WesWorld

Summary

Monday, October 2, 1944
In a letter to the Catholic daily newspaper La Croix, French bishop Father Charles Ulliel attacked President Theisman for his September 26th comments to L'Express. Father Ulliel's letter charged that Theisman 'advocated for the common man to interpret Scriptures for themselves', rather than depending upon the Church to interpret for the common man.

Tuesday, October 3, 1944
The cruisers Jean Bart and Jeanne d'Arc arrived today in the Atlantean port of Illisus, on the island of Lyra, where they will spend a six-day port call before heading to Rio de Janeiro.

Thursday, October 5, 1944
French scientists working for the Commissariat à l’énergie atomique successfully achieved a "man-made, sustained nuclear reaction" in a reactor vessel. The official announcement did not disclose the date this event was achieved, nor the location of the reactor.

Friday, October 6, 1944
Thich Anh Hung, the Indochinese Minister of Health and Education, announced today his retirement from public service. Thich's public service in Indochina dates back to 1931. Although Thich's age and health likely has sped his departure from government service, he has also been one of the loudest proponents of both socialism and Indochinese independence and in Governor-General Van Bao's cabinet. His replacement as Minister of Health and Education will almost certainly be his deputy, Van Tuan Loan, a moderate.

Saturday, October 7, 1944
Rateau Anxionnaz began bench-testing a modified A.63 turbojet engine designed to operate with a bypass fan.

Monday, October 9, 1944
Jean Bart and Jeanne d'Arc depart Illisus.

Tuesday, October 10, 1944
The new and luxurious train ferry St. Germaine, leader of a three-ship class of ships entering service with the Societe Nouvelle d'Armement Transmanche, departed Dunkerque for the British port of Dover. The new ships will speed travel between Britain and France and improve competitiveness with international airline travel.


Thursday, October 12, 1944
The Bolloré group of Puteaux confirmed rumors that it had reached an agreement with the Syrian government to help fund and construct an oil pipeline from Kirkuk to Baniyas, in Syria, where a marine loading terminal will be constructed. An official agreement between the Syrian and Iraqi governments is expected by late November, and work on the loading terminal in Syria will begin shortly.

Saturday, October 14, 1944
Father Charles Ulliel, a senior bishop in the Roman Catholic Church in France, defended his October 2nd letter to La Croix where he criticized President Theisman for his belief that the common man could interpret Scripture without the aid of the Catholic Church. The bishop emphasized that his position is based in strong church tradition and has received the support of Rome. Father Ulliel noted that he had seen 'an incredible backlash' against his comments, which he attributed to 'communists, atheists, and protestants' in France.

Monday, October 16, 1944
The Indochina Governing Council today met for six hours in closed session to discuss security issues relating to the ongoing war in northeast Asia. Although the discussions were held under a rule of parliamentary silence, the Governing Council is reportedly weighing an offer by an 'unnamed European government' to lease Con Son island for the creation of a naval patrol station, similar to the long-term lease held by the Russian and French governments at Cam Ranh Bay.

Tuesday, October 17, 1944
The cruisers Jean Bart and Jeanne d'Arc arrived in the Brazilian port of Rio de Janeiro, where they will remain in a port call for the next six days before making a short stop in Montevideo. After that, they will move onward to make port calls in Argentina and Chile before crossing the Pacific to their new home station.

Wednesday, October 18, 1944 - Le Canard enchaîné
What the Bird Has to Say: A pair of dueling editorials discuss the ramifications of the recent announcement by the CEA's success at generating a sustained man-made nuclear reaction. One article condemns the move as the brainchild of the 'militaristic right-wing capitalists in Paris', while the other article lauds the government for prioritizing development of inexpensive electricity sources for proletariat working class.

Thursday, October 19, 1944
The naval transport Téthys departed Toulon this morning carrying coastal artillery bound for the Indochinese coast. Included amongst the ship's cargo are two twin 152mm turrets taken from retired light cruisers, and a twin 340mm turret from the scrapped battleship Provence.

Friday, October 20, 1944
Russian virtuoso pianist Sviatoslav Richter made his first appearance in Western Europe to a packed crowd at Paris's Théâtre du Châtelet. Richter astounded the crowd with his outstanding performance of Brahms' Piano Concert No.2 and Bartók;s First Piano Concerto.

Saturday, October 21, 1944
With exactly one year remaining before the Indochina Plebiscite, pro-independence groups have a gloomy outlook for their success next October. Increased tensions with China, the news from the war in Korea, and the end of the Pan-Asian dream have all resulted in a fading of the fervor for independence. Now, moderate pro-independence groups even admit that 'some sort of continued mutual defense agreements with European partners' must be included in any independence deal.

Monday, October 23, 1944
The Groupe manganèse africaine was formally registered today in Accra with the objective of increasing the mining and export of manganese ore.

Tuesday, October 24, 1944
The 2nd Composite Squadron arrived today in Cam Ranh Bay, escorting six troopships and one amphibious landing ship to Indochina as part of Exercise Forger. The squadron shall remain overseas for three months conducting exercises before returning to the Metropole. The amphibious landing ship Destrées shall depart independently next week, returning to France by way of the Cape of Good Hope, stopping in British Nigeria in order to discharge two landing craft bound to join Groupement Scipion in Mali.

Friday, October 27, 1944
Édith Piaf's song Les Histoires de Coeur became the best-selling record of 1944.

