Untimely Excursions

by Hall, Gerald

  “There are certainly Australian businesses who have a vested interest in the stability of Indochina because of their trade relationships with us. At least one of those organizations has a significant degree of control of one of the better-equipped and trained reserve militias in all of Australia as well, Mon amie.” Francois explained.

  “You are referring to Cavill Industries, I’m sure. But I seriously doubt that the Australian government would allow the Cavills to send armed troops into Indochina. The politicians in Canberra are deathly afraid of being drawn into another conflict, either against the Vietminh insurgents or on one side of the Chinese civil war, whichever side that might be.”

  “Perhaps so, Gabriel. But maybe the Cavills could be convinced to send armed security personnel to protect their assets here? That would free up French and allied indigenous forces to take a more offensive stance against the insurgents.”

  “Oui. But how would we accomplish this?”

  “I don’t know yet. But I will investigate the possibilities, I assure you. Every little bit of help would be very welcome.” Francois told his friend before giving him a hug and leaving the room.

  However, there were some things that Francois had still kept from his friend Gabriel. One of those things was just how many contacts that he had with other ‘clients’, most of whom had interests far different than what Gabriel represented.

  Still included his business relationships with the Cantonese Chinese and the very Vietminh insurgents that he was trying to get additional troops to send into combat with. But the most important client that Francois kept hidden was Germany.

  The Germans had been using Francois as a cutout for the weapons that they had been selling to the Cantonese. Using the Frenchman also allowed the Germans to send out prototype weapons to be combat-tested without their origin being revealed.

  But the Germans also wanted Francois to do something else. Berlin wanted the Australians drawn into an armed conflict in East Asia. The Germans hoped that such a conflict would say away a variety of resources away from the Australians to inhibit their tremendous post-war technological and economic advances.

  The Australians had also been key to the recovery of the British economy with their co-production of so much of the new technology now in use by the British military and aviation industries. There was also the possibility that, as part of the British Commonwealth, that a conflict involving the Australians could also draw in the English as well.

  The Germans had not revealed to Francois what their full intent was. But he was not the only agent clandestinely working for the Germans in East Asia. Germany’s other players were already setting the stage for other elements of Berlin’s long term plans for not only East Asia, but also Africa, the Middle East and the rest of Europe.

  “Yes, Francois. I do hope that you will consider all of the possibilities. I also hope that you consider all of the dangers at the same time. Everything that I have heard about the Cavills indicates that they are not to be trifled with at all. This is especially true so close to their home.

  Chapter Twenty:

  Cavill Shipyards

  Derby, Western Australia

  May 22, 1957

  Lieutenant Commander Judson Wilkinson had first walked past this command, the HMAS guided missile destroyer Vampire that morning. There were still dozens of men and women wearing the grey Cavill Industries coveralls working on various areas of his ship. The destroyer was in the final weeks of an extensive refit that had converted the warship into one of the most modern missile-firing warships in the world.

  Judson saw several of his sailors on desk working with the Cavill shipyard workers as well. That was a very good sign. It meant that she would be ready for sea soon after successful completion of the ship’s workup.

  After watching the activity for a few more minutes, Commander Wilkinson then turned and walked to the shipyard main office. Once inside the building, Judson went to the refit office, knocked on the door and let himself inside. A man in his late-thirties wearing the same grey coveralls was sitting at a desk looking over a stack of design sketches.

  “Good morning, Commander. I hope that you and your crew are still doing well here. How has the new refit been going for them?” Adam Findler asked the Australian naval officer after looking up and seeing who his visitor was.

  “Splendidly, Mister Findler. I can’t be any happier about how the new weapons are performing on Vampire. The firing exercise that we did two days ago was extremely successful. Both the antiaircraft missiles and anti-ship missiles that we fired scored direct hits on their targets. The new automatic cannons were extraordinary as well, including the new main guns. I trust that you have many customers knocking at your door to purchase these weapons for their own use?”

  “We are in negotiations with the Italians and the French concerning the sale of our six-pounder automatic antiaircraft cannons. The Italians have continued to have problems with the development of their 65 millimeter automatic cannons. Our engineers have been working with the Italians already while at the same time promoting the replacement of the Italian 65mm gun with our six-pounder weapon. We believe that in the long run, it will be in Italy’s best interest to select our weapon for use on their warships.

  Our people are confident that we can install our cannons in the same mounts as the original Italian design with a relatively few number of modifications. With our cannon design, the Italians will see a significant increase in rate of fire and reliability by using our proven technology. In return, we are very interested in upgrading their 9cm antiaircraft gun for naval use with a new automatic loader and also adapting it to use as a tank main gun.

  The French have their 57 millimeter cannon that they have developed to upgrade their shipboard defenses. But if we can get the French Navy to establish a cooperative relationship with the Italians, then perhaps we can convince the French to also adopt our cannons. Then both nations can share ammunition, maintenance and other common components. Such standardization would significantly reduce the overall procurement and lifecycle costs for both France and Italy.” Adam explained.

