The Ceylon Planters Rifles - The Personal Diary of Hengist Camberley

[boynamedsue]

The Ceylon Planters Rifles – The Personal Diary of Hengist Camberley

Mrs MacAlasdair’s Guest House, Colombo, Ceylon

Monday 28th April 1913.


What a day!

The London papers have been full of the Serbian crisis for weeks, but yesterday evening’s Colombo Mercury reported that units of the German army had crossed into Belgium in what they called a “security exercise”. Reading the papers over breakfast, the other boarders were fairly sure that Mr Chamberlain would have to intervene…. even the Empire Party is bound to honour our obligations to the Belgians, whether they like it or not. The general consensus was that the Kaiser was sabre-rattling, and the Royal Navy steaming up to Hamburg and firing a few salvos would have them scuttling out of Belgium sharpish. In all honesty, I found this easy resolution unlikely, but as the youngest man there, I held my peace.

The rickshaw-wallah was late again, so I had no time for coffee at the moor’s before starting work. Again there was little to do… the Sinhalese clerks are dashed efficient, and it is mostly a question of rubber stamping their work before it goes to Mr Cooper, but I suppose that, with that quantity of goods, a European’s signature is necessary. How the hours drag!

I was expecting another long boring day, until Davy Falsworth, who clerks at Government House, came to the office in a state of great excitement. He told me there was an official address about the European Situation to be read by the Governor in Victoria Square: “We should stroll down there Hen, it might be war!” When I knocked on Mr Cooper’s door, he had just finished on the phone to Captain Bain-Handsworth at the garrison and he told us that all Imperial Europeans in Colombo were required to attend the speech, as it was a matter of Imperial Importance.

We went down to the square, and found already half full, with more people arriving every minute; White, Burgher, Parsee and even curious natives. By the time the Sir Owen stepped out on to the balcony of Government House, wearing his ceremonial whites, the crowd had filled the square. There was an expectant silence, as the crowd strained to hear. We were advised that the Governor was reading a speech written by the Prime Minister, that was to be read out in all the cities and boroughs of the Empire. When I heard that, I was sure that we were at war with Germany, and that it would not be a matter of sending a few gunboats. However, nobody there was prepared for the news we were to receive.

Yesterday, on Sunday the 27th of April 1913, a day, as Mr Chamberlain said, that will live forever in infamy, the governments of Germany and the United States of America, acting in malicious coordination, attacked the sovereign states of Belgium and The Confederate States of America. The United States also attacked, without any provocation or justification, the Dominion of Canada and so the great family of nations that is The British Empire. We were enraged. Cries of God save the King! and God save Canada! gave way to shouts of Death to America! and Burn Washington! –Later on that night The New England Tea Importation Company’s offices and warehouse were burnt down, and the two Yanks working there were roughed up. Regrettable perhaps, but understandable.

Of course it is war, and enlistment for a Ceylonese Division will begin tomorrow. I met up with the other chaps from the cricket team in the evening and we drank a fair few bottles of Lion Porter between us, it was more or less taken for granted that we’d all be joining up, even Burgher Jack was very clear on this.

It is my duty as an Englishman to volunteer, but the rage I feel against the beastly aggressors would allow me no other course of action.

God bless you Canada, and know that defiled and outraged as you are, you are not alone. I, and millions like me, across the Empire, will never rest until your prairies and mountains are washed clean of the invaders’ bootprints with torrents of Yankee blood.

[Chris]

Cool! Set in HT's universe?

Chris

[boynamedsue]

Cool! Set in HT's universe?

Chris

Very perceptive of you.

It's set in what I call "Realistic HT universe", there was a thread on here about it a bit back. My premise is that everything is HT up to the end of How Few Remain, then we have HT's borders to make a realistic version of WWI, that takes into account the real balance of power in HT's world.

[Chris]

Very perceptive of you.

It's set in what I call "Realistic HT universe", there was a thread on here about it a bit back. My premise is that everything is HT up to the end of How Few Remain, then we have HT's borders to make a realistic version of WWI, that takes into account the real balance of power in HT's world.

Elementary, my dear BNS.:chuckle:

I look forward to reading more.

Chris

[Straha]

Oh lord, the CSA is screwed even worse than in TL-191.

[boynamedsue]

Oh lord, the CSA is screwed even worse than in TL-191.

How do you make that out?

[boynamedsue]

Mrs MacAlasdair’s Guest House, Colombo, Ceylon

Tuesday 29th April 1913.


I am now Private Hengist Camberley, of The Ceylonese Division of His Majesty’s Army. What a difference a day makes!

