WesWorld

Noticias Argentinas

Oct 2
The old President Sarimento has set sail today on her delivery voyage to Peru. Onboard are technicians, reservists and some of the new Peruvian crew getting some blue-water training.

Bandera No. 1/TIM.11 of the Infantería de Marina has left Bahia Blanca for Mexico. After a six hour meeting with Mexican army officials it was decided to send forces to help fight the Mexican rebels. They are expected to take part in the assault on Guadalajara.

Oct 3-9
The Talons over Cordoba Contest is another success drawing huge crowds and many foreign visitors. Argentina is saddened by the death of 1st Lieutenant Y. Yucuman in his FMA I-100 Barron fighter. His state funeral was held on Oct 9th in his home town of San Rafael in the Province of Mendoza. Many Fuerza Aerea Argentina high-ranking officers attended.

Oct 11
Argentine forces and the Red Cross have begun setting up aid posts along the border with Paraguay. Luis Contreras has formed a new movement out of the various rebel groups in Paraguay. The new coalition will be called the United Paraguayan Anti-Government Front (UPAF). As yet Argentine authroites have not forced him to leave Argentina.

Noticias Argentinas

Nov 1
High level Naval meetings have been held today. The Annual Naval Report was published and a talk was held by Defence Minister Vice Adm. (ret). Juan Perez Benedicto Hood. Another conference attended by ten high-ranking officers has called for a multi-national anti-piracy force to be set up in the Atlantic after the recent hunt for the Intrepida.

Nov 7
Today the Army has made a public statement that it may have to intervene of the situation gets any worse in Paraguay for humanitarian reasons. In any event the distribution of aid is slowly increasing.

Nov 11
Information that the Chilean and Peruvian governments have met with the USA and agreed border demarcations has reached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who are very pleased at this outcome. Meanwhile Atlantis has been broaching the subject of tri-nation talks with Chile to settle the Tierra del Fuego dispute.

Nov 16
The Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Alfonso Salo today told the Senate that any military movement into Paraguay would be unthinkable in the current situation and that all aid would be given from our territory. Some 6,000 reservists have been called up to build and man seven new refugee camps.

Nov 20
The first batch of the twenty-four modern Fokker T.IVa seaplanes for the Commando de Aviacion Naval Argentina have arrived. They will equip a new unit whose duties will include reconnaissance and bombing.

Nov 28
A commission report into the Intrepida Case has found insufficient evidence that the ship sunk was Intrepida. While some wreckage was salvaged no conclusive evidence was found and the loss of a Venezuelan ship around the same time cannot be ignored. At first thought to have foundered in the storm it may have been captured by the pirate vessel and used as a decoy. If so then the Intrepida could be anywhere.

Annual Naval Report

State of the Navy Ship-by-Ship and capabilities.

1st Battleship Squadron: Libertad and Capitan Gascon are in good condition and the crews have undergone intensive training during the past year. Work on Project 101 continues. These ships are among the most combat efficient in the navy.

2nd Battleship Squadron: Patagonia and Pampas have conducted trials and training and now are fully combat ready ships. More training is needed but the crews overall are of good quality. No major maintenance problems reported.

1st Battlecruiser Squadron: Santisima Trinidad has just completed offensive actions across the Atlantic. Although elderly she stood up to the long-trip and rough seas well. Spares are becoming a problem but the ship is still combat effective. The crew have gained useful experience in blue-water operations, naval warfare and refuelling at sea.

1st Cruiser Squadron: Pueyrredon, Veitncinco de Mayo and Almirante Brown.
Pueyrredon is currently the Fleet Gunnery Training Ship and therefore has lacked proper sea time. Her crew are mostly reservists but in wartime trained men would be embarked inline with her Flagship role.
The two Italian cruisers Veitncinco de Mayo and Almirante Brown are now equipped with seaplanes and are the most effective cruisers in the fleet. Almirante Brown’s crew have now blue-water and combat experience and the ship stood up well to the rigours of rough seas. AA armament upgrades are currently underway. Work ongoing on Project 201 for a new heavy cruiser and new Project 604 light cruisers in Germany.

2nd Cruiser Squadron: Nueve de Julio, Comodore Py, Hipolito Bouchard and Espora.
Since last year Nueve de Julio has improved dramatically under Capitan Dominguez. While technical problems are still many the condition of the vessel has been improved by ‘spit and polish’ and a new crew is training together very well. Her replacement is already under construction so any future refit seems unlikely. Foreign purchases should soon boost cruiser numbers.
Comodore Py, Hipolito Bouchard and Espora will also soon be replaced be new Project 315 vessels. All have been consistently at sea on blockade duties and are wearing out fast. Py is now nearly a floating hulk as her engines are badly worn. Espora will also be laid up soon as a source of spares.

