WesWorld

(ok, so it's late, got to start sometime )

October 1st, 1935, Den Hauge dockyards

With the dry dock fully drained, the minor damage to the Molucca was easy to examine, and the hull plating could be removed to allow easy access. Damage would have likely not occurred if the normal, more friable, vessel practice rounds were used, these were for shore ranges and were solid, blunt nosed designs meant for reuse.

Martin De Vries was pleased to see that the heavy practice rounds had only caused localized damage as they passed through the shell plating below the belt, and had been stopped as they slammed nose first into the holding bulkhead. The failure of a large number of rivets and a defect of the join design had allowed the bulkhead to leak. While join design had been changes since, there still a number of things about this training incident which concerned Herr De Vries and he needed to talk to Quaeckernaeck.


The Brussels Sprout , October 1st, 1935
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paul-Henri Spaak spoke with the press today over the sudden severance of diplomatic relations with Persia.

"The reason for the Persian decision to sever diplomatic relations is not clear, as best we can determine the Persians are unhappy with the Netherlands, whom they also severed relations with, and chose to include Belgium. We expect communications to remain open through the League embassy at the very least. In the short term, we have few known citizens present in Persia, and they are being directed to leave or and we hope to establish at least a temporary Belgian affairs office in a friendly embassy to help sort out our citizens affairs. We plan on approaching the British, French and Indians on this matter (1).

Of course the largest contingent of our citizens are employees of Fabrique Nationale, FRC, and Reynard who were attending the arms exposition there. The early end to their participation, and the sudden hostility towards Belgian flagged vessels has left these companies in need of transport and they have sought Foreign Ministry help in locating shipping. The Foreign Ministry has contacted a number of shipping agencies to arrange transport from Persia, and we hope to have results soon. "


Hauge Herald , October 1st, 1935

Foreign Minister Pieter van Grootveld spoke today about the severance of diplomatic relations with Persia.

"The Persians are manifestly displeased with War Minister Loeder's recent agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Persians appear to object to the potential Dutch presence on the Persian Gulf and sales of defensive arms.

The Persian declaration referred to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a rouge state, which is fallacious and defamatory. The treaty concluding the Asir Incident between Hedjaz, India and Saud and establishing the borders of the Kingdom of Hedjaz certainly did not treat the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a rouge state, nor did it place any armaments restrictions on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As such, Minister Loeders agreement places additional strictures on Saudi Arabia, and promises additional protections for Pilgrims.

Ironically, while the agreements Minister Loeder reached are still subject to ratification, the Persian action virtually guarantees that they will pass the Staats Generaal. The vote on that matter will not occur until November 10th as Minister Loeder is has been invited to Turkey and then is desirous of visiting the Czechoslovaks and Swiss prior to returning. "

In other news, a pair of replacement battlecruisers were laid down. The atz Ijselijks expected to displace 26,000 tons, mount three twin 345mm mounts and make 30knots, combining nearly the firepower of the DeRutyerclass with the speed of a cruiser.

Hauge Herald , October 2nd, 1935
Foreign Minister Pieter van Grootveld was asked today about yesterdays news of the Karachi agreement

"Obviously this is an internal arrangement between Persia, India and Great Britain. As many will recall, during the Great War the Germans exerted pressure on the Indians to aid them, and the Indians threatened not only Burma and French Indochina, but also massed an Army on the Pakistani border. We of course remember, as instead of aiding their German allies, they chose to attack a friend of Germany's and invade the Netherlands.

This history demonstrates the vulnerability of Pakistan, an I am sure the strategic considerations made trading a territory that produces little for security elsewhere a very attractive proposition, and they have the word of India on that. "

The Brussels Sprout , October 4th, 1935
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paul-Henri Spaak spoke again regarding the Persian situation.

"The Ministry is pleased to announce that the Persians have allowed the Tabriz exposition participants to take trains for Turkey.

The company representatives indicate they have been invited to display their wares in Turkey prior to returning home in November. Renard has also had an additional offer from Azerbaijan and is hoping to arrange transport there. The Belgian freighters originally scheduled for the return journey from Persia can now be rerouted to the Black Sea. "




(1) Storyline fluff, in the long run, affairs were handled.

