Romania, January 1, 1936
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19,900,000
The tenuous peace hat has lasted in Europe for the last twenty years has fallen on shakey ground. Assuming it could get any worse. Germany is making moves toward preparing for war and the other great powers seem to be recricating
Romanian military strength:
Infintry divisions:
25 front line
500,000 troops
15 reserve
300,000 troops
2 guard (city defence)
40,000 troops
2 fortification
40,000 troops
1 fronteer guard
20,000 troops
4 mountain divisions
80,000 troops
tot:980,000 troops
8 Cavalry divisions
95,000 troops
1 motorized cavalry division
15,000
1 armoured division
15,000 troops
-120 guns and howitzers,
-2,100 vehicles,
-800 tanks
-75 AB armored cars (Sdkfz 222)
-25 TB armored personnel carriers (SPW 251)
Aeronotics
400 fighters
325 bombers
125 asault planes
-750 imported bombers
95 recon
50 seaplanes
150 transport plane (civilian)
300 military transport
1 Paratrooper Division
35,000 troops
-700troops/regiment
-4 md tanks/division
-9 lt trucks (jeep-like)/division
-6 lt artilery/division
Current events
A proclimation was recntly issued to create massive public works projects.
King Carol approcahed the podium like he had many times in the past, but rarely like this. In recent weeks, as a precausion to help mobalize the civilian population for a potential war with germany (thier allies in britian and france having readied themselves for combat), had issued that the government distribute radios to all city halls. The king cleared his throat and signaled he was ready to speek. "Great and glorious subjects of my humbele Romania, dark days do decend. The hounds of war are barking at our door. We are strong, our economy is prowerful and our will is steadfast. We to live to see the light we must live through dark times, so we must prepare.
We must prepare our soldiers for battle. To give them the tools to suceed on land and in the air, I have confered with the prime minester and he has agreed, we will begin public works projects. We take all facuts of our culture: for our industrious will and bulid great factories, take our sharpest minds and create great new inventions, and take the strong and defent uor great nation. We will build our nation into such a sight even the great heros of old would be proud."
Behind closed doors the plan was finialized. All unemployed members of society and in adition to 6% of the populace would be conscripted to work on these projects. Great sums of funds for reasearch into new tank, infantry, artilery, and aircraft disigns were allocated. The crown jewel of the project was a giant, 50,000 acre, industrial complex built on the ourside of Targoviste. It would be designed to produce all the tanks and aircraft needed to fight a potential war with Germany. Surrounding it would be two airfileds, fortifications, and massive AA defences. With the man power allocaed for this side of the project, it is estimated at only theree to four months to be constructed and another month before production could start.
Other main project would inclde and new naval yard at Constanta capable of producing submarines in sizeable quantities, twenty five new factories for aircraft production, twenty new small arms and munitions factories, thirty new factories for tank and artilery production, four new hydro electirc dams and a numerous new runways and fotifications near and around the polish and chech border. Though all these new project wuold take time, with all the manpower that was goin to be recruites, havin it done in a year wasnt out of the question. But the real question remained unsaid, would they get a year before Germany turnd it's sights to Romania.
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As the plans for the proposed new tanks and aircraft began to be introduced, the frontrunners began to take shape. The Brighest minds in Romania came foward to show thier best ideas. Even with all the new designs, it was hoped to have them in full production by spring
Armoured car
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Crew:1
5.9 tons
Main turret
20 mm
Secondary foward arc
MG 8 mm
Armor Thickness (mm) 9
turret: 60°
middle band: 30°
lower band: -15°
Light tank
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Crew 3
Weight 7.5 tons
main turret
35 mm cannon
secondary coaxial (1), foward arc (2)
MG 8 mm
Armor Thickness (mm) H/S/R/T 30/20/15/20
turret: 50°
middle band: 30°
lower band: -15°
Medium tank
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Crew: 5
Weight: 17.2 tons
main turret
80 mm cannon
secondary coaxial(1),foward arc (2)
MG 8 mm
Armor Thickness (mm) H/S/R/T 60/40/16/50
turret: 45°
middle band: 34°
lower band: -7°
Assault tank
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crew: 5
Weight: 22.5 tons
Main fixed front (-10°-30° horozontal movement)
120mm howitzer
secondary front arc (1) rear arc (1)
MG 8 mm
Armor Thickness (mm) H/S/R 185/45/25
turret: 60°
middle band: 45°
lower band: -15°
Artilery
AA
-heavy (90mm)
angle: 0°-85°
Range: 17500m
-medium (78mm)
angle: -5°-83°
range: 12000m
-light (37mm)
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angle: -7°-85°
range: 9000m
fighter
IAR 80A Series
Type: Single Seat Fighter
Design: IAR Design Team led by Professor Ion Grossu
Manufacturer: Industria Aeronautica Româna (IAR) in Brasov
Powerplant: One 1,025 hp (764 kW) IAR K14-1000A air-cooled 14-cylinder double-row radial engine.
