Engineer and the Officers [Ashinara - Franerre]

[aimway921]

"We already have them in service as support for Carabineer cavalry," Sonya chimed in. "While we started out with just putting the machine guns on random carts, we eventually serialized their production, giving them a full wooden body and a metal frame with leaf spring suspension. A later model also experiments with rubber tire wheels, which results in a smoother ride, and as a result, faster target acquisition. The vehicle, however, needs to stop to be able to lay accurate fire, and the gun is pointed to the rear.

We experimented with tactics that could be used for them. So far we find that it best works for them to ride out on the flanks, turn around and open a crossfire at an enemy position, while in the center the main force charges to attack the enemy."

[callmedelta]

Jean-Paul nodded along to the Ashinaran’s words. Clearly, they’d thought through the idea. “If Franerre purchases any Maxims, they would likely be put on the Galatea and Bartels Lines first, but perhaps such wagons could find a place in the Franerri army eventually. I would like to see a demonstration if you have a wagon and team available, though I understand if you don’t.”

[aimway921]

"I believe we could get one quick," Sonya replied. She has called over one of the assisting soldiers and ordered him something. After saluting, the soldier ran off from the firing range. About 15 minutes later, the party could hear the trotting of hooves and rumble of wheels, as a simple wooden carriage drawn by 3 horses entered the range. Two other soldiers picked up the machine gun, and placed it on the rear of the carriage. The whole procedure took them about 2 minutes, from the moment the carriage stopped to the moment the gun was mounted and ready to shoot.

[callmedelta]

Jean-Paul strode up to the machine, inspecting it. He was surprised by how...unassuming it looked. It really was just a machine gun mounted on a wagon. Jean-Paul wasn't quite sure what he did expect, but even knowing the lengths the Ashinarans went to in engineering the wagon, it was hard to look past the rather silly exterior. "How fast can one of those wagons go?" he asked, "If this is meant to be a maneuverable weapon, that must be perhaps the most important factor."

[aimway921]

"As fast as the horses can take it," Sonya replied. "Which is... About 20-25 Miles per hour, depending on the terrain. If you notice the leaf springs the wheels sit on," she pointed towards the suspension - "they help out a bit to smooth the ride out, so that the cart doesn't bounce around as much and to minimize the loss of contact between the wheels and the ground - but nowhere near enough to be able to shoot - at least accurately - while moving."

[callmedelta]

"How about a demonstration, then?" Jean-Paul asked. He doubted the military would be interested in such a wagon unless it could be battle-tested, considering how expensive and experimental they are, but if the wagon performed poorly in this initial test, they military may not even wait for it to see the fire of battle.

[aimway921]

"Very well, then," Sonya replied. She then walked over to the soldiers manning the Tachanka, and gave them some orders. One has written down the orders, and asked Sonya to sign them, which she did, before jumping on a horse and departing. She then returned to Jean-Paul. "They'll need about 30 minutes to set up for a demonstration of using the Tachanka to overtake an entrenched position. Shall we get some refreshments in the mean time?"

About 5 minutes later, a small cart was the first one to arrive. Stopping by the covered area where the officers were waiting, the two soldiers quickly opened up the back door of the cart, and began unloading some drinks and quick snacks on the tables. A few minutes later, a second Tachanka has arrived. It's crew dismounted, and took out several red flags and a shovel. They were then joined by the crew of the first Tachanka, and they ran to the other side of the field to set up a simulated trench of an enemy formation - nothing more than a line of flags. When the 30 minutes were almost up, a unit of 50 infantry men has arrived, in full battle kit. As they the infantry and the tachankas got ready, having deployed in a battle line, with the Tachankas on the flanks. Of course, a real battle would involve more than 50 infantrymen, and more than just 2 Tachankas. But this wasn't a real battle.

"Well, it looks like they're ready," Sonya said. "I believe we shall have a better view up there." She motioned towards a tower. Grabbing a pair of binoculars, and handed one to Jean Paul, as they ascended the tower, reaching the observation deck rather quickly. Then Sonya blew a whistle, and the soldiers below sprung to action.

The infantry fixed bayonets, and sallied out of their starting off position. Within a few seconds, one of the ranks stopped, took aim and fired off a volley towards the simulated enemy line. As soon as the first volley sounded, the Tachankas sprung forward. Meanwhile, another rank of the infantry battle line took aim and fired, while the first one reloaded. Once that happened, the first rank reloaded and began to move forward, as the third rank repeated the volley. Like that, with the technique of the soldiers covering each other while they advanced, they slowly moved forward. Although in reality, it was not eachother they were giving cover to - it was the Tachankas. They, in the meantime, raced forwards and a bit outwards towards the flanks. As they reached about halfway to the simulated enemy line, they made a sharp stop and turnaround - guns now bearing at the enemy line. A couple seconds of taking aim later, the machine guns rattled to life, peppering the flags, their poles and the ground around them in hundreds of rounds per minute. If there were real enemy soldiers there, instinct would force them to duck for cover, and thus rendering them unable to shoot back. As soon as that happened, the infantry stopped their meticulous advance. An officer raised his sword in the air, shouted a command, and with a loud battle cry, the infantry charged in a full sprint at the enemy line. Once the soldiers got close enough to risk being clipped with friendly fire from the Tachankas, the machine guns first moved their aim at the flanks of the line being attacked, before stopping their fire. As they did that, they immediately began retreating to their starting off position. The infantry, meanwhile, began firing several volleys just 50 yards out of their destination, before performing a final bayonet charge, reaching the flags and knocking them down. A melee fight would've taken place in a real battle, and it would be now up to the infantry to finish it, but the Tachankas have completed their objective, their whole purpose - provide covering fire for the charge, allowing to minimize the losses among the infantry while they are getting close enough to fight the enemy. To ensure those who die do so in battle, not on their way to it. With that, the demonstration was over, and Sonya blew the whistle again, letting the soldiers involved know that they can rest now. As every step of the action was happening, Sonya was explaining what the troops are doing, the purpose behind their tactics, to Jean Paul.

"Well, Jean Paul? What do you think?"

[callmedelta]

Jean-Paul had to admit, even knowing how demonstrations rarely meant anything when compared to real battlefield experience, he found his opinions on the device turning around. Such a maneuver would be impossible with the lumbering Gatlings, or even trying to push the Maxims along the ground by hand. It was a real display of professionalism, and it had immense potential to save the lives of soldiers. That wasn't to say that Jean didn't still have a few criticisms of the Tachanka, however. "What would happen if the enemy in that trench line were able to knock out the gunner on a Tachanka?" he asked. "Sure, it would take a real soldier to try and pop their head up for a shot under that kind of fire, but the gunners on the Tachanka seem very vulnerable, especially to being blindsided. Is there anyway to make some sort of shielding, while not being too demanding on the horses or the frame?"