Tequilapoli

The Republic of Tequilapoli is an island nation located in the west-central Pacific Ocean, in the Greater Sundas island chain. The nation was founded as a British colony on the major islands of Borneo and Sulawesi.

History

Tequilapolian Flag, 2018

Tequilapoli was founded as a British colony in the 19th century. Portions of the island of Borneo had originally been claimed by the Dutch, but after numerous rounds of discussions with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, England was able to secure the entire island of Borneo, in exchange for some territories in the Caribbean.

During the Colonial period, a small number of military vessels were built at shipyards on Borneo. Commissioned into service, they were identified by the prefix "HMTS", or "Her Majesty's Tequilapolian Ship". These vessels, mostly steam frigates and coastal ironclads, served as the basis for defense of the Colony from outside aggression.

In 1890, Tequilapoli built it's first, and only, pre-dreadnought battleship. England transfered a pair of cruisers to Tequilapoli in 1985, forming the Central Pacific Squadron, along with two Royal Navy battelships and four cruisers.

in 1898, Tequilapoli held an election on a measure to request independence of the crown. The measure passed with overwhelming support, and Queen Victoria instructed her Colonial Government to assist in the establishment of the Soveriegn Republic of Tequilapoli. Preparations were well underway through the remainder of 1898 and all of 1899. Elections were held on October 1st, 1899 for the new legislature and executive branch. On January 1st, 1900, Tequilapoli's Colonial Governor officially turned over control to the newly inaugurated President in a ceremony in the capital city of Victoria. Ships of the newly-established Tequilapolian Navy held a ceremony in port, striking their British colors and raising the Tequilapolian National Flag for the first time. The British flags, except for the flag from TNS (Formerly HMTS) Borneo, were returned to officers of the Royal Navy. The flag from TNS Borneo was kept and enshrined in the Museum of National History.

World War I

Tequilapoli joined the First World War on August 6th, 1914, after word was received that England had joined the war. Although no longer British subjects, the people of Tequilapoli (both of Native and European descent) felt a strong connection to Britain, and demanded the Government join the effort.

A squadron of Tequilapolian ships was detached from the home islands to join the British fleet at Scapa Flow, arriving in mid September. From there, the Tequilapolian Squadron participated in numerous battles around the North Atlantic, including Jutland (which saw one Tequilapolian cruiser lost.) Tequilapolian troop ships also landed troops in the Gallipoli campaign, where the 1st and 3rd Divisions of the Tequilapolian Army took heavy casualties. The 2nd and 5th Divisions fought on the Western Front, where similarly heavy casualties were taken. After the battle of the Somme, the 2nd and 5th Divisions were consolidated under the flag of the 2nd Division, and merged with two new Brigades fresh from the Islands. Reinforcing the 2nd Division were the 4th and 6th Divisions formed the Tequilapoli European Command.

Interwar Years

Following the victory in World War I, Tequilapoli spent the 1920's recovering from the war. As the Great Depression set in during the 30s, Tequilapoli began a jobs program of upgrading it's military equipment. This lead to the creation of the Borneo-Class Cruisers, as well as two Destroyer classes.

In early 1940, Tequilapoli began establishing what it called it's "National Defense Posture", calling up men to serve in the Army and Navy, anticipating aggressive Japanese advances in the Western Pacific. Plans were drawn up for a new Light Cruiser class, the Makassar-Class Cruiser, which shared similarities to the older Borneo class, but was built around defending the fleet from air attack. The design was up for a vote in the Legislature, with Liberal Party members voicing opposition, when news of the British raid on Taranto was announced. Liberal Party Chief Ezra Whitlock was halfway through delivering a speech against the class when the Sergeant At Arms interrupted him to read the report. Following the reading of the report, Whitlock turned to the President of the Senate, shook his head, and withdrew his objection. The bill to fund the ships was passed unanimously.

World War II

In late 1941, the aggressive Japanese advance came. The declaration of war was made on December 9th, after the Japanese attacks on Malaya, Singapore, Hong Kong and Pearl Harbor.

In response to Japanese aggression in the South China Sea, the new battleship TNS Victoria, escorted by two Borneo class Cruisers, TNS Makassar, and several Destroyers, deployed to the Northwest side of Borneo. Curtis P-40 Warhawks and SuperMarine Spitfires were also relocated, as well as several bomber squadrons.

Japanese forces moved around the Naval forces at night, and made landfall on Borneo in mid-december, 1941. ABDACOM forces attempted to interdict the Japanese, but were beaten back. Authorities in Victoria moved I and II Corps, consisting of a total of six Divisions, up to meet the Japanese, who were establishing their beachhead in the Brunei section of the Island.

I Corps attacked from the south, while II Corps attacked from the North. Japanese forces had landed elements of the 16th Army, and were outnumbered. Although supported at sea by a Carrier, a Battleship, and several escorting warships, the Japanese were unable to push out of the Brunei province.

On December 26th, the Victoria and her squadron arrived, supported by more than 100 land-based fighters and bombers, to drive the Japanese fleet away. Victoria fired her guns in anger for the first time, hitting Haruna several times, and straddling the aircraft carrier Akagi. With the Japanese fleet withdrawn, Victoria and her escorts turned their guns on Japanese troops on Borneo. Now surrounded and outnumbered, the Japanese dug in for a long fight.

In March, 1942, the last few Japanese soldiers finally surrendered, after hiding in the jungles for much of the previous month.

Tequilapoli was, in the early war, left to defend itself after the defeat of ABDA forces to the south in the battle of Java Sea. Submarines ranging out of bases in the Makassar straight (Both Tequilapolian and American) began preying on Japanese flagged ships in the Sulu, Java, and South China seas. Bases on Borneo and Sulawesi served as staging areas for later American operations, and Tequilapolian Ships supported the allied island hopping campaign.

Postwar

Work in Progress. Will finish later.-GB