Evening star., 1942-05-31
American Tank Passes
lis Test in Russia
Triumphant|y
Bringing Down Trees Is
Minor Job, Correspondent
At Gunner's Post Finds
By HENRY C. CASSIDY,

Associated Press War Correspondent.
WITH THE RED ARMY, May
30.-In the black padded helmet
and blue overalls of the Russian
tankist, I have just ridden at
the chief gunner's post of an
American tank entering the
service on the Russian front.
This machine, a spick-and-span
product of American industry, was
one of a brigade being formed in
reserve while a vanguard of long
steel column of American tanks
go into action against the Germans.
Some medium and light machines
from United States production lines
already have been in action, Col.
Rodion Nikonorvich Shabalin, COM
mander of the brigade, told Brig.
Gen. Philip R. Faymonville, chief
of the United States supply mission,
and American correspondents visit
ing his brigade.
THE preliminary tests showed
they are of excellent quality" Col.
Shabalin said.
Several brigades of American
tanks already have been formed, and
reports are being awaited on per-
formance of the first which have
o,,toroI oofiay, ho cold
Will See Action Soon.
Some of the tanks received as
recently as three days ago are just
being armed. They can be put into
action after two weeks, Col. Shaba-
lin reported.
The tank in which I took ride
rumbled up hills, down valleys,
jumped a ditch and finally butted
down-quite casually-a tree whose
trunk was inches in diameter, to
pass triumphantly its first test under
the critical eyes of American, British
apd Russian officers.
This tank bore the serial No. 2,549
and the American workers who
made it may be sure it is in good
hands.
1t Is medium model but it looked
as big as a house, perched atop a
hill opposite the crest from which
the officers were watching
Sergt. Ivan Larionovich Sutormin
examined me skeptically from the
drivers seat as I climbed in.
He threw the gears into first speed
and the tank ground forward,
churning sand through the treads
like water wheel tossing spray.
Tree Trunk No Obstacle.
We came to the first obstacle,
tree trunk. l clutched the gun
wheel, braced myself and shut my
eyes, expecting to be thrown
through the ceiling.
When I opened my eyes again
nothing had happened except that
the tree trunk was behind us and
we were splashing smoothly through
the sandy valley.
A grin Illuminated the sergeant's
dark, weather-beaten face.
A ditch yawned in front of u.s.
1t was not big and was not as wide
as the tank was long, but it looked
big enough. We went over it as
though nothing was there.
Then we started touring down
hills.
Good machine?" shouted.
Don't know how good yet because
it hasn't been in action" said Ivan
but it drives we'll It is a good
machine. 1t is bigger and stronger
that the Soviet one I had before"
Fighting In West.
1 swallowed the mouthful of sand
which I took in with the first ques-
ton and asked, where have you
been fighting?"
western 'front.'" he said, against
GuderiAn's tanks around Bryansk."
(The tank driver referred to
Colleen. Heinz Guderian, Ger
man tank expertD
Get any of them?"
He nodded.
Destroyed 3, and burned TO-"
i've only had this tank 20 days"
he added. I'll know more about il