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Author Topic: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]  (Read 136531 times)

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Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
I'm waiting for von Papen to pull strings like crazy to escape his inevitable execution.  Man seems like the perfect Karma Houdini.  Then he can pull more strings from his jail cell. :D
17:37:02   Quanto: I want to have sexual intercourse with every space elf in existence
17:37:11   SpardaSon21: even the males?
17:37:22   Quanto: its not gay if its an elf

[21:51] <@Droid803> I now realize
[21:51] <@Droid803> this will be SLIIIIIGHTLY awkward
[21:51] <@Droid803> as this rich psychic girl will now be tsundere for a loli.
[21:51] <@Droid803> OH WELLL.

See what you're missing in #WoD and #Fsquest?

[07:57:32] <Caiaphas> inspired by HerraTohtori i built a supermaneuverable plane in ksp
[07:57:43] <Caiaphas> i just killed my pilots with a high-g maneuver
[07:58:19] <Caiaphas> apparently people can't take 20 gees for 5 continuous seconds
[08:00:11] <Caiaphas> the plane however performed admirably, and only crashed because it no longer had any guidance systems

 

Offline StarSlayer

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Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
Asylum in Britain?  Government in Exile?  :drevil:
“Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world”

 

Offline Enioch

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"The trial of Franz von Papen was one of the most delicate processes of the 20th century. The Kaiser, Stresemann and the militarists could ill afford the inevitable scandal that would ensue, should von Papen's full involvement in the Franco-German wars be revealed. Furthermore, while the nobles were cowed by the Kaiser's swift action against their figurehead, they did not cease to pose a significant political threat to the Wilhelm loyalists. Stresemann could, if given time, reach an arrangement; but that would be impossible if the Royalists escalated by sentencing von Papen to death as, arguably, he deserved."

"In the end, von Papen was pardoned for the crime of premeditated murder (deaths during wartime being in a legally grey state before the signing of the Paris Accords) and 'only' received a life sentence for the crime of high treason. As an acknowledgement of his nobility, he was confined to the
Schloss Celle, in Hannover: an old and splendid building that had served as a prison for captured enemy officers during the early 20th-century wars."

"The message was clear. Von Papen was an enemy of the German
Reich and his ernstwhile friends had better remember that."

-Dr. Jonathan Needham, The Dolchstoß: Political Betrayal in Germany during and after the Von Papen Wars, 1975: Glasgow.



With the much-awaited peace with France now achieved and with the Kerneuropa stabilising, Galster makes plans for the future. His old age is now upon him: he needs to prepare his successor to the post of Grossadmiral and begin the necessary processes for a radical modernisation of the German Hochseeflotte, now that Germany should have the necessary time to embark in such an undertaking.

With the reduced budget that is the legacy of Stresemann's peace, Galster is very much aware that he cannot afford to maintain the old Valkyries in active service anymore. The old darlings are too small, too weakly armoured and too undergunned to be a credible threat anymore. Any encounter with a modern battlecruiser (let alone a dreadnought) with a competent crew will have them dead in minutes, and their underwater protection is non-existent.

A modernisation could address some of those issues - but there is simply no money for that. Galster considers having the Valkyries scrapped in Tsingtao, with their guns re-bored and utilised in coastal batteries for the Germany colony.



The Kaiser is not amused.





Given their glorious history, Galster is ordered to mothball the ships and convert them into museums, similarly to Hertha. And this time, they are not to be decommissioned, under any circumstances: their names are not to be stolen by any newcomer.



The Valkyries receive their orders; and they embark on their long trip back to German home waters.



Meanwhile, R & D submits a new treatise on counterflooding practices. As a rule, their advice is: "don't, until absolutely necessary to prevent a ship from capsizing," but they also include a very practical list of instructions for damcon NCOs that join the list of required reading.



Meanwhile, the Wittelsbachs need to be kept relevant. With the Valkyries out of the picture, Germany needs to deploy ships to guard her Far East holdings. The (now second-rate) Wittelsbachs are very good candidates for such a role. They are placed in drydock, for a final rebuild before their deployment to the posting that Galster expects will be their last. Their machinery is overhauled from the ground up, and their fire control systems are fully modernised.

