The Russian army during the imperial period used troops very roughly and did not treat soldiers as human beings at all. Therefore, Russian soldiers were called "gray animals". On the one hand, this meant that their "cost" was low, and on the other hand, it also meant that
The combat effectiveness of the Russian army is quite bad.
When mentioning Russia, people often think of a "fighting nation". In fact, this is not the case at all. Russia during this period was called the "European Gendarmerie" and the "European Steamroller", but the most widely circulated one was the "Gray Cattle".<
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In the ongoing Russo-Japanese War, the performance of the Russian army from top to bottom is relatively amateurish.
In 1903, Russian Army Minister General Alexey Kuropatkin concluded after visiting Japan: One Russian soldier can deal with three Japanese soldiers, and we only need 14 days to assemble an army of 400,000 in Manchuria.
, this is already three times the number needed to defeat the Japanese Army, so it is more appropriate to say that what is going to happen in the future is not so much a war, but a military walk.
General Alexey Kuropatkin probably didn't expect that the "military walk" he called would actually go so tragically.
In the Battle of Lushun and the Battle of Liaoyang that have already broken out, the Russian troops relied on their strong fortresses to inflict heavy damage to the Japanese troops.
However, once the Russian army left the fortress, its performance in the field was quite amateurish. It should be noted that the military thinking dominated by the Russian army at this time particularly emphasized bayonet hand-to-hand combat and advocated the combat methods of Kutuzov and Napoleon about 100 years ago.<
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However, once the Russian army encountered Japanese troops in the field, the Russian army was vulnerable. The Japanese troops were often able to defeat Russian troops several times their own in field battles.
During the battle, the "gray animals" had low morale and lacked discipline. In order to avoid the battle, many soldiers left the front line on the pretext of helping to carry stretchers. They even appeared in front of General Alexey Kuropatkin.
A funny scene of soldiers rushing to carry a stretcher.
Suo Chao does not know these situations. If he knew, Suo Chao would despise the Russians even more.
Of course, the combat effectiveness of the Russian army is not what Suo Chao is concerned about. The newly formed First Cavalry Division probably will not have a chance to fight the Russian army in this life. What Suo Chao is concerned about is the money in the pockets of the Russians.
Compared with Japan, although the materials prepared by Russia before the war have been consumed, at least the Russian Empire still has money and does not need to seek a loan from the Rand Bank.
The weapons sent by the Nyasaland Arsenal this time are 37mm rapid-fire grenade cannons. The Northern Rhodesian Division has now been equipped with 40mm rapid-fire cannons. These 37mm rapid-fire cannons are facing elimination and are now being sold to the Japanese and Russians.
, both countries have strong demand for rapid-fire guns, especially Russia.
Before the outbreak of the war, the Governor-General of the Russian Far East ordered a total of 246 machine guns, 411 heavy machine guns, 240 mountain guns and 48 rapid-fire howitzers from domestic arsenals.
The relatively backwardness of the Russian military industry system, coupled with serious corruption and other problems, resulted in the failure of timely delivery of weapons orders for the Russian Army in the Far East. Until the outbreak of the war, the Russian Army in the Far East only received 16 machine guns, 56 heavy machine guns and 128 mountain cannons.
None of the orders were delivered.
Even these orders that have been delivered have many quality problems. The logistics of the Russian troops are very poor. Most of the artillery even lacks ordinary grenades and can only use anti-infantry shrapnel.
The quality of Russian shrapnel itself is unstable, so the damage effect on Japanese fortifications is very poor.
Relatively speaking, the quality of the weapons produced by the Nyasaland Arsenal is relatively stable and more powerful. The Japanese and Russians who participated in the test were very satisfied.
Then the problem arises. The output of the Nyasaland Arsenal is also insufficient. Yamaguchi Muxiang wants to order one hundred 37mm rapid-fire guns from the Nyasaland Arsenal. The Russians want 150, but Nyasaland even
The 37mm rapid-fire guns on the marine police ship have been removed, and there are only 80 guns in stock. The next batch of orders is expected to take three months to be shipped.
These 80 rapid-fire guns have become the focus of competition between the Japanese and Russians.
"There is no doubt that these rapid-fire cannons should all belong to us, and I will pay all the required fees immediately, in cash!" The Russians have deep pockets.
"I will also pay in cash, and I will offer a higher price than the Russians." Yamaguchi Muxiang is also very wealthy now. After the money is spent, he can ask Rand Bank for additional loans. As for the interest - he can't care about it. p>
Now is not the time to be diligent and frugal. If all 80 rapid-fire guns are bought by Yamaguchi Muxiang, then the Russians will get nothing. If one trades off the other, even a higher price will be worth it.
"Price is not a problem. I can pay with gold. No matter how high the Japanese price is, my price is 10% higher than the Japanese price." The Russians are indeed simple and rude.
"Whatever you want, Mr. Nathaniel, I'm going to see Lord Nyasaland, and then we'll discuss this issue." Yamaguchi Muxiang has a backup plan.
