WesWorld

January 1941

This month a new aircraft company was formed in the United States called Allied Aviation. The company plans to produce molded plywood aircraft structures, as well as do some sub-contract work for other firms for wing, fuselage, fins, flaps, fairings and undercarriage door components.

January 9th, 1941

First delivery of Lockheed's Model 49 Constellation airliner. A large, pressurized four-engine airliner, with a triple tail developed to meet the needs of TWA for a trans-continental airliner. The Constellation can carry 60 passangers or 22 sleeping berths. 40 are on order for TWA.

January 13th

Today President-Elect Wilkie held his first news conference since winning the Presidental Election. He mentioned his cabinet, and unsurprisingly it is mainly composed of Republicans although their are a few Democrats as a bipartisan measure. The US Cabinent is as follows:

-Republican Senator Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan as Secretary of State
-Republican Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson of New York
-1936 Republican Presidential candidate Alf M. Landon of Kansas as Secretary of the Treasury
-Democratic Attorney General Robert H. Jackson of New York
-Republican Governor Harold Stassen of Minnesota as Postmaster General
-Republican Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox of Illinois
-Republican Governor Raymond E. Baldwin of Connecticut as Secretary of the Interior
-Democratic Secretary of Agriculture Claude R. Wickard of Indiana
-1920 Democratic Presidential candidate James M. Cox of Ohio as Secretary of Commerce
-Republican politician Fiorello H. La Guardia of New York as Secretary of Labor

January 20th

Today marked the Presidental Inaugeration of President Wendell Wilkie. With the cameras rolling to mark the day for posterity, Thomas E. Dewey was sworn in as the thirty-third Vice President of the United States. Then at noon, Wilkie stood at the rostrum and was sworn in by Chief Justice Charles Evan Hughes as the thirty-third President of the United States.

“I, Wendell Lewis Willkie, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God."

In his inaugeration speech, President Wilkie mentioned this. "The world today is different than it was 10 years ago, at the beginning of the last decade. There are grave threats that are in this world that could end the peace the majority of nations have known since 1917. We must be diligent in preparing ourselves to withstand these threats, for no longer can America think that things that happen elsewhere do not effect or concern her. We live in a world that is more tense than the blissful days of the 1920's and 1930's. Though America is a force for peace in this world, not all nations desire peace, so while we stand as the Champion of Peace we must also be the Arsenal of Democracy."

February 7 1941

President Wilkie, in one of his first acts as President has annouced the formation of an organization that is to coordinate, supervise, and conduct scientific research on the problems underlying the development, production, and use of mechanisms and devices of warfare. This organization is to be called the National Defense Research Committee, or NDRC, and is to be headed by Carneige Institute director Vannevar Bush. President Wilkie also mentioned that the Committee was not to replace the research done by the Army or Navy in their own laboratories, but rather to supplement this activity by extending the research base and enlisting the aid of the scientists who can effectively contribute to the more rapid improvement of important devices, and by study determine where new effort on new instrumentalities may be usefully employed.

February 14 1941

Admiral Ernest King strode into the Planning room of the State-War-Navy Building, and barked out, "alright team, we have a situation here. Orders from the Top say we are going to have a show, and a mighty big one at that too."

"We are liberating Cuba?" one young staff member said.

"No, we are going to plan a cruise, a cruise that will make Teddy's look like a rowboat paddling across a pond. Seems the President was mighty impressed with the Germans sending their battlecruisers around the world last year, so he wants to send a considerable part of the USN on a cruise as well. He also wants everyone to be impressed, so he would like to do it when the Montana's complete."

"Well sir, we have a slight issue here. Supplies, namely that by 1944 we will only have half the supply ships the Germans have now. We are building them as fast as we can of course, but we do have other priorities, and only so many resources. At present, we could probably send a force towards the Mariana's for a sweep, perhaps to Pearl-Darwin-Singapore-Darwin-Pearl but no round the world cruise's for awhile, unless of course we ask to stop frequently."

"Dang it, the President is not going to be happy with this. Of course he can just blame it on the previous administration. I suppose we could always ask for help, but I would rather tow the whole USN behind me through the water than ask for help," muttered Admiral King.

