WesWorld

Yeah, Revolution's commissioning will be a low-key affair. Quite likely once that's completed at the end of builder's trials she will leave for her permanent base (I expect Schellenburg won't know where that will be, though he may guess from other sources).
As an experimental ship she'll probably spend much time at the various naval research establishments around Britain. There is no word yet whether she will be a one-off or not. I'd probably keep that under wraps for at least another whole game-year.

Bremer Nachrichten, Saturday, 16 February 1946

Testing has begun on the prototype Focke Achgelis Fa336 helicopter. This machine was developed to meet joint Luftwaffe and Heer requirements for a single-rotor four/five seat helicopter capable of being fitted with an external hoist for general tactical support and search-and-rescue duties.


Autozeitung, Sunday, 17 February 1946



Frankfurter Zeitung, Monday, 18 February 1946

There are reports circulating regarding the naval procurement plans of the Government for the forthcoming fiscal year. While no specific requests have been made of the Reichstag, sources close to the Defence Ministry suggest that additional air defence cruisers of the Aspern class are to be laid down, together with a further quantity of Wiesbaden class large destroyers. Allegedly additional destroyers, frigates and corvettes are to be procured. When asked, a spokesman for the Office of the Chancellor declined comment.

The Palace of Westminster, London, Tuesday, 19 February 1946

It was at the suggestion of Bosbach, the cultural attaché, that Walter Schellenburg found himself queueing at St. Stephen’s Tower for a ticket to the Stranger’s Gallery – the visitor’s gallery for the British House of Commons. Politics was not one of the principal concerns of his brief but Schellenburg thought it worthwhile to understand all aspects of the nation he was responsible for reporting upon, and often debates in the House did turn to defence matters. Not that this was likely today, nor likely that such debates would see the presence of strangers in the House; but it was useful to understand the process and procedures.

With a notebook in his pocket, wherein he had jotted down items from Hansard, Whitaker's Almanack, and the Times Guide to the House of Commons, Schellenburg spent several hours listening to the rather laborious debates on social policy and the state of slate mining in Wales. He was impressed however with the general decorum of the members, and the symbolism of every action. It was in many respects far more solemn than the sessions of the Reichstag he had observed. All in all, he thought it worthwhile and made a particular note to return in the future.


Der Tagesspiegel, Wednesday, 20 February 1946

The Defence Ministry has announced that it will fund one prototype of the proposed Heinkel P.0168 reaction-jet bomber. It is not known at this time when such a prototype might emerge.


Emder Zeitung, Thursday, 21 February 1946

The inspection ship Roter Löwe arrived home today from her recent deployment in the North Atlantic.

Elbinger Volksstimme, Friday, 22 February 1946

The harbour tugs Beuchel and Poel were launched today at the Schichau works at Memel. They are expected to be completed in the spring.


Kronen Zeitung, Saturday, 23 February 1946

The small river gunboat Habordansky began her demolition today before entering dry dock for final dismantling. This step marks the further demilitarisation of the upper reaches of the Danube.


Cóndor (Santiago), Sunday, 24 February 1946

The East Asia Squadron of the German Kriegsmarine arrived at the naval base of Talcahuano today as part of an extended good-will cruise to the nations of the Pacific Rim.

Hamburger Abendblatt, Monday, 25 February 1946

The coastal escorts Seelöwe and Seeigel were launched today, the lead ships of a projected class of four. Design for coastal patrol and defence against enemy U-boats, they are seen as prototypes and trials vessels.


Berlin, The Chancellor’s Office, Tuesday, 26 February 1946

There was no cabinet meeting today, in recognition of the recent funeral of Queen Wilhelmina; but there was work to be done none the less.

“Herr Dehler”, said Adenauer to his Foreign Minister, “what is the prognosis for Argentina? The electoral results are quite splintered.”

“Yes Herr Chancellor,” Dehler replied. “Ambassador Bräutigam has provided his précis of the situation, and he believes that a Centrist coalition of some form will emerge; he is less clear on who will be the next prime minister. The United Workers Party is the largest faction, and it is logical that they will form the foundation of the next government.”

Adenauer was less certain. While Germany’s relations with Argentina were quite good, he felt in his bones that a Centre-Right coalition would be more open to investment and economic penetration; however, there was nothing to be done at the moment.

“Inform Bräutigam that he should forward news of any developments,” Adenauer concluded.

