frightfiction Chapter 531: There are more than 100 million tanks in Nanyang, Marshall is in trouble
Chapter 531: There are more than 100 million tanks in Nanyang, Marshall is in trouble
General Marshall was well aware of this and was not surprised.
He even gave a slight nod of approval as the artillery carriage passed by.
He knew that the last thing Stevenson, his old friend from Nanyang, did before his transfer was to push for and finally complete this crucial aid to Nanyang, against all odds - the establishment of two complete 155mm heavy cannon battalions (24 guns).
This thing has a long range and great power, and is really good at dealing with the Japanese's fortifications and long-range targets.
However, its gun barrel is difficult to manufacture, requires extremely high maintenance, and is rare in number, with only 24 guns.
In the eyes of Marshall, the Army Chief of Staff who controlled the White Eagle's vast arsenal, this threat was limited.
It's useful against the Japs, but against the White Eagles' native forces, who possess thousands of artillery pieces of the same or even larger caliber? It's like trying to stop a chariot with a mantis arm. The White Eagles have more of these things!
The face of the Russian representative Ivanov was unusually solemn. First, the field portable radar, then the 155mm long-range cannon. The White Eagle's assistance to the South Pacific was really going to great lengths...
His heart was in turmoil. Could his motherland, the great Soviet Union, really poach people from the greedy giant White Eagle and pull the South Sea Republic with unlimited potential into its own camp?
As for ideological issues? Uncle Steel, who is always pragmatic, doesn't care about them at all.
If Zhang Chi is willing to promise to lease a Southeast Asian port to Russia at this moment, Uncle Steel will even be willing to personally give Zhang Chi the title of the best friend of the red camp in the next second.
Unfortunately, Ivanov also knew that this was basically wishful thinking.
So, what practical conditions can be used to impress him?
At least, the bottom line is that we must never let Nanyang regard the Russian bear as an enemy!
Maintaining trade and intelligence exchanges on the condition of recognizing the newly born United States of Southeast Asia was his bottom line for this negotiation.
As for the upper limit... a gleam of light flashed in Ivanov's eyes. If Nanyang could be turned into the "ambiguous attitude", "secretly colluding" among the White Eagle's allies, and even the existence that makes the White Eagle suspicious, it would be a huge success.
The residual power of the artillery phalanx was still there, and another more oppressive vibration came from the ground.
It was not a uniform pace, but a heavy and continuous roar made by the steel tracks rolling over the earth. The sound came from far away and instantly captured everyone's heart.
"Look! Tanks! Our tanks!" The crowd erupted in even more fanatical shouts than before.
The first thing that catches the eye is the leading M4A3E8 "Easy Eight" Sherman medium tank formation.
16 steel behemoths painted in the jungle camouflage of the Nanyang Defense Force rumbled in in a perfect 4X4 formation, like mobile steel fortresses, with unmatched momentum.
They have slender 76mm main guns with the barrels pointing obliquely to the sky, shining coldly in the sunlight.
The improved HVSS suspension system (horizontal coil spring suspension) makes these big guys weighing more than 30 tons ride extremely smoothly.
The welded hull and sloped armor gave them greater protection than earlier models.
The engine roared, a light blue smoke came out of the exhaust port, and the tracks kicked up fine dust.
The first Sherman square passed! Then the second! Then the third!
Three phalanxes, 48 of the latest "Jane 8" Sherman tanks, are the core force of a fully staffed tank regiment.
The people's cheers were louder and louder, and many people were so excited that tears filled their eyes. This was the iron power of their country.
However, the shock is not over yet!
Following closely behind were three other phalanxes of tanks.
Their appearance is similar to the "Jane Eight" Sherman, but the main gun on the turret is completely different - it is a thicker and obviously shorter 105mm M4 howitzer.
These are the M4(105) support Shermans, equipped with powerful 105mm howitzers, specifically designed to destroy fortifications and provide close-range fire support. Even more striking is that many of these tanks have huge bulldozers installed on the front of their bodies, demonstrating their versatile ability to break through obstacles.
"Wow! That cannon is so thick!"
"Look! There's a big shovel up ahead! Is it a bulldozer tank?"
"That's amazing! We have so many tanks!"
The crowd's exclamations and cheers reached a crescendo once again. The 105mm howitzer's rugged design and practical bulldozer blade intuitively conveyed the powerful message of destroying fortifications and clearing obstacles, eliciting an even stronger visual impact and a greater sense of security.
Fine beads of cold sweat instantly oozed out of Marshall's forehead. As far as he knew, according to the Concession Lending Act, the White Eagle only provided less than a battalion of old-fashioned M4A1/A2 tanks with early-model 75mm main guns, right?
So what are these things in front of him?
Where did these Shermans in Nanyang come from? They were all the latest model "Jane 8" Shermans, as well as support models with 105mm howitzers and bulldozers.
Hundreds of them at a time, and this is just for the parade, the actual equipment may be even more...
Source? A huge question mark exploded in his mind.
Has Nanyang's industrial capacity advanced so rapidly that it can produce medium tanks on its own? This is simply unbelievable!
Or? A more terrifying thought emerged.
Zhang Chi bypassed Stevenson, who had always supported him, and even bypassed the regular channels of the Pentagon, and directly established secret contacts with those powerful arms tycoons, congressmen, and even some high-ranking generals in the military in the White Eagle country?
In exchange for some unknown huge benefits, they obtained such a large-scale advanced equipment that far exceeded the scope of the Lend-Lease Act?
There was something strange about this matter that chilled him to the bone.
Thinking back to the M3 half-track vehicles we saw before, and the mysterious vehicle-mounted radar...
Marshall felt his mind spiral into chaos.
He subconsciously ruled out the possibility that Stevenson had acted privately, because he knew very well that this upright old friend did not have such background and ability.
Being able to do this must mean that there is a huge and incredibly powerful secret group or trading network hidden within the White Eagle!
The thought sent chills down Marshall's spine.
The more he thought about it, the more scared he became. Should he report this to Commander Luo? Should he initiate an investigation?
But...what if the investigation really uncovers some earth-shattering secrets?
If those complicated interest groups and powerful people are involved, the consequences will be unimaginable.
Moreover, the most crucial thing is the physical condition of Commander Luo...
Marshall painfully realized that the great leader seemed to have not much time left.
If a storm really arose, would the seriously ill General Luo still be able to control the situation? And who could protect Marshall himself from being sucked into the vortex and even becoming a victim?
……
After weighing the pros and cons, the cold reality instantly extinguished the flames of impulse.
Marshall took a deep breath, forced himself to suppress the turmoil in his heart, and tried to keep his face calm.
He made a difficult but realistic decision to pretend he hadn't noticed.
Although the military strength displayed by Nanyang is astonishing, its core strategic direction does not fundamentally conflict with the interests of White Eagle in the Pacific for the time being, especially in dealing with John and the remnants of the Japanese forces. Even Nanyang needs the support of White Eagle on its own issues.
If he were to poke a hornet's nest now, it would do no one any good. It would only make the Russian bear laugh at him and might even push Nanyang completely in an unknown direction.
Keep calm, you must keep calm!