red moscow

Chapter 3040

“Comrade Brigade Commander!” Yefim said cautiously after Sokov finished speaking, “Among the equipment we captured, there were two 20mm Flak 38 light anti-aircraft guns. We originally planned to use these two guns for air defense, but since the higher-ups are sending a 37mm anti-aircraft battalion, the German guns are no longer of any use. I plan to repurpose them.”

"Change it to another purpose?" Sokov asked, puzzled. "What purpose do you intend to change it to?"

“I intend to use it to support infantry attacks.” Yefim, perhaps worried that Sokov wouldn’t understand, explained, “This quadruple 20mm anti-aircraft gun can fire at a rate of 220 rounds per minute. It is undoubtedly the most suitable weapon for suppressing enemy strongpoints and sweeping through densely packed infantry formations on the battlefield.”

“Alright then.” After listening to Yefim’s explanation, Sokov also felt that the power of this 20mm anti-aircraft gun was stronger than that of the 14.5mm anti-aircraft machine gun, and it was undoubtedly the most suitable for dealing with enemy firing points or dense formations. Therefore, he readily agreed to the other party’s request: “These two 20mm anti-aircraft guns will be given to your battalion. As for whether to use them for air defense or to strafe ground targets, it is up to you.”

Just as Sokov was about to put down the microphone, he suddenly thought of an important question and quickly asked into the microphone, "Captain Yefim, is the artillery battalion commander next to you?"

“Yes, Comrade Brigade Commander, he’s right here beside me.” Yefim asked tentatively, “Do you need him to answer the phone?”

"Give him the microphone, I have something important to ask him."

The artillery battalion commander's voice came through the receiver very quickly: "Hello, Brigade Commander! This is the artillery battalion commander. What are your instructions?"

"Comrade Battalion Commander, hello!" Sokov didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "I'd like to ask, if I hand over the railway gun to you, are you able to use it to bombard enemy targets?"

Upon hearing Sokov's question, the artillery battalion commander remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "Comrade Brigade Commander, although we have never used railway guns before, the operating principles of artillery are the same. If you really intend to put these two railway guns into service, I can arrange for some key personnel to give them a try."

Sokov's idea of ​​having the artillery use captured railway guns to bombard the German lines was just a spur-of-the-moment decision. He wasn't very confident about whether the artillery could operate the railway guns effectively or inflict damage on the enemy: "Comrade Battalion Commander, how much do you know about railway guns?"

炮兵营长以为索科夫是在考自己，在脑子里组织了一番词汇后，说出了自己所了解的信息：“旅长同志，通常1个K5列车炮连装备有1~2门列车炮。1个完整K5列车炮系统包括1门K5列车炮、1辆列车炮牵引机车、1辆发射药车、1辆柴油机车、2辆炮弹车（每辆可携带113发300毫米炮弹，每发炮弹重255千克）、2辆货物牵引车、1辆器材运输车（用于运送零备件等补给品）、1辆装有轻武器的装甲铁路警戒车、1辆炊事车、1辆火力控制车、1辆高射炮车（装有1门20毫米Flak 38型轻型高射炮）和3辆搭乘警卫人员的运输车。

Since we captured two railway artillery systems, all equipment comes in duplicate.

Sokov was surprised by the complex organization of a railway gun company. He paused for a moment, then slowly said, "I've already ordered Captain Yefim to move the two railway guns into the forest and cover them with camouflage netting. Before I give the order to use the railway guns, you need to gather capable personnel and quickly familiarize them with their operation. Understand?"

The artillery battalion commander hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Comrade Brigade Commander, are you sure you want to use the railway gun?"

“That’s not necessarily true.” Sokov knew very well that using railway guns was a rather complicated matter. If the target was exposed, it would attract German bombing or artillery fire, so it wouldn’t be used lightly unless it was a critical moment. “I need to determine whether it is necessary to use railway guns based on changes in the battlefield situation.” “I understand, Comrade Brigade Commander.” Although Sokov didn’t give a definite answer, the artillery battalion commander still took the initiative to say, “I will personally lead men to familiarize themselves with the railway guns, and strive to ensure that the railway guns can be put into combat immediately when you give the order to fire.”

Sokov was very satisfied with the artillery battalion commander's reply, praised him a few times, and then hung up the phone.

Seeing Sokov put down the microphone, Belkin leaned over and asked curiously, "Comrade Brigade Commander, are you really planning to use the railway guns to bombard the enemy's fortifications?"

“Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander, this is my thinking.” Sokov was worried that Belkin or Karsokov would object when he ordered the use of the railway guns, so he felt it was necessary to explain to them in advance: “In the area we are about to attack, there will definitely be some extremely strong fortifications. And the artillery equipped by our brigade is all 76.2 mm cannons, which will be very difficult to destroy. I plan to use the railway guns only when we encounter fortifications that cannot be destroyed by artillery fire.”

"Comrade Brigade Commander!" Karsokov reminded Sokov, "Although the railway gun is extremely powerful, it has many fatal weaknesses: First, its rate of fire is too slow, taking several minutes to fire a single shell; second, it is huge and difficult to move. If it is attacked by enemy artillery or bombardment while firing, there is a risk of the gun being destroyed and people being killed."

“You’re right, Comrade Chief of Staff.” Sokov didn’t deny what Karsokov said: “It is precisely because of these weaknesses of railway guns that they are not used much on the battlefield. Even if we were to use railway guns, we would probably not fire many shells. After destroying the intended target, we would stop firing, unlike ordinary artillery which fires continuously at enemy positions.”

“If the number of shells fired is small, we need to send artillery observers to the area to be shelled in advance,” Karsokov reminded Sokov. “These artillery observers will provide firing parameters to the troops using the railway guns and guide the shells to land in the designated area.”

“That’s not urgent for now,” Sokov said, shaking his head. “Our main task right now is to drive the Germans out of the vicinity of Klyukovo. We’ll use railway artillery at suitable locations after our army has fully launched a counter-offensive.”

Hearing Sokov say this, Karsokov cautiously asked, "Comrade Brigade Commander, there are no outsiders here. I would like to hear your true thoughts. Can our counter-offensive really repel the Germans?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff, what's wrong with you? Why do you have no confidence at all?" Sokov said with a smile, "This major counter-offensive under the walls of Moscow will not only be successful, but will also drive the enemy that is close to Moscow back a hundred or two kilometers away. Don't worry unnecessarily."

"So where do you plan to use the railway guns?"

"Of course, we're considering using railway artillery in the battle to recapture Sun Mountain City." Sokov pointed to the location of Sun Mountain City and said to Karsokov, "Our brigade was stationed in Sun Mountain City for a period of time, so we all know that the terrain here gradually rises from north to south. Defending against an enemy from the north is more difficult because the terrain rises gradually; but if we launch an attack from the south, we will face steep terrain, which is not conducive to the deployment of troops and will increase the difficulty of the assault many times over."

There's a settlement to the south of the city with rather complex terrain. If the enemy deploys heavy defenses there, we'll likely suffer heavy losses to capture it. Therefore, using railway artillery to bombard this settlement, destroying enemy fortifications and eliminating their manpower, will be extremely helpful for our subsequent offensive.

(End of this chapter)