C.M. troops invade Iansislean colonies[S-RP, invite only] [Archive]

20-09-2003, 14:20

[OOC:Hainan- that's fine, if this "neutrality" is what i suspect it to be (hello mr arms merchant) ;)
IA-yes, H. has good pics.Now can we get back to business?]

Nân, Maï Province, the Sanctified Holy Empire of Chiang Maï

Val stepped through the door to the Steel Chamber.The scene inside was chaos, servants cowering from their sovereign's wrath...
"By all the Gods and their spawn!What did this old fool think he was planning for, a friendly exercice?!? no soldier in his right mind would drop dead of a heart attack when his nation goes to war!"
The servants cringed.Val remained inconspicous near the doorstep.
"What are you waiting for???drag his body away!!!do you think i like having a corpse under my nose?!?"
Several servants stepped forwards, dragging the body away.
"Where are my so-called military advisors when i need them?!?Can't i rely on a single one of my commanders?!?you, there!Fetch me Brasshawk Narya!!"
Val stepped out of the shadows.
"That won't be necessary, your Sanctified Magnificence.The pretext was a success; the message is waiting, as are the troops.I take it Boutra's dead?"
He crinkled his nose at the body.The old man hadn't taken a bath in years; he wouldn't be surprised if the late Diamondhawk was decomposing already.Lia turned, now smiling.
"Ah, excellent Diamondhawk. Yes, i fear your predecessor has suffered a heart attack on having certain plans for today revealed to him.. I'm sure you'll be up to your new post... Val."
"With your permission, i shall transmit the wireless telegramm to the imperialists, and start the attack, your Sanctified Magnificence."
"Yes, do so, Diamondhawk of the Realm."

Wireless Telegramm Received by Iansislean Stations in Nusheld, St.Walburg, and Fort Manly.
Following the murder of over a dozen of our subjects by the East Gallaga Company in St.Walburg, we are forced to remove this company from Myanmazr and surrounding territories.Unfortunately, to secure our flank we must also take your colony in the Mekong Delta.
Regretfully, the Sanctified Holy Empire of Chiang Maï.

Hainan

20-09-2003, 16:35

[OOC:Hainan- that's fine, if this "neutrality" is what i suspect it to be (hello mr arms merchant) ;)

OOC: Hello :) You can have all my older equipment. And then again compared to WoS, Iansisle, you, and DK, I hardly know any RP (just another reason to stay neutral).

On 2nd thought maybe this should be done via tgram.

20-09-2003, 16:39

When does your nation take place as I see that most of these tanks would be considered obsolete if they were used today.

Hainan

20-09-2003, 16:42

When does your nation take place as I see that most of these tanks would be considered obsolete if they were used today.
Were RPing out ww2 our own way...

Hainan

20-09-2003, 17:08

OOC:
BTW, heres what Chiang bought

56 T-27 "infantry killer" tanks:
http://www.battlefield.ru/t27.html

168 T-40 light tanks:
http://www.battlefield.ru/t40.html

56 T-28 heavy tanks:
http://www.battlefield.ru/t28.html

56 SU-85 tank destroyers:
http://www.battlefield.ru/su85.html

242 T-43 medium tanks
http://www.battlefield.ru/t43.html

20-09-2003, 17:24

To Hainan-we'll buy all your SU-85s, T-28s, T-27s, T-40s, and T-43s....they will help in training tank crews and give us an armored capacity before the T-34-85 enters mass-production :) and since there is need for delivery, formation of units, training, setting out of tactics and deployment, we'll still have massed infantry battles ebfor ehte first tanks appear.

Viengchan, Laos Province, the Sanctified Holy Empire of Chiang Maï

The Golden Kormorant of Chiang Maï flotted at the gates of the city as the 17th Column marched out.The six squadrons -each of four troops, themselves each of twelve squads of twelve men- marched out one by one, then formed up, with a hundred elephants bearing machine-rifles, the baggage train and the column's artillery in the center, with the machine-rifles and mortars carried along within the squadrons.The people cheered from the walls, the soldiers waved back one last time, each searching out his loved ones amidst the crowd, then they resolutely moved out, marching South-East into Iansislean Mekong.They had been told the campaign would be easy, with gunboats-including the formidable large monitor Thon Buri and her 20-inch guns-bombarding seaward imperialist installations, with torpedo boats to shield against Iansislean small craft, then moving up-delta reducing the ennemy fortresses as they went, while another column (the twenty-third) would set out from Quang-tri and move South-West from there.Already, Hellraiser army support fighters zoomed up in the distance, and junior officers eagerly started fiddling with their newfangled radiotelephones to talk to the ground-attack craft......

Hainan

20-09-2003, 17:27

Excellent, they are being preapared for shipping to Chaing Mai.

The rest would make good reserves, and besides 600 T-26's can swamp the enemy.

Walmington on Sea

21-09-2003, 01:24

Walmington declares war on Chiang Mai!

Not waiting for their Iansislian allies, once again WoS is plunged into war.

"First we stand up to Germany on behalf of Britain, now we stand up to mainland Asia on behalf of Iansisle. It's not much different. Walmington has principles, and the world will jolly well listen and heed the march of civilisation!"

After a bried obstruction by the US over "excessive" demands put on the Panama canal, PM Mainwaring was quoted as saying "that over-grown pirate's nest thinks it can challenge Walmington? We'll damn well level New York before we'll let those bandit rebels get in the way of our alliance with the Ians!"

The US seems to have backed down in the face of pro-British and Iansislian Walmingtonian pressure via Canada. WoS estimates put time of total victory in a war against the USA at less than three weeks, and the president has been quick to comply with Mainwaring's demands. WoS cavalry cruisers on the Michigan border have scaled down displays.

The Panaman canal appears to be open to export of WoS armour to Iansisle, and Lancer MkIII tanks are making their way across the oceans.

Iansisle

21-09-2003, 01:56

(ack- sorry responding to this took so long!)

Company Local Headquarters
St. Walburg, Iansislean Gallaga

"Our men did what?!" demanded Martin Starr, the local Commandant, jumping to his feet. In front of him, the slender Shieldian guards lieutenant cowered slightly in the presence, not even able to throw a proper salute.

"It would appear they massacred nearly a dozen Chiang Maian traders in the square, Commandant," he managed, stammering slightly. "We, uh don't know why, but there are several eye wittnesses."

Starr paced furiously. "Get on the horn to Nusheld right now. Tell them what's happening, and request information and instructions."

"Aye, sir!" replied the lieutenant, glad to be able to flee his commander's presence.
_________________

Jameston Place
Ianapalis, Iansisle, the Commonwealth

The Lord John of MacIntyre, Commonwealth Minister of Foreign Affairs, nearly choked on his lunch recieving the diplomatic telegram from Chiang Mai, recieved by way of the Company headquarters in Nusheld. Remove the Company? Take a crown colony?

He started pacing furiously. Just a week ago, he had that damn Asiatic ambassador in his clutches, him promising the disarmarment and evacuation of Galla-China, and now - just when they were most vulnerable.

Lord Michael of Javial, the Minister of War, was in favor of immediate reprisals against them. "We ought to take the whole damn Flying Corps and smash them flat!" was his considered opinion. Air Marshall Sir Timothy J. Bates, the RIFC commander, reminded the Lord that all Flying Corps assets had been evacuated to Port Laughlin and other bases in Sarawak already, and that the MPAF-5s and -6s stationed there wouldn't have long enough range to interfere in the battle. "Maybe if we could make use of Calarcan bases in northern Malaysia" was his only suggestion, and that was given with a shrug.

It was humuliating, but Iansisle would have to cede mastery of Galla-China. All remaining RIAC troops - some one thousand five hundred men mainly around to keep order - were ordered to fall back with all due haste on Bac Lieu in preperation for evacuation. The Royal Iansislean Navy's South-East Asia squadron, also headquartered in Port Laughlin, Sarawak, was ordered to sail. While the battleship Gargantuan (assigned to the fleet) was still on sea trials, they still could muster the Mobile Aero-Flyer Docks Salvador and Vanguard, with their complement of MPAF-5N "SeaSteed" fighters, TAF-2 "Seahorse" torpedo flyers, and BAF-2 "Screamed" dive bombers, and the battleship Undauntable. With what help could be given by landbased aeroflyers, they were to provide temporary mastery of the South China Sea while the RIAC was evacuated.

What they didn't know was that the Chiang Mai fleet was already steaming about the Mui Ca Mau while the RIN slipped harbor in Port Laughlin.

Naturally, Parliament had delivered no decleration of war yet - and as Chiang Mai had not either, the two powers were still not at war - but Iansislean forces had 'free fire' orders on Chiang Mai targets.

In the meantime, the RIAC prepared to slowly transfer more units to Port Laughlin, Fort Manly, St. Walburg, and Nusheld in preperation of helping the Company. Iansisle had never abandoned the Company before, and wealth and empire was its reward. Now that the Company needed the Commonwealth's help again, it was all too willing to be given.

Iansisle

21-09-2003, 13:01

(Just give this a tap so CM knows I'm on ;))

21-09-2003, 13:09

Bangkok, Siam Province, the Sanctified Holy Empire of Chiang Maï

It was still dark(and the merchants hadn't been murdered yet), when the bulk of the Imperial Maï Fleet weighed anchor.The old battleships HSMS[/i]Sukhotaï[/i], HSMS Hanoi, [both HMS Colossus-class ripoffs] and HSMS Nân [ Agincourt ripp-off], the three Siam-class battlecruisers, the heavy armored cruisers HSMS Sanctification and HSMS Holyness, the light cruisers Viengchan and Phuket [the Viengchan-classs being HMS Belfast ripoffs], ten Annam-class destroyers, and four older Bangkok-class destroyers sailed in company with two arsenal [supply] ships and troopships for three columns [minus elephants] and their gear.The sailors ligned the railings for a last sight of the city-possibly the last in their lives, they knew-as they sailed past the partially completed battleship Mekong and the harbour's mouth, into the open waters of the Gulf of Siam.There they would rendez-vous with a force out of Haiphong: the fleet cruiser Haiphong and the "aeronaval raider" HSMS Nightmare, both completed secretly, behind walled docks, escorted by two each Annam and Bangkok class destroyers.

Though few sailors knew it, the fleet's target was Fort Manly, whose 18-in. guns [assuming 'tis similar defences as british singapore] blocked the way to the Gallagan Ocean, but they were in no hurry to get there; some thiings still remained to be done before that wa spossible.In the mean time, they would test their new radars, copied off Hainanese models.

21-09-2003, 13:10

(Just give this a tap so CM knows I'm on ;))
[eh, was writing a post]

Iansisle

21-09-2003, 13:32

(sorry about that - just wanted to let you know that you should be expecting a reply.)

Iansislean defenses at Fort Manly were indeed spectacular, given the long-standing rivalry between Iansisle and now-allied Calarca. The island of Batam stood just seventeen statutes (30,000 yards) from the Calarcan Fort Trade on Singapore island across the Phillip Channel. Because of that, a good deal of the main emplacements (16"/50s, for the most part, with older 16"/45s mixed in) were on Nongsa Head (n-w corner of the island), facing largely north, but with capability of firing into the Singapore Strait. Because of the bulk of Iansislean occupied but unfortified Bintan Island (assuming that's ok with Calarca - we didn't decide this one, and if he wants it, that's ok) and the assumed Iansislean dominance in the South China Sea, few gun emplacements faced due east or south-east. To the south and the west, there were more heavy guns designed to harass Calarcan merchant traffic in the possibility of war.

