Red Moscow

"The bazooka has been successfully developed?!" Hearing the unexpected good news, Sokov was really overjoyed. In this way, he also has a long-range anti-tank weapon. Although the range cannot be compared with the anti-tank gun, it is superior in lightness. Anti-tank fighters can quickly shift their launch positions and give enemy tanks a thunderous blow at any time. "This is really great. I wonder when the troops can be deployed?"

"The bazooka and related ammunition are being loaded into the car." Yakov paused for a moment and said, "It will take about five days to reach Stalingrad. Since this is a new type of weapon, the soldiers will definitely not use it. I Twelve instructors were also specially dispatched to teach the soldiers how to use this weapon."

Although the rocket launcher has been officially released, Sokov still doesn't know anything about its performance parameters. He waited for Yakov to finish speaking, and then asked: "What is its rate of fire, and how far is it? Yes, how thick can it penetrate tank armor?" This was originally a question that Yakov asked himself a few months ago, and now Sokov threw the same question to the other party.

"According to our many tests," Yakov replied, "the firing rate of the bazooka is 5-7 rounds per minute, the direct firing range is 120 meters, the effective firing range is 180 meters, and the armor-piercing thickness is 170-200 mm. Both performances are slightly higher than the parameters you originally proposed."

Sokov originally thought that the various parameters of the newly developed bazooka could reach 80% of what he proposed, which would be considered very good. But I didn't expect Yakov to give himself an unexpected surprise, no matter all the parameters have reached his own standards, and even improved to a certain extent.

Just when Sokov couldn't help but be overjoyed, Yakov gave him an even bigger surprise: "By the way, among the military aid materials provided by the United States are eight rocket launchers called 'Bazooka' .Except for leaving two for dismantling and research, the rest will be given to you for use.”

"What, there are bazooka rockets in the U.S. military aid?" Sokov was taken aback by Yakov's words. He always thought that bazooka rockets were developed by the U.S. military to equip troops at the end of World War II. Yes, I didn't expect it to become one of the military aid supplies now. He tentatively asked: "Yasha, I want to ask, which kind of bazooka do you think is better to use?"

"After receiving the equipment from the Allied forces, we have conducted thirty tests." Yakov said slowly, "In all fairness, compared with the bazooka rocket launcher, our rocket launcher has a higher range and The power is slightly better."

"Yasha, I'm afraid the instructor you sent is not familiar with the bazooka." After hearing Yakov's words, Sokov quickly thought of a new question, and asked quickly: "You will never give Shall we send some American instructors over?"

"Misha, you are really amazing." Unexpectedly, Sokov's casual joke made Yakov marvel, "How do you know there are American instructors? In order to let you master the use of this weapon as soon as possible." , there are three American instructors accompanying you, and then you must let the soldiers cooperate with them fully."

"Don't worry, Yasha." Sokov replied with a smile, "I will satisfy the American instructor."

Seeing Sokov put down the phone, Sidolin couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade commander, have you really developed the weapon that can hit tanks at a long distance?"

"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." Thinking that when he was drawing Yakov, Sidolin was also on the scene, Sokov also told him: "The military industry department has developed a rocket launcher, and its performance is better than my design standard at that time. It has been improved. Within a range of 120 meters, none of the active German tanks can escape the fate of being penetrated."

"This is really great." Hearing what Sokov said, Sidolin's eyes couldn't help but turn red: "With such a long-range anti-tank weapon, our soldiers no longer need to exchange their lives for the enemy. tank."

"Yeah, that's right." Sokov replied somewhat absent-mindedly. He began to think in his heart that if the Soviet army could equip a large number of such rockets in the Battle of Kursk in July next year, it would be German tanks. nightmare. "Our anti-tank fighters can hide in the ruins, shoot from a long distance, and catch the enemy by surprise."

"I don't know when these rocket launchers from the Weapons and Equipment Department will reach Stalingrad?" Sidolin asked tentatively, "If they arrive too late, I'm afraid they won't be of much use."

