Red Ice Box

[Simon Tan]

Master...master.....where have you hidden our Consolidated PBYs?

[BansheeOne]

I have had a long talk with Igor and learned some interesting and profitable facts. While he doesn't regret emigrating to the US instead of Russian America, it turns out his company was originally funded by some of our old comrades he met there while they were passing through, and good old Sergei Rachmaninoff who couldn't acclimatize and has been living in Junograd since 1932 to cure his homesickness. I arranged a meeting with the old gang and lots of vodka, and I now have a napkin with an agreement scribbled on to install a Russian American subsidiary of the Sikorsky Aircraft Company with a 50 percent government share.

 

When everybody sobered up, we also set up a contract for local production of at least 27 S-44 patrol bombers and three civilian aircraft for our national carrier. Igor Ivanovich was as happy as a child because United Aircraft had been making noises of merging his division with Chance Vought over declining sales and the loss of the PB2Y contest specifically. He stated this was about the size of all his previous orders combined, and made some references to doing something with the contract to some people which I didn't quite understand, but he seemed to be enjoying the prospect.

 

He also muttered something about rotorcraft as he left. I wonder what he's up to.

[Simon Tan]

Vodka? *Squinty eyes* You really should not develop Bolshevik tastes. Have a nice glass of Champagne instead. I am buying some property in Washington State and Oregon to grow some Pinot for experimental purposes. We should have something to drink when we liberate Russia.

Russian America will be Potemkin on steroids..

[mnm]

After surviving this long enduring but brilliant series of Banshee's TOE efabulation I am in need of some light relief.

 

1st Eskimo: Where did your mother come from?

 

2nd Eskimo: Alaska

 

1st Eskimo: Don't bother, I'll ask her myself!

 

[Simon Tan]

This is what passes for standup in Junograd. Fortunately there is a Philharmonia and the Grand Bolshoi. Think Boise.

[BansheeOne]

Vodka? *Squinty eyes* You really should not develop Bolshevik tastes. Have a nice glass of Champagne instead.

 

How would I know? I don't drink myself, I just told Sergei to order lots of booze and send the bill to my office. He said "don't worry Stepan Winfridovich, we will have nectar and ambrosia flowing in streams", and that was that.

 

Meanwhile, our back and forth on infantry support weapons and the disbanding of Army regiments to build the Air Force has left the battalions without light mortars and sufficient anti-tank capabilities, and our patrol cruisers have been sitting mostly finished but half-armed on their slips for the last two years awaiting decision on their main batteries. But in a typical case of solution by prevacariation, events have overtaken us.

 

The Germans have finally gone to open war after making a non-aggression pact with the Godless Communists™. The British Commonwealth has been making threatening noises warning us to get to close with the Axis powers, but frankly we told the Germans the same about the Bolshevists before we stormed out and slammed the door behind us. It's not that we object to Mother Russia getting back some of her historic property in Poland in the event, but the fact remains this happened under the wrong government! We have no love for the Japanese either, because we remember Tsushima, Port Arthur, etc.

 

Eventually the Germans wisened up though and broke that damnable pact with the GLCs. The Americans promptly knocked on our door and asked to allow them shipping arms across our territory to the motherland, because this fool Roosevelt has that fixed idea it is in the US interest to have the National Socialists defeated. Knowing we would be less than enthusiast about supplying the GLCs though our hearts bleed for the good honest Russians caught in the onslaught, they have actually offered to build the airfields at Ketchikan, Makkrazky and Nome for us at no cost, because they would be needed to transfer aircraft across the Bering Sea, and to give us something like one in every dozen pieces of equipment passing through. We have played hard to get, but unfortunately the US is our main arms supplier as it is.

 

So in the end, we grudgingly agreed on the condition that the equipment we get would be better models than those going to the GLCs if possible. A very satisfactory first result of that is that we are getting the new twin-engine P-38E fighter aircraft and A-20C light bombers for the newly established Air Force Squadrons basically for free. It seems the British had just cancelled a large P-38 order over some concerns with "tail flutter", but its long range makes this just the aircraft we need. The A-20C is also equipped to carry a torpedo, perfect for our anti-shipping needs, and we have even been promised some of the P-70 night fighter variant with the SCR-540 radar set!

 

Meanwhile, the US has also introduced the 60 mm M2 mortar into the weapons platoons of its infantry companies, giving a perfect example of our concept discussed earlier. Motorization is progressing in leaps and bounds with a steady flow of Marmon-Herrington Ford 0.4, 0.75, 1.5 and 3 ton trucks, and we will also be getting this new MB light utility vehicle to replace most of the motorcycle combinations in the infantry. Plus we have finally been given green light to get the twin 5"/38 DP turrets on the patrol cruisers. All this will reflect in the 1942 Armed Forces Plan which is currently nearing approval stage.

