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[Rockeater]

PTW,will join soon

[Taricus]

Attack
Mountain: (6) SC, Thanik, Wizgrot, Jilladilla, Pavellius, NAV
Badlands: (6) SC, Thanik, Wizgrot, Jilladilla, Pavellius, NAV
Jungle:
Sea:
Hero Deployment for Commander Zhao De
Zhao De stays at Sea:(1) Wizgrot
Zhao De goes to the Mountains;
Zhao De goes to the Badlands: (5) SC, Thanik, Blood_Librarian, Pavellius, NAV
Zhao De goes to the Fjords: (1) Jilladilla
Deploy  Xi-52 Xīwàng Xuá-Zhí Helicopter Gunship? (This is a more difficult question compared to the previous one, because the enemy might perform some meddling against us)
Yes: (4) Wizgrot, Blood_Librarian, SC, NAV
No: (5) Thanik, Jilladilla, Pavellius, Doomblade, Taricus
Secret project name
Project Suànpán: (1) Pavellius

[Rockeater]

Just to make sure.

[Thanik]

Wrote this a while ago but I didn't post it, since the other anthem was better as a... well... anthem. Here's a war song instead, which also fluffs out our nation. Replay the song once it ends, since the lyrics are meant to last for a bit longer than the length of the piece I used.

Spoiler: The Dragon's War March by Bǐshǒu chuàn (The Dagger-strings) (click to show/hide)

The Dragon's War March
_{- by Bishou chuan (The Dagger-strings)}

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8SaaNlkNW4 _{(listen and sing along!)}

The winds of war march through the lands,^{[0:00 - 0:06]}
Although they never expected what awaited them, the drums, ^{[0:06 - 0:11]}
The drums were getting louder as they approached. ^{[0:11 - 0:15]}
They saw what they feared, they knew by the temperature, ^{[0:15 - 0:19]}
They knew by the cries. ^{[0:20 - 0:24]}
The dragon had come, ^{[0:24 - 0:29]}
The effort was over, ^{[0:30 - 0:34]}
It was already won. ^{[0:34 - 0:38]}

Hear it's whisper, ^{[0:38 - 0:40]}
Calling from across the fjords, ^{[0:40 - 0:42]}
Hear it calling, ^{[0:43 - 0:44]}
For former foes to turn to friends and rest side by side, ^{[0:45 - 0:47]}
They still haunt the dreams of the standing, ^{[0:47 - 0:52]}
But the drums come for all. ^{[0:52 - 0:56]}

The winds of war are restless, ^{[0:58 - 1:00]}
They beat in and out and in again, ^{[1:00 - 1:05]}
Hear them calling, ^{[1:05 - 1:08]}
They will never leave our hearts or fade away, ^{[1:08 - ...Incomplete]}
They will live forever,
They were far to young to die,
Far to young to die in such a way.

Hear the ringing,
Over the mountains, calling,
It is restless, it comes soaring,
The blaze of the dragon lights their path.

How many lives are wasted,
How many dreams fade away each day
Broken promises from those that won’t be coming home.
Whose sons and daughters will grow alone.

[instrumental]

Oh mothers wipe your tears,
Your sons will rest a million years,
Found their peace with the dragon at last,
As their dead foes turned to friends,
And they must forgive,
Because both knew they’d die.
Both knew they’d die.
And their lotus leaf flows down the stream.

The winds of war still march through the lands,
And over the badlands, they still heard them, the drums,
The drums were getting louder as they approached,
They saw what they feared, they knew by the temperature,
They knew by the cries.
The dragon had come, the effort was over,
Was it really won?

It laid there, in the cold, in the tundra,
Keeping it's people warm in gentle light,
Standing strong, in the trees of the forest.
For peace and tranquility, and the people's revolution,
Two beasts shielding the Sons of Dragons,
From across the land and sea.
And at the shoreline,
Blood of heroes stains the land,
Light a candle,
One for each of them who fought and died in vain.

Spoiler: Next Turn's Design Proposal (click to show/hide)

Xi-52-02 Xīwàng Kèzhì Xuá-Zhí
Following the experience gained during the construction of the Xiwang and it's operation, the 52-02 Kèzhì seeks to provide a more effective combat platform in the skies before it's eventual usage in open combat - as the original was rated as unfit for service given it's troublesome handling, lack of even minimal armor and unflattering armament. The craft's turboshaft is moved to the rear of the helicopterand is fed by two intake located above the cockpit. The exhaust system directly vents gases from the engine out the back of the helicopter to improve thrust, however slightly. In it's new location the engine now helps balance the craft as it counterweights the cockpit. The overall shape of the craft is streamlined and the cockpit is rearranged into a twin-seat tandem layout with the gunner positioned behind the pilot, lightening the cockpit and bettering it's sloping so as to help against machine gun fire. The craft's hull is made so as to be equivalent to thin armoring, stopping rifle rounds at range. The craft is once again to be fitted with rocket pods on the sides, above the grenade launchers, which are now named the Type-52C (Chēliàng) RGL; fitted with belts, longer barrels and which fire a new higher velocity HEDP grenade, meant to give vehicle mounted launchers and emplacements in general better capabilities in combat.