They will be unable to deal with any capital-grade threat (such as the Japanese battlefleet, for instance), but they will be able to serve as raider deterrents and defensive assets for the colonies.



In January of 1925, R & D provides us with new circulation systems for the boilers. The eagle-eyed historian will also note that the U-1, the first submarine ever built in the German navy is still in active service. Somehow. With a reliability rating of 46%.



Even as Germany commissions her latest batch of subs. Yes, Germany has now built nearly 200 U-Boote throughout the 20th century.



In May 1925, investigations into von Papen's activities reveal the identity of an American double-agent that the Kanzler had made use of. He is quietly and discreetly arrested and deported with his family.



In June, the Valkyries reach Germany and their mothballing commences. Von der Tann is given a permanent berth in Emden. Moltke docks in Kiel, in a newly-constructed pier opposite the submarine pens. Seydlitz is shuttled to Danzig. And Goeben, the old, proud Berserkershiff receives a place of honour next to the Hertha, in Wilhelmshaven.



This is not the last we've seen of the old darlings.





Yup. Over 200, now. U-249 is currently being built.



Hmmmm.

Galster considers this. At this point, he is consulting Scheer for pretty much every decision he takes; it is clear that Scheer is going to be assuming the post of Grossadmiral in the near future, with Hipper replacing him in command of the Hochseeflotte.

In the end, the Admiralität unanimously agrees. The Japanese are not our enemies, now that the British can no longer influence them - it would behoove the Germans to stay in friendly terms with them. After all, the Wittelsbachs are about to be transferred to the Far East...

So yes - here are the German designs for diesel generators, utilised in damcon pumps and for emergency power.



Ohohoho.



HAHAHAHAHA.

Karma.



Some more economisation. The old V3s cannot hold a candle to the new V9s. They're a minimal drain on Germany's resources, but just for logistics purposes they can be scrapped.



This disarmament helps further reduce tensions with France and with the USA. Germany has never been so well-regarded in the international stage. Stresemann has secured the Kerneuropa once again, and he is negotiating trade agreements with the Americans; German economy is clearly entering a post-war boom.

The disarmament also helps economise the funds necessary for the unfreezing of the Hannover's construction. The shipyards estimate two years for her completion.



Come on, m'girl, rise and shine!

Also, the Brits are laying down a new class of battlecruiser - the Spartiate-class. Keep that name in mind.



Aha. No.

Both Galster, Scheer and Stresemann veto this with extreme prejudice. Why would we want to make Brit shells better?









Instead, the Admiralität pours money into dredging up new harbours in Kamerun, Südwest-Afrika, Tanganyika and Polynesia.



In addition, a task force is dispatched to patrol the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. It consists of the Prinz Heinrich and the Freya, with an escort of four nagelneue G9-class Zerstörer.

Note that this is the first time that Germany actively deploys forces to patrol international waters; this has been primarily a British thing to do. It's a statement and a declaration of what Germany perceives her role to be now - and it is proposed by Scheer, not Galster.



In October, Germany's sailing vessel, the Gischt, smashes all speed records in the Italian-held regatta near Messina.



And in November, as the new task force reaches the Indian Ocean, the order is given to scrap the old Gazelle, the name ship of the old scout cruiser class, that had served as the main German presence in the area since 1899.



MORE.



Time to revisit Great Britain - and see where the 1918 loss and the subsequent Irish War of Independence had landed dear ol' Albion.



In short: in the crapper.

The thorough shaking of the foundations of the British Empire had caused a massive identity crisis in Great Britain. The same forces that had caused the Burning of London in 1918 had witnessed the loss of Ireland and the developments in Europe with fear and uncertainty. The loss of the Mediterranean had also impacted British economy to a considerable degree, with all that this implied for the 'lower' social classes.

In this climate, Labour parties ran rampant. But, more importantly, aggressive nationalism bloomed, backed by a booming media industry (Lord Rothermere's newspaper empire being the most well-known supporters of far-right and nationalistic views).



In this mess, rises the dark star of Oswald Mosley. Defining himself as a 'National Socialist', he establishes the British Union of Nationalist Socialists in early 1924, catapulting his Party high in the House of Commons. He is charismatic; he is theatrical; he is often near-hysterical - but, most importantly, he is aggressive and decisive and damn-the-consequences-British; and, in their uncertainty, this is what the British people wish to hear.

