WesWorld

August 1
Admiral van Spartis is awarded the Order of Distinguished Service for leading his force into action against an Argentinean task force and sinking of the battlecruiser Pampas plus several smaller combatants. The decoration ceremony will be held in Montevideo. Various decorations will also be granted to several officers and enlisted men that took part in the series of operations that finally lead to the defeat of the Argentineans at sea. These decorations include a Silver Protea for Commander Ignaz Romero of the cruiser RSAN Port Alfred and Bronze Leopards for Lieutenant-Commander August von Beerheim of the destroyer RSAN Laodameia and Lieutenant-Commander Mick Dundee of the destroyer RSAN Kymodoke for outstanding devotion to duty while defending a convoy against superior odds. Finally Captain Gert Bettens of the RSAN Ladon will be awarded the Knight´s Cross of the Military Order of the Empires Greatest Defenders posthumously including a patent of nobility - for outstanding bravery and action in the face of a superior enemy. To further honour all men that served and died on the Ladon their families will be granted the right to add Ladon to their family names.

August 2
[A] A raid of 10 B-14 Devastator heavy four-engined bombers of the 2nd Strategic Bomber Wing today raided Santiago del Estero. They attacked the main north-south railway and the station. Some damage was caused and nine civilians were injured. Defensive AA fire was heavy but no bombers were hit.

August 3
At Rawson today the S.S Andrea Maria docked and began unloading her cargo of Red Cross and other European aid organisation's aid supplies for the refugee camps. The senior dockyard manager and his men had just begun work unloading the ship when a large staff car and six ten trucks pulled into the yard and parked along the pier. Out of the trucks got several armed soldiers and out of the staff car a Major General and a Major got out and made their way towards the manager's hut.
"Senor, there should be twenty cases marked 'R' in this shipment from Switzerland."
"I'll have to check Sir. Yes that's right twenty cases."
"Good, get your men to load them onto the trucks immediately."
"But Sir these are aid packages, you just cannot&"
"I'm ordering you to load those trucks. We're driving these crates up to the border camps, with so many bandits around its too dangerous. Now get moving."
The cranes unloaded the crates and the dockyard men manhandled them onto the trucks, more than one noticed these 'R' crates weighed much more than the other seemingly identical crates. Once loaded the trucks started up and reversed up the pier, turned round and drove off. The Major General and his aide brushed aside the manager's request to sign the paperwork, got into the staff car and roared off.
The manager was about to phone his head office in Bahia Blanca but before he could two men in raincoats entered the hut. "Senor Valdez it is unadvisable to use the telephone (one of them men threw it onto the floor). We are from the Ministry of Security, you have seen nothing here today, all the crates were unloaded and sent by train to the north. No military trucks ever came here today. If you or any of your men say otherwise you will all rot in a jail in Tierra del Fuego for the rest of your miserable peasant lives. Now you must sign this form, just a formality you understand."

[S] The 10th Destroyer Flotilla successfully shelled the Brazilian port of Imbituba. Destroyers Broadsword, Claymore and Shortsword sank several trawlers and coastal freighters, some of them armed, and set ablaze oil tanks, warehouses and other facilities. Meanwhile sistership RSAN Rapier dropped about 30 mines to block the harbour entrance. The quartet then disengaged but was attacked by several Brazilian planes which strafed the South African vessels causing light damage and dropped several bombs, none of which hit [Note].

[Note] RSAN Shortsword is now rated 98%.

August 4
[S] The two Hertog class battlecruisers which arrived in Durban will probably survive longer than expected. Due to the lack of free capacity and workers their scrapping is postponed at least until after the war. However, this does not mean they may return into service. While their hulls will remain their main armament is needed for completion of the Radiance class large cruisers and will be taken off and updated to prepare installation on those two new ships.

[S] The 2nd Division of the newly formed 1st S-Boat Flotilla successfully attacked a costal convoy the Argentineans hoped to get through to a small harbour east of Necochea. Despite counter-fire from escorting armed trawlers a small freighter of about 2,000 tons and a barque could be sunk by torpedo fire. Only the tug formerly towing the barque escaped destruction. After their successful blow the S-Boats returned to Mar del Plata without losses, S6 being the only one lightly damaged [Note].

[Note] The boat was hit by what appears to have been 4cm calibre rounds that hit her deck and hull amidships. The damage is mostly superficial and can be generally patched and repaired by the crew alone. S6 is now rated at 98%.

August 6
[S] An Argentinean air raid against Buenos Aires sank the RSAN Keeper. Incoming from the west a bomber formation attacked the dock yards and harbour facilities despite heavy AA fire and intercepting fighters. The bombs hit warehouses, supply depots and slightly damaged several slips. The Keeper which was in the process of docking was hit by two bombs just outside the dock. One hit her deck amidships only a meter behind the port 88mm mount which was blown over board and the hull plating torn open while a second also hit on port, penetrated her bow and exploded abreast A mount on waterline level. Water rushed into the hull causing a list which then allowed more water to enter through the damaged area admidships and the Keeper finally capsized. Luckily nobody was killed aboard.

August 7
[S] The Pony Express is at sea again! Lead by veteran cruiser RSAN Arion the 9th Cruiser Squadron has hit the harbour town of Necochea during the night from the 5th to the 6th. The newly build-up squadron, now consisting of two Arion class cruisers and three Fenris class destroyer leaders, left Mar del Plata at dusk and was back before dawn. They shelled the harbour facilities and docks at Necochea, a harbour close to the front and used by the Argentineans to bring reinforcements and supplies to their troops at night. Despite counter fire from the shore the RSAN units could hold up a 20 minute barrage, leaving behind raging fires and explosions when they turned for the open sea. Two small vessels, probably patrol boats or trawlers, where fired upon too but with unknown effect [Note 1]. According to official sources only the Kweldulf was lightly damaged by a single shell that found her [Note 2].

[Note 1] The Argentinean vessels involved were the frigate Republica [rated 99%] and the Chaco Class patrol vessel C05.

[Note 2] Kweldulf was hit by a single medium calibre shell that wrecked her starboard cutter and killed two men of the nearby light AA mount by splinters. She is still rated 100% as the loss of that cutter does not impair her fighting capabilities.

August 8
[A] Today it was publicly revealed that Mexico has sent 15 volunteer trained pilots and seven Gothia Type 105 fighters to join another three sent last month from the Gothia Works. These planes and pilots have now joined a new flight in the General San Martin Squadron and will be based in Paraguay. Its main role will be fighter protection. Rumours of at least two Type 108 heavy bombers being in Argentine service have been officially denied.

