The Soviet army suffered a disastrous defeat in the Ukrainian campaign. After the death of Kirponos, the command system collapsed. With the command system failing, the besieged Soviet army broke out eastward in groups like crazy, trying to break through.
German blockade.
The Soviet army's breakout was more like a rout, the actions were haphazard, and they left behind a large number of corpses. Model participated in the task of blocking the Soviet army's breakout. He described it as a massacre. Only in some cases where the siege was less severe or
In the defensive section where the German troops were poorly equipped, some Soviet troops successfully broke through.
Therefore, what Timoshenko was given was a huge mess. Of the 700,000 Soviet troops who were besieged, 90,000 eventually succeeded in breaking through.
Those besieged troops are still fighting hard, many troops have surrendered, and the remaining troops are still resisting. The fighting will eventually stop completely before October, and the Ukrainian campaign is destined to be a great victory for the German army.
Timoshenko felt that there was nothing he could do to save the day. He had to replenish his troops, and the Soviet army's fresh troops were coming from the rear. The troops of the Southwest Front Army and the Southern Front Army still had this huge task. The two front armies
Efforts should be made to prevent the German army from continuing to attack.
For Timoshenko, he must do everything possible to prevent the German army from continuing to attack Moscow.
It was already late September, and the last resistance of the surrounded Soviet troops had finally ended. The Southwest Front suffered a disastrous defeat. Timoshenko felt sad, but he still mustered up his courage.
At the front army headquarters, he said sadly to all the staff: "We suffered a disastrous defeat in this battle and lost more than 600,000 people. Our current strength is worrying, but new troops are being formed and new equipment will be put in soon.
to war. We will restore our forces, and now is a critical moment for us to regain our strength."
His encouragement of optimistic outlook inspired many people, many of whom were forced to smile and hope that the great motherland could withstand the enemy's attack.
The Southwest Front shifted to full-scale defense. The troops had to withstand the German offensive to the east, prevent their attack in the direction of Crimea, and at the same time support the defense of the Bryansk Front.
He also did not forget that there was a Soviet unit in the Pripet Swamp, which existed intact because of the natural chasm. More importantly, the designation of the 284th Guards Division was completely legal, and the Military Commission even classified it as
to Timoshenko's men.
At the meeting, he asked the chief of staff: "We need to transport a large amount of supplies to the Pripet Swamp. We should support the 284th Guards Division and encourage them to continue fighting."
"However, it is very dangerous to go there. We can only assist them by airdrop. The distance is long, and we are likely to encounter enemy aircraft obstruction." Chief of Staff Tupikov still needs to look at this issue from the perspective of whether it is reasonable or not. Kirbo
North was killed in battle, but he managed to break through.
"So, our support plan needs to be re-planned?"
"No." Tupikov objected, "I don't mean that at all. I have dealt with the 284th Guards Division a lot. While your predecessor Kirponos was still alive, we wanted them to fight.
Support us, in fact they are doing a very good job. This unit has a very strong combat effectiveness, they are very suitable for fighting in forests and swamps, it is very necessary for us to assist them."
Timoshenko nodded: "In this case, the support plan is made by you, and we must give them the necessary materials to support the battle. The 284th Guards Division is likely to become the backbone of the guerrilla war in the occupied areas."
Tupikov is very interested in Berekov of the 284th Division. He is clearly in the swamp, but he can predict the changes in the battle situation. Perhaps he has genius command ability and macro-battlefield insight, and even if conditions permit,
He has the ability to be a higher-level commander. However, because he is a foreigner and the leader needs his combat capabilities and some inventions, it may be impossible to give him high military power.
The support plan was drawn up by Tupikov. Since Route 6 was completely occupied by the enemy, the only means of supply was to dispatch transport aircraft to airdrop. As for what to airdrop, Tupikov did not have to worry at all, because he had a list in hand.
Yang Mingzhi and Yevlov finished counting all the supplies that their own troops lacked.
"We seem to have some lions opening their mouths. We need a lot of supplies, but we just don't know if they have the ability to transport them." Yang Mingzhi was still worried in his heart. After all, the German attack has not stopped, and air transportation to the swamp is very dangerous.
of.
Yevlov is still very confident in the Soviet army. "We asked for as much as possible and told them that our material losses were heavy. As long as we let them understand that only large-scale supplies can we continue to fight."
Therefore, in this list, there are great requirements for winter bedding, and it also requires the troops to change into winter clothing, at least 10,000 sets of winter military uniforms. The so-called winter military uniforms of the Soviet army are basically just a set of cotton coats.
Sometimes it can't even be considered a military uniform.
Compared with the German army, the Soviet army pursued pragmatism too much. Now Yang Mingzhi no longer cares about whether something looks good or not. The soldiers need bread, butter, warm clothes, and enough ammunition.
The list was sent to the Southwestern Front Army headquarters through Morse code. After deciphering, the list in Tupikov's hand was found, and its words were densely packed like an ant's nest.
"What a bunch of lunatics. I think I should drive the transport ship directly into the Yahai Sea, and then go directly northward against the Dnieper River to send all the supplies to you." After complaining, Tupikov still had to give them the necessary supplies.
