Chapter 275 Test on the training ground
The entire tank weighs approximately 12.5 tons. In addition to accommodating four crew members, it can also carry two ring-shaped bullet bags containing 1,200 rounds of machine gun bullets, 28 artillery shells, and weapons for four crew members. New π.πΌππ
Because it is a tracked tank, the average driving speed of this tank on flat roads can reach 25 kilometers per hour, and the maximum driving speed is 32 kilometers per hour.
Of course, if it is a non-flat road, the average driving speed and maximum driving speed will be greatly reduced, and it may even affect the stability of the tank.
Although this big guy drives relatively slowly, it has a maximum driving range of 210 kilometers.
Because the tank body is fully covered with 17mm steel armor, this big guy looks a bit bloated, but its protective capabilities are indeed trustworthy.
If we look at history, the armor of tanks in the late World War I was only about 5 to 12 millimeters, and the armor thickness of the first-generation Australasian tanks far exceeded this figure.
Of course, there is still a long way to go before the thickness of tank armor during World War II. During World War II, tank armor thickness generally reached 45 to 100 mm, and the armor thickness of the Maus super-heavy tank even reached a terrifying 350 mm.
What is the concept of 350mm? A full 35 centimeters, the thickness of the armor alone is almost half a meter, and the bullets will probably only scratch off a layer of paint.
Seeing that Arthur was very interested in the newly developed tank, the researchers at the Agricultural Machinery Factory quickly organized an experiment on the performance of the tank.
Of course, this experiment cannot be placed in an agricultural machinery factory. After all, you are a factory engaged in agricultural machinery. Why are explosions and machine gunfire happening all the time in the factory?
For the sake of confidentiality, the tank experiment was placed at the Guards Division's station on the outskirts of Sydney. The sound of artillery and machine gunfire could also be falsely claimed as the training of the Guards Division.
Guards Division station, a certain training ground. newΛΙoΙ―
Normally, various artillery and shooting trainings have already begun here at this time.
But at this time, the training ground seemed quiet, and there were many more trenches, barbed wire fences, tunnels, ditches, horse barriers, and simple small fortresses on the training ground.
Of course, although these facilities are simply constructed, their sturdiness is absolutely trustworthy.
At least it can be regarded as a qualified defensive position in war, and its protective performance is definitely better than that of hastily built defensive positions.
Perhaps it was because of the rain yesterday that the training ground became a little muddy. When people walk on such a road, they will inevitably slip, which will naturally reduce their combat effectiveness during combat.
On a high platform outside the training ground, Arthur, Defense Minister Raul, State Secretary Kent, Guards Division Commander Thomas and the person in charge of the agricultural machinery factory stood on the high platform and looked carefully through binoculars.
In the training ground, I saw a strange-looking tracked vehicle slowly driving up not far away. Because it was tracked, it did not slip on the somewhat muddy training ground.
This is naturally the protagonist tank today. All the layouts of today's training ground are prepared for tanks, in order to test the performance of tanks built by agricultural machinery factories.
"Mr. Factory Director, does this big guy really have the ability you said?" Thomas, the commander of the Guards Division, asked curiously.
Although the director of the Agricultural Machinery Factory praised this big guy called the tank, Commander Thomas felt that it was a clumsy guy. Can it really be put into the battlefield and become a big killer?
"Commander Thomas, just take a look!" The director of the agricultural machinery factory glanced at Arthur's face, and then said to Thomas with a smile.
Under the gaze of everyone, the tank slowly approached various built fortifications, and quickly crossed these barbed wire fences, wooden piles, puddles, tunnels and other obstacles with overwhelming force. newα΄α΄α΄
Seeing that the tank easily passed through the difficult obstruction of these infantrymen, Division Commander Thomas raised his eyebrows with interest and continued to watch with concentration.
Next is a steep slope that looks a bit strenuous. Below the steep slope is a regular trench.
Because the steep slope and the trench are relatively close, there is a risk that the tank will be unable to stop and fall into the trench at any time.
However, this was not a problem for the tracked tanks. After easily climbing up the steep slope, the tracked tanks passed through the trenches as if they were on flat ground, as if the two-meter-deep trenches did not exist.
At the end of the trench was a simple fortress built of steel and cement. Although it is not thick, if the infantry is used to pull out this fortress, it will probably cost a lot of casualties.
After all, such a fortress is like a turtle on the battlefield. There is really no good way for him to hide in his shell.
The tank was seen approaching the fortress. The men who had been hiding in the fortress fired with rifles and machine guns for three minutes. After finding that no damage was caused to the tank, they immediately and decisively evacuated the fortress.
