Arc of Gunfire

July 2, 1916, the 1st Armored Battalion of the Proson-Anpra Armored Division.

The battalion commander looked at his watch and sighed: "Let's not wait for the Leopard tanks, let's go by ourselves."

After that, he jumped onto the battalion command tank, turned around and waved to the other auxiliary vehicles of the battalion: "When we repel the Ante troops, we will send you a signal, and then we will catch up."

"Yes, battalion commander." The deputy battalion commander saluted, "I wish you a happy hunting."

The battalion commander nodded, looked forward again, put the headset half on his head (that is, only one ear), and picked up the radio receiver: "Attention, all battalions, I am the battalion commander, start the attack!"

————

The 1st Heavy Breakthrough Tank Regiment of the Guards.

The regiment commander looked at the tank commanders gathered in front of him and said loudly: "Last night, with the efforts of the regiment support battalion, the number of tanks we can fight has been restored to 10, and two broken track tanks are being repaired, and it is expected that they will catch up with us halfway!"

In yesterday's tank battle, only two tanks of the 1st Heavy Breakthrough Tank Regiment of the Guards were damaged by the enemy tankers with magnetic anti-tank grenades.

The remaining losses were all broken tracks, stuck turret rings, and mechanical failures.

Among them, mechanical failures accounted for the largest number. After all, the 1st Guards Regiment advanced such a long distance yesterday, and even if it was just a normal cross-country march, many would break down.

After all, the Rokossov I tank is a heavy tank, with an empty weight of more than 40 tons. With the addition of shells, fuel, and the sundries that each tank crew brought with them, the combat weight exceeded 50 tons. Such a heavy guy will break down when going off-road.

Regimental Commander: "Although we only have ten left, there is good news. The 60th Tank Brigade has joined us. They have 40 intact T34Ws and infantry units to cooperate with them.

"They will attack forward with us! Okay, return to your respective tanks and make final preparations! Disband!"

The tank commanders saluted together, then turned around and walked towards their tanks in twos and threes.

As Podolskov was walking with his head down, Alex, the commander of the No. 276 tank, patted him on the shoulder: "Hey, I heard that your crew had a good result yesterday? "

"It's OK. Three of them were shot down by infantrymen sitting on our vehicles with cannons." Podoliskov laughed, "I don't know who should be credited with this achievement. It should be painted on our gun barrels. It's really not us who shot them, and infantrymen don't have the habit of marking their achievements on their bodies."

Alex: "Isn't it said that a sniper will carve an iron cross on the butt of his gun after killing an enemy?"

"That's a sniper. The sniper's rifle will always be with them. After all, different guns have subtle differences in ballistics, and they are not used to using other guns. But the infantry's cannon is thrown away after shooting."

Podoliskov shook his head and said, "A new medal should be added to commend those infantrymen who destroy tanks alone. It seems that Proson has this armband."

Alex nodded: "Indeed, some dead Proson soldiers have this thing on their sleeves. I have seen it. Especially those Proson soldiers who rushed towards our tanks with "funnels", most of them have it.

"I saw several of these before my last tank was destroyed."

Most of the tank crews of the 1st Guards Heavy Breakthrough Tank Regiment are veterans transferred from other tank units. Most of them have lost comrades in previous battles, and the tank commanders have rich experience in sending their subordinates away.

Podolskoff casually asked: "How many people are left in your last vehicle?"

"Two, one for me and one for the loader."

"Are the two in the turret alive?"

"Yes, and before abandoning the vehicle, we sent away the Type 4 that blew us up. As soon as we fired the gun, the engine caught fire, so we had to abandon the vehicle." Alex suddenly laughed, "It's different now. The Proshen people can't do anything with our armor! Thank you General Rokossov for the weapons!"

Podolskoff: "It would be great if my brother could drive the Rokossov Type 1. His crew are all brave guys! They are better at tactics and skills than us!"

"You can fight as well as your brother!" While talking, Alex's tank arrived, so he stopped and nodded to Podolskoff, "Drive your Revenge to Proshenya! Let your brother also see the destruction of the enemy's capital!"

Podolskoff nodded: "As long as I'm still alive at that time, I will!"

"Don't say discouraging words!" Alex shouted.

But Podolskoff turned around and walked towards his tank not far away (their two tanks were parked together).

Driver Ivan saw Podolskoff coming and stood up: "I have lubricated all the parts well. This guy is in good condition. He will definitely run another 100 kilometers today!"

Podolskoff laughed: "One hundred kilometers? Do you know that if we run another 100 kilometers, we will meet up with the "Pliers" on the other side?"

"That's great!" Ivan laughed, "Now we have surrounded hundreds of thousands of enemies again!"

Podolskoff: "Okay, let's go! The enemy will definitely counterattack today, and we will attack the enemy together with the friendly T34W."

The gunner who was eating on the grass next to the tank ate the bread in three bites, his bulging cheeks squirmed, and he stood up.

