afterglow

Chapter 419: Is this uranium mine data false?China Pass

"But now that we have set up our stance and drawn the bow, we can't just stop." Zhou Changfeng replied.

Zhu Lingjing said "hmm" and said, "The army is ready to go. We will just sit back and watch the situation change."

The war was full of uncertainties. Even the Nanyang Campaign, which had been prepared for many years and was like a lion fighting a rabbit, also had many unexpected omissions - but in the face of absolute strength, these omissions were quickly filled and skipped.

She was inevitably worried that a similar situation would happen in the future. At the same time, the combat effectiveness of the US and Australian armies was not comparable to that of the British and Dutch colonial armies. The Ming army was also conducting a cross-oceanic expedition. I am afraid that small oversights would be magnified many times. .

Next, Zhou Changfeng detailed what he saw in Yanjing to Zhu Lingjing.

"I have already said that it seems stingy and timid to have to consider the expenditure of manpower and material resources for such a major military matter." The latter said disdainfully: "You should have followed what I said last time, and the two roads should go hand in hand."

In the past, she didn't know how expensive firewood and rice were when she was not a householder, but now she has long understood that the court's expenses are extremely difficult.

However, it is one thing to do everything possible to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, but it is another thing to do things that involve the security of the country.

"Your Majesty, I think we should inquire where there are ready-made ores. The higher the grade, the better. The collision method requires a lot of raw materials. The higher the uranium content of the ore, the later purification can save a lot of trouble."

Zhu Lingjing remained calm and just turned sideways to open a drawer of the cabinet next to her and took out a question book.

"The report submitted by the Research and Development Council, two volumes and twelve pages, please take a look."

To be honest, Zhou Changfeng wanted to laugh a little when he saw the "Special Crops Research and Development Meeting" written on the cover of this document.

Compared with the "Tubular Alloy Council" that coordinated all affairs in the British nuclear program in history, the name of the organizational structure of the Ming Dynasty nuclear program is not so strange, but it makes people laugh.

This report lists the known and developed uranium deposits in the world today, as well as the locations of warehouses storing uranium ore in various countries.

In the past, people did not know the value of uranium ore. Uranium ore was often mined just to find radium ore. At that time, various radium-containing products were popular around the world.

For example, there are more than 1000 tons of uranium ore stored in Berlin. People thought it was useless and was a pity to throw away, so they stored it in the warehouse casually.

Zhou Changfeng saw a mining area in the Belgian Congo in Africa in the second volume of documents, and the report indicated that there was quite abundant uranium ore there.

The Congo is now under the rule of Belgium. When the Belgian tyrant Leopold II was in power, he enslaved the locals with bloody and cruel methods-as long as the rubber harvest quota of the plantations does not meet the quota, then regardless of Sanqi21 His hand will be chopped off.

More than [-] years ago, the Belgian Consolidated Mining Company conducted experimental mining in Hinkolobwe and discovered an abnormally high content of uranium ore. However, people were not interested in these useless gadgets and only concentrated on searching for radium ore.

"Your Majesty, is this data wrong?"

Looking at the report that said "the average content of uranium oxide is [-]%, with a peak value of [-]%", Zhou Changfeng subconsciously felt that this was unreliable.

Zhu Lingjing, who looked calm, picked up the teacup and shook it, "It is indeed bizarre, but the writer of the R&D Association said that the summary of the facts is indeed true."

Hinkolobwe is a world-famous uranium mine, and it can be called a freak of nature, because uranium ore with higher purity than here cannot be found anywhere in the world.

For example, the Eldorado uranium ore in Canada has a content of about 1%, which is not bad. You must know that the content of many uranium ores is only 0.3%.

However, the uranium ore in Hinkolobwe has an exaggerated 60% content, and even the average grade uranium contains about 20%.

Historically, the Americans purchased 1200 tons of uranium ore from here in [-] and shipped it to Staten Island, New York, as raw material for the Manhattan Project. Later, they specially dispatched engineering troops to take over the Hinkolobwe mine for secondary development.

"If this is true, it's too outrageous." Zhou Changfeng was shocked that there was such a magical place in the world.

"I have ordered them to confirm again. If it is confirmed, then..."

"Then we really have to find a way to get a few ships back...but it seems that we can't get through. The British are still blocking Indu."

Zhou Changfeng, who was particularly excited, took over Zhu Lingjing's words, and the latter couldn't help but curl her lips.

The Ming Dynasty and Britain are still in a state of war. The submarine force deployed by the Ming Dynasty in Xingzhou is constantly rotating attacks and has now sunk 20 tons of merchant ships.