1st Destroyer Squadron: Mendoza, Rioja and La Plata (+3).
Very capable ships among the best in the world. No major technical troubles and excellent guns. Crew training progressing very well. Proved capable of trans-oceanic voyages.

2nd and 3rd Destroyer Squadrons: 1914-1916 Programme Ships Cervantes, Yucuman, Juan de Garray, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Salto, San Juan, Bathurst and King all in fair condition but these ships are aging fast and bearing the brunt of constant use. Turbines need overhaul as do the boilers in the majority of the ships. Habitation has been improved but still inferior to modern ships.

4th Destroyer Squadron: E101-04 (ex Catamarca-Thorne) have all been refitted with new powerful 130mm guns and modern A/S weapons. These ships will be used until newer escort designs enter service. The refits have solved many maintenance problems but the engines still require extensive work. Practical speed now is 17-19kts. E105-6 are, as yet, un-modernised. Crews are second-line and training is poor in some areas.

1st Independent Destroyer Squadron: Heroina and Sarandi are very modern and powerful vessels. Crew training has progressed well but taking time to master Italian machinery which has proved reliable in service. Flag duties will commence soon.

General San Martin is a cruiser, minelayer, training ship and destroyer flotilla leader in wartime. The largest warship built in home yards she has been an excellent success in both construction and reliability. Crew training is to a high standard given her role but many of her crew will be trainees.

1st and 2nd Torpedo Destroyer Squadrons: Corrientes Class D101-10 and T101-02 are brand-new and although problems have been encountered these ships are combat ready. Crew training still requires much work but men from older ships are being transferred. The customs operated ships are in constant and successful use.

1st Submarine Squadron: Salta and Santa Fe complete and working up in the Baltic. Will be our first submarines. Work to begin on four more in home yards.

Minelayer Squadron: Fulton and Chaco Class.
Fulton is laid up with engines unserviceable. Chaco Class are brand new and still working up. They promise much allied with the new Project 501 Guardia Class. These ships are brand new and only just completed.

Gunboat Support Squadron: The two Parana Class are still in good condition, the Patria is operating with half-crew but is still operational. The two new Los Andes Class are now fully operational and taking the bulk of patrol work to save older ships for possible war service. Training is ongoing and more gunnery practice needed.

MTB Fleet is plagued by engine troubles and most of the fleet is laid up. New MAS types will be built and these older units may be used for training only.

MGB Fleet is operating well with no major issues.

Presidente Sarimento the sail training vessel is in very good condition and is preparing for the 1933 season.

Transport Fleet is still plagued by poor equipment and unsafe handling gear but exercises have helped training but morale is still low. The tanker is in fair condition but newer commercial tankers can replace her in wartime. Hampered by lack of at-sea refuelling capability.

Survey ship is still in good condition and morale is very high aboard.

Tugs and crane ship are used hard but no serious problems reported. New crane for crane ship has been postponed.


Army Status Report 1932

Two new divisions are still to be formed by Aug 1935 and a new corps structure will see an extra battery equipped with heavy guns by 1939. By late 1933 the fourth Brigade of the Infantería de Marina will be complete and new 150mm and 75mm guns are entering service.
Re-equipping with the new 75mm M31 L/50 at a rate of 50 guns a year is well underway in the frontline units. The Navy is to purchase 50 for coastal defence, some to be mounted in coastal defences. An AA gun version with pedestal mount and associated rangefinders has entered limited service some six months early. The new 155mm M32 is another French gun modernised and this will enter widespread service during 1933. Some are in service now. New 37mm and 20mm AA guns have been entering service since 1929 in small numbers. 30 Chrysler cars modified with 8mm armour (open top) and armed with one 7.92mm MG and crew of three are in service and 50 more have been ordered. The Vickers 6 ton copy T-1M31 tank is about to enter full production during the year and 100 will be built within five years. A tankette type has been cancelled for the time being.
On going radio procurement has been hit be financial difficulties but most long-range sets will be replaced by 1935 and medium sets by 1939.

Fuerza Aerea Argentina Annual Report

Expansion in the FAA should result in a 72 aircraft Regiment by the end of 1938 as a standard across the fighting element. The School of Military Aviation and School for Specialists (for NCOs) will be expanded and a new Technical School added by 1936.
New procurement is limited to trainers and I-100 fighters. Some Atlantean designs will be brought from 1934. No further expansion will take place this year.
The Commando de Aviacion Naval has expanded greatly over the past year and further deliveries will commence next year.

Interesting that the Argies consider Patagonia and Pampas to be BBs.

Excellent report, btw, I may have to steal the concept!

That's simply astounding...great work!!

