I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France

Chapter 630: Original text - 630 Self-Rescue Wood Modified:

Shire originally thought there was no need to explain to Matthew; he just needed to prepare the steel ropes and logs.

But after thinking it over, he felt something wasn’t right.

If he said nothing, Matthew wouldn’t know the specifications, hardness of the logs, or the strength of the steel ropes. These needed multiple tests to determine the data before being mass-equipped.

Therefore, Shire patiently explained to Matthew:

"The tank weighs 31 tons, so many problems are bound to occur during movement, especially in extreme climates."

"For example, in heavy winter snow, it’s easy for a tank to get stuck in pits and, because of slipping, becoming unable to break free."

"Also, during the rainy season, tanks often get stuck in the mud and cannot move."

Matthew nodded in agreement; these problems appeared repeatedly on the "Saint Chamond" self-propelled gun.

However...

"What does this have to do with logs and steel ropes?" Matthew was puzzled, "You mean they can help tanks break free?"

Shire nodded affirmatively.

Matthew was stunned for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "You must be joking, General. Just one log won’t be enough if a tank is stuck. We’ll need at least dozens of logs."

What he was thinking of was laying dozens of logs on the muddy road so the tank could pass.

Shire said nothing. He brought Matthew to the desk, took paper and a pen, and explained while drawing:

"Suppose the tank is already stuck in a pit or mud and can’t get out. We can do this."

"First, tie the log to the tank’s tracks with steel ropes."

"Then start the tank. The tracks will drag the log backward..."

(The above image shows the self-recovery log parts and their state when bound to the tracks.)

(The above image shows the self-recovery log carried by the tank.)

Matthew suddenly understood, "Then the reaction force of this log will pull the tank out."

"Yes," Shire answered:

"But there are a few points to note; the log must be hard enough, or it will easily get crushed. It should be slightly wider than the tank so the steel rope can be tied."

"Also, the steel rope must be strong enough, or it will easily break."

"Most importantly, once the log is under the load-bearing wheel, you must stop and untie the steel rope before continuing; otherwise, the log will rotate with the tracks and hit the body."

Matthew stared blankly at Shire, not sure if he was listening.

After a while, he suddenly woke up and asked:

"General, how did you come up with this method?"

"This tank was just produced; it hasn’t encountered such difficulties yet."

"I mean, isn’t it usually that you encounter a problem first, then find a solution?"

Shire had the solution before the problems appeared.

"The ’Shire A1’ occasionally had this problem," Shire made up, "The common method was to fill with stones and use other vehicles to assist in getting free. At that time, I thought, could there be a simpler self-recovery method."

Matthew slowly nodded, genuinely praising:

"Indeed, it is a simple and effective method."

"It doesn’t require any auxiliary vehicles or manpower and relies solely on itself."

"This is very suitable for use on the battlefield, as there is often no condition to rely on others."

In battle, everyone is busy attacking the enemy and cannot possibly rescue a tank stuck in the mud.

Even at the second line or rear, if a unit has several tanks stuck, it can easily lead to traffic congestion or chaos.

If a tank can self-recover at this time, it would undoubtedly save a lot of trouble.

Shire pushed the sketch in front of Matthew: "What you need to do is to try producing the self-recovery logs and conduct necessary tests, then apply them to the tanks. Is that okay?"

"No problem," Matthew answered confidently.

Then Shire picked up the sketch again and said thoughtfully: "Also, we can add a telephone to the rear of the tank."

"A telephone?" Matthew looked at Shire in surprise, "Who would it call?"

The tank is mobile; does it drag a phone line with it?

"No, Matthew," Shire answered calmly, "It doesn’t need to call anyone, just infantry calling the tank crew to enhance infantry-tank collaboration."

Matthew suddenly understood and exclaimed:

"Good idea, Shire, install a telephone."

"It’s not an expensive thing, nor is it technically complex."

"But it can significantly improve infantry-tank collaboration. You’re a genius, Shire!"

(The above two images show the phones installed at the rear of modern tanks, used for infantry-tank coordination.)

In fact, Shire had thought about installing phones on tanks long ago.

Since tanks were invented, infantry-tank coordination has always been a big problem, especially in breakthrough battles where tanks sometimes have to fight at night, such as during the attack on Antwerp.

Installing phones on tanks can significantly improve infantry-tank coordination and even give basic night combat capability: infantry could instruct tanks to advance and designate targets via phone.

But Shire never did this.

The reason is the Germans had bigger coordination problems on their tanks.

The "A7V" tank had 18 crew members, the "Upper Silesia" tank had 5 crew members, and even the recently developed LK1 light tank required 3 crew members.

While the "Shire A1" tank had only two crew members.

Fewer crew members mean simpler coordination, besides the "Shire A1" had superior performance in many areas, and the First Armored Army had spent a long time training infantry-tank coordination.

If Shire now puts phones on tanks, the Germans would benefit more.

By then, the "Shire A1" wouldn’t be able to widen its advantage over enemy tanks and might even narrow it.

When the "Shire B1" heavy tank is introduced, it will be different; it requires 4 crew members, making coordination more difficult.

Most importantly, the "Shire B1" tank’s 75 cannon is mainly for infantry coordination, adding a phone to strengthen infantry-tank collaboration will have many benefits.

Even if the Germans learn and use it in their tanks soon, by then, the German tanks would face not the "Shire A1" but the formidable "Shire B1".

"Start mass production next month, okay?" Shire asked.

"No problem," Matthew nodded vigorously.

Then he seemed to recall something: "Oh, you asked me to send a few people to the Brest Shipyard to learn..."

Shire almost forgot about it.

He only sent Matthew a telegraph without detailed explanation, making Matthew probably puzzled, not knowing why tank makers should learn navy technology at a shipyard.

"Dual-axis stabilized fire control system," Shire answered briefly: "It will be useful. You can think of the tank body as a ship, and then install the dual-stabilized fire control on the turret."

Matthew was stunned; can it be done this way?

Isn’t this too exaggerated?

If this technology succeeds, will German tanks still be a match?