I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 193

Chapter 193: The Relationship Between Infantry and Artillery

The mortar, in fact, is not just a long-range grenade launcher; its appearance changed the relationship between infantry and artillery, which had been facing an awkward situation during World War I.

In the Napoleonic era, the relationship between infantry and artillery was quite harmonious.

At that time, the range of artillery was short, and artillerymen and infantry were often placed together, to the point where infantry could even transform into artillerymen. Their coordination was simple, requiring only a shout to coordinate.

However, as artillery became more accurate and its range extended further, the relationship between infantry and artillery gradually stretched out and even became isolated.

The French artillery was accustomed to placing the 75mm guns one kilometer behind the defensive line, not only for ease of attack but also to maintain coordination with the infantry. This distance allowed them to still see the signals from the infantry using flags.

Beyond that, communication required radios or telephones.

Radios were not widespread, and telephones had fixed lines, making it difficult to keep up with the shifting front lines. At that time, the quality of telephone communication was poor, and in the noise of gunfire, orders were often unclear and distorted.

“Hello, we are about to charge, cease fire!”

“Understood, firing immediately!”

Then came a thunderous roar, and the shells landed right on the heads of the charging infantry!
(Note: Even modern artillery uses special terms like "hole-one-bend" to reduce confusion.)
However, when the enemy widely deployed long-range artillery and the French engaged in long-range operations, the French had no choice but to equip long-range artillery to counter them.

Thus, the distance between infantry and artillery grew to several kilometers, and they often operated outside visual range. Although they were on the same battlefield, they usually fought in different planes of action.

The mortar's appearance filled this gap perfectly.

It was highly mobile, capable of hiding in trenches and relocating after a shot. Despite its short range, it had excellent survivability, unlike the 75mm gun, which would be exposed on the battlefield and easily suppressed by enemy long-range artillery.

Its coordination with infantry was much easier than with the 75mm or 105mm artillery. Even without communication tools, infantry could coordinate using shouts, whistles, or flags.

Thus, infantry once again had their own artillery.

This was something frontline troops could not refuse. It was a leap from nothing to something, and those who rejected it clearly had ulterior motives.

In fact, this is exactly what happened.

The first to equip mortars was the 51st Infantry Division of the 6th Army Group, a unit directly commanded by Gallieni.

This was not Gallieni's selfishness, but despite the feedback from the trained officers, various interest groups still refused to equip mortars.

Most of them belonged to the “offensive theory” faction, with commanders insisting that the 75mm gun’s range and rate of fire made it the most perfect offensive weapon, and that no other equipment could replace it.

The “defensive theory” faction, on the other hand, generally believed that artillery with a longer range was necessary to stop enemy attacks from outside their own artillery range.

Additionally, due to the persistence of the French Supreme Commander, mortars were only equipped to the 51st Infantry Division, stationed at Ypres.

Everyone thought the matter would pass quietly and that people would soon forget about the mortars.

However...

The German defenses, which had once been muddy and thought to be impregnable, were easily breached by the 51st Infantry Division, equipped with mortars, pushing forward three kilometers and forming a breakthrough point.

If not for the concern that they might be surrounded by the enemy after advancing too far, the 51st Infantry Division could have continued to press forward.

Kobdo quickly seized this opportunity to give the 51st Infantry Division a special feature.

Reporter: “General Davit, it is said that the terrain at Ypres is quite unique, and our forces are in an unfavorable position, is that true?”

Major General Davit, the division commander, answered confidently: “Yes, of course. The Germans are positioned on hills and high ground, while we are in open land, where we cannot defend any strategic points. Here, there is always cold, rain, and death. But we did not surrender; we...”

The reporter interrupted the general: “What, then, allowed you to achieve victory under such difficult conditions?”

Major General Davit responded: “Of course, it was the commander’s decision-making and the soldiers’ courage, sir. We bravely charged at the enemy, facing overwhelming numbers, and we did not fear...”

The reporter gave him several knowing looks, and Major General Davit suddenly realized: “Oh, of course. Mortars also played a big role. They are excellent equipment, and the soldiers love them! But more importantly, we used the right tactics...”

Not long after his speech, Major General Davit received a phone call from General Gallieni: “Congratulations, Major General Davit. Your bravery has earned you a promotion. You are now the deputy commander of the Senegalese Tirailleurs!”

Major General Davit was stunned: “Senegalese...”

...

Compared to Major General Davit’s speech, the soldiers did not hide their love for mortars, using every word they could think of to praise them:

“This is an amazing piece of equipment. It’s practically made for war! Without it, we could never have won this victory!”

“The German trenches are two hundred meters away, and we couldn’t do anything about them. Running out of the trench meant certain death. But the mortar... it’s incredible! We can stay in the trench and fire shells into the enemy’s trench! Can you imagine that? Hiding in the trench and still hitting the enemy’s trench!”

“The Germans were terrified of us. Sometimes, they set up their firepower and troops on the far side of a hill, where we couldn’t see or hit them. But the mortar could! The mortar shells could go around the hill and hit the enemy hiding behind it, and the enemy couldn’t retaliate! My God, this is the artillery we need; this is the artillery of the infantry!”

...

These words were soon published in The Meritorious Report, accompanied by photos of the mortars.

There were also several diagrams showing the curved trajectory of mortar shells, illustrating how they hit enemy trenches and went around hills to strike enemies hiding behind them.

Soon, the whole army went crazy for them. Everyone wanted their own mortar, and soldiers shouted to their officers:
“We don’t care about tactics. We just know we need this artillery!”

“Whether attacking or defending, this mortar works. It has proven its value in actual combat!”

“The country can produce these mortars, and the soldiers on the front lines need them. I don’t understand why we don’t have them!”

“What is stopping us from getting them? Is it money? Is it our lives?”

...

Angry soldiers even secretly discussed that if the higher-ups refused to equip them with the mortars, they would refuse to fight.

To them, this was perfectly reasonable. They were fighting for the country, not for the interests of capitalists, unless that capitalist was Charles.

Because it was clear from the development of the equipment that only Charles cared about their lives—other capitalists were only interested in making money!

Under this immense pressure, the military powers finally chose to compromise.

Then, orders began pouring into the Saint-Étienne Arsenal.

Steed looked at the orders with a wide smile, squinting at the checks in his hands, muttering to himself: “This is just the beginning, gentlemen. Next up is the 37mm gun—it’s another piece of equipment you’ll have to buy!”

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