The Butterfly Effect: A British AAR

[El Pip]

Breaking the top of the page because I'm not even 100% sure what the next update will be at this point. Probably some excessively detailed aero-tech-pron as the planned Rubber update is essentially pointless, which is to say it would be interesting facts, hilarious failures, but nothing that different from OTL. Or nothing different that hasn't already been covered in different updates, Britain is buying more stuff and so paying more attention to the Far East. Hence probably aero-tech stuff which has changed, though whether it is civilian or military first is a different question.

From this comment I note that you perhaps overestimate the sophistication of the average materials science professor, as well as the erudition of a few point defects here and there who have snuck into the field somehow.

Most of those professors wouldn't appreciate a discussion on the geo-political strategic implications of the material, they'd be too busy getting angry about The selective complexation of adamantane nitriles by tungsten pentacarbonyl. Thus they are excluded from the set described in that statement even if they do know a lot about liquid phase sintering.

While I most certainly can leave anything I damn well please hanging, as it's yourself on the line and it hardly behooves me to deny the authAAR in his own thread, the link is provided herein and forwith. I must note with some contrition that the pace of the AAR is regrettably much faster than real time, though I do endeavor to maintain a somewhat less frenetic pace and size of updates compared to the more Aussie members of the adjacent board.

I am delighted that you did share that link and I have responded in that other place, because that is a most excellent bit of writing that deserves praise, support and awards. And that is despite the pace being indeed very far from majestic, just imagine how good it could be if properly paced?

I did initially consider trying to post elsewhere on these forums, but ultimately decided against it not only as I couldn't quite work out where that should be done. That being said and done, I do wonder if a signature link would be inappropriate - I suspect some others might take interest, but I wouldn't want to run afoul of any forum rule I've missed being aware of.

Alas I fear you are correct, technically external links are frowned upon as I understand the rules.

It is, in fact, the default position the AI will fall into in HOI4 if you turn historical focuses off.

And sometimes, even then...

In this thread, we assume that HoI4 development proceeded, rather is proceeding, in slower-than-real time and thus is nowhere near releasing nor sullying the franchise with its innumerable ills...

Paradox would be hard pressed to prove that HOI4 actually is anywhere near ready for release based on any non-software industry quality standard, so I can see very little wrong with this assumption.

 

[nuclearslurpee]

Breaking the top of the page because I'm not even 100% sure what the next update will be at this point. Probably some excessively detailed aero-tech-pron as the planned Rubber update is essentially pointless, which is to say it would be interesting facts, hilarious failures, but nothing that different from OTL. Or nothing different that hasn't already been covered in different updates, Britain is buying more stuff and so paying more attention to the Far East. Hence probably aero-tech stuff which has changed, though whether it is civilian or military first is a different question.

I vote for tanks as is my wont and duty.

The selective complexation of adamantane nitriles by tungsten pentacarbonyl

These are organic chemists. We do not talk about such horrid people here, even Butterfly must have limits for the sake of propriety.

I am delighted that you did share that link and I have responded in that other place, because that is a most excellent bit of writing that deserves praise, support and awards. And that is despite the pace being indeed very far from majestic, just imagine how good it could be if properly paced?

One must learn to run before he can walk, let alone crawl.

Even so, you compliment me far too highly. I approve, of course.

 

[El Pip]

I vote for tanks as is my wont and duty.

A vote for an update about the expansion and upgrade of the water storage tanks at Fortress Singapore? Impressively niche.

These are organic chemists. We do not talk about such horrid people here, even Butterfly must have limits for the sake of propriety.

You do realise at some point we must at least sneak up to their domain, if only to allow a discussion of synthetic fuels, coal-to-oil and other such questionable delights?

One must learn to run before he can walk, let alone crawl.

Majestic pacing is not a feat for the novice, so I suppose you are correct to start quickly and only slow down as you gain experience.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

A vote for an update about the expansion and upgrade of the water storage tanks at Fortress Singapore? Impressively niche.

I think this was covered earlier but sure, I'd like to know more.

 

[Wraith11B]

*Desire to know more intensifies*

 

[El Pip]

I think this was covered earlier but sure, I'd like to know more.

We have had some vague mentions of the fuel tanks at Singapore, but I don't believe we'covered it's water supply or any water tanks.

*Desire to know more intensifies*

It is a surprisingly popular subject.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

We have had some vague mentions of the fuel tanks at Singapore, but I don't

Hong Kong, we discussed the problem with water supply there in the event of a siege. So far, the british have combated this by building the gin drinkers line and hoping for the best, but I suppose if the far east gets more attention, a better solution may be siezed upon (or at least, another solution if people take exception to the british planning to lose their Chinese toehold).