Talcahuano Harbour, Chile, Wednesday, 27 February 1946

The ships of the East Asia Squadron rode easily at anchor in the spacious harbour; given the frequency of visits, Talcahuano was becoming the favourite port of call for the Kriegsmarine in these waters. For Langsdorff, there was good reason for their visit. It afforded the opportunity for the imbroglio regarding their cruise in the South Pacific to subside; it gave his crews the opportunity to experience navigation in the open ocean and to exercise their skills in replenishment at sea. These were all the more important, as he would be receiving a draft of replacements from a soon-to-arrive HAPAG liner and would be sending home many of his experienced crewmen; some to new assignments, some at the end of their enlistments.

Their Chilean hosts had arranged for a number of diversions for the visiting German sailors, and fortunately there had been no serious incidents; there would be minor tiffs – as there always are when sailors are in port. Langsdorff hoped that a strong hand by the squadron’s officers and petty officers would prevent things from getting troublesome. How long they would stay was an open question; orders from the Admiralstab had yet to be received – suggesting that diplomats had yet to clear the way. Nevertheless, the delivery of supplies via the Etappendienst indicated they would be at sea for a considerable period.


Bremen-Neuenlanderfeld Aerodrome, Thursday, 28 February 1946

Talcahuano Harbour, Chile, Friday, 1 March 1946

The arrival of the chartered HAPAG liner Milwaukee and the freighter Florida brought a temporary tumult to the ships of the East Asia Squadron; they bore replacements for sailors who were soon to finish their enlistments, and for those slated for assignment to the new ships sliding down the ways at home. They also brought stores, foodstuffs, and most importantly mail.

Admiral Langsdorff had also received instructions for the next phase of the squadron’s cruise – to visit the Colombian port of Buenaventura.


The North Sea, 58 dgs 33 min North, 0 dgs 10 min West, Saturday, 2 March 1946

The two Dornier Do330 maritime reconnaissance aircraft of Marine-Aufklärungsstaffel 241 had departed their home station of Nordholz at dawn for another routine surveillance mission off the British coast – staying well outside territorial waters. Their assignment was to monitor the operational characteristics of British DT equipment – frequency, pulse repetition rates, signal strength, etc. Visual sightings of British naval vessels were an occasional diversion. The Dorniers flew under strict emissions control – wireless silence, their own DT equipment shut down; it was a mission profile they had flown for months. And today was like any other – routine.


Peenemünde Test Range, Sunday, 3 March 1946

The Argentine Instituto Aerotechico mission arrived at the station in mid-afternoon, and were given but a brief foretaste of the plan for the morrow. Their orientation covered the high points of the research programme for 1946, including a brief introduction to the new A-9 and A-11 sounding rockets and the continuing work on the R-1 and R-2 test vehicles. Team members found themselves encouraged to share word of their own efforts; their hosts were particularly intrigued by the recently adopted goal of putting life into outer space, and how this could be accomplished.

Bremer Nachrichten, Monday, 4 March 1946

The air defence destroyers Wiesbaden and Kolberg were launched today in Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven today. The first of a new generation of warships they are expected to complete their construction in the autumn; they are being followed by several sister ships, materials for which are already being assembled in shipyards around the nation.


Kronen Zeitung, Tuesday, 5 March 1946



Berlin, The Chancellor’s Office, Wednesday, 6 March 1946

Adenauer had opted to discuss the question of Argentina outside of a formal cabinet meeting, choosing instead to meet with Dehler, the Foreign Minister, and Blank, the Defence Minister, informally.

“So, Herr Dehler; how does Bräutigam characterise the new Argentine Government?”

Dehler looked at his notes and cleared his voice. “More conservative, dominated by the Church, devoted to free market economics, militarist.”

Adenauer liked the first three points; the last not so much. “Militarist?”

“There remains in Argentine politics a strong strain of revenge for their losses in the South American War,” Dehler explained. “The parties of the right played upon this.”

“And,” interjected Blank, “the Argentines have been seeking to refurbish their arsenal for many months now. The new Government will have to stay the course on rearmament, even if they are not moved to accelerate it.”

Adenauer closed his eyes in thought, recalling the 1920s when coalitions in the Reichstag had nearly led to successful coups d’état. Could that happen in Argentina?

“How stable is this new Government,” he asked. “Their parliamentary margin is quite small.”

