NationStates Jolt Archive

Jameston Place
Ianapalis, Iansisle, the Commonwealth

The rousing strains of "Ode to Commonwealth" and older patriotic songs from the days of the Empire of the Bay rang out over Empire Street. Near the great statue of High King Ian I, a man on a soap box draped with the red and white of St. Patrick's Cross preached to the crowd, highlighted every now and then with a great cheer. Prime Minister Edward Tarriff huffed, his large mustache waving briefly, then turned back to his desk.

The people were hailing the High King as some sort of conquering hero, a large poster of him being erected in the middle of Unity Square at the junction of Empire and Commonwealth streets. It was disgusting, and made Tarriff eager to drop his party's support of the King's war on Nazi Germany. However, sour grapes did not change political fact - it was only by the war that his party could maintain its grasp on power.

The second general elections in a year were coming up next month - and Free Trade's plurality had become razor-thin. The Ruling Coalition, headlined by the Free Trade and Commonwealth Parties and including the Unity, Unification, and Prosperity Parties still had 1,157 of the Combined Parliament's 2,000 seats, but miserable attendance combined with an unholy alliance of the Parliament's far left and far right Opposition Coalitions had allowed a General Election bill to be passed, 615 to 597.

The growing support of the far right Opposition Coalition, headlined by the Imperialist and Royalist Parties, troubled Tarriff. A mere year ago, they had controlled just 55 seats between them. Last election, that number tripled to 169 - only a third of what Free Trade wielded, but still troubling, given the political atmosphere in Ianapalis right now. There was no telling what may happen unless Free Trade was shown to take part in the rising tide of popular patriotism.

With a great sigh, Tarriff picked up his old fountain pen - manufactured ironically in Walmington - and started drafting a letter...

Dear Prime Minister Mainwaring,

Events are taking place fast and furious, and I fear that they may soon be out of my control both in Iansisle and abroad. The dark shadow of Nazi conquest hangs over Western Europe, and I have reason to suspect that the world may soon be most unsafe for freedom-loving peoples.

Alone, our nations cannot hope to resist the tides of war, and may soon be crushed by the weight of fascist militarism. Together, we may stand united against the storm of war, ride out the thundering of tyrants, and defy the fates which have conspired to put us in this most untenable situation.

To do this, I propose of meeting between you and myself, taking place in Great Walmington to discuss our future plans for the execution of this war that has been thrust upon our peaceful and democratic nations.

In unity strengthened,

Prime Minister Edward Tarriff
Commonwealth Combined Parliament

Tarriff wheezed, looking over the draft. Nodding, he passed it on to his secretary, with instructions to send one copy to Walmington on Sea and leak another to the horde of IanCorp reporters waiting outside Jameston Place.

There was blood upon the risers, there were brains upon the 'chute.
Intestines were danglin' from the paratrooper's boots.
They picked him up still in his 'chute and poured him from his boots.
He ain't gonna jump no more.
Gory, gory what a helluva way to die,
Gory, gory what a helluva way to die,
He ain't gonna jump no more...

Mainwaring tried not to hear the chorus of the men outside as they filed past in their hundreds towards the little TTMkI transport planes which awaited the King's Southenders Airborn II Corps.

The PM was fairly engrossed anyway in drafting a reply to his Iansislian opposite, agreeing gladly to the proposed meeting.

George (Mainwaring) was exhausted from his early morning ferry ride out to the island and his fairly heart-felt speech seeing off the first transports bound for Britain.

He was though interested to meet this Tarriff, and being a man once (unknowingly) described as "a bit of a duffer", he'd be going to some length to make a good impression. He'd have to be extra nice- We really need the likes of the Ians- we've got a fairly big job on our hands here he thought, with regards to the impending clash with the six or seven million men of the Wehrmacht.

(I don't think Tarriff's government is going to survive this upcoming election...it'd make life all the much more interesting, 'specially if the Imperialist / Royalist coalition comes into power :))

Tarriff noted the crowds were as big as they had ever been after returning to Jameston Place three days later. However, now a picture of him stood next to the High King in Unity Square. Nodding in a self-important manner, and convinced he had 'stuck it to' the young monarch, Tarriff settled into his chair. The response from Walmington was in already, he noticed with a twitch. He was quite enjoying basking in the glory of his new popularity, which he knew would be short-lived.

Only by meeting with this Mainwaring chap could he keep the crowds chanting his name all the way to the ballot box - which was what he was convinced Iansisle needed.

Issuing instructions to his secretary to contact the Walmingtoners with information about his flight plans, Tarriff set off to pack a bag for the trip. A mere seven hours later, his Bankfield was rolling out of Ianapalis Aerodock, headed east. It would stop to refuel in Safe Harbor, before flaunting its long legs all the way to British Columbia. From there, he would travel across Canada - Iansisle's refusal and inability to participate in the embargo of oil to Japan had put them in disfavorable light with the American government - to Newfoundland, the last stepping stone on his way to Great Walmington.

A flight of MPAF-6s would escort him as far as the Cape Tristis in northern Effit, where they would have to turn back. The Effitians, however, had been rendered amiable, and would prove no danger to the flight, hoped the War Ministry. The rest of the trip would either be over friendly airspace or under Walmingtonian aircover.

Tarriff settled in, grabbing a bit of sleep as the four engines roared outside the flyer.

(Perhaps that is for the best, for our sakes anyway :) Mainwwaring has to stick around- unless I replace him with another existing character and keep him in some opposition position, I suppose.. 's what I get for picking my characters from the cast and characters of a long defunct sit-com. It's alright though, he can come good when in a tight spot- it's just his skill at finding exactly those spots which is a problem of sorts)

"Escorts? Splendid! How far out can we send a squadron of MkIII, Jones?...Jones!"

The Defence Minister glanced around for help, as if an airman might have been hiding somewhere near enough to lend a hand.

"Erm..About six hundred miles, sir. Going west it'll cover them further than any Hun's likely to be, don't worry sir."

Mainwaring liked having military men around, he quite often got a "sir" rather than a "prime minister". (Not that he didn't deserve it! Captain Mainwaring had served in France during the last conflict, through the whole of 1919! As he had been fond of saying until Deputy PM Wilson clumsily pointed out what everyone was thinking.)

(The MFMkIII Nexus being the first thing in WoS capable of topping 350mph, Mainwaring is keen to show it off)

The Prime Minister must be be tired noted Airman Albert Aaronson - who had the dubious honor of being the absolute first person listen on any Iansislean military roll for all six months of his service - collecting the still-full cup of tea from Tarriff's desk. The flyer had been airborn for quite sometime now, ever since the brief layover in St. John's.

"We're coming up on Walmingtonish fighter cover now," nodded the pilot, one Flying Officer Hammond Espenshade, his eyes glancing over to the slightly rotund steward. "It'll feel good to have some cover - I nearly had a heartattack when the Colts had to pull off."

Aaronson just bit his lower lip. Walmingtonish air cover also meant the threat of German attack - no matter how slight. He nearly jumped through the roof when the wireless unit buzzed...

Hello flyer, hello flyer. Please identify.

The lead Nexus of six requested, expecting -indeed hoping- to be coming up on a diplomatic transport aircraft from Iansisle. King Godfrey III had recently gaffed on a visit to Canada (by joking that if Uncle Sam didn't want to play nice and share his (Panama) canal, mother Walmy would take her north Atlantic sealanes and go home) and inherant Walmingtonian distrust of their "excessively loud" western neighbour meant that the pilots tended to treat traffic from North America with some caution.

(Sorry that's a bit..brief and non-progressive, I'm simply dying for a cuppa and Tarriff's wastefull nature has only made it worse! Back shortly!)

Espenshade glared at Aaronson, who smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, guess I'm a little jumpy," explained the server.

"Well you should be, too," grumbled Espenshade. "Nerves like that, you'll not have to see the light of combat."

