Chapter 366: Additional Armor
Through the floating sycamore fluff, Laurent drove Charles to the tank base.
It was hardly a pleasant journey. Cars of this era were semi-open, so as soon as they picked up speed, the gusts of wind flung the sycamore tufts into Charles's face, occasionally lodging in his eyes and nose, both painful and itchy. Charles had to pull down his cap and turn up his collar to cover his mouth and nose, looking almost like someone trying to hide their face.
People on the streets recognized Charles, though, and waved enthusiastically, with some even jogging alongside the car for a short distance. Charles found the whole thing pointless—what did they hope to gain by chasing him down? Just a moment of admiration, maybe a signature? It didn't mean much to him.
After over half an hour, they finally reached their destination.
Here, perhaps because there were fewer sycamore trees, the air was mercifully clearer of fluff.
Browny and Estigny, along with a few guards, were waiting at the base entrance to welcome him. As soon as they spotted Charles's car, they approached with warm smiles.
"It's been a while, General," Browny greeted, his tone friendly but with a hint of surprise.
Browny found it hard to believe that the "kid" he once saw riding a bicycle had transformed into such an accomplished figure. Although Charles's appearance hadn't changed much up close, he had an unmistakable air of authority that Browny had nearly failed to recognize.
Estigny, on the other hand, seemed less interested in nostalgia. Holding a thick briefcase, he looked ready to dive straight into a series of issues he had been waiting to discuss with Charles.
Charles began with an inspection of the tank brigade's training, finding himself generally pleased.
Previously, the First Tank Brigade had operated with tanks and infantry as separate units—a tank regiment here, an infantry regiment there, with infantry assigned to follow the tanks only when entering combat.
Browny explained, "I thought, if we need to coordinate infantry for every battle, why not arrange it from the start?"
It made perfect practical sense, Charles thought, and it confirmed that Browny and Estigny were effective leaders. Under their command, the tank brigade was progressing in a more organized and efficient direction.
Estigny, eager to get started, quickly led Charles into the base's workshop.
Estigny had established this workshop himself as a branch of the tractor factory research division, where he could conveniently test and modify tanks.
The workshop wasn't large, about a hundred square meters, covered by a waterproof tarp tent. It was cluttered with tools and parts, with two "Charles A1" tanks parked in the center, apparently undergoing repairs or modifications.
"Our tank engines have surpassed the 'Holt 120,' reaching 130 horsepower," Estigny said eagerly.
Charles nodded—this was Matthew's doing.
After studying at the aircraft manufacturing plant, Matthew had successfully upgraded the engine. Although the improvement wasn't enormous—only 10 horsepower above the Holt 120—and stability was still a work in progress, those issues would be resolved with time.
"With this added horsepower, I thought about installing a larger-caliber cannon," Estigny said, holding out a design diagram for Charles to see. "I wanted to fit it with a 75mm cannon, thinking the extra power would support the weight, but I found that wasn't the case."
"Is the breech too long?" Charles asked.
Fitting a tank with a larger cannon wasn't only a matter of weight. The barrel would protrude from the chassis, and the breech would be housed inside. If the tank's turret wasn't big enough, a large-caliber cannon's extended breech would hit the top or side walls of the turret.
"Yes," Estigny replied, visibly impressed by Charles's insight. "It leaves almost no elevation angle and hardly moves at all, and there's no space left for the gunner."
"It needs a new cannon—and a redesigned turret," Charles said.
The cramped interior of the tank determined this; there wasn't an easier solution. Charles suggested, "But rather than a larger gun, it would be simpler to use the extra horsepower to increase the armor."
"You're right, General," Estigny agreed, though he seemed less enthusiastic. "Adding armor is easier, but I didn't think it was necessary."
Estigny pulled a data sheet from his briefcase, showing it to Charles. "This is the German A7V's armament summary—a 57mm cannon plus six Maxim machine guns."
At that, Charles understood.
The "Charles A1" had 25mm frontal armor.
The A7V's 57mm cannon could penetrate it, but the six Maxim machine guns couldn't.
Even if they increased the armor to 30mm, the 57mm cannon would still penetrate, while the Maxim machine guns wouldn't. In that case, adding armor wouldn't provide much advantage in combat.
It was no wonder Estigny was focused solely on increasing the gun's caliber, rather than the armor.
Charles chuckled and said, "Our enemies might not only have the A7V, Colonel."
"What do you mean?" Estigny asked, puzzled.
"We're advancing, and so are our enemies," Charles replied. "Last time, our 'Charles A1' didn't give the German A7V tanks a chance to fire back. Do you think they'll keep relying on the same model?"
Estigny's face went pale as he realized his mistake—all of their designs had been tailored to counter the A7V.
As he considered the possibility that the Germans might also be developing a new tank, and that they might rush it to the battlefield…
Estigny looked at Charles, his eyes filled with concern. "General, the enemy may be developing a light tank similar to the 'Charles A1.'"
"Exactly," Charles nodded. "And they might be equipping it with a smaller-caliber gun, similar to our 37mm. In that case, reinforcing our front armor would be very wise."
Colonel Estigny regretted his earlier misjudgment; his previous assessment no longer held up.
Reinforcing the armor wasn't just useful—it was essential, as it would mean the enemy couldn't penetrate their tanks, while theirs could still penetrate the enemy's.
With a sigh, Estigny admitted, "That was a mistake, General. But now it's too late to reinforce the armor. We'd need to manufacture new front plates, calculate weight distribution, and rework all the tanks…"
He was referring to removing the old armor and welding on the new, which wasn't a quick process, especially with over two hundred tanks in the brigade.
"No," Charles shook his head. "We can produce additional armor plates."
"Additional armor?" Estigny echoed, bewildered. The term was new to him.
But he quickly grasped its meaning from the word "additional" and exclaimed, "Of course, General—additional armor! It's so simple, I can't believe I missed it. What an idiot I am!"
Estigny, of course, was no fool.
Every step forward in tank development, every innovation, was painstakingly earned over time. And it was not uncommon for people to make mistakes or even head in the wrong direction.
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