In September 1912, Wilhelm II and other generals from the army inspected the German Imperial Army's 8th Army Corps. As 8th Army Corps's Commander, Oscar naturally accompanied me throughout the whole process.
The current 8th Army Corps has undergone radical changes compared to before. Although, the strength is still only ten Infantry Division. However, after a large-scale change of equipment, the firepower of the current 8th Army Corps is more than three times that of the previous one. A large number of machine guns and artillery equipment give 8th Army Corps troops at all levels possess powerful firepower. Coupled with the long and hard training, the combat effectiveness of this legion is definitely the best in the entire German Empire army.
Although, German Army's other troops have more or less purchased some new weapons produced by German Arms Company. However, there are not many of these weapons because Moltke the Younger interferes. Although it can improve the firepower of the troops to a certain extent, it is far from what 8th Army Corps can do.
A group of generals from Wilhelm II and German Army stayed at 8th Army Corps for two full days. Wilhelm II and others are very satisfied with the combat effectiveness of 8th Army Corps. Even Moltke the Younger, who has no dealings with Oscar, can't find any fault. Of course, if you insist on finding faults, it's not without them. 8th Army Corps's powerful firepower is obtained at the expense of terrifying ammunition consumption. Once a war breaks out, 8th Army Corps's need for logistical support will be even more astonishing. Therefore, Moltke the Younger believes that 8th Army Corps's approach is not advisable.
However, Oscar turned a deaf ear to Moltke the Younger's accusations. Once the war begins, 8th Army Corps will have to fight with ten Infantry Division against millions or even more Russia* armies. Without strong firepower, what a slap in the face! Even if the logistics pressure is great, 8th Army Corps's main task will be defensive counterattack. It won't go too deep into the territory of Russia. In this case, although the logistical pressure is great, it is not unbearable.
On the afternoon of September 17, generals Wilhelm II and German Army observed the drill of 8th Army Corps's secret force. This is also the new equipment that Oscar is trying its best to sell to Wilhelm II and the generals of the German Army.
I saw Wilhelm II, Oscar, and a group of generals sitting in the training ground. In front of them was a defensive position consisting of trenches, barbed wire and mud pits.
"Oskar, are you going to let 8th Army Corps send a force to attack this defensive position?" Wilhelm II asked with interest.
"Yes, Father Emperor. However, I guarantee you will be shocked by 8th Army Corps's offensive force. It will be an epoch-making force!" Oscar looked confident.
"Oh? Really? Then I'll wait and see." Wilhelm II said with a smile on his face.
Wilhelm II was more or less worried about Oscar taking over 8th Army Corps. After all, 8th Army Corps will have a very arduous task in the future war. But now it seems that Oscar has developed 8th Army Corps very well, and there is no need for him to worry about it at all.
Ten minutes later, General Hindenburg told Oscar that the exercise troops were ready.
Oscar then said it was ready to start.
Soon, a rumbling sound came from the venue. This surprised everyone, including Wilhelm II.
Then, they saw pitch black cars painted with Iron Cross driving out from one side of the training ground. Those iron lumps were slowly moving forward. The short barrel is pointed upward. Under the sunlight, it shines with an icy light.
Although, there were only about forty tanks present at the venue. However, it gave everyone an extremely shocking feeling. It was as if they were facing a torrent made of steel.
"Oskar, what kind of weapon is this?" Wilhelm II asked.
"This is a new weapon developed by German Arms Company. It can be called a combat vehicle, but I am used to calling them tanks!" Oscar said with a smile.
"Tank?" Wilhelm II nodded.
These tanks rushed towards the defensive positions in the training ground. The defenses composed of trenches and barbed wire cannot resist these steel guys at all. The tracks of the tank can easily cross trenches, run over barbed wire fences, and break through defensive positions. Those machine gun positions are not a threat to these tanks at all. To show everyone the defensive power of the tank, a machine gun fire station was manned.
"Ta-ta-ta!" A G09 General Purpose Machine Gun started firing. A dense barrage of bullets hit the armor of a tank.
"Dang Dang Dang!"
There was a crisp sound, and the tank was shot by General Purpose Machine Gun, sparks flying everywhere. However, the tank continued to advance unimpeded, as if there was no pressure at all.
"God! This weapon is really great, it is simply invulnerable! If our army is equipped with this weapon, then French's defensive offensive will never be able to withstand us!" Minister of War Feng? Falkenhayn praised.
The other army generals also nodded. They were also completely shocked.
At this time, a tank aimed at an unmanned machine gun fire point.
"Boom!"
A 37mm grenade flew out of the tank's gun barrel and hit the target instantly. The machine gun fire points were blown away in an instant.
"Oskar, very good, very good! Imperial Army, you must purchase this weapon called a tank." Wilhelm II said.
After seeing the power of tanks, even Moltke the Younger had no way to stop it. Otherwise, it will really cause Wilhelm II's dissatisfaction. Once Wilhelm II becomes angry, the consequences can be imagined.
"Father Emperor and 8th Army Corps have also just formed a Armored Regiment. In the future, we plan to expand it to become Armored Division. In this case, 8th Army Corps will have one more division, which requires War Ministry's approval." Oscar strikes while the iron is hot.
"That's no problem!" Wilhelm II said immediately.
Others, including Moltke the Younger, had no objections.
In this way, the troops under 8th Army Corps increased from ten Infantry Division to ten Infantry Division and one Armored Division.
After the exercise ended, Wilhelm II and a group of German military generals circled around the tanks in the exercise ground. They are very curious about this kind of weapon and want to equip their troops as soon as possible.
"Crown Prince, can the tank withstand the enemy's artillery fire?" a general asked.
"If it hits directly, it won't be able to withstand it. But if it's shrapnel, there shouldn't be any problem." Oscar replied.
Although German Arms Company developed a tank, due to technology constraints, they developed it too quickly and it was indeed too crude. Its various performances are completely incomparable to those of later generations of tanks. However, there is no problem at all against the flesh and blood of infantry.