Chapter 756: Anti-Tank Guns
Manstein handed Erwin a cup of hot coffee and stood silently by his side, waiting. He wanted Erwin to sober up before getting to the point.
But Erwin waved his hand carelessly while sipping the coffee. "I can still think, Colonel. Go ahead, I'm listening."
Manstein raised an eyebrow. This country bumpkin from Heidenheim—if it weren't for the fact that you've fought Charles and have real combat experience, I wouldn't even bother with you.
"Your strategy against Charles was wrong, General," Manstein said, his tone laced with the cold arrogance typical of nobility.
Erwin smiled faintly. "A strategic error? And by that, you mean...?"
"You were trying to mimic Charles's tactics," Manstein replied curtly.
"Yes, I have indeed been studying Charles's tactics," Erwin admitted candidly. "But I don't think that's a mistake."
Raising his head to meet Manstein's eyes, he added, "No one understands tanks better than he does, nor tactics—certainly not you, Colonel. So put your arrogance away."
If this guy dared claim he was better than Charles, I'd throw him out on the spot.
However, Manstein replied calmly, "Yes, you're right."
That caught Erwin off guard. He looked at Manstein in confusion—didn't he realize he was contradicting himself?
Manstein took his time and explained,
"I have no doubt Charles is an excellent strategist and tactician. He invented tanks, understands them deeply, and is unmatched in employing them."
"But what I'm saying is this: learning his tactics won't help you defeat him, General."
"Charles's tactics were developed to counter infantry, trenches, and to execute breakthroughs. And yet, you've tried to use those same tactics against Charles's armored units."
Suddenly, Erwin realized the arrogant bastard might have a point.
Until now, he had assumed Charles's tactics were universally correct. So he buried himself in studying them and applied them on the battlefield—without ever questioning their intended use.
With Manstein's reminder and in light of past battles, it all started to make sense.
Manstein pulled a file from his briefcase and handed it to Erwin.
"Your breakthrough at Antwerp only succeeded initially because your opponent was infantry."
"Same with the operation at Dunkirk."
"But Charles never confronted you head-on like you wanted. Instead, he always bypassed you from the rear—and won. Every time."
"This doesn't mean you fought poorly. It means your strategic direction was completely wrong—a serious mistake."
He paused before adding, "Ironically, it was the battle you consider a crushing defeat—the one in the Truk Forest—that had the correct strategic objective. That was your closest chance at beating Charles."
Erwin chuckled bitterly. "So you're telling me the First Armored Division being nearly wiped out was a success?"
"That wasn't your fault, General," Manstein replied, showing no deference despite Erwin's higher rank. He took a seat across from him and drank his own coffee. "No one could have predicted Charles would invent incendiary bombs. That's what changed the outcome—not anything you could have foreseen."
"Nice of you to try and comfort me, Colonel," Erwin said with a faint smile. "Thanks."
The words were polite, but his tone betrayed a hint of rejection. He too couldn't stand the pretentious manners of aristocratic officers.
"You misunderstand me, General," Manstein replied indifferently. "This isn't comfort—I'm telling you how to defeat Charles."
"I see," Erwin interrupted him. "You mean I need to confront Charles's armored units directly?"
"Yes," Manstein nodded, silently impressed.
Such quick comprehension—rare in officers without elite military education. A natural talent, he thought.
No wonder you've been able to challenge Charles.
Manstein took another elegant sip of coffee and continued. "If we can intercept Charles's armored forces, he won't be able to break through our infantry, our lines, or our trenches. That's our best chance at victory."
"Easier said than done, Colonel," Erwin objected. "You should understand how difficult that is."
He didn't spell it out, but this was a test. If Manstein didn't know the answer, it meant he didn't understand Charles's tactics and had no right to criticize Erwin.
A faint, nearly imperceptible smile tugged at Manstein's lips.
"Of course, General."
"The problem is that Charles's breakthroughs don't follow a set path. He can change direction or objectives at any moment."
"And his forces are fast. Plus, with air superiority, he always knows our troop movements."
"Trying to cut him off is almost impossible."
As he put down his coffee, Manstein met Erwin's gaze. "Does that answer satisfy you, General?"
Erwin looked at him in surprise.
This man was insufferable, but clearly competent—not like those other aristocratic officers who only looked good on paper.
"So," Erwin asked, "you understand all this, and yet you still want to intercept Charles's forces?"
He found it unwise.
The last time they managed to intercept Charles's units in the Truk Forest, it was only because the First Armored Division happened to be retreating by train. Otherwise, they wouldn't have made it in time.
Even worse, Charles burned everything afterward.
Manstein didn't respond right away. He reached for his briefcase and produced another document, handing it to Erwin.
Erwin flipped through it. "What is this?"
"Anti-tank guns, General," Manstein replied. "They're highly mobile, quick to deploy, and—more importantly—they can penetrate about 15mm of armor at 500 meters, and 25mm at 300 meters."
(The image shows the German TAK1918 model 37mm anti-tank gun, introduced in 1918—the first-generation German anti-tank weapon. Weighing only 175kg, it could be manhandled, and its wheels could be removed for concealment.)
Erwin was shocked by the specs. "Fifteen millimeters at 500 meters, and twenty-five at 300?"
That meant at 500 meters it could pierce the Charles A1's side armor, and at 300 meters even its front armor.
At such distances, the Charles A1 likely wouldn't even see its enemy.
Manstein nodded confidently.
"We can use it to form rapid response units to pursue and intercept, buying time for our main forces."
"We can also use it in coordination with our tanks."
"Or assign them to infantry to enhance anti-armor capabilities."
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