Correspondingly, the Royal Navy stationed in Ceylon and Diego Garcia will not let go of any merchant ships from the Ming Dynasty, North Korea, Annan, and Lanfang passing by.

The cutting off of sea routes did not affect the resources of the Ming Dynasty. Nowadays, the tribute circle can easily achieve self-sufficiency, and the transaction of a small number of high-end machinery and equipment can also be completed through land railways.

"After the last peace talk broke up, the British did not give up." Zhu Lingjing took a sip of herbal tea and said calmly: "Especially after the German submarines ran rampant in the Atlantic Ocean, the British were more willing to cease war with our country and North Korea... At least a temporary truce.”

Merchant ships loaded with cotton, manganese ore, and bauxite produced in Indus were first attacked by Ming army submarines after leaving the port, and then were attacked again by German submarines when they arrived in the Atlantic Ocean. You can imagine the headaches the British had.

"So what your Majesty means is that we take advantage of the temporary truce to send a ship to the Congo to buy a few ships of ore?" Zhou Changfeng asked thoughtfully.

"That's generally true, but if you want to be more subtle, you have to plan carefully."

"Then we must hurry up with this plan. After other powers realize that the phenomenon of nuclear fission can be militarized, they will definitely pay attention to Xinkolobwe."

Zhou Changfeng remembered that the nuclear programs of Germany and Britain started very early in history. It seemed that they were initially launched in [-], but progress was slow due to the degree of emphasis.

But no matter what, there are hidden dangers. As long as the British government knows the importance of uranium mines, it will be impossible for Ming Dynasty to make a fuss about Xinkolobwe.

Before that, a few ships were shipped back in an honest manner, and the British would regret keeping them later.

In addition, Zhou Changfeng also truthfully informed the emperor of the urging and pressure on the scholars involved in the Golden Crow Project.

"There is no such statement. I am still waiting patiently. Are they more anxious than me?" Zhu Lingjing was not polite and said in a nonchalant manner: "In the future, R&D will only serve as a resource planning department to coordinate manpower and material resources. Wait. There is no need for someone to point fingers at things, the actual progress and results are reported directly to the emperor.”

After saying that, she picked up a blank booklet, picked up the pen and wrote two lines, and finally picked up the seal and struck a bright red square seal.

Look, that's right. It's better for professional departments not to involve non-technocrats.

"Okay, okay, Your Majesty is so wise and decisive, I will leave first." The satisfied Zhou Changfeng immediately resigned and left Zhaoren Palace quickly.

Although the ups and downs of the Doomsday Miracle Weapon have not been resolved, the resistance to overcoming the ups and downs has been reduced. Now all we have to do is wait patiently for the final results.

Because he is busy with official duties recently, Zhou Changfeng can only spare some time every few days to visit the base of the [-]st Marine Brigade.

Now, as the main participating troops are gathering in Sanya, Guangzhou, and Fuzhou, the First Marine Brigade is about to set off.

For soldiers who have experienced war first-hand, the cruelty of battle is a horrific past that many cannot bear to look back on, and it is common to fear going into battle again.

And those soldiers who remained silent were often numb, with empty eyes like fighting machines that had lost their souls.

However, the atmosphere at the [-]st Marine Brigade station is quite relaxed. Writing letters, getting haircuts, having dinners and chatting, playing cards and smoking... It can also reflect that this is a battle-hardened force.

At best, they are a leisurely and professional army; at worst, they are a group of experienced veterans.

After walking around for a while, Zhou Changfeng put his hands on his hips and said with a smile: "I thought the war briefing had been sent to the squad, but you are still so calm."

Detailed and accurate intelligence is the key to defeating the enemy. The General Staff Office and the Ministry of War often jointly write and publish some pamphlets to facilitate soldiers to understand the details of the enemy.

The First Marine Brigade is responsible for executing the invasion plan of Australia with the Australian Corps, and the Second Marine Brigade serves as the vanguard of the siege of the Philippines; the remaining Marine Brigades are on standby in Hangzhou and Dagu, and may be used to attack Micronesia. Truk Islands.

Therefore, the [-]st Marine Brigade received pamphlets such as "A Brief Introduction to Australian Topography and Landforms", "A Brief Introduction to Australian Cities and Towns", and "A Summary of the Facts of the US-Australia Allied Forces".

Considering that the magical continent of Australia has many strange and poisonous insects, the Ming Army's medical and medical units also specially discussed how to better deal with them.

To be fair, Zhou Changfeng was not as optimistic and relaxed as the officers and soldiers.

Perhaps it's because everyone has been so victorious in a series of battles that they have a high degree of psychological confidence. I hope they won't suffer because of taking it lightly.

After arriving at the brigade headquarters, Zhao Hanfeng routinely reported the main intelligence to Zhou.

