WesWorld

October 4, 1930 - Berlin

The Kreigsmarine has proposed that, in a near-future budget, the Reichstag approve monies for the KM to acquire and operate several tankers and tanker-freighters. "With this year's SATSUMA exercises as a backdrop, and the deployment of ships to the Mediterranean for the first time in recent years, the KM has found itself needing to hire vessels that perhaps should be part of the KM itself", said Lieutenant Mulhause, acting as a KM spokesman. "The expectation is that these would be commercial vessels purchased for the KM with minimal conversion."


October 9, 1930 - Berlin

In a speech today, President Cuno has proposed a change to the laws of war. "In the dark days of the Great War, there was a resurgence of what I think of as a less than above-board action: the use of false colors and hidden armaments on ships, intended to allow the raider to get close to it's intended victim and attack without warning. Certainly, under the laws of war extant at the time, these actions were within the law and no one should impugn the motives or the actions of those men who risked their lives on those vessels. But perhaps the nations of the world should examine whether we wish to encourage such behavior in the future, or whether the laws of war should be changed such that an armed vessel must always fly its proper naval colors."


October 12, 1930 - Cuxhaven

A new light cruiser was laid down today, destined to be delivered to Turkey. The ship, designed to be smaller than the recent Liepzig class ships but armed quite similarly, is to be named Ankara upon her launch, and is expected to be delivered to Turkey in early 1932. "This is a good day for German industry," the Interior Minister, Dr. Jarres said, "and for the workers that depend on that industry."


October 19, 1930 - Berlin

A request by Krupp to export cannon to Poland and Rumania, and to allow license production of a 283mm cannon in Rumania is to be debated in the Reichstag. The government has not expressed opposition to the idea, with Foreign Minister Stresseman pointing out that two ships armed with 283mm guns were sold to Poland earlier this year. "We are endeavoring to act as good neighbors towards Poland, and Rumania is historically a friendly state. Certainly neither state is a threat to Russia, even if they build ships armed with 283mm guns, so if they desire such weapons, I see no reason that Krupp should be banned from selling them."

Quoted

But perhaps the nations of the world should examine whether we wish to encourage such behavior in the future, or whether the laws of war should be changed such that an armed vessel must always fly its proper naval colors."

Basically its like spying. Get caught not wearing a uniform and can get shot for being a spy. But it still happened, a law won't change this.

That some nations may choose to, in extremis or out of it, break the laws of war is not the point. The question that is being raised is do the nations of the world think that the laws of war should be changed. As noted, those who take on the role of a spy take on the risks, which are not inconsiderable.

Sounds like the Germans are still sore about their losses in WW1 to the Q ships.

OOC:My Great Grandfather served aboard the Q ship HMT Taranaki, which in conjuction with C24 sank U40 in 1916.

Taranaki towed C24, and when ordered to stop by U40, cut the tow, and allowed the sub to manouver into a position where she could fire a torpedo, and sink U40.

Heh. Well, that's an explanation for the suggestion, though it's not the one that Germany would admit to.

October 21, 1930 - Essen

A report has it that the Heer is not happy with the new 35cm Langer Max tests recently completed on the Baltic coast. There is no word, yet, on what the problem is supposed to be, Krupp has merely released a statement that the new gun has "met it's range and accuracy requirements and is expected to be delivered to the Heer by the end of the year."


October 24, 1930 - Wilhelmshaven

The first U-boat to join the Kriegsmarine since the end of the Great War has left dock on her shake-down cruise. U-1 has slipped her moorings for a cruise to the Kiel Canal and the Baltic, where she is expected to remain at least until early April.


October 30, 1930 - Berlin

The Heer has today commented on the rumored problems with the the new 35cm Langer Max cannon undergoing acceptance tests along the Baltic coast. "There is a problem with barrel wear when firing at maximum range", said Captain Rolf Schmitz, a spokesman for the Heer. "Right now, the rate of wear is unacceptable when firing maximum charges, which is expected to be a major part of this weapon's role. Krupp has been informed of the Heer's concerns, and is working on them. Rheinmetall has informed the Heer that if Krupp does not have an answer, they believe they do, so either way the Heer expects this problem to be dealt with soon. These technical issues are not expected to delay the entry into service of these weapons."

Very good news. The part about the oilers made me think about a few things. See your PMs for more details.

Here comes the nit picking:

The word used for the German army is "Heer", not "Heere" and the gun should be called "Langer Max" instead of "Lange Max".

The nits have been fixed.

November 2, 1930 - Berlin

The Prime Minister of Austria, Mr Vaugoin, has arrived on his state visit to Germany and been welcomed by Foreign Minister Stresseman and Prime Minister Cuno. Talks are expected to continue today before the signing of the Customs Union treaty tomorrow.


November 3, 1930 - Berlin

The Customs Union treaty between Germany and Austria was signed today by the Prime Ministers of both countries. It is expected that the treaties will be submitted to the respective legislative bodies within the month, and there is little reason to doubt that the treaties will pass muster.


November 15, 1930 - Berlin

The Foreign Ministry has announced the planned visit of a Dutch delegation to arrive in early December.


November 15, 1930 - Berlin

The Reichstag, as expected, has approved the Austria-Germany Customs Union treaty and sent it on to President Braun for his signature.


November 22, 1930 - Bremerhaven

The new destroyer Z-214 has slipped her moorings and set off on her six month shake-down cruise. Her sistership, Z-215 will follow in a few months.

November 30, 1930 - Berlin

The Reichstag has approved the sale and licensing of 283mm naval guns by Krupp to Poland and Rumania.


December 2, 1930 - Kiel

The SATSUMA Exercise Flotilla has returned from Indian waters via the Mediterranean. The engine breakdown suffered by Nurnberg delayed the flotilla's return by most of a month, but the ships are all now back in home waters.


December 5, 1930 - Berlin

The Heer has accepted into service a new 150mm field howitzer, the 150mm sFH 30 L / 30, along with a new 81mm mortar, the 81mm Schwere Granatwerfer 30, a new field cannon, the 75mm le. FK 30 L / 26, and two new AA cannon, the 88mm FlaK 30 L / 56 and the 20mm FlaK 30 L / 112.5. A new 105mm howitzer is expected to be introduced in the spring, as a redesign of the trails is currently being undertaken.

[Note: All of these weapons are historical, they've just had their names changed since Germany is not trying to hide the date of design and service behind the "18" date. The 150mm howitzer is the 150mm sFH 18 L / 30, the mortar is the 81mm Schwere Granatwerfer 34, the 75mm gun is the 75mm le. FK 18 L / 26, and the 88mm gun is the 88mm FlaK 18 L / 56.]

November 10, 1930 - Berlin

The government has sent congratulations to the US government on the win for the President's party in the mid-term elections.


December 14, 1930 - Berlin

A delegation of high-level dignitaries from the Netherlands has arrived for discussions with the government. They were met by Foreign Minister Stresseman, Interior Minister Jarres, and Chancellor Cuno, and all pomp and circumstance due a distinguished delegation from a friendly country.