘Future Development through Learning’ initiative. Under this, free places are offered at Japanese universities to promising students from across the Greater East Asia Treaty Organisation…and from outside. This will become particularly popular in Africa, as students from Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria will become common sites in Japanese universities. The move is unpopular among the right-wing, but goes largely unnoticed among the population (after all, it’s just university places – no-one’s going to be allowed to live permanently in Japan). This will inspire the Kingdom of Italy to make a similar move (they also see the long-term potential).
At the same time, Japanese zaibatsu are moving to begin expansion into Germany’s old Mandates. They have a particular eye for extractive and construction industries.
4th April
Release of the film Southern Seas provokes outcry from the government and from right-wing societies. The film is a revisionist look at the Spanish-Japanese War and the subsequent occupation of the Philippines, highlighting repressive policies against the Filipino population.
By now, over fifteen million Japanese settlers are living in the Northern Philippines, most of whose families have been living on the islands since the early part of the century. Between that, and the intensive Nipponisation policies followed by the government (offering jobs and university education to those who speak Japanese and take Japanese names), Filipino Christian culture has been gradually eroded beyond the point of no return. Moro culture, on the other hand, is flourishing thanks to a comparatively hands-off approach from Japan.
August
Australia vigorously protests Indonesia’s purchase of thirty Raijin-3 bombers, arguing that these aircraft could only have one possible target. Indonesia responds that Australia has nothing to fear from Indonesian aggression…unlike the fear that Indonesians have had of Australian aggression since ANZAC troops arrived to support Dutch colonial forces and since the Kingdom occupied New Guinea.
Japanese intelligence reports that the expanded Australian mining facilities are producing uranium. This is of considerable worry to the Empire – Japan gets its stocks of uranium from Tummalapelle in India, so Australia having such large domestic stockpiles means that it could develop atomic weapons and technology at a much faster rate. Intelligence assets inside Australia are placed under considerable pressure to determine if this uranium is for export (which, if the buyer is China, would be just as bad), or for a domestic atomic programme.
October
American President Kennedy makes a highly-publicised visit to the Empire of Japan, meets with Prime Minister Tanaka and is granted an audience with the Showa Emperor.
One upshot of Kennedy’s visit is an invitation to the Imperial Japanese Navy and the navies of the GEATO allies to take part in a major naval exercise, to be held in June and July of the following year. The exercise will involve not only the United States Pacific Fleet, but also Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru. The Japanese admiralty agrees, though is in somewhat of a quandary: do they send their most advanced ships, and so enhance national prestige, or do they send older ships so that the Americans can’t gain intel on their newer ships? In the end, the decision is made to send the Second Air Fleet – though the Americans will get a look at Taiho, Japan will get a look at America’s most advanced warships and maybe come away with ideas for innovation and improvement.
1971
March
Launch of the destroyer Tanikaze, first of her class. Tanikaze is a landmark vessel – the first destroyer to be built with a Tonbo flight pad. The IJN claims that this will make the ship ideal not only for submarine hunting, but also for rescue and retrieval operations.
Mongolian uprising finally put down. Precise casualty figures are unknown, though Mongolian exiles and activists in the West and GEATO claim as many as 85,000 Mongols (rebels and civilians alike) killed by Chinese forces. Reports filter out of large-scale purges and massacres, and of forced dispersions of Mongolian civilians into other parts of China.
Japanese allow Mongolian refugees entry to Eastern Siberia (another way to marginalise the few Russians left in the territory). Large Mongolian community gradually forms in Urajiosutoku.
April
Construction begins in China on Harbin-Ulaanbaatar Railroad. Plans are made for a future Qinghai-Tibet Railroad, once rail connections to Qinghai are improved. Though the military puppetmasters behind the civilian government are somewhat reluctant to take money away from their budget, they recognise the strategic advantages the railroads will have.
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23rd April
A diplomatic incident arises when two Indonesian Air Force Mitsubishi F-1 ‘Mizuchi’ fighters (usually a carrier-based fighter, but Indonesia uses them as land-based air superiority aircraft) shoot down an Australian reconnaissance plane over the Timor Sea. The Indonesian government claims that the aircraft was in Indonesian airspace and refused instructions to land at Dili Air Base, while the Kingdom of Australia claims that the aircraft was in Australian airspace. Twenty-four Royal Australian Air Force personnel are unaccounted for, believed dead (as it later transpires, three were picked up by Indonesian Navy patrol boats and imprisoned at a military base on Bali). The Republic of China, Pakistan, and the Chinese-aligned nations of Nepal and Bhutan join in Australia’s condemnation of Indonesia. Japan and the rest of GEATO condemn Australian aggression and stand by Indonesia’s right to self-defence.
15th June-4th July
First annual ‘Pacific Maritime Peace Exercise’ carried out under the supervision of Admiral Harold Kohlhammer, Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet. The exercises are a major success, both from the point of view of building bridges between the nations concerned and as a propaganda exercise (the Socialist administration can point to them as an example of how they’re securing world peace).
From the Japanese point of view, the exercises are a mixed bag. On the one hand, the professionalism of Japanese and allied crews are gains great face for the Greater East Asia Treaty Organisation. On the other hand, while the F-1 Mizuchi holds up tolerably against the Grumman ‘Spectre’, the Nakajima B10N ‘Wako’ strike plane compares unfavourably to the American ‘Raptor’, and strategists theorise that the Wako would suffer against a combat air patrol of Spectres. Japanese carrier pilots are far better than their American counterparts, but it becomes horribly clear that the American training programme is able to turn out qualified pilots much more quickly than the Japanese.
On a more frivolous note, the IJN gain considerable face as they emerge victorious in a friendly series of baseball games among teams from the participating navies. Though baseball was never especially popular in the United States, it gained great popularity in Japan and then spread to the rest of the GEATO.
September
Japanese intelligence identifies a major atomic complex in the Jervis Bay territory, two hundred kilometres south of Sydney. Investigation reveals that the complex is intended for the refining and production of weapons-grade jovium.
The revelations lead to uproar behind closed doors, in Japanese and Indonesian government circles. Warhawks in both nations demand immediate military action, and even the more doveish leaders are filled with horror at the idea of an atomic-armed Australia. However, they also fear that war with Australia could lead to confrontation with China. Therefore, even the more militant IJA leaders are willing to listen to Japan’s espionage experts when they suggest an alternative.
Planning begins for the Pan-Asia Games, a sports event that will act as a regional equivalent of the Olympics. The games will begin in two years time, when the necessary regulatory framework is laid down.
October
After a successful first flight in 1969, IJN land-based squadrons begin taking delivery of the new Mitsubishi G-22M ‘Isonade’. The aircraft is perhaps the most advanced produced by Japanese industry to date, a supersonic, swing-wing long range maritime strike bomber (though it could be used quite easily as a strategic bomber too).
1972
February
Japanese newspapers are filled with interviews given by one Jonathan Ickes, a former Australian atomic scientist who has been granted asylum in the Empire of Japan. Ickes reveals his part in Australia’s atomic programme, and that the Kingdom of Australia is working to develop superbomb-type weaponry. According to his interviews, they may only be weeks away from developing a prototype. Ickes maintains that, given the destructive power of the superbomb and the agreements by the Summit Nations to try to contain their spread for the sake of world peace, he could not in clear conscience allow things to continue.
The truth, which is not known to any outside Japanese intelligence, is somewhat more complicated. Ickes was approached by Japanese-employed agents in January, agents who urged him to leave Australia and release what he knew to the world. They offered a carrot-and-stick incentive: the carrot was a comfortable existence in Japan, with a generous government subsidy; the stick was that photographs showing that Ickes was a homosexual (still a criminal offence in the Kingdom of Australia, despite decriminalisation in the United States, England, Germany and Scandinavia) would find their way to his employers and to the newspapers if he refused to cooperate. Faced between life in exile and ten years in prison, Ickes agreed to their terms.
The Japanese government, professing surprise at the information Ickes shares, also profess a desire for peace. They state that, while very worried by the information, they do not wish a confrontation with the Kingdom of Australia. They appeal for Global Summit mediation, and for GS inspectors to be sent to Australia to ensure that a civilian nuclear programme cannot in future be perverted. However, they also state that the nations of GEATO undertook to defend Indonesia from all threats when the republic joined the alliance, and that they may find themselves compelled to act on this information in order to protect their ally. Australia responds by denying the allegations and by threatening retaliation if GEATO makes any aggressive moves towards them. Their denials ring hollow, though, in the face of photographic evidence provided by Ickes.
The United States weighs down on Japan’s side (the comparatively reasonable Japanese position evokes feelings of sympathy for their position). Germany makes a bland statement that GS resolutions must be upheld (Australia is a valuable market for new models of U-Boat and for aircraft). China loudly declares that the allegations are false, condemns 'Japanese imperialist aggression' towards Australia (which rings somewhat false, given Japan's carefully-chosen soft language).
A diplomatic incident arises when two Indonesian Air Force Mitsubishi F-1 ‘Mizuchi’ fighters (usually a carrier-based fighter, but Indonesia uses them as land-based air superiority aircraft) shoot down an Australian reconnaissance plane over the Timor Sea. The Indonesian government claims that the aircraft was in Indonesian airspace and refused instructions to land at Dili Air Base, while the Kingdom of Australia claims that the aircraft was in Australian airspace. Twenty-four Royal Australian Air Force personnel are unaccounted for, believed dead (as it later transpires, three were picked up by Indonesian Navy patrol boats and imprisoned at a military base on Bali). The Republic of China, Pakistan, and the Chinese-aligned nations of Nepal and Bhutan join in Australia’s condemnation of Indonesia. Japan and the rest of GEATO condemn Australian aggression and stand by Indonesia’s right to self-defence.
15th June-4th July
First annual ‘Pacific Maritime Peace Exercise’ carried out under the supervision of Admiral Harold Kohlhammer, Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet. The exercises are a major success, both from the point of view of building bridges between the nations concerned and as a propaganda exercise (the Socialist administration can point to them as an example of how they’re securing world peace).
From the Japanese point of view, the exercises are a mixed bag. On the one hand, the professionalism of Japanese and allied crews are gains great face for the Greater East Asia Treaty Organisation. On the other hand, while the F-1 Mizuchi holds up tolerably against the Grumman ‘Spectre’, the Nakajima B10N ‘Wako’ strike plane compares unfavourably to the American ‘Raptor’, and strategists theorise that the Wako would suffer against a combat air patrol of Spectres. Japanese carrier pilots are far better than their American counterparts, but it becomes horribly clear that the American training programme is able to turn out qualified pilots much more quickly than the Japanese.
On a more frivolous note, the IJN gain considerable face as they emerge victorious in a friendly series of baseball games among teams from the participating navies. Though baseball was never especially popular in the United States, it gained great popularity in Japan and then spread to the rest of the GEATO.
September
Japanese intelligence identifies a major atomic complex in the Jervis Bay territory, two hundred kilometres south of Sydney. Investigation reveals that the complex is intended for the refining and production of weapons-grade jovium.
The revelations lead to uproar behind closed doors, in Japanese and Indonesian government circles. Warhawks in both nations demand immediate military action, and even the more doveish leaders are filled with horror at the idea of an atomic-armed Australia. However, they also fear that war with Australia could lead to confrontation with China. Therefore, even the more militant IJA leaders are willing to listen to Japan’s espionage experts when they suggest an alternative.
Planning begins for the Pan-Asia Games, a sports event that will act as a regional equivalent of the Olympics. The games will begin in two years time, when the necessary regulatory framework is laid down.
October
After a successful first flight in 1969, IJN land-based squadrons begin taking delivery of the new Mitsubishi G-22M ‘Isonade’. The aircraft is perhaps the most advanced produced by Japanese industry to date, a supersonic, swing-wing long range maritime strike bomber (though it could be used quite easily as a strategic bomber too).
1972
February
Japanese newspapers are filled with interviews given by one Jonathan Ickes, a former Australian atomic scientist who has been granted asylum in the Empire of Japan. Ickes reveals his part in Australia’s atomic programme, and that the Kingdom of Australia is working to develop superbomb-type weaponry. According to his interviews, they may only be weeks away from developing a prototype. Ickes maintains that, given the destructive power of the superbomb and the agreements by the Summit Nations to try to contain their spread for the sake of world peace, he could not in clear conscience allow things to continue.
