Before large amounts of luncheon meat from the United States arrived in the Soviet Union, the Soviet army's meat supply had been hovering at a low level.
It is now October 1942. During the bloodiest street fighting in Stalingrad in September, some German soldiers found fresh cans with the word "USA" on the bodies of dead Soviet soldiers. Those were cans of luncheon meat, just like
Just as the German army would take the initiative to pick up Soviet submachine guns, the German army, with increasingly severe logistical support problems, would also look for food from the Soviet army.
While the American canned goods they discovered surprised the Germans, the grassroots soldiers couldn't care less. These minced substances mixed with starch, pork and salt could fill their stomachs and allow everyone to continue fighting. This was enough.
At present, only some elite troops in the Soviet army have received priority in receiving canned meat aid from the United States. Of course, from a macro perspective, the day is not far away when everyone in the Soviet army's six million troops fighting on the front line can eat these imported canned meats.
Of course, the Soviet army was not simply looking forward to the support of its allies.
The Soviet army in trouble also invented some mixed cans, such as canned pure mashed potatoes, canned mashed potatoes mixed with minced meat, canned fish minced, etc.
In the vast Urals and Siberia, there are a large number of rivers and lakes. Real needs have forced the authorities to carry out large-scale river fish fishing to cope with the six million mouths waiting to be fed.
Some canned fish was sent to the troops. Although it smelled slightly fishy, the hungry soldiers no longer cared about it. Having meat to eat was already a luxury.
Balzen introduced to Yang Mingzhi that most of the canned food he had here were canned salmon.
"I don't know how big the fish were caught by those fishermen. The situation may be similar to the fish fry operations we carried out in the swamps. Maybe they caught giant salmon up to five meters long. In short, those cans were just a whole piece of smoked salmon.
Fish steak is a pure piece of meat, without a single fish bone."
Balzen's words reminded Yang Mingzhi that indeed some North Asian cold-water fish can grow to huge sizes as long as they are given enough time. Among them, especially the big red fish, also known as salmon, can grow to extremely huge sizes.
Salmon is a kind of salmon, and the fish meat is quite delicious.
However, canned fish is still not as good as soy beef. Yang Mingzhi knew that the Soviet Union produced canned beef. It is a big thing of 500 grams and contains a lot of fat. It is a dieter’s nightmare.
But it can give soldiers nearly 5,000 calories of energy.
What does this mean? It’s so crazy!
For example, in Leningrad, which is currently under siege by the Germans, thousands of people starve to death every day. The hungry people are looking forward to Lake Ladoga freezing so that trucks can transport supplies on the ice.
One can of canned beef with soy sauce can keep a hungry Leningrad citizen alive for a week. Yes, as long as he lies still, four cans of canned beef can keep him alive until the lake freezes.
"Do you have canned beef there?" Yang Mingzhi asked.
"Yes, but the number is very rare. Sir, I am training my 324th Division according to the old method of our 284th Division."
Balzen's words were unintentional, but Yang Mingzhi sensed another meaning: Balzen did not want canned beef.
"Okay, then prepare some canned salmon, remember the kind without fish bones."
"Do you need it? I will. But I have to ask..."
"You're asking me why I need it? Hehehehe."
Balzen heard the old officer's laughter and quickly asked again.
Yang Mingzhi said excitedly: "Natasha, this child is in Perm No. 1 Middle School. She is completing her tenth grade studies. Since you are going to Perm, Balzen, you can't go to see your old subordinates empty-handed.
Well. In our old establishment, she has been a member of your reconnaissance battalion for a long time."
"Oh, how could I forget this? What a coincidence. How could she be in Perm? Could it be that if I go to recruit soldiers in person this time, I can still recruit her back?"
"Bah! Don't have any illusions. You can't recruit her by recruiting anyone. Let that child live a peaceful life with peace of mind."
"Hey, I was just kidding."
"Listen!" Yang Mingzhi emphasized: "You bring some gifts to Perm No. 1 Middle School. I heard that the school's material conditions are not very good. You bring more food. It's cold. You should be in the military camp.
Do you still have extra cotton-padded clothes? Find a suitable one and bring it with you. To be honest, according to your age, you are completely qualified to be her uncle. Her parents both died in the war. As her old commander, you should show off.
"
Balzen has always liked Natasha Speroskina. Firstly, she is very beautiful, and secondly, she is really brave in all the battles.
