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[SIZE=3]Armada de Chile[/SIZE]
Capital Ships
The current Chilean battle fleet saw little contact with the enemy and suffered only minor air attacks; however, the sinking of the Peruvian Huascar proves that capital ships can be sunk in unfavorable situations by aircraft. It is the opinion of the Review Committee that capital ships should be prepared against air attacks in order to remain effective. Speed is becoming increasingly important to make a well-rounded capital ship; this committee proposes a standard unit speed of 29-31 knots for a future fast battleship. The committee also mandates the use of thirteen-centimeter Hala guns for secondary weapons.
Carriers
The recent performance of the Allied carriers justifies the expense of the vessel as a unit type. This committee endorses the Naval C-in-C's earlier plan to construct a new fleet carrier (Plan-1940) and approves the adoption of the B721-60 design. The committee also agrees with the conversion of design D560-24 for use as a training vessel and escort carrier. Carrier tactics should be reworked with knowledge of the Atlantean doctrine for use as a multi-role scout, strike, and air defense vessel.
Cruisers
The Chilean light cruiser fleet performed well, but we find this section of the Navy severely lacking in numbers, with only six light cruisers in the fleet. This force has been proven to be insufficient in numbers to wage a naval war in broad scope. Additionally, we believe the Peruvian Navy will soon be improving its own light cruiser fleet, which is similar in quantity to the Chilean cruisers, if lacking in larger vessels of the type. It is absolutely imperative to build and acquire more light cruisers.
Maunga Terevaka is found to be a useful vessel for her intermediate size. Should funds for a refit become available, the committee advocates the reconstruction of her gun mounts to accept enclosed gunhouses, and the implementation of geared turbines to replace her direct-drive system, which is found to be inefficient. The three vessels of the Atacama-class and the two vessels of the Nevado Ojos del Salado-class (which share the same hull but different armaments) are similarly found to be acceptable; the outstanding hull strength of these two designs has been amply demonstrated by the survival of the Nevado Ojos del Salado. Current expectations call for a refit of these vessels sometime before 1945, calling for the installation of more modern turbines as a life-extension measure. This said, the committee accepts the Navy's recommendation that Nevado Ojos del Salado be disposed to scrap as being too costly to repair or rebuild. The Astraea-class air defense cruisers have proven themselves admirably in all combat occasions, having received a complete modernization of engines, guns, and electronic systems. The committee particularly has cause to remark on the spectacular performance of Astraea during the Battle of Barranca.
The armoured cruisers of the Capitan Oyama type are currently accepted to be oversized for their current weapons fit and protection, but are otherwise satisfactory vessels. The Constitucion-class heavy cruiser, currently under construction, is deemed to be a better example for future armoured/heavy cruisers, and any further examples should meet or exceed her specifications. The current naval leadership views Constitucion as the replacement for the armoured cruiser Capitan Tylor, currently being rented to the Colombian Navy; as such, when the Capitan Tylor's lease expires in late 1940, the vessel will be offered for sale to Colombia. Should Colombia decline, the committee proposes her wing turrets be removed, and her refit into a training vessel. The committee agrees with the naval leadership that no further heavy cruisers will be required for the foreseeable period after the completion of Constitucion.
The committee has reviewed the specifications of the upcoming Magellanes-class and approves the adoption of the 13,000-ton version. The committee has also reviewed the Angamos-class flotilla leaders and confirms ASMAR's recommendations to down-rate the armament from 15cm BL turrets to 13cm hoist-equipped Hala mounts.
Destroyers
Despite the loss of the Almirante Zero, we believe this class is currently our best destroyer class in service, though speed should be improved to maintain compatibility with the cruiser forces currently under consideration. The Capitan Eyzaguirre-class destroyers (one unit completed) were too new to participate in the war and the design is therefore unproven.
Some considerable and acrimonious debate has emerged over the perceived superiority of the Peruvian "large destroyer" fleet of the Valdez and Independencia classes. This committee unanimously endorses the Admiralty's doctrine to arm all future ships with an armament of no fewer than five and preferably eight thirteen-centimeter Hala guns, as well as sixty centimeter Type-X torpedoes. Hoist mounts are specified for all future Chilean destroyer designs due to the improved rate of fire.
