1939. 6 months to go. In any case, SEU has developed a working Proximity Fuze. This will improve the efficacy of Heavy (127mm Dual-Purpose and up, anything smaller won't fit) AA shells by 5 to 10 times, for the first time making the Abysmal SEU Naval Heavy AA gunners superior to all other AA Gunners of any other nation. This new invention is being fitted onto only AA (no heavy artillery nor mortars) and situations where they could not possibly be captured, because if this Proximity Fuze was captured, it would ruin all of SEU's hard work to create one and would balance out the advantages this gives SEU. However, its widespread use will mean that SEU will have to at least acknowledge its existence with the OMEGA code, though the ALPHA code will still be used to denote technical details. Also, the fact that 5-inch AA shells seem to mysteriously detonate near but not at with magical capabilities will probably tip off other nations as well. (no joke, IRL the Proximity Fuze was OP and a game-changer in AA and eventually artillery) SEU's 280mm shore artillery guns are being supplied with Anti-armor Ultracharges, aka we couldn't find a prefix above ultra so we just named it anti-armor. This will erode the barrel at nearly 3x the usual rate (resulting in roughly 120 shots, or 30 minutes of continuous firing), but it will allow them to have a penetration ability equal to that of Caliphate 15-inch guns as well as range nearly equivalent, although the 15-inch shell will have significantly better destructive capability.
SEU is exporting these mysterious new "proximity fuzes" to the UBR under the conditions they only use it for AA and places that they couldn't possibly be captured, and UBR doesn't try to reverse-engineer the shells to make their own because SEU doesn't trust UBR enough.
Caliphate Navy Strength: 170 Destroyers 32 Heavy Cruisers 18 Battleships 16 Submarines 12 Fleet Carriers 19 Escort Carriers 10 Mine-layers 130 Oil Tankers 60 Food Supply Ships 32 Repair Ships Caliphate Army Strength: 100,000,000+ Sunayyad Caliphate Population 500,000 active troops 2,000,000 reserves, 14,000,000 ready for service, most likely won't be armed, 4,000,000 is a more realistic number Tanks: MBT-4 Saladin Medium Tank MBT-4 Saladin Medium Tank (Crocodile Flamethrower) MB-5 Light Tank Caliphate Air Force Strength: Fighter: AI-2: 9,006 units Attack: A-40: 5,987 units Bomber: B-17: 456 units The Caliphate has begun developing a fighter aircraft based around a jet engine, it will most likely be a successor to the AI-2, known as the AI-4.
The Socialist Eurasian Union, which has mostly devoted its budget for peaceful activities, is now realizing that it might be a teensy bit outmatched in the ground. Just a little. It is the only country without mandatory conscription, and while doing so would destroy the SEU economy (too many people to feed), it might be a good idea to de-clog the pipelines of war, because while SEU has a massive industrial capacity, it will take literally years to convert it into a war industry. So, SEU's starting now. It'll take 2 years, and then another 3 months to actually turn it into a war industry, which is remarkably fast. It's not like a war will happen in that time period where SEU will be left fighting with only its actual military industrial capacity, which is reasonably large and could hold its own. SEU is creating a new anti-Rocket technology, with their advanced Radar they can defeat these flying bombs. In addition, they are creating the Large Anti-Fortifications Bomb, or "Hammer", weighing in at 6,000 kgs and only able to be carried by the TB-3 heavy bomber, of which an improved variant is being created because it's obsolescent. The Il-4, a strategic medium bomber, is going to be used to bomb targets. SEU enjoys a crucial advantage due to the fact 75% of its population and industrial base lives in the East end, and one of the reasons they employ a large Navy; SEU cities are generally safe from bombing because no Aircraft can go that far without a Carrier, and SEU blasts into oblivion any Carrier that comes their way. While minor "Doolittle Raids" may happen, and SEU has instructed their citizens to watch out for bombs, 75% of their Industrial Capacity will remain essentially untouched. The other 25% is going to be bombed to hell.
The Caliphate has also begun developing and expanding their anti-aircraft and anti-naval guns. The shore is tightly packed with massive 18-inch guns disconnected from boats and fitted onto port defences. Any navy trying to get close to the shore and invade will be obliterated, they are most near the Suez, Djibouti, Persian Gulf and the Bhosphouros though. The Caliphate focuses on a land army more than a navy, although their navy is very important, you simply cannot hold land with a navy, it's impossible. You can attack a shoreline and destroy their defences, but you'll never hold them with a Navy or airforce. Tensions rise between India and Pakistan, India wants Kashmir back, and Pakistan wants to take advantage over India and invade them. Libyan citizens are angry that the Fascists are obtaining their oil and owning the entire industry in Libya. When a war breaks out, if the Fascists declare war on the Caliphate and attack them, the Caliphate will definitely kick them out of Libya.
The federation spends time and money putting better steel in their gun shells and guns to make them less dangerous to their users
SEU has annexed Kazakhstan because it took over roughly 20% of the country peacefully (using the same tactics the Japanese used for Korea), and then used these Areas as a staging ground for attacks. It was easy, and SEU is allowing them to govern themselves for the most part, they are designated the self-governing autonomous region of Kazakhstan. SEU did this mostly so they could get more oil. Nothing has changed in Kazakhstan. The President is still the President; the Congress is still the Congress; the Kazakhstani flag flies, and the SEU flag slightly lower than the Kazakhstani one, denoting that SEU is here as a friend and ally that respects Kazakhstan's independence. This is all to make sure Kazakhstan doesn't rise up in arms against their semi-overlords. The Kazakhstani Armed forces are being peacefully integrated into the SEU armed forces; only a few top dogs are removed and given lavish gifts to shut them up, replaced by Kazakhstan-friendly loyal SEU officers.