Performance: Maximum speed 392 mph (550 km/h) at 13,025 ft (3970 m); service ceiling 34,450 ft (10500 m).
Fuel: 100 Imperial gallons (455 liters) plus (IAR 80C) 26.4 gallon (100 liter) fuel tanks under each wing. All IAR 81 aircraft had the capability to carry 26.4 gallon (100 liter) fuel tanks under each wing.
Range: 584 miles (940 km) on internal fuel.
Weight: Empty equipped 3,924 lbs (1780 kg) with a maximum take-off weight of 5,622 lbs (2550 kg).
Dimensions: Span 34 ft 5 1/4 in (10.50 m); length 29 ft 2 1/2 in (8.90 m); height 11 ft 9 3/4 in (3.60 m); wing area 171.90 sq ft (15.97 sq m).
Armament: Two 13.2 mm (0.52 in) and four 7.92 mm (0.31 in) FN-Brownings. (IAR 80A) Two 20 mm Swiss Ikaria (license-built Oerlikon MG FF) and four 7.92 mm (0.31 in) FN-Brownings. (IAR 81) Six 7.92 mm (0.31 in) FN-Browning machine guns and a centerline rack for a single 551 lbs (250 kg) bomb. (IAR 81A) Four 7.92 mm (0.31 in) FN-Brownings and a centerline rack for a single 551 lbs (250 kg) bomb. (IAR 81B) Two 20 mm Swiss Ikaria (license-built Oerlikon MG FF) and four 7.92 mm (0.31 in) FN-Brownings. (IAR 81C) Two 20 mm Mauser cannon and four 7.92 mm (0.31 in) FN-Brownings plus a centerline rack for a single 551 lbs (250 kg) bomb.
Variants: IAR 80A (production), IAR 80DC (training aircraft), IAR 81 (dive-bomber), IAR 81A, IAR 81B (long range fighter), IAR 81C (dive-bomber/fighter).
bomber
dive bomber
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IAR 18B
Type: Light Bomber & Dive Bomber
Design: IRA Design Team
Manufacturer: IRA
Powerplant: (IRA 18B) Two 1,475 hp (1100 kW) Daimler-Benz DB 605B inverted Vee piston engines.
Performance: Maximum speed 357 mph (575 km/h) at optimum altitude; service ceiling 32,150 ft (9800 m).
Range: 1,616 miles (2600 km) on internal fuel.
Weight: Maximum take-off weight of 19,400 lbs (8800 kg).
Dimensions: Span 55 ft 9 1/4 in (17.00 m); length 43 ft 5 in (13.23 m); height 14 ft 3 1/4 in (4.35 m); wing area 470.94 sq ft (43.75 sq m).
Armament: One fixed forward-firing 7.9 mm (0.31-in) M/22F machine-gun and two 13.2 mm (0.52 in) machine-guns on trainable mounts, plus an internal bombload of 3,307 lbs (1500 kg) and provision to carry air-to-air rockets. (T18B) Two 20 mm cannon and a 57 mm Bofors gun mounted beneath the nose.
