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[Mandemon]

ATTACK:
Mountains (3): Frostgiant, Talion, Mandemon
swamp(through badlands) (0):
Fjords (3): Frostgiant, Talion, Mandemon

Hero deployment:
Mountains (0):
Badlands (3): Frostgiant, Talion, Mandemon
Fjords (0):

It basically takes 6 months to have a weapon declared illegal, which is an unfortunate product of how the game design works.

So... just like how UN works in real life? XD

[NUKE9.13]

ATTACK:
Mountains (4): Frostgiant, Talion, Mandemon, NUKE9.13
swamp(through badlands) (0):
Fjords (4): Frostgiant, Talion, Mandemon, NUKE9.13

Hero deployment:
Mountains (0):
Badlands (4): Frostgiant, Talion, Mandemon, NUKE9.13
Fjords (0):

It occurs that, even though it is obvious, I should probably actually vote on our strategy.

[Sosoku234]

ATTACK:
Mountains (4): Frostgiant, Talion, Mandemon, Sosoku
swamp(through badlands) (0):
Fjords (4): Frostgiant, Talion, Mandemon, Sosoku

Hero deployment:
Mountains (0):
Badlands (4): Frostgiant, Talion, Mandemon, Sosoku
Fjords (0):

[evictedSaint]

Combat Phase
Winter 1951
Turn 4

The United Nations War Crimes Council
Toskesh has brought the UNWCC's attention to one of Nogrania's latest inventions: the NAF-NMG-51 "Wictor".  They claim it is a violation of Protocol VI on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Automatic Weaponry, of the Geneva Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious, Have Indiscriminate Effects, or Greatly Enable and Encourage the Pursuant of Armed Conflicts Between Nations.  The UNWCC has taken this claim very seriously and called both Nogranian and Toskesh officials to the War Crimes Tribunal to determine whether or not a violation has occurred.

Both sides have until the Strategy Phase of next turn to submit a 500 word argument explaining why the NAF-NMG-51 "Wictor" does or does not violate Protocol VI of the Geneva Conventions.  The UNWCC will listen to both sides, examine the accused instrument, and come to a just ruling.  Should the ruling be to find the instrument in violation, the offending side will receive a fair sentence proportional to their violation.  Should the ruling be to find the instrument not a violation, then the case will be dismissed; depending on how frivolous the accusation was, this may hurt future cases!  Limit of 1 submission per player.  Best submissions from each side will be used.

Technological Developments

In response to Toskesh's Xi-52 Dài-I Zha-Buqiang, Nogrania has produced an assault rifle of their own this turn.  Named the NAF-BC-51 "Rabid", it is designed to replace the Kotow semi-auto rifle modification they've deployed earlier this year.  It fires .280 caliber rounds out of a single-column 30-round "banana" magazine.  It's a fairly light, narrow gun, and it comes with rails on the perforated barrel shroud to allow grips and sights to be attached.  A recoil spring in the wooden stock helps make the kick-back manageable, and overall it is lighter, more reliable, and simply a better gun than their old Kotow.  Most notable is the unique trigger system which permits a greater rate of fire.  The weapon comes in three firing modes: Full-Reset, Half-Reset, and Semi-Auto.  Full-Reset causes the trigger to fully reset into the "ready" position when the bolt cycles, meaning the user simply has to maintain pressure on trigger to fire rapidly.  Half-Reset moves the trigger halfway back to the "ready" position, but the user must manually move his finger the last half to allow the trigger to reset for the next firing.  Semi-Auto is simply a semi-automatic firing mode.  The perforated metal shroud can be replaced with a solid stainless steel shroud, which can then be filled with water in order to prepare tea.

For their revision Nogrania has developed the Nogrania Soldiers Uniform 1951.  Essentially a modern uniform for a modern war, the solid-color uniforms are now partially washed with darker dyes in order to produce blotchy off-color patterns in order to break up the wearer's outline.  The helmet is deepened to give it a vague soup-bowl shape, which affords better protection for the wearer.  Most appreciated by the troops, however, are woolen gloves.  Attempts to build flak jackets are stymied, as Nogranian engineers didn't have enough time to begin development.  Their time was instead spent researching Nylon and fibreglass, so they should be set to produce working examples on their next attempt.