The circumstances that led to "Mosley's Folly" are much too complicated to discuss in this analysis of German naval power and are best addressed by more general works, as are the steadily worsening relations between the two countries. However, we must address the Grossmann incident, when a German agent was arrested in the UK and subsequently dragged from the hands of the police and lynched by a BUNS mob.

Neither the Kaiser nor Stresemann were amused; and Scheer's and Galster's statements made it absolutely clear that Germany would not accept such barbarism.

The British government offered an official apology, but this was fouled shortly afterwards by Mosley's victory in the emergency 1926 elections - and tensions continued to simmer under the surface.





For now, R & D makes promises for new developments in hull construction and a revolutionary new submarine design -



But, oh, look at that, it's the end of the year!



[Play on, Y/N?]


« Last Edit: May 31, 2018, 10:00:13 am by Enioch »
'Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent'  -Salvor Hardin, "Foundation"

So don't take a hammer to your computer. ;-)

 

Offline Enioch

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Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
OH LOOK, IT'S THE END OF  THE YEAR. OH LOOK, IT'S THE END OF 1925 AS WELL.

I'LL LEAVE YOU GUYS HERE, METHINKS.

Seriously, though, do you want me to move forward with this?

I refuse to make the UK into the utter mess that Nazi Germany was during OTL, partly because it would be supremely douchey (when considering the OTL and the actual deaths involved). But things are going to go downhill for the Brits, a lot, even if we avoid the very very very bad genocidal stuff.

So, if you feel this reversal is in any way offensive, let me know and I'll see what I can do to tone things down.



Also, Fröhliches Neujahr, I suppose.
« Last Edit: June 11, 2018, 12:46:10 am by Enioch »
'Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent'  -Salvor Hardin, "Foundation"

So don't take a hammer to your computer. ;-)

 

Offline The E

  • He's Ebeneezer Goode
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Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
Plz to be continuing?

If I'm just aching this can't go on
I came from chasing dreams to feel alone
There must be changes, miss to feel strong
I really need lifе to touch me
--Evergrey, Where August Mourns

 
Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
I just realized that "The British Union of National Socialists" abbreviates as BUNS.

Quote
In this climate, Labour parties ran rampant. But, more importantly, aggressive nationalism bloomed, backed by a booming media industry (Lord Rothermere's newspaper empire being the most well-known supporters of far-right and nationalistic views).

Are we referring to the Daily Heil?

And also, yeah, I would like this playtrough to continue. Sadly, even the OTL has some really bad stuff going on with the brits either way, such as the Bengal famine. Although hardly the full on madness of specifically constructing an industry whose only purpose is to exterminate entire swathes of the population there's been quite a bit of "Carelessly throwing away the lives of colonial subjects for the sake of preserving The Empire(tm)" going on.
« Last Edit: December 31, 2017, 07:09:21 am by -Joshua- »

 

Offline Spoon

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[Play on, Y/N?]

Y

So, if you feel this reversal is in any way offensive, let me know and I'll see what I can do to tone things down.
Tone it up as far as you feel is fitting. This is your alternative time line after all.


Do you ever put any of your capitalships into reserve fleet status during peace time? It saves a lot of maintenance cost, at the cost of crew quality.
Urutorahappī!!

[02:42] <@Axem> spoon somethings wrong
[02:42] <@Axem> critically wrong
[02:42] <@Axem> im happy with these missions now
[02:44] <@Axem> well
[02:44] <@Axem> with 2 of them

 

Offline Enioch

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Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
I just realized that "The British Union of National Socialists" abbreviates as BUNS.

I will neither confirm nor deny that this was on purpose.

The British Union of Fascists was a thing, but in this ATL Italy is not fascist, so the name would make no sense. May I also refer you to the Battle of Cable Street, one of the least-appreciated crowning moments of awesome in modern British history? You may find uncanny parallels to today...

Quote
Quote
In this climate, Labour parties ran rampant. But, more importantly, aggressive nationalism bloomed, backed by a booming media industry (Lord Rothermere's newspaper empire being the most well-known supporters of far-right and nationalistic views).