The truth, which is not known to any outside Japanese intelligence, is somewhat more complicated. Ickes was approached by Japanese-employed agents in January, agents who urged him to leave Australia and release what he knew to the world. They offered a carrot-and-stick incentive: the carrot was a comfortable existence in Japan, with a generous government subsidy; the stick was that photographs showing that Ickes was a homosexual (still a criminal offence in the Kingdom of Australia, despite decriminalisation in the United States, England, Germany and Scandinavia) would find their way to his employers and to the newspapers if he refused to cooperate. Faced between life in exile and ten years in prison, Ickes agreed to their terms.
The Japanese government, professing surprise at the information Ickes shares, also profess a desire for peace. They state that, while very worried by the information, they do not wish a confrontation with the Kingdom of Australia. They appeal for Global Summit mediation, and for GS inspectors to be sent to Australia to ensure that a civilian nuclear programme cannot in future be perverted. However, they also state that the nations of GEATO undertook to defend Indonesia from all threats when the republic joined the alliance, and that they may find themselves compelled to act on this information in order to protect their ally. Australia responds by denying the allegations and by threatening retaliation if GEATO makes any aggressive moves towards them. Their denials ring hollow, though, in the face of photographic evidence provided by Ickes.
The United States weighs down on Japan’s side (the comparatively reasonable Japanese position evokes feelings of sympathy for their position). Germany makes a bland statement that GS resolutions must be upheld (Australia is a valuable market for new models of U-Boat and for aircraft). China loudly declares that the allegations are false, condemns 'Japanese imperialist aggression' towards Australia (which rings somewhat false, given Japan's carefully-chosen soft language).
Just so the more technically-minded can visualise Japanese carrier air at this point:
Mitsubishi F-1 ‘Mizuchi’
Twin-engined, twin-boom two seat turbo fighter.
General Characteristics:
·[FONT="] Crew: Two, pilot and observer[/FONT]
·[FONT="] Length: 55 ft 7 in (16.94 m) [/FONT]
·[FONT="] Wingspan: 51 ft 0 in (15.54 m) [/FONT]
·[FONT="] Height: 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m) [/FONT]
·[FONT="] Wing area: 648 ft² (60.2 m²) [/FONT]
·[FONT="] Empty weight: 27,950 lb (12,680 kg) [/FONT]
·[FONT="] Loaded weight: 41,575 lb (18,860 kg) [/FONT]
·[FONT="] Max takeoff weight: 46,750 lb (21,205 kg)[/FONT]
Performance:
[FONT="]Al. 18 Air Interception Radar.[/FONT]
Nakajima B10N ‘Wako’
Low-level carrier-launched subsonic strike aircraft
[FONT="]General characteristics[/FONT]:
Mitsubishi F-1 ‘Mizuchi’
Twin-engined, twin-boom two seat turbo fighter.
General Characteristics:
·[FONT="] Crew: Two, pilot and observer[/FONT]
·[FONT="] Length: 55 ft 7 in (16.94 m) [/FONT]
·[FONT="] Wingspan: 51 ft 0 in (15.54 m) [/FONT]
·[FONT="] Height: 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m) [/FONT]
·[FONT="] Wing area: 648 ft² (60.2 m²) [/FONT]
·[FONT="] Empty weight: 27,950 lb (12,680 kg) [/FONT]
·[FONT="] Loaded weight: 41,575 lb (18,860 kg) [/FONT]
·[FONT="] Max takeoff weight: 46,750 lb (21,205 kg)[/FONT]
Performance:
- [FONT="]Maximum speed:[/FONT][FONT="] Mach 0.91 (690 mph, 1,110 km/h) at sea level[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Range:[/FONT][FONT="] 790 mi (1,270 km) with internal fuel[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Service ceiling:[/FONT][FONT="] 48,000 ft (14,600 m)[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Rate of climb:[/FONT][FONT="] 9,000 ft/min (46 m/s)[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Wing loading:[/FONT][FONT="] 64.2 lb/ft² (313 kg/m²)[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Thrust/weight:[/FONT][FONT="] 0.54[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Hardpoints:[/FONT][FONT="] 6 and provisions to carry combinations of: [/FONT]
- [FONT="]Rockets:[/FONT][FONT="] 4 × rocket pods with 18 x 68 mm rockets each[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Missiles:[/FONT][FONT="] 4 × air-to-air missiles
[/FONT] - [FONT="]Bombs:[/FONT][FONT="] 1 × freefall superbomb[/FONT]
[FONT="]Al. 18 Air Interception Radar.[/FONT]
Nakajima B10N ‘Wako’
Low-level carrier-launched subsonic strike aircraft
[FONT="]General characteristics[/FONT]:
- [FONT="]Crew:[/FONT][FONT="] 2 (Pilot and Observer)[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Length:[/FONT][FONT="] 63 ft 5 in (19.33 m)[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Wingspan:[/FONT][FONT="] 44 ft (13.41 m)[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Height:[/FONT][FONT="] 16 ft 3 in (4.97 m)[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Wing area:[/FONT][FONT="] 514.7 ft² (47.82 m²)[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Empty Weight:[/FONT][FONT="] 30,000 lb (14,000 kg)[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Loaded weight:[/FONT][FONT="] 62,000 lb (28,000 kg)[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Powerplant:[/FONT][FONT="] 2 × turbofans, 11,100 lbf (49 kN) each[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Maximum speed:[/FONT][FONT="] 667 mph (580 kn, 1,074 km/h) at 200 ft (60 m)[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Range:[/FONT][FONT="] 2,300 mi (2,000 nmi, 3,700 km)[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Service ceiling:[/FONT][FONT="] 40,000 ft (12,200 m)[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Wing loading:[/FONT][FONT="] 120.5 lb/ft² (587.6 kg/m²)[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Thrust/weight:[/FONT][FONT="] 0.36[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Guns:[/FONT][FONT="] None[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Hardpoints:[/FONT][FONT="] 4× under-wing pylon stations & 1× internal rotating bomb bay with a capacity of 12,000 lb (5,443 kg) and provisions to carry combinations of: [/FONT]
- [FONT="]Rockets:[/FONT][FONT="] 4× rocket pods with 18× 68 mm rockets each[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Missiles:[/FONT][FONT="] 2× air-to-air missiles for self-defence or 2× anti-radiation missiles or 4× sea-skimming anti-ship missiles[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Bombs:[/FONT][FONT="] Various unguided bombs, Laser-guided bombs, as well as tactical superbombs[/FONT]
- [FONT="]Other:[/FONT][FONT="] ECM Protection Pod, Laser designation pod, Buddy refuelling pack or Drop tanks for extended range/loitering time[/FONT]
Kingdom of Australia
Head of State: HM Edward VIII, by the Grace of God of Australia, of New Zealand, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of his other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith (the fact that his Australian title is the only one that’s recognised internationally anymore is not mentioned in polite company).
Head of Government: Prime Minister of Australia
Capital: Canberra
Currency: Australian Dollar
Though it began in England, the Silver Shirt movement gained a great deal of support in Australia, though under a different name. The Southern Cross Party, founded by admirers of the Silver Shirts and other right-wing theorists and led by William Hughes, was able to capitalise on fellow-feeling for the defeated mother country, a desire for revenge for the loss of so many Australian and New Zealand in the war with the Central Powers, and (popularly racist) fears of Japanese expansionism in the Pacific. The movement took power in Australia the year after the Silver Shirt-Conservative coalition assumed control of England, and upon taking power set about a widening and hardening of the White Australia policy, and an expansion of the Australian military. A similar movement took power in New Zealand.
During the Second Great War, ANZAC forces fought in Europe (an expeditionary force had been dispatched prior to the outbreak of war). However, their main actions were in South-East Asia, where they attempted alongside British colonial forces to halt the Japanese advances into Burma and Malaya, and in Indonesia. Upon the declaration of war, Australia launched Operation Anaconda, a move to occupy the Dutch East Indies and so cut off supplies of oil to the Central Powers – and gain them for Australia, along with a large source of cheap labour. However, though the ANZACs managed to occupy Timor, Bali, Western Papua and Sulawesi, the landings on Java were met with ferocious resistance by Dutch and Japanese expeditionary units. In addition, following the neutralisation of British forces at Singapore the Japanese carrier forcesunder Admiral Takano sailed South, to attempt to similarly neutralise the Royal Australian Navy. The disparity of forces quickly became clear during the Battle of the Coral Sea, when aircraft from Japanese carriers succeeded in sinking the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia and the light cruisers Hobart and Perth. Following this, the heavy elements of the fleet retreated to port, and were largely used for hit-and-fade operations against Japanese convoys. Lacking naval support, the war in Indonesia quickly became a stalemate, as the forces on Java were neutralised but the occupying units on the other islands dug in against attack – Australia couldn’t risk future offensives, for fear of losing more ships, but Japan’s commitment of manpower against Russia meant they couldn’t send more men to the Indonesian front (and in any case, they only committed units here to keep the oil flowing – there was a strong temptation to let Australia take Indonesia from the Dutch, then move in and occupy the islands themselves). The naval war, likewise, turned into a series of small actions between destroyers and corvettes, as Australia tried to keep their men in Indonesia supplied, and Japanese destroyers tried to interdict the supply shipments. Meanwhile, Japanese and Dutch aircraft from Java bombed towns in Northern Australia.
With the end of the war in Europe, Australia negotiated a peace, agreeing to withdraw to pre-war demarcation lines. Normally, this would have been cause for the Australian people to turn on a government that had got them into an utterly unprofitable war, but the Southern Cross Party were able to use the bombing raids as ‘proof’ that Japan had planned an invasion, and only their leadership had prevented the Yellow Peril from overrunning Australia. This was helped by the retrieval of anticipatory maps created by Japanese right-wing societies that divided Australia into Japanese prefectures, maps brandished by the Southern Cross as supposedly being from the Japanese general staff (though they couldn’t have been drawn up by anyone with any idea of Australian geography – they had prefectures in the middle of Australia). Thus, Southern Cross retained its hold on power.
When the ‘insurrection’ in England succeeded in overthrowing the monarchy, Southern Cross (much to the ire of certain sections of Australian society) offered the Royal Family and many British aristocrats sanctuary in Australia. The nation changed its name to the Kingdom of Australia, with Edward VIII’s title as King of Australia now taking precedence over his continued claiming of the British throne. A large chunk of the Royal Navy had already decamped to Australia, preferring that to German-enforced drawdowns in the aftermath of the war.
The Kingdom of Australia is technically a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. However, the Southern Cross Party has managed to hold onto power, though with an increasingly shaky grip. The loss of over two thousand soldiers in Indonesia in the 1960s – in an unpopular war that saw Australia side with nations it had fought during the Second Great War – and the losses in the March War, together with ever-increased military spending during a time of financial difficulty, have combined to make many ordinary Australians dissatisfied with their government. In addition, a large number of people have observed that the losses and the military budget could be avoided if the government wasn’t so committed to a hostile policy towards Japan. However, the government needs this policy, as they fear that without an external threat to unite the people then their support base could end up unravelling even faster than it is. The King was meant to be a unifying figure, but he’s ended up more of a polarising one as republican sentiments begin to gain traction. This has become worse as Edward III’s health is declining, and he has no offspring of his own. In theory, his brother Albert’s elder daughter would be the heir presumptive, but in 1952 she returned to England and formally renounced her claim to the crown of Great Britain, instead entering politics as a commoner. The Countess of Snowdon is considered the heir by the government and the Court, but she lacks any real popularity among the Australian people.
Australia remains a racist nation. White Australia is a government policy, though the Southern Cross has taken great pains to distance itself from the murderous racism of the former Confederate States. Instead, it promotes itself as a ‘paternalist’ nation that wishes to uplift the Aboriginal and the ‘half-caste’, and eventually integrate them into society. This has led to forced resettlement, the removal of children from their parents, and attempted ‘biological absorption’. As a result, it has become very easy for Japanese intelligence to suborn Aboriginals (and Maoris, in New Zealand). These policies have also led the Caribbean government to label Australia a ‘country of oppression’, along with Volkstaat Suid-Afrika and multiple North African Arab nations. Racism continues as a tool of propaganda, with images of the threat of the ‘Yellow Empire’ adorning posters, films and television programmes across the nation.
