WesWorld

6th October RM Francesco Morosini is currently on trials as the world’s greatest and newest aircraft carrier. Last month saw the arrival of 2 squadrons of aircraft: 12 AII-T1 bomber/reece and the first 12 production Fiat CR.1 fighters. The pilots’ first landings went smoothly without problems. It was thought that moving the conning tower to one side, instead of having it retractable, would cause undue turbulence but these fears were unfounded. On her trials run over the measured mile she made nearly 31.5knts on 136,500shp. She has also proved to have excellent seakeeping qualities as displayed during the storm last month.

10th October The light cruisers RM Varese and RM Vercelli were involved in a brief firefight yesterday as they attempted to chase down gun-runners in the Red Sea. Cooperation with the Indian police in As Sahif turned up trumps as the gun-runners attempted to deliver arms from Eritrea to the rebels in As Sahif. The 2 cruisers were waiting in the clear water channel east of the Dahlak Arcipelago before chasing down and destroying the gun-runners’ boat. Despite trying to force a surrender, small arms fire was directed onto the cruisers causing them to return fire, thus sinking the boat. [SIZE=1]1[/SIZE]

20th October The destination of the various guns, 12”/40 and 8”/45 taken from the scrapped Regina Elana class pre-dreadnoughts has been made public. The guns are now based on various islands in Eritrea. 1 battery of 2x12”/40 guns and 12x8”/45 guns in the Dehlak Arcipelago. The remaining guns are being emplaced on some islands near to Assab in the south of the country. From there the battery covers Bãb al Mandab with 6x12”/40 guns.

2nd November The newest submarine in the world, SX.01, has been a resounding success for the RM. Despite technical challenges with the all-electric propulsion, there have been no problems. Her trial runs were successful with a previously unheard of speed of 20knts being attained underwater. However, the most useful develop from the experiment has been the trainable torpedoes mounted forward. Whereas previously a submarine needed to be bows onto a target, SX.01 can fire from almost any angle.

[SIZE=1]1. A short story will be appearing soon[/SIZE]

Those poor Indian police. I only report their mistakes, leaving other nations to report their successes.

Perhaps we'll see somebody make a movie called, "The Guns of Bab Al Mandab" now?

I look forward to the short story. Nice job.

J

The Filipino government congradulates the Regia Marina on its victory over the Arabic outlaws, and directs anyone who wishes to oppose the forces of justice to take this as an example, lest they share the rebels' fate.

The 2 light cruisers, RM Varese and Vercelli slowly drifted at anchor before the light desert wind. The port of Mogadishu still wasn’t complete for the East Africa squadron. The bright rays of autumn sunshine crept over the horizon and the 2 ships began to come to life. The breeze whipped away the smoke as the boilers fired up. Onboard Varese Commander Pipione rubbed his eyes and walked onto his bridge, not that it could really be called a bridge, with room for only 8 persons. “How are we doing?” he asked of the Officer of the deck. “We’ve started up the boilers and temperature is rising. Should be able to raise anchor in a few minutes, sir” was the exhausted reply after a long nights duty. Sub-Lieutenant Fabiene stepped onto the bridge to take over for the next watch. “I’m ready to relieve you, Lieutenant”
“I stand relieved SL” he answered, then adding “I’m off to catch some sleep skipper.”
“Make sure you have some rest Lieutenant, we might need you later if the Indian Police are correct”
“Yes, sir” and then he shinnied down the ladder and made his way aft.
Turning to SL Fabiene, Commander Pipione said “ Raise anchor and take us out to sea Subbie”
Orders were quickly shouted and the anchor came onboard. SL Fabiene took up his position behind the Boson and called “Yeoman, make to Vercelli, ‘raise anchor and follow us out, 200yds astern’ ”
“Yes, sir”
“Boson, 1/3 ahead, course 000.”
“Yes, sir”
A rumble shuddered through the ship and slowly she began to pick up speed, kicking up a large wake astern. The clear-blue water bounced off her flanks and the bow raised a little as she came up to 15knts, her sister ship following behind.

