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Scrawl BandittaAge of Imperialism 2.0: TURN 4| January, 1920 (Week 2) (Turn 4, Part 2 of 12)
Thursday, January 8th
The Neeland Union agrees to build a single Karlburg-class Battlecruiser for the Kalpian Republic for the price of 25,000,000 Kalpian Mariats. Utilizing ten different dockyards, they begin to fabricate the various pieces of the battlecruiser, slated to launch in mid-1922. The ship, many of the Neeland workers realized, was without a name. "A ship without a name?" One of them said. "A bad omen."
Some of the 7.5" guns to go on the Kalpian Battlecruiser
Friday, January 9th
Minister of Kurenia appeared at Parliament for a rousing anti-Soroyan speech. "Are the Taranians not worthy of freedom, as the Islanders on Romanow? So quick and earnestly the Soroyans would pick up the sword for Northern Centrans, but not even do they show sympathy for the besieged Taranians. In fact through Kurenia itself Soroyan weapons of war flow so that Chaegon might install. . empire, in Tarania. To this I say no. As a Kurenian, I support Kurenia. As a Kurenia, I support Tarania."
A normally lackluster crowd, who before Bradel's rise to power had shimmered at around 12% unemployment, shouted and cried at Bradel's speech. At just under 3% unemployment, Bradel's hard edged tactics had won him the crowd. It was the dissenters that still fouled at the idea of Bradel as the leader of Korenia.
"Hot tempered and whimpering, the Soroyans cull any who might depose their power. It is against this very tyranny that Korenia and others must stand up to. They have bullied the Osladians on refuting their national claims, wagged their finger at the far away Qingstao Dominion and forced their way into Suvrian politics with battleship diplomacy. They have no such power in Korenia!"
Prime Minister Bradel, circa 1920
Saturday, January 10th
The Korenian 5th Army is seen moving to the Fereraian border. Fereraia, a Republic of only minor acclaim, had a standing army of around 85,000 with reservists numbering only about 200,000. The Kurenian Army, still mostly unmobilized, was around 250,000 men, 150 artillery piece, 200 aircraft and 20,000 horses for supply.
The Korenian 5th Army, with Major General Mikołaj Kurowski and Prime Minister Bradel present, circa 1921
Sunday, January 11th
After a brief design competition from December, 1920, the government of the Imperial Republic of Fuso hastily selects the Saiyako Automotive Industries Sa-21 Saito armored car for production. Though untested, the government understood it's need for mobilization in the case of a potential war in Faresia.
Saiyako Automotive Industries Sa-21 Saito armored car model 1921
The Saito is based on the regular 38 hp chassis with front and rear single axles, but doubled Sawajiro tires at the rear, suspended on cantilever rear springs of semi-elliptic type assembly. This unconventional layout is completed by two vertical coil shock absorbers resting on the front axle, in addition to the front leaf springs. Both are attached to the upper part of the armored body. The armor is 8 mm (0.31 in) strong at the front (radiator shield, hood, windshield, sides), and perhaps 4-5 mm (0.16-0.2 in) on top and bottom, assembled by rivets to a frame. It is well sloped thanks to the engine configuration, with the engine resting beside the driver’s feet. The latter was rated for 38 hp but develops 60 to 65 hp at 2200 rpm, served by a three-speed epicyclic type gearbox worm drive transmission at the rear. The center of gravity is low, giving it excellent stability. The turret and rear part are made of corresponding rolled plates. The patterned turret has two small rear and top two-piece hatches, and at the opposite end mounts a regular ordnance Zurrandt-12 water-cooled cal.303 (7.69 mm) machine gun. A lighter one, of the regular Mahoki aviation type could also be stored inside and fired from the pistol ports.
There is a folding windshield with sight slits and two obstructed windows plus two small pistol ports on each side of the driving area. Access is performed by two rear doors and there is no compartmentation. Behind the turret rests a rear storage utility platform and two large stowage boxes on top of the rear mudguards. Between the two axles, on the lower body section, are attached two unditching boards and platforms for additional storage. Electrical equipment, shovels and spare tires are attached or stowed above. This equipment is very similar or identical to the Kalpia type in operation, allowing commonality and easing maintenance.
Monday, January 12th
After deliberations, the Empire of Mille-Sessau and the Republic of Korenia strike a deal for the delivery of 45 Sinier F.130 fighter planes into Korenia. They are shipped through the Pouzzoli Strait and will dock at Kelric a few days later. Korenia reportedly purchased the planes for 5,000,000 Korenian Krachts. The Sessauan government was pleased with the deal, though many ambassadors of neighboring nations felt it was equivalent to mocking an already angry dog.
Sessauan Sinier F.130's in Sessau, before being sent to Korenia
Tuesday, January 13th
The Osladian Empire rolls out a new variant of it's new tankette, called the Molnya-205. It's been upgunned with a 37mm main gun and a more robust, Hakhov-12, vert. petrol engine, 6-cyl, 85 hp (26 kW). Capable of reaching up to 16 kilometers per hour, the tankette is extremely robust. At the testing, Korenian military leaders were reportedly present.
Upgunned Molnya-205 tank, circa 1921
Wednesday, January 14th
The Osladian Empire finishes it's first submarine, a Tyulen-Class. The first of it's kind, it's reportedly nicknamed the Dumpster, as Osladian Naval Command (ONC) never filed the naming paperwork. Strangely enough, during the unloading ceremony the ship slipped off the keel and into the water. Several crewmen were seriously injured and the ship's stern bulkheads were damaged. The ship was put into drydock and would not be available for several months. The ship's new nickname? Omen.
Osladian submarine Omen, minutes before her wreck
