August 7, 1890, was a memorable day for Vittorio, Xu Jie and others. On this day, the National Small Arms Design Bureau finally completed the development of mortars and light machine guns.

The manufacture of the gun itself is not too difficult, and the shells are so cheap that cast iron can be made into shells. However, the configuration of the propellant has kept a group of experts busy for several months. Although Xu Jie

The ingredients of various charges were sent via telegram, but there was no proportion, so the exact amount of each ingredient and how to prepare it had to be completed by the Italians themselves. Fortunately, the emperor paid off, and with the high bonus and Vittorio and others

Under the urging and supervision of others, Italian chemists and technicians from the National Design Bureau finally completed this arduous task. Today is the moment to accept these weapons.

In addition to the technical staff of the ** Small Arms Design Bureau, German consultants hired by the Italian military and Beiyang also participated in this acceptance. One of the reasons is that these equipment will enter the Beiyang Army in the future, and the training of the Beiyang Army Division was carried out by the Germans.

Therefore, the Germans as instructors must have some understanding of these weapons that are about to enter the army. Another reason is that the optical sights on the mortars are produced by the Germans!! In order for the Germans to design better

For the scope, the Germans must be present during this acceptance process.

For Italian engineers, developing artillery and figuring out the artillery charge ratio are not problems. The biggest problem is? How to use it!! The difference between this mortar and existing artillery is really big. Under the conditions at that time

, the vast majority of artillery fires directly. Indirect shooting has not yet appeared, let alone playing with mortars. Fortunately, Xu Jie had experienced mortar shooting training in his father's army.

, I still have some understanding of the whole process.

At the test site, 5 trained Italian Army personnel will be responsible for the test firing of 60 mortars. The division of labor among the 5 people is that the gunner serves as the commander of the entire team and carries spare parts and tools with him. One gunner is responsible for

Aiming, carrying the base plate and gun mount, the second gunner is responsible for loading the artillery shells, carrying the gunner and sight. The third gunner is responsible for

, responsible for installing fuzes, adjusting charges and transporting shells, and carrying shells and propellants. The fourth gunner is responsible for observation and warning, carrying shells and individual weapons, and assisting the third gunner when necessary. Following an order, five strong

The Italians entered the firing position with this weapon, tentatively numbered 1890 type 60mm mortar.

"Preparations have begun." Following the order from the dispatcher, the mortar team began to place the artillery. The first gunner quickly dug a small hole on the ground with an engineering shovel, then placed the bottom plate into the hole, and then pointed at the approximate direction.

The gun mount was set up. The second gunner lowered the gun body and placed the gun breech on the bottom plate and locked it. Then a

The gunner and second gunner worked together to place the gun on the bracket and adjust the probability level. The gunner walked behind the gun and used a plumb line to correct the markings on the gun body so that the target and the gun body were on the same level. At the same time,

, the third gunner and the fourth gunner opened the ammunition box, installed fuses on the shells, and were ready to fire at any time.

"The entire assembly work takes no more than 2 minutes, which is very fast." said an Italian officer.

"The shooting behind is the highlight, this is just the preparation before the show starts." Xu Jie said with a kind smile.

Then a gunner half-knelt in front of the mortar and looked at the horizontal level tube on the sight, leveling the leveling mechanism on the gun mount so that the bubble in the level tube was in the center. The bipod was accurately leveled, and then a gunner

Push the height of the gun mount directly to the bottom, and the gunner will place the quadrant on the gun body inspection seat.

On the top, observe the bubbles in the level tube to see if the gun barrel is at a 45-degree angle with the ground, and make fine adjustments. The gunner quickly turns the mortar's high and low handwheels to the maximum range, while watching the bubbles in the high and low level tubes. Here it is.

At this step, all preparations are completed. Start aiming and shooting.

The gunner used a telescope to visually check the distance and angle of the target in the distance. (The range of a 60mm mortar is generally only about 1.5 kilometers. A skilled gunner has no problem visually checking this distance.) After obtaining the data, he checked the ballistic table.

"Angle of fire 950, No. 2 charge, test fire two rounds." the gunner ordered.

Then the first gunner adjusted the elevation of the gun, observed the target with the sight, and adjusted the height and height of the machine so that the cross in the sight was facing the target. The third gunner prepared two propellant packs for the first shell.

"Fire." Following the gunner's command, the 2nd gunner put the shell into the barrel. With a muffled sound, a 60mm mortar shell roared out of the barrel and flew into the distance.

