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Noticias Argentinas

Jan 9

In Cuxhaven today the head of the Argentine Naval Commission in Europe Admiral Galindez attended the laying down ceremony of the two new cruisers General Belgrano and Capitan Juan Domingo Peron. In a speech he praised the modern German shipyards and their designers who had provided Argentina such powerful ships when other nations were acquiring similar ships.

Jan 10

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has defended the Esquel Treaty to Peru. Any reference to Peru is in no way indicative of any involvement in the unfortunate conflict between Bolivia and Chile. Peru is only included so that if any future hostilities broke out between Peru and Chile then Argentina will not aid Peru in any way, and indeed will feel obliged to help Chile by any means short of committing military forces.

Jan 11

After an overnight train and VIP transport by an Atlantiean destroyer based at Marseilles Admiral Galindez arrived in Atlantis to attend the laying down of the new scout cruiser Nueve de Julio. He hammered in the first symbolic golden rivet and made a two hour speech on the future of friendly co-operation between the two nations.

At home in our yards no less than eight new ships have been laid down. AFNE at Bahia Blanca has laid down two Indomita, two Guardia and two Chaco class vessels, Astillero Nav. at Puerto Belgrano has received the order for the second Nueve de Julio Class cruiser to be laid down in March and Tandanor at Comodoro Rividavia has laid down an Indomita torpedo boat and the first Los Andes Class gunboat.

Meanwhile it has been revealed that the Naval Construction Board has been consulting foreign powers about out future battleship needs. The Chief of Staff of the Navy Adm. Smith has complained about this and questions were asked in the Chambre of Deputies. One Deputy asked, “This is symptomatic of the lazy and confused thinking at the top. First a military disaster and now the Navy can’t decide what ships it needs and when it needs them. Now we have our plans floating around the Admiralties of the world.” The Deputy representing Bahia Blanca defended the navy adding, “It’s not easy to plan ahead when so many nations are trying to destroy the Cleito Treaty and then we may face super-battleships off our coasts when we are stuck with puny battleships. We must co-operate with our neighbours to create the technology to build our own guns and ships to keep South America free from the Imperialists.” He was given a rapturous applause when he returned to his seat but Defence Minister Hood will face questions in the Senate.

The Army will shortly begin two months of intensive tank training. Exercises will be held and tasks will include tank attacks (both with and without infantry support), tank defensive actions, infantry support and general tactics. The Army has expressed interest in purchasing a new Tankette type for reconnaissance and training.

Jan 15

It has been revealed today by Defence Minister Vice Adm (ret). Hood in a special Senate hearing over the Battleship question that the Capitan Peron just laid down in Germany will be halted for six months because of serious payments miscalculations and the desire for German engineers to rectify any problems before continuing construction. While this makes perfect technical sense the Senate agreed that poor financial malpractice has harmed the nation’s standing abroad. The Senate has refused to fund any new battleships and so the Navy is forced to seek second-hand vessels from abroad. The Minister was able, however, to confirm possible sales from the old Trinidad Class which may improve the financial situation later in the year.

Noticias Argentinas

Jan 25

The special ambassador Alfredo Catagone will visit Paraguay next month to discuss the problem of FUM and the complaints by the Paraguayan government concerning argentine operations on its soil.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has noted with alarm the murder of a Nordish delegate in Atlantis and the recent change of government in Italy. The Foreign Affairs Minister Ricardo Barbero today made a statement, “we value Italian friendship and our recent agreements have great importance to our nation, but we hope that future Italian actions and politics follow the previous high standard with dignity.”

The Defence Minister Vice Adm (ret). Juan Perez Benedicto Hood today laid the foundation stone of the new MAS boatyard at Bahia Blanca, the new company Baglietto Argentina will be a joint Argo-Italian company. The whole yard will eventually comprise four small slips, one small 40m dry dock for military and civilian use and some 1200m sq of factory and warehouse space.

Jan 29

FMA today have revealed the latest products shortly to enter flight test. The I.Ae 1 will have its first flight sometime in March followed by the I.Ae 2 in May and the I.Ae 3 in September. The trainers should begin to enter service in late 1932/early 1933 if all goes well.



FMA I.Ae 1 Guarani
Planned variants include civil I.Ae 1A, military four seat courier I.Ae 1B (Commando de Aviacion Naval Argentina has ordered four), flying ambulance I.Ae 1C with space for one stretcher, pilot and one attendant or walking wounded and a seaplane version with floats I.Ae1D.

FMA I.Ae 2
This advanced monoplane will enter service in late 1932 and will equip three Fuerza Aerea Argentina flying school squadrons (45 aircraft) and one Commando de Aviacion Naval Argentina training squadron (12 aircraft).

FMA I.Ae 3
Designed for advanced flying training for fighter pilots the I.Ae is a modern aircraft. Future aircraft will be powered by Renault in-line engines. It will equip two Fuerza Aerea Argentina flying school squadrons (30 aircraft) from early 1933.

Feb 4

The Argentine government today made a statement concerning the declaration of war between Chile and Bolivia, “We regret the Chileans have resorted to war but serve provocation by Bolivia must be punished. We hope Brazil will join us in condemning the war and helping in diplomatic efforts to swiftly conclude peace between the two nations. We must all work together on the continent and we pledge ourselves to be neutral in this matter”.