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 Full-Reset, 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-51 "Wictor" – A modified variant of a copy of the famous Vickers Machine Gun, chambered for .303 caliber rounds. Uses a crank and a semi-auto limited to achieve rapid rates of fire.  Frequently jams, terribly inaccurate, produces heated water for tea.  Requires six men to move, or a horse. 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].

SPAT-35 “Thatcher” Pattern 4 V3 – The Thatcher was designed soon after Toskesh's first Mobile Artillery piece came to the field and has featured numerous upgrades over the years to keep in step with enemy designs. Featuring a closed-in Ironcaster artillery piece with an extended barrel, the tank is turtle-shaped and low to the ground. It features a reasonably powerful engine, but has thin armor, a cramped interior, and a limited ammo load. The Thatcher does not feature any anti-infantry machinegun ports and relies on support to avoid being overrun. Tends to perform better in rougher terrain with plenty of cover and concealment, in order to make up for its weaker armor and small ammo load.  It was struggling to stay relevant, even before it was made illegal by Article IV of the Geneva Conventions. 6 Ore, 3 Oil. [ILLEGAL].   [Very Expensive].

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 2" Ironcaster Field Gun 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. [Very 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-UH-51 "Draft" – Nogrania's first helicopter.  Uses two Shire turboshaft engines for power, mounted in the nose. Engines will flame-out in wet weather, and the craft itself will capsize 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, 5 Oil, 1 Cobalt, 1 Aluminum. [Very Expensive]

Locus 1944 V4 – Originally envisioned as a cheap aircraft, the Locus was ultimately over-designed and exceeded its targeted cost. Reasonably fast with a V12 motor, the Locus is a fixed-wing monoplane. Equipped with two Wickers and a two hard points on the wings to which 110 pound bombs can be attached, allowing it to pull double duty as both a fighter and dive bomber. Guns overheat quickly, and it features a rather sluggish roll rate and stability issues. Rendered illegal by Article V of the Geneva Conventions. 4 Ore, 4 Oil, 1 Aluminum. [ILLEGAL].  [Very Expensive].

Naval Forces
Herald-Class Destroyer – Little more than an upgraded steamboat, the Herald-Class features two 2” Ironcaster field guns 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.  [Very 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). [Expensive]

Misc.
NAF-TS-51 "Shire" – Nogrania's first turboshaft engine.  Modern by our standards, and by the standards of other countries from half a decade ago.  Reasonably powerful, but with high oil costs.  2 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).  [Expensive].

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, it 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. Fit for Duty.

Starting Resources:
Starting:       2/1 
U.N. :           1/1
Available TC: 2
3 Ore, 2 Oil, 1 Cobalt


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

Available Credits:
1 Resource Credit
1 Research Assistance Credit

Toskesh starts their development this year with an incredibly ambitious rocket project, which ultimately resulted in a more modest medium rocket artillery piece named the Type-51w 'Huā zi' MRRL(Muti-Role-Rocket-Laucher), despite having a more singular role than initially intended.  The rocket artillery piece features 2x4 steel tubes each containing a single 750 mm long 80 mm caliber rocket with cordite propellant and a modest HE warhead and stubby stabilizing fins.  It has a respectable range of about 5 km's with a modest area of affect.  Accuracy is comparably worse than either sides field guns, but the Type-51w has a significantly greater range and a much higher instantaneous rate of fire as all tubes can be fired one after another without having to reload each shot.  Reloading all the tubes at once takes a long time though, and the exhaust is quite noticeable from a long way off.  The back-blast is also quite dangerous and able to set flammable objects such as grass, rubber, or wooden decks on fire.  It can be used to swap out the Sunrise cannons on the Qi-Chu and Dogbite destroyer for +1 Oil each, but a large curved steel shielding plate must be put in place to protect the area behind the artillery.  Like the Sunrise gun, it must be pulled from place-to-place on a sled by horses.

