Question, how did PD get from Keeling to Brandenburg? Did she take the long COLD way around Australia?

Patience, Grashoppa...

I just remmembered that PD also has cagemasts. If Hawaii and PD meet in battle...! Looks like the probability of Blue on Blue (for both sides) just went way up!

[WABAC]
late evening 21 October 1907
Approaching Vögeldreck, Neue Heligoland

A few hours earlier, a signal had come in from Neue Heligoland: the port was under attack by the Swiss. Paderborn-Delbrück, Battleship of the Reich (one-time Battlebarge of the Anahuac and Big Haunted Battleship), returning from the reduction of Keeling Island, had poured on full steam, and now...

"Enemy in sight! Lookouts report a damaged vessel, Swiss by the looks of her!"

"Identify! Schnell! Train out the main battery and prepare to fire!"

"Lookouts say Swiss privateer 'Peacekeeper' sir!"

"Very well, open fire!"

The Swissman had seen better days. Obviously they hadn't gotten the memo that the "light" (170mm) armament at Festung Heligoland was already in place and operational. Their little cable-cutting raid had already turned into a fiasco; the 13-inch shells now raining down on them undoubtably qualified it as a full Charlie Foxtrot.

A few minutes later, the Swissman dissapeared into the murk. "P.D." had scored, by his lookouts' count, at least three main-battery hits, and his 170mm battery had gotten in a few licks as well. His kapitan briefly considered pursuit, but the Swissman's engines hadn't appeared to be damaged enough to make it worthwhile. Besides, if he tried to make it to Keeling he was in for a surprise. An exceedingly nasty one...
[/WABAC]

*************

7 November
Brandenburg Gazette Evening Edition

OKW has relased news that the battleship Paderborn-Delbrück today bombarded the Swiss Australian port of Neue Amsterdam, evading pursuit afterwards. Let the Swiss know that no part of their ill-gotten empire is safe from the Allies' righteous retribution for their perfidious ways...

19 November 1907
SMS Scharnhorst
South-South-East of the New Swiss Home Islands

Dawn came up like the proverbial thunder as Scharnhorst fled to the south after the most audacious mission of his admittidly short career.

"Lookouts report all clear, Kapitan!"

The kapitan took a deep breath. "Sehr gut. Sehr gut! Reduce speed to twelve knots!"

The last two weeks had been hectic. After bombarding Taipei - from what he'd heard neither the scumbag Swiss or Brandenburg's raging-dragon Chinese allies had a clue as to whodunit! - Scharnhorst had encountered the fringes of a late-season typhoon to the south of Nipponese Okinawa. Thankfully it had been a weak one, although it did serve to prove that the engineers had been right, the Scharnhorst class did, indeed, take it green over the bows in heavy weather.

After escaping the storm on the fourth they had proceeded to wreak merry havoc against the cowardly Swiss islands in the Bonin and Volcano island chains. There had been some particulary satisfying secondary explosions around the docks at Iwo Jima. After that they had put into the neutral port of Yokohama in Nippon on 7 November. The authorities had been most accomodating and he had happily given an impromptu tour of the ship to the commander of a Nipponese destroyer that had been present in the port. His crew had been quite pleased with the night's leave as well, and the next day at noon they'd departed with full bunkers and the ship's cooks rubbing their hands with glee over torturing the crew with wasabi.

Then had come the meat of the mission: Operation Shangri-La, the bombardment of the north coast of New Switzerland! They had managed to evade detection and, on the evening of the 17th, Scharnhorst's six 305mm guns belched flame at the shoreline of the hated enemy. Over the next day they had hit multiple locations as they moved east along the northern edge of the mountainous island group, the Swiss fleet being so far from home in the Dutch East Indies gave them confidence, but they were careful to steer clear of foolhardiness.  The Markoni shack had reported increasing chatter on the airwaves as the day went on - the Swiss were notoriously dependent on the newfangled, if useful, technology - and they'd decided it was time to scoot.

The decision was proved wise as Swiss masts loomed over the horizon behind them. But Scharnhorst was among the fleetest ships on the sea, the sea state was favourable for them, and they showed their pursuers a clean pair of heels. Through the early part of the night searchlights and star shells had been visible astern as the hornet's nest swarmed in search of the persons who'd well and truly sticked up their nest, but they had fallen further and further astern.

Now a new day had dawned, and they were, at least for the moment, clear. Now they were to fill their depleted bunkers at the Cook Islands. The kapitan scratched his chin; they'd sold the Cooks to the Colombians, but the latter hadn't yet arrived to claim their new territory. So were they still part of Brandenburg or neutral? Either way he was to recoal and scram, there were other targets in need of special attention...

