WesWorld

AWNR India: Q3 News Wrap-Up

(Pending, of course, any South Atlantic developments...)

August 18

The Raj and Rana returned to India this day, arriving in Cochin aboard the cruiser Bangalore . The royal couple’s lengthy trip to Europe was centered around the state funeral of Nordmark’s royal family. The Raj commented, “It was a very solemn affair, but I was impressed with the obvious affection the people of Nordmark have for their royal family. It speaks well of the nation.”

The trips to and from Nordmark included brief stops in a number of European nations. Greece, Italy, Czechoslovakia, and Germany were visited on the way to Nordmark. On the return trip, the royals stopped in at France, Britain and Iberia. In all cases, the royal couple were able to meet with government leaders.

In the absence of the Raj, Crown Prince Shrinivas is said to have carried out his role of regent in a creditable fashion. There were no significant political issues during his tenure, but the Crown Prince did tour, and order aid for, areas east of Dhaka after a cyclone killed several hundred people.

August 22

Amid great pomp and ceremony, India commissioned the aviation ship Otta today at Mumbai. The converted collier is among the smaller post-treaty aircraft carriers in existence, with a standard displacement of only 8500 tons.

Admiral of the Navy Sanjay Das was the keynote speaker at the ceremony. “Today marks an important date for India - it is a day that we demonstrate we will lead, and not follow, in naval matters. We will evaluate new technologies and devices and incorporate them into our strategies where appropriate. The men of the Otta have the unique opportunity to set the standard for naval aviation in the future, and I wish you all good fortune in your travels.”

A converted collier, the Otta was intended to carry up to forty aircraft, but it is thought that the air group will actually be about twenty to twenty-four on account of the ship’s modest hangar facilities.

Critics say that the Otta is too small and too slow to be of any value to the navy, but Admiral Das shot back, saying, “Otta is not intended to be a front-line combat unit for twenty years. She is an experimental platform, with a finite life, and she will serve her purpose - developing naval aviation doctrine and techniques - well.”

The Cleito Treaty requires that a replacement for Otta be laid down prior to the end of 1925 in order for her to be considered experimental. The next couple of years are expected to be significant as experience gained on Otta is incorporate into the design process for her replacement.

September 7

Indian-German relations are in dire straits today following an attack on Princess Prahminder at a private school near Dresden.

Reports indicate that between four and six racist fanatics breached the school’s security and confronted the Princess while she was relaxing in a courtyard. The intruders shouted racial slurs at her and accused India of betraying Germany during the Great War. The confrontation then became physical, with the fanatics attempting to attack the princess. School staff and the princess’ minders were able to subdue the attackers, but one of the intruders died as a result of injuries suffered during the struggle.

Princess Prahminder was treated for minor injuries in a hospital in Dresden before being released under heavy security. The princess is thought to have left the country the next day, although her ultimate destination was not revealed to the media.

September 26

Eight Indian soldiers and at least a dozen unidentified attackers are dead following a prolonged fire-fight in the eastern portion of the As Salif security perimeter. The battle flared up at approximately five in the morning, after the Arabian irregulars stumbled across an Indian observation post while trying to infiltrate into the town.

The battle tapered off approximately thirty minutes later when the irregulars withdrew under heavy fire. Several injured Arabians were captured by Indian troops and were treated for their injuries under guard.

Tensions are reported to be high in As Salif after rumors of renewed fighting in the region. A number of refugees have arrived in As Salif lately, claiming that the prince of Abha, Hasan Ibn Said, has revolted against the rule of Prince Faisal ibn Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, who conquered the region a year ago.

It is not clear which faction, if either, was responsible for the latest attack on Indian troops. Sources within the Ministry of Defence indicate that the Raj may be reconsidering India’s planned November withdrawal from As Salif if the violence continues.