yesterdays war

by gerald hall

  “I worry about them too, Minister Hughes. Perhaps, we can help each other protect our nation against the threat of the Japanese or from anyone else who arises.”

  “What exactly are you driving at, Mister Cavill?”

  “I know that you favor a strong Australian military force to protect us. So do I. Let’s work together to achieve that end. I am pouring virtually all of my resources towards that end, in fact.”

  “Yes, but I don’t need some youngster to tell me all of this. There are already too many wealthy people who have come to me trying to buy influence by telling me about all of the money that they pay in taxes.” Hughes growled.

  For a moment, Harold was taken aback by Hughes’ sudden irritability. Then he noticed the old politician holding his stomach for a moment.

  “You’ll have to excuse me. I need to take some bicarbonate. The doctors say that I suffer from something that they call dyspepsia. So they tell me that I must eat nothing but bland foods and drink no alcohol. How can a decent Australian bloke not be able to have a drink?” An obviously uncomfortable Hughes said as he reached into his desk for a small box of powder. Then he got up and poured himself a glass of water that he placed a couple of spoons full of powder into before drinking the water.

  “I understand, Minister Hughes. Besides, I’m not really talking about the taxes that I pay. I’m actually referring to the investments in factories and other businesses that are creating jobs for our people. These are factories that can easily be converted to building the weapons that our troops will need in wartime. In fact, I have had to resort to unusual methods to find enough people to work for me.” Harold answered while trying to lower the tensions.

  “I have heard about that. You have had to resort to hiring Abos even. There are some people who are very unhappy about that. At least, you haven’t tried to import any Asians or Africans here to work for you.”

  “I have been hiring many Australians from all over our nation as well as talented workers from elsewhere. The current immigration laws here prevent me from bringing in Asians and Africans anyway. But in any event, I am training everyone who comes to work for me in a variety of industrial skills. That includes my aborigine workers.”

  Minister Hughes looked with a critical squint in his eyes at Harold.

  “I suppose that what you are doing is better than having the Abos drunk and on the dole. There are certainly people in the Country-Nationalist coalition who would like the aborigine problem solved very much, especially with our nation’s current fiscal situation.”

  “Well, Sir. The solution that I have adopted has been working well so far. Provide them with work, treat them decently with respect and finally, to give them a purpose. The jobs are important, but all of my measures together, including bringing in Christian missionaries to work with the aborigines directly, have proven to be effective.”

  “I’m glad that they are working for you, Mister Cavill. I will try to give you what support that I can as well. If we ever go back to war, Australia will certainly need your factories to produce weapons for our soldiers and sailors. I would be a fool not to help you maintain that capability. We can never sure if England or America will be ready to supply our needs in times of crisis.”

  “I will do whatever I can to help protect Australia. You can be certain of that, Minister Hughes.” Harold firmly assured the former Prime Minister before leaving to return to Derby.

  Of course, Harold already knew that war was coming, when and with whom Australia would be in conflict with. But simply having the possible support of a former Australian Prime Minister was not going to be enough. Billy Hughes would do whatever was necessary to improve Australia’s national security, but he was still a controversial figure who had powerful political enemies.

  “Minister Hughes, are you familiar with the militias in Switzerland?” Harold asked.

  “I’m afraid not.” Billy admitted.

  “The Swiss have a very large armed militia network. It consists of a pool of Swiss male citizens that have been given military training, but otherwise maintain the lives of normal citizens except during wartime. Even though the Swiss have a small full-time army, their militia gives them a significant military force when mobilized. You have to admit that it is very effective because no one has dared violate Swiss neutrality or to attack Switzerland itself for more than a century.”

  “You have a point to make, Mister Cavill?” Billy pointedly asked.

  “I would like to form an equivalent militia organization in Western Australia to help defend our territory from any invaders. This militia would act as an armed auxiliary to our regular armed forces. Your support in this matter would be very helpful in achieving this. I already know of several leading members of the Australian Parliament who will be submitting a bill to authorize the creation of this sort of armed militia organization. Likewise, similar legislation is being prepared for submission within the Western Australia state legislature as well.”

  Harold should know about these pieces of legislation, since his campaign contributions helped the sponsors of the militia legislation get elected. Having these politicians obliged to support Harold’s activities has helped considerably during the past decade or more. However, the support of a former Prime Minister like Billy Hughes would add considerable weight to Harold’s efforts here.

  “I take it that you also want my help here as well, Mister Cavill.”

  “Yes, Sir. I would. It would be for the good of Australia, Minister Hughes.”

  “Yes, I suppose so. You’ll have my endorsement, Mister Cavill. I will simply have to trust that you will make the best of it.”

  “Thank you, Sir.” Harold said as he shook Billy’s hand before continuing. “I really must be going now, Sir. I have to make the most of my trips away from Derby, I’m afraid. Good day, Sir.”