Monday, October 30, 1944
Rumors from Villacoublay indicate that Avions Dassault intends to unveil a new military aircraft at this year's Paris Air Show.

Tuesday, October 31, 1944
The heavy cruisers Jean Bart and Jeanne d'Arc arrived today in the Argentine port of Bahia Blanca for a week-long port call.

Saturday, November 4, 1944
The Paris Air Show opened today with a record number of aircraft on display. The show will run from November 4th to November 12th.

Tuesday, November 7, 1944
The heavy cruisers Jean Bart and Jeanne d'Arc departed Argentina for the Pacific Ocean.

Friday, November 10, 1944
The amphibious landing ship Destrées departed Indochina for the mouth of the Niger River, with elements of the 2nd Dinassaut's riverine warfare element.

Saturday, November 11, 1944
France celebrates Remembrance Day.

Sunday, November 12, 1944
The Paris Air Show closed today after eight days.

Tuesday, November 14, 1944
The fifth issue of Voisin et Hennequin, released November 14th, continues the adventures of Lieutenants Claude Nicolas Hennequin and Wenceslas Voisin. The tribal rebels led by Abdul el-Hakim, aided by the mercenary fighter pilots led by Colonel Dirksen, have overrun the French airbase Voisin and Hennequin call home. Fleeing the attack, they join the Escadron de Lions, which has been sent to Côte Rocheuse to hunt down the mercenary fighter pilots. The 'Lions' encounter Dirksen's mercenaries in an aerial duel over a mountainous region known as Jebel Keshkal, but Dirksen lures them into a trap laid with dozens of antiaircraft guns. Voisin and Hennequin, ordered to stay behind as top cover, disobey their instructions in order to strafe the AA guns and save the rest of the squadron. Back at base, the squadron's second-in-command, hotshot pilot Capitane Demange, wants the pair written up for disobeying instructions, but the Lions' commander, Commandant Mathis, instead commends the pair for their gallantry.

Wednesday, November 15, 1944 - Le Canard enchaîné
What the Bird Has to Say: In the editorials, socialist editors critiqued the recent decision by the French Air Force to purchase Dornier Do330 maritime patrol aircraft, noting that the purchase of German-built equipment over locally-produced types stole bread from the mouths of the children of French laborers.

Monday, November 20, 1944
French composer Antoine Mariotte dies in Izieux, Loire.

Tuesday, November 21, 1944
The Société nationale d'études et de construction de moteurs d'aviation was inaugurated today by the merger of Lorraine (formerly Lorraine-Dietrich) with the Farman Company's aircraft-engine manufacturing division. Both companies have struggled over the past few years, as Farman license-built Hispano-Suiza engines and Lorraine license-built Argus engines. The newly-combined firm intends to begin developing turbojet engines for larger contracts while maintaining the licensed Argus line.

Wednesday, November 22, 1944
Jean Bart and Jeanne d'Arc arrived in Talcahuano. They will conduct a short port visit followed by two-week long exercises (Exercise ) with the Chilean Navy.

Saturday, November 25, 1944
The Indochinese Governing Council confirmed Van Tuan Loan's appointment as the Indochinese Minister of Health and Education.

Friday, December 1, 1944
Air France initiated its "air ferry" service between Paris-Orly and London's Gatwick Airport. Eventually, the airline intends to offer four daily flights between terminals.

Saturday, December 2, 1944
The Salon nautique international de Paris opened today.

Wednesday, December 6, 1944
The Menier Chocolate Company announced their intention to partner with the importer Martel-Lestrange S.A. of Le Havre to increase importation of cocoa from Cote d'Ivoire, Cote d'Or, and United Togo.

Friday, December 8, 1944
The film Cécile est morte! opened today in Paris theaters. The film stars Albert Préjean as Police Commissioner Maigret and Santa Relli as Cécile.

Saturday, December 9, 1944
The amphibious landing ship Destrées arrived today at the mouth of the Niger River. The landing ship will remain offshore for several days, offloading equipment to go up the Niger River to join Groupement Scipion.

Monday, December 11, 1944
The Louis Dreyfus Group initiated a regular cargo ferry service between Marseilles and the Iberian port of Barcelona with the 2,000-ton vessels Calanque de Sugiton and Calanque de Sormiou. Among the main cargoes expected for the new service is Iberian-grown oranges.

Wednesday, December 13, 1944
The Air Ministry confirmed that it had cancelled all further orders for the Dewoitine D.800 Flèche, citing poor performance.

Tuesday, December 19, 1944
Due to rising urban population, particularly in the region of Paris and Lyon, a movement advocating the creation of villes nouvelles ("new towns") has risen, echoing developments from Britain. The movement points to the construction in the quickly-expanding town of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines as a potential model for the rest of the movement within France to follow.

Friday, December 22, 1944
Excerpt from a report by the Marine Nationale about the advisability of landing existing jet aircraft on aircraft carriers:
- Bf-262: German-built jet in French service. Not suitable for carrier landings or take-offs.
- Dewoitine D.800: Not suitable for carrier landings or take-offs.
- Arsenal VG.640: Capable of arrested carrier landings and takeoffs with proper preparation.
- Spartan Stormrider: Mixed-power Atlantean fighter. Single example loaned from Atlantis currently undergoing carrier trials with Atlantic Fleet. Acquire more for further trials.
- Dassault Ouragan: Not yet flown, no commentary yet available.