[Simon Tan]

Rubbish. The Patrulyet Kreysers have been in service for years (okay a couple of)...the ones on the slips are the latest batch. The Admiral Kolchaks have 4 x 2 5'/38 in Mk22 (like the Porters) as well as a pair of 3"/50 DP/AA guns. There were simply no functional DP mounts when we originally designed and laid down the first of class. They also ship 4x Oerlikon Model 1934s which you are keen on but were rejejcted by the British. Oerlikon seems to have upgraded them to meet the British requirement and we should be able to get some of the newer models for the ships being built. The Kolchaks have proven to be popular in service as they are very stable underway (being undermounted with LA Mk22) and prepared for cold weather service. I was surprised how difficult it was to find a half decent 3" AA gun in the 30s..most are relics! Shocking that the Mk24 RPC mounts do not appear till 44.

 

The Navy is demanding overall control of all flying boats and coastal aviation to better integrate them into Naval Plan 40. They are the eyes to find and follow the enemy to be harassed and run down by the surface and submarine forces.

 

Part of the problem with reserve and mobilization forces is the population distribution of the vrious Oblast. Some of these simply do not have the population to generate the forces intended. Given the limited rail and road infrastructure and the historical issues of distant mobilization stations, it may be impossible to have 'ideal' or equal strengths.

 

Are we still a Neutral Power on Dec 9, 1941?

[RETAC21]

Not wanting to spoil the party, but how is Russian America paying for all this stuff?

[BansheeOne]

We established early on that we have more money than people for our military due to alleged rich natural ressources. Of course if we leech off the lend-lease scheme, procurement cost become even less of a consideration.

 

In fact, after Peal Harbor we find we have maneuvered us into a bit of a vital dependency upon the US. We first feel this as some expected arms shipments are redirected to the rapidly mobilizing American forces; while Washington really wanted use of our territory for transit of lend-lease materiél earlier, their immediate objective now becomes their own defense in the Pacific area. The obvious conclusion is that we will have to actively contribute to their defense if we want to stay in their good graces.

 

OTOH, declaring war on the Axis Powers would officially make us allies with the Godless Communists™, and neither side really wants this. Washington is bringing the issue of official diplomatic relations with either party into play for leverage, as they have still recognized us as the legitimate Russian government so far. Naturally the GLCs want to be regocnized to the exclusion of us, which we want to prevent at all cost. Unfortunately at this point, we both want more from the US than they want from either of us, and the Americans are exerting considerable pressure to look beyond our "differences", as they euphemistically call it.

 

As it becomes clear that despite signing the Declaration of the United Nations in January 1942, the Soviet Union maintains it neutrality agreement with Japan, and the Japanese attack Rabaul and Darwin, we start fearing they will eventually come North. As a first step, we therefore grant the US sweeping rights to use our bases beyond the original transit agreement, and establish their own if they chose. At the same time, we keep looking for a face-saving way to officially ally ourselves to them, but not the GLCs.

 

Meanwhile, despite everything Armed Forces Plan 1942 starts getting implemented. I have about a quarter of the motorized infantry regiment TO&E detailed down to individual personnel, hope to be complete by tomorrow.

[BansheeOne]

Type 1942 Infantry Regiment (136/426/2,723//3,285)

 

- Regimental HQ (11/5/24//40)

 

- Command Squad (CO, XO, intelligence officer, artillery officer, signals officer, engineer officer, reg SMAJ, signals sgt, 6 x clerk, 6 x orderly; 6 x jeep, 1 x 0.4 t truck)

 

- Adjutant Squad (adjutant, pay officer, 2 x NCO, 4 x clerk, 2 x orderly; 1 x jeep, 2 x 0.4 t truck)

 

- Quartermaster Squad (QM officer, chemical officer, surgeon, 1 x NCO, 3 x clerk, 3 x orderly; 3 x jeep, 1 x 0.4 t truck)

 

 

- HQ Company (6/31/148//185)

 

- HQ Squad (CO, XO, coy sgt, 2 x RTO, 3 x motorcycle messenger, 2 x orderly; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (coy SMAJ, QM sgt, medical NCO, cook NCO, 2 x coy clerk, 2 x QM clerk, 3 x cook, 4 x truck driver/mechanic; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- Maintenance Squad (armorer sgt, mechanic sgt, 3 x armorer, 3 x truck driver/mechanic; 2 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck)