Materials.
After some research, he drafted a plan and sent it to Timoshenko.
"Ten TB3 bombers were dispatched, not loaded with ammunition, but all loaded with supplies. The scale of this support is indeed huge." Timoshenko's only objection is whether such a large-scale airdrop is too dangerous. "We must ensure that the transport aircraft
Stay safe and avoid encountering German aircraft."
"In this case, we must dispatch fighter jets to escort." Tupikov said, "Once the fighter jets are dispatched, we can even mount some more supplies. Our Seagull fighter jets have a good load capacity, and it will be good for them to deliver more.
Good thing."
After some consideration, Timoshenko decided to just do it. "You are the chief of staff and have taught a lot with them. That Belekov is very important to us. The leader requires us to support him, support and order him in
Expanding the battle in enemy-occupied areas is best like cancer spreading in enemy-occupied areas. So you know what to do."
"Of course." Tupikov cheerfully saluted the military salute.
Just as he was about to leave the office, he heard Timoshenko asking him to go back.
"What? Is there still a need?" Tupikov asked curiously.
"Yes, I thought about it, we should give them something more powerful."
What is powerful? The answer is tanks. "We gave them some BT2 tanks. These guys only weigh twelve tons. With some extra parachutes, they should be able to complete airdrops. I still remember that the 284th Division also built an airport. If
It would be even better if our transport plane could land."
This is a bit shocking. It is true that the TB3 bomber can transport light tanks, and the Soviet army has been doing this for a long time. However, the tanks are all unloaded after the plane lands, and it is a bit risky to attach more parachutes to it for airborne landing.
Tupikov questioned based on his experience as a staff officer: "Comrade Commander, there is a swamp there. I am also worried that even with parachutes, the tanks will still land at a high altitude. They will either be broken or get stuck in the mud."
"How will you know if you don't try?" Timoshenko stood up slowly and walked to the bedside with his hands behind his back. The headquarters was stationed in this town near the front line, and troops were mobilized frequently around it. Outside the window, civilian personnel came running
Run. "Sometimes we also need some adventures. These BT tanks cannot resist enemy tanks at all. If they are transported to the occupied area and these heavy weapons are obtained at 284, the combat effectiveness will be greatly improved. If the enemy attacks the swamp, they will not use the tanks
Enter the war. And Belekov has light tanks, which can definitely cause huge damage to the enemy."
After saying this, Tupikov was also moved, and he had to modify his plan. "Okay, I will take a risk and give the tanks a large number of parachutes, hoping that they will not be damaged."
Tupikov therefore had to make a new plan. The tank must use a large number of parachutes. The canopy must be strapped to the bomber. After the airdrop is completed, at least ten parachutes must be attached to it. Due to time constraints, there was no time to conduct the test. Tupikov
Kove's plan was authorized by Timoshenko, and the air force of the front army had no choice but to agree.
The Air Force dispatched fifteen TB3 bombers, thirty Seagull fighters, and five Li-2 transport aircraft. Five of the TB3s would transport light tanks. The pilots knew that with the tanks mounted, the aircraft would have almost no load margin. If they were given
Wouldn't it be better to transport more guns and ammunition, but an order is an order.
The TB3 bomber is often used as a transport aircraft. Its standard bomb load is four tons. If many factors are not considered, it can take off with more than ten tons of supplies. Carrying light tanks is its limit.
Yang Mingzhi and Yevlov soon received the news from the front army headquarters. They were overjoyed because they had decided to carry out the airdrop plan on September 28.
The front army headquarters compiled the airdrop list, and all the materials added up to a total of 110 tons. This number was very large for Yevlov, but in Yang Mingzhi's view, the transportation capacity in this era was still too weak.
The items on the list were indeed very tempting, and what was even more incredible was that Yang Mingzhi saw the word tank.
"They actually want to transport several BT light tanks to us! Is this possible? Are they going to land at the airport?" Yang Mingzhi couldn't believe it, and so did Yevlov.
Because the airport can also take off and land Level 2 transport aircraft, for TB3, the length and width of the airport are not suitable.
So, how to transport tanks? The two people immediately noticed the word "airdrop".
This group of old fools have always been bold in their work, or in other words, they are one-sided! Cotton coats and blankets can be airdropped, and tanks can also be airdropped? Such a violent airdrop?! Yang Mingzhi stood up with a slap on his thigh, and stood up in the conference room
Li screamed. "It's really crazy. These iron bastards either fell and broke into pieces, or got stuck in the mud. If they break, they can't be used. If they get stuck in the mud, I don't have time to fish them out."
Yevlov smiled and patted him on the shoulder: "Idiot, no matter whether these tanks can land safely or not, we just have to wait. Even if they break, I can still use them. We dismantled the armored trucks and re-melted the steel plates to make them.
Rockets and grenades, we need metal so much right now."
Yang Mingzhi suddenly realized, "Yes, they weigh ten tons of metal and can make tens of thousands of grenades!" (To be continued.) 8