OOC: The FN equipment could be sent by train to Byzantium since the borders werent closed until 31st October

Thanks for the info, re-wrote the relevant part.

Heh, I was just going to say the trains wouldn't even have to go as far as Byzantium.

In late October, 1935, the Belgian companies of display and explain their equipment, with demonstrations on request, for interested parties.

The Belgian representatives displayed many varieties of Fabrique Nationale de Herstal small arms.

The standard 1910 FN Browning 7.65mm pistol, samples of the 1929 FN Browning High Efficiency Pistol and the new 1935 FN Browning High Power pistol

Several variants of FN Mauser rifles, in different chamberings and lengths as demanded by various international customers, were displayed.

The FN Fusil-Mitrailleur Mle 30 in 7.62 Mauser was displayed. A Belgian version of the Browning automatic rifle, enhanced in several ways, including the addition of pistol grip. Available in a variety of chamberings.



The FN-Browning 0.303 and 13.2mm aircraft machineguns were also displayed.

The older 50mm VB rifle grenade launchers


and the new Lance Grenade 50mm DBT were displayed

For artillery, the Fonderie Royale des Canons is the primary company involved, but Cockrill-Sambre produces many heavy guns as well. Only domestic designs were displayed , for while many license-built pieces are in Belgian service, many licenses do not allow export.

Fonderie Royale des Canons displayed several artillery pieces. These included the Canon de 76 FRC, a purpose designed infantry support short barreled gun-mortar. At 243kg, light enough to be manhandled on a battlefield, but with a carriage allowing motorized transport. Projecting a 4.6kg shell to a distance of 2.2 kilometers, and capable of indirect fire due to a maximum elevation of 80degrees. Overall a light and handy piece to accompany infantry or cavalry units in all terrain to provide direct support.


Also on display was the Canon de 47 model 31, a 47mm antitank gun. Like the Canon de 76, the carriage allows for mechanized towing. Weighing only 513kg, the cannon can penetrate it's own caliber at 300m at 30degrees.


A 75mm model 1927 anti-aircraft gun was on display, but an pre-production version of it's successor, the 75mm Bourges-FRC model 1936 AA gun, with a semi-automatic breech, was also on display.

FRC displayed the heavy Canon de 155 mle 1924 as well.

The joint Cockrill-Sambre / FRC Canon de 120 model 31, a heavy artillery piece, was made available for examination.

Cockrill-Sambre displayed their Canon de 75 model 34, a mountain gun. Designed to be broken into 5 pack loads, the carriage is equipped with pneumatic wheels allowing the option of vehicular towing. A heavier gun than the 76 FRC, it can hurl a 9.6kg shell to a distance of 9.3km, with a maximum elevation of 50 degrees.

The Belgian motorized contingent is small and made by a number of companies. Minerva, famed for it's quality automobiles, has ventured into military cars and artillery tractors. Familleureux produces tracked vehicles, and even FN has tried it's hand.

Minerva currently produces an off road car for the Dutch army


Two artillery tractors are brought for display, as well as two armored vehicles.

The Familleureux factory produces an armored full tracked artillery tractor, based on the Carden-Llyod tankette chassis.

While Minerva has produced a fine half tracked tractor

The T-15 machine gun tank with the twin MGs, and the T-13 tank destroyer with the FRC 47 and a single MG are both based on the Vickers 6-ton chassis with a rotating turret, armored on the front, roof and sides.

Last but not least, aircraft. Belgium is blessed with several companies, as well as a Fairey Factory (1). The primary domestic producer is Renard. Subsequent to the show in Turkey, Renard will travel to Azerbaijan.

For aircraft, Renard displayed their 1931 scout plane, the R31. A parasol wing plane affords a better view for the pilot, and the large wing area allows for a more leisurely evaluation of the ground below.


Renard also their two fighters, the R-36 and the R-37.
The R-36 is powered by a Hispano-Suiza 12ycrs and can exceed 510kph, climbing at over 960mps, and with a range of 1,000km, it is well armed with 4 machine guns, and features a 20mm motorcannon.


