I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 266

Chapter 266: The Effect of Formulas

During this period, the explosive charge in torpedo warheads was typically TNT.

For ordinary bombs or artillery shells, TNT was sufficient, and there was no need for improvement. In fact, TNT was still quite advanced for this era.

(Note: TNT was first used as an explosive around 1907. Before this, picric acid was used. After the invention of TNT, it was used as a bright yellow dye for nearly 40 years. Its purpose was to dye cotton, silk, and even hair.)

(The image above shows hair dyed with TNT, known as "Toll" at the time.)

However, when used in torpedoes, TNT might not be sufficient. The reason was that torpedoes had to save as much space as possible to carry more compressed air.

The first to think of improving explosives were the Germans. In 1907, they mixed 60% TNT with 40% hexanitrodiphenylamine (HND), discovering that its explosive power was 7% stronger than 100% TNT.

This meant that, to sink the same battleship, the torpedo's explosive charge could be reduced in volume by about 7%.

This was a German military secret, and at this time, the Allies were unaware of it.

However, Charles knew of a more advanced formula. The explosive charge used in torpedoes during the later stages of World War II, SW9a, was composed of 50% TNT, 10% hexanitrodiphenylamine, 5% aluminum nitrate, and 35% aluminum.

The key component was aluminum. When aluminum burns, it releases a large amount of heat, and the explosion would be about 70% stronger than 100% TNT.

Additionally, aluminum's density is nearly twice that of TNT, so using this formula in warheads, the amount of explosive could be reduced by almost half.

If the fuel were then changed to tetrahydronaphthalene, with a higher calorific value, the torpedo's range could easily double, or even go further.

(Note: During World War II, torpedoes using this explosive and fuel could reach a range of 6 kilometers at 44 knots, or even 14 kilometers at 20 knots.)

These improvements were not difficult, but the key lay in the formula.

Knowing the formula meant just finding the raw materials. Not knowing the formula, however, was useless even if one racked their brain. The only way was to test the ratios of various materials bit by bit.

Charles had no intention of giving the answer so quickly.

Mainly, France had little need for torpedoes at the time. The German Navy was backed by Britain, and Charles' ultimate goal in improving torpedoes was to suppress the British Navy. That was a long-term plan, and there was no rush.

At the same time, Charles thought that he should give Wells things in a gradual manner, like squeezing toothpaste, to keep him on the hook and continue to support him.

If he were to give this guy all the technology at once, the capitalist nature would just turn around and deny everything, and once again stand with Schneider.

Alternatively, Charles thought that the advanced formulas could be kept for himself.

For example, starting with the Germans' original formula of 60% TNT and 40% HND, then moving on to SW18, then SW36 and SW39, and finally SW39a.

With so many intermediate formulas, plus the fuel, wouldn't it be a trap?

But Charles was disappointed to realize that he only remembered the final form of SW39a's ratio and had no impression of the others.

This was troublesome.

But then Charles thought, perhaps it didn’t matter. He could just adjust the correct formula a bit—first adding aluminum nitrate, then aluminum, and randomly tweaking the proportions. As long as he made some progress each time, it would be enough to confuse Wells and keep him spinning.

Charles secretly congratulated himself; only he could think of such a method.

At this moment, a staff officer stationed at the telegraph machine exclaimed, "The Navy has launched an attack on the Dardanelles!"

Saying this, the officer hurriedly brought the telegram to Gallieni's desk. This kind of urgent telegram could be sent directly without going through Charles.

Gallieni glanced at the telegram and looked at the officer in confusion. "Yesterday’s news?"

"Yes," the officer nodded. "It might be due to confidentiality reasons."

Gallieni murmured in acknowledgment but didn’t give it much thought. The Navy’s actions didn't really require the Army to be informed.

However, to Charles, this was a joke.

The Germans might have known about this from Harley long ago, perhaps even the detailed battle plans, but the second-level French command didn’t know until a day after the battle had started.

Gallieni, after thinking for a moment, called together a meeting of staff, including Charles. He raised the telegram in his hand:

"There are 16 battleships in the first wave of the main naval force, with 4 French and 12 British."

"Quite a force. They likely want to use the Navy to force the Ottoman Empire to surrender."

"But yesterday's battle didn’t go well. They failed to break through the Dardanelles and didn’t even destroy a turret!"

"If the battle continues like this, we may need to launch a direct assault to hold off the Germans. You know what to do?"

One by one, the staff responded:

"Yes, General."

"Understood!"

...

Before the major battle, preparations for troops, materials, transport, medical care, and even equipment updates had long been familiar to the staff.

The crowd dispersed to handle their respective tasks, but Gallieni called Charles over.

"Colonel," Gallieni looked at Charles with a meaningful glance, "Do you have any opinions?"

Charles had previously advised King Albert I to land from the north, but now the Allied fleet was launching an attack from the south. Did this mean Charles' advice had been discarded?

"No, General," Charles answered calmly. "I have nothing to say."

Gallieni paused, then smiled lightly and nodded. Charles' attitude had already told him the answer.

Charles' calmness meant his advice had not been discarded. The Allies were likely following his suggestion.

In other words, the Dardanelles attack was a feint, and the main assault was still planned for the north.

What Gallieni didn’t expect was that he was right about the first part but wrong about the second.

The Allies were indeed following Charles’ plan, but it was a counter-counterattack, a twist that even the sharp Gallieni didn’t foresee.

Gallieni didn’t waste time on this. He took a document from his drawer and handed it to Charles: "This is the light machine gun designed by the Piteau Armaments Factory. I want to hear your opinion!"

No one knew more about this equipment than Charles, the capitalist. Gallieni believed he at least needed Charles' approval before placing an order.

Charles took the document, glanced at it, and it was the "Chauchat" machine gun.

It seemed Steed had successfully passed the design plan to the Piteau Armaments Factory.

Charles pretended to think for a moment, then replied with a somewhat uncertain expression, "There doesn’t seem to be any major issues. After all, our army lacks light machine guns. On the other hand, it's hard to judge the machine gun’s performance just from the blueprints. It usually takes battlefield use to discover its shortcomings."

The first part was encouragement for Gallieni to buy it, while the second part was a preemptive warning.

If the "Chauchat" machine gun revealed many issues, that wouldn't be Charles' problem.

Gallieni agreed, "I think the same. The battlefield urgently needs light machine guns. Let’s order a batch and see how it goes!"

Naturally, Charles thought. Only by the military placing an order and possibly continuing with more orders would the Piteau Armaments Factory scale up production.

The higher one climbs, the harder they fall!

What Charles wanted was for the newly transformed arms factory to take a hard fall!

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