Red Moscow

  Chapter 538 New Tank Battalion (Part 1)

   "That's a good proposal." After recording again, Kalashnikov continued to ask the bottom line: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, there is one more person. Does the interior of the tank need to be rearranged?"

Seeing Kalashnikov immediately discovered the problem, Sokov couldn't help secretly admiring him: "The new model of T-34 tank should adopt a three-man turret, so that a gunner's turret can be added. Position, after the commander no longer serves as the gunner, he can concentrate on commanding, thereby improving the combat capability of the tank.”

"It's great, it's just great." Yakov couldn't help applauding repeatedly when he heard this, and he said with emotion: "After your improvement, the firepower of our tanks has been strengthened, and the combat effectiveness can also be improved. "

"Yakov, I think the new model of tanks needs to be more powerful on the battlefield, and there are still many things to improve." Sokov remembered a book he had read before, which mentioned about tanks. The problem of communication between them was mentioned by the way: "Nowadays, the connection between our army's tanks is all commanded by commanding tanks through semaphores. We all know that tanks are highly mobile, fast, and have a wide range of activities. , The distance between the front and back of the troops is also very long. On the battlefield filled with gunpowder, relying on semaphore to command tanks to fight, the tanks that are close to the distance are better, and the tanks that are far away can see clearly what information is being conveyed.

  I think that in order to truly command a mechanized unit to fight, each tank must be equipped with a vehicle-mounted radio, so that the entire armored unit can be organically coordinated, thereby doubling the combat efficiency. "

Both Yakov and Kalashnikov were lost in thought. They were carefully pondering what Sokov said, and felt that improving the existing T-34 tanks according to the method he proposed might really make the Combat efficiency is doubled.

After a long time, Kalashnikov took the lead and said: "It is a bit unrealistic to install a car radio for every tank. This will be a very long project, and it may take several years to complete. "

  Yakov also went on to say: "You have mentioned to me about the cooperation between Butan and Tank before, but now this tactic has not been promoted for a long time. I guess it is still related to communication."

"Comrade Major is right." When it came to tanks, Kalashnikov said a lot: "When fighting with infantry, communication between each other is a big problem. We are better, and we have something to inform Infantry, just open the hatch, lean out and shout a few times. The infantry can only contact us by knocking on the car body to attract our attention. If the battle is fierce, who will notice the sound of knocking on the car body outside. "

  Kalashnikov's words reminded Sokov that the first thing to be solved now is the problem of communication between infantry and tank soldiers. He remembered that he had read an online novel before crossing, which specifically mentioned the communication problem of Guobutan Synergy.

   Just as he was trying to recall the details in the book, he heard Yakov ask Kalashnikov: "Comrade Lieutenant, I want to ask you, have you ever taken the subway?"

   "Sit." Kalashnikov didn't know the reason for Yakov's question, and after giving an affirmative answer, he immediately asked: "Comrade Major, why are you asking this?"

"Since you have been on the subway, you should have seen the communication equipment at the door." Yakov explained to the other party: "After pressing one of the buttons, you can talk to the driver in front. If we use this communication equipment, Can it solve the communication problem when the tank is coordinated by copying it to the tank?"

"Major, your idea is good. However, I don't think it will be effective even if you copy it." After Kalashnikov objected, he explained to the other party: "The intercom device on the subway, if it is really Installed on a tank, the roar of tank engines and the sound of guns on the battlefield will make it difficult for tank soldiers to hear what infantry is saying."

   "That's right." After listening to Kalashnikov's words, Yakov showed a disappointed expression on his face: "It seems that we can only think of other ways to solve the contact problem of Butan Synergy."

"Yakov, the intercom device is not suitable. Can we install a telephone behind the tank? In this way, the infantry following the tank can communicate the situation on the battlefield to the The crew in the tank will give a briefing." Sokov has recalled some details of the book at this moment, so he said it in one breath, and then asked Kalashnikov: "Lieutenant Kalashnikov, what do you think of my proposal?" How about it?"

