Republican News 1919

[Logi]

Message to Manchuria, "It does not change the fact that the Qing Empire hails from Manchuria, which in light of the recently presented facts by the respectful sirs from Manchuria, makes their crimes all the heavier and numerous."

[Logi]

Backtracking a bit in time....

Hong Kong Naval Operations Base

The offices were filled with the bustle and the murmur of voices. There was a war to be finished planning after all, and the naval battles were hardly won or favorable to the Republicans.

The question on everyone's mind was of course, how to deal with the larger Imperialist fleet? While the Republican fleet was sizable as well, it was not was large as the Imperialist fleet, though there were many more modern units on the Republican side.

However the door to the building opened and a familiar clack on the marble floor resounded above the incessant chatter of the building. Whilst the sound of wood and the clap of a shoe onto the ground was striking in itself, none paralleled looking up and sighting the most famous man in the Republican Navy.

The one-legged Admiral, Admiral Chan Chak, famous for both his destroyer and MTB action. He had been instrumental in gaining control of the sea near the Republic during the Chinese Civil War. A living legend, so to speak.

Admiral Chan Chak coughed lightly and those who saw the Admiral were quickly silent and those that kept talking were quickly nudged into silence by their neighbors.

"We have received reports and evidence of the great use of submarines in an offensive and defensive naval war."

Some looked surprised, the submarine had been neglected mostly by the Republic beyond a few large and somewhat experimental vessels. It had faovred the use of torpedo boats and MTB over the submarine. Admiral Chan Chak's aid who followed closely behind him dropped a package of files onto a desk next to him. The admiral tipped his hat before leaving, there were fleet exercises to conduct and cadets to train after all. The head of the Operations Base picked up the package and readied a meeting to discuss its contents...

The package also contained informed that aircraft had sunk a few vessels at sea as well during the New Coalition (New Zion, New Swiss) - Allied (Italy, DKB) War. This was interesting to say the least and favorable for the Republic for it had constructed quite a few Torpedo Bombers (though relatively ineffective) as an experiment and to keep the aircraft factories in good shape.

Air power was most certainly becoming more important. Having air superiority, it was concluded, would allow the sighting , strafing, and bombing of enemy forces whilst keeping the rear movements of the Republican forces hidden.

Bombing at-level was not as effective as the use of torpedo bombers against enemy ships, though the art of torpedo bombing remained relatively imperfect. The Air force had already experimented with the possibility of Dive Bombing, but it was determined that until stronger materials for plane construction were available, the mission was to risky to risk losing a valuable pilot. The problem of the plane coming close to disintegrating during the dive was yet to be solved though the main problem, the rapid acceleration of the plane and the heavy stress onto the plane pulling out of a dive, had been identified.

Information indicated the main deterrent to torpedo bombing naval ships other than the high dud rates was the heavy antiaircraft weapons encountered on naval ships (it was as though the the navies of the world expected an aerial torpedo attack on their ships). The comfort was knowing that Imperialist ships lacked such devices and the relative inaccuracy of said weapons.

Still the navy put on express the need for a heavy fire low caliber airplane shredder weapon for use on naval ships. It was strange that a nation well versed in such aerial weapons would neglect to safeguard against them as well.

The Swarm doctrine was also proven, though heavy losses only confirmed the theory against swarm doctrines. The existence of destroyer and torpedo boat killers like the Yu-class were the confirmation of the theory. Fortunately the imperialist side lacked such weapons.

Much of the package contained with regards to aerial bombings and swarm assaults were predicted by the navy, but evidence was always welcome in convincing the more conservative elements within the navy.

Of course the ability to drop such weapons as the torpedo and carpet bomb naval forces as well as the effective use of mines as a deterrent force (although expensive and unfavorable to political favor) led to the question to the idea by the more liberal minds in the Air Force (which accounted most of the Airforce being that the Airforce itself was relatively new and not entrenched in doctrine) thought of aerial dropped mines. Such a weapon would eliminate the need for minelayers, an item that the Republic was not as plentiful in.

The package was good information, and Agent 057 had properly done his job.

