Chapter 769 Southern African Military Observation Group

  September 11, 1899

  Mozambique Coast

  The new ocean-going cruise ship "Golden Peony" gallops along the east coast of Africa. It has left the San Antonio Castle on Ibo Island far behind and will soon approach the island of Mozambique where the Portuguese have worked hard for more than 300 years.

Major General Duan Qirui, wearing a neat army uniform, Colonel Bian Chunsong and other officers, stood in twos and threes on the top deck of the cruise ship, looking at the beautiful scenery of the east coast of Africa. Large groups of dolphins were chasing and frolicking beside the cruise ship, jumping out of the blue sea from time to time. , Drew a sound of exclamation.

  Ten minutes later

  The towering San Sebastian Castle on the island of Mozambique is already in sight. Upon arriving here, it is not far from the mouth of the Zambezi River, and not far from Hekou City, the first destination of this trip.

  The feelings of the officers on the cruise ship became enthusiastic. After a long voyage for more than a month, they were eager to return to the shore to get some repairs, take a relaxing bath, and enjoy the long-missed Chinese food.

  This is a high-level military observation mission led by Major General Duan Qirui. The end of the trip is Cape Town, South Africa. There, they will observe this battle in southern Africa nearby. This is also an opportunity to learn and improve.

  If the British side formally requests for troops, the 47-member officer regiment led by Major General Duan Qirui will return to Mozambique to recruit and train the army, and then join the battle in southern Africa.

  So, they have a dual military mission.

As a senior officer whom Li Fushou fancyed, Brigadier General Duan Qirui had ended his position as the commander of the First Division of the Royal Guard, and instead served as the commander of the Senior Military Observer Group in Southern Africa, leading his subordinates to perform this mission. Promoted to major general.

The tank regiment of Colonel Bian Chunsong also ended its military mission in the Luzon Islands and returned to the mainland for rest training, preparing to receive new equipment.

His aristocratic fief, Star Lake Ranch, is located about 50 kilometers northeast of Melbourne, not far from Tasmania, where the tank regiment’s new base is located, and a strait separated by only 240 kilometers. It takes six or seven hours by fast boat. It's here.

Bian Chunsong’s ability to join the African military observation group is, to a certain extent, the light of Li Siyuan, Duke of Palawan (the eldest prince), because Bian Chunsong’s wife is He Pannan, the third daughter of Admiral He Fang. And the Duchess of Palawan, He Liannan, is the youngest daughter on the list, and she has a brother-in-law relationship.

  Dating with the royal family, the official career in the army is bright.

Duan Qirui attaches great importance to the little brother of Colonel Bian Chunsong, not because of his prominent wife, but because Colonel Bian Chunsong is the only armored unit commander in the empire. He is highly educated, active in thinking, and unique in the development of army tactics. opinion.

"Brother Chunsong, this should be our fourth cooperation. Am I right?" Major General Duan Qirui wore a general uniform and carried a golden red mountain dragon emblem on his shoulder. It was the time when Chunfeng was proud of it. .

"Yes, Lord General, the first time should be during the Civil War in Australia. At that time, I was a lieutenant, and the General Pavilion was already a cavalry lieutenant colonel. I was fortunate to conquer the battlefield under your command." Colonel Bian Chunsong Replied with a humble expression.

In fact, at that time Bian Chunsong belonged to the tank battalion of the Red First Division, and Duan Qirui was the commander of the Railway Cavalry Division. The two sides were not affiliated with each other. They only fought side by side during the attack on Melbourne. The acquaintance and regret can be described as a battle. Condensed friendship.

   "Hahaha...Yes, at that time we were fighting together under the commander, serving as the siege vanguard who first broke into Melbourne. It was really a hard fight! Although so many years have passed, it is still unforgettable."

"Yeah, that was really a cruel siege battle. My tank battalion only had less than ten tanks left in the end. If I continue to fight, I really want to wipe out the establishment." Colonel Bian Chunsong also had a face. Sigh. He looked at the silhouette of the distant castle, a look of memories appeared in his eyes, and said;

  "The second time I worked with the General, I was following the commander on the northern front line. At that time, I was fortunate to be promoted to a major in the humble position, and the General was responsible for the command of the Guangdong General.

  The third time is the Battle of Luzon Islands. You are the brigadier commander of the first division, and I am the tank commander of the subordinate lieutenant colonel.

  Every time I work with the general, I am fortunate to be promoted to one level in my humble position. This time is no exception. This is all thanks to the general’s blessing, and the humble position has benefited a lot. "

   "It seems to be true to hear you say that, brother Chunsong, you are my great lucky star!" Duan Qirui couldn't help laughing after a moment, feeling very happy.

  These experiences are the most proud events in Duan Qirui's life, and they have also witnessed his glorious journey along the way. It is really an itch in his heart.

  He looked at Bian Chunsong with a look of appreciation, and asked; "This time I went back to the Tasmanian base for training and saw the young tiger tank that will be equipped with troops. I don't know what Chunsong has any thoughts?"

