Steel Soviet Union

It was only after the battle was won that Malashenko scanned the battlefield with his naked eyes and saw that the attacks of those hunting tigers were not completely useless, and the damage caused to his own troops was visible to the naked eye.

Unfortunately, several IS6 heavy tanks were substantially damaged by the Hunter Tiger's attack. One of them was directly penetrated by the Hunter Tiger's powerful 128 gun mantle armor and shot directly into the vehicle from the gun root position. Inside.

Although the huge explosion failed to lift off the turret of the IS6 heavy tank, it blew it into a charred steel shell that lost all its running gear and is still burning.

The huge perforation hole at the base of the gun stands out like a hole made by a mouse. The perforation hole made by the 128mm full-caliber capped armor-piercing bullet is indeed much larger and can be clearly seen with the naked eye from a distance.

The blazing orange flames in the car were reflected in Malashenko's pupils. Comrade Ma had no intention of guessing what kind of unimaginable pain the tank soldiers in the car endured in the last moments before they died. Even if only for a moment.

"The shells have burned this place and have been blown up. Let's find some soldiers to put out the fire later. Take the bodies of the comrades out of the car and bury them somewhere. Mark them and write them down with paper. At least their Relatives have the right to know where their family members are buried and where they died in the motherland.”

Two or three simple sentences mixed with a touch of sadness, Varosha, who was standing next to Malashenko and obeying the order, was sure that he could hear it. Dealing with the bodies of fallen comrades, especially those who died in tanks, is always so heavy, no matter how many times it is repeated.

"I understand, Comrade Commander. We have already arranged for someone to do it, please don't worry."

"Well, go and bring the casualty statistics to me. Get it done as soon as possible. We will continue to set off soon."

"By the way, have you seen Comrade Political Commissar?"

Malashenko's question came without warning, and Varosha could only shake his head.

"I didn't see it. Maybe he is on his way? He may arrive soon."

After all, Varosha is the commander of the infantry regiment, not the commander of the division's security force. Malashenko, who understands this, just asks casually without any results. To do something like this before the arrival of Comrade Political Commissar, Malashenko has now thought about it and has a clear goal.

"Then let's do this for now. Remember to organize the prisoners, don't let any of them escape, and transfer them to the friendly forces in the rear for them to deal with. We don't have time to be dragged down by these Nazi lackeys."

"Yes, Comrade Commander."

As usual during battles, as far as the sight of Marashenko, who turned around again, was filled with busy scenes.

The infantry was busy escorting the German prisoners of war who raised their hands to surrender, and collected the enemy's weapons. They were thrown into the truck bed like bundles of dry firewood, ready to be packed away.

The tank crews temporarily turned off the engine, grabbed wrenches and maintenance tools, and hurriedly got out of the car to check the damage to their vehicles. If there were problems that the crew could repair on the spot and deal with urgently, they quickly solved them on the spot and took the time. The crews whose vehicles had no problems or had not been damaged in the previous battle were busy replenishing main gun and machine gun ammunition and making up for consumption.

Although the Stalin heavy tank is unparalleled and powerful, it also has the usual advantages of the Soviet tank in being able to travel long distances, being durable, and having a high fuel range. There is no need to rush to refuel at every opportunity like the Germans do between battles. .

However, this low ammunition reserve has caused the problem of uninterrupted ammunition supply. It is the real situation of Stalin's 1st Guards Tank Division to quickly replenish ammunition whenever there is time. While enjoying the smooth power of the large-caliber 122mm main gun and 7mm machine gun, it must bear the disadvantage that large-caliber ammunition cannot carry too much.

Everything has two sides, and it is impossible for you to take advantage of all the advantages of large caliber, high power and high ammunition load. Malashenko is well aware of this and does not think there is anything wrong with it.

Anyway, idle time is idle, and it would be a good thing to make efficient use of time and replenish a few shells in the car in advance, right?

"Hello, sir!"

"Salute to you, Comrade Commander."

"Um"

Along the way, almost every fighter who encountered Malashenko would stop and salute like Malashenko. The comrade, the division commander who was able to get along well with the soldiers, also had no official airs as usual. He responded to the greetings casually and continued all the way. He did not stop until Malashenko returned to his car.

"You didn't ask those Fascist pigs why they became so unstoppable in fighting? In 1941, they had to fight at least three more rallies before they surrendered. Today's situation is simply outrageous."

Iushkin was still as talkative as ever. Even when he was squatting half-crouched on the turret, his hands had just taken the propellant cartridge Artyom handed him from under the car, and handed it to Seryosha who was responding in the turret, he was still talkative. Not idle.

"You have to ask yourself, I don't have the skills."

Malashenko's tone was a bit disdainful, but to Iushkin it must have sounded like a joke and not really angry.

"Yeah, yes. Comrade Commander is a very busy man. How can I not have enough time to smoke my pipe all day long?"

As soon as you stick your butt out, I know what you are going to do. This is what Malashenko wants to say to Iushkin most now, but in the end it was replaced by actual actions.

With a tall figure of just over 1.9 meters, he raised his arms and handed the cigarette he took out of the cigarette case to the turret without saying a word.

Iushkin, who knew that Comrade Commander would not disappoint him, immediately grinned like a lotus flower. Iushkin, who had been smoking the cigarettes specially provided by the general for a long time, had already grown up with a cigarette in his mouth. He despises Lieutenant's cigarettes, and even disdains to smoke them.

"Hehe, this thing is still easy to smoke. I like to smoke this next to the smoking dead body of the German stick."

Malashenko, who did not comment on Iushkin's unique and complacent habit, lit one for himself, then pointed to the gadget not far away and started talking about business.

"Are you interested in taking a look? This is the latest secret weapon of the Germans. It fell into our hands the first time it appeared. Hitler was probably so angry that his hands were shaking even when he took off his glasses."

Artem handed the shelling-piercing projectile up to Iushkin's hand and picked up the rag on the side of the vehicle to wipe the stains on his hands and asked with some confusion.

"Now? Do we have this time? I thought we were going to leave immediately."

Malashenko, who raised the cigarette in his hand and took another puff, stopped talking nonsense and just took the first step to leave a message to the crew members behind him.

"Come on, who dares to say that you are not interested? You still have time to watch it for a few minutes."

Iushkin squatted on the turret, Seryosha poked his head out of the turret, and Artyom rested on the side armor of the vehicle with one hand. The three brothers looked at each other and finally became the "acting commander" Iushkin made up his mind.

"Let's go~ He's already said so, so why are you still standing there?"