The recruitment station wasn’t due to open until 10, but by 8.30 when we arrived there was already a queue down to the Wolvendaal church. When the place opened there was a bit of pushing and shoving and the officers in charge had to ask the Tamils, Malays, non professional Sinhalese and Kaffirs to wait at the back to allow the rest to sign up first.

All the cricket boys had come along together, though Heavenfield was late with a bad head because of all the stout he’d knocked back the night before, and we were in quite high spirits. We had it from a contact in the garrison that any European who admitted to being able to ride would be considered for an officer’s job in the native regiments, so, at Magger’s suggestion, we agreed to deny any capabilities in that regard in order to serve together in the white infantry battalion (in my case, not much mendacity was required, and a few of the other chaps who clerk here looked a little relieved too).

All went according to plan with the recruitment sergeants, as we were all given papers marked European Infantry / Kandy / 01.05.13, until Burgher Jack’s turn came, and a Captain who’d been hovering in the background stepped up to the desk. “Mr Rodrigues, is it?” Said the Captain, and asked him if he could speak Portughee and Sinhalese. He answered yes, and the Captain said he was afraid he couldn’t join the white infantry. Now we were up in arms about this, as although Jack is a little chinky round the eyes, he’s basically a white chap. The captain said it was nothing like that, but that the native regiments would need coves who spoke Portughee and Sinhala to officer them, and that the King needed Jack in that job. A damn shame but we all serve how we can. The thought of Jack charging at the Yanks, leading a pack of screaming Tamils and Kaffirs, with same look as when he charges in to bowl his left arm quick terrifies me, and I’m on his side!

I went home to get my things in order for Thursday, where Mrs MacAlasdair was quite inconsolable about my leaving. She made some very pointed comments to the other boarders about how, if a “child” of 21 years was the only one in the Khaki, others were clearly not doing their duty. Dashed embarrassing, but she gave me a double helping of pudding, which is unheard of.

Fighting in Belgium on the wires, the plucky sods are holding their own, and the Frenchies are rushing to reinforce. Nothing concrete from Canada yet, looks like the big show’s in Alberta and Manitoba at the minute.

[Straha]

How do you make that out?

Without dixie votes to hold it back, the north would be far more industrial than OTL.

[boynamedsue]

Without dixie votes to hold it back, the north would be far more industrial than OTL.

What specific differences in laws do you see allowing this? I'm not saying you're wrong, cause it's an aspect I've not thought through fully.

However, my instinct says that US industry will be slightly weaker as it is starved of markets and raw materials by Confederate, French and British Empite domination of Central and South America. Not to mention the south itself which will surely look to Britain and France for its trading partnerships.

[Nikephoros]

However, my instinct says that US industry will be slightly weaker as it is starved of markets and raw materials by Confederate, French and British Empite domination of Central and South America.

I don't see the French, Confederaties, and British closing the markets. Besides, the USA will end up being the CSA's greatest trade partner.

Granted, that could still lead to a less industrialized North. However, the USA's primary market for a long time was the American consumer. There are ways to get the British to be opposed to the US in an alt-Great War. It will just have to be a cost-benefit analysis.

[boynamedsue]

I don't see the French, Confederaties, and British closing the markets. Besides, the USA will end up being the CSA's greatest trade partner.

Granted, that could still lead to a less industrialized North. However, the USA's primary market for a long time was the American consumer. There are ways to get the British to be opposed to the US in an alt-Great War. It will just have to be a cost-benefit analysis.

Well this is TL 191.2, so were taking the Canada + CSA/USA opposition as read. But as you say, the American consumer was the USA's primary market, in this TL there are, What? 30 million less American consumers, and the US is much weaker and less able to impose itself on Latin America.

[Straha]

What specific differences in laws do you see allowing this? I'm not saying you're wrong, cause it's an aspect I've not thought through fully.

However, my instinct says that US industry will be slightly weaker as it is starved of markets and raw materials by Confederate, French and British Empite domination of Central and South America. Not to mention the south itself which will surely look to Britain and France for its trading partnerships.

Well, the iron block of dixie/the midwest which kept politics rural dominated until the period of 1910-30 would be broken in half. We'd see American politics shifting more to reflect urbanization and industrializaiton.

More protectionism, more backing for industry, etc.

[boynamedsue]

Kandy Garrison, Ceylon
Monday 9th of June, 1913

Training goes on, mostly drilling and yomping for us Infantry, but the Mounted Rifles seem to spend half their time charging about on horseback and acting the goat. There's quite a bit of resentment about that, especially towards the Burgher, Eurasian and Parsee batallion (The Beppies Horse as we call them).

