Mod-"Under a Southern Cross

[JeffroK]

Sounds thrilling!!!!!!

Just a mod I was working on before I screwed it all up by deleting USSR bases, hours of work up the creek!!

I'll wait for AE before I try again.


Under a Southern Cross.

In my world, Operation Extended Compass sees the British Empire capture Tripoli in 4/41 and clear the Axis from North Africa (You can get the full story on request). After fighting off a threatened invasion of Crete, the move of the Axis into Russia allows occupation of most of the Dodecanese islands in mid-late 1941. By November 1941 something of a stalemate is in place as the British Empire troops re-equip and the Axis Forces build up their defences.
In French North Africa, a growing disillusionment is growing with both Vichy & the Axis. Feelers have been put to the USA to occupy French Nth Africa and the US Army & Navy have contingency plans in place .

My scenario assumes the Commonwealth and United States were in a better position to defend in the east, not greater numbers of troops but better training and equipment.
Therefore, when the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, though the United Nations was caught strategically and tactically by surprise, they at least had modern fighters and bombers available in lieu of the obsolescent craft which were in place in real life.
The troops in India, Burma & Malaya had not been drained of their trained manpower (all get a 5morale/5exp increase)(maybe find some better replacement commanders or change their ratings) All Malaya units had 25pdrs replacing their older 18pdrs. The Commonwealth was able to move a large number of troops out of the Middle East within the first 6 months. The Australian Divisions had been in Palestine resting from the capture of Rhodes etc and in training for landing in Sicily so were able to ship out by March 1942. Indian troops in Persia/Iraq were made available and 4 & 8 Divisions & 3 & 161 Brigades moved back to India by 6/42. Britain also found shipping to speed the movement of 2, 5 & 18 Divisions and 7th Armoured Bde from England and the Middle East.
The US Army had less room to move, their Regular Army troops were committed to NW Africa, despite Japanese aggression this commitment was long term and could not be revoked (indeed it was a requirement from Congress before a declaration of war was passed). In addition, a major troop training exercise was in place and unless untrained troops were sent, none were available. Some convoys with Field artillery and light bombers (A-24) had arrived in the Philippines and they and their convoy escorts were in Manila.

Japan had not ignored these improvements, but believed they had sufficient force to achieve their objectives (All units allocated to open commands available from Takao, Pescadores & Truk.) All Kwantung Army units would be fixed by allocating fortifications. (Japan would get far fewer OP’s, to limit their ability to flood units into the PTO)

With minimal tank combat in the MTO, Britain had been able to retool its munitions factories and the 6pdr AT Gun was being made available and a new Cruiser tank, the Cromwell, due to enter service in late 1942.
However the USA had committed to landing in Nth Africa, so the US 1 & 2 Marine Divisions and supporting units, 2 CV’s and escorts and some aircraft would not be available as quickly as wished.
Australia had completed the move of its 8th Division into Malaya and 23 Bde was digging in at Singapore. A shipment of M3 Light & M3 medium tanks had arrived in Australia, allocated to the 1st Armoured Division, training and acclimatisation had just begun.

In the air , it was possible for the RAF to equip its units with Hurricane II , though they had seen action in the Desert or on Crete they were far superior to other aircraft available. (to replace Buffalo-Fewer losses in ME)
The RAAF had received about 150 Airacobra I fighters to replace its Wirraway – Without the supercharger it was deemed not suitable for the RAF in Europe, they were shipped to Australia & New Zealand. (Copy P-400, Limit numbers to about 150-180 total. 1 Sqn Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, 2 Squadrons in NZ plus reserves (Citizen Air Force Units) No Production).
Similarly the Brewster Bermuda fell below British expectations and 100 aircraft were made available in Australia & NZ.???? (Enough for 4 Squadrons as above & 1 NZ.)
In Malaya, in addition to the Hurricane, a squadron of Beaufighter 1F arrived to replace Blenheim 1F- 1 Sqn made available for Singapore.
The USAAF had also strengthened its forces and by Dec 41 had replaced its obsolete P26 & P35 & P36 with P40B&E (Fewer to RAF, plus commitment to strengthen Pacific.) The B18 Bolo was also allocated to training stateside and B25C & B26B replaced them.
The RAF also found numbers of Light Bombers (RAF Maryland, Boston-A20B, Baltimore, Marauder-B26B units), to replace the Blenheim and as alternative to Wellingtons during 1942
(All RAF Mohawk units arrive with Hurricanes - Fewer losses in ME)

RN CV’s arrive March 42 (Acrobat NW Africa)
2 less US CV’s (In Atlantic) – until June 42
HMAS Sydney hasn’t been sunk and starts in Perth.

1 & 2 Marine Divisions & attached Battalions delayed 6 months
6,7 & 9 Australian Divisions arrive within 6 months Feb, April, June 42
23 Aust Bde in Singapore at full strength.
4 & 8 Indian Divisions & 3 Indian Motor Bde & 161Indian Infantry Bde arrive within 6 months Feb, April, June 42
5 British Div arrives within 6 months Mar 42
Extra Japanese IMB , Tank Regiments & support for Burma Army. All Japanese Divisions allocated to a front are available from Takao & Pescadores.
25pdr replaces 18pdr
6pdr arrives 6 months early
Aust Militia at 50% disabled
Aust Armoured units begin with Matilda & Stuarts.
Grant available a bit earlier
PI convoys have arrived (and ships begin in Manila Bay)
LDF units at approx Bde strength in Indian, OZ & NZ cities, create a new squad with low firepower. Units have a few 18pdr & Vickers HMG, no support.
Melbourne & Sydney get strong units, Auckland, Wellington, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth about 2 Bn strength, other cities in OZ/NZ get about 1 Bn strength. None for Portland Rds, Nhulunbuy, Millingimbi, Wyhndam, Broome, Derby etc Alice Springs, Tennant Ck, Mt Isa, Hamilton get Cavalry Squads

[borner]

very interesting idea.... and a realistic foundation given how close GB came to kicking Italy our of NA early in the war (before the DAK arrived). With this done, considerable Aus/NZ/Ind units would have either stayed home, or been able to rush back. The thoughts behind tank design and the 6pdr are also well thought out, as one reason these upgrades were delayed is that GB could not afford to re-toll the production lines at the time and lessen the numbers of what was already being made.
 
I am not sure that US fleet CV's would have been needed to cover your invasion, unless you are referring to the Ranger and Wasp. However, you do need to throw Japan a bone I guess.

[JeffroK]

Thanks Borner
 
In my world the US have a moral commitment to the French that they fulfill. The Marines & US Navy have planned for this so 2 Fleet carriers are already in place in the Atlantic.
 
If you want a copy of my Nth Africa story PM me your email and I'll send it post haste!

[borner]

pm sent

[DuckofTindalos]

Wouldn't "minimal tank combat in the MTO" mean a slowing down, rather than a speeding up of the availability of new tanks and AT guns?

[JeffroK]

I understand that newer AFV & AT Guns had been planned around 39-41, however the bneed to replace BEF losses and fill out Armoured units in Nth Africa saw the continued production of pre war Crusader types and 40mm AT guns rather than waste time through re-tooling for better models.

I'm only moving the 6pdr and Cromwell forward about 6mths.