Chapter 132 My tank will not participate in the bidding
(The picture above shows the CA-1 tank, developed by the father of French armor, Estiny, who was an artillery colonel)
Djoka has also heard about TAS's development of tanks. After all, this is an open research and development project by the government department.
Therefore, when he and Charles saw the nearly completed "Mark I" tank in the R\u0026D department of the tractor factory, they were a little worried and said, "Have you heard that there is another new tank under development?"
"Yes, father!" Charles replied: "I heard it was initiated by the Automotive Technical Service Department!"
When Charles spoke, he was looking at the "Mark I" tank, thinking about how the infantry should cooperate with the tank's attack.
"I heard that their tanks are all equipped with artillery!" Djoka suggested again: "Should we also consider it?"
"No!" Charles simply refused.
Ciel knew this was the wrong thing to do.
Just like novices often want to learn everything they see, people in this era really want to build a tank into a "mobile fortress" that can do anything and block all firepower.
What horsepower engine carries how much weight, what can be done by tanks and what can be done by infantry... These must be made clear, otherwise the battlefield will teach it a harsh lesson, even if it is operated by Jia Fei, the Automotive Technical Service Department and The joint production of the Schneider Big Three is no exception.
They may be "insurmountable" in the eyes of others, but they are "junk" in Ciel's eyes.
The Automobile Technical Service Department took the lead in developing the "Saint-Chamont" tank, and the Francis Tractor Factory should develop the "CA-1" tank.
The former suffered a disastrous defeat in the first battle. A small crater could trap it in it and prevent it from moving. In actual combat, 15 of the 16 vehicles were deployed, and they were not allowed to be used as mobile artillery in the rear.
The tank was originally supposed to block bullets for the infantry at the front, but was placed at the rear as a fort. Its armor was completely meaningless. It might as well have been a cannon!
The reason why it still exists in the military is simply because it was the force behind the research and development of the "Big Three", and it was eventually converted into a transport vehicle...a transport vehicle that is easy to get stuck and is as slow as an ox!
As for the "CA-1", 57% of it was destroyed by enemy fire in the first battle, which directly affected the psychological shadow of French soldiers. After the war, the artillery was immediately dismantled and turned into an assault vehicle.
In short, all the equipment that these so-called tanks were equipped with at the beginning was removed one by one after the actual war.
Ciel doesn't think he needs to worry about these "junk" competitions!
Joseph came up to him while wiping his hands with a rag and said, "Master Charles, the test drive will be ready in two days. Should we carefully consider mass production?"
Joseph doesn't seem to have much confidence in the "Mark I" type.
"No!" Charles' tone left no room for doubt: "We will enter mass production immediately after the test run is successful. Time waits for no one!"
For Charles, time is not just money, but also opportunity.
He needs to accumulate talents from the production and actual combat experience of this "Mark I" to prepare for the subsequent "Renault" tank.
"Master Charles..." Joseph wanted to say something else, but was stopped by Djoka's eyes.
At this time, Ciel was like a tyrant who was stubborn and refused to listen to any suggestions. No matter what others said or tried to persuade him, it was of no use!
"He knows what he's doing!" Djoka said.
Although Djoka said this, he was thinking in his heart: He made more than two million francs from a transaction not long ago. If he can afford the compensation, he can do whatever he wants!
…
The sun sets next to the sycamore tree, and the slanted light passes through the branches and casts a ray of sunlight on the ground. It shines on the fallen leaves on the ground like a golden tablecloth.
Charles and Djoka had just come out in the car after a busy day at the factory.
As soon as I walked out of the gate, I saw a carriage parked outside. It had two white horses and a black carriage. It was simple but showed some restrained luxury. This was Grevi's style.
Dejoka looked around worriedly and saw Laurent and his guards on both sides of the road where the guards were facing the enemy. There were also guards holding rifles in their hands, and he felt relieved.
Grevi, who was sitting on the carriage, saw Charles' car coming out through the window, opened the door and jumped out. He moved his hands and feet easily and waved to Charles with a smile.
"Don't you want to talk?" Grevi said with confidence on his face.
Djoka parked the car next to Grevi, but Charles had no intention of getting out of the car.
"I don't think we have anything to talk about, Mr. Grevy!" replied Charles.
"We should be allies, Ciel..."
"I know what you did!" Charles interrupted Grevi.
Although there is no evidence, Charles knows that it was Grevi who was deceived into Antwerp last time. This is indeed a method that a "thinker" like Grevi can come up with.
Grevi knew what Ciel meant by what he said, and he admitted it generously: "That was because of their respective positions, Ciel, it's different now!"
"It's no different!" Charles replied simply and in a firm tone.
A trace of doubt flashed in Grevey's eyes: "You must have heard about Schneider's development of a new tank."
Ciel nodded expressionlessly.
"So..." Grevey asked: "Don't you think we can only deal with him if we work together? That's Schneider, Joffre and the Automotive Technical Service Department!"
When Grevi heard about it, he didn't think it was a "trouble." He even thought it was an opportunity, a rare opportunity.
Only with Schneider, a powerful enemy, could Charles be forced to his side. Charles is a smart man, he knows what to do!
God, joining forces with Charles, it's exciting to think about it!
But it turns out that Grevi thought too much...
"This has nothing to do with me, Mr. Grevi!" Charles responded lightly.
"What do you mean?" Grevi spread his hands.
"My tank is not participating in the bidding!" Charles replied expressionlessly: "I just built it for fun, so it's between you and Schneider!"
Grevi looked at Charles in surprise.
Deyoka, who was sitting in the driver's seat, turned his head back. He didn't know that the tank was not participating in the bidding, and then he took it for granted that Charles was lying, in order to let Gray and Schneider fight each other.
The car gradually went away, leaving Grevi standing there in a daze.
Grevi had thought of many possibilities before coming here, but he didn't expect this result.
Not participating in the bidding? Then why did he spend money to build a tank?
"Build it for fun"? Of course Grevi would not take this seriously!
That's sitting on the mountain and watching the tigers fight!
It's unlikely, because the winner will eventually get the order. If Charles doesn't participate in the bidding, it won't get the order, which means it will be eliminated from the beginning!
That is...
A trace of fear suddenly flashed in Grevy's eyes.
There is another possibility, that is, Charles doesn't take his and Schneider's tanks seriously at all!
(The picture above is the Saint-Samond tank, the more advanced one is the motor drive)
