Chapter 285: Ciel's Influence
"We'll use the same explosives as in torpedoes," said Charles.
Tijani nodded in agreement. For the same volume and weight, the mixed explosive made of TNT and hexanitrodiphenylamine was 7% more powerful, which meant a greater chance of destroying the submarine.
"This thing is as simple and cheap as possible." Charles continued, "At present, we can use a time fuse. After it is produced, we can test its sinking speed and then estimate the sinking speed of the submarine to determine the depth..."
"Then we can drop the bomb in the direction or location where the submarine might escape." Tijani said excitedly: "It doesn't even need to hit directly, it may be successful if it explodes near the submarine!"
Charles was a little surprised. This guy actually knew all these things?
This is because Charles underestimated Tijani. The principle is the same as that of a torpedo.
The reason why a torpedo can easily penetrate the thick armor of a battleship with only a few dozen kilograms of explosives is that the explosives explode with tremendous power under water pressure.
The same is true for depth charges. Even if they don't hit directly, the huge shock waves and sudden change in water pressure can cause the submarine to leak or malfunction, especially since submarines of this period were quite simple.
The shortcoming is that depth charges will only be more effective when used in conjunction with sonar: the sonar finds the exact location and depth of the submarine, and the depth charge is dropped down at a set depth, which is almost always accurate.
However, sonar had not yet been invented at that time, so after discovering a submarine, they could only guess its depth based on its diving direction and drop bombs.
The success rate of doing this will be much lower, but it is better than having no means and doing nothing.
Besides, the Germans only had one submarine.
Other so-called "coastal submarines" are so small that they can only operate near bases, and even need to be towed by warships to the vicinity of the battlefield.
In other words, as long as Charles deals with that large submarine, the threat of submarines can basically be eliminated.
At least that was the case on the battlefield of the Dardanelles.
…
Wells had just spoken to the Secretary of the Navy on the phone.
As a father, Tijani's special "artistic" hobby has caused him a lot of worry.
The training at the Toulon naval base and the arrangement of the "Gaulican" battleship squadron on the battlefield were all handled by Wells.
Although France did not allow capitalists like Wells to "interact" with the military, Wells also served as a member of parliament.
What's more, Wells is in charge of the construction of most of the navy's warships. Many things do not need to be stated explicitly, and everyone will give Wells face.
However, a big part of the reason why the "arrangement" this time went so smoothly was because of Charles.
The Secretary of the Navy responded:
"I understand, Mr. Wells."
"Actually, I should arrange these for you without your instructions."
"Tijani will be the commander of the 105th Landing Regiment. He will fight with Charles on behalf of France in the Dardanelles. This is our honor, our pride, and our hope."
Wells was somewhat worried about the squadron's request: "I heard that German submarines have appeared recently, and the British side has ordered the battleships to withdraw to the anchorage and wait for orders for the safety of the warships. Is this true?"
"Yes," the Navy Secretary replied, "We are only carrying out limited reinforcement missions and will only be dispatched in emergencies."
"Then I hope my request for the battleship Gauloise will not be too much of a hindrance to you." Wells was a little embarrassed. After all, this was a war, and he was risking a squadron for his son, including the main target of submarines: battleships.
"No, no, you must not say that," the Minister of the Navy explained. "This is a war, Mr. Wells. It is not for your son, believe me. We, or rather many British people, want Charles to solve this problem in the Dardanelles."
The reason why I say "many" is because there are still some people who don't want Charles to interfere.
For example, the British First Lord of the Admiralty and the First Lord of the War.
If Charles goes to the battlefield.
If you lose the fight, people will say "Even Ciel was powerless to save the situation. Ciel warned you before!"
If they win, it means "Charles saves everything."
But from the French perspective it was another matter: if Charles won, it would be the glory of France. He not only defeated the Ottoman Empire but also defeated Germany, and more importantly, "defeated" Britain.
Therefore, the Navy Minister fully supported it and gave whatever was requested. He even worried that one battleship was not enough and emphasized during the call:
"If the Shire needs it, we can also consider sending out more warships."
"They can't do anything but stay at anchorage anyway."
“However, we have to let the British know that it is they who can’t do anything, not us!”
Damn the British, they think they have the right to command our warships because they have more battleships than us. We must let them know that this is not the case!
Wells then realized that a large part of the reason was due to "Charter" rather than the Brest Shipyard.
When Wells hung up the phone, he felt a little unbalanced: The influence of the Brays Shipyard was not as great as that of the Charles? These bastards who only like new things and hate old things!
At this time, the phone rang. It was Tijani calling.
"Is there anything else you need?" Wells' tone was full of sarcasm. "How about I suggest that you command the French Navy?"
"No, father." Tijani replied: "Char just mentioned a kind of equipment, we need to produce it within a week..."
"Are you kidding me?" Wells almost laughed. "Produce it in a week? And rush to take it to the battlefield?"
Wells's first reaction was that it was impossible.
This may be related to his stereotype of shipbuilding, whether it is a warship or something else, it will take several years or even longer.
If anything could be produced in a week, it must be garbage, Wells thought.
"Yes, one week." Tijani said confidently: "It is very simple. We think about 200 kilograms is appropriate. It is a cylindrical barrel of explosives, similar to a gasoline barrel, plus a time fuse."
Wells was stunned.
This can indeed be produced within a week, and a lot can be produced.
But……
"What's the use of this thing?" Wells asked doubtfully, "Do you intend to use this thing to blow up the enemy's artillery?"
“No, father,” Tijani replied. “We plan to use this thing to blow up enemy submarines!”
Wells stood up suddenly as if he had been pricked by a needle.
Bombing a submarine?
A timed explosive barrel that sinks near a submarine and explodes.
God, this is another simple yet practical invention, and it is quite cheap, it is almost the cost of dynamite, and there is no technical threshold!
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
