WesWorld

Quoted

Originally posted by Brockpaine
Nice-looking tank. Seems like Germany and France are thinking along similar lines for the next generation.

Thanks. Must be convergent evolution.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Thursday, 1 May 1941

The Foreign Ministry has confirmed that it has placed an order for one Blohm und Voss Bv144 twin engine airliner for delivery to the Royal Flight of the Royal Thai Air Force. The aircraft will be delivered in executive configuration, with seating for ten, and fitted with amenities suitable for maintenance of the royal entourage. It will also be fitted with additional fuel tanks extending the range of the aircraft beyond that of the standard Bv144 airliner.


Kieler Nachrichten, Saturday, 3 May 1941

The destroyers Lindau and Schleswig were launched today in the city’s naval shipyards. They were immediately towed to the yard’s fitting-out wharves where their construction continues.


Wehrgedanken des Auslands – May 1941

Oberstleutnant Hans Spiedel, Heer, has recently concluded an assignment as military attaché in Great Britain. During his time in that nation he has studied the development of its armoured forces and shares some of his observations. This is the second of a three-part series.

To equip such formations the British Army has pursued development of three different classes of tank – light tanks for reconnaissance and scouting; cruiser tanks for exploitation and engaging opposing armoured forces; and infantry tanks, whose principal role would be to provide direct support to infantry in the attack. Before discussing the first two types in detail it is worthwhile to consider the infantry tank, whose presence would seem at variance with established British armoured doctrine.

The Infantry Tank Mk.I and Mk.II, also known as “Matilda” in the British Army, are heavily armoured vehicles – frontal armour exceeding 70mm in some cases. The Mk.I is a two-man vehicle armed only with a single machinegun while the Mk.II is a far larger vehicle armed with a 95mm howitzer to fire explosive shell. As formidable as these vehicles may appear they are slow compared with the fast cruiser tanks – the Infantry Tank Mk.I is capable a speed of 13 kph, while the Mk.II can make 25 kph on good roads.

The development of such vehicles would imply that the British Army has foreseen the need for armoured vehicles to operate in close cooperation with infantry and other arms to obtain the breakthrough required by the exploitation doctrine of its armoured divisions. However, the British Army has not organised separate formations to operate in this manner, and units issued with infantry tanks form part of the armoured divisions – for reasons to be touched later. Many serving British officers have informally bemoaned this lack of direct support for the infantry – and have cited the successful cooperation tanks and infantry in the opening up of the Western Front in the Great War as reasons for the existence of ‘Army Tank’ battalions. The concerns of these officers may have been recognised – there are reports of a new infantry tank being developed by the Vickers firm – reputed to have a main armament in the 50mm class – equal to that of contemporary British cruiser tanks – or a 95mm howitzer, and frontal armour in excess of 100mm.

Cruiser, or medium, tanks comprise the backbone of British tank regiments. The first such vehicles were introduced in the early 1930s, but since 1935 development has concentrated on fast tanks utilising Christie suspension. A curious feature of British cruiser tank design has been the parallel development of basic cruiser and ‘support’ designs. The primary armament of British cruiser tanks since their first appearance has been the 2pdr (40mm) high velocity cannon firing solid shot. This is an excellent weapon for engaging opposing tanks but the weapon is not designed to fire high explosive shell, and is thus incapable of dealing with opposing antitank guns save by its coaxial machineguns. The ‘support’ variants of the cruiser tank designs are armed with the ubiquitous 95mm howitzer, which fires a very effective high explosive shell. British tank regiments are composed of two squadrons of cruisers armed with the 2pdr gun and two squadrons of ‘support’ cruiser tanks armed with the 95mm howitzer; the former to directly engage opposing tanks and the latter to support their cruiser brethren by engaging antitank guns and other arms. This is, at best, a compromise.

