In January 1942, perhaps due to Stalin's arrogance and stupidity, the major counterattack against the German army on the Moscow front did not go as the leader had hoped. He mistakenly believed that the German army had been tortured by the Soviet army and was about to collapse.
The failure of their attack proved that their combat capabilities were at the end of their rope.
Because the Soviet army has transferred a large number of reinforcements to the capital, its strength and equipment are macroscopically higher than its opponents. A comprehensive counterattack, and even driving the German army back to Belarus within a few months, seems entirely possible.
Stalin rejected Zhukov's strategic decision and refused to concentrate his forces in one place as he wished and use nine armies to tear apart the German army's strategic plan like a chisel. Instead, he adopted what he considered to be an effective method, attacking from multiple fronts and attacking in huge areas.
Attack the German army on the front in order to resolve the war in the northern part of Soviet Russia.
Of course, the facts did not unfold according to Stalin's ideas. The Soviet army encountered huge resistance in the counterattack to Vyazma, and the army could no longer push the front forward.
At this point, the German army held fast at the Vyazma defense line originally built by the Soviet Union. The Soviet army had to face the offensive they had built. They have now become a solid defense line under German occupation. The battle of Rzhev-Sechovka broke out like this.
Already.
Just like history, this battle started on the day after Christmas in the Russian calendar. Perhaps the Soviet commander hoped that during such a critical holiday as Christmas, the majority of soldiers would have higher fighting spirit.
On January 8, the joy of Christmas still permeated the area controlled by the 284th Division in Pripet Swamp, and more than 20,000 people here were immersed in rare peace.
The swamps are all surrounded by occupied areas and no-man's land. The swamps are isolated, but peaceful. Because the land is still fertile, the forests are still dense, and there are still a large number of swimming fish in the rivers.
Even in winter, there will be hot wind blowing from the south, the temperature is rising, and the potato planting season is about to begin.
Yang Mingzhi still lives in Blacksmith Village. He has explained to Yevlov: "Since most of our army is going to move here, as the commander, I might as well move here first. Furthermore, Pripya, which I presided over the establishment of
The Ji Weapon Design Bureau needs my intelligence so much. There are still many design plans for new weapons, and I must live here."
Yevlov completely agreed with this. He couldn't help but ask: "Jelentina and I may also be relocated, and various civilian personnel of the division will also have to be relocated, including the security company. So, do you want to move Na immediately?"
Tasha transferred here?"
These words reminded Yang Mingzhi. Natasha, this girl has been his neighbor for a long time. She and her wife are sniper partners, and they also love sisters in life.
"Yes! Of course! I have brought Bessie here for many days. Without her, our heroine will be lonely." Yang Mingzhi thought in confusion.
Yevlov smiled and understood completely. Early in the morning the next day after Christmas, Yevlov immediately reported to Catfish Village and directly ordered Natasha to immediately pack up her belongings and report to Blacksmith Village. Apart from him,
The guard company transferred a platoon to the new division headquarters in Blacksmith Village to serve as guards and service personnel.
The people who stayed in Catfish Village immediately understood the significance of this transfer. It seemed that the originally planned "relocation" of the troops was about to begin again, and people's hearts began to quietly begin to wander.
After Natasha received such a direct order, she couldn't help but look at the place where she had lived for nearly half a year with a complicated mentality.
The order was given to her alone, but the girl also has a younger brother. What should Kostya do? Forget it, just take him to the blacksmith village with him!
Natasha made her own decision. Her eight-year-old brother was not included in the transfer order, but she estimated that the commander simply forgot about the child.
Urgent order, Natasha had a few hours to pack her things, and she would move forward with some soldiers from the guard company.
Just before noon, Yang Mingzhi took a leisurely stroll in the arsenal of Blacksmith Village. Yang Tao continued to teach cooking knowledge to the chefs and cooks in the canteen of Blacksmith Village. Life seemed to be in order.
A sudden radio signal brought exciting news.
Yevlov looked at the code text translated by the radio operator, and a new battle had officially begun. "This news must be notified to everyone immediately! Guards! Call the political commissar and deputy division commander!"
Yang Mingzhi was watching the boring process of the gun barrel with great interest in the arsenal, while Yelentina was giving ideological lessons to the collective farm Soviet members. The messengers rushed to find these two people and convey the order for the emergency meeting.
"Really, what big thing does that guy have?" After Yelentina muttered a few words, she immediately announced to the students that the class was over. Yang Mingzhi, on the other hand, behaved very simply, because Yevlov would handle some small matters by himself.
, that this emergency meeting needs to be held can only mean that something major has happened.
The two of them rushed to the new division headquarters after a long journey. There were only three participants here, and the emergency meeting seemed a bit casual. But the excited look on Yevlov's face could only mean that it was not a bad thing at all.
