From our comrades at the Department of Agitation and Propaganda,
Brave comrades of the 1st Belorussian Front, as we stand on the east bank of the Oder river we stand at the precipice of our final victory over the fascist Reich. Our comrades in the 1st Ukrainian Front move south to link with the Allies at the Elbe river, but you brave comrade have the honor and privilege of ripping out the black heart of the Reich, you move west to Berlin. In preparation for this grandest of ventures we at Agitprop have compiled a series documents to be distributed to the conscripts brought forward in preparation for the assault. By order of Comrade Stalin they will read these documents for 45 minutes per day until the assault across the Oder commences, failure to do so shall result in disciplinary action by unit commissars.
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Rifles
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Assault weapons
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Heavy weapons
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Pistols
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Vehicles
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Equipment
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Soldiers and squads
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For party officials
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Urban Warfare fighting
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All conscripts will be initially issued M38 Carbines, it is a far superior rifle to anything the Germans are fielding despite being considered our ‘worst’ rifle currently fielded. It’s 7.62R cartridge is well known to be capable of tearing the limbs off the fascists. Some say it has a sluggish rechambering speed and slow reload but this is because of lazy and incompetent soldiers unable to grasp the simplest of tasks such as proper rifle cleaning, if a comrade complains about the quality of the rifle report them to your company commissar as soon as possible.
Some of you may be issued with a M44 Carbine as opposed to the M38, it is better suited to the urban environment ahead of you with its shorter barrel and handy integral bayonet. Given the Germans lack of bayonets it will give you a major advantage in close quarters, simply charge the fascists and run them through, it works every time!
Sharpshooters will be issued Mosin PU rifles, it is well documented as the greatest bolt action sniper rifle in the world, its muzzle velocity is spectacular and when combined with its 7.62R cartridge it is well documented that in addition to severing limbs like other Mosin rifles it is capable of bifurcating fascists at upwards of 1000 meters. The scope means you will not be able to use stripper clips for fast loading so it is not advisable to enter close quarters with it, but if called for you can surprise the fascists by utilizing the iron sights underneath the scope which is conveniently mounted about. Drill properly in reloading and bolt cycling and you can devastate hordes of fascists. In addition Comrade Stalin has decreed any sniper who kills 100 fascists will be declared Hero of the Soviet Union, so get out there!
Other conscripts may be issued M91/30 Mosin rifles, these are identical to the Mosin PU save for the scope. Though less precise the lack of a scope allows the use of stripper clips. Though the M44 will be more useful in this upcoming urban assault due to its bayonet the rifle is well suited for any marksmen in your ranks.
For those of you who demonstrate efficiency and valor in face of the fascists you will be issued SVT-40 rifles, this rifle is the single greatest rifle in the world. Semi automatic, higher power than any German rifle, a ten round detachable box magazine, hell we even give you a bayonet with it too! For conscripts reaching the front this is the best rifle you can receive. Logistically it costs as much as any Mosin but given its sheer power only accomplished soldiers are allowed to receive it, we don’t need to dying so some fascist can take it!
- Conscripts assigned to assault battalions will be initially given PPS-42 sub machine guns. Despite its rudimentary nature it is far superior to any German sub machine gun. It is lightweight and compact with easily manageable recoil, it is comparable to the German MP-40 in function with its slower 600 rpm rate of fire though you will find it is manufactured to a much higher standard than the MP-40.
It has come to the attention of company commanders that some of you have been bringing TOZ-B shotguns from home. Comrade Stalin has decreed that the use of these shotguns are to be encouraged as not only are they effective in close quarters but the Germans get butthurt over the use of shotguns calling them ‘inhumane’. If you have one you are encouraged to use it because it is both effective and officially ‘hilarious’.
Conscripts assigned to assault battalions who survive 5 firefights will earn the right to requisition PPS-43 sub machine guns. It is very similar to the PPS-42 but it has a higher rate of fire of 700-800 rpm and a redesigned magazine well which facilitates easier reloading. The PPS-42 is better at range due to its lower rate of fire, however it is recommended to requisition at least some PPS-43s as with their higher rpm they are more effective in urban environments.
- Due to the sheer amount of captured German weapons enough Panzerfaust 60s have been stockpiled that AT Gunners will be issued them. Whilst it is inferior to our RPG-6 anti tank grenades we have captured so many that we honestly aren’t sure what to do with them, so you might as well shoot fascists with it. Like its name would suggest its effective range is 60 meters. Due to its slow velocity even at close range you will need to compensate for projectile drop. Most German tanks store ammo all over the tank so hitting basically anywhere has a chance to cause an ammo cookoff. Ammo is usually kept along the line of the top of the hull beneath the turret, aim there and you’re sure to either kill the tank or kill the turret crew. Otherwise shoot the engine and cause a fire to force the crew to evacuate.
Machine Gunners will initially receive DP-27 machine guns, compared to German machine guns it has a 550-600 rpm rate of fire which means that unlike German guns you’ll waste far less ammo and thus be able to kill more fascists! The DP-27 is capable of mowing down entire columns of fascists and its ‘dinner plate’ magazine allows for speedy reloads. Any conscript who claims that the DP-27 cannot hit the broadside of a barn from the inside, wouldn’t hit dirt if it weren’t for gravity, or that it’s more accurate and deadly as a club than a machine gun are to be reported to your company commissar for immediate execution.
