Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Tractor Project (2)
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“Colonel Ludendorff, has the military established any minimum caliber standards for the tank's main gun?”
“The General Staff believes that at least 30mm is necessary to ensure sufficient firepower.”
“As you know, we're experts in automobiles, not artillery like cannons. Will there be separate technical support for that aspect?”
“Yes. Companies like Krupp will provide all the assistance you need. So, no need to worry about that.”
“Hmm, Baron. Does the tank absolutely need just one main gun turret? Wouldn't it be stronger if we made it bigger and mounted several?”
“Unless you're planning to build a department store on top of the tank, I wouldn't recommend it. Considering costs, weight, accuracy, and more, the optimal setup is one main gun per tank, plus two or three machine guns as secondary armament.”
“Then, about mounting the engine in the rear instead of the front...”
The engineers, their automotive passions reignited after so long, bombarded us with questions nonstop, leaving Ludendorff and me no time to even sweat before the next one came.
Normally, I could've left the barrage of questions from these hand-raising engineers to Ludendorff and just sipped coffee in the back, chatting idly like the old-timers.
But this was a crucial step in defining the direction for the world's first tank. I couldn't sit it out.
If I let them go unchecked, we'd repeat the original history's bungled trials and tribulations before arriving at the tank we know.
Without my guidance, we might end up with something like the A7V—or worse, the Tsar's clunky moving fortress, the Tsar Tank, or that Tetris-block monstrosity, the Lebedenko Earth Mover from the land of stacked squares.
Heck, they almost birthed a multi-turret tank right in front of me just now.
Personally, I love the designs of multi-turret tanks like the T-29 or T-35, but asked if they made good tanks? No words come to mind.
'Come to think of it, all my examples were Russian-Soviet tanks.'
Germany had its own Maus, so no room to judge Russia, but that was less a freak design and more like the Yamato-class battleship—insane specs on paper, yet it amounted to nothing in combat and faded into obscurity. Different beast.
“Baron, would it be possible to collaborate with other companies on tank development?”
While I was lost in thought, someone asked me that.
Was that guy's name Wilhelm Maybach?
As his name suggests, he's the founder of Maybach, one of the big three luxury cars alongside Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
Of course, founding Maybach is years away; right now, he's technical director at Daimler.
Maybach whispered with Karl Benz, the founder of Benz who had stepped back from management to a board position. They seemed to be plotting a merger.
'Daimler and Benz. Famous combo.'
Because Mercedes-Benz was born from their merger.
To be precise, in 1926, battered by the aftermath of World War I defeat, Daimler and Benz fused to survive financial woes, creating Daimler-Benz AG, with Mercedes-Benz as its car brand.
“Yes, collaborations are fine. We just care about the results.”
They'd split profits, but that's not my problem.
As long as they build good tanks, I'm golden.
'But even setting aside the future, will Daimler really okay Maybach teaming with Benz?'
From what I know, Maybach had a rocky relationship with Daimler's execs.
That's why he'd leave next year to start Maybach.
Benz folks, aware of it too, showed interest in Maybach's pitch but kept expectations low.
For Benz, partnering with Daimler was a win, but solo tank dev was fine too.
Benz was Germany's largest automaker and top-tier globally in tech.
They built the first internal combustion car, nailed the first long-distance drive, and the 1894 Benz Velo was the world's first mass-produced car.
That's why I see Benz as the frontrunner here.
Maybach approaching them makes sense.
In real history, Daimler-Benz handled Nazi Germany's main tanks like the Panzer III in WWII, and even developed the Maus.
Of course, that landed Benz on the war crimes list for supplying the Nazis and using camp labor.
“Time's running long, so questions end here. For more, ask Colonel Ludendorff.”
I pointed at him, and they nodded understanding.
But I wasn't done.
“One last personal thought: Tanks will be the core of Germany's future army. We need mass production beyond what's current.”
Not just tanks, either.