[Note] These two bombers were subjected to testing and tactical manoeuvres rather than any combat role. At least four lone night raids were carried out by the bombers during the war.

[S] Four destroyers of the 8th Destroyer Flotilla have arrived in South America. With the exception of several stops to load fuel they made the long voyage from the Indian Ocean to their new home base in Mar del Plata without remarkable incidents. The units will now be taken into the yard for a two day overhaul before reporting their readiness to the Admiral of the Second Fleet in Montevideo.

Several bomber squadrons have successfully attacked the city of Porto Alegre. Considerable damage was done to vital industry complexes and railroads. Only four bombers failed to return due to enemy fighter activity and AA fire while our brave fighter pilots claimed six victories in air to air combat.

August 9
[B] The Second Army has made a stand along the upper Rio Uruguay. Engineers have built a line of basic field fortifications and the 8th Division from the First Army has manned the line while II Corps (Second Army) takes up positions. Meanwhile further north near the captured African town of Posadas on the Paraguayan/Brazilian border junction Third Army with the 4th and 5th Divisions continues to advance down the Rio Alto Parana valley and now wheeling south to advance on Santo Tome on the lower Rio Uruguay. This vital town is critical to the South Africans if they wish to maintain river communications into north Grand Uruguay. The 3rd Amazon Brigade is now guarding Third Army's right flank.

[S] Several IMPA SI-21S attack planes of the Commando de Aviacion Naval (actually floatplane equipped Sp-21) attacked several minesweepers off Mar del Plata. They dropped bombs and several torpedoes, most of which could be avoided. One, however, struck the RSAN Syringa which subsequently sunk when she broke in two. The sea kept 13 of her crew but all others could be rescued by other units of the 3rd Minesweeper Flotilla when the Argentineans finally disengaged. With the Syringa the 3rd MS has already lost her second unit since the Barberry was lost to a mine on August 4th.

August 10
[A] At a high-level dinner party last night at the British Embassy some careless talk was overheard from General Martin, commander of the new VII Division (of course really a member of the Inter-Service Deception Committee) that he would soon be taking up residence in a coastal villa just behind the front line near Mar del Plata. Capitan de Navio Iroquenio again seemingly drunk could not resist telling the Iberian Naval Attaché that the Navy was ready to have another strike at the African convoys and he said the damage to the cruiser Peron was not as bad as the Africans had told the world. At the end of the night as Capitan de Navio Iroquenio and General Martin left in the same cab they once again reflected on their good work. They not only knew their 'news' would reach neutral ears elsewhere but Iberia would now doubt some of the intelligence coming out of Grand Uruguay.

[S] Argentinean bombers have raided the harbour of Mar del Plata in two waves again. Heavy AA fire and intercepting fighters downed seven bombers and forced others to break off their attack [Note]. Those that got through managed to damage several warehouses and sank the full rigged ship Great Horizon at the pier. In the bay the RSAN Lambert´s Bay, tender of the 1st ASW Flotilla, was near-missed and damaged by splinters. One of her fosterlings was less lucky and 10 sailors died when the UJ12 was fully hit by a bomb that detonated on her stern. She capsized and disappeared within 5 minutes.

[Note] Actually only 4 Spartan bombers failed to return to their base but two others crash-landed due to damage to their undercarriage. Two of the Spartans have been victims of Sqn. Ldr. Michel Endress whose tally is now up to 31 confirmed kills.

[A] Reports coming in suggest an ammunition dump in the south has been partially destroyed with heavy casualties. The cause is unknown.

August 12
[S] Off Mar del Plata elements of the 6th Torpedoboat Flotilla, RSAN Basset Fauve de Bretagne and RSAN Spaniel, have chased away and probably sunk a submarine. Both units had been on station to cover the boats of the 3rd Minesweeper Flotilla early on the 11th when look-outs on the Spaniel reported a contact 5000 meters away. Both destroyers immediately turned toward the grey shadow and accelerated for attack. At a range of 3500 meters they opened fire on the target that seemed to dive away. Not hits were observed. When the destroyers arrived where the sub disappeared several depth charges were dropped without appeared effect. Commander Boyed on the Spaniel then ordered full stop to allow his hydrophone operator to locate the target. When contact was made the Basset was ordered to make another run and drop a carpet of 8 depth charges in rapid succession. Then the Spaniel scanned for the sub again but this time contact was not re-gained. For another 20 minutes both destroyers remained in the area without further sighting of their prey and then returned to cover operations of the minesweepers.

[A] The submarine Spiro has failed to respond to signals from Naval HQ. She is due to return to Bahia Blanca on the 14th.

August 13
[A] Across the Cordoba front today there have been several aerial fights. The FAA flew around eighty sorties today engaging several RSAF raids. The first three small raids were flown by unescorted Martin-Zand RB-5C "Crocodile" bombers just before dawn aimed at the railway network, all but one bomber returned [Note 1]. At 09:30 ten I-100A fighters took off for a fighter sweep and they clashed with the RSAF fighter Squadron 13 equipped with F-6D fighters. Two I-100A fighters were shot down (both pilots parachuted into friendly territory) and one F-6D was shot down [Note 2]. From then until around noon various raids of Villant B-12A "Marauder", Hartig A-18A "Havik" bombers and JFM DB-4B "Mosquito" dive bombers escorted by JFM F-6B and D "Swollow" and DeBroek FD-2 "Hornet" fighters followed. During this time the FAA scrambled at least seventy fighters including the Mexican-piloted Gothia Type 105 fighters of the General San Martin Squadron and several Navy I-100 fighters. Total FAA claims were seven 'kills' and eleven 'probables' along with twenty 'damaged' while RSAF claims were nine kills and eleven damaged [Note 3].
The ace pilot Lieutenant de Aero Roja scored two kills to bring his tally to 11 earning him the Argentine Nation to the Valour in Combat Medal (Medalla La Nacion Argentina al Valor en Combate); both were Martin-Zand RB-5B "Flying Windows" he met on his way to intercept incoming bombers.
At 17:20 ten M.B.2 bombers attacked a forward RSAF strip north of Buenos Aires and managed to destroy five Walter WA-98E "Bulldog" biplane dive bombers on the ground and badly cratered the main grass strip. AA fire claimed three bombers (only two were in fact lost).

[Note 1] Shot down by light AA fire south of Rio Cuarto.

[Note 2] Another F-6D crash landed when its undercarriage refused to lower. It suffered Class B damage.

