Simple Simon

[stevep]

On the evening of Sunday 30th June 1940, shortly after 10.pm capital time Canada sees a dramatic display of the Aurora Borealis, which steadily increase in brightness and in the last 20 minutes of the day cover most of the visible sky in a vibrant green. Apart from its intensity warning that something very odd is up is show by reports that the display has spread to all parts of Canada, including those in its southern provinces, way beyond the normal range of the effects.

This effect terminates dramatically at midnight, capital time. Which is very quickly followed by news of problems.

All communications with the rest of the world have been lost. No telephone or telegraph cables are working. Also reports come in from the southern borders. Rail and road links seem to be broken, most dramatically along the river border with the US. Here details come in of bridges suddenly terminating half way across the river. Sometimes other partial bridges are seen from the other shore, although none link up as their designs, heights and locations vary compared to those on the Canadian side. This causes considerable destruction as in many cases sections of bridge, without support from a missing partial arch or suspension section, fall into the river. Furthermore while American cities are still visible on the souther side of the rivers their appearance are often different, generally being larger and more brightly lit.

Even on the land sections of the borders roads and rail links are disrupted by linear breaks and differences in the size and design of the roads. Furthermore again visible signs of the other side of the border shows differences from what it had been only minutes before.

This was most dramatic along the border with the US, with the more detailed custom posts there plus the more open terrain. However similar reports come in from the posts on the borders with Canada's other neighbours.

Shortly after this reports also start coming in of border incursions. This is not only odd but instead of any sort of systematic encroachments it seems to be largely individuals or small groups, often in single motor vehicles. Even stranger the intruders seem confused and enraged when they are told they are crossing into Canada and passports are demanded. Initially many officials on border posts assume the people are drunk or playing pranks but as more such cases occur others start to wander.

By 2:30 am on the 1st July Prime Minister Branden is chairing an emergency cabinet meeting to try and understand what has occurred. The military forces are ordered onto alert and people are detached to contact officials in all three southern neighbours and try and clarify the situation. What initial reports come back confuse the matter even more.

****


Simon the ASB sees the plight of Britain after the fall of France and decides the best way to help it is to boost Britain's strongest and most important remaining ally. However possibly Simon is a little simple and unaware of the complexities of human culture and political interactions. Or possibly he is but is simply mischievous, or even malicious.

[stevep]

This is something I've been thinking of for a few weeks. As you may suspect this Canada isn't from our world but from an AH of mine. I don't have the time or willpower at the moment to take it any further but wondering what people think might happen next?  Some details on the kingdom of Canada follow to give further background. 

The Kingdom of Canada has a population of 84 million people and has become the most populous and industrially powerful section of the Greater British Federation, having supplanted the Home Islands in the past couple of decades. As such it sends more MPs to the imperial Parliament in Birmingham than any other constituent member.

The basic borders of Canada include not only its OTL areas but also the following:
a) OTL Maine, known here as New Albion, one of the 5 members of the Maritime Federation.

b) Northern New York and western Pennsylvania. This removes American access to the St Lawrence and Lakes Ontario and Eire and is split between Quebec and Ontario provinces.

c) West of this is the province of Indiana, which contains western Pennsylvania, chiefly around the industrial centre of Pittsburgh, and the OTL states north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi. Although pure blood Indians are now a clear minority they and their mixed blood companions make up ~62% of the population of the most important industrial province in the kingdom.

d) The province of Dakota includes western Minnesota, the Dakota's and eastern Montana. Although physically large this is thinly populated.

e) British Columbia includes, as well as its OTL territories those areas west of Dakota and north of the 45 degree of latitude.

f) The province of California includes as well as that state, those of Oregon and Idaho south of British Columbia and also Nevada and Baja California.

g) Montana is another thinly populated province but includes Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and the southern part of OTL Montana as well as a slice of western Nebraska.

h) Missouri is the last of the southern provinces of the kingdom and is bounded by the 37 parallel in the south, the Mississippi in the east and borders with Montana and Dakota provinces. It is the biggest breadbasket in the kingdom and is also renowned for its sizeable black population as many slaves freed after the 1842-47 conflict moved west to settle this area. [Others moved south to the kingdom of Georgia].

