WesWorld

OOC: I am still catching the US up with news, but I plan on having a Detroit Auto Show piece for Q1/42, those who wish to attend can please PM submissions with revelent information to me.

January 9th 1942

The American Senate begins debating what in American circles is being referred to as the 2nd American-Filipino Agreement. Dealing mainly with areas of commerce, there are certain provisions in the treaty which certain Senators are concerned about, however it is expected to be ratified nonetheless.

January 1942

In army news this month the M4 Medium begins production to replace the M3 Medium in US Army inventory. Also, the War Department has authorized the development of a self-propelled howitzer, using the 4.1in howitzer along with the M3 tank chassis. A prototype is expected at the end of this year. Another project that begins this month is the 3in Antitank Gun to replace the 1.5in weapons currently in service in the US Army. The Ordnance Department plans on taking a 3in Antiaircraft gun M3 and mounting it on a 4.1in howitzer carriage. While some modifications may need to be done, it is hoped that production can begin at the end of this year.

In naval news this month, another unit of the Olympia class light cruisers is laid down at Boston along with two destroyers of a new type. Also laid down this month are two further Gato class submarines.

Looks like the US is steaming along quite nicely with their rearmament plans.

Yup they are moving right along.

In a year or three I might even catch the rest of Wesworld!

February 1942

In army news this month, the M10 tank destroyer design has completed testing, production is to begin in August 1942. The M10 is armed with an open topped 3in gun in a turret, and a 0.50in machine gun. Based off the M3 chassis with two GM diesels powering, the M10 has a 200 mile range and can reach a speed of 30 miles an hour. 1,000 are on order.

In naval news, the United States completes 1 cruiser, 2 fleet oilers, and 3 submarines this month all of which begin their shake-down cruise.

In aviation news, the USAAF annouces it plans on ordering 115 Consolidated B-32 heavy bombers and 150 Boeing B-29 heavy bombers. Delivery on these orders is to begin mid 1942.

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
In aviation news, the USAAF annouces it plans on ordering 115 Consolidated B-32 heavy bombers and 150 Boeing B-29 heavy bombers. Delivery on these orders is to begin mid 1942.

In Berlin the air staff ponders this interesting development. Compared with the earlier B-17 and B-24 designs - which could be considered continental defense weapons - these aircraft portend a much longer reach.

*whistles innocently*

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
*whistles innocently*

A tune with words like these?

"Minds of men fashioned a crate of thunder,
Sent it high into the blue;
Hands of men blasted the world asunder;
How they lived God only knew!
Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer
Gave us wings, ever to soar!
With scouts before And bombers galore. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the Army Air Force!"

Perhaps.......

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
In aviation news, the USAAF annouces it plans on ordering 115 Consolidated B-32 heavy bombers and 150 Boeing B-29 heavy bombers. Delivery on these orders is to begin mid 1942.

Where can i find more informations about the aircrafts ?

Uhmmm... wiki?

The Armee de l'Aire requests to evaluate a Dominator.

Parador, the revelent information is in the encyclopedia.

Pending approval by the State Department, Consolidated would be more than pleased to allow the Armee de l'Aire to evaluate its Dominator. How many aircraft would the French like to evaluate?

Two or three shall work, if you please.

Shouldn't be a problem if the State Department gives the green light.

March 1942

The United States Army has issued a design specification for a new armoured car, to replace the older M3A1 Scout Car. The design is required to feature 6x6 drive, and armed with a 1.5in gun. Both Ford and Chrysler have offered to issue designs meeting this specification.

The US Army has also issued a specification for mounting a 4.1in Howitzer on a fully tracked chassis. The Ordnance Department is experimenting with the M3 medium tank chassis. A prototype is expected by late 1942.

In diplomatic news, the State Department approves the request by the Armee de l'Aire to evaluate the Consolidated B-32 Dominator.

April 1942

In Naval News, the Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox brought the FY1942 Naval estimates before Congress today. For the fiscal year the United States Navy plans on laying down 1 battlecruiser, 2 aircraft carriers, 2 heavy cruisers, 3 destroyers, 3 submarines, 5 fleet oilers, 7 minesweepers, and 4 amphibious vessels. 3 heavy cruisers and 2 light cruisers begin modernization refits. The four Montana class battleships will be completed in this fiscal year, along with 1 Olympia class cruiser, 2 Ingraham class destroyers, 2 Gato class submarines, 5 fleet oilers, 4 landing craft, and 4 minesweepers. The aircraft carriers USS Ranger and USS Constellation, along with the heavy cruiser USS Northampton all complete their modernizations as well.

