WesWorld

April 4th 1935- The Foreign Office, in a short statement, stated that they consider the latest moves by the Lithuanian military as "provocative in nature and definitely aimed at our nation." The same statement said that "the moves from Russia of late as another example of their attempts to recreate the times of the Tsar. Their attempts to influence the events in Eastern Europe of late demonstrate that indeed we are right."

April 7th 1935- it was announced today a deal has being reached with the Dutch aeronautical company Fokker for the licensing of their heavy fighter (1), starting production in local facilities sometime next year. According to sources, "the need of fighters capable to intercept possible enemy bombers were a necessity that our local designs were not capable to fill yet." Fokker spokesman stated that the aircrafts 'will be manufactured to the excellent standards that have made their company a recognized name in the industry.'

(1) the G-1C will start production something next year. They will carry 20mm cannons instead of the Madsen 23mm typical of the Dutch aircrafts.

Which G-1 variant is Poland buying, out of curiosity?

Russian Federation Foreign Ministry notes that, considering where Lithuania's new Fortified Region is being constructed, its weapons can only be aimed at Lithuania, Poland, in her present borders, being another thirty kilometers beyond range of A-19 122mm field guns firing from Altyus.

If Poland stays where she is, those weapons can do her no harm whatsoever.

April 7th 1935- The Foreign Office considers the Russian Foreign Minister note of April 4th as "the proof that shows who really is in control in Lithuania now. The next we know the small Russian engineer mission, to according to Russian sources is helping, will turn into a Russian Army Corps soon enough. Must likely with the orders to "protect" Lithuania. The whole thing will be a laugh except for sad fate of the Lithuanian nation as a Russian puppet. Our hope is that with the help of God the good Lithuanian people will avert that fate."

April 9th 1935- Marshall Kustrzeba read the report of the readiness of the armed forces and shook his head. The military minds of Poland agreed that the thawing of political relationships with Germany allowed to move forces to the East but the reality was that if Russia decides to give up reason and forget about casualties it was nothing to stop them of defeating Poland.

The KOP (1) was ready for the task, the Pinsk Marshes were a perfect funnel were to give massive casualties and slow down the Russian forces and now a large bulk of the Polish forces were now permanently stationed facing East; at least those were the positives of the report. The bad news were that after they past the Marshes only the rivers could serve to stop any Russian advance, that at the most the Army could resist between three to six months, that while Romania and Yugoslavia were trusted allies their military and tactical situations were worse than ours (2), and the last straw was the possible presence of Russian troops in Lithuania.

Kustrzeba closed finally the report and made up his mind. More troops will be moved to cover the Lithuanian border but more powerful allies need to be found. He began writing the orders to make it so.

(1) Border Protection Corps

(2)Yugoslavia in the material sense, Romanian defensive options are worse than Poland's.

to commanders of Western Special Military District and Kiev Special Military District 28 April 1935 0700HRS Moscow Time

Main Intelligence Directorate of General Staff have acquired indications of Polish Army forces moving away from German borders and towards borders of Russian Federation.

Main Intelligence Directorate assess that Polish government have no intention of initiating hostilities in foreseeable future.

If you would, please refrain from any action to alter readiness levels, move forces within your Military Districts, or mobilize new forces.

If you would, please report to me on readiness of:

Ashmani Fortified Region (Ukhreplenny Raion, UR)
Lida UR
Baranovici UR
Pinsk UR
Kostopol UR
Dubno UR
Tornopil UR
Kamyanets-Podolskiy UR
Yedintsy UR
Kishinev UR
Comrat UR
Izmail UR

Please ensure that they hold their allotted two month supply of ammunition, food, and fuel for their organic Machinegun-Artillery Battalions, Gun Artillery Battalions, and Rifle Divisions assigned to them.

In event of shortfalls, please submit requisition for any deficits, along with your reports.

Please include evaluation of plans for bringing Rifle Divisions assigned to each UR to full wartime strength from local manpower within twelve hours of mobilization order.

Please evaluate status of field fortifications for Rifle Divisions incorporated into each UR.

You have my esteem, and that of our Motherland, for your unflagging efforts to ensure her protection under all circumstances and against all threats.

Shaposhnikov

[Two months worth of ammunition, assuming Great War expenditure rates, would be a small mountain for an artillery battery, and quite a large hill even for a rifle battalion. Unless Russia has relatively small stockpiles away from the front and most ammunition storage is near the borders, this seems more than a bit excessive.....]

OOC: Poland would not mind knowing where the Russian ammo depots are. Even with their best intentions to hide it a new small mountain range will be noticed.

"Where do you put all the stuff you're gonna need once you're cut off??"

The requirement is not for constant expenditure, except for food and water, but enough to repel an expected tempo of attacks over a given period, which number is Classified.

Still quite a large amount though.

And for the benefit of the Polish High Command, URs are located to interdict major transportation routes, to ensure that enemy forces are pinned logistically to border regions, while remaining forces of Holy Mother Russia are mobilized to crush all invaders.

"Whoever will come to us with a sword, from a sword will perish!" - Nevskii

But Military District supply dumps are not located near the borders...

