Chapter 481 Matching Performance
In order to strengthen Mozambique’s military power, Britain and France planned to let the Mozambique colony use local black people to form a military force. Although the Portuguese were reluctant, they had such expansion in East Africa. If there is a very strong political power on the side, that is acceptable.
The image of East Africa in southern Africa is almost the same as the image of Tsarist Russia in Europe. However, Tsarist Russia is a bit more advanced. Tsarist Russia is also like this in Asia, so Tsarist Russia’s international image is well known around the world. Yes, but East Africa at most has some sense of presence in southern Africa, but not in West and North Africa. For example, Egypt has a good impression of the East African government. Other countries generally don’t know about East Africa except for those subjugated regimes that were driven from East Africa to North Africa. existence.
Mozambique’s use of black people to form its army is actually in line with its national conditions. This tells us about the Portuguese colonial methods. Portuguese colonization is different from that of the British. The Portuguese cannot control their own crotch and cannot do it. As ruthless as the Anglo-Saxons are, the Mozambique colony, like Brazil, has a large number of mixed descendants whose father's line is Portuguese and whose mother's line is African natives.
These mixed-race descendants are an effective means for Portugal to still ensure control of its colonies even after its national power declines. After all, Portugal’s current national power is probably not much different from that of some small countries in East Asia. Ernst even doubted that Portugal is not Italy. Rivals of the Kingdom.
After being weakened by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Kingdom of Italy is now nestled in the northwest of the Apennine Peninsula, with several Italian islands attached, but its population and industry still exceed that of Portugal.
So if Mozambique chooses soldiers from black people, it will definitely choose from mixed descendants. There are more mixed descendants than pure Portuguese, and everyone jointly combats the interests of pure blacks, which are related to the Portuguese The mixed-race descendants were originally part of the colonial ruling class in Mozambique, but the top management was in the hands of Portuguese whites. If the mixed-race descendants had an army, this pattern might change, which is what Lyford was worried about.
March 1878.
South Salzburg Province.
While Britain, France and Mozambique were colluding together, the Kingdom of East Africa was tacitly preparing countermeasures. The two sides secretly started a military competition. Mozambique formed a black army, and East Africa was also forming a black army.
You heard me right, East Africa also plans to organize a military force composed of black people, but the purpose of forming a black army in East Africa is obviously different from Portugal.
While livestock were being used to replace black slaves in eastern East Africa, some of the replaced black people were transported by railway to South Salzburg Province in East Africa for regrouping and training on the east side of Lake Malawi.
When they saw the Germans actually firing their muskets at themselves, these black people felt a little incredible, because they knew that this "artifact" was the reason why the Germans were able to dominate them.
However, after obtaining the artifact, the black people still did not dare to resist the Germans. In the day-to-day oppression in East Africa, the fear built in the hearts of these black people could not be eliminated in a short time.
Of course, they are right. Even if they have the weapons provided by East Africa, they will not be able to change the world. There is no difference between having guns and no ammunition and burning fire sticks.
But later they actually went to the battlefield, and their mentality may be different after seeing blood. This was the case for black people in previous lives, especially in German East Africa. Under the leadership of the Germans, the black soldiers in German East Africa overcame their fear of white people. , which caused the British-Portuguese-Belgian (Belgian) coalition forces at that time to lose face.
This is also the problem that Mozambicans worry about when forming a black army. If modern weapons are used on black people, it is likely to break the impression that white people are invincible in black people's minds.
However, East Africa is not worried about this at all. This time, the black armed forces in East Africa are also disposable items. Once they are used up, East Africa will immediately arrange a ticket for them to go to the Americas. If they become a disaster in the future, they will not be found in East Africa. . Looking at the army of more than 5,000 black soldiers in front of me, it was really a swarm. They really looked like soldiers from African countries in their previous lives, except for one beret.
Ernst said with satisfaction: "It would be unreal if our army deliberately acted with the Portuguese, so in order to give the Portuguese the illusion of meeting their opponents, I think we It should be made more realistic, so the existence of the black army is necessary.”
The commander of the 111th Division, John Sebastian, stood aside and asked worriedly: "Your Highness, is this really no problem? I personally doubt the combat effectiveness of black people. If they become a flaw on the battlefield, What if we drag our regular troops into the water?"
Ernst: "What are you worried about? The Portuguese will definitely use black people to form their army. They don't have that many white people in their colonies. Even if they really spend a lot of money to mobilize troops from the mainland, the black servant army will definitely be indispensable, so are you afraid that there is no advantage in using black people against black people? "
There is really no advantage, because the equipment of the East African black army is there? It is worse than the equipment prepared by Portugal for black people. In order to form a black regiment, East Africa collected a large number of flintlock rifles used by militiamen, which are much worse than the Minie rifles and Enfield rifles used by Portugal.
This is not what Ernst could know, because at this time France and Britain were transporting these unsalable arms to Mozambique and Angola to equip black soldiers in warehouses, and it was impossible for East African intelligence personnel to know immediately and Send the news back to East Africa.
And even if he knew it, East Africa would still choose to equip the black army with outdated flintlock guns. Ernst just wanted the East African army to fight more ugly. This must not be done by the regular army, in case of acting. If it comes true, there is no place to cry, so it is better to let the black army complete this task.
Ernst: "Our army has been tempered by countless wars. Although the opponents are not very strong, the courage and quality of the army have been cultivated. It is no problem to deal with some European armies, so we want the army to defend Focusing on fighting Portugal may also make the Portuguese feel desperate. This is not what I want to see, so only by using the black legion to fight Portugal can the scene be played well. ”
John Sebas. Tian: "If this It’s true! I feel that the 111th Division alone can penetrate Mozambique. It may be difficult to capture it because there are not enough manpower, but it will be no problem to destroy the Mozambique plow several times.”
John Seba. Stian is aware of the strength of the Mozambican army in the past. To be honest, the combat effectiveness of the Mozambican army may be on the same level as the militias in East Africa, but there are too many militiamen in East Africa. Even using the militia to fight the Portuguese is a bit bullying.
Ernst: "So this time, the main force against the Portuguese is not you. Let the second-line troops and the black army be at the forefront. You are only responsible for following behind to stabilize the battle and avoid accidents."
The idea in East Africa is that the black army is at the front, the second-line troops are responsible for supervising the battle, and the elite troops are at the back to prevent overturning. This is a double-layer insurance. Unless the Portuguese can also summon the fireball technique, this configuration in East Africa is expected It's impossible to lose.
Ernst: "There will be more black people gathering later. This time we will organize 60,000 black troops first and see how the Portuguese cope."
Sixty thousand black troops, but the muskets can only supply 40,000 people. Use, this is still an antique found after rummaging through boxes and cabinets in East Africa. The remaining black people can only use cold weapons. It is impossible for East Africa to really give black people any good equipment, even the outdated Dreiser rifle.
(End of this chapter)