"I understand, sir! I will prepare some gifts."
Yang Mingzhi hurriedly said: "I will also prepare some gifts, and we will meet in Perm in a few days. I will set off on the afternoon of October 8th, and I expect to arrive as soon as the 10th. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand."
"Then that's it. Goodbye."
The communication stopped abruptly, and Balzen was still in a state of excitement.
Borisov subconsciously asked: "Is it your old commander, General Berekov? He wants to personally supervise our change of clothes?"
"Of course." Balzen pinched his waist and looked confident, "Dear comrade, now the inventor of the weapon himself has to supervise our transformation into a force like the 284th Guards Division. Do you know what I actually hope for?"
"Please speak."
"The commanders of the 322nd Division and the 323rd Division and I are brothers, and we have fought side by side for a whole year. I really hope that the three divisions will add some other troops and expand into a group army, and the commander will be General Belekov. We
What a wonderful thing it is to be named after the 63rd Army."
Borisov shrugged: "This is impossible. We were originally going to be transferred to the 20th Army. The order was issued. After we changed our equipment, we fell into the 39th Army. The superiors obviously wanted to launch a major offensive. I
I think even the division chief of staff Semyonov has understood the intentions of his superiors."
"Intentions? What are the intentions of the superiors?" Balzen took three steps forward vigilantly: "The superiors really want to launch a large-scale counterattack. Since we liberated Rzhev, the fighting has been continuous, but overall it is relatively stable. I'm sure
, the superiors still want to capture Vyazma, and we originally planned to transfer the 20th Army for this strategic purpose."
Borisov shrugged: "That's true, but... I think you can listen to Chief of Staff Semyonov, and you can also listen to me. Let me see..." As he said that, Borisov
He waved his hand in a confused manner.
"What? Is there any secret?" Balzen approached and put his face close to Borisov.
Borisov did not dare to say loudly: "I guess the superiors want to attack Smolensk."
"ah?!"
"Are you surprised?" Borisov asked.
"Why? How can you assert that?"
"Nothing." Borisov shook his head, "It's just my speculation. I think you should also have speculations in this regard. After all, we are about to undergo a special change of equipment without precedent, and will soon join the 39th Group Army."
Balzen, generally speaking, is relatively simple-minded. This kind of officer is most suitable to be a strong general. He lacks some strategic thinking, but always implements any orders from his superiors.
He really did not think that his superiors had the idea of attacking Smolensk. Even though the division political commissar Borisov mentioned this possibility now, since the superior's order did not mention it at all, Balzen did not consider it.
Balzen said seriously: "Let's not talk nonsense about this matter. When we get to the front line, we can just carry out the order. They ordered us to charge towards Berlin now. No matter how much obstruction we encounter, we must move forward bravely."
In this regard, Borisov did not go into details. He encouraged: "If this is the case, we need technical arms too much. I also need to further strengthen the ideological awareness of the soldiers. You can go to Perm to recruit troops.
I also do my part."
"Yes. I am an old subordinate of General Berekov. We must show military prowess in the next battle. Especially the special anti-tank battalion in our army."
"Huh?" Borisov was startled, "Are you worried about them?"
"No! They are a force that must be strengthened. I will personally encourage their battalion commander later. I want to build this anti-tank battalion into a pure rocket launcher anti-tank battalion."
Although Balzen is not good at tactical strategies, he has a lot of combat experience. In that order document, the superior's description of the equipment change clearly mentioned that the troops will be equipped with a large number of individual rocket launchers, and the phrase "
The word "catfish".
My old commander relied on a bunch of super-caliber RPG warheads that were desperately increased in charge, and he defeated a German tank regiment, which also contributed to the 284th Division's reputation as the "Guards".
Balzen did not even belong to the order of battle of the Northwestern Front at that time. He was one of the vast number of defeated soldiers who fled from Kiev into the swamps. He believed deeply in the extraordinary experience of the old commander and wanted to imitate him in his dreams. How did the commander succeed?
In the final analysis, it is not the crazy-charged RPG warheads themselves, but their concentration and large-scale use.
Besides, when it comes to the power of the warhead, isn't the Catfish rocket more powerful?
If the army wants to upgrade to new weapons, then the army must form a large number of rocket launcher teams. Balzen immediately thought of his experience a few months ago. In the past, the supplies in the swamp were too scarce, but now the situation is different.
