Please note that this is just a medium tank. From 1941 to 1942, not counting the T-54 of the northern industry, the Soviet Union also produced more than a thousand Вn-2 heavy tanks. So even because of Tukhachevsky's relationship, the Soviet armored forces suffered huge losses in the first four months after the outbreak of the war. However, with the three tank production centers turning to produce more advanced tanks, the Soviet armored forces could crush the Germans in terms of quality and quantity. The only problem was that the Soviet tankers still needed to adapt to new weapons and needed to be run-in.

Ustinov not only solved the problem of tank production, but also showed great capabilities in the production of other military equipment. For example, the contradictions and disputes between long-range aviation, front-line aviation, and national air defense in the aviation industry. That is, Ustinov tried his best to adjust the center, otherwise these three companies would have to fight.

Long-range aviation urgently needs more long-range bombers and fighter jets that can perform long-range escorts. However, the front-line aviation has been saying that the number of Il-2 is not enough, and it is best to double the production capacity or quadruple it. As for the national air defense, it complains that the number of high-altitude interceptors and the performance of radar are not ideal.

However, the production capacity of the Soviet aviation industry was limited. For example, the production of engines. The Il-2 series adopts the am-34, which is also the model used by the new interceptor of the National Air Defense Forces. To meet the needs of the National Air Defense Forces, the Il-2, which the frontline aviation forces love, will definitely be affected. For example, the long-range aviation forces require vigorous development of long-range bombers, but the frontline aviation forces do not catch any colds at all. The two sides are already anxious about the competition for resources.

Don't think that's all the problems. The bigger problem is that after the Politburo and the Military Commission decided to vigorously develop the helicopter industry, there was another resource snatcher. The mainland aviation side urgently needed more air-cooled engines with greater power. The main forces of the frontline aviation team, Lag-3 and La-5, also needed this engine, so both sides also worked.

The interests disputes between these complex military branches gave Li Xiaofeng a headache. But Ustinov could unexpectedly adjust the centrally. Not to mention meeting the requirements of all military branches (this is impossible), but at least it could control the contradictions within a reasonable range. This ability to "swer the water equally" was simply unexpected. Even Trotsky exclaimed: "If Comrade Ustinov had not been able to, our military production would be completely different. It would not be an exaggeration to award a dozen Lenin medals by his contribution!"

In fact, Ustinov was also the one who won the most Lenin medals in history. He won eleven Lenin medals, and also won the title of Soviet hero once and twice as a socialist labor hero. The entire chest was full of medals, which was enough to be used as a bulletproof vest.

However, what Ustinov satisfies Li Xiaofeng the most was not his outstanding work ability, but his ability to thoroughly implement and implement his instructions. It has been mentioned before that due to the war, the Politburo and the Military Commission have quite a complaint about the 5th project (nuclear bomb) within the Politburo, believing that the prospect of this plan is difficult to estimate and cost a lot, and should be dismissed during the war to save money on more urgently needed projects.

Including Trotsky and Sverdlov are all supporters of this view, and the only one who strongly supports the 5 plan was Li Xiaofeng. In this case, the three navy, army and air forces were all planning to make plans, and they wanted to reduce the resource share of the plan in millions. In this case, Ustinov withstood the pressure and made every effort to promote the project according to the requirements of a certain immortal. In May 1942, the first experimental heavy water reactor in the Soviet Union was put into use. He had initially mastered the fission reaction.

It can be imagined that after the next step, after verifying that the fission reaction can be realized, the Soviet Union's nuclear engineering will enter the fast lane. The most optimistic estimate is that the Soviet Union will be able to create an atomic bomb in 1944.

Ustinov not only ensured the smooth progress of the atomic bomb project, but also provided care within his ability in other advanced weapons projects. For example, the anti-ship missile project led by the Red Navy, such as the Red Air Force's jet engine project. If Ustinov helped open the back door, these projects were at risk of being dismounted.

For this reason, Ustinov was criticized by Trotsky more than once, and Lao Tau believed that he had not grasped the main contradiction and wasted many valuable resources.

However, no matter how Lao Tuo put pressure on Ustinov, the latter always argued and persevered to the end. So Lao Tuo later said helplessly: "You are the People's Committee Member of Weapons and Equipment, and you will listen to your weapons production and research and development. OK!"

What else can be dissatisfied with Li Xiaofeng? So it is inevitable to promote Ustinov vigorously. According to Li Xiaofeng's arrangement, at the latest in 1945, he would have to make Ustinov a serious member of the Central Committee and enter the game in 1950.

Of course, these are all later stories. Li Xiaofeng called Wufengyevic, Ustinov and Burganing this time, with only one purpose, so that Wufeng and Ustinov can meet and deepen their understanding. In the future, they will definitely be Li Xiaofeng's loyal ministers. We must recognize our own people, and we can strengthen cooperation in the past, and secondly, reduce internal disputes.

Wufengyevic quickly understood the intention of a certain immortal. Although Ustinov suddenly squeezed in, he felt a lot of pressure (the two were similar in age), who dared to say that Ustinov was not his Wufengyevic's spare tire?

