WesWorld

January 6, 1932 - Berlin

Foreign Minister Stresseman has set off on another trip, this time to Italy. "Germany and Italy have economic matters to discuss, and the best way to discuss matters is face to face, rather than sending cables back and forth. Besides, I've not visited Italy in some years, so it is time I did so."


January 7, 1932 - Vienna

The Austrian Parliament has set the date of the plebiscite to vote on the union of Austria with Germany: it is to be held February 10, 1932. Several nations have been invited to send representatives to observe the voting - the US, Russian, Nordmarkian, British, French, and Italian embassies all have been delivered invitations.


January 15, 1931 - Berlin

The Heere has set the date for the semi-automatic rifle competition, it is to be held in Dresden beginning on October 20. In addition to the requirements laid down last year for the competition, the Heere has also released some new desires for the rifle.

Requirements:
- weigh no more than 4.5 kg loaded and equipped with sling and cleaning kit.
- hold at least 8 7 mm x 40 RWS cartridges in it's magazine
- have a maximum length of no more than 1200 mm
- require no preparation of the cartridges prior to loading (ie, no waxing or oiling of the cartridges).

Desires:
- be capable of loading individual rounds
- hold at least 10 rounds in it's magazine
- weigh no more than 4.2 kg loaded and equipped with sling and cleaning kit

I'm wondering where you are going with the semi-automatic rifle idea. Seems to be developing into an M1 type of weapon rather than STG-44.

I was going more for keeping the 6.5x52 carcano round as its a nice calibre and very accurate. Only problem is the round bullet, which does cause much tissue damage. Transferring to an Enfield type pointed round that is base heavy should solve this more. Eventually I'll have to replace the M1891 and probably go for something along the lines of the 9mm Berettas, but chambered for 6.5mm rounds. Gas-operated with semi-auto, auto fire mechanisms and reasonably low weight due to the small round.

The intent was never to come up with the STG-44 at this time, it's way too early for that. A semi-auto rifle, like the M-1 Garand, the SVT-38. the Gewehr 43, or the SKS, is not out of the question, though.

Frankly, I can't see ANY nation adopting a selective-fire rifle before another general war has broken out, they simply were not regarded as necessary (not to mention being regarded as expensive in terms of ammunition and, generally, too heavy). LMGs, yes, but not selective-fire rifles.

Quoted

Frankly, I can't see ANY nation adopting a selective-fire rifle before another general war has broken out, they simply were not regarded as necessary (not to mention being regarded as expensive in terms of ammunition and, generally, too heavy). LMGs, yes, but not selective-fire rifles.

Its not particularly hard or expensive to go to 6.5mmx52 from 9x19. It will add weight definitely, and of course there are the issues with recoil, but the actual mechansim shouldn't have to change. Well the only problem with the Beretta is the short range anyway, needs a smaller quicker cartridge to be effective over 150m. Strangely it had two triggers, one for semi and one for auto firing, and was used by Carabineri till the 1980s.

Re: Jan 6 news

Its going to be a busy time in northern italy during January and February. Snr. Bottai is looking forwards to the meeting with Herr Stressman in Milan and expects it to be productive.

Quoted

ts not particularly hard or expensive to go to 6.5mmx52 from 9x19. It will add weight definitely, and of course there are the issues with recoil, but the actual mechansim shouldn't have to change. Well the only problem with the Beretta is the short range anyway, needs a smaller quicker cartridge to be effective over 150m. Strangely it had two triggers, one for semi and one for auto firing, and was used by Carabineri till the 1980s.

Depends a lot on the mechanism used. Most 9mm x 19 SMGs were blow-back operated weapons, which won't work for a 6.5mm x 52 rifle unless you want it to beat itself to death in short order.

But in any event, it's not so much the cost of the weapon itself (though that will be higher than most any government would have borne in pre-war times), it's the cost of the ammunition for the weapon that will be a problem. There was lots of resistance to going to a semi-auto rifle because it would increase the amount of ammunition needed by each soldier over the bolt-action rifle, and a selective-fire rifle would make that MUCH, MUCH worse.

Quoted

Its going to be a busy time in northern italy during January and February. Snr. Bottai is looking forwards to the meeting with Herr Stressman in Milan and expects it to be productive.

Herr Stresseman is hopeful as well, we shall see.

January 15, 1932 - Milan

Foreign Minister Stresseman has left Milan for Berlin, after a long and, according to his statement, productive meeting with the Italians. "It was a good meeting. There were a number of issues discussed, on both economic and foreign policy matters, and agreements were reached on most of them. The issue of Austria was discussed and explained, economic issues such as tariffs and excise taxes were covered, and so on. All in all, it was quite a productive meeting, not to mention that I was introduced to some wonderful dinners."


January 25, 1932 - Berlin

The German government has issued a statement deploring the invasion of Asir by Saudi and Yemeni forces. "There was no need to invade Asir, it is a naked attempt to dissolve the mandate by force. Given that a plebiscite was already scheduled in two years, what was there to fear, unless those governments doubted their own ability to provide for their people. The government of Germany condemns this reckless action, and asks that all troops return to their own side of the border lest this situation grow beyond what it's planners desire or contemplate."


