Chapter 275: Test on the Training Ground
The entire tank weighs approximately 12.5 tons. In addition to carrying four crew members, it can also carry two ring-shaped ammunition bags with 1,200 rounds of machine gun bullets, 28 shells, and weapons for the crew.
Due to its tracked design, this tank can achieve an average speed of 25 km/h on flat surfaces, with a maximum speed of 32 km/h.
Of course, on non-flat terrain, both the average and maximum speeds would be greatly reduced, and it could even affect the tank's stability.
Although this heavy vehicle moves relatively slowly, it has a maximum range of 210 kilometers.
The tank's body is fully covered with 17mm steel armor, which makes it look somewhat bulky, but its protective capabilities are indeed reliable.
Historically, the armor thickness of tanks during the later stages of World War I was around 5 to 12 mm, while Australasia's first-generation tank's armor thickness far exceeded this figure.
Of course, it still has a long way to go to match the armor thickness of tanks from World War II. During World War II, the armor thickness of tanks typically ranged from 45 to 100 mm, with the Maus super-heavy tank's armor thickness reaching a terrifying 350 mm.
What does 350 mm mean? It's 35 cm thick—almost half a meter thick for the armor alone, and bullets would probably only scratch the surface.
Seeing that Arthur was very interested in the newly developed tank, the researchers from the Agricultural Machinery Factory quickly organized a performance test for the tank.
Naturally, this test could not be held at the Agricultural Machinery Factory. After all, having constant explosions and machine gun sounds in a factory that manufactures agricultural machinery would raise suspicions.
For confidentiality reasons, the tank test was moved to the barracks of the Guard Division on the outskirts of Sydney, where the gunfire and machine gun sounds could be claimed as part of the Guard Division's training.
At the Guard Division barracks, at a certain training ground.
Normally, during this time, various artillery and shooting drills would already be underway.
However, today, the training ground seemed eerily quiet, and there were also additional trenches, barbed wire, pits, ditches, chevaux-de-frise, and small fortifications hastily built.
Of course, although these facilities were hastily constructed, their sturdiness was definitely trustworthy.
At least in battle, they could serve as competent defensive positions, and their protective performance would certainly be better than hastily constructed defense positions.
Perhaps due to yesterday's rain, the training ground had become a bit muddy. People walking on these roads inevitably slipped, which would naturally reduce combat effectiveness during actual operations.
On a raised platform outside the training ground, Arthur, along with the Minister of Defense Raul, Minister Kent, the Commander of the Guard Division Thomas, and the head of the Agricultural Machinery Factory, stood on the platform, using binoculars to observe closely.
They watched as a strangely shaped tracked vehicle slowly approached from a distance. Due to the tracked design, it didn't slip on the muddy ground.
This was, of course, the tank, and all the arrangements on the training ground today were prepared specifically for testing the performance of the tank developed by the Agricultural Machinery Factory.
"Mr. Director, does this beast really have the capabilities you mentioned?" The Commander of the Guard Division, Thomas, asked curiously.
Although the head of the Agricultural Machinery Factory had made extravagant claims about the tank, Thomas still felt that it looked clumsy. Could this actually be a weapon of war that could be deployed on the battlefield?
"Just watch, General Thomas!" The head of the Agricultural Machinery Factory smiled and replied, glancing at Arthur's expression.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the tank slowly approached various defensive structures and, with ease, quickly overcame these obstacles such as barbed wire, wooden stakes, puddles, and trenches.
Seeing that the tank effortlessly passed these obstacles, which would have been difficult for infantry, General Thomas raised an eyebrow and continued to watch with interest.
Next, there was a steep slope that looked a bit challenging, with a conventional trench at the bottom.
Because the slope was so close to the trench, there was a risk that the tank might not be able to stop in time and fall into the trench.
However, this was no challenge for the tracked tank. After easily climbing the slope, the tank smoothly passed over the trench, as if the two-meter-deep trench didn't exist.
At the end of the trench was a small fortification made of steel bars and concrete. Though not thick, if infantry were to attempt to dismantle it, they would likely suffer significant casualties.
After all, such fortifications on the battlefield were like turtles hiding in their shells, with no easy way to deal with them.
