For Zhukov, Lieutenant General Vlasov of the 20th Army was his trump card. After the sudden invasion of the German army, Vlasov led a weak force to fight fiercely with the German army, leaving the German army in a state of embarrassment.
Successfully overcoming the German encirclement and leading the troops to Moscow, Vlasov's deeds are legendary, and he himself has become a national hero of the Soviet Union.
After Xu Rui arrived, Zhukov decided to abandon his original idea of withdrawing from the Kremlin and carry out resolute resistance against the German army. Lieutenant General Vlasov's 20th Army would play a very important role in Zhukov's campaign concept.
In fact, Zhukov's tactics are very simple, that is, all-out defense. As long as he persists, new troops formed by the Soviet command in the rear will continue to join the Moscow defense line, and he will be able to gain a foothold little by little and push the Germans away.
Drive out of Moscow...
At the same time, von Kluge, commander of the German Army Group Center, responded to the call of the German head of state and came to Wolfsburg in Germany.
The German Chief of General Staff Halder first met with von Kluge. Halder first congratulated von Kluge on his promotion to the commander of Army Group Center. Then, he reminded von Kluge not to forget the previous setting.
The goal.
Not only occupy Moscow, but also advance towards Yaroslavl, Rybinsk, and if possible, Logoda.
Von Kruger was thinking in his mind, although our army has an absolute advantage in Moscow now, if we want to occupy so many places, we must increase a large number of troops. Where can I get so many troops?
Later, German Commander-in-Chief Brauchitsch came to see von Kluge. Kluge said: "With the current situation, the future situation is not optimistic. Every step forward we have to pay a huge price. I have given all the resources in my hand."
The troops have been put into the battle. I no longer have the troops to continue advancing after occupying Moscow. I declare that the troops of Army Group Center have been used to the extreme."
Brauchitsch said: "The head of state believes that the Soviets are on the verge of collapse. He is waiting for your accurate report. When will this collapse become a reality?"
Kruger said: "Army Command did not correctly assess the situation..."
Brauchic had no patience to listen anymore. He only said: "In short, you are responsible for the victory or defeat of the battle!"
"We have no problem occupying Moscow, but after occupying Moscow we do not have enough troops to continue moving forward!"
Brauchitsch said: "The head of state wants to know when Moscow can be captured?"
Kruger suddenly understood that Brauchitsch had deliberately not heard him clearly and did not dare to report this unpleasant news to the Führer.
"Kruger, as long as Moscow is occupied, the Soviet Union will definitely collapse. This is beyond doubt. Therefore, there is no need for you to think so much. Concentrate all your forces to capture Moscow first. Victory will naturally beckon to us. I
What I want to ask now is the time when Moscow will be captured." Brauchitsch said.
Kruger thought for a while and said: "If the large-caliber artillery can arrive in time, then the Soviet defenses will be defeated within an hour or two. If the large-caliber artillery cannot arrive in time, it will take at least a week to find the enemy."
.”
"Okay, Kruger, I'll give you a week. Moreover, the large-caliber artillery will soon arrive at the front line. You must capture Moscow within a week."
"If this is the case, the place for our next conversation should be in the Kremlin in Moscow," Kruger said.
Although he is not optimistic about the future development of the situation, Kruger believes that under the current situation, it is not a problem to win Moscow alone.
However, is the situation really as Brauchitsch said, that the Soviets will collapse after taking Moscow? Kruger is full of doubts.
"Kruger, I have good news for you. Guderian is returning to the battlefield and is still the commander of the 2nd Tank Army." Brauchitsch said.
Kruger was very happy after hearing the news. Guderian was very skilled in the use of armored troops, and his return would provide him with great help.
"Commander-in-Chief, I have drafted a plan to attack Moscow. I have also given this plan a very domineering code name - Typhoon. As long as we have the support of large-caliber artillery, our troops can destroy the enemy like Typhoon.
All resistance."
Brauchitsch said: "Kruger, I wish you success..."
In the Kremlin, in the Zhukov combat command room, a series of intelligence came. Although the German army did not attack on the surface and the Moscow front line entered a temporary calm, in fact the German army was already accumulating strength. Everything showed that the German army was about to launch a major attack.
A large-scale attack, and this attack will most likely determine the future of Moscow.
Zhukov continued to mobilize troops. At this time, the Kremlin had long been the center of Soviet command in Moscow. It was surrounded by German troops on three sides. Only the east side was connected to the Soviet-controlled area. However, the Kremlin was a spiritual symbol of the Soviet people.
