Romanian Eagle

After discussing the cost of the war and the military pension with the Prime Minister, Edel took a short break and met with Major Hoffman, who had been waiting outside the door for a long time.

He called this Major Hoffman this time to prepare for the establishment of Romania's first armored car unit.

In fact, as early as 1855, British J. Cohen installed machine guns and armor on the chassis of a steam tractor, made a wheeled armored vehicle, and obtained a patent. But this armored vehicle has not been put into practical use. In 1899, British Sims installed armor and a machine gun on a four-wheeler. In 1900, the British put armoured cars into the Anglo-Bulgarian war that was going on in South Africa. However, this kind of car has too many problems, and it can only be driven on the road, and there is no good result.

However, all countries have seen its potential, and have invested in research and development.

Being a Chinese was one of the first countries to recognize the importance of armored vehicles. The reason can be traced back to the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-1905. In the Russo-Japanese War, the Cossack cavalry, which made the Russians proud, was often beaten upside down in front of the powerful firepower of the Japanese machine guns and artillery. The fact of the harsh blood makes people of insight in the Russian military feel that "an armored vehicle with both mobility and firepower must be developed."

Among them, the most active advocate was General M. Nakasize, the general of the Russian Siberian Cossack Cavalry. In 1905, Nakasize designed Russia's first armored vehicle, named "Nakaxiyang" armored vehicle. This is all about installing 5-6mm steel plates directly on a car, and then installing a Maxim machine gun. However, this simple and crude approach severely overloaded the armored vehicle, which could only travel at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour, and it was the same problem.

Eder has considered building armored vehicles before, but because armored vehicles are now directly modified on the car, and there are many problems, they have not been developed for the time being. But because World War I was about to break out, he thought now was the time. Now Romania has the largest automobile manufacturing industry in Europe, and it is still no problem to refit an armored vehicle.

And there are already countries that have converted Romanian Dongfeng vehicles into armored vehicles. This is Belgium. This low country has converted two Dongfeng trucks before, and installed an open baffle in front of the cab, and then installed it on the back of the car. The machine gun baffle that can rotate, plus a Maxim machine gun, is quite a style of the later pickup plus machine gun.

However, this was also seen in the newspapers by Crown Prince Eder, and now Crown Prince Eder intends to form his own armored vehicle unit for a bit. However, his ultimate goal was the King of Land Battle tank, so he found Major Hoffman who was still in the Motor Transport Regiment.

"I have seen Your Highness."

Major Hoffman, who was wearing a lean light blue major uniform, walked into Crown Prince Eder's office and saluted the Crown Prince.

Looking at Major Hoffman, who was probably the pioneer of the Romanian armored force, Edel said with a smile. "Are you still used to it in the army?"

Hearing the crown prince's caring words, Major Hoffmann, who is of German descent in his bones, stood straight in front of the crown prince and answered loudly. "Thanks to His Highness for your concern. I have learned a lot of things in the army that cannot be taught in books, which enriched me a lot."

Seeing Major Hoffman who was in good spirits, Edel said directly. "Remember the scene where I met you in the classroom?"

"Of course I remember, Your Highness, do we want to form such a unit in Romania?"

In the face of the crown prince's question, Major Hoffman certainly remembered it. At the time, he was debating the use of armored vehicles for assault at the military academy with Rixiva instructors, which was overheard by the crown prince, which is why he was favored by Edel. Could it be that the crown prince is looking for himself for this reason,

Major Hoffman spoke his mind.

Without making him think too much, Edel replied directly. "Yes, I plan to set up such a battalion-level experimental force. And now to be the chief officer of this force, I think you are the most suitable one in the Romanian army."

In the face of the crown prince's decision to appoint himself as the chief officer of the first armored force, Major Hoffman was very excited. Having spent enough experience in the cavalry unit and truck transport regiment, he has long wanted to train an ideal unit in his mind. However, given his current status and qualifications, this is impossible. Fortunately, he met His Royal Highness Edel, and the most important thing is that the crown prince recognized his ideas. Now faced with the results at your fingertips, Major Hoffman said excitedly.

"Thank you His Royal Highness for your trust in me. I will lead this unit and experiment with the best way to use this new unit."

Looking at Major Hoffman whose face was flushed with excitement in front of him, Edel opened a drawer of his desk and took out a few drawings from it. This is his sketch of armored vehicles from World War II to modern times in his memory of his few past lives. He hopes that Major Hoffman's modified armored vehicle can be used, mainly because he is full of malice for the appearance of the current armored vehicle. Now the appearance of European armored vehicles can't be seen. He can't control foreign armored vehicles, but Romania's future armored vehicles must not be disabled.

Edel took out some sketches and handed them to Major Hoffman. "Here are some of my visions for Romania's future armored vehicles, I hope you can take a look."

Hearing the crown prince's words, Major Hoffman took over the crown prince's sketch and began to read it. Eder mainly painted the SdKfz221 wheeled armored vehicle, the SdKfz234 wheeled armored vehicle, as well as the American M8 wheeled armored vehicle, and the Japanese Type 92 wheeled armored vehicle that was most watched on TV that year.

Looking at these scribbled vehicle sketches, Major Hoffman didn't quite understand it, but he basically guessed who the author of these sketches was from the expectant eyes of the crown prince.

"How about it?"

In the face of the crown prince's inquiry, although he didn't understand it very clearly, Major Hoffman was very smart, and he answered solemnly. "His Royal Highness, these sketches are very good. They are very helpful for me to build armored vehicles. I hope to discuss the situation of armored vehicles with the sketch author."

Serious nonsense can be very deceiving, especially if this person has never talked indiscriminately, a few sentences occasionally are very effective. His Highness Edel was unfortunate to be a victim of this truth, and he believed the words of Major Hoffman.

For this reason, he had to make up an excuse indiscriminately. "It was designed by an automotive engineer, but he's out of the country now."

For the crappy reason of the crown prince, Major Hoffman said with a regretful look on his face. "It's so disappointing, I hope to have a good chat with this very thoughtful engineer next time."

"There will be a chance."

Major Hoffman now asks the question of greatest concern. "His Royal Highness, how much equipment has been prepared for this experimental unit?"

Edel also understood Major Hoffman's mood. When he knew that he was going to form a new unit, funding was always the most worrying thing. It was not cheap to have to go through armored vehicles, and it also included the cost of modification and weapons.

Glancing at Major Hoffman with a concerned face, Edel told him the prepared budget. "I'm going to give you 800,000 lei for the purchase. You can go to the Volkswagen factory and make your own request."

Hearing the amount given by the crown prince, Major Hoffman calculated in his heart that it seems that it can only be formed according to the model of the motor transport group. And for these funds, it is estimated that you can only choose two simple-looking models and try to build two to see.

Major Hoffman, who was muttering to himself, still spoke confidently. "Thanks to His Royal Highness for their support, I will go to the Volkswagen factory to seek their support."

"Go."

After saluting the crown prince, the major Hoffman left the crown prince's office in anticipation of the imminent formation of a new force. Facing Edel's summons this time, although there is still a little bit of money in terms of funding, other aspects are too good for him.

Looking at Major Hoffman who left with a satisfied expression, Eder knew that this armored vehicle unit was only a replacement now, and he was laying the foundation for future tanks.

PS No. 6 Mantou needs to be delayed for a while. If I come back early, I will try to code it out for everyone to see. In fact, this book is a work of practice for steamed buns, so I will read more on the premise of ensuring the quality. Let's not discuss the topic of whether this book will be a eunuch. I will reiterate it here for the last time. This book will never be a eunuch. I still expect this book to practice and make money.