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
This post has been edited 1 times, last edit by "TheCanadian" (Jan 31st 2013, 7:54am)