northernbook Chapter 752: Gustav Cannon
Chapter 752: Gustav Cannon
As the third round of drinks passed, the atmosphere at the table became more and more heated, and the topic gradually deepened into the strategic level of discussion. Takeda Nobuo, the commander of the Kitano Division, had a sharp light in his eyes. He gently put down the wine glass, and said with a bit of disdain and confidence: "Everyone, I think our real killer is not just these strong fortifications and powerful firepower, but our ability to completely drag the Chinese Expeditionary Force to death in front of the Kumamoto Fortress."
He paused, looked around, and seeing everyone looking at him expectantly, he continued, "Think about it, their supply line spans the entire Fuso territorial waters, which is far away and fragile. As long as we can hold on here and not give them any chance to break through, then time will be our best ally. Their supply will become increasingly tight, and their morale will also decline. By then, we won't have to take the initiative to attack, they will naturally collapse due to internal conflicts and consumption."
Fujiwara Jiro's eyes flashed with admiration when he heard this. He nodded and agreed, "Takeda-kun is right. The supply line is indeed their biggest weakness. Moreover, as far as I know, the financial pressure on the Chinese Expeditionary Force is not small. A long stalemate will undoubtedly be a disaster for them. We just need to wait patiently, and there will be good results."
Kato Ryuichi also joined the discussion, his voice carrying a hint of contempt: "Speaking of which, those Chinese soldiers are really pitiful. They came from afar, expecting to win quickly, but unexpectedly they got stuck in a quagmire here. I dare say that by the time they realized their predicament, it was already too late."
Matsumoto Shunsuke was more direct. He sneered and said, "Don't forget, although they had some victories over the Kyushu Legion before, it was only temporary. The reason we temporarily retreated was just to lure the enemy deeper into our trap. Now that they have come to the Kumamoto Fortress, they can't think of leaving easily."
Watanabe Huiyuan listened to the discussion and a smug smile appeared on his lips. He knew very well that although the Kyushu Corps had suffered a series of defeats under the offensive of the Chinese Expeditionary Force, it was only a temporary tactical concession, not a real defeat. Now, under the natural barrier of the Kumamoto Fortress, they are confident that they can turn disadvantages into advantages and completely defeat the enemy.
"Everyone, we don't need to worry too much." Watanabe Huiyuan stood up and raised his glass to everyone, "As long as we unite as one and stick to our posts, the Chinese Expeditionary Force will never be able to break through this line of defense. As time goes by, their failure will become inevitable. Come, let us toast again to the upcoming victory!"
With the sound of clinking glasses, the atmosphere in the dungeon reached a climax. However, behind this joy and confidence, it seemed that some people had forgotten the humiliation and frustration that the Jiuzhou Legion had experienced not long ago.
It seemed that the shadows of the past had long been forgotten by them, and now they only saw the solidity of the Kumamoto Fortress and the weakness of the Chinese Expeditionary Force. This arrogance might be a sign that they were about to face a greater failure.
Seven days later, in the southern part of Kikuchi Prefecture, the sky was clear and blue, and the sun shone through the sparse clouds, shining on this once peaceful land that was now covered with war clouds. The Northwest Army's engineering troops, wearing uniform camouflage uniforms and helmets, demonstrated their indomitable perseverance and superb engineering technology on this battlefield.
They are working intensively and orderly along an old railway line, which was once an important link between the city and the countryside, but now has become an important channel for the Northwest Army to attack the Kumamoto Fortress. The engineers are sweating profusely, using a variety of tools, and every detail is meticulous and not allowed to be sloppy.
Their goal was not only to repair the railway line that had been abandoned for many years, but also to extend it and lay the rails deeper behind enemy lines. This was a difficult and complex task that required extremely high professional skills and teamwork. However, the Northwest Army's engineering corps completed the task with amazing efficiency and accuracy, and their performance was breathtaking.
All these efforts are for a greater goal - to meet and deploy China's strategic weapon - the Gustav Cannon. This is not just an ordinary cannon, it is known as a "military fortress crusher", and its power is so great that it can make any solid fortifications look fragile.
Thanks to the efforts of the engineering corps, a new railway line has gradually taken shape. It is like a giant steel dragon, winding and stretching, pointing directly to the hinterland of the Kumamoto Fortress. At the end of this railway line, a huge platform is being built in full swing, where the Gustav cannon will be stationed.
On the platform, thick steel rails have been laid one after another, interlaced to form a complex track network. Engineers are carefully connecting these tracks to the railway lines to ensure that the giant cannon can run smoothly during transportation and firing. At the same time, they have also installed various auxiliary equipment on the platform, such as cranes and transport vehicles, so as to safely deliver the huge body of the giant cannon to the designated location.
The Gustav Cannon is considered to be the largest cannon in human history. Its parameter information and enormous power are impressive.
The caliber reached an astonishing 800 mm, which is the largest caliber of all artillery in human history.
Dimensions & Weight:
Total length: about 42.97 meters This length makes it look like a mobile fortress.
The length of the gun barrel is 32.48 meters, which is longer than the height of a ten-story building, showing its huge scale.
Gun weight: about 400 tons, which refers to the weight of the gun barrel and its main components, excluding ancillary equipment such as transport vehicles.
Total weight: The total weight including the transport vehicle reaches 1350 tons, so it must rely on special trains to transport it.
There are two types of shells: armor-piercing and high-explosive.
Armor-piercing shell weight: 7.1 tons. The power of this shell is enough to penetrate reinforced concrete and steel plates several meters thick.
The weight of the high-explosive bomb is about 4.8 tons. Although it is slightly lighter than the armor-piercing bomb, its explosive power cannot be underestimated.
Range and rate of fire:
Maximum range: Varies depending on the type of shell. The maximum range of armor-piercing shells is about 38 kilometers, while the maximum range of high-explosive shells can reach 47 kilometers.
Rate of fire: Due to the heavy weight of the shells and launchers, the rate of fire is relatively low, with a maximum of only 14 rounds per day.
The powerful destructive power of the Gustav Cannon:
Both armor-piercing and high-explosive shells are much heavier and have more explosive charge than conventional artillery, so they have extremely strong destructive power. Armor-piercing shells can easily penetrate fortifications several meters thick, while high-explosive shells can cause huge explosions in the target area, causing heavy damage to the enemy.
Long-range strike capability: Its maximum range can reach 47 kilometers (high-explosive shells), which is almost unique among conventional artillery. Such a range enables the Gustav cannon to carry out precise long-range strikes at a safe distance away from enemy firepower coverage.
Due to the huge size and weight of the Gustav Cannon, its operation and transportation are extremely complicated. In order to move this cannon, the German army specially designed a special train and track system during World War II. Before it can be used, it needs to be assembled and debugged for a long time. These complicated operation processes also further demonstrate the great power of the Gustav Cannon.
Conquer people with virtue Gustav Cannon