It's better to conquer them than to command the steel torrent

Chapter 54｜A wonderfully stupid method

So the designers don't consider tank soldiers as human beings at all?
Of course, Veronica didn't mind this.

Next, the major general ordered several test drivers to begin the demonstration.

The new cruiser tank's V-2 twelve-cylinder diesel engine roared loudly, pumping a steady stream of power into the gearbox. Although designed to produce a maximum of 500 horsepower, it normally only operated at 1700 rpm, at which point it output about 420 horsepower.

Under the test driver's superb control, the tank sped forward, passing through potholes and muddy ground as if it were flat ground, and then easily crossed the wide trench.

The tank then opened fire at a target in the distance. Rumbling gunshots were heard, and three earthworks that had just been built yesterday were blown to pieces by grenades, with smoke and dust flying everywhere.

Finally, the test driver stopped the tank in front of a dirt slope and evacuated it, where an anti-tank gun was prominently placed.

"Your Majesty, for safety reasons, please go behind the bunker and watch." The colonel of the Guards made a gesture of invitation.

Veronica walked into the observation bunker made of earthbags and looked into the distance through the artillery telescope.

The gun crew hid in the trenches and used ropes to pull the anti-tank gun to control the firing.

The anti-tank gun and the tank were only a few dozen meters apart, and they looked almost right next to each other.

"Duang—"

The armor-piercing rounds hit the tank, sending out a shower of brilliant sparks, like a sledgehammer hitting a red-hot iron ingot.

Then, the crew fired four more rounds in succession, but the bullets either ricocheted or crashed to pieces.

The tilting effect is not constant; the equivalent thickness varies depending on the caliber of the incoming shell.

The masterpiece of the Vickers-Kharkov factory adopts a 60-degree large-angle design and the front armor thickness of the vehicle body is 45 mm.
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The incoming shells had a caliber of 37 mm, equivalent to about 140 mm.
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The incoming shells had a caliber of 75 mm, equivalent to about 122 mm.
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The incoming shells had a caliber of 88 mm, equivalent to about 116 mm.

At this time, this level of protection is enough to be called the Wall of Sighs.

"Your Majesty, as you can see, the anti-tank guns equipped by various countries do not pose a threat to it." The major general proudly took credit for it.

"Excellent! Its designer deserves an Order of St. Anna. You've worked hard, too, Major General Kovalev."

"It has always been my honor to serve my country and you."

Then, Veronica asked directly: "When will such a powerful tank be equipped to the army?"

Kovalev listed them one by one: "By the end of March, the Kharkov plant will be able to produce ten pre-production models. After your Majesty's approval, the War Ministry will place an order for them to produce 5,000 vehicles. The Savinkov plant is expected to be involved in production by summer."

Veronica, in a good mood, softened her tone. She asked, "The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has complained to me that the expansion of radio equipment production cannot be completed as scheduled. Does the Ministry of the Army have any solution?"

A colonel looked around, but seeing no one answering, he stepped forward to report, "Your Majesty, I have discussed this situation with the United Kingdom ambassador. General Electric and Marconi still have the capacity to take on more orders. Also, someone has proposed a foolish solution."

This General Electric is not that General Electric - there is a company with the same name in the United Kingdom.

Veronica nodded and said calmly: "Then let me hear whether this method is stupid or smart."

"We can have female soldiers with telepathic abilities join the tank units and have them serve as tank communicators." The colonel paused, then continued, "There's also an even more radical idea. The General Staff College envisions forming several elite assault tank brigades, with all crew members, except the drivers, consisting of women."

Specifically, the gunner is a soldier of the fourth category, the commander is a soldier of the first category, and the communicator is a soldier of the second category.

Why are drivers an exception?

Because the new cruiser tanks used a rear-mounted transmission and engine layout, and were not equipped with a power-assisted shifting device, shifting gears was extremely difficult. Drivers who were not strong enough even needed the help of the communicator in the passenger seat to complete the shift.

Veronica was very interested in this idea. She said, "It's very creative. Such elite troops might become the axe of our motherland, chopping down the enemy's defenses. It's interesting. I'd like to see more detailed arguments."

The colonel saluted and said, "I will pack it up and send it to Catherine Palace tomorrow."

The snow is getting heavier.

After the group watched the demonstration of the multi-turret heavy tank, the falling snow had reached a level that obstructed their vision.

Veronica stayed in the military camp for a while longer and tasted the not-so-delicious lunch there.

No one has ever known that for her, throwing away a piece of clothing is nothing, signing the death penalty list is nothing, and ordering the purchase of rare jewelry is nothing, but eating is the only thing that makes her feel psychologically burdened.

This most ordinary thing happened several times a day, and it was more like a torment to her.

Finally, she returned to Catherine Palace before dark at three o'clock in the afternoon.

The maid, Ulyana, was tidying the table. Seeing her return, she leaned forward and greeted her: "Greetings, Your Majesty. I will go and get you some water."

"Well, good afternoon."

After Veronica sat down, she saw the files on the table, including a report submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"...The dynamics of the Khitan situation remain uncertain. Minor political infighting has already begun, but there's no strong evidence that it will intensify. Ambassador Belov believes the transfer of power will proceed normally."

A cold look flashed in Veronica's blue eyes.

The Grand Federation had reminded her that they did not want the entire Europe to be plunged into war again. If war broke out again between Ivan Ross and Varland, both sides should keep the war under control and not destroy the country.

Of course, these were all her guesses.

Because those words are composed of implicit words that are unique to Orientals.

Veronica didn't like this subtlety; she thought it was hypocritical.

But even if she hated it, she had to consider it carefully.

Every year, the Ivan Rus Empire imports a large number of industrial products from the Great Commonwealth - nearly one million tons of high-quality cement, thousands of tons of aluminum, hundreds of thousands of cars, and so on.

Last year, a border dispute arose and the Grand Federation cut its export quota, forcing the country to import from America at a higher price.

The General Staff and the Army Department claimed that the country could be ready for all-out war as early as the autumn, at which time everything would be started over again.

However, before that, some people in the core power circle suggested that she send a special envoy with full powers to Xijing to show goodwill as much as possible and ease relations before the war. Now that the ruling party has just changed, it would be even better if the trade restrictions could be lifted.

Aren't Khitans particular about formalities and sincerity? So I might as well go there myself, reluctantly!

As Veronica was thinking this, Uliana slowly walked over and handed her a cup of warm tea.

In the exquisite silver cup, the emerald green Junshan silver needles floated, as if foreshadowing something.

　annotation:
　　(1) That is, the Gorky (GAZ) Automobile Plant in the history of OTL.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)