Cannon Fire Arc-Chapter 638 - 80: It’s Different from KV, Different!

Chapter 638: Chapter 80: It’s Different from KV, Different!

December 16th, on the west bank of the Suhayaweili River, at the western approach to the Yarvik cross-river bridge.

Admiral Bock, commander of the Tenth Group Army of Prosen, and the corps commander of the 11th Armored Army under his command, were together receiving the newly supplemented tanks.

Bock looked at the array of tank troops and asked the transport captain, “How many tanks have been reinforced for us?”

“Sixty Panzer IVs, General,” the captain answered.

Admiral Bock waited for a while and, seeing that the captain said nothing more, asked, “What about the Panzer IIIs?”

“Panzer III production has already ceased, the chassis assembly lines remodeled to produce Sturmgeschütz III assault guns. Excess turrets are now used either for spare parts, or placed on the defensive lines around Argesukov as fixed gun turrets,” replied the transport captain.

Admiral Bock muttered “Oh,” vaguely sensing that he might have missed something.

At this moment, the corps commander of the 11th Armored Army asked, “Is it sixty tanks for one division?”

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“No, sixty in total. Twenty more broke down on the way, and they can only come after they are repaired,” the transport captain said with a troubled look, “The road is too hard to travel, plus the distance is long.”

Only then did Admiral Bock recall that he had actually forgotten to check the total number of tanks.

Admiral Bock exclaimed, “How can this be! They expect us to hold off Rocossov’s million-strong army without enough tanks! How can we stop them!”

The Armored Army commander consoled, “It’s enough. Last year we fought to the end and only received a few tanks, relying solely on repairing destroyed tanks to replenish our losses. Now, getting sixty Long-barreled Fours, I’m content. I mean, sixty, after all the tanks are fixed and delivered.”

Admiral Bock’s face turned ashen, “Like this, we can’t engage Rocossov in the open field. His forces have a large number of new-model tank destroyers. Previously in Yeisk, I’ve already suffered enough from these new tank destroyers.”

After finishing speaking, Admiral Bock added with an expression of deep dissatisfaction, “Propaganda always claims our technology is the best in the world, yet now we have no answer for the ‘inferior race’s’ new assault guns, our only option is to lengthen the barrels of the Panzer IVs!”

Everyone present showed a look of fear and glanced toward the nearby Constitutional Guards.

Several Constitutional Guards pretended to be enjoying the scenery as if they had not heard the admiral’s complaint at all.

The Armored Army commander soothed, “New cannons or tanks take time to design and produce. Also, for now, only Rocossov’s troops have a more considerable number of new assault guns, and they haven’t had a decisive impact yet.”

Admiral Bock continued, “I’ve heard from deserters that Rocossov has used another kind of urban siege weapon, extremely powerful and effective. Before that weapon was destroyed by our forces (actually it broke down), we lost many strongpoints.”

“I’ve also heard such rumors, but it could be excuses made by deserters to justify themselves.”

“Let’s hope so,” Admiral Bock sighed, watching his subordinates receive these brand-new tanks, “I’ve made my decision, we will contract our defenses, withdrawing the troops from the open fields to hold steadfastly in fortified positions while we await reinforcements.”

“Yes,” the Deputy Officer replied, “I will relay your orders immediately.”

————

Later that night, outside the urban defense circle of Yarvik, of the Tenth Group Army of Prosen.

Vice Admiral Kiriyenko, commander of the Guards Cavalry Group Army, rode his horse to the wreckage of a Panzer IV, dismounted nimbly, climbed atop the tank, and stood on the turret with binoculars raised.

His entourage did not dismount but instead spread out to keep watch.

After all, this was deep in enemy territory; no one knew if there were any Prosen deserters nearby.

“The city defenses are very formidable,” Kiriyenko said, smacking his lips, “Now even if Kashuk’s infantry came up, they wouldn’t make a dent. We’ll have to wait for the heavy artillery and armored troops.”

His Chief of Staff, still mounted on horseback, agreed, “We thought we could strike the enemy’s trenches in the field, but we didn’t expect to pass several layers of abandoned trenches. The enemy commander is very cautious. Now Yarvik will also be reduced to ruins.”

Kiriyenko said, “Exactly. Unless we can cross the ice river and envelop the city from the opposite bank, surrounding it without attacking.”

The Chief of Staff turned his head to look at the frozen Suhayaweili River, “This might be difficult. The frozen surface is so vast that even cavalry can’t charge across, and tanks might risk being targeted with shelling from the enemy as they cross. With the ice already strained under the weight of tanks, one shell could cause it to give way.”

Kiriyenko speculated, “I reckon Rocossov will take a wide flanking maneuver by crossing upstream. He likes to wage annihilation battles that way.”

Rocossov’s true tactical intentions had not yet been communicated to the Army Group Commander, therefore Kiriyenko and Kashuk, who was not present at the scene, were unaware that the true objective had changed to retake Bolsk and the Coastal Fortress, aiming to devour the Group A Army.

Kiriyenko continued to observe the enemy’s strong fortifications through his binoculars, “The fortifications are well constructed. A rash attack might lead to severe casualties.”