"Well, we could probably send a force into European waters providing we get basing rights, certainly into the Caribbean, the Atlantic, and Pacific. Its the areas in between that may prove difficult."

"Well, we must work with what we have, let's begin planning for Operation Flex."

for this sort of thing.

A while back, when Peredor and I were planning a little tussel over Afghanistan, I was going to do a carrier raid on the Indian naval base at Diego Garcia from the French base at Papeete. I could send the Kulikovo and Chesma class carriers, escorted by the Admiral Makarov class armored cruisers around South America and South Africa, and returning by steaming between Australia and New Zealand, refueling them once. Then Hoo reminded us that Diego Garcia was a joint India/SAE base, and I decided that Russia didn't need a war with the SAE.

Woulda been an epic cruise though!

Yeah, the USN is putting priority on building supply ships so they can do some sort of cruise. That, and they are hoping to make various port-of-calls to alleviate the supply issue.

At present, the USN is pretty much confined to the Western Atlantic, Caribbean, and Eastern Pacific, by reason that if it strays much outside those areas then it has issues with making it home without need of a tow. Naturally I am going to try to expand the area of influence.

Tanks in the USA, 1936 to 1940.

Tank development, in the US during the late 1930's while much quicker than in the beginning part of the decade was nonetheless slower in comparison to the rest of the world. The M3 Medium while a reliable design was also one that was by no means exceptional compared to some of the other tanks of its size being fielded at the time, the TT-36, the Argun, and the Type 96 among them. The M2/M3 Combat Car designs were fast, and reliable yet also nothing particularly special either. The M8 tank destroyer, armed with a 2in gun was innovative for its time, having a 2in gun melded to Christie suspension, and like most tank destroyers lacked armour. The US therefore had a tank that could take hits but not issue them, and a tank destroyer that could issue hits but not receive them. Alson, with the political wrangling during the end of the Long Administration, the War Department suffered and the only design begun during the years 1938-40 was the M5 Combat Car, and that was begun as a private venture to improve the M3.

The Armoured Forces was also hampered by the 1920 Defense Act, which stated that the role of armour was solely infantry support. Throughout the 1930's, the Cavalry Arm would get around this by classifying the tanks as Combat Cars, which hampered development of a modern, fast, well armed and armoured tank. Only in 1941 would the Army reverse the 1920 directive at the behest of newly elected President Wilkie, with the creation of the Armoured Forces under General Chaffee, and begin a sensible tank development rather than the disjointed effort that had been going on previously.

Interesting article; I'll look forward to seeing more.

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
the TT-36

Do you mean the TT-37 / AT-17 / FT-37? Or the AT-36? I'm pretty sure there's no actual "TT-36" at the moment.

The M-4 Sherman and the TT-37 (if that's what you meant to say) aren't really in the same class, you know: the TT-37's a heavy tank, while the M-4's a medium tank.

Ah meant AT-36.

One could argue Brock, that while the TT-37 and the M3 (M4) tanks are in different classes, in Wesworld they are fulfilling the same function, that of heavy infantry support. The M4 in Wesworld has a 3in howitzer as its primary weapon, and no AT weapon really.

February 26th 1941

President Wilkie has ordered the Joint Army and Navy Board to revise its Rainbow War Plans due to the current world situation. The President wishes to have the plans revisied from most likely to least likely, and therefore has authorized the State Department to assist the board based on its intelligence findings from overseas.

February 1941

The second XP-63 prototype had its first flight this month, an improved P-39 with aerodynamic refinements, a new laminar-flow wing, a new tail unit, and a new engine, the flight was sucessful, and it is expected that the USAAF will order the type as a Pursuit Fighter.

In other aviation news for Februray, the Grumman J4F Widgeon begins deliveries to the USCG, the J4F is the USCG's derivative of the G-44 five seat amphibian flying boat.

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
February 26th 1941

President Wilkie has ordered the Joint Army and Navy Board to revise its Rainbow War Plans due to the current world situation. The President wishes to have the plans revisied from most likely to least likely, and therefore has authorized the State Department to assist the board based on its intelligence findings from overseas.