Though most prefer to settle in Volkstaat Suid-Afrika, a sizeable number of fugitive Confederates have settled in Australia. They don’t tend to be highly-placed, but many of them can be found in the Royal Federal Police.
Australia’s relations with other countries are mixed. They have good relations with Volkstaat Suid-Afrika, cordial relations with Germany, and cold relations with the United States. Though American firms do a brisk business with the Kingdom, the US government (in particular the Socialists) dislike the Australians intensely. England refuses to recognise the Kingdom of Australia, largely because their King also refuses to recognise England. In addition, Australia has become highly unpopular with normal people around the world – civil rights groups work tirelessly to raise awareness of and opposition to White Australia.
Australia’s relationship with China is born out of mutual convenience. Both need an ally to confidently confront Japan. However, China is finding the Kingdom problematic. The White Australia policy has earned the ire of rising Chinese economic enterprises, as it prevents investors and industrial concerns from investing in or expanding into Australia. In addition, as the rest of the world gradually turns against the Kingdom, China finds it harder to maintain any kind of relationship with them.
Southern Cross are socially conservative. Male homosexuality is illegal, and though lesbianism is not technically illegal incautious women can find themselves committed to psychiatric institutions; unmarried mothers can be and have been arrested; Socialist movements find themselves constantly harassed by the Royal Federal Police; and new lese-majeste laws impose severe penalties for criticising the monarchy.
Military spending is at an all-time high. Male conscription is universal, and the Royal Australian Navy has been increased considerably: the fleet carrier HMAS Ark Royal and the light carriers HMAS Sydney and HMAS Brisbane are the mainstays of the surface fleet; while the submarine fleet uses the latest-model German and Dutch diesel-electric boats. Both the Navy and the Air Force operate long-range turbo-bombers, capable of striking Indonesia and the Philippines. In addition, money has been invested in a clandestine superbomb project, one that’s recently come to light…
Head of State: HM Edward VIII, by the Grace of God of Australia, of New Zealand, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of his other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith (the fact that his Australian title is the only one that’s recognised internationally anymore is not mentioned in polite company).
Head of Government: Prime Minister of Australia
Capital: Canberra
Currency: Australian Dollar
Though it began in England, the Silver Shirt movement gained a great deal of support in Australia, though under a different name. The Southern Cross Party, founded by admirers of the Silver Shirts and other right-wing theorists and led by William Hughes, was able to capitalise on fellow-feeling for the defeated mother country, a desire for revenge for the loss of so many Australian and New Zealand in the war with the Central Powers, and (popularly racist) fears of Japanese expansionism in the Pacific. The movement took power in Australia the year after the Silver Shirt-Conservative coalition assumed control of England, and upon taking power set about a widening and hardening of the White Australia policy, and an expansion of the Australian military. A similar movement took power in New Zealand.
During the Second Great War, ANZAC forces fought in Europe (an expeditionary force had been dispatched prior to the outbreak of war). However, their main actions were in South-East Asia, where they attempted alongside British colonial forces to halt the Japanese advances into Burma and Malaya, and in Indonesia. Upon the declaration of war, Australia launched Operation Anaconda, a move to occupy the Dutch East Indies and so cut off supplies of oil to the Central Powers – and gain them for Australia, along with a large source of cheap labour. However, though the ANZACs managed to occupy Timor, Bali, Western Papua and Sulawesi, the landings on Java were met with ferocious resistance by Dutch and Japanese expeditionary units. In addition, following the neutralisation of British forces at Singapore the Japanese carrier forcesunder Admiral Takano sailed South, to attempt to similarly neutralise the Royal Australian Navy. The disparity of forces quickly became clear during the Battle of the Coral Sea, when aircraft from Japanese carriers succeeded in sinking the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia and the light cruisers Hobart and Perth. Following this, the heavy elements of the fleet retreated to port, and were largely used for hit-and-fade operations against Japanese convoys. Lacking naval support, the war in Indonesia quickly became a stalemate, as the forces on Java were neutralised but the occupying units on the other islands dug in against attack – Australia couldn’t risk future offensives, for fear of losing more ships, but Japan’s commitment of manpower against Russia meant they couldn’t send more men to the Indonesian front (and in any case, they only committed units here to keep the oil flowing – there was a strong temptation to let Australia take Indonesia from the Dutch, then move in and occupy the islands themselves). The naval war, likewise, turned into a series of small actions between destroyers and corvettes, as Australia tried to keep their men in Indonesia supplied, and Japanese destroyers tried to interdict the supply shipments. Meanwhile, Japanese and Dutch aircraft from Java bombed towns in Northern Australia.
With the end of the war in Europe, Australia negotiated a peace, agreeing to withdraw to pre-war demarcation lines. Normally, this would have been cause for the Australian people to turn on a government that had got them into an utterly unprofitable war, but the Southern Cross Party were able to use the bombing raids as ‘proof’ that Japan had planned an invasion, and only their leadership had prevented the Yellow Peril from overrunning Australia. This was helped by the retrieval of anticipatory maps created by Japanese right-wing societies that divided Australia into Japanese prefectures, maps brandished by the Southern Cross as supposedly being from the Japanese general staff (though they couldn’t have been drawn up by anyone with any idea of Australian geography – they had prefectures in the middle of Australia). Thus, Southern Cross retained its hold on power.
When the ‘insurrection’ in England succeeded in overthrowing the monarchy, Southern Cross (much to the ire of certain sections of Australian society) offered the Royal Family and many British aristocrats sanctuary in Australia. The nation changed its name to the Kingdom of Australia, with Edward VIII’s title as King of Australia now taking precedence over his continued claiming of the British throne. A large chunk of the Royal Navy had already decamped to Australia, preferring that to German-enforced drawdowns in the aftermath of the war.
The Kingdom of Australia is technically a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. However, the Southern Cross Party has managed to hold onto power, though with an increasingly shaky grip. The loss of over two thousand soldiers in Indonesia in the 1960s – in an unpopular war that saw Australia side with nations it had fought during the Second Great War – and the losses in the March War, together with ever-increased military spending during a time of financial difficulty, have combined to make many ordinary Australians dissatisfied with their government. In addition, a large number of people have observed that the losses and the military budget could be avoided if the government wasn’t so committed to a hostile policy towards Japan. However, the government needs this policy, as they fear that without an external threat to unite the people then their support base could end up unravelling even faster than it is. The King was meant to be a unifying figure, but he’s ended up more of a polarising one as republican sentiments begin to gain traction. This has become worse as Edward III’s health is declining, and he has no offspring of his own. In theory, his brother Albert’s elder daughter would be the heir presumptive, but in 1952 she returned to England and formally renounced her claim to the crown of Great Britain, instead entering politics as a commoner. The Countess of Snowdon is considered the heir by the government and the Court, but she lacks any real popularity among the Australian people.
Australia remains a racist nation. White Australia is a government policy, though the Southern Cross has taken great pains to distance itself from the murderous racism of the former Confederate States. Instead, it promotes itself as a ‘paternalist’ nation that wishes to uplift the Aboriginal and the ‘half-caste’, and eventually integrate them into society. This has led to forced resettlement, the removal of children from their parents, and attempted ‘biological absorption’. As a result, it has become very easy for Japanese intelligence to suborn Aboriginals (and Maoris, in New Zealand). These policies have also led the Caribbean government to label Australia a ‘country of oppression’, along with Volkstaat Suid-Afrika and multiple North African Arab nations. Racism continues as a tool of propaganda, with images of the threat of the ‘Yellow Empire’ adorning posters, films and television programmes across the nation.
Though most prefer to settle in Volkstaat Suid-Afrika, a sizeable number of fugitive Confederates have settled in Australia. They don’t tend to be highly-placed, but many of them can be found in the Royal Federal Police.
Australia’s relations with other countries are mixed. They have good relations with Volkstaat Suid-Afrika, cordial relations with Germany, and cold relations with the United States. Though American firms do a brisk business with the Kingdom, the US government (in particular the Socialists) dislike the Australians intensely. England refuses to recognise the Kingdom of Australia, largely because their King also refuses to recognise England. In addition, Australia has become highly unpopular with normal people around the world – civil rights groups work tirelessly to raise awareness of and opposition to White Australia.
Australia’s relationship with China is born out of mutual convenience. Both need an ally to confidently confront Japan. However, China is finding the Kingdom problematic. The White Australia policy has earned the ire of rising Chinese economic enterprises, as it prevents investors and industrial concerns from investing in or expanding into Australia. In addition, as the rest of the world gradually turns against the Kingdom, China finds it harder to maintain any kind of relationship with them.
Southern Cross are socially conservative. Male homosexuality is illegal, and though lesbianism is not technically illegal incautious women can find themselves committed to psychiatric institutions; unmarried mothers can be and have been arrested; Socialist movements find themselves constantly harassed by the Royal Federal Police; and new lese-majeste laws impose severe penalties for criticising the monarchy.
Military spending is at an all-time high. Male conscription is universal, and the Royal Australian Navy has been increased considerably: the fleet carrier HMAS Ark Royal and the light carriers HMAS Sydney and HMAS Brisbane are the mainstays of the surface fleet; while the submarine fleet uses the latest-model German and Dutch diesel-electric boats. Both the Navy and the Air Force operate long-range turbo-bombers, capable of striking Indonesia and the Philippines. In addition, money has been invested in a clandestine superbomb project, one that’s recently come to light…
A disclaimer: to anyone who's reading this and is Australian, please don't take this the wrong way. I think Australia's an amazing country, and I've got quite a few friends from there. And OTL, I know that Australia was fighting fascism while Russia and the US were still neutral. However,I think ITTL that British revanchist sentiment could tie nastily into Australia's racial policies of the era and form something close to OTL fascism - and that a Japan that's more powerful than OTL would add a nice helping of fuel to that fire.
Understandable about Australia, not so please when I had read about their policy on Aborigines months ago - there was a movie I read about three Aborigine girls trying to escape from the so-called "orphanages" and made hundreds of miles trek to their home.
So in essence, the Kingdom of Australia is the premier butt-monkey nation on Earth like how it is to our Apartheid South Africa. I had to wonder how South Africa, or "Volkstaat Suid-Afrika" as they call themselves, is any different from Australia.
You crafted real good on the grey-areas for both sides, as nations like Germany and Japan had their good intentions but also have their problems when both sides keep accusing each other of being too oppressive towards this racial group and that. The hypocrisies is nothing lost on me.
So in essence, the Kingdom of Australia is the premier butt-monkey nation on Earth like how it is to our Apartheid South Africa. I had to wonder how South Africa, or "Volkstaat Suid-Afrika" as they call themselves, is any different from Australia.
You crafted real good on the grey-areas for both sides, as nations like Germany and Japan had their good intentions but also have their problems when both sides keep accusing each other of being too oppressive towards this racial group and that. The hypocrisies is nothing lost on me.
Cheers for that. Yeah, no nation in this world (or OTL) is perfect. Even the United States uses violent tactics to maintain order in the South (and from the very few mentions Turtledove made, is coming down haaaaard on the Native Americans of Sequoyah...). Everyone has their national interests at heart, which they dress up in nice words...
South Africa is basically like OTL, except more Boer-nationalist. English are a harassed and furtive minority. And yeah, it and Australia are birds of a feather, though it took some people longer to catch on to Australia's game...
Just an idea of what GEATO is like.
Greater East Asia Treaty Organisation
Founded in the aftermath of the Second Great War, the Greater East Asia Treaty Organisation is a military and economic alliance consisting of the following nations: the Empire of Japan; the Empire of Korea; the Empire of Vietnam; the Kingdom of Laos; the Kingdom of Greater Thailand; the Federal Republic of Indonesia; the Democratic Republic of Burma; the Republic of Sri Lanka; and the Republic of India. Its legislative headquarters are found in the Greater East Asia Assembly Building in Tokyo, next to the Japanese Diet. GEATO exists both as a framework for a united military front, under which an attack on one member is considered an attack on all and – should all members agree – allows for united offensive action, and as a trading bloc by which Asian nations may trade with the rest of the world as a common group, granting them additional economic power, and may trade with one another without over-hindrance from tariffs.
Representatives meet regularly in Tokyo. Here, policy for the alliance as a whole is decided by vote: usually relating to trade outside Asia or to military action. Representatives are chosen directly by their governments, and voting is a smooth process. At least, as reported in the media - issues are not officially debated or voted on until after furious behind-the-scenes debating, usually coupled with arm-twisting, outright bribery, and occasional threats by Japan. Once it is known how the representatives and their governments will vote, then the official debate begins.
