Chapter 114 Ethiopia

It seems that rubber boats are very suitable for use by the Marine Corps. The gasoline engines of these rubber boats are specially imported from Germany and then processed by tire factories.

The tire factory was not polite. After seeing the first rubber boat sample, its managers keenly saw the market prospects of this type of boat and made a request. They will do their best to ensure the production of the Marine Corps rubber boat. An assault boat that can meet the needs of the Marine Corps has been developed, but the patent for this rubber boat must belong to the tire factory.

In order to increase the safety of the rubber boat and avoid the serious consequences of a bullet sinking a rubber boat, these kayaks also use the design idea of ​​watertight compartments, with each air bag separated from each other.

Even if one of the air bags is punctured and deflated, the rubber boat can still float on the sea.

After seeing the ten rubber boats in the first wave, Constantine nodded. In any case, this Marine Corps, after several months of training, has begun to take shape.

"Is it capable of landing at night?" Constantine continued to watch the soldiers on the island with his binoculars, and at the same time asked the Marine commander beside him.

After no response for a long time, Constantine turned around and saw Cantoriotis with a stern expression.

"Your Highness, the Marine Corps has just been established a few months ago. Also, training at night is more difficult. Due to the limited field of vision, it is very easy for soldiers to fall into the water and drown."

"So, to date, the Marines have not conducted night training"

In fact, it was Contoriotis who had objections to night landings and this method of combat.

In this era when soldiers still basically rely on shouting to talk to each other, even large-scale landing operations are relatively rare.

Not to mention night landing operations.

Such complex tactical actions were indeed very difficult under the technical conditions of the late 19th century.

"Within two years, Colonel, this marine must have the ability to land at night, otherwise it will have no meaning in existence," Constantine said with a frown.

"Captain, I have high hopes for this Marine Corps. It may be of great use in the future. Do you think I asked your Navy to form a Marine Corps and endure the Army's opinions just for fun?"

"We can't adapt war to soldiers"

Contoriotis was silent for a moment and said: "Your Highness, with your high technical requirements, we must increase funding for this Marine Corps."

"Let's not talk about anything else. Food alone requires a lot of thought. For example, in order to prevent night blindness, some animal offal is added to the menu of Marine Corps soldiers."

The combat capabilities of this Marine Corps are crucial to the implementation of the Athena Plan currently being formulated by the General Staff. How can it be possible to skimp on some funds?

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On June 21, 1893, Constantine went to the Ministry of Defense building and met Prime Minister Trikoupis in front of the building. According to the Prime Minister, the Greek government had received a letter of clarification from the King of Ethiopia, condemning the uprising. Italy is despicable and shameless.

The two came to the conference room upstairs together. After the chief of general staff and the minister of armaments arrived, Trikupis explained to the three: "It is about the conflict between Ethiopia and Italy. "

"The general idea is that the two countries signed a treaty, and Italy tampered with the Italian version of the treaty, so that the original meaning of the treaty was modified, and Ethiopia became a protectorate of Italy."

"The Ethiopian emperor, Menelik II, was not an easy person. He directly announced the Ethiopian version of the treaty to clarify the misunderstanding."

When Constantine heard Trikupis talk about Ethiopia, the first thing that came to his mind was the country's unique religious paintings.

Generally, the religious paintings that people see are usually white people, such as Jesus or the Virgin, who all appear with the appearance of white Europeans.

Interestingly, the country of Ethiopia is different. Their religious paintings, such as the Virgin Mary or Jesus, all have black faces, which look very cute.

"No, it may be because we are both Orthodox Christian countries. In order to gain wider sympathy from the international community, we also specially learned a letter from the Greek government." Trikoupis held a letter in his hand and showed it to the three people. .

Although Ethiopia is not well-known, it is also an ancient country with a long history and a long history of Christianity.

In the fourth century AD, Christianity was established as the state religion of Ethiopia.

It can be said that this conversion date is earlier than that of most European countries.

As an African country, at the end of the 19th century, when all of Africa was carved up by European countries and turned into a colony, Ethiopia was able to survive and maintain its independent status. This was partly due to religious reasons.

After all, they are all Christian countries, and European countries should not go too far.

Of course, there are also some stubborn people who don't care about this, such as Italy.

"So, Ethiopia and Italy are openly at odds?" Constantine said.

"There is no way. Since the opening of the Suez Canal, the North African deserts that everyone looked down upon have now become popular," Emmanuel said.

To the north of Ethiopia is the Red Sea. After passing through the Suez Canal, European ships are the only way to the Indian Ocean.

As a late-developing country (unification was only completed in 1871), when Italy opened its eyes to the world, the fertile land in its colonies had long been carved up, and Ethiopia, the only independent country in Africa, entered Italy's field of vision.

"I came to the Ministry of Defense building to ask if we should take this opportunity to sell the old rifles that the troops have replaced," Trikupis said.

It seems that Prime Minister Trikupis intends to make trouble for Italy.

Yes, as a neighboring country (southern Italy is very close to Greece, separated by the narrow Adriatic Sea), if we don't hold back and bury mines, can we still be friendly neighbors?

Taking this opportunity, we can sell the old rifles that are not replaced to Ethiopia, killing two birds with one stone.

"Does Ethiopia like our old rifles?" Armament Minister Yannis interrupted.

As we all know, Ethiopia has connections with European countries. For example, the old rifles that the Greek Army has replaced are seriously outdated.

Ethiopia is not a bumpkin who has never seen the world. Can it like the weapons that are far behind the mainstream European weapons?

"I think it is entirely possible," Constantine said confidently.

"First, Ethiopia is not a wealthy country. Even if European countries completely ignore Italy and sell arms to it, can Ethiopia afford it?"

"Second, Italy and Ethiopia have already openly torn their faces apart. Ethiopia is in urgent need of weapons. If it follows the management of European countries, why not take the opportunity to raise the price and make a fortune?"

"Our old black powder rifles are at least better than swords and spears. If we sell them half-price and half-give them away, we can find military funds for the army and make trouble for Italy."