The R-37 is a powered by a powerful radial Gnome-Rhone engine, boasting 4 machine guns and twin 20mm cannon. With heavier armament and the same range as the R-36, but still climbing at over 725mps fully loaded, the R-37 can exceed 550kph in level flight.









(1) Pixie dust not included.

where once again I wander off talking to the sunset

Kinshasha Klarion October 10, 1935

The Bank of the Kongo announced an intention of establishing branches in Bolivia. The Bank has been developing a plan for involvement in that Andean nation since a brigade of the Kongo army served as part of the League force there.

The establishment of Bolivian branches will be the Bank of the Kongos first outside of the United Kingdoms of the Netherlands, and will see if the developmental investment model honed in the Kongo and showing promise in the Dutch East Indies can work in the Andes.

Established in 1908, the Bank was underwritten by the Queen and given the mission of providing initial capital for new industries. Traditional banking approaches failed, leading to a new model being adopted in 1912.

After the first efforts failed, the Bank found that to succeed in the wilds of the Kongo, it was necessary to employ individuals with local knowledge and combine that with professionals in a variety of fields. Bank branches include not just bankers, but also can include economists, civil and mining engineers, agronomists, husbandrists and foresters to identify marketable resources and work with local tribes people to establish industries and routes to market. Advice could be as simple as crop rotation and selective breeding, or well drilling, or complex such as identifying a market demand, riverine transport route, site for a dock, lumber milling complex with a wood fueled power plant, and a plan for long term forest management.

While the Bank provided initial capital and long term business plan, as well as ongoing professional business advice; local individuals would establish and run the commercial concern with the bank as a silent partner, holding 10-20% of the business. The Bank realizes a return on investment from a share of profits, but encourages the owners to buy out their part of the business, which is as yet uncommon as the value owed effectively increases with profitability.

The Bank has been criticized on several counts. The Bank is accused of having a too cozy relationship with some government officials, heightened by the Queens charter and personal investment. Further, the Bank is constantly seeking development, but the small scale focus means capitalizing a large scale project very difficult. The loan structures being tied to business value have proven hard to buy out, becoming a sort of indefinite tax on many businesses. The widespread investments have diffused the Banks influence throughout the country, and have hindered the development of competitors, which further complicates capitalization of large projects. While the bank does offer savings accounts, the offered interest rate on savings accounts are poor.

By conventional measures the Bank is not successful as the rate of return on investment is poor compared to many investment Banks. The Banks officers counter that their charter enshrines the banks goal as development, stability and improvement of capital assets, not maximizing return. Further they point out that the book value of the Banks share of a business is kept at that of the initial investment until there is a need to revalue the business, leading to a substantial underevaluation of the banks financial resources.

The alternative investment model, seen in several places both here in the Kongo and elsewhere, is for a foreign corporation or bank to finance a factory, hire local workers as cheaply as possible, and ship the profits overseas. These facilities further distort the economy by being magnets for workers, increasing worker supply and suppressing wages, while still driving overall inflation. While the Bank of the Kongo has its flaws, it is the opinion of this newspaper that the thousands of small industries it has financed and nurtured are of far greater value to our nation than the traditional foreign investment model.

The Brussels Sprout October 25th, 1935

Princess Juliana held a press conference today regarding the disposition of the late Prince Karels estate. King Leopold II amassed a considerable personal fortune, widely believed in excess of a five hundred million British pounds in 1905, making him the wealthiest man in Europe, if not the world. Leopold II bequeathed much of this fortune to the people in the form of public works. When King Leopold passed, nominal sums went to his married daughters, but the majority of the fortune passed to his male nephew King Albert, who in turn left the funds to Charles and Karel.

Princess Juliana announced that the money would be divided into quarters. A quarter would be retained. A quarter would be spent on philanthropy within Belgium, with the expectation of emulating Andrew Carnegies libraries. A quarter would be likewise spent in the former territories of the Congo Free State, to return the funds from whence they were derived. The final quarter would be invested in philanthropic projects worldwide to raise the profile of Belgium, King Albert, and Crown Prince Karel.

The Princess then announced a One million pound donation to the Belgian Red Cross and a half million pound donation to the Pennies for Paraguay relief organization.