Thursday, December 28, 1944
German Foreign Minister Thomas Dehner arrived this evening in Paris for consultations with Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Pierre Murail. Rumored topics of discussion include East Asia.

Table of Contents: October 1944 Issue

Letter from the Ministry
Page 01

Editor's Comments
Page 02

Military Unit Spotlight: "Brazilian Armoured Forces" by Staff.
Page 03

Special Article: "San Juan Earthquake: Overcoming Challenges in Airborne Logistics", by Francois Travemat.
Page 16

Special Article: "Maskirovka: Deception and Dissemination as a Tool of War Preparation", by Vladimir Lebedev.
Page 49

Special Article: "Chinese Amphibious Capability: Dragon From the Sea", by Contra-amiral Virgile Lapeyre.
Page 77

Literature Review:
- "The Bloody Somme" by Christopher Bianchi, Page 104
- "Spiderweb: British Radio Intelligence in the Great War" by Thomas White-Walker, Page 105
- "Senyavin in the Mediterranean" by Georges Lefèvre, Page 107

Revue d'action militaire: "Battle of the Azores, October 1769: Atlantean Invasion Repulsed by Iberia" by Rear Adm (Ret.) Juan de la Delgado López.
Page 109

News and Rumors: Page 132
- "DCNS proposes design for a 'Helicopter Cruiser'."
- "Two new armoured divisions slated for 1945, sources claim."
- "Deliveries of Dominator heavy bombers continue."
- "Indochina government: Chinese submarines tracked in Gulf of Tonkin."

Nouvelle Technologie: "A Proposal for Statoreactor Propulsion", by Jean-Baptiste Cassel.
Page 138

Monday, October 2, 1944
In a letter to the Catholic daily newspaper La Croix, French bishop Father Charles Ulliel attacked President Theisman for his September 26th comments to L'Express. Father Ulliel's letter charged that Theisman 'advocated for the common man to interpret Scriptures for themselves', rather than depending upon the Church to interpret for the common man.

Tuesday, October 3, 1944
The cruisers Jean Bart and Jeanne d'Arc arrived today in the Atlantean port of Illisus, on the island of Lyra, where they will spend a six-day port call before heading to Rio de Janeiro.

Thursday, October 5, 1944
French scientists working for the Commissariat à l’énergie atomique successfully achieved a "man-made, sustained nuclear reaction" in a reactor vessel. The official announcement did not disclose the date this event was achieved, nor the location of the reactor. [1] [2] [3]

Friday, October 6, 1944
Thich Anh Hung, the Indochinese Minister of Health and Education, announced today his retirement from public service. Thich's public service in Indochina dates back to 1931. Although Thich's age and health likely has sped his departure from government service, he has also been one of the loudest proponents of both socialism and Indochinese independence and in Governor-General Van Bao's cabinet. His replacement as Minister of Health and Education will almost certainly be his deputy, Van Tuan Loan, a moderate.

Saturday, October 7, 1944
Rateau Anxionnaz began bench-testing a modified A.63 turbojet engine designed to operate with a bypass fan.

Monday, October 9, 1944
Jean Bart and Jeanne d'Arc depart Illisus.

Tuesday, October 10, 1944
The new and luxurious train ferry St. Germaine, leader of a three-ship class of ships entering service with the Societe Nouvelle d'Armement Transmanche, departed Dunkerque for the British port of Dover. The new ships will speed travel between Britain and France and improve competitiveness with international airline travel.




Notes:
Note [1]: OOC information only: the location of the French nuclear energy program is in the abandoned Fort de Domont north of Paris. What has been achieved is something approximately similar to the 1942 Chicago Pile (CP-1) reactor or the 1943 X-10 Graphite Reactor. The reactor is operated by the civilian CEA, which is solely interested in producing nuclear energy and materials for research. Possessing a critical nuclear reactor does give France the eventual ability to produce weapons-grade nuclear materials. However, while there is a division of CEA called Direction des applications militaires charged with investigating the military applications of nuclear energy, nuclear bombs are not currently in the development plans.
Note [2]: Since we determined that we're not going to have nuclear weapons appear in this game, I'm going to start putting a little more effort into detailing the French nuclear research program. Previously, I simply said that whenever someone detonated their first nuke, the joint French-Atlantean-Russian program would be capable of following that within a week, and I'd then go back and write the details on how we got there. Since I no longer have to worry about nuclear weapons appearing in game, I feel I can start putting together some of the details, rather than just darkly threatening "Yeah, we can do that too..."
Note [3]: Please keep in mind while reading this that I did not give a date for the reactor going critical, nor did I claim to be the first country that has actually achieved this milestone.

*Dons a flak jacket.*

It would be hypocritical of me to criticize France developing nuclear energy when I have the Wesworld US funding and developing a Wesworld Manahattan Project which is on similar lines. Provided the no nuclear bombs rule isn't broken I for one don't see why nations cannot look at beginning development of nuclear energy for more peaceful means for uses outside the current timeframe of the game.

I really like the look of the St. Germaine.

Well, if the historical timeframe is anything to go by, we're still looking at 1949 or so before anyone actually produces electricity with a reactor - and I think it was 1951 or 1952 before anyone got enough power out of a plant to generate electricity effectively.

The Fort de Dumont reactor's purpose is basically just to conduct criticality research. As a side-effect, it can probably create plutonium and weapons-grade U-235, but that's not the design goal of the reactor.

