July 1916
Personal log - the 5th of July 1916
New docks in La Spezia Arsenale were succesfully completed, we can build ships up to 38500 tons.
Our new cruiser Brescia has been commissioned in Germany and is on her way to Taranto.
Personal log - the 20th of July 1916
I had a meeting with Captain
kriegsmeister this morning. He is quite young and full of enthusiasm. I remember him when he was even younger serving with me on old battleship Napoli when she was really unsatisfied with all the standard procedures on this big ship. He asked me that time to be transferred to newly built submarine force which I approved. After several years he made his name serving as commanding officer of Narvalo and later pushed new construction in submarines. However as young man and a lot of interest he changed his interest again this time to small machines sailing through the air. And now we are speaking how to use these machines for our navy. He has a lot of ideas about substitution of our cruisers by small ships with aircrafts to scout for the fleet. It took him quite a time but he persuaded me to invest in the first prototypes. Right now the first flying boat is tested and we are thinking where we should create our first base. I ask captain
kriegsmeister about some suggestions. I agreed with him using old Cagliari cruiser to test the concept by rebuilding him to carry floatplanes. But my conditions are clear, firstly we have reliable plane and tests show us that Macchi M.64 which we choose from prototypes is tested and realiable. We agreed that we need some fighter and make request from industry.
I inform him however that I expect the war with France will be here probably sooner than later and I will need his experience with submarines so after he finish testing of floatplane and designing ships for these planes I will transfer him to submarine force again.
Personal log - the 31st of July 1916
Ansaldo has informed me that they designed quadruple turrets with 16" guns.
After receiving new about foreign construction, it seems that Royal Navy considered armour against heavy guns not as important as speed and armament.
USA has laid down the 3rd Ohio class battleship - 33300 tons
Royal Navy has commissioned battlecruiser Tiger of her class - 30000 tons, 28 knots, 8x16" guns, 9" belt
August 1916
Personal log - the 5th of August 1916
Prime Minister asked me to visit him. He spoke about situation in North Africa and some friction last week. He asked me about situation and I told we need increased budget and prepare for the war but the situation is not in our favor right now.
I immediately ordered cruiser Cagliari to sail through Suez to Massaua.
Personal log - the 10th of August 1916
Prime Minister get approval for increasing the budget which allow me to order Giuseppe Garibaldi battlecruiser of Andrea Doria class.
I started reorganization of the fleet.
The West Mediterranean fleet - Admiral Augusto Aubry
1st battle division at La Spezia
- battleships Taranto (F), Trentino, Tullio, Tantalo
1st battlecruiser division at La Spezia
- battlecruisers Leonardo (F), Leopardo, Leone
1st scout division at La Spezia
- light crusiers Padua (F), Brescia, Torino
1st destroyers flotilla
- 6 destroyers of Quintino Sella class
2nd destroyers flotilla
- 6 destroyers of Quintino Sella class
4th destroyers flotilla
- 2 destroyers of Quintino Sella class, 4 destroyers of Turbine class
5th destroyers flotilla
- 6 destroyers of Turbine class
The Central Mediterranean fleet - Rear Admiral Enrico Millo
2nd battlecruiser division at Taranto
- battlecruisers Lepanto (F), Lombardia
2nd cruiser division at Messina
- light cruiser Ravenna (F), Verona
3rd destroyers flotilla
- 6 destroyers of Quintino Sella class
6th destroyers flotilla
- 5 destroyers of Turbine class
Africa squadron at Tunis - Captain Prince Ferdinando, Duke of Genoa
- light cruiser Milano at Tunis
Eritria squadron at Massaua
- light cruiser Alessandria, protected cruiser Cagliari
September 1916
Personal log - the 6th of September 1916
There was a scandal on board of Cagliari. He got mission to visit Pola and during official ceremony contact Austrains to get new information about Coetlogon class cruiser under construction. However there was indident during the time between officers of both navies. We agree to hush it up with Naval Secretary. Even that Austrians did not get us anything.
Personal log - the 11th of September 1916
I have visited Breda factory with Captain
kriegsmeister . They show us their prototype of floatplane scout Breda Ba.67. We were quite impressed by range and agree to support the project.
Personal log - the 30th of September 1916
Light cruiser Alessandria has finally departed to Massaua to increase our present in Eretria and protect south entrance to Suez as Great Britain agreed that they will allow us using Suez for mechant vessels during war with France. Liason officer from Royal Navy has informed that they have new 18" guns.
Royal Navy laid down new Anson class battleship - 26100 tons
USA has commissioned battleship Texas of South Caroline class - 26500 tons, 21 knots, 10x12" guns, 13" belt armour
USA has commissioned battlecruiser Ticonderoga - 32700 tons, 28 knots, 12x14" guns, 10" belt armour
October 1916
Personal log - the 11th of October 1916
Our cooperation with Germany continue with their visit. The last days they ask me if they can buy our technology for secondary turrets for capital ships. As I cannot see any future threat from Germany I agree with that deal.
Personal log - the 30th of October 1916
Germany has laid down new battlecruiser of Roon class - 31200 tons
USA has laid down the 4th battlecruiser of Ticonderoga class - 32700 tons
USA has commissioned battleship Kentucky of South Caroline class - 26500 tons, 21 knots, 10x12" guns, 13" belt armour
November 1916
Personal log - the 11th of November 1916
I have just finished meeting with Captain
kriegsmeister . I have informed him that Cagliari class cruiser is still needed with war imminent and that he needs to design new seaplane carrier from scratch. I do not expect any issue with approval of budget for next year so I give him 5.5M budget for the ship. I informed him I need such basic design sketch during December and I need to choose location for our flying boat base.
Personal log - the 14th of November 1916
As expected budget for 1917 was approved very quickly. If war starts the budget will be useless. At least we have new airbase, new seaplane carrier, submarine program with 1 submarine every month and still unspecified project of either 1 capital ship or about 4 cruisers from middle of 1917.
Personal log - the 17th of November 1916
British government is still helping us quite a lot. This time they offered us rights to depth charges against French submarines after they tested them themselves. I gladly agree as it would increase our ASW capabilties.
Another good news has been comming from La Spezia as they find out throug several test more efficient hull form which decrease power needed for obtained speed.
Personal log - the 24th of November 1916
After meeting with Admiral Augusto Aubry, chief of the West Mediterranean fleet and his news about dead of commander of 1st scout division, we agreed that Rear Admiral
dizzy will get this position and show his qualities in war which is unlikely to be averted. We both congratulate him on his new post and express our best expectation from him.
Personal log - the 30th of November 1916
Germany has laid down the 3rd Elsass class battleship - 29000 tons
USA has commissioned Rhone Island, the 6th battleship of South Dakota class - 26500 tons, 21 knots, 10x12" guns, 13" belt armour
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