"What happened? You look so excited. Did the villagers find a beehive in the forest and bring you honey?" Yelentina teased.
"How is that possible! Gomel reported to us that the counterattack on the Moscow front has ended, and now a new large-scale counterattack has begun!"
Yang Mingzhi and Yelenkina were shocked. The Soviet army entered a strategic counterattack half a year after the war started?!
And when Yevlov said the name of the battle, it was like a basin of cold water poured on Yang Mingzhi's head. Different from the expressions of Yevlov and Yelentina, Yang Mingzhi looked very calm, even tense.
Make a face.
This Yevlov was not happy. He asked tentatively: "What's going on? Does our chief of staff have some complaints about this battle?"
"Of course..." Yang Mingzhi was about to speak, but then he thought that he couldn't tell him that the first offensive battle of Rzhev-Sechovka was blocked by the Nazi German defense genius Model.
This battle was already protracted. The Soviet Union and Germany were destined to attack and defend this area for a very long time. It was like a meat grinder. Millions of Soviet soldiers were injured and died in this battle. The battle lasted until the German army
It ended after encountering a strategic turning point. Afterwards, the Soviet army used Operation Bagration to completely crush the German army in Belarus, northern Soviet Russia, and even the armies of the three Baltic countries, completing the liberation of the Soviet Union's borders before the war.
However, the Soviet army's all-out attack on the long front line of Sychevka-Vyazma-Rzhev will end in a serious failure.
"Alas! This battle reminds me of the words of the Prussian strategist Clausewitz: The pursuit of perfect ideas is the biggest enemy of a good plan."
Yang Mingzhi sat slowly at the table. The famous saying he quoted was from the Prussians. Prussia would later become Germany. The famous sayings of their strategists? Yevlov was a little unhappy.
But Jelentina knew about the existence of Clausewitz.
"He was a very famous strategist. Unfortunately, I think the Germans now lack a real strategist. But they have a good understanding of Clausewitz's theory of war, which is to carry out war on our civilians and soldiers.
The killing has achieved the strategic purpose." Yelentina said coldly. "But you, a Chinese, actually know Prussia and even their strategists."
Yang Mingzhi laughed and said immediately: "His "On War" is very famous. Besides, we Chinese are not all people living in ancient times who know nothing about the world. And his famous saying I just quoted
, actually refers to the leader.”
Here, Yang Mingzhi has maintained great respect for Stalin. But as a military commander, it is reasonable to point out the leader's shortcomings. So Yelentina did not get angry, but continued to listen to the high opinions.
"Our Soviet Union has a strong reserve force, a brand-new political system and twenty years of popular education. It has been able to quickly arm more than 100 million people and engage in all-out war. This is the source of the Soviet Union's powerful war potential. We can recruit
Tens of millions of front-line troops can enable each factory to fully manufacture arms. Our strong strength is emerging. This is why the leaders and the people on the Military Committee are full of confidence. They seem to be powerful and the Soviet Red Army can already strategically counterattack. In fact,
I personally think that the military committee and leaders are too optimistic."
"So, this battle will still be lost?" Jelentina asked.
"No! Maybe it will evolve like the Western Front of World War I. Although it is not trench warfare, the two armies will always be in a stalemate on this front. For a long time, it will be difficult for our army to break through the enemy's defense line. At the same time,
, we must know that in the southern Ukraine of our swamp, there is also the main force of the German army. I personally think that since the German army cannot break through in the north, its strategic center will move south. The German army will find a way to occupy all of Ukraine and Crimea.
, occupy the Caucasus, and even take away the Baku oil field, the fuel center of our army."
Yang Mingzhi's words were very exciting and shocking. Yelentina and Yevlov's eyes widened. Could it be that the war situation would really turn out like what Berekov said.
"It's really wonderful. Maybe it will be like this in the future, because your words sound very reasonable." Yevlov couldn't help but applaud.
Yang Mingzhi waved his hand: "This is just my family's opinion. I personally also hope that a new battle will start today and the German army will suffer a disastrous defeat. Because we are equipped with new weapons, our rocket-propelled grenades, and the Soviet army in the direction of Moscow has already equipped some
, maybe they can replicate our victory on the outskirts of Minsk. But you and I must also understand that it is people who determine the victory of a war, not individual weapon advantages. The weapons-only theory cannot be applied to this war."
In this way, the three people came to a vague conclusion - that is, the result of the battle of Rzhev-Sychovka. The outcome will not be known until the battle is actually completed.
"Okay, okay! That's the intelligence. Let's bless them in the swamp. You, Belekov, should also prepare to welcome our female sniper." Yevlov said with a smile.