Quoted from "BruceDuncan"

I really like the look of the St. Germaine. :thumbsup:

Thank you - especially for finding me the poster to use. ;)

Yes an interesting poster of a nice looking ferry.
Bruce, how to you keep finding these amazing illustrations?

The peaceful use of atomic power is good and I think we should strive for that rather than anything darker, at least until 1950+.

Britain probably won't get its first pile running until 1945, again a Chicago clone experimental set up. A commercial station in Britain given this 2-3 lead over OTL would be around 1950+-ish.

Quoted from "Hood"

Yes an interesting poster of a nice looking ferry.
Bruce, how to you keep finding these amazing illustrations?

The peaceful use of atomic power is good and I think we should strive for that rather than anything darker, at least until 1950+.

Britain probably won't get its first pile running until 1945, again a Chicago clone experimental set up. A commercial station in Britain given this 2-3 lead over OTL would be around 1950+-ish.

Well, Britain did get the first full-sized nuclear power station, Calder Hall, into service in 1956. There was a Russian facility that started operation in 1954, but it wasn't full-size, apparently.

The US generated a small amount of electricity from a nuclear reactor in 194...8? at Arco. Enough to power a single light-bulb! Big things start small...

Earlier in 1944 it was announced that Werner Heisenberg has been named director of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institut für Physik research facility at Hechingen. He and his associates are working towards creation of a research reactor though nothing concrete might be expected before 1945-46. The overall goal is to permit the investigation of nuclear chemistry and conduct experiments to confirm hypotheses brought forward by the rather large number of German researchers in the subject. Government funding is moderate, so no breakthroughs should be expected in the near term.

Thursday, October 12, 1944
The Bolloré group of Puteaux confirmed rumors that it had reached an agreement with the Syrian government to help fund and construct an oil pipeline from Kirkuk to Baniyas, in Syria, where a marine loading terminal will be constructed. An official agreement between the Syrian and Iraqi governments is expected by late November, and work on the loading terminal in Syria will begin shortly.

Saturday, October 14, 1944
Father Charles Ulliel, a senior bishop in the Roman Catholic Church in France, defended his October 2nd letter to La Croix where he criticized President Theisman for his belief that the common man could interpret Scripture without the aid of the Catholic Church. The bishop emphasized that his position is based in strong church tradition and has received the support of Rome. Father Ulliel noted that he had seen 'an incredible backlash' against his comments, which he attributed to 'communists, atheists, and protestants' in France.

Monday, October 16, 1944
The Indochina Governing Council today met for six hours in closed session to discuss security issues relating to the ongoing war in northeast Asia. Although the discussions were held under a rule of parliamentary silence, the Governing Council is reportedly weighing an offer by an 'unnamed European government' to lease Con Son island for the creation of a naval patrol station, similar to the long-term lease held by the Russian and French governments at Cam Ranh Bay.

By the way - I've neglected to mention this, but this November is the biennial Paris Air Show. People should send stuff!

Tuesday, October 17, 1944
The cruisers Jean Bart and Jeanne d'Arc arrived in the Brazilian port of Rio de Janeiro, where they will remain in a port call for the next six days before making a short stop in Montevideo. After that, they will move onward to make port calls in Argentina and Chile before crossing the Pacific to their new home station.

Wednesday, October 18, 1944 - Le Canard enchaîné
What the Bird Has to Say: A pair of dueling editorials discuss the ramifications of the recent announcement by the CEA's success at generating a sustained man-made nuclear reaction. One article condemns the move as the brainchild of the 'militaristic right-wing capitalists in Paris', while the other article lauds the government for prioritizing development of inexpensive electricity sources for proletariat working class.

Thursday, October 19, 1944
The naval transport Téthys departed Toulon this morning carrying coastal artillery bound for the Indochinese coast. Included amongst the ship's cargo are two twin 152mm turrets taken from retired light cruisers, and a twin 340mm turret from the scrapped battleship Provence.

Friday, October 20, 1944
Russian virtuoso pianist Sviatoslav Richter made his first appearance in Western Europe to a packed crowd at Paris's Théâtre du Châtelet. Richter astounded the crowd with his outstanding performance of Brahms' Piano Concert No.2 and Bartók;s First Piano Concerto.

Saturday, October 21, 1944
With exactly one year remaining before the Indochina Plebiscite, pro-independence groups have a gloomy outlook for their success next October. Increased tensions with China, the news from the war in Korea, and the end of the Pan-Asian dream have all resulted in a fading of the fervor for independence. Now, moderate pro-independence groups even admit that 'some sort of continued mutual defense agreements with European partners' must be included in any independence deal.

Monday, October 23, 1944
The Groupe manganèse africaine was formally registered today in Accra with the objective of increasing the mining and export of manganese ore.

Tuesday, October 24, 1944
The 2nd Composite Squadron arrived today in Cam Ranh Bay, escorting six troopships and one amphibious landing ship to Indochina as part of Exercise Forger. The squadron shall remain overseas for three months conducting exercises before returning to the Metropole. The amphibious landing ship Destrées shall depart independently next week, returning to France by way of the Cape of Good Hope, stopping in British Nigeria in order to discharge two landing craft bound to join Groupement Scipion in Mali.

Friday, October 27, 1944
Édith Piaf's song Les Histoires de Coeur became the best-selling record of 1944.