Fort Manly was also home to a garrison of 4,000 Company troops and 2,000 RIAC men, as well as large squadrons of BAF-1s, MPAF-5s, and MPAF-6s. The defense of the enterence to the Strait of Malacca was considered vital.

(that's mine - the fleet will steam north-west from Port Laughlin to Galla-China after it leaves, to help try and get men away. Salvador and Vanguard will keep flyers in the air as recon, and Fort Manly itself keeps up recon in neutral airspace. I'm sure Calarca will also have defenses of some sort on Singapore (fort trade), but I'll not speak for him ;))

Iansisle

21-09-2003, 13:37

http://trips.150m.com/bintan2/bintansingapore.jpg

Here's a map of the area. Nongsa's marked - that's the largest concentration of guns. Other major ones include the north-east coast and that little southern bit looking out onto the strait. Bintan (if it's mine) can be assumed to be lightly defended, with only a few small-caliber guns, a few hundred men, and a couple minor airfields.

21-09-2003, 13:44

Haiphong[i] carries a couple of seaplane scouts, and the [i]Nightmare has a small complement of fighters (Seahawks, a rippoff of the Seafire 47) and singel-seat dive-bombers(Kali MkVIIs, one of the many conversions of the old Kali fighter), 12 fighters and 8 bobmers.Just so you know :) .The raider also has a quadruple 11-in. turret fore and aft, and just under it's armored flying deck (elevated above the main turrets) it carries ten 8-in. guns on either side, and has 24 3-in. naval flaks, 40 Oerlikons and 36 triple moutings of Browning .50s for AA, tolerable armour, 38.5knots top-speed and long range.It's also a rather big ship ;) and kindof an experimental design.And a smentioned, my fleet is testing their radars.Damn carriers are going to hurt me though :cry: land-basedfighters can cover the fleet, but they have short loiter times and long arrival delays, so standing patrols in small numbers will be the ebst land-based CAP the ships get. ]

Iansisle

21-09-2003, 13:54

(This is going to be a tough battle for you, unless you can land men on Bintan and capture the airfields there (which aren't terribly capable). The 16"/50s can throw a 2700 lb AP shell roughly 44,000 yards (25 miles) at 35* elevation, and the 16"/45s throw a 2250 lb AP shell about 42,000 yards (23.8 miles). My fighters will be working close to refuel bases and in greater numbers, probably with greater warning.

Fort Manly is home to one of the most powerful surface air and sea search radar sets in the world (at this time ;)), capable of detecting ships and groups of flyers long before they enter the Singapore Strait. Various other sets serve as backups and fire control for the big guns. And then there's whatever Calarca has.)

21-09-2003, 14:02

Rayong, Siam Province, Sanctified Holy Empire of Chiang Maï

They had been warming their engines since shortly before dawn.The pilots had eaten breakfast (balls of rice and sweetmeats) in their cockpits, but the order to strike had only come shortly after lunch (another serving of the self-same "readyness rations"). Now Tiger [Capt] Liaung Khitam, Imperial Maï Flying Corps pulled his twin-engined Kormorant bomber off the runway with ease, and turned to orbit the runway as his squadron took off, then formed up with the other aeroplanes above the base.As they headed out West, three squadrons of Imperial Guard Dragonflies and one of Imperial Guard Comet tri-engined "fast strategic bombers" joined up with the formation, then as they flew over the border with Myanmar the Hellraisers and some of the the escorting Nagas dove towards the ground, while below them some thirty-four columns, arrayed all along the border, began the advance into central Myanmar. Most of the escorting Nagas formed into close-escort, high-escort, forward and flank sweeps while the nimble Dragonflies freelanced in search of any ennemy fighters.
Liaung kept listening into his radiotelephone headset for any warnings broadcast by the newly-installed (and primitive) radars at Rayong, which he, like so many others, thought wouldn't change much really, so he also kept a keen lookout for ennemy aeroplanes.

He liked the Kormorant -it was easy to fly, as nimble and swift as any bomber could be expected to be, it's easily distinguishable twin tails, with tail-less central fuselage gave it rear turret a good arc of fire, and it's defensive armament was powerfull, both in front and back.Moreover, it allowed him to carry a decent bombload a significant distance: it's pilot claime dit was the best medium bomber in the world, and although this wa sprobably not true, it was still excellent.And he was flying one, at the head of a squadron, each bomber laden with 4 800lb Hailstone bombs, towards St.Walburg and the Company fortresses there; all over the new front, hundreds of bomber pilots were doing the same.

[OOC note: the Company will be the main target of bombing raids, in keeping with the pretense that it's their fault ;) ]

21-09-2003, 14:03

21-09-2003, 14:11

Wireless Telegram received by Calarcan outposts in Gallanesia
We are, unfortunately, involved in fighting with the East Gallaga Company, a private organism which has misused the force the Commonwealth of Iansisle allowed it to build up.We hope this will not precipitate any difficulties between our states, and we assure you we harbour no hostility towards you, but must absolutely settle this matter of the Company's blatant agression.

[OOC:Ah, the joys of hypocrisy ;) ]

Iansisle

21-09-2003, 14:16

Air defense had, of course, been one of Iansisle's first strategic priorities, as evidenced by the massive air armadas present in Sarawak and Fort Manly. However, the Company's piddling airforce had primarily been set up to keep rebellious native princes in line, with Calarca in the south and Ercolana in the north-west being seen as the only major airborne threats. Most of what the Company did possess in terms of heavy anti-air artillery and bases capable of taking modern fighters were therefore in those areas, with St. Walburg and Burma at large being devoid of any major air defenses.

Air Lieutenant (a company rank) Henry Orange, one of the few trained fighter pilots east of the Ganges, cursed the Company's lack of foresight as he ran to his fighter. St. Walburg, the largest Iansislean outpost in this area, had no more than four ancient MPAF-4 "Warhorse" fighters (I've never given this class statistics, actually. Assume that they're a early 1930s monofighter, mostly cloth covered, with four .303 machine guns. Pathetic? Yes. ;)) and six even older MPAF-3 "Slippery Stallion" biplanes to muster, and no radar. They did have acoustic sensors, which could detect an enemy bomber formation with ten minutes to spare. Of course, the equipment was new, and its operators were untrained.

And the base's response time was twelve minutes anyway. Orange could all but hear the approaching Chiang Maian bombers as groundcrew struggled to ready his flyer. He and his wingman, both in Warhorses, were just charging down the dock when the first bombers appeared in view...

(and I need sleep, I'm afraid. :( Looking forward to seeing this tomorrow, though. Bomb the crap out of me :D)

21-09-2003, 15:55

Golden Triangle Plateau, Northeastern Myanmar
The Chan and Karen populations of the northern part of the Triangle, recognising many of their southern brethren among the advancing Maï troops, had risen up against the Company and ten thousand men, armed mainly with three-quarters of a century old Martini-Henry rifles, had joined forces with the three advancing columns.Officers had already reported to their headquarters that "this won't be a problem."Of course, for reasons of longstanding rivalries, a few villages wer eopposing the Maï advance, but by nightfall, these would be no more than smoldering heaps of ashes, with a few hundred impaled bodies above them....

Skies above St.Walburg, Iansislean Gallaga

A handful of obsolete fighters could be seen taking off just in front of the raid, but two squadrons of Nagas from the forward sweep bounced them as they started gaining height, and did their job very efficiently-sweeping the few defenders out of the path of incoming bombers. Seeing this, the Imperial Guard pilots broke the seals on their supercharge controls simultaneously and dove towards the fight-it just wouldn't do for the regular flying corps to get all the kills.

And the bombers proceeded unhindered.The first in were the Imperial Guard Comets, flying forwards at full speed well above the Kormorants. Their mission was double: to bomb, of course, but also to try out their new radio gunsights. There were two of these systems; the first was poetically named 'Sunbeam'. It was supposed to tell the bombardier where his bomber was in relation to the known location of the transmitter, so that he knew when he was above his target, but although the directional dials showed the correct bearing from Nân, the distance dials showed the bombers to be thirty miles on the other side of a city they saw stretching at thier feet. The bombardiers looked away from the Sunbeam dials in disgust. The second system, 'Dragon's Throat', was more sophisticated. This morning, the Imperial Guard team sent to provide a casus belli had set up a large bakelite box in a chariot full of straw, in the middle of a large marketplace, and attempted to set the bearings and distances to the Company HQ and it's largest barracks in the city, using a complicated and somewhat baffling systems of knobs to turn and levers to set. Now, the box emited a cone of radio waves-the Dragon's Throat- which consisted of 'white noise' transmissions and two values for what was known as 'correction'. In the Comets, a large screen showed dials for altitude, airspeed, bearing to source of the emissions, and strength of reception, the latter two being indicated thanks to the 'white noise' signals. There was a knob, in four bombers set to 'first target' and in the eight others set to 'second target', and next to it dials for correction bearing and correction distance. The gears behind all these dials influenced those behind a final two dials, labelled in Siamese 'Bearing to Target (relative)' and 'Distance to Release Point'. The bombardiers gave instructions to their pilots until the former read '0 (straight ahead)' and then waited till the the latter passed through 0 to pull the release lever. But maybe the Maï engineers had miscalculated bomb dispersal, or forgotten about the wind; or maybe they had underestimated the radio uncertainty, or simply overstated their equipment's accuracy; or it could simply have been flaws in untried gear. And while several bombs landed on or near their targets, a far greater number were wildly scattered; some, fortunately, landed in areas inhabitated by Company officials or wealthy colonialists, but many also destroyed the homes and families of innocent Burmese workers who might otherwise have been sympathetic towards the Sanctified Holy Empire. The accidental casualties of the timed charge that destroyed the Dragon's Throat emitter wouldn't help on that count either.

But Liaung Khitam didn't know of these results; all he saw was the Guard bombers releasing their payloads and clearing the target. Then it was his turn. He led his squadron over their target-an artillery depot- and then, calling over the internal telephone to his bombardier "Ready the bombsight-gliding attack", cut back radically on the throttle and started a moderate dive towards the depot. The escorting fighters peeled away and the glide-bombing pass seemed to last for ever. Then, finally, Liaung felt the shudder as the bomb bay doors opened and the payload slid out, and the bombardier called "Bombs away!". Tiger Khitam kept his aircraft on course for thirty seconds, to make sure the bombs were clear, then pulled up and banked to port, opening the throttle wide. One by one, the other bombers of his squadron did the same and pulled away, leaving their target ablaze.Then the Kormorants headed for home, without seeing a single opposing fighter, although there some crash sites of Company aircraft to the north-east of the city. To Liaung, it seemed as if the Sanctified Holy Empire had mastery of the skies.

Iansisle

22-09-2003, 03:23

St. Walburg, Iansislean Gallaga

Orange didn't fancy himself standing much of a chance against the modern fighter craft, and he questioned the sense of duty that made him ride his Warhorse into the jaws of death. He could see the approaching flyers as they roared towards St. Walburg. Then, he was bounced by a horde of fighters two generations more advanced than his. The riders didn't even bother to get airborne, simply running from their flyers as Orange's MPAF-4 fell from the sky in a burning mess that slammed into the Irrawaddy River.