The Bankfield radioed an affirmative reply before it continued on its course, and (assuming there's no resistance from D.K.) soon rumbled to a stop in Great Walmington. Tarriff had been woken fifteen minutes previous, and eagerly stepped off the transport to see what reception - if any - had gathered for him.

The little buck-toothed rep to the ANH, Sir Talfryn Cheeseman, decked out in a fairly typical Walmingtonian black suit and bowler hat, greeted the Prime Minister.

"Hallo! Prime Minister Tarriff- I recognise you from your pictures." his rather squeaky voice broke from his smiling visage.

A few military men saluted from behind Sir Talfryn (the world's most unlikely knight?) -officers in full dress, but best not considered at length. The top military minds were engaged in the WEF deployment, and these dinks were lined up for their unifoms more than anything.

"Prime Minister Mainwaring is on his way back from Southend- he's been seeing-off the men there isn' it. We'll be taking over the National (ooc:a rather top-notch hotel in the middle of Great Walmington) which has shut up shop for the duration (ooc: of the war). Your steed awaits!"

The last comment was made as Cheeseman turned and gestured open-palmed towards a line of little Stockley '38 Limousines.

Tarriff was shown by a lad looking something like a bell-hop to one of the autos, and the motorcade made off at little more than 20mph into the old Great Walmington streets.

Tarriff shook hands with Sir Talfryn, smiling and chatting easily. However, he was struck with several sour notes. Sir Talfryn - intentionally or not - had reminded him that, while Iansisle bickered and hesitated, Walmington was shipping its boys over to France - perhaps never to return. Also, as Tarriff had been a wealthy Gadsanian businessman before taking to politics like a mosquito to blood, the seizing of the National gave him pause.

He settled his great bulk into the limo, noting some similar traits with the Westerton Jackrabbit IV Iansisle was infatuated with. Tarriff nodded to the bellhop-driver. "Good day, son," he rumbled, his Gadsanian accent which grated on Iansisle's nerves perhaps sounding rustic and quaint. "Glad to be staying in Walmington, I presume?"

The Prime Minister had never been good at casual conversation, and even he twitched slightly after calling the young boy's bravery into question.

"Aye sir, I'm happy to stick here ferrying important people such as yourself about until they figure out what to do about Germany calling my brother away."

One of the army officers, one foot already in the car ahead shot the lad a piercing glance, so harsh that the young driver thought he might let the door go on Tarriff.

He didn't, thankfully, that really would be too much.

The route to the National Hotel was line with paper flags, crosses of both George and Patrick causing quite a rackett, which the fairly mild hum of the Stockleys' motors barely covered.

Traffic was fairly light, and mostly pedestrian -bowler hats and unrequired brollys left and right, as Walmingtonains returned to work on the first weekday of war. A fairly surreal atmosphere, as no one could remember the last time Walmy entered a war with anyone who could actually shoot back. Here and there the odd tram would glide by, the driver smiling and subtly glancing from tram to Prime Ministerial cargo, seemingly unsure if the electric oddities were worth pointing out.

The hotel itself, when they arrived, boasted a massive floor-plan, and just three -uncommonly high- floors. The sandy-coloured stonework was fairly elaborate but quite tasteful with it.

"Here we are, mister Prime Minister" said the young driver "don't mind the press" he went on, nodding towards a small crowd some yards from where the limo was about to pull-up "the peelers will make sure they don't cause you any bother" and sure enough a line of policemen in bright blue overcoats shuffled into position infront of the small media gathering.

One or two journalists, after having displayed the proper credentials were allowed to set up their ungainly old cameras for a few choice shots as the smiling Cheeseman again met PM Tarriff as they headed from their cars into the grand hotel.

(I have no idea how these posts are getting so long with so little progress. I was going to go on, but.. I seem to have about ..a lot of words already, heh.)

Tarriff coughed slightly at the comment, trying not to blush from embarasment. He sat down quickly, not sure if he should apologize as the driver also settled in up front. The rest of the drive passed in uncomfortable silence, the Prime Minister noticing his driver shoot a glance or two at him. Tarriff stroked his double chin, pinching the extra layer of fat slightly, as he always did while nervous.

Upon arriving at the National, Tarriff very quickly extricated himself from the horseless buggy, walking as quickly as possible over to Cheesman.

"Ah, Sir Talfryn! I do wish you do me a favor, and give that young boy this for me," he said, quietly slipping the ambassador a small handful of twenty-general pieces - perhaps eighty generals in total. (there's 0.86 modern US$ to the general) "But don't tell him they're from me...I mean, oh, bother," sweated Tarriff, mopping his forehead with a kerchef. "I'm afraid I insulted the young man, and don't wish to do so more by telling him that...I....you understand, don't you?" He didn't pay much attention to the cameras flashing behind them - more than one of which hailed from IanCorp, International. Tarriff then followed the Ambassador into the hotel

Cheeseman was puzzled at first, but after a second wiped the expression from his face and uttered an "Oh, yes yes" before wondering if that was honestly the polite thing to do. He was happy to get inside and not to be photographed taking cab-fare from the Prime Minister of Iansisle.

Sir Talfryn and PM Tarriff were greeted by polite hotel staff, and a noted Walmingtonian historian took them on a tour of the hotel's function rooms, pointing out a few sculptures of merit, dropping anecdotes about the hotel's most famous guests, and so on. "This painting by Bramley recalls the valiant defence of the Walmingtonian Trade Mission to Ceyloba, after which Walmingtonian ears first heard the name Iansisle."

Cheeseman had explained again to the PM that Mainwaring would be along shortly.

Sure enough, right as an increasingly agitated Cheeseman was asking if Tarriff should like to visit the bar while they waited, a member of staff reported that PM Mainwaring's car had just arrived.

(ooc:Despite my intent to introduce Mainwaring in this post, I find that the balmy sun's come up, and I've lost a good three hours to..God knows what. I think we can wait, content that most of the pre-meeting frills have been attended to this night. I'll see you to-morrow, one supposes.)

(Hehe, I think I should add that Cheeseman will be keen to point out, in a nervy manner, when offering the bar that the drinks are already paid for, along with any other expenses the visit should incur, as he gestures to prevent the PM fishing for further Generals ;) )

Tarriff followed the historian and Sir Talfryn about the hotel, nodding politely to the various staff members and nodding at the artwork. Bramley's painting of Ceyloba, however, raised an interesting emotion in the Prime Minister, however, as he watched the valient defenders ripping off shots at incoming native hordes.

However, the emotion was soon shaken off by Cheesman's offer of the bar. Tarriff bit his lower lip when reminded that the drinks would be free - was that an insult? A helpful reminder? A friendly gesture? Nevermind - Tarriff wasn't one to turn down a free drink.

The arrival of Mainwaring's car - which canceled the trip to the bar - irritated him somewhat, even if it was his official reason to be in Walmington. Oh well: maybe the Walmingtonish leader was thristy after such a long trip.

(ooc: Night - I should be turning is briefly myself. ;))

A note arrives on the ministers desk from the Calarcian embassy.

Calarca wishes to be permitted to second a representitive to the talks between Walmington on Sea and Iansisle. As due to the fact of which any war involving two influential players in the area of operations in which Calarca has an interest would have an undue influence on Calarcian affairs.

His excellency, The Hight Honourable Sir Hardcastle, Baron of Ruddigore and Earl of the Western Marches, Ambassador of Calarca to Walmington on Sea.


OOC: lol, does that painting have the Admiral Coney firing at the natives?

(an hour and three quarters later, I'm still up ;)

Tarriff - eager for help should peace talks with Chaing Mai and Hainan falter - would be delighted for a Calarcan representitive, but he won't say so unless Mainwaring proves interested in the idea.)

OOC-Just thought I'd let you know that Germany has officially answered Iansisle's declaration of war, and responded in like. Is this going to be the thread that events continue on, or should we start another one for whatever battles come next?

(to be honest, I was a little bored and thought a meeting between the PM of Iansisle and Walmington - both of whom are often called 'duffers' behind their backs - would be fun. I'm not sure it'd be the best place to continue with the actual war, though.)

