“This simple piece of equipment which your men will produce allows for packing and, in action, provides a firing platform for the Protivo-Tankovoye Ruzhyo Degtyarev anti-tank rifle. I like this weapon. In my opinion, it is very much underrated. Unfortunately, it is only a single-shot, bolt-action shoulder weapon, but it does have a powerful punch with which I have destroyed many fascist tanks. However, its efficiency comes from the remarkably long barrel. It is therefore difficult to transport on horseback and can only be carried on a pack saddle, or an ordinary cavalry saddle with these modifications.”
“But who will load for you?” asked Androv.
“You will, comrade.”
“As you command, Comrade Korsak,” said Androv with mock enthusiasm. However, the fact that his shoulders sagged in dismay gave away his extreme nervousness. “…but I do not know how to ride a horse.”
“You will by tomorrow. It will be a good learning opportunity which will allow you to better understand the fascist war machine, and to learn a valuable new skill. We must learn to think that everything is possible.”
Korsak returned to the technical diagram. “Now… for transportation on a cavalry-type riding saddle, we require the production of this metal pack device shown here, which consists of a beam with five holes to receive the U-clamps and the brackets, one fixed and one movable.”
“Why moveable?” asked Androv, who was now resigned to his fate and less inclined to deference.
“I’ll come to that,” barked Korsak.
“Please accept my humble apologies, Comrade Korsak,” muttered Androv, impressed by Korsak’s grasp of engineering detail.
“Good, then no more interruptions. The fixed bracket is welded to the beam, and the movable bracket is fastened to the beam with a bolt. The fixed bracket has a top strap and a lock, both of which are hinged. The movable bracket has a revolving yoke with a hinged fastening strap and a lock. In action mode, it provides a firing swivel and aids accuracy. The two U-clamps with nuts and washers hold the metal device to the saddle bows.
“The saddle bags carry the boxes with 120 rounds of ammunition. The breast band and the breeching with the tail strap keep the saddle, with its packed load, from slipping forward and backward with a change of pace, or in going over rough country. The saddle-girth, an additional belly-band, strengthens the whole pack arrangement, including the feed bag and spare parts and appurtenances.
“The feed bag holds the things necessary for the horse’s care, the spare parts, and the equipment belonging to the PATR rifle. The wooden boxes carry the ammunition. The shape and dimensions of the boxes must correspond to the inside dimensions of the saddle bags.”
“I understand, Comrade Korsak,” said Androv. “May I be permitted to ask how the horse equipment is to be assembled?”
“You may, Comrade Androv. Take careful note, as I shall say this only once.”
As Androv grasped for a pencil, Korsak began to list his requirements.
“The assembly of the riding saddle is carried out according to the following directions. It is recommended that a second saddle cloth be put underneath, for greater softness. The breast band and breeching are fastened on by means of connecting straps to the breeching and breast band rings of the saddle cloth cover on the right side. The breast band and breeching are next fastened onto the left side at the time of saddling and adjusting. The breast band is then connected to the front saddle bow by the neck pad straps. The breeching is finally connected to the rear saddle bow and the tail strap by two straps, fastened onto the bow and tail strap.
“The saddle bags are put on the saddle bows in the usual manner. The metal pack device is fastened to the saddle bows by two U-clamps. For this, the U-clamps are passed underneath the saddle bows so that they encircle them and project across the clamps. The beam is placed fixed-bracket forward, with its holes over the U-clamp bolts, and is fastened down with washers and nuts, tightened as far as possible.”
Barely pausing for breath, Korsak continued to spout forth a detailed stream of instructions.
“The saddle as it is assembled is to be packed as follows; the wooden boxes with the shells are put into the saddle bags and fastened with pack straps. Saddle pockets with oats are packed on top of the front saddle bags and fastened with pack straps. The feed bag with the articles necessary for the horse’s care, and the spare parts and equipment for the PATR rifle, are placed in the middle, across the saddle, and fastened down with the saddle by the saddle girth.
“The PATR rifle is then put into the bracket yokes, breech forward, muzzle to the rear. The gun is placed so that the sight is up and the back plate is in a horizontal position; the mounting collar of the rifle must be even with the edges of the yoke of the rear bracket. The rifle is fastened to the device by means of the top straps and locks of the yokes. If the horse’s neck permits, the gun may be fastened from four to six inches forward of the normal position. Unpacking is done in an order reverse to that of packing.”
Driven on by fear, Captain Androv had, by 22:00 hours, somehow managed to assemble everything Korsak had ordered. With Korsak leading the pack horse, the two men slipped out of the Russian lines and into German-held territory. They travelled across country for 15 kilometres, then made a wide turn for the rollbahn. It was a perfect moonlit night and Korsak seemed to know what he was looking for. With a hunter’s instinct, he was tracking down his familiar prey. Androv sensed that he had done this many times.
As they rode along, Korsak delivered a stream of precise instructions. Androv grew in confidence. He sensed that he was with a master tank killer and his nerves began to ease. Korsak was a supreme motivator, and even the art of horse riding began to feel within the art of the possible. Korsak did not have to explain what both men already knew. The German tanks would go into laager for the night and he intended to find them. He knew they would be in the vicinity of the Rostov rollbahn, but where?
As the night wore on, they continued their search. Korsak used the time to explain the tactics they would adopt.
“In the event that I am killed or wounded, Comrade Androv, you will have to take over the gun, and it will be your duty to fight to the last round. It is important to remember that for a distance of as much as 400 metres, the effect of the wind on the PATR need not be considered. Also remember the deflection correction for the movement of the tank. At a speed of twenty kilometres per hour, a lead of one metre is required for every 100 metres of range.
“We are looking for the Mark IV machines. If we find them, I will destroy them, but if they destroy me, you must stay calm and remember to aim for the rear of the turret, as you know the gunner and ammunition are there. If you hit the ammunition, you can blow up the tank. This is a wonderful sight, comrade, when a fascist machine explodes and the turret is hurled into the air. It makes one’s heart beat with joy.”
“I should very much like to see that, Comrade Korsak,” replied Androv.
“I hope you will get your wish tonight, but in the event that you find yourself in command of the gun, and if a shot at the rear of the turret is not possible, which it will not be if the gun is swung towards you, then fire at the centre of the rear half of the tank. As you know well, the motor and the fuel containers are there. If you hit either one, you will put the tank out of action.”
“I had no idea the anti-tank rifle was such a potent weapon,” said Androv.
“Indeed it is, Comrade Androv, but it takes courage. It’s no use at long range. When firing a PATR at a moving target, it is essential to let the fascist tanks come within 200 metres or closer. The best gunners will allow the tank to approach to within 100 metres. A well camouflaged anti-tank rifle crew can put any fascist tank out of action with a few well-aimed shots, and don’t forget that the fascists stick to the rollbahn like glue, so one burning machine can easily be used to block the road for a whole column of tanks.”