Chapter 338: Insubordination
Germany had set an example, which the world at large was now trying desperately to catch up to. And while Russia had led the charge in creating a more modern and functional tank prototype to compete against the Allied Powers and their Mk II, as well as the German Panzer I.
It was ultimately the Austro-Hungarians who had produced something rather exceptional. One that Bruno had not anticipated when the war broke out. In his past life, Austro-Hungary was a major power, but one that had more or less completely and utterly failed to "collectively get its shit together."
This was much in the same vein as the Russians. Whether it was the nonsense the existence of the Dual Monarchy caused related to logistical and military affairs. Or simply being cursed with some of the worst generals of the war. Austro-Hungary had been a major blight on Germany’s chances to win the war.
As the German Army had to more or less carry them to the finish line. But this was not the case in this life. Bruno’s initial contact with the Habsburgs, and having been bold enough to point out the major flaws which their military faced caused ten years of reforms across the entire nation.
Whether political, legal, economic, or military matters, Austro-Hungary had worked hard to prove itself as a real power in this world. Bruno had largely been oblivious to these facts due to his own supremacy on the global stage as well as his bias towards the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
But today he would be proved wrong, as he stood in complete and utter astonishment at Austro-Hungary’s first Tank Company, which they had managed to sneak into the alps without his notice.
The tanks in question were very similar in design to the Hungarian prototype 44m Tas tank. Which, despite being developed by a minor power during Bruno’s past life, as unironically one of the best designs of the war.
A pity it was never fielded in that life. But in this life, something one might say a miniature version was rolling past Bruno as the man damn near dropped his jaw in disbelief at what he was witnessing.
The hull was similar in overall dimensions to his Panzer I, and the turret was clearly making use of a 5cm main gun, much like the one on Bruno’s Panzers, but the shape of both the turret, and its hull, along with the positions of the tracks, wheels, et cetera most definitely was reminiscent of the 44M Tas Hungarian Medium Tank that in Bruno’s past life was meant to be the German Panther’s equal.
Hell, if this thing was made of Rolled Homogenous Armor instead of what was clearly welded plates of a similar thickness as his own armor, it would easily be an equal to the tanks he was fielding in this life.