“That, Herr Chancellor,” Dehler replied, “is a very good question. Bräutigam believes it will hold for a short while, but he would not be surprised if new elections were called for within the year. It depends on whether the members of the coalition can agree on social and economic matters.”

“Pastelle, Santinez, and Castagone I know personally,” Adenauer admitted. “They have been in-and-out of Government for years. I do not see them charging off into a war.”

Blank quickly replied, “Neither is Hood, my counterpart. He would do everything in his power to prepare Argentina for conflict with the South Africans but would not want to bring one on.”

“Saavedra Lamas won the Nobel Peace Prize,” Dehler affirmed. “He will not want to incite a war.”

Adenauer nodded. “But the new faces – in key ministries – Peron, Suraez, Laurencena, and Balbin – can they sway policy in a dangerous manner?”

Both subordinates shook their heads; Dehler spoke first. “Not with the current parliamentary holdings.”

“Peron is a man of ambition,” Blank opined. “With the Security Ministry under his wing he could begin to build a mass following, but his National Democratic Party is not strong enough now, though it plays a key role in the coalition.”

“Very well; the Argentines have been negotiating for transfer of military technology,” Adenauer summarized. “There is no real danger if we proceed at this time?”

“No Herr Chancellor,” Dehler replied. “The outbreak of hostilities is remote – not only do the Argentines lack the strength to take on the South African Empire but its allies, Brazil and Chile, are disinclined to support a war of revenge. Now, in the unlikely case of a preventive war launched by Pretoria…”

“All our intelligence suggests the South Africans are not preparing for such,” Blank reported. “With their erstwhile Dutch allies bogged down with the revolt in Ubangi-Shari, they would be spread too thin.”

“Then we shall have to call Herr Blücher into our conversations,” Adenauer concluded, “to discuss the limits of any new economic agreements.”

Talcahuano Harbour, Chile, Thursday, 7 March 1946

With salutes and punctilio Vize Admiral Langsdorff led the East Asia Squadron to sea on a north-bound course. Replacements were scattered throughout the ships of the squadron, and once the formalities of departure were finished Langsdorff ordered his captains to begin a series of drills to weld the new sailors into the crews. He estimated it would take nine days – if the weather held – to reach Buenaventura, and he did not want his Colombian hosts to think the Kriegsmarine was in any way slip-shod.


Kieler Nachrichten, Friday, 8 March 1946

The light cruiser Regensburg was launched here today. She is the last of the four Dresden class vessels authorised under the 1945 Naval Programme, and is expected to complete early next year.


London, The German Embassy, Saturday, 9 March 1946

Walter Schellenburg was taking advantage of the quiet weekend to collate his latest budget of intelligence for Berlin. Pride of place was a copy of the latest publication from Jane’s, summarizing progress in the British aviation industry; while he was certain that a copy would have – or would soon – make its way to the Abwehr via a normal commercial subscription, he felt that his own research would amplify the very interesting information contained therein. From his own observations, and the casual conversation with acquaintances, he was able to annotate the rather optimistic data presented. With information gleaned from commercial sources and various German businessmen who had occasion to meet their British counterparts, he had a deeper understanding – he believed – of who was doing what for whom, and how far along their projects had progressed. There were even additional photographs – through straw-men he had paid several amateurs for copies of their latest catches. Also in the packet was an update to his initial report on HMS Revolution – which he hoped would answer some of the persistent questions from the Admiralstab. Listening to Parliamentary debates had also given him some insights to the British Army’s demobilisation plans, and he would add these.

It was far too much material to reasonably encode – the report would have to go by courier. Then the thought crossed his mind to request leave to deliver the report in person; he hoped that the ambassador would agree.

Erprobungsstätte Lipetsk, Sunday, 10 March 1946

“So, we are agreed?” asked Hans Multhopp. “If we are to attain the performance demanded we will need to install a more powerful engine, which will entail a redesign of the engine section and after fuselage.”

“Da,” answered Semyon Lavochkin. “It is a setback.”

“The only good news is that Heinkel has promised to have a working engine to us within four months, and an engineering sample within thirty days,” Multhopp explained.

Lavochkin nodded. “It will take that long to do the preliminary work on the redesign. And to increase the fuel tankage.”

“Yes,” the German replied. “It will still be an interceptor, but a long stride ahead of other designs.”

