I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 945: Crushing the Tank Corps

The sound of artillery is thunderous.

Dense shrapnel explodes on the German positions like saffron, throwing the dead and limbs into the sky.

Fragments of metal and shrapnel scatter on the ground like a thin layer of hail.

When the whistling bombs pierce the ground, it suddenly caves inwards and then bursts open, hurling a radial spray of dust, resembling sudden black fountains.

Thick smoke mixed with a terrifying devilish yellow color rolls in mid-air, forming dirty dark clouds with the dust.

The air is filled with the smell of death, and German soldiers let out cries of despair, but the machine gun bullets keep hissing as they continuously penetrate their positions.

This is the bombardment preparation by the First Armored Corps.

Unlike other forces, the First Armored Corps can now advance their barrage to about 1,000 meters in front of the troops.

Then, as the barrage advances, the troops follow closely behind, leaving almost no time for the enemy to react.

This is thanks to the regular training of the First Armored Corps, and also the unified command of the aerial "radio aircraft."

At this time, the "radio aircraft" has been upgraded from the "Caproni" bomber to the "Jenny" transport aircraft.

Compared to the former, the "Jenny" transport aircraft is more convenient and safer; it can not only carry a larger radio but also be equipped with three signalmen and three observers. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Especially with the addition of an observation pod below the forward cabin, it can provide a more accurate and timely view below, and pilots do not need to lower the nose for observation.

(The above image shows the hemispherical machine gun pod beneath World War II aircraft, known as one of the most dangerous roles.)

The German Army had no power to fight back throughout the battle.

The anti-tank guns were shattered into pieces by the whistling artillery shells as soon as they were brought out. Machine guns were suppressed by enemy infantry guns before they could fire a few rounds, and the mortars disappeared amidst the explosion of rockets before they could open fire.

"Hold them back!" Major General Bernhard shouted, "Mortars, target the mine sweeping tanks..."

Major General Bernhard’s command direction might have been correct; as long as the mine sweeping tanks were destroyed, or at least their mine sweeping devices were damaged, the mines wouldn’t be cleared quickly, giving the German Army a chance to stop the French iron flood.

However, the mine sweeping devices were mounted on the Shire B2.

Mortar shells hitting its 40MM thick frontal armor would only create a dent, and the mine sweeping devices were even more resilient; some had been deformed but could still rotate and detonate the mines.

This was due to their simple mechanism, as long as they could move, they could function properly.

Major General Bernhard thought about organizing a demolition team to blow them up with cluster grenades and explosive packs, but the field ahead was full of mines, making it impossible to advance.

What an irony.

The enemy can come and go as they please in the minefield, while they are trapped and immobile by the minefield.

Major General Bernhard could only watch helplessly as the mine sweeping tanks got closer and closer...

Eventually, the thick iron chains on the mine sweeping device, accompanied by the whistling and clanging noises of rotation, "rolled" into the trenches.

Crying out in despair, the German soldiers who couldn’t dodge in time were smashed into pieces, some having horrific dents punched into their bodies as if run over by a vehicle, their wounds were strewn with broken flesh and protruding white bones.

Major General Bernhard said nothing, lifting a bundle of cluster grenades from near his feet, he faced the approaching chains head-on, gritting his teeth as he pulled the fuse.

...

Freeman Command Post.

Shire received Tijani’s telegram: "Successfully broke through the enemy’s first line of defense, five of our ’mine sweeping tanks’ were damaged, two ’Shire A1’ tanks were destroyed, and there were approximately 300 casualties."

Shire nodded in satisfaction, casually handing the telegram to the dumbfounded Pershing.

Pershing asked in confusion, "Mine sweeping tanks? What’s a mine sweeping tank?"

From two meters away, Haig, pretending to work at his desk, pricked up his ears. Though he felt isolated by the two, he was intensely curious about how Shire had managed to break through the enemy’s minefield.

"It’s very simple." Shire grabbed a folder from behind him, flipping it open before handing it to Pershing.

It was a sketch of a mine sweeping tank.

"We just need to add this device to the front of the tank, General." Shire explained:

"It can create a path for the troops to advance."

"The only downside is it obstructs the driver’s view, and the explosion smoke and dust from the mines further obscure the commander’s vision."

"But that’s not a big issue. ’Shire B2’ is equipped with a telephone, and the army can coordinate with it by phone."

Pershing carefully examined the sketch and couldn’t help but praise:

"A very fine device, Vice Admiral."

"Simple yet practical, it doesn’t even require much time and funds for modification!"

"Who’d have thought the minefield meticulously laid by the Germans would be undone by such rotating chains."

After examining it for a while, Pershing turned and approached Haig, handing over the sketch and speaking with a tone of mockery:

"Take a look, esteemed General."

"It disappointed you. What I mean is, it made the war simpler."

"This will surely be another victory watched by the world!"

Images of Britain’s interest were to see Shire and Germany weaken each other, or at least, for Shire’s prestige and image to suffer, but what happened was the exact opposite.

Haig glanced at the sketch, immediately understanding how it worked.

Feigning ignorance to Pershing’s words and putting on a nonchalant facade despite the awkwardness:

"Indeed a good device, glad to hear of the victory."

"However, I must remind you, the Germans have tank forces positioned on either side of the minefield."

"They could launch a pincer attack on the First Armored Corps at any moment..."

Before he could finish, a signalman relayed a message: "General, we have defeated the German tank forces."

Haig’s expression changed: "What? How...how was this accomplished?"

Turning his gaze towards Shire.

The tanks of the First Armored Corps were engaged in advancing through the minefield, how could they simultaneously defeat the German tank forces?

"It’s not impossible." Shire replied calmly: "Defeating the German tank forces doesn’t necessarily require tanks, motorized units can manage it too."

Haig was so shocked that his jaw nearly dropped; for Shire’s forces to be so strong that even a motorized unit could defeat enemy tank forces?

Pershing also looked at Shire with skepticism.

Shire shrugged nonchalantly.

Usually, it couldn’t be done; motorized units struggle to resist a tank force’s assault.

However.

If there’s a "radio aircraft" monitoring from above, reporting enemy tank positions in real-time, and with "75 truck guns" combined with "105 truck guns" engaging in a hit-and-run approach, the German tanks wouldn’t even have a chance to fire before half of them are destroyed.

The only ones capable of withstanding bombardments were the German K-Wagen super heavy tanks, but without exception, they all broke down as the roads underneath them were blown to pieces.