"At present, the establishment of the US infantry division is relatively large, with a full complement of up to 5000 people, and the division-level artillery configuration is quite powerful."

"The known weapons of the US 41st Division and the US [-]th Division are not significantly different from those of our army. The firepower of the infantry detachments is still inferior, and most of the equipment is old-style."

"The Eighth Division of the United States is currently headed by Joseph Stilwell, who graduated from West Point Military Academy, participated in the European War, and was promoted to the rank of brigadier general three months ago..."

Aha?This name... met a historical celebrity again?
Zhou Changfeng, who was somewhat curious, asked: "Do you have any information about this division commander? Why was he transferred to the division commander just after being promoted to brigadier general?"

"Yes." Zhao Hanfeng nodded, thinking briefly and organizing his words, "This person served as military attache of the legation in the Ming Dynasty in the 26th year of Zhichang. He served for a total of five years, and then served for another year in the 34th year of Zhichang. Our army pacified Japan. At that time, the U.S. military observation team was under his command."

Zhu Lizhuo said "tsk", "This person knows a lot about us, no wonder."

"Indeed, he knows our country's national conditions very well. Americans call him a China expert. This is probably why the top leaders of the United States instructed him to transfer to division commander." Zhao Hanfeng said.

Joseph Stilwell was transferred to the commander of the 4th Brigade of the 8th Division at the beginning of this year. However, just over half a year later, he was ordered to be transferred to the commander of the newly rebuilt 8th Infantry Division.

At this time, Yao Liangchuan reminded: "In the past 20 years, the United States and our country have been similar to each other and have not experienced the flames of war. However, according to the German evaluation, its combat power cannot be underestimated no matter what."

During the European War, some German officers recorded in their diaries their evaluations of the battle between the British, French and American armies. The morale of the American soldiers was at least affirmed by the Germans.

"There were Americans resisting in every trench, and they kept fighting even when they were surrounded. We only captured six prisoners of war, and the others were shot dead."

"The Americans use all weapons to fight to the death. In close combat, they are cunning and cunning, and they are the most dangerous enemy... (Storm) commando officers and soldiers believe that dealing with the Americans requires the use of large amounts of explosives and flamethrowers."

As for the Australian army, its morale and combat effectiveness are first-rate among the Commonwealth armies. Perhaps it is because they are blessed with genetic talents?

"Soldiers' self-confidence and contempt are difficult to change through our admonitions and reminders, but officers are different. All officers must treat the enemy's situation with caution. I put these words here. Any officer who causes losses by underestimating the enemy will never take it lightly. Rao. Remember, one thing is going down, the other is going up, we are on an expedition to the enemy’s homeland.”

"Yes." All the officers at the brigade headquarters clasped their fists and saluted.

As for the situation of the US military's weapons and equipment, due to insufficient war accuracy, the federal government ordered the reconstruction of so many infantry divisions in one fell swoop. Naturally, there is no guarantee that all of them will be equipped with new weapons.

First, the Marine Corps is the lowest priority and can be ignored.

Next is the Army. On the one hand, Europe is the imaginary combat area, and on the other hand, it has to deal with the Ming army in the Asia-Pacific region.

Because the Army Department believed that the United States would soon launch a war against Germany, it prioritized the distribution of brand-new M1 steel helmets, M1 Garand semi-automatic rifles, and M2 medium tanks to those troops scheduled to be deployed to Europe.

Therefore, the 41st Division and the 8th Division who came to Australia were undoubtedly very hard-wearing the same Tommy helmets as the British army, holding Springfield bolt-action rifles, and carrying field backpacks made more than 20 years ago.

It can be said that they used the weapons and equipment of their fathers to fight the Ming army across the vast Pacific. The only thing that can comfort themselves is that the artillery is not bad. The M2 105mm howitzer and the M7918 155mm howitzer are both excellent.

The M2 medium tank is a tank that has just been put into service - a thing that the Americans thought up blindly. It was poorly designed and fell behind when it was born.

The vehicle is tall and has a total of 6 members. The front armor is 32mm thick. The main weapon is a 37mm tank gun, and the secondary weapons are as many as 7 machine guns.

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Nowadays, German companies are already mass-producing the Type III E equipped with a 50mm tank gun and 40mm frontal armor. Even the VK4501 heavy-duty breakthrough tank project has been officially approved.

Thump thump thump—the tiger is coming!

The Ming Dynasty has also begun mass production of the Type [-] medium tank Type A. Although there is still no conclusion on whether the next generation tank should be developed now, it is still on the agenda.

According to this progress, I am afraid it will take a long time before the Ming army encounters the Sherman crisis.

(End of this chapter)