Steel Soviet Union

Malashenko, leader of the 1st Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment, a Soviet tank hero well-known on both the front and rear lines, a frequent headliner in Pravda. Photos from various angles, on different occasions, and in different states appear at least in Pravda. Seven or eight times, and that shiny gold star medal that can blind people and dogs.

"Damn it! Why didn't I recognize it all of a sudden?"

The major, who was angrily cursing in his heart that he was even stupider than an idiot, quickly threw away the cigarette butt in his mouth, and in a panic, he immediately raised his hand to Malashenko and gave him a military salute.

"Sorry, Comrade Malashenko, I was so busy just now that I didn't recognize you! It was my mistake, I'm sorry."

Although in most cases he can be recognized at a glance wherever he goes, Malashenko, who has become numb to this, does not take it too seriously. Even if someone does not recognize him at a glance, it is a trivial matter. That's all, it's not worth making a fuss about it.

"It's normal not to know each other when we meet for the first time. Comrade Major, can you tell me your name?"

"Kovacic, just call me Kovacic, Comrade Malashenko."

"Okay, Comrade Kovacic."

With a smile on his face, Malashenko unhurriedly took out the map from his pocket, stretched his hands towards Major Kovacic, and then stretched out his right index finger to click on Kremen where he was currently. Scoia spoke.

"My troops and I were ordered to be dispatched here. The new 1st Guards Tank Brigade is being formed here. Do you know the specific location? Comrade Kovacic. We are in a hurry and hope to arrive as soon as possible before dark. There are only a few hours left."

Tank troops? 1st Guards Tank Brigade?

Major Kovacic, who didn't react to the sudden question, was a little confused. After careful reflection, he did find a lot of relevant clues in his mind. He quickly pointed at a map on the map that Malashenko spread out with both hands. The inconspicuous little black dot said.

"It should be here, the village of Prokhov, about eight kilometers northwest of where we are now. You can get there quickly by driving straight northwest."

"I passed by here when I went to the regiment headquarters for a meeting a few days ago. I saw many tanks arriving in the village to gather. They were all very big heavy tanks, and some I had never seen before. I got out of the car and talked to the people outside the village. The tank soldier chatted for a while, and he told me that they were the newly formed Guards Tank Brigade. I didn't ask for the unit number, but I think it was the 1st Guards Tank Brigade you mentioned. There was only one like this nearby. A brigade-level Guards tank unit."

Malashenko seemed very happy to catch a random passerby and ask the right question. This would save a lot of time. It should be a point to take over his 1st Guards Tank Brigade before dark. No problems at all.

"Thank you very much, Comrade Kovacic. If we have a chance, we can talk next time. I'm in a hurry today, so I'm sorry."

Malashenko, who came and left quickly, quickly got back into the car. On the way, he patted Lavrinenko on the shoulder, who was taking out a gun and discharging water on the dirt road next to the car. Lavrinenko was very surprised that Lavrinenko was not frightened. He retracted the water, shook the tip of the gun with two drops of water, then, while tying his armed belt, he cursed and followed Malashenko into the car.

"Comrade Battalion Commander, we unexpectedly met the tank hero Malashenko. Is this possible? It is simply unbelievable!"

"Hey, that's not the point! Didn't you see the Gold Star medal on Commander Malashenko's chest? He is now a real hero of the Soviet Union. When did this happen?"

The few subordinates beside him were chattering away, just like a group of middle-aged women staying in the village to take care of their children.

Major Kovacic, who was also amazed by this wonderful experience just now, felt a little unhappy and immediately turned around with a poker face and gave a sharp order.

"You still have time to chat here! Go to work quickly! If you can't finish moving before dark, you will be processing it for the night. Dinner will be served when the moving is finished!"

"Oh, dear comrade battalion commander, you can't do this, it's too bad!"

The motorcade followed the lead of Malashenko and set off on the road again. Lavrinenko, who had refilled his cigarette, asked questions as soon as he closed the car door.

"What did you ask?"

"To the northwest, the village of Prokhov is about eight kilometers away. The 1st Guards Tank Brigade is there, as well as our new tanks."

When he heard the word "new tank", he immediately felt energetic. Lavrinenko took a deep breath of cigarette and then showed a pig-like expression on his face and said a deep praise.

"New tank, new tank, new tank, do you know how much I look forward to hearing this word? Malashenko, this is simply wonderful, wonderful to the extreme, I can swear to Comrade Stalin!"

Compared to Lavrinenko's pig-like look, Malashenko, who had just been "promoted to a higher rank" and was holding on to his fiery status as a colonel and brigade commander and a serious title of Hero of the Soviet Union, also sighed and finally revealed his relief. expression.

"Yes, the wait is finally here. This journey this year has been really difficult."

The short eight-kilometer journey was not too far. At best, it was just uneven terrain under off-road conditions and there was no way to go. The whole journey was dusty and delayed a little time. Malashenko finally did what he had imagined in the dark. We arrived at the location of the 1st Guards Tank Brigade: the village of Prokhov mentioned by Major Kovacic.

The furious Malashenko immediately walked towards the few soldiers closest to him at the entrance of the village as soon as he got out of the car. There were seven or eight new tanks parked at the entrance of the village on the outskirts of the village, so Lavrinenko and Malashenko immediately parted ways. Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander chose to run over to those new tanks immediately to take a closer look and let his eyes feast on them first.

"Who is in command of the 1st Guards Heavy Tank Brigade now? Tell me."

There was no need to make too many confirmations. Even before he reached the village entrance, he recognized at a glance the new tanks parked at the village entrance and outside the village. They were the brand-new Anti-German Noble Phantasm that he had been waiting for for a long time. : "Stalin" IS1 heavy tank.

Knowing that he had found the right location for the 1st Guards Tank Brigade, Malashenko got straight to the point. He walked up to the village and caught the two tank soldiers who were smoking and chatting at the entrance of the village. He started to ask, but he was interrupted by the accident. The two soldiers who were talking and laughing were a little confused.

"It's Lieutenant Colonel Kulbalov. He is serving as the temporary brigade commander. Oh, my God! You are the brigade commander Malashenko, comrade brigade commander!"

The two soldiers with shocked faces were left alone in the wind at the entrance of the village. Malashenko, who patted the shoulder of the soldier and said nothing more, strode straight towards the village.