Monday, October 30, 1944
Rumors from Villacoublay indicate that Avions Dassault intends to unveil a new military aircraft at this year's Paris Air Show.

Tuesday, October 31, 1944
The heavy cruisers Jean Bart and Jeanne d'Arc arrived today in the Argentine port of Bahia Blanca for a week-long port call.

Military Unit Spotlight: The Czechoslovakian Fast Division
Article from Le Spectateur militaire. Military Unit Spotlight is a monthly feature which focuses on a unit or type of unit fielded by either the French military or another world army.

At the core of the Czechoslovakian Army are three elite divisions organized as the national strategic reserve forces. These three divisions, called "Fast Divisions" in the Western media, are sometimes regarded in foreign press as the Czech equivalent to the armoured forces used elsewhere in the world. This is in fact an oversimplification of the facts, the result of trying to impose familiar ideas and doctrines on unfamiliar concepts.

Defense on the Move
Ringed around by neighbors with powerful armies, Czechoslovakia's interests lie mainly in the defense of their borders against aggression. Throughout the 1930s, the Czechoslovak Army focused heavily on developing well-trained infantry divisions designed to hold the country's considerable border fortifications against a foreign invader. At that time, the Fast Divisions were nothing more than infantry divisions equipped with trucks, allowing them to quickly reinforce a collapsing section of the line. An accelerated adoption of mechanized and armoured warfare during the very late 1930s, as well as the rise of young officers to senior leadership positions, caused the Czech high command to call into question their strategy of fortified defense. In a simulated map exercise held in Prague in 1938, visiting French officers of the Military Mission to Czechoslovakia, led by Colonel Philippe Leclerc, demonstrated the potential risks of a static defense. According to summaries, Leclerc and his subordinates used a simulated armoured division to outflank the fortified defense line and annihilate four divisions of defenders using surprise and mobility. The Czechoslovakian Army took notice of this high-profile debacle, and after some discussion, re-created the Fast Divisions to undertake a more fluid and versatile role within the national defense planning.

The objective of the Fast Divisions is not merely to serve as an elite reserve to the army. In any prospective invasion scenario, the Czechoslovakian military leadership plans to use their infantry divisions to man the border fortifications. In response to the worries of armoured warfare causing the fortification to be outflanked and attacked from the vulnerable rear, changes have been made to re-design for "All Around Defense", or "Hedgehog". When attacked, the Czech infantry will organize in these fortified redoubts, which are sited in such a way as to channel attacking mechanized formations between them into compromising terrain, where mobility is made more difficult and the invader is trapped in an enfilade between the hedgehogs. In these circumstances, the Fast Divisions come into play. As attacking enemy formations lose their mobility and bog down, the Fast Divisions use their own mobility to move to obtain key defensive terrain, halt the enemy armoured thrusts, and then counterattack using their own armoured and mobile infantry forces.

Organization
In order to accomplish these goals, the Fast Divisions blend two brigades of motor infantry, an armoured brigade, and an artillery brigade, as well as supporting forces.



The two infantry brigades each are composed of three motorized infantry battalions and one battalion of self-propelled antitank guns. Although the Czechoslovakian Army's ideal is to transport the infantry using protected infantry carriers or halftracks, a lack of suitable vehicles in sufficient numbers means the infantry are generally mounted in thin-skinned trucks. Up until 1941, many of these units were in fact mounted on horses, but experience with the League of Nation's Afghanistan Field Force, as well as field exercises, showed that horsemen were simply unable to keep the same pace as armoured forces. In the anti-tank battalion, the Czechs employ the ST vz. 41 Tank Destroyer, a modification of the LT vz.38 light tank.

The armoured brigade follows more familiar lines, melding two motor infantry battalions with two tank battalions. Defying trends abroad, the Czechoslovakian Army maintains a high degree of interest in light tanks which emphasize firepower, mobility in mountainous terrain, and economy of operation. The associated infantry receives a high quantity of automatic weapons, particularly submachine guns, in order to increase their firepower.

Supporting the combat brigades is an artillery brigade, composed of three 105mm howitzer battalions and two anti-aircraft companies with 20mm and 40mm guns. In addition, supporting units, such as a radiotelegraph company, a supply company, and fuel and maintenance troops, are organized in their own Support Brigade. A major portion of this Support Brigade is an engineering battalion, which is extremely important to the division's combat branch through the construction of prepared fighting positions.

PARIS AIR SHOW
The world's largest air show opened November 4th at the Orly Airport in Paris, and closed November 12th. The 1944 show attracted the largest airshow crowd in history, although there were fewer aircraft on display than there had been in previous years. Nevertheless, several significant new aircraft were displayed and orders announced through the course of the show.

The British arrived in force, with a coterie of new military and civilian aircraft, including a Martin-Baker MB.5 in Royal Iraqi Air Force colors, a Weir W.9 prototype helicopter, and a BCAC Type 170 Freighter. One of the stars of the show, however, was the Gloster Meteor, which made its first appearance on the continent. The RAF indicated their interest in using the aircraft to establish a new London-Paris record. Several RAF aircraft, such as a Tempest F.Mk.I and a F.Mk.II fighter, and a de Havilland Hornet FB.Mk.I, also made their appearance. The second prototype Blackburn B.48 Firecrest also appeared in the military park. Civilian aircraft - Avro Tudors, Ashtons, de Havilland Doves, Miles Aerovans, and HP Hermes II - were also on display.

