"Colonel Sokov!" Peter was also very happy when he learned that the prototype tank he sent actually helped Sokov and the others repel the German attack: "It is my honor to be able to help you!"
"Comrade Factory Director," the power of the new tank gave Sokov a new idea. He tentatively asked Peter: "I wonder if you can mass-produce this new tank?"
"I'm afraid that won't work."
"Why?"
"Colonel Sokov, you should know that our country had two tank production bases before the war, one was the Kirov Factory in Leningrad, and the other was the Kharkov Machinery Plant." Peter explained to Sokov : "After the war broke out, the technicians and workers transferred from Kharkov entered our factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory respectively. It was then that we began to produce tanks. Since the superiors transferred most of the technical strength to It is concentrated in the Dzerzhinsky Factory, so our factory is much weaker in tank manufacturing.
The hexagonal turret of this new T-34 tank uses a casting process. If we just make a prototype, we can barely complete the task. But when it comes to mass production, I'm sorry, Comrade Colonel, I can only tell you that there is nothing we can do. "
Knowing that Peter could not provide him with more new tanks, Sokov felt very disappointed. He only had one tank in his hand. No matter how powerful it was, it would be difficult for him to defeat four with two fists. If the tanks that besieged it were all If there are too many, there is still a possibility of being destroyed. In order to avoid this situation, he reluctantly asked: "Comrade director, even if you cannot provide us with new models of tanks, how many old models can you provide us with?"
If Sokov had made this request in normal times, Peter would have refused without hesitation. But at this moment, he was very worried that the troops defending the family area would not be able to stop the German attack because they did not have enough anti-tank weapons. Once the family area is lost, the enemy's armored forces can quickly rush into the factory area. Therefore, after a brief thought, he said into the microphone: "Colonel Sokov, you should know what the current situation is like even if I don't say it. Although our production line is still in production, the output But it’s very low, and we can only produce up to five vehicles a day. In order to ensure that you can block the enemy’s attack, I will hand over all of today’s products to you, do you think that’s okay?”
After hearing what Peter said, Sokov knew that the five tanks he could give himself should be the limit of his capabilities. Although the number of tanks is a bit smaller, with the tanks, there is no need to send soldiers to use cluster grenades and anti-tank grenades to blow up enemy tanks, which can effectively reduce troop casualties.
However, when agreeing to Peter's proposal, Sokov made a new request: "Comrade factory director, I don't have enough tank crews here. Could you please send a few workers to drive the tanks over?"
"Okay, okay." Thinking that Sokov was helping him defend his homeland, Peter agreed very readily: "I will send five workers to drive the tanks over, and I will also provide you with enough ammunition. If you don't have enough Manpower, just leave them to fight.”
Sokov originally planned to have Peter ask the workers to bring the tanks over and then have them return to the factory immediately. Seeing that the other party was so generous, he quickly expressed his stance and said: "Thank you, Comrade Factory Director. I promise you, as long as you Once the promised tanks arrive, we will be more confident in blocking the enemy's attack."
Before putting down the phone, Sokov suddenly remembered one more thing and said quickly into the phone: "Comrade Factory Director, please wait a moment, I have another important thing?"
"What's the important thing?"
"About the tank prototype, do you think you can keep it from telling the commander for the time being?" Sokov was worried that Peter would tell Chuikov about the tank prototype's participation in the war. Chuikov, who was currently worried about the war situation at the Dzerzhinsky Factory, must have When he was ill, he rushed to the doctor and ordered himself to drive this prototype tank to the war zone. Without this new tank, his confidence in winning would be greatly reduced, so he begged Peter: "Comrade director, even if you have to report, please wait two days before reporting, okay?"
How could Peter not guess what Sokov was thinking about? He nodded quickly and said: "Don't worry, Colonel Sokov. Regarding the participation of prototype tanks in the war, I can temporarily not report to the army headquarters. I hope You can take advantage of this prototype and eliminate more enemies.”
"No problem." Seeing that Peter agreed not to report the tank prototype for the time being, Sokov was relieved: "We will definitely be able to stop the enemy."
After ending the call with Peter, Sokov dialed Mamayev Gang's number. Hearing Sidorin's voice coming from the receiver, he immediately said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please take a moment to count how many soldiers in the division have served as tank soldiers. Send them all to me. I can be of use." .”
"Comrade division commander, what do you want the tank soldiers for?" Sidorin just muttered, suddenly shook his whole body, and said loudly into the microphone: "Did you get the tank from somewhere?"
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff, you guessed it right." When Sokov thought of the new tanks parked not far away and the five old T-34s that were about to be received, he couldn't help but said with some pride: "Peter Factory The commander gave me six tanks, but unfortunately there are not enough tank crews to participate in the battle for the time being."
"But, didn't our tank company all be handed over to Colonel Bely some time ago?" Sidorin carefully reminded Sokov: "I'm afraid there won't be many soldiers who have served as tank soldiers in the division now."
"Without tank crews, wouldn't these tanks just become decorations?" After Sidorin reminded him, Sokov remembered that he was indeed giving all the tank crews to Bely's command. He said in embarrassment: "If we really can't find anyone, I will have to do it myself."
"No, no, no, no, comrade division commander, you are the commander of a division, how can you act as a tank driver?" Sidorin knew Sokov's character and was worried that he might be impulsive and actually drive a tank to charge the enemy. He quickly said: "As for the tank driver, I will think of another way. You must not drive a tank."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, what happened?" Ivanov, who had just walked in from the door, heard what Sidorin said and couldn't help but curiously asked: "What tanker?"
"That's it, Comrade Deputy Division Commander." Sidorin quickly covered the microphone with his hand and explained to Ivanov: "Comrade Division Commander got a few tanks, but couldn't find the tank crew, so he planned to drive them himself. tank."
Sidorin's words surprised Ivanov: "What, comrade division commander can also drive a tank?"
"Yes," Sidorin nodded and said, "I once saw him driving a tank. His skills were pretty good. It is said that he learned the driving skills when he was a tractor driver on a collective farm."
"It's amazing." Ivanov said with emotion, and then added: "I remember that in the division guard camp, there were several soldiers from the tank corps. I wonder if they can drive tanks. I went there Ask." After saying that, he turned and walked outside.
"Comrade division commander," after Ivanov walked out of the headquarters, Sidorin let go of his hand covering the microphone and continued: "The deputy division commander said there seemed to be a few soldiers in the guard camp. They were former tank corps. They might understand Driving and using tanks, he has gone to the guard camp, and I will report to you as soon as there is news."
Sokov knew that among the commanders and fighters of the division guard battalion, except for Seryosha's company's hometown, the rest of the soldiers were either from the group army guard battalion or the Guards Division guard battalion, and he might be able to find a few tankers among them. He nodded slightly and said into the microphone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, if you find suitable candidates, send them to me immediately. Without tank crews, our tanks will become just decorations."
