Cannon Fire Arc

Chapter 347: Chapter 32 The First Deliberation of the Ordnance Examination Committee (Additional update 29/33)

December 20, the original Civil War Exhibition Hall at 10 Peace Street, the first deliberation of the Ordnance Review Committee.

Two days ago, the execution carried out personally by Major General Rocossov at the Suvorov Military Academy had already triggered a series of shockwaves.

A large number of officers from the Aristocratic faction who had no direct command of the troops were transferred to the far east to confront the Empire of Fusang, and a good number of competent officers were promoted.

These promoted officers had to attend a crash course at the Suvorov Military Academy while their units were resting, mainly to learn from the experience summarized by front-line generals, including Rocossov.

The first batch of officers to undergo intensive training had already reported to the military academy when Major General Rocossov took office as the head of the Suvorov Military Academy.

These officers, who participated in training, had front-line experience and could directly control troops, now had a new title in Ye Fort: the Rocossov faction.

————

That morning, as soon as Wang Zhong arrived at the entrance of 10 Peace Street, he saw Federation reporter Mike and his partner.

So he took the initiative to speak first, "Mike! Why didn't you come to the execution on the 18th?"

Reporter Mike looked utterly dejected, "I went to the front lines for an interview and just got back today. You moved too fast, as soon as I received the news that Tukhachev was being brought back to Ye Fort, I rushed back, thinking it would take at least half a month to wrap up and I'd definitely make it.

"But then, oh snap!"

After he finished speaking, his partner Robert said, "Your photographers are skilled, but they don't know how to take impactful photos. Look at this one, it's like a painting, panoramic, not bad, but it lacks impact."

Wang Zhong, "The one you took of my fiancée was great, very impactful. Now there's an unprecedented enthusiasm for women to enlist."

Robert was surprised, "Why is there a surge in enthusiasm for female soldiers to enlist?"

Wang Zhong, "To defend the country just like she does. This time, Ante women are no longer satisfied with just sending their loved ones to the battlefield; they want to personally go and beat the enemy. I suggest Mr. Mike interview some of the female soldiers in our army, with the report titled 'No Woman's Face in War,' I think they will provide you with many stories from a different perspective.

"Although from a different angle, they are as moving as the brave battles on the front lines."

Reporter Mike nodded, "I will, General Sir. But for now, please give us your opinion on the current popular sentiment in Ye Fort. Ye Fort says you have essentially formed your own officers' club, and last night's banquet at your estate was a gathering of this club."

Wang Zhong was astonished, "What? I just invited a few old friends for some Spam and cola, how did that turn into an officers' club meeting?"

Last night, Wang Zhong discovered that generals such as Kashuk and Kiriyenko who had fought together were in Ye Fort, so he invited them and their staff to visit, truly just a gathering of old comrades-in-arms.

Just like the get-togethers Wang Zhong's father had with old comrades before crossing over, a group of people would come together to sing "Cat's Ear Hole" and "Camel Bells," recalling the bitterness and sweetness of the past.

Little did he expect outsiders to see it that way.

Reporter Mike, "So it was just a gathering of old friends? Is that the official statement?"

Wang Zhong, "That's my statement. If the reporting is off course, you will be responsible!"

Reporter Mike then asked, "Your fiancée is leading the officer's wives in involving themselves in textile production, is this preparation for after the war?"

Wang Zhong, "She just feels that it's not appropriate for officers' wives to spend their days at balls given the current situation! In fact, many officers' wives dislike participating in social events when the war situation is bad, she's just gathering those people to do something beneficial for the war."

Reporter Mike quickly took notes in his notebook.

Wang Zhong snatched the notebook away, only to find that it was written in English, and with his English regressed to basic literacy, he couldn't understand what the guy was writing at all.

Then Robert snapped a photo.

Wang Zhong thought he was in trouble, having been played by these journalism students.

All he could do was return the notebook to Reporter Mike, "The reporting must stick to the facts, no sensationalizing!"

Reporter Mike replied with a wry smile, "The editor-in-chief wouldn't be happy with that. Actually, the latest directive from home is that the editor-in-chief said we've written enough about the brave battles on the front lines. These reports, under the context of the Federation's cry for revenge, have sold very well, but we need to be proactive."

Wang Zhong, "And so you've found your way to me?"

Reporter Mike, "Court intrigue has always been a hot topic, eh? The play 'Macbeth' is staged once a year, and it's a full house every time."

Wang Zhong, "What are you implying, my dear Reporter Mike?"

Your next read is at M V L

Reporter Mike looked surprised, "You've seen 'Macbeth'?"

Of course, I've seen all four of Shakespeare's great tragedies (adapted into movies), and even more versions of 'Romeo and Juliet' beyond the four tragedies, with Leonardo's being my favorite.

Suddenly, Wang Zhong realized his behavior was not fitting for his reputation as a dandy.

After all, in this era, one can only watch plays in a theater, with no movies.

So he changed his response, "I haven't seen it, but I do know that 'Macbeth' is the story of a tyrant who usurped the throne."

Reporter Mike laughed, "I was just giving an example, no other implications intended. For today's committee, which equipment are you planning to approve?"

Wang Zhong, "No comment."

Saying this, he walked straight inside.

Reporter Mike was about to follow, but was stopped by Vasily, "The review committee already has institutions responsible for press releases, please liaise with these institutions."

Wang Zhong quietly gave Vasily a thumbs up.

