WesWorld

January 6, 1930 - Berlin

Diplomatic cables have been flying back and forth between Berlin and Copenhavn, with the Danish Ambassador meeting several times a day with the Foreign Minister. So far both governments have been closed-mouthed about the reason for the discussions, though rumor has it that the territories added to Germany after the Prussian-Danish War of 1864 have been mentioned.


January 15, 1930 - Kiel

The last pre-Great War light cruiser, Berlin, has lowered her national ensign for the last time. In drydock in the Kiel harbor, she will now be scrapped.


January 15, 1930 - Kiel

At the same time as Berlin was paying off, the keel of the first of a new class of ship was being laid in the HDW shipyards. 50% larger than the recently built Liepzig class CLs, the new armored cruiser (currently called "Ersatz A") will be armed with 9 21cm Krupp rifles, along with 10.5cm and lighter weapons and 60cm torpedoes. She will be the largest ship delivered to the Kriegsmarine since the Hindenburg was commissioned in 1917.


January 18, 1930 - Wilhlemshaven

The first U-boat built in Germany since the end of the Great War has been started. Grand Admiral Raeder commented, "In May, prior to launching U-1, I will invite the American naval attache to visit her with me, so no one will doubt that Germany is fulfilling her obligations under the Cleito Treaty."

January 24th, 1930 - Berlin

A large high-level delegation from Denmark has arrived, led by Prime Minister The Rt. Hon. Neils Thomasius Neergaard, Admiral Carl Christofer Georg Andrae, Rear Admiral Adam Wilhelm Moltke, General Anders Franz Olafsen, and other assorted staffers. The Danish Prime Minister and his entourage were accorded all honors due a head of state, and met with Foreign Minister Stresseman, Chancellor Cuno, and their counterparts in the Kriegsmarine and the Heere.


January 26th, 1930 - Berlin

In the Great Hall of the Reichstag, a new treaty was signed between Denmark and Germany, guaranteeing friendship and non-aggression between the two neighboring states. Chancellor Cuno remarked, "Continuing peace on the continent of Europe is in everyone's interest, and most especially Germany's. We are pleased to conclude this treaty with our northern neighbor, and we hope that the treaty, and the peace it represents, hold for many years and will continue to spread across Europe."

March 3, 1930 – Grafenwöhr

The hills echoed with the sounds of rumbling or roaring engines, as metal-encased monstrosities clanked and rattled over the fields and hills near this Bavarian town. Tanks from a number of foreign countries, as near as Poland and as far away as Japan, clanked over obstacles, rolled through fields, became bogged down in spring muck, and just plain broke down. Curses rang out in many languages as vehicles misbehaved, under the watchful eyes of the German observers, led by Colonel Heinz Guderian. Civilian observers included Dr. Ferdinand Porsche and Dr. Erwin Adler. Cannon were fired at targets, adding to the din of the engines and working men.

Several of the most interesting vehicles include: the Japanese Type 90 Chi Ha, a new prototype first seen here, armed with a 57mm turreted cannon and 2 machineguns; the American Christie Model 1928, armed with a fixed 37mm gun and a 12.7mm machinegun; the Atlantean AT-27, armed with a turreted 37mm gun and 2 machineguns; and the Polish Type B with a turreted 47mm gun and a machinegun. Testing is expected to continue through the end of the month.


March 19, 1930 – Dresden

At the Infanterieschule Dresden, the stutter and yammer of machineguns rattled, as testing began on candidate weapons to supplement or replace the long-serving MG-08 in Heere service. Led by Colonel Erwin Rommel, the men testing and examining the weapons are looking to see what advantages, and disadvantages, each possible weapon brings the Heere in relation to the old “Spandau”. The perceived leaders at the moment in the chase to replace the older weapon are the Czech ZB-26, and the Swiss Solothurn MG-30. Both are fed from box-magazines, with the ZB feeding from the top of the weapon, while the MG-30 feeds from the left side. Testing is expected to continue for several weeks.

Making an extremely brief appearance at Grafenwöhr was the second prototype of the M15/30. Its appearance was cut short by considerable technical difficulties. The largest problem seemed to be its new suspension system and teetching problems with the new petrol engine. It was sent to the competition more to attract attention for future orders than to win. Its size is considerably restricted by its need for perfomance in mountainous terrain, the need to cross small bridges and travel on twisty tracks. The 65/17 gun was selected because it is already in service with the Alpini and for the larger HE shell.

Crew 3
Engine 150hp - petrol
Weight 15 tons
Speed 40kph
Armament : 2 x 6.5 MG, 1 x 65mm / 17 gun
Length 16' 2"
Width 7' 3"
Height 7' 3"
Armor 14 - 60mm.

March 22, 1930 - Berlin

The Luftwaffe has put forth a request for proposals for land-based aircraft to carry an airborne torpedo, of up to 800 kg in weight. Along with this proposal for aircraft was a request for proposals for torpedoes to arm the aircraft, as while the Kreigsmarine has torpedoes, none in current service are very suitable for aircraft launch.


March 22, 1930 - Berlin

The Luftwaffe has announced a series of aircraft orders. 20 Dornier Do-15 Wals, 10 Do-11, 10 Heinkel He-59s, 60 He-50s, and 20 He-60s were ordered.


March 22, 1930 - Berlin

The Luftwaffe has put forth a request for proposals for primary trainer aircraft to train new pilots for service in the Luftwaffe. These are to be 2-seat, single engine aircraft, no armament is to be fitted.


March 30, 1930 - Fredricshafen

Duraluminum fabrication has begun at Luftschiffbau-Zeppelin, Gmb. H on the new passenger airship LZ-129. This airship, to be filled with helium gas purchased from the US, is expected to join Graf Zeppelin in the skies in approximaely 1 year.