 

- Regimental Band (band leader, assistant band leader, 2 x musician/medic NCO, 8 x musician/medic; 1 x 1.5 t truck)

 

- Motorcycle Platoon (1/5/41//47)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 1 x driver/mechanic, 2 x motorcycle messenger; 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- 4 x Motorcycle Squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, machinegunner, assistant machinegunner, 6 x rifleman; 4 x motorcycle, 2 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Anti-Air Platoon (1/5/21//28)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 1 x driver/mechanic, 2 x motorcycle messenger; 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- 4 x gun squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, gunner, loader, driver/mechanic; 1 x 20 mm Oerlikon AA gun, 1 x 0.75 t truck)

 

- Anti-Tank Platoon (1/5/25//32)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 1 x driver/mechanic, 2 x motorcycle messenger; 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- 4 x gun squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, gunner, loader, assistant loader, driver/mechanic; 1 x 47 mm Böhler AT gun, 1 x 0.75 t truck)

 

- Signals Platoon (1/5/29//35)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 1 x driver/mechanic, 2 x motorcycle messenger; 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Telephone Section (sect leader, assistant sect leader, 8 x telephone operator, 4 x driver/mechanic; 4 x 0.75 t truck)

 

- Radio Section (sect leader, assistant sect leader, 8 x RTO, 4 x driver/mechanic; 4 x 0.75 t truck)

 

 

- Infantry Gun Company (5/19/83//107)

 

- HQ Squad (CO, XO, coy sgt, 2 x RTO, 2 x telephone operator, 3 x motorcycle messenger, 2 x orderly; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (coy SMAJ, QM sgt, medical NCO, 2 x coy clerk, 2 x QM clerk, 4 x truck driver/mechanic; 1 x 0.75 t, 4 x 3 t truck)

 

- 3 x Infantry Gun Platoon (1/5/22//28)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, telephone operator, medic, 1 x driver/mechanic, 2 x motorcycle messenger; 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- 2 x gun section (section leader, assistant section leader, gunner, assistant gunner, loader, assistant loader, telephone operator, 2 x driver/mechanic; 1 x 75 mm M1A1 Pack Howitzer, 2 x 0.75 t truck)

 

 

- Engineer Company (6/29/179//214)

 

- HQ Squad (CO, XO, coy sgt, 2 x RTO, 3 x motorcycle messenger, 2 x orderly; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (coy SMAJ, QM sgt, chemical NCO, medical NCO, 2 x coy clerk, 2 x QM clerk, 4 x truck driver/mechanic; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- 3 x Engineer Platoon (1/5/42//48)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 4 x driver/mechanic; 1 x jeep, 3 x 3 t truck)

 

- 3 x Engineer Squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, 8 x engineer)

 

- Engineer Reconnaissance Squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, 8 x engineer; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Heavy Engineer Platoon (1/9/38//48)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 4 x driver/mechanic; 1 x jeep, 3 x 3 t truck)

 

- 3 x Heavy Engineer Squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, 8 x engineer; 4 x 3 t truck)

 

- Maintenance Squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, 8 x truck driver/mechanic; 4 x 3 t truck)

 

 

3 x Infantry Battalion (36/114/763//913)

 

- Battalion HQ (CO, XO, adjutant, intelligence officer, bat SMAJ, 4 x clerk, 4 x orderly; 4 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- HQ Company (8/27/151//186)

 

- HQ Squad (CO, XO, coy sgt, 2 x RTO, 3 x motorcycle messenger, 2 x orderly; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (coy SMAJ, QM sgt, medical NCO, cook NCO, 2 x coy clerk, 2 x QM clerk, 3 x cook, 4 x truck driver/mechanic; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- Medical Squad (2 x surgeon, 2 x medical sgt, 12 x medic, 1 x driver/mechanic; 4 x 0.75 t ambulance, 1 x 3 t truck)

 

- Signals Platoon (1/5/29//35)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 1 x driver/mechanic, 2 x motorcycle messenger; 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Telephone Section (sect leader, assistant sect leader, 8 x telephone operator, 4 x driver/mechanic; 4 x 0.75 t truck)

 

- Radio Section (sect leader, assistant sect leader, 8 x RTO, 4 x driver/mechanic; 4 x 0.75 t truck)

 

- Scout Platoon (1/5/29/35)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 1 x driver/mechanic, 2 x motorcycle messenger; 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- 3 x Scout Squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, 6 x scout; 1 x jeep, 1 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Sniper Squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, 6 x sniper; 2 x jeep)