The bombers continued over the dock, much to the relief of the workers, bearing down on St. Walburg. In the city itself, citizens and soldiers alike ran about in a confused mess. Around the Company Headquarters, which was across the street from the main barracks, there were only four double mounted two pounder AA "pompom" guns - the only significant anti-air defenses in the city. Though they couldn't possibly throw up enough flak to do any damage - they'd be lucky to even place a burst in the right area of the sky, given the crew's training level - they were dutifully fired in the general direction of the approaching. At least, until a eight-hundred pound bomb came directly down on the commander's gun. After that, it was every man for himself.

Other bombs landed in a large fuel storehouse, used for the fighters and armored cars, igniting a large fire on the southern end of town, which quickly spread. The terror of an air raid was something the Company and its administrators were totally unprepared for. Total chaos ensued, with only scattered reports escaping to Nusheld.

Company Headquarters
Nusheld, Iansislean Gallaga

Commandant Supreme Marcus Jackson was the highest ranking Company military officer in Gallaga, answerable only to the Company's highest ranking civilian authorities back in Ianapalis.

And there were answers that would need to be given after the rapidly ensuing military disaster. St. Walburg reported incoming bombers, then all concentrated reports stopped. They must really be getting hammered. Farther to the north, scattered reports of Chiang Maian troops hooking up with native villages and thrusting into the Company's second largest opium-producing district were trickling in. Everywhere, contact with entire companies of men was lost, as they were either overrun or deserted.

An hour ago, all troops in eastern Burma had been ordered to fall back to the defensive lines on the Irrawaddy River. Only six of the eighteen companies responded.

Agrigento

22-09-2003, 03:25

*adds to growing list of WW2 threads*

Carry on.

22-09-2003, 05:29

(OOC: Only read page one so far. 10% of all government revenue gatered through excise, duty and other taxes on goods and trade though Fort trade goes to defences of fort trade, so we have 5 regiments of 90mm artillery with a 22,000 yard range, emplacements of 9.8"/55 naval guns, and 15.2"/50 naval guna, both up to date types firing a shell 47,000 yards, and older 12.3"/39 obsolete guns with a 32,000 yard range. plus 400 torpedo boats with a 300 mile range and capable of 41 knots with 2 torpedoes each. our 40mm AA batteries are supported by 75mm Artillery mounted in AA platforms, but which can also fire as normal artillery on invaders.

We have one of the three calarcian Battleships home ported in Fort Trade, and 90 Wasp II torp bombers, 30 Bat torb bombers and 280 fighters evenly split between the Dervish and Whirlwind, plus 80 seaplane torp bombers floating on the harbour waiting for deployment to ships. I haven't decided what ships are there, but at least two flottilas of destroyers and one of cruisers. most would be out patrollign the loacl area.

Iansisle

22-09-2003, 08:25

The Northern Passage
Off Cape Jackson between Sentry Island and the Shield

Frank Boserman was only a lieutenant commander, but here he was in command of his own ship. Granted, it was the big joke of the Admiralty, considered of less utility than a light river boat or a fishing trawler. She was also one of the oldest boats in the fleet, only beaten out by three ancient Aegean-class destroyers and four obsolete Delton-class destroyers.

She was His Iansislean Majesty's Ship Invisible, the Royal Iansislean Navy's one and only submersible warship. She had been constructed eight months before the New Tiamat crisis out of the pocket of Damion LaRue, an eccentric designer from southern Gadsan. Invisible had been paid for and acquired during the Crisis, when it became clear Iansisle would need every naval asset it could lay its hand on. She had sailed with the Grand Fleet, but not seen action after Admiral Sir Hunter Neville Kennington had turned away following the annihilation of the Advance Fleet.

Compared to modern submersible warcrafts, the Invisible was rather pathetic. She could only manage about sixteen knots surfaced, and that ate through her diesel stores very quickly. Underwater, she was rated at about nine and a half knots, but would soon drain her twin batteries. In addition, she displaced a mere 702 tons surfaced, and only 911 submerged. Her 35 men and officers manned a single deck-mounted 3.5" gun and four 18" torpedo tubes, firing the obsolete Lancer 685 lb torpedo.

But Iansisle was at war - with Nazi Germany, and soon to be the rising south-east power of Chiang Mai. The Commonwealth would need every last defender she had - and Invisible was one of them. The orders had come in last night - signed by Grand Admiral Sir Richard Tri, none the less.

To: Lt. Commander F. Boserman, HIMS Invisible
From: Grand Admiral Sir Richard Tri, First Sea Lord
Regarding: Deployment

Commander Boserman:

As you are no doubt aware, Iansisle is beset on all sides by hostile powers. Chiang Mai has declared war on the East Gallaga Company, and there is reason to believe that Iansislean crown colonies in Galla-China will come under assault. Hainan is known to be sympathetic to Chiang Mai, and the Admiralty believes that it may attempt to ship weapons to the latter.

In hopes of intercepting these supplies, the Commonwealth will declare a blockade on Chiang Mai starting (xx date; roughly a month after the orders are dated), or earlier, depending on conditions. HIMS Invisible will make with all due haste to Port Laughlin, after which it will be transfered from the Grand Fleet to the South-East Asia Fleet under the command of Admiral Sir George Rice.

Invisible will then take up position south of Galla-China. Any merchant shipping entering the Gulf of Siam, regardless of country of origin, is to be stopped and questioned. If the said ship is transporting contraband, the crew is to be put in lifeboats and their ship sunk. Any ship bearing the flag of Chiang Mai is to be sunk without warning given. Convoys are to be reported to Fleet Command at Port Laughlin, where more appropriate action will be decided upon.

Fail not in this task,

Grand Admiral Sir Richard Tri,
Lord Commander of All His Majesty's Fleets

Boserman sighed. Perhaps the Admiralty wasn't aware how outdated his ship was - or perhaps they didn't care. They'd be found - by aero-flyers, hostile destroyers, it didn't matter - and be sunk before they'd even made contact with a single enemy ship. However, orders were orders, and honor was at stake. He could make a fuss, but that would only result in his men being sent to do the same task with a new, unexperienced commander. He had been the Invisible's skipper since she was commissioned, and he didn't intend to let her down now. This may be an impossible task, but for the glory of the Royal Iansislean Navy, he would give it the best shot he knew how.

"Captain?" asked his executive officer, the green Lieutenant Thomas Brown. Boserman sighed and turned - he hadn't even heard the young man come up to the sail. Seeing Brown saluting - a crisp, perfect salute, palm out, straight from the Iansislean Martial Academy in Troobodia - he returned it. Brown relaxed somewhat.

"Well, lieutenant? Report," nodded Boserman, wishing he didn't have to tell the young man.

"Yes sir," replied Brown, without skipping a beat. "We've cleared the cape, sir. The helmsman is executing the seventy degree turn to port you ordered, sir."

Boserman nodded, and returned to watching the sea. He wondered if Brown, or any on the Invisible, for that matter, knew how serious a task they faced. "Very good, lieutenant. Take a message to the Admiralty: 'Have cleared Cape Jackson. Proceeding south-by-south east to Port Laughlin as ordered.' Send that off as soon as possible, will you?" On a larger conventional ship, the executive officer would never have to deal with something as routine as sending off a message, but on Invisible, every man had to count.

"Aye, sir," nodded Brown, vanishing back into the bowels. Boserman made no sign that he had heard the lieutenant, continuing to stare off into the rolling black waters of the Pacific.

23-09-2003, 17:04

[OOC: that's alot of Torp boats you have, Calarca :shock: lucky i have some nice destroyers, and don't object to a minor fiasco....]

24-09-2003, 02:32

[OOC: that's alot of Torp boats you have, Calarca :shock: lucky i have some nice destroyers, and don't object to a minor fiasco....]

They're short ranged tho. the british torp boats in the channel, and the german e boats on the dutch coast had 3 to 4 times the range. They're cheap, fast and with 2 torps and two 20mm aircraft cannons, would be death to any Iansislian naval invasion fron Fort Manly. Which happens to be there main designed mission.

Iansisle, Are you going to ask for help against the Chaing-ians?

Oh yeah, the Brit Torp boats could also do 46 Knt to my 41. over 3 times the range, and with a 2 pounder and a pair of .50s rather than a pair of 20mms. so the brit boats were better all round. but mine suit me. they're only supposed to reach fort manly after all.

Iansisle

24-09-2003, 02:38

(that is probably something I should do, eh? I'll get working on it! ;))

24-09-2003, 02:59

I havn't gotten around to replying yet, so here goes.Wireless Telegram received by Calarcan outposts in Gallanesia
We are, unfortunately, involved in fighting with the East Gallaga Company, a private organism which has misused the force the Commonwealth of Iansisle allowed it to build up.We hope this will not precipitate any difficulties between our states, and we assure you we harbour no hostility towards you, but must absolutely settle this matter of the Company's blatant agression.

[OOC:Ah, the joys of hypocrisy ;) ]
TO: CinC Chiang Mai Armed Forces.
From: Calarcian High Command.
CC: Head of State Chiang Mai.

Any attacks on Forces belonging to the Government of Iansisle or property belonging to the government of Iansisle will cause Calarca to provide aid to Iansisle as we are doing so for Walmington on Sea in other fronts of this war which encircles the globe.
Know that Calarca will not tolerate attacks on those who are supporting Calarca in the fight against the darkness in Europe and around the world.
Be Warned; Attacking a private company is one thing, seeking to attack a sovereign government on any pretext will not be tolerated.

Iansisle

24-09-2003, 04:51

Council Meeting Room - #2 Jameston Place
Ianapalis, Iansisle, the Commonwealth

Hiresh Dhawan closed the brief and looked up at his assembled ministers. Lord Michael Javial, the rotund little Minister of War shook his gigantic sideburns, looking concerned and weary. Dr. Benton Blayer, the Minister of Finance, had dark circles under his eyes. The most ragged was Lord John MacIntyre, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. And it was from the Lord John that Dhawan would need the most help.

“Lord Javial,” he started, picking up a pencil in one hand. “Has there been any word from our units in Galla-China?”

The round little man looked up sharply at being addressed. He really was trying hard, everyone could see, but was obviously having trouble respecting the new Prime Minister. “Don’t know yet,” he replied curtly. “Our units haven’t made contact with any Chiang Mai troops, but...they still could be there.” He shrugged.

“That’s almost too bad,” nodded Hiresh, filing away the Minister’s condescending attitude for future use. “Calarca won’t be too eager to help the Company maintain its position in north Gallaga.” The words felt strange coming from him, as one who had campaigned so tirelessly to get Iansislean Gallaga admitted to the Commonwealth. “Lord MacIntyre?” he started. The frail-looking Shieldian looked up slowly, his features exhausted.

“Lord MacIntyre,” continued Hiresh, “I know you must be tired, but I hope I can ask you to do a little more - we need Calarca’s help. There’s no question of that.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” nodded MacIntyre, not sounding confident at all.

Hiresh sighed. There was a lot of work that needed to go into this cabinet.

-----------------

From: The Desk of Lord John MacIntyre of Vesshamton
To: (proper Calarcan authority)
Regarding: Chiang Mai

Dear sir,

As you are no doubt aware, the Sanctified Empire of Chiang Mai recently declared war on the East Gallaga Company of Nusheld for alleged crimes against Chiang-an traders. Officials from the Company assure us that this is simply not possible, and that the Chiang-ans seemed too well prepared for war to consider this a simple coincidence.

The Company is crumbling - preliminary defensive reports indicate that the flag of Chiang Mai will be flying in Nusheld in less than a month. In addition, Chiang Mai has declared its intention to annex Iansislean Galla-China (a crown colony) to, quote, ‘secure her flank.’

