Chapter 260: The Direction of Tank Development
After a moment of thought, Colonel Estigny responded:
"I understand what you mean, Colonel!"
"If it were a one-on-one situation, the 'Charles A1' might have the upper hand. But if it were facing a group of these lighter tanks, it might struggle."
"Furthermore, Schneider could modify this tank to include a rotating turret, in which case the 'Charles A1' would lose any advantage."
Simply put, everything the "Charles A1" had, this new tank could potentially replicate, and it also had the added advantage of greater mobility.
In that case, what could the "Charles A1" do to defeat it?
Charles was almost left speechless by Estigny's argument.
Perhaps due to the success of the "Charles A1," tank development during this period seemed to veer off-course. Military theorists were now shifting from ideas of super-heavy tanks like the Saint-Chamond and A7V to the opposite extreme—ultra-light tanks.
It was very much the French way to search for a single "right answer" and then pursue it relentlessly, expecting victory to follow naturally.
However, the complex, ever-changing nature of the battlefield meant that this approach was destined to fail.
Charles responded calmly, "I don't think this issue you're considering actually exists, Colonel. Most tank operations happen off-road; you'd agree with that, wouldn't you?"
Colonel Estigny nodded.
So far, there had been no record of tanks fighting on roads. Even if the road was blocked, combat usually took place off-road.
"So!" Charles pointed to the wheels on the sketch, tapping them with his finger. "The wheels won't serve any purpose in combat; this tank's mobility in battle will depend on its tracks, not its wheels."
Estigny didn't disagree. The wheels were intended for transit, not combat.
Charles continued, "Since its top speed on roads is only 28 kilometers per hour, I'd guess that its track speed is likely only around ten kilometers per hour. Would you agree?"
After a brief hesitation, Estigny nodded. "Yes, I agree."
If this light tank from Schneider could achieve 20 kilometers per hour on its tracks, it wouldn't need wheels at all.
On the other hand, the "Charles A1," thanks to its more advanced suspension, could reach a top speed of 15 kilometers per hour, making its off-road speed comparable to this light tank.
"Given that," Charles concluded with a question, "how could a 4-ton light tank defeat the 8-ton 'Charles A1'?"
Estigny paused, then had a sudden moment of clarity.
Meanwhile, Deyoka seemed puzzled. He looked from Estigny to Charles hesitantly. "So… weight determines victory?"
"Hard as it may be to believe, it appears so," Colonel Estigny explained. "Under the same technical conditions, with similar mobility, a heavier tank means thicker armor, which means I can penetrate the enemy while they can't penetrate me."
Deyoka nodded thoughtfully.
The logic was simple: Schneider and Charles were both French arms manufacturers, using similar engines and weaponry. Greater weight would translate to thicker armor, giving heavier tanks a defensive advantage in combat.
Charles said nothing further, quietly observing the two of them.
Colonel Estigny was lost in thought for a moment before his eyes suddenly widened in realization. "My God, I think I know the future direction of tank development."
Deyoka looked bewildered. "What?"
He didn't understand how this could point to a "development trend."
Estigny's gaze shifted to Charles, his expression uncertain but voice filled with excitement. "If weight determines combat effectiveness, doesn't it follow that, as long as speed and mobility are maintained, we should focus on thickening the armor?"
After a pause, he added, "Is that why you sent Matthew to study engine technology at the aircraft factory?"
Charles nodded slightly.
Two weeks prior, while the aircraft factory's R&D team was busy producing bombers and short on staff, Charles had taken the opportunity to send Matthew over to assist.
Deyoka looked even more confused. How did engine technology connect with thicker armor?
After a moment's thought, he seemed to understand: with a more powerful engine, a tank could carry thicker armor, providing stronger protection.
Charles elaborated thoughtfully:
"A tank's purpose, Colonel, isn't to have more or flashier features."
"Every piece of battlefield equipment shares one fundamental and most important principle: 'Protect oneself and destroy the enemy.'"
"If you approach any piece of equipment from that perspective, it's unlikely to go too far astray."
Estigny's face lit up with understanding. "Schneider's light tank may have greater mobility, but it can't 'protect itself.' It may not even be able to break through enemy lines… My God, if it can't break through enemy lines, its road mobility becomes irrelevant, turning into a redundant, useless feature—one that could even burden logistics."
Charles nodded in quiet approval. Estigny, after all, was the father of French armored forces; he grasped the concept immediately.
Estigny seemed to enter a different state of mind, his thoughts circling around Charles's words. He muttered to himself:
"Then to 'destroy the enemy'… we need a cannon!"
"Yes, a cannon!"
"And the cannon should have a longer range."
He looked at Charles with an intense excitement, his voice trembling. "I'm not wrong, am I, Colonel? Cannons should have longer ranges."
"And better penetration, to destroy enemy tanks from further away!"
Charles nodded lightly.
"That's correct, Colonel. This is the future direction of tank development."
"A tank doesn't need too many complex features; it just needs a balance between mobility, defense, and firepower."
"And the key to achieving that…"
Colonel Estigny interjected, "Is the engine. The engine determines everything."
Only a powerful engine could enable a tank to carry thicker armor and a larger-caliber cannon. Otherwise, it would be like the Saint-Chamond or A7V—struggling to move on the battlefield, let alone engage in effective combat.
At this moment, Estigny remembered how Charles had previously resisted mounting a cannon on the "Mark I" and had only outfitted the "Charles A1" with a modest 37mm cannon. It was clear now that Charles had been thinking in terms of an overall balance.
Realizing this, Estigny was overwhelmed with astonishment.
Could it be that Charles had already foreseen this direction?
But… tanks had barely been introduced back then, and there hadn't even been any real competition. How could Charles have known where tank development would lead?
Unbelievable… he had foreseen this so far in advance!
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