WesWorld

Breguet-Nord Noratlas “J for Josef”, Karachi Airport, Sunday, 16 December 1945

For Oberst Theodor Beckmann and his crew the long flights between Beirut and Karachi were almost becoming routine. Thanks to the use of alternate staging posts most of the relief cargos destined for delivery to Bharat were being brought forward by Luftwaffe Arado 232 transports, saving the long-haul to his Transportgeschwader 5. Already they had brought forward tons of vital supplies and equipment, which the Bharatis had quickly moved forward into the devastated districts.

“The tower has given us clearance for take-off Herr Oberst,” said the co-pilot.

“Very well,” Beckmann replied. “Bring the engines to full throttle.”

The four huge engines roared to life while the aircraft’s brakes held it at the end of the runway. Satisfied that they were running properly and with a green flag flying from the tower Beckmann released the Noratlas’s brakes and the aircraft thundered down the runway. As the airspeed indicator reached its mark he pulled back on the control column and the Noratlas left the ground, rising into the sky. They would soon be back…


Heavy Cruiser Graf Spee, 21 dgs 43 min South, 169 dgs 16 min East, Monday, 17 December 1945

Langsdorff expected that they should reach Noumea Harbour before nightfall. With the French cruisers Martinique and Niger escorting the squadron they were now on a south-westerly course as they rounded the southern limits of New Caledonia before turning northwest for their final run. Thus far it had been a long if uneventful voyage; it would be good for the crews to feel land beneath their feet for at least a few days.


Nachrichten für Außenhandel, Tuesday, 18 December 1945

The Krupp concern of Essen has reached a technical exchange agreement with the Spolka Akcjyna Wielkich Pierow i Zakladow Ostrowiekich covering the licencing of several industrial processes for use by the Polish firm.

Rostocker Zeitung, Wednesday, 19 December 1945

Special ceremonies marked the retirement of the last of the Marineflieger’s Dornier Do.24 reconnaissance flying boats. The last airworthy aircraft have been collected here pending possible disposal abroad; a final decision on their fate is due from the Defence Ministry in the next few weeks.


Inspection Ship Goldener Löwe, 58 dgs 22 min North, 31 dgs 22 min West, Thursday, 20 December 1945

For Fregattenkapitän Herbert Wohlfarth and his crew the North Atlantic winter had become a numbing nightmare. Working parties on deck depended upon their safety harnesses, lest they be swept away by waves. The chipping of ice from the upper works was a vital necessity lest the ship carry too much weight aloft. Thankfully the Goldener Löwe had been built with such conditions in mind, and port calls in Iceland or Vinland provided welcome breaks from the monotony of their duties.

Besides its regular weather reporting the Goldener Löwe had rendered assistance to two fishing vessels and a merchantman since returning to her station from Germany; far fewer than in the summer. Wise merchant captains avoided these waters in December and even the largest Atlantic liners took a route more southerly in the winter months. In their quarters the crew made Christmas preparations as best they could, as their relief ship would not come on station until after New Year.

Yet the Goldener Löwe would fulfil its mission, come what may.


London, King's Cross Railway Station, Friday, 21 December 1945

Walter Schellenburg paid off the driver of his taxi while a railway porter took charge of his luggage. Three bags plus his attaché case was far more than he was used to travelling with, but this venture was different. To the surprise and partial dismay of some of his colleagues at the German Embassy he had wangled an invitation to spend Christmas at Wynyard Park, seat of the Marquess of Londonderry, a great friend of Germany. Hence Schellenburg was expected to be prepared for an extended stay at one of England’s greatest houses. Professionally he expected very little out of the visit; but the contacts he might make could open many doors in the future. His strategy of “win friends and influence people” was one for the long haul.

Cóndor (Santiago, Chile), Saturday, 22 December 1945

Representatives of the Chilean Army visited the Berlin-Borsigwalde factory of the Altmärkische Kettenwerk yesterday to formally take possession of the latest batch of Luchs (Lynx) light armoured vehicles produced there to its order. These vehicles will join the fifty-or-so already delivered and will be joined by additional units still to be delivered. Their acquisition marks a significant upgrade in the Army’s capability to defend against foreign threats.


Wynyard Park, County Durham, Sunday, 23 December 1945

While a very junior member of Prince Bismarck’s suite, Schellenburg found his host, the Marquess of Londonderry, to be most gracious in all respects. He sat quietly at the table, giving close ear to the conversation between his most senior guests, who besides Bismarck comprised various decision makers of the British Establishment. The principal turn of conversation focused on the recent electoral victory for the Labour Party, and the dire predictions of the breakup of the Empire that was expected to follow from it. Schellenburg wisely chose to listen as well, for who knew what titbits of information might flow.


Nachrichten für Außenhandel, Monday, 24 December 1945

The Ministry of Economics reports that tanker liftings from Mediterranean ports, principally from Turkey and Italian Libya, are up twenty-two percent compared with last year. This reflects a shift away from reliance on supplies from the Arabian Peninsula. Russia and Romania continue to feature prominently in imports, particularly the import of refined products.

The Ministry also reports that a shift will be made in the composition of the nation’s strategic petroleum reserves, with a greater percentage maintained as crude oil in preference to refined products.

Heavy Cruiser Graf Spee, Nouméa, Nouvelle-Calédonie, Tuesday, 25 December 1945

The ships of the East Asia Squadron of the Kriegsmarine swung easily at their anchors on a quiet Christmas morning. Puffs of white cloud dotted the summer sky, and a light land breeze occasionally brushed the awning-decked vessels. For Vice Admiral Langsdorff and his men it was truly a day of rest; later, perhaps, liberty parties might find more boisterous entertainment ashore – right now the crews were enjoying special Christmas meals and catching up on their mail – for the Etappendienst had done its best to forward the latest news from home.