Of all the GEATO nations, the only ones that can make a real claim to being truly democratic are Indonesia and Korea, and maybe Sri Lanka. India continues to be dominated by the Jai Hind party, Burma is led by a military strongman who seems to have no intention of either relinquishing power or dying, and the other nations are very much like Japan: semi-deified rulers presiding over nominally democratic institutions are the window-dressing, while real power is held by cabals of wealthy industrialists and military officers. All of these nations are certainly autocratic, and will not suffer dissent, but neither are they overly repressive or harsh. The average citizen who stays out of politics (or, even better, is a vocal supporter of the status quo) has nothing to fear, and indeed may be grateful for his decent standard of living brought about by industrialisation and modernisation (largely brought about by the rapid expansion of Japanese zaibatsu across the new members of GEATO in the aftermath of the War). Having noted this, there are many among the younger generation (particularly in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand) who want to see real democracy come to their nations, and are starting to become more active. It is hard, though, for young people to gain traction or be taken seriously in nations where authority is generally seen as coming from age and where deference to age is considered a virtue.
Japan, by virtue of being the pre-eminent military power (biggest navy, most advanced air forces, superbomb arsenal), one of the leading economic powers, and the founder-member of the alliance, retains its position of leadership. This has been accepted by other members for a number of reasons: Japanese zaibatsu have invested heavily in developing the economies and industrial bases of most other GEATO members; most members depend on Japan for military equipment (with the notable exception of Korea); those members who share a land border with China need Japan to stave off Chinese domination (Vietnam in particular has a long memory for these things – Tran Hung Dao and the Trung sisters remain national heroes and objects of veneration, for instance); and many feel a measure of gratitude to Japan for evicting Western colonial powers from their nations (though older Vietnamese and Laotians can remember a time when, after throwing out the French, Japan held their nations as sem-protectorates and were more…direct in their dealings). However, a desire for change is beginning to form in the alliance – no country wants to withdraw from GEATO, but they do think that Japan has occupied the centre stage for too long, and that maybe things could be renegotiated along more equal lines.
Historically, Thailand has been considered the second nation in GEATO, largely as a result of being the only other Asian nation besides Japan to resist colonialism and modernise successfully, and also maintaining a strong military. However, without that prestige, Thailand isn’t a particularly rich nation – they’re not poor by any means, but they don’t have a vibrant economy.
If any change in GEATO leadership came about, the main contenders are Korea, India or Indonesia. Over the last five years, the Korean economy has grown rapidly, with great strides being made in electronics, avionics and computer technology. Many analysts believe that the Korean economy could outstrip Japan’s in another five years. Korea has also seen the growth of a strong business culture. However, Korea is somewhat handicapped by a comparative lack of natural resources, and is heavily dependent on imports from its alliance partners. India, by contrast, has abundant resources and a huge population, along with a land army that outstrips most other GEATO members. However, while many cities are heavily industrialised, the nation as a whole is underdeveloped and there are wide gulfs between rich and poor. Indonesia, meanwhile, combines the best of both worlds: a strong economy, thanks to oil sales and wise investment from outside; coupled with a wide range of natural resources and a growing population.
Of course, it could very well be that competition between these three could allow Japan to remain in its position of leadership, but only time will tell.
Economically, GEATO members are reasonably well-off (except for India – the sheer size of the nation means that meaningful development will take some considerable time). Slow but steady industrialisation and modernisation have marked all of the nations – no boom or bust cycles, just steady growth. While the industrial output of individual members lags (somewhat) behind many Western nations, the total output of GEATO is considerable. Likewise, while the average citizen is not as well off as his American or German counterpart, he enjoys a decent standard of living either in a modern city (though with traditional architecture) or in rural areas that now enjoy modern utilities. This means that, while there are those who desire political change, the majority of GEATO citizens follow a philosophy of ‘Things are good now, don’t rock the boat’.
Militarily, GEATO’s combined land and air forces are more than a numerical match for either of the two other Great Powers, while Japan’s navy is the second-largest in the world (just ahead of the High Seas Fleet, which underwent drawdowns in 1970). Technologically, they lag behind the United States, but Japanese (and Korean, these days) military equipment works reliably and will do what it needs to.
Culturally, the alliance was based on the idea of ‘Asia for Asians’. As such, senses of national exceptionalism and chauvinism have developed in member-states (and were always present in Japan). This has become apparent in increasing preference for traditional dress over Western dress (except in the military), the strengthening of traditional religions such as Shinto, Zen Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism at the expense of Christianity (Islam was already strong in Indonesia), and a fall-off in interest for Western literature art, film and music. Though many older Japanese intellectuals still study French, pre-war British and even American literature, most young people who study the liberal arts across the alliance now focus on the arts of their own countries.
The one major change from traditional Asian ideals that has swept GEATO involves women’s rights. This came about largely because of the demands of the Second Great War on Japan and Korea – as men were drafted, women had to fulfil roles that they hadn’t traditionally. The defining moment of this was the employment of young women in Japanese shipyards, working on those most defining symbols of Japanese warrior pride: the IJN’s battleships Yamato and Shinano. As such, even after the war, women were given more avenues for employment, and as Japan came to set trends across GEATO, this set in elsewhere. Even Indonesia, the only Muslim-majority country in the alliance, has not proved immune to this. Naturally, with paid employment came voting rights, university opportunities, etc. Having noted this, it is still expected in Asian countries that women will end work outside the home when they marry.
Remaining with gender culture: the only GEATO nations where homosexuality is actually illegal are India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Outside these nations, it is not encouraged, but neither is any great fuss made about it – as long as men or women continue their family line through marriage and children, and as long as they don’t have children outside their marriages, no-one really cares. However, the promotion of any alternative to the traditional family model is heavily discouraged.
The main perceived threats to GEATO come from China and Australia. China is now loathed across East Asia since their use of fuel-air weapons against cities, their occupation of Northern Burma, and their support of Pakistan. For their part, China remembers the Sino-Japanese War and Japan’s support of the Manchu warlords during the 1930s, and is determined to never again be a victim to Japan. In addition, Chinese leaders still call for the return of Formosa and Hainan (though in private, they recognise that this is all but impossible now). Australia, meanwhile, is seen as a ‘natural enemy’ by Indonesia, thanks to their initial invasion in the Second Great War, the deployment of ANZAC troops during the Independence War, and the ongoing occupation of New Guinea. As long as these nations remain threats, and as long as Japan can provide the ultimate deterrent against them, GEATO leaders remain behind the Empire.
A more insidious threat comes from occupied peoples. Japan's colonies in Siberia and the Philippines are not a problem - the ethnic Russian population of Japanese Siberia has largely been evacuated, replaced with Japanese settlers, Jews and Mongolian refugees, while the Philippines have been largely Nipponicised (and the Moros are perfectly loyal as long as they're left alone on a day-to-day basis - in return for self-government and development assistance, they pay what amounts to tribute to Japan). However, the Japanese protectorate in Southern Malaya continues to be troublesome, while in Thai-occupied Northern Malaya and Cambodia, though full-scale organised revolt has ended, random and uncoordinated attacks on military personnel and Thai settlers are becoming more frequent. As are reprisals and relocations, unfortunately.
Greater East Asia Treaty Organisation
Founded in the aftermath of the Second Great War, the Greater East Asia Treaty Organisation is a military and economic alliance consisting of the following nations: the Empire of Japan; the Empire of Korea; the Empire of Vietnam; the Kingdom of Laos; the Kingdom of Greater Thailand; the Federal Republic of Indonesia; the Democratic Republic of Burma; the Republic of Sri Lanka; and the Republic of India. Its legislative headquarters are found in the Greater East Asia Assembly Building in Tokyo, next to the Japanese Diet. GEATO exists both as a framework for a united military front, under which an attack on one member is considered an attack on all and – should all members agree – allows for united offensive action, and as a trading bloc by which Asian nations may trade with the rest of the world as a common group, granting them additional economic power, and may trade with one another without over-hindrance from tariffs.
Representatives meet regularly in Tokyo. Here, policy for the alliance as a whole is decided by vote: usually relating to trade outside Asia or to military action. Representatives are chosen directly by their governments, and voting is a smooth process. At least, as reported in the media - issues are not officially debated or voted on until after furious behind-the-scenes debating, usually coupled with arm-twisting, outright bribery, and occasional threats by Japan. Once it is known how the representatives and their governments will vote, then the official debate begins.
Of all the GEATO nations, the only ones that can make a real claim to being truly democratic are Indonesia and Korea, and maybe Sri Lanka. India continues to be dominated by the Jai Hind party, Burma is led by a military strongman who seems to have no intention of either relinquishing power or dying, and the other nations are very much like Japan: semi-deified rulers presiding over nominally democratic institutions are the window-dressing, while real power is held by cabals of wealthy industrialists and military officers. All of these nations are certainly autocratic, and will not suffer dissent, but neither are they overly repressive or harsh. The average citizen who stays out of politics (or, even better, is a vocal supporter of the status quo) has nothing to fear, and indeed may be grateful for his decent standard of living brought about by industrialisation and modernisation (largely brought about by the rapid expansion of Japanese zaibatsu across the new members of GEATO in the aftermath of the War). Having noted this, there are many among the younger generation (particularly in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand) who want to see real democracy come to their nations, and are starting to become more active. It is hard, though, for young people to gain traction or be taken seriously in nations where authority is generally seen as coming from age and where deference to age is considered a virtue.
Japan, by virtue of being the pre-eminent military power (biggest navy, most advanced air forces, superbomb arsenal), one of the leading economic powers, and the founder-member of the alliance, retains its position of leadership. This has been accepted by other members for a number of reasons: Japanese zaibatsu have invested heavily in developing the economies and industrial bases of most other GEATO members; most members depend on Japan for military equipment (with the notable exception of Korea); those members who share a land border with China need Japan to stave off Chinese domination (Vietnam in particular has a long memory for these things – Tran Hung Dao and the Trung sisters remain national heroes and objects of veneration, for instance); and many feel a measure of gratitude to Japan for evicting Western colonial powers from their nations (though older Vietnamese and Laotians can remember a time when, after throwing out the French, Japan held their nations as sem-protectorates and were more…direct in their dealings). However, a desire for change is beginning to form in the alliance – no country wants to withdraw from GEATO, but they do think that Japan has occupied the centre stage for too long, and that maybe things could be renegotiated along more equal lines.
Historically, Thailand has been considered the second nation in GEATO, largely as a result of being the only other Asian nation besides Japan to resist colonialism and modernise successfully, and also maintaining a strong military. However, without that prestige, Thailand isn’t a particularly rich nation – they’re not poor by any means, but they don’t have a vibrant economy.
If any change in GEATO leadership came about, the main contenders are Korea, India or Indonesia. Over the last five years, the Korean economy has grown rapidly, with great strides being made in electronics, avionics and computer technology. Many analysts believe that the Korean economy could outstrip Japan’s in another five years. Korea has also seen the growth of a strong business culture. However, Korea is somewhat handicapped by a comparative lack of natural resources, and is heavily dependent on imports from its alliance partners. India, by contrast, has abundant resources and a huge population, along with a land army that outstrips most other GEATO members. However, while many cities are heavily industrialised, the nation as a whole is underdeveloped and there are wide gulfs between rich and poor. Indonesia, meanwhile, combines the best of both worlds: a strong economy, thanks to oil sales and wise investment from outside; coupled with a wide range of natural resources and a growing population.
Of course, it could very well be that competition between these three could allow Japan to remain in its position of leadership, but only time will tell.
Economically, GEATO members are reasonably well-off (except for India – the sheer size of the nation means that meaningful development will take some considerable time). Slow but steady industrialisation and modernisation have marked all of the nations – no boom or bust cycles, just steady growth. While the industrial output of individual members lags (somewhat) behind many Western nations, the total output of GEATO is considerable. Likewise, while the average citizen is not as well off as his American or German counterpart, he enjoys a decent standard of living either in a modern city (though with traditional architecture) or in rural areas that now enjoy modern utilities. This means that, while there are those who desire political change, the majority of GEATO citizens follow a philosophy of ‘Things are good now, don’t rock the boat’.
