Chapter 321 First acquaintance

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 gun 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, his loving father, soon saw the resolute figure facing the parade platform and saluting him from the leading vehicle of the heavy tank formation.

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 in Pravda."

Hearing the question raised by Stalin beside him, Beria, who had carefully checked the list of all the troops to be reviewed before the parade began, naturally understood this, and blurted out the words without any hesitation.

"Yes, Comrade Leader, that is Comrade Malashenko, the tank hero of our Red Army who has made 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.

At this juncture when the enemy is at hand and the German Nazis and Fascists are approaching 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 are equally important to the current war situation.

At any time, the heroes who fight side by side with them in the same trenches and on the front line are the backbone of an army. This is the same even for the Soviet Red Army with the blessing of firm faith.

Although he has 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 the somewhat unexpected and abrupt words from Stalin's mouth, 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 units, 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.

"Comrade Zhukov's summary of the battle situation reported in recent days generally emphasizes heavy technical equipment and tank units, 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. Comrade Stalin and Comrade Zhukov’s telegrams urging reinforcements are already filling up my folder.”

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, is also following 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, 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 delivered to him until at least the end of November. This is 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. Besides, 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 make arrangements immediately after the military parade is over."

As he spoke, the heavy tank formation on the parade avenue was already rumbling towards him and was approaching the position closest to Stalin's view of the parade. Although he was old, his eyesight was not too bad, and he could vaguely see the face facing him. With a young and resolute face, the frosty face that was blown by the whistling wind and snow was 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. The characteristic words left a deep impression on Stalin, who still has a photographic memory of them.