After Edel discussed with the Prime Minister the cost of the war and military pensions, he took a short break and met with Major Hoffman, who had been waiting outside the door for a long time.
He called Major Hoffman here this time because he wanted to prepare for the establishment of Romania's first armored vehicle unit.
In fact, as early as 1855, the British J. Cohen installed a machine gun and armor on the chassis of a steam tractor to make a wheeled armored vehicle and obtained a patent. However, this armored vehicle failed to be put into practical use. In 1899, the British
James installed armor and a machine gun on a four-wheeled vehicle. In 1900, the British put armored vehicles into the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa. However, this kind of vehicle had too many problems and could only be used on the road.
Driving, the results were not very good.
However, all countries have seen its potential and have invested in research and development.
The Chinese are one of the first countries to realize the importance of armored vehicles. The reason can be traced back to the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. In the Russo-Japanese War, the Cossack cavalry, which made the Russians proud, was used in the Japanese machine guns and artillery.
In the face of the powerful firepower, they were often beaten to their knees, which was horrific. The cruel and bloody facts made knowledgeable people in the Russian military feel that "an armored vehicle must be developed with both mobility and firepower."
Among them, the most active advocate was General M. Nakashidze, a senior adviser to the Siberian Cossack Cavalry of the Russian Army. In 1905, Nakashidze designed Russia's first armored vehicle, named the "Nakashyyan"
"Armored vehicle. This is simply installing a 5-6 mm steel plate directly on a car, and then installing a Maxim machine gun. However, this simple and crude approach makes this armored vehicle seriously overloaded and can only travel at 25 kilometers per hour.
It's moving forward at an ever-increasing speed, and it's just as trouble-free.
Edel had considered building armored vehicles before, but since armored vehicles are now modified directly from cars and have many problems, they have not been developed for the time being. However, because World War I is about to break out, he thinks now is the time. Now Romania has
Europe's largest automobile manufacturing industry still has no problem modifying armored vehicles.
Moreover, some countries have already converted Romanian Dongfeng vehicles into armored vehicles. This is Belgium. This low-lying country has modified two Dongfeng trucks before, installing an opening baffle in front of the cab, and then installing it on the rear compartment.
The rotatable machine gun sidewall and a Maxim machine gun are quite similar to the style of a later pickup truck plus a machine gun.
However, this was also seen by Crown Prince Edel in the newspaper. Now Crown Prince Edel plans to form his own armored vehicle unit. However, his ultimate goal is the King of Land War tanks, so he approached Hoffman, who was still in the automobile transport regiment.
Major.
"I have met His Highness."
Major Hoffman, wearing a smart light blue major uniform, walked into Crown Prince Edel's office and saluted the Crown Prince.
Looking at Major Hoffman who he dug out in front of him, who might be the pioneer of the Romanian armored forces, Edel said with a smile. "Are you still used to it in the army?"
Hearing the Crown Prince's caring words, Major Hoffman, who is of German descent, stood upright in front of the Crown Prince and replied loudly. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I have learned a lot of things in the army that cannot be taught in books.
It enriches me a lot.”
Seeing Major Hoffman who was in good spirits, Edel said directly. "Do you still remember the scene when I met you in the classroom?"
"Of course I remember, Your Highness, are we in Romania going to form such a force?"
Faced with the Crown Prince's question, Major Hoffman certainly remembered it. At that time, the Crown Prince heard the debate between him and instructor Riksivar at the military school about the use of armored vehicles for assaults. This is why he was favored by Edel.
Could it be that the Crown Prince came to him for this reason? Major Hoffman expressed his thoughts.
Without letting him think too much, Edel answered directly. "Yes, I plan to form such a battalion-level experimental force. And to be able to serve as the commander of this force, I think you are the most suitable person in the Romanian army.
The one."
Faced with the crown prince's decision to appoint him as the commander of the first armored force, Major Hoffman was very excited. Having served in the cavalry and trucking regiments and gaining enough experience, he had long wanted to organize an army of his own.
