The Spanish government's governance over many places is already poor, and there are many autonomous regions. Moreover, some anarchists do not welcome volunteers from foreign countries and do not even pay much attention to the government. The current chaotic situation has become even more intensified. at this point.
At the same time, the same is true in the Spanish government, which is full of positions and factions. Not everyone welcomes the arrival of volunteers.
Some people were concerned about the large amount of weapons and equipment provided by the German Society to the International Brigade for free.
"A whole ten carriages of weapons are missing?" Zhou Changfeng said in surprise.
Adjutant Miller listed without thinking: "Yes, sir, only four cannons have arrived. There is a total shortage of 200 rifles, 30 heavy machine guns, and one million rounds of ammunition."
It doesn't matter if there is a lack of rifles, but even if there are just a few heavy machine guns as the mainstay of firepower and artillery that play a major role in killing, the overall combat effectiveness will be significantly affected.
This is also considered a European battlefield. Although the level of both sides is not high, the intensity of the battle should not be underestimated.
The reputation of artillery as the god of war is by no means undeserved. The "Modern War Guide" once stated that "in plain or desert terrain, artillery causes 75% of casualties; in hilly or undulating terrain, it accounts for 63%; in forest or urban terrain, 63% of casualties are caused by artillery." Accounting for 50%".
What about the howitzer? What about anti-tank guns? What about anti-aircraft guns? Troops lacking such heavy equipment may still be used as second-line troops in Asia, but in Europe they can only be used as cannon fodder to fill the line.
Isn't this obviously a scam?
Zhou Changfeng, who was very dissatisfied, called the headquarters and asked Schroeder about the matter directly.
The latter was also very helpless and told him that this was an unauthorized move by the local army of the Republican Army. They privately intercepted a considerable amount of weapons and equipment, and stated that they were temporarily borrowed due to the emergency of the war.
But obviously, this is a loan that cannot be repaid.
"Mr. Commander, you are an experienced general. You know very well the impact of the lack of heavy equipment. I am responsible for the lives of thousands of volunteers. They are here to fight the invaders, not to leave their hometown to die. "
Schroeder on the other end of the phone sighed softly, "Sorry kid, the gap between reality and ideals is always huge. I will try to deliver some more equipment to you. There is only so much we can do at the moment."
Having said this, Zhou Changfeng, who had already expressed his position, could not say anything more, so he could only express his thanks.
After hanging up the phone, he cursed the Spaniards for being unkind and unjust. The officers next to him were equally angry - we have come all the way here with passion, and we still have to endure this trouble?
Everyone is from the military of an industrial country. Who is used to fighting in such conditions where there is a shortage of guns and artillery?
It doesn't matter if it's tragic. No matter how tragic it is, can it be as tragic as those battles in the European War? But at least the equipment must be complete.
"These bastards, Spain is a mess under their governance, that's why!" Miller said angrily.
Miller is an American from Virginia. He studied at the Virginia Military Institute, but did not serve in the military after graduation. He is only a reserve officer. His usual job is as an automotive engineer. He is now twenty-four years old, and he is at the age where he has a bad temper.
"I actually don't mind the collapse of the current Spanish government, as long as the ▇▇▇ elements don't come to power, anything will do." Roald, who had been silent, said calmly.
Chretien took a puff of his cigar, blew out a smoke ring, and said helplessly: "They lack a unified program, are constantly fighting among themselves, and are disorganized, which is quite fatal."
Zhou Changfeng calmed down and said slowly: "But we cannot interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. This is the basic principle. The equipment matter...let's wait."
It's really frustrating to encounter trouble when you first arrive.
In the next few days, in addition to receiving the delivered equipment, Zhou Changfeng has been adjusting the existing organization and training regulations.
In terms of organization, the 50th Brigade originally consisted of three battalions: 71, 72, and 73, as well as an engineer company, a field hospital, and a battalion-level artillery group.
But this was obviously too crude, so Zhou Changfeng took out a company from the 73rd Battalion, which lacked equipment, and changed it into a communications company; he changed the supplementary company into a reconnaissance company; and he organized the more than 130 Austrian volunteers who had just arrived into a Air defense detachment and anti-tank detachment.
Although a considerable part of the weapons and equipment originally allocated to the 50th Brigade was withheld, there are still many remaining quantities, including:
1,800 Mauser Kar98k rifles, 200 Steyr MP34 submachine guns, 120 MG13 light machine guns, 30 MG34 general machine guns, 20 GrW34 80mm mortars, and 4 FK16 75mm field guns.
In addition, there are 2,000 M35 helmets, 2,000 M30 gas masks, as well as some gasoline generators, Atsc33 telephones, radio stations and other technical equipment.
It can be said that the light weapons and equipment are very good, and can even be called luxury.
Today's submachine guns are not made of iron casings made of stamping technology, but are the product of actual and practical cutting processes. The receiver and bolt of the MP34 are milled, cut, and drilled bit by bit using high-quality steel, and the texture is excellent.
The MG34 is even more so. It can be said to be a direct manifestation of German-style precision workmanship. It is almost equivalent to cutting several pieces of steel weighing 50kg together into the main parts. It takes more than 150 man-hours to manufacture it.
The Germans are actually willing to provide these expensive new weapons for free instead of using the old water-cooled heavy machine gun MG08 as a prevarication?
But... light weapons are so cutting-edge, why do heavy weapons stretch your hips?
You must know that the FK16 75mm field gun is modified from an old thing from the European War. Compared with it, the cutting-edge Le.FH18 105mm howitzer is so good.
[Historically, in order to circumvent contracts, the Germans deceived others in their weapons research and development by giving many new weapons the number 18, thereby pretending that they were products of the European War. No changes will be made so as not to hinder understanding. 】
The original twelve-gun artillery group now only has four guns, and they are still three-inch light artillery. What use is this?
The lack of heavy equipment made Zhou Changfeng quite anxious. After thinking about it, he became more disappointed with the Republican Army.
I heard that several factions are having a fierce power struggle recently? There were even brazen attacks and killings on the outskirts of the temporary capital of Valencia?
The Spaniards, who cannot support the wall with mud, have no hope, and now they can only rely on themselves.
Zhou Changfeng, who was in a bad mood, left the office of the villa and walked to the outskirts of the residence for a walk.
As he walked, he saw a group of young warriors happily surrounding a middle-aged man who was reciting something loudly.
After asking, he found out that this middle-aged man was from the United States and was a writer and poet. Now everyone was listening to him reciting his works with great interest.
"Isn't the United States banning citizens from coming to Spain? How did you get here?" Zhou Changfeng asked curiously.
The middle-aged man replied nonchalantly: "But the trade didn't stop. I hid in the cargo hold of the ship and arrived in five days."
just 5 days? ? ?
At this time, someone next to me said not to be outdone: "In order to leave Russia, I crawled under the train car."
A French young man sighed and said in a deep voice: "At least you arrived successfully. Half a month ago, when crossing the Pyrenees, my good friend fell off the cliff..."
(End of chapter)