For their revision they've developed the “Jin Na” SMRL, a shoulder-mounted rocket launcher that unfortunately does not live up to its Hippo-killing namesake.  It "fires" a 105 mm rocket - which is quite literally the biggest SMRL in the world - out of a meter-long muzzle-loaded tube.  The propellant charge is necked-down from the massive HE warhead and utilizes cordite and a barely-functional magneto sparkler ignition, but does not feature enough thrust to work properly.  Furthermore, without any fins the rocket will corkscrew off in random directions frequently - essentially, it is non-functional as an offensive weapon.  However, the Toskesh design team has learned a great deal from the attempt and should be able to produce a more functional weapon on their next try.


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 – A shoulder-mounted rocket launcher, named after the late Jin Na.  Does not work.  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].

Type 24.1 HMG – A knock-off of the original Type 24, the 24.1 is chambered in 7.92 mm. It is a top-fed water-cooled fully automatic machinegun. Usually supported by a tripod and a crew of four, it is typically used in defensive emplacements against air and infantry assaults. Already inferior to modern machineguns, the Type 24.1 was recently declared illegal by Article VI of the Geneva Conventions on Conventional Weaponry. 2 Ore. [ILLEGAL]. [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].

Type-51w 'Huā zi' MRRL(Muti-Role-Rocket-Laucher) – A medium rocket artillery piece.  Range of about 5 km's, eight tubes of 80 mm rockets.  Long load times, but high fire rate.  Can be mounted on the Qi-Chu or Dogbite for +1 Oil, but requires a steel shield to prevent the backblast from igniting the deck or melting the rubber skirt.  Inaccurate. High-Explosive warheads.  1 Ore, 3 Oil. [Expensive].

IFT-29 “Wuhan” Pattern D.3 – Toskesh's most recently developed tank, the Wuhan has featured numerous upgrades over the years to keep it up-to-par with Nogrania designs. It was originally designed as Mobile Artillery but evolved into an Infantry Fighting Tank as warfare evolved on Serouda. It uses a slimmed-down Sunrise cannon for the main armament, and the shells are primarily HE for soft targets or solid shot for enemy armor.  It is equipped with a top-mounted Type 24.1 for anti-infantry. It’s reasonably light, but box-shaped and plagued by a faulty and under-powered engine, hand-cranked turret rotation, and poor suspension. It tends to do better in flat, open terrain where the weak engine and poor suspension are less of an issue.  It was struggling to stay relevant, even before it was made illegal by Article IV of the Geneva Conventions. 6 Ore, 3 Oil. [ILLEGAL]. [Very 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.  Quite fast, but fragile. Turboshafts flame-out in wet weather.  4 Ore, 5 Oil, 1 Cobalt. [Very Expensive].

Air Forces
Immortal Mk.III-B – A fixed-wing monoplane. Features a 9-cylinder radial engine, gull-wings, and two Type-24.1’s. Pulls double-duty as both a fighter and dive bomber, with a single hard-point allowing up to 100 kg bombs to be attached. Guns tend to jam in high altitude and cold weather, and elevator will lock up at high speeds. Rendered illegal by Article V of the Geneva Conventions. 4 Ore, 4 Oil, 1 Aluminum. [ILLEGAL].   [Very Expensive].

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.  [Very Expensive].

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. [Expensive].

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.


Starting Resources:
Starting:       2/1 
U.N. :           1/1
Available TC: 1
3 Ore, 1 Oil, 1 Cobalt

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

Available Credits:
1 Resource Credit

[evictedSaint]

Combat Report

Nogrania has elected to push the Mountains and Fjords.
Toskesh has elected to push the Fjords and Eastern Seas.  Toskesh has elected not to pick a territory to deploy their National Effort rocket-mounted Qi-Chu.


Combat in the Mountains/Swamp border

Winter has arrived.

