Arc of Fire

Chapter 776: Chapter 31 Everyone Will Face Their Destined Ending (6K words)_2

"What is this?”

"Ante’s new tank tested at the Aberdeen Test Track, your old friend General Eck asked me to bring these to you,” the envoy said.

Wang Zhong: “Having connections is indeed good. At this juncture, the Federation probably isn’t too willing to let me see these photos—what is this?”

He stopped, pulled out a photo and asked the envoy.

While Wang Zhong was questioning the envoy, Vasily looked at the rest of the photos.

The envoy said, “I only learned before takeoff that this vehicle is named ‘Wolfguard,’ and it’s a tank destroyer that’s about to be shipped in large quantities to the Europa battlefront.”

...

On Earth, the ‘Wolfguard’ is a sort of ‘Big Hellcat,’ but the ‘Wolfguard’ in the photo looked to Wang Zhong like a hybrid of an M4 Sherman tank body and the upper half of an M56 Scorpion anti-tank gun.

However, Wang Zhong immediately complimented with a high EQ: “This clearly looks like a solution made from mature technologies, which can be mass-produced and quickly join the troops. But I don’t understand, if it’s just mounting a gun, wouldn’t a Jeep be sufficient?”

The envoy replied, “We’ve tested it; it would flip over. The Ordnance Department thinks there might be a need to develop a new type of chassis, but since there’s not enough time, it’s better to modify the Sherman chassis directly. There’s also a version using the M5 Stuart chassis and another using the M3 half-track vehicle, all of which will be put into service as quickly as possible.”

Well then, is this what it means to be the leading industrial nation, to slap the 90mm gun that can deal with Prosen’s new tanks onto any chassis they can find, and to overwhelm the enemy with sheer production?

"Hey,” Vasily suddenly interjected, “General, take a look at this!”

He handed a photo to Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong saw something on the photo: a Willys Jeep with six gun barrels mounted on it.

This looks somewhat familiar!

Wang Zhong: “Is this a Willys Jeep equipped with six recoilless rifles?”

"Yes,” the envoy answered, “firing fin-stabilized projectiles from smoothbore recoilless guns ensures a concentrated explosive warhead will have good penetration upon hitting the target. The reason for having six is probably to seek fire density, to quickly shoot off, release smoke, and then escape.”

Wang Zhong facepalmed. How did the Federation get driven to this state? But these strange contraptions, well, really! They seem useful!

In the future, if this timeline also gives birth to “War Thunder,” who knows how many oddities will be used for fun.

Wang Zhong put down the photo: “I understand that you will soon gain the ability to counter Prosen’s new tanks, the more pressure you put on the Western Front against Prosen, the smoother our advance will be.”

"Of course, of course,” the envoy echoed, not having the authority to give the final say on launching cross-sea operations anyway.

Wang Zhong: “Alright, I’ve received the photos, and my cook has already prepared a welcoming feast. Vasily, take Mr. Envoy over.”

Vasily: “Yes.”

Back at the Eagle’s Nest.

Xiplin ultimately just sighed, “I hope these gun carriers will have enough armor-penetrating ability to deal with Ante tanks’ increasingly thick armor.”

Celtic Marshal: “Rest assured, this time the carriers are equipped with 105mm anti-tank guns.”

General Ma Qi: “We are still testing an extended 88mm gun, even though this greatly increases the production time for the gun barrels, but it will achieve satisfactory armor-penetrating capability.

"We are also researching a new type of projectile, like a steel needle, which should achieve better penetration, but we haven’t yet solved the effects of the projectile spin.”

Celtic Marshal Xiplin: “I’ve seen your new projectile, and tank operators generally report that after attacking Ante tanks with the new rounds, the rate of catching fire greatly decreased, and we often see Ante tank operators abandoning their vehicles.”

General Ma Qi: “Abandoning their vehicles also achieves our goal. The Anteans don’t have much repair capability, they won’t fix those abandoned tanks.”

Just as Xiplin was about to retort, the door to the war room opened.

Lord Giles emerged and said to those present, “His Majesty has adjusted his mood, please enter.”

The officers exchanged glances.

Marshal Rundstedt reminded, “You all should avoid arguing in front of His Majesty later, adding to his stress is bad for everyone.”

Xiplin nodded and as he suddenly recalled something, he asked, “Where is Marshal Erwin Rommel?”

"He is inspecting the Western Wall fortifications, and he calls us every day for mines,” the Celtic Marshal said wryly, as if we were mages who could conjure millions of mines with a single breath.”

General Ma Qi: “The beaches are definitely going to be targeted by naval gunfire preparations, is it really useful to plant a large number of mines?”

"It is said that Rommel intends to lay mines on the roads leading from the West Wall to the inland,” Marshal Rundstedt said, “Alright, no more talk, let’s go in.”

They entered the war room, passing beside Lord Giles.

The Emperor’s complexion was a bit redder than usual, looking like he had drunk some wine. This was not normal; the Emperor of Prosen never drank during the day. He, like “a typical Prosian,” was strict with himself during working hours.

Seeing Xiplin, the Emperor spoke, “You have returned from the front lines, I have a very urgent question that needs your answer: do we still have hope of defeating Rocossov?”

Xiplin immediately replied, “Of course, we do. Rocossov’s current breakthrough has a lot to do with the terrain of Kazarlia. Once the battle line moves to the border of Melania and Kazarlia

"It’s still a plain,” the Emperor cut in.

Xiplin: “But the width of the front has greatly reduced, and the towns which are more densely packed and consist of reinforced concrete structures, Lord Giles has studied Rocossov’s defenses at Shostka, and we can apply these experiences against him.”