RayPurchase
Senior Member
1919 - When the Wind Blows
Timeline of Events -
May/June 1916: Flying in the face of over a hundred years of near total British naval dominance, the German High Seas fleet under Admirals Scheer and Hipper succeed in drawing out and isolating a significant number of ships of the British Home Fleet. The British Government is unable to hide the scale of the defeat from the press, and headlines list the venerable names of British capital ships now lying at the bottom of the North Sea. Though the British still hold a slight numerical advantage over the Germans, the British fleet is now effectively consigned to Scappa Flow and the English Channel, with the Admiralty unwilling to risk the rest of the fleet. As such Germany is able to gain access to the North Sea, breaking the British blockade, and commencing a surface raider policy against Entente shipping, with the U-Boat fleet now fulfilling a much smaller and complementary role.
3rd March 1918: With the vastly improved flow of resources coming into Germany’s Baltic Ports and the Russian army effectively collapsing following revolution on the home front, the Germans advance to within 85 miles of the newly christened capital Petrograd. Soviet leaders seek terms and the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is signed, amongst other things creating an independent Ukraine and United Baltic Duchy. The Soviets, more focused on securing their hold on Russia, quickly agree to the terms.
March - July 1918: With Russia knocked out of the war, German troops steam west. By late March the German army enjoys a numerical advantage of over 50 divisions. On the 21st March, General Ludendorff begins the Spring Offensive, designed to drive a wedge between the BEF in the north, and the French Army to the south. Spearheaded by elite Stormtrooper Units, the German forces crash through Entente front lines, especially those held by the British 5th Army, who having just taken position on this part of the front from the French have been unable to properly secure and fortify the sector. By day 5, the German forces, though suffering heavy casualties, manage to wrest control of Amiens from the Entente, securing the vital railway hub and cutting the lines of communication between the French and British. Furthermore Operation Georgette takes advantage of the bulk of British Forces swinging south to Amiens, leaving the route to Dunkirk and the Channel Ports open. Fighting here will last another week, with British and Empire forces being brought in via ship into the harbours where they immediately find themselves fighting for their lives. Finally on the 7th July, German artillery is able to advance close enough to put the British flotilla into range, combined with reports of the German High Seas fleet leaving harbour, the British are forced to withdraw.
10th July 1918: The shattered remains of the BEF surrender to the German Army, with Field Marshal Haig leading the shell shocked survivors out of the city and into Germany captivity. Shockwaves are felt throughout the Empire with shock quickly turning to outrage as the casualty lists begin to emerge despite government attempts at suppression.
17th July 1918: The National Government under Lloyd George collapses within a week of the fall of Northern France. French forces continue to hold on, with the frontline now mere miles from the outskirts of Paris, waiting to see if British aid will be forthcoming. A new national government is formed under former Prime Minister Asquith, who is quick to turn on his former colleague Lloyd George, decrying the collapse of the British Forces on the Continent, blaming Lloyd George and what he describes as a cabal of lackeys. With pro war support crumbling amongst MPs, and the threats of riots and strikes growing in urban areas, Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour opens communication with his German counterpart. A ceasefire is agreed the same day. 2 days later, the French government, with it clear to them that France now stands alone, follows suit.
December 1918: The Treaty of Strasbourg is signed between the Entente and Central Powers. For Britain this means a humiliating peace that sees the dismantlement of her African holdings, with only Sudan left under her control, and her once mighty navy overshadowed by the German Fleet. During the negotiation process Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa split from the Empire, declaring independence from Britain, taking with them the bodies of many of their sons. Irish Republicans also use this chance to seize most of Ireland, quickly sweeping aside the vastly undermanned British forces in the south. Only the northern counties hold out, mostly due to the Protestant Militias that quickly spring up in opposition to what is seen as Catholic separatists. The Continent is now Germany’s domain, and Britain quickly withdraws to focus on trying to hold onto what is left, and rebuild what has been lost.