An ideal unit. However, this is impossible based on his current status and qualifications. Fortunately, he met His Highness Edel, and most importantly, the Crown Prince recognized his ideas. Now faced with the results that are within easy reach, Major Hoffman
Speaking excitedly.
"Thank you for your trust in me, Your Highness. I will lead this force and experiment with the best way to use this new force."
Looking at Major Hoffman, whose face was flushed with excitement in front of him, Edel opened a drawer in his desk and took out a few drawings. These were the few memories he had of his past life, from World War II to modern times.
A sketch of an armored vehicle. He hopes that Major Hoffman's modified armored vehicle can be used, mainly because he is full of malice towards the appearance of current armored vehicles. Nowadays, the appearance of European armored vehicles is incomprehensible. They are simply weird and weird. They are all magical.
Horse stuff. He has no control over foreign armored vehicles, but Romania’s future armored vehicles must not become disabled.
Edel took out a few sketches and handed them to Major Hoffman and said, "These are some of my visions for Romania's future armored vehicles. I hope you can take a look."
After hearing what the Crown Prince said, Major Hoffman took over the Crown Prince's sketch and started to look at it. Eder mainly drew the Sd Kfz 221 wheeled armored vehicle, the Sd Kfz 234 wheeled armored vehicle, and the American M8 wheeled armored vehicle, as well as those of the year.
The Japanese Type 92 wheeled armored vehicle that is most seen on TV.
Looking at these scrawled vehicle sketches, Major Hoffman didn't quite understand them, but from the expectant look in the Crown Prince's eyes, he basically guessed who was the author of these sketches.
"How about it?"
Faced with the Crown Prince's inquiry, Major Hoffman was very smart, and he replied seriously, even though he didn't understand it very well. "These sketches by Your Highness are very good, and they will be of great help to me in building armored vehicles. I hope to work with them."
The sketcher discusses the situation with armored vehicles."
Serious nonsense can deceive people, especially if the person never talks nonsense, the effect is very good. His Highness Edel unfortunately became a victim of this truth, and he believed what Major Hoffman said.
For this reason, he had to make up a random excuse. "This was designed by an automotive engineer, but he is abroad now."
Regarding the Crown Prince's lame excuse, Major Hoffman said with a look of regret on his face. "This is so disappointing. I hope to have a good chat with this thoughtful engineer next time."
"There will be a chance."
Major Hoffman now asked the question he was most concerned about. "Your Highness, how much equipment funding have been prepared for this experimental unit?"
Edel also understands Major Hoffman's feelings. When he knows that he will form a new unit, funding is always the most concerning thing. The armored vehicles that must pass through are not cheap, and the cost of modification and installation of weapons must also be taken into account.
Glancing at Major Hoffmann, who had a concerned face, Edel told him the budget he had prepared. "I plan to give you 800,000 lei in purchasing funds. You can go to the Volkswagen factory to make your own requests."
After hearing the amount of money given by the Crown Prince, Major Hoffman calculated in his heart that it seemed that the only way to organize it was to follow the model of a car transport group. And for these funds, it is estimated that he can only choose two seemingly simple models (American M8 and Japanese
Type 92) Try making two and see.
Major Hoffman, who was muttering secretly in his heart, still said with confidence. "Thank you for your support, Your Highness. I will go to the Volkswagen Factory to seek their support."
"Go ahead."
After the Major Hoffman saluted the Crown Prince, he left the Crown Prince's office with the expectation that a new force would be formed soon. Faced with Eder's summons this time, although there was still a little bit of confusion in terms of funding, other aspects were not good for him.
It can be said that the result could not be better.
Looking at Major Hoffman leaving with a satisfied expression, Edel knew that this armored vehicle unit was now just a replacement, and he was laying the foundation for future tanks.
PS No. 6 Steamed Bun has something to do and I need to delay it for a while. If I come back early, I will try my best to code it for everyone to see. In fact, this book is a training work for steamed buns, so I will code more while ensuring the quality. After all, there are many
It's four to five hundred words and everyone can read it more comfortably. Let's not discuss the topic of whether this book can be a eunuch. Let me reiterate here for the last time that this book will never be a eunuch. I still hope to make money by practicing this book.