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After everyone left the fortress, the tanks bombed the fortress. Under the premise of frequently consuming artillery shells, it took less than two minutes to blow up a large gap in the fortress. The fortress was also crumbling and was directly destroyed by the impact of the tanks. destroy.
The most difficult problem for the infantry to pull out such a fortress is that when the fortress is pulled out, the people in the fortress will also carry out various counterattacks, causing a large number of casualties to the infantry.
The tank withstood three minutes of fire from inside the fortress before destroying the fortress. This was to prove that the tank could withstand attacks from within the fortress while destroying the fortress.
Seeing this, not only Division Commander Thomas, but also Minister of Defense Raul and Minister of State Kent all brightened up and were very interested in new weapons developed by agricultural machinery factories such as tanks.
After watching the tanks destroy the fortress, they slowly returned to the place where the experiment started. Only then did several people from the military look at the agricultural machinery factory. The excitement in their eyes could no longer be concealed.
"Okay, I called you here just to see the actual combat capabilities of this new weapon. The new weapon will definitely be equipped with our army, and it will be equipped with the Guards Division first." Arthur looked at the three people with excited faces. He couldn't help but said in a funny manner.
"Your Majesty, why don't you just equip us with a regiment! This kind of big guy is a big killer on the battlefield. It can not only reduce the casualties of our soldiers, but also destroy the enemy's soldiers and fortresses wantonly. It's simply unreasonable. ." Hearing what Arthur said, Commander Thomas couldn't hold it any longer and quickly requested.
"The equipment must be equipped, but the current tanks are still in the research and development stage, and their performance is not so stable. There were no accidents in the tank experiment today, which does not mean that there will be no accidents in the future. But it is worthy of recognition that this kind of Tanks have huge combat capabilities and can play a decisive role on the battlefield," Arthur said with a smile.
In fact, it is no wonder that these military leaders are so excited about tanks. Even in its original history, this was a powerful weapon that could change the concept of combat.
And didnβt the torrent of steel produced by Red Russia in tanks and armored vehicles in later generations also frighten European countries for a long time?
"Director Joel, tell these guys about the current progress of tank development." Arthur said with a smile.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Joel, the director of the Agricultural Machinery Factory, nodded respectfully, and then explained to the three Kents: "Everyone, our tank is still in the research and development stage, and it is expected that it will be officially put into production in about half a year. Time. The tanks you donβt want to buy will have problems from time to time, right? Please give our machinery factory half a year. I guarantee you that in half a year we can provide the military with tanks with reliable performance."
After hearing the six-month deadline mentioned by factory director Joel, the three Kents nodded to express their understanding.
The military's weapons generally pay attention to stability. After all, soldiers don't want their weapons to strike against them on the battlefield. Isn't this making fun of the lives of soldiers?
Minister Raul nodded and said with a smile: "Director Joel, our factory must pay close attention to the subsequent tests and improvements! Don't worry, the military's orders are absolutely indispensable. Even if I risk everything, I will do it for you." The army is seeking an order for at least a thousand tanks."
Whether it is Kent, Minister Raul or Division Commander Thomas, they are all senior and elite personnel from the military.
They already have a full understanding of the tank's combat effectiveness and decisive role on the battlefield.
If the Australasian army can be equipped with thousands of tanks, even if the army only has 120,000 soldiers, it will definitely be worth the hundreds of thousands of troops in other countries.
It is even said without shame that with a thousand tanks, the Australasian army has directly entered the level of the great powers, and is definitely not at the bottom even among the great powers.
"The information about the tanks must be kept absolutely confidential. It is basically impossible to equip the troops on a large scale in a short period of time." Kent glanced at Minister Raul and directly refuted Minister Raul.
"I was negligent." Facing his former superior, Deputy Prime Minister Kent, Arthur's absolute confidant, Minister Raul did not dare to be presumptuous and said quickly.
"Kent is indeed right. Tanks are currently kept in absolute secrecy for Australasia and cannot be equipped openly. However, we can secretly form armored divisions and secretly form an army composed entirely of tanks, and deploy them from time to time. Other divisions come to train with the tank divisions. Of course, the members of these divisions training with the tank divisions also need to be carefully selected. In short, until other countries do not vigorously develop tanks, it is best to keep our tanks secret." Arthur nodded. , which can be regarded as agreeing with Kentβs opinion.
Seeing that Arthur had already spoken, Minister Raul naturally did not dare to have any objections.
"Of course, if it is discovered that other European countries are already vigorously developing tanks, then our tanks can also be used openly. At that time, as Minister Raul said, even if we equip thousands of tanks, we must ensure that we are good at tanks. , advantages for other countries.β
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