March 1919: The Jewel in the Crown is lost. Empowered by the humiliating defeat and loss of face on the world stage, the Indian nationalist movement receives a shot in the arm. Non-Violent protest falls by the wayside as up and down the country armed mobs actively rebel against all signs of colonial rule. Much like the Mutiny 60 years earlier, British rule teeters on the edge. This time however no help is forthcoming from Britannia. With no soldiers to spare and spiralling debt from 4 years of war, the British colonial government simply pack up and leave. In their wake they leave a heady mix of Nationalist groups, Princely States, and Sectarian divides, long stoked by the colonial administrations. There is no pomp or ceremony, no passionate promises of a return, instead the last ships slip out of Bombay harbour, leaving chaos behind them.
2nd April 1919: George V, King of England, Ireland and Scotland, and until a few days prior Emperor of India, dies in Windsor Castle. Ostensibly of a heart attack, which many speculate to have been brought on by the loss of India, one final nail in the coffin. 25 year old Edward VIII ascends to the throne. Due to unrest in the streets of London caused by unemployed demobbed soldiers, the ceremony takes place in Windsor. However given his youth, good looks and military history it is thought that he could prove to be a stabilising influence, and possibly a rallying figure that the country desperately needs.
June 1919: Prime Minister Herbert Samuel’s government falls. This was the 3rd Ministry in the space of a year. Spiralling debts have led to a wave of cutbacks across the nation, the Armed Forces are but a shadow of their former self, and everything from Policing to Social Care are on the chopping block. To make matters worse British Industry in shrinking at an increasingly rapid rate, with the German dominated continent prioritising America and the newly independent dominions above Britain, wreaking one final revenge on them. A new election is scheduled.
July 1919: With the final ballots counted, the result returns a hung parliament once more. What is different this time however is the smashing of the Conservative, Liberal duopoly. The new Third Party is the Communist Party of Great Britain under the leadership of Albert Inkpin. Dominating the highly industrialised Midlands and North West Coast of England. Inkpin brings with him a radical manifesto and a swathe of seats that makes them the single largest party in Britain. In his victory speech Inkpin declares this to be a victory for the common man, and that here they have an opportunity to right the wrongs of the industrial revolution, and the war that followed, simply another example of the Bourgeoisie spilling the blood of the Proletariat for his own gain. Meanwhile Scotland sees a slide to the left, with most of the country outside of Edinburgh and the Lowlands falling to the left leaning Scottish Nationalist Party under Ramsay MacDonald, their aims are to secure home rule. In order to counter the Communist threat, the Liberal and Conservative parties unite to form a coalition parliament. Assisted by members of the Court and establishment they prevent the Communists from forming a minority government and assume power under Stanley Baldwin, who narrowly beats George Curzon in the leadership contest.
July - September 1919: Riots break out in the Communist Heartland, with Union leaders and Communist Party MPs rallying their constituents against what they declare to be establishment tyranny. The Baldwin Government lack the resources to try and suppress such a large and heavily populated area however, and instead attempt to sit back and allow the riots to fizzle out, Attempting to keep the area contained. This is met by outrage from Conservative MPs and Peers who declare that the Government are allowing disorder to reign.
October 1919: With the riots still ongoing in the Midlands and North, Lord Curzon steps forward stating that the Government have failed in handling the national crisis and that a new solution is required to safe guard the British people. Curzon leads a revolt in the Lords, gaining support from a number of Convservative MPs in the home counties. Forming their own breakaway Party, the National Defence Front. With their leadership made up primarily of Aristocrats, Lords and Landed Gentry, they are the very antithesis of the Communist forces that they find themselves arrayed against. Though mostly confined to the South of England, they also control Durham and Newcastle in the North, providing them with a small manufacturing base from which to equip the Civil Defence Squads they are rapidly creating. Curzon declares these areas under their control to be seperate from Government control, and enacts a policy of hunting any who owe loyalty to the red flag, trying them under courts of his own making. Though still proclaiming himself loyal to the King, Curzon declares that it is the King’s ministers who have turned traitor. In response the Communist Party under Inkpin declare the areas under their control to be the newly founded “Worker’s State of Britain” with himself as General Secretary.
