WesWorld

May 22nd 1942.

USN Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor.................

Rear-Admiral Willis Augustus Lee Jr. sat in the bridge of USS Tennessee looking out into the wide open spaces of the Pacific beyond.

"A fine day to begin our little journey," he murmured to himself as he looked at the sky streaked with hues of red and gold. The American fleet was stationed at Pearl Harbor, moving from California since the unwarranted expulsion of the US diplomatic staff in Bharat. Nine battleships were moored in Battleship Row, though after today there would only be three left.

"Admiral sir, the other units of Task Force One have indicated they are ready to depart," Captain Mervyn Bennion declared as he approached the Admiral.

"Very well, notify the others we will begin our departure, with Tennessee leading followed by California, Colorado, Maryland, Washington, and West Virginia. The oilers Rapidan and Salinas are to bring up the rear."

As the "Big Six" sailed past the New Mexico's each ship gave the customary salute. And as the prow of USS Tennessee sailed past Ford Island into the main channel leading to the Pacific beyond Admiral Lee had one thought.

"Hello world, the Americans are coming."

Operation Flex had begun.

Dun dun DUUUUN!

Very interesting... but ominous.

May 27th 1942.

USN Task Force 1, somewhere in the North Pacific........................

The USS Tennessee slid through the waters of the North Pacific, her sister the USS California astern with the other four Tennessee class battleships following. Task Force One was moving at a leisurely speed of 10 knots, so it had taken some time to cross the wide spaces of the Pacific. Now however, they were nearing their destination, though TF 1 still had some way to go. The crossing of the Pacific had proved uneventful save for the ceremony marking the sailors in the fleet for joining the Order of the Golden Dragon upon crossing the Date Line. The path ahead to TF 1's next port could be more eventful, with the six battleships crossing the oceans where the powerful IJN, and the respectable Russian Pacific Fleet watched each other with a wary eye.

From the admiral flag quarter's came a message to rest of the ships in the task force. ENTERING SENSITIVE AREA STOP REMINDER OF INSTRUCTIONS FROM EARLIER STOP

Captain Bennion turned to the XO and said "keep an eye on the skies, I would expect the Ruskies and the Japs to come visit. Though they are expecting us, we may have a shadow or two. Has CXAM said anything yet?"

"No sir, we have had some technical issues with the set as well, but the other ships in the fleet haven't reported anything."

"Very well, we shall see I suppose if anyone wants to come out and play. Helmsman, turn our course NNW. We shall enter the Sea of Okhotsk through the passage between the islands of Iturup and Urup."

Well-written.

Thanks Brock.

The Sea of Okhotsk? Now that is an unexpected development.

Quite interesting... indeed.

Quoted

"Very well, we shall see I suppose if anyone wants to come out and play. Helmsman, turn our course NNW. We shall enter the Sea of Okhotsk through the passage between the islands of Iturup and Urup."

and again as it approaches Kuriles, MP-35 long-range patrol bombers out of Petropavlovsk, flying their search patterns in international airspace east of that island chain, detect American squadron visually and on radar, and broadcast their reports.

Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Grigory Ivanovich Putiatin notes mentally "Right on time." before he makes his report to Admiralty Staff in Moscow.

You probably meant to say Etorofu (Etorofu-tou) and Uruppu (Uruppu-tou), right? We're not in a post WW2 situation here were Russia controls the Chishima Islands.
^_^

Yes Walter, the map I was using was a bit misleading, and it used the Russian names for the islands. Those two islands were the boundary between Russia and Japan up to 1855, then it went back to the Kamchatka peninsula in 1875.

Bruce, the Americans were planning on going the long way round for most of this little exercise.

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
Yes Walter, the map I was using was a bit misleading, and it used the Russian names for the islands. Those two islands were the boundary between Russia and Japan up to 1855, then it went back to the Kamchatka peninsula in 1875.

Bruce, the Americans were planning on going the long way round for most of this little exercise.

If the islands had the Russian names during that period, it's entirely likely that any western powers continue to refer to them by those names and have the maps designating them as such. Non-asian powers generally never cared about the local names for things until recently, if they had any alternatives. Especially since the local asian names tend to be tounge-twisting gibberish to us.

This may cause the Japanese to shed a tear, but they can't really force said powers to change their maps or such tendencies.

As Canadian pointed out, the border between Russia and Japan in 1855 was between those two islands. This can be seen in the names with the one island being called Etorofu and the other being called Uruppu, the Japanese version of the Russian name Urup for that island. Considering that we are not in a post WW2 situation where Russia has taken over the islands, I think that it is unlikely that the name 'Iturup' would appear on any Wesworld map...

But, before 1855, the Russians claimed both. Ergo, the Russian name would still exist, and probably persist on Western charts, especally since both names appear to be attempts at translating the older Ainu name for the island.