, Therefore, no matter how high the cost, the Kremlin must be defended.
Zhukov knew that there was some calm in Moscow on the surface, but this was only temporary, a real storm was about to come!
The calm was broken earlier than Zhukov expected. In just two days, the German army launched a tidal wave of attacks on Moscow from all directions. The entire Soviet-controlled area in Moscow was like a small boat in the sea, amidst the wind and waves.
Constantly swaying.
The German Army's Operation Typhoon is in full swing, and Moscow is under unprecedented pressure. The greatest threat is undoubtedly General Hoppner's 4th Army. The 4th Army has already reached the middle of Moscow. If it continues to fight, it will have to pass through the Moskva River.
Attack the Kremlin.
Many people have persuaded Zhukov to abandon the Kremlin, but Zhukov thought of Xu Rui's words, so he rejected these suggestions. He decided to live or die with the Kremlin!
"Comrade Xu Rui, the situation is very urgent now. The leading troops of the German 4th Army are less than a kilometer away from the Kremlin. The German artillery fire can completely cover the Kremlin. The German attack must be repelled."
"Comrade Zhukov, leave the Fourth Army to us, Wolf Fang, and we will cooperate with the 20th Army to defend Moscow."
Zhukov said: "Comrade Xu Rui, tell me what you think."
Xu Rui said: "As long as the German army does not have large-caliber artillery, then although their offensive is fierce, it will be difficult to repel the 20th Army. We can continue to attract the effective forces of the German army to the front-line battlefield, and then bombard them with artillery.
Killing and injuring the effective forces of the 4th Group Army. As a result, the 4th Group Army will suffer heavy losses and will naturally be repulsed as it has no troops left to fight."
"We must have enough artillery in this battle. This is the key to victory," Xu Rui said.
"Our cannons are still being shipped, and they cannot be used in the battle for a while. I can only provide you with some small-caliber artillery." Zhukov said.
"I will provide you with as much as you have, and I will figure out the rest myself."
Xu Rui immediately took Zhukov's warrant and set off with the Wolf Fang, but his destination was not the position of the 20th Army, but the Moscow Historical Museum.
Leng Tiefeng was puzzled. Now that the war was about to begin, why would Lao Xu go to the history museum if he didn't go to fight?
Xu Rui said: "You will understand when you get there."
Xu Rui asked Lang Ya to get on four trucks and head towards the history museum.
The History Museum is located north of Red Square. It was built in 1873 and is a classical-style building. The museum contains a number of collections of world significance.
For example, it has collected coins, medals, and seals from many countries. The collection of ancient manuscripts and ancient books is also very rich. The collection of ancient Russian icons is one of the largest collections in Russia.
In addition, this museum also collects a large number of ancient and modern weapons. Among them is a batch of cannons. These are cannons from the Ochakov period and the conquest of Crimea. They once made great contributions in the history of Russia and are now
Lying peacefully in the history museum.
But now, Xu Rui has moved them out of the history museum, and Leng Tiefeng said: "Old Xu, what are you doing with these old antiques? Can they still fight?"
Xu Rui said: "The Soviet Union now needs all combat-effective artillery. These cannons were sent to the history museum in good condition and have been well maintained. They will definitely be put to use. We will hand them over to the 20th Army. They will definitely be used."
It worked.”
Leng Tiefeng said: "Old Xu, you are really yours, you have even thought of this."
After handing over the cannon to the artillery that came to take over, Xu Rui took Langya to the northern front. This time, he met Lieutenant General Vlasov, commander of the 20th Group Army.
Vlasov was a rising star on the battlefield who emerged during the Great Patriotic War. At the beginning of the German invasion of the Soviet Union, he led a small force to continuously fight with the German army and successfully inhibited the speed of the German advance.
And he finally succeeded in breaking through the German encirclement.
Vlasov became famous in this battle and became a hero of the Soviet people. He was summoned by Supreme Leader Stalin and appointed commander of the 20th Army.
At this time, Vlasov had become a rising star and was deeply valued by Stalin and Zhukov.
When Vlasov saw Xu Rui, he immediately gave Xu Rui a bear hug and said, "You must be Comrade Xu Rui. Comrade Zhukov has informed me that Langya is coming here. I am eagerly looking forward to your arrival."
"
Diana immediately translated Vlasov's words, and Xu Rui said: "Comrade Vlasov, I don't know what the situation is now."
Vlasov sighed and said: "Hopner's 1st Armored Division is close at hand, and our army is engaged in fierce street fighting with it. The German armored forces are attacking with great momentum..."