The mountains are miserable for any unlucky soul unfortunate to find themselves deployed there.  Snows pile up knee-deep overnight, and howling winds bring freezing blizzards through the mountain passes.  Troop movements are minimal.  Nogrania vehicles frequently fail in the harsh cold; the Draft certainly doesn't fly in the heavy winds and swirling snows, and the Paradigm and Hippo refuse to fire up.  Thigns are suddenly more even with Toskesh, who didn't have any motorized vehicles to bring into this theatre in the first place.

Nogrania's Wictor and Rabid guns forego their water-cooling shrouds lest the water freeze solid and rupture the tanks - not that it matters particularly much, since overheating is more of a commodity than a problem.  The woolen mittens that come with Nogrania's new uniforms are worth their weight in gold to the soldiers that wear them, but other than that they don't particularly have any major weapon advantages over Toskesh this turn.  Their Rabid is comparable to the Xi-52 Dài-I; perhaps a bit better as the full-reset mode allows them to more quickly empty the magazine, but that's only really effective during ambushes or the rare close-range encounter.  Toskesh relies heavily on their Type-51a Páo repeating grenade launcher emplacements for defense, which can clear out the all-infantry assaults Nogrania fields.  Their new Type-51w 'Huā zi' medium rocket artillery has considerable range, but the poor accuracy isn't very helpful when the target is a thin road on the side of a mountain and the heavy winds can more greatly affect the relatively slow-moving rockets. 

The fighting in the mountains doesn't amount to much this year.  Without their mobile armor, air insertions, NMG platforms, and artillery support, Nogrania doesn't have many advantages over Toskesh.  Fighting in the mountains grinds to a halt as the temperature drops.

Nogrania has failed to gain ground in the Mountains.


Combat in the Badlands

"Open fire!"

The NMG and a squad of Rabid-equipped soldiers open up on the darkness ahead of them.  Streaks of yellow arc randomly through the black, and after a moment the order to ceasefire is given.  Corporal Ellis Green lets go of the crank of the NMG mounted on his Hippo and swings the entire weapon to the side so the now-boiling water can be drained into mugs.  The Badlands belongs to Nogrania for the time being, and Toskesh doesn't seem keen on contesting it any time soon.  Aside from occasionally burning through a belt of ammo to heat up water for tea on cold winter nights, things were pretty quiet on the center front.

Nogrania has maintained their hold on the Badlands.  They have gained +1 point on their Economic Development Track!
Nogrania has gained 3/3 points on their EDT.  They have gained +1 Ore due to foreign investments! TC will be required to utilize it.



Combat in the Fjords

Both sides push the Fjords this year.

Way over here on the eastern side of the islands the weather isn't quite as terrible.  Light snow dusts the ground, but the western mountain range protects them from the worst of it.  Nogrania technicians must take pains to keep the Hippo and Paradigms from getting too cold and freezing up, but with a bit of effort they can keep the machines running.  The winds are remarkably mild, meaning the Draft has no problems lifting off and carrying out raids - though the occasional flurry makes the pilots very nervous.  As in the mountains, woolen gloves are a precious commodity for every soldier.

Toskesh soldiers aren't as well-cared for, but they are remarkably deadly this turn with their new rocket artillery.  It's merely Expensive (when not mounted on the Qi-Chu), so while they can't field as many as their Sunrise artillery they can still use it to great effect.  Nogrania soldiers soon come to dread the screech that comes with a rocket strike.  The affected area is widespread and the chances of a soldier being hit is relatively low, but the sudden, overwhelming barrage of rockets is an effective psychological warfare element.  The strikes are enough to knock a Hippo out of commission if it hits, but it's not uncommon for Hippos to stroll out of strike zones fully intact.  This means combat is fairly even when the two lines meet.  Nogrania has fewer Hippo's supporting their rocket-barraged troops, but they have rifles and NMG's with a high rate of fire.  Toskesh has RGL emplacements, but no armor or rapid-fire weapons of their own.  Toskesh has longer-range artillery, but Nogrania has naval support.  Both sides have vehicles capable of dropping troops behind enemy lines, both with their own drawbacks and advantages. 

