WesWorld

January 1940

First appearance of the Flash superhero in DC Comics.

January 5th 1940

News breaks today of the sale of 8 former US destroyers to China. The sale has been controversial, with Senator Tydings (D) from Maryland commenting "first the sale of the heavy cruiser to Persia, an expansionist Asiatic power, now the sale of 8 destroyers to another rogue expansionist Asiatic power. I wonder if President Long knows the company he is drawing America towards, a company which much of our friends and allies dislike and distrust."

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
January 1940

First appearance of the Flash superhero in DC Comics.

Dun DUN DUUUUN!!!

January 9th 1940

Responding to Senator Tydings comments, President Long said "while I respect the opinion of Senator Tyding, in this instance he is incorrect. This quarter, the USN has laid down 2 new heavy cruisers, 2 new light cruisers, and 2 new destroyers, with more ships on the way this year. This should more than make up for any perceived shortcomings in the strength of the USN."

Senator Tydning responded by commenting "while I am concerned about the sale of these old warships, it is not what or how many are being sold, rather who these ships are beind sold to."

February 1940

Martin's new bomber, the B-26 enters service with the USAAF this month, replacing the B-18/21 models currently in service with the USAAF. 62 aircraft are on order as an initial run, with more orders likely to follow.

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
January 1940

First appearance of the Flash superhero in DC Comics.

Actually it was in Flash Comics from All-American Publications, not DC Comics.

March 8th 1940

Airship Hilo is commisioned in Charleston.

March 13 1940

Hot on the heels of the announcement of the commissioning of the Hilo, is the announcement that the US Army is ending its Airship program and transferring all its craft to the US Navy. A spokesperson from the Department of War commented on the lack of need shown by the Army for lighter than air craft in reconnaisance and other such duties, and that they would be of more useful service to the Navy.

March 19 1940

The War Department today announced the appointment of General Douglas MacArthur to the Mexican Canal Zone, replacing Major General George Grunert. Reports have surfaced recently that there are some tensions with the local population in the area, though a spokesperson from the War Department denied all rumours of thiis.

March 1940

The New Orleans yard has begun work for the Navy, this yard has been the brainchild of President Long, to promote job creation in the South. However, there have been unconfirmed reports that things are not going as well as President Long reports, with issues of shoddy construction as well as cost-cutting and even misappropriation of public funds being murmred about New Orleans. President Long has fervently denied all this, claiming they are merely falsehoods being spread about by his political opponents.

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian

March 19 1940

The War Department today announced the appointment of General Douglas MacArthur to the Mexican Canal Zone, replacing Major General George Grunert.

Hmmm, interesting choice...

April 1940

First appearance of Robin, Joker, Catwoman, and Lex Luthor in Detective Comics.

June 24 1940

Republican National Convention begins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia. Front runners for the Presidental nomination are Senator Arthur Vandenburg of Michigan, District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey of New York, Ohio Senator Robert A. Taft, and businessman Wendell L. Wilkie, the last being considered a potential "dark horse" candidate. Mr. Wilkie has come to public attention in the last few months with his support for NATO, opposition to President Long's economic policies on the issue of public vs private enterprise, and his opposition to what he calls the "downward spiral of American foreign policy".

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
the "downward spiral of American foreign policy".

Isn't that the truth! (Sadly.)

June 28 1940

The Republican National Convention ends, with the nomination of Wendell Wilkie as the 1940 Republican presidental ticket. While Dewey led on the initial ballot, he lost strength on the succeeding ballots, while Taft and Wilkie gained. The deciding factor came when delegates from Michigan, Pennsylvannia, and New York switched from Vandenburg and Dewey to Wilkie on the sixth ballot giving him the nomination. As his running mate, Wilkie chose Senate Minority Leader Charles L. McNary.

In his nomination speech, Mr. Wilkie promised to fight for a strong foreign policy, and honest government that didn't interfere with business.

July 4th

Riots break out in New Orleans!

It all seemed peaceful at first, a small protest by the wife, and other family members of the reporter who was found dead last year began earlier this week. The family has demanded answers, one member being quoted as saying " Jim grew up in this area, and knew it like the back of his hand. He had as much chance of being eaten by a gator as we do of walking on the moon!" The family have been holding a rally down by the docks where Jim Meadows body was found every day this week, and each time it has gotten larger. Today was the largest yet, with many who read his column and stories in the Picayune newspaper showing up, as well as many who agreed with Mr. Meadows views on Mr. Long's presidency. The protest quickly became a denouncement of President Long, and thats when the police showed up. After the crowd refused to disperse, the police opened fire on the crowd killing 15 and injuring 43. President Long has been asked to comment, yet so far has refused to do so...........