(heh, There is in the background a ship flying a Calarcan standard, but it has been argued by some historians in Walmington that it's completely the wrong vessel, and probably even of the wrong class. The focus of the painting is a figure standing atop a low stone wall, with an ungodly large pile of natives dead before him)

The National Hotel, Great Walmington

PM Mainwaring marched through the hotel reception area and down the spacious corridor in which Tarriff et al stood. He pretended not to have stubbed his toe on the way.

"Ah, Prime Minister Tarriff! A pleasure to meet you at last!" He started, extending a hand, before he'd quite reached them.

"I trust you've not been waiting too long. I'm afraid traffic in the strait (ooc:between Southen and the mainland) was rather heavier than usual, what with the mobilisation and all.
"Haven't you offered our guest a drink, Sir Talfryn? We can't have that! I believe we have a room prepared.." he said, looking at the historian, apparently believing him a member of staff "but I've been informed that the Calarcan ambassador will be joining us -if that's alright with you, Mister Tarriff- so we'll need a new..bigger location. I should think the bar will do!"

Mainwaring quickly took over the hotel bar, having an assortment of new tables, cases, and charts carried in.

http://www.btinternet.com/~howejam/dadsarmy/bios/images/da_gm.jpg
Hanging in the bar, a portrait brought out from some dank storage closet, and depicting Prime Minister Mainwaring in the uniform he appears in to-day.

"The, er, Calarcan ambassador?" asked Tarriff, fingering his neck nervously again. The elderly Prime Minister was still getting used to a world in which Calarca wasn't Iansisle's nemesis. In fact, relations between the two - from disputes about right of passage on the Batam-Singapore strait to arguments involving the massive shore batteries on both banks to questions of influence over the princes of central Gallaga - weren't cordial at all.

Still, there were other factors involved now - little East Asian factors, to be specific. And the only country with as vital an interest in the South China Sea as Iansisle was Calarca...maybe their two countries would be able to lay imperial rivalries down and concentrate on the common good.

"I look forward to his arrival," smiled Tarriff, deciding that the Calarcan would probably do more good than bad.

Once the maps and charts had been spread out Tarriff settled in, pretending he knew what was going on. "Now, Air Marshall Bates has advised me that we may wish to send aero-flyers to help in the defense of Britain..."

"Yes, quite. It has regrettably become Walmingtonian policy that France will fall.." started mainwaring very matter of factly, shifting through files and notes he had to tell him exactly what was going on, and what was decided and required by the other Defence Room Senior Staff -Mainwaring would never remember it all himself.

"..ehr, apparently we're quite concerned about these new..twooo..[rustle of papers] six twos Jerry's got.. as I'm sure you know, we haven't any operational jet aircraft to counter with, and [more pages turn] nor, yet, do the British...or the French, for what that matter.

"I'm afraid that once the continent is in Nazi hands, it will only be a matter of time before their jets appear in British skies.

"One other note I'd like to briefly address before our Calarcan friend joins us.. it seems that following the first disgraceful ambush of Iansisle's shipping in the Atlantic, and consiquent sinking of a German U-boat..a piece of technology was recovered from said boat. So you see the unwelcome trade may not have been entirely one-sided."

Mainwaring handed Tarriff a small photograph of what looked almost like a typewriter. It was clipped to a file which briefly described the puzzling enigma as some manner of advanced code machine.

"I think this is why we've had no success what so ever in reading coded Nazi transmissions."

"Ah, yes, the convoy hijacking," remembered Tarriff, blushing somewhat. He was not quite as proud of the fleet as the average Iansislean, but it was clear the incident was a great embarasment. "Well, naturally, the shipping of Iansislean jet-powered aircraft to Walmington and Great Britain will be one of our main efforts - along with the transfer of more traditional units from the Commonwealth. Unfortunatly, the Generals tell me that may prove difficult without old Uncle Sam's help. We'd either have to fly them - at great cost in fuel and wear - from Iansisle across our colonies to Africa, then back up, jumping over a bit of airspace that may not be friendly much longer to Walmington.

"Failing that, we'd have to go by ship - either east, by train through Canada, or west, around the Cape.

"The people are also calling for an Iansislean battle-fleet to be deployed to the North Atlantic. Queen Jessica is, as you know, under going repair right now - meaning Undauntable would constitute the main power of our striking force, unless we can rush the Behemoth through its sea trials...but that's what we did with Jessica.

"The Admiralty assures me that keeping our capital ships in the Pacific, to remind our little Asiatic friends who's in charge in the South China Sea, would be better, as you'd appreciate destroyer deployments anyway."

Tarriff was quite proud of himself. All that work going into listening to Tri, Bates, and O'Bannon had really paid off. Of course..Walmington was sending men. Walmingtoners were probably already dying. "Myself, I want to take as many men from the RIAC as I can, assemble the Grand Fleet, and ride to France's rescue."

Half a world away, Grand Admiral Sir Richard Tri cut himself shaving for the first time in nearly a decade.

"Mh, yes." Mainwaring bit his tongue to keep from starting on about how Britain, WoS and Iansisle ought to control Panaman, and about how little America could do to stop it. He'd been assured by the (usually) trusted Wilson that the current state of America's army was in the Iansislian manner over-shadowed by the nation's potential for industrial growth. So that was right out.. even as he thought the last few words, he glanced at Tarriff's face as if he hoped the telepathic PM would spout an invasion plan for central America.

"Destroyers.. splendid.. the Atlantic is going to need a lot more of those. U-boat attacks have been occuring everywhere. The slippery Devils have got right out into the mid Atlantic, you know!

"I hear we're likely to be in this for the long-haul" Mainwaring went on, speaking of the represented nations, but none the less oblivious to the possibility that either man might fail to see out the war in office "Walmington's industry's not yet producing at her full capacity, I'm assured. We can probably boost aircraft production, and keep up all the current armour programmes (ooc:said just weeks after several projects were cancelled) ..but after the existing Cavalry Cruisers we're hoping to get shipped to you, every tank we can churn out is likely to be needed in Britain. I have great faith in Iansislian industry's ability to pick up where we leave off with the plans that got through via Ceyloba."

(ach! In my head its a brief check-list of points, but ...heh.)

Basically Mainwaring's trying to get across that WoS can donate every ex-service/surplus CCMkII et cetera it has, but armour re-supply after that is likely to be up to Iansisle herself. There's a lot of pessimists in WoS.

He also wants two things in the aviation theatre- immediate boulstering of Britain's cover, by any means available, and the capability for Walmington to build her own jets over coming months and years (the long-haul concept- even the pessimists don't think France, the British Isles, and Walmington can all be taken out at once by Germany alone, and if worst comes to worse, WoS wants to be able to stand on her own two feet.)

As the conversation goes on, he'll try to cover co-operation on cracking enigma -WoS has a good communications sector, which hopefully will be able to lend support to the project, and we will crack it ourselves eventually, but if Iansisle has any master code-breaker types that could speed up the process, to Mainwaring the cracked code might be used to intice others to get in on the war.
Then there's oil. WoS gets drips from Britain, Canada, the US, and the odd drum from her own rigs at home and in the empire, but there's a serious worry that Britain's supply from the middle east will be cut, or else directed wholly to the British.

(If I get chance to fit these things in myself, fine, but even summarising seems to be filling pages! Damn my inefficient use of English! Sorry, this really is an ugly post.)

Sir Hardcastle, the Calarcian ambassador comes bustling through the door, barely giving the flunky at it time to announce him. Through he gave the Iansislian side of the table a strange look, not really sure that the longstanding rivalry won't flare up again, he's privstely glad they're (presumably) on the same side.

"I'm sorry I'm late chappies, Do excuse my tardiness, please. Some damn jaywalker caused a truck to hit a lampost in front of us on the way."

Whats been covered so far? I suppose I've a bit of catching up with to do, so please do bring me up to speed."