Quoted

Originally posted by Kaiser Kirk
Last but not least, aircraft. Belgium is blessed with several companies, as well as a Fairey Factory (1). The primary domestic producer is Renard. Subsequent to the show in Turkey, Renard will travel to Azerbaijan.

For aircraft, Renard displayed their 1931 scout plane, the R31. A parasol wing plane affords a better view for the pilot, and the large wing area allows for a more leisurely evaluation of the ground below.


Renard also their two fighters, the R-36 and the R-37.
The R-36 is powered by a Hispano-Suiza 12ycrs and can exceed 510kph, climbing at over 960mps, and with a range of 1,000km, it is well armed with 4 machine guns, and features a 20mm motorcannon.


The R-37 is a powered by a powerful radial Gnome-Rhone engine, boasting 4 machine guns and twin 20mm cannon. With heavier armament and the same range as the R-36, but still climbing at over 725mps fully loaded, the R-37 can exceed 550kph in level flight.
.

Turkey is very interested in the Raynard aircraft! The Minerva off road vehicle is also of interest.

Both Renard and Minerva would be happy to make Turkish sales, hopefully to Turkish delight. Overall, Belgium and it's companies is quite willing to sell virtually anything to virtually* anyone.





*about 4 nations need not apply right now.

Cosidering the mess they made of the Belgian Landscape, those four nations would be France, Great Brittain, Germany and the Unite...
... oh wait, the US wasn't involved in Wesworld's Great War so it has got to be four other nations that are on the Belgian s**tlist.

Actually the Belgians really like the French, or at least the French military strength, they just want the next war to be fought quite a bit further east...please.

Germany, Brazil&Argentina (just for now), and they would be overly worried about potential repurcussions from neighbors and the Head of State to sell to India unless the terms were really good.

The Amsterdam Advocate October 28th, 1935
Tragedy strikes Japan !
A rail accident has robbed Japan of the heir to the throne. Japan, one of the Great and Ancient lands of the East, has a monarchy who's origins sweep back into the mists of antiquity. This tragic loss is sure to be quite a blow to the deeply traditional and honor bound peoples of Japan. Governments of the world, joined by our own, have expressed their sympathies.

As of yet, the Government has not declared the official representative, it is expected that our Ambassador to Japan will be joined by a member of the Royal family. Prince Consort Hendrik, having returned to his abode in the Grand Duchy of Ubangi-Shari, may be called on to travel to the far east to ensure proper respect is paid.

The Kinshasha Klarion November 5th, 1935
Foreign Minister Count Nzinga Mvemba held a press conference today:

"I am pleased to announce that the Kingdom of the Kongo has received the Queens blessing to expand our foreign services. For the past 30 years, our primary window on the world has been the Kongo Affairs section of Dutch embassies worldwide, with the exception of conciliates in Angola, South Afrika and the Netherlands.

The Kongo has advanced by leaps and bounds and is now ready to take a rightful place as a member of the community of nations. To that end, we shall shortly apply for League of Nations membership.

As our nation and commerce grows, we have reached the stage where the people and businesses of the Kongo have sufficient presence internationally as to make our own facilities desirable.

We shall first seek full Embassies to the closest friends and neighbors of the Kongo, the Netherlands, the South Afrikan Empire, and our neighbors the British, French and Iberian Empires. Looking to the trading partners of those nations, we shall seek at least conciliates with Italy, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Nordmark, the United States, the Empire of Bahrat, Australia, Siam, and China. For nations beyond those, the old Kongo Affairs section will continue to suffice.

Any Questions ?"

Matadi Messenger Does this presage any basic change in relations for the Kongo?

Mvemba: "No, this is primarily to lay the groundwork for the future to provide support for our citizenry and forums for relations with other nations. "

Kananga CourierRegarding the choice of seeking League Membership, the Kongo has already participated in one League action, but not in the current Lithuanian events. Do you forsee the Kongo being involved in further League actions?