Are we referring to the Daily Heil?

And also, yeah, I would like this playtrough to continue. Sadly, even the OTL has some really bad stuff going on with the brits either way, such as the Bengal famine. Although hardly the full on madness of specifically constructing an industry whose only purpose is to exterminate entire swathes of the population there's been quite a bit of "Carelessly throwing away the lives of colonial subjects for the sake of preserving The Empire(tm)" going on.

We are, indeed, refering to the Daily Heil. Also the Daily Mirror, Sunday Pictorial, Glasgow Daily Record, Evening News, and Sunday Mail. When I said "newspaper empire," I meant it. The Daily Mirror had a circulation of three million in 1922.

Thanks for pointing out the Bengal famine. I was very much unaware of the extent of this. In my defense, I come from Greece, where the WW2 famine was so bad it places us 9th world-wide on percentage of civilian population dead (for reference, percentage-wise, we suffered slightly fewer casualties than the territories held by Imperial Japan, with all that this entails). The majority of that generation still suffers from what modern Greeks semi-jokingly / semi-pityingly refer to as the 'Occupation Syndrome': an obsessive-compulsive need to cook more food than they will need to eat, just to prove to themselves that they have food to spare.

Do you ever put any of your capitalships into reserve fleet status during peace time? It saves a lot of maintenance cost, at the cost of crew quality.

Never. I will demonstrate why I consider a permanently active, professional navy better than a Reservist force near the end of this playthrough,

Spoiler:
when I utterly destroy the Americans. It's so bad it's not even funny.

[Play on, Y/N?]

Y

User Input Acknowledged

Plz to be continuing?

FEED ME.
'Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent'  -Salvor Hardin, "Foundation"

So don't take a hammer to your computer. ;-)

  

Offline crizza

  • 210
Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
Pls go on.

 :shaking:

 
Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
Quote
Thanks for pointing out the Bengal famine. I was very much unaware of the extent of this. In my defense, I come from Greece, where the WW2 famine was so bad it places us 9th world-wide on percentage of civilian population dead (for reference, percentage-wise, we suffered slightly fewer casualties than the territories held by Imperial Japan, with all that this entails). The majority of that generation still suffers from what modern Greeks semi-jokingly / semi-pityingly refer to as the 'Occupation Syndrome': an obsessive-compulsive need to cook more food than they will need to eat, just to prove to themselves that they have food to spare.

Bloody hell. Us dutch only really tell ourselves about our own famine and that only happened in the final months of the war as a retaliation for Market Garden. I didn't know about the Greece famine, and I clearly do not have such an excuse.

 

Offline Enioch

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Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
Not a lot of people do. It's part of the reason why the cancellation of the German war reparations is such a sore point for Greeks. Only some of the eastern block countries and the Japanese holdings suffered more from 1941/2 onwards.

Food-wise, that is. WW2 was brutal for Europe in general, and every country experienced a different aspect of that hell.

A personal p͉̲̱e͔̝͔̠͚e̸͔̙vͅe of mine, however, is the promotion of American sacrifice in all modern media. Oh the heroes. Oh the despair. Oh the dead, in service of liberty. Oh, the endless graveyards.

Polish casualties, as percent of the population: ~17%
South Pacific mandate casualties, same: 8%
Greek casualties, same: 7% to 11% (statistics unclear, depending on source)
Netherlands casualties, same: 2.5%
...
USA casualties, as percent of the population: less than 0.5%

Ha ha, 'Muricans. *dry humourless laugh*
« Last Edit: December 31, 2017, 11:08:33 am by Enioch »
'Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent'  -Salvor Hardin, "Foundation"

So don't take a hammer to your computer. ;-)

 
Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
What would you expect from Hollywood, being an industry that revolves entirely about telling each-other and the rest of the world how awesome they are? :P

 

Offline Spoon

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Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
Urutorahappī!!

[02:42] <@Axem> spoon somethings wrong
[02:42] <@Axem> critically wrong
[02:42] <@Axem> im happy with these missions now
[02:44] <@Axem> well
[02:44] <@Axem> with 2 of them

 
Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
No no no everything is fine famine is not real it's what the landlords told us.

