Chapter 132 My Tank Does Not Bid
(The picture above shows the CA-1 tank, developed by the father of French armor, Estiny, who was an artillery colonel)
Djokovic had also heard about TAS's development of tanks. After all, this was an open research and development project of the government department.
Therefore, when he and Charles saw the nearly completed "Mark I" tank in the R&D department of the tractor factory, he said with some concern: "Did I hear that there is another new type of tank being developed?"
"Yes, father!" Charles replied, "I heard it was initiated by the automotive technical service department!"
As Charles spoke, he was looking at the Mark I tank, thinking about how the infantry should cooperate with the tank's attack.
"I heard that their tanks are equipped with artillery!" Deyoka suggested again: "Should we consider this as well?"
"No!" Charles refused flatly.
Ciel knew this was the wrong thing to do.
Just like a novice often wants to learn everything he sees, people of this era want to build the tank into a "mobile fortress" that can do anything and withstand all firepower.
How much weight does an engine of certain horsepower carry? What can be done by tanks and what can be done by infantry... These must be made clear, otherwise the battlefield will teach it a severe lesson, even if it is jointly produced by the three giants: Chaffee, Automotive Technical Service Department and Schneider.
They may be "unimaginable" in the eyes of others, but to Charles they are "garbage".
The tank developed by the Automobile Technical Service Department was the "Saint-Chamond" tank, and the tank developed by the Francis Tractor Factory should be the "CA-1" tank.
The former suffered a crushing defeat in the first battle. A small shell crater could trap it and make it unable to move. In actual combat, 15 of the 16 tanks were driven out and broke down. After that, they could not be used as mobile artillery in the rear.
The tank was supposed to block bullets for the infantry in the front, but it was placed in the rear as a gun turret. Its armor completely lost its meaning. It would be better to use a cannon directly!
The reason why it still exists in the military is simply because it was developed by the "Big Three" and there is a powerful force behind it, and it was eventually converted into a transport vehicle... a transport vehicle that can easily break down and is as slow as a cow!
As for the "CA-1", 57% of it was destroyed by enemy firepower during its first combat, which directly caused psychological trauma among French soldiers. After the war, the artillery was immediately removed and it was turned into an assault vehicle.
In short, all the equipment that was initially installed on these so-called tanks in order to make them larger was removed one by one after actual combat.
Ciel doesn't think he needs to worry about competition from this "junk"!
Joseph came forward while wiping his hands with a rag and said, "Master Charles, we can test drive the car in two days. Should we carefully consider mass production?"
Joseph did not seem to have much confidence in the Mark I.
"No!" Charles' tone left no room for doubt: "We will start mass production immediately after the test run is successful. Time waits for no one!"
For Charles, time is not only money, but also opportunity.
He needed to summarize experience and accumulate talents from the production and actual combat of this "Mark I" to prepare for the subsequent "Renault" tank.
"Master Charles..." Joseph wanted to say something, but was stopped by Deyoka's eyes.
At this moment, Charles was like a stubborn tyrant who refused to listen to any advice. No matter what others said or advised, it was useless!
"He knows what he's doing!" Djokovic said.
Although Dejoka said this, he was thinking in his heart: He made more than two million francs from a deal not long ago, so he can afford to lose it. He can do whatever he wants!
…
The sun set beside the paulownia tree. The slanting rays of light passed through the branches and cast a ray of sunshine on the ground, which sprinkled on the fallen leaves on the ground like a golden tablecloth.
Charles and Djokovic had just come out of the factory after a busy day.
As soon as I walked out of the gate, I saw a carriage parked outside. There were two white horses and a black carriage. It was simple yet restrainedly luxurious. This was Grevi's style.
Deyoka looked to both sides with some concern, and saw Laurent and his guards standing on both sides of the road at the substation as if they were facing a formidable enemy, with the guards holding rifles in their hands. He felt relieved.
Grevi, who was sitting in the carriage, saw Charles' car coming out through the window, so he opened the door and jumped out. He moved his hands and feet easily and waved to Charles with a smile.
"Don't want to talk?" Grevi asked with confidence on his face.
Dejoka parked the car next to Grevi, and Charles showed no intention of getting out.
"I think we have nothing to discuss, Monsieur Grevy!" replied Charles.
"We should be allies, Ciel..."
"I know what you did!" Charles interrupted Grevi.
Although there was no evidence, Charles knew that it was Grevey who tricked him into going to Antwerp last time. This was indeed a method that a "thinker" like Grevey could come up with.
Grevi knew what Charles meant by this, and he admitted it generously: "That was due to our respective positions, Charles, it's different now!"
"Nothing is different!" Charles answered simply and firmly.
Grevi's eyes flashed with doubt: "You must have heard about Schneider's development of a new tank."
Ciel nodded expressionlessly.
"So..." Grevi asked, "Don't you think we can only deal with him together? That's Schneider, Joffre and the Automotive Technical Service Department!"
When Grevi heard about this, he did not think it was a "trouble". He even thought it was an opportunity, a rare opportunity.
Only a powerful enemy like Schneider can force Charles to his side. Charles is a smart man and he knows what to do!
God, joining forces with Ciel, it’s exciting to think about it!
But it turns out that Grevi was overthinking...
"This has nothing to do with me, Mr. Grevey!" Charles responded indifferently.
"What do you mean?" Grevi spread his hands.
"My tank is not participating in the bidding!" Charles replied expressionlessly: "I just built it for fun, so this is a matter between you and Schneider!"
Grevy looked at Charles in surprise.
Djokovic, who was sitting in the driver's seat, turned his head back. He didn't know that Tank would not participate in the bidding, so he took it for granted that Charles was lying in order to let Gray and Schneider fight each other.
The car drove away, leaving Grevi standing there in a daze.
Grevi had thought of many possibilities before coming here, but he never expected this result.
Not participating in the bidding? Then why did he spend money to build tanks?
"Just for fun"? Of course Grevy wouldn't take it seriously!
That's like sitting on the mountain and watching tigers fight!
It is also unlikely, because the winning company will eventually get the order, and if Shire does not participate in the bidding, it will not get the order, which means it will be eliminated from the beginning!
That is...
A trace of fear suddenly flashed in Grevi's eyes.
There is another possibility, that is, Charles did not take his and Schneider's tanks seriously at all!
(The picture above shows the Saint-Samon tank. The more advanced one is the electric motor drive)
(End of this chapter)
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