76 mm Regimental Gun Penetration

"To the People's Commissar of Defense, comrade I.V. Stalin.

I report that HEAT shells for the 76 mm mod. 1927  regimental cannon developed by the GAU Artkom on the basis of captured German shells were tried on May 23rd at the Sofrino proving grounds.

During trials against a 50 mm cemented plate, half of all fired shots resulted in complete penetrations with a diameter of 30 mm against both a flat plates and plates angled at 30 degrees.

This increases the armour piercing effect compared to the stock armour piercing shell of the 76 mm mod. 1927 regimental gun which, at a range of 200 meters, penetrates 32 mm and 28 mm of armour angled at 0 and 30 degrees respectively.

Considering the positive result of the trials and the simplicity of HEAT shells, I ask you to order the People's Commissariat of Ammunition to put these shells into production according to GAU blueprints and requirements.

The HEAT shell will allow the 76 mm mod. 1927 regimental cannon to combat enemy medium tanks at a range of up to 1000 meters.

Deputy People's Commissar of Defense, Colonel-Generalof Artillery, Voronov
GAU Chief, Colonel-General of Artillery, Yakovlev
GAU Commissar, Divisional Commissar Novikov"

RGASPI 644-2-64