The latest British cruiser tank designs have begun to address this obvious shortcoming. The latest variants of the Cruiser Tank Mk V Crusader have introduced a new 6pdr (57mm) gun that is capable of firing both shot and high explosive shell, though the latter does not have the bursting power of the 95mm. There have been press reports of a new British tank design in the 30-tonne class, which may be armed with the 6pdr gun or a new gun of 75mm; details are obscure. If these reports are correct and the British Army plans to introduce cruiser tanks armed with weapons in the 75mm class, it will obviate the need for separate support tanks and make existing British tank regiments much more formidable. It is also reported that the British Army will procure a quantity of Canadian-manufactured Ram medium tanks to fulfill the cruiser role.

The first British light tanks were derived from Carden-Loyd designs and manufactured by the Vickers firm. Armed only with machineguns these early designs have been followed by the Light Tank Mk VI, a well-balanced vehicle armed with the 2pdr gun or 95mm howitzer of cruiser tanks. Used principally by units of the light armoured reconnaissance brigades these latest light tanks represent a formidable increase in the fighting strength of such units. Press reports also suggest that the British Army is also procuring a follow-on design with sloped armour.

The British Army has also actively pursued development of specialist variants of its principal combat vehicles. The Cruiser Tank Mk.V has been used as the basis for several types of Flakpanzer – one armed with twin 20mm antiaircraft guns in a fully enclosed turret, and one armed with a single 57mm antiaircraft gun in a shielded gun mount. The same chassis has also been used as the basis for an armoured recovery vehicle. Of particular interest is a lightweight Panzerjaeger developed on the chassis of the Light Tank Mk.VI; according to press reports it features a 6pdr antitank gun in a low, fully enclosed hull. As such it combines light weight, effective gun power and high mobility into a vehicle of formidable properties. Reports suggest that a quantity of such vehicles, called ‘Alecto’, have been ordered – whether they will be delivered to the tank or armoured car units, or assigned to the antitank regiments of armoured divisions, has not been announced.

Militär-Wochenblatt, Monday, 5 May 1941

The recent flight of the French Leduc O.10 prototype has highlighted the progress being made by aeronautical firms across Europe. While the novel ramjet engine was not installed in the airframe for the first flight, the adoption of such a powerplant offers interesting possibilities whose results remain unconfirmed. The firms of Heinkel and Bayerische Flugzeug Werke are both designing aircraft using reaction jet engines, and the work of Whittle and Campini have been well documented. It is merely a matter of time before what now seems science fiction will replace the internal combustion engine as the powerplant of military and civilian aircraft.


Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Thursday, 8 May 1941

The coastal escorts Mehrzweckboot 3 and 4 completed their trials at Memel and entered regular service with the Kriegsmarine.


Münchener Post, Friday 9 May 1941

Chancellor Adenauer, Minister of Transport Gottfried Treviranus and other government officials visited the city today to formally open the ring road of the National Motorways system that now circles the city and opens gateways to destinations across the nation. Speaking at the ceremony, the Chancellor remarked that completion of this latest section of highway was but another step forward in Germany’s economic progress. He also took note that other nations, most notably France, have seen the benefits conferred by construction of a national system of motorways, and are following suit.

Kieler Nachrichten, Sunday, 11 May 1941

The aviation training ship Otto Lillienthal return to port today having carried out aircraft carrier trials of a modified Focke Wulf Fw190 fighter aircraft. It is reported that the trials of the modified production aircraft were successful but that further development work is required before a naval variant of the nimble fighter can enter production.


Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Monday, 12 May 1941

Herr Konrad Zuse, late of the Technical University of Berlin, unveiled today the first electromechanical computing machine of the Z3 type. This machine has been built to the order of the German Academy of Aeronautical Research and will be used to perform mathematical computations necessary to control high speed wind tunnels and other research apparatus. In remarks at the unveiling ceremony, Herr Zuse indicated that his firm, Zuse Ingenieurbüro und Apparatebau, is in discussions with other research institutes, including the University of Göttingen, regarding the construction of additional machines of the Z3 type. He also indicated that he would continue work on an improved model, known as the Z4.



Nachrichten für Außenhandel, Tuesday, 13 May 1941

The concern of Friedrich Krupp today dispatched an example of its new “Fuchs” infantry combat vehicle to Bulgaria. The Bulgarian government had requested that Krupp provide a demonstration vehicle to evaluate its potential for use by the Bulgarian Army. Heretofore that service had relied upon vehicles of Danish or Atlantean origin, and the possible sale of the “Fuchs” to Bulgaria has generated much interest.