Meanwhile in Scotland, Ramsay MacDonald eyes developments to the south wearily. There is already a growing split within his party between left and right. Instead he declares the Scottish National Front. Publicly it is simply there to provide protection for the people of Scotland against rising tensions south of the border. However internally there are more Independently minded groups who see this as the first step in removing the English shackles. MacDonald is joined by an unlikely character. Former Field Marshal Haig, who not only locks down control of Stirling, but also provides the Scottish forces with a battle hardened and popular leader given the fact that he surrendered with his men back in 1918 as opposed to fleeing across the channel, however being a staunch unionist, he further the divide between the two factions. Edinburgh and the Lowlands remain under Government control, however they find themselves isolated, with NDF forces to their south, and the Scots on their other 3 sides.
Similar groups arise in Cornwall and Wales. Locals brought together with a shared history and sense of community, which is very much seperate from the English hegemony. In Wales this is led by Huw Robert Jones, a Welsh Nationalist who outright seeks Welsh Independence. Whilst his support in the countryside and smaller towns is high, seen as something of a folk figure, Cardiff once again remains in Government hands. Whilst it is isolated and perhaps easy to take, to do so could set them on a collision course with whoever emerges victorious. There are already rumours however that they have reached out to their Celtic brethren in Cornwall however. Theodore Hardy, former military chaplain and VC winner has sealed off Devon and Cornwall, declaring it to be under his protection. Wales and Cornwall alone would be little more than a blip, however their rough terrain and dispersed populations make it a defender’s paradise. Whether they are simply content to wall up and wait out the coming storm or try and make aggressive gains is to be seen.
Meanwhile across the Irish Sea, the Catholic Counties of Northern Ireland rise up, forcing British and Unionist forces to retreat from the Catholic Majority areas to the Protestant heartlands in and around Belfast. The unification of Ireland is within grasp, however at this point the Irish State refuses to fully support the rebels, still recovering from the violent birth of their own nation.
November 1919: Britain stands on the brink of civil war. Up and down the country borders have been drawn, and militias raised. All it will take is a spark to ignite the flame.
Factions:
His Majesty’s Government
Moose762
Capital: London
Leader: Prime Minister Herbert Samuel
Economy: High (Stable)
Stability: Average (Stable)
With the King, the capital and the remains of the armed forces under their control, not all is doom and gloom for the British Government. Unfortunately however the positives quickly run out after these three. Whilst London and the South East are relatively secure, the holdouts in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast are undermanned, and surrounded by foes or at the very least potential foes. By maintaining a hold over this territory it means that the government will continue to maintain control over the various constituent countries that make up the United Kingdom. To do so however could doom the government as a whole, leaving the overstretched and vulnerable.
The British Army has been left woefully weakened by years of conflict, and at last count there were still some 30,000 men in German prisoner of war camps. What is left is an army without tanks or armour, limited to little more than a smattering of armoured cars. Despite the small numbers available however (especially when compared to the hastily cobbled together militias) is the fact that they’re the only wholly professional fighting body available on the British Isles.
National Defence Front
mausedpotatos
Capital: Bristol
Leader: Lord Curzon
Economy: Average (Improving)
Stability: High (Stable)
The NDF hold vast swathes of the south, and with it some of the wealthiest aristocrats and landowners in the country, as well as this they enjoy support from certain London based financial institutions. As such they have a quite impressive amount of liquid capital behind them. As well as this a fair few of the Army's more aristocratic officers have defected to join the new movement. From his seat in Bristol Curzon has a well lead and equipped Militia, even if the lack of urban centres under their control limit manpower. As well as this there is always the risk that if the financial incentives fall away, the Communists could appear as far more appealing masters to the rank and file.
Having secured control of Newcastle and Sunderland, this has afforded an industrial base for the NDF. However it is dangerously split from the the NDF's southern heartlands. If it was allowed to fall it could spell disaster in keeping their men equipped. Right now though confidence is high.