The Almirante Williams-class is being evaluated for disposal, or rebuilding as destroyer-minelayers or high-speed transports. Their hulls remain in good condition but their engines are worn, and if not replaced within eighteen months, will cause these vessels to be completely inoperable. The slightly more modern destroyers of the Herlock-class are rated for another three years of service in their current condition, but options should be considered for their upgrade, reconstruction, or disposal. The destroyer Capitan Simpson, although only thirteen years old, is found to be in poor material condition and with a sub-standard gunnery outfit for her size. The committee mandates the refit of the Simpson within the next twelve months to receive new engines and deploy more modernized armament. The Capitan Orella-class escort destroyers are currently well-regarded by the Navy as suitable vessels for patrol and escort, having modern dual-purpose guns and excellent antisubmarine fits. As more of these secondhand vessels have become available, the committee strongly approves of their purchase and planned refit.
Submarines
The submarine force conducted few operations, with the highlight being Capitan O'Brien's interception and capture of a 400-ton vessel carrying small armaments. This committee believes long-ranged submarines were misused by the Navy, as only two submarines were deployed to the combat zone, the remaining six (of the Gualcolda-class) being judged unsuitable for anything but coastal defense, although this judgment is probably the correct interpretation.
This committee is concerned about the disdain the naval leadership holds the submarine force. Submarines are deemed part of the Coast Defense Forces which, with their current equipment, is their ideal role. However, the committee believes submarines may have a high-seas application as well, as the two submarines of the Capitan O'Brien-class participated in the blockade of Presidentialist Peruvian ports. The committee orders a reevaluation of standing naval doctrine and the further development of the submarine force, even if only to maintain up-to-date knowledge about foreign submarine tactics and doctrine.
Airships
Only one airship, the metalclad training dirigible Capitan Prat, was available for use during the conflict, that vessel being barely accepted into service. Despite this, the Capitan Prat performed three significant patrols for extremely long durations during the course of the short conflict, including her attempts to find the Nevado Ojos del Salado following the Battle of Barranca. The deployment of non-rigid antisubmarine "blimps" is ongoing, and they are anticipated to prove useful in antisubmarine operations along the coast. Although airships remain slow and vulnerable to modern aircraft, their range, staying power, and ability to hover give them a utility which appears to confirm their expense.
Fleet Oilers
The Armada has recently begun supplementing the collier-oiler Araucano with the pure oilers of the Peninsula and Oasis-classes. The committee enthusiastically endorses the acquisition of these new ships, as Peninsula Tres Montes' participation in the war enabled the Flota de Alta Mar unprecedented at-sea readiness.
Tenders
The committee reviews the current naval tender situation and approves of the development of the Lago-class and Golfo-class destroyer tenders.
Transport Vessels and Troopships
Current naval doctrine on the strategic level requires the Merchant Marine (MARCOM) to provide the Navy a set number of vessels for conversion and use as transports and troopships. MARCOM's report of early 1937 indicated the poor state or advanced age of many of the vessels currently on-hand for these uses, finding only three of the twelve transports (Cachapoal, Imperial, and Aconcagua) were under twenty years old or fit for conversion. With the start of the conflict in Peru, the three serviceable ships, along with the Navy's existing Maipo and Rancagua (themselves approaching four decades old), were primarily employed in supplying the Army through the port of Arica; the remaining nine ships marked for service never even came close to being ready for service. Had the war lasted longer or required more extensive Army-Navy operations, the Navy would have suffered a serious shortage of transports. Immediate steps should be taken to retire the current batch of naval reserve transports and to replace them with vessels more suitable for use in the modern era. If necessary, a subsidy should be provided to the shipping companies to ensure there are ships of proper specifications. Additionally, provision must be made for ensuring the private owners maintain these vessels in a state of repair which will permit their mobilization.
Landing Ships
The Navy currently has four "Fast Attack Transports" of the Parinacota-class, converted from old destroyers. These vessels performed very well during the raid on Pisco harbour, but lacked sufficient capacity to carry the entire raiding force. The ships carried four small purpose-built landing launches which are inferior to other designs manufactured abroad, particularly in their lack of a bow ramp, as is current practice on Atlantean landing craft.
Currently, the sealift capability for the Chilean Marines is insufficient to move large concentrations of troops and keep them supplied in a campaign, and no provision has been made to permit the rapid debarkation of troops in the face of an opposition force. The Chilean Marines are well-supplied with small arms but lack sufficient supporting arms to permit them to function as anything besides light infantry.