It wouldn't be the first time Wesworld has had two names for one region or territory. India calls itself Bharat, while many others still refere to them as India.
Atlantis has its own names for Venezuela and Mauritania yet those names are also used by Atlantis (albeit less frequently). Foreign naming of those territory's varies as well.

May 28th 1942

As USN Task Force One slid through the waters of the Sea of Japan Admiral Lee let out a sigh of relief.

"Worried, admiral? Relations between ourselves and the Russians have been quite cordial from what I have heard," Captain Bennion said.

"No, Captain. I am quite sure we will receive a warm welcome in Vladivostok. I am merely thankful that the first leg of our journey passed without incident. We did after all pass through the Strait of Tartary after all, and that was a tricky endeavor, maneuvering 6 battleships and two tankers through those waters. We have made it safely through however. Now comes the interesting part- the passage of the Sea of Japan to Golden Horn Bay. No sign of our Russian or Japanese friends?"

"Other than those Russian patrol planes we spotted a few days back, nothing yet. We may see some meatballs as we travel south though. After all, we all know the Japanese can't make a plane with decent range."

"True enough I suppose, still it can't help to be prepared. Launch the Kingfisher to go take a look-see. "

May 30th 1942

USN TF1 Golden Horn Bay, Vladivostok, Russia............

"Captain Bennion, is the ship's band ready to play a tune?"

"Yes Admiral, though I will admit it is a tune that seems a bit ironic coming from us, considering what our nation represents."

The Admiral looked over the bridge staring seemingly into the vast expanse that was beyond. "This is a vast land Captain. One that is much older than ours, and has seen many nations rise and fall. It is not by coincidence that the Russian peasant calls this land Mother Russia after all. Yet it is also a land with much potential, many resources that I know from my contacts in D.C. that our political masters would like very much to invest in. We have our orders, so let us go forward and do our duty no matter how ironic the tune may be coming from the ships of capitalism itself."

And so, as Task Force One sailed into Golden Horn Bay , the ships band began playing the anthem of the Russian Federation; The Internationale.

Admiral Grigory Ivanovich Putiatin watched attentively from the bridge of his flagship Strashniy as the powerful American task force steamed into the harbor. He had ships from all major surface units of his command, his flagship the carrier Strashniy, the flagship of 14th Cruiser Squadron Admiral Senyavin, and a division from 8th Destroyer Flotilla, four Izyslav class destroyer Escorts. "They should have come a couple of years ago, when the Northern Fleet was here. Now that would be an appropriate reception committee! Ah well, one does what one can with what is at hand." His force made up in modernity what it lacked in mass. Strashniy had a modern electronic fit from her recent refit, and Admiral Senyavin was a powerful, fast light cruiser. But the Americans were bringing battleships...

His eyes widened as he heard the strains of The Internationale being played by the band on the leading American ship, and he smiled at the irony of the situation. He had little time for polito-economic theorizing. He served Russia, as did his fathers before him. A great-great uncle of his had established Russia's relations with Japan in the middle of the last century. He was satisfied however that Russia's present rulers were doing their job, giving him the resources to do his job well, tolerably well. They had instructed him to grant the Americans complete access to the facilities of Vladivostok, and to do his best to advance Russian-American relations. The Pacific region was of obvious interest to both governments.

As the last strains of the hymn of International Socialism faded, he nodded to Podpolkovnik Aleksandr Vasilievich Aleksandrov to lead the Red Banner Musical Ensemble of the Russian Federation Ministry of Defense in "The Star-Spangled Banner"

As the American battleship USS Tennessee moved into the dock, Admiral Lee watched as a delegation of Russian officers departed the carrier Strashniy and began crossing the dock to where his flagship was in the process of being moored. "Must be the Commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet," the Admiral mused. "I do hope someone around her speaks some English. The State Department was quite generous in its offer of diplomatic services, including interpreters, but it is always nice to speak to someone directly rather than through another."

As the Russian party neared the American battleship, the Admiral turned to his staff and said, "gentlemen, time to meet our Russian hosts."

Estimate of US intentions for Naval Visit to Russian Far East and Siberia

Yevgenii Borisovich Borodin, Political Secretary, Russian Federation Embassy, Washington D.C.


Visit of US Fleet to Vladivostok is prompted by three main US interests:

1) Demonstration of global reach of US naval forces, as motivated global voyage of President Roosevelt's "Great White Fleet"

Since Spanish-American War, US naval efforts have been mostly directed against remaining Iberian position in Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Thus, US naval developments have not emphasized capabilities conducive to trans-Pacific naval reach. This certainly has not been due to any lack of US economic capacity. United States is perhaps greatest economic and industrial power on Earth, rivaled only by British Empire, and now that US government have decided to acquire trans-Pacific naval reach, it cannot be doubted that US Navy will acquire exactly that, in decade if not sooner.