Variants: 18A, B18A (bomber), S18A (reconnaissance), 18B (a single prototype), B18B (dive-bomber), T18B (attack aircraft).
recon
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IRA R/P 156B
Type: Lt Ground Support and Recon
Design: IRA Design Team
Manufacturer: IRA
Powerplant: One 850 hp Radial piston engines.
Performance: Maximum speed 221 mph (355 km/h) at optimum altitude; service ceiling 22,000 ft (6700 m).
Crew/Accomidations: 2; Pilot, gunner
Range: 1,000 miles (1,600 km) on internal fuel.
Weight: Maximum take-off weight of 19,400 lbs (8800 kg).
Armament: one fixed forward-firing 7.9 mm (0.31-in). Plus an external bombload of 1X50kg or 5X10kg bombs (R/P198A-3).
Variants: R/P198A (Production model), R/P198A-2 (long range recon), R/P198A-3 (ground support version)
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IRA R/P198A
Type: Recon and Patrol Craft/Ground Support Bomber
Design: IRA Design Team
Manufacturer: IRA
Powerplant: Two 465 hp Radial piston engines.
Performance: Maximum speed 221 mph (355 km/h) at optimum altitude; service ceiling 22,966 ft (7000 m).
Crew/Accomidations: 3; Pilot, obserrver, gunner
Range: 2,200 miles (3,540 km) on internal fuel.
Weight: Maximum take-off weight of 19,400 lbs (8800 kg).
Armament: two fixed forward-firing 7.9 mm (0.31-in) (R/P198A and R/P198A-2 and one 20 mm mounted beneath the nose (R/P198A-3). Plus an external bombload of 2X50kg bombs (R/P198A-3).
Variants: R/P198A (Production model), R/P198A-2 (long range recon), R/P198A-3 (ground support version)
bomber escort
Type 156 Beaufighter TF.Mk X
Type: Two Seat Day & Night Fighter, Long Range Reconnaissance Fighter, Three Seat Anti-Shipping Fighter & Torpedo Bomber
Accommodation/Crew: A Pilot and Radio/Wireless Operater which also acted as an observer and cannon reloader. The ammunition drums for the 20 mm cannon weighed about 40 lbs (18 kg) each. The pilot sat in the nose with the observer aft of the wings. Access to crew postions was through hatches in the underside of the fuselage. These hatches were also intended for emergency exit. Each hatch could be opened via a quick release in a way that the door opens so that part of it protrudes outwards into the airstream creating a dead-air region through which the crew can drop without risk of injury even in a 400 mph (640 km/h) dive. A knock-out panel on the starboard side of the pilot, a hinged window above the pilot and a hinged hood above the observer provided further emergency exits. Aircraft equipped with gyro-angling gear and a radio altimeter for torpedo attacks often carried a third crew member to assist the pilot with aiming.
Design: Engine Designer Roy Feddon and Aircraft Designer Leslie Frise.
Manufacturer: Weston-super-Mare
Powerplant: Two Bristol Hercules XVII 14-cylinder sleeve-valve twin-row air-cooled radial engines using a two speed supercharger driving three bladed, fully feathering, constant speed propellers with a diameter of 12 feet 9 inches (3.88 m). Propellers rotate anti-clockwise when viewed from astern. Engines rated at 1,725 hp (1287 kW) for take-off at 2,900 rpm and developing a maximum power rating of 1,735 hp (1294 kW) at 2,900 rpm at 500 ft (152 m) using 100/130 octane/grade fuel. The Bristol Hercules XVII differs from the XVI in having a cropped supercharger impeller, giving it an increase in power for take-off and low altitude work. Designed specifically for low altitude operation, the two-speed surpercharger is locked in the "M" gear and the centrifugers are consequently removed.
Performance: Maximum speed 320 mph (515 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3050 m), maximum speed 305 mph (491 km/h) at sea level; maximum cruising speed of 249 mph (401 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1525 m); service ceiling (with torpedo) 19,000 ft (5795 m); service ceiling (without torpedo) 32,000 ft (9,760 m); rate of climb (with torpedo) 1,600 ft/min (490 m/min).
