The Italian Navy decided to temporarily build four new battleships as a response to the British temporary increase of six. Since Italy has followed suit, Germany, its main opponent, is naturally not far behind. It also announced that it will temporarily add two more battleships this year in response.
, and in addition, two more ships will be added next year.
One more thing, the battleship that Germany is about to build will also use the same 380mm main gun as Italy.
For the British Empire, the sudden increase in the construction of warships by Germany and Italy was undoubtedly a provocation. For this reason, a London newspaper shouted that the actions of Germany and Italy were undoubtedly challenging the British Empire's naval operations.
For this reason, Britain is willing to spend its last penny to protect its maritime power advantage.
For a time, the popularity of the naval competition among the three countries occupied the front pages of countries all over the world. The competition between the three countries at sea also filled the whole world with topics.
The Navy has experienced an unprecedentedly prosperous year this year. For the Army, which is also part of the military, there is no need to be too envious.
But it's useless to be envious. The Army needs to come up with its own methods.
Therefore, we need to come up with new gadgets in the army to let the king know that the army is the strongest guarantee for the kingdom.
So what attracts the king's attention the most? In fact, the simplest army establishment at all levels will do.
The latest organization of the Italian Army is the new army organization adopted in 1905. According to this organization, a fully equipped division of three infantry regiments should reach more than 14,000 people.
At present, the divisions in the army that have completed this organization account for two-thirds of the army's division level.
For the Army, the next task is to complete the organizational reform of the Third Regiment Division as soon as possible on the one hand, and to change the configuration of new weapons in the army on the other.
In a conference room of the Army Building, a meeting related to the future establishment of the Army is being held. Army senior officials, led by Army Secretary General Simeone, Chief of General Staff General Dalchieng, and Education Director General Baxter,
We are listening to the report from Major General Cabrera, Director of the Equipment Training Division.
"Based on the reports from the Third Division and the Ninth Division on the use of new weapons, our Equipment Training Division believes that it is feasible for the Army to issue new weapons, mortars and machine guns at the battalion and company levels. The distribution of new weapons should also be based on
Battalions and companies are the mainstay, which can enhance their adaptability in various battles..."
At this time, the generals were listening quietly and carefully to the report of the Director of the Equipment Training Division of the Army Ministry. Apart from the major general's voice, the only sound left in the venue was the sound of his pen scratching the paper. This is what he said.
Taking notes.
As for the use of new weapons by the 3rd and 9th divisions, this is an experiment that has been conducted within the army for more than a year.
In this experiment, the two units conducted the grouping work of new weapons at the third level of the regiment, battalion and company. The third division directly equipped the Revery light machine gun to the platoon level (one machine gun group, four people per machine gun
establishment), heavy machine guns are equipped to the company level (one machine gun squad, two heavy machine guns, establishment of twelve people), mortars are equipped to the battalion (one mortar platoon, four mortars, establishment of twenty-four people)
.
As for the Ninth Division, the mortars are placed at the regiment level (a mortar company with 12 mortars and a staff of 158 people), the heavy machine guns at the battalion level (a machine gun company with eight heavy machine guns), and the light machine guns at the battalion level
First level company (one machine gun squad with four Revery light machine guns).
The two divisions then went through various training and actual combat exercises to write down their experience in using the new weapons and submitted them to the Army Department, which then made changes based on the experiences of the two divisions.
The experience and experience of front-line combat troops are the most real. What is good is good and nothing will be hidden.
The results of the tests between the two parties are also based on actual combat. In this regard, the equipment of the Third Division is decentralized to the grassroots level, and it is more comfortable in dealing with emergencies and actual combat training. The only thing that needs to be considered is the basic officers' tactics for the new weapons.
Medium adaptability and usage details.
Now that the advantages and disadvantages of both are very clear, the next step is to announce the results.
"According to the judgment of our Equipment Training Division, the current method used by the Third Division to incorporate new weapons into the basic battalion and company levels is more in line with combat needs."
As Major General Cabrera finished speaking, the venue became noisy. Many generals present began to whisper among themselves, discussing the future use and training of new weapons by their own troops.
"Quiet."
However, following Admiral Simeone's words, the venue immediately calmed down again.
The head of the army said, "We can come down and talk about the use of new weapons by various units. Now let me say a few words."
Facing Simeone's words, no one here dared to speak anymore.
