As expected, Major Zahakavich called Zhukov for instructions.
Zhukov scolded Major Zahakavich outright: "I've already told you, drive the enemy out of the Tula area, drive them out... Do you understand? Do you know what driving out means?"
Just defeat them and then rescue Tula!"
"Yes, Comrade General!" Major Zahakawicz responded quickly.
After hanging up the phone, Major Zahakawicz shrugged helplessly and said, "You all heard it, this is the order from your superiors!"
Shulka didn't take it seriously. He smiled lightly and continued to wait.
Major Gavrilov noticed Shulka's expression and couldn't help but cast a doubtful look.
Shulka didn't speak, just waited quietly.
He knew what was going on with Zhukov. Zhukov's reaction was that he was worried that the secret would be leaked, so he refused without thinking.
Zhukov on the other side was indeed frightened.
The 4th Tank Brigade actually wanted to delay the German 3rd Armored Division by blowing up the railway bridge.
Zhukov was not frightened because this method did not work, but precisely because this alternative was feasible. It was not only feasible but also better able to achieve strategic goals.
what does that mean?
This means that the 4th Tank Brigade has guessed the strategic purpose of counterattacking Tula, otherwise they would not have thought of such a perfect alternative plan and asked the headquarters for instructions.
In other words, they guessed that the Soviet army was going to hold a grand military parade in ten days!
Zhukov walked around anxiously in the office. This was no small matter. Although the 4th Tank Brigade was a trustworthy force, once the news was leaked, it would directly affect the safety of the entire defense line and even Moscow.
After much deliberation, Zhukov thought that the news might have been leaked because of the ten-day limit he gave when issuing the order.
In other words, if something happens and someone is held accountable, he, the direct leaker, will definitely not be able to escape the blame.
This is also the reason why he scolded Zahakawicz in the first place.
If you agree to this plan, it means admitting it... Of course Zhukov will not admit it.
There is no way to continue like this.
After thinking for a while, Zhukov immediately made another call to the headquarters of the 4th Tank Brigade.
The person who answered the phone was Zahakawicz.
Zhukov asked: "Who proposed this plan?"
Zahakavich opened his mouth half-open, thinking that Zhukov wanted to hold him accountable.
"Comrade General!" Zahakavich replied: "I proposed it!"
Obviously, Zahakavich was unwilling to betray Shulka.
"Don't try to lie to me!" Zhukov said angrily: "It must be that guy named Shulka!"
"Yes, yes, Comrade General!" Major Zahakawicz could only admit: "I think this plan is feasible, so..."
"What is feasible? This is nonsense!" Zhukov scolded: "The others will leave the meeting first, and you two will stay to explain the problem clearly! Isn't Order No. 270 clear enough? How dare you do it under such circumstances?
Disobeying orders! Do you know how serious the consequences of this behavior will be? Especially the Fourth Tank Brigade, especially that Shulka is a 'breakout hero'!"
"Yes, Comrade Zhukov!" Zahakavich responded, then covered the phone with his hand and said to Shulka with a pale face: "Comrade Shulka stays, the others leave the meeting!"
So only Major Zahakavich and Shulka were left in the command post.
Zahakavich put the phone on the loudspeaker, bracing himself for Zhukov's wrath.
But unexpectedly, Zhukov changed his tone and said: "Shulka, you bastard, can't you report it to me privately?"
"Yes, Comrade Zhukov!" Shulka replied: "But I don't seem to be able to report to you except in this way!"
"Forget it!" Zhukov asked: "No one else knows!"
"Of course, Comrade Zhukov!" Shulka replied: "I didn't say anything!"
"Okay then, how are you going to blow up the railway bridge?"
…
Hearing these words, Major Zahakavich couldn't help but be stunned for a while, and he didn't understand what was going on.
"I think we need to borrow guerrillas, Comrade Zhukov!" Shulka said.
"Kiev partisans?"
"Yes!" Shulka replied: "The German army is very vigilant in the direction of Moscow. If we have any trouble, they will be alerted immediately. Instead, it will be the guerrillas in Kiev... I mean if they are near Tula,
If there are guerrillas who have infiltrated, it would be best to use them for a sneak attack!"
"That's right!" Zhukov hung up the phone after saying that. He obviously wanted to contact Kiev.
Only then did Major Zahakawicz ask in confusion: "Is there something I don't know?"
"No, Major!" Shulka said, "You know as much as I do!"
"So... what's going on?" Major Zahakawicz asked.
Shulka didn't answer, which might be a good thing for Major Zahakavich if he didn't think clearly.
At the same time, Shulka did not dare to say anything without permission.
At this time the phone rang again, it was Zhukov.
"They do have guerrillas near Tula!" Zhukov said: "But the number is not large. In May Day Town, 15 people were deployed! This number of people is not enough to seize the railway bridge!"
Shulka couldn't help but frowned.
15 people is indeed a bit too few.
Although the number of people does not determine everything, just as the German army captured the railway bridge, only a few dozen people captured the railway bridge where a company of Soviet troops were stationed, and even captured more than 80 people.
But the problem is:
The quality of the Soviet guerrillas was not as good as the German reconnaissance troops.
More importantly, if the German army used this method to get the railway bridge from the Soviet army, it would not be so easily taken back by the Soviet army using the same method.
Moreover, even if they capture the railway bridge... they still need time to plant explosives, detonate them, etc. This is not something that 15 people can do easily.
After thinking about it, Shulka said: "Maybe we don't need too many people!"
"What's the meaning?"
"That's a railway bridge, Comrade Zhukov!" Shulka said: "And I believe the Germans will repair the railway!"
"Yes, it is actually open to traffic!" Zhukov said: "They use the railway to transport supplies to the 3rd Armored Division, which is one of the reasons why I am worried!"
Needless to say, there is nothing to worry about. The railway provides supplies to the 3rd Armored Division. After accumulating for a period of time, they will have enough supplies to attack Moscow.
"This is exactly what we can take advantage of!" Shulka said: "They don't seem to need to capture the railway bridge and then blow it up. They just need to find a way to get a locomotive, and then..."