Militarily, GEATO’s combined land and air forces are more than a numerical match for either of the two other Great Powers, while Japan’s navy is the second-largest in the world (just ahead of the High Seas Fleet, which underwent drawdowns in 1970). Technologically, they lag behind the United States, but Japanese (and Korean, these days) military equipment works reliably and will do what it needs to.
Culturally, the alliance was based on the idea of ‘Asia for Asians’. As such, senses of national exceptionalism and chauvinism have developed in member-states (and were always present in Japan). This has become apparent in increasing preference for traditional dress over Western dress (except in the military), the strengthening of traditional religions such as Shinto, Zen Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism at the expense of Christianity (Islam was already strong in Indonesia), and a fall-off in interest for Western literature art, film and music. Though many older Japanese intellectuals still study French, pre-war British and even American literature, most young people who study the liberal arts across the alliance now focus on the arts of their own countries.
The one major change from traditional Asian ideals that has swept GEATO involves women’s rights. This came about largely because of the demands of the Second Great War on Japan and Korea – as men were drafted, women had to fulfil roles that they hadn’t traditionally. The defining moment of this was the employment of young women in Japanese shipyards, working on those most defining symbols of Japanese warrior pride: the IJN’s battleships Yamato and Shinano. As such, even after the war, women were given more avenues for employment, and as Japan came to set trends across GEATO, this set in elsewhere. Even Indonesia, the only Muslim-majority country in the alliance, has not proved immune to this. Naturally, with paid employment came voting rights, university opportunities, etc. Having noted this, it is still expected in Asian countries that women will end work outside the home when they marry.
Remaining with gender culture: the only GEATO nations where homosexuality is actually illegal are India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Outside these nations, it is not encouraged, but neither is any great fuss made about it – as long as men or women continue their family line through marriage and children, and as long as they don’t have children outside their marriages, no-one really cares. However, the promotion of any alternative to the traditional family model is heavily discouraged.
The main perceived threats to GEATO come from China and Australia. China is now loathed across East Asia since their use of fuel-air weapons against cities, their occupation of Northern Burma, and their support of Pakistan. For their part, China remembers the Sino-Japanese War and Japan’s support of the Manchu warlords during the 1930s, and is determined to never again be a victim to Japan. In addition, Chinese leaders still call for the return of Formosa and Hainan (though in private, they recognise that this is all but impossible now). Australia, meanwhile, is seen as a ‘natural enemy’ by Indonesia, thanks to their initial invasion in the Second Great War, the deployment of ANZAC troops during the Independence War, and the ongoing occupation of New Guinea. As long as these nations remain threats, and as long as Japan can provide the ultimate deterrent against them, GEATO leaders remain behind the Empire.
A more insidious threat comes from occupied peoples. Japan's colonies in Siberia and the Philippines are not a problem - the ethnic Russian population of Japanese Siberia has largely been evacuated, replaced with Japanese settlers, Jews and Mongolian refugees, while the Philippines have been largely Nipponicised (and the Moros are perfectly loyal as long as they're left alone on a day-to-day basis - in return for self-government and development assistance, they pay what amounts to tribute to Japan). However, the Japanese protectorate in Southern Malaya continues to be troublesome, while in Thai-occupied Northern Malaya and Cambodia, though full-scale organised revolt has ended, random and uncoordinated attacks on military personnel and Thai settlers are becoming more frequent. As are reprisals and relocations, unfortunately.
A clarification: when I said threats, I didn't mean 'Do as we say or invade'. More like 'You'll vote the right way, yes? Incidentally, how's construction on that new power plant we're financing coming along?'
12-24 February
What becomes known as the Australia Superbomb Crisis.
12-13 February
Japan relocates a squadron of Mitsubishi G-22M Isonade bombers and two squadrons of Raijin-3 bombers to Java, while the Second Air Fleet sails from Singapore. Australian Prime Minister John Hemsworth states that his nation will ‘not bow to military bullying’ and that Australia has a right to self-defence.
13-16 February
Japanese and Indonesian air and naval units begin series of combat drills just outside Australian territorial waters. Australian merchant skippers venturing into international waters find their vessels being stalked by destroyers, or buzzed by low-flying carrier aircraft.
17 February
After tense debate, the Global Summit passes a resolution officially calling on the Kingdom of Australia to dismantle its atomic weaponry programme and permit inspectors to visit all atomic research sites in the country. The Republic of China, though it voted against the resolution, acknowledges the validity of the measure and agrees to remain neutral in the matter.
Australia condemns the resolution, reiterates its determination to defend itself from any threats. Army reserves are called up.
18 February
In a private meeting with the Japanese ambassador, Chairman Conor O’Brien of the Global Summit states that the Summit will support GEATO using force to shut down the Australian bomb programme if all other options fail, but insists that diplomacy must be the first recourse.
Major protests, chiefly led by students, begin in Australian cities. They're largely pacifist in nature, calling for an end to the ongoing military escalation and the superbomb programme.
19 February
Tonbo operating from destroyer Tanikaze sinks Australian submarine HMAS Dumaresq in the Banda Sea. Australia protests this action, Japan maintains that the submarine had violated Indonesian territorial waters and was stalking the carrier Soryu (new vessel, Taiho class).
Fighting breaks out along the India-Pakistan border, particularly around the disputed Kashmir territory. Inside Kashmir, riots begin among the Hindu population.
Cindy Atkins, a 19-year-old student at the University of Melbourne, is hit by a rubber bullet during a protest-turned-riot in the city. Because of the extreme close range, Ms Atkins is killed, becoming a rallying point for the ongoing protests.
20 February
Outbreak of violence on New Guinea – Australian military base is attacked by a force of men armed with automatic weapons and explosives.
United States declares that unless Australia agrees to abide by the Global Summit resolution, all trade between the two nations will be suspended. The United States also presents the Kingdom with a list of people it wants deported to face trial for war crimes.
Riots engulf Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra in response to Cindy Atkins’ death. Edward VIII’s public appeal for calm does little to alleviate the situation.
21 February
Global Summit issues another demand for Australia to dismantle its superbomb progamme. Australia does not agree, but does not refuse either.
Violence in New Guinea continues – further attacks on Australian military bases.
22 February
Chinese ambassador meets with Prime Minister Hemsworth. Informs him that China cannot move in support of Australia in defiance of the rest of the world. The Chinese are really worried about trade – America represents a major market for raw materials, so an embargo now would be even worse than in the 1960s. In addition, though China has made great strides in industrialisation, they still aren’t fully capable of standing on their own – outside investment is still necessary. However, they add that if the situation in India continues to deteriorate, then they might have a casus belli against GEATO… At which point Australia wouldn’t be so isolated.
Series of Hindu people bombings inside Kashmir.
Auto bombing in Port Stanley kills twenty Australian servicemen in a bar in the city centre. Maybe a hundred are injured to varying degrees. In response, the Australian government takes hostages (now a standard practice around the world when dealing with insurgents).
23 February
Pakistani authorities begin major crackdown on the remaining Hindu population across the country. In response, India begins heavy shelling of border towns on the Pakistani side of the line.
Third consecutive day of riots in Australian cities.
Two more auto bombings in Port Stanley. Hostages executed.
24 February
Faced with the beginning of a major insurgency in New Guinea (vital for oil), a possible trade embargo, war with GEATO and major civil disobedience, the Prime Minister of Australia acquiesces to the Global Summit’s demands, orders the superbomb programme dismantled. Inspectors will begin arriving over the coming months.
The riots drag on for another two days, but are eventually quieted by the resignation of the Chief Commissioner of the Victoria Police and Prime Minister Hemsworth, who since he built himself up as a hawkish strongman, could hardly remain in power after bowing to international pressure. Southern Cross maintains power, but barely – its control of Australia is quite literally hanging by a threat. Future moderate historians will remember this as the beginning of change, while future right-wing historians will vilify the student protestors, claiming that they were the ruination of Australia and that they stabbed the nation in the back.
24 February-14 March
Sporadic fighting continues between India and Pakistan. Ultimately fades out – India is not willing to risk Chinese invasion. For its part, China's leadership does not favour fighting GEATO alone - they want the Australian distraction.
During this time, the Indonesian government, in conjunction with Japanese Army intelligence services, begins large-scale shipments of arms to New Guinean rebels. The IJA supplies weaponry – usually taken from Reserve bases or stores of older equipment – and the Indonesian Navy transports it by submarine.
What becomes known as the Australia Superbomb Crisis.
12-13 February
Japan relocates a squadron of Mitsubishi G-22M Isonade bombers and two squadrons of Raijin-3 bombers to Java, while the Second Air Fleet sails from Singapore. Australian Prime Minister John Hemsworth states that his nation will ‘not bow to military bullying’ and that Australia has a right to self-defence.
13-16 February
Japanese and Indonesian air and naval units begin series of combat drills just outside Australian territorial waters. Australian merchant skippers venturing into international waters find their vessels being stalked by destroyers, or buzzed by low-flying carrier aircraft.
17 February
After tense debate, the Global Summit passes a resolution officially calling on the Kingdom of Australia to dismantle its atomic weaponry programme and permit inspectors to visit all atomic research sites in the country. The Republic of China, though it voted against the resolution, acknowledges the validity of the measure and agrees to remain neutral in the matter.
Australia condemns the resolution, reiterates its determination to defend itself from any threats. Army reserves are called up.
18 February
In a private meeting with the Japanese ambassador, Chairman Conor O’Brien of the Global Summit states that the Summit will support GEATO using force to shut down the Australian bomb programme if all other options fail, but insists that diplomacy must be the first recourse.
Major protests, chiefly led by students, begin in Australian cities. They're largely pacifist in nature, calling for an end to the ongoing military escalation and the superbomb programme.
19 February
Tonbo operating from destroyer Tanikaze sinks Australian submarine HMAS Dumaresq in the Banda Sea. Australia protests this action, Japan maintains that the submarine had violated Indonesian territorial waters and was stalking the carrier Soryu (new vessel, Taiho class).
Fighting breaks out along the India-Pakistan border, particularly around the disputed Kashmir territory. Inside Kashmir, riots begin among the Hindu population.
Cindy Atkins, a 19-year-old student at the University of Melbourne, is hit by a rubber bullet during a protest-turned-riot in the city. Because of the extreme close range, Ms Atkins is killed, becoming a rallying point for the ongoing protests.
20 February
Outbreak of violence on New Guinea – Australian military base is attacked by a force of men armed with automatic weapons and explosives.
United States declares that unless Australia agrees to abide by the Global Summit resolution, all trade between the two nations will be suspended. The United States also presents the Kingdom with a list of people it wants deported to face trial for war crimes.
Riots engulf Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra in response to Cindy Atkins’ death. Edward VIII’s public appeal for calm does little to alleviate the situation.
21 February
Global Summit issues another demand for Australia to dismantle its superbomb progamme. Australia does not agree, but does not refuse either.
Violence in New Guinea continues – further attacks on Australian military bases.
22 February
Chinese ambassador meets with Prime Minister Hemsworth. Informs him that China cannot move in support of Australia in defiance of the rest of the world. The Chinese are really worried about trade – America represents a major market for raw materials, so an embargo now would be even worse than in the 1960s. In addition, though China has made great strides in industrialisation, they still aren’t fully capable of standing on their own – outside investment is still necessary. However, they add that if the situation in India continues to deteriorate, then they might have a casus belli against GEATO… At which point Australia wouldn’t be so isolated.
Series of Hindu people bombings inside Kashmir.
Auto bombing in Port Stanley kills twenty Australian servicemen in a bar in the city centre. Maybe a hundred are injured to varying degrees. In response, the Australian government takes hostages (now a standard practice around the world when dealing with insurgents).
23 February
Pakistani authorities begin major crackdown on the remaining Hindu population across the country. In response, India begins heavy shelling of border towns on the Pakistani side of the line.
Third consecutive day of riots in Australian cities.
Two more auto bombings in Port Stanley. Hostages executed.
24 February
Faced with the beginning of a major insurgency in New Guinea (vital for oil), a possible trade embargo, war with GEATO and major civil disobedience, the Prime Minister of Australia acquiesces to the Global Summit’s demands, orders the superbomb programme dismantled. Inspectors will begin arriving over the coming months.