At least it's cooler here in Kandy, I wouldn't fancy drilling like this in Colombo... but up here in tea-country it's like a pleasant August back in Cheltenham. Perhaps, in terms of all the drilling and marches, it's a blessing that we haven't received most of our kit yet. The Ceylon Defence Force boys are the only ones wearing regulation Khaki, though a job lot of trousers seems to have arrived from Colombo, it has yet to be distributed. Word is that we have guns for 1/3 of us, but we only ever see them at the firing range - we drill with bamboo spears, which we also use for bayonet practice. Bloody nasty things to be on the wrong end of.

The news from Europe seems good at last, the Germans are falling back from the Oise, the BEF and the French held them thank God. Much is being made of the heroism of "The Luxembourg Platoon", it's a good story but one wonders how vital the contribution of a single platoon could be in this war of millions. Still, I hope their tiny homeland is soon free, and very much respect their bravery. I pray that I will show the same mettle when the time comes.

The Greeks and the Bulgarians seem close to joining on our side, but the Rumanians have allowed free passage to the Austrians into Russia, and look likely to join the Agressors' Block (they are after Odessa, by all accounts).

There's good news for us colonials too, the Australians Pacific Expeditionary Force has taken Herbertshohe in German New Guinea, and the South Africans are putting on a show in Southwest Africa.

[archangel]

Subscribed, boynamedsue!:)

[boynamedsue]

Kandy Garrison, Ceylon
Thursday 19th of June, 1913

A black, black, day.

Today news came of a terrible masacre by the damn Yanks. Captain Richard MacKenzie and 23 other soldiers of the Royal Canadian North West Mounted Rangers were executed by the United States Army, after being captured while defending their homeland near Medicine Hat, Alberta.

The Yankee barbarians' justification (if one can call it that), was that the Canadian Martyrs were francs tireurs. They base this slander on the fact that the men were wearing the uniform (or in the case of the recent recruits, the insignia patches) of the Royal Canadian North West Mounted Police.

The savages argue this even though the RCNWP are now integrated into Canada's armed forces as Rangers and possess government authority to enlist civilians in the area between Winnipeg and the Vancouver forts. They may be able to justify this crime according to the rules of war, but they can never justify to their maker that a prisoner should be murdered for the lack of the penstroke that converts the letter "P" of police into the "R" of ranger.


I don't know why the execution of these 23 brave soldiers brings me more sorrow than the deaths of the many Canadian men who perish every day on the York peninsula (may God protect the men of the "London line"), at the Calgary front, or in poor besieged Winnipeg. Perhaps it is the gross injustice of the aggressor, who takes a man's land then executes him as an "illegal combatant" for defending it.

Captured Yanks must now expect no mercy when they fall into the hands of the "mounties".

[boynamedsue]

Well, the iron block of dixie/the midwest which kept politics rural dominated until the period of 1910-30 would be broken in half. We'd see American politics shifting more to reflect urbanization and industrializaiton.

More protectionism, more backing for industry, etc.

There was a hell of a lot of protectionism OTL, but I agree largely. Just that the South would be more industrial than OTL (as Turledove said), and the USA would be over all weaker despite the more favourable policies, due to smaller markets.

[Straha]

Why? Dixie would be even more rural dominated than OTL's south.

What we'd see would be a largely non-industrialized nation that relies on buying cheap, low-tariff goods from Britain/the US.

[boynamedsue]

Why? Dixie would be even more rural dominated than OTL's south.

What we'd see would be a largely non-industrialized nation that relies on buying cheap, low-tariff goods from Britain/the US.

I agree that's a possibillity, but I think we would see "national security industrialisation". You would probably have an armaments industry, shipbuilders and stuff related to railroads and Oil. The rebs would be idiots not to encourage their citizens in such endeavours when they had recently fought two wars against their more industrial neighbour. Anyway, TTL they will have or it would be a pushover as you said.

[Straha]

I think you're being overly optimistic when assuming dixie will industrialize beyond anything but a brazilian level.

[boynamedsue]

I think you're being overly optimistic when assuming dixie will industrialize beyond anything but a brazilian level.

Oil, there would definitely be. There were textiles industries all over the south in 1860, and coal mining and other industry in Virginia, Kentucky and Tennesee, small industry in Montgomery and New Orleans and other cities. The base was higher than Brazil in 1900, never mind 1860.

And the main US navy shipyards were in the South, so shipbuilding and, given the ammount of coal there was in Tennesee and Virginia, steelworks we defintely would find.

[Nikephoros]

Oil, there would definitely be. There were textiles industries all over the south in 1860, and coal mining and other industry in Virginia, Kentucky and Tennesee, small industry in Montgomery and New Orleans and other cities. The base was higher than Brazil in 1900, never mind 1860.