[Logi]

From MVB Agent 1126 Transcript obtained via Operation Amoeba

Hong Kong Naval Operations Base

"We have received reports and evidence of the great use of submarines in an offensive and defensive naval war."

[Some looked surprised, the submarine had been neglected mostly by the Republic beyond a few large and somewhat experimental vessels. It had faovred the use of torpedo boats and MTB over the submarine. Admiral Chan Chak's aid who followed closely behind him dropped a package of files onto a desk next to him. The admiral tipped his hat before leaving, there were fleet exercises to conduct and cadets to train after all. The head of the Operations Base picked up the package and readied a meeting to discuss its contents...]

The package also contained informed that aircraft had sunk a few vessels at sea as well during the New Coalition (New Zion, New Swiss) - Allied (Italy, DKB) War. This was interesting to say the least and favorable for the Republic for it had constructed quite a few Torpedo Bombers (though relatively ineffective) as an experiment and to keep the aircraft factories in good shape.

Air power was most certainly becoming more important. Having air superiority, it was concluded, would allow the sighting , strafing, and bombing of enemy forces whilst keeping the rear movements of the Republican forces hidden.

Bombing at-level was not as effective as the use of torpedo bombers against enemy ships, though the art of torpedo bombing remained relatively imperfect. The Air force had already experimented with the possibility of Dive Bombing, but it was determined that until stronger materials for plane construction were available, the mission was to risky to risk losing a valuable pilot. The problem of the plane coming close to disintegrating during the dive was yet to be solved though the main problem, the rapid acceleration of the plane and the heavy stress onto the plane pulling out of a dive, had been identified.

Information indicated the main deterrent to torpedo bombing naval ships other than the high dud rates was the heavy antiaircraft weapons encountered on naval ships (it was as though the the navies of the world expected an aerial torpedo attack on their ships). The comfort was knowing that Imperialist ships lacked such devices and the relative inaccuracy of said weapons.

Still the navy put on express the need for a heavy fire low caliber airplane shredder weapon for use on naval ships. It was strange that a nation well versed in such aerial weapons would neglect to safeguard against them as well.

The Swarm doctrine was also proven, though heavy losses only confirmed the theory against swarm doctrines. The existence of destroyer and torpedo boat killers like the Yu-class were the confirmation of the theory. Fortunately the imperialist side lacked such weapons.

Much of the package contained with regards to aerial bombings and swarm assaults were predicted by the navy, but evidence was always welcome in convincing the more conservative elements within the navy.

Of course the ability to drop such weapons as the torpedo and carpet bomb naval forces as well as the effective use of mines as a deterrent force (although expensive and unfavorable to political favor) led to the question to the idea by the more liberal minds in the Air Force (which accounted most of the Airforce being that the Airforce itself was relatively new and not entrenched in doctrine) thought of aerial dropped mines. Such a weapon would eliminate the need for minelayers, an item that the Republic was not as plentiful in.

The package was good information, and Agent 057 had properly done his job.

The MVB analyst noted hos own observations about this intelligence. His notes were as usual encrypted:

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"Courier! Forward this to the NRDN." He sealed it in a burn trap bag and addressed it.
The courier asked, "Why the NRDN?"
Analyst, "They will make sure the right persons get that."
The analyst then added another  name to the enemy agent "disappear list".

The RRC Analyst made his usual notes onto the received intelligence before forwarding to the appropriate officials within the RRC. The Analyst added another name to the list of enemy agents to be taken care of.

[Logi]

An insight into Naval Doctrine development in the RRC

Recently the RRC had developed, or rather, elongated it's previous 6" to the great length of 6"/62. The new mounting (which can only be afforded in single hoists or turrets due to weight considerations) proved problematic within the navy.

The 6"/62 had superior range and muzzle velocity compared to the previous 6" gun but it suffered from high wear rate of the gun. Thus the gun had to be a maximum effect per shot in order to counteract the drawback of barrel wear.

The question of maximum effect per shell manifested itself as a question of how much armor the gun could penetrate. The naval command foresee the gun as being exclusively a weapon for destroyers as cruisers were to heavy in tonnage for less than half the number of barrels. Also the mission for such a gun likely conflicted that of the cruisers, the cruisers were for destroying destroyers and torpedo boats, armor was not a big factor on such ships.

