I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 756: It’s Time to Upgrade the Truck Cannon
"Truck-mounted artillery." Shire answered straightforwardly.
This equipment is already widely used in the First Armored Army, with about 40 guns per regiment in each division.
The actual numbers equipped are much higher.
Because in actual combat, whether in an Armored Division or a Mechanized Division, they found the truck-mounted artillery has strong firepower, high rate of fire, and good mobility. For practical reasons, each battalion would add one or two guns as fire support.
However, Tijani responded, "I remember you once said that this motorized division operates more like infantry, right?"
"That is indeed the case." Shire nodded, "The purpose of forming them is to quickly reach their destination."
"Therefore, we can’t have only 75mm cannons, General." Tijani presented an organizational chart to Shire, pointed to a line on it, and said, "I’ve added two artillery battalions to the motorized units, armed with 105MM howitzers captured from the German Army. And I think they are essential."
Shire immediately understood what Tijani meant.
Armored and mechanized units can suffice with 75mm cannons because they are mobile units and mostly on the offensive.
Even if they encounter the German Army’s 105MM artillery, they won’t have much difficulty.
First, use bombers to strike the German artillery positions, then "Saint-Chamond" and truck-mounted artillery would charge forward under the cover of tanks.
Once within 75mm cannon range, they could use the high rate of fire of the 75mm cannons to suppress the German 105MM howitzers comprehensively.
(Note: This was based on the accuracy of artillery during the First World War, which was not high. In modern times, with howitzers equipped with radar and aerial reconnaissance for accurate fire coverage, longer range becomes crucial, and this tactic would not work.)
But motorized units are different.
They rarely have tanks and armored vehicles. Cars and motorcycles can’t even enter the warzone, and need to dismount and walk the last 3 to 5 kilometers.
In this situation, if all their artillery were 75mm cannons, they would easily fall into a passive position, unable to return fire.
They wouldn’t be able to advance against the German Army’s long-range 105MM artillery.
Even if they reached their destination, the German 105MM artillery could fight comfortably from beyond the 75mm cannon range.
"Very well." Shire nodded in approval: "You have understood the issues of the motorized units."
Tijani calmly replied: "It’s easy to know after a few drills, it’s not difficult."
Then he added: "The key is how to solve these problems, General."
The speed of the 105MM howitzers is the shortest board, setting the lower limit for the speed of the motorized units.
Shire thought for a while and then provided the answer: "Truck-mounted artillery—mount the 105MM howitzers on trucks too."
Tijani was taken aback:
"But, that’s a 105MM howitzer, General."
"We can’t mount it on a truck. It’s not just a matter of the truck’s capacity—there’s also the recoil."
"How can we fire it from a truck without shaking the chassis apart?"
It was time to upgrade the truck-mounted artillery, Shire thought.
The French Army has always had weaknesses in long-range artillery, so upgrading with trucks for higher combat power and survivability is necessary.
"The truck’s capacity issue is easy to solve." Shire replied: "We just need to increase the engine power."
At most, install the latest tank engine developed by the tractor factory, and design a four-wheel drive.
Money is not an issue—Shire believed investing in his own units was always worthwhile.
"As for firing from the truck..."
Shire said nothing and took up paper and pen, sketching.
Soon, a modern truck-mounted artillery design appeared on paper, with a significant improvement that the artillery base would unfold to support the ground, reducing the recoil impact on the vehicle.
(The above image shows the 155MM truck-mounted artillery of our country; a major highlight is the barrel extending beyond the cabin greatly to minimize the impact on the cabin during low-angle firing.)
Tijani stared blankly at Shire’s sketch for a long while before saying, "You’re not joking, are you? It can really be mounted on a truck?"
"Of course." Shire nodded confidently.
It wasn’t high-tech—just had to ensure the truck’s capacity, the rest was about how many shots the truck could take before breaking down.
Tijani’s eyes rolled around, then he said seriously: "General, I think the motorized units are still not fully formed; we should be cautious about using this unformed equipment."
Shire had guessed Tijani’s thoughts: "So, we should let the mechanized units try it out first, preferably equip the mechanized divisions first, right?"
"Yes, that’s exactly what I meant." Tijani exclaimed: "Unbelievable, our views are incredibly aligned..."
He suddenly stopped because he felt Shire’s sharp glare.
The next second, he smoothly changed his direction:
"However, I still believe that the motorized units need this artillery the most."
"Mechanical units can still win without it, but the motorized units face a survival issue without it."
"From a strategic perspective, motorized units must be equipped first!"
The word "first" was squeezed out through gritted teeth.
Shire responded expressionlessly with a "Hmm": "Our views are incredibly aligned, Major General."
Tijani was speechless, only able to look longingly at the 105mm truck-mounted artillery sketch.
A masterpiece, even if it hadn’t been produced yet.
Without a doubt, both mechanized and armored units needed it to gain a huge advantage in artillery support.
Shire didn’t dwell on the issue, shifting to the reason for their visit.
"Don’t you think there’s something wrong with our current position?" Shire asked.
Reluctantly, Tijani withdrew his gaze from the sketch, speaking with a hint of regret:
"Yes, General, we are blocked by the Meuse River and cannot advance."
"And what blocks our way are our own people."
He traced a circle roughly over the map’s area east of the Meuse River: "The Eastern Army Group, the last unit under the parliament’s control."
Tijani’s gaze shifted to Shire, with a glint of schadenfreude in his eyes.
Would the parliament give way to you?
They couldn’t wait to see you fail.
Shire smiled lightly: "No, Major General, we don’t need the parliament to give way. I heard they are already preparing to attack."
"I heard that too." Tijani nodded: "They are eager for a victory. But even if they lose, it’s unlikely they’ll let you in, General."
If they let you in, and you won, it would overshadow the parliament and government.
They aren’t that foolish.
Shire leaned in and whispered to Tijani.
Tijani was stunned, then turned his head with a shocked look at Shire: "Can we really do that?"
