Kulbalov got himself a whole battalion of Grizzly assault guns, which was the most unexpected thing for Malashenko.
Malashenko originally thought that Kulbalov probably seized a battalion of bison infantry guns or some German open-top self-propelled artillery. Compared with the same level of equipment of the Red Army, it is not powerful and advanced at all. Germany
Compared with the similar equipment of the Red Army, these support artillery pieces are basically inferior garbage, but I really didn't expect that the equipment I got was actually a grizzly bear.
Among the many derivative sub-models of the Panzer IV tank, the Grizzly assault gun can be said to be the most special among them, and of course the one with the most important battlefield role.
Similar to other types of German assault guns, the Grizzly removed the turret and extended the upper armor of the car body upwards, eventually covering the entire front of the fighting room. It also strengthened the physical thickness and adopted a slanted layout, so that the front armor of the Grizzly's fighting room was
It has the defensive strength to withstand direct fire from Red Army tank guns with a caliber of less than 100 mm.
There is a saying that this level of defense is enough to cope with most not-so-difficult battles, ensuring that this assault gun tank that requires frontal attack operations has sufficient battlefield protection.
In addition to the frontal main armor protection that is much thicker than the original Panzer IV, the Grizzly also upgraded the extremely fragile side and rear armor of the Panzer IV. An extra-large piece of additional skirt armor was added to the body to resist light anti-tanks.
Direct firing of weapons, such as some small-caliber direct-aiming artillery, or the more common Red Army anti-tank rifles.
Judging from the protection of the Panzer IV tank body and chassis alone, the Grizzly Bear is definitely the one with the strongest defense and the best ability to withstand beatings among the entire Panzer IV tank family.
However, what this thing is really proud of is not the armor protection that is enough to cope with most battles, but its 150mm Stuh 43 12-fold main gun, which is as thick and short as a pig's nose.
A full-caliber high-explosive grenade with a projectile mass of 38 kilograms and a warhead charge of up to 8 kilograms.
Judging from the charge alone, Grizzly Bear's shells are almost the same as the high-explosive grenade charge of later generations of 155mm self-propelled howitzers. It is just slightly insufficient in terms of yield coefficient and is not as good as those high-energy warhead devices of later generations in the 21st century.
The actual explosive power of the explosive will be slightly smaller, but it can still be regarded as an absolute battlefield weapon with astonishing power.
Because the projectile warhead has a huge charge, not only the ordinary Red Army infantry bunker fortifications cannot withstand this thing, even Malashenko's is6 and even is4 heavy tanks were hit by this thing.
, the powerful 8-kilogram warhead charge explosion will also give the Red Army's steel behemoth an absolutely fatal and devastating blow.
If the main armor belt on the front is hit by a shot, the best result is that the tracks are broken, the barrel is exploded, the tank is paralyzed on the spot, unable to move, and forced to withdraw from the battle. If the situation is worse, the overpressure will flow along the turret and body
It is also possible to get into the car through gaps and the driver's observation window, and kill the driver at the front of the car in just one breath.
As for whether the guys in the turret at the rear of the vehicle are okay, it all depends on Comrade Stalin's protection.
The frontal armor of the battle room, which has the strongest defense, has been hit by a shot. The result is already so bad. If the curved projectile hits the top of the head, no matter whether you are is6 or is4, the result of flying head on the spot is nothing to brag about. The premise is that it can really hit
Hit the mark.
It is also because the barrel is too thick and short that the Grizzly Bear can not only perform direct shooting, but also use the assistance of friendly units to perform some dirty tasks that are difficult for conventional assault guns, such as hunting cattle across the mountain behind the blind spot.
The concealment is absolutely first-class, and it is also very safe, enough to avoid most enemy retaliatory firepower, as long as you choose your location well enough.
In addition, both the Panzer IV chassis and the 150mm caliber main gun are off-the-shelf products, with mature technology, guaranteed quality and quantity, reliable performance, and no problems with versatility and logistical support.
Therefore, compared with the various expensive new cars that the Germans have produced in the past two years, Malashenko actually feels that the Grizzly is the one that can truly enable frontline troops to quickly form combat effectiveness, and after the combat effectiveness is formed, it can provide practical stability.
Good thing. If the Germans can develop a main battle vehicle according to this design idea, the troubles they will encounter will definitely increase a lot.
Fortunately, even if the Grizzly is mass-produced, it is only a special armored combat vehicle with a very low output. The limited total number cannot affect the outcome of the battle. At most, it can only be used in a certain battle or the overall strategy.
Above. Slightly delay the progress of the German army's destruction, delay it for some time, that's all.
If Malashenko remembers correctly, the grizzly bear himself saw the record of being put into actual combat and joining the frontal battlefield in the combat briefing shared by the brothers last year. It should have made its first appearance in the Battle of Kursk.
But because the number was too small, their performance in the overall battle was mediocre. Even the Red Army troops who had seen this thing were only a few.
In addition, the Germans were tight on protecting this new type of special armored combat vehicle, and if the battle situation was slightly unfavorable, they immediately prioritized the transfer of the Grizzly assault gun combat unit, which was relatively mobile. And the Grizzly's own reliable traveling device and mechanical structure were not easy.
If you break down on the battlefield and run away, there is no problem.
Therefore, even though the Battle of Kursk ended with a strategic victory for the Red Army, none of the Red Army troops participating in the war captured this thing, let alone carried out actual research after getting it. After the war, there were only some eyewitness reports lacking evidence and information.
It was briefly mentioned that Malashenko also came to the conclusion "Oh, there is such a thing" after reading the report, and there was nothing else.
Therefore, it was the first time in history for Malashenko to come into close contact with a real Grizzly assault gun.
Looking at the tall, fat "big guy" in front of him, Malashenko had to admit that although this thing looked silly, black and rough, it was still very impressive if he stood up close and felt it.
The sense of power can be called mighty and domineering, and the thick and short 150mm large tube alone looks powerful enough.
"Which unit does this German guy belong to? Have you found out?"
He reached out and patted the cold armor of the big steel man in front of him, which was so brand new that even the skirt and armor had not been scratched. He was curious as to whether this was the horse of the German army that was so "talented" and threw the enemy at the enemy without firing a single shot.
Shenke couldn't help but asked curiously.
"It's been found out, Comrade Division Commander. The German battalion deputy made it clear that their designation is the 218th Independent Assault Artillery Battalion of the Wehrmacht."