The tank approached the fortification, and the people hiding inside began firing rifles and machine guns. After three minutes of shooting and failing to inflict any damage on the tank, they immediately retreated.
Once the fortification was empty, the tank bombarded it. Despite frequent use of shells, it took less than two minutes to create a large breach in the fortification, which then collapsed after being hit by the tank.
The most difficult problem for infantry in dismantling such a fortification was dealing with the counterattacks from the defenders inside, causing significant casualties.
The tank, after enduring three minutes of fire from within the fortification, demonstrated that it could withstand such attacks while destroying the fortification itself.
Seeing this, not only General Thomas but also Minister Raul and Minister Kent were all greatly impressed. They were all very interested in this new weapon developed by the Agricultural Machinery Factory.
After watching the tank destroy the fortification, they slowly returned to the starting point of the experiment. The military officers couldn't hide their excitement, and their eyes were clearly filled with enthusiasm.
"Alright, the reason I called you here is to observe the actual combat capabilities of this new weapon. It will definitely be equipped in our military and will first be issued to the Guard Division," Arthur said, smiling at the excited trio.
"Your Majesty, why don't you equip us with an entire regiment! These beasts will be a deadly weapon on the battlefield. Not only will they reduce our soldiers' casualties, but they can also indiscriminately destroy enemy soldiers and fortifications. It's simply unfair," General Thomas, unable to contain his excitement, quickly requested.
"Equipping them is a given, but the tanks are still in the development stage, and their performance isn't fully stable yet. Today's experiment went smoothly, but that doesn't mean there won't be any issues in the future. However, what's certain is that these tanks have enormous combat potential and will play a decisive role on the battlefield," Arthur said with a smile.
It's no wonder the senior military officials were so excited about the tanks—after all, even in history, tanks were a powerful weapon that could change the way warfare was conducted.
In later years, the Soviet Union's tanks and armored vehicles created a "steel tide" that struck fear into European nations for many years.
"Director Joel, please update them on the current progress of the tank development," Arthur said, smiling.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Director Joel of the Agricultural Machinery Factory said respectfully, then turned to explain to Ministers Kent and Raul:
"Currently, our tanks are still in the development stage. We expect to begin formal production in about six months. You wouldn't want to buy tanks that occasionally malfunction, would you? Please give us another six months, and I assure you, we will deliver reliable tanks to the military."
Upon hearing the six-month deadline, Ministers Kent and Raul nodded in understanding.
Military weapons are generally expected to be stable. After all, soldiers don't want their weapons to fail when they're on the battlefield—it's no laughing matter with their lives on the line.
Minister Raul nodded and smiled, saying, "Director Joel, make sure to speed up the testing and improvements! Rest assured, the military will definitely place an order. Even if it means going all out, I'll fight for at least 1,000 tanks for the military."
Both Minister Kent, Minister Raul, and General Thomas were all high-ranking military personnel.
They fully understood the combat capabilities and decisive role these tanks could have on the battlefield.
If the military could equip 1,000 tanks, even with just 120,000 soldiers, they would be equivalent to an army of several hundred thousand from other countries.
To be bold, with 1,000 tanks, Australasia's army would directly rise to the level of the great powers and would certainly not be at the bottom of the rankings.
"The tank information must remain absolutely confidential. It's impossible to equip large numbers of tanks in the army in the short term," Minister Kent said, looking at Minister Raul.
"You're right, I made an oversight," Minister Raul quickly admitted, not daring to show any defiance toward his former superior, Arthur's absolute confidant, Minister Kent.
"Minister Kent is absolutely correct. Currently, the tanks are in absolute secrecy in Australasia and cannot be openly deployed in the army. However, we can secretly form an armored division, assemble an army composed entirely of tanks, and occasionally mix them with other divisions for joint training. Of course, the divisions training with the tank division need to be carefully selected. In any case, until other countries heavily develop tanks, it's best to keep our tanks secret," Arthur nodded in agreement with Minister Kent's advice.
Seeing that Arthur had spoken, Minister Raul naturally dared not object.
"Of course, if we discover that other European countries are heavily developing tanks, we can bring our tanks into the open. At that point, as Minister Raul said, even if we equip 1,000 tanks, we must ensure that we maintain an advantage in tanks over other countries."
(End of Chapter)
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