Germany appeared with some of the latest aircraft in their aerial fleet. A BFW Bf-262 jet fighter and an Arado Ar234 jet reconnaissance bomber both made their appearance, conducting short flight circuits around the airfield on several occasions. The Ju390, Ju252, and Bv144 airliners were heavily-marketed to representatives of different airlines present at the show. One of the most surprising items unveiled, however, was a static display of Doctor Werner von Braun's A-4 atmospheric sounding rocket, accompanied by its designer, who spoke at several invitation-only meetings about his rocketry work.

Due to the simmering tensions in eastern Asia, it was not known if the Japanese would be able to make their traditionally strong showing. Although several aircraft did make an appearance, they were mostly civilian types, with military aviation represented primarily through static displays, mockups, and advertising. Among the military aircraft that did arrive were the Kanzaki B-8C, a Nakajima B-10A and a G10N1, and a Mitsubishi Q2M1, some of which carried mission and kill markings from the recent war. The aircrews sold spent shell casings from the war as souveniers, and told stories of air combat during aircraft tours (although the Q2M1 was closed to visitors).

The United States displayed the first prototype of their new North American Aviation P-51H Mustang fighter, a type still undergoing testing for the US Army Air Force. The Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, the prototype of a new jet fighter, also was unveiled for the first time to the European public, accompanied by the preceding prototype Bell P-59. Lockheed P-38NM, a Chance-Vought Corsair, a Bell P-63, the Grumman Bearcat, and no less than two twin-engine Tigercats also made their appearance. One of the most iconic aircraft present, however, was the Consolidated B-32 Dominator, which was also displayed in a flyover by the French Air Force, one of the chief operators of the type.

The Italian firms of Fiat, Caproni, Breda-CANT, and Macchi-Savoia-Marchetti presented their own wares. Fiat's picturesque G.55 Centauro was a crowd favorite. The Atlante airliner was also displayed, as were motorjet and turbojet variants of Campini's aircraft.

Atlantean aircraft also made an appearance. Accrisius brought the Avenger / Alicanto naval strike aircraft, developed in close collaboration with Chile's ENAER and currently license-built by Germany. Accrisius also displayed their first jet prototype, the Accrisius Angel, flying since late 1943. Spartan brought the latest of their F-15 / I-02 series, as well as the F-17 Viper fighter; but the showstopper was the prototype of the new Stormrider carrier fighter, propelled by a piston engine and a small jet engine working in tandem. Spartan also displayed a mockup of the planned Spartan Bullet, a single-engine twin-boom jet fighter which looks to become the first Atlantean production jet sometime next year. Roth also brought Atlantis's first turbojet testbed, the Roth Speed Queen, which flew a circuit of the airfield once a day.

The Dutch aircraft manufacturers made their first appearance in several years, with Fokker presenting the G-3A night-fighter, and Koolhoven the F.K.60 fighter and F.K.61 prototype fast bomber. Fokker-Avia also displayed the B.90 Arend airliner. Romania displayed their IAR 47, while the Swiss firm Pilatus showed off their P-2 trainer, currently undertaking deliveries to the Swiss and French air forces. Swiss manufacturer Doflug also displayed their latest fighter, the D.3805, developed with assistance from Morane-Saulnier. The Soko Orao, which seems poised to become the face of Balkans military aviation, also appeared.

Brazil's EMBRAER, teaming up with the US Republic Aviation, presented the latest version of the P-47L, while Chile's ENAER displayed the Zafiro primary trainer and the Coati advanced trainer. Constellacion also showed their range of light airliner and utility aircraft, focusing on the Serie-400 Twin Condor, and the "Super Two-Nine" or Condor Commander.

French firms appeared at the show in great force. A number of observers expected Dassault to unveil a jet fighter at the air show, but the company made no comment to these rumors, aside from acknowledging that the company is "deeply engaged" in a jet fighter design. Dassault did bring the nation's first jet aircraft, the MB.1000 Triton, which was displayed prominently. Arsenal's VG.640 Graoully and the Dewoitine D.800 Fleche rounded out the French jet fleet, with the VG.640 receiving significant attention from visiting officials and officers of the Armee de l'Aire. Breguet-Nord brought two new variants of their Normandie four-engine military transport, including the N.1515 "Noratlas" strategic airlifter and the N.1511, a variant configured for civilian use. Morane-Saulnier displayed their Alcyon and Vanneau trainers, while Avions Max Holste displayed the MH.52. Among the more unique aircraft present was a Bugatti racer (which is expected to challenge the international air-speed record for propeller aircraft), the Payen Pa.30, and the Leduc O.10 ramjet.

Among the deals and news items announced at the Paris Air Show was Air France's purchase of four N.1511 Normandies. The aircraft will be used to establish an "air ferry" service between Paris and London, starting next month. Air France also announced they would double their fleet of Bloch MB.972 Transats in light of rising traffic on the Paris-Cleito, Paris-Moscow, and Paris-New York routes. The Chilean Constellacion firm also announced it would sell thirty-five Serie-400 Twin Condors and six Super Two-Nines to Brazil to replace obsolescent CT-1 Potro airliners. Additionally, the Aeronavale confirmed rumors that it would purchase an unspecified quantity of Dornier Do330 aircraft for maritime reconnaissance.