And the main US navy shipyards were in the South, so shipbuilding and, given the ammount of coal there was in Tennesee and Virginia, steelworks we defintely would find.
I'm not a member of AH.com anymore obviously, and apparently you aren't either.

However, Jaded_Railman posted a pretty good argument as to why there will be some industry in the South (Even if they still keep slaves).

Another poster posted another big post supporting that view.

I'll have to take the middle ground between you and Straha, because I don't know too much about industrial development in the 1900s.

[boynamedsue]

I'm not a member of AH.com anymore obviously, and apparently you aren't either.

However, Jaded_Railman posted a pretty good argument as to why there will be some industry in the South (Even if they still keep slaves).

Another poster posted another big post supporting that view.

I'll have to take the middle ground between you and Straha, because I don't know too much about industrial development in the 1900s.

Oh, Straha's right, there's no way CSA would be an industrial powerhouse. But the plantocracy would clearly expect to have to defend itself, and assuming the state was not run by incompetents (not actually that small an assumption if we look at certain other oligarchic states), there will be both essential industry and lots of importation from Britain, France, Germany and the USA (if they alllow it).

[The Last Marylander]

Oil, there would definitely be. There were textiles industries all over the south in 1860, and coal mining and other industry in Virginia, Kentucky and Tennesee, small industry in Montgomery and New Orleans and other cities. The base was higher than Brazil in 1900, never mind 1860.

And the main US navy shipyards were in the South, so shipbuilding and, given the ammount of coal there was in Tennesee and Virginia, steelworks we defintely would find.


What type of textile industry are you referring to? Because I recently finished a very good book about the civil war and it mentions that the south had very very little textile industrial capability. At least in a way that could produce finished cloth. They produced a shit ton of cotton but they couldnt process the stuff into a form that could be turned into uniforms and tents.

I guess the state of the South's industrialization really depends on when exactly the war ended. If its in the beginning of the war say pre 1863 I doubt much of any real industry would form. If its later then that I could see some forming. Though it would be going against a shit ton of factors that the US does not have.

The US did after the civil war build most of its ships in the south but at the time of the Civil War the South only had one major naval shipyard. Which was in a border region and lightly damaged by American forces before it was abandoned. The South built others during the war but nowhere near as much as the Union.

Overall I would say the confederates probably have some industry but nowhere near the level of the US who are at this point probably nearly surpassing britain.

Why exactly would the South build up industry in the first place? Wouldnt it seem more in character to export its resources abroad and buy its industrial goods from France and Britain? I doubt any protectionist measures would be put in place as they would directly stand in contrast to the Planter class who pretty much controlled the confederacy. Without protectionist measures the hope of the south developing much industry is unlikely at best.

[Ghost88]

What type of textile industry are you referring to? Because I recently finished a very good book about the civil war and it mentions that the south had very very little textile industrial capability. At least in a way that could produce finished cloth. They produced a shit ton of cotton but they couldnt process the stuff into a form that could be turned into uniforms and tents.

I guess the state of the South's industrialization really depends on when exactly the war ended. If its in the beginning of the war say pre 1863 I doubt much of any real industry would form. If its later then that I could see some forming. Though it would be going against a shit ton of factors that the US does not have.

The US did after the civil war build most of its ships in the south but at the time of the Civil War the South only had one major naval shipyard. Which was in a border region and lightly damaged by American forces before it was abandoned. The South built others during the war but nowhere near as much as the Union.

Overall I would say the confederates probably have some industry but nowhere near the level of the US who are at this point probably nearly surpassing britain.

Why exactly would the South build up industry in the first place? Wouldnt it seem more in character to export its resources abroad and buy its industrial goods from France and Britain? I doubt any protectionist measures would be put in place as they would directly stand in contrast to the Planter class who pretty much controlled the confederacy. Without protectionist measures the hope of the south developing much industry is unlikely at best.

LM, Norfolk Navy Yard wasn't exactly in a border area.

[boynamedsue]

LM, there was finished cloth production in the south, probably enough to clothe an army in a state whose railway system hadn't collapsed and wasn't reduced to a near barter economy.

I appreciate the arguments against industry, and agree they are possible; but some industry is also possible, and it's this option I've chosen for the TL.

[The Last Marylander]

LM, there was finished cloth production in the south, probably enough to clothe an army in a state whose railway system hadn't collapsed and wasn't reduced to a near barter economy.

I appreciate the arguments against industry, and agree they are possible; but some industry is also possible, and it's this option I've chosen for the TL.

Not saying that some industry will not be possible but no where near the extent of Americas economy.