 

- Engineer Platoon (1/5/42//48)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 4 x driver/mechanic; 1 x jeep, 3 x 3 t truck)

 

- 3 x Engineer Squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, 8 x engineer)

 

- Engineer Reconnaissance Squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, 8 x engineer; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Quartermaster Platoon (1/6/32//39)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 3 x driver/mechanic; 1 x jeep, 2 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- 3 x Transport Squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, 6 x truck driver/mechanic; 4 x 3 t truck)

 

- Maintenance Squad (armorer sgt, mechanic sgt, 3 x armorer, 3 x truck driver/mechanic; 2 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck)

 

 

- 3 x Rifle Company (6/21/150//177)

 

- HQ Squad (CO, XO, coy sgt, 2 x RTO, 3 x motorcycle messenger, 2 x orderly; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (coy SMAJ, QM sgt, medical NCO, 2 x coy clerk, 2 x QM clerk, 4 x truck driver/mechanic; 1 x 0.75 t, 4 x 3 t truck)

 

- 3 x Rifle Platoon (1/4/33//38)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 4 x scout)

 

- 3 x Rifle Squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, machinegunner, assistant machinegunner, 6 x rifleman)

 

- Weapons Platoon (1/5/36//42)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 4 x scout)

 

- Machinegun Section (section leader, assistant section leader, 3 x machinegunner, 3 x assistant machinegunner, 9 x ammo bearer; 3 x 7.62 mm M1919A4 machinegun)

 

- Mortar Section (section leader, assistant section leader, 3 x mortar gunner, 3 x assistant mortar gunner, 9 x ammo bearer; 3 x 60 mm M2 mortar)

 

 

- Weapons Company (6/24/145//175)

 

- HQ Squad (CO, XO, coy sgt, 2 x RTO, 3 x motorcycle messenger, 2 x orderly; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (coy SMAJ, QM sgt, medical NCO, 2 x coy clerk, 2 x QM clerk, 4 x truck driver/mechanic; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- Anti-Air Platoon (1/5/21//28)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 1 x driver/mechanic, 2 x motorcycle messenger; 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- 4 x gun squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, gunner, loader, driver/mechanic; 1 x 20 mm Oerlikon AA gun, 1 x 0.75 t truck)

 

- Anti-Tank Platoon (1/5/25//32)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 1 x driver/mechanic, 2 x motorcycle messenger; 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- 4 x gun squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, gunner, loader, assistant loader, driver/mechanic; 1 x 47 mm Böhler AT gun, 1 x 0.75 t truck)

 

- 2 x Mortar Platoon (1/5/42//48)

 

- Platoon HQ (plt leader, plt sgt, RTO, medic, 2 x driver/mechanic, 2 x motorcycle messenger; 2 x 3 t truck, 2 x motorcycle)

 

- 4 x Mortar Squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, mortar gunner, loader, 6 x ammo bearer; 1 x 81 mm M1 mortar)

 

 

Since the companies gained considerable personnel during motorization and AA and AT guns were pushed down to battalion level, I disbanded the regiment's heavy battalion and made the infantry gun and engineer company independent. I'll do the rest of the units in a division as I get around to it, and then we should be able to get a better handle on Army personnel numbers. However, once again 900 per battalion and 200 per independent company proves a good approximation.

 

(Boy, am I glad the new forum software allows indents.)

Edited September 23, 2012 by BansheeOne

[Simon Tan]

Sir, you are aware of the trials we have been conducting with various enhanced mobility transports in response to RusAm operational conditions, i.e. poor or no roads. Apart from the hilarious films resembling those American comedies, we have come to the conclusion that while all tracked vehicles like the Carden-Llloyd carrier have superior mobility, the Kegrasse type half track is a good balance. Fortunately, our choice is simple, the American White half track. I do not know if they will build an unarmored version to order.

 

Perhaps we should also consider the new fashion of putting guns ON the vehicles themsleves. No, not the funny portee things the British are so fond of but things like the T30 HMC. I understand the Bohlers have been porteed on all sorts of vehicles in Africa too..

