The next day, Walter Brauchitsch, Yarma Schacht and others arrived on time in the No. 1 conference hall of the presidential palace after receiving the notice. Eric took Rommel's application report, pointed to a stack of materials and drawings and said: "Everyone, today, we must understand all these things thoroughly, otherwise, none of them can leave, General Rommel is still waiting for my approval." ”

Seeing the president's resolute attitude, none of the people present were embarrassed to slack off, and began to seriously speculate in detail on the advantages and disadvantages of the Type 4 tank and put forward their own views.

"After talking about anti-tank trenches, let's talk about something other than the ditch, that is, anti-tank obstacles. Maninstein and Guderian, which of you will talk about it? Eric then asks a more pointed question.

"The most common anti-tank obstacles are triangular anti-tank cones, anti-tank repulsions made of angle irons, anti-tank cement piers, etc." Maninstein stood up and replied.

"Among them, the triangular anti-tank cone is more complex, this anti-tank cone is made of concrete, the height is generally more than 50 centimeters, and the largest is more than one person high. Because it is a triangular prism that is put down, it is difficult to be pushed away by the tank, and the height of more than half a meter makes it difficult for the tank to cross, so it can only be opened by temporary blasting. Guderian went on to add.

"Two generals, please be seated." Eric returned to his seat, took out a French version of the anti-tank textbook from a drawer, and placed it in front of everyone, saying, "Anti-tank repulsion and anti-tank cement piers are relatively simple, the former is an obstacle tied by cross-welding with angle iron or section steel, and is very strong. Although the rejection of horses was used in World War I, they were all wooden, and it was difficult to block the movement of tanks. ”

"Yes, Mr. President, compared with anti-tank cones, anti-tank rejection of horses has a short manufacturing period, and countries with steel production capacity can be completed in a short time by using local materials, and it is difficult for anti-tank rejection horses to be destroyed by blasting, even if they roll in the explosion, they still stand, and can only be cleared by high-powered obstacle breakers." Maninstein has also done research on this.

"The biggest trouble is that the typical anti-tank rejection not only limits the maneuverability of the tank, but also avoids the infantry being used as cover." Guderian said.

"Our Type 4 tank could consider adding a front baffle, so that we can push away these obstacles?" Yarma chimed in.

"His Excellency the Minister only thought of clearing the obstacles, but he did not think that the tanks would have to charge, and the tanks with baffles would face more obstacles." Eric laughed.

"Isn't it just that I am asked to make suggestions, otherwise what do you want me to do in the presidential palace?" Yarmar looked very embarrassed and said with a red face.

"Excellent! What our Minister of Finance said is not entirely unreasonable, but I have asked you to come here today just to let you know that our troops need strong financial support to be truly strong. Eric said, patting Yarmar on the shoulder.

"Anti-tank cement piers, also known as obstacle walls, are long obstacles made of concrete and steel bars, which are obstacles that use the ground height difference to block the movement of tanks. Anti-tank cement piers are generally about 50-90 cm in height, although they cannot restrict infantry mobility, but they are very troublesome for tanks. Since obstacles such as concrete piers and earthen walls are built together, it is difficult to cause complete damage even by blasting and shelling, so I suggested that a temporary slope to pass through was a small and simple process. Brauchitsch also expressed his thoughts.

"When it comes to anti-tank piers, I myself prefer the approach of Minister Walter Brauchitsch. Under normal circumstances, as long as the tank makes good use of the inertia and increases the assistance of the rear half of the track, it is still possible to climb over the cement pier below 50 cm, but there must be problems with the cement pier above 50 cm. Eric said worriedly, "In addition to the anti-tank fortifications built above, slopes and mud pits are also the enemy's enemies of tanks. ”

"Climbing over ditches, driving on slopes and jumping over all kinds of obstacles have always been basic subjects in tank training, but now the obstacles are escalating, and if they are removed quickly, it will definitely affect the offensive ability of the troops," Maninstein said.

"However, our proposal from Minister Yarma Schacht is also worth considering, converting the high-horsepower tank into a professional wrecker locomotive, thickening the steel plate of the body, so that it has a strong impact force, and at the same time, the front baffle is equipped with an up-and-down adjustable device to move the anti-tank cone and the horse rejection flat off the road." Eric said happily: "I asked the Eric Group to start research on this matter immediately and strive to solve it as soon as possible." ”

"We can't get one tank to overcome all the difficulties in the world. If these most difficult problems are solved, the others can be ignored, such as swamps, mud pools, etc., which completely test a good driver. Maninstein said.

"Well, then, in that case, I can now approve General Rommel's application." Eric again emphasized: "From now on, the above subjects must be added to the Frankfurt training ground, so that we must be truly targeted in wartime, and at the same time, we must use such tactics to destroy the enemy tank, so that it will not move, and even become our prisoner." ”

Maninstein and Guderian immediately stood and saluted.

"Sit down, my generals." Eric turned to Brauchitsch again and said, "How is General Reinhardt Schell's training?" ”

"Report to Mr. President, the aircraft carrier strike group has returned to Wilhelmshaven last night, and in accordance with the requirements of the training program, all indicators have been completed well, especially the BF-10C carrier-based airborne missiles have taken off and landed very smoothly, and they have fully possessed strong combat capabilities." Brauchitsch happily took out the Navy's record of readiness in the far seas and handed it to Eric.

"It's worth a drink to celebrate! Don't leave at noon, I'll invite you to lunch! Eric then passed the battle records to Almar, Maninstein, Guderian and others to watch and let them share in the fun.

Just as everyone was rejoicing at the success of the carrier's training in the open sea, Aynata came in to report that the director of the CIA, Colmar von Ramsden, and the director of military intelligence, Earhart Cecil, had asked to see him.

"Invite him in, great, I'm looking for him." Eric said as he cleaned up the papers on his desk.

With the sound of hurried footsteps, Colmar and Earhart appeared in front of everyone, sweating profusely. Apparently, the head of the military intelligence department, Earhart Cecil, also came with him, knowing that Minister Walter Brauchitsch was in the presidential palace.

"Why do the two directors look like this, are there still chasing soldiers behind them?" Eric was surprised to see Colmar and Earhart in a mess.

Colmar looked left and right, and then stopped.

Eric smiled and said, "It's okay, Your Excellency the Director, there are no outsiders here, you two wipe your faces first, sit down and talk slowly." ”

Eric then asked Anata to hand them towels and hot water.

"According to credible information, the Soviet Union may interfere in the defense of Poland's Western Front, and just yesterday, the first batch of dozens of military experts arrived in Koscent......" Colmar took out a small notebook, opened it, and reported it in detail to Eric one by one.

"Those who should come will come uninvited, but Germany has no good wine for them to drink, so they can only be entertained with cannons......" Eric slapped his hands heavily on the papers on the table, "Then let them come!" ”