Iberian News 1912

[Walter]

OOC...

While the Ambassador of New Zion is really pushing things with the way he presented his first comment, I really think that the Iberian Foreign Minister is anything but diplomatic. Diogo Freitas do Amaral really is as subtle as a sledgehammer.

Also, I question the use of the

"New Zion has a number of governments near it that don't like it all that much.  Some of those governments are on very friendly terms with Iberia. What do you think their response might be to your nations games Mr. Ambassador?  Especially if Madrid asked them for help?"

bit and the

"Also Mr. Ambassador I might remind the you that Iberia is part of defensive pact known "Las Alianza de Cruz del Sur".  If New Zion forces our hand do not assume that because of combat in the Mediterranean Sea that Iberia is helpless or without means to responds to threats in other areas."

bit as these two points indicate (especially the use of the first one) that the Iberian Foreign Minister has absolutely no faith in the strength and abilities of his own forces (even with the help of the Austrian forces in the Crusade against the Ottomans) and is convinced that they need the help of allies as well as the help from the nations that do not like New Zion in order to fend of the aggression of the Zionists.

If it were up to me, I would fire Diogo Freitas do Amaral because of that. :)

(but all this is just my opinion)

[miketr]

OOC of course...

I have tried to give Iberia a certain... style so to speak.  When upset it's not very subtle.  At least those within the Emperors inner circle.  The PM would have responded very differently.  Also Iberia doesn't take New Zion all that serious as a threat.  Its navy is massive for its economic strength but only in terms of tonnage and not fighting ability.  In a secondary theater like the Indian Ocean it could make a valuable addition at least till the first modern warships shows up of course.  The Iberian view point that the FM put forward is that Iberia has little to loose in the region and nothing it can't take back after Istanbul is sacked. In effect it was a overly heavy display off carrot and stick. 

[Desertfox]

*** TOP SECRET ***

JULY 2 1912

FROM AMBASSADOR TO IBERIA
TO COUNCIL OF ELDERS

NOT MUCH TO SAY STOP THREATS BLUSTERS AND MENTIONS OF SOME SOUTH AMERICAN ALLIANCE STOP TOLD US TO KEEP TO OUR OWN BUSINESS THE HIPOCRITES STOP HAVE ACCUSED US OF PLOTTING TO JOIN WAR STOP HAVE OFFERED DESERT FOR BETRAYAL STOP NEED ADVISE STOP

GOD BE WITH US

END

*** TOP SECRET ***

[Desertfox]

*** TOP SECRET ***

JULY 3 1912

FROM COUNCIL OF ELDERS
TO AMBASSADOR TO IBERIA

HAVE RECEIVED FULL DETAILS STOP ALL THIS DUE TO AN ISLAND INTERROGATION STOP EVER HEARD OF JUDAS STOP RZN NEGEV WIRELESS DOWN STOP NEED MORE TIME STOP FULL DETAILS FOLLOW STOP

END

*** TOP SECRET ***

[miketr]

July 3rd,

The Iberian Government declares as of this date the following.

1) There is a maritime exclusion zone in effect around the Iberian and Ottoman islands within the Chago's area of the Indian Ocean.

2) Any foreign ship that enters the exclusion zone for any reason what's so ever will be impounded pending the ruling of an admiralty court.

3) Any foreign warship that enters the exclusion zone be considered a hostile warship and treated accordingly. 


To avoid confusion consider all the H1 1912 Balkan War reports to be IC, I assumed people would treat them as such.  For 1912 H2 reports I will post some type of news story; sorry have been busy.

[Desertfox]

In the meantime...

Wireless Post #3, July 4th

Whiskey three calling Negev, do you read? Whiskey three calling Negev, do you read?

"Sir, we've been trying to call them all morning, but haven't had an answer."

"Well try again, the Iberians are going to shoot at them if we don't do anything."

"Sir if I may speak, The Negev is the oldest ship we have, her wireless has been acting up since last year."

"Well we have to keep trying anyways."

Whiskey three calling Negev, do you read? Whiskey three calling Negev, do you read?...

[miketr]

LOL...  Same old fox... 

[miketr]

July 19th, off Piri

Contraalmirante Juan de Balmaseda, count of Valdecarzana stands on the bridge of the Cristobol Colon.

"What the hell are they doing here?"  The admiral asks as he looks at the New Zion ships just over 3,000 yards away.

His flag captain responds with, "the Captain's of the Leon and Bohmen report that New Zion claims the island is theirs."

