After having an organized medium tank unit, Malashenko did feel that it was much more convenient. Heavy tanks with strong armor and powerful guns, which were good at attacking cities and fortresses, often had difficulty reaching the battlefield quickly. In the past, light tanks were fragile and weak.
It is difficult to play a decisive role.
At this time, all you need to do is send in medium tank troops. These are excellent Soviet-made medium tanks that have basically achieved the maximum balance in the three elements of firepower, mobility, and protection. Not only do they run much faster than heavy tanks, but they also have more firepower than light tanks.
The younger brother of the tank is more powerful.
As long as the opponent is not too difficult, for example, if you encounter a group of enemy heavy tanks.
Medium tank troops that form in groups and rush into the battlefield quickly can usually stabilize the front quickly and even directly reverse the situation! Of course it doesn't matter if there is no way to reverse the situation.
As long as they can gain a firm foothold and ensure that the troops are undefeated, the heavy tank troops that follow will play a decisive role. The main task of the medium tank troops is to hold on until the heavy tank troops arrive. At least in light and medium tanks.
, in the Stalin Guards 1st Tank Division, which is composed of three types of tanks, the rationale and tactical arrangement are as simple as that.
The opponent he has to face this time is different from the past. Through advance battlefield reconnaissance intelligence, Malashenko has learned that among the German troops in front of him, there is a relatively complete organization that has received some reinforcements after withdrawing from Kursk.
, the Wehrmacht Armored Division, which is considered the strongest among the surrounding theaters, is located here.
He had to stay with the main force and command from the center. Being in the enemy's hinterland, he might encounter unexpected emergencies at any time. Malashenko knew clearly that the main force could not do without him.
However, the person who needs to be sent to the front of the battle line to coordinate and command cannot be too low-level. Kulbalov is Malashenko’s most capable main force officer. But now Malashenko hopes that Kulbalov can
Staying in the nearest place and following orders at any time. It is best to be prepared at all times. This is one of the practical experiences that Malashenko has summarized today.
Moreover, Kurbalov was not actually a division-level commander but a regiment-level commander, while Alexi's reconnaissance company was a unit directly under the division headquarters.
Malashenko was really worried that Alexi, a stubborn donkey, would get off his feet at a critical moment. This brat who dared to disobey his orders and change his methods to execute them would probably be punished by Kulbalov if he failed to do so.
The orders also fell on deaf ears.
"I am a unit directly under the division headquarters. You, a regimental commander, do you care about me?"
It may sound a bit blunt and off-putting, but that's exactly what Li'er is.
Although unlikely, it does happen.
Taking this into consideration, Malashenko decided to change his generals before the battle. Instead of sending Kulbalov, he directly sent his deputy Lavrinenko.
You Alexi are awesome, aren't you? You have a lot of airs, aren't you?
Well, you kid is playing tricks on your comrade, the division commander, who is far away in the rear area, saying, "Generals are out there, and military orders will not be obeyed." The deputy division commander is riding on your face, you can't possibly still be like a stubborn donkey.
Just give up your pick, right?
This is the second-level division-level commander under the serious old horse. To put it bluntly, if the division commander is in trouble and temporarily unable to command the battle, then Lavrinenko has the final say in military affairs.
At the very least, it should be discussed with the political commissar and the chief of staff.
If Alexi can't be controlled after this, Malashenko feels that he should really deal with this bastard.
"I hope nothing happens. Alexi just needs to wait for this time..."
Feeling the cold wind whistling in his ears and looking at the snow-white horizon in the distance, Malashenko, who was really worried, couldn't help but murmur to himself and said.
Lavrinenko, who received the order from Malashenko, moved very quickly. All the medium tanks in Kulbalov's main 1st Tank Regiment were mobilized and taken away by Lavrinenko. This was It is an entire medium tank battalion with a total of 38 medium tanks, a force that cannot be underestimated.
It is worth mentioning that because Lavrinenko's vehicle is huge and heavy, it cannot keep up with the IS4 heavy tank. This kind of war machine is equivalent to an invincible behemoth once it arrives on the battlefield, let alone keep up with it. The medium tank unit is known for its high-speed mobility. Even the IS6, which is also a heavy tank but is designed for high-speed mobility, is difficult to catch up with.
Therefore, Lavrinenko, who was helpless by reality, could only temporarily change his vehicle, seconded an IS6 heavy tank from the Guard Heavy Tank Company directly under the division headquarters, and changed vehicles on the spot.
The four-man crew in two different heavy tanks quickly exchanged in less than a minute. It is true that Lavrinenko's crew, who had fought on the IS6 for a period of time, was not proficient in this kind of equipment. The problem of insufficient degree.
The IS6 is considered to be the best among heavy tanks in terms of maneuverability. It is a high-speed heavy tank. Before the birth of the IS7 equipped with a torpedo boat engine, this was the fastest heavy tank in the entire Stalin family of heavy tanks.
Therefore, after changing his vehicle, Lavrinenko was able to keep up with the forward speed of the medium tank force. The entire rapid support force was running at the maximum speed with the accelerator pedal pressed, towards the reconnaissance force several kilometers away in a straight line. Go.
Although there are very few artificially dug solid roads in the wilds of the Soviet Union, most of them are simple dirt roads. But fortunately, Lavrinenko's luck was obviously pretty good this time, and the entire army moved forward all the way. Along the way, we basically encountered solid frozen ground.
Although the road is undulating and the ice and snow are agglomerated, which still affects the forward speed, it is still a hardened road, not a muddy snow-melted road. Medium tanks and heavy tanks equipped with winter tracks can still barely reach the speed standard, and the tracks are rolled up. Large tracts of flying snow were flying in the air behind the column, and the scene everywhere was truly spectacular.
"We have entered the radio communication range, Comrade Commander. We can now directly contact the people of the reconnaissance company, and they have been connected."
In addition to loading ammunition, he is also responsible for debugging the vehicle radio. The loader, who plays a guest role as an electromechanical technician, is standing closest to Lavrinenko, holding a microphone in his hand and speaking. Lavri, who is already worried, is The answer given by the Nian Ke report was also simple.
"Give me the microphone."
After taking the microphone, Lavrinenko was about to speak, but unexpectedly, Alexi, who already knew that the support troops were about to arrive, jumped ahead of Lavrinenko and sent an extremely dangerous signal.
"Calling for reinforcements, this is the reconnaissance company Alexi! The Germans have discovered us, and they are trying to encircle us! They have heavy firepower! Please come and help us immediately when you hear the news!"