Obviously, the security of Gallaga - both Iansislean and Calarcan - is of a pressing nature to the war effort in Europe. Because of the closer working relations our nations have developed in recent times, we ask if Calarcan assistance on this new, second theater might be forthcoming. Specifically, the Company needs a supply of weapons and ammunition, though men and more advanced machines may be in order.

We hope this unprovoked aggression will at last cement the feelings of good will and kinship that should be present in our great nations.

Hoping for the future,

Lord John MacIntyre
Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Commonwealth of Iansisle
http://www.britainincanada.org/graphics/100Qs/stpatricks_flag.gif

24-09-2003, 05:40

To: Iansislian Authorities.
From: Calarcian High Command
Re: War with Chiang Mai

Dear Sirs,
While Calarca does not truly wish to become embroiled in yet another front of this rapidly enlarging war, We do see the need for civilsed nations to hold togehter against the barbarian hordes of the degenerate natives of this benighted region.
Know that Calarca can not provide much in the way of Air power to Iansisle, being engaged fully with the air war against Ercolanan Karachi and the defensive needs of our own lands until our manufacture increases. As for Naval forces however, Calarca can provide protection and transport for troops moving upon the seas. We can also provide up to 230,000 bolt action rifles and 2000 medium machine guns from our warehouses in Java and Sumatra to Iansislean forces in NuShield. We can also provide 15,000 native conscripts from the camps around Bombay whom shall not me needed in Karachi, along with 40 75mm artillery guns.
If Iansisle would open their southern border of NuShield to our troops and your ports to our ships from Calarcian GallaChina we can support the men there.
We can provide support for Fort Manly from our own base of Fort Trade.
In return for this aid, we requset "Most Favoured Nation" trading status with Iansisle in perpetuity after this war. And the oath in return to Defend Calarca if such is needed.

His Majesty the King of Calarca. Emperor of Calarcain Gallaga, Hereditary Overlord of Calarcian Gallahina and ruler of Sumatra.

Iansisle

24-09-2003, 05:56

To: HRM the King of Calarca
From: HIM High King James III of Iansisle
Regarding: Calarcan aid

Your Majesty,

We cannot hope to ask for anything more than you've already offered. Troop convoys are slated to start leaving at once for Iansislean Gallaga, carrying the better part of twenty† divisions of men, or so Lord Javial tells me. The Company has started raising native brigades in earnst, and will be glad of any arms you can provide them. The Commonwealth troops will of course be well armed, but we fear for their safety in both the Bay of Bengal and the western Pacific.

Iansisle is eternally grateful for this aid you are so generously providing us, and gladly pledges both help to you anywhere foreign forces should threaten and "Most Favored Nation" status.

In arms agaist tyranny,

His Imperial Majesty High King James III of the House of Callahan, Lord of the Ancestrial Land of Shadoran, Archduke of Sentry Island, and Protector of the Grand Iansislean Empire of the Shield and all Its Dominions.
http://www.britainincanada.org/graphics/100Qs/stpatricks_flag.gif

† An Iansislean division is two thousand men and support.

24-09-2003, 07:18

Action is seen in the confines of the Fort Trade naval base as destroyers, cruisers and the sole Battleship prepare to get underway and steam north to meet and escort the Iansislean forces.

24-09-2003, 07:25

† An Iansislean division is two thousand men and support.

I covered numbers of soldiers/equipment in my Aid to allies thread, Up to the size of a Troop of Infantry, Armored cars and Atillery.

Regiment and Battalion are both the same size, but denote frontline and support troops. What in British army parlance is a regiment, as larger than a battalion but smaller than a Brigade, is a Troop in Calarcian forces.

A Divison of Calarcian military forces is 4 Brigades, of 3 Troops. An Army is 6 Divisons.

If your Divison is 2000 men, then my divisions will swamp yours. lol... diff armys, diff sizes.

Iansisle

24-09-2003, 08:15

(Yeah, because the RIAC is usually so small (40,000 effectives peacetime deployment), our units tend to be small. The EGC works in larger numbers, as reflected by their larger size, usually to about 15,000 or so.

The South China Sea fleet is already at sea, trying to rescue the men stranded in Galla-China. I imagine that next weekend, they'll be meeting with C.M.'s ships. Poor ol' Undauntable...she had a good run. :cry: )

24-09-2003, 17:26

[OOC:yeah, i don' thave much time for RP at present :'( maybe on friday i might make a short post, but it'll probably be the weekend befor ei can post anything of susbtance :'( ]

Iansisle

25-09-2003, 01:11

Primary Briefing Room
Port Laughlin, Iansislean Sarawak

An air of gloom hung over the room as Wing Commander Walter Atkinson assumed his podium. He coughed slightly, looking out over the gathered hundred and sixty eight flyers, bombers, and navigators of the Royal Iansislean Flying Corps’ Third and Fourth Squadrons, under the overall command of the First Bombardment Wing.

“Gentlemen,” he started, noting how young many of the men looked. The RIFC’s expansion had come on hard since its inception just a few years before Salvador. “I assume you know why you’re here.” Silence broken only by a bombardier’s cough answered him. “So, erm, here’s Commander Malahan - he’ll be finishing the brief.

Behind him, Squadron Commander William Malahan of the Third stepped forward, brandishing a pointer at the large map of south-east Asia.

“Most of you probably recognize this map. Here we are, in Port Laughlin.” Malahan pointed to the mouth of the River Sarawak, halfway up Borneo’s west coast. “Here’s the Company trading and defense outpost of Fort Manly, along with its heavy airstrips.” He pointed to Batam Island, off the coast of Singapore. “And here’s Elphinstone Harbor, the last Company aerodock capable of taking fully-loaded BAF-1s closer to Chiang Mai than Nusheld,” he stated flatly, marking an area on the north-eastern coast of Middle Andaman*.

The young recruits shifted in their seats, every one knowing what the next thing was going to be. Malahan didn’t surprise them. The pointer shifted, from Elphinstone Harbor to the Company outpost of Whittle’s Station on the mouth of the River Salween, over the Dawna Ra Bilaukta Ung - which formed the boundary between Iansislean Burma and Chiang Mai. It continued to track, turning sharply north-by-northeast, and running along the course of the Ping River - right to Chiang Mai itself.

“The primary attack force will consist of your twelve ‘Blinders’, flying out of Elphinstone. The smaller ‘Colts’ and ‘Steeds’ that will be running escort will use St. Walburg, to give the maximum protection possible with their shorter ranges.” The crewmen looked around - now THAT was unexpected...they were getting fighter cover?! “The First through Third, Seventh, and Tenth Squadrons of the Second Fighter Wing will be accompanying you on the run,” nodded Malahan, pleased at the effect his words had. “Your ‘Blinders’ will be running with nine five hundred bombs apiece...but, our intelligence reports on the defenses of Chiang Mai are sketchy, at best. Your primary target will be industrial production centers, but...we’re not positive where they are. Use your best judgment.

“You’ll be taking off for Fort Manly as soon as this briefing is concluded. Because of the secrecy we must hold this meeting in, you’ll not be stopping at Fort Manly, but Elphinstone is a secure port. The fighter pilots have been told nothing yet, only that they’re to ‘proceed to St. Walburg to assist the Company.’” Malahan nodded at Atkinson, who stepped forward again.

“Men, I don’t need to tell you how much this mission means for the folks back home in the ‘wealth. If we don’t stop this menace here and now, we may never.” He made a dramatic pause. “Now, get out there and teach ol’ Chiang a thing or two about what Iansisleans are made of, for the Glory of the King and the Commonwealth. Good luck, and God Bless.” Atkinson threw a quick salute, watching as the men stood up cheering.

Scarcely an hour later, the first of twenty four BAF-1 “Blinders”, already loaded with bombs, took off for the Andaman Islands, banking neatly off to the south-west. Behind them came twenty four MPAF-6 “Colts” and thirty six MPAF-5 “Steeds”, which headed for Fort Manly first, after which they would continue to the smaller Company aerodock at Port Blair, then to St. Walburg.

(*The Andaman Islands were siezed as a Crown Colony in 1752, to protect routes from the Straits to Nusheld. After the Company was reinstated in Gallaga in 1796, they were granted to it. They are under the same administration as Iansislean Burma, and not usually listed as a seperate colony.)

25-09-2003, 17:12

[the main industrial centers are centered around Nân in the North and the Bangkok/Sukhotaï area in the South.Hitting Nân would be all but suicidal because the best of Maï defences are centered there-something to do with the Empress being there ;) . But Bangkok/Sukhotaï will be easyer-assuming St.Walburg dosn't get it's airstrips blitzed. But i probably won't do that (unless you're taking your time about it, which dosn't seem to eb the impression i get), at least not until your fighters have refueled...eh, the Doolitle raid ended up finding their own landing places ;) ]

Iansisle

25-09-2003, 18:39

(drat...that complicates things somewhat, doesn't it? ;) Would I be hitting anything at all by bombing Chiang Mai? I only ask because I'm working with a radius of about 200 miles from St. Walburg for fighter cover - the bombers themselves could hit anywhere (c1,000 mile radius), but I don't want them to go in unprotected. And, yeah, this is just a day or two after the actual decleration. If not, we can always just assume that Iansislean intelligence was horrible (as is usually the case), and the assumed the city with the same name as the country to be the capital ;))

Hainan

25-09-2003, 22:42

OOC:
No time for typing up RP's, sorry.
IC:
The Presidential Palace, Haikou, Hainan
http://www.cctv.com/special/646/2/39196/potala.jpg
While the Federation of Hainan is officially neutral, over 1,000 tanks, mainly T-26's, have been shipped to Chiang Mai as part of of an aid policy which will indirectly combat Iansisle and Walmington. The latest shipment, containing 184 BT-2's armed with 37mm guns and 264 BT-5's, both of which are light tanks, was shipped earlier today. Some civilian merchant vessels have been temporarily siezed by the Hainanese government to allow rapid movement of military equipment. 12 Tu-2 and 24 Pe-2 bombers have also been sent to aid Chiang Mai.

Iansisle

25-09-2003, 22:57

Iansisle Goes to War with Chiang Mai ; Blockade Declared ; South China Sea and Gulf of Siam War Zones

IANAPALIS, Iansisle - The Ministry of War, along with Prime Minister Hiresh Dhawan, today convinced the Commonwealth Combined Parliament to deliver a decleration of war to Chiang Mai, and declared Chiang Mai to be in a state of blockade, as enforced by Iansisle's South China Sea fleet.

The South China Sea and the Gulf of Siam were declared to be war zones. Any warships not flying clear neutrality markings may be attacked by Iansislean surface and aero craft. Any shipping found in either area is subject to search, and may be turned back - neutral ships headed for Chiang Mai included. Ships refusing to obey orders to stop for boarding or to turn back may be fired upon.

Hainan

25-09-2003, 23:01

OOC:
Perfect way for my democracy to get into this without getting a slight change of power... fire upon my ships!
IC:
Official Statement From the Presidential Palace to Iansisle
We do not recognize your authority, and will trade with Chaing Mai as we please.

....In other news, more aid shipments are being prepared.

Hainan

25-09-2003, 23:06

Hainan Edges Closer to War with Iansisle, Calls Up Reserves, Expels Diplomats
Haikou, Hainan- As tensions rise between Hainan and Iansisle over the reently imposed blockade of Chiang Mai, which declared war on Iansisle several days ago, Hainan appears to be preparing to join the war. As of 20:00 today, all military leave will be cancelled,while Hainanese reserves are currently being called up. A draft is being contemplated by the Mrotsky Administration. Diplomatic staff from the Iansislean and Walmingtonian embassies were also expelled.