The United States has also ordered 300 of the improved Martin PBM-4 Mariner Patrol Aircraft for patrol work. This order is part of the improvements to defense of the United States Pacific holdings along the defense of the United States Pacific coastline due to the USN Pacific Fleet redeploying the majority of its fleet to Pearl Harbor. The USN hopes to begin deploying the first of these squadrons at the island of Midway, and along the California and Washington coasts by the end of the year.

Furthermore, the United States Navy expects the improved Grumann carrier borne fighter, known as the F8F to undergo its first flight this year, and this month the new Douglas dive-bomber is scheduled to undergo its first flight. The United States Navy has set aside funds to continue these projects to the final production stage.

The prototype of the 0.75in anti-aircraft gun begins testing this month. If testing is sucessful, it is hoped to use this weapon on future USN vessels.

In aviation news there are two first flights this month, the Douglas SB2D and the North American B-28. Both the USN and USAAF considered the testing a sucess, though no word yet of any production orders.

May 1942

In Army news the Secretary of War Henry Stimson brought the FY1942 Army estimates before Congress today. For the upcoming fiscal year the United States Army and Air Force plan on continuing the moderate expansion and modernization plans begun a few years earlier. The US Army plans on doubling its armored divisions from two to four, and is undergoing a variety of projects which will improve the fighting capabilities of the US Army.

The United States Army Airforce meanwhile is planning on ordering a number of aircraft for its own modernization program, specifically the B-26B Bomber, the P-47 long range fighter, and the P-60 fighter. The USAAF also plans on reviewing its operational needs in the changing global climate, as to whether it needs to begin a serious policy of expansion.

The major item by the War Department for the year is the construction of the Pentagon, to consolidate under one roof the many agencies of the department. The building is estimated to cost around 80 million, and is to be built on reclaimed land in Arlington Virginia. Groundbreaking is expected to take place in September 1942.

In Naval News this month, the light cruiser USS Savannah is launched as are the inital pair of Ingraham class destroyers, and a pair of Gato class submarines.

Also in Naval News, Task Force 1 is formed from the 'Big Six' battleships, based in Pearl Harbor along with some supporting oilers. TF1 is to undergo a world cruise to demonstrate American power, and when the ships of this task force reach their new base in Norfolk, Virginia they will have sailed all the oceans of the world save one.

Finally, this month sees the arrival of a German military and technical mission, further deepening the German-American bonds of friendship. With them come examples of some of the latest German technology, which the Americans hope will aid them in their own developments of the latest military weaponry.

June 1942

In political news Congress today approves the Army and Navy estimates for FY1942. There are some changes made to the Naval Estimates, instead of refitting the Colombia class cruisers the United States Navy will sell some of these to the Mexican Navy, with the remaining going into reserve pending a decision by the Mexican government as to whether or not they want the entire class. Four of the Omaha class cruisers will also be sold to Mexico. Instead, the United States Navy plans on developing a new type of cruiser based on the Olympia's to be named the Worchester class.

Also in political news alongside the Socialist, Democrat, and Republican Parties a new political party plans on running candidates in the upcoming congressional elections in November. The Whig Party has been formed from a few disheartened Democrat and Republican politicians who disagree with the active stance the United States has taken during the Wilkie Administration. They advocate for more of an "America First" policy, where the United States would focus more of its efforts inward, withdraw from NARC, NATO, and the League of Nations.

The Mexican Canal is planned to open July 4th, with the President himself in attendance along with other dignateris (1). The first ship through the Canal is to be the US battleship USS Arizona, followed by her sister the USS Pennsylvania on the way to join the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor.

The German military and technical mission leave this month, after fruitful discussions with American military officers and scientists. The lessons learned from the mission will likely take some time to sort out, and the Americans have also received an invitation from the United Kingdom to send a military and technical mission later in the year.

In Naval News, the review done on the US Pacific holdings is completed, while the Report is fairly extensive it essentially says the United States needs to improve the defensive capabilities of its Pacific holdings in order to coordinate with its current War Plans for the Pacific. The first steps on this path will be a design for a seaplane tender for the Pacific which could be moored at one of the United States Pacific atolls. The report also advises against building Wake Island as major fleet base, but rather to investigate the possibilities of a modest improvement in the defensive capabilities of the island, a radar station, the stationing of two fighter squadrons, and a stronger ground presence.

Also, the fleet oiler Cimarron, and four of the Gato class submarines complete their initial cruise and are accepted into service with the USN.

(1) those who want to attend the opening of the Canal, and send dignataries or ships please PM or reply here.