The riots drag on for another two days, but are eventually quieted by the resignation of the Chief Commissioner of the Victoria Police and Prime Minister Hemsworth, who since he built himself up as a hawkish strongman, could hardly remain in power after bowing to international pressure. Southern Cross maintains power, but barely – its control of Australia is quite literally hanging by a threat. Future moderate historians will remember this as the beginning of change, while future right-wing historians will vilify the student protestors, claiming that they were the ruination of Australia and that they stabbed the nation in the back.
24 February-14 March
Sporadic fighting continues between India and Pakistan. Ultimately fades out – India is not willing to risk Chinese invasion. For its part, China's leadership does not favour fighting GEATO alone - they want the Australian distraction.
During this time, the Indonesian government, in conjunction with Japanese Army intelligence services, begins large-scale shipments of arms to New Guinean rebels. The IJA supplies weaponry – usually taken from Reserve bases or stores of older equipment – and the Indonesian Navy transports it by submarine.
OK. Now the main show takes a litle hiatus, while the process of catching up on the rest of the world begins.
United States of America:
1962-1964
‘Years of Hate’ rebellion.
1962
10th July
‘Lubbock Offensive’ – Circle Brotherhood auto bombings across the Houston state capital of Lubbock, paving the way for conventional attack by gunmen armed with automatic weapons, man-portable rocket launchers and explosives. Central and downtown Lubbock are completely overrun by day’s end.
Massacre of fifty African-American farm workers in Kentucky.
12th July
FPB building in downtown Philadelphia destroyed by a truck bomb composed of ammonium nitrate and acetylene. 200 federal employees and 300 civilians killed, over three hundred buildings destroyed or damaged. Death toll climbs over the following two days, owing to subsequent Circle Brotherhood action – disguising themselves in emergency worker uniforms, Brotherhood gunmen gain entrance to and attack evacuation and treatment centres.
13th July
More truck bombings on the scale of Philadelphia: one in San Francisco; one in Covington; one in Washington D.C. Over a thousand people are killed in the combined attacks. Similar tactics are used in the aftermath, though as news filters out better precautions are taken at treatment and evacuation centres. A Lubbock-style offensive occurs in Covington in the aftermath of the bombing.
Army begins counter-offensive into Lubbock: combined operation using barrels and Drachen degenerates into three days of house-to-house fighting.
14th July
Covington counter-offensive.
16th July
Lubbock and Covington are back under Federal control. However, fresh attacks flare up in Bowling Green and Nashville, while smaller towns in Houston and Kentucky are mostly under Circle Brotherhood control.
Miami bombings – four hundred dead. These mark a general surge in Circle Brotherhood activity across Florida, with guerrilla fighters seizing control of small towns and sabotaging railroads.
17-24th July
Outside major cities, the state Florida is classified as ‘hostile territory’ as Circle Brotherhood fighters win over major support from the state’s rural population.
25th July-20th August
Florida Purge: US Navy and Marine Corps launch a combined offensive into Florida: amphibious landings, backed with air strikes from USS Remembrance and USS Theodore Roosevelt and from Northern airbases. Circle Brotherhood fighters can’t stand and fight regular troops, and are heavily outnumbered, but by fortifying themselves inside towns or by melting away into the countryside, they can tie down much larger forces. In addition, their more dedicated men wear explosive belts of dynamite and ball-bearings, turning themselves into giant fragmentation mines (though they only blow themselves up if capture seems imminent). Thus, US forces are compelled to engage them at long range (being unable to tell who’s wearing a belt or not).
Florida’s built-up areas are largely pacified by the end of July. Guerrilla bands operating out of the Everglades remain a major problem
1st August
US ‘Achilles’ transport aircraft shot down over Nashville: 50 soldiers die in the crash. The plane was one of several deploying airborne infantry into the city, in conjunction with an armoured counter-offensive.
1-10th August
Nashville is gradually cleansed of Brotherhood forces. When the situation becomes desperate, Brotherhood fighters usually withdraw, or manage to hide themselves among the civilian population. However, the US advance is slowed by heavy Brotherhood use of landmines and explosive booby-traps.
The fact that Brotherhood forces (who usually wear masks in combat) are able to hide themselves among the civilian population becomes a major difficulty for US forces. Prior to the outbreak of violence, there had been a gradual increase in the number of Southerners willing to support or work with the federal government. This means that attempts at reprisal actions – ie the taking and shooting of hostages – could end up utterly undermining any gains made in the South.
3rd September
The month of September sees the beginning of an offshoot of the ‘Years of Hate’, what historians have come to term the ‘Louisiana Biker War’. Taking advantage of the chaotic conditions brought about by the uprising, the Screaming Demons outlaw motorcycle organisation (begun by disaffected Confederate veterans, mostly younger men) begins a year-long reign of terror across the state of Louisiana. Banks and jewellery stores are robbed, the small remaining black population in Louisiana are terrorised in arson and pipebomb attacks, and anyone with associations to the federal government (or rival organised crime groups, most of whom filtered down from the North in the aftermath of the Second Great War) is targeted, including fellow Southerners.
Ultimately, handling the bikers will be left to the Federal Police Bureau. Director Bliss establishes a Special Task Force headed by Special Agent Agrippa Clay (the first black man to rise to any great height in the FPB) to combat the Screaming Demons. The Director also persuades President Wilder to classify the bikers and ‘associated criminal syndicates’ as terrorists, together with the Circle Brotherhood…thus allowing the FPB to begin the most sweeping crackdown on organised crime in law-enforcement history. Under the new rules of engagement, FPB agents are allowed to arrest and imprison without charge, use drug-assisted interrogation, and are not expected to abide by standard police rules of engagement in firefights.
The conflict to contain the problem will - by its very nature - lead to a wide number of high-speed chases. It is thanks to the Biker War that the term 'Pursuit Special' entered the popular lexicon.
Unlike the Circle Brotherhood, the Screaming Demons were romanticised by the Southern population after the war, with many seeing them as heroic outlaw figures of resistance. They become a mainstay of the more politicised music of the South.
Rumours will persist well into the 1980s that many bikers and criminal kingpins aren’t even arrested, but are shot and dumped in the swamps of Lousiana…
AN - I hope I don't offend anyone by the obvious similarity between RL events in Oklahoma City and the TTL bombing of Philadelphia. Unfortuantely, I figured that the Circle Brotherhood probably would pull something like that off, given the comparative easy accessibility of ammonium nitrate as opposed to military explosives.
United States of America:
1962-1964
‘Years of Hate’ rebellion.
1962
10th July
‘Lubbock Offensive’ – Circle Brotherhood auto bombings across the Houston state capital of Lubbock, paving the way for conventional attack by gunmen armed with automatic weapons, man-portable rocket launchers and explosives. Central and downtown Lubbock are completely overrun by day’s end.
Massacre of fifty African-American farm workers in Kentucky.
12th July
FPB building in downtown Philadelphia destroyed by a truck bomb composed of ammonium nitrate and acetylene. 200 federal employees and 300 civilians killed, over three hundred buildings destroyed or damaged. Death toll climbs over the following two days, owing to subsequent Circle Brotherhood action – disguising themselves in emergency worker uniforms, Brotherhood gunmen gain entrance to and attack evacuation and treatment centres.
13th July
More truck bombings on the scale of Philadelphia: one in San Francisco; one in Covington; one in Washington D.C. Over a thousand people are killed in the combined attacks. Similar tactics are used in the aftermath, though as news filters out better precautions are taken at treatment and evacuation centres. A Lubbock-style offensive occurs in Covington in the aftermath of the bombing.
Army begins counter-offensive into Lubbock: combined operation using barrels and Drachen degenerates into three days of house-to-house fighting.
14th July
Covington counter-offensive.
16th July
Lubbock and Covington are back under Federal control. However, fresh attacks flare up in Bowling Green and Nashville, while smaller towns in Houston and Kentucky are mostly under Circle Brotherhood control.
Miami bombings – four hundred dead. These mark a general surge in Circle Brotherhood activity across Florida, with guerrilla fighters seizing control of small towns and sabotaging railroads.
17-24th July
Outside major cities, the state Florida is classified as ‘hostile territory’ as Circle Brotherhood fighters win over major support from the state’s rural population.
25th July-20th August
Florida Purge: US Navy and Marine Corps launch a combined offensive into Florida: amphibious landings, backed with air strikes from USS Remembrance and USS Theodore Roosevelt and from Northern airbases. Circle Brotherhood fighters can’t stand and fight regular troops, and are heavily outnumbered, but by fortifying themselves inside towns or by melting away into the countryside, they can tie down much larger forces. In addition, their more dedicated men wear explosive belts of dynamite and ball-bearings, turning themselves into giant fragmentation mines (though they only blow themselves up if capture seems imminent). Thus, US forces are compelled to engage them at long range (being unable to tell who’s wearing a belt or not).
Florida’s built-up areas are largely pacified by the end of July. Guerrilla bands operating out of the Everglades remain a major problem
1st August
US ‘Achilles’ transport aircraft shot down over Nashville: 50 soldiers die in the crash. The plane was one of several deploying airborne infantry into the city, in conjunction with an armoured counter-offensive.
1-10th August
Nashville is gradually cleansed of Brotherhood forces. When the situation becomes desperate, Brotherhood fighters usually withdraw, or manage to hide themselves among the civilian population. However, the US advance is slowed by heavy Brotherhood use of landmines and explosive booby-traps.
The fact that Brotherhood forces (who usually wear masks in combat) are able to hide themselves among the civilian population becomes a major difficulty for US forces. Prior to the outbreak of violence, there had been a gradual increase in the number of Southerners willing to support or work with the federal government. This means that attempts at reprisal actions – ie the taking and shooting of hostages – could end up utterly undermining any gains made in the South.
3rd September
The month of September sees the beginning of an offshoot of the ‘Years of Hate’, what historians have come to term the ‘Louisiana Biker War’. Taking advantage of the chaotic conditions brought about by the uprising, the Screaming Demons outlaw motorcycle organisation (begun by disaffected Confederate veterans, mostly younger men) begins a year-long reign of terror across the state of Louisiana. Banks and jewellery stores are robbed, the small remaining black population in Louisiana are terrorised in arson and pipebomb attacks, and anyone with associations to the federal government (or rival organised crime groups, most of whom filtered down from the North in the aftermath of the Second Great War) is targeted, including fellow Southerners.
Ultimately, handling the bikers will be left to the Federal Police Bureau. Director Bliss establishes a Special Task Force headed by Special Agent Agrippa Clay (the first black man to rise to any great height in the FPB) to combat the Screaming Demons. The Director also persuades President Wilder to classify the bikers and ‘associated criminal syndicates’ as terrorists, together with the Circle Brotherhood…thus allowing the FPB to begin the most sweeping crackdown on organised crime in law-enforcement history. Under the new rules of engagement, FPB agents are allowed to arrest and imprison without charge, use drug-assisted interrogation, and are not expected to abide by standard police rules of engagement in firefights.
The conflict to contain the problem will - by its very nature - lead to a wide number of high-speed chases. It is thanks to the Biker War that the term 'Pursuit Special' entered the popular lexicon.
Unlike the Circle Brotherhood, the Screaming Demons were romanticised by the Southern population after the war, with many seeing them as heroic outlaw figures of resistance. They become a mainstay of the more politicised music of the South.
Rumours will persist well into the 1980s that many bikers and criminal kingpins aren’t even arrested, but are shot and dumped in the swamps of Lousiana…
AN - I hope I don't offend anyone by the obvious similarity between RL events in Oklahoma City and the TTL bombing of Philadelphia. Unfortuantely, I figured that the Circle Brotherhood probably would pull something like that off, given the comparative easy accessibility of ammonium nitrate as opposed to military explosives.
Last edited:
9th November
Texas Ranger Air Unit launches a series of raids on targets along the Texas-Houston border. Later revealed that the Texas Ranger Special Investigations Unit has uncovered a network of tunnels between Texas and Houston, which the Circle Brotherhood is using to smuggle arms across the border.
Republic of Texas formerly declares that it will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States against ‘neo-Freedomite terrorism’. President Andrew Connally fears Confederate nostalgia within his nation – though the majority of Texans have come to accept the Republic, there remains a sizeable (and vocal) minority of Confederate sympathisers, people who refuse to engage in Texas’ political process because they see the nation as a traitor to the Confederacy.
