How thick is a four-inch carburized steel plate? An adult's index finger and thumb are spread out, which is called a stick, and a stick is roughly equivalent to between four and a half to five inches. You can imagine the thickness of this steel plate.
A thick steel plate is simply not something that existing field artillery can resist. Only when the caliber exceeds 180 and the shells are special armor-piercing projectiles can it produce destructive power against such a thick steel plate.
Obviously the French underestimated the Zhiyuan's anti-strike capability, overestimated the performance of the Austrian field artillery, and even chose the wrong shells.
Explosive shells may be useful against wooden-hulled warships, but they are simply scratching the surface when used against four-inch steel plates. Such shells can only be used to kill living forces on the deck.
Unfortunately, the Chinese had already received the information in advance. All irrelevant personnel on the deck had taken shelter before the operation. Only Lin Zhen and other main gun operators were hidden behind the bulletproof armor plate of the main gun.
This is really a shocking scene. French Consul Ferdinand’s glasses were bigger than a dead fish. The steel battleship whose bow had broken into the river was like a proud steel beast, completely defying the harassment of mosquitoes. , rushed into the canal waterway without hesitation.
At that moment Ferdinand seemed to hear Xiao Letian's ridicule: "Hahaha... Stupid guys, maybe you have raised your assessment of the Zhiyuan more than once, but your arrogant souls will never admit that the Chinese are better than you." Strong! Even if it's just a battleship, it can't be stronger than you..."
"Your despicable souls release your arrogant ignorance, and what you end up with is stupid analysis, and in the end you come up with such a stupid sneak attack plan!"
"Want to use a few field guns to sneak attack this epoch-making steel battleship? Just dream!"
Ferdinand's face started to heat up again, burning hot. "Fire! Fire! Keep firing... sink this battleship. The ants will bite the elephant to death. We can defeat him even with numbers... God bless France!"
The two spies on the west side of the canal were also dumbfounded. The golden light of the sunset shone on the metallic luster of the Zhiyuan. The black smoke on the bow of the ship had just dissipated, but the proud warship was actually unscathed!
"Oh God! The caliber of the artillery we prepared is too small...and the number is not enough! Damn, if I had known, I would have set up a shore defense artillery here!"
"Bullshit, if the coastal defense artillery is here, how can we carry out a sneak attack? If we don't tell the world clearly, we, France, are responsible for this attack!"
"I can't worry about that much anymore. Tell Scarface to fire at full speed, empty all the ammunition and leave quickly... I'll leave the rest to the consul!"
"The attack has occurred, it's time for our diplomats to take action!"
Scarface would order rapid fire without urging. He also knew that the nights were long and the dreams were long. What these desert bandits wanted was gold. They had nothing to do with the Chinese. It made sense to quickly complete the mission and return to the desert to recharge their batteries.
In such a hasty mentality, and with the sand dunes blocking the line of sight, the accuracy of the bombardment became lower and lower.
Boom boom boom... The shells exploded in the lake, and even the warehouse in the fifth station town was hit by stray bullets, and the fire burned ragingly.
The British were even more unlucky. Rear Admiral Jason's flagship was right next to the Zhiyuan, a battleship that had been on an expedition to Takukou. A hole was severely blown open in its side, although the damaged hole was only the size of a fist. , caused no harm at all, but it was an absolute insult to the British.
"Prepare to counterattack! Artillery suppression... Since the French can't control this place, we British can!"
Just before Major General Jason issued the order, hundreds of elite French cavalry suddenly rushed out of the northern barracks of the fifth station. However, the leading officer did not directly attack the sand dune where the artillery was fired, but divided his troops into two groups. One approach heads towards the dunes, while the other leads directly towards the canal channel.
"According to the order of the French Consul Viscount Ferdinand, please refrain from military intervention. The French garrison can completely calm the situation... Please close the gun doors! Please close the gun doors..."
"What? Viscount Ferdinand is at the fifth station? How is it possible..." Of course Jason knew who Ferdinand was. He was a diplomat that Napoleon III valued very much. No, he should not be called a diplomat.
"Eleven years ago, it was this Ferdinand who used diplomatic mediation with the Governor of Egypt in the Ottoman Empire to snatch the right to dig the canal from the British. This is an amazing group of people..."
"Didn't he say that he returned to China last year to retire? Why did he come back this year?"
Major General Jason flinched. If there were no high-ranking officials present here today, then the British side would have been able to do it, let alone take advantage of the chaos and fire artillery. They could even directly send soldiers ashore to counterattack.
It's a pity that there are important people present today. Viscount Ferdinand is not an ordinary diplomat. He is from a noble family and has been in politics all his life and has extensive contacts in Europe. Such a person can be welcomed by the Prime Minister even if he goes to London.
This is the power of reputation. Jason really didn't dare to make any mistakes in front of him.
The adjutant looked at the embarrassed general and whispered, "Don't cause a diplomatic conflict. Since the French have sent out cavalry, we should leave the solution to the French. After all, the management of the canal is in the hands of the French!"
"Damn it, why is that old man here...80% of this attack was done by the French!"
But there is no use in guessing. Without evidence, you will only suffer a loss.
The French cavalry running wildly along the canal had just yelled beside the British warship, and then they caught up with the Zhiyuan. This group of Frenchmen really tried their best. They actually rushed to the nearest distance regardless of the risk of being accidentally injured by artillery.
"Stop the ship! Please stop the ship... You have been attacked inexplicably, and there may be an ambush ahead... Please stop the ship and wait for our protection..."
"Please stop the ship and wait for our protection... According to the canal management regulations and the canal safety laws enacted by France and the Ottoman Empire... you must stop the ship and we will protect your safety!"
"Damn it, why are these Chinese ignoring us! Stop the ship...otherwise the French side will take measures!"
Boom boom boom... The attacking shells are still exploding on both sides of the canal. Now even the British warships dare not move too close. Only the Zhiyuan still moves forward silently. Four bombs have been hit on the hull, but Still silent.
France shouted, waved flags, and used light signals... They tried every means to order the Zhiyuan to stop, but the warship remained silent like a ghost.
At this time, the entire hull of the Zhiyuan had entered the canal, piercing the north like a sharp knife breaking through the ice.
Ferdinand was completely dumbfounded. "What kind of trick is this? Knowing that we are going to block the river, why do the Chinese continue to move forward? Do they think they can break through Port Said?"
"When we encountered an attack, we actually refused to retreat or fight. Instead, we marched against the wind..."
"Look... Mr. Consul, look... there is movement at the entrance of the canal... the Chinese are releasing the boats!" m.