 

Offline niffiwan

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Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
Can't recall if this has been posted on HLP before, but seems relevant to the discussion. Greece is listed although there's no specific commentary on it. I was also unaware of the Greek famine, thanks for making me aware of it.

Creating a fs2_open.log | Red Alert Bug = Hex Edit | MediaVPs 2014: Bigger HUD gauges | 32bit libs for 64bit Ubuntu
----
Debian Packages (testing/unstable): Freespace2 | wxLauncher
----
m|m: I think I'm suffering from Stockholm syndrome. Bmpman is starting to make sense and it's actually written reasonably well...

 

Offline Spoon

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Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
No no no everything is fine famine is not real it's what the landlords told us.
  :lol:
Urutorahappī!!

[02:42] <@Axem> spoon somethings wrong
[02:42] <@Axem> critically wrong
[02:42] <@Axem> im happy with these missions now
[02:44] <@Axem> well
[02:44] <@Axem> with 2 of them

 

Offline Torchwood

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Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
I have no objections to the course of this series. Nor is it particularly surprising - the fanatical nationalism of the fascist movement is nourished in no smart part by zealous revanchism. As much as those proud of their nation might want to deny it, I find it hardly unthinkable that Great Britain, in an alternate reality and under different circumstances, could become the bulwark of the Axis. After all, it's not like they lack any prequisites like existing patriotism to subvert and radicalize, or imperialistic sentiments, or military hardliners who'd sympathize or outright support such a course. Hell, use of the concentration camp to kill undiserables originated from the British, as seen during the Boer wars.

 
Re: Enioch's naval shenanigans - RTW as Germany - [Image Heavy!]
Hell, The Netherlands has had a reputation for being tolerant towards minorities for far longer then today, yet the Nazi collebarationist regime here hunted down jews with such fervour that it outmatched the germans themselves. We tend to gloss that over today, with the excuse being that the Dutch simply kept good records. But so did the Danish.

Edit: Since we're talking about "Dark Side Britain", the Gaurdian's article on the Peterloo Massacre popped up today and it's an interesting bit of history.
« Last Edit: January 04, 2018, 06:52:03 am by -Joshua- »

 

Offline Enioch

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Play on, Y/N?

>>Y




"Stresemann found himself facing a multifaceted problem: how to consolidate the Kerneuropa's fragile framework, while securing Germany's leading role. How to eliminate or best integrate the last remains of the noble sympathisers' camp and the von Papen supporters to the Imperialist faction."

"How to ensure that the wars of the past could not threatedn Germany's future."

"In this he was forced to face the inopportune timing of Oswald Mosley's rise to power in Great Britain and the resulting influx of political refugees; the spectre of von Papen in Britain; the Falklands crisis. And, above all, his own failing constitution."


Olga Müller 1996, The expansion of the Kerneuropa: in the shadow of the Paris Accords, Mainz: von Zabern.





January 1926: Distant news reach Europe of new American oil-fields in Maine. This has no direct impact on Stresemann's policies, although it does affect the price of German oil. America, at this point, is simply too isolationist to significantly affect the goings-on in Europe.



What did affect things in the European theatre was the proposal by Blohm & Voss to take up a third ship of the Hannover class at a reduced price.

The Hannover and Hessen had been considerably delayed: work on the former had resumed after a considerable hiatus, while construction of the latter was still frozen. But the work on Hannover had proceeded sufficiently for the yards to figure out substantial shortcuts and fixes that could reduce the price of a third ship. As the Admiralität was eager to help boost the German economy further, the proposed laying down of a third ship (the Wörth) was approved. Her keel was laid down on the 4th of January.

This apparent rearmament of Germany, in the wake of her recent disarmaments received mixed responses.



Japan, for one, protested vehemently at what they perceived as new escalation; and as an attempt by Germany to project more force in her colontial holdings. The Admiralität refused to budge, and Stresemann was forced to adopt a more inflexible stance than he would have liked, especially since his hands were full in Europe.



But the Admiralität's attention was firmly on what they perceived to be more important matters. For, on the 23rd of January, the first designs for a new, revolutionary new submarine class were submitted.