Walmington on Sea

25-09-2003, 23:45

Walmington replies; Hainan diplomats expelled

Governer Admiral Sir James Frazer commanding Naval Group Ceyloba described Hainan's recent actions as "quite unprovoked".

"Chiang Mai has commited deliberate acts of aggression" He said "and the government of Iansisle is quite within her rights to impart a blockade until the crisis be resolved. Violating a legitimate and internationally reconised blockade would be quite illegal. To ship arms through it in support of a regime which has without warning bombed a city full of people is an afront to the civilised world."

The bombing by Chiang Mai forces has shocked the Walmingtonian public, who thus far have never really been aware of that type of warfare. The fact that it was followed by a jab at their own country as Hainan expelled Walmingtonian diplomats has been seen as a great insult. The press has had to do little to cultivate the image of the east Asians as inhumane. It is now largely taken as fact that Hainan was behind the sinking of the destroyer Ajax, and many assume that Walmington will be at war with Hainan by the time they wake to-morrow.

Iansisle

25-09-2003, 23:50

To: President (?) Mrotsky
From: Lord John MacIntyre, MoFA
Regarding: Chiang Mai

Dear sir,

While shipments of weapons and the such will be interdicted, foodstuffs and humanitarian aid will be allowed to pass. We will not stoop to the level of Chiang Mai and attack civilians without reason.

We suggest you do not interfere with this legal blockade of military goods; to do such would be to deserve the scorn of the international community.

Lord John MacIntyre
The Commonwealth of Iansisle

Iansisle

25-09-2003, 23:51

(darn it...sorry)

Hainan

26-09-2003, 00:24

To: Lord John MacIintyre
From: Desk of President Andrei Mrotsky, Presidential Palace
Regarding: Chiang Mai

While we thank you for allowing aid and food into Chiang Mai, we have done a considerable amount of trade with Chiang Mai during the past few years, and would like to know wether commercial trade will be allowed.

Our ships will be open for boarding and have large Hainanese Flags clearly displaye.

We kindly suggest that you do not interfere with our trade

-Anrei Mrotsky, President of Hainan

"Possible to Probable" Resolution of Crisis With Iansisle, Walmington and Hainan on the Brink of War
Haikou, Hainan- As some negotiations between Hainan and Iansisle began yesterday, Walmington on Sea expelled Hainanese diplomatsas revenge for expulsions of Iansislean diplomats from Hainan. Because the threat of war is very real, it appears that the 2nd Hainanese Fleet is preparing for departure, possibly to attack Ceyloba, a Walmingtonian colony just west of India.

Walmington on Sea

26-09-2003, 02:28

Admiral Frazer looked out over the Indian ocean from his residence in Vollombo. Another flotilla ought to be visible soon enough, making its way from South Africa via Madagascar and the Chagos.

More white Wayneisians eagre to defend the empire, maybe some of those conscripted Swazi sorts for grunt-work. Good lord, how am I to marshall this lot? Gallagans, Walmers, Waynes, Swalis. I don't even speak the languages of half these souls. Can't pronounce their names! Sgt.Ramarosandratana of the Antsohimbondrona Rifles? The Scottish-origin Walmingtonian Governer boggled as he perused a manifest.

A knock at the door harkened the arrival of a Lieutenant bearing reports on the condition of Ceyloban defences in the more likely battlegrounds of the north and east, and of the progress made by the NGC suplimentary fleet, making its way around the Horn. More subs, more cruisers. Good news. Making well, it seems, African ASW aircraft clearing the way.

Of couse, none of this mattered much, Ceyloba wouldn't be invaded. It'd be suicide. Any force trying to get to them from the east would have to go through Calarcan and Iansislian created hell, and then contend with the unsinkable aircraft carrier that was Banka Ta, before they could even think of coming ashore far from home, in an enemy stronghold. In fact, it'd do our war effort good if they tried!

(ooc:Going to put an old map I have hanging around from the 1750s efforts. Ceyloba is not 100% the same as Sri Lanka, though it is based on it. I made the thing before it became evident that it would actually be Sri Lanka, and that I had a lot of people to interact with with regards to it. Banka Ta is a large somewhat artificial island, created by dredging a canal and building on sandbeams and tiny archipelagos. I forget when, but I had a plan to get around to playing that out in the past. Never had chance. It's probably a bit exagerated in size on this map, mind.)

Edit:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-9/394362/CeylobaMap.jpg
Here we go. I'm really not expecting anyone to manage to get an invasion fleet here in any condition worth firing a pistol at, but still, can't hurt to tour the dominion. The darker areas are high-ground, of course.

Iansisle

26-09-2003, 02:34

(Of course, that assumes that they can even get past Fort Manly / Fort Trade, then either navigate a narrow channel with two hostile shores or swing past another Calarcan stronghold at Java and swing wide into the Gallagan Ocean while being chased down by three nation's fleets and harrassed by shore aircraft.)

Walmington on Sea

26-09-2003, 02:35

26-09-2003, 03:27

Nearly all my Wasp II torp bombers are based on Sumatra, Java, and Fort Trade. plus 15.2" (or is that 15.8" can't remember, they same as my big BBs in the ship thread. somewhere in the early "Liberty" thread) guns mounted on shore each side of the straight between Sumatra and Fort Trade, and between Java and Sumatra. plus more aound the east end of Java. lots of other Torpedo boats based on both sides of both Java and Sumatra, older 32Knt 2 torp boats with a 2 pounder gun and two 7x57mm MGs. the strait between Java and Sumatra also has some (11 boats) older still (steam powered) launches carrying 2 smaller, slower torps and four 5x57mm MGs capable of 20 Knts.

26-09-2003, 17:44

[eh, Nân is fairly westerly, not very far from the city Chiang Maï IRL...but that would be at best extreme range for the fighters, so very little loiter time....]

Hainan

26-09-2003, 20:01

OOC:
Who, if anyone, controls southern China? if no one, it will be a cakewalk to conquer it :twisted:

27-09-2003, 01:40

Hainan

27-09-2003, 01:43

OOC:
Do what the japs did.

It's more of a strategic area- I can bypass the blockade and get equipment into CM.

Iansisle

27-09-2003, 02:11

(Yeah, if I'm reading this map right, Nân's another hundred miles from Chiang Mai, which'd put it 300 from St. Walburg, or 600 with return trip - which is farther than the fighter's range. If they were to ditch over northern Burma, we'd be able to do it, but that risks (and 48 fighter craft) aren't worth the potential rewards. Of course, the fighter's range is figured at maximum speed, and since the bombers only go 230 mph, they will be able to stay low velocity and loiter at high speed over the city longer.

A few other notes - the fighter protection scheme calls for the Colt squadron to be split in two, one in front and one behind the bombers. One Steed squadron will be high above the bombers, with another split port and starboard of the bombers, and yet another in with the bombers for close protection. My pilots know their advantage is in speed, and will try to stay with raking attacks, rather than being dragged into dogfights.)

27-09-2003, 02:22

Too far to head south and ditch in Calarcan territory, Just been looking at MS Encartas atlas, from the andaman Islands would be too far for early WW2 fighters, P-51s would make it, but they came too late. My Bat torp bombers with no bomb load could make it, but while they have nose mounted cannon/MGs they're to slow and lumbering to be a good fighter. this is where WoS's Muscats would be useful.

Iansisle

27-09-2003, 02:27

(only the bombers are launching from Elphinstone. The fighers are taking off from St. Walburg - which is why the bomber crews know about the mission, but the fighter pilots don't. Also, the MPAF-8 has a 2,250 mile range, and a nose-mounted radar for night fighting.)

East Islandia

27-09-2003, 02:40

OOC the Banner Forces are my mainstream military regulars, and Second Flag forces are my Reserves.
watch ur language Calarca; dont go around calling us chinks.

IC
Captain Chong looked out the viewport of the Islandian cruiser Imperial Dawn. he was sitting in his small ready room, looking over the reports from intelligence about the recent unrest in Galla-china, including various troop movements and battles in recent days. he heard a knocking at the door, and stood to open it, facing a stern faced Lieutenant Dragon Rank Bienh who saluted, clasping his palm to his fist in the traditional salute of the Islandian forces. Chong motioned for him to take a seat and poured him a cup of steaming Oolong tea. The lieutenant nodded his thanks and sipped quietly before speaking.
"News has come in from command, sir," Bienh reported. "They want us to monitor the situation and keep from offensive measures."
Chong nodded, studying Bienh's face carefully. The son of Vietnamese immigrants to the Islandias, he would prove key to determining the attitude of the sailors of Southeast Asian descent aboard his ship, of which there were many. Interesting. Perhaps Imperial Forces Command had wanted him to load out with such troops so that if they got into an engagement, he could rely on them with absolute trust. Still, they were also edgy, and Bienh, normallymild faced, was uncommonly stern.

Still, it didnt help when your ancestral land was being carved up by Europeans; Chong, being Korean, understood that very much; he had just come back from commanding islandian "volunteer" forces against the Japanese in that theater; perhaps Imperial Command would send another "volunteer" force against the imperialists.

"You seem unsettled Lieutenant," Chong said to Bienh. 'What is the matter?"
"you know what it is sir," Bienh replied. "You're probably thinking it right now. We're staring down gun barrels at our enemies, and Imperial Command is not allowing us to pull the trigger."
Chong shook his head. "Bienh, of all the people in the flotilla, you ought to know just how precarious our position is, we Islandians. We have a diverse mixture of Asians, and since Asia currently is under attack by the imperialists, we have sent about thirty different "volunteer' missions to different places, including Korea, China, Cambodia, Thailand. With all of these missions going on, Islandia is heavily understaffed; the West Coral Sea rebels have just won their independence, this time through something called nonviolence that they apparently learned from a man named Gandhi in Gallaga."
Bienh snorted. "Sit down and take the blows? thats the most courageous thing i've ever heard about-and foolish. What if they were confronted with someone other than the crappy Second Flag forces and instead stared down at by Banner Guards?"
"There were Banner forces there, Lieutenant. The First Lotus Sea Guards Brigade and the Second Pearl Guards Division. They dug in, setting up machine guns, bunkers, and then the entire population of West Coral Sea marches up to them and sits down. In front. They just sit there and within days, begin to starve. Something called a hunger strike. Our forces just gave them food and drink, which they refussed unless the Guards would withdraw back into fort. SO tehy had to, or risk starving hundreds of civilians to death."

Bienh pondered this. "Our relatives could do that.'
"The Europeans would let them die, Bienh. You know that and how they consider every1 else inferior to them. But for now, we watch, and if Command gives us word otherwise, we wait. Remember that good soldiers and sailors have to be able to wait as long as necessary."

Bienh nodded, stood up, and saluted. This time, Chong returned the salute and opened the door for him to leave.
To tell the truth, Chong was feelign much the same way as Bienh did, but he had no choice; starting a war wasnt an option, at least not with the paltry fifteen ships in the flotilla, a far cry form the Islandian banner navy, which comprised nearly a thousand ships, with such legends as Sakura Wind, the swift frigate which could do the Rugola run in two days; the Tantamount Discord, a huge, sixty gun warship that fought in many of the deadliest and biggest engagements in Islandian Naval history, and the Silver Willow, commanded by Ohmura Maho, possibly the most cunning and beautiful woman in Islandian history.