Ultimately, though, Toskesh's ability to creep their artillery forward is what gives them the edge. Although the smoke clouds it produces are very noticeable, Nogrania struggles to punish them with counter-battery fire or air strikes.  The Draft is still no gunship with its non-existent armor and inaccurate NMG's, so though it can be used to quickly strike back at the vulnerable rocket artillery it is frustrated by an inability to do decisive damage.  Perhaps if Nogrania had flak-jackets to reduce the number of infantry killed or wounded in rocket strikes they may have been able to push things to a tie, but as it is their tie-dye camouflage isn't enough to tip the combat to a draw.

Toskesh has pushed far enough south to claim the Fjords Theatre! They will generate +1 point on their Economic Development Track for each turn they continue to hold it.



Combat in the Eastern Seas

Toskesh has taken to putting their new Type-51w 'Huā zi' rocket artillery aboard their Dogbite destroyers.  This bumps the cost up by 1 Oil, but they just barely manage to keep the cost at Very Expensive.

Needless to say, it's not very effective.  The rocket barrages are not accurate, which is important when you're trying to hit small, fast-moving targets very far away.  Nogrania's Herald-class cruisers make a habit of baiting the rocket Dogbites into firing their rockets early, then rushing in while they're still reloading and blinded by their own smoke.  On occassion they will hit a Herald with their rockets and damage it, but a damaged Herald is hardly enough to tip the tide of battle when the Dogbite has to flee from the rest of the Nogranian fleet in order to reload.  Their new Type-51w 'Huā zi' is certainly a nice toy, but it would need some work before it becomes viable as a ship-to-ship weapon.  As it is, it would be more effective at shore bombardment than fleet combat.


Toskesh News:
In a surprising move, Toskesh has arrested a number of their wealthiest citizens for their participation in what they call a "Capitalist Conspiracy".  Hundreds of citizens are arrested literally overnight by Toskesh secret police and put on trial.  Many are simply stripped of their wealth and set free, but a number of less-fortunate are sent off to remote work-camps or out-right executed.  Even members of their Army and research teams are not safe, and several high-profile individuals are arrested in their homes.  Our reports suggest that a small number may have managed to escape, but where they've disappeared to is unknown.

In a seemingly unrelated move, the USSR has begun exporting an Ore resource to Toskesh, giving them +1 Ore.  They do not have the TC at the moment to ironically capitalize on it, but this is certainly bad news for us.

Other News:
In order to investigate the allegations of the US and USSR developing and stockpiling atomic weapons, the United Nations has created the International Atomic Energy Agency.  The IAEA is an organization which seeks to promote peaceful use of atomic energy, restrict the development of nuclear weapons, and investigate suspected violations of Protocol IX of the Geneva Conventions.  The newly created IAEA is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and features prominent countries on the board of investigators such as Japan, China, Britain, Russia, and the United States.  Investigations into Russia and the United State's potential wrong-doings are currently underway.

On October 6th Joseph Stalin proclaims that while the USSR has the potential to build an atomic bomb, they have not and will not do so.  A couple weeks later reports of an atomic explosion in Soviet territory occur, which they promptly deny.  More reports of atomic testing in New Mexico come out, including several soldiers claiming to be eye-witnesses, which the US promptly denies.  In Egypt, the Egyptian army fires on British troops.  Days later British troops occupy Ismailiya, Egypt.  Winston Churchill is re-elected British Prime Minister at the age of 86 and the country develops the world's first nuclear-powered heating system.  The 1st rocket to intercept an airplane has a successful test in White Sands, New Mexico the same day as the cease-fire & demarcation zone accord is signed in Panmunjon, Korea.  Dutch Communist Party members are forbidden to be civil servants, and the United Kingdom of Libya gains independence from Italy via the United Nations.



Theatre Progress:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Mountains:
Nogrania - 2/Toskesh 1

Badlands:
Nogrania - 3/Toskesh 0

Fjords:
Nogrania - 0/Toskesh 3

Eastern Sea:
Nogrania - 2/Toskesh 2/Neutral 1

Jungle:
Nogrania - 3/Toskesh 0

Frozen Swamps:
Nogrania - 0/Toskesh 3

[10ebbor10]

Interesting, the enemy is bringing us for the court on the Wictor. Probably means they'll bring us to court for Rabid too, so we have to avoid setting a precedent.