The U-255-class bore a reduced torpedo armament, compared to the more 'traditional' attack subs; but they had the same range and speed, while also carrying a considerable number of mines. This made them much more flexible on the field, and a much more significant threat against convoys moving through pre-planned routes. They would never completely replace the awesome striking power that were the German attack U-Boote, but the minelayers would prove their worth a hundred times over during the following years.



Meanwhile the Italians approached the Admiralität with a proposal: they wished to purchase German licences for the high-quality stereoscopic rangefinders used in German capital ships. Galster and Sheer, both veterans of the Italian war, had no objections. Italy was no threat: in fact, tensions with the Spaghettis were quite low and fostering good relations with the Mediterranean neighbours had the full support of Stresemann.

The licences were sold, for a very satisfactory three-and-a-half million Reichsmark.



In February, and with the first armour sheets being about to be installed on Hannover Scheer focused his attention to establishing a rigorous series of tests. Several engineers, both military and civilan, were called upon to test the armour under as close to field conditions as possible, including live-fire exercises. This helped reveal further unoptimised elements in the Hannover design, elements that could now be ironed out.



Unfortunately, one of the engineers running the tests proved to be more corruptible than expected. Military Intelligence managed to prevent the results of the tests finding their way to the hands of the Japanese, but the danger of further escalation in the Far East was now very real. Unlike von Papen, however, Stresemann knew not to ask for trouble. This time, Germany would look the other way.

Pointedly.





And the tests continued. A study on fire prevention and armour resistance against high-explosive and white-phosphorus shells led to the introduction of new, non-flammable paints and coatings. Furthermore, a structural analysis of the Hannovers' hulls helped to better integrate the internal belt to the hull framing.



And, when you're studying armour, you're also studying ways to pierce it. R & D promised that they were really close to introducing a new generation of armour-piercing projectiles. Not yet, though, not yet.



As March gave way to April, Argentina approached Krupp with what was probably the largest non-German contract the firm had ever received: The Argentinians were entering a major re-armament phase, which included a full modernisation of their field artillery, as well as the commissioning of two new 15'' dreadnoughts: the Rivadavia and the Moreno. They desired a competitive but economic dreadnought class, comparable in armament (but with lighter armour, and with a speed of only 23 knots) to the Hannovers. This would make Argentina the strongest naval power in South America. Would Germany be interested in taking up the contract?

Krupp, in conjunction with Blohm & Voss, went directly to the Admiralität, for their permission; Scheer and Galster, in turn, went straight to Stresemann, who approved of the plan. It was imperative to reinforce the Germany economy and this contract was worth hundreds of millions for the large companies and for the dockyard workers of the German harbours, who had suffered through something of a dry spell, in recent years.

Unfortunately, not everybody appreciated his concerns. And while the international scene failed, at the time, to register the importance of this agreement, it would come to haunt Germany in the near future.



For the time being, with Hessen frozen, Hannover and Wörth entered a phase of accellerated construction. Upon their completion, work would continue on their sister-ship. Hannover was slated for completion by August of 1927.



This accellerated construction was fuelled even further by the sale of engine designs to the Italians...



...but the Admiralität vetoed the sale of triple-bottom designs to the Americans. At this point, Galster and Scheer believed they had sufficient funds for their immediate needs; and, while flirting with the Italians was politically desirable, reinforcing the American fleet was not.



Meanwhile, the Hela was recalled for decommissioning and scrapping; the infinitely more powerful Bismarck was deployed in the Mediterranean to replace her.



The Admiralität did not stop there. By the end of July 1926, every single surviving Gazelle, Gefion, Medusa and Arcona were recalled and scrapped. Overnight, Germany's light cruiser force was no more.



This also meant the scrapping of old Bremen, one of the pluckiest, more decorated and celebrated light cruisers in history. She had been a veteran of every war Germany had fought in the 20th century; she had bloodied the noses of the Russians, the Italians, the British, the French; she had wreathed herself in more glory than any other light cruiser, with the possible exception of her long-lost sister, Frauenlob. Sadly, though, this time, the Admiralität really did not have the funds to maintain her. She entered the breakers on the 25th of July, bringing an end to her legend.