Eisenbahn Kurier, Thursday, 15 May 1941

Nachrichten für Außenhandel, Monday, 19 May 1941

Shipping News –

Arrived Hamburg Saturday, Hansa Line freighter Trauenfels, inbound from Bangkok, Batavia, Madras and Cape Town – 3,100 bags of Mocha coffee; 280 bags of ginger; 3,290 bags of raw sugar; 1,640 bags of tapioca; 9,290 bags of rice; 38 bags of cinnamon; 2,165 bags of Malabar pepper; 510 bags of sago; 390 bales of cotton cloth; 5,380 bales of raw cotton; 1,130 bales of cured hides; 15 bales of goatskins; 2,620 bales of jute; 120 bales of raw silk; 2,400 billets of pig iron; 55 boxes of scrap brass; 2,900 bundles of rattan; 1,970 cases of wax; 4,040 chests of tea; 119 chests of medicinal opium; 890 coils of cordage; 3,740 drums of wood oil; 3,680 drums of tallow; 150 drums of shellac flakes; and 270 logs of teak.

Arrived Bremerhaven Saturday, Rickmers Line freighter Moni Rickmers, inbound from Calcutta, Colombo and Karachi – 2,780 bags of cottonseed; 1,290 bags of linseed; 1,670 bales of raw cotton; 1,600 bales of hides; 1,600 bales of gunny sacks; 1,625 chests of tea; and 8,000 billets of pig iron.

Departed Hamburg Saturday, Hamburg South America liner Monte Sarmiento, outbound for Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro and the River Plate – 600 bags of walnuts; 36,500 bags of cement; 800 bales of canvas; 250 bales of cotton goods; 860 bales of linoleum; 25 bales of dressed furs; 950 bales of woolen goods; 325 cases of tinned fish; 15,400 cases of paint and varnish; 3,315 cases of chinaware; 800 cases of glassware; 4,860 cases of distilled spirits; 1,070 cases of boots and shoes; 565 cases of cheese; 520 cases of nails; 1,000 cases of cigarettes; 500 cases of biscuits; 170 cases of cigars; 3,000 cases of tinned fruit; 5,800 cases of beer; 50 drums of machine oil; 500 sewing machines; 200 oil stoves; 20 motor trucks; 300 cases of leather goods and 2 railway locomotives with tenders.


Hamburger Abendblatt, Tuesday, 20 May 1941

The last few days have seen much activity in the city’s naval shipyards. On Saturday the new minesweepers Blankensee and Muggelsee completed their trials and were formally taken into naval service, and are now assigned to the Third Minesweeping Flotilla at Wilhelmshaven. Yesterday saw the launch of the minesweepers Fleesensee and Rhinsee, which are now embarked on their programme of trials. And work on the minesweepers Schwielowsee and Werbellinsee continues apace, and these vessels will soon slide down the ways. The workers of Hamburg can properly take pride in their contribution to the refurbishment of the Kriegsmarine.


Berliner Börsen-Courier, Wednesday, 21 May 1941

Confidence in Argentine bonds and shares continues to slide on German exchanges in the face of the most recent proposals emanating from Cordoba regarding the railways nationalisation plan. As understood in financial circles here the plan calls for the takeover of the capital of the five principal foreign-owned railway companies by an Argentine state corporation, in exchange for which the investors in these firms will receive as compensation only fifteen percent of the capital in the new national railways; that is, eighty-five percent of their capital will be swallowed by the Argentine treasury. Argentine political leaders expect that such paltry compensation will encourage further capital investment from abroad; it certainly appears that German banks and investors do not agree with such expectations.

