"The rocket launcher has been successfully developed?!" Sokov was overjoyed to hear this unexpected good news. As a result, he also had a long-range anti-tank weapon. Although the range was not comparable to that of anti-tank guns, it was better than that of anti-tank guns. Anti-tank crews can quickly move their firing positions and deliver a thunderous blow to enemy tanks at any time. "This is great. I wonder when can we be commissioned into the army?"
"The rocket launchers and related ammunition are being loaded on the truck," Yakov paused for a moment and said, "We will reach Stalingrad in about five days. Since this is a new type of weapon, the soldiers will definitely not use it. I Twelve instructors were also specially dispatched to teach the soldiers how to use this weapon.”
Although the rocket launcher has officially come out, Sokov still knows nothing about its performance parameters. He waited for Yakov to finish and then asked: "What is its rate of fire and how far is its range?" Yes, how thick of tank armor can it penetrate?" This was originally a question Yakov asked himself a few months ago, and now Sokov threw the same question to the other party.
"Based on our many tests," Yakov replied: "The rocket launcher has a firing rate of 5 to 7 rounds per minute, a direct range of 120 meters, an effective range of 180 meters, and an armor penetration thickness of 170 to 200 millimeters. Each Each performance is slightly higher than the parameters you originally proposed."
Sokov originally thought that the newly developed rocket launcher would be considered very good if its various parameters could reach 80% of what he proposed. But unexpectedly, Yakov gave himself an unexpected surprise. All parameters met his own standards, and even improved to a certain extent.
Just when Sokov couldn't help himself, Yakov gave him an even bigger surprise: "By the way, among the military aid supplies provided by the United States, there are eight rocket launchers called 'Bazookas' .Except for leaving two for disassembly and research, the rest will be given to you for use."
"What, there are bazookas in the U.S. military aid supplies?" Sokov was startled by Yakov's words. He had always thought that the bazookas were only developed and equipped by the U.S. military at the end of World War II. Yes, I didn’t expect it to become one of the military aid supplies now. He asked tentatively: "Yasha, I want to ask, which rocket launcher do you think is better?"
"After receiving equipment from the Allies, we have conducted thirty tests." Yakov said slowly: "To be honest, compared with the bazooka rocket launcher, our rocket launcher has better range and The power is slightly superior."
"Yasha, I'm afraid the instructor you sent is not familiar with bazooka rocket launchers." After listening to Yakov's words, Sokov quickly thought of a new question and asked quickly: "You will never give Shall we send some American instructors over?"
"Misha, you are so awesome." Unexpectedly, Sokov's casual ridicule made Yakov marvel, "How do you know there are American instructors? In order to let you master the use of this weapon as soon as possible , there are three American instructors accompanying him, and you must ask the soldiers to fully cooperate with them."
"Don't worry, Yasha." Sokov replied with a smile: "I will satisfy the American instructor."
Seeing Sokov put down the phone, Sidorin couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade division commander, has that kind of weapon that can hit tanks at a long distance really been developed?"
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." Thinking that Sidorin was also present when he was drawing Yakov, Sokov hid it from him: "The military industry department has developed a rocket launcher, and its performance is better than my design standards at the time. It has improved. Within a range of 120 meters, no active tank in the German army can escape the fate of being penetrated."
"This is really great." Hearing Sokov say this, Sidorin's eyes couldn't help but turn red: "With such long-range anti-tank weapons, our soldiers no longer need to sacrifice their lives for the enemy. tanks."
"Yes, that's the case." Sokov replied absentmindedly. He began to think about the Battle of Kursk that will break out in July next year. If the Soviet army can equip a large number of such rockets, then it will be German tanks. nightmare. "Our anti-tank crews can hide in the ruins and shoot from a long distance, catching the enemy by surprise."
"I wonder when these rocket launchers from the Weapons and Equipment Department will reach Stalingrad?" Sidorin asked tentatively: "If they arrive too late, I'm afraid they won't be of any use."