OOC: Calarca relies more on Corvettes than Destroyers, whats the point of a 35Knt ship when it's stuck to a convoy plodding along at 12Knts? Destroyers are released mainly for enemy ship hunting with torpedos, or independet cruises patrolling thesea lines of communication.

(Walmington used to view destroyers in the same way, actually. That's why they've stuck a 6" gun on one class, and have been designing a new faster class. We haven't any corvettes, though, simply never having really struck on the idea. Maybe we'll catch on- wouldn't mind a gander at Calarcan corvettes :))

(Uh oh..my monitor is flickering again. And sorry I'm posting quite slowly and in a ...flustered manner. It's taking me ages to get the damn topics to open without crashing, and to post? Jesus. It's causing stress. If I suddenly stop posting, either my monitor caught fire, or I threw the tower at the BT phone exchange down the road)

After standing to greet the Calarcan ambassador, Mainwaring offers the bar to his companions, his eyes scanning across rows of spirits before his hand finds a pint glass and he shuffles closer to the bitter pump.
(of course this will end with Mainwaring sat with a pint about 90% head)

The PM gives a brief over-view of the situation in Europe- France all but doomed, barring a miracle, WoS putting its efforts behind defending Britain. He stops and shakes his finger "Ah yes, torpedo planes! I believe you have a lot of those coming out of storage at home, Sir Hardcastle? Walmington should like to get her hands on some- free up aircraft production ahead of the intended jet programmes.."

As Mainwaring fusses over the drinks, one of the inept 'show' officers from the airport steps in, salutes, and hands the PM a telegram, before saluting again and departing.

Mainwaring allows his guests to see the message reporting on a huge fleet movement from Italy out towards the Atlantic.

"U-boats?" fretted Tarriff, clasping his hands together. "Yes, yes, most beastly things." He shot Sir Hardcastle a glance somewhere between nastiness and relief - The Calarcan Navy was a known user of submersible vessels - but he supposed it was better to be in bed with the devil than at war with him.

"Our Calarcan friend's arrival reminds me - Iansisle's hosting a diplomatic meeting with Hainan and Chaing Mai even as we speak (ooc - this is roughly within a week of Iansisle's dec. of war against Germany, which was a day or two after Walmington's, right?) but I know those East Asians haven't turned their eyes from Iansislean colonies in the South China Sea. The question thus becomes: How do we defend Galla-China, oh, and Malaysia, too, from aggression while maintaining a defensive war in Europe and protecting supply lines on two ends of the globe?"

(ooc: Iansisle isn't so much into the slow escort thing because its destroyers are mainly meant to protect the fast cruisers and capital ships. The 'convoy' - for an Iansisle with its military thinking rooted in the pre-Great War era - is a foreign concept. They tried to implement it during the Bay of Bengal crisis, but the civilian merchant marine refused to obey - the slower ships assumed hiding in the vast ocean would be better, while the faster ships didn't want to be bogged down by the slower ones. I assume this'll all change very rapidly with the coming of major Chaing Maian / Hainan attacks on Iansislean cargo ships along my main conduit (Philippenes Sea to Sulu Sea to South China Sea through Strait of Malacca to Bay of Bengal).

As for industry, the Iansislean business are very behind the war - not, as Tarriff assumes, because of a sense of patriotism, but because the oppertunity for price gouging in wartime is spectacular. Iansislean taxes are next to noexistant now, but slow increases over time should send revenue through the roofs - failing that, the United Banking Concerns is always available for loans in the trillions (!) of generals, and various bonds can be floated. I assume that Westerton will be provinding engines, Graye aircraft (damn that pacifist Bankfield! :?), RM&M raw materials*, IanCorp radio and radar goods, Jorgenson and Sons / Wright ships, and the slew of other defensive contractors (Galveston and Co., Camstol, Henderson, Shell, etc.) the various other goods.)

EDIT: * - the Shieldo-Dianatranian Oil Company, a front for RM&M, can supply some of Walmington's needs, but most of its production would be needed by Iansisle (it hasn't had time to properly exploit the rich fields, between the recent Civil War rebuilding effort and the need for defense against Dianatranian raids from the few still-active nomadic groups.)

(I suppose it would be pointless to offer a Walmingtonian infantry..or even tank detachment to aid against these nomads who hamper the allies' war efforts, right? "Hey, you, private foreign company, mind if we send some tanks into your oil-fields for the duration?")

(Heh, I suppose that would be a little forward ;) It can be assumed that RM&M can 'convince' the Iansislean government to take over protection of the field in a passive role as well (the Lancers are still active).)

Hardcastle begins talking, a very verbose man he can be hard to slow down and shut up at times, the is also very canny, often talking around the subject under discussion in such a way the listener thinks he is hearing everything, while actually recieving a very censored view of things.

"Torpedo planes, Why yes, we have several hundred Wasp fighter biplanes being refurbished to torpedo bomber specifications, more than we actually need, over 600 in storage and we'll only need about 290 at the moment, they'll hold us untill we can field newbuild Bats. Would you like to obtain the other 300 odd Wasp IIs?"

Shuffling some paper he drew out of his satchel he consults a list.

"We have some new Submersible warships in the yards being finished even as we speak, and as each is launched there will be new ones laid down immediately. These could be deployed to the South China Sea, Calarca wouldn't like that set of wolves loose amoungst the java sea either, and it's always better to fight on the enemies soil, or sea, less chance of friendly fire casulties hitting your own merchanters. or the enemy hitting them either."

Peering at the sheets, he pulls out some copies and hands them around.

"Talking about fighting I've some specification sheets for our latest Corvettes. They're designed to be built in smaller trawler yards, so they can be built without taking yards needed for larger, more dedicated warships. Here."

Merchant Convoy Defence Program, Convoy Class Corvette, Mark I
http://uboat.net/allies/warships/photos/ca/corv_hmcs_west_york_k369.jpg
Displacement: 950 tons
Length: 205' Beam: 33' Draft: 11.5'
Propulsion: 4-cylinder triple expansion steam engine, 2,750 hp, 19 knots
Range: 3,500 nm @ 12 knots
Armament: one 4" Mk IX gun forward, two 20mm Oerlikon cannons,
single 2 pdr (40mm) pom-pom in aft gun tub, one Hedgehog ASW mortar,
four Mk II depth charge throwers, two depth charge rails, 70 depth charges
Radar: Type 271 surface search, range 12 miles.
Sonar: Type 145
Complement: 85 - 95
Link here (http://www.steelnavy.com/Sackville.htm)

Also the larger class for longer voyages

Merchant Convoy Defence Program, Convoy Class Corvette, Mark II
http://uboat.net/allies/warships/photos/ca/corvette_castle_rcn_arnprior.jpg
Displacement: 1250 tons
Length: 245' Beam: 36' Draft: 12.7'
Propulsion: 7-cylinder triple expansion steam engine, 4,750 hp, 21 knots
Range: 4,400 nm @ 14 knots
Armament: one 4" Mk IX gun forward, four 20mm Oerlikon cannons,
two 2 pdr (40mm) pom-pom in aft gun tubs, one Hedgehog ASW mortar,
six Mk II depth charge throwers, two depth charge rails, 130 depth charges
Radar: Type 271 surface search, range 12 miles.
Sonar: Type 145 x 2
Complement: 108 - 117


"They're projected to be just as effective against submarines as the Destroyers, and take far less men and resources. Three of these have the same gunnery armament and crew complement as a small destroyer, three times the detection capacity, and twice the depthcharge supply, instead of 4 destroyers we can have 12 crovettes for the same resource requirements. far more efficient protection. there would still be the need for surface ship protection, but our naval deployment and table of operations provides for 14 corvettes, 4 destroyers, and a heavy cruiser per convoy of 30 ships or more. we have a LOT of corvettes under construction now with the war threatening to arrive out this way, and meantime we have armed trawlers under conversion. with 6 20mm cannons and a 4 inch on the foredeck" here (http://www.steelnavy.com/AdmiraltyArmedTrawlerLElskamp.htm)

Looking down at his papers again he suddenly goes more serious.