Various dates during the month:
The airships Z-2, Z-3 and Z-4 make a series of raids against the Swiss invaders on Rabaul. On the first mission Z-4 is destroyed on takeoff by a freak gust of wind. The remaining two zeppelins, each carrying four 45kg shells hastily modified for aerial drop, complete six missions. Most have only psychological effect, however Z-2 scores a lucky hit on a Swiss destroyer on his second mission, the shell penetrating to the magazines and destroying the vessel. Two raids stop Swiss troop movements, while raid number four hits an ammunition dump.


9 November
The two kleiner kreuzers of the Neueguineaflotte, departing to engage in the second relief-of-Rabaul attempt, drive off Swiss forces pursuing the Austrian coast-defense battleship Sankt Vaclav, which makes port and fills his empty bunkers.

(ooc: Results of the relief attempt, and possible sorties by Sankt Vaclav, will be found seperatly when available.)


11 November
After recoaling in Firanj, the minelayer Nautilus arrives off of Neue Amsterdam to lay mines,  after the port was sofened up by P.D.. Unfortunatly it wasn't softened up enough, and shore batteries drive him off with only 1/3 of the field laid.

Notice to Mariners:
Achtung minen!
The approaches to Neue Amsterdam have been mined. Vessels attempting to approach or depart the port do so at their own risk.


13 November
Oberst Anton Hammer of the Legion Kondor stood on the beach as the last of his men waded ashore on the western end of Neue-Pommern. Transporting 10,000 men on short notice using coastal liners and fishing boats wasn't an experience he wished to repeat. 750 of his men hadn't made it; the Swiss had managed to intercept two of the transits. But now that the whole of the Slammers was ashore, they would head east to link up with the two divisions of Heer troops on the island, and start showing the Swiss how war was really fought.


18 November
The schlachtschiffe Paderborn-Delbrück limps into Lae after striking a mine off of Port Moresby. The ship is pumped out as best as possible. (ooc: Rebuild level repairs needed, however the guns are serviceable, as long as he's in port...)


20 November
The großer kreuzer Blücher swarmed with activity in Neue Kiel's port. A steel plate was hastily welded over the hole a Swiss shell had made in his upper armour belt; the patch would provide no protection, however it would at least keep the sea out until proper repairs could be made. Meanwhile on the other side of the harbour the minelayer Albatross, sunk at his berth after being towed home following his grounding the previous month in Hobart Strait, was also the scene of activity, as the eight 88mm guns on his deck were unbolted for transfer to Blücher, to replace the portions of that ships' teritary battery that had been destroyed in the Battle of the Solomon Sea. Some thought that Blücher should be drydocked and properly repaired immediately, but the supervisors said he was needed first for one more operation. The name 'Crimson Tiger' was whispered about...


22 November
From: Brandenburgian naval attache, Singapore
To: OKW
Re: Nautilus

SMS Nautilus struck a mine this morning while departing Singapore to complete his minelaying off Neue Amsterdam. Ship sunk. Crew retreived by Royal Dutch Navy vessels, no fatalities.

4 December 1907
Brandenburg Gazette

Swiss Samoa Falls!

The mighty schlachtkreuzer Scharnhorst has added to his laurels as Swiss Samoa surrendered without a fight under the shadows of his mighty guns!

Now how does mighty Scharnhorst intend to keep Samoa?

Thankfully there are 500 troops on nearby Deutsch Samoa...perhaps half of those can be spared. :)

30 October/1 November:
The Swiss land on Neue-Pommern to the southwest of Rabaul. Despite the failure of their fleet to score a decisive victory in the First Battle of the Solomon Sea the following day, a beachhead is established.


2 November:
Brandenburg's three Zeppelins get to play the cavalry. Z-4 is destroyed on takeoff by a freak gust of wind, however Z-2 and Z-3 reach Rabaul and drop four 45kg
"bombs" each. Little accuracy is achieved, however it does have a psycological effect on the Swiss. Nevertheless Swiss forces push inland for a mile against heavy resistance.


4 November:
The second raid by the airships scores big as Z-2 sees one of his bombs score a direct hit on a Swiss destroyer, punching through the deck and detonating the magazine. Upon return to base a huge party ensues. Z-3 bombards the Swiss troops, forcing them to hold.


5 Novmber:
Despite the best efforts of the Rabaul-based kanonbooten, the Swiss troops are reinforced.


6 November:
The Return of the Zeppelins sees Z-2 attacking the swiss troops this time, forcing another hold. Z-3's navigation is off and he misses his targets.


