Chapter 511 Rocket
Ciel talked nonsense to the two of them, as if explaining but also complaining:
"You know, we need Congreve rockets to destroy the enemy's balloons, and we also need rockets to bombard the enemy's artillery positions."
"I tried to produce my own rockets, but had trouble with the propellant, so I had to buy them from Schneider."
"God, he's tripled the price of rockets, and it's keeping us short of them."
…
What Charles said was half true and half false. It was true that the price of rockets had tripled, but that was normal for France, which was in great need of supplies.
Schneider's eyes have always been on steel and artillery. He has no interest in operating such backward, outdated and low-demand things.
He even believed that once the price was raised, other arsenals and even Britain would increase production and seize the market at a low price.
Only Ciel knew that this was not the case.
Rockets are by no means "backward", "outdated" or "not in great demand" things.
The reason why Charles wanted to buy from Britain was that he knew Britain was ahead in this regard, especially the British Navy.
The British Navy attempted to use a warship equipped with a large number of rocket launchers to carry out landing operations or to strike ships at sea at close range.
(The picture above shows a British landing craft LCT (R) during World War II launching rockets. This type of landing craft can carry up to 5,000 rockets for land and sea attacks at one time, and can launch about 1,000 rockets at a time)
(The above picture is a close-up of the LCT (R) landing craft, with the deck densely packed with "sea mattress" rocket launchers. This method of combat is extremely dangerous. As long as a shell hits, it is possible that all rockets will explode. This may be the main reason why it was quickly eliminated.)
The British rocket launcher first had a "sea mattress" and then a "land mattress", and the British have been trying to make it more accurate by improving the rocket propellant. Its technology is more advanced and safer than Schneider's, and more suitable for mass production.
(Note: The production of old-style rocket propellants requires repeated rolling of the semi-liquid and semi-solid propellants at a certain temperature to make them uniform. This process is prone to explosion and is not suitable for mass production.)
Charles is now well positioned and can easily purchase technology from the UK to surpass Schneider in one fell swoop.
But of course, Ciel wouldn't let anyone see that he wanted it.
"This is not a hard condition." Charles added: "I know many countries have this technology, and it only costs a little money. If you don't want to, I can change the conditions..."
The key point is "change the conditions".
"No, no." The "Navy Minister" interrupted Charles and said, "As for propellant technology, we can even give you the rockets we are developing."
Although the British Navy has invested a lot of money in the research and development of rocket launchers, this project has been proven to be unsuccessful: no matter how hard the researchers try, they can never improve their accuracy, and rockets without accuracy will have no value.
There is nothing better than using a failed and soon-to-be-abandoned technology as a bargaining chip because nothing is cheaper than it!
"Really? That's very good!" Charles replied. "Thank you very much, Captain. You have saved me a great deal of trouble."
Although he said this, there was no joy on his face, as if he had accomplished something insignificant.
Charles's play successfully fooled the "Secretary of the Navy", who did not suspect anything. He stood up and shook hands with Charles:
"Happy cooperation, then, Major General."
"I will contact the navy immediately and prepare to coordinate with your navy."
"Of course, I will deliver the rockets and related technologies to you as quickly as possible, faster than you can imagine!"
…
The "Secretary of the Navy" kept his word in this regard, and early the next morning, two "Avro"s landed at Antwerp Airport.
The plane brought not only the technology of rocket propellant, but also a sample and data of an unfinished rocket. The two people who delivered the things were technicians, who were responsible for the development of rocket propellant and rocket.
"We have been ordered to teach your technicians how to produce propellants and rockets before we can return."
“That could take a week, if the equipment is complete.”
"If you don't have the equipment, it may take a few more days. It depends on how quickly you purchase the equipment. After all, this is an extraordinary period."
Charles was almost knocked unconscious by this sudden happiness. This was undoubtedly a "big gift" from the "Minister of the Navy".
Does the "Secretary of the Admiralty" know what he does?
If he finds out about this later, he will definitely regret it!
Charles suppressed his excitement and nodded calmly. He stood up and shook hands with the technician.
"Okay, thank you very much. I'll send someone to take you to Paris right away."
"Have you ever heard of the 'Saint-Étienne' Arsenal?"
"Yes, that's where you are going. Don't worry, I will let them treat you well. The Arsenal is not short of money!"
When the Avro carrying the technicians took off again and flew to Paris, Tijani looked at Charles and asked in confusion: "Rockets? What do we need these for?"
"Of course, to destroy the enemy's balloons." Charles answered casually: "We need rockets with a longer range and better accuracy..."
"Please, Major General." Tijani interrupted Charles: "You seem to have forgotten what you said. The Congreve will soon be replaced by an incendiary bomb, a bullet filled with incendiary agents. Wouldn't it be farther and more accurate than a rocket?"
The lie was ruthlessly exposed by Tijani. It was indeed what Charles said, and this kind of bullet was already in production and would soon be distributed to the air force.
"Okay!" Charles replied helplessly: "That's used to deal with the German 105MM howitzers."
Tijani was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "Oh, yes, I plan to ask the carpenter to make a bow and arrow to deal with the enemy's rifles!"
"I mean it, General," Charles replied.
"You don't think I would believe that, do you?" Tijani looked at Charles in disbelief. "The 105MM howitzer can fire more than ten kilometers away, Major General. It's far and accurate. What about rockets? You can't guarantee where they can fly beyond one or two kilometers. And you want to use it to deal with the 105mm howitzer?"
Tijani smiled evilly, "That's not a funny joke, Major General. The British artillery you are producing still has a chance."
He was referring to the 6-inch 26-cwt howitzer introduced from Britain.
It is indeed a good thing, but what it lacks is that its range is not enough to completely suppress the German 105 howitzers.
Charles didn't explain much to Tijanyi. He smiled softly and said, "Remember what I said today, General. You don't need rockets!"
"Yes." Tijani nodded affirmatively: "I don't need it!"
(End of this chapter)
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