Chapter 383 Lezhev
"Fortunately!" Katukov continued: "According to information from the 39th Army, the Germans only have a small number of tanks in the direction of Rzhev, and it is said that they have conscripted many horse-drawn sledges from the common people for use in battle! "
"They plan to use horse-drawn sleds to deal with our tanks?" Lieutenant Colonel Gavrilov joked: "What a surprise, they learned our tactics!"
The officers roared with laughter, but only Shulka was still frowning.
"Is there any problem?" Seeing this, Katukov cast a puzzled look at Shulka.
"Comrade Colonel, I think this is a good tactic!" Shulka replied.
"You mean using a horse-drawn sled to deal with our tanks?" Katukov spread his hands: "I don't see any good in this tactic!"
Shulka walked up to the map and said: "The German Ninth Army can now be said to be the mainstay for the Germans to stabilize the defense line, so I have reason to believe... The German air power is mainly used to cover the Ninth Army!"
Speaking of Shulka, he turned his gaze to Katukov. This was just his guess, but a reasonable guess.
"Yes!" Katukov nodded: "Indeed, the Germans concentrated their air force in the Rzhev area!"
"So, the Germans have at least partial air supremacy in the Rzhev area!"
Katukov nodded again.
Although the German Air Force is at a disadvantage as a whole, just like before they concentrated their efforts to seize the air superiority over Tver...they still have the ability to occupy local air superiority.
"That's the problem, Colonel!" Shulka said. "Our tanks are slow, while the enemy's horse-drawn sleighs are just the opposite. So, although we have thick armor and much more firepower than them, But they can't catch them! The Germans just need to run away on the sleds and call for air support on the radio..."
There is no need for Shulkado to say what happened next.
The German Air Force's attack on the Soviet tank unit was fatal.
Even if the German Air Force does not come for a while, it is entirely possible that the Soviet army will not be able to catch up or fight the German army, so the heavy armor defense and powerful firepower will not be displayed at all... Tanks were originally fast mobile units, but in this particular On the battlefield in China, after horse-drawn sleds gained an absolute advantage in speed, they turned tanks into heavy infantry chasing cavalry.
The laughter in the headquarters died away in an instant.
"But Comrade Captain!" Lieutenant Colonel Zahakavic said, "Our task this time is to open a gap in the enemy's defense line and rescue the trapped friendly troops. If they escape... it means that we can successfully open the gap. !"
"No, Comrade Zakhakovich!" Lieutenant Colonel Gavrilov replied: "If we open the gap, it means that they let us in. Therefore, we cannot rescue them, we will be surrounded Another brigade!"
Katukov couldn't help being silent.
Because he knew that what Shulka said was right, the advantage of horse-drawn sleds is here. Under the cover of air power, they will quickly avoid the frontal attack of the 1st Guards Tank Brigade, and then attack its flank rear guards The 1st Brigade of Tanks was cut off from the follow-up units.
At that time, the 1st Guards Brigade, driving clumsy British and American tanks, will be helpless and can only watch the enemy surround or even cut and annihilate themselves.
Paused, Katukov went on to say: "The Germans deployed their main armored forces inside the line of defense, as well as anti-tank equipment. If we are deeply encircled by them...the consequences will be disastrous!"
This is of course, the speed of the "Matilda" tank is less than 10 kilometers per hour, and even if it is released to let the Soviet army escape at that time, I am afraid that they will not be able to escape.
"We are not suitable for this rescue operation, Comrade Colonel!" Shulka said: "This is determined by the tanks we are equipped with. Their low speed will make us very passive in rescue operations!"
"Yes, I agree!" Lieutenant Colonel Gavrilov said: "Besides, we are equipped with rocket launchers, which are also suitable for melee combat, so they should send us to attack fortified positions, like attacking Tver... because some The strategic location will not move!"
"The problem is that the superiors think that only we can save those 9 divisions!" Katukov said: "The situation is very critical now. The 39th and 29th Army have repeatedly launched attacks on the German army to open the gap but were defeated. They need Tank support... Most of their tanks were organized into the 9 divisions that broke into the German defense line and were surrounded by the enemy!"
This is the embarrassment of the Soviet army, which is caused by the immaturity of the Soviet army in command and underestimation of the enemy... They thought that the German army at this time could only be beaten, so they put all the elite into the first 9 divisions and left them far behind. The follow-up troops broke into the enemy's line of defense and outflanked their rear. Who would have thought that the German army would kill their carbine and surround their elites, so the Soviet army inside could not fight out because of lack of ammunition, and the Soviet army outside could not fight in because of lack of equipment.
"Even if you put aside the orders of your superiors!" Katukov said: "If the enemy is allowed to encircle and annihilate these nine divisions, it means that the German Ninth Army will be able to gain a firm foothold in the Rzhev area. The flanks of the army pose a threat!"
After thinking for a while, Shulka replied: "Comrade Colonel, I don't think we should blindly try to tear through the enemy's line of defense and rescue our besieged troops!"
"What do you mean?" Katukov asked.
"The enemy has already made preparations in the Solomino area!" Shulka said, pointing to the map: "Because we have torn a hole and broke through there, the enemy will definitely strengthen the defense in this area, and it is also the focus of the Air Force. The key area. If we still break through from this point, I'm afraid we won't be able to change the situation of the battle!"
"You mean, we want to change the direction of attack?" Katukov asked.
"Yes!" Shulka nodded and said, "As Comrade Gavrilov said, our equipment determines that we are more suitable for attacking. If we are not trying to tear through the enemy's defense line but take down one An important support point and hold it...then the entire German defense line will be affected!"
Katukov searched the map for a while, then raised his head and said, "Rzhev!"
It is not difficult to see this, since Rzhev is a protrusion and at the same time a turning point in the German line, like a corner of a rectangle.
If the Soviets can occupy this corner, then they can threaten the two wings of the German defense line from both sides at the same time and shake the entire defense line instead of just rescue.
(end of this chapter)
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