Oberhessische Zeitung, Friday, 23 May 1941

The prototype of the Bayerischen Flugzeugwerke’s new fighter aircraft, the Bf262, was rolled out today at the firm’s works at Augsburg-Haunstetten. Due to the unavailability of the reaction jet engines intended for the design it has been temporarily fitted with a single 1,200 hp Junkers Jumo 210 piston engine in the nose of the aircraft. The decision to fit a substitute engine was made in order to gain basic information regarding the aircraft’s handling characteristics. With Flugkapitan Fritz Wendel at the controls the aircraft made a first flight of twenty minutes duration. Meanwhile, in other parts of the works, construction continues of a privately-funded prototype of the firm’s proposed Bf109Z twin-engine heavy fighter aircraft. It is reported that that aircraft may be flown sometime this autumn.


Militär-Wochenblatt, Monday, 26 May 1941

The second series of tests of the Henschel Hs293 glider bomb has been completed. A total of six test weapons were expended on the target ship Hessen, four of which successfully struck the target. Officials of the Defence Ministry have expressed their satisfaction and the test programme is continuing.


Hamburger Abendblatt, Wednesday, 28 May 1941

Josef Veltjens and three associates, Wilhelm ‘Willy’ Daugs, Thorvald Erich and Alexandre Klaguine were convicted today of conspiring to export aviation and military equipment abroad in defiance of the Neutrality Proclamation. They have been sentenced to three years imprisonment and individual fines in excess of 100,000 Reichsmarks.


Kleine Zeitung, Thursday, 29 May 1941

Ground was broken today on construction of the motorway between Wien and the Hungarian frontier. It is planned to pass through Simmering, Schwechat, Fischamend, Bruck an der Leitha, Parndorf, Weiden am See and Mönchhof to the border town of Nickelsdorf. It is expected that this section of the National Motorway system will be completed some time in 1943.


Elbinger Volksstimme, Saturday, 31 May 1941

The first of two planned icebreakers ordered by the Kriegsmarine, the Castor, was launched today in the shipyards of Memel. It follows the launch of two netlaying auxiliary vessels earlier in the week. The last several years have seen an increasing tempo of construction in the yards of Memel, to the great benefit of workers and businesses throughout the region.

Militär-Wochenblatt, Monday, 2 June 1941

The Defence Ministry has announced several new requirements on behalf of the Army Armaments Office. Proposals are sought for a self-propelled antiaircraft vehicle to replace the towed guns currently employed by Panzer formations. Industry has also been asked to submit designs for a medium-calibre intermediate antiaircraft gun to supplement the existing 3.7cm FlaK38 and fill a perceived gap between it and the 8.8cm FlaK33. Rheinmetall Borsig has been awarded a contract to produce a prototype 8.8cm antitank gun for testing, which will share characteristics with the 8.8cm tank cannon it has been developing over the last several years.


Altmark-Zeitung, Tuesday, 3 June 1941

As part of its programme of testing materials for the National Motorways System, the Research Center for Road Construction (Forschungsstelle für Straßenbau) at Stendal has begun tests of a new form of road-making material proposed by Diplom-Ingenieur Kurt Joachim Sommerfeld. The new material is intended for use on light trackways across soft ground.


Wehrgedanken des Auslands – June 1941

Oberstleutnant Hans Spiedel, Heer, has recently concluded an assignment as military attaché in Great Britain. During his time in that nation he has studied the development of its armoured forces and shares some of his observations. This is the third of a three-part series.

On paper the armoured forces of the British Army are quite formidable. The troop tables for a British armoured division call for no fewer than 279 tanks – 123 of the cruiser type, 114 of the support cruiser type, and forty-two light tanks – and, within the armoured car regiments, sixty scout cars and sixty armoured cars. In numbers these are near-equal to that of a Panzer division of the Heer and are comparable with European armies of the first rank. The shortcoming lies in the failure of the British Army to win funding from the British Treasury to obtain in quantity the vehicles needed to fill out the establishments that are officially prescribed.

Based on announced figures, the British Army has acquired only some 1,200 cruiser tanks to date, and of these only the Mk.III, Mk.IV and Mk.V types can be considered modern – less than 900 vehicles. The number of modern light tanks in service is approximately 200. These numbers may be set against a nominal establishment of more than 2,100 cruiser tanks and nearly 400 light tanks. These numbers do not make provision for any significant of war reserve vehicles nor for training establishments. The situation is somewhat better in the procurement of armoured and scout cars, with more than 1,000 vehicles of modern types available against requirements of nearly that number.