He felt that he could not only place a rocket launcher team for each infantry company, but also organize a battalion with at least thirty teams and part of the infantry. Balzen had already imagined a magnificent scene.
Such a special anti-tank battalion will be the strongest offensive force of its own troops!
Shooting at distant targets, it can demonstrate the carpet bombing of Katyusha rocket launchers, and shoot at advancing tanks. No matter how thick the enemy's armor is, the huge explosive power of the rockets can blow it into pieces.
Balzen thought of this and decided to do it immediately.
For him, time is so precious!
After a day of training, the panting soldiers all turned into hungry wolves in the cafeteria. They munched on boiled potatoes crazily and gulped vegetable soup into their stomachs.
After the meal, Balzen no longer asked them to continue training. Most of the soldiers returned to their barracks and wiped themselves with towels in the warm barracks. This was considered a bath. Some people actually went to the barracks.
In public bathrooms, clean yourself with the smelly earthen soap provided by the logistics department.
After completing these, people will inevitably feel a little groggy, not to mention the hard training during the day, so that quite a few campsites are already snoring by eight o'clock in the evening.
Under a bright spotlight, more than four hundred soldiers gathered here.
They were all wearing the Soviet winter uniform, which was actually a cotton coat with an armed belt. They were all staring at the boat-shaped hats with red stars hanging on them. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits.
At least the division commander Balzen who was reviewing them was here, who dared to show his fatigue.
Because of his bold idea, Balzen gathered everyone from the special anti-tank battalion here and made an astonishing idea in public.
"Originally, the special anti-tank battalion used combat anti-tank artillery to fight tanks, supplemented by rpg launchers and warheads. Now the situation has changed. Soon our division will be completely re-equipped. You will carry out the most thorough re-equipment. You will be specialized
For the troops using rocket launchers to fight tanks. Battalion Commander Sukhominov, come out!"
A young man of only twenty-five years old stood in front of Balzen. His surname was Sukhominov. He had been injured in a battle six months ago. Now he has lost his left ear forever and has a scar on his face.
.Therefore, many soldiers simply called him "Scar".
In terms of feelings, Balzen admired this young man very much because he once operated an anti-tank gun to destroy two German tanks and was injured in the German counterattack. For this, he also received the First Class Patriotic War Medal. After he recovered from his injuries, he was recognized
I can continue to fight, but the scars on my face are a bit scary.
It was also because of this anti-tank experience that he was assigned to the 324th Division and logically became the commander of the special anti-tank battalion.
"Comrade Sukhominov! Soon, your troops will be equipped with a large number of large-caliber rocket launchers. In future battles, you will use a very high-precision rocket launcher to directly bombard German tanks. Now that I am gathering you, you are telling me
You have other warriors to deal with."
"Yes! Comrade Commander!" Sukhominov replied without changing his face.
"Very good! Now be mentally prepared. You will use the latest weapons developed by the great alliance to attack the enemy. You will definitely make great achievements. Let me tell you one thing. They used to use the special anti-tank battalion of a certain division to
Rockets destroyed a German tank regiment. Later, the battalion commander became a general, and the soldiers under his command received major promotions. Each of them wore multiple medals. Now, a man who has made great contributions and became the recipient of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union
The opportunity is before you. Comrade Sukhominov, do you want to become a Hero of the Soviet Union?"
"Yes! Comrade Commander!" Sukhominov roared with a deafening roar.
"What about the others?" Balzen also asked loudly.
"Yes! Comrade Commander!" Everyone shouted in unison, and this roar was enough to create a terrifying avalanche.
"Very good! I heard your courage, so Comrade Sukhominov, now you must adjust the training plan! From now on, suspend the shooting training of combat anti-artillery, and start RPG target training with all your strength! Be mentally prepared for a week
After a large number of new individual rockets arrive, you will begin more rigorous training. Now, disband!"
Balzen, what he just said was also for himself.
To become a hero of the Soviet Union, Balzen dreamed of getting a "big gold star" of his own. He fought desperately. Even though his troops had been wiped out, he was still fighting. In the final analysis, it was not only for the alliance and justice, but also for himself.
pursuit of honor.
Now, for the first time, he felt that he might win the Gold Star Medal. With this medal and the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, even if he died in battle, his life would be worth it!
So for this purpose, we must train our troops desperately.
The army is about to begin reorganizing due to the arrival of a large number of new weapons, starting with the special anti-tank battalion.
In addition, the trip to Perm to find talents also started immediately.