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Posts: 1496
Dec 17 14 10:38 AM
Just call me Author
MarkLBailey wrote:Agree. So how abpout we put together a skeletal timeline?
Part 8 – Additional Responsibilities February 1943, Colombo<snip>Vice Admiral Fitzherbert coughed, and gave Somerville a glance. Somerville met his eye, then nodded almost imperceptibly. “Ahh yes … Steward, could refill our glasses then make sure we’re not disturbed please.” The three Flag Officers sat in silence as the steward made his rounds, waiting until he’d finished and closed the cabin door behind him. “Herbert, would you like to start us off?” “Thank you James. Sir Alexander the reason we’re here is security. All this business about Dominion status has caused a lot of politicking, Indian politicians sticking their nose into everything trying to make a name for themselves. As a result everything we do is being scrutinised, to see if some ambitious type can use it to further their agenda – and to try and find our secret agenda, because some of them are convinced we have one.” “As a result life in Headquarters is getting… interesting. The basic problem is that anything we say or do in front of an Indian might be leaked to a politico. Servants, office wallahs, servicemen – any of them might be a leak.” Normally that isn’t too much of a problem, we’ve nothing – well not much – that we have to hide. However I’ve learned something – and this doesn’t leave this cabin understand – that will put the cat among the pigeons and make the situation much more ticklish.” “India isn’t getting Dominion status this year. It’s not official yet, but frankly she just isn’t ready. Another year or two maybe, but not now.” “I see Sir … that won’t go down well.” “Quite. And the Indian’s won’t blame their own shortcomings, won’t blame anyone but us. They are going to be sensitive, and examining any changes on organisation we make looking for evidence of a dastardly plot on our part, hence the importance of a co-ordinated approach when it comes to changes.” Sir James chipped in. “That’s the reason we’re meeting here – no Indian servants on board, and my stewards are discrete naturally. We’ve something we wanted to discuss before the official announcement, and this seemed a good location.” “I see. <pause> I must say Sir that I find all this subterfuge a little disturbing … I mean if I can’t trust my own men …” “I know how you feel, but it’s not as bad as all that. The men are still loyal, and it’s not as though they’d leak to the Japs. In fact the Secret Service wallahs are looking into that aspect very carefully, and if they can find any evidence that an Indian Politico is leaking secrets, it’ll be an excellent stick to beat the others with – however to date there is no evidence of treason. All it means is you need to be a bit more politically aware, that’s all.” “Anyway we’ve something that’ll effect your organisation. While it isn’t touchy politically in itself, it does touch on something else that is, hence we thought we’d better have this chat, so you can avoid hitting any shoals politically.” “I see Sir … I’m all ears.” <snip>“Keep me informed too – it’s alright for you James, but I have to deal with the politicians on a daily basis. This has the potential to blow up, so I need to keep abreast of developments.” “Certainly Herbert. Now about the other matter …” “Yes. Now Sir Alexander having more Coastal Forces arrive has given us an opportunity. You’re aware of the push for Indianisation of the armed forces. It was going on before the war of course, and with the talk of Dominion status some elements of the political side have been pushing it harder. “ “Now word has come down from Delhi, once news of the delay in Dominionhood gets out things are going to get ugly politically, so they’re looking for some good news – something we can hold up to show that we’re not hell bent on suppressing India. Something concrete to show Indianisation of the service would be just the ticket.
Part 8 – Additional Responsibilities
February 1943, Colombo
Vice Admiral Fitzherbert coughed, and gave Somerville a glance. Somerville met his eye, then nodded almost imperceptibly.
“Ahh yes … Steward, could refill our glasses then make sure we’re not disturbed please.”
The three Flag Officers sat in silence as the steward made his rounds, waiting until he’d finished and closed the cabin door behind him.
“Herbert, would you like to start us off?”
“Thank you James. Sir Alexander the reason we’re here is security. All this business about Dominion status has caused a lot of politicking, Indian politicians sticking their nose into everything trying to make a name for themselves. As a result everything we do is being scrutinised, to see if some ambitious type can use it to further their agenda – and to try and find our secret agenda, because some of them are convinced we have one.”
“As a result life in Headquarters is getting… interesting. The basic problem is that anything we say or do in front of an Indian might be leaked to a politico. Servants, office wallahs, servicemen – any of them might be a leak.”
Normally that isn’t too much of a problem, we’ve nothing – well not much – that we have to hide. However I’ve learned something – and this doesn’t leave this cabin understand – that will put the cat among the pigeons and make the situation much more ticklish.”
“India isn’t getting Dominion status this year. It’s not official yet, but frankly she just isn’t ready. Another year or two maybe, but not now.”
“I see Sir … that won’t go down well.”
“Quite. And the Indian’s won’t blame their own shortcomings, won’t blame anyone but us. They are going to be sensitive, and examining any changes on organisation we make looking for evidence of a dastardly plot on our part, hence the importance of a co-ordinated approach when it comes to changes.”
Sir James chipped in.
“That’s the reason we’re meeting here – no Indian servants on board, and my stewards are discrete naturally. We’ve something we wanted to discuss before the official announcement, and this seemed a good location.”
“I see. <pause> I must say Sir that I find all this subterfuge a little disturbing … I mean if I can’t trust my own men …”
“I know how you feel, but it’s not as bad as all that. The men are still loyal, and it’s not as though they’d leak to the Japs. In fact the Secret Service wallahs are looking into that aspect very carefully, and if they can find any evidence that an Indian Politico is leaking secrets, it’ll be an excellent stick to beat the others with – however to date there is no evidence of treason. All it means is you need to be a bit more politically aware, that’s all.”
“Anyway we’ve something that’ll effect your organisation. While it isn’t touchy politically in itself, it does touch on something else that is, hence we thought we’d better have this chat, so you can avoid hitting any shoals politically.”
“I see Sir … I’m all ears.”
<snip>
“Certainly Herbert. Now about the other matter …”
“Yes. Now Sir Alexander having more Coastal Forces arrive has given us an opportunity. You’re aware of the push for Indianisation of the armed forces. It was going on before the war of course, and with the talk of Dominion status some elements of the political side have been pushing it harder. “
“Now word has come down from Delhi, once news of the delay in Dominionhood gets out things are going to get ugly politically, so they’re looking for some good news – something we can hold up to show that we’re not hell bent on suppressing India. Something concrete to show Indianisation of the service would be just the ticket.
Question - when will Ceylon result going to be announced - because thats the logical time for the India announcement, and then things are likely to get sticky!
Question - if India is going to get Dominion status in 44, when do we grant it? (personally I'd say announcement 6 months before formal change of status to allow preparations for the transition - with the added bonus that the announcement could help quell the growing unrest). I have another machieavellian story idea, so if possible I'd like the formal change no earlier than September 44,
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