  “How much of the production work will be done by our people and how much will be completed indigenously?”

  “It depends on the client, of course. Mind you, the components from our factories are going to be less expensive and generally of significantly higher quality than what you could produce yourselves.

  It’s not that our overseas partners are not capable of quality work, of course. Our people simply have far more experience producing this particular technology, you see.”

  “I understand completely, Mister Findler. I just hope that I never have to face anyone armed with some of these fine tools of war of yours.”

  “No worries. We would never sell anything better to a foreign customer than what our boys already have, I promise. This is especially true if that customer could potentially become an enemy in the future.”

  “Very good. That is very reassuring. I understand that the Italians may be beginning construction of several fast corvettes for the Israeli Navy. That is a very ‘interesting’ part of the world at this time.”

  “Yes, Sir. It is. But with the proliferation of advanced weapons being sold to some of Israel’s enemies, the Jewish State’s leaders felt that it would be wise to upgrade their navy along with the rest of their military. All they were able to procure were a couple of war surplus destroyers and a score of various types of patrol boats. With the various navies of the Islamic states surrounding Israel buying many times that many warships, the Israelis felt the need to be able to not only protect their shoreline but also their sea lines of communication.”

  “I understand completely. There are still many people out there who would like to finish what Hitler had started with his ‘final solution’, I’m afraid. But I saw a new ship under construction at one of the covered ship construction halls. I couldn’t see much, but it certainly appeared to be pretty bloody close in size to what I had heard was goin
g to the Israeli’s.” Judson noted.

  “I supposed that you already knew that Cavill Shipbuilding had purchased a stake in Cantieri Riva Trigoso Shipyard, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, I had. You blokes have certainly invested a lot of money both here in Australia and elsewhere.”

  “True enough. So you put two and two together, I suppose. Well, we are building the prototype for the Israeli corvette here, far away from prying eyes. We will also be conducting sea trials here before long. If you had been down there at the construction hall for any length of time, you probably would have heard a couple of dozen men with Italian accents working there also. They are here from Cantieri getting experience working on the vessel before returning to Italy.”

  “Is there anything else that you can tell me about her? She looked quite attractive from what little that I saw of her.”

  “The vessel is not going to be very large. In fact, we anticipate that she will only displace about eight hundred tons. But ton for ton, we expect her to be among the most powerful warships in the world. She will have mounts for three gun mounts, one forward and two aft. We are initially planning on placing an automatic six-pounder on her bow and stern mounts with a 25mm gatling gun superfiring over the aft mount. Amidships, she has been fitted for a triple torpedo tube mount and a pair of fixed torpedo tubes. But these can be replaced by other weapons, either in part or completely.”

  “Weapons like the guided missiles that Vampire now has in place of her torpedo tubes, perhaps?”

  “Perhaps. But there are going to be a variety of options available to the Israelis. They may possibly include the installation of that proposed 9cm automatic cannon that I mentioned earlier or even a short-range anti-aircraft missile launcher. Nothing is set in stone just yet though, Sir.”

  “Fair Dinkum. She definitely would carry quite the punch. I would certainly hate to run into her in the dark.” Judson commented with a tone of alarm.

  “I think that is rather the idea that the Israelis have for the design. It will certainly be much harder to attack with guided missiles because of its speed as well. The corvette’s engines are in some ways very similar to those that have now been fitted to Vampire.”

  “She’s running diesels and gas turbines?”

  “Yes, Commander. The arrangement is slightly different though. The diesels use the traditional arrangement of powering two shafts with conventional screws. There is only one gas turboshaft. It will power a central waterjet propulsor. Together, those engines have already gotten this corvette to over forty knots in the limited trials that we have conducted.”

  “Bloody hell! That is a very fast boat indeed. I wouldn’t mind if our navy bought a few of them also to protect our coastlines.”

  “I’m glad that you think so. Of course, I request that you show considerable discretion concerning the information that I have shared with you about the new Israeli corvette. I’m sure that the Israelis would not appreciate having too much information come out about their new warships, especially to their enemies on the other side.”

  “Of course. The Israelis have fought a hell of a fight against the Arabs around them. I’ve been surprised as hell that they haven’t been driven into the sea because of how badly they have been outnumbered.”

  “I suppose that their Masada complex has been reawakened in the Jewish people there. They have had enough of people trying to subjugate and then exterminate them, I’m sure.”

  “I can understand that. I have served with sailors from the Royal Navy who had served in Palestine during the Arab uprising or what they called the ‘intifada’. I was told some incredible tales of just how vicious the fighting was there.”

  “I’m certainly glad that I am staying right here at home. The Abos are pretty decent mates around here. I work with them and even see them all the time at church.”