"You finish eating first!" Podolskoff said, "In case the bread crumbs fall out when you get on the car, causing the car to break down!"

Gunner: "The machines made by Proson may stop because of a crumb, because their machines are delicate, but our machines are not so delicate, right?"

In fact, the gunner said this to the pilot, but it seemed like he was talking to the Revenge.

The loader sitting on the roof of the tank turret laughed: "The hero's machine will not strike!"

Just as Podolkov was about to answer, a signal flare was launched into the sky in the distance, which was particularly conspicuous against the early morning sky.

Everyone was stunned for a moment when they saw the signal flare. Podolkov reacted the fastest: "It's the reconnaissance force. They have encountered the enemy! Get in the car quickly! Those who are repairing it, leave quickly! Your maintenance vehicle is more valuable than our tanks, leave quickly." Go quickly!”

Maintenance vehicles are imported from the United States. At present, Ant's production capacity is all used to build tanks, and maintenance vehicles are basically not produced, so Podolkov said this.

The people in the maintenance camp were also unambiguous. They quickly jumped on the maintenance truck, turned around and ran back. The mechanic who had just helped to repair the engine of the Revenge turned around and shouted: "I wish you good luck! Kill more Prossens!"

Podolkov waved his hand, climbed onto the tank, and pushed the loader who was drilling the hatch: "Hurry up!"

"Don't push, Commander! I'm going to hit my head!"

At this time, a jeep drove over, and several infantrymen who took the Revenge yesterday jumped out of the jeep: "Captain, we have taken nine more tubes!"

Podolkov: "Okay! Come up quickly, we are about to set off!"

At this time, car No. 267 next to it had started, and its engine roared forward.

Podolkov got into the tank, stood up at his position, confirmed that the driver had also climbed into the front cockpit, and then patted the top of the turret: "Start the tank!"

The tank's engine roared, and black smoke spewed from the exhaust pipe.

Upon seeing this, the infantrymen quickly climbed onto the tank, grabbed the handle on the edge, took out the barrel and prepared for battle.

Driver Ivan's voice came from the earphones: "Sit tight!"

"Let's sit tight and let's go."

So the Revenge puffed out black smoke, overwhelming the green grass in front of it - the tracks had obviously suppressed the grass yesterday, but after one night, they grew slender again.

Podolkov picked up the binoculars and saw the Willys Jeep of the reconnaissance unit racing wildly on the grassland.

"They're having a great time," Podolkov muttered.

The infantry sergeant behind the turret said: "In fact, the casualties of the reconnaissance troops have always been very high. The jeep can't always get rid of the enemy's firepower by maneuvering. Although it is really difficult to hit this thing running wildly on the grassland."

Podolskov: "It's safer to have armor, but unfortunately you can't run so fast with armor. It's really hard to make a choice."

"Perhaps there will be tanks in the future that are armored and can run so fast!" said the sergeant.

"Come on, how could such a tank appear!" Podolkov shook his head. "If such a tank really existed, it would definitely eliminate all heavy and medium tanks. It would be enough for the entire army to equip only this kind of tank. ”

As he finished speaking, the jeep of the reconnaissance unit was already in sight. The scout operating the machine gun in the vehicle shouted to the Revenge: "The enemy has about one battalion, one enemy battalion! The troops are strong! Be careful!"

Podolkov only had time to wave his hand, and the jeep rushed past. When he looked back, he could only see the dust at the rear of the car.

Podolkov picked up the microphone: "The reconnaissance force reported that the enemy has a battalion with nearly a hundred tanks. Repeat, the enemy has a battalion with nearly a hundred tanks!"

The regiment leader's curse immediately came from the radio: "Damn it, we only have fifty T34Ws including the brothers' units!"

"The enemy can't penetrate us." A commander said nonchalantly, "Show them how powerful we are!"

"I see dust ahead!"

Podolkov also saw gray dust rising from the horizon, like a sandstorm - hey, where did you hear this word?

He shook his head, dismissed distracting thoughts, and raised his binoculars to search for the first target.

"Turn the turret five degrees to the left, and you should be able to see the first target!" He gave the first battle order of the day.

A day of fierce artillery battle is about to begin.

————

12 hours later.

Podolkov finally heard the deputy regimental commander's order coming from the earphone: "Stop all tanks, camp on the spot, and wait for the maintenance battalion to come forward."

He immediately ordered: "Okay, Ivan, stop the car!"

The tank came to a sudden stop, and the engine whined loudly.

Ivan climbed out of the cockpit and cursed: "As soon as I heard this sound, I knew there was going to be a big problem. I have to check it carefully. Maybe the maintenance team will come up later and it will be time to replace the engine."

Podolkov: "Leave it to you."

As he spoke, he took off his headphones, threw them on the top of the turret along with the microphone, and looked back at the back of the turret.

The engine grille was empty except for blood and minced flesh everywhere.

"Sukabule!" Podolkov cursed.