"And this 82 mortar."

"In terms of manufacturing materials, manufacturing processes, we all have a gap of about 25 years."

"Still."

military technician says:

"Although there is a big gap in technology between these two artillery pieces and these light weapons and ammunition, as long as we have enough manpower and material resources, we can speed up the catch-up."

"More powerful materials, more powerful propellants, more sophisticated manufacturing processes."

As he spoke, the military technician brought a broken, first-generation walkie-talkie from the Independent Regiment.

He accentuated his tone:

"But this walkie-talkie."

"There is nothing outstanding in technology, similar to the CR300 walkie-talkie produced by the military and Motorola."

"But we used tubes, capacitors, and other components that were removed from the inside, and replaced them with our own walkie-talkies that Motorola is testing."

"As a result, the walkie-talkie's communication distance has increased by 20 percent, and the battery life has increased by 50 percent."

"And according to the analysis of the only walkie-talkie that can be used in the experiment."

"In its full state, they weigh only 12 kilograms, and with a whip antenna, they have a communication distance of 20 kilometers, while our latest walkie-talkie weighs 16 kilograms. Using a whip antenna, the communication distance is eight kilometers. ”

"After using a loop antenna of more than twenty kilograms, the communication distance is forty-three kilometers, and even in bad thunderstorms, it can reach about eight to ten kilometers."

"But our own, even with reinforced antennas, in good weather, is only sixteen kilometers, which is inspired by their antennas, improving the results of the antennas."

"In harsh conditions, it's less than two kilometers."

"Under harsh conditions, it can communicate at a distance of eight kilometers?!"

The military personnel looked at him in shock.

A global war, although domestic conservatism prevails in the United States, does not include the military, whether it is the army or the navy, which has long been preparing for this war.

Whether it is the experience of the last great war, or the experience of other battlefields that are being fought, tell every general and soldier,

Communication is important!

It can even be said that in combat, the most important, there is almost no one.

Good communication means that the commander can keep track of the situation in the troops at all times, know the situation at the front, and thus make the most favorable and suitable decision.

more than double the communication distance gap,

In harsh environments, even three times or four times.

It is enough to decide the outcome of a part of the war.

"And according to intelligence."

"This..."

The technologist pointed to the broken walkie-talkie:

"It's their first generation."

"It is said that the gang in North China has been equipped to the second generation."

"Lighter, longer cruising time, lower failure rate, stronger communication range, and even extremely strong anti-snooping capabilities."

"Walkie-talkie radios at the company and platoon level require monitoring equipment at the group army level to effectively monitor, but they have not yet been verified."

What happened in the Northern Review, radio exchanges, and some intelligence also came to the United States.

"I'll report back to Mr. President."

Among the companions, a civilian said in a solemn tone.

He is the man of the secretary to the president.

Although I knew that there was a technological gap, I didn't expect that even the United States would have such a huge gap.

···

American Mint.

"Make this currency?"

The director looked at the currency in front of him, and then at the director of the company who was empty in his hand, was stunned, and asked:

"Where's the layout?"

"What about the technical data of ink and paper?"

To make a currency, you need three key elements, layout, ink, paper, technical information, all of which are indispensable, and of course, there is a very important one.

"What about the anti-counterfeiting specifications?"

The director asked suspiciously.

"Nope."

The man shook his head and said:

"None of them."

"Understood."

After glancing at the visitor, the factory director no longer asked, and nodded directly.

"Finish it as soon as possible."

"It's a very profitable business."

Someone came to remind.

"Understood."

"I will immediately organize the technical department to tackle the problem."

The director replied.

···

Tokyo.

Prime Minister Mitsumasa Mine's gaze was very solemn.

There is good news.

According to the report of the dispatched army, in North China, the Eighth Route Army no longer has the strength, and continues to expand its base area and seize the territory of the Locust Army.

Although the Eighth Route Army was still attacking roads and railways, and destroying transportation facilities on a large scale, resulting in serious losses in the locust army, the loss of territory was very small, and they were only sabotage, unable to occupy and control.

At present, the main operational purpose of the Eighth Route Army is to gradually consolidate the territory it has occupied, sweep the salient area, flatten the defensive line, and connect the entire base area.

But!

According to the General Staff Headquarters' analysis of the recent intelligence of the Eighth Route Army,

Although the weapons obtained by the Tsuchibachi Road are not many, especially light weapons, which are estimated to be only 10,000 people per month, in terms of artillery, it is somewhat unexpected.

It is equipped with a large number of 120 heavy mortars, and the estimated number is as many as more than 230 pieces, which is equivalent to more than 230 105 howitzers, and the shells are also very abundant.

Last month, when the fighting was fierce, it was estimated that the Eighth Route Army fired 120,000 rounds in battle.

It greatly compensates for the shortcomings of light weapons.

With the current strength of the North China Front, it is necessary to ensure the smooth flow of communication lines and ensure the suppression of a certain number of troops against the Jin Sui Army and the Central Army, and it wants to eliminate the Tuba Road.

