Steel Soviet Union

"Comrade Leader, I agree with the views just expressed by Comrade Kogin. But I think that compared with the elite heavy tanks, which are still equipped with a small number of equipment, the next step of the development of new tanks by our Red Army should focus on the medium-sized tanks that are the absolute main tanks. Tanks come up."

"After all, only when the vast majority of the Red Army soldiers have used tanks powerful enough to fight the enemy will it be in line with our Red Army's large-corps combat thinking. Even if the heavy tanks are developed successfully, which are too small in number, relatively difficult to produce, and take a long time to produce, It cannot be quickly popularized into the hands of the vast majority of front-line tank troops.”

Ke Jing, who was still thinking about what caliber main gun to install on his new heavy tank, heard this and suddenly became very angry.

Together with your medium tanks, we are the key to victory for the Red Army. My heavy tanks are only used as a foil for you. Why don't I notice that this guy is so good at talking?

Kotin's heart instantly ignited with raging anger. No matter how unhappy he was, he could only endure it. It was not a wise decision to stage an all-out military campaign at a meeting chaired by Supreme Leader Comrade Stalin. Last month, Kotin heard that potatoes were grown in Siberia. The reform-through-labour army is still in urgent need of many manpower.

He instantly shifted his attention and gaze from Ke Jin to the face of the middle-aged man on the left side of the conference table. Stalin, who was also interested in what he just said, was obviously in a good mood at the moment.

"You are right, Morozov, let's talk about your more specific plans and ideas."

It is different from Ke Jing who only acted on the spot after reading the materials.

After leading the Kharkiv Comintern tank factory to retreat from the dangerous front line to Chelyabinsk Oblast, Morozov, who had his own long-term view of the frontline war situation, did not just grasp the production tasks supervised by his superiors. Instead, a considerable amount of energy was put into figuring out an improvement plan on how to make the T34 medium tank stronger.

He had vaguely guessed in his heart that the Germans would not just give up and allow the Red Army's tank superiority to continue to exist. Morozov, who had personally hand-drawn and simulated various possible German tank styles and data development directions on sketches, had already vaguely constructed it in his mind. Developed a relatively complete thinking framework.

From firepower upgrades to protection enhancements, Morozov, who has considered all the main performance indicators of various tanks, knows that the T34 medium tank itself is an excellent basic platform.

This kind of tank design idea that has been tested in actual combat and proven to be effective almost does not require major changes. The only thing Morozov has to consider is how to make improvements based on the original T34 to make it better. Adapt to the future battle situation and any possible emergencies on the opponent's German side.

"I have several sketches and explanations that I personally drew here. Comrade Leader, these sketches cover several sets of feasible improvement plans including the three elements of the tank: mobility, protection, and firepower."

He opened the briefcase he carried with him and handed several compiled sketch materials to Stalin with both hands. Morozov, who remained standing, continued to speak after Stalin took the materials.

"After discussions and discussions based on actual feedback from the front line, the engineering team in the factory and I agreed that the existing T34 medium tank is an excellent weapon platform that will never become obsolete in the short term. Not only is it easy to produce, but it also currently has Absolute quality advantage.”

"In future battles, we only need to prepare early and make corresponding tank modifications in time according to the actual combat changes of the German Fascists. For example, if there is insufficient firepower, we will replace it with a larger caliber and longer barrel. If the main gun's armor protection is insufficient, temporary additional armor can be welded to the outside of the tank, or a part of the weak armor can be strengthened to improve defense. "

"In terms of mobility, there is no problem with subsequent changes to the T34 tank. The 500-horsepower diesel engine has received very good feedback from frontline combat. Soldiers generally responded that the engine works reliably and has sufficient power. After calculation, even if it is replaced with a larger caliber main gun and a turret with stronger armor protection, the increased weight is within the reasonable load range of the engine and will hardly have a big impact.”

Stalin, who was carefully flipping through Morozov's hand-drawn sketches in his hand, listened to the explanation in his ears. A satisfied smile gradually appeared on his originally dull face and the corners of his mouth turned up.

Kogin, who had seen all this and was anxious in his heart, suddenly shouted that something was wrong. Morozov, an old cunning guy, seemed to be much more prepared than he was. If the situation continued to develop like this, his own R\u0026D The resources and production focus may all go to this deadly enemy.

"Comrade Leader, I have some new ideas here, and I would like to speak."

Comrade Morozov's fatherly comrade, who was holding Morozov's sketch in his hands as if reading a newspaper, remained noncommittal for nearly a minute before speaking in an indifferent tone that was almost amnesia-like without raising his head.

"If you have any thoughts and opinions, just tell me, Kogin, I've told you before."

Ke Jin, who seemed to have grasped a life-saving straw, did not dare to be negligent in the slightest, and immediately calmed down his tone and spoke again.

"Comrade Leader, as far as I know, our Red Army tank hero Comrade Malashenko, who was published in the headline on the second page of Pravda not long ago, commanded the KV1 heavy tank unit to achieve these brilliant results. And I just said Comrade Malashenko’s nomination was seen on Comrade Zhukov’s signature. For a tank hero like this who commanded heavy tanks and achieved such brilliant results, I think we should refer to his opinions as much as possible.”

As the situation became more and more passive, Kojin directly moved out the giant Buddha of Malashenko in the hope of regaining a victory. According to Kojin's own thoughts and speculations, he relied on the KV1 heavy-duty weapon he designed. Malashenko, who just made the headlines of Pravda as a tank, should be among his own people, even though Kotin himself had never seen what Malashenko looked like before.

Stalin, who had not yet had time to put down the hand-drawn sketch in his hand, did not seem to have the intention to speak immediately. Morozov, who was keenly aware of this situation, immediately took over Kotin's unfinished words and spoke calmly again.

"But the tank hero of our Red Army is not just Comrade Malashenko, Comrade Kotin. As far as I know, Comrade Katukov and the boys under his command have also achieved good results with the T34 tank. , I think we should also listen to Comrade Katukov’s suggestions.”