Design priorities:
1. Make the craft much easier to control and improve balance so it isn't like a potato in the air. (!!!) This should also allow us to mount rocket pods on the thing like originally planned.
2. Thin armoring all round (literally just a few mm)
3. Improve the RGLs on the thing to improve accuracy if nothing else. Increase ammunition capacity to at least 120 grenades, which shouldn't be too hard seeing as planes host a similar amount of autocannon rounds and we won't be burning through them nearly as fast.

[evictedSaint]

Combat Phase
Winter 1952
Turn 8

Espionage!
Snow falls in Toskesh.  Chunks of ice float in the harbor, bobbing up and down in the dark water.  The yellow glow of sodium-vapor lights illuminates the frozen walkways, all vacant save for a single shady figure wrapped in a trench coat against the chill night air.  Ahead of him looms the Ziyou-52 Merchant Vessel, the only one in Toskesh’s entire fleet.  It’s scheduled to pull out of the harbor this week to receive another shipment of supplies to help aid the war effort, but for now it slumbers by the loading docks.  A few unlucky guards stand around it in the cold air, and our friend in the trench coat approaches the one by the gangplank.  They exchange a few words.  The guard nods and lights up a cigarette as the shady figure boards the ship.  Thirty minutes later they nod to one another as he disembarks.

At 6:25 am the next morning, an explosion rocks the harbor.  The merchant vessel tilts, and then a secondary explosion rips the starboard side apart when the fuel tank ignites.  Alarm bells ring and fire fighters rush into the harbor to save what they can, but there’s little to be done.  The Ziyou-52 tips over onto its side and quickly settles on the harbor floor.  Reports trickle in of sabotage and a shady figure seen prowling around the night before, but he’s nowhere to be found.  The ship – and the cargo it brings in – is gone.  Toskesh is unable to use the Ziyou-52 this turn and loses the TC it provides.

Spec Ops Deployments!
The swamps are deadly silent in the winter night.  The only beacon of light in this particular stretch of emptiness is a small fenced-in square of land.  Barbed wire tops the wooden walls and guard towers lazily sweep their spotlights across the undisturbed snow around the compound.  Some distance away a few helicopters swoop in low over the twisted trees and settle down on a small clearing.  Armed men, dressed in black and moving quickly, disembark.  Two helicopters unload a few heavy bundles of metal, which the men quickly assemble into a Duke artillery piece.  A couple men stay by the weapon while the rest disappear into the trees.

Back at the compound, a report comes in.  Nogranian helicopters, operating under the cover of darkness, have been spotted flying in from the south.  The commander chuckles and waves away the message.  Nogranians? Out here? What could they possibly have to gain operating this far north?  That's when the first artillery round comes sailing in and blasts apart the gatehouse.  Instantly gunfire lights up the night and tears apart the guard towers.  Men in black uniforms storm into the compound, eliminating guards with surgical precision.  Within minutes the helicopters have joined them, circling overhead with NMG's at the ready.  The camp is cleared quickly, leaving only the Nogranian Spec Ops and the gulag prisoners.  Numerous photographs are taken, and within half an hour all the prisoners are loaded onto the Drafts and evacuated out with the rest of the Spec Ops.  The Duke is destroyed to prevent it from being recovered, and by the time Toskesh reinforcements arrive the only thing left in the camp - other than the dead - is a single metal thermos and a note.  On the bottom of the thermos is engraved "Property of the National Nogranian Operations Service".

The note simply reads "Cherrio, you twats!"

Technological Developments

This turn Nogrania has built the NAF-NMG-52 "Emu", a new NMG to replace their Wictor.  It makes good use of the forty-plus years of innovation since the Vickers machine gun, using improved heat-resistant metals and more reliable internal mechanisms.  The round is increased from .303 to .50, and when considered with the overall design of the gun the Emu bears a remarkable resemblance to the USA’s M2 Browning.  The crank is integrated into the base design and fitted with a speed limiter to prevent enthusiastic gunners from inadvertently causing jams.  It’s far more accurate than the Wictor, though cranking the handle causes a noticeable – but predictable – sway.  It requires a minimum of two men to crew and carry.  An optional water jacket can be used to boil water for tea, but it results in metallic-tasting water.

For their revision Nogrania has put in for a “Winterproofing” modification to their equipment to make it more reliable in the cold.  Engines come with block heaters and winter mixtures for fuel, lubricant, and anti-freeze are developed.  Walkers are fitted with “snowshoe” attachments to prevent them from sinking into the snow, and troops are given some nice heavy winter coats and thermoses.

Nogrania Military

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Ground Forces

Nogrania Mills Bomb – British grenades, developed in 1915. Features a distinctive “pineapple” shape, a pin, and lever spoon. Relatively heavy grenades with a seven second fuse, which results in infantry typically “cooking” them for a few seconds before throwing. The grooved surface results in unpredictable shrapnel spread. Not terribly useful for anti-infantry use due to the long cook-off time and short range, but can be used to throw off the tread of a tank or clear small areas. 1 Ore.  [Cheap].

NG-11 “Earsplitter” Revolver – Standard infantry sidearm, proudly produced in Nogrania. Named after the deafening bang produced by the short-barrel 0.50” rounds. Six cylinder with a stiff trigger, single-action hammer, and smooth-bore barrel. Reloading is slow and requires spent shells to be ejected one at a time, meaning it is rarely reloaded during combat. Recoil makes it difficult to use, but has high stopping power and is accurate out to 40 yards, if the user is a decent shot. 1 Ore.  [Cheap].