*Hopes Emerald is low on the list...*

March 4th 1941

The War Department has annouced the completion of its new tank weapon, the M2 3in. Begun in 1938 to replace the current 3in short-barrel used in the M3 Medium tanks, the M2 gives good general-purpose performance and is expected to be mounted on a variety of armoured vehicles.

In other related news, the President has noted he wishes to amend the 1920 Directive and create an Armoured Force.

March 7th

Scouting Group Pacific has left port in San Diego, destination unknown.

March 13th 1941

The US Senate has formed a Committee to investigate the actions of former President Long especially with regards to his various "Share Our Wealth" programs. Named the US Senate Special Committee to Investigate the Share Our Wealth Program, the Committe is to be headed by Senator Harry S. Truman, and composed of senators from both major parties. When asked about the selection of Truman to head the Committee, President Wilkie mentioned "although he is of differing views on various matters from my views on said matters, it does not mean we cannot work together to make this country great."

March 1941

In aviation news this month, Consolidated Vultee was formed, with the merger of two aircraft firms Consolidated Aircraft and Vultee Aircraft. The first flight of the A-26A bomber prototype was this month, this prototype has 4 20mm cannon in a solid nose, and is expected to be the major production model when production of the aircraft begins in 1942.

I suspect that the Truman Committee will have much to ponder regarding the Long years...

Yes, it will likely take them a Long time to go through the Long years.

April 2nd 1941

After a leisurely cruise around the various islands and atolls the United States possess in the Central Pacific, Scouting Group Pacific has docked at its new base, Pearl Harbor.

April 7th 1941

The US Army has begun testing on the viability of its new 3.5in AA gun as a dual-use weapon. The project is expected to take at least 18 months before test-firing, due to the lack of interest in the project by the Army.

April 11th

It was a sunny spring morning in Washington D.C. as President Wilkie began his morning work.

"Mister President, sir your request for the review of the Rainbow War Plans has arrived, and the Joint Army and Navy Board has sent them over for review."

"Excellent, have them sent up to my desk at once."

"Sir, that may be somewhat difficult, if you wouldn't mind looking outside."

Outside are eight large Army Trucks filled to the brim with files.

"I thought I wanted a review of our Rainbow Plans, not half the paperwork in that building!"

"Well sir, actually these are just the plans for Asia, they Joint Board sent this over to get you started, there are several more trucks waiting with the Plans for Africa, and I believe the Army is preparing to lay track and set up a 50 car train to haul over the Plans for Europe."

President Wilkie sighs, it was going to be a long day.

US Rainbow War Plans

Mars
War Plan Rose- Martian Empire

Antartica
War Plan Black-White-Orange-Yellow- Land of Antartica

Africa
War Plan Bronze- Atlantean Empire
War Plan Orange- South African Empire

Americas
War Plan Lavender- Republic of Argentina
War Plan Purple- Empire of Brazil
War Plan Crimson- Dominion of Canada
War Plan Violet- Republic of Chile
War Plan Orchid- Republic of Colombia
War Plan Green- United Mexican States
War Plan Amethyst- Republic of Peru
War Plan White/War Plan Blue- United States of America

Asia
War Plan Ebony- Armenia
War Plan Onyx- Azerbaijan
War Plan Scarlet- Dominion of Australia and New Zealand
War Plan Yellow- Empire of China
War Plan Taupe- Kingdom of Chosen
War Plan Vanilla- Empire of India
War Plan Beige- Empire of Japan
War Plan Sand- Kingdom of Persia
War Plan Brown- Republic of the Philippines
War Plan Saffron- Republic of Syria
War Plan Mahogany- Kingdom of Thailand