Mortarmen will be issued RM-38 50mm mortars, it can be cumbersome in city environments due to building blocking a proper line of fire. That said given that artillery units will be hard pressed to offer support on every occasion for more open objectives mortars are arguably better than artillery at clearing the point due to its more ready availability.
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Commissars and fortunate soldiers will be issued pistols, currently those available are the Nagant M1895, TK M1926, Tokarev TT, and several capture Mauser C96s. The M1895 and TK M1926 are outdated designs good for ceremonial purposes only. For actual effectiveness in combat either use the TT or C96.
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Conscripts fortunate enough to be tankers shall start their careers in T-34-85s with the D-5T cannon. The T-34 is the single most versatile tank ever made and its 85mm cannon is capable of destroying most fascist tanks with a single shot and possesses better anti infantry performance than any German tank. It is mobile too, much more mobile than the German Panzer IV or Panther which allows for flanking opportunities depending on the environment you find yourself in. When engaging Panzer IVs your cannon can penetrate basically anywhere, against Panthers the frontal plate is almost immune save for the machine gun port and the turret mantlet can be as you conscripts describe ‘trolly’. When possible flank a Panther. If you run into a Tiger do not panic, your cannon is capable of penetrating its upper frontal plate at close range, if it is angle shoot its cannon then flank it for a killing shot. Tankers must be careful however, while the T-34 can somewhat reliably bounce against Panzer IVs when angled against Panthers and especially against Tigers their bite will penetrate you at almost any angle. Against them your best defense is not being seen, drive and appear unpredictably.
Initial air cover will be provided by La-5FN squadrons. It is a very capable fighter plane but unless there is a German plane around do not call on them, they are not effective ground attackers.
Though IL-2-37s will also be available. The reputation of the IL-2 needs no explanation, it is tough and well armed. This variant possesses two 37mm NS-37 cannons which devastate infantry. It is almost guaranteed to clear any point it strafes and its large ammo supply gives it loitering time over the battlefield. Some pilots prefer it over the rocket and bomb armed IL-2s. It also has a tail mounted 12.7mm machine gun which is effective at warding off incompetent enemy pilots. You can always rely on the IL-2 and its pilots.
Tankers which advance in their careers will be granted use of T-34-85s with the ZIS-S-53 cannon. It is a more effective cannon against German armor while still maintaining high anti infantry effectiveness. It also possesses an additional crew member which increases efficiency and survivability. Aside from that it is the exact same tank as the other T-34 you will have access to, it is however just better in every way though slightly.
- Every conscript is to be issued medkits with their kit unless they’re a part of a penal battalion. Tools will be given to tankers to repair their vehicles. Small backpacks and ammo/grenade bags are available but their issue is not recommended and to wait till stocks of the large variants are available. Axes are deadlier melee weapons than a knife but given that most of our rifles are issued with bayonets they are unnecessary and it is recommended to take shovels in their place to dig anti tank trenches and foxholes. Between different mines TNT charges are recommended as they give every soldier proper anti tank capabilities.
Different grenades are good for different purposes. F-1 frag grenades are the most effective grenade against infantry. AT grenades can destroy tanks at a further range than a TNT charge and clear fortifications such as barbed wire, sandbags and light structures. Molotovs are good for blocking doorways for a few seconds and smoke grenades provide cover to move upon a point. Use different grenades for different circumstances based on your preference.
- Given that the life expectancy of conscripts is not very long you will not be trained thoroughly, besides experience is the best teacher. If you survive long enough to be promoted you will receive better training.
Different squads are good for different things. For conscripts assaulter squads are highly recommended as they serve well in the close quarters of Berlin. Riflemen are good at capturing points due to the unit size. Snipers are deadly at range and radiomen are capable of calling in artillery and aircraft. It is ordered by Comrade Stalin that every squad should have at least one engineer within the unit, the utility provided by their constructions, specifically rally points and ammo boxes, are vital to facilitate a proper operation, if your squad does not contain an engineer report your commanding officer to your company commissar for immediate reeducation.
- For conscripts with party connections certain equipment and units will be available for you, provided you donate healthily to your local party official. Some of the recommended units include the 120th Guards Infantry Regiment equipped with PPD-40 DSZs, the 66th Guards Infantry Regiment equipped with Mosin 44Ls and an abundance of medkits, and the 1277th Infantry Regiment equipped with the experimental AS-44. These units are versatile and will gain you extra social credits serving in as they are party approved units.
Some weapons available to party members include the RMN-50 mortar launcher which is highly effective against infantry, the PPD 1929 which while less effective than the PPSh and PPD-40 is better than the PPS-43 and is just cool, a suppressed PPD-40, and the PP Shpitalnly sub machine gun which is the single greatest sub machine gun in the world and reportedly a better light machine gun than even the DP-27. There’s also a pistol caliber carbine you can request but it sucks so don’t order it, but if you do and you dunk on the fascists with it you get bonus social credits.
Party members may also requisition an upgraded T-34-85 with the ZIS cannon, it is recommended to order it as it’ll save logistical resources upgrading a regular T-34. There is also an upgraded SU-85M you can request, it is not very effective against infantry due to its lack of a machine gun but if taken against Panzers it is frontally immune against all but the vaunted 88, if you wish to hunt tanks you should request it.
- To cover proper applications of urban warfare tactics you are instructed to watch this education film provided by us at Agitprop, you will be quizzed after viewing and if you fail you will be assigned to a penal battalion for reeducation.