Sidorin's words aroused Sokov's curiosity, and he asked in surprise: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what do you mean by that?"
"The current situation in the factory area is not optimistic." Sidorin shook his head and said: "Although the 45th Infantry Division came, they could only block the enemy's attack and tried to drive the enemy away from the occupied area. Go, but still can’t.”
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov discovered that Sidorin was now pessimistic and felt that he might not be able to defend the city. If his emotions were known by the commanders and soldiers below, it would have a negative impact on military morale and morale. Thinking of this, Sokov said with a serious expression: "Have you ever thought that if, as a commander, you do not have the confidence to defeat the enemy, then the commanders and soldiers at all levels below can continue to fight bravely? ?"
Sidorin, who received Sokov's responsibility, looked around and saw that the staff and communications soldiers were busy with their own affairs in the distance. He probably did not hear the complaint he had just made. He quickly lowered his voice and said to Sokov: "Division Commander Comrade, aren’t I worried as I see the situation in the city becoming increasingly tense?”
"What's wrong with you, Comrade Chief of Staff, didn't you hear the call I just had with Comrade Commander?" Sokov emphasized in order to regain Sidorin's confidence: "He said that now the enemy is targeting the barricade factory. The offensive intensity of the Dzerzhinsky Factory has been greatly weakened. This is certainly due to the fact that Lieutenant Guchakov and others are harassing behind enemy lines, but more importantly, the enemy's effective forces are continuously weakened by our army during the attack. , they are no longer able to launch a more violent attack."
"Comrade Commander, you are back." Just as Sokov was cheering for Sidorin, Ivanov, who was inspecting the 122nd Guards Regiment, came back. He saw Sokov chatting with Sidorin. He quickly said hello, "I plan to call the Third Battalion Commander when I come back and ask you when you can come back."
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander," Sokov asked after Ivanov sat down, "you went to inspect the 122nd Regiment today. What do you think?"
"Judging from the current situation, it should be impossible for the Romanian army to launch a large-scale attack on the Red October Factory." Ivanov said thoughtfully: "The enemy is now focusing its main energy on If we focus on seizing the barricade factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory, we will not take care of the defense area of our division. The Romanian army has also been hurt by our beatings during this period. If the Germans do not urge them, they will attack them every day. The offense our zone initiated was nothing more than a formality.”
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander, I have good news for you." Sidorin waited for Ivanov to finish and then interrupted: "The superiors are about to provide us with a batch of long-range anti-tank weapons."
"Long-range anti-tank weapon?! Is it a new anti-tank gun?" Ivanov said excitedly: "When I inspected the defense area of the 122nd Regiment today, I saw several 75mm anti-tank guns hidden in the ruins. The artillery can not only use armor-piercing shells to hit enemy tanks, but also use high-explosive shells to hit enemy infantry. The effect is really good. Unfortunately, there are not many artillery shells now, and they need to replenish them as soon as possible, otherwise after a while, these will not be available An anti-tank gun with artillery shells will become a pile of scrap metal.”
"The anti-tank weapons provided to us by our superiors are not anti-tank guns or anti-tank rifles." When Sokov thought of the drawing, he was still the commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade. Ivanov had not come yet, so naturally he didn't know Regarding the rocket launcher, I specifically explained to him: "It is a new anti-tank weapon called a rocket launcher. Soldiers can carry this anti-tank weapon on their shoulders and destroy enemy tanks a hundred meters away."
"Bazooka?!" Hearing this unfamiliar word, Ivanov had a confused expression on his face. He looked sideways at Sidorin and asked in confusion: "Chief of Staff, what kind of weapon is this? How can I Never heard of it.”
"You've probably never heard of it," Sidorin said with a smile on his face: "This is a new anti-tank weapon developed by the division commander more than a month ago. The weapons and equipment department has just successfully developed it and will arm us in a short time. division."
