Chapter 161: Armor
In September 1912, Wilhelm II and a group of army generals inspected the 8th Army of the German Imperial Army. As the commander of the 8th Army, Qin Tian naturally accompanied him throughout the process.
The current 8th Army has undergone radical changes compared to before. Although, the force is still only ten infantry divisions. However, after a large-scale facelift, the current firepower of the 8th Army is more than three times that of before. A large number of machine guns and artillery equipment make the 8th Army have powerful firepower at all levels. Coupled with long-term arduous training, the combat effectiveness of this legion is absolutely the best in the entire German Empire Army.
Although, other units of the German Army have more or less purchased some new weapons produced by German arms companies. However, there are not many of these weapons because of the little Maoqi's interference. Although it can improve the firepower of the troops to a certain extent, it is far from reaching the level of the 8th Army.
William II and a group of generals of the German Army stayed in the 8th Army for two full days. William II and others were very satisfied with the combat effectiveness of the 8th Army. Even Xiao Maoqi, who didn't get along with Qin Tian, couldn't find any faults. Of course, if you insist on saying something wrong, it is not without it. The powerful firepower of the 8th Army was bought by the terrible consumption of ammunition. Once the war begins, the Eighth Army's need for logistical support will be even more astonishing. Therefore, Xiao Maoqi believes that this approach of the 8th Army is not advisable.
It's just that Qin Tian ignored Mao Qi's accusation. Once the battle begins, the 8th Army will face millions or more Russian troops with ten infantry divisions. Without strong firepower, what a fart! Even if the logistical pressure is great, the main task of the 8th Army will be to defend and counterattack. It will not go too deep into Russia. In this case, although the logistical pressure is great, it is not unbearable.
On the afternoon of September 17, William II and the generals of the German Army watched the exercise of the secret forces of the 8th Army. This is also the new type of equipment that Qin Tian tried his best to sell to Wilhelm II and a group of German army generals.
I saw William II, Qin Tian, and a group of generals sitting in the training ground. In front of them was a defensive position consisting of ditches, barbed wire, and mud pits.
"Oscar, are you going to let the Eighth Army send a force to attack this defensive position?" William II asked with great interest.
"Yes, Father. However, I guarantee you will be shocked by the 8th Army's attacking force. It will be an epoch-making force!" Qin Tian looked confident.
"Oh? Really? Then I'll wait and see." William II smiled.
Before Qin Tian took over the 8th Army, William II was more or less worried. After all, the 8th Army will have very difficult tasks in future wars. But now it seems that Qin Tian has developed the 8th Army very well, so he doesn't have to worry about it at all.
Ten minutes later, Admiral Hindenburg told Qin Tian that the exercise troops were ready.
Qin Tian immediately said that it is time to start.
Soon, there was a rumbling sound in the venue. This surprised everyone, including William II.
Afterwards, they saw a black iron bump painted with an iron cross driving out from the side of the practice field. Those iron bumps slowly moved forward. The short barrel is tilted upwards. Under the sunlight, it shone with an icy light.
Although, there were only about forty tanks on the field. However, it brought an extremely shocking feeling to everyone. It was as if they were facing a torrent of steel.
"Oscar, what weapon is this?" William II asked.
"This is a new type of weapon developed by the German Armament Company. It can be called a chariot, but I'm used to calling them a tank!" Qin Tian said with a smile.
"Tank?" William II nodded.
These tanks rushed to the defensive position in the exercise field. The fortifications composed of trenches and barbed wire can't resist these steel guys at all. The tracks of tanks can easily cross trenches, run over barbed wire, and break through defensive positions. Those machine gun positions can't threaten these tanks at all. In order to show everyone the defense of the tank, a machine gun fire is manned.
"Da da da!" A G09 general-purpose machine gun started firing. Dense bullets hit the armor of a tank.
"Dang Dang Dang!"
There was a crisp sound, and the tank was shot by the general-purpose machine gun, sparks flying everywhere. However, the tank continued to advance unstoppably, as if there was no pressure at all.
"Oh my God! This weapon is really great, it is almost invulnerable! If our army is equipped with this weapon, then the French defensive offensive will definitely not be able to stop us!" Minister of War von Falken Hein exclaimed.
The other army generals also nodded. They were also completely shocked.
At this moment, a tank aimed at an unmanned machine gun fire point.
"Boom!"
A 37mm grenade flew out of the barrel of the tank and hit the target instantly. The machine gun was fired at once and was blown away.
"Oscar, very good, very good! The Imperial Army must purchase this weapon called a tank." William II said.
After seeing the power of the tank, even Little Maoqi couldn't stop it. Otherwise, it would really cause William II's dissatisfaction. Once William II was furious, the consequences can be imagined.
"Father, the 8th Army has just formed an armored regiment. In the future, we plan to expand it into an armored division. In this case, the 8th Army will have an additional division, which requires the approval of the Ministry of War." Qin Tian struck while the iron was hot. .
"No problem!" William II said immediately.
Others, including Little Mao Qi, did not object.
In this way, the troops under the Eighth Army increased from ten infantry divisions to ten infantry divisions and one armored division.
The exercise ended, Wilhelm II and a group of German generals circled around the tanks in the exercise field. They are very curious about this weapon and want to equip their troops as soon as possible.
"His Royal Highness, can the tank withstand the enemy's artillery fire?" A general asked.
"If it hits directly, it can't resist it. But if it's shrapnel, there shouldn't be any problem." Qin Tian replied.
Although the tank developed by the German Armaments Company was limited by technology, they developed it too quickly, and it was indeed too crude. Various performances are completely incomparable with the tanks of later generations. However, against the flesh and blood of infantry, there is still no problem at all.