2) Demonstration of US Government's willingness to develop US-Russian relations as part of more active foreign policy.

US-Russian relations have been stable for years, if not particularly close. Points of friction are largely absent. Wall Street looked askance at Russian Federation's repudiation of American war loans to previous Imperial Russian government, but this did not affect diplomatic relations much. Americans seemed to have judged that they had few methods of pressuring new Russian Federation government and concluded that dim prospect of gaining compensation for repudiated loans did not warrant major diplomatic effort to do so.

One point of US-Russian... cooperation is far too strong a word, but perhaps... shared disquiet, has been development of SATSUMA alliance, but phase of active SATSUMA demands on Extra-Asian possessors of "colonial" possessions in Asia seems to have receded, and we judge that United States government are not strongly motivated by this factor at present.

A new administration has come to power, and it definitely has decided that United States needs a foreign policy and military power comensurate with its vast economic, financial, and industrial power. The United States will grow in importance, and Russian Federation government must decide how to utilize the advantages for Russia, and minimize the disadvantages, that this more active US foreign policy and US military and naval expansion will produce.

3) Acquisition of new fields and prospects for US investment.

America reached limit of her territorial expansion decades ago, but such was vastness and natural wealth of that territory that it provided more than adequate prospects for US investment up until very recently. Though these opportunities are by no means exhausted even now, Wall Street is ever watchful for new prospects, and have cast their eyes upon Russia.


Addendum by Chief of Staff of Russian Federation Presidential Administration.

Respected Vice-Admiral Putiatin,

Since American delegation is primarily naval, you have been authorized to lead all discussions. If protocol demands, you are authorized to invite Presidential Plenipotentiary for Siberia and Far East Pavel Andreievich Orlov, as well as Far Eastern Military District commander General Igor Ivanovich Gnedin, to any social function or negotiations.

To assist you in your discussions with your American counterparts, Russian Foreign Ministry have sent you experts of US foreign policy, economy, and Armed Forces. Ministries of Finance, Heavy Industry, Oil, and Railroads have done likewise. They will advise you on general points of your discussions with senior members of American delegation, and are briefed to conduct negotiations in their fields with substantive experts on American side.

I include following information and instructions:

1) Overall, RF Government believe that this more active Us foreign policy in Pacific Ocean region holds significantly more advantages for Russian Federation than disadvantages. Therefore, you should seek to advance these discussions and show friendly and forthcoming attitude to your American counterparts, while protecting Russia's interests in following areas:

a) Russia's primary political, military, and economic relationships are with Atlantis, France, and Germany, and you are to protect all interests of our allies in all discussions. It is unlikely that your discussions with Americans will endanger Russia's relations with British Empire. Diplomatic and foreign intelligence reporting indicate that their relations are becoming increasingly close, with Stimson's mission to Great Britain progressing rapidly. As far as we have been able to determine, this mission is sharing "crown jewels" of their technological capabilities, though certain British research concerning "Industrial Welding" has been excluded. We expected that transforming FAR into Grand Alliance with Germany joining our alliance system would promote closer relations between Americans and British Empire. Though their public comment on formation of Grand Alliance was subdued, it is fulfillment of worst geopolitical nightmare for both, Eurasian dominance by a single power. Their counteraction so far does not damage our interests and probably will not, since our relations with both have been stable and non-threatening for a long time, if not particularly close.

b) Their will be no official admission of RF willingness to reverse repudiation of American war loans to Imperial Russian government. As a practical matter, RF government will consider small increments of additional interest on any new American credits which our American counterparts may apply to these repudiated loans if they so choose.

c) Russia's basic social system differs from that of United States. We are world's only major Socialist country, living among Capitalist powers. At present and for forseeable future, this fact does not threaten Russia. Nearly all Great Powers seem to have gotten more than their fill of war in Great War, either directly, or by observation of its manifest horrors and dire consequences. Nevertheless, Capitalists will seek to recover their positions in Russia by peaceful means and we will not permit it. They come to us in hopes of gaining money and control. Money we will give them, with both hands. They have valuable capabilities and expertise that will greatly help us develop, especially in Siberia and Far East, and we will compensate them handsomely. Control we will keep for ourselves. We will accept Americans gaining up to 25% ownership stakes in joint ventures, and we are willing to guarantee liquidity of initial investments and rates of return.

d) Of particular interest of RF government is American investment and technical assistance in constructing new rail line north of Baikal to Magadan. We have begun this line, extending from Taishet on Trans-Siberian Railroad to Bratsk on Angara River to support planned construction of Bratsk Hydroelectric and Aluminum Combine. We anticipate great expense and technical challenge in extending this line to Magadan, especially in excavating tunnels through several mountain ranges, crossing regions subject to freeze-thaw cycle of permafrost, and conducting research in metallurgical techniques for producing rails that can withstand stresses of construction and operation in extreme cold.