7 November:
The Swiss move out from their beachhead torwards Rabaul, making a few miles progress.


8 November:
The airships are back, and this time they score big again, detonating a Swiss ammunition dump. The explosion also takes out some of the food supply the invaders had brought along, forcing a stop to their advance.


9 November:
A quick turnaround on the airships produces little results, as the Swiss push forwards another mile.


11 Novemeber:
The rapid turnarounds are tiring the airship crews as raid #6 sees little to no results. After this they are stood down for R&R.

Outside of Rabaul, the troops of the Reich have fought the New Swiss to a stalemate.

Late that evening, the Kreigsmarine arrives at Rabaul, their ships battered but victorious, having driven the NSN from the field of battle.


12-14 November:
Demoralised by their navy's defeat, the Swiss fall back before a Brandenburgian counteroffensive. With no gunfire support available anytime soon, the decision is made to call off the invasion and evacuate.

Late on the 12th, Oberst Anton Hammer's Legion Kondor completes landing on south-west Neue Pommern, and begins a march up the island to rousing cheers.


15-16 November:
The Swiss have now been pushed back to their original beachhead, where they fight a holding action as they attempt to evacuate their men and material.

On the evening of the 16th, the banner of the Kondor is raised over the Brandenburgian camp.


17 Novemeber:
The Legion Kondor attacks from the south-west and rapidly overruns the Swiss beachhead. Only 26% of the Swiss invatsion force manages to escape; 11% are captured.

(The Kaiser will be generous with the awards; these include Oak Leaves for Oberst Hammer's previously-awarded Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.)

Invasion of Tasmania

Swiss forces
About a division size (25K), Mostly National Guard, with a few regular units and significant local militia forces

DKB
Around 10K, with units identified as belonging to the Legion Kondor

Dec 14
Swiss fishing vessels manages to warn the Tasmanian Army Command by flares that a large DKB force was spotted. Swiss command issues a general  alarm of an incoming invasion, but basically they are caught with their pants down.

Dec 15
At dawn, the Austrian troopships and Le Magnificient launch landing boats that reach the beaches around the fishing village of St. Helen. Swiss forces around the port consist of 1 militia and one NG. DKB forces manage to cut the small harbor off from further reinforcements. Swiss forces boards artillery on narrow-gauge trains or start marching towards the beachhead.

Dec 16-20 DKB forces (5k infantry with light artillery and shore bombardment) starts attacking St. Helen. First three days defenders hold attacks which are unsuccessful, but the fourth day the village surrenders. Half the Swiss force is either dead or wounded, the rest is taken prisoner. Rest of the  forces are securing the beachhead.
Swiss forces are enteching themselves next to main roads leading to Launceston, Hobart and the coast, and bringing up artilery.

Dec 21-23: The harbor cleared of mines and somewhat restored after Swiss sabotage, the ships starts to unload further supplies, ammunition and horses. Meanwhile the Swiss with their artillery superiority throws DKB lines back a bit.

Dec 24-25: Both sides are preparing during the Christmas the ceasefire.
An Orange frigate is spotted with other unidentified ships on the Tasman sea, but the DKB ship did not close for further identification.

Dec 26-31: Swiss storm DKB lines, heavy casulties on both sides.

Meanwhile some chaos around Sydney (blown up bridges and railroads, cut telegraph lines) throws the Swiss command into momentary confusion.

(Bump)

15 December 1907:  Sydney

Capitan Frederico Juarez studied the shape of the ex-Orange battleship, then looked down to his canvas.  Something wasn't right.  "Chief, what the hell have I messed up?"

Chief Petty Officer Angel Armero glanced up from the report he was writing.  "Placement of the conning tower, Sir.  Needs to come forward a bit."

Juarez frowned.  "Are you certain?  Okay, yes, I suppose - hey, careful!"  This last bit was uttered, in Spanish, at two Swiss seamen who staggered past with what looked like a small caliber gun barrel cradled in their arms. 

"It's unfortunate that their insistence on repairing the ship is getting in the way of your artistry", Armero commented. 

"Your sarcasm is noted, Chief", Juarez replied.  NSS Hawaii had taken some damage in the past weeks, combatting Alliance forces in the Solomons, and was now back home to affect some repairs along with other elements of the NSN.  Being neutral observers, there was little for them to do - unless they wished to watch the repairs.  Armero had chosen to do this, and had engaged in some informative dialogue with his Swiss counterparts.  Juarez had determined that he'd be better off staying out of the way, and had set up his canvas and easel on the starboard deck, next to the forward superstructure.  Unfortunately, the area's lack of damage meant that it was in heavy use as a passageway.