The admiral turns and stairs at the captain for a moment, "When I first got the message from Madrid I thought it was something the foreign ministry made up.  When we got called back here I figured this was a bad joke but they are serious eh?"

"Yes Admiral."

"Well, I am serious too" and then turns to the ships captain, "Captain we have our orders, signal the Henrique o Navegador to tell that rust bucket to get out of here and take it's freighters with it or I am going to seize the lot of them."

Henrique o Navegador via signal lamp instructs the Negev to leave the area at once or they will be boarded.  In the mean time several officers look through a copy of Jane's.  "There isn't even a drawing of it in here, still it does match the description.  Negev (former Egyptian ex-Burayqah) or her sister ship Arabah (former Egyptian ex-Mal'awiya), six 8" weapons, L25's for the love of god, two deck mounts and four in casements,  four 6" on deck mounts and 10" of CAST IRON armor.  It should be a harbor hulk."

The signal officer reports the flashes of light received from the Negev in reply, "Admiral they say that they are in international waters, that they won't leave without instructions from their government and they will defend themselves."

Contraalmirante shakes his head, "International waters, eh...  we will judge that... too bad they didn't believe the Hapsburg's recall story.  Order the Henrique to repeat the challenge and artillery officer prepare a warning shot."

A few minutes later, "Same response Admiral."

"Very well, Artillery officer you may fire your warning shot."

"At once admiral."

*BOOM* A few seconds later a 330 lb HE round flies from the forward turret and lands 200 yards in front of the Negev with a tall column of water.

"Admiral new signal from the Negev, it's a little rushed.... They acknowledges the warning shot... but the rest is the same."

Contraalmirante de Balmaseda says, "Tell the Henrique to signal that after our next warning shots that there are going to be no more warnings."  Turning to face his artillery officer,  "Once the message is away, Artillery officer fire your second warning shot, then train all turrets on the Negev and load AP."

"Yes Admiral."

*BOOM*

Another 330 lb round lands 100 yards in front of the Negev.

A few more minutes for another message to be received.

"Just about the same thing Sir, they say they need instructions from their government before they can abandon their mission."

"Stupid Bastards... Very well, they've asked for it.  Artillery officer full broad side."

Gun captains in the four turrets of Cristobol Colon checked their weapons one last time and confirmed that they were ready to fire.

A gunner said, "This is going to be like target practice..."

At his range finder the turrets gun captain replied, "No this is going to be a slaughter the target barge is moving at least... these poor bastards are on a sea anchor."

"Board is green! Fuego!"

*BOOM**BOOM*
*BOOM**BOOM*
*BOOM**BOOM*
*BOOM**BOOM*

Two 24 cm shells straddle the nearly 30 year old cruiser... While three strike home.  One shell punches right the the cast iron armor and wrecks the port-side engine room.  Another shell wrecks the forward deck mounted 8" gun and a third hits the flag stowage right aft and starts a fire.

As the gunners of Cristobol Colon reload their weapons the Negev signals her surrender.  Prize crews are put aboard the three ships.

July 26th, Madrid

The Iberian Navy reports that an old cruiser of the New Zion navy violated the naval exclusion zone declared around the Island of Piri.  The Cruiser Negev and two freightors arrived off the island on July 13th, ten days after the exclusion zone was declared.  The ships refused multiple orders to leave the area. 

On July 19th the 2nd Cruiser squadron returned from partol, moved within close range of New Zion ships and once again the Zionist ships were repeatedly ordered to leave and this included several warning shots.  All instructions to leave the area were refused.  Contraalmirante Juan de Balmaseda commander of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron reports that he had no choice at that point but to force the Negev's surrender by force of arms.  As a result the Negev was hit several times and then struck her colors.  The Negev, the freightors, passangers and crew are now being held pending a final resolution to this issue. 

The freighters were found to be carrying a Battalion of Infantry, their weapons and supplies.

Iberia is willing to release the captured freightors and the captured Zionists.  Several sailers are recovering from their wounds but it is hoped that they will be well enough for travel shortly. 

The Iberian government deplores this senseless loss of life.  Said loss of life could have been avoided if the Government of New Zion had recalled their ships after the exclusion zone was declared or failing that if the commander of the Negev had displayed an ounce of sense.  That a 30 year old cruiser with two defenseless freighters as its charge would attempt to stand up to two armored cruisers is an act of pure madness.

...