The Naval Command envisioned the ideal role of the 6"/62 was to allow destroyers the weapons to fight large cruisers from other nations in terms of firepower. A small gun capable of high damage to a larger ship.

So naturally the question formed: How might one go about hurting a larger ship with a smaller gun?

The answer came down to the shell size. The greatest advantage of the 6"/62 was the high muzzle energy produced and the great range.

Two shell designs were conceived.

One was a 105lb Shell with a 5lb Bursting Charge. This is in effect, an APC round. However, the high muzzle of the gun allows the 6"/62 105lb APC shell to penetrate 10.8" of belt armor at 3,380 yds, 7.9" of belt armor at 8,720 yds, and 4.4" of belt armor at 18,000 yds. Penetrating the enemy heavily armed ship with a Destroyer is a pleasing idea, but the expense in Explosive Capacity was deemed highly unworthy in sinking enemy ships. Also the likely combat distance of the destroyers directed against the large cruiser meant a combat range that rendered most of the penetration abilities of the 6"/62 105lb APC quite useless. The Naval Command expected a command range of 10,000 yds and penetrations capabilities (which are around 5.5" of belt) were quite useless against all but the most lightly armored enemy ships.

The other was an extremely heavy 200lb Shell with a 40lb Bursting Charge. This usually large explosive payload earned the shell the term, High Capacity. The 6"/62 200lb HC shell can't not penetrate much belt armor but the beauty comes in at the deck armor penetration. At 10,000 yds, 1.1" of Deck armor can be penetrated, at 13,540 yds, 1.5" Deck armor can be penetrated, and at maximum gunnery distance (18,000 yds due to FCS) the shell can penetrate 2.9" of Deck armor. This was an exceptionally pleasing idea, the able to just shy of penetrating battleship style deck armor with high explosives would be viable. This would be able to penetrate to the vital structures and explode with high firepower for maximum effect. If it is not the crew that is being killing, it would be the machinery and other vital components.

Thus the Naval Command advanced the 200lb Shell design. However, due to the lacking in belt penetration capabilities of the HC shell (2.6" belt at 9,350 yds), the Naval Command requested that an APC shell also be conceived. Such a unique order was given (Destroyers typically did not carry AP shells!) due to the Naval Command's desires to see the Boomstick (as the the NC referred to Destroyers armed with the 6"/62) be effective at all ranges.

So such a design was conjured up, a 200lb shell (with a 6lb Bursting Charge) was designed. The 6"/62 200lb APC shell would penetrate less deck armor at range (some 1000 yds more range was required to penetrate the same thickness of armor!) it could penetrate greatly more belt armor at close range. The APC shell could penetrate 3.9" of belt at 8,580 yds, 3.5" of belt at 10,000 yds, and 1.9" belt at 18,000 yds.

Although the penetration capabilities of this APC shell against belt armor was greatly improved over the HC shell, it was deemed of little use. A normal combat distance of 10,000 yds would mean all but the smallest of enemy cruisers (<5000 tons) would be penetrable. In spite of this, Naval Command dictated that 1/5 of the shells carries on a Boomstick must be APC shells. The reasoning was that the cruisers in that size range were usually destroyer and torpedo boat killers, hence such a armament would allow effective counter fire.


But there was a more valuable lesson being learned by the Republican navy due to this naval gun tests. That was, it was far easier to penetrate deck armor than belt armor. Without penetration of the armor, the Naval Command reasoned, hits would have little impact. The Republican navy, lacking in the wealth of resources some navy had, had to maximize it's chances of sinking or at least mission killing the enemy.

There were also some convinced that large ships were no longer the way of the world. Deck penetration, they said, was all that was needed to take down a larger enemy. Other merely shook there head at such claims saying that the tests were causing too much of an overreaction.

[Logi]

Continued...