[BansheeOne]

Type 1942 Artillery Regiment (129/420/1,953//2,502)

 

- Regimental HQ (9/5/20//34)

 

- Command Squad (4/2/8//14; 4 x jeep, 1 x 0.4 t truck)

 

- Adjutant Squad (2/2/6//10; 1 x jeep, 2 x 0.4 t truck)

 

- Quartermaster Squad (3/1/6//10; 3 x jeep, 1 x 0.4 t truck)

 

 

- HQ Battery (6/31/148//185)

 

- HQ Squad (2/1/7//10; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (0/4/11//15; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- Maintenance Squad (0/2/6//8; 2 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck)

 

- Regimental Band (0/4/8//12; 1 x 1.5 t truck)

 

- Motorcycle Platoon (1/5/41//47; 1 x jeep, 18 x motorcycle, 9 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Anti-Air Platoon (1/5/21//28;

4 x 20 mm Oerlikon AA gun, 4 x 0.75 t truck,

1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Anti-Tank Platoon (1/5/25//32;

4 x 47 mm Böhler AT gun, 4 x 0.75 t truck

, 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Signals Platoon (1/5/29//35; 8 x 0.75 t truck, 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

 

Observation Battery (6/40/117//163)

 

- HQ Squad (2/1/9//12; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (0/3/8//11; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- 4 x Observer Platoon (

1/9/25/35

; 4 x 1.5 t truck, 5 x jeep, 4 x motorcycle combination)

 

 

3 x Light Artillery Battalion (27/86/399//512)

 

- Battalion HQ (4/1/8//13; 4 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- HQ Battery (8/28/142//178)

 

- HQ Squad (2/1/7//10; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (0/4/11//15; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- Medical Squad (2/2/13//17; 4 x 0.75 t ambulance, 1 x 3 t truck)

 

- Anti-Air Platoon (1/5/21//28;

4 x 20 mm Oerlikon AA gun, 4 x 0.75 t truck,

1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Signals Platoon (1/5/29//35

; 8 x 0.75 t truck, 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination

)

 

- Topography Platoon (1/5/29/35; 3 x 0.75 t truck, 3 x jeep, 5 x motorcycle, 4 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Quartermaster Platoon (1/6/32//39; 1 x jeep, 2 x 0.75 t truck, 7 x 3 t truck, 2 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

 

- 3 x Howitzer Battery (5/19/83//107)

 

- HQ Squad (2/1/9//12; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (0/3/8//11; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- 3 x Howitzer Platoon (1/5/22//28;

2 x QF 4.5" Mk II howitzer, 4 x 1.5 ton truck

)

 

 

Medium Artillery Battalion (27/86/471//584)

 

- Battalion HQ (4/1/8//13; 4 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- HQ Battery (8/28/142//178)

 

- HQ Squad (2/1/7//10; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (0/4/11//15; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- Medical Squad (2/2/13//17; 4 x 0.75 t ambulance, 1 x 3 t truck)

 

- Anti-Air Platoon (1/5/21//28;

4 x 20 mm Oerlikon AA gun, 4 x 0.75 t truck,

1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Signals Platoon (1/5/29//35

; 8 x 0.75 t truck, 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination

)

 

- Topography Platoon (1/5/29/35; 3 x 0.75 t truck, 3 x jeep, 5 x motorcycle, 4 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Quartermaster Platoon (1/6/32//39; 1 x jeep, 2 x 0.75 t truck, 7 x 3 t truck, 2 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

 

- 3 x Gun Battery (5/19/107//131)

 

- HQ Squad (2/1/9//12; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (0/3/8//11; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- 3 x Gun Platoon (1/5/30//36;

2 x

BL 6" Mk XIX gun, 4 x 3 t truck)

 

 

Artillery regiment on the quick, because it's rather easy. Fully motorized, though we are still using the old WW I 4.5 and 6" guns as nothing newer has come down the pipeline.

Edited September 23, 2012 by BansheeOne

[Simon Tan]

Mon General,

We must be the only Army with such a lavish HQ Co.

Do we build anything other than the Oerlikon 20mm and 47mm Bohler at the Kutuzov Arsenal?

 

How can you have forgotten about our fine Skoda guns like the hruby kanon vz.35 and hruby houfnice vz.37? Or the 7.65cm PL Kanon vz.37?

Admittedly they have only been recently delivered and the whole war business may mean a problem with ongoing supply. That and the PITA to get them here from Skodawerke but fortunately we were able to 'buy' a set of technical drawings for everything along with the guns.

The Guards Regiment of Artillery are delighted with these fine weapons compared to their Angliskii guns they were issued with previously.

2x Light Arty Bn (10cm how), 2x Med Arty Bn (1x 10.5cm canon, 1x 15cm How)

 

 

Our procurement policies in the 30s were driven in part by our policy to maintain our diplomatic status as the Russian state. Hence the Laffly tractors and cars and the Skoda guns.

 

The scurrilous rumors of bribes and kickbacks is nothing more than sour grapes by the Bofors agent and miraculously vanished once we agreed to buy some of his silly 40mm anti aircraft guns. Why would we need anything more than the Oerlikons?

