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| REPUBLIC OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA. RWA Index. RWA Military Locations in the WRA The Western Republic of Australia was formed in early 1933, although it did not recieve much attention until 1935 when it launched an attack that drove the Commonwealth forces from their footholds and back into their own territory. The Western Republic came about in 1930, when elections across Australia put strongly regionalist supporters into the Western Australia government seats, both locally and in the parliament. At first things went smoothly, until several small measures easily passed through the Parliament and House of Representatives. Both affected the West only a little, however it was by the pure measure of which the West was ignored, which angered many of them. The West voting against both measures, and yet having the near entirety of the houses voting for it (Minor laws affecting commerce, they provided a stepping stone to higher-power politics. ) As tensions began rising, their Parliament members began voting as a block, opposing many of the newer measures, many of which would have only marginally affected the West, primarily as a means of protest against some of the other actions of the government. In 1932, rumors of seccesion began. With the breakup of the United States, many Western Australians saw this as an opportunity. Although much of the older population was neutral of an opinion, and although slightly in support, the younger population rapidly grew on the idea. The Western leaders, and Parliament members began having meetings within Western Australia. By June of 1932, they had decided to prepare for the possibility of seccession. Perth was chosen as the possible capitol, and funds were raised to enlarge and renovate it's harbor for access by large numbers of cargo vessels. Numerous "Ranch projects" were started across Western Australia in preperation for aerodromes and military bases. The final straw came in March of 1933, when the Canberra government passed a number of tax lawes, increasing taxes on agricultural trade, while at the same reducing those for industries "To stimulate workmanship in these hard times". It was passed almost unilaterally with exception of Western Australia and a the of votes from those in the rural sections of the other territories. However as the industralized territories and urban sections gloated about their victory, the West was mobilizing it's forces. On April 8th, 1933, Western Australia seceded from the Australian Commonwealth, and declared itself the Republic of Western Australia, withdrawing their representatives from the Canberra government. They announced that new membership from any of the other Australian states would also be welcome into their nation, although none responded. Joseph Lyons immediately branded the state as rebels, and sent Commonwealth troops to crush the "rebellion". As the Commonwealth forces approached the Western Republics border, and were met by Republican forces. Several skirmishes broke out, with the Western forces routed, and the Commonwealth forces marching into Perth. The WRA's government had fled to a temporary captiol, and responded with their newly acquired air force. Fairchild Bandit's obliderated the Commonwealth fighters, and then proceeded to wreak havoc on the Commonwealth coluimn, before Republican troops counter-attacked and then captured them, netting the WRA their first victory and 4,000 prisoners. For nearly four months afterward, the two sides clashed. Neither side had fixed lines, and at times units were sometimes based 400 miles inside their opponents territory. Engagements consisting of armed camps making patrols and engaging other armed forces, with no area being fully secured, with the exception of Perth, which managed to beat back several Commonwealth offensives. Finally in the beginning of 1934, the Commonwealth withdrew it's troops from WRA territory and established a formal line. Both sides had suffered nearly 10,000 casulties by this time. The Commonwealth established formal lines, fortifiying some sections and moving their available aircraft to the front, temporarily ceasing offensive actions to reorganize. While they did so, the Western Republic did not waste time. The Perth harbor was cleaned (A number of ships had been sunk by RAAF aircraft and had the major channels plugged), and renovated, Perth fortified, and three major aerodromes for military use, and use by civilian airships were built. The first formal Republican Military units, the 1st and 2nd Republican Combined Arms Brigades, and 3rd and 4th Republican Air Battalions were formed, and the various volunteer units organized into formal uinits and recieving unit numbers. (Note: In these early stages of war, there was little actual organization, with brigades, battalions and even divisions recieving a number. As such, numbers 5 through 16 were solely volunteer units, the smallest having 500 men, and the largest 5,500. This trend