[Note 3] Postwar research indicated the following tallies. The FAA fighter pilots only downed six enemy airplanes (two B-12A, two DB-4B and two FD-2) while another ten assorted RSAF planes suffered battle damage that needed repairs (three were bombers getting home on only one engine). Of these kills the Mexican Type 105 pilots scored two kills (both DB-4B dive bombers). The RSAF shot down four I-100 series fighters, one new I-01 fighter and two I-99 fighters. Four of the Argentine pilots were killed, the rest bailed out over friendly territory.


Preparations for start of a Flying Window reconnaissance plane on an airfield in South America

August 14
[A] Major Agrento picked up the telephone and demanded a direct link with Colonel Peron the commander of V Division's rear supply dumps.
"Sir this is Major Lorenzo of the 1st Armoured Regiment. We have two Companies of tanks which need urgent refuelling."
"What tanks, I've heard nothing of this."
"Well Sir these tanks are being sent to your sector as a matter of urgency and they need to be refuelled immediately on arrival to be sent directly to the front."
"On whose authority? Who are you?"
"Please Sir I must insist, you need to send some fuel to Necochea."
"Are you mad, this isn't a secure line, you can't say that over the telephone."
"Please Sir I insist, in this case urgency overrides security."
"Urgency overrides security? Are you mad?"
"Please Sir have your trucks meet the tanks, they are needed at the front urgently if they are to make the deadline. Sir it must be done by this afternoon."
"Oh ok, the trucks will be there. Very well I've got the message."
Major Agrento replaced the receiver and turned to Major General Martin. "Well Sir it's done." Major General Martin smiled and lit a cigar, "Yes and knowing how leaky the phone lines are between here and the coast tomorrows headlines will be reporting hundreds of tanks heading towards the coast. African intelligence will no doubt receive the same information too."

[S] The battles of July have brought great victories for the Royal South African Navy but no less than three capital ships have been badly damaged for a total of five big gun combatants that the ongoing war has cost the RSAN so far. Reinforcements have been deployed to the South America theatre but more losses are likely so the Admiralty decided to return the Ophions and the battleship Reunion into service as soon as possible. To achieve this goal despite their heavy damage extraordinary actions will be taken. The Reunion will remain in South America and repair only what is necessary [Note 1] and then re-enter active duty. The Ophions will enter the yards in Durban and Cape Town respectively and undergo expedite repairs that will return them much faster into service but will cost more resources [Note 2]. The Hyperion is expected to be back in January while it will still take until May next year before the Ophion will return too.

[Note 1] Only 10% of her damage will be repaired to bring her to back to 90%. So she will still be rated lightly damaged but return for service end of November.

[Note 2] The material necessary to repair both units will be doubled.

[A] The ammunition dump that exploded (see news of August 10) was a reserve storage centre for the VIII Division. Around 350 soldiers were killed or wounded, many fighting the numerous fires afterwards. The cause is now assumed to be mishandling of ammunition by cadet soldiers.

[S] The Brazilians bombed Rio Grande with limited success yesterday. Early warnings gave our fighters enough time to intercept the incoming force and they downed a total of eight bombers. However, they could not break up the bomber formation and so the Forca Aera Brasileira scored against an industry complex east of the city. The damage done to those factories is not serious but some bombs also fell onto a residential area where several civilians were killed and some houses caught fire. Home Guard units helped to evacuate the area until all fires were put out some few hours later.

August 15
[A] Lt. Valdez looked at his newly-formed armoured company as it headed down the road towards the frontline. He turned to his driver Sgt. Bernando, "What a mixed bag of mobile crap! We're going to get murdered by those African tankies." As he spoke three Gothia Works Legionnaire heavy tanks recently donated by Mexico rumbled past followed by the lighter T-1M31 light tanks and a couple of converted armoured cars by the Adolfo Bash firm of armoured car makers (normally for security firms and banks) armed with just a couple of Thompson SMGs in the turret. Sgt. Bernando looked up from his work, "Well those 75mm guns will burn right through any African tank we know of." Lt. Valdez looked back, "Maybe but we only have three and they keep breaking down! Even then there's now way to get the infantry along with us unless they cling onto the turrets in the face of heavy fire. Well anyway we'd better get going Sergeant. Let's get ourselves into this war."

[A] The submarine Spiro has failed to return to Bahia Blanca and has now been officially posted as missing.

[S] Using the lack of activity on the Argentinean navy´s side the 9th Cruiser Squadron has again hit Argentinean ports and coastal shipping. In a great move they hit the costal towns of Puerto Deseado and nearby Cabo Blanco in one night. The squadron left Mar del Plata on the 9th and forwent Argentinean scouts by heading out to the open sea before turning south. About 500km north of the Falklands the South Africans turned toward the coast and shelled the first town before moving up the coast for their second target. They then headed back for open water before the Argentinean navy operating from Commodoro Rivadavia could send out an intercepting force. Under cover of the 4th Scout Squadron the "Pony Express" safely returned to their base. The operation is rated a great success as much havoc was caused and all units returned without damage [Note 1]. According to official sources oil tanks, warehouses and piers have been hit hard in both harbours. In Puerto Deseado two unidentified vessels have been seen burning or sinking due to the bombardment while at least one patrol boat was severely damaged off Cabo Blanco. A large freighter, possibly heading for Commodoro Rivadavia, was sunk when the cruisers sailed home [Note 2].

[Note 1] The cruisers did not suffer from enemy fire but on the Freki a steam pipe broke on her way home due to vibrations from sustained high speeds. Several men were burned, two of them died only hours later. An inspection was ordered once the ships were back in harbour which revealed several weaknesses regarding the machinery on the Fenris class vessels. With help from the civilian repair ship S/S Dartan yard time could be avoided but all further operations have to be delayed for about 6 days.

[Note 2] Sunk was the freighter M/S Onyx of 6,324 GRT bound from Valparaiso/Chile to Commodoro Rivadavia. All but one sailor reached the Argentinean coast by boats on the 17th near Cabo Blanco. The Chaco Class patrol boat C04 was on routine minesweeping operations when attacked, hit twice by 150mm shells her engine room was destroyed and taking on water the crew abandoned ship and she sank some 20 minutes later.

August 16
The Admiralty sadly announces the loss of the submarine RSAN J3. The boat failed to return from her last mission against the Argentineans and is overdue since the 16th. Last radio contact had been on the 9th when the J3 reported a successful attack against a freighter of 5,000 tons but she did not answer radio calls on the 11th and 13th. As the Argentinean propaganda has not reported any submarine sinking a dive accident or other technical cause has to be assumed but the true reasons for the loss of the J3 may never come to light.