  As he left Billy’s office, Harold was already thinking about his next steps. Harold would have to develop assets and influence outside of Australia as well the indigenous ones like Billy Hughes. Because of the extensive biographical and historical information on Harold’s computer database, he already knew who he would need to approach next. It would be another controversial figure with some powerful political enemies who would later become one of the greatest wartime leaders of the twentieth century. But to visit this man and win his support, Harold would have to travel halfway around the world.

  Chapter Eight: Chartwell House

  Westerham, Kent, England March 11, 1925

  Harold Cavill got out of the rented automobile and began to walk towards the front door of Winston Churchill’s residence. Harold had been travelling extensively for the past four weeks already and was tired. But he still had so much more to do during this trip that he couldn’t afford to stop and rest for any length of time. Unlike his usual attire of working clothes, Harold was wearing a finely tailored three-piece dark grey suit and tie with matching formal hat. For this meeting, he needed to dress the part of a wealthy businessman.

  After knocking on the door, Harold stood by and waited until the door was opened by a young woman, presumably one of Churchill’s daughters.

  “Good morning, Miss. I’m here to see the Master of the house. Here is my card.” Harold said while handing the young woman a business card.

  She quietly excused herself and closed the door. Harold continued to stand there for a minute or two before the door opened again. This time, the person standing there was Winston Churchill himself, already dressed a pinstriped suit with coat and tie.

  “Good morning, Minister Churchill. I’m Harold….” The time traveler said before Winston interrupted him with a raised hand.

  “I know who are you, Mr. Cavill. There have been several recent newspaper articles written about you here in England that I have read. You are that Australian chap who seemingly came out of nowhere after the Great War and discovered those fabulously productive mines in the Outback. At the same time, you multiplied your wealth through some suspiciously profitable stock tr
ansactions in the international markets.

  After all of that, you leveraged your newfound wealth into the purchase or creation of several industrial enterprises in Australia and elsewhere that have also earned you a considerable amount of additional wealth. I must say, there are many people here who would pay dearly to know how you managed to predict just where to invest your money, much less how you just happened to find those mines.

  The question that I have for you at the moment is why you wish to speak with me at all. After all, I’m not exactly the most popular politician in England at the moment.” Churchill said with a critical tone in his voice.

  “At the moment, this might be true, Sir. However, you have been very influential in the past and will certainly continue to be in the future. I’m sure that there are many important people here who will still listen to what you have to say. There are some projects that I have been working on that would benefit the Commonwealth significantly. I am willing to invest quite a bit of my fortune in those projects.“

  “Do come in then, Mister Cavill. We can talk in private inside. Tell me of these projects of yours and how they would be so beneficial to the Commonwealth.” Churchill said with the curious raise of an eyebrow.

  Harold and Churchill walked over to a small study. Once there, Winston directed Harold towards a comfortable-looking chair.

  “You don’t mind if I pour myself a drink and have a cigar, do you Mister Cavill? Please do continue with your proposal.” Churchill said as he began to pour himself a glass of sherry, then light up one of his favorite Havanas.

  Normally, Harold abhorred smoking, especially something as pungent as the cigar that Churchill clearly enjoyed puffing. But this meeting was extraordinarily important to the time traveler. He knew that Churchill would still have very important contacts in both the Admiralty and the office of Exchequer. His assistance would be vital in Harold’s mission to change history and prevent the destruction of mankind. So Harold chose to say nothing in objection.

  Harold’s research notes on the laptop also revealed Churchill’s great interest in cutting edge ideas like tanks and naval aviation. Harold needed to appeal to Churchill’s curiosity and love of innovation.

  “Well, Sir. I am looking to make more investments in the defense industries. I know that it has been over ten years since the end of the Great War. But war is never too far in the future, I’m afraid. It is the nature of men that they would seek power and to try to gain it by force. There are also people and nations out there who would seek vengeance for perceived injustices from the last war. We must make preparations to deal with all of those things.”

  “Although, I would be hard pressed to see how a thoroughly humbled Germany could be a threat to anyone in this generation or the next, I can see the logic in your desires. After all, who can truly predict the future?” Churchill replied.

  Harold had to fight hard to resist giving away his knowledge of the future, even with something as subtle as a change in his facial expression. He had to remain in character, a wealthy entrepreneur and patriot, seeking to benefit both the Commonwealth and his wallet.

  “You are very correct, Minister. Who can truly predict the future? However, a reasonable person with some small degree of influence and foresight can make preparations for the future, whatever it might be.”

  “I suppose then that you feel that you are that very sort of person.” Churchill replied with a hint of distain. He came from wealth himself, but obviously didn’t necessarily like the newly wealthy. Little did Churchill know just how wealthy James Stevenson and his family had been before the beginning humanity’s final war. But that was another time and possibly another future.

  “I could be. But let’s talk about other things for now, like how the Admiralty is having some difficulties with some of its current inventory due to the politicians’ desire to reduce military spending through treaty restrictions. An example of this is the situation with the remaining fourHawkins-class large cruisers.”

  “What about them? TheHawkins’still have quite a few years of life left and are powerful units.”

