Hindenburg and Ludendorff were left utterly astonished. They perhaps had never fathomed that the firepower of an infantry division could be so formidable. To them, such firepower seemed overwhelmingly powerful.
"Your Highness, must we truly proceed in this manner? If we reorganize according to your plan, the firepower of each infantry division will be significantly enhanced. I estimate that no other nation in the world could possibly rival us," Hindenburg remarked.
Previously, a German infantry division possessed 54 pieces of 77mm field artillery and 18 pieces of 105mm light howitzers. This was already considerable firepower across Europe, second only to the British with their 54 pieces of 83.8mm field guns and 18 pieces of 114mm howitzers. The French, by contrast, fielded merely 36 pieces of 75mm artillery in their infantry divisions. Although the 75mm had an astonishing rate of fire, its caliber disadvantage could not be compensated. As for the Russians, while each infantry division had 48 pieces of 76.2mm field guns, they held no advantages in either rate of fire or quantity.
Now, if the reorganizations proposed by QinTian were implemented, the firepower of the German infantry divisions would be overwhelmingly superior. Typically, 155mm heavy howitzers would not be included in the order of battle for infantry divisions. However, QinTian insisted on equipping the German infantry divisions with 18 pieces of such artillery, undoubtedly enhancing their firepower to a remarkable degree.
"To further elevate our army's combat effectiveness, the most direct approach is to augment the firepower of our forces. Artillery firepower is undoubtedly a crucial component of our military capability. Possessing formidable artillery enables us to project significant long-range strike capabilities, thus granting our troops a substantial advantage in combat," QinTian asserted.
"However, Your Highness, equipping so many artillery pieces will surely increase military expenditures significantly," Ludendorff cautioned.
Compared to previous infantry divisions, the newly reorganized divisions would each require an additional 18 pieces of 105mm light howitzers and 18 pieces of 155mm heavy howitzers. With ten infantry divisions in the 8th Army, this amounts to an extra 180 pieces of each type of howitzer. This represents a considerable expenditure, especially given their strained relations with little Moltke, making it nearly impossible to secure additional funding from the General Staff.
"Rest assured, this expenditure is inconsequential; I shall cover it personally. I know little Moltke will not grant us any increase in funds, so I have no desire to pursue the matter with him. Such a sum is trivial to me," QinTian said nonchalantly.
Hindenburg and Ludendorff nodded in agreement; indeed, for someone as wealthy as QinTian, the cost of several hundred artillery pieces was hardly a concern. Even accounting for the subsequent training expenses, it remained insignificant.
"Your Highness, with the addition of so many artillery pieces, our infantry divisions can truly achieve unrivaled firepower!" Hindenburg exclaimed.
"Certainly, that is my objective. Every life of a soldier in the German Empire is precious. Problems that can be resolved with artillery shells should never compel soldiers to risk their lives. If one shell isn't sufficient, then let it be ten or even a hundred. In comparison, preserving a soldier's life is of paramount importance," QinTian declared.
The future United States has long proclaimed a war with zero casualties. Although they have never succeeded in this claim, the ideology is worthy of consideration. QinTian recognized that even with enhanced firepower, casualties in warfare are inevitable. However, saving even one additional soldier's life accumulates over time, leading to a significant overall impact. He did not wish for a world war to claim half of Germany's young men; even a victory in such circumstances would be hollow, as the nation's development would suffer greatly.
Thus, QinTian aimed to minimize fatalities during the conflict.
This perspective garnered strong agreement from both Hindenburg and Ludendorff. Though seasoned veterans of the battlefield, they admired QinTian's willingness to invest heavily in preserving the lives of ordinary soldiers.
"In addition to enhancing artillery firepower, the newly reorganized infantry divisions have seen a substantial increase in machine gun firepower as well. Each infantry battalion will now feature 15 heavy machine guns (6 pieces of 12.7mm and 9 pieces of 7.62mm), along with 33 light machine guns. Furthermore, there will be 18 pieces of 60mm light mortars and 6 pieces of 81mm medium mortars. The firepower of frontline units has also been significantly bolstered," Ludendorff reported.
QinTian nodded. "With advancements in technology, the outdated formation of soldiers in ranks is no longer viable. The advent of machine guns has rendered such tactics equivalent to seeking death. I believe the next war is likely to devolve into trench warfare, with both sides digging trenches spanning hundreds of kilometers. Attempting to breach the enemy's trench defenses under their formidable machine gun fire will be nearly impossible, and the resulting casualties will undoubtedly be severe. Therefore, we must further strengthen the infantry's firepower while equipping as many mortars as possible to target enemies hiding in their trenches."
Hindenburg and Ludendorff found this assessment of future warfare as likely transitioning to trench combat quite agreeable. With continuous technological progress, the methods of combat are bound to change.
Additionally, another significant transformation is that the firepower of each infantry squad has been enhanced. Under QinTian's plan, each infantry squad will be equipped with a light machine gun, a sniper rifle, and a grenade launcher. The rifles used by the infantry will transition from the Mauser 1898 to the M1 semi-automatic rifle. Although the M1 has some disadvantages in long-range accuracy compared to the Mauser 1898, its faster rate of fire and greater firepower will greatly strengthen each infantry squad's capability. It can be said that a single infantry squad could hold its ground against two or three enemy squads without issue. Through superior firepower, the objective of achieving victory with fewer men can be realized.
QinTian firmly believed that in warfare, the most critical factor is not the weapons themselves but the soldiers wielding them. However, equipping elite soldiers with the finest weaponry undoubtedly enhances the combat effectiveness of the forces.