I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France
Chapter 189 The Relationship of Stepping Cannons

Chapter 189: Chapter 189 The Relationship of Stepping Cannons

(Below is the French Senegalese Hunter Unit)

The mortar, essentially not just a longer-range grenade, disrupted the infantry-artillery relationship awkwardly situated in World War I.

During Napoleon’s era, the infantry-artillery coordination was quite friendly.

Back then, artillery ranges were short, and infantry and artillery fought side by side, with infantry even able to transition into artillery. Coordination only required shouting loudly.

However, as artillery accuracy improved and ranges extended, the infantry-artillery relationship gradually distanced and even isolated.

French artillery customarily positioned the 75 cannon one kilometer behind the defense line. Aside from facilitating attacks, it also aimed to coordinate with infantry: this distance allowed signal flags to remain visible.

Further distances required radio or telephone communication.

Radios weren’t widespread, and telephones had fixed lines unable to move with the front line, often failing to transmit clearly amidst gunfire and artillery noise.

"Hello, we’re charging, ceasefire!"

"Understood, firing immediately!"

And then a barrage, with shells landing right on our charging soldiers!

(Note: Even modern artillery uses distinctive terms such as "hole one zero" to reduce miscommunication)

Yet, when enemies widely equipped long-range artillery, French artillery naturally adopted longer-range artillery to counter.

This placed infantry several kilometers apart from artillery, often out of visual contact, leading them to fight on different planes despite being on the same battlefield.

The mortar’s emergence perfectly filled this gap.

Maneuverable and agile, it could fire from within trenches and relocate swiftly, boasting survivability despite its short range, unlike the exposed 75 cannon susceptible to suppression by enemy long-range artillery.

Its coordination with infantry was easier than the 75 cannon and 105MM artillery. Even without communication tools, infantry could use shouting, whistling, or flag signals.

Thus, infantry transitioned from lacking artillery to owning it again.

This front-line breakthrough was undeniable, and those rejecting it had ulterior motives.

Indeed, this was the case.

The 6th Army’s 51st Infantry Division was the first to receive mortars, directly commanded by Gallieni.

This wasn’t due to Gallieni’s selfishness but the strong resistance from various interest groups despite officers’ feedback from the training.

Many belonged to the "Offensive Theory" camp, insisting the 75 cannon’s range and firing speed were the perfect attack artillery, irreplaceable by any other equipment.

The "Defense Theory" camp generally believed that longer-range artillery was needed to block enemy attacks beyond their range.

Coupled with the French commander-in-chief’s insistence, mortars eventually equipped only the 51st Infantry Division stationed at Ypres.

Everyone thought it would pass quietly and mortars would soon be forgotten.

However...

The muddy, seemingly impregnable German defensive line was effortlessly breached by the 51st Infantry Division equipped with mortars, advancing three kilometers to create a breakthrough.

If not for the fear of being encircled by deep advances, the 51st Infantry Division could have pushed further.

Kobudo immediately seized this opportunity to cover the 51st Infantry Division.

Reporter: "General David, it’s said that the terrain at Ypres is unique and our army is at a disadvantage. Is this true?"

Division commander David Major General replied affirmatively: "Yes, certainly. The Germans occupy hills and highlands while we are on open plains with no natural defenses. Here, there’s only cold, rain, and death, yet we didn’t succumb, we..."

The reporter interrupted: "What enabled you to achieve victory under such adverse conditions?"

Major General David responded: "Certainly the commander’s decision and soldiers’ courage. Sir, we bravely charged at the enemy, facing an enemy many times our number without fear..."

The reporter gave several intense looks before Major General David realized: "Oh, of course. The mortars also played a role, they are excellent equipment, and soldiers love them! But what matters more is the correct tactics we employed..."

Shortly after Major General David’s address, General Gallieni called: "Congratulations, General David, for your heroic conduct. You are promoted and now the deputy commander of the Senegalese Hunters Unit!"

Major General David was stunned: "Senegal..."

...

Compared to Major General David’s address, soldiers openly expressed their love for mortars, using all the praise words they could think of:

"This is an outstanding piece of equipment, meant for war. Without it, we couldn’t achieve such victories!"

"German trenches were 200 meters away, we couldn’t deal with them. Charging out of the trench meant death. But mortars... they are amazing, we can hide in trenches and hit the enemy’s trenches. Can you imagine? Hiding in the trench yet hitting the enemy’s trench!"

"The Germans were terrified. Sometimes they placed their firepower and troops on the other side of the high ground, invisible and unreachable. But mortars can, their shells can curve over the high ground to hit enemies hiding behind it while the enemy can’t retaliate! God, this is the artillery we need, infantry artillery!"

...

These statements were soon published in the "Merit Newspaper" with mortar photos.

There were also several diagrams showing the curved trajectory of mortar shells, explaining to readers how they hit enemy trenches and bypassed high ground to reach those hiding behind.

Soon, the entire army went crazy, everyone wanted this artillery, soldiers shouting at officers:

"We don’t care about strategic theories, we only know we need this artillery!"

"Regardless of offense or defense, this artillery proves its worth in combat!"

"The nation can produce this artillery, front-line soldiers need this artillery. I don’t understand why we can’t get it?"

"What’s blocking us from getting it? Interests? The cost is our lives?"

...

Angry soldiers even secretly planned to refuse combat if higher-ups didn’t agree to equip mortars.

They considered this totally reasonable as they fought for the nation, not for capitalist interests unless the capitalist was Shire.

From equipment development, it was clear only Shire cared about their lives while other capitalists only sought profits!

Under this tremendous pressure, military power centers finally chose to compromise.

Then, orders flooded towards the St. Etienne arms factory like snowflakes.

Steed couldn’t contain his joy looking at these orders, squinting at the checks in his hand, muttering: "This is just the beginning, gentlemen. Next is the 37mm gun, something you can’t avoid buying!"

(Above are schematic diagrams of various cannon trajectories)