[This is, of course, out of character knowledge]


Parkeston Quay, Harwich, Monday, 11 March 1946

Schellenburg showed his credentials to the customs officer and was immediately waved through the queue. The Zeeland Line’s Koningen Emma was ahead of him, her engines already ticking over to begin her night voyage to Vlissingen, and the helpful staff quickly aided him in finding his cabin on the night boat train.

He had deliberately chosen this method of transport over an airliner, hoping to throw off the scent for any snooping British intelligence officers. Not that he had any particular knowledge of such, but Schellenburg felt it appropriate to take precautions. The reports he carried in the case could not be let out of his sight.


Berlin, The Cabinet Meeting Room, Tuesday, 12 March 1946

For the benefit of the rest of the cabinet Dehler and Blank had summarised the discussions they had already had with the Chancellor.

“There appears to be no need to be immediately concerned with the new government in Argentina,” concluded Dehler. “We expect no significant changes in our relations.”

Franz Blücher, the Minister of Economics, cleared his throat. “There could be changes, for the better. The new government is likely to be more pro-business than its predecessor. The Reichsverband der Deutschen Industrie foresees great opportunity for foreign investment.”

“This is true,” Dehler acknowledged. “So our consular authorities report. However, it is unlikely that the strong links between Argentina and Britain can be shaken.” Dehler was well aware of Britain’s large and long-standing position in the Argentine economy.

“Perhaps,” Blücher continued. “But it might be possible to undercut Italy in the Argentine market, particularly if credits were made available.”

Adenauer weighed the probabilities. “Herr Blücher, let us take this particular question up with Herr Bernard at the Reichsbank; in the meanwhile, instruct Bräutigam to raise the subject with the Argentines.”

Der Tagesspiegel, Wednesday, 13 March 1946

Minister of Transport Gottfried Treviranus presented his semi-annual report to the Reichstag on progress made towards completion of the National Motorways System. Despite less than optimal conditions over the winter the last work on the section linking Göttingen with Dessau across Thuringia was completed. Some progress was made on the motorways linking the Ruhr and Emden with the Dutch frontier, and there was limited work on the section across Pomerania towards the Polish frontier. Construction was begun on the section linking the industrial centre of Kassel with the Ruhr.

Her Treviranus assured the house that with the coming of better weather in the spring an increased pace of construction can be expected, with emphasis on completing those sections whose construction has languished.



Lübecker Nachrichten, Thursday, 14 March 1946

It is reported that preparations are underway at the Peenemünde test station for the first rocket launch of the current programme; rumour has it that the rocket is a new design, known as the A9.


Eisenbahn Kurier, Friday, 15 March 1946

Heavy Cruiser Graf Spee, 2 dgs 59 min North, 81 dgs 29 min West, Saturday, 16 March 1946

The report from the Seetakt station had alerted the East Asia Squadron to the presence of ships approaching from the northeast; as the visibility cleared Langsdorff could see the upper works of two large warships from his position on the bridge of the Graf Spee. The lookouts above had an even better view.

“Two battlecruisers, Simon Bolivar class; one cruiser, two destroyers; course 330, speed 15 knots,” the bridge talker repeated.

Langsdorff nodded. “Our Colombian hosts are on their way to greet us,” he added. “Please prepare to render honours and to cruise in company for the last part of our journey.” It had been many years since he had seen Buenaventura, and Langsdorff wondered how it might have changed.


Abwehr Headquarters, Berlin, Sunday, 17 March 1946

Walter Schellenburg had spent several days in Berlin presenting his report to his chief, Oberst Schrader, and other specialists at the Abwehr. Generally speaking they were quite pleased with his information, though some of the questions posed to him made no sense, and his answers elicited a look of confusion from those who posed them. He was about to depart the building when Schrader collared him.

“The Old Man wants a word with you,” he said quietly. With that the two rode the elevator up several floors up, walked down the corridor and into the office of Admiral Canaris.

“Thank you Schrader,” Canaris said, dismissing Schrader and leaving but the two of them in the office.

“Sit down Schellenburg,” Canaris began. “Your work in London has proved enlightening.”

“Thank you sir,” Schellenburg replied. “What is the Old Man up to this time,” he thought, attempting to keep his face blank.

“You have, unfortunately, confused several of our analysts. The information you have provided has contradicted that provided by Source Merlin.” Canaris smiled thinly.

“Merlin.” Schellenburg remembered the information that had enabled the Abwehr to crack open the Kraft spy ring. “I am sorry sir,” he said, “but I have done my best to provide accurate and complete information.”