  Kalashnikov pondered for a moment, then gave Sokov a thumbs up: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, your plan is really great, I think it is feasible."

   "Lieutenant," Yakov saw that Sokov's proposal was approved by Kalashnikov, and asked tentatively, "Will it be difficult to install a phone on the tank?"

   "No, it is very convenient to install." Kalashnikov shook his head and said, "Even if it is a tank brigade, it will be installed in a week at most."

  Yakov heard that it only takes a week to install a telephone on the rear of a tank brigade, and he couldn't help but feel a little eager to try: "It's a pity that there are no ready-made tanks, otherwise you can try to modify them and see how it works."

"Tanks, yes!" Sokov continued: "More than 100 meters away from the factory building, there is an underground tank depot, in which there are more than 40 T-34 tanks parked, all of which have just rolled off the production line. Since it cannot be transported to the other side of the river for the time being, it can only be stored there temporarily."

"Oh, there are more than forty tanks." Yakov's eyes lit up when he heard Sokov say this, and he asked tentatively, "Don't you have tank soldiers in your brigade? They countercharged with tanks."

"I thought about that, but unfortunately I can't." Sokov replied with a wry smile: "These tanks have no ammunition. If it is only infantry that rushes up, we can go over and crush it. But if the German army has tanks, our drivers Party members can only bump into it bravely, otherwise they can only be used as targets."

   "It's a pity, it's a pity." Yakov said regretfully: "So many tanks are placed in the underground tank depot, but they can't be used for any purpose. It's a waste."

"It can't be said that it didn't come in handy." Sokov recounted the fact that he let the tank circle around the factory a few times, and finally said: "Our actions made the enemies who were about to attack here mistakenly think that they came here. At least one tank brigade did not dare to act rashly, so they could only send planes to bomb us indiscriminately, trying to destroy all the tanks of our army."

   Several people were talking when Zinchenko and Cousteau walked in from the outside. As soon as Zinchenko entered the door, he smiled and asked Sokov: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I heard that two commanders are here, so I came here to take a look."

"Comrade deputy factory director, let me introduce you." Sokov pointed to Yakov and said, "This is Major Yakov, from the Weapons and Equipment Department; this is Lieutenant Kalashnikov, the superior Sent here to assist you in tank modification work." After introducing Zinchenko, he introduced Zinchenko and Cousteau to Yakov.

"Hello, Comrade Deputy Factory Director." Yakov held Zinchenko's hand and said friendlyly: "Under such difficult conditions, your factory is still insisting on national defense production. It is really amazing. I represent weapons and equipment The Ministry expresses to you!"

"Comrade Major, you are too praised." Hearing Yakov's praise, Zinchenko said modestly: "This is all our job. Unfortunately, the recent German offensive is so fierce that our production has to be Temporarily suspended."

"Comrade deputy factory manager, I heard from Lieutenant Colonel Sokov that there are still more than 40 tanks stored in the nearby underground tank depot." Yakov asked with a smile: "I want to ask, can you help us?" Do these tanks provide the required ammunition?"

"Prepare ammunition for the tanks?" Hearing Yakov's question, Zinchenko couldn't help hesitating for a moment, and then explained to Yakov: "Comrade Major, these tanks are intended to be provided to other troops, and there is no order from the superior." , no one can use it casually."

   "Comrade Deputy Factory Director," Yakov said with a straight face, "If you allow these tanks to remain in the underground tank depot, if they are captured by the German army, what will happen? Have you considered?"

  Yakov's words made Zinchenko speechless, and he also knew very well that once the assembly workshop fell, the tanks parked in the underground tank depot might fall into the hands of the Germans. At that time, the Germans will use the tanks produced by the Soviets to fight the Soviet army, which is intolerable.

  Knowing the seriousness of the problem is one thing, but being able to implement it is another. Zinchenko hesitated for a long time, then said to Yakov cautiously: "Comrade Major, I need to ask the factory director for instructions on this matter immediately."