Great Britain

• Avro 689 Tudor II - in BEA colours - cabin open for visitors and will be equipped in full 60-passenger trim
  
• Avro 700 Ashton - production airliner, unpainted so in Avro colours
  
• BCAC (Bristol) Type 170 Freighter - production aircraft
  
• BCAC (Vickers) VC.1 Viking - production BEA aircraft
  
• BCAC (Vickers) Type 447 Windsor - early production aircraft (ground display only)
  
• Blackburn B.48 Firecrest - 2nd prototype
  
• De Havilland DH.97 Ambassador - brand new prototype (only flown in July) - ok for aerial display if you wish
  
• de Havilland DH104 Dove - production aircraft
  
• de Havilland Hornet FB.Mk.I - visiting RAF aircraft
  
• de Havilland Mosquito B.Mk.VI - prototype aircraft
  
• Fairey Spearfish TBR.Mk.I - production aircraft for FAA, also next to it will be a full-scale mock-up of the land-based Fox II bomber variant just flown in August.
  
• Gloster Meteor - visiting RAF jet fighter
  
• Handley Page H.P.70 Halton - civil aerial-refuelling tanker operated by British South American Airways
  
• Handley Page H.P.74 Hermes II - prototype of stretched development seating 63 passengers - in BOAC colours
  
• Hawker Tempest F.Mk.II and F.Mk.II - both new production aircraft for RAF
  
• Martin-Baker M.B.5 F.Mk.I - a new production model painted in Royal Iraqi Air Force colours
  
• Miles M.57 Aerovan and Miles M.60 Marathon and Miles M.65 Gemini
  
• Percival Prentice T.Mk.I - 2nd prototype
  
• Weir W.9 - prototype helicopter

Germany

• Arado Ar234 jet reconnaissance bomber.
  
• Arado Ar232 transport aircraft. (Company demonstrator).
  
• Arado Ar296 aerobatic display pair
  
• Bayerischen Flugzeugwerke (BFW) Bf262 jet fighter (company demonstrator).
  
• Bayerischen Flugzeugwerke (BFW) Bf243 training aircraft (company demonstrator).
  
• Blohm und Voss: Company demonstrator – Bv144 transport aircraft. Company demonstrator – Bv146M maritime reconnaissance aircraft
  
• BMW Flugmotorenbau – Display of jet and piston engines
  
• Dornier: Company demonstrator – Do330 maritime reconnaissance aircraft
  
• Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau Fw190 company demonstrators
  
• Company demonstrator – Fa300 helicopter
  
• Ernst Heinkel: Company demonstrator – He219 night fighter
  
• Junkers Flugzeug und Motorenwerke – Company demonstrator – Ju252 twin engine civil transport;
  
• Company demonstrator Ju390 four engine civil transport
  
• Ju252 configured as flying classroom for air navigators (on offer to the Luftwaffe).
  
• Display of jet and piston engines including functional Jumo 004.
  
• Scale mock-up of Brandner designed turboprop engine.
  
• Daimler Benz – Display of current piston engines
  
• Static display of an A-4 atmospheric sounding rocket; Doctor Werner von Braun available to speak on space research efforts.

Japan

• Mockups of J7W1, J7W2, MXY7, MXY7 under G4M2 belly section, BA-9A nose section with 75mm cannon.
  
• Scale models of numerous planes + variants
  
• Engines
  
• Armament
  
• Instruments
  
• Kanzaki B-8C bomber (Ki-70-III)
  
• Nakajima B-10A bomber
  
• Nakajima G10N1 bomber
  
• Mitsubishi Q2M1 ASW plane

United States of America

• North American Aviation P-51H (prototype).
  
• Lockheed P-38NM variant.
  
• Lockheed P-80.
  
• Bell P-63.
  
• Bell P-59.
  
• General Electric J31.
  
• Consolidated B-32 Dominator
  
• Chance Vought F4U-1D Corsair
  
• Grumman F8F Bearcat
  
• Grumman F7F Tigercat, in Naval and Marine Corps markings.

Italia

• Fiat Scorpione Serie 1 Maritime patrol variant
  
• Fiat Scorpione Serie II pre-production model
  
• Fiat G.55 Centauro Serie IV
  
• Fiat G.46 Sturnus.
  
• Caproni Ariete Serie II
  
• Caproni Ca.165 Colomba
  
• Caproni Atlante
  
• Campini (both Motorjet and turbojet equipped versions)
  
• Breda-CANT Occhione
  
• Breda-CANT BZ.308 (scale design models)
  
• Macchi-Savoia-Marchetti C.202 Folgore
  
• Macchi-Savoia-Marchetti SM.95 Anitra
  
• Macchi-Savoia-Marchetti SM.102

Atlantis

• Accrisius Avenger torpedo bomber
  
• Accrisius Angel jet prototype
  
• Spartan I-02 N carrier fighter
  
• Spartan F-17 Viper
  
• Spartan Bullet prototype jet fighter
  
• Spartan Stormrider
  
• Roth Speed Queen (Jet testbed)

All Other European

• Fokker G-3A night-fighter
  
• Koolhoven F.K.60 fighter
  
• Koolhoven F.K.61 fast bomber (prototype)
  
• IAR IAR 47.
  
