WesWorld

August 1942

In Army News the Ordnance Board unveils a new tank this month. Designed as a replacement for the M5 light tank series, it uses a similar but not identical chassis to the M5 light tank, and mounts a new type of 3in gun one which gives similar ballistic performance but has a lighter barrel. Once the prototype completes testing, production will begin with series production beginning in the spring of 1943. The tank will be called Light Tank M24 (1).

Also in armoured vehicle news, the newest medium tank is also unveiled, the M25 medium (2). This will also have a 3in gun, but the Ordnance Board made provision for the tank to be upgunned to a 3.5in gun. Weight is 33 tons, with up to 3.4in of armor, and a speed of 30mph the M25 will be comparable to the tanks fielded by most nations when series production begins in the spring of 1943.

In naval news, the cruiser USS Nashville is launched along with two fleet oilers.

In air force news, the USAAF orders 377 P-47B fighters.

Oval Office, The White House, Washington D.C.

Tell me Arthur, what do we know about this "Grand Alliance? Is there any reason for the United States to be concerned by this development?" President Wilkie asks.

"I do not think so Mr. President. The statement is of course full of flowery words, and such. The interests of this Grand Alliance are in many ways convergent with ours, I do not see them as any sort of expansionary powers, rather they seem content to keep the status quo in the world as are we. France has taken steps to move its colonial peoples towards independence in a fashion the United States can find no real fault with, the friendship with Germany, Atlantis, Chile, and Colombia is well documented, and our relations with Russia have changed from ambivalent to at least friendly. If nothing else, the possibility of a general war in Europe is quite slim now, seeing as a good portion of the major players in such a war are allied." Secretary of State Arthur Vandenburg responds.

"If I may Mr. President, I feel we at the Navy, and our friends at the War Office may want to consider some redeployment may be in order. The Montana and Tennesse class battleships can likely go to Pearl now, and the older ships to Norfolk. With any luck, we can form a force in the Pacific that would make other powers in the area think twice about getting involved in a war with us. I expect we shall have Peace in our Time with this development." Secretary of the Navy Knox said.

"You realize Frank, you are talking about Peace using the threat of the sword," Secretary of State Vandenburg replies.

"Yes, but this type of Peace is so much better when your the one holding the sword rather than the one trying to prepare to meet it." Secretary Knox replied.

(1) OTL M24 Chaffee

(2) OTL T25

September 1942

In Army News, Colonel Leslie Skinner and Lieutenant Uhl begin work on a delivery system for the new M10 shaped charge grenade. This grenade, which is capable of penetrating up to 2.4in of vehicle armor is however difficult to throw so Skinner and Uhl have been tasked with working on some sort of delivery system to attach the grenade to the front of an enemy armored vehicle.

In air force news, the Fairchild C-82 Packet undegoes its first flight this month, the USAAF orders 188 Douglas B-26B.

This month as well, groundbreaking begins on the Pentagon, which will consolidate under one roof the many agencies of the War Department.

The Interior Department begins planning on a pipeline to transport oil from Texas to Pennsylvania. This project, which will be known as the Big Inch, is begun primarily from the known vulnerability that tanker traffic would have on the East Coast in wartime especially against a power like the Iberian Federation.

October 1942

In Army News, the T32 Howitzer Motor Carriage prototype is completed. Mounting a 4.1in Howitzer on an M3 tank chassis, the War Department hopes it will aid in the continuing modernization and mechanization of the US Army.

In Naval news, 2 Destroyers completed and 4 more Landing Craft are launched this month adding to the slowly growing US Navy.

In Political News with the midterm elections to take place next month polls indicate a divided electorate in America, with the Republicans expected to retain the New England, the Northeastern States, and the West, the Democrats to retain their seats in the South, and the Socialist to continue their hold on Louisiana. It is in the Midwest where things are more interesting, with the New Whigs concentrating their efforts here, and the Socialists attempting to make a push for the Great Lakes region. Gallup is projecting the Democrats to win 160 seats, the Republicans 180, the New Whigs 40, and the Socialists 55.

November 1942

In political news the midterm elections results are in and are as follows:

Republicans - 178
Democrats - 164
Socialists - 51
Whigs - 42

This means of course a divided Congress with no one party being able to outvote the others. In intial statements however, the Democrats who gained most of their support in the South have agreed to support the Republicans providing the Republicans support some of their iniatives as well. Their price is more foreign support for the South American States, and more emphasis on the potential of the Iberian threat.

In aviation news, the USAAF awards a number of contracts this month to various aircraft manufactors. First, to the Beech Aircraft Company for two prototypes of its Model 28 Destroyer. The requirement of this aircraft is for a ground attack aircraft to replace the Douglas A-20 Havoc. North American Aviation gets a production order for 200 of its B-28A high altitude bombers. Finally, the Martin gets an order for two prototypes of its Martin XB-33 Super Marauder.

Also in USAAF news, the USAAF issues a new specification for an improved VLR bomber with the details as follows; a 450 mph (720 km/h) top speed, a 275 mph (443 km/h) cruising speed, a service ceiling of 45,000 ft (14,000 m), beyond the range of ground-based anti-aircraft fire, and a maximum range of 12,000 miles (19,000 km) at 25,000 ft (7,600 m).

In other aviation news, the United States enters the jet age with General Electric's J33. This engine, similar to the British first generation of jet engines produces 1,650 lb-ft of thrust, and weighs 850 lbs.

In Naval news, 2 Submarines and 2 more Fleet Oilers are completed this month.

"and more emphasis on the potential of the Iberian threat." + "the USAAF issues a new specification for an improved VLR bomber" = Iberia Bomber.

December 1942

In Naval news this month, the US Navy completes its reconstruction on the USS Ranger and the USS Constellation. Both will undergo a working-up period before transiting the Mexican Canal to rejoin the US Pacific Fleet.

In Army news, the 3in AT Gun begins large scale production to replace the 37mm AT gun currently in service. Also, the NRDC and the Army Ordnance Department begin development at Picatinny Arsenal of a 4.5in rocket.