Therefore, he was very cautious and careful about the kindness of a certain immortal, and secretly reminded himself to achieve better results and never be able to commit suicide again.

Also feeling the crisis was Burganing. Last time he became a fence-bearer and secretly moved closer to Sverdlov, but he was a little displeased with both ends. Li Xiaofeng was not satisfied with him, and Xiao Si did not trust him completely, but instead hindered the passage of progress. In the blink of an eye, a younger generation like Ustinov was promoted again. Who dares to say that this was not a certain immortal who deliberately knocked on the mountain and shook the tiger?

In short, Burganin was so scared that he began to consider whether it was necessary to change his attitude quickly. Among them, only Ustinov felt the most wonderful. As mentioned earlier, he could be said to have been promoted by Rockets. Before, he was not even a junior in the Soviet political arena, and he could be said to be an unknown rat.

A little mouse was hit by a pie that fell from the sky without even thinking about it. This sense of happiness was so sudden that Ustinov couldn't believe it was true. So at this moment he was a little dizzy, his face was flushed, as if he was drunk.

Don't think that Ustinov was blinded. He was not the kind of fool who lost himself after he jumped to a high position. On the contrary, Ustinov was very cunning. After a brief excitement and ecstasy, he quickly woke up. When working in the local area, he had seen too many such examples of his destruction. It is better to laugh as best as he laughed. The most important thing in quarantine is to keep a clear mind!

What's more, Ustinov knew very well that his current status was insignificant. What is a mere alternate member of the Central Committee? Even a Central Committee member like Wufengjevich can be said to be defeated. Even a Politburo such as Stalin and Kalinin fell and scattered. How could he, a small shrimp who was not as good as the first person to work diligently?

The difference between Ustinov and Wufengjevic is that his experience is different. Ustinov came from the grassroots level step by step. Before he won the favor of Li Xiaofeng, he relied on his own efforts, so his experience was richer and he cherished everything he had obtained more.

Wufengjievich was different. From the beginning, he took a high-end route. The boss of a certain immortal was always taking care of him, so his success went so smoothly that he was a little dissatisfied and gloomy. So it was not surprising that he chose to die at some point. Fortunately, a certain immortal gave him a stick in time, otherwise it is a question whether he can take over in the future. And even if he takes over, he will be as untenable as Malenkov.

So, Li Xiaofeng deliberately arranged such an internal meeting. It is still useful. Sometimes people have to have some pressure, and without pressure, there is no motivation.

For example, the Americans, before receiving the Soviet T-34-76 tank, the US was very satisfied with its m3 Grant tank, believing that the performance of the m3 is enough to fight against other first-class tanks in the world. As for the m4 Sherman that just set up and put into production, he was extremely satisfied.

However, after receiving the t-34-76, the American armored soldiers immediately lost their waists after passing the actual driving and live-fire tests. Whether it is m3 or m4, the equipment's 75mm attack on the t-34-76 is very poor!

This discovery shocked the American armored soldiers because according to intelligence, the t-34-76 is not the best tank in the Soviet Union, nor is it even the best in the t-34 series. According to the information transferred from the British Information Sixth Department, the firepower and armor-enhanced model of t-34-85 of t-34-76 has already entered the production line and is in mass production. In other words, this improved t-34 has more powerful firepower and armor than the prototype!

In addition, MI6 also said: "T-35a tanks have also enhanced their armor and firepower, and it is reported that the armor thickness is better than t-34-85. Moreover, the Soviet T-54 heavy tanks have overwhelming armor advantages on the battlefield..."

No, no, I was shocked. Obviously, for the Americans, when it was difficult to deal with the outdated T-34-76, the Soviet tanks with thicker armor must be like a nightmare. And the British also said that new German tanks such as Black Panther and Tiger were not below T-34-85!

In other words, if an American tank equipped with a 75mm tank gun meets a German, he will probably be beaten. So the Americans began to vaguely worry: Is our anti-tank firepower insufficient?

From a historical perspective, it is indeed not enough. After September 1944, when the Americans truly encountered the main German armored forces, they realized the cruelty of the Eastern Front battlefield. When a large number of m4 equipped with 75mm tank guns and m10 tank destroyers equipped with 3-inch (76.2mm) anti-tank guns were beaten by German armored soldiers, the Americans realized that the anti-tank firepower was insufficient!

In 1942, the American armored soldiers and artillery squatting at home, even if they had seen the T-34-76, still did not think that the anti-tank firepower was insufficient! Why do you say that? Then we have to start from the beginning.

From the beginning, American armored soldiers elites believed that the main task of tanks was to eliminate enemy infantry, vehicles and fortification bunkers. As for anti-tank missions? Anti-tanks are the tasks of anti-tank destroyers (affiliated with artillery). So during World War II, you can see that the American tank destroyers were completely different from Germany and the Soviet Union. Whether it was elephant, tiger hunting, su-85, su-100 were completely different from the American m10, m18 and m36, which seemed so inconsistent.