e) We wish to encourage American investment in Siberian oil industry, and American technical assistance in our oil industry in general. For presently producing regions such as Baku, Urals, Perm Basin, and Sakhalin, reveal all characteristics and seek technical assistance for presently producing areas, as well as in oil refining processes. For regions we have explored and have firm estimates of reserves, reveal all relevant data and seek investment and joint ventures for development and production. Seek to gain American technical assistance in methods of exploration and estimating reserves. Do not reveal data on regions presently being explored.

f) You are authorized to demonstrate latest models and full capabilities of Russian aircraft, artillery, combat vehicles, and naval vessels. Since Russian information management, radio-location, and radio communication capabilities are largely of Atlantean and French origin, any demonstration of these capabilities will be done at reduced power and efficiency in order to protect technical secrets of our allies.

Subject to these instructions, we entrust you and expert team assigned to you to conduct negotiations with your American counterparts.

OOC Note: This outlines the basic Russian interests and approach to relations with the US. The big game element is the railroad extension to Magadan, then extending to Vladivostok to complete a circuit. As a guess, in game turns it represents an investment of about 30 IP. This isn't a direct expenditure of IP, but reflects the naval budget cuts that the RF government will make to finance the project. Similarly, the Russian Army, Air Force, and Air Defense Force will also get budget cuts.

I'm sure you'll all agree that the RF Armed Forces are Plenty Big Enough. They are also modernizing at a rapid rate. Mid-1930s vintage equipment is being replaced and stored for wartime mobilization. I'll be cutting back production rates while maintaining capacity. R&D will continue, and new stuff will continue to be introduced regularly, but peacetime production runs will be reduced.

And in a decade (maybe, if I can lure in US financing and technical assistance) I'll have a nice new Siberian rail line!

A Treatise on Russian-American Relations, Laurence Steinhardt Ambassador to the Russian Federation.

Russian-American relations have been cordial if somewhat cool since the ending of the Great War and the formation of the Russian Federation. While there was a potential for sources of tension due to the non-payment of loans by America to the former Tsarist government, the American governments have up to this point not pressed hard for this point, nor do I advise that they should. Also, while the credit of the Russian government was not very high due to the non-payment of these loans, I advise the government not to pass on any sort of bias they may have had regarding lending money or assistance to Russia. The potential here outweighs the risk, and there is the potential for profit to be made that can benefit American businessmen, the Russian government, and the lives of the individual Russian as well.

As noted in the previous dispatch, I have reassured my Russian hosts that the purpose of Operation Flex is a demonstration of power to the other nations in the Far East, and that said demonstration is by no means intended or directed at them. The fact that Russia was our first stop is merely a signal of (hopefully) warming Russian-American relations.

Areas of Interest to both Russia and America

Concern over the SATSUMA powers; In recent years, the SATSUMA alliance has toned down its rhetoric somewhat, especially with a number of its members leaving the alliance has meant that Japan at least has stayed quiet. China on the other hand, has made no secret of its expansionist desires on other nations territories. It is in the view of the United States government that peace, and the status quo are extremely beneficial for the United States, for it is in times of peace and stability that economic prosperity can be sought and achieved. Russia obviously would be more concerned about China that the United States, primarily due to it sharing a land border with said country, rather than the United States purely economic motives. Still, there is a common desire for the continuation of the status quo, and I am confident that either an agreement or an understanding can be worked out.

Economic Interest: As will be explored in greater detail below, there is a great deal of economic potential in Russia, which other nations are also interested in pursuing. The Russian government however has requested our assistance in the following fields; Hydroelectricity, Railway Construction, and Petroleum. It is well within America's power to assist the Russians with these projects, and I advise our price would be a partial entry to the Russian market initially through the automobile industry. While Russia may rely on rail, the people in the cities do need some form of transit besides what is already available. I also advise we demonstrate our new 1/4 ton truck the "Jeep" vehicle to the Russians, and see if they are interested. Its multipurpose and go-anywhere utility would prove useful to the Russian Army, and Willys could also potentially expand into the civilian market as well. Negotiations with the Filipino government on the sale of the Dodge WC series of trucks, and their civilian counterparts, and I advise we send one to demonstrate to the Russians officials.

Addendum By the Secretary of Commerce James Cox

I advise that we send on our little trip the following gentlemen to aid in the negotiations with the Russian government; Mr. William Jeffers President of the Union Pacific Railroad, Mr. Herbert Hoover, Mr. Henry Ford, Mr. Joesph W. Frazer of Willys-Overland, Mr. Walter Teagle of Standard Oil of New Jersey, and Mr. Frank Crowe.