WesWorld

Hey just like the hardware store, we offer many colours but cannot be held liable for the customers choice of said colours!

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Originally posted by TexanCowboy
Except for TheCanadian. The Eye knows all!

And don't you forget that now, Mwhahahahahahah.

...and also, if Japanese or Indian ships were in the area of New Caladonia, Wallis and Futuna or French Polynesia FAR forces would certainly be making that information known to other nations in the region given the lack of any SATSUMA holdings in that particular region. Without prior notice from SATSUMA that they were visiting anyone in the region on a freindly tour one could only surmise that they were up to something.

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The only way they could see both ships together if I recall by our conversations would be in Japanese waters before they hit the open sea. I think the Okuni and the Kirishima went in opposite directions if what Walter told me was right.

I actually assumed the Okuni to be somewhere completely different than the Kongos when they left (in the Indian). So they'll be together from the moment they meet each other in the Tasman Sea.

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You know, I get the feeling that y'all don't even know where you sent your ships, and which ones you sent!

Despite the fact that I am on holiday, I know exactly where the ships are... uhm... are not... and they are not in Japan.

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I know what I sent. The problem is you don't know which ones.

... and who you sent where and why and how and when and...

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To which I pointed out that means you're going through French territory and FAR patrols, or through the DEI; You pointedly denied going through the DEI as you'd be picked up and followed, and I interpreted the lack of an answer to going through French Polynesia to mean you concurred and weren't aiming to directly annoy as many power blocs as possible during the trip, and were instead taking the more direct route via Santa Cruz.

But the Wesworld French are so more nicely than the Villainous Dutch (just as evil here as they are in Navalism) or the Brits...

I think that the most important thing to remember is that they're in international waters so what can they do? The only thing I can is to track and follow to make sure we don't do anything naughty in the area. We are free to go where we want in international waters, just like the Canadians did years ago around Japan. You're saying that Canada is allowed to annoy Japan by being close to its territorial waters and Japan is not?

I would actually need to make some calculations regarding route and where the ships are at certain dates, but I would not be surprised to be spotted between Vanuatu and Fiji and the Australians would spot me as soon as I get anywhere near Norfolk Island. As indicated, the Okuni is in the Indian somewhere and I expect her course to be along the Southern end of Australia (for obvious reasons).

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[insert ship porn here]

WTF?!? You evil Canadmerican moderator!!!

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...I don't think Commonwealth aircraft come with barcode readers to try and scan Japanese Ship IDs off the side.

Why do you think I said "especially with those colored turret roofs". Seems obvious to me now that Canadian Super Science will always fail to identify the ships whereas simple British observations and memory will always succeed.

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And I'm guessing you let the Lantean Regent pick those colors, because it's quite obvious you've been thinking...pastels!

... and what's wrong with that?

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Originally posted by Rooijen10

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The only way they could see both ships together if I recall by our conversations would be in Japanese waters before they hit the open sea. I think the Okuni and the Kirishima went in opposite directions if what Walter told me was right.

I actually assumed the Okuni to be somewhere completely different than the Kongos when they left (in the Indian). So they'll be together from the moment they meet each other in the Tasman Sea.

That's the other thing throwing people off, I think. How'd a Japanese Battleship appear in the middle of the Indian Ocean without anyone noticing? I see no news or other discussion, when it seems something of a no-brainer that folks would notice such a transition.

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Originally posted by Rooijen10
I think that the most important thing to remember is that they're in international waters so what can they do? The only thing I can is to track and follow to make sure we don't do anything naughty in the area. We are free to go where we want in international waters, just like the Canadians did years ago around Japan. You're saying that Canada is allowed to annoy Japan by being close to its territorial waters and Japan is not?

Nothing has been said of Japan's rights to wander about international waters, sir! However, from the perspective of a player, it's rather hard for me (or Hood, or Foxy, or Kirk, or the FAR players, etc) to come up with the proper reactions when we're not kept in the loop.