Hardly possible.

General Staff Headquarters Simulation,

Even if the Southern Army mobilized troops and organized three divisions and three brigades, with a total of 120,000, comparable to the elite of the 11th Army's attack on the Taiyue Mountains, it could only repeat the mistakes of the 27th Division.

The weapons and equipment of the earth are seriously insufficient.

After all, most of the troops of the Tubalu, although they have all changed to new military uniforms, still use old-fashioned rifles, and the only ones that are popular in the whole army are only 60 mortars.

Only a small number, about thirty regiments, had the combat effectiveness of the same level as the Locust Army, or even more than the same level of the Locust Army.

Most of them are weaker than, if not far weaker, than the locusts,

But!

More than enough for defense.

There are more than one million militias in the three base areas of Taiyue, Taihang, and southern Hebei, and after more than two months of military training, they are directly led by personnel sent by the Eighth Route Army.

is the trickiest.

Their armament is insufficient.

Seriously insufficient.

But there will never be a shortage of food, and there will definitely be no shortage of funds, enough for them to mobilize millions of reserve soldiers to fight to the death against the locust army.

Under the cover of heavy artillery fire, it is difficult to give full play to the superiority of light weapons.

No matter how the staff headquarters of the base camp deduces, the 120,000 locust army has no chance of winning.

The ten-to-one troops, tenacious and tenacious morale, and abundant food and supplies mean that even if the 11th Army is really mobilized,

Perhaps the Eighth Route Army will suffer heavy losses.

But the locust army will definitely not be better, more than half of the losses are possible, or even two-thirds.

This kind of war of attrition, the locust army cannot afford it.

The Dirt Eight Road can be replenished quickly, and the group of people in North China is much stronger than the empire in terms of treatment technology, and the death rate of the wounded and the return rate is very high.

"Supplies!"

Mitsumasa Yonechi sighed.

Why can't the locust army deal with the Tubalu entrenched in North China?

Material!

Although the Tubalu is short of weapons, the locust army is also facing a serious shortage of military supplies.

The empire did not have enough production capacity, and there were also insufficient materials.

"Prime Minister."

At this time, the secretary ran in and gave Mitsumasa Minechi a document.

"Yo Si."

After reading the document, Mitsumasa Yonechi was overjoyed.

A new batch of more than 250,000 tons of scrap steel has been loaded from the United States, along with machine tools worth 100 million US dollars, 50,000 tons of oil, and 10,000 tons of finished fuel products.

and other necessary materials.

It has been 40 years, the daily treaty of commerce has not yet been broken, and with the impact of the international situation, the Japanese can still buy supplies from the United States.

With this batch of weapons and machinery, the empire can be stronger.

Mitsumasa Yonechi was overjoyed.

"They can also open up for purchase."

"But the Americans have raised the prices of many materials and equipment by a large margin, and we have no more funds."

The secretary reminded.

"Funds!"

Mitsumasa's joy disappeared suddenly.

Every month, through the sale of silver dollars, and by other means, the nearly eight million dollars of profits obtained from North China are indeed a lot, after all, this is the net profit after deducting the consumption of the North China Front itself every month.

Nearly $100 million in benefits a year.

But this time, the empire spent $100 million just on the purchase of machine tools and equipment.

It is equivalent to a surplus in North China for a year.

There are also 200,000 tons of scrap steel, a large amount of materials, other equipment, technology, etc., which is as high as 350 million US dollars.

For this purchase, the empire's foreign exchange has been consumed, and even a large amount of gold reserves have been put in.

In fact, the empire currently needs to import $1.2 billion a year of supplies and equipment from the United States to maintain industrial consumption.

Relying on the income of North China, it is a drop in the bucket.

"No wonder."

Mitsumasa Yonechi smiled bitterly.

No wonder Americans are so generous.

···

"Mr. President, why don't you just cut off the trade treaty?"

At the same time, the secretary asked curiously.

Isn't the plan intended to cut off the source of resources for the Japanese and force them to go south?

As a secretary, he naturally knows.

Now, however, the price of goods has only been partially raised, but it is open for purchase in full compliance with the (US) Daily Trade Treaty.

Franklin smiled and said:

"The Japanese are not yet at the limit."

"The Republic of China can also support it for a while."

Franklin smiled and said:

"The world can continue to consume for a while."

"We can also hold on to this time and develop technology."

Speaking of this, Mr. President's tone was a little solemn.

The technological gap that contributed to his decision was a large part of the factor.

He understands technology.

Twenty-five years of technology gap.

It's still basic technology.

The gap in basic technology is not something that can only be done in a few days by one or two factories, but a complete and huge industrial system is needed.

Not to mention twenty-five years.

So...

"We will continue to comply with the treaty of commerce in the future."

"As long as they give money, sell it."

"Of course, you can't sell weapons, we strictly adhere to neutrality."

Franklin said with a smile.

Greatly increase the price of materials, and good profits are used for technological research and development. (End of chapter)