Scottish National Front
Amfleet
Capital: Glasgow
Leader: Ramsay MacDonald
Economy: Average (Improving)
Stability: Above Average (Stable)
From Glasgow City Chambers Ramsay MacDonald holds sway over a vast amount of territory, from the windswept highlands to the sprawling slums of Glasgow. Compared to the fracturing south of the border and the sectarian divide across the Irish Sea, Scotland is something of a safe haven. Though some say it is more the eye of the storm, the eerily calm skies betraying the storm clouds lurking around the corner. The major problem facing MacDonald is one of divisions lurking beneath the surface. Is this truely a drive for independence or is he simply maintaining order until the government can step in once more? Firebrands in his own cabinet rally around Roland Muirhead, businessman and left leaning nationalist who believes now is the chance for Scotland to break free. Whilst there are unioninst figures within his hastily formed Scottish Government, the rallying figure lies outside of politics proper. One of the reasons why MacDonald was able to declare the formation of the Scottish National Front was due to the endorsement of Field Marshal Haig, one of the few members of the Army or establishment who was able to come out of the war with an improved image, the General who fought until the bitter end in the face of overwhelming odds and incompetence at home. In him the Scots have the foremost military mind and leader in the country. However Haig’s Unionist views are well known, and there is an ongoing war of words between him and Murihead. MacDonald must walk a dangerous tightrope, on one side Haig calls for union again, pressing for Scotland to march on the Communists to the south, and on the other side Muirhead calls for a march on Edinburgh and the Thistle to be free.
Irish Liberation Army
Rictus
Capital/Base of Operations: Derry
Leader: Michael Collins
Economy: Tiny (Stable)
Stability: High (Stable)
Free Ireland. Such a thing seemed impossible 20 years ago, but much has changed in that time. The 1918 Christmas Rising, saw the whole of Southern Ireland fall to the newly christened Irish Republic Army, the British Garrison had been left sorely depleted, many of their finest men taken over the Channel to France. The country swiftly fell, the only holdouts being 6 of 9 Ulster Counties in the North, the Protestant majority here arming themselves and swelling the numbers of the British forces who had retreated to Belfast. Patrick Pearse, member of the Irish Volunteers and Irish Republic Brotherhood assumed power as the first president of the Irish Republic. So far the Republic has focused on rebuilding, the war may have been quick, but the devastation was great. As such the Pearse administration is happy to leave Ulster for now. That is not to say everyone is however. Michael Collins is one of these men.
Rising to prominence in the lead up to the Christmas Rising, it was under Collins that the civilian volunteers were drilled into a force capable of achieving independence. He has now set his eyes on the north. Already his men have assumed effective control of the Catholic counties, and he has set up his headquarters in Derry. Achieving control of Northern Ireland will be his hardest challenge yet however. Many of the men who fought with him during the Rising are now members of the office Republican Army, and for now Pearse has chosen to distance himself from Collins’ operation. Furthermore Collins is now marching on staunch Unionist and Protestant territory, very much a hostile population. This will be his toughest challenge yet, low on resources and low on support. However with his leadership and skills in the field, as well as an ever weakening Britannia, surely the time for a United Ireland is nigh.
Cornish Defence League
High Moon
Capital: Exeter
Leader: Theodore Hardy
Economy: Small (Improving)
Stability: Above Average (Stable)
The Cornish have always been a difficult lot. Tucked away in the South West, their Celtish roots have often resulted in rebellions blossoming. Following the spiralling of tensions, the Cornish have flipped back to their default status and decided to set themselves aside from their fellow Englishmen. With Westerminster being half a world away and the Socialist breeding ground of the factory floors. As such the county councils of Cornwall and Devon have come together, calling on the sons and daughters at this often forgotten corner of the Isles to rally together against the factions that would seek to consume them. They have rallied around Theodore Hardy, ex army Chaplain and VC winner. A popular figure who enjoys near unanimous support, but arguably one who has had leadership thrusted upon, Hardy recognises that whilst the moors of Devon, and general lack of infrastructure in the region makes his position a highly defendable one, his resources are lacking. Exeter is the sole major urban centre in the region, and even then being far removed from the major Iron and Coal mines with only small pockets within the region, Exeter is a shadow of the Industrial Cities of the Midlands and North.
However should they slip unnoticed as the bigger beasts fight, or if they are able to make solid alliances to insure a flow of equipment, they could emerge as quite the wild card.
