"Your Majesty, without a doubt, this is an exceptionally fine machine gun. It far surpasses our current MG08 heavy machine gun. Not only does it boast a higher rate of fire, but it is also significantly lighter, making it more suitable for accompanying troops in combat," remarked von Falkenhayn to Wilhelm II.
The Emperor nodded in agreement, recognizing that the weight of the MG08 had long been a source of dissatisfaction among the troops. Weighing over sixty kilograms, it required two men to transport, thus limiting its use to fixed positions on the battlefield. In contrast, the universal machine gun, weighing only twenty kilograms, was undoubtedly more practical.
Most of the other generals also nodded in affirmation, acknowledging that the universal machine gun indeed exhibited superior performance compared to the MG08.
However, General von Moltke, the Chief of the General Staff of the German Army, remained silent, seemingly unimpressed by the performance of the universal machine gun produced by the Deutsche Waffen company.
In reality, Moltke was equally astonished but feigned composure to mask his true feelings.
"How is this possible? In such a short time, the Deutsche Waffen company has developed such an outstanding product. At this rate, how can Mauser and Rheinmetall compete? Oscar's influence is bound to expand further," Moltke pondered anxiously. His relationships with both Mauser and Rheinmetall were strong, and he naturally did not wish for the Deutsche Waffen company to encroach upon their market share. Moreover, he was acutely aware that should Qin Tian gain even more power, his own position as Chief of Staff could be at risk. For his own interests, he felt compelled to thwart Qin Tian's attempts to expand his influence within the army.
Even though these weapons were excellent and would significantly enhance the combat effectiveness of the German army, enabling it to achieve greater victories with minimal costs in future wars, Moltke would turn a blind eye to this for his own benefit.
At that moment, he had yet to devise a strategy to counter Qin Tian, which is why he remained silent.
Following the universal machine gun demonstration, the performance of the squad automatic weapon was next. Lighter than the MG09, the squad automatic weapon, designated MG10, had a lower rate of fire and effective range, but it was designed for individual soldier use.
"Tat-tat-tat!" The five MG10 squad automatic weapons commenced firing, emptying a magazine of thirty rounds in an instant. The gunners swiftly changed magazines and continued firing, repeating this process until all five magazines had been exhausted.
"Gentlemen, this is the second machine gun developed by the Deutsche Waffen company, which we call the squad automatic weapon. As the name suggests, it is intended for use by each infantry squad. Weighing only 9.5 kilograms, it is remarkably portable and can be easily carried by a single soldier. Utilizing magazine-fed ammunition, it has a firing rate of 500 rounds per minute, with a maximum range of 1,500 meters," Gustav Krupp elaborated.
"Equipping every infantry squad with a machine gun? My God! That is simply outrageous! Imagine the sheer firepower our infantry will possess!" General Waldsee, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, exclaimed in astonishment.
Other army generals shared similar sentiments. The German army already boasted formidable firepower, ranking among the best in the world. However, equipping each infantry squad with a machine gun would further enhance their firepower, establishing an overwhelming advantage over the armies of other nations.
Following the MG10 demonstration, the M1 semi-automatic rifle and M2 sniper rifle were showcased.
The M1 semi-automatic rifle achieved a firing rate double that of the existing Mauser rifle. This meant that a soldier armed with the M1 could deliver the firepower of two soldiers. Although its effective range and accuracy were slightly inferior to the Mauser 1898, this was not a significant issue on the battlefield. What truly mattered during intense combat was maintaining a powerful output of fire.
The M2 sniper rifle was specifically designed with a scope, transforming trained marksmen into nightmares for the enemy on the battlefield. Qin Tian was acutely aware of the tremendous impact a skilled sniper team could have, especially in urban warfare.
After witnessing the performances of these firearms from the Deutsche Waffen company, Wilhelm II was exceedingly pleased. There was no doubt that these weapons far surpassed those currently in the German army's arsenal or yet to be adopted. Equipping the German army with these innovations would undoubtedly bolster their combat effectiveness.
"Oscar, splendid work. The firearms you have developed are remarkable," Wilhelm II commended Qin Tian for his achievements.
"Father, this is merely the beginning. In addition to these firearms, we have two more weapons that require your evaluation," Qin Tian replied.
"Very well, let us proceed!" Wilhelm II nodded.
Next up was the demonstration of mortars, featuring three different calibers in succession. The entire range reverberated with the sounds of artillery fire.
Mortars had already emerged during the Russo-Japanese War, yet they had not garnered significant attention. To showcase their capabilities, Qin Tian instructed that the mortars target dug-in positions during their demonstrations. Many generals were taken aback by the performance of these mortars.
Clearly, this artillery, capable of indirect fire, posed a lethal threat to enemies hiding in trenches. It could also deliver precise strikes against machine gun nests and bunkers, making its battlefield impact substantial.
Following the mortars was the grenade launcher. This lightweight artillery, easily carried by infantry, left the army generals utterly astounded. While its firepower and range were modest, it was more than adequate for infantry use. After all, infantry engagements typically occurred within ranges of one or two hundred meters, or even less. The grenade launcher's range was sufficient to cover these distances.
"Father, esteemed generals, these weapons have been meticulously designed by the Deutsche Waffen company for the infantry. It is especially crucial that these weapons be issued to every infantry squad and platoon. Once our forces are equipped with these arms, our infantry will gain an overwhelming advantage over the enemy!" Qin Tian stated confidently.