i) Canada also includes three territories, Hudson Bay, Yukon and Alaska, the latter's possession being confirmed in the 1910 treaty of Stockholm that ended the European war.

j) The capital territory, the city of Mooresburgh, was initially part of Indiana but made the capital when the terms of Federation were finalised in 1855. This is at the end of the Great Lakes and also the start point for the 1st railway to the Pacific, hence making a suitable central point. [i.e. OTL Duluth ]

The kingdom has been an active member of the empire since it gained self-government in 1853 and has sent forces to help the empire in numerous encounters, The last time it was involved in a large scale war was the European Conflict in 1903-09 when over 3 million troops were committed to the war in Europe,

Locally its main security concerns is the USA, although it is nearly a century since the last war with the Americans. However while relations have improved somewhat in recent decades there are occasional periods of concern when revanchist elements seem to gain support in Washington. As such its standing army is only 12 divisions strong although territorial reserves means this could quickly be boosted to 12 corps, each of 3 divisions. Most of this is stationed along the border with the US. That is the US the kingdom is familar with. It has [or rather had] borders with two other states who were good friends/allies.

The navy has a wide range of units but its heaviest battle squadrons are the Atlantic Squadron, based at Halifax and the Pacific one at Seattle. Each is centred around 4 battleships and a fleet CV with supporting cruisers, destroyers and supply vessels. Also at Halifax is a visiting British squadron of 2 BB and 1 CV along with 4 DD and 14 DD. [Politically one important factor here is the presence of Flying-Officer Henry George Alfred Edward Hanover, the 2nd son of King George VII. Since the king and the rest of the royal family are still based largely in Britain he is the ranking member of the dynasty in Canada].

There is no separate air force, both the army and the RCN having their own air arms.

Technology levels are in general roughly similar to the world the kingdom has been moved to in 1940.

What happens next?

[lordroel]

Dec 19, 2017 23:38:27 GMT stevep said:

What happens next?

Relations with the United States will be frosty for a time while the United Kingdom wonders what to do not that a member of the British Empire has been replaced by a bigger, more armed one.

[stevep]

Dec 20, 2017 3:44:07 GMT lordroel said:

Dec 19, 2017 23:38:27 GMT stevep said:

What happens next?

Relations with the United States will be frosty for a time while the United Kingdom wonders what to do not that a member of the British Empire has been replaced by a bigger, more armed one.

  That is the potential big problem.  While the KoC [Kingdom of Canada is an innocent party the US has lost most of its land territory and about 50-60 million people and its likely that many will blame it.  Or at least want to 'regain' that lost territory.  It may not mean war between the KoC and US but its likely to distract from what both can do to help fight the Nazis.

  Just to clarify the KoC will gladly support Britain, both from a sense of common identity and also their belief in democratic values.  However while in some ways its very powerful, such as the mentioned BBs being larger and more powerful than anything the OTL RN has/is building - no Washington Naval Treaty in their world - there will be problems of technological incompatability.  Also the world they come from is a little more liberal than OTL British empire.  For instance India already has dominion status [or its equivalent] and racial discrimination is less acceptable, so there may be some problems with some of Churchill's more regressive views.  They will be shocked at the size of the US in our world, more than twice the size of the one their familiar with and also that it still has a substantial black population for instance. 

  Also since the original POD is back in 1781 - with a decision by Admiral Rodney - simple things, like the standard railway gauge, may well be different.  Similarly on hearing of the fall of France they will be puzzled because to them its a traditional enemy and the NGC [North German Confederation] is the primary British ally in Europe.  Ditto when they asked about their ally, the Confederacy it will cause confusion as its not the one our world would expect.  Their referring to the New England Confederation, which became independent after the war of 1805-08.

  Steve

[lordroel]

Dec 19, 2017 23:38:27 GMT stevep said:

This is something I've been thinking of for a few weeks. As you may suspect this Canada isn't from our world but from an AH of mine. I don't have the time or willpower at the moment to take it any further but wondering what people think might happen next?  Some details on the kingdom of Canada follow to give further background. 

 Flying-Officer Henry George Alfred Edward Hanover, the 2nd son of King George VII. 

Does he have a wife and children with him because if so, long live the first King of Canada.