"Is this true? That's great." Ivanov held Sokov's hand and said excitedly: "Comrade division commander, if this weapon is really as powerful as you said, on behalf of All anti-tank fighters thank you because you rescued them from danger. With this weapon, the casualties of anti-tank fighters on the battlefield will be greatly reduced."
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander, I think so." In order to eliminate the gap and estrangement between the old subordinates and the new subordinates as soon as possible, Sokov solemnly said to Ivanov: "The reason why I did not give you the original subordinates The reason for distributing new rockets is because they don't know how to use them at all. After the rockets arrive this time, I plan to give two-thirds to the three regiments of the Guards Division. When you have time, give the three regiment commanders a call. Say hello and let them choose the right person to learn the use of this new weapon."
"What, do you still need to learn how to use the rocket launcher?" Ivanov said with a confused face: "Can't you just pick it up and use it?"
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander, even though I designed this weapon, I don't know how to use it." Sokov said with some embarrassment: "So when the instructors sent by the superiors arrive, we must Soldiers, study hard. Only by mastering this weapon skillfully can the chance of saving one's life on the battlefield be greatly improved. Do you understand?"
"Understood, comrade division commander." Ivanov nodded and said, "I will convey your thoughts to the three regiment commanders so that they can all be aware of it."
"Comrade Commander," Sidorin interrupted again and asked: "Aren't there still a few American instructors? Which regiment do you plan to assign them to?"
"What, there are American instructors?" Ivanov was confused by Sidorin's words. He asked Sokov in confusion: "Comrade division commander, didn't you say that you designed this anti-tank rocket launcher?" Why are there still American instructors?"
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander, let me explain this to you." Sidorin quickly added: "The rocket launchers provided to us last time included six bazooka rocket launchers, which were military supplies from U.S. allies. Supplies. None of our people know how to use this kind of rocket launcher from the Allies, and we can only let the US military instructors teach their experience in using it."
"I think the bazooka rocket launchers should be assigned to Belkin's shrinking regiment." For this group of instructors sent by his superiors, Sokov wanted to ensure their safety. After thinking about it, he felt that it would be safest for American instructors to teach the commanders and fighters of the downsized regiment how to use rocket launchers in the Red October Factory. Therefore, he said without hesitation: "The enemy's attack on the Red October Factory is almost complete." It’s the most appropriate thing to stop and let our soldiers learn how to use rocket launchers there.”
As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Ivanov suddenly asked another question: "Comrade division commander, I would like to ask from which direction these rocket launchers are going to be transported into the city? Is it from the underwater pontoon or the ferry behind us? ?”
Sokov did not immediately answer Ivanov's question, but asked Sidorin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, how is the weather recently? Are there any ice floes on the river?"
"Although it has started to snow recently, the temperature is not too low." Sidorin understood the purpose of Sokov's question and quickly explained to him: "I estimate that in the next week, the Volga River will There will be no ice floes on the river, so no matter which way the superiors transport the rocket launcher in, there should be no problem."
"Although we don't know where the rocket launcher will cross the river yet, I will assign the response tasks first." Sokov pointed to the map on the table and said to Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, if you come from the underwater pontoon, , let the drawdown group receive the supplies."
As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Ivanov asked another question abruptly: "Comrade division commander, I would like to ask from which direction these rocket launchers are going to be transported into the city? Is it from the underwater pontoon or the ferry behind us? ?”
Sokov did not immediately answer Ivanov's question, but asked Sidorin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, how is the weather recently? Are there any ice floes on the river?"
"Although it has started to snow recently, the temperature is not too low." Sidorin understood the purpose of Sokov's question and quickly explained to him: "I estimate that in the next week, the Volga River will There will be no ice floes on the river, so no matter which way the superiors transport the rocket launcher in, there should be no problem."
"Although we don't know where the rocket launcher will cross the river yet, I will assign the response tasks first." Sokov pointed to the map on the table and said to Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, if you come from the underwater pontoon, , let the drawdown group receive the supplies."
