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Commonwealth of Australia.

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The Australian Commonwealth is the remaining portion of Australia that remains a member of the British Commonwealth, what remained behind after the rebellious Western portion of Australia broke off to form the Republic of Western Australia.

However, let us start at the beginning. Australia was first formed as a Royal Colony in the late 1700's. For the first half of the 19th century, it was a destination for prison convicts, a practice that was phased out by the 1860's.

The nation gree massively in the late 1850's during that periods gold rush. Since that time, Australia enjoyed an expanding population and growing government ability.    The colonies slowly gained self-government, until 1901.

In the year of 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was born, as a Dominion of Britain. The years of 1901 to 1930 were spent organizing the nation, such as creation of North and Central Australia from the one Northern territory, the acquiring of outlying islands and interests from Britain.

The Great War was one of the factors that led up to the current conflict.   The more industrial and urban eastern areas rallied for support of "Crown and Country", with the Prime Minister proclaiming "If the Empire is at war, so also is Australia."   This was in contrast to the rural and western portions of the Commonwealth, that were more removed from British contact and influence.

And although many rural Australians served with distinction among the Light Horse and Mounted Rifles units, it still created moderate tension when the "Civilized" governments stood so firmly beside the Crown, while the nation was divided.

However that tension faded as the Great War ended, and the Commonwealth expanded in population, industry and trade for nearly a dozen years.

However as the late 1920's arrived, tensions again arrived. Worldwide tensions were mounting, and the growing regionalism movement had arrived in Australia.   Things remained peaceful however for a number of years.

Not until 1929, did the situation immediately grow more dire. The Canberra government passed several trade laws, and deals with England that drew anger from the rural segment of the nation. The problem worked itself out within a year, and things went back to normal.

However the damage had already been done. With the 1930 elections showing a clear divide between Western Australia and the other territories, with the West electing local officials and government representatives that were strongly regionalist, and voting against the Prime Minister choice, who they claimed was in the King's hind pocket.

Beginning in 1930, tensions again began mounting between Western Australia and the rest of the Commonwealth.    The representitives from that territory voting as a block against a number of bills that were pushed through by the other territories as a means of protest.

By January of 1932, rumors of seccession began circulating. The break-up of the United States had been big news in Australia, especially among the rural segments, who saw predominately rural-oriented nations such as Dixie and Arixo form.

A number of powerful Western leaders began meeting in secret. Ranchers, shipping magnates based in the West, along with local officials and representitives.    By the end of 1932, decisions had been made to prepare for the possibility of seccession.

Perth was prepared as a possible capitol, with the harbor gaining funds for renovation and expansion, while numerous "Ranch projects" were started in preperation for airstrips and military bases.

The final straw came in February of 1933 when the Canberra based Commonwealth passed a number of laws, raising taxes on agricultural trade, while at the same time lowering them on industries in order to "Incite workmanship in the hard times".    These laws affected the entire rural segment of Australia, however the West took it personally, due to their already heavy friction with the Commonwealth.

On April 8th 1933, Western Australia declared it's independance from the Commonwealth of Australia, withdrawing it's representatives from the Canberra government.    They declared Perth their capitol, and proclaimed to welcome any other Australian territory who wished to join them.

Almost immediately, Prime Minister Joseph Lyons declared the Republic of Western Australia as rebels and dispatched troops to crush the "Rebellion".

Commonwealth troops from Victoria and New South Wales arrived at the border of the new "nation".   They were met by Republican troops, and several short vicious skirmishes broke out before the rebels were routed.

The Commonwealth forces continued onto Perth, but found virtually none of the leaders, who disappeared underground.    The Commonwealth military column was then ambushed by newly purchased Republican aircraft.

After a mauling by the aircraft, the Republican ground forces launched a series of counter-attacks that crippled the column, and it surrendered, handing the Western Republic it's first victory, and 4,000 prisoners.

For nearly 4 months afterwards, the two sides clashed back and force, the entire length of the outback.   Neither side having a firm line, and no real organization, it amounted to little more than armed units stumbling onto each other, then engaging in fierce firefights.

The "Struggle" continued until late 1934, when the Commonwealth temporarily withdrew their troops to the Western Republic's border. Both sides had suffered nearly 10,000 casulties, and Canberra decided to begin a more firm planning for crushing the rebels.

In the meantime, the Western Republic lost no time. Perth was fully fortified, the harbor expanded to accept the larger ocean-going freightors, and several large civilian and military aerodromes constructed.

Volunteer units were formed, and only semi-permanent airbases were constructed on the frontier borders, while infantry units were formed, along with armored brigades for support.

Little did the Commonwealth expect a full counter-attack by the Revolutionaries so soon. When Republican aircraft struck the Commonwealth's forward aerodromes, it came as a shock.

The ground troops came next, followed by armor support.   In the coming weeks, the Commonwealth was saved.   Through a combination of the Commonwealth recalling numbers of reserve soldiers, the West's supply lines become over-extended, and arrival of British Reinforcements, or...Peacekeepers as they were called.

As the front stabilized, the Commonwealth launched several small counter-offensives, more to save face than actually cause damage.

However the front soon stabilized into formal warfare. Neither side strays far from their own lines, and much of the conflict involves raids and counter-raids with only rare offensives.

The Commonwealth has done any major attacks, but is holding to the same strategy as the Western Republic is. Consolidating and organizing some of it's more widespread forces for a coordinated offensive.    Should both sides finish reorganization at the same time, the conflict could quickly fireball, with both sides have large reserves of veterans, arms and incentive for a vicious fight.