The Hitlerite army had experience, has been staffed by educated people, it had enough automobiles and means of communication. Owing to these circumstances at the first stage of the Great Patriotic War she surpassed the Red Army in maneuverability, created decisive overweight in the directions of blows, in the directions of offensives.
But the Red Army had a good artillery.
First, World War I has shown the importance of artillery.
Secondly, military operations in Spain have given some experience of application of artillery.
Thirdly, the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940 has confirmed the importance of artillery.
Fourthly, the general educational level in the Soviet Union was such is that he allowed to train qualified personnel for artillery units.
In the 30-ies of the 20th century a debatable view was expressed about the decrease of the importance of artillery.
However, the leadership of the Red Army, on the contrary, recognized the right thesis about the growing role of artillery.
The Red Army has entered the Great Patriotic War with good artillery.
Of course in the conditions of fast advance of Hitlerite army to the East the artillery couldn't show all the potential. Often there wasn't enough mobility, the lack of shells was felt.
But situation changed during the periods of stabilization of the front line.
We will remember the initial stage of the Battle of Stalingrad. Having taken the responsibility, the local military management has organized a transportation across (transversely) Volga of all heavy cannons. "Fist" of artillery- at first - has been created from six artillery and mortar regiments of distant action. There arrived new artillery units. Transportation of ammunition has been adjusted. The units of the Red Army behind the river were effectively supported by fire of the artillery from the left coast. The balance of forces has begun to change.
We will remember the Siege of Leningrad. Around the city of Leningrad Hitlerite command, in particular, has deployed superheavy cannons on railway platforms. They beat with shells on distance 13, 22 and even 28 km. The weight of shells reached 800 - 900 kg. Hitlerites have made the scheme of city and they planned the several thousands of most important goals that were shelling daily.
As Marshal of the Soviet Union Leonid Govorov remembered, in particular, counterbattery fight against siege artillery of the opponent has been organized, artillery duels have begun.
As a result the intensity of shellings of Leningrad by enemy artillery has considerably decreased. Thanks to these measures, in 1943 the quantity of the artillery shells which have fallen to the city has decreased approximately by 7 times.
If to address events of a Battle of Moscow, then it is expedient to go deep into history a little. Don't you object?
From audience no objections were expressed. All listened carefully the Chief Marshal of artillery.
- The artillery of big and extremely power functioned and at a siege of Port Arthur, and in the years of the First and Second World Wars.
During a Battle of Moscow, during Hitlerite approach, there was information that Hitlerites have occupied Krasnaya Polyana and install long-range cannons for firing to the Kremlin there. The Stavka has set the task: artilleries of the 16th army to prevent firing to the Kremlin, to destroy enemy long-range tools in Krasnaya Polyana. Rokossovsky has made other, maximum decision: to free Krasnaya Polyana. Eventually the Soviet tankmen supported by artillery have rushed into the city, having taken many prisoners and technicians including the cannons intending for firing to the Kremlin.
After the Battle of Stalingrad the Red Army became more and more maneuverable, it was equipped with new automobiles and means of communication.
But the role of artillery didn't go down. At the beginning of the Kursk Fight in 1943 command of the Red Army has carried out powerful contrary military preparation - by powerful artillery fire. This the ahead of counter military preparation with using the artillery has become military history.
The power of artillery was increasing. For example, East Prussian Offensive of 1945 - on the level of consumption of ammunition - hadn't equal among all operations in the history of wars at all.
But it isn't necessary to think that the artillery is only defeat with weapon. It also means of optical, topographical and meteorological reconnaissance, motor transport, radio communication and much, many other.
Therefore, I will begin with what I have begun with: "read books".
Applause were presented. Someone has included record of a song of military years. The atmosphere of a meeting became not only benevolent, but also festive.
- We are very glad to see you, to hear you, - statements were heard.
- Artillerymen have fulfilled the duty! - the Chief Marshal of artillery has said. And, accompanied by Gorky, he has walked to an exit.
December 19, 2017 - December 20, 2017.
Translation from Russian into English: December 29, 2017 12:09.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский 'Рассказ об артиллерии'.
LXXII. The Short Story about good mood
Gorky has looked at the computer monitor.
News went a stream.
- What prospects? - Gorky has thought.
The mood was uncertain.
Gorky has approached a window:
- What tendencies?
He have returned to the computer. "And it - about long ago known. About the Declaration of independence".
"...the pursuit of Happiness", - there was a phrase.
The mood has improved. Good mood!
"Thanks to Jefferson!" - Gorky has thought.
December 21, 2017 21:35
Translation from Russian into English: December 29, 2017 15:37.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский 'Рассказ о хорошем настроении'.
LXXIII. Dialogue of two journalists
Journalists have ordered beefsteaks with blood. Enjoying meat, they exchanged thoughts.
- He shoots documentaries. Nice person.
- Yes, now he is a film documentary film maker. Timely "have gone ashore from the ship". Genes are "working"?
- He speaks that to him never to receive the Figurine. "It is impossible!"
- Yes, he believes that the competitor from "that world". And therefore the competitor, but not he, has received the Figurine.
- Tomorrow I will shoot the documentary about myself. Also I will give him the title : "I don't eat meat". I will declare film for getting the Figurine.
- Eventually, you didn't eat human meat!
Journalists have burst out laughing.
December 23, 2017 12:01
Translation from Russian into English: December 29, 2017 15:37.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский 'Диалог двух журналистов'.
LXXIV. A fragment of the dialogue: "...M-m-m...". (2nd Series)
- ...M-m-m...
- They were crazy... Mentally deranged!
- To conduct the examination!
- Send them to home for treatment! Well... in a psychiatric hospital... And the ends!
- ...M-m-m...
December 29, 2017. 16:59
Translation from Russian into English.
LXXV. Dialogue about the heliocentric concept
- There are two spaceports.
- The software and mathematical models are necessary.
- Flight tasks for each spaceport - differ.
- References, about mistakes of software twenty years ago - they are senseless.