“And so you have Schellenburg,” continued Canaris. “Your reports have confirmed my own suspicions that Source Merlin no longer reports accurately on British affairs.” He did not disclose that the Abwehr continued to rely upon the Hungarians for accurate intelligence elsewhere.

Schellenburg had never been brought into the inner circle of Merlin; now it seemed he was. He nodded, uncertain of the admiral’s intent.

“The Government still ties our hands with regard to overt espionage in Britain,” Canaris explained. “But you have wisely established good contacts that can be carefully exploited. I want you to use them to the utmost.” He handed Schellenburg an envelope. “It contains a list of topics reported upon by Merlin and which we now must assume are inaccurate to some degree – things that the British want us to believe. You are to reason out the truth of the matter, if possible.”

Schellenburg was aghast at the implications. “Yes Herr Admiral,” was his non-committal reply.


Bremen-Neuenlanderfeld Aerodrome, Monday, 18 March 1946

Kurt Tank was not a happy man. While the prototype of his Fw340 fighter handled well enough in the air the preliminary results showed that it was underpowered and, even worse, the BMW engine would occasionally lose power; unanticipated problems of airflow while the aircraft was manoeuvring. Thus far at least the test programme had satisfied the observers from the Luftwaffe but a redesign would be necessary to eliminate certain structural and aerodynamic issues; an even more powerful engine would be required; the engineers at BMW had promised to start work immediately on one.

*Dun, dun, dunnn!*
Those pesky Huns keep sniffing about...!

Heavy Cruiser Graf Spee, Buenaventura, Colombia, Tuesday, 19 March 1946

The arrival of the East Asia Squadron had proven to be cause for a fiesta in the Colombian city, whose harbour was now filled not only with the ships of the Colombian Navy’s own Pacific Squadron but also hosted both his own and a visiting Atlantean squadron. Langsdorff was surprised by the strength of the Atlantean forces in the region – from the bridge of the Graf Spee he could see two aircraft carriers, two heavy cruisers and eight destroyers – and he had been told additional cruisers and destroyers were on patrol in nearby waters. The preliminary meetings between the principal naval officers that had followed the obligatory courtesy calls suggested that an interesting programme of exercises could be worked out; and Langsdorff was looking forward to comparing his own ships with those of his hosts.


London, The German Embassy, Wednesday, 20 March 1946

Schellenburg had returned from Berlin with a deep sense of foreboding. Merlin had, it seemed, become one of the Abwehr’s chief sources of intelligence on British affairs and now his product was tainted beyond recall. The list of questions Admiral Canaris had assigned him to investigate was lengthy, and obtaining answers to some of them would expose him unduly, or so Schellenburg thought.

As a member of the accredited staff he was immune to arrest but the British could declare him persona non grata if they found him poking his nose into matters that were too sensitive – and investigating one of their own spy games was certainly a sensitive matter. To Schellenburg that would end his career, so he would have to be even more cautious in his movements. Already he felt the eyes of British agents upon him.


Der Tagesspiegel, Thursday, 21 March 1946

Heavy Cruiser Graf Spee, Buenaventura, Colombia, Friday, 22 March 1946

Sitting in his day cabin Admiral Langsdorff was bringing his personal log book up to date, and he had good reason to do so. On the day previous Prinz Eugen and Hipper had engaged in gunnery competition with the Atlantean cruiser Aeneas and the Colombian cruiser Almirante Brión, the latter fresh from her trials. His ships had acquitted themselves well enough, though the Aeneas turned in the best score for the exercise. This was the first opportunity his ship had had to practice their gunnery skills since leaving Indochina, and it showed in some of the ragged targeting. Tomorrow Scheer and Graf Spee would compete against Atlantis’s Odyssey and Colombia’s Almirante Garcia.


Hospodarske noviny (Prague), Saturday, 23 March 1946

The German Mannesmann concern has obtained a majority share interest in the Privoz Metal Rolling Mills.


Kieler Nachrichten, Sunday, 24 March 1946

The new fleet aircraft carriers Tegetthoff and Zieten are due to be launched in the city’s shipyards today, marking yet another step forward in the growth of the Kriegsmarine. The ships are expected to complete late next year, and enter service early in 1948.

