CHAPTER 256: REVISED: CHAPTER 256 THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTION OF TANKS

After considering for a while, Colonel Estiny responded:

"I understand what you mean, Colonel!"

"If it were a solo battle, the ’Shire A1’ might have an advantage. But if the ’Shire A1’ faced a group of such tanks, it might be overwhelmed."

"Moreover, Schneider can modify this tank with a rotating turret, at which point the ’Shire A1’ would have no advantage at all."

To put it simply, whatever the ’Shire A1’ has, this tank can also have. It also has the advantage of mobility over the ’Shire A1’.

Then what advantage does the ’Shire A1’ have to defeat it?

Shire was almost left speechless by Estiny.

Tanks of this era might have been misled by the success of the ’Shire A1’, tank warfare theory suddenly shifted from super heavy types like ’Saint Chammon’ and A7V to the other extreme—super light types.

This is very French. They always try to find an absolutely correct theory and stick to it, hoping to win without doing anything else.

However, the complex and ever-changing nature of the battlefield determined that this mindset was doomed to fail.

Shire responded slowly: "I think your concerns do not exist, Colonel. Most tank battles take place off-road, you don’t deny this, right?"

Colonel Estiny nodded.

So far, there have been no tank battles on the road. Even if the road is blocked, the battle would still leave the road.

"So!" Shire took the sketch and pointed at the wheels on it: "It means these wheels are completely useless in combat. Its mobility in battle relies only on its tracks, not its wheels."

Estiny did not deny it. The wheels’ mobility is used for infiltration rather than combat.

Shire continued: "Since its wheel speed on the road is only 28 kilometers per hour, I boldly guess its track speed is probably only a few tens of kilometers per hour. Do you agree with this?"

Estiny hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "Agree!"

If Schneider’s light tank can reach 20 kilometers per hour on tracks, the wheels would be unnecessary.

On the other hand, thanks to more advanced suspension, the ’Shire A1’ can reach a top speed of 15 kilometers per hour. Thus, its track speed should not differ much from this light tank.

"As such," Shire concluded with a question, "how can a light tank weighing around 4 tons defeat an 8-ton ’Shire A1’?"

Estiny was stunned, then suddenly realized.

Dejoka, however, was utterly confused. He hesitated, looking at Estiny, then Shire: "Can weight determine the victor?"

"Incredible as it sounds, it apparently can," Colonel Estiny explained. "Under similar technical conditions and without significant speed differences, a heavier tank means thicker armor, which means I can penetrate it while it can’t penetrate me!"

Dejoka "oh"-ed and nodded.

The principle is simple: Schneider and Shire are both French arms manufacturers, with similar engines and weaponry in their light tanks.

A heavier tank means thicker armor, and thicker armor means a greater defensive advantage in battle.

Shire said nothing more, just quietly watched the two.

Colonel Estiny was lost in thought for a while, then suddenly woke up as if enlightened: "God, I might know the future trend of tanks."

Dejoka was puzzled: "What?"

He didn’t understand how this led to "future trends".

Colonel Estiny turned to Shire, his face showing some uncertainty, his voice slightly trembling with excitement: "If weight can determine combat power, does it mean that as long as we ensure a certain speed and mobility, we should add as much armor as possible?"

Then Estiny thought of something and added: "So that’s why you let Matthew go to the aviation factory to study engine technology?"

Shire nodded slightly.

That was two weeks ago when there was a manpower shortage at the bomber development department in the aviation factory, and Shire took the opportunity to transfer Matthew there to help.

Dejoka was increasingly puzzled. What does engine technology have to do with thicker armor?

After thinking for a while, he seemed to understand. More advanced engine technology means greater horsepower, which means it can carry thicker armor, resulting in stronger defensive capabilities.

Shire solemnly added:

"The role of the tank is never to have more or fancier functions, Colonel."

"The battlefield equipment has one most basic and also the most important common point: ’Preserve oneself and eliminate the enemy.’

"As long as any equipment thinks in this direction, there will be no major problems."

Estiny suddenly understood: "Schneider’s kind of light tank, although it has stronger mobility, cannot ’preserve itself.’ It may even struggle to break through enemy lines... God, if it cannot break through enemy lines, its road mobility may be useless, which means that it is an unnecessary and useless function, even potentially increasing logistical burdens."

Shire nodded to himself. After all, he is the Father of French Armor, quick to understand.

At this moment, Estiny seemed to enter another state. He repeatedly thought about Shire’s words, muttering to himself:

"Then ’eliminate the enemy’ means... cannons!"

"Yes, cannons!"

"Cannons should have a longer range."

Excited, Estiny looked at Shire, his voice trembling with emotion:

"I guessed right, didn’t I, Colonel? Cannons need to develop in a longer range."

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

Shire gently nodded:

"Yes, Colonel. This is the future trend of tank development."

"It doesn’t need many changes, just a balance of mobility, defense, and firepower."

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

Colonel Estiny chimed in: "Is the engine, it is the engine that decides everything."

Only when the engine reaches a certain level can it allow tanks to carry thicker armor and larger caliber cannons.

Otherwise, it would be like the ’Saint Chammon’ and A7V, struggling even to move properly on the battlefield, let alone fight.

At this point, Estiny suddenly thought, Shire had always been reluctant to install cannons on the ’Mark I’, and the ’Shire A1’ only had a small 37MM caliber gun, as if considering this comprehensively.

Realizing this, Estiny was overwhelmingly shocked.

Could it be that Shire knew this direction at that time?

But...

When tanks just appeared at that time, without opponents, how could Shire know the future direction?

He could actually think so far ahead!