It should be an easy case for us though. The Wictor is semi-automatic, so by arguing it is breaking the rules, the enemy argues their own gun is too. That hypocrisy is easily exploitable.

In considering this frivolous complaint, it is important to look towards the fundamentals, the internal actions of the device in question. Contrary to the banned machine guns, the Wiktor uses a semi-automatic action. These weapons reload automatically, but in an important contrast to the machine gun, require the pull of a trigger to fire each bullet.

The Wiktor is fundamentally equal in it's way of operation to M1 Garand, the SKS or even the Tokesian Zha-Buqiang. All these acquire their semi-automatic action in different ways, but the principle of automatically loading but not firing weapon does not change. We believe that given the UN has not sought to ban any of these aforementioned weapons (or any of the many similar ones), the Wiktor should not be banned either, to prevent inconsistencies from arising in the interpretation of the declaration.

Now, Tokesh may choose to concentrate on the crank to obfuscate this obvious conclusion. This is nonsense, firstly because the crank does not change the operation of the gun, anymore than that adding a string to a trigger would change it. Cranks are easily manufactured parts, and can be fitted to any gun without serious modification. Secondly, the inclusion of a crank itself does not violate UN rules. Cranks have no meaningful inertia, ensuring that further input or intervention is always required. In addition to that, the range of motion a user needs to exercise a crank is vastly greater than the mere repetitive twitching of a finger that is required to fire any other firearm.

Given the obvious precedents that legalize not only the Wiktor but also other semi-automatics, and the fact that Tokesh themselves operates weapons that require less user action to fire than the Wiktor, we advise the court to dismiss this clearly frivolous case.

[Chiefwaffles]

The Wictor being brought to court is hilarious. I'm not even sure Toskesh read the conventions before doing so. The Rabid may be brought to court also if they're contesting the Wictor, but a victory in this case should give us a bonus in the next due to showing Toskesh makes frivolous cases.


An attack helicopter gives us the ability to do airstrikes, which is pretty damn nice.
Design: NAF-AH-52 "Shrike"
(Use Research Credit)
The Shrike attack helicopter is a proper evolution of the Draft, actually designed for combat this time around.

The passenger/cargo cabin is completely removed, with most of the mass and volume being eliminated entirely from the craft and some given to space for a copilot in the cockpit, making for a total crew of 2. The rest of the craft is covered in Thin armor to give it protection against small arms fire. We aim for a generally smaller, faster, and more agile craft thanks to the elimination of the cargo requirement from the Draft.
A NMG mount lies on the nose, for now equipped with the Wictor. The crank is moved to the cockpit where the copilot - the gunner, rather - controls it. Two four-cell rocket pods are mounted on the Shrike, made with accuracy in mind. The Shrike can quickly fire off its rockets (one-by-one, but as fast as the pilot hits the fire button on top of their cyclic) and suppress the area with NMG fire. Ammo for the NMG is included, but not a particularly large amount as the main weapon is the rocket pods, which are reloaded when landed. (Though we aim to make the reloading process easy).



This is an artillery piece to give us actual artillery, an edge at sea, and to counteract their rocket artillery. Suggestions for a better designation are accepted - this just uses the unknown "NG" from the Ironcaster.
Design: NAF-NG-52 "Duke"
The Duke is a 4-inch (~105mm) artillery piece designed to be an actual, competent, piece of artillery rather than a glorified field gun.

It can be towed by being hooked to any of our walkers (namely the Hippo for its speed) using skids like the Ironcaster, though we largely only recommend this for moving it between stationary emplacements. It's classified as a Pack Howitzer, representing its ability to be taken apart to be carried via other means. Draft, horse, person, on a Hippo, and more. All the pieces (even if not assembled) may not be able to fit at once onto things like the Draft but it can be moved in more than one vehicle/load. It's more-specifically designed to replace the Ironcasters fit onto the Paradigm and Herald currently.

