After a period of intense measurement and data collection, these scientists even tried to start the "Tiger", but in the end they gave up because they were worried about engine damage and spontaneous combustion.
"If we want to deal with this tank, we must use a thicker gun. The 76.2MM tank gun we are using now obviously cannot do it!"
"It's not enough to just use thicker artillery, we also need thicker armor!"
"But our engines can't bear such weight!"
…
There was a heated discussion in the conference room.
That's what tanks are like, they need to strike a balance between firepower, protection and mobility, otherwise there will be some obvious shortcomings that can be exploited by the enemy.
The T34 should be said to be very successful in this regard, because it uses sloped armor, which increases its protection capabilities in stages without increasing the weight of the tank, so it achieves all three of them quite well.
But now, the emergence of the "Tiger" has broken the T34's advantages.
"Comrades!" Sisoy stopped the scientists from arguing: "Have you ever considered that Germany built such a heavy tank but used a gasoline engine? This will undoubtedly cause mobility problems.
!”
As he spoke, Sisoy turned his attention to Shulka.
"Yes!" Shulka replied: "We found railroad tracks on the battlefield, which were connected to tank bunkers, and several flatbed trucks, so we have reason to believe that the Germans used flatbed trucks to drag these tanks around. It is true.
As time permits!"
The scientists couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief when they heard this.
"So we don't need to worry too much about this thing!" Sisoy said: "I mean if they need to use rails to maneuver, it can't even be called a tank!"
"Yes!"
"It should probably be called an armored train!"
…
The scientists may be right in saying that if it relies too much on rails, it cannot be called a tank, especially for the German army, which is known for its speed and "blitzkrieg".
But Shulka doesn't think so.
"I'm not optimistic!" Shulka said: "First of all, I think this is the reason why they rushed this new tank to the battlefield. They will slowly solve these problems in the future to make it move.
A real tank!”
Kalashnikov agreed: "I found some traces of welding, new ones, which means they were even welded on the way there!"
"Even if they solve some problems, they can't solve the mobility problem!" Sisoy said: "This is determined by its engine!"
It should be said that Sisoy's judgment was correct. The "Tiger"'s speed on the road is only 38 kilometers per hour, and the cross-country speed is only a pitiful 15-21 kilometers per hour. Especially the terrain in the Soviet Union is either muddy in spring and summer or snowy in autumn and winter.
The "Tiger" maneuver is even more of a nightmare.
But this does not affect the combat effectiveness of the "Tiger" and its damage to the Soviet army. Shulka knows this very well.
"Gentlemen!" Shulka said: "You have to know that the emphasis on speed should be when the war just broke out. At that time, the German strategy was to break through quickly, or to attack strategic locations as quickly as possible.
Just like their attack on Crimea not long ago, they reached Crimea from the Kiev defense lines in less than ten days and captured it before we were ready!"
Shulka paused for a moment, and then continued: "However, as the war deepens, I think the enemy and we will gradually fall into a stalemate. At this time, the probability of long-distance raids and 'blitzkrieg' will decrease exponentially, so the tank
The requirements for maneuverability will be reduced accordingly!”
The scientists couldn't help but nod their heads. This was an unfamiliar field to them, so it was not surprising that they didn't expect it.
"What's more important!" Shulka said: "We have to admit that the German tanks are much more skilled than our tank crews in using them. In addition, they are generally equipped with radios and can coordinate well with each other.
If several or even a dozen of these tanks form a unit to cover each other, I'm afraid we won't be able to defeat them even if we have several times the numerical advantage!"
Scientists couldn't help but discuss it.
What Shulka said is indeed possible. Although the "Tiger" is slow, it is almost invincible. So as long as it advances steadily, the Soviet army will only be beaten.
"I think it is urgent to develop a new tank that can defeat it!" Kalashnikov said: "While the Germans have not equipped this tank in large quantities!"
"First we have to find a tank gun that can penetrate from a long distance!"
"102MM, I think our 85MM anti-aircraft gun might be able to!"
"It's too big for our tanks!"
"But what else can we do?"
…
The scientists quarreled fiercely again.
"Comrades!" Shulka interrupted their quarrel impatiently: "Why don't we produce an artillery piece using a tank chassis like the Germans?"
The scientists were stunned when they heard this.
After thinking about it, Kalashnikov said: "It's a good idea, Shulka. When the Germans couldn't deal with our T34, they installed the anti-tank gun on the tank chassis. Although it was not as flexible as the tank,
But it can be produced in large quantities in a short time and can penetrate the target without a doubt!"
The difference between an assault gun and a tank is that it does not need so many devices to enable the turret to rotate, not even a aiming system.
This saved weight and space allows it to be mounted on artillery of any caliber.
Although it still has many shortcomings when facing tanks on the battlefield, at least it will not become a target and have nothing to do with it.
If there are too many, the opponent's tanks will become targets.
"I agree!" Sisoy said: "This is indeed a solution, at least it is our emergency plan during the transition period!"
So this Soviet assault gun immediately entered the research and development process.
Although this research and development is not difficult at all, it is just to find a suitable artillery that can penetrate the frontal armor of the "Tiger" and install it on the tank chassis.
But it's not that easy to do.
Because this requires constant testing, such as which artillery has moderate performance and can pose a threat to the "Tiger" at about one thousand meters.
After that, you have to choose which tank chassis is more suitable.
Moreover, it requires a certain amount of protection when mounted, as well as bomb load capacity and maneuverability.
However, this assault gun came out very quickly...it only took 120 days from development to deployment on the battlefield, which can be called a miracle in the history of the Soviet army.