NAF-BC-51 "Rabid" – A .280 caliber 30-round banana-magazine assault rifle, with Half-Reset and Semi-Auto firing options.  Features rails on the perforated barrel shroud for grips and sights and a recoil spring in the wooden stock.  Reliable, sturdy, and fairly accurate.  Can be equipped with a solid stainless steel barrel shroud for preparing tea.  1 Ore. [Cheap].

NAF-NMG-52 "Emu" – Nogrania’s newest NMG.  Similar in appearance to the M2 Browning.  Fires .50 caliber rounds and is fitted with an ergonomic crank for rapid fire.  Speed limiters, improved internals, and heat-resistant metals improve reliability.  Requires two men to operate and move.  Can be fitted with a water jacket to boil water for tea, but gives it a metallic taste.  Reasonably accurate, but tends to sway during operation. 2 Ore.  [Cheap].

NG-31 “Ironcaster” Fieldgun – A 2” light artillery piece developed during Japans expansion in the Pacific, this relatively inexpensive cannon was designed to be quickly moved from place-to-place in order to rapidly defend Nogrania's shores. It finished development an entire month after Toskesh's 50mm “Sunrise” fieldgun, but the design team is quick to point out that it is 0.8 mm larger and therefor superior. Though the range was too short to target ships offshore, it was ideal for hitting beachheads during landings and retreating out of danger. It requires a truck to be towed from place to place, but with the Geneva Conventions that is no longer possible. We’ve taken the liberty of knocking the wheels off the frame and attaching skids to allow it to be pulled by horse, fulfilling compliance with Article IV of the Conventions. It’s still a decent gun, but not ideal for offense any more. 3 Ore.  [Cheap].

NAF-NG-52 "Duke" – A 4” pack howitzer.  Can be disassembled and reassembled, in order to ease transport.  Range extends out to about 5.3 miles and has a fire rate ranging from 6-8 rpm.  A single Duke must be split into two or more loads to allow a Draft to be able to carry it.  Comes with a handy-dandy range-finding sheet pasted to the Thin shield giving estimated shell travel times per elevation angle.  3 Ore. [Cheap].

NAF-SPAT-51 "Paradigm" – Nogrania's first attempt at a legal mobile artillery piece.  Uses four stumpy legs that make use of hydraulics to move in a crawling zig-zag pattern.  Not fast by any means.  Makes use of the 4" Duke artillery piece as the main armament.  Low ground clearance and exposed engine and crew.  Must stop in order to fire, but is surprisingly stable.  Can "rest" on its belly if all legs are in "push" configuration.  Five crew members.  Completely unarmored save for a thin shield mounted on the gun.  5 Ore, 3 Oil. [Expensive].

NAF-AFW-51 "Hippo" Hexapod – A six-legged tank walker.  Reasonably fast.  Light armor on the body, Thin armor on the legs.  2" Ironcaster in a hydraulic-powered turret is the main armament, with optional mountings for machineguns in the coaxial port and pintle mount on the cupola - now filled with Wictor NMG's! Plenty of room inside for ammo, but no tea-making station, thus requiring the greasy water from the Wictor water-cooling jackets to be used instead.  Can't turn and move at the same time, and very vulnerable to damage. 7 Ore, 3 Oil. [Very Expensive].

Air Forces

NAF-MAB-52 "Condor" Airship – A massive airship, using a duralumin frame.  Leaks hydrogen like a sieve, and is highly susceptible to ground-fire.  Struggles to fight higher wind-speeds at higher altitudes.  Equipped with numerous Wictor AA emplacements, just in case.  Six engines and six propellers.  Numerous gondolas. Comes with parachutes, life-rafts, and tea-making stations.  6 Ore, 6 Oil, 2 Aluminum, +2 TC (Air). [National Effort].

NAF-UH-51 "Draft" – Nogrania's first helicopter.  Uses two upgraded Shire turboshaft engines for power, mounted in the nose.  Prone to capsizing in inclement weather.  Can carry 1 pilot and 5 passengers, or 1 pilot, 3 passengers, and 2 Wictor NMG's mounted on the doors.  Tricycle landing gear, no armor, pilot cabin mounted over the fuselage to make room for the engines.  Angled tail boom, two blades on the main rotor, and a tea-making station in the pilots cabin. 4 Ore, 4 Oil, 1 Cobalt, 1 Aluminum. [Very Expensive]

Naval Forces

Herald-Class Destroyer – Little more than an upgraded steamboat, the Herald-Class features two 4” Duke artillery pieces mounted in closed turrets; one fore, and one aft. Two Wictor Not-Machine Guns serve as anti-air defense, replacing the previous Wicker machine guns. The ship is powered by two oil-fired boilers. The ship is reasonably well-armored, but its small engine and armament keeps it light at a displacement of 1,100 tons. 6 Ore, 2 Oil.  [Expensive].

NAF-UV-51 "Whale" – A gutted Herald-class Destroyer, used for transporting goods.  No armor, no guns.  Conning tower, crew quarters, and deck have been either removed or reduced to allow for cargo space.  Has some issues with balance, but is fine for calmer waters. 4 Ore, 2 Oil.  +1 TC (Sea). [Cheap].

