1855 United States Tycoon

Many years before the start of the war, the German staff had prepared a detailed combat plan for the war. Because this plan was completed under the auspices of Marshal Schlieffen, this plan was also named Plan Schlieffen. Marshal Schlieffen realized that the geopolitical situation in Germany was very bad and that once war started, it would face the problem of fighting on the two fronts. Germany has a lack of resources, and it will be difficult to sustain it if it conducts long-term operations. Therefore, if Germany wants to win, it must be quick to fight and defeat the enemy in the shortest time.

Among the enemies of the Germans, Britain is the hardest to be defeated. After all, Britain is an island country and has the strongest navy in the world. Russia’s territory is too vast and the capital Petersburg is too far away from the Germans. It is not something that can be accomplished in a short time to arrive in Petersburg, just to march to Petersburg without fighting. Moreover, although Russia is large, its national strength is limited, its mobilization ability, response speed, and the level of military equipment training are far inferior to France. Coupled with the fact that France’s core area of ​​power is very close to that of Germany, France has an army power second only to Germany in the world. Therefore, Marshal Schlieffen believed that France is Germany's most important enemy. If Germany wants to win a possible war, it must quickly defeat France. As long as France can quickly defeat France, Germany will in fact win the war.

Therefore, based on the principle that all possible forces must be concentrated in the most critical positions, the biggest feature of Marshal Schlieffen’s plan is the extremely uneven deployment of troops. According to the plan, the force distribution between the eastern and western fronts is 1:8. , The comparison of forces between the left and right wing on the Western Front is 1:8 again. In this way, according to this plan, the old marshal concentrated most of the German forces on the right wing. According to this plan, once war begins, the right-wing German army with absolute superiority in force will pass through Belgium, seize Paris in one fell swoop, and defeat France. During this period, even if the French gain a breakthrough on the German left, they will capture several cities or something. Germany can fully afford such a price.

After the death of Marshal Schlieffen, Xiao Maoqi served as chief of staff. In terms of general strategy, he did not dare to change Marshal Schlieffen's plan, but the implementation of the plan was still subject to a lot of interference. First of all, in order to build a powerful navy, the Germans put a lot of power into the building of the navy. As a result, the development of the Army was naturally affected. As a result, by the time it was launched, the German Army did not reach the planned scale. But on the other hand, Russia, which was severely weakened in the Russo-Japanese War, has received strong support from France and Britain because it stopped its expansion in the Far East. Not only has its national strength been restored, but it has even grown. Therefore, on the Eastern Front, the originally deployed force may not be enough. At the same time, in the original plan, the strength of the left wing on the Western Front was already weakened to the point where it could no longer be weakened. Now that the total force is insufficient, if it is distributed according to the original ratio, the left wing will get less force than in the original plan, and the left wing will almost certainly collapse under the attack of the French army. Therefore, Xiao Maoqi had to weaken the assault group, which is the power of the right wing, to strengthen the left wing and the eastern front.

This, of course, affected the assault effect of the right wing, but the use of chemical weapons made up for this deficiency. In the battle to capture the fortress of Liege, the German army used mustard gas, which had been highly confidential before, for the first time. This kind of poison gas that can poison people through the skin is not something that can be resisted by gas masks alone. As a result, the Germans attacked the fortress of Liege even faster than originally planned.

However, the weather conditions thereafter saved the French. Gas bombs have high requirements on the weather when they are used. Wind and rain will seriously affect the use of chemical weapons. For more than a week thereafter, it was either windy or rainy, which made it almost impossible for the Germans to use their deadliest weapons.

..."Did the results of the experiment come out? Is it the kind of things the United States people said? Also, does the United States people's gadget have a protective effect?" French President Raymond Poincaré eagerly asked someone Asked the middle-aged man in a white lab coat.

"Mr. President, based on the results of our animal experiments, comparing the information given by the United States people and the reports on the battlefield, experimental animals appeared..."

"Wait, Mr. Zanetti, it's not an academic report. You can tell me directly if it is and how to prevent it." President Raymond Puengale interrupted him eagerly, "Now our Every second is extremely precious. Meteorologists say that the weather will improve by next week at most!"

