After a precise strike from the rifled artillery, the mortar team was dispatched.
One thousand soldiers carrying 500 mortars quickly advanced on the battlefield and attacked the front of the trench area.
The mortar weighs only over 40 kilograms and can be easily lifted by two people working together. In fact, this small cannon only requires the cooperation of two people to fire quickly and does not require many personnel.
The mortar artillery entered the "our trench area" and used a ruler in the trench to quickly measure the "enemy's trench area" to determine the mortar's firing angle. Then Joao IV only heard a clear signal
There was gunfire, and the mortar artillerymen began to fire.
King Joao IV used his binoculars to stare at the Tiger and Ben army soldiers in the trench to see clearly the fighting skills of these Qi soldiers. "Boom, boom, boom!"
Only black shadows were seen shooting out of the trench and flying towards the enemy trench in the distance.
During the first firing, the shells were slightly off target, and only one-third of the shells fell into the enemy trench.
However, the artillerymen quickly corrected the angle according to the impact point of the mortar shells and started firing for the second time. This time, almost all the mortars hit the target, and all the shells were fired into the enemy trenches.
Not only that, the mortar crews also constantly changed the angle of shooting and carried out sequential bombing of the enemy trenches in front of them. Under the sweep of 500 mortars, several miles of enemy trenches were plowed by mortar shells.
After a thorough inspection, almost every corner was hit by mortar shells.
King John IV was extremely surprised by the superb artillery skills displayed by the Tiger and Ben army gunners.
He rubbed his eyes and raised the binoculars again to observe the gunner's shooting, only to find that what he had just seen was absolutely correct. The mortar gunner's hit rate was almost 100%.
You must know that although Li Zhi also supported Portuguese mortars in large quantities and taught mortar measurement tools and usage methods to Portuguese personnel, Portugal's grassroots mortar artillerymen never mastered the angle calculation method of this artillery.
After all, the literacy rate in Europe is extremely low these days. Except for church priests who are literate, civilians are basically illiterate. Using Li Zhi's measurement method to adjust the mortar firing angle requires mathematical calculations, which is not easy for the soldiers of João IV.
It is said to be a skill that is impossible to master.
Therefore, on the European battlefield, the Portuguese, like the Dutch and the British, all rely on experience to adjust the firing angle of artillery and shoot with their heads down. Such shooting often misses one shot and adjusts the angle according to the impact point of the previous shot.
Fire the second, third, two or three shells and it will be good if you can hit one.
But here in Li Zhi, the artillerymen fired based on angles calculated by mathematics. They would never miss when shooting at a target one mile away.
King Joao IV's eyes widened in disbelief.
Alves said in surprise: "Your Highness, the artillery accuracy of Ming soldiers is three times that of ours, and the efficiency of bombing is also three times that of ours. The same weapon has completely different effects in our hands and in the hands of the Tiger Army!"
"
Zhong Feng noticed the Portuguese's surprise and said with a smile: "The new recruits of the Tiger Army have to learn Chinese and mathematics in the first two years. The veterans of the two years have already mastered the rapid calculation of linear equations, so they can quickly calculate the muzzle angle."
"
Are all soldiers literate and able to do math?
When King João IV heard Zhong Feng's explanation, he felt as if he had just woken up from a dream, but he felt as if he had fallen into clouds and mist, becoming even more confused.
John IV was distracted there when he saw Alves exclaiming.
After the mortar gunners stopped shooting, the twenty steel tanks next to the rocket vehicle spewed huge black smoke.
John IV quickly used his binoculars to see the chariots.
When he was observing these chariots just now, Joao IV saw clearly that these chariots were covered with thick iron armor. He thought that these chariots were siege engines or other facilities that needed people to push them inside. However,
At this time, thick smoke was emitted from the rear of the chariot, and it seemed that there was power inside, which surprised the King of Portugal.
John IV stared at the smoke-belching chariots through binoculars, wondering how such smoke-belching chariots could fight.
Under the gaze of John IV, the chariots suddenly shuddered and started to move forward.
King John IV was stunned for a moment.
This steel chariot, which has no oxen and horses to pull it, and no human power to push it, actually moves on its own.
Alves and Rafael felt like they were struck by lightning when they saw this scene on the training ground. The two looked at each other for a while, their eyes filled with huge shock.
What kind of magic is this?
Why can such a heavy tank drive by itself?
Is this the devil's spell?
Alves said helplessly: "My Lord! This is incredible!"
Guests from Europe have never seen such a weapon! This is definitely a terrifying weapon that is hundreds of years ahead of this era.
King Joao IV took a deep breath, clutched the telescope with both hands, and could not help but shed streaks of cold sweat on his forehead.
The tank at this time was already a second-generation tank that had been systematically improved. The tank was larger, with a length of more than six meters and a height of more than three meters. There were no longer large tanks hidden underneath on both sides of the tank.
Instead of wheels, it has tracks made of steel. Such a tank has better off-road performance.
The tanks advanced in front, forming a steel wall more than 100 meters wide. The soldiers of the Tiger Army followed the tanks on foot and pressed towards the trench area.
King John IV looked at the advancing tanks and infantry in surprise.
There is no doubt that this tank protected the advancing infantry so that the weapons on the opposite side could not kill the soldiers on this side. Under the protection of the tank, the firepower in the enemy trenches could not harm the infantry behind.
The emergence of tanks made trenches meaningless.
But how do these tanks cross those two-meter-wide "our trenches"?
King Joao IV watched the advancing tank closely, and his breathing became more and more rapid as the tank advanced.
Alves and Raphael were also staring at the battlefield. Raphael bit his lip tightly with his teeth, obviously being greatly shocked by the appearance of this steel chariot.
Suddenly, the three Portuguese men stood up suddenly.
On the battlefield, tanks using tracks passed through a two-meter-wide trench without any hindrance, crossing it as easily as crossing flat ground. A six-meter-long tank looked like a steel bridge when crossing the trench.
Always find the support point of the center of gravity.
The Portuguese people put down their binoculars and looked at the twenty tanks marching forward on the training ground with their naked eyes, and their faces turned as white as snow.
John IV shook his head and said: "Lord, my Lord..."
The appearance of tanks made John IV feel panic. Yes, it was panic, not just shock, but also great fear.
The strength of the Tiger Army has completely overwhelmed the Portuguese king. If there was still the idea of trying to establish an "equal" covenant relationship with Li Zhi before, Joao IV has completely given up this "childish" idea.
Portuguese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Rafael didn't know what he thought of. His body shook uncontrollably, like a small tree in the wind. His shaking could be seen from a long distance away.
