After taking a closer look at this tank, which was about to become famous in the world for decades, Yang Zhen got into the driver's position and carefully observed the driving structure. With a slight indication from the driver on the side, the tank was started. It's just that after driving this latest Soviet medium tank and running around the training ground, Yang Zhen felt that his two arms couldn't be raised.

And when driving on difficult terrain, he found that this tank could only travel on the ridge line. If driving in an area with a slightly steeper slope, the entire tank is in danger of slipping down. This new discovery was something he didn't know before. And the maneuverability of this tank for complex terrain is far less than good as you think. However, according to the technical level of this era, it has been done relatively well.

The design and construction of the four-speed gearbox is such that every gear change consumes a lot of body. Fortunately, maybe it's a new car, and there hasn't been a situation where you have to use a sledgehammer to change gears smoothly. But even so, after running more than ten kilometers in a lap, Yang Zhen also felt a little sore back.

After jumping out of the cab, Yang Zhen shook off his arm that was a little sore because he was too hard to change gears, slightly adjusted his body that was a little numb from the extremely bad shock absorption system, and couldn't help but turn his head to Chen Hanzhang beside him and smiled bitterly: "It's really a hard work to open this thing." Maybe I haven't exercised for too long, and this has only been open for a while, and I can't stand it. ”

"Although this tank has more protection, artillery, and mobility, it is much stronger than the T-26 tank we originally used. But instead of improving, the driving conditions are even more backward. Driving such a thing to the battlefield is a laborious thing. ”

Regarding Yang Zhen's exclamation, Chen Hanzhang on the side also said with deep feelings: "No. 1, this kind of tank is good in terms of mobility, especially the wide tracks, which are very suitable for driving on the snow." There is a certain ability to wade through water, and this tank in general shallow water rivers can be driven directly over without any preparation. ”

"It's the gearbox and the driving structure, it's just too backward. Shifting gears is definitely a test for the driver's body. The vibration and noise inside the car is also a torture for the human body and ears. It takes a lot more effort to drive this thing than to drive a T-26 tank, especially compared to a BT tank. ”

"However, the biggest advantage of this tank is that the loading capacity of the fuel tank is very long, and the diesel engine consumes much less fuel than the gasoline engine. That is, the maximum driving range, which is much more than all the tanks we currently use. Even the British tanks that have just been received are far from comparable. Ideal for long-distance expeditions where there is a lack of fuel supply stations along the way. ”

"It's just that this vibration and noise also limits the distance traveled once on a certain distance. If we run the maximum range at one time, our driver and crew can only be dragged out of the car, let alone fight. After our practice, at most 100 kilometers at a time, the crew has to come out to rest for one to two hours to regain their body and energy. ”

"One, I thought about it carefully, and you're right. When this kind of tank is at a long range, the vibration of the hull coupled with the backward observation and sighting system, the accuracy of the guided shooting is still too poor. Under the circumstance that the first section of our army has become entangled with it, it is difficult to avoid accidentally injuring our own people. On the contrary, the tactics we adopted limited the performance of the tank itself. ”

"Rather than this, it is better to take advantage of its thick skin and flesh to fight close to the enemy in close combat. Not to mention the Japanese army's 37 tank gun, even the 57-mm howitzer on the latest Type 97 tank, it is difficult to penetrate our new tank at close range. ”

Regarding Chen Hanzhang's reply, Yang Zhen did not answer him. How to use this new tank, I have already pointed it out for them, but how much they can understand depends on themselves. The growth of a military unit does not depend on the superiors' mother-in-law and mother to manage everything, but more on their own independent thinking and comprehension.

Yang Zhen didn't give Chen Hanzhang any evaluation of his words, but pointed to the tank in front of him and said, "This kind of tank, you have to hurry up and get familiar with it." Xiong Dazhen, on his side, has already begun to produce artillery shells. It is estimated that by the beginning of January, it will be possible to replenish enough shells. Now that we have a full set of drawings and sufficient raw materials, the production speed should not be slowed down. ”

"It's too late for this tank overhaul, but I think it's possible to make some necessary small-scale improvements. The turret was equipped with a conning tower and anti-aircraft machine guns, and small handrails were welded to the hull to allow infantry to ride the tank while following the tank. ”

"The motorized infantry regiment of this division is also mainly equipped with wheeled trucks, and when it comes to difficult terrain, the ability to pass is very poor. With these handrails, the infantry can take the tank to attack together, at least to keep up with the speed of the tank, and at the same time, when facing the infantry, it can cover the tank to clear the enemy infantry at any time, and use the armor on the tank to cover themselves. ”

After that, Yang Zhen asked Chen Hanzhang to transfer an infantry squad from the base guard battalion. Let them do the position of the engine behind the tank, and accompany the tank to conduct a small drill of infantry and tank coordinated impact. It's just that because there are no handrails on the tank, the tank drives very slowly, for fear of throwing off the infantry carried on it.

