Chapter 160： The prototype of the armored force

After discussing with the Prime Minister about the cost of the war and military pensions, Edel received a short break before receiving Major Hoffman who had been waiting outside the door for a long time.

This time he called the Major Hoffman to come here to prepare for the establishment of Romania’s first armored car unit.

In fact, as early as 1855, British J. Cohen installed a machine gun and armor on the chassis of a steam tractor to make a wheeled armored vehicle and obtained a patent. But this armored vehicle has not been practically applied. In 1899, the British Sims installed armor and a machine gun on a four-wheeled vehicle. In 1900, Britain invested armored cars in the Anglo-Brazzaville war that was going on in South Africa. However, this kind of car has too many faults, and it can only be driven on the road, with no good results.

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

Being a national is one of the first countries to realize the importance of armored vehicles. The reason can be traced back to the Russo-Japanese War of 19041905. In the Russo-Japanese War, the Cossack cavalry, which made the Russians proud, were often beaten up and down in the face of the powerful firepower of the Japanese machine guns and artillery. The fact of the harsh blood makes the Russian military feel that "an armored car with both mobility and firepower must be developed."

Among them, the most active advocate is General M. Nakasize, a high-ranking member of the Russian Siberian Cossack cavalry unit. In 1905, Nakasize designed Russia's first armored vehicle, named "Nakaxiyang" armored vehicle. This is simply to install a 5-6 mm steel plate directly on a car, and then install a Maxim machine gun. However, this simple and rude approach made this armored vehicle seriously overloaded and could only move at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour, and the same problems continued.

Eder had considered building armored vehicles before, but because now armored vehicles are directly modified on cars, 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 it was time. Romania now has the largest automobile manufacturing industry in Europe, so there is no problem in the face of modifying an armored vehicle.

And there are countries that have converted Romania's Dongfeng vehicles into armored vehicles. This is Belgium. This lowland country has modified two Dongfeng trucks before. Installed an opening baffle in the front of the cab, and then installed it on the rear compartment. The rotating machine gun sidewall, plus a Maxim machine gun, is quite the style of a later-generation pickup machine gun.

But this was also seen by Crown Prince Edel from the newspapers. Now Crown Prince Edel intends to form his own armored vehicle force to overtake it. But his ultimate goal was the King of Marines tank, so he found Major Hoffman who was still in the car transport regiment.

"I have seen your Highness."

Major Hoffman, wearing a lean and light blue major uniform, walked into the office of Prince Edel and said to the crown prince.

Seeing that he dug out in front of him, Major Hoffman, who may be the pioneer of the Romanian armored forces, said Edel with a smile. "Are you still used to it in the army?"

Hearing the words of the crown prince's care, Major Hoffman, who is of German descent in his bones, stood straight in front of the crown prince and replied loudly. "Thank your Highness for your concern. I learned a lot of things that were impossible to teach me in books and enriched me a lot."

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

"His Royal Highness, of course, I remember, are we in Romania going to form such a troop?"

Facing the crown prince’s question, of course Major Hoffman remembered. At that time, he and Riksiva teacher at the military school about the use of armored vehicles for assault debate, was heard by the crown prince, which is why he was favored by Edel. Is it because the crown prince is looking for himself for this reason, Major Hoffman said his thoughts.

Without making him think much, Edel replied very directly. "Yes, I intend to form such a battalion-level experimental force. At present, to be able to serve as the chief officer of this force, I think you are the most suitable one in the Romanian army."

Facing the crown prince’s decision to appoint himself as the chief officer of the first armored force, Major Hoffman was very excited. With enough experience in the cavalry unit and truck transport group, he had long wanted to train an ideal unit in his mind. However, this is impossible in terms of his current status and qualifications. Fortunately, he met His Royal Highness Edel, and the most important thing was that the crown prince recognized his ideas. Now faced with the results at hand, Major Hoffman said excitedly.

"Thank your Highness for your trust in me. I will take this army well and experiment with the best way to use this new army."

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

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

Hearing what the crown prince said, Major Hoffman took the draft of the crown prince and began to look at it. Edel mainly drew the SdKfz221 wheeled armored vehicle, SdKfz234 wheeled armored vehicle, and the American M8 wheeled armored vehicle, as well as the Japanese 92 wheeled armored vehicle that was watched most on TV that year.

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

"How?"

Facing the crown prince’s question, even though he didn’t see it very clearly, Major Hoffman was very smart, and he replied solemnly. "His Royal Highness these few sketches are very good. They are of great help to me in building armored vehicles. I hope to discuss the situation of armored vehicles with this sketch author."

Serious nonsense is very deceptive, especially when this person has never spoken indiscriminately. The occasional two sentences are very effective. His Royal Highness Edel was unfortunately a victim of this truth, and he believed Major Hoffman's words.

He had no choice but to make up an excuse for this. "This was designed by an automotive engineer, but he is now abroad."

Regarding the crappy reason of the crown prince, Major Hoffman said with a look of regret. "This is so disappointing. I hope I can chat with this thoughtful engineer next time."

"There will be a chance."

Major Hoffman now asks his most concerned question. "His Royal Highness, how much equipment funding has been prepared for this experimental unit?"

Edel also understands Major Hoffman’s mood. When UU read knows that he will form a new force, the funding is always the most worrying. It must be armored vehicles and it is not cheap, and it has to be modified. Expenses and money for weapons.

Glancing at the concerned Major Hoffman, Edel told him his budget. "I intend to give you 800,000 lei for the purchase of funds. You can go to the Volkswagen plant to make your own request."

Hearing the amount given by the crown prince, Major Hoffman calculated in his heart that it seemed that it could only be formed according to the model of a car transport group. And for these expenses, it is estimated that only two models that look simple can be selected and try to make two.

Major Hoffman whispered in his heart, still speaking with confidence. "Thank your Highness for your support, I will go to the Volkswagen factory to seek their support."

"Go ahead."

After the Major Hoffman saluted the crown prince, he left the crown prince’s office with the expectation that a new army would be formed. Faced with Edel's summons this time, even though 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, Edel knew that this armored vehicle unit was only a replacement now, and he was laying the foundation for future tanks.

PS No. 6 steamed buns need to be delayed for a while. If I come back early, I will try to show it to everyone. In fact, this book is a masterpiece of steamed buns, so I will code a little bit more on the premise of ensuring the quality. After all, the more than four or five hundred words will be better for everyone. Don't discuss the topic of whether this book will be an eunuch. I will repeat here for the last time. This book will never be an eunuch. I also hope that this book will earn money by practicing.