Chapter 788 "Independence" Tank
Lorraine is located in the eastern part of France. Its rainy season comes several months earlier than other regions. There are frequent thunderstorms in early May, and after June, it is cloudy and rainy with occasional heavy rain.
Although it was morning in Metz, the sky was as dark as night. The big raindrops hit the river with a "bang" sound, splashing small water flowers, and the river water rose sharply.
Haig's headquarters was located in the Grand Theatre of Metz, which he believed was the most suitable place to reorganize the troops.
His reorganization was for the purpose of attack, to be the first to step into German territory and declare the military power and victory of the British Expeditionary Force.
As for Metz's defense, he hadn't considered it at all.
There was no way the Germans would attack Metz, which was also a French territory, and a British general certainly would not consider building fortifications and defenses there.
However, the Hindenburg Line stood in the way of the British Army, and after several attacks, they suffered more than 30,000 casualties but were still unable to advance even a single step.
"Cunning Germans." Haig cursed angrily: "They had expected a situation like today, so they made defensive preparations in advance."
"Yes." Major General Kigel, the newly appointed chief of staff of the expeditionary force, agreed: "The Germans were building this line of defense when we attacked Alsace, and it is now basically complete."
"We should break through this line of defense as quickly as possible." Haig stood up anxiously and muttered to himself: "Otherwise, the German defense line will only become more and more solid and more difficult to break through."
Looking at Haig walking back and forth in front of his desk, Major General Kigel cautiously suggested: "Perhaps, we can let the First Tank Division participate in the battle. They are equipped with new tanks and are said to have very strong firepower. This may be helpful."
Kiger was so conservative because he knew that Haig was always reluctant to acknowledge the role of tanks, even though Charles had proven the value of tanks on the battlefield.
"Equipped with new tanks?" Haig asked casually.
"Yes," Kiger replied, "it's a tank called the Independence, and it's equipped with a cannon and four machine guns."
(The picture above shows the "Independence" developed by the United Kingdom in 1924. It is the world's first multi-turret tank. There are four turrets equipped with Maxim machine guns distributed around the main turret. This design actually reflects that the United Kingdom prefers to use tanks as firepower auxiliary for infantry. It is the first "infantry tank" in the United Kingdom)
When Haig heard that the tank had a cannon and four machine guns, he instantly became interested. However, he changed his mind and shook his head with disdain: "It won't be equipped with four machine guns like the Whippet, will it? It won't be of much use!"
"General," Kigel said, "Perhaps you can ask the commander of the tank division to explain it? He knows the performance of this tank better."
"Okay!" Heger nodded, his tone somewhat reluctantly.
Because he felt that any attention to the tank troops would be a slap in the face and would affect his dignity in the army.
Soon, Monty appeared in front of Haig with a briefcase in his left hand.
By this time he had been promoted to major.
However, as the commander of the 1st Tank Division, he had many officers of higher ranks under him, which often made him feel embarrassed.
Haig leaned back in his chair and pretended to review documents. He asked casually, "I heard that you are equipped with new tanks?"
"Yes, General." Monty took out photos and data files from his briefcase and handed them over: "This is a tank designed and produced in accordance with my combat philosophy."
Haig took the document and looked at it: "What is your operational thinking?"
"Yes." Major Monty stepped forward:
"My idea is different from Charles'. I think the tanks are more important to accompany the infantry to break through the defense line and prevent the troops from suffering casualties similar to the Battle of the Somme."
"Therefore, it should emphasize protection and firepower rather than speed."
What Haig admired most was the first sentence: "Different from the Shire."
This is normal.
Britain is the world's most powerful country. It should have its own combat ideas and designs, and should lead the trend and teach others how to fight, instead of following Charles blindly. This is a shame for the British Empire!
Haig didn't look at the data. He glanced at the tank and his eyes were immediately attracted by its multiple turret design.
"Let me guess." Haig's eyes lit up: "Each of its turrets is operated by one person and can operate independently, right?"
"Of course, General," Monty replied. "It's an improvement on 'Whippet.'"
Although the Whippet also has four machine guns, it has no turret and cannot rotate, so its combat angle and effectiveness are extremely limited.
"Great improvement." Haig praised, put down the pen in his hand, sat up straight, and picked up the data file to compare it.
After looking at it for a while, Haig frowned again: "But the Germans dug a 21-meter-long anti-tank trench. Can it cross it?"
"No, we don't cross the anti-tank ditch," Monty replied.
"Not crossing?" Haig looked at Monty in surprise.
"Yes." Monty stepped forward to respond: "Charles has a bridge-laying vehicle, but it can only span 18 meters. The Hindenburg Line obviously has targeted anti-tank trenches that make it impossible to cross."
Haig nodded slightly.
This is the conclusion they reached earlier.
The Germans were obviously targeting Charles' bridge-laying vehicles, so they increased the anti-tank ditch to 21 meters. At the same time, they dug the anti-tank ditch in front of the main defense line, one high and one low, making it difficult for the bridge-laying armored vehicles to play a role.
Monty took out a defense line sketch from his briefcase and handed it to Haig:
"My idea is that the tanks will not cross the anti-tank trench before they reach it, but will move along the anti-tank trench to suppress the Germans with close firepower."
"Even if it was blown up by the Germans, its wreckage would block their sight. Then all they would have in front of them would be a steel defense line and a sky full of smoke."
"This can cover our soldiers' charge, while anti-tank trenches can hardly stop the infantry's charge."
Haig stood up and said:
"That's right, Major Monty."
"That's what I mean. The main force of combat is always the infantry. They are the decisive factor on the battlefield."
"Everything else should be auxiliary to the infantry, and tanks are no exception."
Haig shook hands with Major Monty and thought he had discovered a talent, a rare talent.
It was incredible that he only realized this now.
"You shouldn't be a major." Haig politely asked Monty to sit down on the sofa. "I will report this to London and ask them to complete your promotion as soon as possible."
"Thank you very much, General." Monty was flattered.
"You deserve this." Haig looked at the document in his hand with satisfaction. "You still have your tanks and the tactics that go with them. I believe they can flourish on the battlefield and even surpass Charles in one fell swoop!"
British officers should trample on French officers.
The French army has geniuses, and of course the British have too!
(End of this chapter)
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