July 4
A small explosion occured outside a government building in Caracus Venezuela today. Its not known who left the bomb or what the motive was following the early morning blast. Local authority's suspect disgruntled civilians dis-satisfied with the government planted the device as an act of defiance. In a seperate incedent a prominent Venezuelan buisnessmans home was set on fire, luckily no one was home at the time.
July 6
Another bomb explosion took place in Venezuela today, this time in Valencia outside a local police station. Several police officers were injured in the explosion, with few clues as to who the culprit or culprits were.
July 23
American and Atlantian diplomats have expressed the interest in building a canal through Mexico to not only bolster the Mexican economy but the American shipping industry as well. The Atlantian Ambassador to the United states, Richard Cerasus has taken to the idea dirrectly to Prime Minister, Crassius Dominia who was also intriqued by it. No conclusive statements have come from either the American or Atlantian governments, leading most to believe it is merely the musings of diplomats dreaming of grandure.
August 6
The new Type 1 Landing craft underwent their first exersise this week off the Canary islands. Ten of the new craft took on the 1st battalion/2nd marine infantry division at Puerto de la cruz, Terrinife and sailed towards Isla de la gran canaria with the task of landing their load of troops at Agaete. The landing craft were escorted by the gunboats G-5 and G-11, three E class patrol boats and 12 subchasers. Residents at Agaete had been given prior notice of the exersise and a speacial public observation area was set up at a safe distance so that interested onlookers could witness the event.
Dug in to greet the 1st battalion/2nd marine infantry division were their brothers in arms from the 2nd battalion in simulated lightly fortified positions that could be expected on the average hostile coastline. Cheers rose up from the crowd when a white flag pertruded from one of the fortified positions after a lengthy simulated battle.
The exersise demonstrated the ability of the landing craft to traval 80 nautical miles with their precious cargo and deliver it safely to the target zone. The navy would not elaborate on the overall performance of the operation itself but was very pleased with the landing crafts ability's.
August 18
The pair of Atlantian airships being built in Acron Ohio are progressing at a steady pace. The pair are to be completed by the spring of 1928. After much speculation, the Atlantian government has finally announced that their names will be Atlantes and Maeotis . The American workers at the Airdock have begun to call them “Stan” and “Ollie” after the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.
August 21
Names for the two Atlantian built airships building in the Cleito shops of Accrisius Aero-industry's have been decided upon.
The Antilia and Meropis are the two Atlantian build versions of an American designed airship. The Antilia is close to the final assembly stage of building, while the building of the steel frame for Meropis has begun. Once the metal frame is completed the other compoments will be instaled and the outer skin attached.
August 26
After an incredible display of airobatics yet seen, Atlantian engineers are feverously modifying airship mast designs following the unplanned manuvers performed by the U.S.S. Los Angeles. The engineers have opted to take the suggestions of American Airship Captain Lansdowne who stated that a shorter mast should prevent such incedents.
September 4
Yet another bombing has taken place in Venezuela, this time claiming a life of a sanitorial engineer at local government office in Maracaibo. The blast shattered glass of the adjacent buildings and destroyed almost the entire facade of the small building. Following the attack local officials stated that these attacks are not a sign of public unrest but something more sinister. AGIA (Atlantian Government Investigative Agency) officers have been sent to the region to cunduct their own investigation.
September 12
A new tank design is in the works at the General ordinance works in Automoli. Testing of the AT-27 has proved successfull and the tank design is expected to be a great improvement over existing designs such as the AT and FT-17's currently in service.
The tanks Chassis will also be used for a new series of artillery/supply tractors to increase the mobility of the Atlantian army with its amazing speed that exceeds that of the AT-17's 7.7km/h (4.3mph). The Tank will mount the tried and tested Iurcae 37mm gun, currently mounted on the newest AT-17 tanks and two 7.92mm MG's.
September 19.
AGIA (Atlantian Government Investigative Agency) officers and local officials are still unable to obtain any significant leads on the whereabouts of the culprits responcible for the rash of bombings that have taken place in Venezuela the last few months. Their presence however has seemed to prevent further attacks from taking place.
September 25
Accrisius airship shops, Cleito.
Final assembly on the airship Antilia has begun. The engine pods, control gondola and other components will be instaled as the airships skin is attached to the metal frame.
October 1
The Accrisius airship fabrication shops in Illisus have been completed. Construction of airship components will begin in several weeks, destined for instalation of the planned Passenger airships to be laid down in 1928.
October 10
The Minister of the Army, Tiberius Baltar, Information Minister, Hector Dominia and the Minister of Transportation, Patmos Toranius were at a joint press conferance in cleito today to announce the intentions to build a canal in partnership with the United States, Mexico and France.
"The Coatzacoalcos Canal will be one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century and possibly to date", said Hector Dominia. "Atlantis, along with America and France will be the architects of the largest canal in the world. The hope is that American and French experience in the Panama endeavour coupled with Atlantian ingenuity will produce one of the worlds greatest engineering mavels. The Atlantian army engineers division will participate in the project along with civilian contractors from America, France and Mexico. Its also expected that the much vaunted American army corp's of engineers will once again vault its reputation to new hieghts by building the worlds largest canal, an achievement already reached with the joint project in Panama with Iberians. The bulk of labour is expected to come from Mexico, which will undoubtedly improve Mexico's economy. French, american Venezuelan, Autochthon and Columbian workers are also expected to join the construction efforts providing an ample suply of workers.
October 15
Surveyer's have been sent to Mexico to begin preperations for Coatzacoalcos canal. Once they complete their survey of predetermined sites the final route of the canal will be laid out. Most of the terrain in question has already been documented in previous survey charts reducing the workload for Surveyers and allowing them to consintrate on key sites.
With any luck, construction will begin in the spring of 1928.
October 23
Silver Cresent meeting *see additional news post*
November 6
Two groups, the United Self-Defense Forces of South America and Columbian Fatherland and Liberty claimed responcibility for the rash of attacks taking place in Venezuela. Local authorities are finding it difficult to locate the culprits as few lead present any opertunity's to capture the suspects. Two anonymous letters were sent to the local authority's in Maracaibo boasting of their actions and stated that "more attacks will take place at a time of our choosing".
November 15
A new self defence force has been set up in the Byzantine mandate. The "Varangian Guard" is mainly made up of local conscripts lead by Atlantian officers and is under dirrect control of the Atlantian army. Currently the Varangian Guard consists of roughly 1000 men and its expected that in another year the ranks will swell to brigade strength.
November 21
The General ordinance works in Automoli have begun production of the first AT-27 tanks. The initial order is for 100 of the new tank model which is expected to suplement the existing AT-17's already in service. Older AT-17's and the remaining FT-17's still in operational tank platoons are expected to be taken out of service. In addition to the AT-27 contract General ordinance has also been awarded the contract to convert roughly 100 FT and AT-17's into command tanks and artillary tractors.
December 28
Today the government of Atlantis made a request to the League of nations ambassador calling for a clairification on the situation with SATSUMA in China, more specifically the actions of the Philippines. The comments come following actions of the Philippino battleship San Pablo. "We don't recall the league ever granting the Philippines permission to firing on Chinese soil whenever it considers pirates to be in the area" stated an Atlantian official. "If we are to allow this type of action to take place we demand that ample evidence be presented to justify the actions of the Philippines, who are these so called Pirates? We cannot support this type of action because for all we know these "pirates" could merely be political opponents to the SATSUMA supported government or even the presence of Philippino forces. Satsuma needs to clairify the situation and persue the proper League of Nations consent."