"Calarca's offical position is we do not wish to enter the war without provocation, however with the german policy of sinking neutral merchant shipping, Calarca is entering a war economic footing and is preparing for hostilities. We belive it is only a matter of time before we are required to enter the war. My masters back home are currently undertaking to draft a declaration of war, against the Germanic forces of oppression. As such Calarca is willign to undertake to provide Area patrol and naval forces over the Gallanesia and Gallagan areas, and to deploy convoy protection against the threat of Hostile warships over convoy routes from Gallaga to WoS in the Atlantic and Iansisle in the Pacific with co-operation with forces from both your countries.

We are currently arming our Native Gallagan and Gallanesian forces and training factory hands and engineers from amoungst them to operate the factories and to provide war material. We aim to have 2 million native soldiers under arms in 6 months. With the populations of the natives, this is quite achievable, through training will be scanty."

Looking up soberly, Sir Hardcastle continued.

"Gentlemen, within a month, Calarca will likely be at war."

(ooc: Iansisle isn't so much into the slow escort thing because its destroyers are mainly meant to protect the fast cruisers and capital ships. The 'convoy' - for an Iansisle with its military thinking rooted in the pre-Great War era - is a foreign concept. They tried to implement it during the Bay of Bengal crisis, but the civilian merchant marine refused to obey - the slower ships assumed hiding in the vast ocean would be better, while the faster ships didn't want to be bogged down by the slower ones.

OOC:
Calarcian thinking is even older than your pre great war thinking, It dates back to pre-napoleon war, to the spainish main era-ish methodology when pirates would prey on ships out alone. Kept up during the Gallaga rush to protect against rival countries, and even now Calarcians tend to travel in trading fleets, a ship full of rugs following a ship full of wheat, with a ship full of hemp rope trailing behind et al... rather than traveling individually. safety in numbers still holds, even if pirates have been long since rooted out, habit can be hard to break.

Come war it's a simple matter to just send warships out with the trading fleets.
/OOC

(just an ooc post, I'm afraid - the things Tarriff wants to hit on. 1) the chance of redirecting merchant shipping through the Celebes and Java Seas, rather than the South China Sea. 2) The chance of Calarcan deployments in Galla-China and Burma in the event of war with Chaing Mai. and 3) the possibility of joint Walmingtonish / Iansislean / Calarcan pressure persuading the Americans to open the Panama Canal to Allied shipping.)

"Mh, these 'corvettes' almost harken back to the early days of empire" mused Mainwaring as he recalled the tiny vessels in which Walmingtonians coasted the dark continent and southern Asia.

"We've begun converting trawlers in a similar programme, but I understand the Admiralty would likely be rather keen on your designs. I'm afraid the trawlers haven't really been as dependable as we hoped."

The WoS PM is pretty willing to defer to the judgement of his eastern allies in matters of shipping lanes through Gallanesia and such- Walmington's only direct interest is in Ceyloba, and even geographic knowledge beyond that is largely second hand.

(and now my bacon's burning, so I'll be back after I've crunched through that)

"Olden days? Well they should my dear chap, the name comes from the french description of ships between Sloop and Frigate size. What in the Calarcian navy we called Brigs. Small ships with weak armament that could sail as escorts or messengers. You are welcome to send surveyers and engineers to our shipyards to establish if they would siut your purposes. These have a much wider beam and far superior engines to trawlers, besides being designed compartmented for damage control against hits. They can take seas that would sink a destroyer and still operate."

Sir Hardcastle refers to his papers.

"Calarca would like to make some requests. Jet engines. We have a prototype fighter but no means of powering it, Access to the Iansisleian jet program, Armaments, in the pacific shortly to the southeast of Iansisle are pacific Islands with large colonies of seabird, shitting everywhere. This birdlime is a cheap and efficient source of nitrates for the production of explosives, We would like access to these bird deposits. Metals, We have significant Iron, Aluminium, Titanium, Tin and Magnesium mines in our lands, but lack significant developed sourses of copper. Copper will be needed.
Hmm... Those are the main points, our underlings can straighten out the remainder once the big issues are dealt with and out of the way."

Pulling out another sheet of notes... very organised man this one.

"Calarcian ships can begin convoys around the cape between Gallaga and WoS, if we have port access to the WoS african colonies, further convoy to Britain will be open to further negotiation. Bat torpedo bomber bases on WoS will allow maritime patrol of the WoS-Britain waters, and possibly a destroyer flottilla based in WoS."

Another sheet.

"Hmm.... What is the current situation with Chiang Mai and Hainan? Iansisle would presumably have more knowledge than Us, we only deal with the immediate locals around Fort Trade and those whom come to trade there."

Tarriff coughed slightly. "J...jet fighters, sir?" asked Tarriff. He knew that the high thrust engines produced by Henderson was one of the Commonwealth's most guarded treasures. "I, uh..."

He looked quickly to Mainwaring, sweating a bit. "That's...um...rather valuable information." Tarriff mopped his brow quickly. "What I mean is, er, the - er - shit on those islands isn't too bad at all, but, er...and copper, we don't have much, but can share...but..."

The Prime Minister glanced again at Mainwaring and fell silent.

EDIT: I'll get to the CM/Hainan situation next, and I believe WoS should have some sizeable copper deposits in his cape colony.

"Ah yes, we certainly can help with the copper. Walmington itself has a not laughable output, and the empire allows for significant exports. Major deposits as close to Calarca as south east Africa have potential for further exploitation."

Having been hurridly..refreshed on the less solid nature of Calarco-Iansislian relations as compared to those WoS has with either nation, the cause of Tarriff's discomfort eventually dawns on Mainwaring.

"The Asian powers with which we're concerning ourselves- I wonder, do we have between us any intelligence as pertains to their jet programmes, or lack there of?" He asked, hoping to ascertain a lack of jet-based threats outside of western Europe, and perhaps thus to buy time over sharing such technologies with the Calarcans -maybe once the war's been on for a few months the Ians will come to trust them more he hopes.

"We will certainly, I think, be sending experts to investigate these corvettes and their production. I wonder, what is Calarca's top-line fighter these days? Perhaps it would be possible and prudent to attain air superiority in the local theatre through the use of advanced piston engine aircraft... in the short term. Walmington has been forced to pursue a similar path, deploying the MFMkIII Nexus just weeks ago."

Damn half an hour making a post and NS eats it without a trace!!

OOC:Big ships (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66527&start=40), Havn’t made a page for Destroyers and Corvettes yet.
C- Combat
T- Torpedo
D- Destruction (Bomber)
M- Mobility (Transport)
P- Photo (Recon)
S- Sea

Not the same as the earlier post NS ate, not as detailed. But close enough. Damn NS!
/OOC


“Oh, what? ah Aero flyers…” Muttered Sir Hardcastle digging through his satchel. “I have some specification sheets here on the current Aero flyers in use by the Calarcian Air Force.”

Handing out a Sheaf of papers Sir Hardcastle starts talking

The handout: planes here, ½ way down page. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66527&start=60)

“The Dervish, C-3 is our major combat aeroflyer, but may be refurbished to C-3B by replacing the 1000Hp engine with a 1350 Hp engine at the cost of a shorter range due to the increased fuel consumption This my military Attaché assures me will provide a speed of around 365-370Mph. The C-4 Hornet is a dual use fighter, having the capability to carry a small ground attack load for use against land forces.
Old C-2 Wasps are being modified to T-2 standard, but as the Bat is already T-2 on the table, they will become T-3 Wasp IIs. The D-4 Bat and D-5 Devastator are our Destruction classes, and while we have no true Mobile Aero flyer Docks we do have plenty of seaplanes on our Cruisers and larger ships, and usually one on a destroyer. We also fit cranes to cargo ships in convoys and carry S-3 Marlins as Deck cargo, 30 ships can provide space for over 70 S-3s at the cost of slightly reduced cargo capacity due to the loss of deck cargo.”

