WesWorld

Braunschweiger Zeitung, Friday, 5 March 1943

Kampfgeschwader 5, the Luftwaffe’s last operational bomber unit equipped with the Heinkel He111, was formally stood down today. While the He111 remains as a training aircraft in the bomber schools, and soldiers on as a glider tug, the Dornier Do217 and the Junkers Ju88 now shoulder the load long borne by the venerable Heinkel.


Sächsische Zeitung, Monday, 8 March 1943

The Vorstand of the firm of Carl Walther, of Zella-Mehlis in Thuringia, has announced that it has received a substantial subcontract from Industriewerke Karlsruhe to manufacture G5 rifles for the Heer. It is expected that retooling for the new rifle can be completed by autumn and its contract calls for the delivery of its first completed rifles by December.


Oberhessische Zeitung, Wednesday, 10 March 1943

The Defence Ministry has announced its approval of the sale of thirty additional Henschel Hs129 aircraft to the Argentine Government, with delivery to be complete by the close of the year. This represents a follow-on to Argentina’s prior purchase of the Hs129, and the new aircraft are expected to cover attrition losses. In a related development, the Defence Ministry also announced that an undisclosed number of ex-Luftwaffe Ju88 bomber aircraft will be supplied to the Argentine Air Force.

Kieler Nachrichten, Saturday, 13 March 1943

The Kriegsmarine fleet tugs Lanoog and Norderoog have completed their initial working up and are now fully deployed on their normal duties.


Eisenbahn Kurier, Monday, 15 March 1943




Kriegsmarine Survey Ship Komet, The South Atlantic, Wednesday, 17 March 1943

The Komet sailed placidly across the now-quiet ocean, en route for Recife, and Professor Georg Wüst took the break in the ship’s observations to catch up on reading. Those officers with whom he shared the wardroom shook their head when they saw him engrossed in Alfred Wegener’s wartime tome Die Entstehung der Kontinente und Ozeane (The Origin of Continents and Oceans ). The more scientifically-minded officers recalled that Wegener had died years ago on a research expedition in the Arctic, but few had ever bothered to read his books. For his part, Wüst began to wonder if Wegener’s heretical theory that continents drifted across the vast expanse of the globe might have merit. He also understood the caveat that he who adopted a heresy might easily find himself shunned by the mainstream of science.

Rheinische Post, Friday, 19 March 1943

The firm of C.G. Haenel of Suhl has received a subcontract from Industriewerke Karlsruhe to join in the production programme of the G5 rifle, becoming the third domestic source of production. Despite the inclusion of the Haenel firm in the production group it will take a considerable period for the Army Ordnance Office to achieve its goal of replacing the Kar37 throughout the Heer.


Berliner Abendpost, Sunday, 21 March 1943

The most recent public opinion polls suggest that the Government will obtain the majority vote in favor of the proposed constitutional changes. Support for the change is strongest in the western regions of the nation, while the opponents of the measure are counting on strong voter turnout in the eastern regions. The swing vote seems to be held by the Austrian provinces and Bavaria, where opinion is evenly divided.

Transradio Press Service, Berlin, Tuesday, 23 March 1943

German voters go to the polls today to vote on the proposed changes to the German Constitution drawn up after the Great War. The principal element of the changes is the reduction of the Office of the President from one of independence – an echo of the ancient royal crown – to one of mere titular status; from a leader elected directly by the people to one elected by a majority of the Reichstag. Polls have shown the German electorate split on the question and it is not clear if the measure will achieve the two thirds majority vote required for adoption.


Kronen Zeitung, Thursday, 25 March 1943

In what has proven to be a surprise result the plebiscite on the proposed changes to the Constitution returned a vote of seventy-six percent in favor, including unexpected support in Brandenburg, Silesia and Pomerania, traditionally considered among the most conservative regions of the nation. President Hugo Eckener, commenting on the result, said: “The German people have spoken, and it is my duty to hear their voice, as it is the Chancellor’s”. Eckener will remain as President pending selection by the Reichstag of a successor, which is expected later this spring.


Karlovy Vary, Czechoslovakia, Friday, 26 March 1943

The drawing room of the townhouse had two occupants – one a man of overt power, one a man of undefined influence. Hjalmar Schacht, president of the German Reichsbank and confidant of Chancellor Adenauer, sat in one of the overstuffed arm chairs; across from him, similarly seated, was Otto von Hapsburg, pretender to the Austro-Hungarian crown.

“Your Grace,” said Schacht, “The Chancellor appreciates your support in the recent campaign; he is most grateful.”

The Hapsburg heir paused before replying. His support had taken the form of silence, and not lending his weight in conservative circles to those opposed to the changes to the Constitution. “It is nothing,” he began. “The reduction of the power of the Presidency, particularly the elimination of the Notverordnung, is a valuable safeguard for democracy.”

Aristocrat that he was Otto von Hapsburg recognised that the day of autocracy had passed. A new Europe was being built, bit-by-bit, founded on cooperation between the citizens of nations and between nations themselves. The end of traditional animosity between Germany, France and Russia, exemplified by the Grand Alliance, heralded an era of peace. This he applauded, and this he wished to be a part of.

“Yes,” agreed Schacht. “The Chancellor has asked me to convey to you that he will move a measure in the Reichstag to restore your citizenship and that of your family as private persons, and that subsequently discussions can proceed regarding a settlement on the issue of property formerly possessed by the House of Austria.”

This, the Hapsburg realised, was something quite unexpected. Years of exile had taught him to not betray his thoughts but the prospect of being able to play an open role in German politics was exciting. He did, however, control himself.

“That is most generous,” he murmured, “presuming that the Chancellor can persuade the Reichstag to act on the matter.”

Very interesting developments indeed.

Quoted

Originally posted by Brockpaine
Very interesting developments indeed.

We aim to be so.

Some European governments though might say it's a pity Germany doesn't restore all property and rights of the people of Austria to the people of Austria as an independent state, rather than simply accepting the annexation of Austria for eternity (and buying Otto von Hapsburg's acceptance of that fact).

(Speaking OOC)

From what I can read in the news posts of the time, there was no serious opposition raised at the time of the Austro-German Union. It is possible that I have failed to find such. In any event, nothing has been raised since I joined the game; therefore, I find it curious that some European governments might hold the stated opinion.

For what it is worth, the union with Austria did not involve any expropriation of property of Austrian citizens. The OTL Hapsburgs were deprived of their Austrian citizenship following 1918 by the OTL Republic of Austria and their property expropriated by the Austrian state.

The characterization of the offer as "buying" is subjective; certainly it is a quid pro quo, but for what? The answer to that will have to emerge over time.

Having recently skimmed old German news, it appears to me that there wasn't any apparent protest about German-Austrian Unification, even in OOC. While I find that... odd, it seems to be the legacy of Wesworld.

Sächsische Zeitung, Sunday, 28 March 1943

A worker at a brown coal pit near Frankleben, Saxony-Anhalt, has uncovered a deposit of Bronze Age artifacts which are now being examined by experts from the University of Berlin and elsewhere. Work at the pit has been suspended while the archaeological investigations continue.


Hamburger Abendblatt, Tuesday, 30 March 1943

The minesweepers Forggensee and Pomelsee were completed today in the Deschimag yards here and will begin their builders’ trials immediately.


Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Wednesday, 31 March 1943

Minister of Transport Gottfried Treviranus made his semi-annual report to the Reichstag on the progress of construction on the National Motorways System. The sections linking Hannover and Gottingen, and the section linking Heidelberg and Heilbronn are now open to traffic, and some progress made elsewhere; far more progress will be made with the return of better weather later in the spring.