The acquisition of ramped troop lighters for use aboard the Parinacota-class TdTs should be rectified quickly. Additionally, design efforts should focus on the development of a vessel capable of transporting troops and vehicles ashore with a minimum of available facilities, perhaps using a coastal ferry as a basis for design efforts.
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[SIZE=3]Ejercito de Chile[/SIZE]
This committee has found that many of the recommendations advocated in the post-Andean War review have not been satisfactorily carried out in the years since the end of the war. This is a serious oversight and substantially hindered the Ejercito de Chile's operations in the so-called "Atacama Sitzkrieg".
Organization
In the post-Andean War reports, the previous committee advocated that infantry divisions be rebuilt as mountain divisions, with more independent regiments equipped with appropriate supporting arms forces. This recommendation was accepted by the army but has been subsequently ignored. Infantry forces are still commanded from the division level, with commanders exercising tight control of the regiments, and likewise maintaining the majority of the attached supporting arms. Further, previous decisions were made to move all divisions to contain three regiments instead of the four, as present in the Army during the Andean War. This arrangement was found to be difficult for commanders to control in the field. However, as of 1938 only three of the nine infantry divisions have moved to triangular format (these being the Army of Valparaiso, the Army of Caule, and the Army of Bío-Bío).
It is proposed to immediately remove the fourth infantry regiment from those six divisions which currently retain it, and use these six regiments to form two new mountain infantry divisions. These units should be equipped as required for mountain divisions, using new equipment.
Additionally, it has been determined to provide all Army divisions with a numeric designation to aid in administrative task.
Vehicles
The Army's operations in northern Chile were severely hindered by the geography preventing the Armies of the Arica and Atacama from being easily resupplied. Although the Army possessed sizable fuel and ammunition dumps near Arica, the experience of the Andean War indicated these resources would be exhausted with two weeks steady campaigning. A lack of land transportation, by road or rail, additionally bound the Army of Arica from engaging in maneuver warfare. This relative lack of motorization was addressed in the post-Andean War review and little to no improvement has been seen up to this point. This committee concurs with the Army Chiefs of Staff that immediate and aggressive efforts should be taken to form a mechanized heavy infantry or "panzergrenadiers" division, formed of two panzergrenadiers regiments and one tank regiment, for more capable operations. The Army of Araucania has been selected for this purpose, and will be renamed appropriately.
Tanks
With the intended development of a panzergrenadier division, the Army requires more tanks. The models currently in service seem predisposed to a rapid eclipse by foreign models currently under development, but most should be useful for continued service for several years yet. However, the current AT-17 tanks are completely outdated and should be retired promptly to tank-training units. No specific recommendation is made by this committee at this time for new tanks, with the understanding that the Ejercito should acquire models comparable or superior in performance to those of our likely opposition. The recently-acquired TK-35/57s are suitable for long-term use as tank hunters; likewise the SP-35/75s are useful and modern assault guns.
Artillery
This committee finds the artillery in a good state of order. The only current criticism is the lack of self-propelled guns and corps-level heavy artillery.
[SIZE=3]Infanteria de Marina de Chile[/SIZE]
The Chilean Marines are well-equipped in terms of small arms, possessing a high number of submachine guns, light machine guns, and modern rifles. FM36 semiautomatic rifles are starting to appear in increasing quantities, and the Marines intend to convert all six Marine battalions to the new weapon by winter 1939.
Supporting arms, however, are in an uncertain state. The Marines possess no support weapons larger than 81mm mortars, and their antitank capabilities are composed of soldiers carrying demolition charges.
This committee calls for the development or purchase of an amphibious weapons-carrier vehicle to equip the IdMdC before the 1940 Defense Review.
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[SIZE=3]Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh)[/SIZE]
Fighters and Interceptors
The Accrisius F-15 Aves has served as our main fighter of the campaign and performed on par with the Peruvian Hawker Hurricanes. Newer aircraft with more speed and superior performance are coming out soon, however, and so this committee suggests the FACh make no further purchases of Aves types at present.
The Spartan F-9 Storm is a very nimble fighter, but has been completely outclassed by more recent designs. These fighters are being retained mostly in Bolivia where the prospective opposition is minimal. Those squadrons currently in Line service should receive priority to equip with newer I-02-IIs.
