The Winds of War (The Henry Family, #1)

by Herman Wouk

He saluted the colonel, then the two embraced and kissed. Introducing the visitors, Amphiteatrov said, “Major Kaplan, I showed our friends those busted German tanks out there. Our American Navy friend asked a real tankist’s question. He asked, how could T-26’s knock out Panzer Mark Threes?” The battalion commander grinned from ear to ear, clapped Victor Henry on the back, and said in Russian, “Good, come this way.” Beyond the last cabin, he led them into the woods, past two lines of light tanks ranged under the trees and draped with camouflage netting over their own green-and-sand blotches. “Here we are,” he said proudly. “This is how we knocked out the Mark Threes.” Dispersed in the thickets, all but invisible under branches and nets, five armored monsters thrust heavy square turrets with giant guns high in the air. Tudsbury’s mouth fell open, as he stared up at them. He nervously brushed his moustaches with a knuckle. “My God! What are these things?” “Our newest Russian tank,” said Amphiteatrov. “General Yevlenko thought it might interest President Roosevelt.” “Fantastic!” said Talky. “Why, I’d heard you had these monsters, but—What do they weigh? A hundred tons? Look at that gun!” The Russians smiled at each other. Amphiteatrov said, “It’s a good tank.”