WesWorld

Today the Caproni aircraft company, one of the oldest in world, dating back from 1908, reformed into a single company. The company had split into a number of far smaller units, Bergamasca, Vizzola, Trigona and Reggiane. Consolidating the companies gives a much larger pool of resources for aircraft projects and hopefully more orders will soon be coming. The company has said that it will be focusing on the requirement for a medium bomber to replace the SM.79. However, the first aircraft built by the new company will be the prototype to fully test Ing. Campini’s new propulsion system. The small rotund aircraft is due to be finished late in 1937.

It is unfortunate to announce the death of another pilot whilst testing the Fiat’s new Centauro fighter. It is understood that the same problem manifested itself leading to another terminal dive. A large team is working on rectifying the problem. A solution currently being tried is a new braking system.

Orders from SIM (the Italian intelligence agency) were circulated through Croatia and Dalmatia to be on the lookout for Mexican agents suspected to be in the country. The Taurinese Alpini division have been moved into the region for extensive winter exercises and to augment the regular forces there.

SuperMarina has decided to send the cruisers, Tiberio and Claudio to South East Asia on a long deployment that will eventually take them to Shanghai in March. They will stop off in Ethiopia and Siam along the way. The deployment will also serve to test the ships in a more tropical environment.

As reports filter through of the performance of Italian equipment in Argentina, a number of programs have been initiated to digest the information and act on it. The main focuses seem to be producing a more reliable and better armoured tank, and a more effective light AA weapon. Some of the equipment performed better than other pieces, but sources in the Esercito were quick to point out that Argentina was not equipped with the most modern Italian weaponry.

Taken from "Italy: Her Impact and Influence in the Twentieth Century" by Ammiraglio di Rosso pp.407

Relations between Italy and Yugoslavia took a turn for the worse in the early part of 1937 with a number of incidents occurring on the mountainous border between them. There were a number of Yugoslav incursions into Italian territory, probably more than were known about given the loose nature of the border. At the same time, the Italian air force flew many reconnaissance flights, usually far into Yugoslav airspace to search for any military build up. These flights were usually carried out with impunity until in early February when the Ca 309 was shot down by a new “Uragan” interceptor with the loss of both crew men. This lead to a large diplomatic protest by Italy and a general increase in operations, the reconnaissance aircraft sometimes supported by fighters flying off MN Europa. The operations came to a halt in March after more Ca 309s had been shot down. On the ground, the thinly spread Italian forces had a much worse time, with border posts coming under sporadic mortar fire. There were few casualties until a larger Yugoslav force attacked the border post at Melinovac leaving 10 dead before melting away into the forest. This caused considerable outrage in Italy and lead to a greater number of regular troops being deployed to reinforce the carabinieri units. The winter weather restricted this operation and most of the regular units returned after only a few weeks, leaving the border almost unprotected. As a result, late March and April was a period of quiet normality.

These flights were usually carried out with impunity until in early February when the Ca 309 was shot down by a new “Uragan” interceptor with the loss of both crew men. This lead to a large diplomatic protest by Italy and a general increase in operations, the reconnaissance aircraft sometimes supported by fighters flying off MN Europa

So Italy is upset that Yugoslavia is defending its airspace?

And can get an update on the Yugoslav OOB´s (these seem out of date)?

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So Italy is upset that Yugoslavia is defending its airspace?

They're funny that way.

OOC:
Though the Yugoslav ground incursions are a tad more provocative. I'd want good photo-recon too if I was the GoI in those circumstances.

GoI?

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Originally posted by Vukovlad
So Italy is upset that Yugoslavia is defending its airspace?

And can get an update on the Yugoslav OOB´s (these seem out of date)?

Italy assures other concerned countries that no violations of Yugoslav airspace have occured.

And yes, soonish.

Need to change your historic records then. But I can see it as setting the record straight later on; by actually admitting they violated the Yugoslavian airspace on their history books for example.

I can see this events are not documented or admitted freely by Italians but I can see the Yugoslavians showing the wreckage of that aircraft to the press.

Also you need to show a reason for a Yugoslavian attack. They have the cause belli (getting the Dalmatian Coast) but nations are not that stupid. They have to perceive Italy will not fight or surrender fast to attack. Maybe as we discussed at the beginning of all this. An announcement in regard to a reduction on the size of the Italian Army for example or some kind of intenal dissention at home will give the effect of a perceived weakness to the Yugoslavians. Attacking a strong Italy makes no sense.

Tho it also works for Government of Iraq

The size of the Italian army was reduced a few years ago and is currently outnumbered about 3:1 given deployments around Italy. You can't forget the nefarious Mexicanos either.

