Zhukov, who had gained Stalin's great trust, finally got rid of the constraints from the rear. His plan to organize armored forces to attack Smolensk was a typical "Zhukov style".
The German army facing them was also a strong force that should not be underestimated. To be fair, Zhukov was a little worried that even if the two mechanized armies broke through the enemy's defense line, they would suffer huge losses, which would be very detrimental to subsequent operations.
Therefore, this important assault force must be strengthened, but the problem is also very obvious. In the long-term frontline operations, the army's heavy weapons have suffered a great loss, especially tanks, which are the core force of the assault.
Even if the number of assault tanks was increased, the Soviet tanks would still suffer heavy losses in the face of various German anti-tank guns and German-made RPG weapons used by individual soldiers.
As long as the loss is within an acceptable range.
Because the current situation of Soviet tanks is quite special, their main purpose is to cut through the enemy's positions. Therefore, the Soviet army does not need how exquisite the tanks are and how comfortable and user-friendly the cockpit is. They are a consumable product, which is used to cut through the enemy's positions.
As a tool of defense, the Soviet army did not want the same tank crew to drive the same tank into frequent operations.
The reality is that at the end of a battle, a large number of Soviet tanks will lose their combat capabilities.
After all, a tank is an assault platform. The engine is normal, the armor is not seriously damaged, the main gun can fire, and it can continue to be used with repairs. This is enough. The Soviet soldiers on the front line of the war couldn't think of so much. Bring back the bad tank and put it to use.
The compatriots who died in the battle were pulled out and buried, replaced with new engines, new steel plates were welded to the damaged areas of the armor, the main guns were inspected and used, and the tanks continued to participate in the war.
Unless, it has become a piece of scrap metal.
In the final analysis, the invention of the tank is the so-called "vehicle that mounts an infantry gun on a tractor to break through trenches."
Trench warfare is a thing of the past. The German defenses built intricate trenches and forts reinforced with concrete. The same was true for the Soviet fortifications.
The Soviet army was equipped with many anti-tank weapons, especially the German army.
When World War II broke out, many European countries still adhered to the tactical model of World War I, assigning tanks to infantry units as auxiliary infantry offensive. There is nothing wrong with this theory, and it eventually turned into infantry-tank collaborative tactics.
The German army boldly hit the tanks and used them. Even if the opponent had a large number of anti-tank weapons, as long as enough tanks were put into the attack, they could still tear apart the opponent's defense line. The battle seemed to have turned into a special tower defense game.
The theory of the use of tanks for large-scale hits was originally a French theory.
The dark humor is that the French army did not adopt it, but the German army found a treasure!
Of course, the tank hit theory also has a market in the Soviet Union. Tukhachevsky, who was executed, recognized this theory and hoped that the future Soviet army would establish corresponding units based on this theory.
Zhukov always supported this theory, while his classmate and comrade-in-arms Pavlov also opposed this theory in order to draw a clear line between him and Tu.
This was the cruel battle situation. The German army who supported the tank concentration theory defeated Pavlov who opposed it.
Now, Zhukov can hit tanks without any scruples. As long as there are enough tanks and armored vehicles, and he only needs to attack a little fiercely to hold on to the German anti-tank force and tear through the defense line, the rest of the battle will be easy to control.
Now, facing General Berekov present, Zhukov came up with a bold idea.
After all, Zhukov not only saw with his own eyes the gift from Novosibirsk, the new assault rifle, but also saw its powerful firepower and accuracy. Especially when he heard that this was a new invention of Berekov himself, he immediately tried hard to recall many past events.
Now that the two of them met, Berekov was indeed unusual. He obviously had bolder ideas about war than he did! This was absolutely true. Perhaps it was because of his military status that he did not dare to take the initiative to speak out.
After all, this guy was so crazy that he distributed RPGs to his squad, and each company had a crazy direct-aiming heavy rocket launcher system. How could Zhukov not be tempted?
Zhukov said to Stalin: "When the war broke out, who would have thought that the 284th Division, which was affiliated with the 11th Army, would become a meritorious unit in one battle, and who would have thought that they would destroy a German tank regiment in one battle? The soldiers are indeed brave, but others
Belekov's new weapons are also indispensable. We should do this, mass-produce new weapons, and centrally equip them in the hands of one army. We must equip at least one infantry division, which is in accordance with Comrade Belekov's ideals
Infantry Division in."