Looking for more papers, Sir Hardcastle continues.

“Enemy aero craft, we have this report here on the prototype or early production model of a aero craft from mainland Gallachina.”

Secret eyes only Calarcian Intelligence and authorised Government departments.

Unconfirmed Humint Source unknown, obtained Fort Trade from native agents.

Mainland Air combat Aeroflyer.

Jinden Defense Industries Dragonfly MkI:
Armament: 1x Jinden Dragonmaw 33mm aviation gun
2x Jinden Crossbow 23mm aviation guns
4x Jinden machine-rifle 7.7mm
2x Jinden Aerial Rockets MkI (dumb-fire 1050kph-speed rockets which explode into a cloud of shrapnel 250ft from point of launch...more usefull against infantry than aircraft really)
Speed: 765 kph(480mph)
Range: 800km(500miles)

XX/XX/XXXX Confirmed source and intel, permission granted distribution Iansisle and Walmington on Sea governmental heads.

“Please keep them classified, can either of you provide more information?”

Shuffling through yet more papers Sir Hardcastle clears his throat and takes a sip of his drink.

“we can provide Aluminum for copper weight for weight from our mines in Sumatra, this should be useful for the aeroflyer industry in Walmington. We need sufficient copper for the brass and electrical wires for the ships and aeroflyers we’ll be making, to say nothing of the new ground troop equipment.”

"Certainly the copper will be made available. I believe our aluminium requirement is perhaps lower than yours for copper.. not to worry, Walmington's interests are directly served by Calarcan strength in Asia.. uh.. at the expense of native upstarts.." The PM blustered glancing nervously and almost apologetically at the Iansislian PM.

"I'm rather concerned by this native flyer intel" he hurridly moved on "It's quite accurate, I suppose?" looking from one sheet describing WoS's own flyers and back across the unconfirmed native reports and the data on Calarcan fighters he went on "Good Lord, are people really putting cannons like this into fighters? Why don't we have cannons like that in our fighters.." he almost finished by saying "..Wilson?" and only just kept from looking round the room for an advisor.

(WoS's fighter command relies heavily on the .303mg and has only just fitted its first bigger gun- a single .55mg on the Nexus (supported by four .303))

Mainwaring sighed and tried to gather his thoughts. After further examination of relevant papers he continued.
"With the speed of these possible native fighters I see why you might be concerned. Your Dervish looks to rank more or less in the class of our MFMkII Wren, and I wouldn't be happy to rest with them were we faced with these..Dragonfly..things."

The PM had been making notes.
Copper -> Cal.
Send relevant experts -> Cal. RE "Corvets" (sic)
Cal/jet=problem

He was only too happy for Calarcan units to be allowed station in Walmington- or in the colonies for that matter, and confirmed the nation's interest in grabbing those excess biplanes to beef up ASW defences until Walmington could either kick-start its destroyer programme or move to corvettes following investigation in Calarca.

The PM was also encouraged by reports on Calarcan warships. He felt a little better for Frazer's position knowing that any Asian holstilities would have such fast capital ships with which to deal.

(eeep, busy night. I'll get an IC post as soon as I can gather my thoughts)

Tarriff wondered if perhaps Mainwaring was taking a jab at Iansislean defensive preperations, but decided he probably wasn't. He was, however, very impressed by the intelligence report Highcastle produced. Not because of the Chaing Maian fighter's capability - he was no military mind - but rather because of Calarca's willingness to share a document marked 'secret' with the Iansislean Prime Minister.

"Of course," bumbled Tarriff, wanting to say anything, "Iansisle does produce some copper - not much, though. Hardly enough for domestic consumption, don't you know. Er, we do have a goodly amount of coal," he added helpfully.

"Naturally," he said, perhaps in a somewhat more forceful manner than he intended, "Iansisle would do her fair-share of defending the South China Sea - I'm assured that we can maintain control over the Malaysian and Sarawakian coasts even in the event of the collapse of Galla-China. I've toured the defenses at Port Laughlin (sarawak) - most impressive, and we've increased our South China Sea Fleet much over the last few months."

OOC: I think it's time we broke up and went our separate ways, we can meet again in another place later. Give Ca & Ie time to adjust to being on the same side. Also OOCly I have my latest fighter in testing, massive engine that alone weighs almost as much as the entire Dervish, check the M262 thread and QJ sets sail (the link in the above post on my fighters) for more details, nice pic of a la-5 Russki. Note the fully deflectable tailplanes, one damn manuverable monster, even with the weigh it is. Sir Hardcastle won't know of it yet so I need to be able to IC announce it in theis meeting thread a week or so NS time after this thread breaks up, I.E. when we meet again (next post even, lol.).

IC:

Sir Hardcastle shuffled though his papers checking he hadn't missed anything.

"Quite reliable I believe, the Enspionage attache seemed to trust it, and he's the intelligence guy.

Hmm... I think we have covered the important points from Calarcas side of things, Is there anyhing more you wish to bring up?

From here it can all be left to flunkies and clerks."

OOC: Calarca doesn't believe in the polite fiction of "unofficial" spies everyone knows is a spy in embassies as during the Cold war. They are Official spies, so if that man requests an interview with an official of the govt in that country or passes on some intelligence, Everyone knows where it comes from with no fooling. They even have Spy on their diplomatic Passports.

"No, no, I think that's it for me, as well," bumbled Tarriff, twiddling his thumbs quickly. "I should be returning to the Commonwealth, at any rate - elections and all that, don't you know."

(ooc: There should be an high ranking Iansislean ambassador...somewhere in Walmington. ;) But I need to have those general elections so Tarriff's party can lose power.)

"Oh, one last thing!" exclaimed Tarriff, suddenly thinking of what Grand Admiral Tri had told him as part of the briefing. "Uh, Sir Hardcastle, we were just going to use neutral ports, but if you'd be so kind...er...we have a rather large fleet of ships making its way from the Commonwealth to the North Atlantic by way of Cape Horn...I er, wonder if we may be able to use Calarcan territory as a forward staging point...?"

Staging point? Why certainly you may. The port of Gisborne would most likely be the best placed for a party of to the horn, Just head down the east side, you'll be met by a minesweeper off East Cape, but do follow it closely, We're laying mines around our main harbours now.
Or should be if my brief is accurate."


Sir Hardcastle stands and collects his papers.

"If this is all shall we have a drink for the road? this is a bar after all."

"Thank you very much," smiled Tarriff, relieved that the Calarcan ambassador turned out to be a fairly normal chap after all. Company propaganda over the years had been fairly anti-Calarcan, due to the fact that the Company regarded them as their only true imperial rival. Of course, the Company would come around after they realized that Iansisle and Calarca were in this one together. "I do enjoy a good, stiff Tharian brew, if you think they have one here." He raised an eyebrow at Mainwaring.

Tharian..hmm "Oh, by all means gentlemen, help yourselves!" Mainwaring shuffled back over and started putting out all manner of glasses he found behind the bar. One of them will suit whatever's wanted.

ooc:I don't remember if I/we ever finalised details on tanks going from WoS to Iansisle? I'm thinking some 240 CCMkII already under-shipment to Iansisle (specs on the first page of my armaments thread), plus the handfull of vehicles which made it through the South China Sea a while back..with the scuffle and all. Production data was with them, so presumably we've given Iansisle a core of cruisers to start out with, and the means to build their own. Of course the MkII is not top of the line anymore, but it would be a match for anything Japan has- I'm not so sure about the active Asians though. Damn those T-34/85s, I dunno where they're getting top-line near-future stuff like that from without a history of tank production and waring.

Ooh, rambling.

Is it also safe to assume that two or three hundred biplanes will come into WoS possesion via Calarca? Sticking a few of those on Ceyloba will go down well with Frazer.