Sidolin's words aroused Sokov's curiosity, and he asked in amazement: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what do you mean by that?"

"The current situation in the factory area is not optimistic." Sidolin shook his head and said: "Although there is a 45th Infantry Division, they can only barely block the enemy's attack and want to drive the enemy from the occupied area." Go, but still can't do it."

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov noticed that Sidolin was also pessimistic now, and felt that he might not be able to defend the city. If his sentiments were known to the commanders and fighters below, it would have a negative impact on the morale and morale of the army. Thinking of this, Sokov said with a serious expression: "Have you ever thought that if as a commander, you don't have the confidence to defeat the enemy, then the commanders and soldiers at all levels below can continue to fight bravely?" ?"

Sidolin, who was under Sokov's responsibility, looked around and saw that the staff and communications soldiers were busy with their own affairs in the distance. He probably didn't hear the complaint he just made, so he quickly lowered his voice to Sokov: "Mr. Comrade, am I not worried when I see the situation in the city getting more and more tense?"

"What's the matter with you, Comrade Chief of Staff, didn't you hear the call I just had with Comrade Commander?" Sokov specially emphasized in order to restore Sidolin's confidence: "He said that the enemy is now attacking the barricade factory. The offensive strength of the Dzerzhinsky factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory has been greatly weakened. This is certainly the reason why Lieutenant Guchakov and the others harassed the enemy's rear, but more importantly, the enemy's effective force was continuously weakened by our army during the attack , They have been unable to launch a more violent attack."

"Comrade commander, you are back." Just as Sokov was cheering for Sidolin, Ivanov, who was inspecting the 122nd Guards Regiment, came back. He saw Sokov chatting with Sidolin, He hurriedly said hello, "I plan to call the third battalion commander when I come back and ask when you will be back."

"Comrade Deputy Commander," Sokov asked after Ivanov sat down, "You went to inspect the 122nd Regiment today, what do you think?"

"Judging from the current situation, it should be impossible for the Romanian army to launch a large-scale attack on the Red October factory." Ivanov said thoughtfully: "The enemy is now focusing its main energy on Putting it on the top of capturing the barricade factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory, we can’t take care of our division’s defense zone. And the Romanian army has also been hurt by us during this time. If the Germans don’t urge them, they will fight every day. The offense launched by our defense zone is nothing more than going through the motions."

"Comrade deputy division commander, I have some good news for you." Sidolin waited for Ivanov to finish speaking, and then interrupted: "The superior is about to provide us with a batch of long-range anti-tank weapons."

"Long-range anti-tank weapon?! Is it a new type of anti-tank gun?" Ivanov said a little excitedly: "When I inspected the 122nd Regiment's defense area today, I saw several 75mm anti-tank guns hidden in the ruins. Cannons, not only can use armor-piercing shells to hit enemy tanks, but also use high-explosive shells to hit enemy infantry. The anti-tank guns with shells will become a pile of scrap metal."

"The anti-tank weapons provided to us by our superiors are neither anti-tank guns nor anti-tank rifles." Sukov remembered that when he drew the drawing, he was still the commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade. Ivanov hadn't come yet, so he naturally didn't know As for the rocket launcher, he specifically explained to him: "It is a new type of anti-tank weapon called a rocket launcher. Soldiers can carry this anti-tank weapon on their shoulders and destroy enemy tanks at a distance of 100 meters."

"Bazooka?!" Hearing this unfamiliar word, Ivanov showed a confused expression on his face. He looked sideways at Sidolin and asked in wonder: "Chief of Staff, what kind of weapon is this? How can I use it?" Never heard of it."

"It's right if you haven't heard of it," Sidolin said with a smile: "This is a new anti-tank weapon developed by the division commander more than a month ago. The weapon equipment department has just successfully developed it and will arm us in a short time. teacher."