Fuel Capacity: A total of 550 Imperial gallons (2500 litres) in four fuel tanks consisting of two 188 Imperial gallon (854.5 litre) fuel tanks in the centre-section and two 87 Imperial gallon (395.4 litre) fuel tanks in each outer wing section. Long-range fuel tanks when fitted include one 29 Imperial gallon (131.8 litre) fuel tank mounted outboard of each engine nacelle. A 24 Imperial gallon (109 litre) fuel tank can be installed in the port gun bay and a 50 Imperial gallon (227.2 litre) fuel tank can be installed in the starboard gun bay, with the guns removed. An external fuselage drop tank of 200 Imperial gallons (909 litres) was available for ferry purposes.
Oil Capacity: (Mk I) One 17 Imperial gallon (77.2 litre) oil tank behind each engine nacelle, giving a total oil capacity of 34 Imperial gallons (154.5 litres).
Range: 1,470 miles (2366 km) on internal fuel with torpedo. 1,750 miles (2816 km) with torpedo and long range tanks.
Weights & Loadings: Empty 15,592 lbs (7072 kg) with a maximum take-off weight of 25,400 lbs (11521 kg) including torpedo.
Dimensions: Span 57 ft 10 in (17.63 m); length 41 ft 8 in (12.70 m); height 15 ft 10 in (4.83 m); wing area 503.0 sq ft (46.73 sq m).
Fixed Armament: Four fixed forward firing 20 mm Hispano cannon mounted in the fuselage nose with a total of 283 rounds and six 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Browning fixed forward firing machine-guns (four in the starboard wing and two in the port wing) and one flexible 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Vicker "K" machine-gun in the dorsal position. Coastal Command aircraft sometimes had the installation of long range fuel tanks that required the removal of the wing mounted machine-guns.
Offensive/Disposable Armament: A single 17.7 inch (45 cm) British Mark XII torpedo of 1,548 lbs (702 kg) (commonly referred to as an 18 inch torpedo) complete with a Mono Air Tail (MAT) or an American 22.4 inch (56.9 cm) Mark 13 torpedo of 1,927 lbs (874 kg) carried externally on the centreline and two 250 lbs (113 kg) carried on special racks outboard of the engine nacelles. The MAT stabilised the torpedo's flight, and was released upon impact with the water. On aircraft without the wing guns installed eight rockets could be fitted on Mk I underwing rails. Additional racks could be fitted inboard of the engine nacelles allowing up to 2,000 lbs (907 kg) of bombs to be carried. It was not uncommon that a Coastal Command squadron would have half their aircraft equipped with rockets, while the balance carried torpedoes. Depending on the role, standard loadouts were as follows:
1 x Mark XII or Mark 13 torpedo and 2 x 250 lbs (113 kg) bombs under the wings, or
8 x 90 lbs (40.8 kg) AP (armour piercing) and SAP (semi-armour piercing) rocket projectiles, or
8 x 60 lbs (27.2 kg) HE (high explosive) and SAP (semi-armour piercing) rocket projectiles, or
8 x 25 lbs (11.3 kg) HE (high explosive) and SAP (semi-armour piercing) rocket projectiles, or
2 x 1,000 lbs (454 kg) bombs under the wings.
Variants: Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, Beaufighter Mk IF, Beaufighter Mk IC, Beaufighter Mk IIF, Beaufighter Mk IIC, Beaufighter Mk III (experimental), Beaufighter Mk IV (experimental), Beaufighter Mk V, Beaufighter Mk VIF, Beaufighter Mk VIC, Beaufighter Mk VIC (ITF), Beaufighter Mk VII (not built), Beaufighter Mk VIII (not built), Beaufighter TF.Mk X Torbeau, Beaufighter TF.Mk 10, Beaufighter Mk XIC, Beaufighter Mk XIC, Beaufighter Mk XII (not built), Beaufighter Mk 20 (RNZAF), Beaufighter Mk 21 (RAAF), Beaufighter TT.Mk 10 (target tug).