Ffrynt Cartref (Home Defence)
Fighting Monk
Capital: Swansea
Leader: The Senned
Economy: Below Average (Improving)
Stability: Above Average (Improving)
"Gwell fy mwthyn fy hun na phlas arall" - Better my own cottage than the palace of another
Long has Wales been an integral part of the nation, its coal mines keeping the fires of industry alive, and its people laying their bodies on the line for Britannia from Rorke’s Drift to the fields of Flanders and many other places besides. Despite this she has been something of a browbeaten family member. Granted no official capital city, English being the sole official language, and largely being considered little more than another province of England. Despite this the Welsh identity has continued, the language still spoken and taught, and poets still writers still supporting and promoting Welsh culture, nurturing the tiny flame and protecting it from an English gale.
Led by a rag tag group of Welsh Nationalists, Welsh Language Poets, local community leaders and Welsh former servicemen, the collective that now effectively rules outside of Cardiff is a confused yet generally harmonious organisation, with few political extremists plaguing their ranks to cause and real divisions. Whilst their numbers and resources are lacking, they have a number of strengths. Firstly being the vast coal reserves found within the South Wales Colliery region. It is perhaps the largest concentration of such coal deposits in such a small area, whilst they may lack the industry to fully utilise such a resource, it would make them a valuable ally to others. Secondly the hills and valleys of Wales have throughout history made it hard land to conquer, and impossible to tame, her borders may be hard to hold, but any invader would be hard pressed to holdonto their gains. Finally there is a unified population who have spent far too long being crushed by their larger neighbour, now perhaps they stand a chance at rising unrestrained.
Worker’s State of Britain
Emperor Scorpious II
Capital: Manchester
Leader: Albert Inkpin
Economy: Above Average (Improving)
Stability: Average (Stable)
The newly christened Worker’s State of Britain stands as a industrial behemoth, carved out in the industrial heart of England, Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool are under her control, the red flag flying above all of them. With them comes manpower and industry. What she lacks however is cohesion. Whilst the Communist Party of Great Britain was the one that called for the general uprising against government tyranny, the uprising was organised by a wide array of local party groups, Trade Unions, Working mens clubs and other such divisions. As such whilst Inkpin sits as General Secretary in Manchester Town Hall, he must tiptoe through numerous committees, sub committees and regional groups who all hold sway over their own smaller fiefdoms. As well as this whilst the Communist Militias have a good number of the former rank and file of the British Army, they lack properly organised officers, with Commissioned officers being almost exclusively from the middle and upper classes.
Despite their disorganisation and being surrounded on all sides by enemies in the form of the government and the NDF, if the Communists are able to steady the ship and defend their borders, the mighty beast could build up to an unstoppable speed, destroying all before them and usher in a new Britain.
Rules and Regulations
Welcome to the 'When the Wind Blows' game thread. Turns will be posted here by myself, with turn requests being sent via RPN or Discord PM. Currently there is one space open for the Cornish Defence Force, if you are interested please do drop me a message.
Turn Guide
DM your turns to me either here or on the Discord. Turns are written in the form of command lines and each will cover 3 months of in-game time. You are allotted up to 8 commands per turn, plus the technology section which does not count towards your total. Please categorize your lines as follows:
Diplomacy: Your diplomatic interactions with other players and NPCs, including those not on the map e.g. Germany and the United States etc (However be warned you may not always find such external aid easily forthcoming). If you make a deal with another player try to make sure I have some way of knowing that the other player has agreed to said terms.
Domestic: Your interactions with your government, populace, and economy. Pass laws, subsidize industries, explore for resources, etc.
Military: Your interactions with your military. Whether this be hastily raising militias, training troops , ordering equipment from industry. This also includes military operations during times of conflict.
Espionage: Any of the above actions that you do not want me to publish in the turn. I will deliver results to you as a private message. Gather intelligence, form secret alliances, commit assassinations and sabotage. If the outcome is something that would make headlines it will be published in the turn but not necessarily attributed to you unless you are caught.
Technology: A special section. Name three technologies that you think your faction would benefit from advancing and I will select one. Given the time period and the tumultous period that Britain has found itself navigating, do not expect great leaps forward in this area for some time.
First Turn is due by the end of Sunday 23rd August
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