NationStates Jolt Archive

Norwegian Government News Archives

[Archives 1908]
http://modernwarstudies.net/Norway_icon.gifStorting Decides to Expand the Royal Army (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9555846&postcount=2)
http://modernwarstudies.net/Norway_icon.gifHaakon to Attend Berlin Convention (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9556646&postcount=3)

[Archives 1920]
http://modernwarstudies.net/Norway_icon.gifNorwegian Expectations: 1920 (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9559836&postcount=4)

[General Archives - Athens-Sparta's Gameplay as Norway]
http://modernwarstudies.net/Norway_icon.gifNorway To Build an Airforce - Aircraft needed! (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9650029&postcount=13)

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Monarchial/Storting Diplomacy

[Alliances]

[Non-Agression Pact]

[Hostile]



[Important Links:
Haakon's Lullaby (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=441367)
]

June 8, 2008

Storting Decided to Expand Royal Army

OSLO, Norway - In a suprising decision the Storting, under the influence of King Haakon VII, has decided to expand the current military projections to a total of six rifle divisions, forming the core of the proffessional military. The home guard, which is the local militias, have somewhere near forty thousand personnel, however, they are relatively untrained and very badly supplied and armed. These two more divisions, forming the six division proffessional army, would be an extremely well trained and well armed unit. As a consequence, it's expected that the Norwegian Royal Army will number a total of forty-two thousand frontline personnel, with an entourage of at least one hundred and seventy thousand logistical personnel, including cooks, and non-military, but military oriented, personnel.

The most important factor in this decision comes when you regard Sweden's position with Norway for the last three years, in which relations have not been at all cordial. Regardless, the Storting has also revealed that talks with Sweden may develope soon, and a greater Scandinavian Alliance will be proposed. The depths of this are still unknown, however, it seems rather promising.

However, the expansion of the Royal Army is not the only piece of news. The Royal Navy is also expected to undergo a refitting, expanding it from its current numbers, to include several cruisers and perhaps some battlecruisers, although the Storting still has a lot of diplomacy to go in order to ensure the construction of these behemoths by either the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States or Germany.

Across the straights from Norway, Denmark sits rather nervously, looking suspiciously at their northern neighbor, which has openly remarked within the Storting plans to take Denmark. However, Haakor VII, known to all as a peacekeeper and a diplomat, has refused to acknowledge such claims, calling them "nieve" and "rather ignorant". Denmark, nonetheless, remains worried.

In short, we can only hope that this sudden military expansion is only for the good of Norway, especially in the light that the merchant fleets of Norway have grown to some two thousand ships of all sizes, about a quarter of them continuing to trade in the cross-Atlantic shipping lanes.

[EDIT: I changed the color of the heading.]

June 11, 2008

Haakon to Attend Berlin Convention

OSLO, Norway - King Haakon VII has made public his attendance to the Berling Convention, where Germany has decided to hold talks concerning the future of Eastern Europe, economically, socially and militaristically. Because of the magnitude of such talks over the future of Europe, the Norwegians, including the Storting, has decided that the Berlin Convention could not be missed. Therefore, Haakon VII, two military aides, and three Storting representatives, are to be making their way to Berlin after the expected talks with Sweden, which are to be held in private, north of Oslo.

The highlighted features of the Berlin Convention include the creation of the Trans-Eurasian railroad, the abolotion of tarriffs between member states, high tarriffs against potential enemies, free movement within member states, usage of all commercial capabilities, and a possibly military alliance, including the creation of a European army.

Concerning the Trans-Eurasian railroad Norway has supported the idea, but Haakon will make clear that Norway requires the railroad to be connected to existing, and planned, railraod lines within Norway. There are also plans to forge a railroad from southern Norway, into Russia, and from there connecting with the Trans-Eurasian railroad line, increasing Norwegian profits in all directions. However, the costs of such a railroad system would be immense, and would detract from the potential increase of the Norwegian ground forces, after the most current mobilizations (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9555846&postcount=2).

The Norwegians, however, openly support the reduction of tarriffs, however, they do not support the tying up of trade with foreign powers, regardless on their position with Germany. It is to say, the Norwegian want the ability to be able to trade with the United States, even if not supported by Germany - as Norway is a sovereign nation. Haakor has made promises of speaking about this at Berlin.

Furthermore, the Norwegians have made it clear that they absolutely will not sign a military alliance with the Eastern Coalition as they do not want to polarize themselves. They will remain excessively neutral in any diplomatic infighting between nations of the world.

Nonetheless, the Berlin Conference is expected to be a leap foward for Norway's potential diplomacy. It will open a newly independent Norway to Eastern Europe for trade, and other benefits. Whatever the conclusion of the Berlin Conference, it is expected that only good can come from it.

