However, it is precisely because of this that the "Valentin" tank was finally modified by the Soviet army into a tank with excellent performance... The Soviet army replaced the entire tank gun, canceled the smoke launcher, and added additional armor to the front.
The tracks are equipped with anti-skid gears.
As a result, "Valentin" became a heavy tank in the Soviet Union with firepower, protection and maneuverability exceeding KV1.
Of course, this is all for later.
It was obviously too late to carry out such modifications to the "Valentin" at this time, and the Soviet army's own tank guns were not enough at this time, so of course it was impossible to replace the tank guns for the "Valentin".
Therefore, Shulka and Katukov agreed to place the "Valentin" in the third echelon to protect the rear or to deal with enemy infantry.
"Organization!" Katukov said as he placed several tank models on the table. As he placed them, he said: "The enemy tanks entered a distance of 100 meters... They were able to penetrate our tanks, and 'Matil
Da' is still powerless against the enemy, we obviously have to rely on rocket launchers!"
The problem with the Matilda is that it is an infantry tank.
Simply put, infantry tanks are used as shields for infantry, so the armor protection is required to be strong, and firepower is secondary.
Under the guidance of this design idea, the British piled up a large amount of armor. As a result, there was insufficient internal space to equip a larger-caliber anti-tank gun. This made the 2-pound 40mm anti-tank gun ineffective against the "No. 3" anti-tank gun.
"The armor-piercing ability of a tank is seriously insufficient.
In fact, what is more serious is not the anti-tank gun, but the fact that the shell is too light, which means that even if it can penetrate the armor of German tanks, it is often unable to cause serious damage to tank components.
Therefore, all the Soviet army could count on was infantry.
If it were in the past, it would definitely not be possible. Infantrymen had to rush forward with grenades, Molotov cocktails, and explosive packs to attack tanks... Although the distance was only 100 meters, under the firepower of enemy tanks and infantry, it would never be possible.
Arrive at destination.
But now it's possible. They don't need to rush forward, they just need to set up the rocket launcher and pull the trigger.
The problem lies in the organization. What kind of firepower should the Soviet army use to suppress the enemy's firepower? What kind of attack density should the rocket launcher use?
After thinking about it, Shulka said: "We can try to form anti-tank squads under the platoon, with eight people in each squad. Each team of two will be equipped with four rocket launchers, and a carriage will be equipped to transport ammunition."
The reason for using platoon as a unit is that at this time, the Soviet army used each tank to be followed by a platoon to coordinate. In this way, there were four rocket launchers behind each tank.
"And then let the infantry squad cover the rocket launcher?" Katukov asked.
"Yes!" Shurka said: "The first and second squads are responsible for covering the two rocket launchers, and the third squad is used to coordinate tank operations."
Katukov nodded in agreement.
Complicated command is a taboo on the battlefield. For example, the Japanese army made such mistakes in naval battle command at this time... The Japanese character is cautious and meticulous. In naval battle command, they hope to mobilize every ship and everyone to form a perfect formation.
The war machine defeated the enemy, so the command was even detailed to where each torpedo boat should be and what tasks it should do.
There seemed to be no problem with this on the surface, and even the drill went as perfectly as they imagined.
The problem is that the battlefield is ever-changing, and emergencies of one kind or another will always occur. Once there is a problem in any part of such a complex and interlocking command, the result will be complete chaos.
Therefore, the battlefield often needs to give frontline officers and soldiers some autonomy so that they can perform freely according to changes in the battle situation. This is what the German army did.
At this time, the plan proposed by Shulka was very simple, and the division of labor was very clear, especially since the establishment of an additional anti-tank squad would not disrupt the original troop organization.
"Also!" Shulka said, "I think we should cancel the anti-tank rifle!"
"Cancel anti-tank rifles?"
"Yes!" Shulka said: "Although anti-tank rifles are still effective against armored vehicles and light tanks, anti-tank rifles will seriously affect the firepower of infantry squads to a certain extent, making them unable to provide sufficient reinforcement firepower!"
At this time, each squad of the 1st Guards Tank Brigade was equipped with one anti-tank rifle, and the anti-tank rifle required two people to operate it cooperatively. This meant that two infantrymen in each squad were treated as anti-tank personnel instead of infantry.
"More importantly!" Shulka continued: "I think rocket launchers can fill the gap of anti-tank rifles... At long range, our tanks can deal with those light tanks and armored vehicles. There are rocket launchers at close range, and they are better than
Anti-tank rifles are more suitable!”
Katuf nodded: "So, what equipment do you think the extra two people should use?"
"PPSH-41 submachine gun!" Shulka answered without thinking.
The ppsh-41 is the Poposa submachine gun, which Sparkin showed Shulka in the laboratory last time.
Although Bobosha has been equipped with the Soviet army at this time, this equipment is only equipped in small batches for commandos and motorized reconnaissance units. It hopes to find its potential flaws in actual combat and correct them before entering the mass production process.
(Note: Poposa did not enter mass production until mid-1942)
"ppsh? Two more ppsh per class?"
"Yes, Comrade Colonel!" Shulka said: "You must know that we will be fighting the enemy at a distance of about 100 meters, and the ppsh's firing range is about 300 meters... Its firepower and sustainability are not comparable at all.
The difference in machine guns is equivalent to having two more machine guns per class!"
"That makes sense!" Katukov agreed: "In this way, we can completely suppress the enemy's infantry firepower, and then the rocket launchers can deal with enemy tanks!"
"Yes!"
"I will contact you immediately to increase the supply of ppsh submachine guns. This is not a small amount!" Katukov said: "But I believe it can be done. As for you... Comrade Shulka, I think you need to assist Gavrilo
Comrade Husband is in charge of the training of the infantry regiment, is there any 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 as soon as I contacted Lieutenant Colonel Gavlov, I was stumped.
"Bazooka? What rocket launcher?" Major Gavrilov said: "Shulka, you said you want to train, but we have never even seen a rocket launcher, so what training is used?"
"They are rushing to produce it!" Shulka said: "I'm afraid it will be too late to train it after it is produced!"
Gavrilov spread his hands: "But we can't make movements in the air, it won't have any effect!"