American recruiting stations on the East Coast, particularly in Boston, are overwhelmed by a massive influx of former Army veterans from the Caribbean, all of whom are returning to the United States to volunteer once again to try to finally end the legacy of the Freedom Party. Eventually, the Army is forced to create a new unit, the Caribbean Volunteer Corps (driven to this when a Colonel in the Caribbean Army offers to return at his US Army rank of Sergeant – the government has no wish to make any of its veterans make such a sacrifice).
12th November
After three days of continuous aerial bombardments, the Texas Rangers, supported by the Ranger Barrel Corps, begin a series of ground raids into border towns. The raids are coordinated with US forces on the other side of the border, in an effort to deny rebels a safe refuge beyond US reach.
Though nothing will come of it in the immediate aftermath of the conflict, beginning in 1992 the Rangers will be investigated by the Global Summit War Crimes Committee, for their use of white phosphorous against civilian centres of population. In addition, the Texan government uses the excuse of ‘anti-terrorist’ operations to begin severe repression of the Mexican population. At this point, the Mexican population of Texas is half of what it used to be during the Confederacy – many were expelled when Texas became independent, while the remainder became a furtive, harassed minority. As some US political commentators will note (to deaf ears), the only real difference between the Texan government and the Freedom Party is that the Texans like using cheap Mexican labour too much to want to exterminate them.
13th November
Kentucky’s major towns and cities are back under federal control. However, the state’s roadways are plagued by small flying columns using light, refitted civilian vehicles.
14-22 November
Wave of violence engulfs Alabama, a combination of bombings, gun attacks and sabotage.
First deployments of the Caribbean volunteer forces. Many of the older men in the force are US Army veterans, from the post-war occupation of the South. As such, they’re dedicated to stamping out the Circle Brotherhood.
23rd November
Acting on intelligence provided by the FPB, major bomb-plot foiled in New Orleans: Circle Brotherhood terrorists had been undermining the city via the sewers.
3rd December
The conflict in the South has led to the growth of a pacifist movement in the United States, a movement that has begun to protest the war (though making it clear they don’t tolerate people like the Freedom Party either). In response to this, retired Congresswoman Flora Blackford makes a highly-publicised speech at Harvard, to an audience largely composed of pacifist students.
‘Believe me, I understand you. You might not think it – you definitely don’t think that an old woman like me could understand you – but I do. Before I was a Congresswoman, before I was the First Lady, I was an agitator for the Socialist Party – back in its more radical days, I assure you! I agitated for an end to war and imperalism, I agitated for the solidarity of working people the world over. When the Great War came, I was heartbroken, because I saw narrow nationalism triumph over a common desire for peace. And when President Sinclair was elected, I thought we’d finally have peace. But then, before the Second Great War, I became one of the loudest voices calling for harsh measures against the Confederacy. And during that long war, I was one of those who rejected any idea of peace, who demanded that we fight on to victory. What changed?
I’ll tell you what changed. I realised – painful though it was – that some things need to be fought for. The right of all humans to live free from persecution needs to be fought for. The right of every man, woman and child to be treated equally regardless of race, colour or creed needs to be fought for. Jake Featherston and the Freedom Party stood against those basic tenets, and their successors in the Circle Brotherhood are even more opposed to them than the artillery sergeant from Virginia ever was.
I’m not saying this because I love war. I’m not saying it because I think it benefits our nation to hold onto extra land. I’m saying it because as long as even one man fights on the side of racism, oppression and murder, then it is our collective duty to oppose that man. Oppose him and beat him. So please, oppose war. Oppose any war fought by any nation in the world. But do not oppose this war, because this war needs to be fought and won.’
25th December
‘Black Christmas’. The deadliest attack of the ‘Years of Hate’ occurs, though it is not launched by the Circle Brotherhood – instead, it is the initiative of a number of former Confederate citizens who had been resident in South Africa and Australia.
At 08:00, a Volkstaat-flagged freighter, the MV Single Star, explodes in New York harbour. Though many died in the explosion, the majority of death is caused by fifty grams of radium in the ship’s hold. Over 2000 people die from radiation poisoning, while cancer rates inside New York will quadruple in the years to come. The radium was liberated from a South African atomic research centre by General Piet Vanderpol of the Bureau of State Security, formerly Brigade Leader Andrew Steele of the Freedom Party Guards.
In response, President Wilder authorises the use of incendiary bombs against major cities where the Circle Brotherhood is still holding out. He also – reluctantly – authorises the taking of hostages and the use of reprisal tactics in the South.
1st January, 1963
First reprisal killing takes place: eighty hostages, taken at random from Richmond, are executed. President Wilder promises this will continue unless Circle Brotherhood leaders lay down their arms and surrender.
The Brotherhood’s answer comes in the form of renewed attacks in Houston, Tennessee, Alabama…and for the first time, Sequoyah. An attempted attack on major oil-fields is barely thwarted, while a Brotherhood bomb destroys a Cherokee cultural centre (though the Confederacy worked together with the Native American population of Sequoyah, the Brotherhood wants all non-whites gone from the South).
5th January
Birmingham Alabama is fire-bombed by US strategic bombers.
4th February
Attempted assassination of President Connally in Houston (the city, not the US State). The attempt has the effect of galvanising the Texan population behind the President and the Republic, and severely tarnishes any remaining pro-Confederate voices in the nation.
5th February
Beginning of a two-month off-shoot of the Years of Hate that, though short, is probably one of the nastier parts of it. Circle Brotherhood cells in Virginia begin a series of attacks on West Virginia, with no real aim except causing death and destruction among the civilian population as ‘punishment’ for West Virginia’s treachery during the War of Secession.
In response, West Virginians – largely led by the state’s large population of coal-miners, all of whom are used to violent confrontations (usually against company goons) – begin organising militia forces. These militias not only act to defend West Virginian communities, but also begin a series of reprisal attacks on Virginian towns. Though the federal government officially discourages this, regional US Army commanders look the other way…and tend not to report it when consignments of assault rifles or heavy machine-guns walk with God. In addition, since the radium attack, no-one feels much inclined to be over-concerned about how the rebellion is put down.
14th March
A series of dawn raids are launched in Kentucky, Houston, Alabama, Florida and Tennessee. Multiple Circle Brotherhood safe-houses and weapons caches are seized or destroyed.
Retaliatory attacks follow over the next three days, indicating that the Brotherhood still have plenty of fight left in them.
9th April
The ‘Years of Hate’ widen as multiple other neo-Freedom groups join the rising: such movements as the White Knights of the Confederacy, the Magnolia League and the Bonny Blue begin attacks across the South.
1st May
Nearly a hundred people die, and the town of Belen, New Mexico has to be evacuated after Magnolia League and Circle Brotherhood saboteurs manage to derail a freight train pulling tanks of anhydrous ammonia as it passes through the town.
By this stage, the South is largely re-occupied by US forces, but the decentralised nature of the Circle Brotherhood means that violence can flare up anywhere, at any time.
14th June
More Confederate resistance groups join the rising, this time more traditionalist groups. The federal government is badly worried by this, as hitherto these groups had been bitter enemies of the neo-Freedom factions. Yet now, the Stonewalls, the Iron Brigade and similar organisations are fighting alongside the Circle Brotherhood.
9th July
Iron Brigade mortar attack on Kentucky State Capitol foiled by FPB Special Tactics and Weapons (STAW) teams.
Texas Ranger Air Unit launches a series of raids on targets along the Texas-Houston border. Later revealed that the Texas Ranger Special Investigations Unit has uncovered a network of tunnels between Texas and Houston, which the Circle Brotherhood is using to smuggle arms across the border.
Republic of Texas formerly declares that it will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States against ‘neo-Freedomite terrorism’. President Andrew Connally fears Confederate nostalgia within his nation – though the majority of Texans have come to accept the Republic, there remains a sizeable (and vocal) minority of Confederate sympathisers, people who refuse to engage in Texas’ political process because they see the nation as a traitor to the Confederacy.
American recruiting stations on the East Coast, particularly in Boston, are overwhelmed by a massive influx of former Army veterans from the Caribbean, all of whom are returning to the United States to volunteer once again to try to finally end the legacy of the Freedom Party. Eventually, the Army is forced to create a new unit, the Caribbean Volunteer Corps (driven to this when a Colonel in the Caribbean Army offers to return at his US Army rank of Sergeant – the government has no wish to make any of its veterans make such a sacrifice).
12th November
After three days of continuous aerial bombardments, the Texas Rangers, supported by the Ranger Barrel Corps, begin a series of ground raids into border towns. The raids are coordinated with US forces on the other side of the border, in an effort to deny rebels a safe refuge beyond US reach.
Though nothing will come of it in the immediate aftermath of the conflict, beginning in 1992 the Rangers will be investigated by the Global Summit War Crimes Committee, for their use of white phosphorous against civilian centres of population. In addition, the Texan government uses the excuse of ‘anti-terrorist’ operations to begin severe repression of the Mexican population. At this point, the Mexican population of Texas is half of what it used to be during the Confederacy – many were expelled when Texas became independent, while the remainder became a furtive, harassed minority. As some US political commentators will note (to deaf ears), the only real difference between the Texan government and the Freedom Party is that the Texans like using cheap Mexican labour too much to want to exterminate them.
13th November
Kentucky’s major towns and cities are back under federal control. However, the state’s roadways are plagued by small flying columns using light, refitted civilian vehicles.
14-22 November
Wave of violence engulfs Alabama, a combination of bombings, gun attacks and sabotage.
First deployments of the Caribbean volunteer forces. Many of the older men in the force are US Army veterans, from the post-war occupation of the South. As such, they’re dedicated to stamping out the Circle Brotherhood.
23rd November
Acting on intelligence provided by the FPB, major bomb-plot foiled in New Orleans: Circle Brotherhood terrorists had been undermining the city via the sewers.
3rd December
The conflict in the South has led to the growth of a pacifist movement in the United States, a movement that has begun to protest the war (though making it clear they don’t tolerate people like the Freedom Party either). In response to this, retired Congresswoman Flora Blackford makes a highly-publicised speech at Harvard, to an audience largely composed of pacifist students.
‘Believe me, I understand you. You might not think it – you definitely don’t think that an old woman like me could understand you – but I do. Before I was a Congresswoman, before I was the First Lady, I was an agitator for the Socialist Party – back in its more radical days, I assure you! I agitated for an end to war and imperalism, I agitated for the solidarity of working people the world over. When the Great War came, I was heartbroken, because I saw narrow nationalism triumph over a common desire for peace. And when President Sinclair was elected, I thought we’d finally have peace. But then, before the Second Great War, I became one of the loudest voices calling for harsh measures against the Confederacy. And during that long war, I was one of those who rejected any idea of peace, who demanded that we fight on to victory. What changed?
I’ll tell you what changed. I realised – painful though it was – that some things need to be fought for. The right of all humans to live free from persecution needs to be fought for. The right of every man, woman and child to be treated equally regardless of race, colour or creed needs to be fought for. Jake Featherston and the Freedom Party stood against those basic tenets, and their successors in the Circle Brotherhood are even more opposed to them than the artillery sergeant from Virginia ever was.
I’m not saying this because I love war. I’m not saying it because I think it benefits our nation to hold onto extra land. I’m saying it because as long as even one man fights on the side of racism, oppression and murder, then it is our collective duty to oppose that man. Oppose him and beat him. So please, oppose war. Oppose any war fought by any nation in the world. But do not oppose this war, because this war needs to be fought and won.’
25th December
‘Black Christmas’. The deadliest attack of the ‘Years of Hate’ occurs, though it is not launched by the Circle Brotherhood – instead, it is the initiative of a number of former Confederate citizens who had been resident in South Africa and Australia.
At 08:00, a Volkstaat-flagged freighter, the MV Single Star, explodes in New York harbour. Though many died in the explosion, the majority of death is caused by fifty grams of radium in the ship’s hold. Over 2000 people die from radiation poisoning, while cancer rates inside New York will quadruple in the years to come. The radium was liberated from a South African atomic research centre by General Piet Vanderpol of the Bureau of State Security, formerly Brigade Leader Andrew Steele of the Freedom Party Guards.
In response, President Wilder authorises the use of incendiary bombs against major cities where the Circle Brotherhood is still holding out. He also – reluctantly – authorises the taking of hostages and the use of reprisal tactics in the South.
