Chapter 284 2
Kalashnikov agreed with Shulka's idea, especially at this time that the German army was equipped with half-track armored vehicles and the Soviet army did not.
"It can be used in bad road conditions, which is very useful for us!" Kalashnikov said: "I will mention this idea to them when I go back!"
Kalashnikov did so, but the answer was a bit disappointing.
"They do not agree with this plan, Shulka!" Kalashnikov said on the phone.
"Why?" Shulka felt a little strange.
"It's still the same set of reasons!" Kalashnikov replied: "The load and speed are not enough. They think this half-track vehicle has no practical value!"
Hearing what Kalashnikov said, Shulka understood a little bit.
What the Soviets want is a large space that can hold more things. As for the safety of soldiers and combat experience...these are secondary, and they can be overcome by the spirit and will of frontline soldiers.
From this point of view, the research and development department is of course interested in this kind of half-track armored vehicle that is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and has reduced space, load, and speed.
"What is their practical value!" Kalashnikov said regretfully: "Some people even say that we only need to put the machine gun on the car and add a few pieces of iron to achieve similar performance. Halftracks are a waste of resources! I can't convince them..."
"It's okay, Kalashnikov!" Shulka said, "I know you tried your best!"
"If only you were here!" Kalashnikov said angrily: "I believe you have a way to convince them, no matter what the problem, you always have a way!"
Shulka couldn't help thinking, and then turned to Major Zakhakovich and asked, "Comrade Major, can I go to Stalingrad?"
Major Zakhakovic heard the seriousness of the matter from the call between Shulka and Kalashnikov, so he agreed without thinking: "Of course, Comrade Shulka!"
At this time, there was no fighting at this time, and the German army in the direction of Tula was also in trouble because the Soviet army laid a large number of landmines and the Tula defenders fought hard. At the same time, Shulka's going to Stalingrad was also a business, which was beneficial to the 4th Tank Brigade. Major Zakhakovic had no reason not to agree.
So, Shulka handed over the affairs of the company to Pukarev, and took the actors on the road.
Before leaving the barracks, the two were also asked to leave all their belongings, including rifles, backpacks, etc., and were only allowed to carry one pistol.
What puzzled Shulka was that the instructor later asked Shulka to put on makeup, that is, to change the military uniform and put on civilian clothes, and even put on a fake beard.
"Why?" Shulka asked.
"If it's someone else, you don't need to do this!" The instructor said: "But you are a 'breakout hero', understand?"
"Afraid that others will recognize me?" Shulka asked puzzledly, "Is there anything wrong with recognizing me?"
"You are a member of the 4th Tank Brigade, Comrade Shulka!" said the instructor. Recognize...then the Germans know that the 4th Tank Brigade is not ready for battle, otherwise you should be in Moscow. There are other dangers that we cannot even predict!"
Hearing this, Shulka couldn't help but smile wryly, he had to be careful in everything he did, and this was still in Moscow.
But this seems to be normal, because this is war.
The front line is the war, and there is also an invisible war going on behind the scenes... The former is a battle between aircraft and artillery on the bright side, while the latter is a secret battle between intelligence and counter-intelligence.
In addition, intelligence warfare is no less dangerous than frontline battles. Sometimes just a little bit of information that is revealed inadvertently will be used by the enemy, and then the frontline may be defeated as a result.
From this point of view, the instructor is right to be cautious.
Then Shulka and the actor were secretly escorted out of the barracks, and were soon arranged to board a plane to Stalingrad.
It's an airplane instead of a train?
This surprised Shulka.
You must know that this is a time of war, and materials are in short supply, fuel and the like are already in short supply, but they are actually willing to let a second lieutenant take a plane to Stalingrad? !
At the same time, Shulka also felt a little strange, because Major Zakhakovic might not be able to arrange a plane.
Then Shulka quickly understood...
As soon as Shulka stepped into the plane, a major staff officer stood up from his seat and shook hands with Shulka: "Comrade Shulka, my name is Yefimsh. Nice to meet you!"
"Nice to meet you, Comrade Major!" Shulka and the actors stood up and saluted, but they looked a bit awkward in civilian costumes.
"Comrade Zhukov asked me to accompany you to Stalingrad!" Major Yefimshi explained: "He is very interested in this discussion, and asked me to participate and record this discussion on his behalf!"
Then Shulka understood.
It is not surprising that this matter caught Zhukov's attention, because it determines whether a new equipment will be produced.
This is a Li-2 transport aircraft, to be exact, an NC-84 transport aircraft.
The latter is the model it is using at this time. This transport aircraft was originally a civil aviation airliner. The name was changed to "Li 2".
At this time, it didn't even have time to remove the passenger seat, and the plane was very empty, except for Major Yefimsh, there were only a few signal soldiers and guards.
This allowed Shulka to lie down on the seat and sleep, while the actor nervously looked out the window, looked at the tables and chairs, and looked at Shulka next to him from time to time.
"What's the situation?" Shulka asked the actor: "You seem to have lost your soul?"
"Comrade Lieutenant!" said the actor, "You didn't tell me...we're flying!"
"I just found out, too!" Shulka replied.
Then Shulka quickly understood.
"Your first time flying?"
"Yes!" the actor replied, and then asked a rhetorical question: "Aren't you?"
"Oh, yes!" Shulka reacted: "Of course, it's my first time too!"
Shuerka realized that the actor's performance was normal, and he was the one who was abnormal.
"Okay!" Shulka concealed: "Comrade Okunev, we are not afraid of facing the enemy's guns and tanks directly on the battlefield. Are we still afraid of flying?"
The actor nodded and replied: "Yes, Second Lieutenant! Of course I'm not afraid, how could I be afraid...of flying? I want to fly once in my dreams... No, I won't be afraid!"
Turns out, the only uncomfortable part of the trip was the actor vomiting from Moscow to Stalingrad.
(end of this chapter)
