WesWorld

The Straits Times
January 6th, 1940
SINGAPORE
With the conclusion of Commonwealth excersizes in the South China Sea, the Straits of Johor are noticably less crowded as the Australian and Canadian ships have departed and begun their journeys back to their various home ports and stations. Local merchants and working women of Sembawang are already sad to see our welcome visitors depart, and look forward to the next such occasion.

Halifax Chronicle-Herald
January 8th, 1940
HALIFAX, N.S.
The new Frigate Serapis departed the Royal Navy Dockyard today on the first of it's builder's trials. She joins her sisters who have already begun, or will soon begin their own trials, and all four ships are expected to commission in the next few weeks.

South China Morning Post
January 11th, 1940
HONG KONG
Battleships Canada and Excelsior have dropped anchor in Victoria Harbor this morning, not far from HMCS Prince Edward Island. Thunderous explosions to the southwest yesterday preceeded their arrival, continuing well into the night. Rumor has it that the RCN ships will conduct additional gunnery excersizes during their stay.

[unknown Darwin newspaper]
January 12th
DARWIN, AUSTRALIA
The Harbour is crowded today with ships today, as the Royal Canadian Navy is in port to stock on fuel and supplies on their voyage home. Local businesses are rapidly being faced with a shortfall in stocks and supplies as the current demand from the Canadian quartermasters of the three carriers, two battlecruisers, and countless smaller ships vastly overpowers the normal local demands.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin
January 28th, 1940
HONOLULU, HAWAII
The visiting Royal Canadian Navy detachment has departed Pearl Harbor today for their final leg of their voyage to Esquimalt. [insert fluff here].

Victoria Times-Colonist
Feburary 4th, 1940
ESQUIMALT, B.C.
The detachment of the Royal Canadian Navy has arrived home after three months of duty in the South Pacific. Not all of the ships will be staying long, as HMCS Furious, 5th Cruiser Squadron, and the Battlecruisers will be continuing on Halifax.

Ottawa Citizen
January 17th, 1940
EDO, JAPAN
The Dominion of Canada has recalled it's Ambassador to Japan (and most of the embassy staff) for consultations, following the recent trend that started with the withdrawal of diplomatic staff from China and India last month in response to belligerant rhetoric from those states.

Furthermore, the Department of External Affairs has issued a traveller's warning to Canadian Citizens regarding Japan, China, India, and Chosen, specifying concerns about the safety of Canadians (as well as other foreigners) in light of belligerant and discriminatory language eminating from the governments of these nations, which it is feared could lead to mistreatment of Europeans in general, and Canadians in particular.

Montreal Star
April 2nd, 1940
ST. HUBERT, QUEBEC
Airship Frame CR205 was floated free of it's constuction gantry at the ShinRa-Goodyear facility at St. Hubert today, and christened Olympia in a modest ceremony attended by various dignataries and representatives of the Royal Navy. Olympia and her sister Solaria are the fourth and fifth Columbia-class airships produced at St. Hubert, and have been ordered by the Fleet Air Arm. Both ships are expected to transfer to England later this year, after builder's trials are completed, and the new British crews are accomodated to the craft. Rumors among the workforce are that a new, larger class of airships will be ordered for 1941.

Halifax Chronicle-Herald
July 4th, 1940
HALIFAX, N.S.

Airship HMCS Atlantia was seen passing over Halifax today, outward bound from Montreal into the North Atlantic. This passage has also been accompanied by sorties of flying boat patrols from RCNAS Dartmouth into the North Atlantic. Increased activity has also been observed at the Dockyard, as well.

The Gleaner
August 26th, 1940
KINGSTON, JAMAICA
HMCS Endymion has arrived in port today, signalling all four ships of the RCN's 8th Frigate Squadron reuniting after concluding their participation in the ongoing NATO Fleet Problems in the South Atlantic. All four ships are being reprovisioned for their journey through the Panama Canal to officially join the RCN's Pacific Fleet.