HE munition is to be the standard for the Duke. They may be in the air for over 30 seconds, but thanks to the wonders of math we always have a determined amount of time (whereas the conventions specifically mention undetermined) from the shells being launched to them hitting the ground and detonating. But we'll save this for our lawyers.

NAF-AH-52 "Shrike" (1): Chiefwaffles
NAF-NG-52 "Duke" (0):

[10ebbor10]

On a side note, EvictedSaint, you forgot to update our resources in the spoiler. It still says 2/3 on the development track.7

I wrote a little defense. It's about 300 words, so it's a bit short, but I didn't know what else to add.

Edit: Oh, and Chiefwaffles, you may want to add to the Shrike design that you're trying to improve the engines and falling over issue.

[evictedSaint]

Eh, it's the last turns point track.  It would spoil the combat phase if I showed what the results were. I suppose I could do equipment list last to present it more accurately.

[10ebbor10]

There's 15 seconds between you posting the resources and the battle-stuff. I doubt anyone'll be spoiled.

[Chiefwaffles]

Regarding engine improvements in the Shrike design, I'm not sure.
Honestly, adding "improve engines" would be unlikely to increase the difficulty level, but it does add complexity regardless. And the Shrike design already has to do rocket pods (which are somewhat of a minor task and historically rather easy, but still) as a part of it.

That and if we properly upgrade our turboshaft, then we get:
1.) Our Turboshaft engine decreases in Oil cost, lowering the Oil cost of anything that uses it.
2.) Draft can provide +1 TC (it couldn't when designed due to poor lift capacity and poor fuel economy)
3.) Draft (due to +1 TC and the smaller Oil cost) and Paradigm (due to +1 TC) becomes merely Expensive. Potential for the Shrike to be Expensive too, but it depends on how ES looks at the mass/volume reduction and addition of Thin armor.

It's possible but really unlikely to get a large-enough improvement to our turboshaft if we have it as a side thing in the Shrike design. I think it's more than worth it to dedicate a revision to, so we shouldn't really have to worry about including engine upgrades in the Shrike unless it'd be nonfunctional without them (which I don't think will happen).

[10ebbor10]

Anyway, this'll be usefull for future reference

Spoiler: Spring (click to show/hide)

Mountains : Wet Weather
Badlands : Dry Weather
Fjords : Dense undergrowth due to spring rain

Spoiler: Summer (click to show/hide)

Mountains : Dry weather
Badlands : Hot weather
Fjords : Fair weather

Spoiler: Fall (click to show/hide)

Mountains : Cold and windy
Badlands : Agreeable weather. Wind at dusk/dawn
Fjords: Normal weather

Spoiler: Winter (click to show/hide)

Mountains : Severe Machine disabling cold, heavy winds
Badlands : Frigid
Fjords : Light snow, mild machine disabling cold, little wind

[frostgiant]

General winter has struck again. we have three turns to find a solution to that problem. Probably put some block heaters in the vehicles.

NAF-AH-52 "Shrike" (2): Chiefwaffles, Frostgiant
NAF-NG-52 "Duke" (0):

The toskesh bring forward what they claim is a violation of the geneva conventions, specifically, they claim that we have broken and attempted to subvert the Tenants of article 6 of the conventions.

This is categorically False, my good sirs. Article 6 of the Geneva convention, prohibits weaponry which fires more than one projectile per activation of the device. Example of such weaponry includes Shotguns, Autocannons, select artillery systems and, of course, the much-vaunted Machine gun. The machine gun is an automatic weapon that is banned, because of its ability to fire more than one projectile with only a single press of the trigger. The Device fires more than one Bullet per activation.
This Violates Article 6.

An automatic weapon is defined as, and I quote my good sirs from the dictionary of Oxford

“An automatic firearm continuously fires rounds as long as the trigger is pressed or held and there is ammunition in the magazine/chamber.”

