As a fan of large-caliber heavy artillery and heavy tanks, the performances that Stalin was most interested in in his life were neither opera dances nor sitting in his office smoking a pipe and listening to the radio. Only those majestic steel behemoths and pipes were
Only the thicker and better large-caliber heavy artillery can ignite the most primitive excitement and fanaticism in Stalin's heart.
The steel body of the armored cannon was completely covered with white snow. The continuously speeding tracks stirred up the snow on the parade avenue and threw up bursts of white mist in the air. Indulge in this "unparalleled beauty"
Stalin, the loving father inside, soon saw the resolute figure on the leading vehicle of the heavy tank formation, facing the military parade platform and raising his hand in salute.
Stalin, who had vaguely guessed his identity in his heart, immediately turned his head and spoke quietly to the actual person in charge of the Soviet Ministry of Internal Affairs who was accompanying the reviewing troops.
"Is he Malashenko? The young man who once made the headlines of Pravda."
Hearing the question raised by Stalin beside him, Beria, who had carefully checked the lists of all the troops to be reviewed before the parade began, naturally understood this clearly, and blurted out the words without any hesitation at all.
"Yes, Comrade Leader, that is Comrade Malashenko, the tank hero of our Red Army who has been on the headlines of Pravda before. The achievements he and the heavy tank troops under his command have achieved since the beginning of the war are all of our Red Army's
The best in the tank corps."
In this era of underdeveloped communication technology and media, Stalin, who had never seen Malashenko in person before, had only seen the slightly blurry image and face of Malashenko in newspaper headlines and black-and-white photos.
In the face of this formidable enemy, the German Nazis and Fascists were at the critical moment when they arrived at the gates of Moscow.
As an outstanding leader with a long-term vision, Stalin not only realized the decisive role of outstanding generals in the overall strategy. Those Red Army soldiers and front-line commanders and soldiers who fought bravely to defend the motherland in the grassroots units of the Red Army had no idea about the current war situation.
It's equally important to say.
At any time, the heroes who fight side by side with you in the same trenches and on the front line are the backbone of an army. This is also true even for the Soviet Red Army, which is supported by firm beliefs.
Although they have never met, he has demonstrated his "extraordinary talent" through indirect means many times. At present, Malashenko is only a lieutenant colonel. His status in Stalin's heart can no longer be measured by simple military rank.
Stalin, who had all the decisiveness expected of a dictator and an outstanding politician, never hesitated to reuse talents.
"After the military parade, the 1st Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment will go directly to the front line, right?"
Beria was slightly taken aback by Stalin's somewhat unexpected and abrupt words, but after a brief period of confusion, Beria quickly returned to normal.
"Yes, Comrade Leader. As far as I know, General Zhukov has encountered a lot of difficulties and troubles on the front line in commanding the Western Front Army in recent days. Most of the reinforcements from the Siberian Military District are light infantry divisions. They lack strategic significance.
technical equipment and tank troops, you should be able to get some answers about this from Chief of Staff Shaposhnikov."
After hearing this, Stalin turned his head again in silence and looked at Shaposhnikov on the other side. Chief of Staff Shaposhnikov, who had clearly heard all the conversation just now, was speaking a moment later.
After thinking about it, he immediately gave the answer to Stalin who was waiting.
"In the summary of combat situations reported by Comrade Zhukov in recent days, heavy technical equipment and tank units are generally emphasized, just as Comrade Beria said just now."
"The division-level troops under the Western Front lack a sufficient number of anti-tank artillery and are not fully organized. It is very difficult to withstand the German tank offensive. I originally planned to report this to you after today's military parade.
According to the situation, my folder is almost filled with telegrams from Comrade Stalin and Comrade Zhukov urging reinforcements."
As the saying goes, children who cry are fed by milk. Zhukov, who is good at commanding large corps in frontal combat, is not really omnipotent even though he is known as the God of War of the Red Army.
The German Army Group Center, which occupies a dual advantage in the number of equipment and soldiers, is launching an onslaught towards Moscow that is becoming more and more intense day by day. Zhukov, who is deeply aware of the heavy burden on his shoulders, in addition to commanding the troops to arrange strategic deployments, also follows closely behind.
The second top priority is to constantly press Moscow for reinforcements, technical equipment, and material supplies. In short, he wants everything that is beneficial to the frontline war.
When the war reached this point, Stalin, who had completely entrusted everything to Zhukov, almost didn't think much about it. The truth that if you want a horse to run fast, you must feed the horse well, it is also clear to Stalin.
"Then send reinforcements from Malashenko's 1st Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment to Zhukov. After the military parade, you draft an order and send it to Zhukov, telling him that this is the only tank he can get in the near future.
Troop reinforcements. The new tanks will not be commissioned and delivered to him until at least the end of November. This is already the last organic heavy tank unit that Moscow can assemble for him, and it must be put to good use."
Chief of Staff Shaposhnikov, who had already smelled an unquestionable rebuttal to the order given in Stalin's deep voice, naturally had no reason to refuse or question it. Moreover, Zhukov, who had a good personal relationship with him, was really
We have reached the most critical moment on the edge of the cliff.
"Understood, Comrade Stalin, I will arrange it immediately after the military parade is over."
As they spoke, the heavy tank formation on the parade avenue was already rumbling up to the closest position to Stalin's view of the parade. Although Stalin was old, his eyes were not too bad, and he could vaguely see the face facing him.
With a young and resolute face, the frost-covered face blown by the whistling wind and snow is still as solid as steel without any wavering.
"Not only can he lead the troops to victory on the front line, but he can also gain insights into more advanced tank development plans after leaving the tank. Even Kogin responded to the suggestions and summaries made by this young man who had never even met him.
Highly rated…”
As long as Malashenko is mentioned, one can think of the praise and recognition of people around him such as Zhukov, Shaposhnikov and Kotin. That sentence almost influenced the Red Army's next-generation tank development plan. It is simple, clear and powerful.
These characteristic words left a deep impression on Stalin, who still has a photographic memory of them.