Ambassador of New Zion asked to visit the Palace to meet with the Emperor

[P3D]

 :o
Bluff called, it was not one.

25cm guns btw.

[miketr]

:o
Bluff called, it was not one.

25cm guns btw.

Who was bluffing?

[Desertfox]

July 27th

Yesterday a group of Iberian warships murderously attacked a clearly marked Zionite convoy in international waters. New Zion comdemns this wanton act of aggresion by the Iberian Empire. Does their aggresion know no bounds, that they attack the ships of a neutral nation without regard for life? It is not the first time that those pirates have attacked without cause neutral ships on the high seas. Are your ship the next target?

In protest the Government has announced that it has recalled the Ambassador to Iberia untill the time that Iberia sees fit to issue a formal apology and release all those captured. However, this is in no way to be interpreted as a Weclaration of War, or any similar bellingrent act.


OOC I need some C-130s! ;D

[Sachmle]

However, this is in no way to be interpreted as a Weclaration of War, or any similar bellingrent act.

Why not you wascally wabbit?

[Borys]

July 27th

Yestewday a gwoup of Ibewian wawships muwdewously attacked a cleawly mawked Zionite convoy in intewnational watews. New Zion comdemns this wanton act of aggwesion by the Ibewian Empiwe. Does theiw aggwesion know no bounds, that they attack the ships of a neutwal nation without regawd for life? It is not the fiwst time that those piwates have attacked without cause neutwal ships on the high seas. Awe youw ships the next tawget?

In pwotest the Govewnment has announced that it has wecalled the Ambassadow to Ibewia untill the time that Ibewia sees fit to issue a fowmal apology and welease all those captuwed. Howevew, this is in no way to be intewpweted as a Weclawation of Waw, or any similaw belligewent act.

[Borys]

However, this is in no way to be interpreted as a Weclaration of War, or any similar bellingrent act.

Why not you wascally wabbit?

Because, to catch a wabbit, you have to be vewy, vewy quiet ....
Borys

[miketr]

New Knightly Order

In 1474 a non-religious knightly order known as the Knights of the Band, or Equites Bindae, became extinct.  This military order was instituted by Alfonso XI, King of Castile, around 1330.  The then order like most knightly orders of the time was reserved for nobles and required to have served at least ten years either in the army, or at court. They were bound to take up arms for Catholicism against infidels. The King himself was Grand Master of the order.

To honor the heroism of Iberia's military personal the Emperor has decreed that the Knightly Order of the Band is restored.  The new order will take as its symbol a sash or band like the old order, the sash is to have a central wide red strip with blue trim on the top and gold trim on the bottom.  A badge with a Burgundian Cross on white field will be worn on the sash for all members of the order.  The order will be divided into five grades.

Grand Master, reserved for the person of the Emperor or in the event of a regency the Regent.  Badge will have the imperial crown and gold, silver and blue trim

Knight Captain, Iberian officers for heroism in combat.  Badge will have gold trim
Knight, Iberian enlisted for heroism in combat, Badge will have silver trim
Knight Captain Companion, foreign officers for heroism in combat will serving with Iberian military, badge will have blue trim.
Knight Companion, foreign enlisted for heroism in combat will serving with Iberian military, badge will have no trim.

The knighthood is to be awarded solely at the discretion of the Emperor with the advice of the uniformed service chiefs.

As a non religious order the Knights of the Band will have no patron saint but the order house is to have chapels to the following saints.

St. James the apostle and Patron Saint of Spain who brought the gospel to Iberia in 40 AD and to whom the Virgin Mary appeared to on the bank of the Ebro River.

St. George a martyr for the faith that died in 303 AD and is known for the slaying of a Dragon.  St. George is the Patron Saint of Portugal and has a strong following in the Eastern Churches.

St. Peter of Mozonzo, archbishop and key leader of the Reconquista in the 10th century.

St. Raymond of Fitero, a Cistercian abbot and founder of the Order of Calatrava, who fought in the Reconquista in the 12th century.

The two swords of El Cid Campeador, La Tizona and Colada will be used to initiate new members into the order.

The emperor has asked the senior members of the church in Iberia to bless the new order.

Patriarch of the West Indies and General Vicar of the Iberian Armies, Archbishop José Maria Salvador y Barrera

Patriarch of Lisbon Archbishop António Mendes Belo

Archbishop of Toledo and Primate of Iberia, Cardinal Gregorio Maria Aguirre y Garcia