South China Morning Post
September 22nd, 1940
HONG KONG
After being a constant in Victoria Harbour for the past year, HMCS Prince Edward Island departed today for Esquimalt, and reportedly a comprehensive refit. However, the quartet of Canadian Sloops are remaining at Hong Kong, and it is rumored that they will be augmented by another ship from the Royal Canadian Navy in the coming weeks.

*****Communique ADM/RCAS/918/E240*****
Time and Date of Origin: 01:35GMT 17/10/40
Graded: Top Secret
From: ADM Harrison Morrow, RCN Admiralty
To: VADM Owen Paris, CinCPAC
- - RADM Heihachiro Nogura, CinC Far East Station

Subject: Deployment Adjustments

War is believed imminent between China and the Philippines.
All shore leave is cancelled and full war complements to be mustered.
Any defects at ships in harbour or at sea must be rectified as soon as possible and all ships must be combat ready.
The following unit has been remanded to RCN Dockyard Esquimalt as of 22/09/40.
HMCS Prince Edward Island
The following units have been transferred to Far Eastern Command as of 26/08/40.
HMCS Endymion
HMCS Suprise
The following units are to stand-by for readiness to sail at 24 hours notice and to sail as further reinforcement as needed.
2nd Fast Battle Squadron
8th Frigate Squadron
5th Destroyer Division
RFCA Provisioner
All other units should be at increased readiness to fufill further availability requirements as needed.
All these vessels must be defect free, fully fuelled and full war ammunition loads to be carried and be crewed with full war complements.
RCN Far East Squadron to be placed at RN CIC China Station's disposal as needed.
Stand by for further instructions.
Message Ends


*****Communique ADM/RCTT/922/E240*****
Time and Date of Origin: 03:12GMT 18/10/40
Graded: Normal Traffic
From: ADM Harrison Morrow, RCN Admiralty
To: VADM Owen Paris, CinCPAC
- - RADM Heihachiro Nogura, CinC Far East Station
- - Civil Shipping Agencies

Subject: Neutrality markings

All RCN warships operating in the West Pacific are to carry the following neutrality markings.
Outsize Ensigns
One Maple Leaf either hung from forward funnel or painted on as time permits.
B and X gun mounts or turrets to carry Red-White-Red stripes on each side and the top of the mount.
Carriers or vessels without B and X mounts are to paint a Maple Leaf on the quarterdeck.
Full identification lights are to be lit at night or in poor visibility
All Canadian flagged merchant vessels are to carry the following neutrality markings.
Outsize Ensigns
One Maple Leaf either hung from forward funnel or painted on as time permits.
Full identification lights are to be lit at night or in poor visibility
Message Ends


*****Communique ADM/RCMS/926/E240*****
Time and Date of Origin: 03:42GMT 18/10/40
Graded: Normal Traffic
From: ADM Harrison Morrow, RCN Admiralty
To: VADM Owen Paris, CinCPAC
- - RADM Heihachiro Nogura, CinC Far East Station
- - Civil Shipping Agencies

Subject: South China Sea Situation

Due to the current situation all ship owners and Captains must be aware of the hazards that may be encountered. You may face threats from surface warships, aircraft and mines.
There is as yet no restriction on Canadian flagged merchant vessels entering Chinese or Filipino waters or harbours on legitimate business but the Government accepts no responsibility for accidental loss due to war. Captains are not permitted to refuse requests for inspection or boarding but any events the Master feels is contrary to international law may transmit a protest and a request of help from nearby Commonwealth Naval vessels.
Any vessel not wishing to continue its voyage to China or the Philippines should return to Commonwealth waters.
Any vessel currently in Chinese or Philippine harbours fearing being caught up in the conflict should leave harour as soon as possible and head to Commonwealth ports of safety.
A Royal Navy convoy route will be set up between Singapore and Hong Kong to ensure safety. Details will follow in the next 24 hrs.
Message Ends