Iberian News Summary 1935
January
2nd Rumours are rife about the Kings health. He has not been seen in public since the memorial service for the IZ 107 victims last October.
Many of his scheduled state duties and public appearances have been carried out by younger members of the Royal household, principally Princes Arturo and Fernando.
February
14th The vessels Goliath, Hercules, Samson and Atlas arrived today in Panama with the final consignment of materials for Project Tapon. Escorting the 4 vessels were the carrier Navarra, escort cruisers Carabinera and Aquilo, and the destroyers D123 and D124, and the light destroyers D127, D128, D129 and D130.
Navarra will remain on station in the Pacific until May, to aid in carrier operations exercises with the Pacific fleet units, accompanied by D123 and D124.
March
25th Project Tapon is complete. All three phases of the project are now in service. The I.C.E's next major project is titled Project Escudo, and should be complete within 18 months.
April
1st After the disappointment of the cancellation of last years Lunar assault, the Army have decided that they will forego the use of personal torches for all troops, and will launch their next assault on the now traditional day for extra-terrestrial assaults, the first day of the second quarter, to coincide with the full moon.
The date is set , and the next full moon to fall on the first day of the second quarter........1942!!
May
12th - The carrier Navarra with her escorting destroyers have arrived in port in San Sanyo on San Hainando. They are to hold exercises here of a similar type to those conducted in Panama with the Pacific fleet, with the units of the Armada stationed here and at Macao until July
June
30th - The carrier Navarra with her escorting destroyers have arrived in Phuket, for the last training session of it' circumnavigation of the world. Yet again, the aim of the exercises is to help local units become more familiar with carrier operations, however this time, units of the Siamese, Danish and Dutch navies in the region will also be involved.
July
25th - Concern is growing for the King's health.
Instead of taking the salute during the celebrations to mark Santiago's Day on horseback as in previous years, He took the salute from the State Coach, accompanied by The Queen, remaining seated during the ceremony.
August
18th On the first anniversary of the loss of the IZ 107, His Royal Highness, Prince Fernando, second in line to the throne, and a Captain in the Air Force, unveiled a memorial to the memory of the victims on the coast at the San Antonio lighthouse, at Cabo La Nao, approximately 40 km North-East of Benidorm.
The lighthouse has been used as a beacon by the airship service since their first flights to the East, being the first landfall made on the homeward voyage.
September
29th - The first phase of Project Escudo is complete at all sites, with phase 2 starting next month, as soon as 2 of the sea lift vessels are available.
October
1st The carrier Navarra and her escorts have arrived back in Cadiz safely after her circumnavigation of the world. She is to be transferred to training duties, to build a cadre of pilots and crews for the new fleet carriers that start construction next year.
November
4th In an announcement today, His Royal Highness, Prince Arturo, the eldest son and heir to the throne, has abdicated his position within the line of succession.
The Prince is to take Holy Orders, entering the priesthood. No details of the Order he is to join has been released, to preserve the Prince's desire for privacy
December
12th Intense negotiations are taking place behind closed doors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The identity of the parties involved is being kept secret, as is the nature of the matter under discussion.