Chapter 260 The development direction of tanks

After thinking for a while, Colonel Estiny replied:

"I understand what you mean, Colonel!"

"If it is a single battle, the 'Charter A1' may have an advantage. But if the 'Charter A1' faces a group of such tanks, it may not be able to cope with it."

"What's more, Schneider can improve this tank into a rotating turret, and then the 'Charter A1' will have no advantage."

In short, this tank can have everything that the "Charter A1" has, and it has the advantage of mobility compared to the "Charter A1".

How can the "Charter A1" defeat it by then?

Charle was almost at a loss for words by Estiny.

The tanks of this period may have been led astray by the success of the "Charter A1". The tank combat theory suddenly turned from the super-heavy "Saint-Chamond" and A7V to the other extreme - super-light.

This is very French. They always try to find an absolutely correct theory, and then do nothing but stick to this theory to the end in the hope of winning.

However, the complexity and variability of the battlefield determined that this idea was doomed to fail.

Charles replied slowly: "I don't think the problem you are considering exists, Colonel. Most tank battles are outside the road. You don't deny this, do you?"

Colonel Estiny nodded.

So far, there has been no example of tanks fighting on the road. Even if they are intercepted on the road, the battle will still be off the road.

"So!" Charles took the sketch and pointed at the wheels on the sketch: "Its wheels are completely useless in combat. Its mobility in combat can only be tracks, not wheels."

Estiny did not deny that the mobility of wheels is used for interspersion rather than combat.

Charles said again: "Since its wheel form is only 28 kilometers per hour on the road, then I boldly guess that its track speed is likely to be only more than ten kilometers per hour. Do you agree with this?"

Estiny hesitated for a moment and nodded and replied: "Agree!"

If the track speed of Schneider's light tank can reach 20 kilometers per hour, it does not need wheels at all.

On the other hand, the "Charle A1" has a more advanced suspension and can reach a maximum speed of 15 kilometers per hour, so the track speed should not be much different from this light tank.

"In that case." Charles ended with a question: "How can a light tank of only about 4 tons defeat the 8-ton "Charle A1"? "

Estiny was stunned, and then suddenly realized.

Deyoka was confused. He hesitated and looked at Estiny and then at Charles: "This, can the winner be determined by weight?"

"Although it is unbelievable, it seems to be possible." Colonel Estiny explained: "Under the same technical conditions, the mobility speed is not much different, and the heavier tank means thicker armor, which means that I can penetrate the opponent but the opponent cannot penetrate me!"

Deyoka nodded with an "oh".

The reason is actually very simple. Schneider and Charles are both French arms dealers, and the engines and weapons and equipment used by light tanks are similar.

Heavy weight must mean thicker armor, and thicker armor means more defensive advantages in combat.

Charles said nothing more, just looked at the two quietly.

Colonel Estiny was absent-minded for a while, and then suddenly woke up as if he had been enlightened: "God, I may know what the future development trend of tanks will be."

Deyoka was confused: "What?"

He didn't understand how this could analyze the "development trend".

Colonel Estiny turned his eyes to Charles, with some uncertainty on his face and a slightly excited voice: "If weight can determine combat effectiveness, can it be explained that, under the premise of ensuring a certain speed and mobility, we should make the armor as thick as possible?"

Then Estiny thought of something else, and he added: "So you let Matthew go to the aircraft manufacturing plant to learn engine technology?"

Charles nodded slightly.

That was two weeks ago. When the aircraft manufacturing plant's R\u0026D department was producing bombers, there was a shortage of manpower, and Charles took this opportunity to transfer Matthew to help.

Deyoka became more and more confused. What does engine technology have to do with thickening armor?

After thinking for a while, it seemed to be understood that more advanced engine technology and greater horsepower meant that it could carry thicker armor and would definitely have stronger protection.

Charles added earnestly:

"The role of a tank has never been to have more and more fancy functions, Colonel."

"Battlefield equipment has one most basic and most important common point: 'save yourself and destroy the enemy'."

"Any equipment will not have too many problems as long as you think from this perspective."

Estiny suddenly realized: "Although a light tank like Schneider has stronger mobility, it cannot 'save itself'. It is even difficult for it to break through the enemy's defense line... God, if it cannot break through the enemy's defense line, its road mobility may not work, which means that it is a redundant and useless function, and it may even increase the logistical burden."

Charles nodded secretly. After all, he is the father of French armor, and he understands it at once.

At this time, Estiny seemed to have entered another state. He repeatedly thought about Charles' words in his mind, muttering to himself:

"Then 'destroying the enemy' is... artillery!"

"Yes, it is artillery!"

"Artillery should have a longer range."

As he said this, Estiny looked at Charles excitedly, his voice trembling with excitement:

"I guessed right, Colonel, the artillery is developing towards a longer range."

"And penetration, strive to penetrate enemy tanks at a longer distance!"

Charles nodded gently:

"That's right, Colonel. This is the development trend of tanks in the future."

"It doesn't need too many changes, it just needs to pursue a balance between mobility, defense and firepower."

"And the core that determines all this..."

Colonel Estiny continued: "It's the engine, it's the engine that determines all this."

Only when the engine reaches a certain level can the tank carry thicker armor and larger caliber artillery.

Otherwise, it will be like "Saint-Chamond" and A7V, which are like small horses pulling big carts. It is difficult for them to start normally on the battlefield, let alone fight.

At this time, Estiny suddenly thought that Charles had been reluctant to install artillery on the "Mark I" before, and the "Charles A1" tank was only equipped with a small 37MM caliber cannon, which seemed to be considered from this comprehensive aspect.

After thinking of this, Estiny was shocked beyond words.

Could it be that Charles already knew this direction at that time?

But...

At that time, tanks had just appeared and there were no rivals. How could Charles know the future development direction?

He actually thought so far!