"A little to the left." Xu Jie said using his telescope to stare at the target in the distance.

"It's not bad, this is just a test shot," said the Italian officer next to him.

Then the corrected second round hit the target accurately. After the test firing, it quickly switched to rapid fire. With the cooperation of the 5-man gun crew, this 1890-style mortar hit a high rate of fire of 15 rounds per minute!

!And in the distant target area, several smoke pillars rose continuously. The rate of fire was the highest.

When it is fast, the first two shells have not hit the ground, and the third shell has already come out of the chamber. The high rate of fire of the mortar is vividly and exquisitely reflected at this moment! (It is said that the elites of the Eighth Route Army could do it, and the fifth shell ejected.

The first cannonball has not hit the ground yet, he is really a god-like person!!)

"Although the range, accuracy, and direct-aiming artillery are slightly lacking, the higher rate of fire can completely make up for these shortcomings." German instructor Heinris praised. "If possible, I hope the German Army can also equip it.

A lightweight, high-rate infantry weapon."

"Thank you for the compliment." Xu Jie said with a smile.

"The emergence of mortars has provided new ideas and tactics for artillery operations. In the past, no matter what kind of artillery, it was mainly direct aiming, but the introduction of new sights has provided a new way for artillery to shoot indirectly.

And if this kind of artillery is enlarged, it will undoubtedly be very beneficial when breaking through the opponent's fortress. Compared with the existing field artillery and mountain artillery, the shooting angle of the mortar is larger, so that the artillery shells can generally hit the fortifications.

the top of

This will undoubtedly deal a fatal blow to those fortifications that have both front and fragile tops. Mr. Xu, before I saw your work, it was hard for me to imagine that only 5 people could carry a weapon comparable to the 57mm mountain rapid cannon. If

Yes, I hope you can visit Germany. Not only the German Army, but also the German Navy will welcome you, and Mr. Tirpitz will greet you at the Port of Kiel." Heinris said sincerely.

"Both of you, please look over here. The acceptance of the new light machine gun is about to begin." Vittorio interrupted.

Compared with the test firing of mortars, the test firing of machine guns is much simpler. It tests the longest continuous shooting time, completes the disassembly and assembly of the machine gun, and evaluates the accuracy of target shooting. That's all. Then the group gathered around 1890

Some people even picked up the guns and fired a few test rounds.

"Although this gun is much lighter than the Maxin, it still weighs 15kg. It seems that the person carrying it will be a strong young man." Vittorio struggled to pick up an 1890-style light machine gun loaded with bullets.

said.

"If you want to make full use of this gun, it is absolutely impossible for only one person to do it. The empty gun weighs 12.8 kilograms, and the 47-method drum drum weighs 2.25 kilograms. In addition to the ammunition and tools that need to be carried,

My personal suggestion is that one

A light machine gun team of 5 people is the minimum. The commander carries accessories and tools, the main shooter is responsible for carrying the machine gun and 4 drum drums, the deputy shooter is responsible for supply and security, and the remaining two people are ammunition handlers. In theory, one person should

Carry about 8 drums

." Xu Jie said that in World War I, the British standard Lewis machine gun crew consisted of eight people, three of whom were ammunition handlers. Considering that the requirements for machine gun firepower in the Sino-Japanese War of 1888-88 were not as high as those in World War I, and in addition to the above

Mainly defensive operations, not like 1st battle

Sometimes the machine gun team needs to advance forward. Therefore, Xu Jie appropriately reduced the number of weapons team members and removed the cover personnel. After all, this machine gun will be assigned to platoon-level units, and the infantry squad that cooperates with it can fully provide the machine gun team with

cover.

"The machine guns and mortars of the ** Small Arms Design Bureau, combined with the German Imperial Krupp artillery, will be the strongest army weapon combination in the world. When these weapons enter the Qing Army, they will definitely improve the combat effectiveness of the Qing Army.

It’s a huge help,” Heinlis said.

"It is not enough to have good weapons, but also good instructors. In this regard, I believe that the army instructors of the German Empire will do their jobs seriously and responsibly, right? I also want to thank the Italian technical workers.

With the support of the military and the military, it is precisely because of your hard work that this has become a reality. Let us toast to the cooperation and friendship between the three countries," Xu Jie said friendly.

"Cheers." Then the test participants present raised their glasses and said.
Chapter completed!