Twin-engined Spartan Sp-24 Cutlass did not see their ideal use during the war as they functioned mainly as bomber destroyers and fighter bombers. The planes are heavy and well-armed, and would seem to serve this role best, as they are not very nimble compared to an Aves.
Navalized Spartan Corsair-IIs served as part of the Armada de Chile Arma Aerea (AdCAA). They are remarkable for their excellent speed and superior nimbleness. As part of the fighter group for Mapuche, they should serve well for several years longer. Climb 2,126 fpm
The FMA I-01N Buchon also serves as a fighter for the AdCAA. They seem disposed to use as interceptors due to their high rate of climb and excellent speed, but maneuverability only on par with the F-15 Aves. A pair of I-01-II Buchons, with substantially upgraded capabilities, made one combat patrol and proved to be extremely impressive craft.
Attack
The FACh currently has no dedicated attack or light bomber aircraft. This is a serious flaw due to the FACh's current emphasis on air superiority and medium bombers. The purchase or development of a dedicated ground-attack aircraft is mandated before the Defense Review of 1940.
Medium Bombers
The current force of Vanquish-II bombers is sufficient and should remain active well into the 1940s, barring unforeseen developments.
Heavy Bombers
The heavy bomber force of four-engined Vanguard bombers is sufficient and should remain active well into the 1940s.
Transports
The FACh currently uses the indigenously-produced Valdivia Twin Condor. This is without a doubt the finest aircraft produced in Chile, having excellent rough-field capabilities and excellent reliability. Though slightly small and cramped it is inexpensive to manufacture and operate and, with proper modernization, should be in production indefinitely.
Spotters/Liaison
The Valdivia Single Condor provides adequate short-field service and excellent loiter time. The design should remain in production indefinitely.
Trainers
Trainers to the present time are composed of obsolescent light aircraft, preferrably twin-seat types. These have been sufficient up to the present for teaching new pilots, but as more modern aircraft come into service, a dedicated training aircraft will be useful. The FACh has already addressed this issue with the development and order of ENAER Coati aircraft, although none have yet to see service.
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Originally posted by Red Admiral
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Originally posted by Brockpaine
Included in the data is evidence of tectonic quakes underneath the ice, which geologists at the University claim may be evidence of sub-glacial volcanoes.
Or Walter playing with the second gate again...
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Originally posted by Hood
Good old South American politics; riots, bayonets, plane crashes and mad messiahs!
Can't wait to see which way Chile will swing in the end. The United Workers Party in Argentina is watching with interest.
Lt. Pinochet and Allende to become the best of friends after their ordeal?
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Originally posted by TexanCowboy
If this behavior continues, and the Naci party wins the elections, Latvia will have no, and I mean NO, choice but to declare war on Chile.
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Originally posted by Brockpaine
OOC I need to point out that much of this is somewhat as-historical, but using fictitious characters, with the exception of von Marees. The Nacistas, by their violence, drove out D'Alarch, the one person who might have kept their party alive and legitimate - but having smeared him with mud and forced him out, they pretty much self-destructed. Their increasing violence is indicative of just how badly things are going for them.
Though the violence is played up a bit, the country as a whole is disgusted with the Nacistas and wants someone to Just Do Something About It. That disgust is not merely aimed at the National Socialists, but also at the current political parties as a whole. The people are looking for somebody good to vote for, and not liking any of the options.
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Originally posted by Hrolf Hakonson
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Originally posted by Brockpaine
OOC I need to point out that much of this is somewhat as-historical, but using fictitious characters, with the exception of von Marees. The Nacistas, by their violence, drove out D'Alarch, the one person who might have kept their party alive and legitimate - but having smeared him with mud and forced him out, they pretty much self-destructed. Their increasing violence is indicative of just how badly things are going for them.
Though the violence is played up a bit, the country as a whole is disgusted with the Nacistas and wants someone to Just Do Something About It. That disgust is not merely aimed at the National Socialists, but also at the current political parties as a whole. The people are looking for somebody good to vote for, and not liking any of the options.
It's fairly similar to what WW Germany went through in the late 20s and early 30s as the Nazi party was in it's death throes. There, though, the Nazi's spent more of their time fighting with the Communists rather than attacking other parties (at least until the attempted putsch in Berlin).
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