[boynamedsue]

Wednesday 25th of June, 1913
Kandy Garrison


Grim at the rifle range today. A bolt blew on one of the sheffields, and nearly took McGuigan’s eye with it. His face is a damn mess, but Doctor Wickramasinghe says he should still be able to see when the swelling’s gone. Dash lot of blood. The sheffields are knocked up in Madras, and haven’t half the reliability of the enfield-gladstone, but at least we're up to a gun a man now (excluding the Tamil pioneers).

Took the edge off the good news from the wires. There have been rumours of a big naval scrap in the pacific for a while now, but the full story was in the Mercury yesterday. Apparently the Japs and the Pacific fleet of the RN gave the US Navy a bad bloody nose off the Sandwich Islands; their dreadnought “The Liberty Bell” was disabled and then sunk, and a few others joined it on the bottom for the loss of only one Australian destroyer. The CSA and the CRN were warned of the Yanks retreat by telegraph, and their nautiluses and Pacific Squadrons were lying in wait on the chicken-run back to San Diego. The CSA dreadnought “Johnny Reb” sank the cruisers “Ohio” and “Boone” and another two destroyers, and is the toast of the alliance. Seems unlikely the Yanks will have ought but nautiluses sailing in the Pacific after that rout.

The papers are very quiet about Winnipeg at the minute, and reading between the lines of what they do say, I shouldn’t be surprised if it falls soon (if it hasn’t already). Amazing how quick your mind gets used to the wartime press, though I suppose some censorship can’t be helped.

Still stalemate on the eastern front in America (both CSA and Canada), the Yanks are having no luck against our boys’ Big Works. The “bushwhacking war” in the west continues, and seems to be real penny-dreadful business, with horses, bandits, Indians and the lot. The monitors and forts mean it’s the devil to cross the Mississippi and Ohio with a proper army. In France it’s all stop at the Somme, the Channel ports are still safe. Apart from the “Buckaroos” in the wilderness, it seems that modern warfare is a case of digging in and waiting, no what me and the cricket chaps signed on for at all.

[Some Bloke]

Since these diearies were written in 1913 is it safe to assume that these are based on the discussions we had on A Realistic Neo Turtledove War in 1913?

[boynamedsue]

Since these diearies were written in 1913 is it safe to assume that these are based on the discussions we had on A Realistic Neo Turtledove War in 1913?

They are indeed mate, though unfortunately they went up in smoke in the board crash.

[boynamedsue]

December 18th, 1913

Reading back through my diary, I notice with dismay that it is three months to the day since the Yanks took Winnipeg. Three months during which I have drilled and smoked and fired my rifle three times a week; and prayed to go swiftly to the front and face down... who exactly? That is the question we all ask ourselves.

What will all this drilling do for us on the battlefield, I wonder. I have seen the mitrailleuse companies training, and the accuracy with which even we novices fire our "dirty sheffs", so I doubt very much that we will be marching into battle in anything resembling the order of the parade-ground.

Had another talk with Heavenfield and Briggs about what show we were likely to end up in. They are both convinced we'll be up against the Turks, either in the Levant or in Thrace. Briggs says that the weather in any of the other shows would be too cold for our natives, and Heavenfield reckons that they wouldn't send a division that was 3/4 wogs to fight whites. I think they may be right, if only because the distance involved in shifting us would be so bloody great. On top of that, the Orthodox allies need all the help they can get after that so-called "March on Constantinople", what a bloody fiasco.

But I want Canada. I long to face down the aggressors from the forts the gallant Royal Marines captured at the mouth of Juan de Fuca sound (from their land, now occupied by the Empire) and scream my defiance. They must not be allowed to take whatsoever they choose by dint of their strength and will, to enslave whole nations with impunity. If they are allowed to triumph, then the future of humanity shall be the simple history of a pack of wild beasts, struggling brutishly for the mastery of one over the others.

p.s.

Burgher Jack (Captain Rodrigues (!!)) came by to give me some news after dinner, on the QT...We go to Columbo in two days, then we sail... East! He's heard it's Singapore. That means Canada, surely. Elated.

[archangel]

I hope Hengist get his chance to land in Washington State mainland.

[boynamedsue]

I hope Hengist get his chance to land in Washington State mainland.

Well, twists are good, but I don't think the Bismarck archipelago would be as much fun as the Oregon campaign...