This is perhaps the greatest current weakness of the British armoured force – for the most part its formations are a hollow shell suited only for training. It has forced the British Army to prolong in service older types that many officers would prefer to see relegated to training. It has also forced the British Army to substitute its infantry tanks for cruiser tanks despite their limited ability to fulfill that role. The procurement of Ram tanks from Canada will in some measure redress this situation, and the latest announcements by the British War Office suggest that funding will be forthcoming for procurement of new vehicles – though exact quantities have not been disclosed.

The British Army appears quite aware of its equipment shortcomings, and has done what it can to prioritise the allocation of the most modern equipment. The divisions stationed in the Middle East have received many of the modern Cruiser Mk.V “Crusader” tanks and are equipped to nearly full establishment. The British War Office has gone to great lengths to assure the fighting power of its formations in that region – it is worth noting that it went to far as to purchase scout cars of Yugoslav manufacture for issue to some units in Egypt and Palestine.

In the long term Great Britain has the ability to address its equipment shortcomings. Tank manufacturers include Vickers at Elswick, Metropolitan-Cammell at Coventry and Nuffield at Oxford, and the Leyland concern has now also entered tank development, according to statements in Hansard. In addition to these firms, the large heavy engineering and locomotive-manufacturing industry of Britain could, upon mobilization, produce tanks and other armoured vehicles in large numbers. Potential bottlenecks include the production and fabrication of armour plate suitable for armoured vehicles and the provision of sufficient engines of the required horsepower.

The progressive development of the British cruiser tank series, while beneficial in the sense of permitting incremental improvements, has worked against mass production. Compared with overall needs, the number of the most modern British tanks is quite small; how this will be addressed by the Army Council and by the War Office remains to be seen. The appearance of the latest French, Atlantean and Bharati tank designs will no doubt give the British Army much food for thought and should soon provoke a response.


Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Wednesday, 4 June 1941

Wilhelm von Hohenzollern, late German emperor, died today in Doorn, the Netherlands. In accordance with his wishes he will be interred on his estate at Doorn.

Kieler Nachrichten, Thursday, 5 June 1941

The Argentine battlecruiser Vientecinco de Mayo completed construction today and will begin her builders’ trials immediately. Pending their completion she will soon sail for Argentina where she will add formidable strength to that nation’s naval forces. Her sister ship, Constelacion, continues construction in the naval shipyard here and is expected to complete next spring.


Das Andere Deutschland – Editorial Page – Friday, 6 June 1941

If the results of the recent French elections are an indication of the mood of the French people they may be taken as a sign for a better future in Europe. The election of Monsieur Theisman as president and the choice of Monsieur Monnerville as prime minister suggest that France is willing to put the spectres of the Great War behind her and to grow beyond her imperialist past. Yet at the same time we see that the French military and governmental establishment is pushing for masses of new armaments. When will the government of France, and all the governments of Europe, the World, realise that armies and munitions are but a weight on the backs of the proletariat? When will the resources now consumed in war and preparation for war be freed for the betterment of all humanity?

(Das Andere Deutschland is a pacifist and socialist newspaper, and in no way represents the opinion of the German Government)


Motor Sport, Sunday, 8 June 1941




Militär-Wochenblatt, Monday, 9 June 1941

The Heinkel works at Marienehe saw much activity in the past few days with the appearance of the prototype of the He219 heavy fighter aircraft. Ground tests were conducted on Friday and on Saturday morning the aircraft took to the sky for the first of several test flights. Overall company and Defence Ministry officials were impressed with the aircraft’s performance – though engine overheating cut short the test programme; such is to be expected on a new aircraft and it is considered a minor delay. The Heinkel design is intended to replace the Fw187 Falke in service, but the presence at the tests of Generalmajor Josef Kammhuber suggests that the design could be under consideration as a dedicated night fighting aircraft.

Aha, the 219 appears!

