Steel Soviet Union

In just one afternoon, it was already the second time it was bombed. Even if Malashenko's First Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment was at its peak, it couldn't afford such a toss, let alone the number of remaining tanks. Counting the captured German tanks that were used to make up the numbers, that's less than half.

Strictly speaking, the Stuka dive bomber, which has developed into the D-type, was not originally designed to be a full-time anti-tank. It is a multi-purpose frontline fighter that also performs precision bombing of large targets on the ground, at sea, and important enemy hubs. , in the matter of anti-tank, the German ground troops were forced to do nothing by the Soviet tanks, so they forced themselves to do it.

At first, the Luftwaffe's Ground Attack Wing pilots were a little uncomfortable with bombing Soviet tanks with small targets and high maneuverability. Bombs dropped at higher altitudes would always explode. The rough-skinned and thick-bodied Soviet main tanks only needed to Instead of being directly hit within the absolutely destructive range, it can often continue to be activated after a short pause, giving the Germans a nightmare and screams.

Forced to do nothing, the German pilots lowered the bombing height again and again, and gradually developed into attacking with low-drag delay fuses close to the face and then pulling them up almost from the height of the treetops.

At first, even the Germans themselves did not believe that the Stuka was capable of anti-tank work. The Stuka's combat efficiency became more and more effective. From the beginning, the bombs were always thrown on the wrong side. Later, people like Rudel were able to throw aerial bombs directly at the faces of Soviet tanks. The Stuka gradually became the absolute savior of German ground troops when they were ridden in the face by Soviet tanks.

Although the Stuka fleet carried a small amount of bombs, they could only persist in fighting for more than ten minutes before they had to return home quickly after dropping the bombs. However, the record of knocking out dozens of tanks in one wave can often exceed the casualty limit of the Soviet tank troops, thereby disrupting the Soviet counterattack and turning the tide of the battle for our own ground forces.

Malashenko, who is currently stationed in the village performing anti-tank missions, has become the best target for German pilots. The bombs roaring down from the sky are even more accurate when dealing with heavy tanks that are difficult to maneuver.

In at least three attacks, Malashenko saw with his own eyes those 250 or 500 kilogram aerial bombs being thrown directly into the faces of his own tanks.

The power of hundreds of kilograms of aerial bomb charges is earth-shaking and cannot be compared to the power of Army howitzers.

After the mushroom cloud of black smoke rising from the ground, only a bare aerial bomb crater was left. The KV1 heavy tank originally placed there had been completely restored to the state of parts assembled in the factory. Not to mention the shadow of a tank, there was not even a trace of human corpses to be found.

The screams of the Stuka fleet were responded to with maximum firepower from the beginning. The aerial bombs raining down like free money turned the entire village into a sea of ​​​​flaming flames.

The Stukas, who had very clear goals, did not bother with the infantry trenches at all, but looked specifically for the KV1 heavy tanks, which were huge and had high visibility from aerial view. Regardless of whether the Soviet tanks are clustered together or not, even if a 500-kg tank can overturn a KV1, the Stukas will do it on the spot without hesitation. Such a scene is obviously a desperate order from their superiors.

Half of the more than 20 KV1 heavy tanks left in Malashenko's hands lost contact within a short time, and many of the miserable calls on the radio channel turned into suddenly interrupted silence.

Malashenko, who had almost been bombed to the point of being unable to take care of himself, realized that this air raid was aimed at him. In this case, staying in the tank was tantamount to being a target. No matter how precious the tank was, it would be like this. It's time to make the right decision.

"Everyone! Abandon the car! Abandon the car and find cover! Hurry!"

It was different from the German troops who took the initiative to abandon their tanks and flee a few moments ago.

The First Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment, which claims to be an elite and is led by the tank hero Malashenko, has a strong collective honor no matter when and where.

The 1st Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment, whose members are mostly veterans, has always been strict and forbidden, and the new recruits who were added to the army to make up for the losses were basically qualified under the influence of the veterans.

Unless Malashenko personally orders permission to abandon the vehicle, in past battles, there have been countless scenes of KV1 heavy tanks continuing to fight with aerial bombs whizzing down overhead. The Red Army soldiers played with their lives in the name of the guards. They are far more terrifying than their skull-headed counterparts.

But at this juncture, it is no longer the time to continue risking one's life. Malashenko knows very clearly that the most important thing he has at hand is these experienced veteran crews. Tanks are very important to the Soviet army that wins by quantity. There are as many steel torrents as you need, but if too many veterans die, the combat effectiveness of your troops will be directly cut into two pieces, greatly reduced.

The tank crews who followed Malashenko's order to abandon their vehicles and escape did not mean they were absolutely safe. The few remaining bomb-retaining Stukas still hovering in the sky were like the Sword of Damocles hanging above their heads.

The tank soldiers who left the tanks and carried self-defense weapons immediately ran towards the place where they remembered the bunker. Many cellars for storing food in the village had been opened yesterday for ventilation to avoid the German bombing. Entering these places is the most reliable guarantee.

After leaving his tank, Malashenko called to Iushkin and others and immediately ran to a small wooden house not far away. Malashenko clearly remembered that behind the wooden house there was a cellar for storing food, and the space was huge. It is enough to accommodate thirty people hiding in it at the same time.

It took twenty seconds for all four crew members to withdraw from the tank. The German pilots, who were hovering sideways over the village to overlook the ground, had sharp eyes. The Soviet tank crews, who were running like ants on the ground, quickly Under their full view.

"The Russians abandoned the car, and a few people got down to give them a taste of the jelly beans."

Just because the bombs were thrown cleanly does not mean that the Stuka has completely become a toothless tiger. The two wings equipped with 92mm aviation machine guns cannot penetrate the thick armor of the KV1 heavy tank, but the tank soldiers who have left the tank are mortal. Things will be different then.

The Stukas, which were not flying very fast, lowered their engine output and dived towards the ground. The relatively slow dive speed resulted in a longer firing time, and the 92mm tracer machine gun barrage was like a blazing fire dragon. It hit the tank soldiers who were fleeing in all directions.

The dirt road in the village beneath his feet was filled with dust and debris. Malashenko, who was running all the way, could even feel the burning and stinging sensation when the warm dirt splashed onto his face.