  Yakov is also a vigorous and decisive person. Hearing that Zinchenko planned to ask the factory director for instructions, he pointed to the phone on the table and asked, "Comrade deputy factory director, can this phone be used to contact the factory director?"

   "Yes." Zinchenko nodded.

   "Then use this phone to call the factory manager." Yakov ordered in an orderly tone: "I will sit here and wait for the factory manager's reply."

Zinchenko was somewhat displeased when he heard Yakov speak to him in an orderly tone, and turned to look at Sokov, hoping to get his support, but unexpectedly saw Sokov talking to Yakov accompanying him. With a smiling face, as if facing a superior leader. Seeing this situation, a thought popped into Zinchenko's mind: Could it be that this major's background is so great that Lieutenant Colonel Sokov wants to follow his wishes?

  Thinking about this, he didn't dare to neglect any longer, and quickly picked up the phone and called Peter's office. When he heard Peter's voice, Zinchenko hurriedly said, "Hello, Comrade Factory Manager, I'm Zinchenko."

   "Oh, it's the deputy factory director." Peter's voice sounded a little tired, as if he had just been woken up by the ringing of the phone: "Call me so late, what's the matter?"

   "It is like this," Zinchenko said cautiously: "A major came from the Armament Department, and he wanted us to issue ammunition for the tanks stored in the underground tank depot so that they can be used in battle."

"Absurd, it's simply ridiculous." Peter heard Zinchenko say this, and immediately said dissatisfied: "You are the deputy director of the factory, don't you know who those tanks are prepared for? Last time we let Soko Lieutenant Colonel Husband used it, which is considered a violation of the regulations. How can these tanks be allowed to participate in the battle? I will reiterate to you now that no one is allowed to use these tanks without the permission of the superior. Understand ?"

   "Understood, Comrade Factory Manager." Seeing Peter's refusal so straightforwardly, Zinchenko said with some embarrassment: "But, but..."

   "But what?" Seeing Zinchenko's hesitant speech, Peter guessed that he might have something to hide, so he asked tentatively, "Is Lieutenant Colonel Sokov beside you?"

   "Yes," Zinchenko replied with a quick glance at Sokov, nodding, "he's with me."

  Peter considered that the major who gave the order was from the Weapons and Equipment Department, and he might be a big shot, so he had to find out the identity of the other party. He then asked, "What's Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's opinion on this matter?"

   "He has no objection," Zinchenko replied curtly.

  Hearing Zinchenko's answer, Peter began to think carefully. Sokov did not object, which means that this major from the Weapons and Equipment Department has such a background that Lieutenant Colonel Sokov dared not raise objections. Thinking of this, he said into the microphone: "Comrade deputy factory director, since Lieutenant Colonel Sokov has no objection, then do as he said, replenish ammunition and fuel for these tanks as soon as possible... Wait a minute." Peter said Just halfway through the talk, I suddenly realized a serious problem. The workers in my factory may have no problem driving tanks, but if they are allowed to drive tanks to fight, this is a problem. Then I asked, "Can they find enough tanks?" hand?"

Zinchenko quickly covered the microphone with his hand, looked at Sokov and asked: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, the factory director asked me to ask you, if the tanks are delivered to you, can you find enough manpower to drive the tanks?" ?"

   "No problem." Sokov nodded and said, "There is a tank company in my brigade. As long as Factory Manager Peter is willing to provide us with those tanks, then I can find enough tankers."

"Comrade Director," Zinchenko reported to Peter after receiving a clear answer from Sokov: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov said that as long as you are willing to provide him with these tanks, he will be able to find a sufficient number of them." Tanker."

Knowing that Sokov could find enough tankers, Peter took a reassurance. He thought to himself: If Lieutenant Colonel Sokov can really make these tanks work, then there should be no problem in defending the factory. .

  (end of this chapter)