Developements in Norway Between 1908 and 1920


The Army

The Norwegian Army has gone a slow, but effective, growth within its proffessional army, leading to the dismantlement of the Home Guard, giving Norway a total ground strength of ten rifle divisions, or seventy thousand frontline personnel, and somewhere near two hundred thousand logistical personnel.

This proffessional army should be enough to successfully defend Norway in light of an invasion, especially with the extended Norwegian Royal Navy. Regardless, Norway now presents itself as a much more effective kingdom, and has elevated its position in Europe as one of strength, and not weakness.


The Navy

Dreadnoughts:
St. Vincent class:
Aesir
Vanir
Iotnar

Tordenskjold class:
Tordenskjold
Harald Haarfagre

Eidsvold class:
Eidsvold
Norge

Destroyers:
11 Class-A Destroyers

Cruisers:
6 Topaze third class cruisers
8 Sentinel class scouts

Frigates:
Oslo
Stavanger

Torpedo Boats:
27 Lyn class


Military Goals
The Norwegian military goals remain to keep its proffessional army as small, however, extremely well trained, and extremely prepared to defend the country from invaders.

Most importantly, Haakor VII has expressed wishes to begin purchasing aircraft from Great Britain, although he has still not made moves to aquire such technologies. Regardless, the Norwegian Royal Airforce is due to rise up any day of these.

The Norwegian Royal Navy is planning to sell her old four battleships and aquire four new battleships from the British, as well as another six battleships from the United States, increasing battleship fleet size to a full thirteen battleships within the Norwegian Royal Navy. Furthermore, the Norwegians have expressed interest in the aquisition of a total of eighty-three British destroyers within the time span of 1920 to 1935, as well as another thirteen cruisers, eight frigates, and even a single aircraft carrier.

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Economics
Norway remains interested in the expansion of civilian mercantilism from the Americas to Asia and Europe. Major trade partners sought are China, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and Russia, amongst others.

[Bump!]

Developements in Norway Between 1908 and 1920


The Army

The Norwegian Army has gone a slow, but effective, growth within its proffessional army, leading to the dismantlement of the Home Guard, giving Norway a total ground strength of ten rifle divisions, or seventy thousand frontline personnel, and somewhere near two hundred thousand logistical personnel.

This proffessional army should be enough to successfully defend Norway in light of an invasion, especially with the extended Norwegian Royal Navy. Regardless, Norway now presents itself as a much more effective kingdom, and has elevated its position in Europe as one of strength, and not weakness.


The Navy

Dreadnoughts:
St. Vincent class:
Aesir
Vanir
Iotnar

Tordenskjold class:
Tordenskjold
Harald Haarfagre

Eidsvold class:
Eidsvold
Norge

Destroyers:
11 Class-A Destroyers

Cruisers:
6 Topaze third class cruisers
8 Sentinel class scouts

Frigates:
Oslo
Stavanger

Torpedo Boats:
27 Lyn class


Military Goals
The Norwegian military goals remain to keep its proffessional army as small, however, extremely well trained, and extremely prepared to defend the country from invaders.

Most importantly, Haakor VII has expressed wishes to begin purchasing aircraft from Great Britain, although he has still not made moves to aquire such technologies. Regardless, the Norwegian Royal Airforce is due to rise up any day of these.

The Norwegian Royal Navy is planning to sell her old four battleships and aquire four new battleships from the British, as well as another six battleships from the United States, increasing battleship fleet size to a full thirteen battleships within the Norwegian Royal Navy. Furthermore, the Norwegians have expressed interest in the aquisition of a total of eighty-three British destroyers within the time span of 1920 to 1935, as well as another thirteen cruisers, eight frigates, and even a single aircraft carrier.

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


Economics
Norway remains interested in the expansion of civilian mercantilism from the Americas to Asia and Europe. Major trade partners sought are China, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and Russia, amongst others.


that is a lot of battleships for a population of under 2.5 million people, a rather small GNP, and who has to purchase them from some one else. I would suggest you look closely at the Royal Norwegian military forces available in April 1940, which are the best they could afford at the time.

http://www.madein.no/worldwar.htm
http://www.magweb.com/sample/sconflic/co03wese.htm

one of their better ships
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-fornv/norway/tordnsk.htm

more Norwegian ships
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-fornv/norway/nor-name.htm

your merchant marine
http://www.merchant-navy-ships.com/?id=0,53,0,0,1,0
http://www.dypevag.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ships.htm

so if you spend a lot of money, I can see 2-4 coast defense battleships (Swedish design), that are about 12,000 tons, 6 x 11 inch guns, some 4.7 inch and a few lighter guns, a flotilla of about 12 torpedo boats (small destroyers), a handful of submarines, and some minewarfare craft of various sorts. More likely smaller than that though. Still reasonably formidable for defensive purposes though, especially with some of the coast defense forts you have.