Edited September 23, 2012 by Simon Tan

[BansheeOne]

M2 halftracks are being introduced to the cavalry as we speak; M3s are considered as prime movers for artillery.

 

 

Type 1942 Divisional Cavalry Detachment (21/80/422//503)

 

- Detachment HQ (CO, XO, adjutant, intelligence officer, det SMAJ, 4 x clerk, 4 x orderly; 4 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- HQ Squad (signals sgt, QM sgt, cook NCO, 2 x QM clerk, 3 x cook, 4 x RTO, 4 x truck driver/mechanic; 3 x 0.75 t truck, 2 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- Medical Squad (surgeon, medical sgt, 6 x medic, 1 x driver/mechanic; 2 x 0.75 t ambulance, 1 x 3 t truck)

 

- Light Cavalry Squadron (8/36/195//239)

 

- HQ Squad (CO, XO, sqdr sgt, 2 x RTO, 3 x motorcycle messenger, 2 x orderly; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (sqdr SMAJ, QM sgt, medical NCO, 2 x sqdr clerk, 2 x QM clerk, 4 x truck driver/mechanic; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck,

1 x 3 t tanker truck

)

 

- Maintenance Squad (armorer sgt, mechanic sgt, 3 x armorer, 3 x truck driver/mechanic; 2 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck)

 

- 3 x Motorcycle Troop (1/5/38//44)

 

- Troop HQ (trp leader, trp sgt, RTO, medic, 4 x

motorcycle messenger

; 2 x motorcycle, 2 x motorcycle combination)

 

- 4 x Rifle Squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, machinegunner, assistant machinegunner, 5 x rifleman; 3 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Weapons Troop (1/5/24//30)

 

- Troop HQ (trp leader, trp sgt, RTO, medic, 2 x driver/mechanic, 2 x

motorcycle messenger

; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle

)

 

- Machinegun Section (section leader, assistant section leader, 3 x machinegunner, 3 x assistant machinegunner, 3 x driver/mechanic; 3 x 7.62 mm M1919A4 machinegun, 4 x jeep)

 

- Mortar Section (section leader, assistant section leader, 3 x mortar gunner, 3 x assistant mortar gunner, 3 x

driver/mechanic

; 3 x 60 mm M2 mortar

, 4 x jeep

)

 

- 2 x Armored Car Troop (1/5/18//24)

 

-

HQ Section (trp leader, trp sgt, 2 x gunner, 2 x RTO, 2 x driver/mechanic

; 2 x Fox armored car)

 

-

2 x Armored Car Section (section leader, assistant section leader, 2 x gunner, 2 x RTO, 2 x driver/mechanic

; 2 x Fox armored car)

 

 

- Heavy Cavalry Squadron (8/39/199//246)

 

- HQ Squad (CO, XO, sqdr sgt, 2 x gunner,

2 x RTO,

2 x driver/mechanic, 2 x orderly; 1 x M3 light tank, 1 x M2 halftrack, 1 x jeep)

 

- QM Squad (sqdr SMAJ, QM sgt, medical NCO, 2 x sqdr clerk, 2 x QM clerk, 4 x truck driver/mechanic; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck,

1 x 3 t tanker truck

)

 

- Maintenance Squad (armorer sgt, mechanic sgt, 3 x armorer, 3 x truck driver/mechanic; 2 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck)

 

- 3 x Rifle Troop (1/6/41//48)

 

- Troop HQ (trp leader, trp sgt, RTO, medic,

machinegunner, assistant machinegunner, driver/mechanic; 1 x M2 halftrack)

 

- 3 x Rifle Squad (squad leader, assistant squad leader, machinegunner, assistant machinegunner,

driver/mechanic,

4 x rifleman;

1 x M2 halftrack

)

 

- 2 x Mortar Squad

(squad leader, assistant squad leader, machinegunner, assistant machinegunner,

driver/mechanic,

mortar gunner, assistant mortar gunner;

1 x M2 halftrack

, 1 x 60 mm M2 mortar)

 

- 3 x Light Tank Troop (

1/5/18//24)

 

-

HQ Section (trp leader, trp sgt, 2 x gunner, 2 x RTO, 2 x driver/mechanic

; 2 x M3 light tank)

 

-

2 x Armored Car Section (section leader, assistant section leader, 2 x gunner, 2 x RTO, 2 x driver/mechanic

; 2 x M3 light tank)

Edited September 23, 2012 by BansheeOne

[Simon Tan]

Are we already replacing our hardly used TNHP tanks? After we spent all that effort to repalce the MGs with Brownings.....