"Like the 284th Division that participated in the Battle of Gomel?" Stalin asked.
"Yes!" Zhukov said: "There are only a few elite troops in the German army, and most of them are second- and third-rate troops. Comrade Berekov is good at running the army. His improved 284th Division is indeed equipped with a strength of 10,000 people.
This year alone, we have fought against at least seven enemy divisions, all of which achieved major victories. If there are a large number of Berekov-style infantry divisions on the front line, the combat effectiveness of the newly formed troops will be significantly improved.
Why is Belekov's army so strong? I think you already know it very well. He has been focusing on using new weapons. The improved 284th Guards Division is no longer an ordinary infantry division, but a kind of I don't know.
How should we describe the new infantry division? The past year of war has fully proved that this new infantry division has stronger combat effectiveness than the traditional infantry division."
What Zhukov said was true, and Stalin naturally knew it. He asked: "So, Comrade Zhukov, what do you think...right!" Stalin quickly saw Yang Mingzhi and asked with interest: "Comrade Berekov, I
I don’t think anyone has more say in this matter than you.”
Yang Mingzhi's spirit was always high. He never expected that Zhukov would go out of his way to praise him. What an honor it was. Zhukov was praising his military talents.
Yang Mingzhi, who has experienced many big scenes, tried his best to suppress his inner excitement and forced himself to act neither humble nor overbearing.
"Perhaps I am indeed a general who is good at leading troops, and I do have my own opinions on the organization of infantry divisions. In the swamps of Belarus, there is an isolated island besieged by the enemy. Comrade Stalin, you gave me the order to recruit guerrillas.
I have the power to fight independently, so I actually have huge combat autonomy, and I can also reorganize the troop organization and weapons and equipment according to my own wishes.
My opinion is that we need to strengthen the combat firepower of grassroots units, and also strengthen the equipment of heavy weapons. In my concept, in an infantry division, every officer and soldier must have a strong body, and the firepower of an individual soldier should be as high as that of the current army.
The firepower of the squad. I think every infantry squad in any infantry division should have firepower configured like this."
There are ten people in a squad. The machine gunner is equipped with the squad light machine gun I developed, another person is equipped with a sniper rifle with a scope, and the remaining eight are equipped with assault rifles. The two strongest ones carry RPG launchers and partial
warhead.
In the infantry platoon, a mortar squad or recoilless gun squad needs to be added. In the infantry company, a heavy rocket launcher squad needs to be added. In the infantry battalion, a heavy rocket launcher platoon needs to be added.
I believe that in current and future wars, the principle of military operations is to accurately throw appropriate bombs at the enemy's head from a long distance. Therefore, my victory is largely based on the large-scale use of rocket launchers. It is completely different from that of Kabul.
Qiusha's carpet bombing and my Catfish rockets were always accurate shots from the launch team.
Comrade Stalin, if you give me the corresponding power and the corresponding materials, then after the completion of my factory in Novosibirsk, I will increase production. You can also give my comrade Liguschkov more funds, that way
There will be more flying fish and catfish coming off the production line.”
Stalin and Zhukov were very moved, while Konev was equally moved as Pulchakov.
This Berekov, he is simply an exciting lunatic! When it comes to launching rocket launchers at the grassroots level, Berekov is the only one in the entire army who thinks so and does this.
He is the only one in the entire army who can do this.
Why? The Catfish rocket with a caliber of up to 107 mm and the matching tube launch system were originally created by Berekov and equipped with troops. It is by no means a crude product in the guerrilla zone. On the contrary, it is quite well made. Many actual combats have also proved it.
Yes, this kind of rocket launcher with a huge charge can bomb targets eight kilometers away, and can also shoot directly at enemy tanks.
A large-caliber rocket launcher shooting an anti-tank directly? This kind of operation can be described as strange in today's era. It is not that no ordnance experts have not thought about it. Due to the limited technology of today's rocket launchers, its development prospects seem to be still not as good as that of large-caliber artillery.
Zhukov admired Yang Mingzhi's words very much.
