Faced with the request from his allies, Huang He nodded without any hesitation. When doing business, it is normal for buyers to inspect goods.
What's more, he is very confident in the M22 Cicada. It is a tank with inherent charm skills, which can definitely make old people fascinated.
"Test drive? Of course, no problem."
"After the airborne exercise is over, I will ask Commander Li just now to arrange a vehicle crew for you."
"If you are interested, they can also teach you how to drive a tank on site. As long as you don't leave the 1st Marine Regiment's base, you can have as much fuel and artillery shells as you need."
As if he thought of something again, Huang He then added:
"By the way, you just mentioned the 38t. I have its design drawings on hand. If you need it in the north, the Eighth Route Army can set up several production lines."
"Compared to four-engine heavy transport aircraft, tanks are much less difficult to produce."
"With our current production capacity and technical reserves, it is absolutely no problem to produce one or two thousand units a year. Of course, we will definitely develop more advanced armored units in the future."
The 38t, or LT-38, is a light tank born in Czechoslovakia but developed to the extreme by the Germans.
In the early days of World War II, it, together with No. 3 and No. 4, supported the appearance of the German III Armored Forces. Later, he was active in Operation No Waves and the Tour de France, defeating his former allies with overwhelming force.
With their excellent reliability and battlefield adaptability, these non-domestic light tanks are deeply loved by Desan.
However, on today's Eastern Front in Europe, the 38t, which originally had excellent performance, encountered its first Waterloo.
Even though they're as maneuverable as ever, they're perfect for racing in the mud of the north. However, shortcomings in firepower and protective performance make these light tanks gradually unsuitable for use as main battle equipment and continue to fight.
After all, the paper data of the T34 and KV series are far stronger than the Soma S35 and Shire B1 of Gallic Chicken.
The 37mm anti-tank gun and 25mm frontal armor, which are difficult to reuse, have long been kicked out of the battlefield by the ever-changing advanced weapons.
but!
Although 38t was eliminated by Europe, there is still room for them to exert their remaining heat in the Asian battlefield.
Weighing about ten tons, it has extremely high passability and can smoothly cross most bridges in the Republic of China.
The excellent reliability can greatly reduce the pressure on the logistics and maintenance departments, effectively avoiding the embarrassing scene of repairing a Tiger for a day with a cup of tea and a pack of cigarettes.
The most important thing is that this thing is powerful and has full transformation potential, which can cover fire support, anti-tank, air defense and other fields.
When equipped with an anti-aircraft gun, it can transform into medium-range air defense in seconds, when replaced with an anti-tank gun, it can transform into a Weasel or a Stalker, and when equipped with a large-caliber infantry gun, it can transform into a Cricket self-propelled artillery.
At this point in time in 1941, Huang could proudly announce to the world that he was the man who knew how to make magic changes best.
After all, in his previous life in a low-level room on Anton Star, these 38t family barrels that could snipe, shoot leopards, conduct reconnaissance, and conduct air defense left a very deep impression on him.
While Huang He was still enjoying the future, Lao Cui suddenly interrupted his thoughts.
"38t? That's great! I want it even if it's FT18!"
"The current situation on the Eastern Front battlefield is very bad. In addition to our temporary shortage of manpower, we also have a large shortage of weapons, support equipment and logistical supplies."
"If the heavy snow hadn't blocked the enemy, maybe tractors with armored plates would have been sent to the battlefield."
Although Lao Cui's words sounded outrageous, Huang He knew that this was definitely not a show to gain sympathy.
In the original timeline, the major military districts in the north were equipped with a total of 15,000 armored vehicles before the war began. Coupled with the more than 8,000 that were brand new and shipped out of the factory in 1941, it seems that they are extremely rich in military ethics.
But in just 192 days, almost all of these tanks, self-propelled artillery and armored vehicles were lost. At the beginning of 1942, even 4,000 vehicles could not be found.
Such an exaggerated loss rate led to a huge demand for leased tanks in the north.
If it weren't for the continuous aid and blood transfusions from Britain and Chou, the situation on the front line might even have plummeted.
It was not until the second half of 1943 that the Maozi produced enough equipment to replace most of the main forces with the T-34 with better performance.
Today's Desan is even stronger, and I believe everyone can foresee how bad the current situation in the north will be.
After thinking for a moment, Huang He took the initiative to comfort him:
"Old Cui, I personally am more optimistic about you regarding the war situation on the Eastern Front in Europe."
"Desan is indeed very strong, and can even be said to be the only one in Europe. But you are not fighting alone. Leading the British and Chou Guo will not let you fall easily."
"What's more, now we also have the ability to initiate assistance. I believe your superiors have no reason to refuse the Lend-Lease Act."
The confident words of his ally made Lao Cui feel warm in his heart. As long as he can see hope, people like him are willing to continue charging regardless of their own safety.
"Okay, I believe the final victory must belong to us!"
While the two were talking, the 1st Marine Regiment successfully completed the task assigned by their superiors.
Thanks to their well-trained training, there were no accidents during this exercise, and the comrades landed safely as always.
Seemingly receiving instructions from the deputy general staff, Commander Li first completed the review of the soldiers, and then brought Sun Desheng to Huang and Cui.
"Old Huang, please tell this Comrade Cui, and then my combat maneuver company commander will accompany him to test the performance of the tank."
"If conditions permit, I would like to invite him to observe the airborne operations in the next few days. As you know, the Second Battle of Xinkou is about to begin."
While Li Yunlong was talking, Lao Cui was also looking up and down at the colonel in front of him.
As a senior general and part-time diplomat, he naturally knew how many great things the Eighth Route Army's airborne troops had done.
Whether it was advancing alone into Zhongtiao Mountain or cooperating with the main force to occupy enemy airports throughout Shanxi, this young paratrooper unit fully demonstrated what professionalism is.
Coupled with the rumors about the rescue of Seven and a Half, Lao Li has now begun to take on the appearance of the most dangerous man in the Republic of China. He only needs to perform a few more beheading operations of sufficient level to become famous in Asia and even the world.
In a sense, Captain Li has already stabilized Otto Skorzeny and is about to catch up with Kurt Student, the pioneer in this field.
After all, the former is still unknown, and the latter has been questioned by the big boss because of Operation Mercury.
In these days when the 82nd Airborne Division, the 101st Air Assault Division and the First Airborne Division had not yet been established, Li Yunlong was a well-deserved expert in airborne operations.
As long as the 1st Marine Regiment can be expanded twice in a row and complete the feat of parachute landing on the mainland, Commander Li will definitely leave a mark in the history of world military and history.
After hearing Huang He's translation, Lao Cui's eyes were filled with anticipation. He nodded without hesitation and said, "Okay, then I will stay in Taiyuan for a few more days! I will wait until the second battle of Xinkou is over before leaving."
I got married in the past two days and I was the best man again.
In the next battle, I plan to bring out the big boss ZHURUI and make some big moves.
(End of chapter)