Future military truck and armored car demand would explode—and it had to.
“That requires advancing the auto industry further. Cars must escape the elite's grasp, drop in price for average citizens, and produce more—way more.”
“Pardon? With current costs, labor, production setups—that seems impossible.”
Maybach, listening intently, raised his hand.
But I had the answer ready.
“Ever heard of the conveyor belt system?”
“Conveyor belt?”
“Come to think of it, the Baron's DRR used conveyors to mass-produce radios in record time for global supply...”
“Exactly. Cars were artisanal, taking days per small team. Conveyors boost speed dramatically—one per hour, or one every few dozen seconds.”
“Dozens of seconds?!”
Someone gasped in shock.
Others looked the same.
But Ford proved it: 1914 Model T at one every 24 seconds.
“Radios already proved conveyors work. DRR slashed labor and production costs, ramped speed. I can send stats if you want.”
“Not doubting you, Baron. But that speed sounds insane. Just conveyors?”
“No. Needs standardized, unified products, minimized parts first.”
“Hmm...”
“Mass production is the era's call. U.S. automakers are eyeing conveyors. Before they flood the market, shouldn't pioneering Germany lead?”
Mentioning America, now surging past Europe economically, shifted their eyes.
Germany took auto's first steps, built its foundation.
Proud Germans hated trailing Yankee upstarts.
(Ford was probably the only U.S. one yet, but not a lie.)
“For speed and costs, trialing it sounds good.”
“Bigger market means bigger profits.”
My pitch convinced many; execs murmured, eyeing conveyors.
Benz and Maybach included.
“Meant to be short, but it dragged. That's it—everyone's dismissed.”
They bowed hastily and bolted.
Rushing back to brief boards and tech teams, no doubt.
“Whew, finally over.”
“I'll head out too. Meeting naturists. Baron, join if interested.”
“Ha ha ha. Appreciate it, Chief of Staff Moltke.”
I forced a grin at Moltke's nudist invite.
Prefer officer school on my own feet.
“I have a British ambassador meet, so I'll go. Colonel Ludendorff, max security—don't forget.”
“No worries. Army Intel and Prussian Secret Police on it. No leaks.”
I nodded and turned away.
Excited for the world's first tank.
1906 ended, bittersweet goodbyes and new meetings crossing paths. 1907 arrived.
Europe remained Europe.
London suffragettes marched in mud; Romanian peasants revolted medieval-style, 11,000 dead; Bulgaria's anarchist season killed the PM.
But Belle Époque's peace and romance shrugged it off.
Europeans forgot Russo-Japanese War's Morocco crisis near-miss, praising peace as ever.
My routine wasn't quiet, though.
Beyond Foreign Office, plenty demanded attention.
First, Tractor Project thrived.
Benz and Daimler didn't merge twenty years early, but poured full effort into tanks.
Prototypes still distant.
Some firms, including them, trialed conveyors.
Huge success; German automakers raced to dominate Europe's market via mass production.
Papers hyped crashing prices, soon one car per household, inflating hopes.
'Speaking of cars, gotta build Autobahns later.'
Benz proposed it around now, I recall.
Not urgent—later.
“Meeting adjourned. Oh, Hans. Netherlands prep going well?”
“Of course. Foreign Office's biggest this year—full prep.”
Chyrinsky, term nearly up, nodded pleased.
June: Second Hague Peace Conference in Netherlands, hosted by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.
The one where Korea's Emperor Gojong sent envoys Lee Sang-seol, Lee Wi-jong, Lee Jun to protest the Eulsa Treaty.
Lee Sang-seol's in America now; Japan hasn't seized diplomacy yet. No envoy incident.
Anyway, 44 nations attending. Chyrinsky recommended me as delegate with other diplomats.
Me, war-prepping, at a peace talk? Nothing to say.
But attend, get name out—builds prestige.
Thus, June 1907, I headed to The Hague with expectations.