Whilst trading fire against static targets had proved the penetration capabilities of the 6"/62 200lb HC shell, the next stage of gunnery tests, against a moving target, proved the glass jaw of the shell. The shell had to be too long to be properly spin stabilized and the result was a dreaded low accuracy and high shell dispersion. Something had to give, most certainly not the gun barrel. Whilst the gun barrel could be artificially lengthened from 62 calibers to some thing like 65 calibers, it was calculated a caliber in the excesses of 72 would be needed to spin stabilize the 200lb shell. That was far too long and the projected wear rate, far too high.

Thus a new shell had to be designed. The first two shell designs had shown the greater penetration capabilities of a belt by a smaller shell and the greater penetration capabilities of a deck by a larger shell. The Naval Command issued the order to have the shell retain as much weight as possible whilst gaining the ability to be spin stabilized.

For this two shells were conceived:

The first was a 148lb with a 15lb Bursting Charge. With a much lower filler % (only 8%) compared to the previous shell, some whispered, was the trade-off in explosive power worth it? It was just a superheavy HE! Then the armor penetration tests were conducted. The 148lb HE shell could penetrate 0.8" of deck armor at 10,000 yds, 1.1" of deck armor at 13,500 yds, and 1.8" of deck armor at 18,000 yds.

Whilst the shell performed well for it's size, there was great discontent with the shell penetration values. Most armored cruisers would carry 1.5" worth of deck armor, having penetration of such ~16,000 yds would mean only a 2,000 yard combat distance! No naval commander could keep his ship in this range at all times, they reasoned.

The second shell design was the acknowledgment that 6" caliber shells (unless like the Boomstick shell) could not possibly penetrate capital ship deck armor. Thus the Shell size was reduced to 128lb with a 4lb Bursting Charge. This APC round, like the initial shell design at the beginning of the experiments, proved useless against deck armor. It lacked the shell weight needed to adequately penetrate capital ship deck armor. However, this was made up for by the good belt armor penetration, 9.5" of belt armor at 8,200 yds, 7.4" of belt armor at 10,000 yds, 5.8" of belt armor at 13,500 yds, and 4.5" of belt armor at 18,000 yds.

Naval Command liked the results of this shell test. It could not penetrate the thin deck armor of capital ships, but that extra weight over the initial 105lb APC shell had proven vital in increasing belt penetration capabilities. Naval Command ordered the test of an 148lb APC shell.

Thus it was such that a 148lb shell with a 5lb Bursting Charge was designed and tested. The tests were a huge disappointment. It offered only marginally better penetration than the 200lb APC shell. Perhaps it was not the shell weight, or perhaps they had stumbled upon the best equilibrium in belt penetration with the 128lb APC shell.

Marginal shell weight changes were considered such as the 130lb APC shell and the 126lb APC shell, but better shell penetration was unable to be reached.

Naval Command was heavily considering adopting the 128lb APC shell as a replacement for the failed 200lb HC shell, when one member officer came up with a new idea.

The main reason why heavier shell penetrated deck armor better than other shells was that penetration of deck armor consists of the shell falling down at a steep angle of attack. The shell weight, he reasoned, would cause the shell to "fall" faster, thereby increasing impact velocity.

If the gun could be redesigned, or modified to accept such gun elevation as 55 degrees, then a greater deck armor could be achieved with the same shell. Naval Command listened with interest, this idea of plunging fire and high angling sparked the interest of many minds in the navy.

Most certainly the current FCS solution could not calculate the full range of the 6"/62, however, that extra range could be made up for by a high angle fire.

The greatest problem against such was the gunnery problem. High angle fire would produce an extraordinarily long hang time for the shell resulting in a much greater need to predict the enemy's movement.

But High Angle fire was a very interesting idea, one that would likely have to be investigated further.

[Logi]

August 10, 1919

OOC: Anybody can get their hands on the article. Printed in Chinese, English, French, German, and Japanese.

A newspaper boy runs the streets yelling "Extra! Extra! Read all about it!" in Guangzhou (as well as many major cities in the RRC).

True reason for war revealed! Shocking Details!

Yesterday, at daybreak, President Hu Hanmin of the Republic of China, with the full approval of the Legislative Assembly, passed a legislation declaring war on the Middle Kingdom. According to the government, this war was declared in an effort to reunify the country, to push on progress and to stop the corrupt dictatorship of the North.