(Hmm...if those tanks are still being shipped, I'd like 'em to head to Gallaga. Call it Nusheld. Once that war with Chaing Mai does break out, I intend to start massive shipping of every sort of arms imaginable into Gallaga. He'll not pass Arakan Yoma if I have anything to say about it! *shakes fist*

As far as I know, Chaing Mai (who will be the main land threat) doesn't have much in the way of armor...but they do have elephants. Elephants are cool.

Back on some sort of track, did you see the election thread? Tarriff got thrown out, and there's a Gallagan on the ballot to replace him!)

(hmmm...could Ercolanan Submarines attempt to terrorize those ships?)

(I wouldn't have it any other way! :D

Ooh, shipping lanes in danger in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific! This'll be fun ;))

(hmmm...could Ercolanan Submarines attempt to terrorize those ships?)

Hmm... Well Calarca has a shitload of patrol and escort ships, so expect heavy losses if you do. We are a naval nation after all. and Corvettes are simple to turn out in large numbers and short timeframes.

We've 680 Wasps in storage, we'll be using 290 ourselves stationed mostly in Gallanesia and Gallaga that leaves 390 you can have, they'll be shipped over as refurbished, about 100 every fortnight for 4 fortnights, or about 2 NS months.

Specs are Here (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=57626&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=320) in two parts. theres the one witht he pics and about 5-6 post below it another post on numbers/modifications used.

As to guns, think Christies/T-34 type hull with a 90mm arty/Antitank gun.

If you're gonna do something, and you have a unit in use even now that will do the job, and our 90mm arty units will, why not use it. The germans did, mounting their 88mm AA/AT gun on their later models.

OOC- I didn't notice any torpedo tubes listed in the armament of either of your escort classes. Is that just an oversight? If not, it seems these little ships, while effective against U-boats and the like, would be almost helpless against even a light cruiser. As for the losses, lets not forget that fully 75% of the German U-boat crews in WWII were lost.

OOC- I didn't notice any torpedo tubes listed in the armament of either of your escort classes. Is that just an oversight? If not, it seems these little ships, while effective against U-boats and the like, would be almost helpless against even a light cruiser. As for the losses, lets not forget that fully 75% of the German U-boat crews in WWII were lost.

No torps on the Corvettes, through the British "Flower" and Modified/Heavy "Flower" class class corvettes which these are based on do have them. You're right, a cruiser would smash them, even a destroyer would do a lot of damage, having 2 or 3 4-6 inch guns, but they are designed for U-Boat protection only basicly. After a few drubbings by larger ships they'll probably be retrofitted with a triple tube torpedo launcher in place of a thrower. but they're supposed to help the one or two destroyers that the convoy commadore is in. And Cruisers are supposed to be kept off by a series of roving cruiser patrols, like the british had on the russian convoys, a few large ships out for blockade style patrols ranging across the north while the convoys plodded along.

Double post. see above.

I hate those things...

Torps or double posts? I just had 2 hours with the NS server refusing to accept I existed or that is was possible to let me in.

Both, kinda. I have that same problem sometimes with the forum, too.

Yeah, NS can be a pain in the ass...

And I have nothing mcuh to do, all my ships are steaming around still... units deploying and recruiting, factories churning out stuff... but it doesn't need a post to say that since it's already covered in previous ones.

I might just have an ambassador have another chat in the "Tea" thread with someone.

Or try and browbeat Iansisle into giving me Jet engines.

http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=70436

Your attention please.

The Trucial States, post here please. this is our official diplomatic thread for our RP characters to meet and discuss IC RP wise.

Telegram to the Governments of: Walmington-on-Sea, Iansisle and Calarca

Following a unanimous decision be the Sheikhs of the five states (Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan) to sign the war powers act that places control of the combined armed forces under the command of the Prime Minister and the Commonwealth government, our nation is requesting assistance from the freedom loving nations of the world.

Continuing threats by DK Germany and forces from the Far East have forced us reconsider our military, whose equipment is obsolescent. We are in desperate need of more recent aircraft and we currently have no armoured capability whatsoever. Should your nations assist us, we will gladly trade our precious oil that I am sure would be of use to you. Another problem however is that while we have two deep water ports Haifa and Beirut we lack sufficient naval assets to protect them and any shipping which may be in the area. Our Army however although not the best quality does posses quite a large number of men that would be able to deploy fairly rapidly to areas in North Africa or the Middle East.

Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Commonwealth of the Trucial States

Oil, Wilson, oil! We must be sure to support the friendly government of The Trucial States!"
"Are they friendly?"
Mainwaring seemed confused.
"Well, we really don't know much about them.." started the deputy PM, but he was quickly cut off by Mainwaring
"Ohh, I don't think we need worry about things like that, Wilson, they're obviously honourable types.."
"Obviously."
"..we must send someone out their to train them up."
"Because they're Arabs, and couldn't possibly know how to look after themselves.." Wilson replied with a sarcastic edge
"Oh, we mustn't put it quite like that.." Finished the oblivious PM.

And soon enough, with the aircraft and other arms being shipped out to The Trucials, officers of the Royal Army and Navy were on their way to assist the native forces in training.

OOC: who actually controls North Afrcia and if so how much of it?
Also WoS what ecxactly are you sending?

IC:

Our government is grateful for the support of Walmington on Sea and is preparing Haifa for the arrival of ships. Payment wil be returned in the form of crude oil, however we would like to know if your Navy can send tankers and escorts to collect it as we lack the logisitical means to do it ourselves.

Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Commonwealth of The Trucial States

ooc:Yes, WoS will send tankers with variable destroyer/cruiser escort, until we get Calarcan corvettes into production.

We're sending the arms described in another thread.. where Calarca also spoke of sending weapons, as well as now some military advisers.

WoS has a somewhat old-fashioned view of the ...none white world, and tendy to view it as if it were a child needing guidance.
We assume that your army is a rabble of nomads who won't know how to use modern weapons, or how to look pretty on parade. Of course we may be right, but for all I know your soldiers might run rings around my stuffy old officers.

North Africa I'm not sure about. WoS is in the west, Ercolana in the east, and the north? Maybe it is British, and maybe the Germans are there too. We'll have to see if Der Kriegsmarine has any troops there, if not I assume it British, and it'll probably remain so until either Ercolana or DK Germany attack.

OOC: Okay We might send some troops over the Sinai so we'd quite like to know who's gonna be there!

Our people apart from the government think westerners just sit around all day drinking brandy in gentleman's clubs and don't have a clue about the realities of the world. Probably Right. Our troops are therefore likely to be iunimpressed by an officer in a pristine uniform trying to give them advice about fighting in our native territory.

OOC: Okay We might send some troops over the Sinai so we'd quite like to know who's gonna be there!

Our people apart from the government think westerners just sit around all day drinking brandy in gentleman's clubs and don't have a clue about the realities of the world. Probably Right. Our troops are therefore likely to be iunimpressed by an officer in a pristine uniform trying to give them advice about fighting in our native territory.

Preposterous! You've offended us all! Come, Iansisle, to the golf club..house! Hmph!

:)

:D

Dispatch From Troma
_____________________

Commence Operation: Primo Blocco



Shortly after this message was recieved the offensive anti-shipping flotilla of the Ercolanan Marina Militare based in Karachi Harbor set sail, with the intent of eliminating shipping to and from the middle east.

The flotilla is composed of two seperate forces.

Forza Di Superficie

MM Vagare - Battlecruiser
MM Castello - Heavy Cruiser
MM Cacciatore -Heavy Cruiser
MM Nettuna - Aircraft Carrier
MM Barriera - Light Cruiser
MM Lupo - Destroyer
MM Luna - Destroyer
MM Asso - Destroyer (with Radar)

and 6 Ursa Class Corvettes

Some of these ships are based in Karachi, while some are based in Ercolanan Proper and will make there way into the med. Shouldn't be too hard with all the German and Italian Ships going around there, because it is still decently early in the war.


(Still working on the submarine force)

As yet unaware of the departure of vessels from Karachi, Walmingtonian Naval Command in Southend receives word of fleet movements eastwards out of Ercolana-proper.