The German Embassy, Hyderabad, Wednesday, 26 December 1945

Ambassador Hans Thomsen entered his official Mercedes and the chauffer closed its door with a solid thump. The distance to from the Embassy to the Bharati Foreign Ministry was not too long, but it did give him time to gather his thoughts for today’s discussions of the aftermath of November’s earthquake and tidal wave. As part of Unternehmen Merkur the Luftwaffe had been flying loads of relief supplies all the way from Europe, and the leading question for today’s discussions was whether such airlift was still required or, as nearly a month had passed, were seaborne supplies sufficient to replace those airlifted? Secondly, and of more importance to Thomsen personally, was the question whether the primary need had switched from relief supplies to supplies and equipment for reconstruction. He hoped that he might obtain answers to both by the close of the day…


Hamburger Abendblatt, Thursday, 27 December 1945

The Inspection Ship Roter Löwe departed today to return to her station in the North Atlantic to fulfil her duties with the International Ice Patrol. She is not expected home until early April of next year.

Handelsblatt, Friday, 28 December 1945

The formation of a new ship-repair firm was announced today. A group of entrepreneurs have founded Schiffsreparaturwerft Wismar AG in that city; construction of facilities for the repair of commercial and fishing vessels will commence in the spring. The foundation of the firm highlights the growing opportunities for German industry to support the nation’s merchant and fishing fleets.


Kronen Zeitung, Saturday, 29 December 1945

The river gunboat Francis I was towed to the breaker’s yard today preparatory to her demolition, which is scheduled to commence next month. It is expected that she will be followed in succession by the other vessels of the now decommissioned Danube Flotilla.

Quoted from "BruceDuncan"

The German Embassy, Hyderabad, Wednesday, 26 December 1945

Ambassador Hans Thomsen entered his official Mercedes and the chauffer closed its door with a solid thump. The distance to from the Embassy to the Bharati Foreign Ministry was not too long, but it did give him time to gather his thoughts for today’s discussions of the aftermath of November’s earthquake and tidal wave. As part of Unternehmen Merkur the Luftwaffe had been flying loads of relief supplies all the way from Europe, and the leading question for today’s discussions was whether such airlift was still required or, as nearly a month had passed, were seaborne supplies sufficient to replace those airlifted? Secondly, and of more importance to Thomsen personally, was the question whether the primary need had switched from relief supplies to supplies and equipment for reconstruction. He hoped that he might obtain answers to both by the close of the day…

The Government of Bharat would advise the ambassador that the airlift is no longer required, and that while Bharat appreciates any further offers of assistance, reconstruction supplies and equipment can be sourced domestically.

Quoted from "The Rock Doctor"

Quoted from "BruceDuncan"

The German Embassy, Hyderabad, Wednesday, 26 December 1945

Ambassador Hans Thomsen entered his official Mercedes and the chauffer closed its door with a solid thump. The distance to from the Embassy to the Bharati Foreign Ministry was not too long, but it did give him time to gather his thoughts for today’s discussions of the aftermath of November’s earthquake and tidal wave. As part of Unternehmen Merkur the Luftwaffe had been flying loads of relief supplies all the way from Europe, and the leading question for today’s discussions was whether such airlift was still required or, as nearly a month had passed, were seaborne supplies sufficient to replace those airlifted? Secondly, and of more importance to Thomsen personally, was the question whether the primary need had switched from relief supplies to supplies and equipment for reconstruction. He hoped that he might obtain answers to both by the close of the day…

The Government of Bharat would advise the ambassador that the airlift is no longer required, and that while Bharat appreciates any further offers of assistance, reconstruction supplies and equipment can be sourced domestically.

Ambassador Thomsen thanks his counterparts for conveying this information and will so notify his Government. Airlift operations will begin to cycle-down and switch to repatriation of personnel and un-necessary equipment. If the Bharati Government finds it appropriate, the Do27 light aircraft and Fa300 helicopters will be donated to the Bharati Government for further use in relief and reconstruction efforts.

The gesture would be much appreciated.

Remind me how many machines are being donated?

Quoted from "The Rock Doctor"

Remind me how many machines are being donated?

Initially at least, four of each. Since Bharat did not specifically ask for more, I would presume that would be it. Of course, if more are desired, perhaps that can be discussed under the heading "reconstruction".

That's okay - just need to know what's being transferred.

Quoted from "The Rock Doctor"

That's okay - just need to know what's being transferred.

No problem. :thumbup:

Breguet-Nord Noratlas “J for Josef”, Karachi Airport, Sunday, 30 December 1945

“J for Josef” thundered down the runway at Karachi Airport one last time and settled on a westward course. Oberst Beckmann and his crew had flown the first flight in as part of Unternehmen Merkur, and now they were flying the last flight out. Their mission was accomplished, and the flow of relief supplies to the Bharati authorities secure. Back in the cargo hold of the aircraft were the last maintenance crews who had overseen the non-stop turn-around of aircraft for practically a month. Beckman would have a lengthy after-action report to write, but one thing was clear enough to him – the Noratlas had proven itself an invaluable aircraft, and the Luftwaffe needed more to assure its strategic mobility.


Rheinische Post, Monday, 31 December 1945

The Kassel-Bettenhausen works of the Fieseler firm saw the first flight today of the new Fi220 strike aircraft. The prototype successfully demonstrated its ability to take off within the limits specified by the Marineflieger and showed good handling characteristics. A second prototype is under construction and it is expected that the development programme will progress in the New Year, with production likely to commence sometime towards autumn.