The reason why it is so weird is that to meet the unique anti-tank needs of the US side, they believe that the anti-tank defense line composed of traditional towed anti-tank guns is such a thin line. It is easy to be broken through and easily lead to the collapse of the defense line. In order to change this unfavorable situation, the Americans believed that it was necessary to use a new anti-tank weapon to concentrate mainly behind the defense line. After understanding the enemy's main combat intentions, they carried out quick maneuvers according to the command command and headed to the enemy's breakthrough direction to block the gap.

To put it bluntly, the Americans' requirements for this new weapon are: faster than tanks, more powerful firepower, but their own armor defense can be weaker. In addition, the strong opposition of the US armored soldiers to use more expensive tanks to perform anti-tank tasks (the reason is not worth it), so the US Army's anti-tank mission was actually dumped on the artillery. The US armored soldiers have really become pure assault forces.

Since 1940, the American artillery has been vigorously developing anti-tank destroyers, such as the unsuccessful m9 (using the m3 Grant chassis with the m1918 3-inch anti-aircraft gun). Of course, this plan was cancelled due to the insufficient number of 76.2 mm anti-aircraft guns. By 1942, the Americans replaced the m3 chassis with the m4 chassis, and replaced it with a 3-inch m7 gun, and they all survived. This was the later m10 tank destroyer.

Objectively speaking, the firepower of the m10 tank destroyer is still sufficient to deal with the t-34-76, especially the T4 high-speed armor-piercing projectile (APR) equipped with tungsten carbide bullet core can penetrate the Black Panther's turret at a distance of 1,000 yards (914 meters). It is no problem to deal with the t34-85.

Of course, in 1942, there were no T4 high-speed armor-piercing shells, and there were only M62 armor-piercing shells, and their performance was really bad. However, the t-34-76 was also a little worse than the t-34-85. Therefore, for artillerymen who acted as the main force of anti-tanks, firepower was still sufficient (only for t-34-76). Naturally, the American artillery certainly did not have much power to enhance firepower.

The same is true in history. In October 1942, when the U.S. Army Ordnance Bureau was preparing to develop a more powerful tank destroyer (m36), it was opposed by General Bruce, the leader of the tank destroyer. The reason was "full", and he believed that the m10 was powerful enough. In June 1944, the U.S. Ground Force Command had contacted the U.S. Operations Department's European Battlefield Command and asked them if they needed the m36, the reply they received was still not needed!

Please note that this was when the Germans were not satisfied with the 128-128 in June 1944. When the Soviet Union used the D-10 series 100mm artillery, the heads and minds of the US Army actually thought that the 75 and 76 guns were enough! I really don’t know where they came from. Or in other words, the army elites of the US imperialists were probably not as wise as they imagined, and how stubborn they were in accordance with conservatism and self-confidence!

Of course, the Americans were soon taught a good lesson. When they found that m10 and m18 could not undertake anti-tank tasks at all, they could only cram for a moment. For example, the T4 high-speed armor-piercing bomb mentioned above. In January 1945, the US European Battlefield Command urgently applied for 43,000 T4s from the domestic market. Then in February, it was the US European Battlefield Command, and they again urgently applied for 10,000 T4s from the domestic market. In March, domestic factories in the United States reported that there was a shortage of tungsten. In the end, only 18,000 T4s were sent to Europe.

In fact, this T4 armor-piercing shell is far from easy to use. Although its armor-piercing power is greater than that of the m62, even higher than the British 17-pound cannon (when using the A-bomb), its accuracy is limited. Moreover, when the Americans developed 76.2mm tank/anti-tank gun, in order to save money, they made two more versions. For example, the m10 is equipped with a 3-inch m7, while the m18 is equipped with its simplified and lightweight improved version. Please note that the caliber of the two is the same (76.2mm), but for the purpose of distinguishing, one is called three-inch and the other is called 76.2.

Why do we need to make a special distinction? Because the ammunition between the two cannot be universal! The 3-inch can withstand higher chamber pressure, and the launching medicine used is more explosive. The lightweight version of m18 sacrifices power at the cost of reducing weight (and versatility). Therefore, there are actually two versions of t4 armor-piercing bombs, one for m10, which has stronger armor-piercing power, while the less powerful it uses for m18.

So the Americans are actually quite nonsense. They have no so-called forward-looking and wise nature of democratic countries. They can only make up their minds when choosing weapons in World War II. For example, this time, even if they got the T-34-76, they did not attract enough attention. On the contrary, Germany, the enemy of the Americans, was extremely concerned about the changes on the battlefield, because only after they really fought against the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front, did they know how cruel the Eastern Front was and what the real strangulation battle between tanks looked like.

Under Hitler's strong request, Spel had to launch the Tiger 2 and Black Panther 2 projects. The former developed into the Tiger King, while the latter was cancelled due to various reasons. However, its related technologies were still used for the improvement of Black Panther and the subsequent e-series.

Of course, the Germans were also forced to get a little bit obsessed with, creating a bunch of unrealistic monsters trying to resist the steel torrent of the Red Army. Practice has proved that doing so is a dead end... (To be continued.)

ps: Sorry, there is too much time in the morning and there is no time to update.

Bow to thank hzangdd, Feixin, sweet potatoes in the melon field, gundam0080, 2018, Ji/卍/正 and Comrade Juventus!
Chapter completed!