January 30, 1932 - Vienna

The campaigning for and against the union with Germany is reaching it's peak. Judging by the placards, the marches, and the advertising, one would think that the vote is a foregone conclusion. The "Yes" vote, to approve the union, appears heavily favored by most segments of society, with the exception of small pockets here and there that hope to retain some bastion of privilege or position in an independent Austria.

January 18, 1932 - Berlin

In response to the comments of the Samraja of India's comments on India's possible withdrawal from the Cleito Treaty and Britain's response to them, the Foreign Ministry released this statement. "Germany would be willing to attend any meeting of the Cleito Treaty signatories to discuss a larger tonnage allotment for India. Germany would prefer that India remain within the Treaty, as certainly any signatory's withdrawal will have the potential to unravel the entire tapestry, which Germany would prefer to see remain intact."


February 9, 1932 - Vienna

The day before the plebiscite on the union between Austria and Germany has passed, all that remains now is the voting itself. The polling places are prepared, the ballot boxes and papers delivered and under guard. The mood in the cities, towns, and villages is festive, despite the wintry weather, with the sounds of music competing with the wind and a light snow.

February 11, 1932 - Vienna

The plebiscite on Austria joiing with Germany has been held, and the votes are being counted. The plebiscite itself was carried of in a very orderly fashion, with the voters standing in line to vote in a gentle snow over most of the country. When the polls closed, the ballot counting began, currently the initial returns are running strongly in favor of union with Germany, with a high turnout.


February 14, 1932 - Vienna

The final votes have been tallied, and the results announced: 82% of the voters approved the measure authorizing union with Germany, with 18% voting against it. The plebiscite drew 93% of the voters to tbe polls. Assuming that the voters in Germany approve the union, Germany and Austria will officially become one country as of midnight, January 1, 1933.


February 20, 1932 - Berlin

The Reichstag has set the date for the German plebiscite on union with Austria: it is to be held on April 2, 1932.

Hmm, looks like you might soon need to sim some Danube Monitors.

Quoted

Austria - 1 factory
at Vienna:
1 Type 0 slip
1 Type 0 drydock

Well, that was in the plans. The old ones need to be replaced, not to mention that the calibers of guns used might need to be harmonized.

March 1, 1932 - Berlin

Campaigning for the plebiscite on Austrian union with Germany is in full swing, though there is little campaigning against it. The posters and placards are sponsored by the various political parties, all trying to keep their faces before the public.


March 3, 1932 - Berlin

The Communist Party of Germany (the KPD) has introduced a bill in the Reichstag to delay the planned elections of this fall into 1933, in the event of passage of the union with Austria, to allow all citizens of a united Germany and Austria to vote for their representatives in the Reichstag and for the office of President. Unlike most KPD bills in the Reichstag, this bill actually has a chance of passing.

March 6, 1932 - Berlin

The government has announced plans to welcome the King of Nordmark to Germany in early summer. The King's train will cross the Baltic to Kiel by train ferry and will proceed on to Berlin, arriving on June 1. The King and his entourage are expected to remain in Berlin for approximately 2 weeks.


March 15, 1932 - Berlin

The KPD-backed bill to delay elections if the plebiscite approves union with Austria has passed with little opposition. Chancellor Cuno spoke on the passing of the bill, "This is a one-time event, a delaying of democratic elections when their time has come should not happen lightly. But disenfranchising, or even limiting the vote, of part of the population should not happen either, and in this case the best solution appears to be to delay the vote. I thank the leadership and members of the KPD for bringing this solution before us."

March 19, 1932 - Dresden

The test of the revised Gerlich cone-bore anti-tank rifle was held today, and was a great success. The rifle, a modified Mauser, was heavy (7.5 kg empty), as could be expected, but that helped reduce the recoil somewhat which was surely an advantage. The heavy 7.92mm (14.5 grams) projectile, though, was the real star of the day, doing an excellent job of punching holes in the armor plates arranged as targets. The Heer is said to be quite satisfied with the projectile, if a bit concerned with the recoil, and is likely to order a quantity of AT rifles made while a more definitive rifle, that will reduce the felt recoil more, is designed.


March 30, 1932 - Cuxhaven

The completed Turkish light cruiser Ankara, in company with the 7 1918MOB destroyers sold to that country, have set sail for Turkey and their handover to their new owners, in company with a hired tanker.

March 16, 1932

Foreign Minister Stresseman signed the PETA Treaty for Germany, preparatory to sending it to the Reichstag and President Cuno for their approval. His speech included the following:

"Fellow Germans, with this treaty we take another step in rejoining the community of Europe. No longer are we excluded from commerce, or hedged out behind high walls of tarriffs and excises. This treaty will result in more jobs for Germans, and lower prices on materials and goods we buy abroad.

To our neighbors and friends, near and far, to the north, south, east, and west: if, upon reflection, this treaty appears valuable to your country, you have but to ask and Germany will sponsor or support your application to join the treaty and reap it's benefits."