Martin put in a lot of effort to secure this opportunity to interview the Russian general, and he even almost broke his skin with the Americans.
The last time I visited the Russian air force, the Yankee Times reporters snatched the right to interview Pokryshkin. The Russians only arranged limited interview time and one meeting opportunity, which was extremely precious.
God knows how those Americans got this exclusive interview right. Maybe they had government connections that promised more aid?
Martin didn't know it, but he knew the great value of exclusive interviews.
The whole world is now paying attention to this largest land war conflict in human history. This anti-Fascist war of unprecedented scale has involved too many countries, which means a very high level of attention.
The sales volume of the newspaper, the value of the article, the essence of the report, and the countless money, these are the most important!
So this time, Martin, as the leader of the group, even though he was arguing with the Americans to the point that the table was overturned, he still fiercely snatched the right to interview. You Americans can't give up all the good things and money.
At least we, the British Empire, also get a share of the pie.
These days, the British Empire, which has not yet reached the end of its decline, still has some backbone. Even their reporters have the confidence to stand up to Americans. This is very different from that of later generations in the 21st century.
For this exclusive interview, Martin had made sufficient preparations in advance.
This major general of the Soviet tank force named Malashenko was not a simple person. On the first day he led his team to arrive in Moscow on a special plane, Martin saw a recruitment poster posted in the lobby of the residence where he stayed.
The poster has a strong Soviet style and flavor. Red Army soldiers holding submachine guns stand tall and stare angrily ahead. In the sky, there are those IL-2 attack aircraft that the Russians are proud of flying by in formation...
In the center of the poster, a mighty and domineering heavy tank fills the field of view. A tall and erect commander with his upper body on top of the turret is waving his right arm vigorously to lead the attack of countless tanks behind him.
Although the portrait has a strong style unique to Soviet posters, Martin can still recognize that the man on the poster is the famous Soviet tank hero who has made the headlines of Pravda many times: Malashenko.
As a colleague in the press and in the same anti-fascist camp, Martin spends time studying the content published in Pravda every day, even if it requires the help of a translator, which is somewhat difficult.
Sometimes I excerpt one or two seemingly inconspicuous details from it, enlarge it and write a new original article. Then the sales of this newspaper issue may increase because of this exclusive article. This has already happened.
It has been confirmed many times and it is no accident.
In other words, this is the keen sense of a veteran editor who is a practitioner in the news industry and can accurately grasp the hot topics of current affairs. Only those who are good at doing what they do can stand out and become leaders in the industry. Martin is well aware of this and has always used it to strictly discipline himself.
Nothing has changed.
"For your motherland, join the Red Army..."
"Ha, these Russian posters are always like this. They never have new designs. This has no reporting value. No readers will like to see this thing."
The young reporter who helped translate the large-character inscription under the poster left with a smile and went upstairs to his room. However, Martin, who was still standing in the lobby on the first floor staring at the poster in front of him, was noncommittal and made no comment. Instead, he turned to the picture on the portrait.
This man is deeply remembered in his heart.
A man who can be printed on a poster as a typical hero must have extraordinary news value. This is a news breaking point!
If possible, Martin would like to have the opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with this Soviet tank hero who has been famous for a long time.
Now, sitting face to face with Malashenko, only one meter apart, Martin finally has such an opportunity.
"Hello, General Malashenko, nice to meet you."
"Let me introduce myself. I am Martin Norman, editor-in-chief of The Times, and this is our frontline reporter Charlie Sanderson. It is an honor for me to have an exclusive interview with you. As allies, we hope to share your fight against evil.
The unique experience and proud record of the German Fascists will be very useful in our future battles against the common enemy."
Before he finished speaking, Martin was about to ask an assistant who knew Russian to help translate, but what happened next was beyond Martin's expectation.
"Let's talk directly in English, Mr. Martin. It's not difficult for me, and it can reduce unnecessary waste of time."
A somewhat Russian-flavored, not-so-authentic but well-pronounced English blurted out. The person who said this was none other than Malashenko, who was leaning back in his chair.
Martin, who felt a little unbelievable and even unbelievable about all this, was speechless for a while. After being stunned for a while, he blinked and replied to Malashenko.
"What a surprise, General Malashenko."
"I have interviewed some Red Army commanders before. The language communication barrier made me even take the initiative to learn Russian. However, this is not an easy task. It seems difficult for my tongue to bend to the right level...
"
Martin was telling the truth, and Malashenko, who was sitting in the chair, just responded with a polite smile. Martin, who knew what he should do next, quickly blurted out the question.
"First question, General."
"In our country, many people say that the German armored forces are so impregnable that they conquered all of Europe and almost captured you... Oh, I'm sorry, that may be inappropriate, but I want to know
The question is, how do you evaluate these rumors? What is the real combat effectiveness of the German armored forces?"
Malashenko had basically guessed and expected the questions that John Bulls might ask in advance. Now it seems that the level of this question is just that, and it cannot be regarded as exceeding expectations.
As for how to answer such a question, Malashenko is also well prepared.
However, Malashenko, who had received instructions from Comrade Lao Zhu, did not intend to tell the truth.
There is no need for him to teach the British in advance and get vaccinated. Accelerating the development of the military industry of the British and Americans is not the result Malashenko wants.
"That's not a difficult question to answer, Martin."
"You should know about the just-concluded Battle of Kursk. In this battle, we defeated the lackey army of Fascist Germany and beat their proud big cat tanks into pet cats, the sick kind.
"
"Whether it was in 1941 or now, my answer is the same. The tanks manufactured by the Germans are a pile of scrap metal like tin packaging boxes. The quality of the Red Army's equipment has always been crushing its opponents, and it has never stopped."
"If someone questions my point of view and claims that the Fascists are invincible, then I will tell him to look at how our Soviet Red Army used a tank brigade to withstand three fascist SS troops in Prokhorovka.
A fierce attack by an elite armored division, and finally turned defeat into victory."
"Don't worry about the tanks made by the Germans. They only produce garbage, waste resources, and then exploit resources to continue producing garbage. It is a garbage cycle in itself. As allies, I am very happy that we can face such weakly equipped enemies together. They have already
It is going downhill, and I hope that this great worldwide anti-Fascist war can come to a victorious end as soon as possible."