  “Well, Mister Findler, I need to go now. The problem with being in charge is that there are always meetings that I have to attend. G’Day to you, Sir.” Commander Wilkinson said with a friendly smile before turning and heading out through the door.

  Adam waited a few moments before picking up the phone and dialing the number for the covered construction hall where the corvette was located.

  “Hello, Eric. Yes, Vampire’s captain got to see your corvette alright. You can go ahead and close the doors to the construction hall back up. He got a good sniff of it. All we need to do now is let him talk to his friends at the Admiralty. Thanks.” Adam said before putting down the phone with a broad smile on his face.

  Chapter Twenty-One:

  Cavill Aerospace Headquarters

  Derby, Western Australia

  June 6, 1957

  “I just received a request from the French concerning our facilities in Haiphong, French Indochina. Have you read it yet, Judith?” Theodore Rosewood, chief engineer and program manager for Cavill Aerospace asked.

  “I was only able to skim briefly through it. It mentioned something about a request for us to send some security personnel to help protect our facilities there, I believe.” Judith Cavill replied.

  “I bloody well smell a rat here, Judith. The French want us to provide our facilities in Haiphong and Hanoi with the better part of two hundred armed personnel. They claim that they don’t have enough personnel available to cover our facilities there. But the number of personnel that they want us to send isn’t just a security force. That is an oversized infantry company. The threat to our factories and plantations isn’t that severe unless the French are not telling us the whole story about what is going on inside their little foothold in Indochina.” Theo interjected.

  Theodore had several of his subsidiary production facilities located in French Indochina. Those companies primarily produced equipment for the French and other foreign markets though.

  “Ted, give me a couple of weeks. I will let you know if we really need the amount of armed security that the French want us to send. We just have to let our eyes and ears in the sky take a look down at French Indochina to give us a much better idea of what is really going on. Ultimately, we are ones who decide if and how much additional security that we need there.”

  “I understand, Ma’am. It’s not like the French have any idea of what we can do with our satellites. Hell, most of our people have a clue about our ability monitor what people are saying or doing.”

  “Yes, Ted. You need to make sure that no one else knows that information either. We wouldn’t want other nations to find that out either. Otherwise, they will start encrypting their communications and we will lose a valuable edge faster than a dingo can dig out a rabbit.”

  “Got it, Ma’am.” Theo said with a nod of acknowledgement.

  It actually took less than two weeks before Theodore came back to Judith’s office with additional information on the situation in French Indochina.

  “Hello, Ma’am. Do you remember that conversation that we had earlier about why the French were asking us to send a bunch of security personnel to Indochina to protect our facilities there?”

  “Yes, I’m afraid that I do. Something tells me that you found out something about what the French are up to.”

  “Indeed, I fear that the French are trying to draw our people in the fight. They may even believe that if Australian lives are being taken by the Vietminh insurgents, then the Australian government may be forced to send regular troops to protect our interests there. They have said this in their communications. The indicators of troop concentrations for both the French and Vietminh also verify that the French have been misleading us as well.”

  “That would not be a very good situation for any of us, I’m afraid.”

  “The French are right about one thing, Ma’am. The situation is getting worse with the Vietminh. We are going to need to increase our security force to protect our facilities. But we don’t need to bring in nearly as many personnel as the French have recommended. If we maintain a purely defensive posture and invest some funds in hardening the facilities themselves, we ca
n defend our facilities with a much smaller force.”

  “Then we send only enough people to supplement our existing security force.”

  “We might want to upgrade the physical facilities at the same time. That will make the limited force that we send much more effective.”

  “We will need to send workmen to do the construction work.”

  “Then we should send combat engineers from the Derby militia, Ma’am. Most of them already work for Cavill construction companies anyway. That way, they can legally carry weapons to protect themselves while they are in country. Then, they can come right back home after the job is complete. We will never claim that they are part of our security force so the French cannot complain when our engineers leave.”

  “That sounds like a very good idea to me. This way, our people and properties stay protected while remaining out of the fight between the French and Vietminh. If the insurgents do try to attack us, we will simply fight them off. The French cannot afford to abandon us without dire consequences to their economy in Indochina in any event.”

  “But can we afford to abandon our facilities there if the Vietminh are able to take over the country from the French, Ma’am?”

  “I will do what I must to protect our people, even if that means that we pull all of our people out to a place of safety. I do realize that we may have to sacrifice our investments there in that case.”

  “At least, we will have recouped our initial investments there by now. If there is a change in management in Indochina, perhaps we will still be called in to operate our facilities.”

  “That is also a very good reason why we should not send a lot of additional armed men there. We need to maintain as positive a relationship as possible with all of the people living there in that country. The French are going to require our services in other areas in the future. They will either need products from our factories or access to our telecommunications network. So they will come back to us, one way or another even if we do not commit the number of security forces that they want.” Judith responded.