However, it is precisely because of this that the "Valentine" tank was finally converted into a high-performance tank by the Soviet army...... The Soviets replaced their tank guns entirely, eliminated smoke launchers, added additional armor to the front, and installed anti-skid gears for the tracks.

As a result, "Valentine" became a heavy tank in the USSR that surpassed the KV1 in firepower, protection and maneuverability.

Of course, that's all for later.

At this time, it was obviously too late to carry out such a transformation of the "Valentin", and at this time the Soviet army's own tank guns were not enough, and of course it was impossible to replace the "Valentin" with tank guns.

Therefore, Shulka and Katukov agreed to place the "Valentin" in the third echelon to protect the flanks or to deal with the enemy infantry.

"Compilation!" As he spoke, Katukov put several models of tanks on the table, and as he wilted, he said: "The enemy tank is at a distance of 100 meters...... They are able to penetrate our tanks, and Matilda is still powerless against the enemy, and we obviously have to rely on bazookas! ”

The problem with the "Matilda" is that it is an infantry tank.

Infantry tanks are simply used as shields for infantry, so the armor protection requirements are strong enough, and firepower is secondary.

GUIDED BY THIS DESIGN IDEA, THE BRITISH PILED A LARGE AMOUNT OF ARMOR ON TOP OF IT, AND THE RESULT WAS THAT THE INTERNAL SPACE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO EQUIP A LARGER CALIBER ANTI-TANK GUN, WHICH MADE ITS 2-POUND 40MM ANTI-TANK GUN SERIOUSLY INSUFFICIENT IN ARMOR-PIERCING ABILITY AGAINST THE "NO. 3" TANK.

In fact, it was not the anti-tank gun that was more serious, but the shell was too light, which caused it to be unable to cause serious damage to the tank components even if it could penetrate the armor of the German tank.

As a result, the only thing the Soviets could count on was infantry.

If it had been before, it would have certainly not worked, and the infantry bombed the tank had to rush forward with grenades, Molotov cocktails, explosives packets, etc...... Although it was only 100 meters away, it was afraid that it would never reach its destination under the fire of enemy tanks and infantry.

But now it's possible, they don't need to rush forward, they just need to set up the bazooka and pull the trigger.

The question is the formation, what kind of firepower should the Soviet army use to suppress the enemy's firepower, and what kind of attack density should be used for the bazooka?

After thinking about it, Shulka said: "We can try to form an anti-tank squad under the platoon, with eight people per squad, equipped with four rocket launchers in groups of two, and a horse-drawn carriage to transport ammunition. ”

The platoon unit is because the Soviet army at this time is each tank followed by a platoon to cooperate, so that each tank has four rocket launchers.

"And then put the infantry squad in charge of covering the bazooka shooters?" Katukov asked.

"Yes!" "The first and second squads were responsible for covering the two rocket launchers, and the third squad was used for coordinated tank operations," Shulka said. ”

Katukov nodded in agreement.

It is taboo to command complicated on the battlefield, for example, the command of the Japanese army in naval battles at this time made such a mistake...... The character of the Japanese is to be cautious, and in the command of naval battles, they hope to mobilize every ship and everyone to form a perfect war machine to defeat the enemy, so they command even down to the details of what position and task each torpedo boat should do.

On the surface, it seemed fine, and even the drill went as well as they thought it would be.

The problem lies in the fact that the battlefield is changing rapidly, and there will always be unexpected situations of one kind or another, and once there is a problem in any of the links of such a complex and interlocking command, the result will be total chaos.

Therefore, the battlefield often needs to give the front-line officers and soldiers some autonomy and let them play freely according to the changes in the war situation, and the German army did just that.

At this time, Shulka proposed this plan is very simple, and the division of labor is very clear, especially the formation of another anti-tank squad will not disrupt the original troop formation.

"Plus!" Shulka said: "I think we should cancel the anti-tank rifle!" ”

"Cancel the anti-tank rifle?"

"Yes!" "Anti-tank rifles are still effective against armored vehicles and light tanks, but anti-tank rifles can to some extent seriously affect the firepower of infantry squads and prevent them from providing sufficient reinforcements," Shulka said. ”

At this time, the 1st Guards Tank Brigade was equipped with one anti-tank rifle per squad, and the anti-tank rifle required two people to work together, which meant that two infantrymen per squad were treated as anti-tank personnel instead of infantry.

"What's more!" Shulka continued: "I think bazookas can fill the gap in anti-tank rifles...... At long range, our tanks can deal with those light tanks and armored vehicles, and at close range there are bazookas, which are all more suitable than anti-tank rifles! ”

Katuf nodded: "So, what equipment do you think these extra two should use?" ”

"PPSh-41 submachine gun!" Shulka replied without thinking about it.

The PPSh-41 is the Bobosha submachine gun, which Sparkin last showed Shulka in the lab.

At this time, although Bobosha had been equipped with the Soviet army, this equipment was only equipped in small batches with commandos and motorized reconnaissance units, and it was more in the hope of discovering its potential defects in actual combat, correcting them and then entering the mass production process. (Note: Bobosha did not enter mass production until mid-1942)

“PPSh？ Two more PPSh per shift? ”

"Yes, Comrade Colonel!" "Know that we are fighting the enemy at a distance of about 100 meters, and the range of the PPSh is about 300 meters," Shulka said...... Its firepower and persistence are not at all worse than that of a machine gun, which is equivalent to two more machine guns per squad! ”

"Makes sense!" Katukov agreed: "In this way, we will be able to completely suppress the enemy's infantry fire, and then the bazooka will be able to deal with the enemy's tanks!" ”

"Yes!"

"I'm going to contact the PPSh submachine gun right away, it's not a small amount!" Katukov said: "But I believe it can be done, as for you...... Comrade Shulka, I think you need to assist Comrade Gavrilov in the training of the infantry regiment, is there a problem? ”

"No problem, Colonel!" Shulka replied confidently.

Shulka originally thought that such training would not be too difficult, because there were not many changes in the troops.

But just after contacting Lieutenant Colonel Gavlov, he was stumped.

"Bazooka? What bazooka? Major Gavrilov said: "Shulka, you said you want to train, but we haven't even seen a bazooka, so what kind of training is used?" ”

"They're rushing to produce!" Shulka said: "I'm afraid it's too late to train when it's produced!" ”

Gavrilov spread his hands: "But we can't make a movement into the air, it won't have any effect!" ”