Starting My Treasure Hunting In England

The bright sunlight shines through the glass into the room, filling the whole room with a warm atmosphere. Liang En and Jeanne are thinking hard about the documents under the sunlight, hoping to find a solution to the current problem.

Faced with these drawings that have had all explanatory text removed, leaving only standard data, it is difficult to understand their origins even if you have an idea.

"This document may be able to find some clues." After reading a series of documents, Liang En took out some drawings and said. "At least compared to other artillery, this kind of artillery is more special."

After hearing what Liang En said, Joan came over curiously and found that what he had in hand were some drawings belonging to a 150mm howitzer.

The larger the caliber of the artillery, the fewer countries have used it. Therefore, there must not be many countries that have used the 150mm, and there are often no more detailed records.

At first, Liang En and the others regarded this gun as Krupp's sFH-13 150mm howitzer, because both the shock-absorbing air spring at the rear of the gun, the cradle and the cross-wedge breech were equipped with It has a strong Krupp flavor.

The sFH-13 howitzer was one of the main artillery pieces of the Germans in World War I. However, because Germany was not allowed to retain this type of artillery as a defeated country after World War I, it may be transferred to other countries for production.

But after careful inspection, he found that there was a huge difference between this artillery and the sFH-13, that is, there was an extra retractor above the barrel.

This feature is not a feature of the Krupp artillery, but a feature of Rheinmetall's sFH-18. Not only are the two not the same company, but they are more than ten years apart.

"Interesting-" After discovering the characteristics of the second artillery piece on these drawings, Liang En suddenly became excited, because the distinctive artillery piece was obviously easier to find in the next step of the search.

After further observing the drawings, he found that this artillery used the relatively backward steel hoop self-tightening technology of the sFH-13, not the more advanced sleeve self-tightening technology of the sFH-18.

"Could this be a transitional product?" Jeanne asked quietly from the side at this time. After listening to what Liang En said, she immediately thought of a possibility.

"As far as I know, many weapons often have many test products before they are manufactured, and these test products basically have the characteristics of new products and old products."

"It's very possible, and if I remember correctly, the Germans will have a certain delay in naming this weapon, so those artillery between the sFH-13 and sFH-18 are worthy of our inspection."

After Joan of Arc said this, Liang En nodded in approval, because this artillery was so unique that if it had ever been mass-produced, it would have left a record.

Sure enough, after consulting a series of information, they discovered that before the end of World War I, Switzerland had ordered a batch of 150mm howitzers designed and manufactured by Krupp from Germany. They were called sFH-17.

This batch of artillery was purchased by Switzerland from Germany in 1916 and was delivered in April 1917, with a total of 56 guns. So Switzerland calls them 15cm Schwere Haubitze 1916 L14 howitzers.

Compared with the German sFH-13, the sFH-17 has a larger firing range and other performance is basically the same. The styles of its gun bolt, shield, frame and cradle are very similar to the 150mm howitzer in Liang En's drawings. The barrel is also self-tightening with steel hoops.

Although there is still a slight difference between the two, considering that the next number of the German-made 150mm howitzer is sFH-18, the German numbering in this regard is also gradually postponed.

So theoretically speaking, if the technology of the 150mm howitzer in the picture comes from Germany, then the sFH-17 is the artillery closest to it.

"There should be a relationship between the two. Don't forget that the person who came to us had a father who was a German Krupp designer, so it was inevitable that he would be influenced when designing the artillery."

After reading the clues about Swiss artillery, Joan of Arc said seriously, "I think if we really have no choice, we can try to find out what records the Swiss have."

After a simple comparison of the two artillery pieces, they found more similarities. For example, as a mountainous country, Switzerland's customized sFH-17 howitzer is relatively light in weight. The Swiss Army Artillery Force even uses four heavy-duty draft horses. Effective pulling.

The artillery shown in the drawings in Liang En's hands is also lighter than ordinary artillery. Considering that the artillery uses wooden wheels covered with iron sheets, this proves that the design was based on animal power rather than motor vehicle traction.

This practice was no longer common during World War II, because at that time Europe and the United States had basically used rubber tires that facilitated the traction of motor vehicles, and only mountain troops would choose this type of artillery.

After reaching this stage of judgment, Liang En called Mr. Frey. Although Liang En could also do the next work, it was undoubtedly more convenient to give it to Mr. Frey.

"Mr. Liang, your judgment is correct. These things are indeed related to Switzerland." Two hours later, Mr. Frey called back. "It's just that Swiss officials don't know exactly where these things come from."

According to him, he found a series of information after searching the Swiss archives using the keyword 15cm Schwere Haubitze 1916 L14 howitzer.

After a detailed examination of those materials, he found that there were some notes belonging to his father in this batch of materials. Apparently, the Swiss also conducted research on these artillery pieces after the introduction of these artillery pieces.

Although it is a permanently neutral country, the Swiss know that what can guarantee their neutrality is not a simple agreement, but their own strength, so they also attach great importance to the military.

For example, Switzerland has a famous universal service system. At the same time, they also build a large number of fortifications in the mountainous areas along the border year after year to ensure the security of the country.

Of course, after entering modern times, weapons have also become an important factor in determining the success or failure of wars. In this case, as a country with an industrial foundation, they are naturally not just satisfied with purchasing various weapons from abroad.

Therefore, it is very normal for these Swiss people to conduct research on imported artillery. On the one hand, it is to facilitate future maintenance and repair, and on the other hand, it is for learning.

These learning achievements will naturally be used in many places. For example, designers who enter the Krupp Swiss Branch will transfer their design content here.

According to Mr. Frey, although he has only seen the notes left by his father on very few documents, this undoubtedly means that his father has studied these old-fashioned artillery and also has his own ideas.

"Then have you found anything related to your father in the Swiss records?" Liang En asked curiously after the other party finished speaking.

"No, but I found some crucial clues, such as the destruction of some files of expatriates during World War II." Mr. Frey on the opposite side sighed.

"It should have something to do with secret cooperation with the Germans, but I really don't want my father to have much to do with them."