"Order of the People's Commissar of Defense #72
On Establishing Classes of Tank Drivers
November 18th, 1942
Experience shows that successful tank actions depend, first and foremost, on their drivers. Skilful driving of the tank and constant maintenance of it in working order requires significant experience and knowledge. In order to improve the training level of tank drivers and reward the best of them, especially those with significant combat experience, establish the following categories:
- Master tank driver
- Tank driver 1st class
- Tank driver 2nd class
- Tank driver 3rd class
The specification for attaining each class is contained in the attachment.
Tank drivers will be paid an additional monthly reward:
- Master tank driver 150 rubles
- Tank driver 1st class: 80 rubles
- Tank driver 2nd class: 50 rubles
Complete classification of drivers by January 1st, 1943.
People's Commissar of Defense,
I. Stalin"
Can we assume that 2nd and 3rd class drivers were normally delegated to bow gunner positions and only drove when the driver died?
ReplyDeleteI would guess not....this is only a guess but orders like this kind of imply there were real problems with having enough skilled drivers and mechanics.
DeleteNo, the bow gunner was a radio operator, not an assistant driver like on American tanks. Aside from cross training that all crewmen got, he wouldn't have trained as a driver.
DeleteIs there some way to block this SPAM?
ReplyDeleteThere is, but then critical mass complains that there is a conspiracy against him :P
ReplyDeletePeter Samsonov I assume you are joking. Earlier today there was a bunch of post by someone pushing construction firms throughout Asia. Which to be fair is not as bad as those telling us how much I made working at home.
DeleteUnfortunately there are not very many things I can do to tighten the controls on comments further than straight up monitoring every single one. I deleted them manually for now, but if it keeps happening at this rate then I might just have to.
DeleteThanks for the good job Peter.
Delete