Kronen Zeitung, Monday, 25 March 1946

The river patrol boat Habordansky completes its demolition today, a penultimate milestone in the history of the Danube River Flotilla. Her sisters are to follow over the last several months.


Berlin, The Cabinet Meeting Room, Tuesday, 26 March 1946

“Herr Chancellor, we have no legitimate cause to intervene,” said Foreign Minister Dehler adamantly.

The cabinet had been discussing the situation in Belgium for nearly an hour; the second Dutch-inspired plan to unify the Netherlands was not going down well in certain quarters and someone seemed hell-bent on dividing the Flemings from the Walloons. A challenge to the proposed customs union brought by Belgian MPs had been rejected by the courts out of hand, freezing out the lower house of the Belgian parliament in the decision-making process. The terrorists who had blown up the Iron Tower in Diksmuide appeared to still be at large – and there were few signs of efforts being made to bring them to justice.

“The Foreign Ministry opposes the unification of the Netherlands but it is an internal matter for the Dutch and the Belgians,” Dehler continued. “If we make any overt moves it will undo our foreign policy for the last eight years.” No one could disagree on the last point.

“But the German-speaking minority in Malmedy-Eupen…” began Lubke, the Minister of Labour.

Adenauer decided to cut off the debate. “We have expressed our reasonable concerns on that count to the Belgian Government in the past,” he replied to Lubke. Their rights have been respected, and so long they are, Herr Dehler is correct; we have no legitimate reason to intervene in their internal affairs. I am certain that the Belgian Government will continue to treat them equally before the law and in other civil matters. The economic arrangements between them are also an internal matter so long as they do not contravene the PETA. That will be all gentlemen.”


Heavy Cruiser Graf Spee, Buenaventura, Colombia, Wednesday, 27 March 1946

The stay of the East Asia Squadron in Buenaventura continued to be interesting and instructive. The scheduled second gunnery competition had seen Graf Spee and Atlantis’s Odyessey tie for top honours while Scheer had out-scored Colombia’s Almirante Garcia by two points. The replenishment ship Donau had exercised with the Atlantean aircraft carriers Atlantes and Acastus, carrying out refuelling evolutions.

The squadron’s stay had been marked by convivial gatherings of the officers of the three navies. Tonight the Graf Spee would play host, and her crew slaved away under a tropical sun to make certain her decks were spotless and all her bright-work sparkled.

London, The German Embassy, Thursday, 28 March 1946

The course between the Scylla of offending the Wilhelmstraße and the Charybdis of falling foul of the British security services was not an easy one for Walter Schellenburg to chart. He knew that he could not uncover the answers to Canaris’s questions alone, for he had to assume that the British were tracking him wherever he might go. To accomplish his mission he enlisted the assistance of von Bolschwing, the commercial attaché, who began to arrange a series of confidential meetings with representatives of the principal German shipping agencies. These gentlemen had the detailed knowledge to confirm, or deny, that the shipping movements alleged to have taken place to support the purported information supplied by Merlin had in fact happened. That was a start. He further arranged with Bosbach, the cultural attaché, to assist in the sifting and data-mining in the back issues of major British newspapers and magazines where isolated clues might be divined. For his own part, Schellenburg chose to revert to his patient strategy of listening and friend-making. In the short-term he would play for time.


Nachrichten für Außenhandel, Friday, 29 March 1946

The Siemens concern has acquired a minority interest in the Nordish wireless equipment manufacturer Tandbergs Radiofabrikk of Bergen.

Heavy Cruiser Graf Spee, Buenaventura, Colombia, Saturday, 30 March 1946

Langsdorff was somewhat surprised by the strength of the Atlantean naval presence in Pacific waters – taken altogether it comprised two fast fleet aircraft carriers, two mammoth battleships – the Agamemnon and the Cronus – two heavy and four light cruisers and an even dozen destroyers; this on top of Colombia’s formidable force of two battlecruisers, two heavy and four antiaircraft cruisers, and a quartet of destroyers. His hosts explained this as a tribute to the fine weather prevailing off Colombia’s coast, which permitted training nearly year round.

In his own mind, Langsdorff could see several other reasons. With tanker support the Atlantean force was well positioned to backstop the French fleet in the eastern Pacific, and at the same time offer a substantial check to any possible Peruvian move against Chile. Having a fleet capable of blockading the Panama Canal kept Iberia honest – though Langsdorff doubted that the Iberians would be so foolish as to upset the balance of power in the region. Mexico – Atlantis’s erstwhile ally however – was another matter. One could not quite be certain what that nation might do.