1st January, 1963
First reprisal killing takes place: eighty hostages, taken at random from Richmond, are executed. President Wilder promises this will continue unless Circle Brotherhood leaders lay down their arms and surrender.
The Brotherhood’s answer comes in the form of renewed attacks in Houston, Tennessee, Alabama…and for the first time, Sequoyah. An attempted attack on major oil-fields is barely thwarted, while a Brotherhood bomb destroys a Cherokee cultural centre (though the Confederacy worked together with the Native American population of Sequoyah, the Brotherhood wants all non-whites gone from the South).
5th January
Birmingham Alabama is fire-bombed by US strategic bombers.
4th February
Attempted assassination of President Connally in Houston (the city, not the US State). The attempt has the effect of galvanising the Texan population behind the President and the Republic, and severely tarnishes any remaining pro-Confederate voices in the nation.
5th February
Beginning of a two-month off-shoot of the Years of Hate that, though short, is probably one of the nastier parts of it. Circle Brotherhood cells in Virginia begin a series of attacks on West Virginia, with no real aim except causing death and destruction among the civilian population as ‘punishment’ for West Virginia’s treachery during the War of Secession.
In response, West Virginians – largely led by the state’s large population of coal-miners, all of whom are used to violent confrontations (usually against company goons) – begin organising militia forces. These militias not only act to defend West Virginian communities, but also begin a series of reprisal attacks on Virginian towns. Though the federal government officially discourages this, regional US Army commanders look the other way…and tend not to report it when consignments of assault rifles or heavy machine-guns walk with God. In addition, since the radium attack, no-one feels much inclined to be over-concerned about how the rebellion is put down.
14th March
A series of dawn raids are launched in Kentucky, Houston, Alabama, Florida and Tennessee. Multiple Circle Brotherhood safe-houses and weapons caches are seized or destroyed.
Retaliatory attacks follow over the next three days, indicating that the Brotherhood still have plenty of fight left in them.
9th April
The ‘Years of Hate’ widen as multiple other neo-Freedom groups join the rising: such movements as the White Knights of the Confederacy, the Magnolia League and the Bonny Blue begin attacks across the South.
1st May
Nearly a hundred people die, and the town of Belen, New Mexico has to be evacuated after Magnolia League and Circle Brotherhood saboteurs manage to derail a freight train pulling tanks of anhydrous ammonia as it passes through the town.
By this stage, the South is largely re-occupied by US forces, but the decentralised nature of the Circle Brotherhood means that violence can flare up anywhere, at any time.
14th June
More Confederate resistance groups join the rising, this time more traditionalist groups. The federal government is badly worried by this, as hitherto these groups had been bitter enemies of the neo-Freedom factions. Yet now, the Stonewalls, the Iron Brigade and similar organisations are fighting alongside the Circle Brotherhood.
9th July
Iron Brigade mortar attack on Kentucky State Capitol foiled by FPB Special Tactics and Weapons (STAW) teams.
One thing I feel I should point out. The events listed above aren't the only things going down in this conflict. Auto bombings and gun attacks - on both military and civilian targets - are a fairly standard occurrence in this conflict, as are small-scale shoot-outs and counter-offensives by the federal military. What's above are the big, stand-out events - either the major offensives, like the Florida Purging, or the truly nasty bomb attacks. You can assume that the low-level part of the insurgency and the US fightback is constantly ongoing between these events...
1st August 1964
Taking advantage of the chaos inside Louisiana caused by the Biker War, the Circle Brotherhood and the Iron Brigade launch what they call ‘Operation Black Blood’, an attack on oil-production centres inside the state. Though successful in sabotaging facilities near Baton Rouge, the Circle Brotherhood contingents take heavy casualties in this operation, and a number are taken alive. The Army gives them over to the FPB.
September
More raids are launched inside Kentucky and Virginia. It is theorised that the Circle Brotherhood members captured in Louisiana the previous month gave up information, as the raids succeed in ensuring the capture or death of not only Brotherhood members, but also a number of high-ranked leaders of the Bonny Blue and the Magnolia League.
1st October
Andrew Faulconer, for years on the FPB’s most wanted list as the founder and leader of the White Knights of the Confederacy, is killed in a shoot-out with federal forces in Angeliqueville, a tiny settlement on the Texas-Louisiana border. In addition, the town ends up largely depopulated – those of its male population who aren’t killed are arrested, as the town was a bastion of Confederate sentiment.
3rd October
The White Knights of the Confederacy – starting to disintegrate without their leader – attempt a series of auto-bombings inside West Virginia, with the help of the Iron Brigade. However, the FPB manages to gain intelligence about the attack, and only one of the bombs – in downtown Charleston – succeeds in going off.
November, 1964
In one of the most bitterly-contested elections of US history, Andrew Wilder is re-elected as President of the United States. Though many agree with the Democratic plank – namely, that if not for the President’s naïve policies in the South, this uprising never would have had the chance to get off the ground – now that things seem to be looking up for the federal side, voters don’t want to throw anything into confusion.
Patrick ‘Paddy’ Kennedy is elected as Wilder’s new Vice-President.
14th November
US forces in Covington come across a number of men killed execution-style, near a warehouse at the waterfront. An investigation undertaken by the FPB and Military Police reveals that the men were Iron Brigade enforcers, and that the warehouse had contained cocaine – the Iron Brigade having long-ago turned to illegal drug sales as a source for their weapons budget – but was stripped clean after the shooting took place. In addition to the enforcers, another body found at the scene seems to have been a Circle Brotherhood fighter…
Hercules-7 mission launches. Despite the conflict, President Wilder is determined to maintain the US space programme – and is supported by the military, who see the potential value of satellite reconnaissance in keeping better control of the South.
20th November
Lynchburg Massacre – a Circle Brotherhood safehouse in Lynchburg Tennessee, home to a number of the elusive leadership of the organisation, is attacked by Iron Brigade gunmen. The attackers massacre the inhabitants of the house, in a revenge killing for the death of their men in Covington and the loss of their cocaine.
November-December
Beginning of the unravelling of the inter-organisational alliance between the Circle Brotherhood and the more traditionalist Confederate organisations. After the events in Covington, the Iron Brigade and their ideological brethren in the Stonewalls and other such groups find their old rivalry with neo-Freedom Party organisations coming to the fore with a vengeance, while the Circle Brotherhood seeks vengeance for the Lynchburg Massacre. What amounts to an internal Civil War breaks out, as the terrorists begin fighting amongst themselves.
In actuality, this dissolution was the brainchild of Director Luther Bliss. The Federal Police Bureau had been unable to infiltrate the Circle Brotherhood, or indeed many other terrorist organisations…but they had infiltrated the Iron Brigade, as long ago as 1954. It was FPB agents within the Brigade who advocated its joining forces with the Circle Brotherhood, simply as a way to gain intelligence on that organisation, and it was other agents who framed the Covington theft and spearheaded the subsequent Lynchburg Massacre. As the Director once observed to a friend, it was the crowning moment of his career…a shame he could never speak openly about it.
December 1964-February 1965
Historians mark this as the ‘official’ ending of the Years of Hate. Though low-level insurgency continue until 1967 – with an increasing lack of coordination – large-scale attacks come to an end as the terrorist forces became embroiled in internecine conflict. In addition, many theorise that the leaders killed at Lynchburg may have been more important than appeared at first…
23rd February
Sudden death of President Wilder – an autopsy reveals a brain haemorrhage, likely brought on by extreme stress.
Vice-President Kennedy is sworn in. Many political cynics observe that this is likely a good thing for the Socialist Party – Wilder was tainted by the uprising and by his perceived role in causing it thanks to ‘soft’ policies in the South, and was only re-elected because war was ongoing. Kennedy, by contrast, lacks this taint (one of a few Socialists who advocated a more hard-line policy in the South), and as long as his term of office is a good one, blame for the conflict will be left with the late President Wilder and not with the Socialist Party as a whole.
Taking advantage of the chaos inside Louisiana caused by the Biker War, the Circle Brotherhood and the Iron Brigade launch what they call ‘Operation Black Blood’, an attack on oil-production centres inside the state. Though successful in sabotaging facilities near Baton Rouge, the Circle Brotherhood contingents take heavy casualties in this operation, and a number are taken alive. The Army gives them over to the FPB.
September
More raids are launched inside Kentucky and Virginia. It is theorised that the Circle Brotherhood members captured in Louisiana the previous month gave up information, as the raids succeed in ensuring the capture or death of not only Brotherhood members, but also a number of high-ranked leaders of the Bonny Blue and the Magnolia League.
1st October
Andrew Faulconer, for years on the FPB’s most wanted list as the founder and leader of the White Knights of the Confederacy, is killed in a shoot-out with federal forces in Angeliqueville, a tiny settlement on the Texas-Louisiana border. In addition, the town ends up largely depopulated – those of its male population who aren’t killed are arrested, as the town was a bastion of Confederate sentiment.
3rd October
The White Knights of the Confederacy – starting to disintegrate without their leader – attempt a series of auto-bombings inside West Virginia, with the help of the Iron Brigade. However, the FPB manages to gain intelligence about the attack, and only one of the bombs – in downtown Charleston – succeeds in going off.
November, 1964
In one of the most bitterly-contested elections of US history, Andrew Wilder is re-elected as President of the United States. Though many agree with the Democratic plank – namely, that if not for the President’s naïve policies in the South, this uprising never would have had the chance to get off the ground – now that things seem to be looking up for the federal side, voters don’t want to throw anything into confusion.
Patrick ‘Paddy’ Kennedy is elected as Wilder’s new Vice-President.
14th November
US forces in Covington come across a number of men killed execution-style, near a warehouse at the waterfront. An investigation undertaken by the FPB and Military Police reveals that the men were Iron Brigade enforcers, and that the warehouse had contained cocaine – the Iron Brigade having long-ago turned to illegal drug sales as a source for their weapons budget – but was stripped clean after the shooting took place. In addition to the enforcers, another body found at the scene seems to have been a Circle Brotherhood fighter…
Hercules-7 mission launches. Despite the conflict, President Wilder is determined to maintain the US space programme – and is supported by the military, who see the potential value of satellite reconnaissance in keeping better control of the South.
20th November
Lynchburg Massacre – a Circle Brotherhood safehouse in Lynchburg Tennessee, home to a number of the elusive leadership of the organisation, is attacked by Iron Brigade gunmen. The attackers massacre the inhabitants of the house, in a revenge killing for the death of their men in Covington and the loss of their cocaine.
November-December
Beginning of the unravelling of the inter-organisational alliance between the Circle Brotherhood and the more traditionalist Confederate organisations. After the events in Covington, the Iron Brigade and their ideological brethren in the Stonewalls and other such groups find their old rivalry with neo-Freedom Party organisations coming to the fore with a vengeance, while the Circle Brotherhood seeks vengeance for the Lynchburg Massacre. What amounts to an internal Civil War breaks out, as the terrorists begin fighting amongst themselves.
In actuality, this dissolution was the brainchild of Director Luther Bliss. The Federal Police Bureau had been unable to infiltrate the Circle Brotherhood, or indeed many other terrorist organisations…but they had infiltrated the Iron Brigade, as long ago as 1954. It was FPB agents within the Brigade who advocated its joining forces with the Circle Brotherhood, simply as a way to gain intelligence on that organisation, and it was other agents who framed the Covington theft and spearheaded the subsequent Lynchburg Massacre. As the Director once observed to a friend, it was the crowning moment of his career…a shame he could never speak openly about it.
December 1964-February 1965
Historians mark this as the ‘official’ ending of the Years of Hate. Though low-level insurgency continue until 1967 – with an increasing lack of coordination – large-scale attacks come to an end as the terrorist forces became embroiled in internecine conflict. In addition, many theorise that the leaders killed at Lynchburg may have been more important than appeared at first…
23rd February
Sudden death of President Wilder – an autopsy reveals a brain haemorrhage, likely brought on by extreme stress.
Vice-President Kennedy is sworn in. Many political cynics observe that this is likely a good thing for the Socialist Party – Wilder was tainted by the uprising and by his perceived role in causing it thanks to ‘soft’ policies in the South, and was only re-elected because war was ongoing. Kennedy, by contrast, lacks this taint (one of a few Socialists who advocated a more hard-line policy in the South), and as long as his term of office is a good one, blame for the conflict will be left with the late President Wilder and not with the Socialist Party as a whole.
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