If they let them in, the Tunisians know they'll become, defacto allies of the Axis powers.But on which side?
If they let them in, the Tunisians know they'll become, defacto allies of the Axis powers.But on which side?
I imagine that run will cost them a lot of their gear which will probably make the intelligence and tech-development types very happy because they will get to poke a lot more of the Germans toys.Prepping to make a run for the Tunisian border I suspect. If they make it, that could draw the Vichy into the war, unless they insist on internment.
And if they try to defend the border against the DAK then the Germans will probably consider the armistice broken.If they let them in, the Tunisians know they'll become, defacto allies of the Axis powers.
Damn, that is some serious reinforcements. Rabaul and Timor have a damn good chance of holding or at least severely delaying being conquered with veteran, well supplied and led brigade size garrisons instead of fairly green battalions and the Singapore/Malaya garrison is being significantly strengthened with veteran units.14 November 1941. Singapore.
The 16th Brigade had proved itself against the Italians at Tobruk, and the Germans in Greece as part of 6th Australian Division. Now they were part of 8th Division, bringing that Division up to full strength. 6th Division’s other two Brigades (17th and 18th) were being joined by 23rd Brigade (formerly of 8th Division) and each Brigade would act independently in Rabaul (17th), Timor (18th) and Ambon (23rd).
With the imminent arrival of 9th Australian Division and 1st Australian Armoured Division in Malaya, this would allow Mackay to become Corps Commander in due course. The men of the 16th Brigade were relieved that their ‘Mr Chips’ would continue to lead them. They were also happy to see that along with their Brigade, the 6th Calvary Regiment had been renamed as the 8th Division Cavalry Regiment. These had left behind their old Italian tanks and now boasted two squadrons of the new American M3 Light Tanks, as well as another of Humber Armoured Cars. The 2/1st Machine Gun Battalion had also been attached to 8th Division, something that Mackay had insisted on, along with 2/1st Field Regiment Royal Artillery.
I also suspect HMS Formidable didn't buy a bomb on 26 May this time around, which means that's likely still in active service.Nov 14 Ark Royal not sunk
At least one I would have thought.In OTL force Z headed off on the 25th October so they are already on their way - how many carriers can they spare - any extra battleships?
Less than a month before Pearl, hope they acclimatize and learn quickly. Maybe get the forces doing battalion exercises?14 November 1941. Singapore.
they would undergo a series of exercises designed by Mackay and his staff to take on board the lessons learned in North Africa and Greece, as well as learning how to fight in the new country they had been sent to defend.
With 11th Batallion RTR (w/ 58 Maltida IIs) in place, and a good number of M3 Light tanks flowing in, along with some Tomahawk IIbs, I suspect they'll get the time to acclimatise properly.Less than a month before Pearl, hope they acclimatize and learn quickly. Maybe get the forces doing battalion exercises?
That's De Lattre we are talking about with Juin in overall command in Algiers. Colour me unconvinced they'll side with the Germans or let them occupy Tunisia without a shot...And if they try to defend the border against the DAK then the Germans will probably consider the armistice broken.
Unfortunately we won't see:
Herr Flick of the Gestapo "Tell me minister why did the Gendarmes need B1-ter?"
Mister Renault "I am shocked to discover this, I was assured that this was merely heavy riot equipment in case of anti-German demonstrations"
Have a much better chance they did OTL, and with NA nearly effectively over, for the time being, pressure will come off on that front.But yeah, if the British can retain hold of Malaya/Singapore, that will leave the Japanese in a very bad way.
The Imperial Japanese spies in Singapore will be reporting arrivals/troop movements.Damn, that is some serious reinforcements. Rabaul and Timor have a damn good chance of holding or at least severely delaying being conquered with veteran, well supplied and led brigade size garrisons instead of fairly green battalions and the Singapore/Malaya garrison is being significantly strengthened with veteran units.
And how likely is do you think that they'll go for that?The Imperial Japanese spies in Singapore will be reporting arrivals/troop movements.
And at this point, the Imperial Japanese administration (edit: still just about- less than a month to go now) has the option for some kind of face-saving backdown in French Indochina, such as 'we were just liberating it from the evil French colonisers', before turning it over to a friendly local regime and demanding the Americans now remove their embargos (unless, of course, the Americans support evil French colonialism...)
I'm not sure if they can the Imperial Japanese Military ran roughshod over what passes for the government in Japan, and cabals of officers effectively assassinated anyone who they had major issues with heck at some points it was government by assassination. That is also not to say as well that groups of officers effectively went rouge and started various wars as well.The Imperial Japanese spies in Singapore will be reporting arrivals/troop movements.
And at this point, the Imperial Japanese administration (edit: still just about- less than a month to go now) has the option for some kind of face-saving backdown in French Indochina, such as 'we were just liberating it from the evil French colonisers', before turning it over to a friendly local regime and demanding the Americans now remove their embargos (unless, of course, the Americans support evil French colonialism...)
Well with the British reinforcing now of all the times, there may not be enough time to find extra troops for Malaya/Singapore with less than a month to go to the original deadline, so either some sort of delay or climbdown is required.And how likely is do you think that they'll go for
that?
As @kelgar04 has pointed out, the Japanese military culture wouldn't allow pull-back, so it would have to be a delay. Of course, that serves the British better than it does the Japanese, since it allows them more time to acclimatise and dig in. Also, Japan has a limited sealift capability, so they're only going to be able to get more troops for Malaya by pulling them from elsewhere.Well with the British reinforcing now of all the times, there may not be enough time to find extra troops for Malaya/Singapore with less than a month to go to the original deadline, so either some sort of delay or climbdown is required.
If climbdown is impossible, delay it has to be.
I don't think the IJN carrier strike force will have set out for Pearl Harbour yet, so putting everything back a week or two should still be possible.