[boynamedsue]

2nd January 1914
MS Titanic, Andaman Sea

Finally on board! Yesterday was a fantastic day… a great parade of the whole division through Colombo, past General Meol-Chett and the memsahibs. The Ceylon Planters Rifles Battalion (as me and the chaps shall now be known) went first of course, and really looked the part, but I have to say the Mounted European Rifles scrubbed up even better. Big crowds to send us off, and an old friend was a big hit. Jack’s company were chosen to provide the colour party for the Native Mixed Cavalry Batalion, and he had some kind of tourney to select the platoon to carry the colours. Well low and behold, if the Kaffir Platoon didn’t win hands down! Kaffirs are the black chaps brought from Zanzibar by the Portuguese and Dutch, and are very much at the bottom of the social standings here. The kaffirs in the crowd went wild when they saw their brethren marching at the head of a column of Sinhalese, Burgers, Tamils and Indians, proud as punch. There were all kinds of “Vivas”, and I don’t doubt half the Portughee Kaffirs in Ceylon will be in the colours in a month thanks to Jack.

The other showstopper was the Tamil Pioneer Brigade. The pioneers were not provided with Sheffields, as rifles are in short supply, so Brig. MacElivver (a highlander) had them march to bagpipes, while carrying bamboo spears! With those and their long panga jungle knives, they looked a tougher proposition than we did with our Sheffs.

The news from Canada is good. The cold has stalled the Yanks in the East, and we are solid round the lakes: the “Fall Back Line” in lower Ontario is holding, and the factories of Toronto are still churning out material. The Yanks have had to pull back from Calgary due to the cold and the actions of the Canadians behind their lines, and for now there is direct rail contact from the coast again. But I fear the Yanks will be back again at the thaw, and no town of any size between Winnipeg and Calgary is in imperial hands. The CSA has been split off from its Pacific ports too, by the action of Custer’s South-Western Army. The Mexicans are trying to take it back, but the Confederates are stretched after the capture of Washington DC. So much blood for what is merely a symbol. But what a symbol.

The Yanks are campaigning hard in Sequoyah, but their drive to the sea has clearly failed, in the frozen mud of Virginia. Both sides have bushwacking “buckaroo” cavalry on the other’s territory, but the CSA’s river borders have not been breached sufficiently by the agressors for them to hold territory.

Mr Gillespie of the T.U.C has declared that strikes are off until “the aggression has been repulsed” and that “while class solidarity is the first duty of all workers, to protect the defenceless is the first duty of all men.” Seems to have quieted the shipyards down a bit. Good news for old Austen Chamberlain.

Flying fish by the boat, God speed us to the war.

[archangel]

Keep it up, boynamedsue!:)

[boynamedsue]

Penang, Malaya, 19th Jan 1914.

Exhausted from forced march round the island, in the damned heat. Our winter kit is coming piece by piece, thank God they didn’t make us wear it.
The Division has been reorganised by unit type, so the European battalions are no longer separate from the natives. Our new order of battle is the following:


1. 1st Ceylonese Infantry Brigade. (Brig. John MacElivver, an old hand from the Ceylon Defence Force, up from Colonel)

a) Ceylon Planters Rifles Battalion. (Lt. Col. Huyton Barnes, ex Army of India. Has a substantial plantation at Kegalle.)

b) 1st Native Infantry Battalion (Ceylon). (Lt Col. Gillespie Mackie, an old CDF Major. His battalion is largely Parsi, Dutch and Portuguese Burgher, but with a few Jews, Irish and resident French thrown in.)

c) 2nd Native Infantry Battalion (Ceylon). (Lt. Col. Aethelbald Asquith. Ex army of India, served in Afghanstan. Big man in the Liberal Association; related to Sir Herbert Asquith, but didn’t go over to the Empire Party during the Transvaal War. The Battalion is mostly Sinhalese.

d) 3rd Native Infantry Battalion (Ceylon). (Lt. Col. Cynric Timperley. Battalion made up of the lower sort of Sinhalese with some Indians and Malays. Timperley is Empire Party, but is very anti-native. Was involved in the Columbo Representative Committee, argued strongly against native Barristers and any franchise extension for non-whites. Has only white officers in his Battalion).



2. 2nd Ceylonese Infantry Brigade. (Brig. D’Israeli Sassoon. “Brigadeer Dizzy” served as a Major in the CDF in the Transvaal, and remained in service through the peace. Links to the rump of the Conservative Party. Jewish, not liked by Timperley.)

a) 1st Ceylon Infantry Battalion. (Lt. Col. Morgan Williams. Professionals from the pre-war CDF, mostly white, a lot of the old crew have been moved on as Non-Com’s in other battalions.)

b) 2nd Ceylon Infantry Battalion. (Lt. Col. Allan Baxingdale. The non-white infantry battalion of the CDF.)

c) 4th Native Infantry Battalion. (Ceylon) (Lt. Col. James Murphy. Murphy is an Australian who was a Captain in the Transvaal, fighting for the Queenslanders, has run a merchant house in Columbo for 10 years. Victoria Cross for gallantry. Commands Sinhalese and Tamils.

d) 5th Native Infantry Battalion (Ceylon). (Lt. Col. Fitzhugh Campbell. Anglo-Irish boor, Ex-Army of India. Tamils, Indians, Malays and Moors.)