[stevep]

Dec 20, 2017 19:08:20 GMT lordroel said:

Dec 19, 2017 23:38:27 GMT stevep said:

This is something I've been thinking of for a few weeks. As you may suspect this Canada isn't from our world but from an AH of mine. I don't have the time or willpower at the moment to take it any further but wondering what people think might happen next?  Some details on the kingdom of Canada follow to give further background. 

 Flying-Officer Henry George Alfred Edward Hanover, the 2nd son of King George VII. 

Does he have a wife and children with him because if so, long live the first King of Canada.

  Well strictly speaking there have been numerous kings of Canada as the monarchy has always been unified since it was expanded to Canada and later other components of the Imperial Parliament.  However as a junior naval officer he is quite young and strangely unmarried royals tend to be highly attractive to many women.  [Have no idea why ]  As such the chance of him finding a wife would seem to be fairly large.

  That was one thing I was thinking of.  Since the OTL British state might not be that happy with the idea of a political union with a larger and more powerful Canada and similarly the KoC may be unwilling to accept 'our' George VI as their monarch when there is a member of their own royal family in the country it could well end up with two separate but friendly monarchies.

[lordroel]

Dec 20, 2017 19:32:42 GMT stevep said:

  That was one thing I was thinking of.  Since the OTL British state might not be that happy with the idea of a political union with a larger and more powerful Canada and similarly the KoC may be unwilling to accept 'our' George VI as their monarch when there is a member of their own royal family in the country it could well end up with two separate but friendly monarchies.

Well the KoC needs it, the Rump United states will not be happy with this.

[stevep]

Dec 20, 2017 19:44:13 GMT lordroel said:

Dec 20, 2017 19:32:42 GMT stevep said:

  That was one thing I was thinking of.  Since the OTL British state might not be that happy with the idea of a political union with a larger and more powerful Canada and similarly the KoC may be unwilling to accept 'our' George VI as their monarch when there is a member of their own royal family in the country it could well end up with two separate but friendly monarchies.

Well the KoC needs it, the Rump United states will not be happy with this.

  True, that is another potential source of friction between the two nations.

[lordroel]

Dec 20, 2017 21:59:48 GMT stevep said:

Dec 20, 2017 19:44:13 GMT lordroel said:

Well the KoC needs it, the Rump United states will not be happy with this.

  True, that is another potential source of friction between the two nations.

Also i can imagine with the KoC so big they have their own aircraft producing capabilities.

[stevep]

Dec 21, 2017 4:00:23 GMT lordroel said:

Dec 20, 2017 21:59:48 GMT stevep said:

  True, that is another potential source of friction between the two nations.

Also i can imagine with the KoC so big they have their own aircraft producing capabilities.

  I expect that there are some empire wide items, most of which will probably be produced in the KoC or the UK, the two largest [in economic terms] regions of the federationed empire - i.e. those regions that have a voting presence in the imperial parliament.  However many are produced locally.  Haven't thought through the 1940 circumstances in detail but the two classes of 4BBs were while functionary identical to their sisters produced in Britain but were constructed in Canada.

  As such a lot of their military equipment is either Canadian in design or licensed production of UK models and it provides the vast majority of the equipment for the Royal Canadian forces.  There are problems with competing firms, especially in Britain and Canada, seeking to use economic influence to gain advantage in sales but overall the intent is that they complete on a level playing field for the empire imperial market.  There are some allowances made for the smaller components, i.e. the kingdoms of Georgia, Australiasia and the Cape to give support for infant industries.  As always its a complex situation but in general it provides a large number of firms with a huge market and hence gives good value for money.

  Overall the KoC may be slightly behind our world as since the ending of the Great European War in 1909, there hasn't been a major world conflict or even a great arms race.  However its close and varies from area to area. 

PS  PLus thinking about it the more conflicts in the 19thC, especially involving Britain and N America, probably means military technology was more advances in 1903 in KoC's world than in ours.

  That conflict was pretty exhausting for both sides but not quite as debilatating as OTL WWI, especially since the last couple of years were largely taken up with trying to bring the Russian empire to terms, after its allies were defeated.  As such while Britain and the NGC 'won' it wasn't a crushing defeat for their opponents.