"If you return to the general, in addition to shock or shock, the Young Tiger tank satisfies the humble duty's highest expectations of armored troops. This is a land warfare weapon that is ahead of the times and can change the battlefield situation." Bian Chunsong replied with a serious face, thinking. After a while, continue to speak;

  "The young tiger tank is equipped with heavy armor against small and medium caliber artillery, and can effectively attack the infantry positions where the enemy's heavy troops gather. I am thinking about related tactical applications.

  Considering the tactical application of heavy armored cavalry in Europe, I think tank troops should be used intensively to form powerful fists, break through enemy heavy defense areas, divide, intersperse, and defeat the enemy in front of them, and create opportunities for victory for our troops.

  Relevant considerations are still immature, so this military observation group is a good opportunity to face the strong European army corps. Perhaps it can find inspiration and improve the tactical application of tank troops.

  The application of mechanized forces is a world-wide military frontier subject, and there is no trace before it.

  In view of this, Humbleman is exploring the military tactical theory of the Armored Corps, its position in the army and its tactical application. When it matures, it hopes to be assembled into a book to provide useful guidance for officer training.

  Of course, it is still immature and needs to be gradually improved. "

"Okay, very good, I look forward to one day I can appreciate your masterpiece." Duan Qirui said without hesitation, holding the railing with both hands and looking into the distance; "I have read Colonel Ma Han's "On Sea Power" many times. The vague concept of sea power became clear immediately. This is indeed a book that summarizes the essentials of sea power. No wonder the Kaiser Wilhelm II praised it so much.

  As a traditional arms, the army is facing the impact of new technologies in the century. The exploration of a way to effectively combine armor and infantry will have a direct impact on the wars of the great powers, and its significance is no less than "The Theory of Sea Power".

  Brother Chunsong, if you have any need, please come to me. This general will create all the convenient conditions for you. "

   "Thank you, Your Excellency General." Colonel Bian Chunsong's thanks came from the heart.

  He is the commander of the world's first armored force. He has been in the army for more than ten years. He has led the armored forces through more than a hundred battles, accumulated profound combat experience, and has far superior understanding of the use and tactics of armored forces.

  This allowed Colonel Bian Chunsong to stand at a height beyond the reach of ordinary people, thinking about the actual positioning of the armored force in the war.

  Before seeing the young tiger tank, his military thinking was hazy and erratic, but after witnessing the heavy armor and powerful assault firepower of the young tiger tank, he suddenly became clear...

  It is true that Colonel Bian Chunsong cannot be blamed for being too slow, but the wild wolf light tank has led him into a misunderstanding before. The longer the time, the more confused it is, and it is difficult to locate the armored unit.

In a high-intensity war with equal strength between the enemy and the enemy, the survivability of the Wild Wolf light tank is worrying. Although it is called a "light tank", it is actually a "tin car", far less than a heavy armored warrior. The demand for a storm of bullets to charge into battle.

The frontal armor of the   Wild Wolf light tank is only 12.5 mm, which can resist heavy machine gun bullets from 50 meters away. The side armor is only 8.6 mm, which can only resist ordinary rifle bullets.

With such a thin armored defense, after the enemy experienced the initial panic, he quickly found a targeted countermeasure, that is, the French Haqikes 20mm rapid-fire gun was hit hard from the front, or it was hit with a heavy machine gun from the side. The armored battalion suffered such a heavy blow during the assault on Melbourne, with heavy losses in personnel and equipment.

  In the late siege

  Bian Chunsong had to find thick planks, sandbags, steel plates and other items to tie them to the armor of the wild wolf light tank to enhance the ability to resist the enemy’s medium and large-caliber bullets and increase their chances of survival.

  According to the experience gained in actual combat, the wild wolf light tank cannot leave the protection of the infantry unit at all, and does not have the ability to fight alone.

  A vassal of an infantry unit, what about independent tactics?

  Until I witnessed the powerful combat capability of the Cub medium tank, Bian Chunsong’s doubts in his thoughts were gone, as if he had seen a new world in his dreams, and his inspiration burst out like a spring. It just took time to verify.

  Rich command experience, so that he already has the basis for forming an independent theory in the field of armored military.

   "Look, the Zambezi Estuary is here, it's really spectacular..."

  Who is this who exclaimed, attracting the attention of everyone on the deck, rushing forward one after another, looking up.

  From a distance, you can see the mouth of the Zambezi River as wide as 8 kilometers. The white river water flows into the blue ocean, forming a clear boundary in the sea, covering a range of tens of square kilometers.

  This is a magnificent wonder of nature. There are dots of fishing boats fishing on the nearby sea. Compared with the natural wonder, it is very small, which makes people feel sigh.

  The "Golden Peony" sounded a long air whistle, drove across the boundary line with the joy of the end of the long journey, and entered the channel along the direction of the lighthouse in the river.

The wide Zambezi estuary enters the eye with a vast expanse of whiteness. From time to time, one can see the rapids of the estuary with vigorous green vines growing in the rapids, countless birds perching on the rapids, and hundreds of sea turtles lazily. Are basking in the sun.

  Along the river for more than 20 kilometers, you can see a beautiful city nestled in the plains, this is Hekou City.

  (End of this chapter)