He smiled. And look how she turned out; legend had it that she married a man from Agrigento. Perhaps the whites and the Asians, especially the Islandians, coudl live in peace after all. Or was that too much to ask?

Iansisle

27-09-2003, 05:53

HIMS King James II
On detached patrol west of the Tizard Bank

Captain Stanley Tailman had only been asleep two hours when there was an insistent knocking at his door. He groaned and rolled over, fumbling for the bed’s lamp. “Enter.”

The hatch swung open, admitting a young ensign Tailman didn’t recognize. “Sorry to bother you, sir. Commander Stephans sent me. He wanted you to know, we’ve sighted a large ship concentration on the radranger, seventy nautical miles nor-nor-west. Commander Stephans sent up a flyer to identify, sir, but wanted to consult you for further orders.”

Tailman rolled out of bed, fumbling for his blazer. “Very good, ensign. What’s the convoy’s heading and speed?”

“(given - towards Chiang Mai, at a good clip. I won’t speak for whoever’s convoy this is.), sir,” explained the ensign as Tailman bulled into the conning tower.

“Captain,” started Stephans, standing.

“I’ve heard, Commander. I’m assuming command.”

“You have command, sir,” saluted Stephans, before heading out the back. Captain Tailman moved forward, sweeping his glasses over James’s bow.

“Helm, bring us about twenty degrees to starboard. Increase speed to thirty knots.”

“Twenty degrees starboard, thirty knots aye, sir,” replied the young man, relaying the orders to James’s bowels. The Iansislean battlecruiser came about slowly, accelerating towards the convoy.

Meanwhile, her scout flyer dipped low over the convoy, her spotter glancing over the ships. He nodded to the pilot - they weren’t going to radio it back, for any hostile powers in the area might intercept it. The flyer banked gracefully, heading back towards the James.

27-09-2003, 07:58

watch ur language Calarca; dont go around calling us chinks.

OOC: Just trying to stay in character.
Hey, after all this is the 1940s and Calarca is a white colonialist empire-minded nation of selfcentered whites. what else would they call them? Ercolana/Agrigento are the Wogs, and their own citizens in Gallaga are "those beastly natives". Even Germans, other empire-istical whites like Calarcans are "those damned Krauts".

I can't say that Calarcans have very open minds, they're a bunch of raving racists, lol.. 1940s british weren't much better.
/OOC

27-09-2003, 13:24

OOC: It was a cakewalk for the japs in WWII IRL too. the problem was holding it with all the sniping from the hills. the Chinks did a good job at guerilla warfare, where do you think Ho Chi Minh got his inspiration later???[Ho Chi Minh was actually training soem of the chinese guerillas.But Chiang Kai-shek's army is an armed rabble which will fall apart under determined attack]

27-09-2003, 14:10

Nân, Maï Province, the Sanctified Empire of Chiang Maï
Lia looked down at her military commanders from the head of the table. Gorwing silent, they turned to their ruler.
"Diamondhawk of the Realm, it is our will that you summarize the conduct of the war."
Val stood.
"Operation Golden Fist has gone according to plan; the Golden Triangle Plateaus are ours." The announcement was met by cautious applause." Swooping Kormorant is being conducted successfully on the Mekong Front. Our forces are moving south without encountering resistance; our gunboats have reduced several small strongpoints along the coast and the delta.The imperialists are believed to be falling back to regroup.On the Myanmar Front, we are advancing on schedule.The second echelon of twenty columns has also crossed the border and are instauring the Sanctified Holy Empire's order behind the advancing first lign. Progress is being made to secure the railways. The raid on St.Walburg was a wild success; a fire started by our bombers burned for forty-eight hours before going out through lack of fuel, which testifies to the collapse of the Company's order to the point where they are no longer capable of assuring civil functions. Columns of refugees have been spotted by aerial reconaissanc eleaving the city, but troop movements are minimal. Our ground-attack fighters can roam freely above the country, strafing and bombing the ennemy forces on the move, destroying some units utterly. The Firerain bombs are a great success. Some Company defectors have been reported, and they confirm the collapse of the EGC East of the Irrawaddy; we doubt they even have the strength to put up a credible fight for that river.

The mass levy of a million men, decreted just before the attack, has gone ahead rapidly. All the conscripts are now in training. We have also organised work battlions to connect our rail system to that of Myanmar, to facilitate logisttics and allow our armoured trains to be used to reduce any city that attempts resistance. The first tank shipments have been successfully received from Hainan, and the production of T-34-85s has already begun. However, due to the T-28's greater infantry-killing abilities, we will also begin production of T-28s alongside the 34-85s, at least until tank deployments on the battlefield. In that sector we have bad news: in order to be independant from external munitions supplies, we will have to replace 7.62mm machine-rifles with 7.7mm, which will unfortunately delay deployment.

Our fleet is operating in the Gulf of Siam, currently calibrating it's new radiotelemetric equipment largely gotten from Hainan. The operation against Fort Manly will proceed after that. In case the imperialist fleet shows up, we are preparing for air strikes against it in our coastal bases, to ensure they cannot lock down the Gulf of Siam.

As for Calarca, their return message, while not hostile, shows they are not dupes of our maneuvering. We have thirteen columns capable of reaching our border with them in the Southwest within a few hours of receiving orders, however.

And finally, Iansisle has recently declared war officially. For those fools among you who thought we could simply hold Myanmar and the Delta, this should dispell your illusions. Once over the Irawaddy, we must cross the Brahmaputtra in force before they can defend it."

Val glared across the table. All the other Hawks dropped their heads before his withering gaze, and the obvious Imperial approval. After that, the Empress, with a few words of praise for the Diamondhawk, left and the Military council fell down to issues of minutiae.

27-09-2003, 14:42

Skies somewhere over the Gulf of Siam
Kitten Subhas Kinbai checked his watch. Soon it would be time for another landing on the water's calm surface, to hunt for submarines with the hull-mounted sonar. He was getting bored of the tiring routine of long flights over the water in the four-engined Kingfisher flying boat, searching for submersible torpedo boats in the carefully worked out pattern and finding nothing. Then he checked foorwards again. Something had caught his eye...there. A column of smoke rising from just beyond the horizon... his first thought was if it was the ennemy, he had probably been telemetered. But radiotelemetry can't reach over the horizon...perhaps not.
But then, perhaps they wern't truly over the horizon...just not visible to him. He quickly made an estimate of the distance to the source of smoke.... at this height it was probably far out.He opened the throttle in full, with the four engines giving him two hundred miles per hour, pulled up on the stick and banked into a cloud. He checked his watch, keeping the speedmeter at a steady 198mph, then diving out of the clouds ten minutes later. The ships were visible a few miles away.... a minute of diving at two-ten miles per hour and he had halved the distance. He could make out Iansislean colours, a battleship, two aeroplane tenders....
AEROPLANE TENDERS????
He banked sharply to the right, hitting the telephone switch....he shouted out:
"GUNNERS!!!FULL ALERT!!There's bound to be fighters out there!!RADIO!!!you saw what i saw!!REPORT IN!!!"
He barely heard the radioman's voice calmly listing ships and co-ordinates next to him as he shattered the seals on the supercharge lever, pulling it fully down as he pulled up the column, heading for the clouds again at two hundred and five miles per hour, fast for such a big plane climbing...he was all to aware of the weakness of the Kingfisher's defensive armament, two .50s in a powered turret in the nose and two more similarly mounted in the tail, with a single .50 MG in a manually operated roof turret, butto far back from the cockpit and with to limited an arc of fire....and a thin skin, with no armour plate for either cockpit or engines. If he didn't make it to the clouds before the fighters that had to be patrolling bounced him....
[OOC: time for a few more details of fleet composition i think ;) ]

27-09-2003, 17:41

Gulf of Siam, northeast of main Maï fleet
The first units of the Sanctified Holy Empire to receive the wireless telegram from the flying were the heavy cruiser HSMS Tiger and her group: the seaplane tender HSMS Kimikanya, who was completing her trials, and the Annam-class destroyer HSMS Hunter. Immediately the seaplane tender put three Naga MkIII seaplane fighters[Naga MkIIs with floats ;) so slightly slower and less maneuvrable :( ] up to patrol over the small squadron, while the Tiger launched her lone Kali MkIV[the Kali airframe was recycled to a variety of tunes, as you can see ;) ] recon seaplane in the direction of the hostile force.
[eh, i'm also gonna need your fleet's location ;) ]

28-09-2003, 13:00

[waves I. over here.
don't make me waste that flying boat shot down post! ]

Iansisle

28-09-2003, 13:09

(hehe, I was wondering where this thread got off to...let me do some reading and writing quickly, and I'll be back ;))

28-09-2003, 13:14

[eh, you really should use the search option more often....]

Iansisle

28-09-2003, 13:22

(Well, I wasn't expecting to get a life all of a sudden :P)

Iansisle

28-09-2003, 13:41

Ministry of War
Ianapalis, Iansisle, the Commonwealth

Lord Michael Javial poured over the reports, all of them bad. The veteran Iansislean troops in Galla-China seemed to be falling back in good order, but Company troops were disintegrating. Their legions were marshalling in the west, but in Burma very little remained. With time, perhaps.

At sea the situation was a tad better. Admiral Sir George Rice had detached HIMS King James II to help Invisible patrol the South China Sea while the main bulk of his fleet proceded west to cover the evacuation from Galla-China. The battleship Undauntable provided the bulk of the fleet's power, while the mobile aeroflyer docks Salvador and Vanguard provided the protection. Three heavy cruisers and eleven destroyers screened the forces.

(sorry the post's so short - I'm a little tired to churn out anything deeply IC right now :()

28-09-2003, 14:37

(Well, I wasn't expecting to get a life all of a sudden :P)[congrats!a LIFE, wow! :P ]

Walmington on Sea

29-09-2003, 04:16

ooc:Aaaand some of us were suckered in by the fact that the forum didn't appear to be working, and because we may have been recovering from some nice vomiting, we didn't stick around to find out..thus coming to assume it really was broken, and..grrr! I am so far behind in EVERY thread!

Iansisle

29-09-2003, 11:24

(Grr...sorry I'm so slow updating my end of this thread. I know this'll sound bad, but I'll finish during the week, when I have more time ;))

30-09-2003, 16:59

(Grr...sorry I'm so slow updating my end of this thread. I know this'll sound bad, but I'll finish during the week, when I have more time ;))[it's not as if i have that much time during the week, so it's ok (more or less).....]

Hainan

01-10-2003, 02:21

OOC:
Whats a life?

Anyway, Chaing, youre attacking Gallaga in India, correct? BTW, where are you- Thailand, Burma? :lol:

01-10-2003, 16:03

OOC:
Whats a life?

Anyway, Chaing, youre attacking Gallaga in India, correct? BTW, where are you- Thailand, Burma? :lol:[OOC:Gallag is what we're calling India ;) and yes i'm Thailand, plus Laos and N. Vietnam, and my troops are in Burma conquering the place, as well as taking South Vietnam and Kampuchea....i'm a busy empire]

Hainan

01-10-2003, 20:47

OOC:
Ah, have fun, I occupied the Guangxing province of China. Truth told AFV's are useless in Burma and whatnot, though in India armored cars have some potential (tanks to a lesser extent).

Anyway, since the tanks I gave you are pretty much equal to what they oppose (except those T-43's which magically became T-100 heavy tanks because were using 1941 tech.. you still have help in building T-34-76's, which at this point, own everything).