"Is this true? That's really great." Ivanov shook Sokov's hand and said excitedly: "Comrade commander, if this weapon is really as powerful as you say, on behalf of me All anti-tank fighters thank you for saving them from danger. With this weapon, the casualties of anti-tank fighters on the battlefield will be greatly reduced."

"Comrade deputy commander, I think so." In order to eliminate the gap and barrier between the old subordinates and the new subordinates as soon as possible, Sokov solemnly said to Ivanov: "The reason why you did not give your original subordinates The reason for distributing the new rockets is that they don't know how to use them at all. After the rocket launchers arrive this time, I plan to hand over two-thirds to the three regiments of the Guards Division. When you have time, give the three regiment leaders a call. Say hello and let them choose the right person to learn the use of this new weapon."

"What, do you still need to learn how to use the bazooka?" Ivanov said with a confused face: "Can't you just pick it up and use it?"

"Comrade deputy commander, don't think I designed this weapon, but I don't know how to use it." Sokov said with some embarrassment: "So when the instructors sent by the superior arrive, we must Soldiers, study hard. Only by mastering this weapon proficiently can the chances of saving your life on the battlefield be greatly improved. Do you understand?"

"Understood, Comrade Commander." Ivanov nodded and said, "I will convey your thoughts to the three commanders so that they all know what they are doing."

"Comrade commander," Sidolin interjected again and asked, "Aren't there still a few American instructors? Which regiment do you plan to assign them to?"

"What, there are American instructors?" Ivanov was confused by Sidolin's words, and he asked Sokov in puzzlement: "Comrade commander, didn't you say that this anti-tank rocket launcher was designed by you?" Why, how come there are American instructors?"

"Comrade deputy division commander, let me explain this to you." Sidolin quickly added: "The bazooka provided to us last time included six bazooka rockets, which were provided by the US allies for military use. Materials. None of our people know how to use this kind of bazooka of the Allied forces, and we can only let the US military instructors to impart experience in using it."

"In my opinion, let's assign the bazooka to Belkin's downsizing regiment." For the instructors sent by the superior, Sokov wanted to ensure their safety. After thinking about it, he felt that it was safest for the American instructors to teach the commanders and fighters of the drawdown regiment how to use the rocket launcher in the factory area of ​​the Red October Factory, so he said without hesitation: "The enemy's attack on the Red October Factory is almost complete now. Stop it, it is most appropriate for our soldiers to learn how to use the rocket launcher there."

As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Ivanov asked another question abruptly: "Comrade commander, I would like to ask, from what direction are these bazookas going to be transported into the city? Is it from the underwater pontoon or the ferry behind us?" ?”

Sokov did not immediately answer Ivanov's question, but asked Sidolin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what's the weather like recently, is there any ice floes on the river?"

"Although it has started to snow recently, the temperature is not too low." Sidolin understood the purpose of Sokov's question in his heart, and quickly explained to him: "I estimate that in the next week, the Volga River There will be no ice floes on the river, no matter which way the superiors bring the bazooka in, there should be no problem."

"Although we still don't know where the rocket launcher will cross the river, I will assign the response task first." Sokov pointed to the map on the table and said to Sidolin: "Chief of Staff, if you come from the underwater pontoon bridge , Let the downsizing regiment receive the supplies. If you disembark from the ferry, let Major Tenev’s guard battalion receive them.”

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Regarding Sokov's arrangement, Sidolin nodded and agreed, "I will arrange this matter immediately."

"Also, for the sake of confidentiality, don't tell the two commanders the details of the supplies you received." Sokov deliberately emphasized to Sidolin for the sake of safety: "Just say that the superiors allocated us military supplies. Materials, understand?"

"Understood." Sidolin glanced at Sokov and Ivanov, and said solemnly: "I will never tell the fourth person about this before the rockets reach the hands of my division commanders. "

Sokov was satisfied with Sidolin's answer, and he turned to look at Ivanov again. Without waiting for him to speak, Ivanov also solemnly stated: "Master, don't worry, I won't leak the news casually."