Equipment/Avionics: Radio equipment mounted in the fuselage between centre-section spars on port side and comprise transmitter and reciever operated by the pilot via remote controls. Intercommunication telephones and signalling equipment was also carried. Navigation, identification and formation keeping lamps, landing flares, auto recognition equipment, oxygen, Fairchild cine-camera unit mounting, fire exstinguishers, first aid outfit and a multi-seat 'H' or 'K' type dinghy in blow out storage. Flying rations, emergency rations and water bottle were carried and provision was made for carrying a 4 gallon water tank for desert use.
Wings/Fuselage/Tail Unit: The wings are of a mid-wing cantilever all metal monoplane type. The wing consists of three sections comprising a nearly rectangular centre-section passing through and bolted to the fuselage and two tapering outer sections set at a 5 degree dihedral. Structure consists of two spars having single-sheets webs and extruded flanges, former ribs and stressed-skin covering. Split hydraulically operated flaps between fuselage and ailerons. Metal framed ailerons have fabric covering. The fuselage is of an all-metal monocoque construction in three sections. Structure of Z-section frames and L-section stringers, the whole covered with a smooth metal skin. The tail unit is of a cantilever monoplane type. Tailplane and fin are separate structures with flush riveted smooth metal skin, except that tips of tailplane are made of wood. Rudder and elevators have metal frames and fabric covering. Controllable trim-tabs in elevators and rudder.
Landing Gear: The landing gear are a retractable type. The main landing gear are independant units that are hydraulically raised backwards into the engine nacelle and hinged doors close the aperture. Wheels carried between two Lockheed oleo-pneumatic shock absorber legs and have pneumatically operated Dunlop twin brakes. The tail wheel retracts forward into the fuselage.
Transport/Paratooper carrier
Consolidated PB2Y-3 Coronado - Model 29
Type: Ten Seat Maritime Patrol and reconissance Bomber/General Transport
Design: Consolidated Aircraft Corporation Design Team
Manufacturer: Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in San Diego, under contract by IRA
Powerplant: Four 1,200 hp (895 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1830-88 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder radial engines.
Performance: Maximum speed 223 mph (359 km/h) at 20,000 ft (6095 m); cruising speed 141 mph (227 km/h) at 1,500 ft (460 m); service ceiling 20,500 ft (6250 m); initial climb rate of 570 ft (174 m) per minute.
Range: Maximum range 2,370 miles (3814 km) with maximum fuel loadout. Range with 8,000 lbs (3629 kg) bombload 1,370 miles (2205 km). Ferry range 3,105 miles (5000 km).
Weight: Empty 40,935 lbs (18568 kg) with a maximum take-off weight of 68,000 lbs (30844 kg).
Dimensions: Span 115 ft 0 in (35.05 m); length 79 ft 3 in (24.16 m); height 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m); wing area 1,780.0 sq ft (165.36 sq m).
Armament: Two 12.7 mm (0.50 in) Browning machine-guns in the bow, dorsal and tail turrets (six total) and one 12.7 mm (0.50 in) Browning machine-gun in each of the two beam positions, plus up to 12,000 lbs (5443 kg) of bombs. Normal bomb configuration consisted of eight 1,000 lbs (454 kg) bombs carried internally and four 1,000 lbs (454 kg) bombs or two Mark XIII torpedoes carried externally. Depth charges could also be carried externally. The transport version could carry up to 45 passengers and in the freight configuration could carry up to 16,000 lbs (7258 kg) of freight loaded though the rear lowering ramp. The paratrooper vairent could carry 42 fully equipped paratroopers. The paratrooper, transport and freight aircraft were unarmed.
Variants: XPB2Y-1, PB2Y-2 Coronado, PB2Y-3 Coronado, PB2Y-3P, XPB2Y-3B, PB2Y-3R, XPB2Y-4, PB2Y-5, PB2Y-5H.
Avionics: (late production) ASV (Air to Surface Vessel) radar.
Landing Gear: The landing gear are a retractable type. The main landing gear are independant units that are hydraulically raised backwards into the engine nacelle and hinged doors close the aperture. Wheels carried between two Lockheed oleo-pneumatic shock absorber legs and have pneumatically operated Dunlop twin brakes. The tail wheel retracts forward into the fuselage.