Goodnight, little darling. Go now, to meet your sister.

.....

.....



Right when things were getting a bit morose, R & D delivers with a new batch of ASW goodness...



...that, turns out, was 'acquired' from the British. Lulz.

A propos British, let us see where we are in respect to...



Urgle.

A quick consultation of the most recent fleet gazzetteers shows that Great Britain can field seventeen dreadnoughts to Germany's five. She also has twenty-one battlecruisers to Germany's eleven (and we are still counting the Valkyries among those eleven). Great Britain has more than twice the German tonnage afloat, both in Dreads and BCs.

The less said about the utter insanity that is the USN, the better.

Germany is one of the world leaders in heavy cruisers (surprisingly, Japan has heavier ships!), but has no light cruisers at all. And her destroyers, while capable, are less than half in number when compared to the Brits and 'Muricans.

In less than a decade since her defeat, Albion has rebuilt her fleets.

It's a rude awakening for Stresemann and for the Admiralität.



A proposed response: a better cruiser, that will cement Germany's advantage in the heavy cruiser field. At 20k tons, she's the biggest and baddest ever put to paper. She's armed with the usual 12 x 9'' arrangement, but has the most advanced torpedo protection system ever put on a cruiser, mounts turrets with 6 inches of armour instead of the 3 inches of her preddecessors and, more importantly, can reach 34 knots. This thing can outrun destroyers.

Her proposed name is Roon and she's an absolute beast. She's also much too expensive, costing almost as much as a new Schlachtkreuzer; and the designs are shelved for now, until the completion of the Hannovers.



Better explosive compounds are put into production in October: they are routed primarily to the Zerstörer flotillas.



Japan once again tries to infiltrate the Argentinian warship slipways and are rebuffed; this time, Stresemann does not mince his words. Perhaps this time the Japanese will get the point.



And to hammer the point home, the Kanzler authorises a major Naval Bill. Twenty-one Zerstörer of the G9-class are laid down in November. With this one stroke, Germany once again wrests light force supremacy from her opponents.

Of course, not everybody appreciates this. France, in particular, eyes these new developments with alarm.



****ING HELL NOT THE BALKANS AGAIN.

Well, Kerneuropa is the word of the day, and Stresemann wants Austria-Hungary to join the coalition, so it pays to keep them satisfied. Germany fully supports her ally in this most critical of moments.

This alarms France even more. The ink is still fresh on the Paris Accords, but Germany now seems to seek war again?





HAH!

HAHAHAH!



Not only a decapping belt, perfectly implemented on the Hannovers, but also new shells, bigger and punchier than ever before!





Just look at that budget!

With the new Naval Bill passed, Germany is breathing down Great Britain's neck. The actual tonnages haven't really changed, of course, but Germany is gearing up again!





Sure, 'Muricans, make our huge, fat AP shells even better!





Turns out Germany can't afford that sort of budget.

Really makes you wonder how the British and the Americans have pulled it off...

(This is called 'foreshadowing')



Damn right, you can give us your money! Turns out, we need a lot of it!



AHAHA, MORE DAMCON!



Also this. 10 inch guns are heavy-ish, for a heavy cruiser, though (and, at this point, you can't really use them in anything else).



Once again, the Germans utterly dominate in the Messina regatta.





And then, in the aftermath of the regatta, Stresemann and the Italian Prime Minister, Ivanoe Bonomi declare to the world that Italy and Germany are now officially allies in the Kerneuropa, with the signing of the Treaty of Napoli. For the first time in 20th-century history, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Germany are part of the same power block. Essentially overnight, the contested Adriatic Sea becomes a Kerneuropa lake and the Mediterranean now operates completely by Kerneuropa rules.

This is possibly the most important step towards lasting peace in Europe since the time of Mecklenburg.

And, of course, this makes some people angry.


« Last Edit: May 31, 2018, 09:59:49 am by Enioch »
'Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent'  -Salvor Hardin, "Foundation"

So don't take a hammer to your computer. ;-)

 

Offline Enioch

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« Last Edit: August 03, 2018, 08:27:19 am by Enioch »
'Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent'  -Salvor Hardin, "Foundation"

So don't take a hammer to your computer. ;-)