Still, knowledge that German’s Atlantean ally had such forces available gave Langsdorff a good feeling that if trouble were ever to break out in the Pacific it could be dealt with quickly.


Lübecker Nachrichten, Sunday, 31 March 1946

The prototype A-11 sounding rocket arrived today at the Peenemünde Test Range for its final assembly. Compared with the A-4 and A-9 rockets, the A-11 is much smaller, approximately seven metres in height and a metre in diameter. Static testing is expected to proceed in the next few weeks but a launch date has yet to be scheduled.

Hamburger Abendblatt, Monday, 1 April 1946

The air defence destroyers Elbing and Pillau were laid down in the Deschimag yards here today, while sister ships were begun in Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven. The latest of the Wiesbaden class these vessels will be equipped with the most modern electronic detection systems and are intended to be the primary escorts of the Kriegsmarine’s aircraft striking forces.


Elbinger Volksstimme, Tuesday, 2 April 1946

The pace of work at the Schichau yard at Memel continues steady. Keels have been laid for two more harbour tugs to the account of the Kriegsmarine, while two frigates and two corvettes near completion. A major employer in the city, the Schichau works has repeatedly shown its commitment to delivering contracted vessels on time.


London, The German Embassy, Wednesday, 3 April 1946

Carefully widening his net of unofficial informants, Schellenburg was rapidly coming to the conclusion that much of the recent information emanating from Source Merlin on British affairs was wholly inaccurate. He had answered enough of Canaris’s questions to document that one of Merlin’s coups – British defence plans for the Middle East – was full of inaccuracies; and he even had found accurate information to replace the “chicken-feed” that the British had fed to Merlin.

More research, more contacts, and more listening would give Schellenburg the answers he needed.

Heavy Cruiser Graf Spee, Buenaventura, Colombia, Thursday, 4 April 1946

The quays of the port of Buenaventura were lined with well-wishers as the ships of the East Asia Squadron weighed anchor and slowly made their way down the channel to the sea. White-uniformed sailors lined the rails of the German ships as salutes were exchanged with the Colombian and Atlantean ships anchored in the harbour. The destroyers San Marcos and San Martin took up positions on either side of the Graf Spee to escort the flagship and her consorts out of Colombian territorial waters.

For Vize-Admiral Langsdorff their visit to South America had been most pleasant; his ships and crew were in fine fettle, and ready to retrace their course across the South Pacific towards Indochina. Of course, it would take time; Langsdorff hoped that this passage would be less controversial.


Das Andere Deutschland (Duderstadt), Editorial Page, Friday, 5 April 1946

Despite the deployment of thousands of troops from across its empire the Netherlands has yet to defeat the valiant forces of the Republic of Ubangi-Shari. President N’Dofa has fought the Dutch and Kongolese forces to a standstill, despite the overwhelming air superiority of the Dutch aided by foreign logistical support. It is likely that the Dutch bastion of Kaga Bandaoro will fall to the Republican forces within a week; Minister of Information Barthélemy Boganda has gone on record that more than two hundred thousand Republican recruits are now under arms.

King Alexander has failed in his attempt to crush the will of the people of Ubangi-Shari, and continues to use unconstitutional methods to muzzle even the loyal opposition to his rule. The Ubangian Socialist Action Party, which professes support of the Dutch regime, has been outlawed and its leader, Mister Julius Limbani, is under house arrest.

Still the German Government does nothing. The innocent civilians of Ubangi-Shari has been showered with rubbergas bombs and ground under the tracks of tanks; there are no estimates of civilian casualties but they are no doubt heavy. In the name of humanity we call upon the German Government to attempt to mediate the conflict and bring an end to the oppression of the people of Ubangi-Shari.

(Das Andere Deutschland (Duderstadt) is a Socialist and pacifist newspaper (displaced from Berlin) that in no way reflects the opinions of the German Government.)


Inspection Ship Roter Löwe, Emden Harbour, Saturday, 6 April 1946

More than a week behind schedule Fregattenkapitän Richard Zapp was finally able to take his ship to sea again. The Roter Löwe’s departure had been delayed by defects in her engines, which required far more work than anticipated. However she was now ready and Zapp ordered an increase in speed as soon as he cleared the harbour channel, to try and make up for his tardiness.