Last Lesson

Every Monday afternoon, Paul von Hindenburg will come to the military academy to teach everyone on time. Chen Tian and everyone are very interested in this afternoon class. Because Hindenburg tells them vividly every time about the Pu'ao and Franco-Prussian wars, especially the series of battles he participated in, and also explains the latest tactical ideas and weapon developments.

Before Chen Tian didn't know much about the Pu'ao and Franco-Prussian wars. He only knew that Prussia completed German reunification through these two wars. But under the description of Lieutenant Colonel Hindenburg, he gradually understood the two wars.

This day was the last class in Hindenburg. He talked about the battle he remembered most in the Puja War-the Battle of Sweap Forest.

On the morning of July 3, 1866, the Sweap Forest in the Czech Republic was as quiet and peaceful as usual, and there was no murderousness. At this moment, about 15,000 Austrian soldiers in 49 infantry battalions were approaching here slowly with their front-loaded flintlock rifles in their hands. A considerable number of Prussian soldiers were hidden in the forest. These advancing Austrian soldiers will never expect that the Sweap Forest will be their huge tomb. However, the cause is simple, because the guns in the hands of Prussian soldiers are different from theirs.

War is the best catalyst for weapons. The development of science and technology also promotes the continuous improvement of weapon performance. In 1835, the Prussian Dresser successfully invented the post-load rifle. The Dresser rifle uses fixed-type bullets, ending the history of gunpowder and warhead packaging. Secondly, the Dresser rifle uses a needle firing device, which is very similar to the modern rifle. It ends the 500-year history of rifle-loading ammunition from the muzzle.

In order to compete for German leadership, on June 20, 1866, Prussia and Austria invested a total of 500,000 troops to launch an unprecedented conference battle in modern European history.

The Prussian soldiers equipped with Dresser rifles, under the command of "Blood Prime Minister" and the chief of the General Staff, Mao Qi, used clever tactics and fierce fire to fight the Austrian army that has always dominated Europe. Back off. On July 3, the Austrian army who retreated to the Czech Republic decided to counterattack. They sent soldiers from 49 infantry battalions to occupy the Sweap Forest, but this must be their sad place.

During the battle, the Prussian soldiers lie on the ground with a Dresser rifle capable of firing 6-7 rounds per minute, and calmly and mercilessly opened fire on the Austrian soldiers, who could only operate in vain in the rain of bullets. The gun in their front. This is undoubtedly a massacre, because the firepower of 10,000 generals is equivalent to the firepower of 40-50 thousand Austrians.

After the battle, 4,580 Austrian soldiers were killed in the forest, 6,942 were injured, and 3,573 soldiers raised their hands as captives. The thrilling OP war ended in just seven weeks. Prussia defeated Austria at the cost of only about 10,000 people, creating conditions for the reunification of Germany.

"Do you think weapons can determine the outcome of war?" Hindenburg asked after telling the story.

"Of course, but not exactly. Sometimes the quality and morale of the military are also very critical factors!" one student replied.

"Also, the commander is also very important. The mediocre commander will often bury an excellent army, just like Napoleon III and his staff!" another student added.

"So how to be an excellent commander?" Hindenburg asked again.

"Excellent commanders need sensitive judgment, attention to the enemy, humility, patience, and many more..."

"You still need a good intelligence system!" It seems that Thomas is very interested in the intelligence system.

"Uh... you are right, intelligence is also very important, know yourself and know each other, ha ha!" Hindenburg raised his eyebrows.

"So how do you see the role of the standby gun? For example, Mark Qin heavy machine gun." Chen Tian suddenly asked.

"Well, in the fall of 1888, Makqin came to China to show his Markqin heavy machine gun. His Majesty the Emperor visited the Spandor Arsenal. After the shooting, His Majesty was very surprised, thinking that this is what our army needs. The Maqin machine gun can be operated by only one or two shooters, and our Gatling gun needs 4 soldiers to complete. So, His Majesty immediately ordered the department to install it. But some people think that this machine gun has a rate of fire of 600 rounds per shot. Minutes, but its accuracy is too bad, and the bullet consumption is very large, it is not as good as a row of soldiers shooting! I want to say that it is wrong to report people with this kind of thinking, and it is very wrong!" Hindenburg Frowning, he continued:

"When the opponent is in a dense formation, the lethality of the machine gun is much greater than that of a row of rifles. The ridiculous Russians even stipulate that machine guns can only be used for defensive operations, and can only be used in specific areas. What a stupid thing!"

Chen Tian nodded silently, it seems that Hindenburg's understanding of machine guns is still relatively correct. In fact, during the battle of the Somme in the First World War, the German army used the MacQin heavy machine gun to the densely formed British army. Fierce and continuous shooting, the British army killed nearly 60,000 people in one day.

"So, I also want to test everyone. If the opponent's defensive position is well-built and equipped with heavy artillery, if you are the commander, what tactics will you use to break through the opponent?" Hindenburg looked at them with his hands on his back. Students, he wants to know what these children have learned in the six years of military school. In his opinion, these children might say "Break them down with more heavy artillery", or "Just stand up and drag them down," but these children's answers start to surprise him.

"To confuse them positively, and then outflank them!"

"Cut off their backs and ruin their morale with rumors!"

"Shooting balloons with schools, or sending small assault troops to destroy their heavy artillery positions, and then slowly bombard their positions."

"After each bombardment, attack a little bit, then suddenly attack without force!"

Hindenburg closed his eyes and nodded.

"Concentrate all the firepower on the enemy's weak defense line, then quickly pass through this position, and then turn around and enemies on other positions!"

Hindenburg opened his eyes, and the classroom became quiet all at once. Everyone was surprised by this weird thought, and then began to look for the source of the sound. Finally, his eyes stayed on Chen Tian-the sound came from him. Sent out.

Chen Tian reluctantly counseled his shoulders, pointing to Orly beside him. He felt that the current situation of weapons does not seem to be able to use this kind of flash strike thinking, after all, there is no concept of armored forces at this time. However, he still planned to build the tank before World War I, and then use flash strike tactics. However, I don't know why Ollie suddenly had such a thought.

"Hahahaha! Whimsical!" The people in the classroom suddenly laughed.

Hindenburg shook his head and passed quickly? Use cavalry? How easy it is! I'm afraid you are already preparing the opponent's artillery when you bombard it with full force! When you charge, the opponent's artillery fire and the remaining machine gun fire on the position will tear these poor cavalry!

Ollie bowed his head in aggrieved silence.

Chen Tian patted his shoulder and sighed softly: Talent!

"Your Highness, what is your opinion?" Hindenburg found that Chen Tian had not yet expressed his opinions. Usually, the young prince had the most problems in class, and always expressed some unexpected views, but these views were carefully thought out. It is very effective.

"My opinion is the same as Ollie!" Chen Tian said with a smile.

"Oh?" Everyone was surprised.

Even Ollie looked up at Chen Tian in surprise.

"Oh! Okay, come here today! I am very satisfied with everyone's performance. After Christmas, you will enter the Royal Army Academy and hope that everyone will study hard. You are the smartest students I have ever seen. Now, the future of Germany depends on you!" Hindenburg said to everyone with a loud chest.

"I hope that when we meet again, I hope that we can win together!"

"Thank you instructor!"

When the heavy snow fell again, the first student of the Königsberg Junior Military Academy graduated. In the graduation photo, twenty-four teenagers were full of enthusiasm...