IC:
Hainan to Send Military Advisers to Chiang Mai
Haikou, Hainan- Despite its official neutrality, the Federation of Hainan made its boldest move yet earlier today, by revealing plans to send military advisers to train and indoctrinate in Hainanese tactics Chiang Maian military personnel. About 2,000 older Hainanese tanks have been given to Chiang Mai as of right now, and it appears that they are about equal to the opposition- both armies can theoretically destroy any tank with their 2 pounder or 45mm AT guns, the only exception being the few T-34's in Chiang Maian service (them=ownage). A tank driving school is expected to be established, as Chiang Maian crews will be trained in Hainanese tactics.

It is also rumored (correctly at that) that Hainanese crews had been included in aid shipments of Pe-2 and Tu-2 bombers (24 and 12 were sent, respectively). The advisers will go through Guangxing into Vietnam to avoid the current Imperialist blockade of Chiang Mai (our friendly Asian Imperialist :wink: ). An aid shipment containing the 60 BT-2 light tanks Hainan built in 1931 is also appearently being sent (don't worry they have 37mm guns and MG's.. can destroy a Loyd/Bren carrier).

Iansisle

03-10-2003, 22:29

Company Local Headquarters
St. Walburg, Iansislean Burma

At least the fire is out... at long last, thought Martin Starr, gazing out the window of his office at the devistation in St. Walburg. The city had been raided again while the fires were still burning, this time hitting their aerodock. Three of the six primary runways were out of service, and a fourth couldn't handle much traffic.

Still, there was some signs that the Company and the Commonwealth didn't intend to give up St. Walburg without a major fight. Two companies of men, real Royal Iansislean Army Corps troops, arrived from Fort Manly the day before, along with several squadrons of Royal Iansislean Flying Corps fighters. In addition, four companies, albeit battleworn ones, of Company troops had found their way south, rather than retreat to the line of battle along the lower Irrawaddy. Starr had equiped men with wireless devices and sent them out as a picket line against enemy bomber formations, perhaps sixty miles from the city itself.

There was a light rap on his door, and a middle-aged Iansislean Squadron Commander walked in, saluting Starr. "Hello, Commandant, sah. Just wanted to let you know that my boys are taking off now."

Starr stared blankly at the man. "Taking off? What in blazes are you talking about, man?"

"Taking off, sah," the commander repeated, as if it would make more sense the second time around. "For our mission; just came in from headquarters. We're escorting some bombers that will bloody well kick the Chiangman right on his backside."

"And leave St. Walburg balmy well exposed!" shouted Starr, waving his hands. "Order your men to land right now! I command it!" The Squadron Commander was nonplussed.

"Now that's a bad attitude to take. We'll be back in two shakes of a lambs tail - 'sides, if we don't put the Chiangman back in his place, who will? Anyway, my orders are signed by Air Marshall Bates himself. There's no counteracting them, less we take it up with Sir Richard, and the Admiralty's a touch busy right now."

"I am in overall command of the St. Walburg garrison!" Starr reminded the little man, thundering. "Those fighters and riders are under my command! They will land, now!"

"I'm sorry to hear you take that position, Commandant," replied the commander, his voice quickly turning cold. "But the R.I.F.C. never informed me that I was on detached duty for the Company. And I'm afraid that, until I get that paperwork, I take my orders from Sir Timothy first and only - and not from any posturing civilian business man. Now, if you'll excuse me, Commandant, I have a mission to complete. Good day!" With that, the commander turned and strode quickly from the room, leaving Starr sputtering helplessly.

Less than a half hour later, all the fighters tasked to cover the twenty four BAF-1s on the bomber mission were airborne, flying over the Gulf of Martaban to rendezvous with their charges.

HIMS Undauntable
South China Sea -- Between Port Laughlin and Galla-China

"Captain, a report from Vanguard, sir," reported the wireless officer, looking over his shoulder at the Undauntable's captain.

"Very good, ensign. Report," nodded Captain Fredrick Woodlark, glancing in the appropriate direction.

"Yes sir...Vanguard and the destroyer Elephant both report sighting a recon flyer to port...Vanguard's requesting permission to put up a SeaSteed in persuit."

"Granted," nodded Captain Woodlark, who was in command of the fleet while at sea. Admiral Sir George Rice was in overall command back at Port Laughlin, but with three formations (the Undauntable / Salvador group, King James II, and Invisible), he needed to stay back at his office. Plus, Gargantuan was nearing the end of her sea trials. Soon enough, she'd be transferred down, and Rice would be in charge of that nightmare of paperwork as well. "Make sure the pilot's careful; we don't want to shoot it down if it turns out to be Calarcan."

On the converted MAFD Vanguard, a single MPAF-5N SeaSteed rolled down the short runway, just barely making speed before hitting the end of the deck and launching up. It banked slowly away from the fleet, racing after a float flyer.

The Docks
Nusheld, Iansislean Gallaga

The first convoys of supplies from Walmington and men from the Commonwealth were arriving. A single convoy brought the entire VI Rifles Division, at one doubling the number of Iansislean troops in Gallaga, and nineteen more divisions were enroute. Meanwhile, Walmintonish Cavalry Cruisers continued to pour in, while the Iansisleans prepared to defend Gallaga along the Arakan Yoma.

04-10-2003, 13:06

Skies near the Iansislean fleet
Almost to the clouds...almost there.... Subhas Kinbai allowed his hopes to rise. Maybe we'll survive after all...
Then he heard the gunner's shouts of alarm. He heard the machine-rifles rattle away, and the top gunner yelled "He's coming in to high!"....
Then the thunder of the fighter's guns, and he looked out to port...streams of tracers pouring into the inboard port engine. Then part of the engine cowling blew away, exposing a stream of flames....before Kinbai could do anything, the engine exploded and he could only stare in horror as slowly, obscenely, the wing angled away from the fuselage before breaking off completely after what seemed like an eternity.It seemed to the pilot as if the world moved into fast forward after having been in slow motion as the doomed flying boat spun away in a spiral of death towards the ocean surface thousands of feet below....with the aircraft rotating on it's axis as it fell, there was no chance of bailing out. Kinbai's last thought as the Kingfisher hit the water was but i was so close!

04-10-2003, 17:35

Gulf of Siam, Northwest of the Iansislean force
Ironhawk Bôhpara looked down at the message report in his hand.
Kingfisher flying boat out of Bankgok reports ennemy task force [longitude and latittude] steaming [course and speed] stop ennemy strength is 2 aeroplane tenders 1 battleship probably Undauntable plus 12+ escorts including minimum 2 heavy cruisers stop
He checked the map, searching for Maï assets in the area that he might use, or known Calarcan or Iansislean units that might interfere. There's Kimikanya on trials, with the Tiger and a destroyer...about there. He made a plan, quickly.... The Kimikanya group was slightly closer to the ennemy, and closer to the Iansislean's course [OOC:I. your task force is coming straight from Sarawak's west coast towards the delta, right?] ...he made a quick calculation of speeds and courses.In three hours, he could intercept with his main fleet and the Tiger , leaving the seaplane tender slightly behind with the destroyer to provide air cover....Except the battleships don't go that fast!but i've got enough strength to defeat the imperialists on the surface without them...
He had his orders wired to all ships concerned.Soon, the main fleet sped up to 32 knots, leaving the three battleships and four Bankgok-class destroyers behind with the troop and arsenal ships, while further east the Tiger accelarated to twenty-nine knots, followed by the Kimikanya and her destroyer escort at a more sedate pace, in order to stay out of the surface action. Shortly afterwards, the Nightmare launched nine Seahawks, with her speed helping them take-off, and the Kimikanya launched her nine remaining Naga MkIII seaplanes.

[OOC: due a slight miscalculation, the heavy cruiser will arrive slightly after the main fleet, about 10 minutes maybe. The main group will sail close together with the destroyers creating a smokescreen(radar can't see through thick smoke ;) ) to make their strength hard to gauge. If your ships are moving at a decent speed, they probably won't have enough time to ready any decent excuse for an air strike if they wait for my ships to appear on radar, since after all the surface-search won't give them much time to arm and fuel planes to attack ships with such a high speed of closure; if your seamen are more aggressive than i give them credit for, they might just hammer me though. Also, i think it's time i should clarify that my heavy armoured cruisers are more like pocket battleships, thick armor with 2x2 14in. primairies and 2x2 8in. intermediaries, plus 12 5in. secondaries.In many ways reminiscent of pre-Dreadnought designs with more advanced engines and better armour, and more compact with less displacement.My ships will try to close the range before opening fire, because of your radar advantage (radiotelemetry is still a newfangled gadget that just got installed to my men, but they know your ships can use they're radrangers to fire shells ;) ) ]

05-10-2003, 13:37

A railway bridge on the central Irawaddy, Iansislean Gallaga

First unit west of the river.....
Dragon Kham Bophra passed these words again through his head.They sounded nice. He stared back down the hill, eastwards. The bodies of the handfull of surprised Company troops had already been disposed of, and the men of the 2nd Squadron were busy repairing their feeble attempts to cut off the bridge, while the main artillery and supply units of the Thirty-Ninth Column crossed over it. The Dragon felt pride swell his heart....

Rayong, Siam Proivnce, the Sanctified Holy Empire of Chiang Maï
Liaung Khitam exited the briefing room. The officer in charge of it had given him a few mild shocks. Firstly, the strength of the bombing raid: a full eleven squadrons of Kormorants; secondly the mission itself: thoroughly crater the runways at St.Walburg, level the buildings to the ground, explode the fuel tanks, and then drop Dragonbreath phosphorous incendiaries and Firerain liquid incendiaries on top of it all, incinerating utterly anything that had survived the high explosives and preventing any attempt to repair the airbase for several hours. Then, there was the roundabout course to fall on the city from the North-West, and the fighter escort; he wasn't so much surprised by the standard five squadrons close escort, three squadrons high-escort, as by the four squadron frontal sweep and three squadron each side-sweeps, and the powerful reception escort. All was as if fighter opposition was expected.... of course, it could well be mere caution. After all, the briefing officer had said there were unsubstantiated reports of aircraft lading at St.Walburg.... But Liaung suspected they were more substantiated than he had been told.

Iansisle

07-10-2003, 01:45

(Just posting this map while I work on my next reply. Tell me if you'd like any modifications to the map!)

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-9/390074/gfmap.jpg

Iansisle

07-10-2003, 06:36

Empath - an MPAF-3F recon flyer
Over the Iansislean fleet -- Seventy miles north of the Tujuh Islands

"We should head back to the fleet now!" shouted Wilson Becker, reaching forward to tap the pilot on the back. "Fuel's running low!"

However, the other man didn't seem to hear him. "Hey, Wil! What do ya make of that?" he shouted back, pointing at the horizon.

Wilson squinted to look out at it. "Looks like a cloud!"

"Moving awful fast for a cloud, isn't it? And too dark!" The pilot turned half around. "It looks like a fleet making smoke!"

Wilson squinted over the side at the strange cloud. "I can't tell! Bring us in closer!" Meanwhile, he picked up his wireless unit, speaking into it. "This is the Empath, reporting a possible ship sighting...making smoke, seventy nautical miles south west.."

As the flyer dove in, they started recieving AA fire. It was too far to do any major damage, and the "Stallion" was one of the hardier flyers in the aerofleet. Wilson counted the ships in shock as they appeared out of the smoke. "Look how many there are!" He started counting into the wireless. "Multiple destroyers...I see the outline of at least one capital ship..."

Suddenly, the Empath was hit squarely by a large burst of flak. Her entire starboard wing was torn off, and the flyer flipped over, slamming into the ocean.