[A] A young man identified as Fabio Marzotto has been found shot in the head in central Cordoba last night. Police believe he was murdered and his body had been searched.

August 18
[A] The gunboat Parana traded fire with RSAA shore batteries this morning whilst trying to halt a convoy of three river steamers escorted by an African gunboat. The latter was hit shortly before the Parana broke off contact and resumed her blockading position in the Rio Paraguay [Note].

[Note] The RGB-6 was hit by a 75mm shell aft which caused splinter damage and some casualties but no serious damage, still Rated 97%.

[A] In aerial operations today the FAA made six ground attack sorties each with four Tucan T-17 bombers and six Mapache fighters against several traffic chokepoints just north of Mar del Plata and west of Buenos Aries. Three aircraft were lost to AA fire.

[S] The rest of the 15de Infantrie Divisie Gauteng has deployed to South America. With the Derde Verkennings Bataljon forward elements of the division are already in Buenos Aires. Once the 15de set foot on the South African continent in Buenos Aires it will deploy south and follow the 3rd Infantry Division Free State , the Ekurhuleni Light Horse and the Zware Keizerlijke Garde (Imperial Heavy Guards) these units have already sailed for South America in July - to stop the advancing Argentineans and finally force them out of SAE territory.

August 19
[A] The submarine Spiro has returned to Bahia Blanca. Having been damaged by depth-charges she lay on the seabed for ten hours before coming back to the surface and so extensive is the damage that the boat was hard to trim and after excess weight was thrown overboard and makeshift repairs made a new course was set and no further problems were encountered. During the day she crept along submerged and on the surface by night. Currently rated 82%.

August 20
[A] On the third day of intensive aerial operations around 400 sorties were flown over the entire length of the frontline and around Mar del Plata. Grupo strength fighter sweeps over Grand Uruguay succeeded in drawing around 100 RSAF fighters into combat. Ace fighter Lieutenant de Aero Roja shot down three F-6B fighters in three days bringing his kill total to 14. Around 80 RSAF aircraft are claimed destroyed both in the air and on the ground while our losses have been lighter than expected [Note].

[Note] Post war official RSAF figures were losses of 23 fighters and 16 bombers over the period 18-20 August with around 30 of various types destroyed on the ground of which 11 were trainers and 4 transports. In contrast the FAA lost 32 bombers and ground-attack aircraft (2/3 to AA fire) and 35 fighters with the loss of around 58 aircrew. The Mexican volunteer squadron was moved to Bahia Blanca to cover the loss of two FAA regular fighter squadrons withdrawn for replenishment.

August 21
[A] VI and VII Divisions today began their offensive in the central sector aimed at Buenos Aries. The deception plan Operation Lamplighter seemed to indicate to the RSAA that VII Division would attack Mar del Plata but instead the main offensive is around 210 miles further north.
After a brief bombardment just before dawn at least forty T-17 and Mapache fighter-bombers supported by I-100C fighters supported the first assaults and the helped to clear the way for the 2nd Armoured Regiment. It advanced some 30 miles in one day before the appearance of RSAA heavy tanks halted the advance just after dusk. It seems some surprise has been achieved and around 200 prisoners have been taken (mostly second-line reservist troops brought up to relieve combat troops for the Mar del Plata front).

August 22
[A] The offensive continued and VI Division, with the aid of the III Division further north making a feint, pushed back the 3rd 'Kolonia' Brigade towards Junin (around 100 miles west of Buenos Aries). 603 Regiment was halted in the afternoon by the 4th Panzer Company equipped with a mix of new CET-2B Centurion and HSR-2D Hussar tanks. The African unit was supported by newly arrived African troops and they succeeded in occupying the high ground in the area and repulsing an attack just after dusk.

[S] Two small ASW sloops of the 1st ASW Flotilla saved an incoming coastal convoy of four ships today. At dawn three Argentinean motor torpedoboats, probably MAS(G) Typo 1000 of Italian origin, had located the ships and attacked at high speeds trying to get into position to launch torpedoes. In an action of great bravery Lieutenant Gravenbruck ordered his inferior and outnumbered UJ5 and UJ7 to block away the advancing enemy. Both sloops put up a fierce fight, always trying to make it impossible for the Argentineans to close and engage the merchants. Armed only with a handful 4cm and 2cm guns Gravenbrucks men time and again force the fast attackers to turn away until finally two destroyers of the 8th Destroyer Flotilla, RSAN Sao and RSAN Egeria, arrived at the scene and forced the torpedoboats to break-off [Note 1]. The Argentineans fled on a southerly course with the destroyers in heavy pursuit. Due to their superior speed they finally escaped but one was trailing thick smoke and might have been on fire [Note 2]. All freighters safely arrived in Mar del Plata.

[Note 1] Both sloops suffered severe losses among their deck crews. No less than 78 hits against the UJ5 and 56 against the UJ7 respectively were later counted. The upperworks, funnels and gun positions had been hit most, the forward 4cm mount on the UJ7 completely wrecked. The UJ5 is now rated 77% and the UJ7 65%.

[Note 2] Two of the Argentine MAS (G) boats were hit, one M-131 was set ablaze aft by 40mm hits and splinters from an 88mm near-miss. Once clear of enemy ships she was scuttled and her crew taken off (3 killed). M-134 was hit ten times by 40mm rounds and foundered due to numerous leaks and a blocked bilge pump just a mile offshore. M-132 was hit twice but otherwise made it home without trouble.

[A] In Paraguay some martial law restrictions have been lifted except for the Rio Parana area and in the frontline areas and some 10,000 refugees have returned [Note].

[Note] Many of the refugees were forced back by the Army and seven camps were closed during August.

August 23
[A] VII Division turns its advance to the south with 702 Regiment supporting 602 Regiment's right flank. Overnight a Tank Battalion from the 2nd Armoured Regiment equipped with T-1M31 light tanks was moved by road to support the 603 Regiment in its renewed assault. Delayed by RSAF bombing and strafing it did not arrive until noon and the attack was delayed until 2pm. After an initial bombardment the attack seemed on the verge of success but concealed 50mm light field guns firing solid-shot soon decimated a 1st Company and the 3rd Company found itself in a vicious action with CET-2B Centurion tanks. Our 37mm shells failed to penetrate the frontal armour and our tanks retreated only to find a squadron of HSR-2D Hussar light tanks had worked around them. Three of these enemy tanks were knocked out but by dusk the Battalion only had 17 tanks left (out of 39 it had at noon).