NAF-PG-51 "Red Herring" – A light Patrol Gunboat.  Features an Ironcaster in an open turret and four Wictor NMG’s.  Uses three rudders to generate the Lürssen effect for greater efficiency and open-ocean travel.  Three diesel engines, non-existent armor, and high speeds.  99 long tons when fully loaded and crewed.  4 Ore, 3 Oil. [Expensive].

Misc.

NAF-TS-52 "Shire" – Nogrania's first turboshaft engine, upgraded for better fuel efficiency and moisture tolerance.  Modern by our standards, and by the standards of other countries from half a decade ago.  Reasonably powerful, but not cutting-edge.  1 Oil, 1 Cobalt. [Cheap]

Wallace Truck – A simple diesel-powered truck. Four-wheel drive enabled, straight-six engine, and with enough room in the bed for ten soldiers to sit comfortably...although it can no longer be used for such purposes. Originally designed to transport military equipment, the Wallace is now only used for transporting raw goods. 4 Ore, 2 Oil. Provides +1 TC (Land).  [Cheap].

NG-AMR "Opera House" Pattern 2 – Surprisingly advanced for our technologically stunted nation, the Opera House is a vacuum-tube AM radio small enough to be worn as a rather heavy backpack. Infantry wearing this radio must forgo any equipment more heavy than their rifle or risk becoming over-encumbered. A handset is attached via cord, allowing the user to communicate quickly and easily. Communications are entirely unencrypted, but luckily the enemy doesn’t speak English.  The Opera House can be added to vehicles for no added cost or weight. 1 Ore. [Cheap].

Nogrania Soldiers Uniform 1951 – Uniform distributed to most Nogrania soldiers.  Grayish-green in color with blotchy off-colored dyed patches, features stylish canvas leggings to go over the boots, a bandolier rig to hold ammo, grenades, and anything else the soldier might need, and a light overcoat for colder weather.  Helmet is a vaguely soup bowl-style design made of mild steel, and provides minimal protection.  Comes with woolen gloves and leather patches on the elbows and knees to make crawling and kneeling easier. 1 Oil. [Cheap].

Heroes

Corporal Ellis Green – A tanker promoted to Acting Corporal when war resumed in Serouda, later promoted to Corporal.  His actions prevented the western flank of an infantry assault from being crumbled by artillery fire. Performed admirably in the Battle for the Ridgeline of Questionable Strategic Value. Spearheaded a push to regain a foothold in the Fjords. Single-handedly repelled an assault on an over-run portion of Nogrania’s front lines in the Spring of 1952, earning him the Military Cross. Tank was destroyed by a Toskesh Piāoqiè guānsī Hexapod Tank-Walker while defending in the Badlands in the Autumn of 1952.  Killed in Action.

Dylan McFinnigan – Olympic Heavy-Weight boxer.  Did not gain a medal, but held his own for two rounds despite a humble background of barfighting.  Lost at sea while defending Nogrania’s port in the Autumn of 1952.  Missing in Action.

Resources:
Starting:       2/1/1Co (No TC Req.)
U.N. :           1/1
E.D.T. :        1/1
Available TC: 3 (1 Land)(1 Sea - Blockaded)(2 Air)
4 Ore, 2 Oil, 1 Cobalt

Economic Development Track: Level 3
1/4 -> 1 Unique Resource

Available Credits:
1 Research Assistance Credit

This turn Toskesh has advanced progress on one of their secret projects, renaming it to “Project Suànpán”.  Little else is known about it at this time.

For their revision, Toskesh developed the Xi-52 Yīfānfēngshùn Artillery Rocket modification.  It consists of a number of small improvements to their rockets to increase accuracy, such as fold-out fins on their MRRL and SMRL’s and rifling the barrels.  The bracket size for the field and ship-mounted versions of their Type-51w 'Huā zi' MRRL is increased from 8 to 20, and optional drag-fins can be engaged to decrease the minimum range of the rockets.  A few other features were unable to be implemented due to time constraints.

Toskesh Military

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Ground Forces

Toskesh Model 24NG Grenade – A cheap copy of China’s cheap copy of Germany’s “Model 1924 Stielhandgranate”. Essentially an explosive charge on the end of a stick, which lets the user throw the device further and harder. Not particularly reliable and does a poor job of damaging anything more heavily armored than sheet metal, but is light and easy for troops to use. 1 Ore.  [Cheap].

Meng 35 – Proudly designed and produced in Toskesh. Designed in 1935 during the interwar period, this 9 mm handgun features an 8-round magazine and is accurate out to 20 meters. Does not feature iron sights. Does not feature a safety. Does not feature a trigger guard. Reliable even when dropped in mud, and easy to reload. 1 Ore.  [Cheap].

Xi-52 Dài-I Zha-Buqiang – Toskesh's first semi-automatic assault rifle.  Fires 8 mm rounds out of a thirty-round magazine.  Long-stroke gas piston, stamped-metal receiver, and two rails on the top and bottom.  Mostly made of metal, with a sturdy wooden stock. Ammo is red and blue, making it very patriotic.  Rarely fires out-of-battery. 1 Ore.  [Cheap].

Type-51a Páoxiāo de léi shēng RGL – First repeating grenade launcher in the world.  Fires 25 mm rounds out of a box magazine, and features a blow-forward semi-auto chambering system.  Has a wooden stock due to high recoil.  Heavy, meaning soldiers must give up their rifle to carry it.  Struggles to crack Thin armor.  Can be mounted as a fixed emplacement. 2 Ore. [Cheap].