Remember, a dreadnought takes a crew of around 1200 - 1500 men, a cruiser is about 600 - 1000, a destroyer is 200-400, plus you need about 3 men for every man at sea to run the shore establishment. So you have manpower and financial limits. A peacetime democratic society usually has only 1% of its total population available for permanent military service, and another 2% in reserve or conscripted service in peacetime. That works out to be about 75,000 men total for the Norwegian Military including its Army and Air Force.

A navy of about 20,000 men including reservists is probably the best you can do, which is enough to man the fleet I suggested... barely.

[OOC: I bought most of my newer ships from Great Britain. Manning them isn't difficult, so that's not a problem for me. Logistics in 1920 are nowhere near logistics in 2005.]

[OOC: I bought most of my newer ships from Great Britain. Manning them isn't difficult, so that's not a problem for me. Logistics in 1920 are nowhere near logistics in 2005.]

ooc
ok, as a referee of this RP let me point out that allowing Norway to have a fleet of dreadnoughts nearly as large as the IJN or for that matter, the French or Italians historically isn't going to fly. We are trying to use historical fact here in this RP, and for Norway to have a fleet that large isn't historically plausible or factual. Manning a fleet of 7 Dreadnoughts requires crews of nearly 11,000 men, the destroyers require another 3300, the cruisers, all of which are basically light cruisers, require 10,000 men, and Frigates don't exist yet, as they are an ASW vessel invented during World War II. That gives you just in crews, 24,300 men, out of a possible population available of 75,000. An average naval base big enough to handle dreadnoughts (you have to have at least one, with a drydock and everything that goes with that) between 5,000 - 10,000 men. Plus you have administative staff, logistics people and a variety of others, plus the crews of the other vessels, plus tugs, fishery patrol boats, and I am rapidly getting a figure of excess of 40,000 for your Navy. That leaves a mere 35,000 for your Army and any Air Force. A brigade requires about 5,000 men, and even the least logistically capable army in the 20th Century requires 3 men for every 1 man in a rifle battalion, so that gives use about 9,000 men for a brigade. Which gives you a mere 4 brigades, and at least one of those is needed to man coastal defenses.

A rule of thumb of 20th Century warships is that they require 10% of their cost each year in maintanence expenses, and a dreadnought costs about $10 Million in 1914. You have 7 dreadnoughts listed, so that works out to $7 million annually just to keep them running. Not counting fuel costs, ammunitions, stores, etc.. which works out to be a similar figure. Figure another $9 Million annually for the other ships, doubled again for fuel etc, and that gives a figure of $72 Million annually for the ships, not counting pay for the sailors, retirement benefits etc.... the US spends about one third of its budget on those things, which is very historically representative.

So we are rapidly getting to a budget of $90 Million (at least) a year for a Navy this big. Your population is 3 million (approx), you are tech level 3.5 as Norway still hasn't industrialized yet as of 1920, having only been independent a mere 15 years. So by the rules for economics we are using for playability, that works out to a GNP of about $300 Million (in 1920 dollars) so you are spending a THIRD OF YOUR NATIONAL ECONOMY ANNUALLY ON YOUR NAVY. Your taxpayers would have already tossed out the government at this point, as you are not at war. The Soviet Union went broke trying this, even the nations during the Great War, and our historical World Wars couldn't do this for more than a couple of years, and that was geared up for Total War.

So no, that navy is NOT going to be allowed in this RP.

Greetings from the Republic of Albania. Our country has just emerged from two centuries of Turkish misrule and 19 years of civil war and is in need of rebuilding and investment. The government and private sector of Belguim have been very generous and we hope the government of Norway will follow suit. We have started a Fund which we hope you will contribute to: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=442522

President Turkhan Pasha of The Republic of Albania

ooc: im the new Norwegian player, thanks to The Macabees for all the effort he put into this, its gonna make my job easier ;) .

ic:

To: President Turkhan Pasha of The Republic of Albania

We are not a rich nation, however we understand the hardships that currently face your country and we will pledge our support to your cause.

Haakon VII, King of Norway

[OOC: I'll continue updating the main post if you want me to.]

ooc: go ahead, youve done a good job so far ;)

The Storting today decided that it would be in Norways best interests to form a small airforce that would be attached to the army. Norway asks the global community whether there is anyone who would be willing to sell some basic fighter aircraft as well as providing training for their use.