[S] The RSAN Nagelring in company with the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla including RSAN Eukrante, RSAN Eunike, RSAN Glauke and RSAN Halia searched the Brazilian coast for coastal shipping, sank several small crafts and shelled enemy positions at Capao da Canoa and Sombrio. The RSAF provided constant long-range fighter cover while floatplane carrier Bölthorn used her assets to protect the force against submarines. Several attacks by Brazilian planes could be repulsed and a dozen kills claimed. The destruction of a supply depot north-west of Sombrio is rated a serious blow against Brazilian efforts to stabilize their front. Unfortunately our Navy paid a high price for this as destroyer Glauke hit a mine which cut off about 20 meters of her stern. The bulkheads held and she could be kept floating but due to constant air-attacks it was not possible to take her on tow. She had to be scuttled by blowing up her forward magazine once RSAN Eunike took off her remaining crew sans 27 sailors who either got killed by the mine or drowned when the stern sank.

August 24
[A] VII Division and VI Division are still making some ground but it is clear recently arrived African units are appearing in the frontline and RSAA strength has increased since the 22nd. 3rd 'Kolonia' Brigade is now on the outskirts of Junin and the remnants of the 1st Tank Battalion 2nd Armoured Regiment has pushed back the enemy's lighter motorised units and the SPG Company aided 603 Regiment in clearing two small villages along the main road to Junin.

[A] Two Project 611 patrol boats chased off an African H class submarine which tried to torpedo a tanker. The destroyer Jujuy made contact with ASDIC and fired eight depth-charges. The two patrol boats followed the destroyer and made two depth-charge attacks. No wreckage appeared but contact was lost and the convoy carried on towards Rawson [Note].

[Note] The boat RSAN H9 did not return from her mission. It is most likely she fell victim to the Argentinean attacks.

August 26
[P] In Encarnation, Paraguay, the first Revolutionary Democratic Council drawn up from the United Paraguayan Anti-Government Front (UPAF) led by Luis Contreras, the Paraguayan Marxist Party, the Catholic Peoples Party and the landowners association has met for the first time. This body has agreed to power share and take care of day-to-day running of the nation including supplying aid and food to the population and rebuilding some of the worst of the war damage. This body is under the Argentine military control under General Commander Area Paraguay General Jose Serra Aznar [Note]. The military branch of UPAF is now mainly a paramilitary police for in the country but some 8,000 men are still in the frontline.

[Note] It was at this time postwar documents later indicated General Jose Serra Aznar dismissed the Brazilian commanders in the north east of the country and fearing the mutinous Brazilian troops spreading trouble by September fewer than 6,000 Brazilian soldiers remained in Paraguay.

[S] The 6th Scout Squadron, currently operating from Cape Town, including the carrier Anvil will deploy to Montevideo to fill the gap caused by the sinking of the RSAN Hammer in July.

August 27
[A] After two days of stalemate around the Grand Uruguayan town of Junin VI Division has pulled back to form a defence line after failing to dislodge the enemy's forward elements on the 25th and then facing two new RSAA Regiments put into the line on the 26th. After the vicious aerial battles the FAA has lost air superiority over the sector (and over Mar del Plata) and RSAF bombers are making more or less unopposed raids against our forward supply dumps and bridges. VII Division is holding on to the south but is being outflanked by the 2nd RSAA Division and may retire tomorrow.
Around Mar del Plata V Division is falling back onto a second line of defences to shorten the front line and release a Battalion to send to VI Division.

[S] The RSAF High Command sadly announces the loss of Wg. Cdr. Martijn Spierenburg, one of our nation greatest pilots [Note]. While on a transition flight the starboard engine of his Martin-Zand FB-5D Longbow suddenly erupted in fire and flames. Debris from the engines cowling damaged the wing and within seconds the wing broke leaving no chance for Commander Spierenburg to safely land. From the escorting F-6 fighters the Longbow could be seen spiralling down and diving into the ground where it vanished in a fire ball. No parachutes opened so none of her crew of 3 could have escaped the crash. With Commander Spierenburg the RSAF looses one of their true characters and highly skilled commanding officer. Not only did he achieve a total 16 confirmed kills in his career and was awarded the iPhrothiya yeGolide (Golden Protea), he had also been the archetype for many young officers that today form the core of our successful air corpse. Undefeated by the enemy he had been a true knight of the skies and his spirit and doctrines will live on and inspire our forces in South America to follow his footsteps. He leaves behind a wife and three sons.

[Note] See May news for the then actual ranking of RSAF fighter aces.


Martin-Zand FB-5D Longbow prototype during test flights 1934

August 28
[A] It was dawn; Lt. Valdez looked out of his foxhole at the smoking carnage all around him. He wondered who had won. He shook his driver Sgt. Bernando awake, the only other survivor of his crew. "Come on let's scout around, get some breakfast."
His Company attached to the 1st Tank Battalion 2nd Armoured Regiment was making a patrol when it ran into an enemy column of CRU-3R Cruiser tanks and several trucks. All seemed to be going well as his tanks quickly knocked out three enemy tanks and the Gothia Works Legionnaire heavy tanks withstood everything the enemy could fire at them and their 75mm guns ripped open the lightweight CRU-3R Cruiser tanks. Then as reinforcements of CET-2B Centurion tanks arrived his force began to run out of petrol. All of its planned stocks had failed to arrive that morning. Now his tanks were static targets and his T-1M3 tanks were soon turned into blazing wrecks and his crews without infantry support fought hand-to-hand with the African infantry well into the night. Even the huge Gothia Legionnaire tanks were overrun and knocked out by shots into their thinner rear armour. Still it looked as though his men had held the line.
"Sir! Look there!" shouted Sgt. Bernando, he turned, two men of opposing sides lay dead next to each other, each had stabbed the other with a bayonet. By now some of his crewmen appeared clutching bandaged arms and heads and an Adolfo Bash armoured car appeared. As it stopped near one of the Gothia Legionnaire tanks out stepped Colonel Bastian and following him was a company of infantry. "Good work Lieutenant, you and your brave men have held the line. Thanks to you the whole Regiment has been saved from a hasty retreat and the destruction of an enemy tank company evens the odds against us. You and all your men will receive decorations and honours for your brave deeds." Weary from combat Lt. Valdez could not say anything but just saluted and walked away to the rear helping his trusty driver to the aid station.

[S] For his 30th victim in air combat [Note] Sqn. Ldr. Michel Endress is awarded the Combat Medal for a third time. He is the only officer serving the South African armed forces that ever received such honour. It has also become known that he is nominated for the Nkwe ya Selefera (Silver Leopard). Endress already is a bearer of the Nkwe ya Boronse (Bronze Leopard).