April 17th 1935- It was announced today a commercial mission from China, led by their Foreign Minister Deng Hau Min, will arrive to our nation sometime late in May. While it has not being divulged the length of their visit many are surprised a commercial mission is led by the Chinese Foreign Minister himself.

May 1st 1935- Reports of high level communications between nations of the region have being denied by the Foreign Office today.

In other news it has being reported a deal have being reached with China for the sale of modified PZL 11 fighters. (1) The fighters are being modified for use in carriers. With the end of production for our air forces this sale and the one to Yugoslavia are most welcomed by the labor community.

(1) 72 aircrafts on three batches with the last delivery by January 1936. First batch will leave Poland in early July, second in late September and last on in the middle of January.

May 9th 1935- It was announced today that some of the divisions of our Army will be relocated to new bases (1) in what has being called a "reorganization of our Armed Forces" by Marshall Kustrzeba himself in a short communique. He also stated that some cavalry brigades will also be reorganized in what he called "the need to keep up with the changes occurring in our borders," in what is being considered to be the growing motorization of armed forces in Europe.

Marshall Kustrzeba gave his pledge the relocation of forces is and quote "of an aggressive nature and our neighbors have to understand is only caused by what we consider the most effective way to ensure the defense of our borders."

(1) all divisions numbered from 13th to 30th except by the 21st and 22nd Mountain Divisions will be covering the border from the East Prussia/Lithuanian and them following the border with Russia. That's half of Poland's active duty infantry divisions.

May 14th 1935- General Sikorski read the reports of Col Gundlach in regard to the progress of the 10TP and the 25TP vehicles (1) and shook his head in dismay. For the local factories still was impossible to roll the armor necessary to build proper turrets for the vehicles and while the deal with Bofors (2) made possible to move the 7TP project right on schedule Sikorski knew a medium and heavy tank tank armed with 37mm main guns will not do.

Both on other regards the projects were moving along fine, specially the 10TP. Problems with the suspension of the 10TP were being taken care off and the speeds being reached by the prototype are very encouraging. (3) The 25TP project was moving at a slower pace but also the news of progress in regard of that project gave hope to Sikorski. Also a new 47mm gun was being designed for the 10TP tank and it was projected to use a 75mm howitzer as the main gun of the 25TP (4) so Sikorski decided to look around for help abroad to finally resolve the turret problem.

(1) Now Gundlach is in charge of the two distinct projects.

(2) mentioned before.

(3) 75 km/h on wheels and 56 km/h on tracks.

(4) for infantry support.

May 25th 1935- The General Staff has announced a decision to organize a Small Arms Board to decide for a replacement for the current service rifle.The process is expected to last at least three to four years before a decision is made, if at all, for a replacement.

The decision to call for the creation of this Board is due to studies than demonstrate that the combat ranges are in the majority of the cases under 400 meters and the current caliber rifles are too powerful. Other studies will also be taken into consideration by the Board during their inquiries.

June 9th 1935- Foreign Minister Mital announced today he find the idea put forward by his German counterpart during informal discussions as a way to end the growing concerns of Russia in regard to the Lithuanian situation.

According to Mital and quote, "In point of fact, from Germany's position a revival of the historic nation of Poland-Lithuania would be in most ways preferable to the current state of affairs. While it seems unlikely at the moment, a possible method to unify the two states without threatening either ethnic group with domination (a la the Czechs dominating the Slovaks and the Sudeten Germans) does exist: a multi-level legislature, with one house elected by what is currently our nation, one house by what is currently Lithuania, and a third house by all citizens. Any bills affecting the nation as a whole would have to pass all three houses, while bills applicable only to the current Poland might need only pass the Polish house and the national house."

Mital stated also that all current arrangements between Russia and Lithuania will be respected and the region will have complete internal independence. "It will be more like a Confederation and we assure Russia no current Polish forces will enter Lithuania at all except in case of emergencies or if the local authorities request it. A peaceful resolution of this situation will be for the best for all the nations involved."

June 10th 1935- It was reported today the Small Arms Board will also began studies to increase the firepower of the current forces, with defensive weapons being the main concern.

OOC: Need someone to play Lithuania during negotiations. Please leave your resumes at this address. Thank you.

Dear Perdedor99,

If no one else is interested or expressed interest in doing it, I wouldn't mind taking on the role of the Lithuanian gov't. Three questions regarding the matter come to mind however:

1) What do you need from me in the said role?

2) How much freedom of action do I have?

3) Is there any data on Lithuania for me to work with, or am I just going to have to wing it?

Sincerely,

Agent148

Sure, welcome. You have as much freedom of action as you want. In regard to data sorry but just the historical data for the country at the time. Read the discussions so far in regard to Lithuania and pm Hrolf and the Admiral for the Russian and German point of view so far. Thanks for taking this burden.

Quoted

Originally posted by Agent148
Dear Perdedor99,

If no one else is interested or expressed interest in doing it, I wouldn't mind taking on the role of the Lithuanian gov't. Three questions regarding the matter come to mind however:

1) What do you need from me in the said role?

2) How much freedom of action do I have?

3) Is there any data on Lithuania for me to work with, or am I just going to have to wing it?

Sincerely,

Agent148