Red Moscow

  Chapter 697 Tank Prototype (Part 2)

   "Colonel Sokov!" Peter was also very happy when he learned that the prototype tank he sent actually helped Sokov and the others repel the German attack: "It is my honor to help you!"

   "Comrade Director," the power of the new tank gave Sokov a new idea, and he tentatively asked Peter: "I don't know if this new tank can be mass-produced?"

   "I'm afraid it won't work."

"why?"

"Colonel Sokov, you should know that our country had two tank production bases before the war, one was the Kirov factory in Leningrad, and the other was the Kharkov Machinery Factory." Peter explained to Sokov : "After the outbreak of the war, the technicians and workers transferred from Kharkov entered our factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory respectively. At that time, we started to produce tanks. Since the superiors put most of the technical force into It is concentrated in the Dzerzhinsky factory, so our factory is much weaker in terms of tank manufacturing.

  The hexagonal turret of this new T-34 tank adopts a casting process. If we only make prototypes, we can barely complete the task. But when it comes to mass production, sorry, Comrade Colonel, I can only tell you that there is nothing we can do. "

Knowing that Peter could not provide him with more new tanks, Sokov felt very disappointed. He only had one tank in his hand. There are still many, and there is still the possibility of being destroyed. In order to avoid such a situation, he asked unwillingly: "Comrade factory director, even if we can't provide us with new tanks, can you give us a few old tanks?"

  If Sokov made this request in normal times, Peter would definitely refuse it without hesitation. But at this moment, he was very worried that the troops defending the family area would not be able to stop the German attack because they did not have enough anti-tank weapons. Once the family area is lost, the enemy's armored forces will soon be able to rush into the factory area. Therefore, after a short thought, he said into the microphone: "Colonel Sokov, even if I don't tell you what the situation is like today, you should be very clear. Although our production line is still in production, the output But it is very low, and only five cars can be produced at most in one day. In order to ensure that you can block the enemy's attack, I will hand over all the products today to you, do you think it will work?"

   Hearing what Peter said, Sokov knew that he could give himself five tanks, which should be the limit of his ability. Although the number of tanks is a little less, with tanks, there is no need to send soldiers to use cluster grenades and anti-tank grenades to blow up enemy tanks, which can effectively reduce the casualties of the troops.

   But when he agreed to Peter's proposal, Sokov made a new request: "Comrade factory director, I don't have enough tankers here. Could you please send some workers to bring the tanks over?"

"Okay, okay," Peter agreed very readily, thinking that Sokov was helping him defend his homeland: "I will send five workers to drive the tanks over, and I will provide you with enough ammunition. If you don't have enough manpower, leave them to fight."

Sokov originally planned that Peter would ask the workers to bring the tanks and then let them return to the factory immediately. Seeing that the other party was so generous, he quickly said: "Thank you, Comrade Factory Director. I assure you, as long as you Once the promised tanks arrive, we will be more sure of stopping the enemy's attack."

  Before putting down the phone, Sokov suddenly remembered something, and quickly said into the microphone: "Comrade director, please wait a moment, I have another important matter?"

   "What's important?"

"About the tank prototype, do you think it is possible not to tell the commander for a while?" Sokov worried that Peter would tell Chuikov about the tank prototype's participation in the battle. Hui went to the doctor in a hurry and ordered himself to drive the prototype tank to the war zone. Without this new type of tank, his confidence in winning would be greatly reduced, so he begged Peter: "Comrade factory director, even if you want to report, please wait two days before reporting, okay?"

How could Peter not guess Sokov's thoughts, he nodded quickly and said, "Don't worry, Colonel Sokov, I can temporarily not report to the Army Group Command about the participation of the tank prototype in the battle. I hope You can take advantage of this prototype and take out more enemies."

   "No problem." Seeing that Peter agreed not to report the tank prototype for the time being, Sokov let go of the big stone in his heart: "We will definitely be able to stop the enemy."

   After finishing talking with Peter, Sokov called Mamayevgang again. Hearing Sidolin's voice coming from the receiver, he immediately said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, take the time to count how many tank soldiers there are in the division, and send them all to me. I will be useful." .”

   "Comrade Commander, what do you want tank soldiers for?" Sidolin just muttered something, and suddenly his whole body was shocked, and he said loudly into the microphone: "Did you get the tank from somewhere?"

"That's right, Comrade Chief of Staff, you guessed right." When Sokov thought of the new tanks parked not far away, and the five old T-34s that were about to arrive, he couldn't help but say with some complacency: "Peter Factory The commander gave me six tanks, but it is a pity that there are not enough tank soldiers to participate in the battle for the time being."

   "However, didn't our tank company be handed over to Colonel Bely a while ago?" Sidolin carefully reminded Sokov: "I am afraid that there are not many fighters who have been tank soldiers in the division now."

   "Without tank soldiers, wouldn't these tanks become decorations?" After Sidolin reminded him, Sokov remembered that he was indeed handing over all the tankers to Bely's command. He said embarrassingly: "If you really can't find a manpower, I can only do it myself."

"No, no, no, comrade commander, you are the leader of the first division, how can you be a tank player?" Sidolin understood Sukov's character, and was worried that he might actually drive a tank to charge the enemy on impulse. He quickly said: "As for the tank driver, I'll think of a way. You should never drive a tank."

   "Comrade Chief of Staff, what happened?" Ivanov, who had just walked in from the door, heard what Sidolin said, and couldn't help asking curiously: "What tanker?"

"It's like this, Comrade Deputy Commander." Sidolin quickly covered the microphone with his hand, and explained to Ivanov: "Comrade Commander got a few tanks, but he couldn't find a tanker, so he planned to drive them himself. tank."

  Sidorin's words surprised Ivanov: "What, Comrade Commander can still drive tanks?"

   "Yes," Sidolin nodded and said, "I have seen him drive a tank, and his skills are not bad. It is said that he learned the driving skills when he was a tractor driver in a collective farm."

"It's really amazing." After Ivanov said with emotion, he added: "I remember that in the division guard battalion, there were several soldiers from the tank army. I don't know if they can drive tanks. I went to Ask." After speaking, he turned his head and walked outside.

"Comrade commander," after Ivanov walked out of the headquarters, Sidolin let go of his hand covering the microphone and continued: "The deputy division commander said that there seemed to be a few soldiers in the guard battalion. They used to be from the tank army, so they might understand Driving and using the tank, he has already gone to the guard camp, as soon as there is news, I will report to you immediately."

  Sokov knew that the commanders and fighters of the divisional guard battalion, except for the family background of Sergei's company, the rest of the fighters were either from the group army guard battalion or the guard battalion of the Guards Division. Maybe he could find a few tankers from them. He nodded slightly, and said into the microphone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, if you find suitable candidates, send them to me immediately. If there are no tankers, our tanks will all be for display."

  (end of this chapter)