[Note] See news of August 10. Meanwhile Endress has reached a total of 32 victories in air combat. On the 16th he surprised a single reconnaissance plane over the front and shot it down.

August 29
[S] While escorting a convoy from Lüderitz to Mar del Plata frigates RSAN Rio Tacuari and RSAN Rio Daymàn attacked an Argentinean submarine with unknown effect. The two units had been part of the convoys port screen when the contact was reported. Both frigates opened fire with their 105mm guns and turned to ram the sub. Right at this moment three dozen Argentinean bombers arrived over the convoy which had no air cover. The vast majority of those planes attacked the 22 freighter but three headed directly for the two separated frigates which opened fire with their light guns but soon had to turn and zick-zack to escape the bombs dropped. None hit but a near miss caused medium damage on the Rio Tacuari [Note 1]. Contact to the submarine was lost during the action.

Meanwhile the convoy was also under heavy air attack. Tracers from light AA guns and puffs of smoke from the bigger guns filled the sky as the units of the 9th Destroyer Flotilla (RSAN Naja, RSAN Death Adder), 1st Escort Flotilla (RSAN Sterope, RSAN Asterope, RSAN Taygete, RSAN Kelaino) and 3rd Escort Flotilla (RSAN Rio Olimer Grande, RSAN Rio Cebolatti) put up a brief defence. They downed three bombers before they could drop their deadly freight upon the cargo ships but others escaped the defensive fire and hits were caused on several units. Oiler S/S Oil Express II was hit twice and soon ablaze, her crew hasting to leave the doomed ship. Merchants M/S Olivia Stone and S/S Mercedes Rocha were sunk outright and freighters S/S Monrovia and S/S La Paz damaged. Of the convoys escorts two were also hit, the destroyer Naja near her bow by a near miss [Note 2] and the light destroyer Kalaino right behind her bridge where the bomb went through the deck with a forward angle, finally exploding deep in the escorts hull. The small ship immediately lost speed and a few seconds later a large explosion blew her apart, testimony of a magazine hit. None of her crew could be rescued. Two more bombers splashed after being hit but the others escaped, several trailing smoke.

[Note 1] The bomb came down near her hull abreast the forward edge of her aft superstructure. The hull plating was buckled and torn open and the 2cm mount blown over board, the crew killed. Seawater entered the hull but the pumps could handle it and the ship was in no danger to sink. She is now rated 88%.

[Note 2] The bomb exploded on contact with the sea, spraying the Najas bow with splinters. She is now rated 98%.

[Note 3] The submarine, Salta, escaped without further damage, rated 96%

August 30
[A] Bitter fighting rages on along the front of VI Division as VII and V Divisions settle into field fortifications while the 1st Armoured Regiment makes some limited attacks to protect the rearguard units.

In Paraguay Argentine and RSAA field artillery has been crossing the Rio Parana in both directions but with little intensity or effect on either side. While military intelligence confirms some RSAA forces have withdrawn from the pocket on 'our' side of the river the defences still seem as strong as before and II Division is preparing an assault to drive the remaining enemy forces across the river.

At sea the submarine Sante Fe has returned to Bahia Blanca having sunk two cargo vessels [Note] while on patrol in the in the South Atlantic.

[Note] The two vessels were the 2,400GRT Markus Ferdinand and the 850GRT coastal steamer La Paradise.

Bombers attacked enemy navy units and claim the sinking of two destroyers and two freighters [Note]. According to sources within the Forca Aera Brasileira only two planes failed to return to their base, making this a great victory for Brasilia.

[Note] The Brazilians actually attacked minesweepers RSAN Bergeranthus, RSAN Carruanthus, RSAN Cheiridopsis and RSAN Conophytum in company of the 2nd Division of the 3rd R-Boat Flotilla. Of these the Carruanthus suffered some strafing damage (now at 97%) while Conophytum was damaged by splinters (now at 98%). Only R31 was seriously hit and later abandoned when incoming water overwhelmed her pumps. In return the RSAN units claim three bombers shot down but one of these made it back on one engine albeit trailing thick smoke .

[S] Wg. Cdr. Martijn Spierenburg, who died in an air accident on August 25, is awarded the Knight´s Cross of the Military Order of the Empires Greatest Defenders posthumously. His remains will be brought to Pretoria and buried with all military honours at the Warrior Cenotaph in the Royal Garden.

Good reading, the pictures are to be added later? (Prototype, preparation for start etc)

A bloody, prolonged war.

Pictures here and technical details about the Longbow added to the encyclopedia....

For those of you who are into statistics - here´s the RSAN tally for August:

August 3  DL Shortsword (98% - iA)
August 4  S-Boat S6 (98% - iA), MS Barberry sunk
August 6  PC Keeper sunk
August 9  MS Syringa sunk
August 10  UJ12 sunk
August 16  SS J3 sunk
August 22  UJ5 (77% - off duty), UJ7 (65% - off duty)
August 23  DD Glauke sunk
August 24  SS H9 sunk
August 29  FR Rio Tacuari (88% - iA), DD Naja (98% - iA), LD Kalaino sunk
August 30  MS Carruanthus (97% - iA), MS Conophytum (98% - iA), R31 sunk


Gladly no major ships involved - the yards in the SAE are full and the factories hard pressed to deliver enough material. In fact, the whole building programm collapsed and most units planned for the second half of 1935 have been cancelled.

Looks like a never ending war, have Nordmark, Atlantis or the US attempted to mediate?

Atlantis has, IIRC.

Atlantis attempted to mediate early on and has called for several meetings since then, but to no avail. So far neither side has taken a loss that stings enough to consider negotiating a ceace fire.

A good read but I need some time to digest.

1. Let me say : Thank you to the both of you.
Preparing this and sharing it with the rest of us is much appreciated. The bloody little battles, the crippling bomber attrition, the daring raids, or the high seas slugging matches. Thanks

2. Now I'll go read what I just thanked you for

Quoted

Originally posted by HoOmAn
For those of you who are into statistics - here´s the RSAN tally for August:

Thanks Hoo, the RSAN is slowly bleeding, but was pretty darn hefty to start.

I've already mentioned drydocks, but If the RSAN needs to free more units up, like minesweepers (I count 5 down), you could request a Dutch Flotilla to be assigned to Dar Es Salaam or Cape Town, etc, under SANTA.

Here is a little story to give some more human elements. It is based on the exploits of the RAF bomber crews of WW2 and is based on themes and descritopns given in both Guy Gibson and Leonard Cheshire's biographys.