"What a coincidence. I also want to meet Lord Nyasaland." The Russians also have requests.
"Okay, let's discuss this issue tomorrow." Nathaniel, the sales director of Nyasaland Arsenal, was very steady and not anxious at all.
Yamaguchi Kisho's purpose in meeting Roark was to use Roark to stop the transaction between the Nyasaland Arsenal and the Russians.
In the Russo-Japanese War, the British tendency was obvious. Without British support, the Japanese might not dare to go to war with the Russians.
In this war, in addition to the army part, there is another battlefield at sea.
After the war broke out, the Tsarist government decided to transfer ships from the Baltic Fleet to form the "Second Pacific Squadron" and sail to the Far East for reinforcements.
Later, the Baltic Fleet was not strong enough, so some warships were removed from the Black Sea Fleet and joined the Second Squadron, heading to the Far East together.
This mixed fleet has 38 main warships of various types and about 20 auxiliary ships. It is organized into two groups. Later, a group was added to reach three. It is under the unified command of Vice Admiral Rozhdestvinsky.<
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This hastily put together fleet, some ships were put to sea before they were fully built, and were installed as they sailed. The officers and soldiers had low tactical and technical levels, and some even lacked basic training. Communication and communication relied on German-made radio stations. As soon as the German technicians left, the radio stations were
They are like trash, with deep conflicts between officers and soldiers and low morale. Especially the sailors of the Black Sea Fleet have been influenced by revolutionary ideas and have a spirit of resistance.
The Second Pacific Squadron was originally scheduled to depart in mid-July 1904, but due to the failure to keep up with the preparations, the departure was postponed to October. The sailing route was planned to be from the Baltic Sea through the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa to Vladivostok.
When the fleet set off, due to a series of victories by the Japanese army, serious heliophobia was prevalent among the Russian army, almost to the point of becoming a military force. There were even rumors that Japan's secret fleet had arrived in the Nordic waters.
In this atmosphere, the officers and soldiers of the Second Squadron were extremely nervous. Sometimes when they saw a foreign ship, they thought it was the Japanese fleet and fired blindly. Even Russian ships that were far away misunderstood and fired at each other.
On the night of October 21, the Second Squadron mistook a British fishing boat for a Japanese fleet in the North Sea and opened fire, damaging the fishing boat. This aroused strong opposition from the UK.
The International Court of Justice in Paris has just held a public hearing on this matter, and the British government used this to pressure neutral countries not to provide convenience to the Russian fleet.
The Second Squadron had no choice but to split the fleet into two. Rozhdestvinsky led the newer and larger ships to continue sailing along the Cape of Good Hope. The other ships, led by Foxam, entered the Indian Ocean via the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal.
The two fleets will meet in the waters near Madagascar.
The purpose of the Russians wanting to see Roque is also very simple. According to international law, warships from belligerent countries are not allowed to anchor in the ports of neutral countries. This regulation has caused great difficulties to the Russian Pacific Second Squadron. It set out from the station of the Second Squadron to Vladivostok.
The distance is nearly 30,000 kilometers, and Russia does not even have a replenishment base along the way, so the Russians hope that Roque can send a supply ship to replenish the Russian Second Squadron on the high seas.
"Mr. Constantine, why do you think that I will agree to your request?" Rock laughed at the Russian request. Rock was a British baron and also had a position in this war.
"Lord, please don't get me wrong. This is just a simple business transaction and has nothing to do with other aspects." Constantine tried to circumvent international law and did not hesitate to achieve this goal at all costs.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Constantine, I cannot agree to your request. I am a baron of the British Empire. On this issue, I must be consistent with the British Empire." Rock was upright. No matter what Constantine said, Rock was determined.
Will not agree to Constantine's request.
"Lord, I will give you a price that satisfies you, please consider it." Constantine was trying hard.
"No, that's impossible!" Rock said decisively.
After seeing off Constantine, Yamaguchi Muxiang was full of gratitude when he saw Rock again.
"Thank you very much for your integrity, Lord. The Japanese Empire will never forget your help. You are our forever friend -" Yamaguchi Kisho burst into tears of gratitude to Rock. This is a friend in need.
"You're welcome. To be honest, I'm very embarrassed. Treating the Russians like this will bring huge losses to Johannesburg and Nyasaland." Roque seemed to be heartbroken, and his words were filled with the smell of copper.
Yamaguchi Muxiang was so clever that he immediately decided to place an additional order.
Constantine, who was kicked out of the Nyasaland Baron's Mansion, was depressed. He had expected that meeting Rock would be difficult and was prepared to be beaten by Rock. Unexpectedly, Rock still wouldn't give him any chance.<
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Returning to the De Beers Hotel where he lived, Constantine met a new friend in the restaurant.
"Hello Mr. Constantine, I am Sam, the general manager of Umbrella Company——"
Rock will not give up the opportunity to make money!