Chapter 148 Covering the Tank's Flank

Charles continued: "This tank is called the 'Mark I', with 83 horsepower. Its engine is not much different from the 90 horsepower of the 'Saint Chamon', but the 'Saint Chamon' is 27 tons, and the 'Mark I' Only 17 tons!”

This is thanks to Matthew, who simplified the structure of the "Mark I" and removed some unnecessary parts. Some parts were to make it easier for the tractor to be converted into a bulldozer, which was certainly not needed for the tank.

"What's its speed?" Estini asked expectantly.

He already understands the importance of speed. It doesn't need to be too fast, but it must at least be able to escape enemy fire so that the tank can survive.

If you can't even survive on the battlefield, of course you can't talk about covering the infantry. It will even become a burden to the infantry!

But you don’t need to ask to know the answer. The horsepower is about the same as that of the "Saint Chamoun" but the weight is half less, and the speed is definitely faster.

Sure enough, Charles replied: "Preliminary tests show that it can reach a speed of 11 kilometers per hour on flat ground!"

Estini's eyes lit up, this was much faster than the 8.5 kilometers per hour of "Saint Chamoun".

"We must be clear!" Charles turned his attention to the machine gun protruding from the side of the tank: "At least for now, we install weapons on the tank for self-defense and not to kill the enemy!"

"Understood!" Estini was enlightened: "Killing the enemy should be the job of the infantry. The task of the tank is to advance with heavy armor and cover the infantry to break through the defense line!"

The "Mark I" was born for this design. Its unique diamond-shaped body and tracks surrounding the entire body enable it to overcome most obstacles.

Even in trenches, it bottomed out and then climbed up, easily crossing without sandbags.

Then Estini suddenly thought of something, and he said worriedly: "Lieutenant, the Germans may have strengthened their ammunition. It is said that their rifles can penetrate the 12MM front armor of the 'Saint Chamoun'..."

Charles nodded. It was the legendary K bomb of the Germans. They replaced the rifle bullet with a steel core or even a tungsten core warhead so that it could penetrate the 13MM steel plate.

But of course Charles took this into consideration and replied: "'Mark I' has 17MM front armor and 11MM side armor!"

The frontal armor is enough to protect against German K-bombs, and the side armor can protect against the enemy's ordinary rifle shells. This is why the "Mark I" has no artillery and not many machine guns, but still weighs 17 tons.

(Note: The British "Mark I" armor has a thickness of 6 to 12 mm and weighs 28 tons)

After hearing these data, Estini was relieved. He imagined in his mind that this tank was on a battlefield filled with artillery fire, carrying the enemy's bullets all the way across ditches and trenches and pressing into the enemy. The soldiers at the rear continued to follow and finally broke through. enemy position.

However, Estini was still a little worried about the side. He frowned: "The moment when the tank crosses the trench seems to be the most dangerous. At that time, its speed is probably very slow. At the same time, the area on the side is large enough, but the Germans are hiding in the trench. If they have K bombs in their hands..."

Charles turned his attention to Brownie who was distracted behind him: "This is about the infantry!"

Colonel Browne was a little impatient: "Little guy, it's useless to talk so much. Don't you think we should start it and practice it? Practice it a few times like before and we will know how to fight. You can tell us the rest. It’s up to you!”

Brownie is such a person, just tell him how to fight, he believes that Charles will consider everything, and he will win if he does it!

Charles replied unhurriedly: "Sorry, Colonel, I think you should learn this first..."

As he spoke, Ciel nodded to Joseph who was waiting aside.

Joseph understood and asked a few workers to carry two long boxes up and pile them in front of Colonel Browne.

Colonel Browne opened the lid of the box and took a look. It was filled with objects that looked like wooden handles. He picked one up curiously and turned to look at Charles: "What is this?"

"Grenade, Colonel!" Charles replied: "Open the safety cover at the tail, pull the string, and throw it in the direction of the enemy. It will explode in a few seconds!"

However, these are training ammunition, and the weight and size are exactly the same as live ammunition.

Brownie understood immediately. During this time, he was busy transporting supplies and sending wounded soldiers. Some of the wounded soldiers were injured by German hand-thrown explosives. He often heard the complaints from the wounded soldiers:

"What is our government doing? The Germans have special explosives that can be thrown into our trenches with a pull of the string and blow us up in large pieces!"

"But we have to make our own with gunpowder in a can and a fuse!"

"Can't they invent something useful?"

Someone even said to Brownie: "Hey, I heard that you are a friend of Ciel, why not let him invent an explosive that can be thrown easily?"

Brownie always beats his chest and replies: "Don't worry, this matter is taken care of by me!"

However, he always forgot about it as soon as he turned around.

Now seeing this grenade, Brownie couldn't put it down after holding it: "Hey, little guy, how many of these do you have? I think the soldiers on the front line need it very much!"

"Don't worry!" Charles said: "It will be equipped on the front line soon, after we break through La Fox!"

The Saint-Etienne Arsenal is currently producing at a rate of 20,000 pieces per day, and will expand production later. As long as the military is willing to buy it, this simple and practical gadget will be enough on the battlefield!

Estiny had not taken the grenade seriously at first, but after thinking about it carefully, he looked at Charles hesitantly: "Lieutenant, this thing...are you going to use it to cover the tank's flank?"

Charles nodded. This was the advantage of Estiny. He did not need to practice or explain. He could guess that grenades were part of the tank's combat system just by imagination.

This scene will appear on the battlefield in the future:

When the "Mark I" slowly explored the bottom of the trench above the trench, the German soldiers were holding K bullets and preparing to penetrate the side of the tank. Suddenly, rows of grenades fell from the sky...

These grenades could not penetrate the tank armor, so the French soldiers could throw them with confidence. As long as there were pits, trenches, and holes in front, they could throw one first to "alert the enemy."

After a bang, the infantry rushed up with rifles and killed the enemies who had not yet reacted to the explosion.

In this way, even if the German soldiers had K bullets in their hands, it would be difficult to penetrate the "Mark I" from the flank, because before that they would have to face the offensive of the French infantry grenades and rifles.

But of course, throwing grenades requires standardized movements and a series of strict training, otherwise it is easy to injure friendly forces or even yourself.

"This is one of the infantry-tank coordination!" Charles looked up at Estiny and said, "It's not as simple as imagined. I hope you can be responsible for its training!"

Estiny responded flattered: "Okay, Lieutenant, I know how to do it!"

But Charles said calmly: "No, you don't know how to do it yet. This is just a part. Maybe we should go to the First Flying Squadron tomorrow to see!"

"First Flying Squadron?" Estiny's eyes flashed with a strange brilliance. Does this mean that there are still aircraft participating in this battle?

(Mark series tanks, due to their special shape and structure, have a strong ability to cross trenches)