Mvemba: "Yes, once the 5th Brigade is fully equipped, there is an expectation that a pair of Expeditionary Brigades will be authorized. These two Brigades will be intended to not only aid friends and allies, but also allow the Kongo to support worthy international efforts. To that end the Expeditionary Brigades will be organized with a higher ratio of support elements to allow them to be more self sufficient. "

Lumbumbashi Lecturer How will this effect the organization of the Landwher ?

Mvemba: "There should be no substantial effect. The Swiss style mass militia Landwher design is largely a planning and organization problem at this stage."

Bukavu Bulletin : Given the affront of the Chinese-SAE accord, which commits South Afrika spurn our ores for Chinese ores from half a world away, and even saw the Chinese delegates take trains through the Kongo(1), passing close to our mines, after signing the accord, are there plans to withdraw the Brigades in Kamerun or take other action to signify our displeasure.

Mvemba: "The suggestion is ridiculous. Of course the Kongo shall not withdraw. SAE is involved in a war, this is no time to undermine them over unintentional insults real or imagined. SAE is not bound to be the sole purchaser of Kongo's ores, if they feel it necessary to diversify their supply, that is certainly their right.

Granted it may signify that certain presumptions on the nature of the relationship between our nations need to be reassessed, and certainly that the Kongo needs to work harder on establishing new trade relationships.

We have always enjoyed excellent relations with South Afrika, and owe them our gratitude for their support, but much of the relationship has been informal and we shall be considering if formalization is advisable. "

(1) it's the only WW rail route to Dar-es-Salaam I know of, Hoo can correct if wrong.

The Brussels Sprout November 11, 1935
On the anniversary of the Armistice, the Government has announced it will seek membership in the Pan European Trade Association.

Economic Minister Count Jean Charles Snoy et d'Oppuers says that the Belgian economy has recovered from the doldrums of the recent past, and is once again robust enough to withstand foreign competition. Further, the depression elevated unemployment and repressed wages, making Belgian exports cheaper and Belgian industry a better investment.

Membership in PETA is also expected to strengthen ties to France and the Netherlands and hopefully between those states. While Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium have been part of a mutual trade pact since 1921, expanding trade to include France is a natural course of action and Belgium should benefit both directly from French trade, and indirectly via Franco-Dutch trade traversing Belgium.

OOC : wrote this up some time ago, I would not be surprised if some of our folks with a better background in small arms can tender helpful suggestions.

Korps Mariniers

Self Loading Rifle Evaluation
Preliminary Report and Recommendations.
November 20th, 1935

Background : Following paper evaluation and firing trials, it was determined to rearm companies with samples of the available semi-automatic rifles chambered for standard Korp Mariniers rounds. This proved unfeasible with the timeframe allowed. This difficult resulted in a modification of the experiment to feature platoon sized issues of arms in their original chamberings. The rifles have been in use by members of the 2nd Marine Brigade for nearly a year. The 2nd Marines have been intensively training in this time period, conducting mock raids on coastal fortifications as tests. As such the rifles have been subject to a high level of exposure and use.

The following rifles were evaluated only in firing trials.

Browning Automatic Rifle : Large and bulky, excellent performance. Best used as squad support rather than individual issue.

Fusil Automatique Modele M1918 by RSC : 7 x 57mm : Mature design. Indifferent quality. Subject to fouling and jamming.

Remington 08 : 0.32 caliber : Insufficiently robust for military use.

M1932 by Scotti : Insufficiently mature, not evaluated.

The following rifles were evaluated both in firing trials and in platoon issue.

Fucile Automatico M.1931 by Barreta : 6.5 x 52mm : Insufficiently mature, promising.

Johnson Rifle, by M.C. Johnson : 7.62 x 63mm : Promising design. Good accuracy and recoil. Excessive length and weight, poor handling with bayonet. Field stripping complex.

Mondragon by SIG : 7 x 57mm : Mature design, multiple magazine types, holds aim point well. Subject to fouling and jamming.

M1932 Garand, by Springfield Armory : 0.276 caliber x 51: Promising design. Round lacks sought after power. Insufficiently reliable, fouling leading to failure.