Singapore was more explaining why, though it is a fantastic naval base and getting better with investment, supplying it is bloody expensive.

 

[Cromwell]

I vote for starting with the millitary aeroporn and letting the civilian aeroporn follow.

 

[El Pip]

Hong Kong, we discussed the problem with water supply there in the event of a siege. So far, the british have combated this by building the gin drinkers line and hoping for the best, but I suppose if the far east gets more attention, a better solution may be siezed upon (or at least, another solution if people take exception to the british planning to lose their Chinese toehold).

Hong Kong is always going to be in the relief/re-capture category. The Admiralty would prefer it to hold out, but know that in practice that could get tricky, if the IJN decide they really want to capture it then they will. If the entire IJN battle line and Kiudo Butai turn up, not a lot you can do about that unless you fortify the entire island and destroy it's commercial peacetime value.

What you can do is make it a harder target, enough that it would take a decent sized force. Then either Hong Kong survives because the Japanese keep their fleet concentrated, so can't spare the force needed, or it falls but the IJN is weakened and the RN Far Eastern Fleet can attack after at more advantageous odds.

Singapore was more explaining why, though it is a fantastic naval base and getting better with investment, supplying it is bloody expensive.

There is an update on that scheduled for early 1938. Call it 2027 in real time.

I vote for starting with the millitary aeroporn and letting the civilian aeroporn follow.

You are a wise man for spotting the voting opportunity and leaping in. Excellent work.

 

[Cromwell]

I think I'm an old enough hand to know how things work around here! Vote early, vote often.

 

[nuclearslurpee]

I think I'm an old enough hand to know how things work around here! Vote early, vote often.

I vote for armoured fighting vehicles.

 

[Wraith11B]

How long has it been since we had word from the Navy? Methinks too long...

 

[nuclearslurpee]

How long has it been since we had word from the Navy? Methinks too long...

Recalling your most recent update, it occurs to me that our esteemable authAAR has often posted in other threads about the rather... haphazard state of the Red Navy in this time period. It would be remiss were Butterfly not to contain the authoritative version of this commentary.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

It's my birthday and no update? Shame on you, sir!

 

[Cromwell]

I like to imagine Pip has all of our birthdays in a dossier at home along with a massive chart on the wall showing posting frequency.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

I like to imagine Pip has all of our birthdays in a dossier at home along with a massive chart on the wall showing posting frequency.

Way to make him put to be even stranger and diabolical...

He isn't Wraith, for chrissakes.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

I like to imagine Pip has all of our birthdays in a dossier at home along with a massive chart on the wall showing posting frequency.

And, in my case, a photo of mine along the tag "Kurty is mad, but not dangerous; take it easy".

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

And, in my case, a photo of mine along the tag "Kurty is mad, but not dangerous; take it easy".

So, he has to provide a raft of clip notes for all regulars, as well as info on the water storage situation now...

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

So, he has to provide a raft of clip notes for all regulars, as well as info on the water storage situation now...

Pip is, without a doubt, very aware of what happened with Allenby and his WW1 wonderful AAR, and he keeps a file about each of us in case anything bad might happen to him.

Pure self-preservation.

 

[Le Jones]

So as ever the Rolls Royce of AARs provides the details that lesser works can only dream of. Insightful work, Pippy.

On the bigger picture Berlin (Hitler) still likes the idea of an Anglo-German alliance so he can focus on the wars he wants to fight without worrying about blockade, so he keeps getting it pushed and London keeps having to politely refuse. However German and British interests do keep aligning (China, Spanish Civil War, not keen on communism, etc) and it is making the Foreign Office nervous, they worry other people will start assuming there is some Anglo-German understanding even when their most definitely isn't (in London anyway).

This bit reminded me more of pre WW1 than WW2, the idea of a Britain and Germany agreeing on so much but unable, ultimately, to reconcile their differences. I fear that the FO is right to worry: the appearance of anything more that occasional cooperation will make a lot of nations jittery.

I decided to have the City still buying the Norwegian Smeltsverk just to remind everyone that 1930s Britain was not an industrially focused country and is not easily going to become one, it has a large industrial base of course (some of it world class, some not so much), but that is not where it shines, even if a large chunk of the country and parliament would wish otherwise.

You're right; so much of the establishment was hung up on the 'workshop of the world' fantasy of heavy industry that they ignored the truths of postwar Britain. I'd argue that many in the left and (to a point) the right didn't realise this until the mid 80s, a truly terrifying thought...