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Need to change your historic records then. But I can see it as setting the record straight later on; by actually admitting they violated the Yugoslavian airspace on their history books for example.

Thats pretty much it. Later on, more accurate information is available.

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Orders from SIM (the Italian intelligence agency) were circulated through Croatia and Dalmatia to be on the lookout for Mexican agents suspected to be in the country. The Taurinese Alpini division have been moved into the region for extensive winter exercises and to augment the regular forces there.

Interesting, that Italy is looking for Mexican agents, when there is no (known) reason for them to be there. From the Mexican POV, no more evidence is required, the Italians have convicted themselves. Especially since Mexico has not announced anything IC yet.

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Originally posted by Vukovlad
These flights were usually carried out with impunity until in early February when the Ca 309 was shot down by a new “Uragan” interceptor with the loss of both crew men. This lead to a large diplomatic protest by Italy and a general increase in operations, the reconnaissance aircraft sometimes supported by fighters flying off MN Europa

So Italy is upset that Yugoslavia is defending its airspace?

Acctually I think they were ticked at the previous Yugoslavian border incursions, but thats just my take.

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Originally posted by Desertfox

Interesting, that Italy is looking for Mexican agents, when there is no (known) reason for them to be there. From the Mexican POV, no more evidence is required, the Italians have convicted themselves. Especially since Mexico has not announced anything IC yet.

Like there is no reason for Italy to be anywhere near Central America? Mexico wants to hurt Italy, and is rarely rational so its wise to keep a look out for trouble.

It's not like Mexico hasn't armed the Yugoslavs before. Considering that Yugoslavia has seen Mexican involvement in the past, and considering Mexico's constant efforts to weaken AEGIS members, it's probably just a routine warning; just like people would do if Philippine warships came calling on a port cruise, or if Manzo was spotted staring at an aircraft.

I'm just surprised Mexico didn't even try to pin it on Iberia.

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Originally posted by Brockpaine
I'm just surprised Mexico didn't even try to pin it on Iberia.

Well the chicken little routine wears out after a while I suppose, now if you switch targets once in a while you might get a fish to bite.

...maybe it's more like if DF offered me the choice, he knows that I'd insist on only stopping at the Rio Grande!!

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Originally posted by Red Admiral
Taken from "Italy: Her Impact and Influence in the Twentieth Century" by Ammiraglio di Rosso pp.407

Relations between Italy and Yugoslavia took a turn for the worse in the early part of 1937 with a number of incidents occurring on the mountainous border between them. There were a number of Yugoslav incursions into Italian territory, probably more than were known about given the loose nature of the border. At the same time, the Italian air force flew many reconnaissance flights, usually far into Yugoslav airspace to search for any military build up. These flights were usually carried out with impunity until in early February when the Ca 309 was shot down by a new “Uragan” interceptor with the loss of both crew men. This lead to a large diplomatic protest by Italy and a general increase in operations, the reconnaissance aircraft sometimes supported by fighters flying off MN Europa. The operations came to a halt in March after more Ca 309s had been shot down. On the ground, the thinly spread Italian forces had a much worse time, with border posts coming under sporadic mortar fire. There were few casualties until a larger Yugoslav force attacked the border post at Melinovac leaving 10 dead before melting away into the forest. This caused considerable outrage in Italy and lead to a greater number of regular troops being deployed to reinforce the carabinieri units. The winter weather restricted this operation and most of the regular units returned after only a few weeks, leaving the border almost unprotected. As a result, late March and April was a period of quiet normality.

Germany watches what's going on to it's south with great interest and some concern. First there's a problem in the Baltic (Lithuania), now one possibly starting up in the Balkans?

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Germany watches what's going on to it's south with great interest and some concern. First there's a problem in the Baltic (Lithuania), now one possibly starting up in the Balkans?

And this one's too far away for Russia to.... manage....

Russian diplomats are trying to talk sense into the heads of Yugoslavs. Prospect for success is "iffy".

Romanian diplomats are also burning the midnight oil on this one, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Titulesceau is between the proverbial rock and a hard place, on one hand not wanting to upset the Italians who are one of Romania's sources for foreign armaments, and on the other hand not wanting to break up PRJ and lose the Yugoslav Army, one of the largest in the Balkan Region.

Germany has some commercial/military ties with Yugoslavia, having sold various items to the different branches of the Yugoslav military (the latest and largest being 3 U-boats), and of course we share a border with Italy, not THAT far from the Italian-Yugoslav border. Gah....

And this on top of the Czech issues!

*sends the Yugoslavs more weapons...*