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Originally posted by Rooijen10

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...I don't think Commonwealth aircraft come with barcode readers to try and scan Japanese Ship IDs off the side.

Why do you think I said "especially with those colored turret roofs". Seems obvious to me now that Canadian Super Science will always fail to identify the ships whereas simple British observations and memory will always succeed.

Hence the following comment regarding pastels!

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Originally posted by Rooijen10

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And I'm guessing you let the Lantean Regent pick those colors, because it's quite obvious you've been thinking...pastels!

... and what's wrong with that?

Nothing! Other than shades of red and purple aren't the best choices if you're trying to make something distinguishable.

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That's the other thing throwing people off, I think. How'd a Japanese Battleship appear in the middle of the Indian Ocean without anyone noticing? I see no news or other discussion, when it seems something of a no-brainer that folks would notice such a transition.

Considering the existing relations between Japan and India, I expect ship movement both ways, whether DD or CV or BB, to be a common thing even when not posted and even with India leaving SATSUMA. I may not have posted anything about a passage into the Indian, but when moving into the Indian Ocean, I can say with 100% certainty (and without Kirk having to point it out) that the Okuni and her few escorts were shadowed by the Dutch during their entire journey in the vicinity of the DEI. While as a player you may just have found out about that through reading that bit, your nation may or may not (more likely the former considering SAER) know about her presence in the Indian from the Dutch. While you may not have posted about it, I would not be surprised if one Hong Kong based RCN ship was keeping an eye on all Japanese movements from Pacific to Indian in that region just to make sure that we are behaving properly.

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Nothing has been said of Japan's rights to wander about international waters, sir!

True, but at times from reading your bits, I get the impression that Canada can go where ever it wants and Japan not. Perhaps not your intention or perhaps I just read it wrong.

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Other than shades of red and purple aren't the best choices if you're trying to make something distinguishable.

That would be true from a reasonable distance or height or with poor visibility, but then we get back to Hood's "We buzzed them twice to make sure" line which indicates to me that they actually flew low and straight over the ship thus the crew would easily be able to identify the ship.

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Originally posted by Rooijen10

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That's the other thing throwing people off, I think. How'd a Japanese Battleship appear in the middle of the Indian Ocean without anyone noticing? I see no news or other discussion, when it seems something of a no-brainer that folks would notice such a transition.

Considering the existing relations between Japan and India, I expect ship movement both ways, whether DD or CV or BB, to be a common thing even when not posted and even with India leaving SATSUMA. I may not have posted anything about a passage into the Indian, but when moving into the Indian Ocean, I can say with 100% certainty (and without Kirk having to point it out) that the Okuni and her few escorts were shadowed by the Dutch during their entire journey in the vicinity of the DEI. While as a player you may just have found out about that through reading that bit, your nation may or may not (more likely the former considering SAER) know about her presence in the Indian from the Dutch.

A look at a map suggests the most expedient way to and from India and Japan is actually through the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca, in which case the Commonwealth would undoubtedly have firsthand knowledge. And if a longer route throuh the DEI was chosen, that still leaves the minor problem of Kirk not being able to decide what to share with the Commonwealth if he isn't told.

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Originally posted by Rooijen10
While you may not have posted about it, I would not be surprised if one Hong Kong based RCN ship was keeping an eye on all Japanese movements from Pacific to Indian in that region just to make sure that we are behaving properly.

I think I've been pretty consistent in having public notifications of any major deployment of RCN ships (and I think anything that involved leaving the Canadian coast, even) running back to when I first started playing Canada. I do on occasion not mention destinations until the move is completed, but folks should not have any trouble knowing if the RCN is 'on the loose', so to speak. As to the specifics mentioned, the Prince Edward Island (and 4 sloops) are still at Hong Kong, and while probably still occasionally turning small rockpiles into smaller rockpiles near the Soko islands, they haven't departed from Hong Kong waters

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Originally posted by Rooijen10

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Nothing has been said of Japan's rights to wander about international waters, sir!