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
After the crowd refused to disperse, the police opened fire on the crowd killing 15 and injuring 43. President Long has been asked to comment, yet so far has refused to do so...........

This would certainly be an over-reaction on the part of the police... perhaps politically motivated. Most disturbing.

Quoted

Originally posted by BruceDuncan

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
After the crowd refused to disperse, the police opened fire on the crowd killing 15 and injuring 43. President Long has been asked to comment, yet so far has refused to do so...........

This would certainly be an over-reaction on the part of the police... perhaps politically motivated. Most disturbing.

*Whistles innocently*

July 1940

First appearance of the Green Lantern by DC Comics.

July 10th 1940

First flight of the Douglas prototype XA-26 today. Designed as a replacement for the earlier A-20, the flight was sucessful and production is expected to begin in mid-1942.

July 11th 1940

The War Department approaches 135 American automobile manufactors to submit a design described as a general purpose personnel or cargo carrier especially adaptable for reconnaisance or command and designated as a 1/4 ton 4x4 truck.

July 15th 1940

Democratic National Convention begins in Chicago, Illinois. Front-runners for the Presidental nomination include Congressman John Nance Garner from Texas, Senator Millard E. Tydnings from Maryland, and Senator Cordell Hull from Tennessee.

Actually GL, too, was from All-American Publications and not DC Comics. *runs away*


... back in the days where you only had to pay 10 cents for an issue...

Yes, but they became DC comics or at least that is what Wiki says, and of course Wiki is always correct

DC already exists in 1940... sort of... (DC = Detective Comics, Batman's Birthplace (issue 27 back in 1939) for those who know nothing about comics) but DC as we know it today did not come into existence until later... so this gives me a bit of an opportunity to nitpick.

Funny thing that back when we were in the mid 30s or so, I was thinking about asking the US player (not sure if it was Canis or Hrolff at that time) if we would see short mentions of the apearances of these comic book heroes but I always forgot to do so, so it is quite nice that you make articles mentioning them (one of my favorite characters won't be around till the 70s though...)

I was trying to get Canis to have an actual Project Rebirth. :\

I was never a fan of superhero comic books. About the only ones I ever bought were Star Wars (before the bunny), Godzilla, and Battlestar.

July 18th 1940

The Democratic National Convention ends, with the nomination of John N. Garner for the Presidency, and Paul V. McNutt as his running mate. It is hoped that the Garner-McNutt ticket will appeal to Southern and Midwestern voters, both of which have been affected by President Long's various policies during his time as President.

July 22nd, 1940

American Bantam Car Company, and Willys-Overland are the only companies to submit bids for the War Department Reconnaisance 1/4 ton truck. Although Willys is the lower bidder, Bantam wins the bid with a promise to deliver a pilot model in 49 days, and a production model in 75.

July 1940

The Martin Model 162 XPBM-4 Mariner is first flown this month with two Wright R-3350-8 engines. A sucessful flight, the USN is considering purchasing the type for 1942.

In other aviation news this month, Lockheed begins work on a new type of engine, an axial-flow turbojet. Designed by Nathan C. Price, it is expected than a running engine will debut in early 1942, although setbacks are expected.

Meanwhile over at General Electric, the firm's expertise in turbosupercharging means it has decided to begin development of a jet engine of its own, based on the concepts of its sucessful turbosuperchargers. Again like the Lockheed venture, General Electric expect their J-33 (1) engine to be running in early 1942.

(1) Not the OTL J-33, J-31 is going to be the L-1000, J-33 will be similar to the J-31 but not exactly seeing as the US does not have access to Whittle's designs.

Interesting news. Glad to see the US isn't dragging its feet on jets and jeeps!

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian

July 22nd, 1940

American Bantam Car Company, and Willys-Overland are the only companies to submit bids for the War Department Reconnaisance 1/4 ton truck. Although Willys is the lower bidder, Bantam wins the bid with a promise to deliver a pilot model in 49 days, and a production model in 75.

The residents of Butler PA rejoice and will undoubtedly redouble their efforts to assure that the prototype is delivered on schedule.

Michigan, however, now has more reason to dislike the Long Administration. Like it needed more reason.