Pedersen : 0.276 caliber x 51 : Well developed and dependable weapon, shoots well. Coated cartridges seen as problematic. Exhibited decay in storage under extreme heat and humidity, formed basis for material build up, leading to excessive malfunctions including failure of the breech mechanism to close, misfires, breech mechanism override (failure to feed), and breakage of a crank and a sear bar.
SAFN by Fabrique Nationale Herstal : 7.92 x57mm : Insufficiently developed. Substantial improvement in ease of maintenance and sensitivity to foreign elements needed. Excessive recoil forces.


ZH-29 by Ceska Zbroevka : 7.92 x 57mm : High unit cost, finely machined and high maintenance needs in adverse conditions. Heat dissipater poorly sited and may cause light burn injuries. Explore heavier barrel or use of shrouding or ribbing as alternate. Explore slight relaxation in machining standards vs. electroplating with chrome or nickel of itemized parts.

Not evaluated :

Automaticheskaya Vintovka by Simonov : 7.62 x 54mm : Not available for review.
Madsen 1896 : Not suitable for military use, not evaluated.
Mauser M1915 M1918: 7.92 x57mm : Found insufficient in German service in the Great War. Not evaluated.
M1912 Federvo Avtomat : Not available for evaluation.
Stey-Mannlicher 1894: 6.5mm : Magazine systems of great interest. Rifle not fully suitable for military issue. Not evaluated

Recommendations
Four rifles were particularly promising. The Johnson rifle, the Mondragon, the SAFN, and the ZH-29.
These self-loading designs are currently acceptable if highly maintained, or not subjected to severe conditions.
All weapons evaluated require further improvement prior to being suitable for general issue.

Recommend further development funds be made available to address deficiencies noted.
Recommend exploration of fitting Mannlicher box or rotary magazines to these rifles.
Recommend selecting a uniform chambering for further evaluation. This chambering should be the standard 7.92mm x 57mm, unless the decision to establish a new standard is taken. Given the past history of the 6.5mm round, a 7mm or 7.5mm round is suggested.
Recommend evaluation of progress in 6 months and standardization to culminate in selection of a self loading rifle.

Recommend rearming regular line units until new self loading rifle has been worked into reliability, instead selectively issuing to units in clean environments or that are highly trained. As such, recommend acquisition of self loading rifles for limited issue to Fortress troops, military police, and naval infantry. Additionally, recommend Long Range Reconnaissance companies be issued self loading rifles.


Qua Patet Orbis

My copy of Small Arms of the World has a note on the Mondragon: numbers of them that had been produced in Switzerland prior to the start of WWI were shipped to Germany once war broke out. They did not stand up well to the rigors of trench warfare, but they were issued very early to aircraft observers.

The Johnson was issued with a rotary magazine, but a vertical feed magazine was available. Adapting it to the 7.92 x 57 round would have been easy.

Frankly, ANY semi-auto will be more maintenance intensive and failure prone than a bolt-action, there are more things to go wrong and more places for dirt or fouling to get in the way.


Probably a good choice for the Dutch, not having had much land war experience in the Great War, to stick with the full-power rounds and to denigrate the new intermediate rounds like the German 7 x 40mm and the American 7 x 51mm.

Quoted

OOC : wrote this up some time ago, I would not be surprised if some of our folks with a better background in small arms can tender helpful suggestions.

I'm not sure if anyone has a background in small arms other than "it's my constitutional right to bear automatic weapons"

Theres the new Italian Carcano short rifle in 7.35x51. Its very light, reliable and simple.

There's a couple folks here who've used various automatic weapons (Perderdor and Carthiginian, for starters).


I've doubts about any period semi-auto rifle being all of those things, RA: simple wasn't a hallmark of the period, and light's also dubious. What're your definitions for those terms?

Quoted

I've doubts about any period semi-auto rifle being all of those things, RA: simple wasn't a hallmark of the period, and light's also dubious. What're your definitions for those terms?

Its the Mod.91 Carcano bolt-action rifle with shorter barrel and chambered for the 7.35x51 cartridge similar to the Mod.38 the difference in timescale being that Italy got involved in a shooting war a few years earlier in WW and on the other side of the Red Sea. Its definitely light and fairly small, and with the fixed sights its a matter of point and shoot at reasonable ranges.