A Blow For Freedom

On 19 March, 1932, New South Wales Premier Jack Lang opened the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Unfortunately for Lang, at the moment of cutting the ribbon, a right-wing, paramilitary member called Francis de Groot upstaged him by riding up on horseback and using a ceremonial sword to cut the ribbon. de Groot's action was in protest against Lang and his Socialist government, on behalf of the New Guard, the quasi-Fascist group that at the time threatened to act against Lang. The New Guard had the capacity and intention of launching a massive uprising against Lang unless he resigned. Fortunately for Australia, shortly after the incident, Lang was dismissed by Governor Sir Philip Game, after Lang refused to allow the federal government access to state funds. The crisis over, and Lang out of office, the New Guard disbanded. This ATL proposes a different series events. In this timeline, de Groot's actions were more dramatic. Rather than simply cutting the ribbon, de Groot chose to strike a "blow for freedom" and used his sword to strike Lang and assassinate him. The attack saw the beginning of a New Guard uprising and the beginnings of a Fascist coup in New South Wales.