The Muslim League leaders had blustered and made all kinds of threats when they had been informed of this. As politicians they resented any loss of their personal power. An increasingly exasperated Eden had been forceful and left them with no alternative but to accept what was on offer.
During the length of the actual independence process, the entire Indian Army, police force, and a large number of British troops would be stationed at strategic points and potential flashpoints, throughout the sub-continent. Of particular concern were the routes that would be taken by both Hindus and Muslims migrating from what had been their homes, but where they were a religious minority, to the alternative, supposedly welcoming, new country with the same religion. The bitter resentment on both sides could explode into fighting at the drop of a hat, (or turban).
The British Government had been offered the loan of fifty Junker Ju52 transport aircraft, together with pilots, by the German Government to assist in ferrying troops and supplies during the expected hectic period. “Jolly decent of them”, muttered Eden in response to a similar approving comment by Churchill. The Royal Air Force still had a large fleet of transport aircraft despite downsizing since the end of the European War. However, they were going to be stretched by their operational commitments during the Indian independence schedule. Accordingly the offer from the Germans was kept open for the time being.
The British troop presence had been boosted to one hundred thousand soldiers over the previous months. The Indian Army itself totalled four hundred and fifty thousand, of which about one third were Muslim. The Gurkha regiments had been transferred from the Indian Army to the British army. They came from Nepal which was outside India, and they expressed in no uncertain terms that they owed allegiance only to Great Britain.
The movement of refugees had started in March, as soon as the details of partition had been announced. At first it was only a trickle, but the trickle soon became a deluge, especially in the two months immediately before the official date for independence on 15 August 1945. The total number displaced and on the move was uncountable, but was thought to be more than fifteen million people.
It was inevitable that the inbred ‘communal hatred’ between the two religions would erupt into violence. This, in fact, happened repeatedly. Only the hard worked and flustered soldiers of both armies, together with the overstretched police, kept casualties from being horrific, instead of just ‘very high’. Even so, by the time the migrations started to diminish towards the end of August, it was estimated that about ninety thousand people had perished. It could have been much worse!
Gradually the re-constituted Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi armies took control of their own borders and surrounding countryside. An uneasy peace settled on the areas where the opposing religions faced each other. For the time being, India’s internal troubles were over. Much to the relief of the British in London.
President Truman had given a warm welcome to his guests, Field Marshall von Brauchitsch and Baron von Altendorf. Like his predecessor, he recognised the invaluable contribution made by Germany and the European Alliance to the current unprecedented peace and prosperity in Europe and around the world. The US intelligence service had also advised him that they suspected German involvement in the decision by France to relinquish direct control over most of its empire.
The new President was every bit as jealous of the British and other European empires as previous American presidents had been. He took a more internationalist approach to world affairs and wanted his country to be less isolationist. He also understood the threat that Soviet communism had posed, and possibly still did, to the world. He appreciated just how much Germany had done to contain that threat.
The United Nations concept had a champion in Truman. He had much to say on the subject, but nothing he said at their meeting could persuade the Germans that it would be any different to the failed League of Nations. They would not commit to joining. Neither were they prepared to recommend it to the other countries of the European Alliance. They could make their own decisions.
Without Europe’s participation, Truman knew the United Nations would be an enfeebled organisation right from the start. Nevertheless he believed in it, he had made it his Administration’s project, and he intended to press on with it.
The three day visit to the United States had cemented the ‘special relationship’ status between the USA and Germany. The same relationship that had long existed between Great Britain and the USA. Looked at objectively, Germany, Britain and its Empire, the European Alliance, and the United States of America, were the leaders of the entire world, linked by the British, German, USA special relationship.
Due to truly atrocious weather the Swiss Grand Prix had reluctantly been cancelled at the very last moment, three weeks earlier. This, the Italian Grand Prix was the last race of the season.
In front of an ecstatic home crowd, their hero Nuvolari had driven a truly inspired race to finish second, only half a car length in front of the second Mercedes of Caracciola. To make it even more exciting for the Italian fans, Ascari had kept his Maserati in front of the two Auto Unions. This had been an electrifying race and was the best result for non-German cars in years. Even the German spectators had enjoyed this race.
Herman Lang was once again European champion.
This was James’ first visit to Venice. He had instantly fallen in love with the ‘Queen of the Adriatic’. Even though he was incredibly busy at work, he had somehow found the time for a one week holiday here in this magical city, with Magda.
He had procrastinated for the past year about what to do with his marriage. He was miserable when he was at home, and alive when he was with Magda. One good thing was that Fiona had stopped endlessly complaining about his absences. ‘Maybe she is settling down,’ he thought hopefully. Despite Fiona’s acquiescence, he knew he was being unfair on her. James was not a selfish person. He wanted do the right thing.
He had had a confidential discussion with his lawyer, an old friend from university. What he learnt wasn’t very re-assuring. However, if his involvement with Magda could be kept quiet, he might even expect to get joint custody of the child.
It was only now, on this holiday, that he had finally come to a decision. Magda and he had never really discussed marrying, he realised with some surprise. So this night, over a surprisingly mediocre Italian meal, and even more mediocre wine, he quietly broke the news to Magda that he was going to ask Fiona for a divorce as soon as he returned home. Her reaction stunned him.
“Why do you need a divorce James? Are you not happy with the way things are?”
James stared at her. “But then you and I can get married,” he blurted out.
Magda, elbows resting on the table, fingers entwined, leaned forward and rested her chin on her hands. She looked straight at James and asked quietly. “And what if I don’t want to get married? This is something we have never talked about. Aren’t you being just a little bit presumptuous in thinking that this is what I want?” She raised her eyebrows and had the faintest of smiles.