“Jin Na” SMRL X-52b – A shoulder-mounted rocket launcher, named after the late Jin Na.  80 mm warhead, cordite propellant.  Reasonably accurate.  Barrel is rifled, rockets are fed in through the front and come with fold-out fins.  Magneto sparkler ignition, wood-padded steel tube.  1 Ore, 1 Oil. [Cheap].

Type-51b Páoxiāo de léi shēng RGL – 45 mm variant of the Type-51a.  Too heavy for infantry to realistically use unless absolutely necessary.  Can crack Thin armor, and with lots of effort can penetrate Light armor as well.  Most useful as a fixed emplacement. 2 Ore. [Cheap].

TOS-31 “Sunrise” Fieldgun – A 50mm light artillery piece developed during Japans expansion in the Pacific, this relatively inexpensive cannon was designed to be quickly moved from place-to-place in order to rapidly defend Toskesh’s shores. It’s sadly 0.8 mm smaller than Nogrania's 2-inch “Ironcaster” fieldgun, but the design team is quick to point out that it was produced one month faster and therefor superior. Though the range was too short to target ships offshore, it was ideal for hitting beachheads during landings and retreating out of danger. It requires a truck to be towed from place to place, but with the Geneva Conventions that is no longer possible. We’ve taken the liberty of knocking the wheels off the frame and attaching skids to allow it to be pulled by horse, fulfilling compliance with Article IV of the Conventions. It’s still a decent gun, but not ideal for offense any more. 3 Ore.  [Cheap].

Xi-52 Yīfānfēngshùn Artillery Rocket – A medium rocket artillery piece.  Range of about 5-6 km's, with either eight or twenty tubes of 80 mm rockets.  Long load times, but high fire rate.  Can be mounted on the Qi-Chu (max eight tubes) or Dogbite for +1 Oil, but requires a steel shield to prevent the backblast from igniting the deck or melting the rubber skirt.  Reasonably accurate. High-Explosive warheads, fold-out fins, rifled tubes.  1 Ore, 3 Oil. [Expensive].

Xi-51b Qi-Chu – The first hovercraft ever developed.  Uses two Type 51 Turboshaft engines to inflate the skirt, lift the craft, and provide propulsion.  Uses two stationary rearward-facing fans with rudders for navigation.  Features a 50 mm Sunrise Field Gun as the main armament and four (not very useful) stabilizing legs.  Large air intake and fans prevent the craft from firing rearward.  Burns fuel at a staggering rate.  Skirt is divided into eight sections to make it more resilient against enemy fire.  Cannon can be removed to give up to eight soldiers a ride, or be replaced by a Yīfānfēngshùn with a steel backblast shield for +1 Oil.  Quite fast, but fragile. Turboshafts flame-out in wet weather.  4 Ore, 5 Oil, 1 Cobalt. [Very Expensive]. [Rocket variant National Effort for 1 more turn].

Piāoqiè guānsī (Copyright Infingement) Hexapod Tank-Walker – A reverse-engineered copy of Nogrania’s Hippo Tank-Walker and our first post-Geneva Convention mobile armor piece. A six-legged tank walker.  Reasonably fast.  Light armor on the body, Thin armor on the legs.  50 mm Sunrise cannon in a hydraulic-powered turret is the main armament, with optional mounting for a machinegun in the coaxial port (left empty for now).  A Type-51a Páoxiāo de léi shēng RGL (25 mm) is pintle mounted on the cupola. Plenty of room inside for ammo, but no tea-making station.  Can't turn and move at the same time, and very vulnerable to damage. Features the insult "From Toskesh, with Love to [Insert Nogranian Hero here]" etched into the right flank in Mandarin Chinese.  Also features handles and stubby platforms to facilitate troops hitching rides.  7 Ore, 3 Oil. [Very Expensive]. [National Effort for 1 more turn].

Air Forces
---

Naval Forces

TOSN-34 “Dogbite” Destroyer – Little more than an upgraded steamboat, the Dogbite features three 50 mm Sunrise field guns mounted in open turrets; two fore, and one aft. Two Type 24.1’s serve as anti-air defense, but they have been removed in accordance with Article VI of the Conventions. The ship is powered by three coal-fired boilers using their own coal as protection to the port and starboard sides. The ship is virtually unarmored, otherwise making it fairly quick and light at a displacement of 1,100 long tons. 6 Ore, 2 Oil.  [Expensive]. [Very Expensive for 1 more turn].

Yāngē-class Citadel Destroyer – A large destroyer/small cruiser.  Features twelve 50 mm Sunrise cannons mounted in pairs in Medium-armor turrets, of which only 4 can be brought to bear at any one time.  A Xi-52 Yīfānfēngshùn Artillery Rocket is mounted amidship for off-shore bombardments.  Thin hull armor but Heavy citadel armor.  Uses two super-sized gas-turbines and "Foldable Hanging Beds™".  Can keep pace with the Dogbite.  8 Ore, 4 Oil, 1 Cobalt. [National Effort].