Zhukov took advantage of the situation and said: "I have been worried about whether the two mechanized armies attacking the core of the assault in Smolensk are strong enough. If so, we must further strengthen this assault force. A general infantry division is
If we are embarrassed about this task, I think that forming a group of Berekov-style infantry divisions is a good way to increase our strength."
Stalin nodded and looked at Yang Mingzhi with satisfaction: "Comrade Berekov, it seems that Comrade Zhukov is also speaking for you. Very good! Very good! Maybe transform a group of ordinary infantry divisions to achieve what you want.
An infantry division will be of great benefit to the war situation."
"Ah! Thank you."
"I can give you more authority, more funds, and more assistance from production plants. Let's talk about the core thing directly. You tell me, in a month, how many troops can you arm according to your own ideas?
?”
"How many troops? This..." Yang Mingzhi closed his eyes and thought for a while, then said casually: "Three divisions, armed with three divisions, should be enough."
Yang Mingzhi's statement was conservative. Three reorganized divisions amounted to 30,000 people. The number of troops was not large, but it was indeed quite large.
He figured that if he already had three infantry divisions like this, why would he be lying like a tortoise in the mud in Pripyat? With such a powerful force, he would directly attack Bobruisk.
In comparison, cities such as Gomel and Mozyr are considered small cities.
"Only three divisions?" Stalin shook his head and bluntly expressed his dissatisfaction. "Too few, Comrade Berekov, I need more."
"However, the infantry divisions I train are not just ordinary troops equipped with a large number of new weapons. The problem now is that if they are not good at using the new weapons, it is unpredictable how effective they can be. There is one more thing."
"You tell me."
Yang Mingzhi nodded: "There are three of my subordinates on your recall list. I have always been. I have always been their superior. In all the bloody battles in the swamp, the three of them were excellent commanders who commanded front-line operations.
, you plan to appoint them as division commanders. I don’t know if they are already division commanders now.”
Stalin thought about it carefully, and it seemed that this was the case, so he thought more deeply and asked Konev, the commander of the Western Front.
"Yes! There is such a thing." Konev said seriously, "They are all training troops in the rear. Soon, these three divisions will be added to the 20th Army."
It's Yevgeny, Lavrenty and Balzen!
For these three people, Yang Mingzhi has always been very optimistic about the talents of Yevgeny and Lavlendi. In the current war situation, it is very suitable for such experienced regimental commanders to be upgraded to command a division. As for Balzen, Yang
Mingzhi has always been worried about this person. It is undeniable that Balzen has always been famous for his perseverance in fighting, but he is too brave and often appears to be too impulsive. If Balzen commanded a division, the so-called raging soldiers and raging generals, Yang
Mingzhi did not doubt that the division would become a powerful force under Balzen's leadership. It would be better for this unit to be attached to Chuikov's 62nd Army and teach the Germans in Stalingrad who was the strongest defender. But could Balzen be flexible?
Yang Mingzhi was always very worried about the battle.
In any case, even if Balzen has some flaws, he at least has extremely rich command and combat experience, and it makes sense to serve as a division commander.
Of course, Yang Mingzhi was really overjoyed when these three people who had not been heard from for a while suddenly appeared. He was glad that he said he was arming three divisions. Now, aren't these three divisions that should be armed?
Yang Mingzhi quickly asked about Konev's three old subordinates.
Konev immediately picked up the wooden stick thrown on the map table and pointed to a location behind Moscow.
This location is so remote that it almost reaches the edge of the map, which is the Ural Mountains marked.
Konev pointed out a city along the railway called Ochol. To Yang Mingzhi's surprise, this city was not far from Perm. Specifically, it was a western town under the jurisdiction of the Perm Oblast.
.
Yang Mingzhi was thinking about it as he took a train to Moscow, and of course he passed through this town at night. Like many railway towns, Ochoor was unknown in its long history.
But the town is very close to Perm after all!
Perm~Natasha! That child goes to school in Perm!
Yang Mingzhi immediately showed his excitement. He was excited that all his important subordinates were in the Perm region. In the eyes of Stalin and others, Berekov was eager to find an opportunity to run to the city of Ochol and meet with his
The old subordinates gathered together to drink vodka.
Konev could understand Berekov's excitement, and he continued: "Those three divisions are all gathering in the village near Ochoor to intensify training. I don't know the specific location. I heard that you came from Novosibirsk