• Pilatus P-2 trainer
  
• Doflug D.3805 fighter
  
• Soko Orao fighter
  
• Ikarus IK-4 Sjevernjaca twin-engine aircrew trainer
  
• Utva Type 224 Galeb basic trainer

South America

• Republic/EMBRAER P-47L
  
• ENAER Zafiro basic training aircraft
  
• ENAER Coati advanced training aircraft
  
• Constellacion Twin Condor Serie-400 STOL airliner
  
• Constellacion Condor Commander / "Super Two Nine" light transport

France

• Arsenal VG.64 Revenant fighter
  
• Arsenal VG.640 Graoully jet fighter (prototype)
  
• Arsenal VB.23 Rafale fighter-interceptor
  
• Bloch MB.972 Transatlantique ("Transat") long-range airliner
  
• Breguet-Nord Br.900 Massette ground-attack bomber
  
• Breguet-Nord N.1511 Normandie four-engine military and civil transport
  
• Breguet-Nord N.1515 Noratlas four-engine strategic transport
  
• Breguet-Nord N.1600 Noroit flying boat
  
• Bugatti Racer
  
• Dassault MB.1050D Milan Royale carrier fighter
  
• Dassault MB.1000 Triton turbojet testbed
  
• Dewoitine D.800 Fleche jet fighter
  
• Farman F.420 Libérateur heavy bomber
  
• Hanriot H.312 Roussette twin-engine carrier strike fighter
  
• Latécoère Trombe (mockup only) flying boat jet fighter
  
• Leduc O.10 ramjet testbed
  
• Lioré-et-Olivier LeO 400 seaplane
  
• Lioré et Olivier LeO-600 Tornade medium bomber
  
• Loire-Nieuport (Dassault) LN.190 Épouvantail counterinsurgency aircraft
  
• Max Holste MH.52 civil aircraft
  
• Morane-Saulnier M.S.470 Vanneau advanced trainer
  
• Morane-Saulnier MS.730 Alcyon basic trainer
  
• Payen Pa.30 experimental aircraft
  
• Salmson Cricri civil aircraft
  
• Societe Francaise Du Gyroplane SH.22, SH.22M, and SH.26 Cigale helicopter

A most impressive show!

Certainly the popular and professional press had field days, and no doubt the visitor count was high - as it should be. Given the heavy competition, Germany is pleased with Dornier's sales coup, and who knows what the future could bring.

Thank you! *Bows*

Now to post a few specs from aircraft making some of their first appearances...

Indeed an impressive show.
All the jet hardware is laid out on the table so everyone has gotten a good look at everyone else, which is good.

Surprised there were not more civilian aircraft, but I guess the crowds love a few fighters doing some impressive aerobatics and flybys.

Saturday, November 4, 1944
The Paris Air Show opened today with a record number of aircraft on display. The show will run from November 4th to November 12th.

Tuesday, November 7, 1944
The heavy cruisers Jean Bart and Jeanne d'Arc departed Argentina for the Pacific Ocean.

Friday, November 10, 1944
The amphibious landing ship Destrées departed Indochina for the mouth of the Niger River, with elements of the 2nd Dinassaut's riverine warfare element.

Saturday, November 11, 1944
France celebrates Remembrance Day.

Sunday, November 12, 1944
The Paris Air Show closed today after eight days.

Tuesday, November 14, 1944
The fifth issue of Voisin et Hennequin, released November 14th, continues the adventures of Lieutenants Claude Nicolas Hennequin and Wenceslas Voisin. The tribal rebels led by Abdul el-Hakim, aided by the mercenary fighter pilots led by Colonel Dirksen, have overrun the French airbase Voisin and Hennequin call home. Fleeing the attack, they join the Escadron de Lions, which has been sent to Côte Rocheuse to hunt down the mercenary fighter pilots. The 'Lions' encounter Dirksen's mercenaries in an aerial duel over a mountainous region known as Jebel Keshkal, but Dirksen lures them into a trap laid with dozens of antiaircraft guns. Voisin and Hennequin, ordered to stay behind as top cover, disobey their instructions in order to strafe the AA guns and save the rest of the squadron. Back at base, the squadron's second-in-command, hotshot pilot Capitane Demange, wants the pair written up for disobeying instructions, but the Lions' commander, Commandant Mathis, instead commends the pair for their gallantry.

Wednesday, November 15, 1944 - Le Canard enchaîné
What the Bird Has to Say: In the editorials, socialist editors critiqued the recent decision by the French Air Force to purchase Dornier Do330 maritime patrol aircraft, noting that the purchase of German-built equipment over locally-produced types stole bread from the mouths of the children of French laborers.

Monday, November 20, 1944
French composer Antoine Mariotte dies in Izieux, Loire.

Tuesday, November 21, 1944
The Société nationale d'études et de construction de moteurs d'aviation was inaugurated today by the merger of Lorraine (formerly Lorraine-Dietrich) with the Farman Company's aircraft-engine manufacturing division. Both companies have struggled over the past few years, as Farman license-built Hispano-Suiza engines and Lorraine license-built Argus engines. The newly-combined firm intends to begin developing turbojet engines for larger contracts while maintaining the licensed Argus line.

Wednesday, November 22, 1944
Jean Bart and Jeanne d'Arc arrived in Talcahuano. They will conduct a short port visit followed by two-week long exercises (Exercise ) with the Chilean Navy.

Saturday, November 25, 1944
The Indochinese Governing Council confirmed Van Tuan Loan's appointment as the Indochinese Minister of Health and Education.