Zìyóu-52 Merchant Vessel – A massive merchant vessel at 20,000 long tons.  Features three up-sized Type-51 turboshaft engines.  Minimal crew and crew accommodations.  Features no armor, weapons, or cranes, and requires docks equipped to help off-load cargo.  Cargo capacity is approximately 18,000 long tons.  10 Ore, 5 Oil, 1 Cobalt. +3 TC (Sea). [National Effort]. [Theoretical for 1 more turn].

Misc.

Lingxin-Chao Pattern A Truck – A simple diesel-powered truck. Four-wheel drive enabled, straight-six engine, and with enough room in the bed for ten soldiers to sit comfortably, although it can no longer be used for such purposes. Originally designed to transport military equipment, the Lingxin-Chao Pattern A is now only used for transporting raw goods. 3 Ore, 2 Oil. Provides +1 TC (Land). [Cheap]. [Expensive for 1 more turn].

Mk.4 Wireless Radio – Surprisingly advanced for our technologically stunted nation, the Mk. 4 is a vacuum-tube AM radio small enough to be worn as a rather heavy backpack. Infantry wearing this radio must forgo any equipment more heavy than their rifle or risk becoming over-encumbered. A handset is attached via cord, allowing the user to communicate quickly and easily.  Communications are entirely unencrypted, but luckily the enemy doesn’t speak Mandarin Chinese. The Mk. 4 can be added to vehicles for no added cost or weight. 1 Ore. [Cheap].

Toskesh Standard Uniform 1935 – A standard uniform.  Designed to be worn in layers for varying temperatures, going from a drab-green shirt and trousers to a heavy wool overcoat.  Belt is equipped with pouches for ammo, hooks for grenades, and pockets for anything else a soldier might need.  Helmet is thin, mild steel in a vague bowl-shape, more for show than for actual protection.  Does not come with gloves, but does come with a stylish pair of suspenders to help hold up the wearers trousers and heavy belt. Features standard variants for airmen and tank crews.  1 Oil. [Cheap].

Type 51 Turboshaft – A slightly better turboshaft than our first attempt.  Meets a more adequate power requirement through a more intelligent and efficient design.  Produces more power for the same amount of fuel, but still obsolete by more modern standards. 1 Oil, 1 Cobalt. [Cheap].

Heroes

Private 1st Class Jin Na – Toskesh hero, gained notoriety when she single-handily saved her squad from a Hippo tank walker using nothing but her quick wits and a Xi-52 Dài-I. Fatally wounded by a Wictor NMG mounted on a Hippo tank walker during an assault on Nogrania Ironcaster emplacements in the Badlands.  Killed in Action.

Commander Zhao De – A naval hero.  His quick-thinking allowed Toskesh to cement their control over the sea bordering the Fjords, sinking an enemy Herald with a vicious close-range rocket barrage.  Eliminated Nogranian Hero McFinnigan while enforcing a blockade around the Nogranian Capitol.  Fit for Duty.

Resources:
Starting:       2/1/1Co (No T.C. Req.)
U.N. :           1/1
USSR:          1/0
Available TC: 1 (1 Land)(3 Sea – Blocked for 1 turn)
3 Ore, 1 Oil, 1 Cobalt

Economic Development Track: Level 1
2/3 -> 1 Ore Import


Available Credits:

[evictedSaint]

Combat Report

Nogrania has elected to push the Badlands and Eastern Seas.
Toskesh has elected to push the Badlands and Mountains.


Combat in the Mountains

With the loss of their merchant vessel, Toskesh has lost two resources this season.  In the mountains, this mostly affects the Piāoqiè guānsī Hexapod Tank-Walker, as they can now only afford to field one of them.  Considering the harsh terrain in the mountains, command has decided that the Piāoqiè guānsī would be best suited serving in the Badlands this turn.

As a result, Toskesh makes their push into the mountains this winter with no support.  Nogrania, with their winterized equipment, is surprisingly well-suited for combat in the mountains despite the cold weather.  They are unable to secure the otherwise inaccessible mountain tops to emplace their Duke artillery the way they had in past seasons, but with Toskesh soldiers equipped with little more than rifles and rockets it’s not much of a battle.  The Emu is especially devastating, as the mountain passes are well-suited for choke-points and the NMG is accurate enough to target specific areas.  The heavy .50 caliber rounds can shred any cover less sturdy than a rock, and at long enough ranges Toskesh troops can’t lob RGL rounds into the NMG nests.  Troops can still move up, but they often take heavy loses in doing so.

Despite their success Nogrania loses a surprising number of their Hippo Tank-Walkers through enemy action this turn.  Toskesh’s Jin Na rockets are now accurate enough that they hit more often than not, and with the paper-thin armor on the Hippo the explosion will knock out critical components.  In the narrow mountain passes there’s no way to avoid the rocket fire, and this limits the Hippo’s usefulness. 

Other than these few wins, Toskesh is still ill-equipped for their foray into the mountains and is repelled in short order.

Toskesh has failed to gain ground in the Mountains.  Nogrania maintains their hold on the Mountains and generates +1 to their Economic Development Track.