Gah! Why do all my twin-engined needs have to be met? *makes up reasons to get the night fighter variant when it apperes*

Frankfurter Zeitung, Tuesday, 10 June 1941

The Ministry of Defence has awarded the Czech firm A/S Walter Tovarny na Automobily a’ Letecke Motory a follow-on contract for continued procurement of certain Argus inline air-cooled aero engines. It is expected that the current monthly delivery rate of twenty five units will be increased to forty units per month by the close of this year and to fifty units per month by June 1942. The Defence Ministry has guaranteed a line of credit for the Walter firm via the Dresdener Bank to assist in financing necessary plant expansion.


Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Wednesday, 11 June 1941

Blast furnace No.2 of the Bergbau und Hüttenbetrieb at Salzgitter was ‘blown in’ and placed in service today. It doubles the plant’s output of conversion iron and is the second of four such furnaces forming a part of the works. The remaining units are expected to be completed by the end of the year.


Sächsische Zeitung, Thursday, 12 June 1941

The Junkers firm at Dessau has released preliminary drawings and brief technical details of its new Ju252 commercial air transport. The new aircraft is intended to seat up to forty-four passengers in a pressurised cabin and to operate over European stage lengths up to 1,000 kilometers. Power will be provided by two Brandenburgerische Motorenbau supercharged radial engines. A prototype is expected to fly later this year.




Berliner Abendpost, Friday, 13 June 1941

Doctor Rene Belloc will address a gathering of the German Oriental Society this evening to report on his recently concluded archaeological reconnaissance of eastern Anatolia, in particular sites in the vicinity of Lake Van.

Quoted

Originally posted by BruceDuncan
Berliner Abendpost, Friday, 13 June 1941

Doctor Rene Belloc will address a gathering of the German Oriental Society this evening to report on his recently concluded archaeological reconnaissance of eastern Anatolia, in particular sites in the vicinity of Lake Van.

Professor Henry Jones Jr. from Barnett College will be in attendance.

Quoted

Originally posted by ShinRa_Inc

Quoted

Originally posted by BruceDuncan
Berliner Abendpost, Friday, 13 June 1941

Doctor Rene Belloc will address a gathering of the German Oriental Society this evening to report on his recently concluded archaeological reconnaissance of eastern Anatolia, in particular sites in the vicinity of Lake Van.

Professor Henry Jones Jr. from Barnett College will be in attendance.

Professor Jones would be quite welcome. In point of fact, if Professor Henry Jones Sr. wished to attend, he too would be quite welcome.

If that's indeed the man, I believe his name is written as 'Belloq'... and I thought that it was 'Dr.' Jones (both Sr. and Jr.) and not 'professor' Jones... unless I missed something.

Quoted

Originally posted by Rooijen10
If that's indeed the man, I believe his name is written as 'Belloq'... and I thought that it was 'Dr.' Jones (both Sr. and Jr.) and not 'professor' Jones... unless I missed something.

Orthography differs... titles differ... mere details!

Quoted

Originally posted by BruceDuncan
Professor Jones would be quite welcome. In point of fact, if Professor Henry Jones Sr. wished to attend, he too would be quite welcome.

Professor Jones Sr. sends his regrets, but is currently in the midst of research in Venice.

Quoted

Originally posted by Rooijen10
If that's indeed the man, I believe his name is written as 'Belloq'... and I thought that it was 'Dr.' Jones (both Sr. and Jr.) and not 'professor' Jones... unless I missed something.

Yes to Belloq, and both to Doctor/Professor. Jr. is a college professor (not too sure on Sr. tho), and both have their doctorates. The movies use both.

I just like the sound of "Doctor Jones" better.

Quoted

Professor Jones Sr. sends his regrets, but is currently in the midst of research in Venice.

Oh dear. Without the Nazis around to kidnap him, it will take a bit longer to find 'that' than in the movie...

Quoted

Originally posted by Rooijen10
I just like the sound of "Doctor Jones" better.

Quoted

Professor Jones Sr. sends his regrets, but is currently in the midst of research in Venice.

Oh dear. Without the Nazis around to kidnap him, it will take a bit longer to find 'that' than in the movie...

Hence him still being there in 1941, I assume.