The venue for the committee meeting was in the original first-floor circular exhibition hall, where the exhibits previously displayed here were all moved to storage underground, and the hall was cleared out.

In the center was a long table, with five places behind it, and in front of the table were prepared a blackboard, a rack for hanging drawings, and other devices often used in scientific presentations.

Wang Zhong was about to sit down at the table in the middle, but he was stopped by someone.

It was the 40th head of the Suvorov Military Academy, yes, the same elderly man he had brought back to serve as a fifth-grade clerk.

"Lieutenant General, when do you plan to take my head?" the old man asked, leaning on his cane in a way that reminded Wang Zhong of Saber's classic stance with her sword in FATE.

It seemed to be the trendy pose of the era, didn't it?

Wang Zhong: "What are you talking about? I still rely on you to keep the committee running."

The old man: "I also sign off on your report card!"

Wang Zhong: "Tukhachev was executed because of his mistakes in military strategy, not out of personal vendetta. Are you underestimating me, or are you underestimating His Majesty the Tsar?"

The old man stared at Wang Zhong for a few seconds: "Really? It wasn't a personal grudge?"

"It wasn't. I made an agreement with him, to use the same pistol to execute the Plathen Emperor." Wang Zhong said as he patted the handgun at his waist, "This one right here."

The old man stared at Wang Zhong for several seconds, then said, "Whether it's bragging or a promise, let this old man see it clearly with these eyes!"

After that, the old man turned and walked towards the main entrance.

Wang Zhong: "Aren't you going to serve on the review committee?"

"The modern battlefield is somewhat foreign to an old man like me," the old man said, glancing back sideways at Wang Zhong. "After all, you're the ones who will be using the equipment; I'll trust the judgment of the younger generation for now."

With that, the old man left.

Wang Zhong watched his figure disappear outside the door.

Vasily also watched the old man leave, then commented, "Why do I feel like he has already acknowledged you?"

Wang Zhong: "Your feeling is not wrong."

Vasily: "When will my old man acknowledge me like that?"

Wang Zhong: "Perhaps he already has."

After that, he went straight to the middle of the long table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

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The items reviewed by the committee for the first time included few army equipments, likely because the frontlines had collapsed too swiftly, leaving the army no time to appraise the merits of their gear.

Additionally, many army units had been entirely surrounded and captured by the enemy.

Among the numerous Air Force equipment improvements, the Il-2 and the Pe-2 bombers were both included on the list.

The modifications to the Il-2 came in two types: one removed the wing cannons to free up weight for more rockets, while the other switched the placement of the cannons and machine guns, mounting the cannons on the fuselage to address the problem of vibration when firing.

After consulting with Air Force representatives and carefully reviewing the target practice data from test flights, Wang Zhong approved the production of both alterations.

Indeed, Wang Zhong did not wish to mass produce the Il-2 like in another time and space because the efficiency of the Earth's WWII close air support was not high.

This inefficiency was widespread: on the Western Front, between six and eight percent of Sturmtiger tank losses were caused by air attacks.

On the Eastern Front, it was only two percent. Yes, the loss of two percent of the Sturmtigers was due to the forty thousand Il-2s, and even within that two percent, most were attributed to Pe-2s bombing train stations and were subsequently credited to Il-2 engagements.

In actuality, the anti-tank efficiency of WWII air forces was low. For instance, with anti-tank rockets, British statistics showed a hit rate of 36 to 1, while American figures were 22 to 1. It was more effective to target trains with rockets because if one hit, the whole train had to stop.

Given the current technological constraints, depending on the Il-2 for tank busting was unrealistic.

Of course, the Il-2 was quite effective against soft targets, which Wang Zhong had witnessed first-hand.

Moreover, Ante's Air Force currently had the Il-2 equipped by their attack aircraft squadrons; production couldn't cease, as switching to other aircraft would necessitate retraining.

Ante also lacked a ready single-engine dive bomber, so completely replacing the attack aircraft squadrons' planes would mean starting a new design from scratch.

And that would be a real hassle.

Wang Zhong managed to specifically request P-47s while taking advantage of negotiations for aid with the Federation, but whether they could actually be delivered remained a question.

Contemplating these issues, Wang Zhong approved several Air Force projects.

For instance, the high-altitude reconnaissance version of the Pe-2—he knew this would be a major source of aerial reconnaissance photography in the future, so he approved it!

Then there was the emergency modification model of the LaGG-3. Wang Zhong figured it could improve pilot survival rates at least a little, so he approved it.

And there was the armored version of the Yak-1, which mainly involved adding metal plates to key areas to strengthen wooden parts. After carefully confirming the aircraft's power-to-weight ratio, Wang Zhong approved it as well.

While reviewing the Yak-1, the Air Force representative watched as Wang Zhong asked about various technical details with rapt attention, his eyes wide.

After the Yak-1 designer left, the Air Force representative cautiously asked, "General, have you ever flown a plane?"

Wang Zhong: "I haven't, but my deputy Vasily has! He taught me!"

Darn it, I'm actually an expert with over 2000 simulations in War Thunder aerial combat mode!

Vasily got the credit on the cheap!

After the Air Force items were covered, a designer came in holding a brand new weapon.

Wang Zhong squinted his eyes, focusing on the rifle.

It didn't look like an AK, rather more like an M14.

The designer: "I'm the firearms designer, Tokarev. What I have here is the reduced-load cartridge version of the Tokarev Rifle I designed based on the production specifications you provided."