Combat in the Badlands

Toskesh’s most valuable asset in this theatre – the Qi-Chu with mounted rocket pods – is a National Effort this turn due to their TC loss.  Despite the improved accuracy (something that would have undoubtable been highly effective this turn) they are unable to field more than one at a time.  Regular Qi-Chu’s are Very Expensive, so Toskesh can still harass some with their standard hovercraft though.  Together they manage to do some damage, but Nogrania’s Drafts are now mounted with Emu NMG’s.  Now that they’re accurate enough to hit what they’re aiming at, the Drafts perform adequately at punishing Qi-Chu’s and chasing them down.  The hovercraft are virtually unarmored and in the open, and Nogrania’s helicopters are much faster. 

On the ground combat goes much in the same way.  Toskesh can only field one walker this turn, and it is quickly knocked out of commission by a couple of Hippo’s raking it down with .50 fire.  The heavy round can punch through the Thin leg armor and damage the critical hydraulics underneath, and the 2” gun has no problem blowing holes in the Light-armor hull.  With no armor and no air support, Toskesh infantry must rely on on artillery support to bolster their assaults.  In the relatively flat and open terrain of the Badlands, rocket artillery crews struggle to get in range to fire their tubes.  Their artillery is light and can be moved from place to place easily (pulled by horses on sleds), but Nogrania’s 4” Duke out-ranges them.  When combined with the Draft finally being able to strafe ground targets effectively, battles invariably go in Nogrania’s favor.

Commander Zhao De has been deployed to oversee the assault in the Badlands.  He is well-known for his commanding presence and tactical knowledge, and is respected despite being from the Navy.  He does his best, but the combat is fairly one-sided.  He attempts a defense of a canyon dividing two plateaus in the badlands, and orders RPG troops and rocket artillery to be dug into the hard ground.  Nogrania must pay dearly to advance, but they manage to do so.  Commander Zhao De is killed in the assault and his remains are shipped home.

Nogrania has gained control of the Badlands! They will generate +1 point on their Economic Development Track for each turn they continue to hold it. Commander Zhao De has been Killed in Action!


Combat in the Fjords

Neither side pushes the Fjords this turn, meaning Toskesh has maintained their hold without any contest.

Toskesh maintains their hold on the Fjords and generates +1 to their Economic Development Track.
Toskesh has advanced their EDT far enough to gain +1 Ore! They will be able to utilize it next turn.


Combat in the Eastern Seas

Nogrania makes a push out of their harbor this season.

Its winter, and the water is choppy in the Eastern Seas.  The Red Herring struggles with the waves, but is able to perform adequately thanks to their clever rudder configuration.  The Herald is less affected, but artillery crews still complain about targeting issues.

Toskesh’s Dogbite destroyers also struggle with targeting in the open seas, reducing the already disappointing range on their 50 mm guns.  Both the Dogbite and the Yāngē have gone up an expense level, putting them at Very Expensive and National Effort, respectively.  They are both outranged by Nogrania’s ships.

With the disparate size and armament between the two nations, it’s no contest. Nogrania steams out of their harbor and regains control of the ocean surrounding the Jungle.

Nogrania has regained a section of the Eastern Seas! Their port is no longer Blockaded and they may use their Sea TC next turn.


Serouda News:
Toskesh police have apprehended a man by the name of Zhou Qian Fan, one of the few who escaped during Toskesh’s crackdown on the “Capitalist Conspiracy” last year.  He was arrested while trying to flee south over the border and is now in custody.  He has been removed to an undisclosed location for interrogation regarding the sabotage of the Ziyou-52 Merchant Vessel.  The investigation reveals that his family was being held in the gulag assaulted by Nogranian Spec Ops earlier this winter.  Whether or not these two events are correlated is unclear at this time.

Russian Assistance:
We've been contacted by our friends from the Soviet Union.  They are - apparently - displeased with our progress against the Capitalist pig-dogs to the south, and even moreso about the embarrassment regarding the prison break in one of our gulags.  They do acknowledge, however, that perhaps they've been too negligent with their allies, and are prepared to offer assistance.  They have offered us the choice of either a Research Credit to help bolster our military, or an Espionage Credit to counter Nogrania's sabotage.  They also hint at the possibility of potentially helping us develop a spy network, though they refrain from mentioning anything more about that for now. 

Other News:
After a length investigation, the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency has concluded that neither the United States nor the Soviet Union have any involvement in developing, testing, or stockpiling nuclear weaponry.  They assure the rest of the United Nations that just because two of the lead members of the investigation committee are American and Russian does not mean the findings are biased in any way.  The charges leveled against the nations have been dropped and the world applauds the United Nations resolve in enforcing the nuclear ban.

President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower visits Korea to assess the war and is later elected President of the United States. The Slansky trials begin in Czechoslovakia, a series of show trials designed to eliminate disloyal elements of the national Communist parties in Europe.  The trial is orchestrated by Soviet advisors, ironically invited to Czechoslovakia by Slansky himself.  The Tuskegee Institute reports that there have been no lynchings this year in the United States for the first time in seven decades.  Mad Magazine prints its first issue.


Theatre Progress:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Mountains:
Nogrania - 3/Toskesh 0

Badlands:
Nogrania - 3/Toskesh 0

Fjords:
Nogrania - 0/Toskesh 3

Eastern Sea:
Nogrania - 1/Toskesh 4

Jungle:
Nogrania - 3/Toskesh 0

Frozen Swamps:
Nogrania - 0/Toskesh 3

EDT Progress:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Nogrania: Level 3, 2/4 -> Unique Resource

Toskesh: Level 2, 0/3 -> Oil

[Wizgrot]

Zhao De Artillery Cannon

Our gun artillery is unfortunately lacking if compared by the Nogranian Duke, both in the land and the sea. We need something to even the playing field if we desire to regain lost land.