HIMS Undauntable
Seventy miles north of the Tujuh Islands

"Report from one of our recon flyers, captain," said a young ensign, looking up from his wireless. "A large fleet seventy miles to the southeast."

Captain Woodlark nodded. "Do I even have to ask if it's the Chiangman?"

"No doubt in my mind...the signal with Empath was lost soon after, captain."

Woodlark stood and paced as Undauntable continued to steam north west. "Do we have time to get off an air strike?"

"No, sir - not before they're withing range, anyway."

He continued to pace, then smiled quickly. "One could say that we walked right into their trap - or that they walked right into ours."

"Sir?"

"How far are we outside the range of landbased flyers from Borneo?"

"About sixty nautical miles, sir," replied the ensign, a large grin suddenly spreading across his face. "The old bait and tackle, sir?"

"My thoughts exactaly, ensign. We'll come about one hundred and fifty degrees to starboard, to a north-easterly heading. Accelerate the fleet to twenty-five knots - we'll run back to the coast." He paused. "With any luck, they'll even outrun their smoke trying to catch us. Send a wireless to Salvador and Vanguard: I want a full airstrike prepared at once. And send a message to Port Laughlin - I want everything they have - Seahorses, Blinders, Screamers - prepared at once."

"Yes, sir," replied the wireless operator, turning to forward the message.

Undauntable certainly didn't handle like a new destroyer, but the old warhorse felt glorious as she came about to starboard slowly, the unseen Chiang Mai fleet somewhere over the horizon.

11-10-2003, 13:05

[OOC:eh, was afraid you'd do that....'course, it's the ebst thing from your point of view.]
Gulf of Siam, Main Maï Squadron: projected point of convergence with Iansislean battlefleet
The destroyer's lookouts hadn't spotted any signs of the ennemy yet; their crews swore they hadn't telemtred any ships other than Tiger...Something was wrong. Ironhawk Bôhpara ordered the Nightmare, with the fleet's best radiotelemetering equipment-which, to be honest, wasn't very much- to go out of the smokescreen and search, while recovering her fighters-they were nearly out of gas- and the Tiger joined the formation. But no ennemies were spotted, and Haiphong's recon flyer, sent out earlier, had gone missing. There was only one thing to do: Bôhpara gave the order for the fleet to race at thirty-five knots, a great effort for some of the ships, sure to strain their boilers and gears being submitted to greater pressure than intended by the designers, by this was war and maintenance-based speed restrictions didn't apply.If in three hours they hadn't caught up with the ennemy fleet, they'd turn back as the threat of ennemy land-based air became serious. In the mean time, the transports and battleships would proceed on towards Fort Manly, to eb joined on the way by the faster seaplane tender and her escort.

21-10-2003, 04:02

[ooc: tag]

23-10-2003, 17:14

[OOC:experiencing some RL time-finding problems and the need for many long posts in different threads....]

Iansisle

23-10-2003, 22:21

(myself as well, actually. I've been working on a proper response for some time now, on and off...but it still needs some more time ;))

24-10-2003, 17:37

[ok then...i'm sure it'll be good ;) ]

Iansisle

31-10-2003, 22:12

Commandant's Office
East Gallaga Company; Burma Division

"The reports don't look good from the front, sir," reported a battered young Gallagan officer - a member of the relatively small educated Gallagan class. The browned young man, who hailed from just north of Fort Ash on the southern frontier, shrugged to the local Commandant, Martin Starr. "They're on the move again, that much is sure. The Chaingman must know of our reinforcement moves from Fort Manly, and want to snatch the prime defensive territory before we can stop them."

The man looked even more glum now. "Frankly, sir, I don't know what we can do to stop him. The only Company units west of Gallaga still responding are the three companies deployed in defense of St. Walburg itself. The King's VI Rifles did deploy a company here as well, but I fear it's a futile move." He shrugged. "Some six hundred men are going to do scarce good against their hordes."

Starr had his back to the man, gazing out the window to the north solemnly. "And, in your opinion, Mr. Buhtar, what ought we to do?"

That set the Gallagan officer back a step - he hadn't been expecting the senior Company military officer to ask his opinion. "Ah, I'm not sure what we can do, sir," he replied, managing to stop short of saying that he didn't have the larger strategic grasp that Starr did.

With a grunt, Starr turned back to face Buhtar, considering the Gallagan for a brief second. "That will be all, Mr. Buhtar. Good day."

"Sir?" asked the Gallagan, confused.

"Is there anything wrong with your hearing, lieutenant?"

"Er, no, sir," shrugged the Gallagan, almost forgetting to salute before he left. Starr didn't bother to return it.

After the door closed, the meaty Shieldian commandant looked up. He snatched a sheet of paper and started to draft a memo to Commandant Supreme Marcus Jackson in Nusheld. One that recommended the immediate evacuation of all top Company personnel from St. Walburg to Elphinstone Harbor as soon as possible. He had just sent it off when Lieutenant Buhtar burst into his office again.

"Commandant, sir!" the Gallagan panted. Starr glared at him, trying his best to convey just how unwelcome an intrusion this was. He didn't respond, or ask for a report, leaving Buhtar wondering what to do. After a while, he continued without prompt. "Er, Commandant, sir, the acoustic detectors - we've just picked up an air strike." Starr's face went an ashen white, and he shoved the Gallagan to one side as he leapt up. Buhtar just managed to say "...much larger than the last one....sir?" before Starr was around the corner on his way to the basement.

Over Whittle's Station
Iansislean Burma

A motley collection of low ranking Company officials and natives turned out to watch the aeroflyers - twenty four BAF-1 'Blinders', running low and at maximum military power. Higher above was their fighter cover, almost out of eyesight, in fact. The bombers gained altitude as they crossed into Mai territory, all the way up to twenty thousand feet, with plans to get even higher towards the target. If all worked out as planned, they would arrive in the skies over Chiang Mai at roughly 11:00 at night, local time.

HIMS Undauntable
Between Galla-China and Borneo

[coming soon!]

02-11-2003, 16:33

[don't have time to respond yet...but keep 'em coming for when i do! ;) at least i can enjoy reading them and thinking up an answer]

Iansisle

05-11-2003, 18:49

Flag Bridge - HIMS Salvador

"It's just no good, Admiral," reported Captain (Senior Grade) Frank Dunmore, standing up from the charts to look at Vice Admiral Lord Philip Clayburgh, the Marquess Westergate. "They've accelerated, according to these reports, and they're closing too fast."

Admiral Westergate, subordinate only to Admiral Sir George Rice in the Royal Iansislean Navy's South China Sea Fleet and commander of the First Carrier Battle Squadron, nodded at Dunmore's grim appraisal of the situation. "Have you made intercept plots yet, Captain?" he asked quietly.

"Of course, Admiral," replied the man at once, producing a pointer and indicating a portion of the flag bridge's large map of the South China Sea. "This is us here, captain," he started, "steaming back towards Port Laughlin at 25 knots." The pointer moved. "And here's the main Chiangese squadron, with an unconfirmed report of a second further away, steaming towards us at," he grimiced, "...35 knots. They'll intercept us a good half hour short of flyer range from Sarawak."

Westergate just stared at the man. "35 knots? Is this some sort of cruiser squadron they're throwing against us?"

"It would appear so, Admiral, but remember that Chiangese heavy cruisers are much larger and better armed than our own Shield-class. They'd do damage, without doubt, and our priority right now should be to preserve the fleet for future operations."

"Captain," started Westergate, his voice cold, "I would remind you that, as the commander of this squadron, our priority is my decision."

Dunmore lowered his eyes. "Of course, Admiral. My apologies."

"Don't worry about it, Captain. Now, what strategy to recommend we pursue?"

"Well," Dunmore started, but he was interrupted by the wireless officer, who walked up to the flag officers quietly.

"Admiral; Captain, I beg pardon for the interruption, but Captain Woodlark of the Undauntable is on the wireless, sirs. He said it's urgent."

Westergate waved his hand. "Pardon given, ensign." He strode quickly over to the wireless, picking it up. The interference was heavy, but he could make out Woodlark's strained voice. "Report, Captain."

"We're holding you back," was the unceremonious reply. Westergate stared at the set in disbelief.

"I, ah, guess so, Captain, but there's nothing that can be done about it."

"There certainly is, Admiral. Detach the Undauntable and accelerate to thirty knots. Every other ship in the fleet can do it, but we're already running flat out now. Go. We'll hold them off."

"Fredrick!" half-shouted Westergate in a gross breach of military protocol. "That is out of the question!"

"Admiral, the salvation of the mobile docks was the primary mission given to me by Admiral Rice, and I intend not to let him down. Undauntable is old, but the old girl has some fight left in her. Go."

From Woodlark's tone of voice, it was clear he wouldn't tolerate any argument from his superior officer. Westergate sighed. "Captain," he started, "at least let me detach Shield and Laughlin. You'll stand a better chance with them."

"Three times zero is still zero, Admiral," was the reply. "I've no time to argue. For the love of God, get a move on!"

"Very well," replied Westergate, his voice wavering slightly. "Comm," he ordered slowly, "Order the fleet to accelerate to thirty knots."

"Thank you, Admiral," replied Woodlark. "Please, Phil, tell my wife I love her. For the glory of the King and the Commonwealth, Undauntable out."

"For the glory of the King and the Commonwealth," repeated Westergate.

HIMS Undauntable

"Well, that's that," said Woodlark, cutting through the silence of the battleship's bridge. He had asked for - and gotten - a unanimous vote from the ship's senior officers. He looked across his men, every man of them with a look of determined duty on their face. "Helm," ordered Woodlark quietly, "prepare to slow to twenty two knots." The bridge's helm officer gave a brief nod, relaying the order deep into the ship's bowels.

Woodlark thought for a moment, then continued giving orders. "Helm, guns - prepare to execute plan Tri Theta on my mark."

"Tri Theta, sir?" asked the young bridge gunnery officer, looking at his superior.

"You heard the order, Mr. Noble," replied the captain. He knew that the man had every right to be afraid. Tri Theta called for a dog leg to port, followed by a hard turn to starboard, cutting across the enemy fleet's bow, followed by a sharp turn back to port, repeating the process. It was a risky maneuver in the face of superior numbers, exposing her broadside to multiple enemy forward batteries, but also would hopefully delay the Chiangese for some time.

HIMS Salvador

"Captain," called Westergate, turning suddenly.

"Admiral?"

"Captain," repeated, "How well versed are your riders with our fleet's outlines?"

"Fairly well, sir..." started Dunmore, about to ask why, when a slow grin spread across his face. "Do I read the Admiral's intentions correctly, sir?"

"You do, Captain," replied Westergate. "Can your men be ready to launch in fifteen minutes?"

Dunmore checked his watch, thought for a moment, then nodded. "Aye, sir, they can. I'll make the preparations with Vanguard for an airstrike now."

"Good man, Captain," returned Westergate, turning from Dunmore as the man saluted and hurried off. He turned straight to Salvador's name plate, and studied it for a moment. The top, of course, read 'His Iansislean Majesty's Ship SALVADOR', but it was really the bronzed image Westergate was interested in. On the right was the side of Commodore Sir Thomas Gurney's head; on the left was Captain Sir Kennith Jones'. Between them was the oncoming image of HIMS King James I, and below was the broadside of HIMS Odysseus. Even below that was Salvador's motto: 'Lest we ever forget'. A sad smile spread over Westergate's face.

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