Steel Soviet Union

This batch of American-made M3A1 half-track vehicles is new equipment that has just arrived in the past two days. When the Battle of Cherkasy first started, Stalin's 1st Guards Tank Division did not have such a configuration.

Because this excellent American-made armored vehicle has received rave reviews among the Red Army troops and is very popular among the Red Army tank troops and infantry troops. Many Red Army troops who were equipped with the first batch also tried to ask their superiors for instructions to apply for the second batch. It is quite appropriate to describe the popularity of this half-track vehicle in the Red Army as being very popular.

Therefore, even for top elite units such as Stalin's 1st Guards Tank Division, the first batch of M3A1 half-tracks they got was not many, only 24 in total, which could barely equip one mechanized infantry battalion and two battalions. The infantry is far from enough.

In line with the idea of ​​using good steel on the blade, Malashenko thought for a moment and then directly waved his hand and approved all 24 M3A1 vehicles for use by the combat engineer battalion.

The frontal battlefield in Cherkasy did not give these M3A1s a chance to show off their skills. By the time the troops were actually equipped, the battle was almost over.

Therefore, the battle that is about to break out this time is indeed the first battle of the M3A1 armored vehicles under the Stalin Guards 1st Tank Division.

Although other Red Army troops have given unanimous praise after using them, you still have to wear them to know whether the shoes fit your feet. Whether they can meet the needs of actual combat depends on the results of use in this battle.

The soldiers of the Combat Engineer Battalion, who had brought all kinds of weapons and equipment with them, were sitting in the newly arrived American-made armored vehicles, chatting and laughing.

This rare and never-before-seen gadget from the United States aroused heated discussion among the soldiers. It can accommodate an infantry squad, and it is also equipped with a large-caliber machine gun and a light machine gun, as well as a vehicle-mounted radio. Although the armor is thin, it is also a good thing. But it can withstand direct attacks from conventional small arms, making it an ideal infantry partner.

"Hey, let me tell you, this Yankee thing is really good. It's a bit like the German half-tracks. It's just that this baby has more firepower. It has a 7mm large-caliber machine gun. It's really great."

"Yeah, it makes sense. This thing is also very powerful. Look, we are running pretty fast. This is an off-road road."

"It would be great if such a spacious vehicle could have enhanced firepower, such as adding a small cannon, so that it can be used as supporting firepower and beat those Germans to death."

"What are you thinking about? If a cannon is added, where will you sit? Are you riding on the cannon? There is no room in the car to place the cannon after loading a squad.

Listening to the chatter and laughter from the half-track vehicle closest behind him, Malashenko, who was hanging half of his body outside the turret as usual with a cigarette in his hand, was a little anxious and was thinking about various things in his mind. Possible situations and all the details.

To be honest, Malashenko himself cannot say whether something will happen to Vatutin during his trip.

In the existing historical timeline where Malashenko did not exist in 1944, Vatutin did encounter a group of Ukrainian bandits and were beaten when he went to the front line to inspect the troops near the end of the Battle of Cherkasy. He was seriously injured and later died due to complications from the wound.

In the final analysis, this happened because Vatugin did whatever he wanted to do immediately and always acted so vigorously and resolutely. He didn't even have time to assemble more guards to ensure his safety, or he didn't want to risk his life by bringing too many guards. Losing time on the road.

But at this time, Cherkasy is no better than the battlefield after the war in 1944. This is the territory of Ukraine, not Russia. It was occupied and managed by the Germans from 1941 to 1944, and has long since become a wasteland of life and birds. No place to shit.

Not to mention the arrival of the Red Army, even before the Red Army came, the armed forces in Ukraine were complicated, with a small attack every three days and a large attack every five days. It could almost be said that it was a mess.

The Wehrmacht, the SS, the Ukrainian puppet troops recruited by the Germans, the Ukrainian guerrillas on the pro-Red Army side, and the Ukrainian bandits who were all regarded as enemies regardless of whether they were Germans or the Red Army.

Because in 1941, an unprecedented war broke out in Ukraine, which was the main battlefield of the land war in the early days of the Great Patriotic War. Therefore, the current local bandits in Ukraine cannot be treated equally from the same perspective as the Chinese bandits of the same period.

In fact, strictly speaking, you can call these local bandits in Ukraine bandits or simply small warlords.

This group of people had military-standard weapons procured from various places such as the remains of the 1941 battlefield and abandoned arsenals. They were in large quantities and of various types, and there was no shortage of bullets at all.

In 1941, the German army advanced rapidly and was eager for success. Often after defeating a wave of Soviet troops, it would not even have time to clean the battlefield before continuing to charge, rushing to eliminate the next wave of Soviet troops. The soldiers were extremely fast.

The Red Army was unable to withstand the powerful German offensive. The superior command was not smooth, friendly forces could not be contacted, and the surroundings were isolated and helpless. There was no hope and no meaning in holding on, so they had no choice but to flee and retreat.

The Red Army continued to retreat and the German army continued to pursue them. No one on either side had time to take care of the countless battlefield relics, large and small. Unexpectedly, they ended up taking advantage of those who were already dissatisfied with the Soviets and did not want to be Germans. Dog, a Ukrainian local who just wants to drink and eat meat, live a life of luxury, and do business without capital.

These Ukrainian bandits, who were not inclined to either side of the Soviet Union and Germany, not only had sophisticated military-style weapons, but also had a very good personnel composition.

There are many leaders and leaders with brains and courage among these bandit armies, which have their own gangs and divide their areas of activity. The targets of these people to expand their ranks are not only those Ukrainian youths who do not have enough to eat, but are also exploited by the Germans and complain endlessly. The prime-age civilians also specially recruited and won over the "deserters" of the Red Army.

Many people of this type remained after all the Red Army withdrew in 1941. Many of them were left alone and lost their way after their original units were dispersed. Without superior leadership, it was impossible to form a unified guerrilla combat organization.

If you cross the blockade in enemy-occupied territory and go back to find your team, you are afraid that you will be regarded as a traitor and face unfair treatment, and even your family may be implicated.

Besides, no one knows whether the notices posted and distributed by the Germans everywhere are true. It clearly states that even if the defeated Red Army returns to the original army, they will be regarded as traitors and will either be shot, imprisoned, or punished. Camp, don’t even think about it.

Not all soldiers have firm beliefs. Many Red Army soldiers these days are still illiterate and ignorant. They only know that if they join the Red Army, they will not be hungry and have enough food to eat. They are naive young people who want to join the army for this purpose.