"Ah...Mr. President, it is indeed the mustard gas that the United States people say." Zanetti replied, "This is a erosive gas that can poison people through the skin. Therefore, the gas mask that only defends the respiratory tract is Those who can't defend against this poisonous gas, even Mr. President, because the poisonous gas is far more poisonous than any kind of poisonous gas we have seen before, so..." A wry smile appeared on Zanetti's face.

"So what?" President Raymond Puengale asked quickly.

"So even if only a little bit is inhaled into the lungs or touched on the skin, it will cause serious symptoms of poisoning. In fact, our gas masks only use a little activated carbon. The design is too simple, and the adsorption effect is naturally average. If it is used to fight against general poisonous gas, it is good, but it is not enough to effectively protect the respiratory tract if it is used against mustard gas. However, the samples from the United States can perfectly fight against this poisonous gas, which is very heavy."

"Are you sure that the products of the United States can be used to defend against mustard attacks?" This question is too important now, so President Raymond Puengale asked it again.

"Yes, Mr. President." Zanetti replied, "United States samples can be used to defend against almost any existing or even possible poison gas. There is no problem."

"Let the Ministry of Commerce contact the United States people immediately and ask them how many of these chemical protective clothing are in their hands and when will they be shipped. Don't care about the price now, the faster the better." President Raymond Puengale Turned around and said to the own secretary.

"Okay, Mr. President, I will notify the people in the Ministry of Commerce immediately." The secretary replied.

"Professor Zanetti, if we have a full set of technology information, would it be technically difficult if we produce this kind of chemical protective clothing by ourselves?" President Raymond Puengale turned his head and asked Zanetti.

"It's not difficult in technology. Now some of our military factories, as long as there are enough raw materials, they will soon be able to produce similar products." Zanetti replied immediately.

"So what about this poisonous gas? Knowing the production process." President Raymond Puengale asked.

"This may be a lot more difficult." Zanetti replied, "Producing such things mostly requires a lot of specialized equipment. Although China's chemical technology is also very advanced, the design and manufacture of production-related equipment itself requires Time, and then installation and debugging also takes time. Your Excellency, based on my experience, I estimate that even if we have relevant technology, it will take at least half a year to a year for us to produce these on our own."

"What if we import the complete set of equipment directly from abroad?" President Raymond Puengale asked immediately.

"This may involve a lot of things, such as transportation, such as some other things. As a technology person, it is difficult for me to answer. Maybe Mr. President should ask other ministers." Zanetti replied.

...

"War is really a good thing!" Carvalho, the first mate of the Good Man Anderson cargo ship, said to the captain Roland, "Originally, we were almost going to be unemployed. As soon as the war started, there was business immediately. Moreover, wages have also risen. Now, the boys in our family have money to continue to university. The war is really great! It would be great if Europe keeps fighting like this!"

"You, why are you so gloomy in your heart? Other people's children can't die, right?" Captain Roland laughed and could see that he was actually not really opposed to the first officer's statement.

"Oh, Lord, forgive me. But be honest, I really don't care how the children of Europeans die." Mate Carvalho smiled and drew a cross on his chest. Then he took out a small flat pot from his jacket pocket, opened the lid, took a sip, and handed it to the captain: "At this time, the latest item recommended by the Seafarers' Prohibition Association, I have no money to touch this kind of thing for a while. Would you like to have a bite."

"No, thank you. I'll come back to taste your new stuff later when I'm resting, but it's still my duty time. You know, there are German warships in this area. Although there has been no German warship attacking the United States so far. Ship matters, but you still have to be careful.” Captain Roland said with a smile. As an old sailor, he certainly knows what the so-called "Seamen's Temperance Association" is. Basically, this organization and those called "Peace Promotion Association" are doing things to instigate war; or they hang "Democracy Promotion Association" and the like, but destroy democracy everywhere; or others have very beautiful sounds The name of the organization and the style of doing things are basically the same.

"Captain, found a merchant warship! It's approaching us!" At this moment, a shout came from the speaker in the captain's room.

"Damn it!" Captain Roland said, "I'll go take a look."

"I'll take a look together." First Mate Carvalho hurriedly put the jug away, and followed out.

The two quickly climbed up the observation deck together. At this time, even without a telescope, you could already see that a gray warship was approaching quickly. It was a slender, huge warship.

"This is... the German battlecruiser!" Captain Roland recognized this warship at once.

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