Chapter 454 Trench Cleaner
Browning was a remarkable man. He successfully designed and produced 37 different types of firearms.
For example, the various types of Browning pistols that are well-known both at home and abroad, as well as the M1911, a standard pistol used in the United States for decades, are all his works, but what makes Charles most excited is his shotgun.
The latest shotgun is the "Browning A5".
In addition to being produced by FN in Belgium, this gun is also licensed to the American Remington Company, which named it the "Remington M11".
(The above picture shows the "Browning A5", also known as the "Remington M11". It has the nickname "hunchback" due to its unique high tail design. It began production in 1902 and was not discontinued until 1998. According to incomplete statistics, 850,000 were produced)
At this time, European countries generally did not like shotguns. They believed that the range of this gun was too short, only about 40 meters, and it could not compare with the range of rifles that could easily reach hundreds of meters. Therefore, both sides of the war did not pay attention to it and of course did not equip this gun.
Only the American army, which retained some of its "cowboy style", liked this high-powered gun very much. They even modified the military version of the "Winchester 1897".
When the US military entered the war in 1917, shotguns immediately showed amazing power on the battlefield.
The narrow space in the trenches made it difficult to operate long rifles, and the bolt-action rifles had a slow firing rate and could only fire one bullet after pulling the bolt.
Shotguns can fire multiple bullets in one breath to strike the enemy in a three-dimensional manner. At the same time, trench warfare is a close-range battle, which makes the shortcomings of the shotgun's insufficient range less obvious.
This gun scared the Germans at the time, so much so that they demanded a ban on the use of this gun as a combat weapon because it was inhumane.
(The picture above shows the Winchester 1897 shotgun, also designed by Browning, which is slightly behind the Browning A5. The former requires manual reloading, while the latter is semi-automatic.)
Charles wants to obtain the right to improve the Browning A5. Compared with the military version of the Winchester 1897, it has a longer barrel and lacks a bayonet mount.
These are not conducive to trench warfare, after all, it needs a bayonet immediately after firing a bullet.
In addition, there are some improvements that even Browning himself does not know about, but Charles can do, such as increasing its range and effective dispersion.
But Charles is not stupid enough to bring it up now.
He calmly continued the previous topic: "Another question, you use the same bullets as the Germans, gentlemen, have you considered this?"
Charles glanced at everyone and said: "This means that once the Germans seize your machine guns, they can immediately turn the muzzle to point at you, or us!"
Everyone was stunned when they heard this.
"But this can't be solved." Albert I was silent for a while and said: "Unless we use the Lebel rifle."
Boyata's eyes widened immediately, which almost meant that all orders from FN were cut off.
Charles replied calmly:
"My suggestion is that the original 'Saint-Etienne 2' machine gun should be used before the guerrillas form combat effectiveness."
"Although it will cause supply chaos to a certain extent, the advantage is that the machine gun will not be used by the German army even if it is captured."
"Wait until the later stage, when the guerrillas form combat effectiveness and are not so easily defeated by the enemy, and the Germans have their own light machine guns, the problem of capture will no longer exist."
Albert I said "Oh" and nodded repeatedly:
"That's right, Brigadier General."
"And we won't enter mass production so quickly, and there is still a window period for light machine guns."
"During this period, we can completely buy from France instead of waiting for machine guns to be produced."
"This can also allow our troops to familiarize themselves with this light machine gun in advance!"
Charles nodded, that's what he wanted to say.
Everything is good for the war, the only drawback is that Albert I has to spend more money, and Charles can make more money.
Boyata was relieved when he heard this, and secretly called out a fluke in his heart.
The guerrillas used all kinds of guns. If Charles proposed to replace all rifles with Lebel, Albert I, who was obedient to Charles, might really agree.
…
The next day, Charles woke up in the dormitory of the Antwerp Airport.
During this period, the German troops in Antwerp had been basically cleared out, and Charles no longer needed to continue to set up the headquarters in such a difficult environment as a fortress.
The best location is the airport.
Of course, this requires the deployment of fighter planes.
Charles immediately widened the Antwerp Airport, transported fuel and spare parts, and set up air defense alerts in front of the airport, so that a squadron of "Camel" fighters and the headquarters could be stationed together.
Charles's move once again amazed Tijani: "God, our air superiority has advanced 200 kilometers in an instant. We can say that we have full control over the Belgian sky."
(Note: The Camel fighter has a range of 485 kilometers)
This seems to be a very common thing to Charles, but Tijani shouted as if he had discovered a new world.
"There are also Brussels and Mons, General." Charles pointed to the map while chewing bread and said: "Build airports in these two cities and station fighters there. That's what it means to truly control the Belgian sky."
Tijani nodded, and then asked: "When will we launch a new attack? Everyone is waiting!"
Charles did not answer, staring at the map and chewing his bread.
All of them included Albert I and Colonel Eden, although their guerrillas were not ready yet.
"Some people say that we should pursue the victory." Tijani continued to instigate: "The longer the time, the more fully prepared the Germans will be."
"The Germans are ready, General." Charles replied: "Anti-tank trenches, plus the fortresses left in Belgium."
There are several difficult nails ahead, Namur Fortress, Louvain, and Liege Fortress, known as the first fortress in Belgium.
The Germans organized a new line of defense against Charles' armored forces based on the original fortifications and cities in Belgium.
The most troublesome of them is the anti-tank trench, which prevents the armored forces from breaking through quickly.
"The Germans are making progress." Charles smiled lightly: "They have learned our tactics and developed many countermeasures."
"You must have a solution." Tijani looked at Charles with a smile, he was very confident in Charles.
Charles smiled and said nothing.
He was waiting for the new equipment of the "Saint-Etienne" Arsenal.
At this time, the guard came in and reported: "Brigadier General, there is an instructor named Dominic outside who wants to see you."
Here he comes, Charles thought.
Dominic brought a newly developed submachine gun, which was waiting for Charles to see and approve before it could go into mass production.