Europe
War Plan Chocolate- Kingdom of Belgium
War Plan Periwinkle- Kingdom of Bulgaria
War Plan Silver- Kingdom of Denmark
War Plan Gold- Republic of France
War Plan Gray- Republic of Germany
War Plan Olive- Kingdom of Greece
War Plan Tan- Iberian Federation
War Plan Emerald- They think they are but America thinks they aren't a Republic of Ireland
War Plan Pink- Kingdom of Italy
War Plan Magenta- Republic of Latvia
War Plan Charcoal- Republic of Lithuania
War Plan Indigo- Kingdom of Nordmark
War Plan Peach- Kingdom of the Netherlands
War Plan Azure- Kingdom of Poland
War Plan Turquoise- Kingdom of Romania
War Plan Black- Russian Federation
War Plan Teal- Republic of Turkey
War Plan Red- United Kingdom of Great Britain
War Plan Cyan- Kingdom of Yugoslavia

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
War Plan White/War Plan Blue- United States of America

You planning a second civil war?

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
War Plan Emerald- They think they are but America thinks they aren't a Republic of Ireland

What does America think it is then?

Quoted

Originally posted by Commodore Green

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
War Plan White/War Plan Blue- United States of America

You planning a second civil war?

War Plan White was a historical US military plan to deal with an insurrection; the precise details of who the insurrectionists would be was left open, but there was the general presumption they'd be Communists.

Quoted

Originally posted by Commodore Green

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
War Plan Emerald- They think they are but America thinks they aren't a Republic of Ireland

What does America think it is then?

He's confused by the fact that the Irish haven't quit the Commonwealth yet, which implies something to do with the British monarchy.

White and Blue, eh?

Quoted

Originally posted by Brockpaine

Quoted

Originally posted by Commodore Green

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
War Plan White/War Plan Blue- United States of America

You planning a second civil war?

War Plan White was a historical US military plan to deal with an insurrection; the precise details of who the insurrectionists would be was left open, but there was the general presumption they'd be Communists.

Quoted

Originally posted by Commodore Green

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
War Plan Emerald- They think they are but America thinks they aren't a Republic of Ireland

What does America think it is then?

He's confused by the fact that the Irish haven't quit the Commonwealth yet, which implies something to do with the British monarchy.

Brock is correct, War Plan White is the plan for an insurrection in the United States, so I suppose the US is planning in case of a second civil war.

War Plan Blue on the other hand is the US's mobilization plan which is also historical.

Well, thats the official State Department name for them. The State Department could call them the Fake Republic of Ireland, which is how they see them, but that might offend people. From what I understand the British King is not King of Ireland, but King in Ireland, though that could be also debated in that if the King of Romania were to visit he would also be a King in Ireland.

Basically, the State Department thinks the Irish are over-complicating the issue, and that was them expressing that opinion .

April 28th 1941

Congress began debating the Naval Estimates for FY1941, with a speech from the Secretary of the Navy outlining the Navy's plans for the upcoming fiscal year(1).

"Our naval estimates for the upcoming year will begin a path which the Government of the United States wishes to undertake: that of a truly global power, who's influence can be felt across all the oceans of the world. Therefore, we ask Congress to authorize an increase in spending over the previous years in order to meet these commitments. To this end the Navy Department wishes funding for the construction of a new class of aircraft carrier, of which one is to be laid down, the construction of two further Olympia class cruisers, 3 Cimarron class fleet oilers, 2 Ingraham class destroyers, and 2 Gato class submarines. The department wishes to begin upgrading the Northampton class cruisers, beginning with the first ship in this fiscal year. The department will also continue its current construction projects begun under the previous administration, with 4 Montana Class battleships, 2 Los Angeles Class cruisers, 4 Olympia Class cruisers, 6 Bainbridge class destroyers, 2 Cimarron Class fleet oilers, and 8 Gato class submarines. The carriers Ranger and Constellation are also under reconstruction.

The Department would also like preliminary funds to study a number of projects, namely new types of fighters, and bombers for our carriers, as well as the development of a new type of anti-aircraft weapon of 3in caliber to supplement our existing 5 and 1.1in anti-aircraft weapons. Finally, the Navy plans on ordering a number of fighters as experimental planes, as well as a number of new types to replace the types already existing."

The debate on the Naval Estimates is estimated to take until June, with a vote coming before the new FY starts in July.

(1) The US's FY go from July 1st 1941 to June 30th 1942.