********************************************

“Commander, signal from Vercelli” said the Yeoman.
“What does she say?” inquired Commander Pipione, this was turning out to be a bit of a wild goose chase. Still no sign of the gun-runners after nearly 2 hours of raising anchor.
“Contact, sir” replied the Yeoman “bearing 280 relative. Tramp steamer of approximately 500grt”
“ Signal Vercelli to turn to port and investigate further. We’ll stay at 1,000m out and cover from there.”
“Yes, sir”
Astern of Varese, Vercelli swung out of line and departed. Varese heeled over in the turn and came up to 30knts. Her bow crashed down on the seas as she accelerated. At least its something to break the monotony thought Commander Pipione. Why did we ever trust those policemen anyway? India’s always moaning about how bad they are.
Even from 1,000m the Commander Pipione could see what a decrepid old hulk the tramp was. There wasn’t much chance of excitement here. “Signal to Vercelli, if they really are gun-runners try and take prisoners” the sarcasm obvious in his voice.
Suddenly a splash came up next to Vercelli and small arms fire erupted from the ship. Commander Pipione grabbed the mike. “ Action stations, action stations. This is not a drill, this is not a drill.” The ship burst to life as crewmen rushed to their stations. “Bow and port 20mm gunners open fire” shouted the Commander as a bullet winged over his head. A stream of 20mm shells came from the bow weapon and arched their way towards the tramp steamer. Vivid flashes appeared on the sides without having much effect. “Main turrets closed up and ready for action” relayed the port talker.
“All turrets, open fire” ordered the Commander. 6 130mm shells burst out of the guns and sped towards their target. The shells from the after two turrets fell short but A-turret straddled with 1 splash. A fire burst out on the tramp’s bridge where she had been hit. The next salvo was more accurate with 6 straddles but no hits.
“They’ve got the range, now fire for effect”
A salvo erupted from the guns again. This time there was only one miss. 2 shells passed straight the hull and out through the opposite side. 2 other shells hit the bridge aft again, which was already a burning, mangled wreck. The last shell fell onto the piles of ammunition where it promptly exploded engulfing the tramp in a huge fireball that licked out towards the cruisers.
“Cease firing” ordered Commander Pipione gazing at the burning wreck. “Signal to Vercelli, ‘you did ask them to surrender first, didn’t you?’ ”

what kind of a lunatic opens fire on a cruiser? Must be some kind of religious fanatic ...

Well they're actually Destroyer leaders of 2,000t and not strictly cruisers.

Good read! Maybe we need a fiction section for this site.

Let me add a post-script:

11 October 1923

The As Salif Constabulary's office occupied a mud brick building two streets back from the shoreline of As Salif. A dingy, dark structure, its only merit was the relative coolness of the air.

The detachment's commanding officer was making good use of this comfort, catching a nap before going "home" to the infernal tent farm that housed him and the other Indian police and military personnel. When his doorknob slowly turned, he quickly awoke, and managed to appear contemplative by the time the sergeant had actually opened the door. "Yes, Sergeant?"

"Sir, we've received a wireless from the Italian base at Mogadishu. They've intercepted and sunk the smugglers we warned them about."

The commandant had been praying for this very message. For almost three years, he'd been stuck in this hellhole, atoning for a mistake that ruffled the wrong feathers. "Send word to the garrison commander, and also to the Ministry of Law in Hyderabad", he said. "Immediately."

The sergeant acknowledged the order and left him alone in his office. For the first time in ages, he - the former Commandant of the Cochin Constabulary - dared to hope that he might yet be forgiven for the Raveena Pillai fiasco...

Nice little story! ;o)

Btw, will Raveena tour again?

Nice story; and welcome back, Rocky.

Raveena will likely be on the road in 1924.