I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France
Chapter 187: After modification - 187 Tank Base

Chapter 187: After modification: Chapter 187 Tank Base

In the end, the price of each shell was set at 15 francs, exactly ten times that of a grenade.

But of course, Shire still made a huge profit.

The production cost of a mortar shell was only 5 francs, giving him a profit of 10 francs per shell. Once thousands were hurled at the enemy on the battlefield, his pockets would jingle with every launch. No wonder there’s a saying, "When the cannons fire, gold piles up."

...

On that morning, just over two hours before Shire’s training class was about to begin, Schneider Headquarters received detailed information about the mortar.

Paulina placed a statistical report on James’s desk, her tone helpless: "The military has already placed an order: the first batch of 200 mortars and 50,000 shells, enough to equip an infantry division and a tank unit. If the trial goes well, these mortars will be equipped to all 44 frontline divisions and even reserve forces!"

James, who was staring at the documents in a daze, nodded gravely: "A division needs 100 mortars, and the entire army needs more than 5,000. If you add in combat losses, malfunctions, and wear, Saint-Étienne will receive continuous orders and a seemingly astronomical number of shells."

Paulina sighed softly: "They’ve done their best, but they can’t stop the use of mortars in the troops because they all unanimously agree that this is the artillery needed on the frontlines. Refusing would mean death."

James acknowledged with a sound of "Hmm." He hesitated for a moment, then said to Paulina, word by word: "I don’t care about the money. I just want to know, what did we lose in? Was it technology, experience, funding, or something else? Why were we powerless in the face of Shire’s offensive?"

"Sir!" Paulina replied, "I believe it’s still for the reasons previously mentioned."

James recalled for a moment and said, "Combat experience? But Shire didn’t have that either!"

"But Shire knows what the army needs!" Paulina also didn’t fully understand, but she still believed this: "He seems to know how to win, how to defeat the enemy, the strategy, the tactics, even what weapons can be effective on the battlefield. All he has to do is produce these weapons, while we don’t even know they exist!"

James nodded lightly; Paulina’s analysis was spot on. From tanks to rocket planes to machine gun planes, and recently grenades and mortars...

Every piece of equipment could turn the tide at critical moments, and every piece was irresistible.

Just like the officers said, "Refusing would mean death, it means failure."

James felt a bit dejected: "Such an opponent holds the lifeline of the war. How can we defeat him? Or should we just watch as he gradually encroaches upon our territory?"

Paulina stood straight and answered, "I think we should study him personally, sir!"

"Study him personally?" James’s eyes lit up, and he nodded approvingly: "You’re right, Paulina! I need to know the command process for each of his battles, every detailed process!"

"Yes, sir!" Paulina responded calmly.

...

The 12th arrondissement of Paris was drizzly and misty. A few kilometers east of the Lyon Railway Station stood a barren area, situated on the edge of Paris, one could even say it was a suburban area.

Among hills and trees, one wouldn’t notice that the area had been fenced off with barbed wire and designated as a military restricted zone with armed soldiers standing guard.

At the core of this restricted zone was a basin surrounded by small peaks. France’s first tank base was established here.

This was for secrecy reasons. Since the tank unit achieved victory in the Lafox region, France’s only tank unit had been moved to this base to be protected.

The highlands and woods were all thoroughly inspected and occupied by guards. The surrounding three kilometers were completely cleared, and even fighter planes were arranged to patrol the skies to prevent enemy reconnaissance planes from getting close.

The tank unit was formed into France’s First Tank Brigade, led by Colonel Brownie, with Colonel Estiny as the chief of staff.

Gallieni’s idea was: this kind of unit shouldn’t be rushed to the battlefield. Instead, it should be trained and a complete set of tactics developed in the rear. Once more tanks were available and the tactics were replicated, they could then be dispatched to the battlefield in batches to be tested.

"They represent the highest combat power of France!" Gallieni said firmly. "The tactics of this unit could overturn all of France’s combat theories. If their victories can be replicated, it will prove that they are correct, forming a solid tactical theoretic foundation. Thus, we cannot allow the slightest possibility of a leak!"

Therefore, the tank base was off-limits to anyone except for individuals like Shire and Colonel Estiny.

However, even Shire had to apply in advance, stating his reason, and undergo multiple inspections.

When Shire saw Colonel Brownie, he was sitting in the sidecar of a motorcycle, looking at training maps. A hundred meters away, several "Mark I" tanks were rumbling through the mud with infantry.

Brownie was so engrossed in the maps that he didn’t notice Shire until a guard reminded him.

"Shire!" Brownie exclaimed, his tense face blossoming into a smile as he saw him. He leaped from his seat and gave Shire a warm hug: "I was just thinking about you, and here you are! Look at you, already a major. Soon you’ll be my superior, won’t you?"

Shire smiled without replying and casually asked, "How is it here? Colonel, is everything alright?"

Brownie chuckled: "It’s great here. As a tank base, everything we need is provided. The only regret I have is that you’re not here."

Brownie raised the training map in his hand and complained: "They want me to develop a set of tactics. Isn’t this the job of you and Colonel Estiny?"

"You’re the brigade commander, Colonel," Shire explained. "Principally, everything is related to you. Besides, if you don’t understand the tactics thoroughly, it will be hard to command accurately on the battlefield."

"I know!" Brownie rolled his eyes: "But I do miss the old days when I didn’t have to think about anything else, just how to kill the enemy!"

"So, is there a problem?" Shire nodded to the training map in Brownie’s hand.

"Oh, yes!" Remembering the problem that had been troubling him earlier, Brownie brought the map closer to Shire, explaining: "I’m considering a scenario: what if our tank unit encounters an ambushed enemy artillery unit? I mean, the Germans’ 77mm field gun!"

Shire nodded slightly, understanding it was a common German tactic.

The German M96 77mm field gun, in terms of range, firing rate, and accuracy, couldn’t compare to France’s 75mm gun. Hence, the Germans often concealed them near their defensive lines to provide fire support to infantry within visual range.

Unable to match the enemy’s artillery in direct confrontation, they would hide it near the front line, waiting for the French to bring up their artillery before launching a sudden attack.

This tactic posed a significant threat to tanks!