We were flying at 8,000 feet heading out towards the coast. Our target tonight was Montevideo. In the bay under my feet were four 500lbs bombs. The half-moon shone brightly into the cockpit and I turned my head to see the big radial engine thrumming away beside me pushing us ever closer to our destination. Not so bad for our third operational flight. Of course we had flown in Vanquish bombers before but this was different. A new squadron and a new plane. The Vanquish II seemed to be a good crate to fly. Up front 'Lofty' has squeezed his six foot two frame into his nose position and he gave me a new course as we crossed the coast. I began to climb higher to get over a bank of low cloud, the tops shining grey in the moonlight. 'Phones' in the back, our newest member, got another radio fix from the Naval Beacon at Bahia Blanca and confirmed we were right on track, as I adjusted the compass and set the fuel mixture my mind went back to those early days.
The Vanquish seemed a hot ship back in those days, slim and sleek we called it 'The Snake' but it was designed for day bombing and at night we found its shortfalls. 'Lofty' had to squeeze in beside me and navigate and work the radio so I often held the stick in one hand and a map in the other while eating a sandwich at the same time! When it came to deliver the "Presents" he would have to stretch out on the floor and invariably knocked his knees every trip cursing all the while. Now he had his own nose cabin with ample windows, a soft bombing couch and a machine gun he could use if he felt like strafing the searchlights. In the Vanquish the glazing would make annoying reflections and if 'Lofty' turned on the cockpit lights I could hardly see a thing. Enemy searchlights made it even worse. Now the cockpit was higher so I could see over the engines, before you couldn't see either side, nor what was above you and landing was very tricky. Landing now was a cinch! Our gunner 'Bandera' used to leave his turret leaving us exposed when we wanted a flare on the bombing route but now 'Phones' in his cabin could handle that and 'Bandera' could now concentrate on enemy fighters. At last we had a bomber we could use at night.
"Your drifting three degrees off track Skipper, I think the wind has changed." 'Lofty's' worlds jolted me awake, damn the wind. Not matter how good the navigator is as soon as the wind changes you could be anywhere. Over on the portside just below the horizon I could see a bright orange mass on the ground lit by eerie white and yellow flashes. It was Mar del Plata, a city under siege and the warships were firing full broadsides at night. We would go well outside the enemy ships but rumours of enemy "Hornet" fighters roving around out here made us jumpy, "Keep a close watch boys, those turret fighters can shoot us up at any angle." That was how our leader Carlos Antomi got it only two days ago. An FD-2 "Hornet" got in below him and his turret fired first into the port and then the starboard engines. Without a belly gun Antomi had no chance to fire back and before he realised what happened they blew up.
At 10,000 feet we hit a band of much higher clouds and had to climb further and the temperature had already dropped to -12 and was getting lower. On oxygen we were all less mobile but our heads never stopped swivelling for night fighters. I noticed a thin layer of ice on the inner wings but the de-icing air was keeping the leading-edge ice-free and the propellers and engines seemed to be running fine. The cloud closed in and the turbulence threw us around, 'Bandera' was swearing in the back so I descended under the clouds but the low base of 3,000 feet was too low for comfort and we had lost all bearings and were heading on dead reckoning alone. 'Phones' got another D/F fix but it seemed to place us wrong and 'Lofty' became concerned we were way off track so I climbed to get above the clouds. "At least we were safe from fighters in this muck," 'Bandera' said. As we cleared the tops at 14,000 feet 'Lofty' got a rough star fix and we could make out the glare of the battlefield somewhat astern of us. The sweat had poured down my back and my woollen undergarments were soaked.
Eventually the cloud thinned and as our E.T.A for the enemy coast got nearer we could clearly see the dark black outline of the northern shore of the River Plate Estuary. When I was an airline pilot before the war the whole shore would be alive with light at night. Montevideo would shine like a beacon with millions of neon signs and cars going up and down the promenade. At sea the ships would be little castles of lights. Now it was evilly dark and as we descended through 10,000 feet the city was largely dark expect for a few pinpricks of light. Some may have been poor blackouts and others fires from our bombs. "Enemy coast ahead skipper, E.T.A to coast two minutes and seventeen seconds, alter course to 010 degrees." 'Lofty' was spot on again and I swung the nose to port slightly and "Phones" strained his eyes out of the beam windows to spot any enemy fighters lurking. Those two minutes passed quickly and soon the searchlights began to probe into the sky reflecting off the dark clouds above us. To port a flare dropped from a bomber, damn it was dark, we went lower to 8,000 feet and then 6,000 feet and still we could not find the target. Heavy AA shells exploded some 2,000 feet above us, we seemed not to be the centre of attraction but some fragments hit us. That evil rattle of metal against metal. Still we press on weaving like mad to stay out of the light beams. The tracer seemed thicker now, arcing up into the sky in all colours, going slowly at first and then zipping by with a popping sound.
"Nothing skipper, we need to go lower"
"Like Hell we are."
"Do you want me to drop a flare Skipper?"
"No Phones, but stand by we may need it quick."
"Flares to starboard."
"Hang on I'm going in, maybe we can see something."
"Damn these lights I can't see a thing."
"Find a landmark, and then set up an E.T.A to target."
"Is that a railway?"
"Fighter dead astern! Roll port, roll port!"
I pushed the throttles into the dashboard and rolled to port levelling out and then turning the starboard trying to climb. By now stall turns were easy to do while I looked outside, it just came natural now like some animal instinct. The fighter did not follow and we settled back onto a new course. 'Lofty' was still searching, "I can't find the primary. Can we bomb the railway?" I pressed lower with tracers flying all around. To port a bomber caught in several beams copped a mass of shellfire and the wings folded like cardboard and the aircraft, now a flaming torch, nose-dived into the ground. No one could get out alive of that I thought. "No Lofty, lets follow these tracks and see where they lead, we might bag a marshalling yard." The tracer got closer and a searchlight got hold of us, blinded I twisted and turned and suddenly we lost it and it took time for my eyes to adjust to the dark. More flares dropped to port, we were not the only ones who were lost. Then we were hit, more a case of the wrong place at the wrong time than any directed fire. Several bangs came from behind, the plane shook and someone shouted over the intercom. I couldn't tell who it was. The controls seemed ok but smoke entered the cockpit and I turned round as more tracer went over us. 'Phones' came up beside me, "Its ok Skipper, a few extra holes aft but nothing serious." Only when we landed did I discover the shells had missed him by inches. He was a lucky man. Then 'Lofty' shouted out, "You were right skipper, rail yard up ahead." We made a pass, dropped a flare to be sure and then flew around to use the flare to light our bomb run. By now the tracers had concentrated on us and more searchlights began snaking their beams for us.
"Height 3,000 feet, course 023. Bomb bay doors open, bombs armed."
"Stand by the camera Phones."
"Lower Skip. That's it. Steady, steady, left a bit, that's it, steady, to port a bit more, whoa stop there, steady, steady."
"Christ hurry up its hot around here."
"Shut up!"
"Steady, steady, bombs gone!"
'Bandera' got a good view of the four bombs landing smack in the middle of a load of railway wagons and 'Phones' got a good camera shot and we turned back at high speed leaving the tracers behind. Within five minutes we were out over the coast and 'Lofty' had a new course and E.T.A. for home. We had made it, still it was a long way to get back for breakfast and those fighters were still prowling. Still we were happy at our results.
After the intelligence debrief we headed to the Mess for our eggs and steak and we knew the full picture. Out of the six Vanquish II and seven Vanquish IIM (we called them 'Boars' because of their heavy armour and heavy machineguns) sent out three failed to return, two of them fresh crews on their first op. Like everything it's a steep learning curve and many fine young boys won't come home during this war. Still we got several juicy targets and the Squadron Leader and a couple of others got the main target. The enemy radio harped on about civilian casualties and the bombing of a hospital but we knew our bombs hit the right spot. Still it was a shambles, we had to admit that, but then we all agreed in the Mess that night it was safer to fly at night. Nobody fancied trying it in daylight trying to dodge enemy fighters and accurate AA fire. However, that day two South African B-12 fast bombers roared over the aerodrome at tree-top height and dropped a stick of bombs each. No real damage was caused but it showed if you flew low enough and fast enough you could do it. Both were shot down later on by the fighter boys and that showed how difficult it was to bomb in daylight. Over the tannoy came the call, "All operational crews report to briefing room." We would be off again tonight.