Combat Gliders
http://www.pointvista.com/WW2GliderPilots/Hamilcar/HamilcarTowInFlight.jpgCAG-R6
Type: Heavy Combat Assault Glider
Design: IRA Design Team
Manufacturer: IRA
Powerplant: none
Crew/Accomidations: 2 crew
Performance: Maximum gliding speed 115 mph (185 km/h); service ceiling: that of towing aircraft.
Weight: Maximum take-off weight of 18,000 lbs (8164 kg). 1815kg (4,00lbs) empty
Dimensions: Wing Span 60m, length 30m, wing surface area 400m^2
Load: 6350kg (14000lbs)
http://www.pointvista.com/WW2GliderPilots/Horsa/HorsaTakeOff.jpg
CG-R2
Type: Combat Assault Glider
Design: IRA Design Team
Manufacturer: IRA
Powerplant: none
Crew/Accomidations:2 crew plus 30 combat
Performance: Maximum gliding speed 133.5 mph (215 km/h); service ceiling that of towing aircraft.
Weight: Maximum take-off weight of 12,700 lbs (5760 kg). 1878kg (3,700lbs) empty
Dimensions: Wing Span 30m, length 25m, wing surface area 100m^2
Load: 4082kg (9000lbs)
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Work on shoreing up the defence of northern Romania progreesd steadly allong the border with Soviet Union, Poland and 300 miles south AV and AP mines were laid to force invading troops into narrow, defendable choke points. Set behind were concentrated pre aimed artilery batteries. Three main fall back positions were ste, first just in the range of the heavy artilery, second in range of medium and heavy, and the third in range of light in adition of to havy and light artilery. All of the older armoured units weere placed toward the front while the newer armoured unit that were bein produced were being placed a strategic parts further back to be moved in on a moments notice. Knowing that Germany during an invasion would throw the fury of it's airforce upon thme, the border steadly began to bristle with AA cannons in allarming concentrations. Heavly fortified and defended radar instilations were erected every half kilometer along the front to allow for large ovelaps incase one was knocked out the two neighboring would still overlap. Three reserve lines of radar insitilation were being erected that would cover for gaps that might appear in the lines if the some of the stations were taken out. The Germans would feel the sting and pay dearly if they tried to come south to take Romania
While work went on north on perpariation of initial defences, the goverment began to prepare massive underground stockpile of oil as a strategic reserve. The work was dagerous and tedious but these underground repositories were safe from most airial assualts and would allow for all important fuel supply that would be needed against germany.
The new airfields along the border were begining to fill with the numerous new fitheres and bombers that were being produced. Bristling A constant patrol of IAR 80A, IRA R/P198A and Consolidated PB2Y-3 Coronado - Model 29 were on constant patrol. Reserves of the majority of the Current air corps were fueled and the pilots on stand by Further inward the long range aircraft facilities were preparing for the influx of british-made long range bombers. These were fully defended with hidden AA cannons and with new radar facilities.
Further south in Subui, the pride of the defence of Romania were being trained. The ARR ("Aeronautica Regala Romana") was formed. Calling themselves the Black Sea Hellkites, this paratrooper division was training to be the best. Taking only volunteers, the program was turning green recruits in to hardend soldiers. They are the best of the best, trained through extensive PT, classroom instruction, practical application training in field, and extensive survival training. Becoming known as the strongest and toughest regiments in the Romaninan army, they outprefromed all others during meneuvers and wargames. They are gaining a reputation of being to march all day and still ready to fight. They jump from the PB2Y-3P, 2 squads to a plane (42 troops, 2 planes per company, 10 companies, 20 planes, 10 heavy gliders, 20 assault gliders) They are equipped with the best Romania has to offer: each squad is equipped with semi-auto battle rifle, AT rockets (2 per man), high quality sniper scout's rifles, high-quality sub-machine guns, Morters, LMGs, and the best equipement that romania has to offer.