Off on the shore somewhere, a klaxon began wailing. 

The immediate response of Juarez, Armero, and the Swiss around them was to start looking east for Brandenburger zeppeliins, but the sky appeared to be clear. 

"How quaint", Juarez remarked, and then Hawaii's own siren began to whoop. 

"Perhaps we should report to the bridge, Sir", Armero suggested.

"Perhaps we should", Juarez agreed.  "In a moment."  Brush in hand, he dabbed in the proper location of the ex-Orange battleship's conning tower, frowned, set his brush down.  Sighing, he picked up the easel and moved it back against the superstructure, pausing several times to allow Swiss sailors to run past.  "Let's report to the bridge, then."

The scene in the bridge was of controlled confusion.  Hawaii's crew were seasoned professionals, but being called to battle stations while tied up in one's home port was not normal.  Captain Steubing was already there, listening as various sections of the ship called in their status via voice pipes.  Seeing the inquisitive look on the Colombians' faces, he said, "Some kind of disturbance reported over at Waverly.  That's all I've been told so far."

"Where's Waverly?", Juarez asked.

"Southeastern part of the city, on the coast", Steubing replied. 

"Captain - the ship is at battle stations, with all bulkheads secured", a junior officer interrupted.

"Six minutes is not acceptable, Mr. Reuben.  This isn't a bloody cruise ship", Steubing snapped.  "How long till we have enough steam to cast off?"

"Engineering reports two hours, Sir."

A puff of black smoke roiled into the air off to the south, followed by a distant thumping sound a few seconds later.

"We're being bombarded, Sir", a lookout reported.

"I disagree.  That was well inland", Steubing noted.  The lookout didn't argue.

"Couple of our destroyers are entering the harbour, Sir.  Bones in their teeth", another lookout reported.  Steubing, Juarez, Armero, and others raised binoculars to study the approaching ships, working their way up the Harbour.

"I don't think these are Swiss ships, Captain", Armero commented.

"Difficult to say, since we buy them from so many goddamn places", Steubing responded. 

"I think they're Brandenburgers, Sir", the lookout contributed.

"This time I agree with you, son", Steubing replied.  Down the harbour, closer to the newcomers, medium-caliber guns banged out a welcome that fell short.

"Sending two torpedo-boats to attack this place in broad daylight would be pure idiocy", Juarez opined.  "Perhaps they intended to be here before dawn and were delayed."

"I'd have waited, then", Steubing noted.  "Unless they're only part of the picture."

Additional guns, from the shore and several ships, were adding to the reception being meted out to the DKB ships.  Although the two made attempts at evasive manuevering, hits were not long in coming due to the total volume of shells being directed at them.  Within five minutes, one was a burning wreck, and the other was staggering forward at a reduced speed.  When it rolled over and capsized shortly after a medium-caliber hit, the men on Hawaii's bridge began noticing other details in the city around them. 

"Sounds like rifle fire to the south, Sir", Armero reported.

"And there are at least three new fires burning - there, there, and over that way", Steubing added.  "I'd say the Brandenburgers have managed to land a raiding force.  Very bold of them."  To a junior officer, he directed, "Have the marine detachment watch for possible infiltrators or marksmen.  They are not to fire unless fired upon, however."

A good forty-five minutes passed before further information arrived, in the form of a courier.  After he'd been questioned and his identification papers inspected, he was escorted up to the bridge and saluted Captain Steubing.  "Sir, I'm making rounds of battleship row and have an oral report to deliver."

Steubing nodded.  "Proceed."

"We have civilian reports of an unidentified ship grounded off Waverly.  Rigel is raising steam and will be investigating shortly.  There are reports of armed raiders in the streets of the city attacking key infrastructure targets such as telegraph lines and rail tracks.  The army is now engaging them.  Headquarters is concerned about the possibility of mines being present."

After a moment's consideration, Steubing asked, "Do you have any orders to pass along to me?"

"No, Sir, only the status report.  If I may speak freely?"  Steubing nodded.  "It's pretty chaotic in HQ.  When I left, Admiral Townsend and several others hadn't arrived yet."

"I see", Steubing replied.  "Thank you, Commander.  Be advised that I have ordered my marines to watch for possible infiltrators or marksmen, and recommend that other vessels do the same."

"I'll pass that on, Sir", the commander replied.

"Very good.  You are dismissed."  As the courier departed, Steubing turned back to Juarez.  "This will be a long day."

A loud bang and a black blossom of smoke to the southeast provided the punctuation to his sentence.

They were certainly supposed to attack during the night - looks like they were suitably punished already, though, so no scorpions for them...