  “Yes, they are quite powerful by the previous war’s standards. But, they are rapidly being outclassed by the large treaty cruisers being built by the Americans and Japanese. I’m sure that the French and Italians will be building treaty cruisers of their own also. TheHawkins’main armament is certainly inferior in caliber and layout to the new large treaty cruisers, putting the former at a great disadvantage. The Admiralty has already made the decision to build the much more modernCounty- class cruisers instead of continuing with more of theHawkinsas you well know.”

  “We are not likely to go to war with either of those foreign navies. They were, in fact, both allies of ours during the Great War.”

  “Things can change, Minister Churchill. Mind you, I doubt very seriously that we will ever go back to war against the Americans. But the Japanese have their own ambitions that could eventually clash with the British Empire. But more importantly, as we, the Americans and the Japanese lead, other navies like those of the French, Italians and perhaps someday even the Germans will follow. The Hawkinswill become much more of a liability than an asset for the Royal Navy long before they are due to be retired as overage.”

  “So, Mister Cavill, what do you propose concerning theHawkinsclass ships?”

  “I know already that you have a keen interest in aviation, Minister. So it would be only natural that you would favor the extension of aviation to additional naval units to increase their capabilities. I know that with one of theHawkins, a small step has already been taken towards this. HMSVindictive was modified to carry a small complement of light aircraft aboard her. However, her conversion was only a half measure of what was needed to make the vessel truly capable of supporting aircraft operations.”

  “Please continue, Mister Cavill.” Churchill said, his eyes keenly focused on Harold through the ever present cloud of cigar smoke.

  “The current naval disarmament treaty does not consider vessels with flight decks as aircraft carriers for a nation’s tonnage limit if the vessel has a standard displacement under ten thousand tons, does it?”

  “That is true, Mister Cavill.”

  “What I propose is that HMSVindictiveand her remaining sister ships be taken out of service and disarmed as cruisers under treaty rules. Then the Admiralty should construct full flight decks and aircraft hangars on the hulls of theHawkins-class ships. This would give the Royal Navy four light, fast aircraft carriers that did not count against our treaty limits. Such vessels could be the heart of a new grouping of cruisers and destroyers that can patrol much larger segments of our trade routes. The combination of carrier-borne bombers and fighters along with a cruiser’s guns would threaten even the largest warships if the latter were encountered singularly. Add a fast capital ship to one of these groups as well and you have a very powerful and versatile naval formation.

  There is something else to bear in mind about this concept. The treaty tonnage for cruisers that would be freed up by the removal of theHawkins-class vessels would allow the Admiralty to construct at least five modern cruisers armed with six-inch guns to replace them. The six-inch armed cruiser is what the Admiralty favors in any event rather than the eight-inch armed treaty cruisers, isn’t it, Sir?”

  “That is quite correct, Mister Cavill. The Admiralty would prefer having more hulls so as to cover far more area. I must say that your proposition does sound intriguing. Even a relatively small number of aircraft can vastly increase the amount of area that can be searched. Torpedoes and bombs deployed from those aircraft could damage and even destroy enemy warships far beyond the range of a cruiser’s or even a battleship’s guns. I like this idea very much.

  But what else can you do for us in England besides talk of high-minded concepts of naval warfare, Mister Cavill?”

  “As you already know, I already own a variety of mines and industrial facilities in Australia. I would like to invest up to five million Pounds Sterling
here in England. I was thinking of perhaps investing in a factory for the production of efficient, reliable, high-pressure steam boilers and turbines. They could be useful in the production of electricity for civilian use or for the purposes of ship propulsion. I have similar production facilities under development near the shipyard that I own in Northern Australia.

  In addition to this, if the Admiralty cannot afford to do theHawkinsconversions in British shipyards, I am certain that I would be able to do the job at a significantly lower cost at my shipyard in Australia.

  That could mean the creation of thousands of jobs for the unemployed in England if I built that factory. I don’t know if the Admiralty would be willing to allow theHawkinsconversion work to be exported to Australia, although the idea of saving scarce funding would be very appealing to them, I’m certain.”

  “Indeed, it would. A lot of important people would be beholding to you. Others will be quite afraid of you as well, Mister Cavill, especially those who favor the current government’s focus on public works rather than military construction.”

  “I am not surprised that certain entrenched interests like the current leadership in Whitehall would oppose my initiatives, Minister Churchill. But if my proposals provide jobs for workers in England and Australia, that will silence all but the most partisan objections, of course.”

  What Harold didn’t tell Churchill is that the factory that Harold wants to build will be utilizing turbine designs that are far closer to the high-pressure designs used by the American navy, than the relatively low-pressure steam propulsion plants that the larger Royal Navy warships utilized. The adoption of such ‘radical’ technology would shake much of the Royal Navy’s design philosophy to the core.

  Harold was more than capable as an engineer in addition to his other talents. Of course, it helped that he had a considerable amount of technical information on naval warship engines on his computer. The technology that he had available ranged from the prewar engine designs to those built well after the end of the Second World War.