Simeone was very satisfied with the current results and continued. "Next, all units need to be prepared to incorporate new weapons at the battalion and company levels. This is a test for all of us. Only by integrating the new weapons
Practice makes perfect in the use of weapons, and only then can the Army pay attention to them. You must know these new weapons
Weapons are not cheap, and the Ministry of the Army has spent a lot of effort to obtain them for you. Therefore, each unit needs to train basic officers to let them know how to use them. At the same time, the Army needs to focus on how to use new weapons.
The ministry will also summarize the experience of the best batch of troops and distribute it to each unit."
Facing General Simeone, the other generals present could only respond.
The meeting continued, and the next step was the distribution of new equipment and training. The generals present were very energetic. Although the distribution of new weapons was for everyone, there was a lot of knowledge in who was in front and who was behind.
, everyone wants their troops to get it first, but there are always people who want to be slower. At this time, it depends on the generals' abilities, as well as the troops' combat effectiveness, training and other comprehensive capabilities.
And the final result is the same. The troops with strong combat effectiveness and the outstanding commanders are in the first batch, followed by the slightly weaker second batch, and then the third and fourth batches.
After the meeting ended, the generals also left the meeting one after another. They may not be able to meet each other in close proximity, so necessary communication has become an issue they must consider.
But for the three giants of the army, these interactions have nothing to do with them.
"Come on, come and sit at my place."
Simone opened his mouth and extended an invitation to the two people around him.
"I haven't sat down with you for a long time, so I just happened to go over and see what goodies you have hidden." Admiral Baxter, the director of education, was not polite.
"Go together, go together!"
Next, the three army giants walked towards Simeone's Office of the Minister of War. They were chatting and laughing along the way, which was very lively.
When they arrived at his office, Simeone asked the two of them to sit down and then said, "I want to tell you something, please keep it quiet."
The two people who had known for a long time that there must be something going on with this person immediately nodded and said, "I knew that there must be something going on when you greeted us two. Tell us and we won't spread the word."
"It's like this. I met with His Majesty the day before yesterday, and His Majesty gave me a hint, asking our army to increase the funding for next year to 600 million lire."
"This is true."
General Darkiang, the Chief of General Staff, immediately couldn't sit still and stood up suddenly.
"His Majesty hinted it himself." Simone replied.
"If that's the case, that would be great. The military expenditure of 600 million liras is enough for our army to do a lot of things."
The Director of Education, Admiral Baxter, also replied in surprise.
What a pity. Although the Army's funding has increased in recent years, the Army's tasks are also heavy. On the one hand, the Army needs to expand its scale. On the other hand, the Army's three-regiment system also needs to be reorganized. Not to mention the changes in weapons and equipment involved.
.In addition, the Army also needs to develop and purchase new weapons. These many things require the use of precious funds, so the Army has actually been living a very tight life.
Now His Majesty has personally hinted that the Army's funding will be increased to 600 million, which is great news.
Although the two giants were very happy, Simeone, as the person involved, felt a little heavy.
"Next, our army's tasks will become even heavier. This money is not that easy to get. Based on the performance of Germany and France this year, we in Italy must not stay out of it."
"This is inevitable. Our army alone will take 600 million lire, and the navy will definitely not be less than 400 million. The total fiscal revenue for a year is only so much. It is not clear how much money we will get."
General Darkiang, Chief of General Staff, spoke at this time, and it was obvious that he saw clearly.
"It's nothing, just that we can change the previous mistakes and recover the losses Italy suffered before." The words of Admiral Baxter, the director of education, undoubtedly showed his attitude.
As for whom it is aimed at, it is not clear yet.
Many of Italy's losses in modern times were caused by its neighbor France.
It's hard to tell that this director of education is quite hostile to France.
"Your Majesty must have a request, right?"
At this time, Admiral Darkion asked.
Faced with the question from the Chief of General Staff, Simeone nodded.
"Yes, there is indeed a request. His Majesty requires our army to expand the size of the army to 700,000 in the next three years."
Simeone's words made the two generals sit upright. This was not easy at all. You must know that the current Italian Army only has 460,000 soldiers. This needs to be expanded by half within three years, which is a lot of pressure for the Army.
Of course, more importantly, the procurement of weapons and equipment will also increase significantly, and the Army's tasks will become heavier.
"It's not easy, but it's acceptable," Admiral Baxter analyzed incisively.
"That's true, but our army has benefited, hasn't it?"
"It seems we still have three years to prepare."
The three army giants have basically figured out His Majesty's intentions.