has continued to this day. leading to slight confusion when dealing with WRA military). The front lines were fortified as well, and forward aerodromes constructed. A major part of their next plan, a road network was upgraded leading from Perth directly to the front lines. The intent was to be able to quickly transport supplies (The WRA having access to only 2 zeppelins at this time) to the front lines. However this project was far from complete at the time of the offensive, leading to it's failure. By January, the Republic was ready and launched a surprise attack on the un-prepared Commonwealth. With the help of mercenary units, the Revolutionary forces crushed the Commonwealth front lines, and penetrated deep to their rear. Several units were surrounded and soon surrendered, however some pockets refused, with several small towns having "last stands" in which the remaining troops were forcibly flushed out with house to house fighting. With relatively well organized air support (Through use of foreign instructers), the ground forces pushed deep into Commonwealth territory, their newly arrived armored forces providing an initial firepower advantage against the unprepared Crowns (A derogatory nick-name coined in the WRA for a Commonwealth Supporter). However the offensive slowed as a number of factors became apparent. Primarily, the reason was one which halted many offensives. The lack of fuel and ammunition, which was slow in arriving on the arid and rugged outback roads. The others was the arrival of British "Peacekeeper" forces and the Commonwealth calling up it's reserves. The offensive slowed and then stopped. Both sides spent nearly a year licking their wounds, the Commonwealth making a few token offensives to save face, however little actual fighting. In 1936, the British Crown sent a offer to the Republic to dissolve, and ask for re-admission to the Commonwealth, and all possible charges would be ironed out with the Commonwealth. The Republic let the ultimatium expire, and then sent it's reply three hours later. In a surprise air raid, 4 Republican Air Brigades (About 250 aircraft) struck in unison against Commonwealth targets all along the line. In the surprise night-time attack, almost 200 Commonwealth aircraft were destroyed on the ground, along with dozens of tanks, and a number of supply depots, and infrastructure. Fears of a renewed offensive proved fruitless, the Republic mearly making a point in their stand in the Civil War. Since then the lines have remained quiet, small offensives taking place, but taking a backseat to the more common raids and counter-raids. However now, in late 1937, the Republicans have managed to move within 65 miles of Darwin and Alice Springs, in a nearly north and south line. The raids by both sides have also been increasing, as both have licked their wounds and are gaining moderate numbers of reserves. The current government in Perth is formed of primarily the Republican National party, consisting of conservative agricultural members. However the government is fully open to all parties, and as such political debates have been small. The WRA is having slight monetary problems in regards to the war, it's exports not being worth nearly the amount of arms and munitions they import to continue the war. As such a number of loans have been taken out from Hollywood, the ISA, and Texas, although the WRA government has "politely" refused such offers from the USSR and Germany, possibly feeling that those nations are more likely to twist their arms in political agendas. The WRA leaders are trying to build the Republics industrial base, their initial industries were primarily 3 arms factories, one building Lee-Enfield rifles, another ammunition, and one which had been half completed, for production of the Model 1926 Browning heavy cannons, firing the 15 Millimeter(.60 caliber) round common to the RAF. Since then, several more have appeared, including an official Republican government armory that is producing (legally licensed from Debruin) Devastator copies. There are alot of domestic arms manufacturers. Producing small arms and ammunition at astonishing rates (In fact there is even a number of armories producing small arms for EXPORT, in exchange for heavier firepower). Among the largest government supplier however is a quasi-armory, producer named "Domestic Arms Co.". They have their fingers in all sorts of projects. Including testing of a fighter prototype, production of a automatic rifle and a man-portable rocket launcher. Thier biggest known feat though is their conversion of the rather worthless Panzer I tanks into usable combat vehicles..They completely renovated the chassis of 45 government bought Panzer I's, replacing the weak .30 machine guns with a six pack layout of rockets, providing a effective short range anti-aircraft strongpoint. The stripped .30 caliber turrents are then installed into defence lines, being small one man pillboxes. As production of their prototype fighter continues, we will be sure to keep you updated |