Chief of Staff replied, “We have to attack despite casualties. It is our city, and no matter the sacrifice, we must liberate it.”

Kiriyenko put down his binoculars, “Yes, you are right.”

————

“Yes, you are right,” Wang Zhong told Amelia, “If we can’t regain control of the White Sea, even if we complete a land encirclement, the enemy could still escape. And now we don’t have time to build new warships, plus we’ve lost our major shipbuilding centers along the coast of the White Sea. We must rely on the air power of the Federation and the United Kingdom.”

Amelia remarked, “Our naval aviation only has outdated biplanes like the Swordfish. These old birds are easy pickings for Prosen’s fighters. You can only hope for help from the Federation’s naval aviation, which has been battling the Empire of Fusang for a year.”

Wang Zhong: “I’ve already sent a telegram to the Federation’s President, but I haven’t received a response yet.”

At that moment, the jeep they were riding in stopped in front of the Novorossk station.

Wang Zhong immediately got out of the car, not looking back to help Amelia with the door, and excitedly rushed up the steps of the station.

Amelia had no choice but to open the car door herself, get out, and hurry to catch up with Wang Zhong.

After entering the station, Wang Zhong’s gaze immediately fell upon the military train on the waiting track, securing four heavy tanks on flatcars.

At the sight of the tanks’ silhouette, the side profile, Wang Zhong was ecstatic.

He was all too familiar with this model, the IS-3! Players of World of Tanks and War Thunder liked to call it names like “Bar 3,” “Care 3,” etc.

But upon closer inspection, Wang Zhong noticed some differences. The gun was a little thinner – after all, it was equipped with a 100-mm gun, and the turret’s diameter seemed to have reduced slightly as well.

After all, the smaller gun meant less space was occupied.

However, the firepower of the 100-mm gun was sufficient, even if they faced the Tiger King; at worst, they could rely on solid armor to rush up to the Tiger King’s face for a one-shot kill.

Wang Zhong happily headed towards the tanks, only to be stopped.

He turned around in anger: “Who dares stop me? Don’t you see my rank? I’m a General, understand?”

Ke Jing Chief Engineer: “I know… I’m sorry, but I just wanted to introduce…”

Wang Zhong: “I know, frontal defense…”

He listed off the IS-3’s stats like rattling off a menu – no joke, after playing War Thunder and World of Tanks for so many years, he knew it all by heart!

Then the face of Ke Jing’s Chief Engineer fell: “This… You need such high defense? This…”

Wang Zhong frowned: “What about the defense on this thing you designed?”

Ke Jing handed over the armor distribution diagram to Wang Zhong: “Like this.”

After a careful look, Wang Zhong found that the overall armor thickness of this “Bar 3” was about twenty percent thinner than the Earth’s version, with only the frontal defense being very close to Earth’s IS-3.

Additionally, the angles of armor inclination were different too, with most angles on this tank being larger than Earth’s IS-3.

Perhaps because it wasn’t necessary to mount such a large gun, the space in the turret was improved, allowing for greater angles of inclination – toughening up the tank crew.

Wang Zhong: “Nice, this defense meets my requirements as well…”

Suddenly, he thought of something. With so much less armor than the IS-3 and a smaller gun caliber, could it be lighter? Would the mobility be better?

He hurriedly asked Ke Jing: “What’s the road speed for this thing?”

“50 kilometers per hour!” Ke Jing said, “But it’s not recommended to go that fast. The tracks and gearbox are prone to failure. Off-road it can reach 30 kilometers per hour.”

Wang Zhong: “Is this really a heavy tank?”

Ke Jing: “Yes, it’s in the same weight class as the KV, but we installed engines from the Federation. These prototype vehicles are using imported engines, and mass-produced vehicles will use licensed produced engines of the same model. The increase in speed is mainly due to the increase in horsepower, 720 horsepower.”

Wang Zhong was overjoyed: “Fantastic, this is the heavy tank I wanted. It basically renders the Prosens’ anti-tank firepower obsolete, at least for the moment. As long as it’s not approached by infantry and targeted with incendiary bottles, it’s fine for city combat.

“This thing is not the same as the KV! Different! We need it right now for a city assault. Once the assault is over, we should be able to identify any issues. You’ll need to make adjustments quickly, aiming for early mass production!”

Ke Jing Chief Engineer: “Will you personally command one of them?”

Wang Zhong: “Of course… No! I’ll personally command all of the tanks. I’ll ride in one, the others will be on standby on the train, following the main force. If one breaks, I’ll switch to another!”

Ke Jing smiled bitterly: “You’re putting a lot of pressure on me.”

Before Wang Zhong could speak, Pavlov interjected: “You might not need to personally charge into the city battle in this little tank.”

Wang Zhong: “What do you mean?”

As he asked, another train pulled into the station.

Seeing what the train was carrying, Wang Zhong’s eyes widened.

The train had only four flatcars, and each one was securing a prototype assault gun.

Ke Jing Chief Engineer: “Since you like them so much, we built four more. Also, now that you think it’s suitable, shouldn’t it be given a name?”