Kalashnikov was referring to his design of tank machine gun counters and fuel consumption gauges.
"No, no, it's not just these!" Shulka said: "There are other things too, which are important enough to attract the attention of superiors!"
"This is almost impossible, Comrade Shulka!" Kalashnikov said: "There are many people doing such things, I mean those scientists..."
"They do!" Shulka said. "But don't you think they usually don't know what we need?"
Kalashnikov nodded in agreement.
In fact, the counters and fuel consumption meters he designed were not complicated and could be easily completed by scientists. The problem was that the scientists did not know that soldiers fighting on the front line needed this.
"But what could that be?" Kalashnikov asked.
This question stumped Shulka.
He originally wanted to tell Kalashnikov directly to develop the AK47, and if necessary, Shulka could even draw him a big picture.
The issue is……
At this time, the development of the AK47 would probably not be accepted by the Soviet military's top brass. A rifle that could fire continuously and redesigned bullets would be considered a waste.
At least that's what Hitler thought. He believed that this kind of rifle is almost equivalent to equipping every soldier with a submachine gun, and its range is not as far as the enemy's bolt-action rifles and light machine guns. This is a huge impact on logistics and industrial production capabilities.
Performance may not be ideal despite the challenges.
As a result, Hitler vetoed the production plan for the stg44 rifle. Later, the military deceived the Führer with the MP43, that is, the serial number of the submachine gun, before it could be produced.
The Soviet Union, on the other hand, began to develop intermediate bombs after learning about the power of stg44 on the battlefield, and thus the ak47 was born.
To put it simply, this kind of forward thinking is now proposed to subvert the entire country's ammunition production line and even eliminate all bolt-action rifle designs. Moreover, the person who proposed this design is a tank lieutenant or infantry second lieutenant... More likely, it is directly influenced by
The veto instead brought Kalashnikov to the attention of R&D.
At the same time, Shulka also knew that Kalashnikov would not accept ideas and creativity that were directly proposed and then gifted to him.
After thinking about it, Shulka said: "It can be anything, Comrade Kalashnikov! Everything we need, such as a mine clearing tank, why don't you improve it? I don't want to have to use a grinder all the time.
Clear mines on the battlefield!”
"That's right, Comrade Shulka!" Kalashnikov couldn't help but stood up after hearing this: "Why don't we improve it? Design a special mine-sweeping tank!"
"Yes, this is what we need!" Shulka said: "It is best to use it in muddy ground. I mean... it is very difficult to clear mines with rollers on muddy roads. Soon we will also be able to fight on snowy ground."
Similar difficulties will arise, and that’s what we need, isn’t it?”
"That's right!" Kalashnikov said: "Why don't we use iron rollers instead of stone mills?"
"That's right!" Shulka agreed: "The iron roller will not be exploded as easily as the stone roller. Even if it runs over an anti-tank mine... it will only blow a hole, and this is even
It will not affect its continued demining!”
"Yes, it is an iron roller!" Kalashnikov said excitedly: "As long as we control its weight or give it some extra power, it will not become a burden on the tank and may actually increase the number of tanks.
The contact area with the ground makes it less likely to sink into mud or snow..."
"What a great idea!" Shulka said: "I almost saw this mine-sweeping tank advancing towards the enemy's position on the battlefield!"
"No, this was our idea, Comrade Shulka!" Kalashnikov said: "Without your reminder, I wouldn't have thought of this!"
"Stop talking about this!" Shulka said: "I think you need to contact your friends in Stalingrad, and then let this tank appear on the battlefield as soon as possible. This is the most important thing!"
"That's right!" Kalashnikov said: "I'll go right away!"
After Kalashnikov left, Shulka couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief.
If this doesn't get the developers to notice Kalashnikov, then it's their fault.
What Shulka didn't expect was that...the R&D staff really noticed Kalashnikov, but they also noticed Shulka.
Because Kalashnikov told them very kindly that this was the idea of both him and Shulka, and Shulka, as the pioneer of using rollers as demining equipment on the battlefield, can be said to have made greater contributions.
So it is Shulka who is more noticeable than Kalashnikov.
That night, Sisoy rushed to Moscow from Stalingrad, and the first person he looked for was Shulka.
"Comrade Shulka!" Sisoy held Shulka's hand and said, "I'm glad to see you again. I didn't expect you to have a new design..."
"New design? Are you talking about a mine-clearing tank?" Shulka said: "Sorry, Comrade Sisoy! That was Comrade Kalashnikov's idea!"
"He told me it was your idea!"
"It's our idea, but he thought of more..."
"I still remember the last time you modified the tank antenna!" Sisoy said: "It turns out you were right, they can no longer find our command vehicle!"
After a pause, Sisoy continued: "We think your ideas are very unique. They don't even require complex technology or industrial capabilities. They can achieve good results with simple modifications... So, I don't know.
Would you be interested in working with us?"
At this time, Katukov broke in from outside the door and answered bluntly for Shulka: "No, I don't agree! Comrade Sisoy, we need Shulka, and the frontline needs Shulka here!"
"I know!" Sisoy replied: "But Shulka may be able to play a greater role in the R&D department, and he is just a soldier here..."
"He is not only a soldier!" Katukov said: "He is also a 'breakout hero'. Even Moscow needs him here!"
…
Sisoy and Katukov argued endlessly, but Shulka, the person involved, was left alone.
"Comrade Sisoy!" Shulka said: "Can I say a few words?"
"certainly!"
"Do you think, if I leave the battlefield..." Sulka said, "that is, sitting in the office, do you think I can still think about things like mine-sweeping tanks?"