True, but at times from reading your bits, I get the impression that Canada can go where ever it wants and Japan not. Perhaps not your intention or perhaps I just read it wrong.

Canada's opinion of on how appropriate it is for Japanese ships to be wandering around what's generally accepted to be the Commonwealth's sphere of influence is not the same as the legal technicalites of what is or isn't international waters. The RCN's only uninvited forays into other power's 'sphere's' have been in response to specific incidents; namely, the Hawkins squadron trolling the Japanese coast on their way home to Esquimalt in response to the Hosho's activities in the Mexican Civil War, and the recent fracas at Hong Kong.

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Originally posted by Rooijen10

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Other than shades of red and purple aren't the best choices if you're trying to make something distinguishable.

That would be true from a reasonable distance or height or with poor visibility, but then we get back to Hood's "We buzzed them twice to make sure" line which indicates to me that they actually flew low and straight over the ship thus the crew would easily be able to identify the ship.

I'm fairly sure that entire post will be revised once we finally figure out what you sent where.

December 4
The Air Ministry has intervened into the aero industry to begin a series of rationalisation moves designed to make the industry stronger to resist foreign pressures. In this move the potential production of the new reaction ‘jet’ engines, recently invented by Whittle, is to be handed over from Power Jets Ltd to Rolls-Royce. It is understood that Power Jets Ltd will only retain an R&D role but Rolls-Royce fully intends to handles its own development programme and this dual-track approach may well give Britain a competitive edge in the development of this new technology.

December 8
Today marked the first flight of the Sunderland Mk III. It took off this morning for a thirty-six minute flight along the Solent. The Mk III is fitted with four 1,150hp Napier-Paxman Pilates II diesel engines with two-speed superchargers. The RAF is interested in a diesel-powered variant to increase cruising range and loiter time and they will probably order a production variant next year. It is hoped to fly about 250 hours of flight tests before mid 1940. Estimated top speed is 207mph at 5,000ft; range 2,780 miles; and service ceiling 18,500ft.

December 12
The Admiralty has confirmed that the destroyer HMS Greyhound and the submarine S-1 have been detached to Portland for torpedo firing trials.

December 20
The Air Ministry today confirmed an order for thirty-six Percival P.30 Proctor II radio-trainer without dual controls and accommodating one pupil, one instructor and a pilot. These will be split between the existing Electrical and Wireless Schools and will form an additional such unit next year.

No jet powered car from Rover, what a pity.

I'm not really sure what Power Jets position is now. The RAE are doing plenty of work on gas turbines as the government effort. Are Power Jets purely being contracted from the government as a research company? It'd be difficult to see them holding out for long against RR's R&D effort. It's difficult to see any good situation coming out of it reading the actual history of the time. Power Jets did a great job in getting the technology working, and upgrading their own engines, but where never going to be in the position of actually producing the engines in quantity and making money from it. The big boys were always going to step in a take over eventually.

My ultimate aim is to nationalise Power Jets into the National Gas Turbine Establishment to take over RAE's work and leave Rolls to manage thier own programmes. De Havilland and Napier and Bristol will jump on the bandwagon at some point but not all will be winners, in fact I hope to streamline the OTL developments somewhat.

Rover might get to build its cars yet....

December 24, Singapore
Two ship's boats cross paths in the crowded basin.
"Oi watch where yer goin' you 'ooligans!"
"Gah, bloddy Poms are you blind?"
"Your the geezers that couldn't find the Japanese fleet!"
"Haw Haw, we'll make you pay for that on the excercises!"
"Merry Christmas to you an' all Aussies!"
"Merry Christmas Poms!"

December 25, Admiralty House Singapore
The Commander in Chief China and Far East Admiral Charles Morton Forbes at a Christmas banquet held in honour of the visiting Australian Fleet stands to make a toast. "Gentlemen, I'll only say a few brief words. I'd like to toast the sailors of the Royal Australian Navy. They have performed admiralbly these past few weeks under intense pressure and have proved that our combined seamanship is still the best in the world. Wherever the danger, and whenever it appears our two navies are joined in common bond with each other and together we can acheive almost anything. We know that our crew's have a competitive edge, over the coming days of excercises we'll get a chance to test each other to the limit. Whatever the outcome I'm sure each man will do his utmost duty. So on behalf of the Far Eastern Fleet I wish every officer and man in the Royal Australian Navy a very Merry Christmas. God save the King!"