However, through private investigation, sources have confirmed that the reason for this Northern Expedition may not be as it seems!

Reports have shown that the Middle Kingdom has had it's entire army, an army numbering some 2.6 MILLION troops mobilized since the eve of the revolution in 1911. This state of mobilization has never been dropped since 1911, even at the ceasefire of 1913! Furthermore, this army was dispatched tot he borders of the Kingdom, one-third reportedly bordering Russia, one-third bordering Japanese Manchuria, and one-third bordering the Republic of China.

Even further, reports have shown the scale of military buildup by the Middle Kingdom, something Investigators have connected with the two wars fought by the Republic of China and the influx of military spending during those times. The Middle Kingdom was recruiting some 200,000 troops per year since 1911. Reports show that until 1916, the Republic had neglected such recruiting and suddenly jump started with massive recruiting during the Burmese and Indochinese War.

Furthermore, until 1916, the Republic of China was building the grand flag ships of Huang Hun and Li Ming, before suddenly and abruptly switching to an all Torpedo Boat and Motorized Torpedo Boat program. The Legislation passed by the Legislative Assembly in 1916, called for this program change, citing "various domestic and foreign issues that raise concern."

These events, Experts believe, are no coincidence. It is not a coincidence that the Republic of China had this sudden change in 1916, rather, Experts believe, perhaps military information was received by the Republic of China on the extent of the military strength of the Middle Kingdom.

Recovered documents from the government show that, in fact, the Republic of China realized that the Middle Kingdom was building in the excesses of fifty Destroyers and one hundred Torpedo Boats per year. This alarming buildup in what should be seen as a peaceful era, no doubt prompted panic-filled actions from the Republican government.

Investigators venture the conclusion that, the actions of the Republic of China has been, despite it's words, prompted by the inordinate military buildup by the Middle Kingdom and the attempt to match it. It reveals to us that the true reason for this war is a final attempt by the Republic to stop the growing threat to regional security that is the Middle Kingdom, an attempt to stop Imperial buildup before it finally outpaces the Republican industries. The stabilizer to the region, which has prevented foolish actions by Imperial forces, the Republic of China is throwing it's last effort at the Imperial forces as the last deterrent to a Imperial rampage across the lands.

Should the Republic of China fall, there is no doubt there will be nothing left stopping the Middle Kingdom from going on a rampage and attacking it's neighbors, the Russians, the Japanese, the Brandenburgers. It may even attempt to carve a path through nations with it's army on a march to New Switzerland.

If this is true, then the future of the Republic, and the world, looks bleak. If the Republic falls now, what is next? We ask that nations around the world give their support to this valiant nation's attempt to stop a rouge and aggressive threat to the world at large.

[Carthaginian]

The Confederate States of America watch with calm detachment.

[The Rock Doctor]

I guess the Colombians need to review their interests in that part of the world and come to a conclusion.

[Sachmle]

I guess the Colombians need to review their interests in that part of the world and come to a conclusion.

But Colombia doesn't HAVE any interests in that part of the world. Hell, it's the only part of the world where there are no Colombian's.

[The Rock Doctor]

Yeah, but only because Walter wanted outrageous amounts of cash for Hainan.

Bear in mind - the Colombians declared war against RRC over that matter in Burma a few years back, and our good allies have territory right next door.  We may have views on which China we want to see win, if any.

[Logi]

If Walter charged less, Hainan would be mine, not Colombian.

[The Rock Doctor]

Japan, eh?  Stifling would-be liberators and colonizers alike with their outrageous prices.

[TexanCowboy]

Colonizers and Expansionists, eh? Wouldn't happen to mean the WW Indians, would you?

*ducks behind brick wall*

[ctwaterman]

Hmmmm must check fingers and rings if I make a hand shake deal with Japan huh...???

Hey Walter you missed your chance sell it to both of them turn it over to both of them at cities on opposite sides of the Island and then run.....  after all they both got a 33% discount.... ;)

[Desertfox]

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

*sends aid to both sides*