3. Ceylonese Mounted Brigade. (Brig. Byrtnoth Wealdstone. Army man, CDF Lt. Col.)

a) European Mounted Rifle Battalion (Lt. Col. Gospatrick Jones. Expanded frm the old CDF mounted corps.)

b) Native Mounted Rifle Battalion (Ceylon) (Lt. Col. Terrence Walton. Expanded from old CDF unit, very mixed, older soldiers lower class Sinhalese, newer mostly higher class natives.)

c) Native Cavalry Battalion (Ceylon) (Lt. Col. Randolph Evans. Armed with carbines, pistols and sabres. Randy is an interesting character. Won the V.C in Transvaal, serving with the Cape Colony Cavalry Regiment, then came up to Ceylon and practiced law in Kandy and Columbo. On the “Free Dominions” wing of the Empire Party, and red hot for native rights. Made a nuisance of himself defending the Ceylon Railwaymen’s Union a few years back. Has often crossed swords with Timperley.)



4. Other.

a) HQ company. (Col. Aelfred Wain)
b) 1st and 2nd Ceylon Pioneers Battalions. (Col. Wallace Wetherall)
c) Mitrailleuse Company. (Maj. Colin Statham. Mechanical Gun support for our infantry platoons.)
d) Ceylon Volunteer Artillery. (Lt. Col. Penda Deveaux, the old CDF Artillery)
e) Ceylon Engineers Battalion. (Lt. Col. Ewan McLeod. Expanded from the old CDF engineers, includes a section commanded by the Sinhalese Maj. Da Silva, formerly of the Ceylon Railway Company, composed of railway and factory mechanicals.)
f) Ceylon field ambulance, (Maj. Wickramasinghe, "the Sinhalese Doctor")

Current bets are that we will be arriving in Canada at the beginning of March, when the freeze is over and the summer’s fighting is to begin.

[Some Bloke]

One minor quibble, Britain didn't abolish the rank of Brigadier-General
(Brig. Gen.) until around 1920, but other than that. great.

[boynamedsue]

One minor quibble, Britain didn't abolish the rank of Brigadier-General
(Brig. Gen.) until around 1920, but other than that. great.

Thanks Bloke. I could try and use butterflies to explain the Brigadier-General thing, but the truth is hadn't thought of it...:selfconscious:

Well, I guess TTL they changed it in 1903, for some reason.... (Transavaal war?)

[Das Legio]

The South does have a good chance to industrialize once it becomes clear they can't export enough to pay for the imports. Sure, it won't have parity with the Union unless it expands a good bit and a great deal of Mexico and former Mexican Territories. The wealth is also likely still there. Now, here you would have the likely reason for the end of slavery, poor whites wanting the industrial jobs. Another reason for the South to industrialize is the greed of the plantation owners. Oh and peanuts were already known for there ability to heal the land, not to mention the fact that the Cotton Economy will implode very soon and shrink quite a bit. So the immediate aftermath will be harsh but the South can and likely will industrialize along with getting rid of slavery and the surviving plantation owners having industries built to keep money in there hands. Former slaves will in all likely hood be forced into 2nd class citizenship if any kind of citizenship but the immediate backlash against reconstruction and blacks is avoided. The KKK will never get to the same strength it had in OTL.

It might never be as economically powerful as the Union pre-1900 or even post, but the CSA still will likely be among the Top 10, maybe even Top 5.

The CSA will definitely have a first rate military 1900 and beyond.


A better question we should ask ourselves is will the USA and CSA be allies, friends or bitter enemies?

It is really up to whoever writes as arguments can be made for both.

[Some Bloke]

The given reason for abolishing the rank of Brigadier General was that, given the nature of trench warfare, Brigades were unlikely to be autonomous formations anymore. I kind see that kind of change occuring in Transvaal.

I suppose we could chalk it up to Camberly's relative inexperience (that and Brigadier Generals were often nicknames "Brigs").

In any case, I think the war in Canada will be much more less static given the geography, so I can't really see the Empire abolosing the rank of
Brigadier General. Besides it sounds cooler.

P.S I think you forgot to name the Divisional Commander.

[boynamedsue]

The given reason for abolishing the rank of Brigadier General was that, given the nature of trench warfare, Brigades were unliekly to be autonomous formations anymore. I kind see that kind of change occuring in Transvaal.

