Steel Soviet Union

Thick, huge, and reliable, the strong pressure at close range almost made Lavrinenko breathless.

If you don't stand in front of the IS1 heavy tank in person, ordinary people will simply not understand how powerful this pioneering work of the Stalin series of heavy tanks is.

Compared to the original KV1 heavy tank or even his own KV220 prototype, Lavrinenko swore that the tank in front of him now is definitely powerful enough to conquer the eye. The sharp edges and corners and smooth and rounded design are equivalent to a symbol of strong armor. , what Malashenko said is enough to withstand the German 88 gun is probably true.

"You said this tank will be mass-produced next year? Where did you get the news? Is it accurate?"

From the three consecutive questions from Lavrinenko, it is not difficult to see that this powerful heavy tank has already conquered his eyes. Malashenko, who was not surprised by this situation, blurted it out almost without thinking.

"I met Comrade Kotin during my vacation in Moscow. This heavy tank is his latest work. We talked about a lot of things, including the direction of future tanks and further design. By this time next year, it will be difficult for you to return I saw KV1.”

At first glance, he was surprised that Malashenko could meet and talk directly with Kotin, but after thinking about it, Lavrinenko felt that it was reasonable. After all, Malashenko may be the man who can call Comrade Zhu at any time, and it seems not surprising to meet Kogin, the talented designer who single-handedly created the Red Army's heavy tanks.

After chatting about the new tank, Malashenko began to talk to Lavrinenko about the next move and the current war situation.

"Those Germans have been defeated, and the counterattacks on many fronts are currently going smoothly. Oh, by the way, during the time you left, our regiment also received a commendation telegram from our superiors, praising our regiment for its winter operations. The reporter from Pravda even came to interview our group, but you were on vacation at the time, and it was the political commissar who received them. "

Malashenko frowned when Lavrinenko inadvertently mentioned the pot. The copy of Pravda he accidentally saw on the Moscow station platform is still unforgettable for Malashenko.

"It's not a good thing to be in the newspapers all the time, Lavry. The Germans will hate us for it. We are so famous! If possible, I would like to hunt those Germans more quietly."

After hearing Malashenko's helpless words, Lavrinenko not only did not give up, but after a short pause, he spoke and almost made Malashenko, who had just turned around, fall headfirst into the snow.

"Speaking of being famous, the friendly forces in the north of Moscow launched a counterattack two days ago and captured many German prisoners who were half-frozen to death. They actually found out your name from those Germans, Malashenko. Those Germans I gave you the nickname "Iron Butcher". It is said that it originally came from the Grossdeutschland Infantry Regiment."

"I'll catch your mother in my mouth!"

No matter how unwilling Malashenko is to face it, the worst thing will happen as expected.

It's never a good thing to be nicknamed the "Iron Butcher" by a German. This nickname spread even to the German troops in northern Moscow who were thousands of miles away from the Grossdeutschland Infantry Regiment in the south. Moreover, it was from It was told by prisoners of German soldiers in the grassroots frontline troops.

Such a situation at least illustrates a very serious and bad problem: the top German troops on the front line must have noticed their existence!

This means that the battle that Malashenko has been keeping low-key and pretending to be will become history from now on. Once the German army in 1942 became aware of its own movements, it was nine out of ten that it would mobilize heavy troops to encircle and deal with it. This was Marashenko. The last thing Coe wanted to face was a situation he had been trying to avoid.

But think about it, from the time when Yelnya moved to Leningrad and was ordered to form the First Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment and has been fighting all the way until now, the German troops that were overturned and severely damaged by Malashenko's men must have a small number. Tens of thousands and nearly 100,000 people.

One after another troops were lost and defeated, and even troops such as the Grossdeutschland Infantry Regiment were driven around like ducks. If the German intelligence department did not pay attention to the name Malashenko, it would really be useless. Yes.

"Hey, if your father is dead and your mother is married, let him do whatever he wants."

Malashenko, who was full of helplessness, was reluctant but had already expected that such a day would come sooner or later. At best, it was a surprise that would arrive at the end of 1941. It would be delayed to at least 1942 earlier than Malashenko expected. Some.

Summoning all battalion commanders at all levels under his command, as well as Petrov's political commissar and deputy regimental commander Lavrinenko from his own regiment headquarters, the first thing Malashenko did after returning from vacation when he arrived at the field regiment headquarters was to hold a small meeting. The first thing the military meeting asked about was the current rest and replenishment situation of the troops.

"During your vacation, we received a total of 26 KV1 heavy tanks, and 4 folded KV2 heavy tanks were also sent over. In addition, we also received 12 more The supplies of the T3476 medium tanks are all newly produced, and overall the situation is much better than those KV heavy tanks that have been repaired from battle damage. "

After this calculation, a total of 42 new tanks were sent over to supplement the battle losses. Behind the seemingly average number, it is very shocking in the winter when motorized transportation is very difficult.

In contrast, other Red Army tank units are still waiting for supplies on the front line, looking forward to the stars and the moon. The pleasure of having priority supply and selection of equipment in the name of a guard is really not an ordinary pleasure.

Malashenko nodded slightly at the situation reported by Captain Karamov and wrote down the numbers. He felt that it was almost time to read out the order from the front army headquarters, and then winked at the political commissar Petrov who was sitting next to him.

Political Commissar Petrov, who had discussed with Malashenko in advance, did not hesitate much after receiving the signal. He immediately stood up from his chair without thinking and faced the people in front of him who were full of energy after having rested for a week. The participating commanders and soldiers picked up the telegrams in their hands, kept their eyes open and read.

"After receiving the order from the superior front army headquarters, the First Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment will officially set off for the front line tomorrow. The specific marching direction and target location will be notified before departure tomorrow. Use the last half day to prepare everything and debug the equipment. Panic The Germans are trembling! Now is a great time to show them the iron fist of the Red Army!”