Noticias Argentinas

Dec 11
The Navy has released the Annual Naval Report compiled by Defence Minister Vice Adm (ret). Juan Perez Benedicto Hood and the Chief of Staff of the Navy Adm. Antonio Moreno Smith. A series of naval discussions have taken place ahead of next weeks Senate vote on the 1933 Naval Programme.

Dec 15
News that Peru has invaded Bolivia to support the Chileans has met with a mixed response in Cordoba today. The Foreign Affairs Minister Alfredo Castagone has urged caution to prevent he escalation of the war. The Army have welcomed the move but call for Iberian troops to stay out of the war. The Navy is on alert and the El Cid in Peruvian waters has caused some alarm.

Dec 16
At cinemas across Argentina the new documentary film ‘Talons for Glory’ about the recent Talons over Cordoba Contest has been released to great critical acclaim.

Dec 17
The Senate in the current political and world situation has agreed all the Navy’s funds for 1933. During the debate the expected questions over the sale of Independencia did not arise but the Senate has asked why the Navy is complaining of a shortage of 130mm shells despite full production over the past year. Looking at the production figures it appears around half of the shells have not been delivered to the Navy. The Navy has failed to give a plausible explanation.

Dec 20
The Red Cross estimates some 5,000 refugees are now in state-run camps along the border. More aid supplies are needed, especially food.

Quoted

During the debate the expected questions over the sale of Independencia did not arise but the Senate has asked why the Navy is complaining of a shortage of 130mm shells despite full production over the past year. Looking at the production figures it appears around half of the shells have not been delivered to the Navy. The Navy has failed to give a plausible explanation.

Hmmmmm. Either someone's lining their pockets quite nicely, or the shells are being diverted to some other use. One might suspect supporting the chaos in Paraguay, but 130mm guns are a bit large and bulky for easy movement.

The First Five Year Naval Construction Programme 1931-1936 Progress Report

The First Five Year Naval Construction Programme called for the building of 48 torpedo boats and escorts and 48 small craft, 12 destroyers, two light cruisers and a heavy cruiser. Progress has been mixed but overall the Navy views modernisation as the primary aim of this first programme.

Torpedo Boats: A capability report now identifies a need for only 36 ships in this class. Twelve Corrientes Class ships have been built in 1931 but design problems have stopped production of this type. A more capable class has been designed, the Indomita Class. These ships are larger and more complex to build being more like mini-destroyers. Four will be built as will four of a new escort type for oceanic operations.

Escorts: The Guardia Class has entered service. Six will be built and operated in the minesweeper role for the time being. The multi-role Chaco design may well enter service in double-figure numbers by 1941. A powerful AA escort variant will shortly be built. At least 24 small Project 611 boats will be built for coastal work. More will be built for customs operations.

Destroyers: Five new ships have already been built, three Mendoza and two Italian leaders. The Mendoza Class will number seven by 1936. One armed with the new 115mm DP turret will be a flotilla leader for the new class of 115mm armed ships to be built in 1933. Five of these will be built. This will give a total of 12 ships and this part of the programme will be completed by 1936.

Light Cruisers: After much debate two types have been purchased. The new Light Scout Cruiser will replace all current light cruisers in service and was an unplanned part of the programme aimed at increasing the efficiency of the Navy. Two powerful 15x5.9” gunned cruisers have are under construction in Germany. A foreign purchase of four more cruisers will soon enable a third cruiser squadron to be formed. A light cruiser/ minelayer/ training ship has also been built. This part of the programme will be complete by 1936.

Heavy Cruisers: Many designs have been rejected and the planned 10” gunned ships have been discarded. A new 170mm gunned ship will begin construction by 1936. Two ships will be built to give a squadron of four heavy cruisers.

Light Craft: All planned targets have been scrapped owing to design problems but soon MAS types will be produced to fill capability gaps.

Submarines: Two have been completed in Germany and at least four more will be built by 1936.

Overall Progress Ten Year Programme:

By 1941 two battleships, three/four battlecruisers, two aircraft carrying vessels, 36 destroyers,12 cruisers, twenty-four torpedo boats, around 30 escorts and six/twelve submarines.

In 1933 two battleships, three battlecruisers, 22 destroyers, six/ten cruisers, fifteen torpedo boats, five escorts and two submarines.

Quoted

Heavy Cruisers: Many designs have been rejected and the planned 10” gunned ships have been discarded. A new 170mm gunned ship will begin construction by 1936. Two ships will be built to give a squadron of four heavy cruisers.

170mm or 190mm? The current Argentine "heavy" cruisers are equipped with the 190mm gun, I can't see the point in a 170mm "heavy".

Sorry I meant 190mm, I was thinking about the length which is 170m. A bit of deception to keep my enemies thinking. ;0)