Feb 6

Today the D’Silva Militia has unveiled its new weapons to combat FUM incursions and raids into Argentina. A saloon car, two Model T Fords and three trucks have been converted into armoured cars. The Saloon (Antonio’s Spear) is fitted with steel shutters over the windows and the radiator and four rifle ports added, the two Model Ts feature a new thick-gauge steel and boiler plate body, with a crew of two it will be armed with an LMG if one can be obtained. The trucks have armoured shutters over the cab windows and radiator, an obstacle removing device is fitted to the front (a modified cow-catcher) and the rear is a simple steel box with three rifle ports and a roof hatch for an LMG. The Army and Ministry of Security have been alarmed by these semi-legal vehicles and the Army may well confiscate them, the Ministry of Security also wish to take them for the Guardia Civil.

Feb 9

Alfredo Catagone arrived in Paraguay to discuss the situation on the border. Army officers accompanied him and accused the Paraguayan army of doing little to stop the creation of FUM training camps on its soil. All known camps have now been destroyed by Argentine forces but at a cost. The Paraguayan government has objected to what it sees as illegal and unwelcome incursions into its territory by Argentina. Stalemates was broken after six hours of negotiations and the Paraguayan government have relented and allowed Argentina free movement up to ten miles inside the border region with proper supervision by Paraguayan troops.

Feb 11

Campaigns have begun for this year’s Presidential Elections to be held on May 1st. The current President must stand down this year after holding the Presidency since 1922. The Democratic Union has elected Alfredo de Miguel Gonzalez who is President Gomez’s protégé and his Principal Secretary since 1928. The Conservative Party has chosen Alfonso D’Silva the party’s leader since August 1927 and has heavy backing from his father Antonio D’Silva the cattle baron. The United Workers Party after a messy three month election process has finally agreed to Eduardo Garcia, a former steel worker from Cordoba. The Social Democrat Party will merge with the United Workers Party after the election to form the United Social Workers Party and so its leader will not stand. Political commentators have so far favoured Gonzalez but a Gallup Poll recently seems to favour D’Silva, this result has been dismissed by some politicians who claim the public cannot know which the like the best this early in the contest. It looks as though the Gomez Vs D’Silva political battle will continue.

Feb 29

Today the 1st Destroyer Squadron was officially formed with the first three new Mendoza Class destroyers Mendoza, Rioja and La Plata under the command of Contra Almirante Gomez. The new Cruiser General San Martin is also ready to join the 1st Independent Destroyer Squadron. Her Capitan, Capitan de Navio Roho who distinguished himself in the recent naval exercises has praised the ships builders and now looks forward to beginning trials and training in Argentina’s newest cruiser.

Mar 23

Early this morning Guardia Civil troops and police made nine arrests of suspected FUM members in Argentina including Juan Domingo Sanchez Romeo the husband of one of the D’Silva daughters and the founder of the FUM political movement. The National Bank has frozen the assets of at least six of the suspects. The raids follow the uncovering of an illegal arms shipment aboard a tramp steamer which put into Rawson yesterday afternoon with engine trouble. Local customs officials became suspicious and a unit of local Guardia Civil troops called in to search the ship. The ship was owned by Compania Argentina de Marinanavegacion D’Silva. The Ministry of Security has now begun an investigation in co-operation with the police. Officers have been at the home of Antonio D’Silva all day and more police have begun searching the offices of Compania Argentina de Marinanavegacion D’Silva.

Mar 25

In a statement to the Senate today Finance Minister Juan D’Silva resigned his post and will stand down after the election. He felt responsible for the recent actions and decided that rather than taint the government with corruption, even though unproven, he should leave. His brother Alfonso, the Presidential candidate for the Conservative Party, has so far rejected all the allegations made against his family and has been on an extensive front-line tour of border camps to bolster support for the troops. “We need peace in this region, we see what has happened in Bolivia and we do not want that here. No sane man wants war in these parts, that we D’Silva’s should be brought into this plot is unthinkable. Every patriot’s heart is right here on the border.” Extract of a press announcement he made this morning.

Recent polls currently show him trailing; Gonzalez 43%, D’Silva 30% and Garcia 27%.

Mar 29

Today the Navy placed the elderly Battlecruiser Presidente Sarmiento into reserve until her expected refit. She has sailed to Comodoro Rivadavia and now has decommissioned and become RTS-101. Only a care and maintenance crew will be kept aboard along with stoker trainees. The elderly Independencia has also been docked nearby and decommissioned and been given the new number RTS-102. She will serve as midshipmen training ship and offer extra accommodation until her eventual scrapping date. The Fighting Reserve Squadron has now been disbanded and Contra Almirante Cejoa will retire this August at the age of 67 after serving in the Navy for 47 years.

Noticias Argentinas Supplemental news

Mar 2

Today Siam signed a contract for 24 I-100 Barron fighter and thirty T-514 and thirty I.Ae 2 trainers to re-equip the air force. Deliveries will begin by Q4 this year. FMA has welcomed this further order and has now signed a deal with Tucan to licence produce all I.Ae2 aircraft in its factory.

Mar 20

Head of the Argentine Naval Commission in Europe Admiral Galindez attended the completion of the two Ruggiero Class flotilla leaders Heroina and Sarandi. Both ships will now commence trails in Italian waters for three months before completing work up in home waters. Crew are being transferred to Italy by passenger steamer.