Edited September 23, 2012 by Simon Tan

[BansheeOne]

Mon General,

We must be the only Army with such a lavish HQ Co.

Do we build anything other than the Oerlikon 20mm and 47mm Bohler at the Kutuzov Arsenal?

 

How can you have forgotten about our fine Skoda guns like the hruby kanon vz.35 and hruby houfnice vz.37? Or the 7.65cm PL Kanon vz.37?

Admittedly they have only been recently delivered and the whole war business may mean a problem with ongoing supply. That and the PITA to get them here from Skodawerke but fortunately we were able to 'buy' a set of technical drawings for everything along with the guns.

The Guards Regiment of Artillery are delighted with these fine weapons compared to their Angliskii guns they were issued with previously.

2x Light Arty Bn (10cm how), 2x Med Arty Bn (1x 10.5cm canon, 1x 15cm How)

 

 

Our procurement policies in the 30s were driven in part by our policy to maintain our diplomatic status as the Russian state. Hence the Laffly tractors and cars and the Skoda guns.

 

The scurrilous rumors of bribes and kickbacks is nothing more than sour grapes by the Bofors agent and miraculously vanished once we agreed to buy some of his silly 40mm anti aircraft guns. Why would we need anything more than the Oerlikons?

 

I have to say the folks at Kutuzov are driving me nuts. Their reports are never very clear, and to this day I'm not certain about their actual capabilities. I keep saying we should by rights have the same size of an domestic arms industry as Finland, but getting answers out of them is like pulling teeth. It's probably because the arsenal is rooted in the Imperial Navy side of old Russian America and they are pissed about the cruiser business. I may need to have some of them shot on charges of being Bolshevist saboteurs; maybe that's even true.

 

The fate of Czechoslovakia was unfortunate for our procurement anyway, because the Germans have been using the full production capacities for themselves ever since they occupied the plants. The THNP was meant to replace the old Vickers Six Ton Tanks in the Armor Regiment, but only a battalion's worth arrived before the German invasion. From battlefield reports in Europe, more firepower will be needed soon anyway. We have looked at the US M3 medium (not to be confused with the light M3 the British call Stuart, which is currently replacing the MG-armed Vickers models in the cavalry), but this sponson-mounted 75 mm gun is terribly impractical. Meanwhile the Americans are producing this new M4, but we are still in limbo with them over the war effort ...

[Simon Tan]

Is Russia.....metric? Or Imperial?

 

Funny how well Skoda did in Yugoslavia. Heh........

Edited September 23, 2012 by Simon Tan

[BansheeOne]

Don't let yourself be fooled by the specifications in our international invitations to tender. We're imperial, of course. What are you, some kind of metric commie?

 

Speaking of which, I made a trip over to Novoarkhangelsk, took personal command of I./1st Marines and swooped down onto Kutuzov for an in-depth surprise inspection. Lo and behold, in one of the casemates of the arsenal we found six dozen 15 cm Skoda K4 and twice that number of 10 cm vz. 30 howitzers. I think I was about to burst a vessel when I ordered everybody looking remotely responsible arrested. Godverdammte cryptobolschewisten. I swear there will be mass executions. Maybe even mass trials.

 

While this improves our artillery considerably, it doesn't solve our tank problem. We currently have one battalion of Vickers Six-Tons and TNHPs, and are equipping the other two battalions of the Armor Regiment with the Stuarts really meant for the cavalry as a stop-gap. The cavalry is miffed that they have to make do with the Vickers 1936 until more Stuarts come around, but it can't be helped before a more powerful tank becomes available.

 

 

Type 1942 Armor Battalion (27/85/380//492)

 

- Battalion HQ (4/1/8//13; 4 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- HQ Company (8/27/162//197)

 

- HQ Squad (

2/1/8//11

; 2 x tank, 1 x jeep)

 

- QM Squad (0/4/11//15; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- Medical Squad (2/2/13//17; 4 x 0.75 t ambulance, 1 x 3 t truck)

 

- Signals Platoon (1/5/29//35;

8 x M2 halftrack,

1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Scout Platoon (

1/4/31//36

; 4 x M2 halftrack)

 

- Engineer Platoon (1/5/38//44; 4 x M2 halftrack, 2 x jeep,

2 x motorcycle combination,

1 x 3 t truck)

 

- Quartermaster Platoon (1/6/32//39; 1 x jeep,

2 x 0.75 t truck,

12 x 3 t truck, 4 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

 

- 3 x Armor Company (5/19/70//94)

 

- HQ Squad (2/1/8//11; 2 x tank, 1 x jeep)

 

- QM Squad (0/4/11//15; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- Maintenance Squad (0/2/6//8; 2 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck)

 

- 3 x Tank Platoon (1/4/15//20; 5 x tank)

Edited September 24, 2012 by BansheeOne

[Marek Tucan]

One suggestion (though with difficult transport): More TNH series might be obtained via Sweden perhaps?