December 27
Aboard the cruiser HMS Hunter; "Warship on the horizon bearing Green three-o." "Very good, keep a sharp lookout, Guns can you identify?" "Aye Sir, three funnels I think, close together, two turrets fore'ard, maybe one aft." "Good close up to action stations, all guns bear Green three-o, we've got them lads!" "Sir, its an Auckland Class cruiser!" "Very good, you're free to engage when in range, send a message to Hannibal to close in to our port side."

December 29
Aboard the cruiser HMAS Port Moresby; "Sir floatplane away ok." "Good this time we'll catch them with their pants down. Any more news from M- Matilda?" "Yes Sir the crew radioed in three minutes ago confirming that it was Hood and three H Class cruisers, steaming roughly west at about 25 knots." "Good, radio Tiger and Endurance. They'll get a strike wave off before dusk and Tiger will be able to close in."

December 30
Radio report from a Fairey Barracuda somewhere in the South China Sea; "One capital ship, Tiger, two light cruisers and five destroyers engaged. Tiger two torpedo, Auckland one torpedo, Tiger one near miss bomb and one DD sunk. Lost seven due to AA. Returning to carrier with fighter escort."

December 31
Two Royal Engineer Officers amongst a stack of crates at Singapore docks.
"Where's all this stuff going? The labels are in damn poor state. This is a absolute shower!"
"Yes Sir, I couldn't agree more."
"Is all this stuff heading to the Pacific?"
"Yes Sir, the fifth shipment this month."
"Where is Guadacana?"
"Ah, Gaudalcanal Sir, Yes a lot of stuff is going there. Cranes, rollers, concrete mixers, cement, steel matting. Those over there are going next week Sir.
"What about this one?"
"Hmm, no idea Sir, its scheduled for a convoy leaving Thursday, something hush hush. An island somewhere I think Sir."

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"Ah, Gaudalcanal Sir, Yes a lot of stuff is going there. Cranes, rollers, concrete mixers, cement, steel matting. Those over there are going next week Sir.

Should be an easier job to do if you don't have to drive the enemy off the field first.

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Originally posted by RLBH

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"Ah, Gaudalcanal Sir, Yes a lot of stuff is going there. Cranes, rollers, concrete mixers, cement, steel matting. Those over there are going next week Sir.

Should be an easier job to do if you don't have to drive the enemy off the field first.

Also, probably better working conditions in general.

On the flip side, you have to do the whole job yourself, instead of letting others do 90% of the work for you, and conveniently leaving behind all the equipment needed to wrap it up by the end of the week.

December 31
10:07
"Sir a Flight of Skippers from Eagle has just spotted two ships of the indian 1st Cruiser Squadron with possibly two Japanese cruisers with them just south of the excercise area."
"I thought the Indians were in Pacifica?"
"Obviously not Sir. Pretty soon Sir the two lead ships will be in visual contact with the Canadian cruisers in that area making a simulated anti-raider sweep."
"Hmm, well they'll probably take suitable action if contact is made."

11:32
"Sir, we've just received a report that the two Canadian cruisers have been sighted by one of our Sunderlands sailing towards the lead two Indian cruisers at flank speed."
"Probably just having a dekko old boy. Better issue a stand-by order just in case."

11:38
"Report just in Sir from the Sunderland suggests that the entire Indian unit has made a sharp turn northward and is heading away from the exercise area at speed."
"And the Canadians?"
"Maintaining course Sir."
"Verygood keep me informed, I want a carrier-borne recon flight made ready to shadow them at least a hundred miles. Will be good for navigation and all that.
Is the sun over the Yardarm?"