With the strength of the force not absolutely confirmed, the strained WoS fleet is holding-off dispatching the few available cruisers until better information can be gathered by aircraft, or until incoming allied vessels arrive in the north Atlantic.

WoS, I know this is a really stupid question, and a really bad time to ask it, but has Ercolana actually declared war on you yet or Vice Versa????

I am so confused...

Hehe, I too! A bit ago I made a post explaining to someone interested that we were at war with DK, and that Erco was likely to join in, then Iansisle seemed to suppose that Erco probably was already at war.. heh..I think it's been sort of a phoney war period?

We really ought to make it official, I suppose?

Either I can stick something in my news thread declaring war on you as part of the wider war against fascism, citing you as a supporter of DK's Nazi Germany, or else your dictator (he is a dictator, isn' he?) can make the first move in order to look strong next to Germany, rather than a second rate tag-along ally as Mussolini's Italy.

Hmm... Maybe it can be some sort of happenstance. Like we are unofficially at war. One of your recon planes flies too close to one of my ships and we shoot it down. Then you can declare war..

Actually Idk its upto you.

Hmm... I'd Forgotten about Karachi and the forces there, they could be troublesome...

IC:
Following the telegram from the Trucial States several days of tense talks withing Goverment house and the Military High command ensue. Finally a decision was reached, 300,000 of the old 7x57mm bolt action rifles and 200 Fast Scout armoured cars fitted with a twin .50 would be sent to help the TS army, while 24 "Dervish" fighters would also be shipped by sea.

The problem of what to do with the forces in Karachi however was a problem...

Finally a decision was reached about that too... A blockade. Accordingly, signals were sent to naval authorities involved and one of our three Battleships left port in Calarca with a light cruiser squadron and a destroyer flottilla, as they passed up through the Calarcian Gallanesian colonies they would pick up more ships here and there untill they had a full fleet. included in theis fleet are all Calarcas current 4 Submarines. (USA S Class)

Meanwhile in Sumatran Shipyards, a pair of uncompleted ships, one Fast Heavy cruiser and one Battlecruiser, there topworks not yet under construction are being surveyed with a mind to converting them to MobileNavalAeroFlyerDocks.



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(for my forces, I'm basing it on England with a few changes, look at Here (http://members.aol.com/forcountry/ww2/pnav.htm) for beginning of war naval strengths. I have no CVs and only 3 BBs vs Britains 6CVs and 15BBs and of those, missing ships, the constructuion time/cost went into Crs at 3 LCrs or 2 HCrs per missing Brit. thats giving me 18 extra LCrs and 30 extra HCrs over britains strength, and only 4 subs, the excess construction from them (55 subs less) going into Corvettes at 2 corvettes per Subs so 110 more corvettes than Britan had.

This means about the same in total tons floating but in different areas of the navy.

UK (9/39) Me

Battleships 15 (+9 under construction) A 3 + 2UC
Aircraft Carriers 6 (+6) 0 + 2(being modified)
Heavy Cruisers 15 45 + 15UC
Light Cruisers 40 (+8) 58 + 17UC
AA Cruisers 6 (+16) 6 + 15UC
Cruiser-minelayer 1 (+4) 1 + 4UC
Destroyers 113 (+24) 113 + 24UC
Old destroyers 68 68
Submarines 47 (+12) 4 + 24UC
Old submarines 12 0
Escorts 54 (+80) 164 + 100UC
Minesweepers 42 (+10) 42 + 10UC
Monitors 2 2
Netlayers 2 2

Walmington was still trying to decide what to do about Ercolonan territory around north western Gallaga when news came indicating Calarca's intention to attempt a blockade.

It was fairly typical of WoS to underestimate the gravity of a given situation in the early stages, and it was only recently that reports from native operatives indicating considerable Ercolanan strength in the area had been seriously considered by officials.

It was probable that Ercolana, and its ally DK Germany, would come to depend significantly on oil production in the area (I'm not looking at a map as I type this, but I expect you've access to reasonable oil reserves, at least proximity to them in the north if nothing else?), and a blockade really did make sense.

There was some concern, however, that the forces seen leaving Erco-proper not long ago might be making for the territory. Naval Group Ceyloba would likely be outgunned, and was glad of the Calarcan deployment. All effort would have to be made to provide logistic and intelligence support.

In adition, Admiral Frazer's NGC would deploy one of two submarines, the II Class destroyer HMWS Longevity, and the light cruiser Kenilworth. These vessels mean to await the passage of the Calarcan fleet, to which they are to attach themselves.

Probable Ercolanan involvment in the war caused the lights to burn late both in the Ministry of War in Ianapalis and in the East Gallaga Company headquarters in Nusheld. Iansislean naval assets in the area were minimal, consisting only of the heavy cruiser Nusheld, the destroyers HIMS Tiger, Legendary, and Guiding Spirit, and six older Delton-class destroyers run by the Company.

In the air, the Commonwealth-Company alliance was not much better. A new squadron of MPAF-5 "Steeds" had recently been transfered over from Fort Manly, but the Flying Corps still consisted mainly of old MPAF-4 "Warhorse" biplanes and even older MPAF-3 "Slippery Stallions" in the employ of the Company. The Commonwealth was planning on transfering more aeroflyers to the Gallagan front, but worries in the South China Sea - and the inability to consider that Chaing Mai may be capable of two invasions at once - relegated the Ganges basin to a low priority.

However, on the ground, the Company could boast 190,000 men, mostly Gallagan natives led by Iansislean officers. The possibility of an offensive from Company bases on the Upper Ganges into Ercolanan Punjab was considered, but lack of information on Ercolanan deployments in the area forced the project to be delayed. In the meantime, Iansisle continued shipping what artillery - mainly H-1 Howitzers - armored cars, and modern rifles could be spared to the Company's miserably equiped forces.

((I am so lost, does anyone know any websites that give statistics, I don't want to godmod for the era.))

(I think you've been doing fine so far....don't base your statistics off of me, because Iansisle has a notoriously bad army ;))

((I am so lost, does anyone know any websites that give statistics, I don't want to godmod for the era.))

Just go google.

Italian Air (http://avia.russian.ee/air/italy/index.html)

navies (http://navalhistory.flixco.info/)

((I am so lost, does anyone know any websites that give statistics, I don't want to godmod for the era.))

Just go google.

Italian Air (http://avia.russian.ee/air/italy/index.html)

navies (http://navalhistory.flixco.info/)

Italian information as far as ships is not what perplexes me but rather the amount of troops themselves.

I'm going to be as vague as possible without merely grunting, and say that I think the Germans may have fielded upwards of 8million men in their military at a peak.. quite how many were army effectives I don't know. Now, I'd assume Italy had...less than that, but..er.. yeah, so lets ask Google some more questions!

(I'm puzzling too. The WEF in Britian is 100,000 effectives strong, which to us is quite a lot- but..it's nothing compared to what the likes of Russia, Germany, and the US fielded in the war. Argh, I dunno)

(Well, the pre-war RIAC was 40,000 men in 20 divisions. Now we're up to about 230,000 - most of whom are untrained, unarmed and nowhere near read for deployment abroad. The E.G.C. Army is about 190,000 men, most of whom are of a low quality in terms of training, equipment, and morale.

I think - and this is completely without a source of any kind, but rather my dim rememberances of a book I read a while back - that Italy's pre-war Libya garrison was half a million men, and that was their largest troop concentration.

(Not a bad sized force though, eh? Italy's Libya garrison, I mean..ah crap, still logged in as Dra-pol. Still, I'm going, for the early stages certainly, to be working in thousands, tens of thousands, and maybe hundreds of thousands, and not millions, when it comes to military personel numbers. )

(okay, I will reflect on these numbers, and try to see what I can do with my forces. Thanks for the feedback)

(Yeah, Iansisle is not going to be a major land threat anywhere for...some time ;)

On the other hand, don't forget our aeroflyer (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=71010) industry!)