[Simon Tan]

Shipped through Spain or Portugal like the Zundapps for my konvoi.

[Colin]

Montreal locomotive works is willing to manufacture replacement 6 tons and other Vickers designs, a rep will be in Prince Rupert in 2 weeks to discuss the possibility of a deal. Vickers can send critical items overseas to us till we have all production issues sorted out.

[Simon Tan]

I thought they were busy building that other Vickers POS, the Valentine for the Bolsheviks? I m distressed by their babarous patois.

 

I am particularly proud of my Cossack konvoi with their magnificent maroon Cherkesska and white hats. Now they have their magnificent vert Zundapp steeds and biker goggles. The previous Harley Davidsons just were not adequate..

They are a good match to my Dusenberg Marshall Landaulet that I had repainted in matte Army green to reflect the martial times we live in.

 

The Canadian Military Pattern vehicles are most utilitarian. They lack the quirky elegance of say the Laffly.

[BansheeOne]

Beautiful. With the Swedish TNHs and Canadian Six-Tons, we will be able to equip the other two armor battalions. We also found more than 200 Skoda 47 mm vz. 36 AT guns stashed away; I wonder if we could mount them on the Six-Tons like the Fins did with the captured Soviet 45 mm guns on their T-26E? While not a perfect solution, it would somewhat alleviate our need for more firepower. I understand the TNH unfortunately can't be upgraded, because even making room for a loader in the turret like the Germans and Swedish have done strained available space.

 

 

Anti-Air Battalion (36/115/638//789)

 

- Battalion HQ (4/1/8//13; 4 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- HQ Battery (8/28/142//178)

 

- HQ Squad (2/1/7//10; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (0/4/11//15; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- Medical Squad (2/2/13//17; 4 x 0.75 t ambulance, 1 x 3 t truck)

 

- Anti-Air Platoon (1/5/21//28;

4 x 20 mm Oerlikon AA gun, 4 x 0.75 t truck,

1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Signals Platoon (1/5/29//35

; 8 x 0.75 t truck, 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination

)

 

- Topography Platoon (1/5/29/35; 3 x 0.75 t truck, 3 x jeep, 5 x motorcycle, 4 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Quartermaster Platoon (1/6/32//39; 1 x jeep, 2 x 0.75 t truck, 7 x 3 t truck, 2 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

 

- 3 x Heavy Anti-Air Battery (6/21/122//149)

 

- HQ Squad (2/1/9//12; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (0/3/8//11; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- 2 x Heavy Gun Platoon (1/4/27//32;

3 x 80 mm Bofors Modell 30 AA gun, 6 x 3 t truck

, 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination

)

 

- Light Gun Platoon

(1/5/21//28;

4 x 20 mm Oerlikon AA gun, 4 x 0.75 t truck,

1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- Fire Control Platoon (1/4/30//35;

3 x searchlight,

3 x 3 t truck,

1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

 

- Medium Anti-Air Battery (6/23/122//151)

 

- HQ Squad (2/1/9//12; 2 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

 

- QM Squad (0/3/8//11; 1 x 0.75 t, 3 x 3 t truck, 1 x 3 t tanker truck)

 

- 3 x Medium Gun Platoon (1/5/25//31;

4 x 40 mm Bofors Modell 36 AA gun, 8 x 1.5 t truck

, 1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination

)

 

- Fire Control Platoon (1/4/30//35;

3 x searchlight,

3 x 3 t truck,

1 x jeep, 2 x motorcycle, 1 x motorcycle combination)

Edited September 25, 2012 by BansheeOne

[Marek Tucan]

One idea (pre-war is a possibility) - when Czechoslovakian started deal to get Bofors 40mm license production, a development started for indigenous tank gun using this ammo. In the end it was used by Hungarians, but possibly could fit into TNH turret (tight fit I admit) and give you potential ammo commonality between tanks and AAA. PLUS ammo commonality with the US once they go for Bofors. And with the Commonwealth...

[bojan]

Don't go for TNH, go for what later beceme Hungarian Turan, it could fit 3-men turret and 47mm w/o much problem.