I suppose we could chalk it up to Camberly's relative inexperience (that and Brigadier Generals were often nicknames "Brigs").

In any case, I think the war in Canada will be much more less static given the geography, so I can't really see the Empire abolosing the rank of
Brigadier General. Besides it sounds cooler.

P.S I think you forgot to name the Divisional Commander.

You're right about the coolness of Brig Gen over Brig... I'll use your suggestion and plead inexperience on the part of Camberley..:)

Divisional Commander was named in a previous post, Gen. Cadmon Meol-Chett.

[Some Bloke]

Just curious, what made you choose a unit from Ceylon?
Cool ideas, lots of ethnic and political detail though keep it up.
I look forward to hearing more from Rifleman Camberley soon
(Ceylon Planters Rifles after all, no Privates here :-) )

[boynamedsue]

Just curious, what made you choose a unit from Ceylon?
Cool ideas, lots of ethnic and political detail though keep it up.
I look forward to hearing more from Rifleman Camberley soon
(Ceylon Planters Rifles after all, no Privates here :-) )

The Ceylon Planters Rifles is based on a real unit from the Boer War and WWI, with the same name. I found it very imperial, and very apropriate given one of the sub-themes of this TL is the development of an Empire Nationalism under Joe and Austen Chamberlain.

OTL Ceylon provided about two brigades for the war effort, but with the attack on the holy soil of the Empire, I reckon that the effort would have been greater. I suppose another reason I chose Ceylon is to demonstrate the massive imbalance of population the US would be facing. If we take the *US population as 70-80 million, it is squaring up to the Confederacy (30 million), the British Empire (around a billion) and the Empire of Mexico (60 million). With Britain's massive naval superiority (greater even than OTL, when Britain had more destroyers than the USA had ships) all Canada and CSA need to do is hold a few ports long enough for help to arrive.

[boynamedsue]

The South does have a good chance to industrialize once it becomes clear they can't export enough to pay for the imports. Sure, it won't have parity with the Union unless it expands a good bit and a great deal of Mexico and former Mexican Territories. The wealth is also likely still there. Now, here you would have the likely reason for the end of slavery, poor whites wanting the industrial jobs. Another reason for the South to industrialize is the greed of the plantation owners. Oh and peanuts were already known for there ability to heal the land, not to mention the fact that the Cotton Economy will implode very soon and shrink quite a bit. So the immediate aftermath will be harsh but the South can and likely will industrialize along with getting rid of slavery and the surviving plantation owners having industries built to keep money in there hands. Former slaves will in all likely hood be forced into 2nd class citizenship if any kind of citizenship but the immediate backlash against reconstruction and blacks is avoided. The KKK will never get to the same strength it had in OTL.

It might never be as economically powerful as the Union pre-1900 or even post, but the CSA still will likely be among the Top 10, maybe even Top 5.

The CSA will definitely have a first rate military 1900 and beyond.


A better question we should ask ourselves is will the USA and CSA be allies, friends or bitter enemies?

It is really up to whoever writes as arguments can be made for both.

I think your arguments are sound. Even if the South can maintain its prosperity by massive exportation of cotton (they would need a near world monopoly) and keeping 40% of its population at subsistance levels of consumption (hmmmm, I wonder which 40% they'll choose....), they still have educated literate leaders who would recognise that industry is essential for their national survival.

The only disagreement I have with your argument is the KKK. I'm pretty sure a Rebel victory butterflies them away completely.

[Some Bloke]

Good point on population, although don't forget that the Empire is committed to 4 or 5 theatres (Western Europe, the Med, Africa and Canada) to the USA's 2 or 3 (Canada and the CSA). The German High seas fleet will occupy much of the Royal Navy in the Blockade effort and forces will be needed for convoys and the Med.

On the other hand I'd imagine that the Dominions would be much more industrialised and militarised than in OTL so this may go some way toward avoiding possible overstretch.

I think that the USA would probably adopt a strategy of concentration and destruction in Detail. First candidate for obvious political reasons is the Confederacy With the CSA out of the war I can't see any reason to for Mexico to continue fighting. However, achieving a decisive vistory will take time, providing Imperial forces opportunities to reinforce or even counter-attack (the latter may serve to divert troops away from the Southern Front, thereby undermining the overall strategy of concentration).

I wonder how the Confederacy would react when they found out that their northern Ally was getting help from a bunch of n-s (as they would undoubtedly see it).

[Some Bloke]

Err, is this thread dead?

[Das Legio]

Err, is this thread dead?

No. Just quiet.

[boynamedsue]

Err, is this thread dead?

Nah, had my laptop nicked so can't work on it at the mo... couple of updates when I get to Italy in 2 weeks.

Glad you care though...