I'm starting World War 2, a bit early. As the Socialist Eurasian Union annexed Kazakhstan, Italy decided to take greater control of Libya. While they hoarded resources for years on end (10 years in fact), this started a scuffle with Libyan defense forces. Italy has declared war on the Caliphate and Libya. The European Fascist Coalition has declared war on the Caliphate. SEU declares war on those pesky European Fascists and Caliphate, aiming to kill two bird with one stone, because they've been a thorn in SEU's side for far too long. Welcome to World War 2. Iosif Stalin will make a speech shortly.
Defence in Libya has been boosted significantly. Both the Ninurta and the Nergal, two of each model and a dozen or so destroyers and cruisers instantly rush to the coastlines of Libya and perform a tedious wall. Along with one Fatimid Class Aircraft carrier. The Caliphate's army in North Africa rises up, but they were unprepared.
The SEU Commerce Raider Battleship Sui is going out on a Commerce Raiding mission. It has been instructed to flee if they see any proper Battleships, and to sink 1 convoy or roughly 2 weeks worth of supplies for the Caliphate, whichever can be accomplished. Note this is unrealistic for just 1 Battleship; it will sink maybe a half convoy. 3 oil Tankers and 1 food supply ships will be deployed to rendezvous with the Ship should it ever need supplies. They are docked at Guinea naval base. NOTE: Supplies Denote Bauxite, Steel and Copper. All other supplies the Caliphate gets from much closer, or home.
Convoys are receiving major defensive measures, although it is very difficult to spend 18 battleships just to defend convoys, Heavy Cruisers and Escort Carriers, as well as destroyers and submarines, compliment large convoys with the odd battleship, and due to the control of the Azores and Canary Islands in the Atlantic, the Canadian supply routes are well defended. Federation supply routes are a different matter, however, but if the Caliphate sees excessive supremacy from Guinea they will send a fleet to destroy their ports. The Caliphate sends in 100,000 troops to defend the Italian offensive in Libya. At the current time, Italian oil fields were rushed into and confiscated, some guards were killed, all the Italian workers were imprisoned and the Libyan workers let go of.
There are 2 very large problems with trying to destroy Guinea Naval Base. 1. Guinea Naval Base has 3 SEU Heavy Battleships and 3 Fleet Carriers. 2. The Yi Sun-Shin is docked there. SEU will defend such an asset to the Death. Guinea Naval Base has a variety of Naval Guns, with 18 18-inch guns, 22 11-inch guns, 51 8-inch guns and innumerable 5-inch and smaller guns.
OOC: Anyway to at least lessen the detrimental effects of convoy attacks? I don't want to get obliterated from some nation who doesn't even step past my borders. I want a way to be able to defend my convoys while being realistic of course, having an instant 100% success rate isn't realistic, but I at least want to develop something for like a year or two to lessen the damage a lot than what would happen if I left it alone.
O god! Ok military time!! The SNE starts training spies to learn secrets and to commit acts of espionage. These are only the most elite and highly trained spies, and must go through a 2 year training course. These spies are now going to equipped with silenced weapons. Speaking about silencers, this invention is new to the SNE and the plans for silencers on the spies guns may not work. This may take some time, but the SNE is determined because it will heavily aid them in a military tactic. (Yes silencers were used in WWII, I checked) These silencers are also planned to be out on Gewehrs too. Troops are being stationed at forts along the German border in case of attacks. The SNE launches a surprise invasion on Sweden! 150,000 troops are sent on ships from the UK. Resisitnace is to be put down immediately, and through Sweden troops will be moved to Asia. No plans for Military bases are planned, yet... These bases may appear later.
The Ming-Class can't fight real Battleships. Use them; having them isn't the same as using them. They can escort convoys. The mere prescence can drive off commerce raiders.
SEU responds to the invasion of UBR by putting up a defense: while UBR and SEU fight bravely, they are outmatched. SEU knows that conceding Sweden will give the Fascists all the Steel they need. The fighting continues.
The Caliphate begins using the Ninurta and Euphrates battleships to defend their convoys. Not every convoy can be protected, as the Caliphate has a massive commerce and shipping system, but those who are not defended by battleships are defended by the Nergal Class Heavy Cruiser. Two Fatimid class Fleet carriers reside in the Canary and Azore islands, 6 Husayn Escort Carriers indulge in protecting shipping convoys. The SEU's commerce raiders are sneaky, they attack quickly and at any moment, but hopefully, the broader defence will at least minimize the damage. It's better than leaving them alone. Italy has invaded Libya, and quicker than expected. No warning was given, Tripoli was invaded via coastline and resides in a semi-control from Italy who sent a massive fleet and spilled in around 120,000 soldiers into Tunisia and Libya. The Caliphate is angry, they are going to fight and give them hell. The Saladin crocodile is being produced faster, only 70 variants have been upgraded, but the 800 kits which are being produced and fitted onto the M4 are rapidly being produced, instead of 2 years to finish the complete variant upgrade, it will take one year and a bit. When Italy's fleet moved in, Libyan defensive lines poked a few holes through their defences, using their massive amounts of AA weapons to chop up the airforce and fire at the Navy. Results on the first invasion coming soon.