The Wúqíng is a 115 mm cannon, designed to replace the Sunrise cannon, both as an standalone artillery piece and as  the primary weapon for both our ships and armored vehicles. Inspired by Russian T-55 designs, we have outfitted it with an autoloader that should help us comfortably achieve 8 rpm, equaling its fire rate with the Duke. 

A soft recoil system eliminates up to half of the recoil of the weapon. This is achieved by a mechanism pushing the barrel for ward just before the round ignites. This makes that part of the force the gun applies backwards is used in stopping the barrel´s momentum and pushing it backwards again, improving stability and permitting another round to be loaded with the automatic system. We intend to also apply the soft recoil system in our grenade launchers, so as to allow an increase in the propellant charge and therefore the range. The same goes with our rifles, so their heavy recoil is more manageable for our soldiers.

Btw, I don´t really know if I truly understood the mechanism of the soft recoil system. I just wanted something less modern and easy to do than the design Nikola talked about. If anyone knows any better recoil-dampening mechanism, please feel free to propose an alternate version.

[Detoxicated]

Leaping Frog "Chuí rén"
Our engineers finally came up with an original idea for a walker type unit.
This four legged walker looks a bit like a centaur as it has four legs but also a torso with two arms. In the chest region of the walker you find a cockpit with a pilot's seat as well as two seats for the soldiers responsible for controlling the arms. The left arm is strongly reeinforced and flat and its entire arm is like a mobile shield able to withhold enemy machine gun fire. It can be lowered to give our footsoldiers the ability to take cover behind it. Its other arm is equipped with a durable metal piece shaped like a hammer. It can quickly strike out as the arm is outfitted with hydraulics and flexible spring coil mechanisms. With it the hammer pilot can strike into defended positions to crush and scatter the enemy's troops.
Its four legs have intricate hydraulic systems to have control over the overall setup of its legs. While the walker can walk quite formidably it actually excells its true potential when it uses proper leg modifications to leap forward. It is possible to reach distances of fifty to a hundred meters under the right circumstances while leaping in such a manner. It is powered by the latest engines and can easily protect its legs with a proper shield arm positioning.
Over the cockpit you have an inscription in mandarin: "Fear the Leaping Frog" "害怕跳跃的青蛙"
"Hàipà tiàoyuè de qīngwā"

[Wizgrot]

Leaping Frog "Chuí rén":(1) Detoxicated
Zhao De Artillery Cannon:(1) Wizgrot

[Rockeater]

Leaping Frog "Chuí rén":(1) Detoxicated
Zhao De Artillery Cannon:(2) Wizgrot,Rockeater

[Thanik]

Xi-52-02 Xīwàng Kèzhì Xuá-Zhí
Following the experience gained during the construction of the Xiwang and it's operation, the 52-02 Kèzhì seeks to provide a more effective combat platform in the skies before it's eventual usage in open combat - as the original was rated as unfit for service given it's troublesome handling, lack of even minimal armor and unflattering armament. The craft's turboshaft is moved to the rear of the helicopterand is fed by two intake located above the cockpit. The exhaust system directly vents gases from the engine out the back of the helicopter to improve thrust, however slightly. In it's new location the engine now helps balance the craft as it counterweights the cockpit. The overall shape of the craft is streamlined and the cockpit is rearranged into a twin-seat tandem layout with the gunner positioned behind the pilot, lightening the cockpit and bettering it's sloping so as to help against machine gun fire. The craft's hull is made so as to be equivalent to thin armoring, stopping rifle rounds at range. The craft is once again to be fitted with rocket pods on the sides, above the grenade launchers, which are now named the Type-52C (Chēliàng) RGL; fitted with belts, longer barrels and which fire a new higher velocity HEDP grenade, meant to give vehicle mounted launchers and emplacements in general better capabilities in combat.

Design priorities:
1. Make the craft much easier to control and improve balance so it isn't like a potato in the air. (!!!) This should also allow us to mount rocket pods on the thing like originally planned due to moving the engines.
2. Thin armoring all round (literally just a few mm)
3. Improve the RGLs on the thing to improve accuracy if nothing else. Increase ammunition capacity to at least 120 grenades, which shouldn't be too hard seeing as planes host a similar amount of autocannon rounds and we won't be burning through them nearly as fast.

[Shadowclaw777]

Leaping Frog "Chuí rén":(1) Detoxicated
Zhao De Artillery Cannon:(2) Wizgrot,Rockeater
Xi-52-02 Xīwàng Kèzhì Xuá-Zhï: (2) Thanik, SC

[Taricus]

Leaping Frog "Chuí rén":(1) Detoxicated
Zhao De Artillery Cannon:(2) Wizgrot,Rockeater
Xi-52-02 Xīwàng Kèzhì Xuá-Zhï: (3) Thanik, SC, Taricus

[Wizgrot]

eS, could we use the Espionage Credit to make a small modification to the Emu or another Nogranian design small enough it doesn´t get observed during quality control but would allow us to bring the gun to court? Like, a creative use of the EC, as stressed in the OP.

Also, can the Emu crack Thin armor?

[Rockeater]

I can change vote right?