The Wickers Does not.
The Wickers does not fire more than one projectile per activation.
The Wickers Does not fit the definition by the dictionary definition of either a Machine Gun OR an Automatic weapon.
 The Wickers Does Not Violate article 6 of the Geneva Convention.
 The cranking motion is a defined activation, firing One projectile per predefined Rotation, and fully requires the constant input and conscious action of a human Being to fire.
The Wickers requires the constant input of its operator and as such does not violate the second prevision of articles 6's ban. Every bullet fired from the wickers, require the full conscious action of its operator.
The Wickers is not automatic.
 Every bullet fired from the wickers requires an individual motion and action, in this case, operating the Crank.

 As such we move to dismiss this Motion that has been brought before the council, as the wickers does not violate article 6 of the conventions, and the toskesh belief that it does represent either willing ignorance over the very rules that they bring before you, or willing Disdain for the intelligence of this council, and a belief that you would not know the very Conventions that you have been brought together to enforce.
Under Every definition of an automatic weapon, the Wickers is not an automatic weapon.

Here is my Submission for an argument.

[Kot]

Design:
NAF-VA-52:Vest Armoured is a flak-jacket, very similar to the one we have attempted to create last year, which consists of multiple overlapping plates in chest and abdomen area, that are made out of fiberglass mixed with resin and pressed into shape (technology which we totally didin't steal from Americans), and layered ballistic nylon vest that covers the whole torso, back and upper parts of shoulders, and has a collar that covers the neck. Optionally there are also plates covering upper arms and "armoured diaper" protecting the soldier's bottom, as well as an extension of the collar to cover the jaw from front, although those might be used only by people in static positions and helicopters. Includes a zipper on front and straps on sides to allow the jacket to be more form fitting, and the whole thing covered in camouflage.

NAF-AH-52 "Shrike" (2): Chiefwaffles, Frostgiant
NAF-NG-52 "Duke" (1): Kot

[Mandemon]

My first draft for the defense. 466 words.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the United Nations.

As has come to our attentions that our fair nation has been accused of violating the Geneva Conventions on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious, Have Indiscriminate Effects, or Greatly Enable and Encourage the Pursuant of Armed Conflicts Between Nations , Protocol IV.

Nogrania rejects these accusations strongly and categorically. Nogrania seeks not to violate international law, and instead seeks to work with and within its confines. Nogrania has, and will continue, to uphold the conventions.

The argument laid by our detractors is of nature of a weapon system nicknamed Wictor, that is used by Nogranian Armed Forces. Claim is that this weapon violates the Protocol IV, by the virtue of firing rapidly. Yet, I shall call attention to the fact that rate of fire of weapon system is not defined within Protocol IV. Instead, Protocol IV defines automatic weapon as that which “fires greater than one projectile per activation of the device”.

It does not define rate of fire. A trained marksman can operate a semi-automatic rifle at extreme rate of fire, yet would this council ban such weapon based on individual soldier? Is the users personal skill and ability factor in defining whenever or not weapon is to be considered automatic? I say no. Individual soldiers skills are far too varied to be categorized into illegal or legal framework.

And this brings us to main point of contention. Wictor is a semi-automatic weapon, with a trigger that requires input to start an activation. Each activation fires once projectile. No more, no less. One projectile. Combined with this legal trigger is the hand crank with four spokes, that strike the trigger as crank is turned.

Wictor requires more action from the user than a semi-automatic rifle. User is required to turn the crank 90 degrees in order to activate the weapon, each activation requiring further 90 degrees turns. It is up to the user to run the crank, to run the weapon, fast enough to provide suppressive fire. If a soldier were to, for example, be able to empty a semi-automatic pistols 30 round magazine in 2 seconds, that would mean fire rate of 15 rounds per second, total of 450 rounds per minute. Would this body declare such weapon illegal?

The rate of fire of the hypothetical weapon, as well as very concrete Wictor, comes not from the weapon itself, but from the ability of user to carry out rapid activations. The weapon fires only a single projectile per action. It is up to user to run the device fast enough to reach desired fire rate.

As such, based on logic and letter of the law, Wictor does not violate Protocol IV.