Good read. At this point in the war I would expect the Exercito to begin serious efforts to launch commando raids behind enemy lines, sustaining them as close to continuously as possible. In the doctrine I imagined, they would go after senior officers (Lt. Col and above) and major supply depots. Regular units would be tasked with attacking the weak points that these raids would cause.

Obviously, given the lack of what we consider modern communications, these raids and follow-up offensives would have to happen on a cycle. So, SNAFU and FUBAR situations would be guaranteed to come up, especially if a raid and offensive combo succeed since that would sorely disrupt the cycle. That situation will probably never improve during this war, although I would expect any lessons to be fully applied afterwards.

Comments :

1. Sorry this took so long. Printed it out and read through the first 9 pages right off the bat, read the remainder Sunday, but actually typing took until today.

2. I found the sidetracking of aid of interest. I had mentioned to Hoo that I would include a new bit regarding Belgiums the pulling out of the Pennies for Paraguay campaign and he told me it was not needed. Now I know why, the aid organizations are still active and being used for smuggling !

3. Is the RSAN Keeper salvageable? It is right in harbor, upperworks are likely totaled.

4. The Pony Express rides again! Neigh, say it is not so !. WWI tip & run raids with more reasonable vessels. I would not be surprised if their next outing saw some heavy units over the horizon hiding.
You two need to work in western jokes involving the Express...maybe not I just had a flurry of bad puns come to mine, none of the cut the custer.

5. With all the Gothia works material suddenly showing up both tanks and planes, I was wondering if Nordmark might start putting pressure on Coldmere to stop arming SAEs enemies.

6. Why do I have the idea the SAE is going to learn that the Argies are not as looselipped as they appear, and lay a countertrap.

7. Given the situation in Mar del Plata, the SAE ambassador to Brussels would be asked if the SAE be interested in some Bourges-FRC 75mm Semi-automatic AA guns? The Belgians would love to sell. Or some FN-Bofors 40mm... always looking for sales.

8. On subs, it seems curious to me that folks keep deciding they are sunk, but there is no mention of the classic "debris" to confirm it. Perhaps subhunting will improve.

9. One thing I have noted throughout the war is the what seems a extraordinarily high attrition rate among aircraft. beyond just damaged. On the 13th the FAA scrambled 70 planes, lost 7, a 10% rate, 10 bombers attacked an airfield and lost 30%.

On the 18th, 9 planes lost 3, albeit after six attacks, so 5.5% per sortie, but 33% on the day. On the 20th, the FAA made 400 sorties, 67 losses, nearly 17% on that day. True, this is still only a total of 80 planes over the course of a week, but that is a substantial figure.

Granted that armor is likely not common, and self-sealing tanks are not yet out, plus as the later post observes, daylight is not the best, so perhaps the rate are fine. However pilot morale should be abysmal, and pilot availability is going to decline.

10. I liked the Port Chicago nod. If that is what it was. Personally I think there are Kommandoes at work. It is a Dutch word after all

11. The published GW legionnaire tanks had 75L26 guns, good for shorter ranges, but lacking MV and should not be much better than the OTL Pz-IV 75L24 for anti-tank work. They may be in for some rude awakening on the plains where these battles occur.

12. Fabios death...does this spare us future romance novels?

13. Spiro's damage is cited as very extensive, and requiring makeshift repairs, yet she was rated 82% which is light and superficial. Was 52% the intent?

14. I am wondering what the Argi-inspired ousting of Brazilians for Paraguay foreshadows.

15. I liked the news on the 28th. Soldiers are often put in situations where the big picture is pretty unknown or irrelevant and rear area congrats ring hollow.

16. I misread Death Adder as Darth Vader.

17. Thanks guys. Mind if I post a not-very detailed map showing where many of these places are?

Concerning points 5 & 11:

As stated the GW equipment is supplied by (or via) Mexico, when it comes to the short 75 a reversal on the plains would be a good reason to introduce longer guns. I considered mounting surplus Bofors 75mm guns in the Legionnaires (á Strv 74) but found no reason for the Persians to request it.

I was just thinking that Nordmark might wind up leaning on Coldmere to have Gothia drop it's contracts to the Mexicans if all the Mexicans are doing is shipping them to Argentina.

Coldemere can of course lean on GW but with most of GWs contracts coming from outside Europe and as basicly only production of tools jigs and GHQ in Coldemere it will probably just accelerate the move

Actually it was Gothia's idea to send the stuff over to see how they work under actual battle conditions.

The reverse could also happen, the US stopping its sales of B-17s to Nordmark if Nordmark is using them to flaunt the Monroe Doctrine.

Which reminds me did the Mexicans keep the Velites tanks?

No, they probably didn't make the news or haven't seen action yet.