[stevep]

Guys

Anyone else have any comments please? Especially from the American side as to how it would react to losing so many people and most of their land? Would they understand that the KoC wasn't responsible or seek 'revenge' in some way? How would they react to no longer being clearly the dominant power in N America? Think there's a chance of an arms race but how far and would it be bitter enough to prevent either joining conflicts elsewhere, hence aiding the fascists indirectly, let alone lead to war between the two?

Steve

[lordroel]

Dec 21, 2017 18:28:29 GMT stevep said:

Guys

Anyone else have any comments please? Especially from the American side as to how it would react to losing so many people and most of their land? Would they understand that the KoC wasn't responsible or seek 'revenge' in some way? How would they react to no longer being clearly the dominant power in N America? Think there's a chance of an arms race but how far and would it be bitter enough to prevent either joining conflicts elsewhere, hence aiding the fascists indirectly, let alone lead to war between the two?

Steve

I do know one thing, the Rump United States is not going to join the Axis, not as long as Roosevelt is president any way.

[stevep]

Dec 21, 2017 20:05:07 GMT lordroel said:

Dec 21, 2017 18:28:29 GMT stevep said:

Guys

Anyone else have any comments please? Especially from the American side as to how it would react to losing so many people and most of their land? Would they understand that the KoC wasn't responsible or seek 'revenge' in some way? How would they react to no longer being clearly the dominant power in N America? Think there's a chance of an arms race but how far and would it be bitter enough to prevent either joining conflicts elsewhere, hence aiding the fascists indirectly, let alone lead to war between the two?

Steve

I do know one thing, the Rump United States is not going to join the Axis, not as long as Roosevelt is president any way.

  No its not going to do that.   Plus it will have the distraction of the problem of defending its Pacific possessions with the continental Pacific coastline and the bulk of the Pacific Fleet having disappeared into the ether.  This might prove tempting to Tokyo.  [Although since their likely to attack the European colonial powers that would possibly solve the problem by forcing the KoC and the US into the major war on the same side. ].

  However it could be either cautiously hostile or simply so concerned about the status of the KoC that its not able/willing to help out against Germany.  And also by being so, restricting what aid the KoC can supply to Britain.

I think there is a likelihood of some border classes at least as isolated groups in the US take umbridge at reports of a Canadian 'invasion'. Not likely to escalate but could further cloud the issue.

Also going to mean some changes to the American constitution and government. A lot of senators and representatives in Congress no longer having any constituency or voters. There will be a lot of people in the rump US who were born in areas, such as California or Michigan for instance, who arguably are no longer native born Americans. [Would expect their identity as Americans would be accepted and possibly some legislation passed to formalise their citizenship but it might cause some problems].

[lordroel]

Dec 21, 2017 21:55:27 GMT stevep said:

Dec 21, 2017 20:05:07 GMT lordroel said:

I do know one thing, the Rump United States is not going to join the Axis, not as long as Roosevelt is president any way.

 Plus it will have the distraction of the problem of defending its Pacific possessions with the continental Pacific coastline and the bulk of the Pacific Fleet having disappeared

That makes me wonder was Hawaii in the KoC universe a independent Kingdom, a British ore Japanese colony.

Also who does the British squadron take orders from, most likely they will join the Royal Canadian Navy.

[stevep]

Dec 21, 2017 21:58:36 GMT lordroel said:

Dec 21, 2017 21:55:27 GMT stevep said:

 Plus it will have the distraction of the problem of defending its Pacific possessions with the continental Pacific coastline and the bulk of the Pacific Fleet having disappeared

That makes me wonder was Hawaii in the KoC universe a independent Kingdom, a British ore Japanese colony.

Also who does the British squadron take orders from, most likely they will join the Royal Canadian Navy.

  Hawaii was, as far as I've thought about it, a British protectorate.

  That's a decision they have to make but I suspect joining the RCN and RoC will be the most likely option.  You could see some people deciding their loyalty is to Britain, even a different one to what their familar with and to seek British citizenship.  However in the near future, while everything is in confusion I expect them to sit tight while they make up their minds what to do.

  Also the status of the royal prince will be a factor as some will likely link themselves with him and follow his choice.  Which I suspect, would be to accept the Canadian monarchy if its offered.