Looking at the situation in front of him, Chen Hanzhang pondered for a moment and then nodded and said, "No. 1, the welding of the handrail, we can do it ourselves without the military industry department." This base also has some leftover steel from the construction of the base, give us two days, these 90 tanks can be refitted. ”

"In this way, when maneuvering in a large area, the infantry follows the tank in a car. Once in the combat area, the infantry can use the armored cover of the tank after disembarking, reducing the casualty rate of the infantry under the enemy's dense infantry fire. At the same time, the infantry can keep up with the speed of the tank's advance, protecting the tank from enemy infantry. ”

Chen Hanzhang was able to draw inferences from one another, but it was not beyond Yang Zhen's expectations. With Chen Hanzhang's vision and ability, it may be limited by the times and original conditions, and it may seem a little narrower. But if you can give him a little help and pierce that layer of window paper for him, he will definitely become a dragon that turns the clouds and rains.

This kind of talent with both military and political skills, not to mention the Anti-Japanese Federation, is how many people are there in the whole army? Moreover, Chen Hanzhang's long-term vision is not comparable to ordinary cadres. The speed of acceptance of new tactics and new tactics, especially new equipment, far exceeds that of ordinary military cadres. It is not only that he is determined to study, to consider and ponder, but more importantly, he has his own unique thinking ability and the ability to innovate.

Yang Zhen appointed him to serve as the first commander of the armored corps of the Anti-Japanese Federation, responsible for the formation of the armored corps, but he did not just look at his appearance on the Korean battlefield. Moreover, when the armored corps command was formed, because the whole army was being expanded, there was a lack of political work cadres, and all the military and political affairs were carried out by him.

But at least from the current situation, he didn't let himself down and did a pretty good job. For such a talent, many problems that he did not think of are enough as long as he clicks appropriately. Moreover, Yang Zhen has a specialization, and Yang Zhen knows a general idea of the use of armored troops, and he is not very clear in some necessary details.

Therefore, Yang Zhen has always thought that he has too much control, and he can only restrain his hands and feet too much, restricting their ability to think about problems on their own. It is necessary to remind yourself of the aspects that you understand and are clear about, when necessary. But it's just a proper reminder, and no more is necessary.

Patting the heavy armor of the T three or four tanks, Yang Zhen said: "When modifying, you have to pay attention to it, so that even if the troops can drag the handrails to ensure that their bodies are not thrown off by the high-speed impact tank, they must also ensure that the soldiers accompanying the vehicle can still shoot, and it is convenient to get on and off the car." ”

"And all the Italian-made tanks transferred by the British this time are already outdated rags. Not to mention, it's quite unreliable. Even though the British had replaced their artillery, their performance was still lagging behind. Once on the battlefield, it is not for our tankmen to fight, but for them to die. ”

"The headquarters has selected some of them and sent them to the military factory to remove the turret, add a seventy-five-mm field gun, and convert it into a self-propelled gun. And the installation of anti-aircraft guns, changed to self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, the 1st Panzer Division was the first to be equipped. After the completion of the modification plan, the artillery regiment of the 1st Panzer Division will have two self-propelled artillery battalions of 12 vehicles, a towed 100-mm howitzer battalion, and a rocket artillery battalion. ”

In this way, the 1st Armored Division will take the lead in realizing mechanization and motorization in the whole army, eliminating all mules and horses, and improving its mobility ability. But I'm very worried about whether your mechanical maintenance ability and the military quality of your commanders can support such a large mechanized force. ”

"In the operation of mechanized troops, in addition to some factors such as the battlefield and the training of soldiers, the most important thing is logistics support and maintenance support capabilities. The headquarters has now brought you iron horses, equipped with saddles and all the equipment, but whether you can really control these iron horses depends on yourself. ”

"Now the equipment is up, but your maintenance ability must keep up. In particular, the ability to rush repairs on the battlefield must be strengthened. I don't want the tanks that had mechanical failures during the detour in the previous phase of the battle to be repaired by the end of the battle. Engaged in long-distance running, and there were broken down tanks everywhere along the way. ”

"You are all senior commanders of the armored corps, and you are also the founders. The reason why I set up the Armored Corps Command at the beginning was to better mobilize manpower and material resources, and at the same time, to better complete our transformation from a single infantry and artillery unit to a multi-arm joint operation. ”

"You must have the corresponding vision and ability to meet the requirements of the headquarters. And among them, it is not just the table on the battlefield. It is more necessary to have a comprehensive commander. Logistics, technology, and the skills you must master. Of course, there are specializations, and you don't need to be proficient in everything, but you have to understand them. ”

"How much engine horsepower is in a tank, and what is the maximum driving range. Once there is a malfunction, how to eliminate it, will it affect the continuation of the fight. You senior commanders must have a degree in your heart. You can't just look blank and don't know anything when something goes wrong. ”

"For armoured troops, which are technically complex, you should not only consider how to use tactics, but more importantly, maximize technical maintenance capabilities. In order to let us, the iron horses, truly gallop on the battlefield. It is not an easy task to harness these iron horses. ”