The Rise of Australia

Adhering to the principle that explanation is worse than demonstration, Arthur simply ordered the experts to organize a live demonstration of the M1897 artillery.

Because there were ten boxes of cannonballs, Arthur generously took out two boxes, just in time to test the specific power of the famous Miss France.

The experiment site was chosen on the outskirts of Sydney. It is a deep mountain, desolate and sufficiently hidden and safe.

Under the orders of experts, the natives prepared the target where the cannonballs would be fired in less than an hour and placed it on a hillside one kilometer away.

The person responsible for target shooting is a relatively senior artilleryman in the Australian army. Although I have not actually used the M1897, I am already familiar with Australia's own CA-1 cannon, and naturally know the principles of these automatic artillery.

The German experts were holding their breath and staring closely at the only M1897 artillery, for fear of missing any important information.

Soon, after all arrangements were completed, this brand new French lady began its roar.

boom! boom! boom!

Following the order, the French lady began to pour cannonballs at the target on the hillside in the distance, and finally officially hit the target with the third cannonball.

What surprised German experts was not the hit rate of the artillery shells, but the exaggerated firing frequency of the M1897 artillery.

A German-made 75mm artillery has an average rate of fire of approximately 4-6 rounds per minute. The rate of fire depends on the artilleryman's familiarity with the artillery, but will never exceed seven rounds per minute.

But what kind of terrifying and powerful firepower does the M1897 show? Even if it is used by Australian artillerymen who are not familiar with it, it can still achieve a firepower output of more than eleven rounds per minute.

In other words, after the artillerymen become familiar with this artillery, the M1897 artillery can exert the firepower of two German artillery guns of the same caliber and gain an overwhelming advantage on the battlefield.

In other words, the French only need to use half the number of German artillery to maintain a balance with Germany in terms of firepower.

What does this mean? Not only can military expenditures be significantly reduced, but the extra soldiers can also be used elsewhere.

Thinking of this, the German expert suddenly felt that something was wrong, and said to Arthur in a pleading tone: "Your Highness, this artillery is very important to Germany. Can you sell it to us?"

Can it be sold? Of course not.

This artillery is also very important to Australia, and Arthur will naturally not give it to the Germans.

Seeing that the request was rejected, German experts made another request, which was to study the artillery together with Australia.

In terms of artillery technology alone, Germany still has an extremely excellent level. If we are not too arrogant and actively absorb the excellent designs of other countries, it will not lead to extremes.

Researching with Germany is also beneficial to Australia, that is, it can greatly reduce the difficulty of replicating this artillery.

With the help of the Germans, Australia is even expected to master the manufacturing technology of this artillery within half a year.

"It's okay to study together, but there are a few requirements that need to be agreed in advance." Arthur nodded and agreed to the German experts' request to study Miss France together.

"Say it, Your Highness, as long as we can do it." The German expert nodded quickly, fearing that Arthur would regret it.

"First, any achievements and technologies developed by Germany can be shared with Australia unconditionally. Second, if Germany has any improvements to the M1897 artillery, they should be passed on to Australia at market prices." Arthur said with a smile. meet their own requirements.

Judging from Germany's advanced artillery technology, it is not difficult to penetrate the French lady's technology in a short time.

Using German talents to quickly let Australia master the technology of the M1897 artillery will not be a disadvantage for Australia.

As for the second point, once the Germans get over their obsession with large-caliber and powerful guns, or in other words, become interested in the M1897 artillery, it is very likely that they will go further in rapid-fire artillery.

Germany's research and development capabilities far exceed those of Australia. If we can use this opportunity to obtain Germany's future research technology on rapid-fire artillery, it will definitely be smoother than Australia's own hard research.

"This..." the German expert thought secretly, and finally gritted his teeth and said: "No problem, Your Highness. I hope we can start research on this artillery as soon as possible. I will report to His Majesty the Emperor and request research equipment and more experts. Come here and try to crack the technology of this artillery as soon as possible.”

The good relations between Germany and Australia were an important factor in why German experts agreed to Arthur's two demands.

After all, Germany has handed over its artillery technology to Australia. With such a good cooperative relationship, Arthur's requirements are actually not demanding.

Arthur nodded, smiling in agreement.

What the German expert said was exactly what he meant. Whether it’s equipment or experts, the more, the better.

As long as the research location is in Australia, even if hundreds or thousands of experts come at one time, Arthur is willing to bear their costs.

Of course, these German experts are also really worth it. Although the annual cost of each expert is huge, generally exceeding several hundred pounds.

But the value they bring is also very worthwhile. It not only makes up for Australia's embarrassing lack of high-end talents, but also lays a good foundation for Australia's talent training.

At Arthur's request, each German expert got to know several Australian experts.

Nominally, they work for German experts and are responsible for some complicated and simple things.

In fact, these Australian experts can also take the opportunity to follow the German experts and learn something that they usually have no access to.

Arthur liked the German expert's serious and cautious character very much. Under their meticulous teaching, Australian experts have made rapid progress.

In order to facilitate the research of these experts, Arthur directly handed over a large part of the military factory's laboratory to these experts. Anyway, the military factory did not have any weapons experimental plans in a short time.

At the same time, half a million pounds of funding was also allocated to support the research of these experts.

Miss France has been using artillery until World War II, and its advanced performance goes without saying.

If its technology can be successfully mastered and certain improvements made, there is nothing wrong with using it as Australia's main artillery in the next thirty years.

After the research site was established, the only M1897 artillery piece and the remaining eight boxes of shells were moved to the laboratory by German experts with great distress.

Even if there are enough shells, these German experts will not allow this artillery to be used again.

Next, this artillery will be carefully studied and disassembled. Any damage will be unbearable for the research progress.

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