Things turned out exactly as Shulka thought, and Mahlis took Shulka's idea as his own as a matter of course.
Mykhlis found Stalin as soon as he returned to Moscow by train.
"Comrade Stalin!" said Mekhlis, "I think we should turn our attention to the south!"
Stalin continued to look at the document, without even raising his head, and replied casually: "Oh, Comrade Mahlis, when did you become concerned about strategy?"
"That's what I think..." Mahlis continued: "The British have cut off our supply source to the south, which will cause a shortage of supplies on our southern front, that is, east of Kiev. Our attention is even still there
The Moscow defense line is still transporting ammunition, food and other supplies from the south to the north, I think we should stop immediately!"
"Then leave them to you?" Stalin said sarcastically while flipping through the documents: "If we don't continue transporting north, how will the soldiers on the front line rely on to fight the Germans?"
"The Germans are likely to change the direction of their attack, Comrade Stalin!" Maihelis said: "The British cutting off material supplies will definitely attract the attention of the Germans. At the same time, Kiev's defense line is very fragile. If the Germans suddenly concentrate their forces on Ao
If Desa launches an offensive, and then crosses the Dnieper River along the Black Coast to Crimea, it will threaten the Caucasus. The Caucasus is not only our transportation route with the British and Americans, but also the Baku oil fields. Our oil is quite large.
Part of it comes from Baku!”
In fact, not quite a part, but most of it... At this time, the total output of the Baku oil fields accounted for 71.5% of the Soviet Union.
Upon hearing this, Stalin couldn't help but slowly raised his head from the document, looked at Mahlis with surprise and said: "Go on, Mahlis!"
Machlis couldn't help but be secretly delighted by Stalin's encouragement, so he continued: "I think we should stop the Caucasus area from continuing to transport supplies to Moscow, and ask them to store strategic materials in a planned way to prepare for emergencies. In addition, we should strengthen
Defense of the Crimea!"
"Why not strengthen Kiev's defense?" Stalin asked.
"Because the Kiev defense line is too fragile, Comrade Stalin!" Myhlis replied: "Its supply line relies on the ports on the Odessa line. Once these ports are occupied, it means that Kiev will be cut off from the outside world, and the Germans
It's easy to do just by concentrating your air power!"
Stalin casually picked up the pipe and put it into his mouth. This was his habit when thinking about problems.
Mahlis, who was familiar with Stalin, knew that this also meant that what he said had successfully attracted Stalin's attention.
After a moment of silence, Stalin said: "Very well, Comrade Mahlis, I can't believe these are your ideas. It is very far-sighted and reasonable. If the Germans do what you said, it will indeed make people happy."
We were caught off guard!"
Mahlis beamed: "Of course this is my idea, Comrade Stalin!"
"However, we don't need to worry too much!" Stalin replied: "Because all of this is based on the fact that the British and Americans no longer provide us with supplies on the southern Caucasus line. I think we can use diplomacy.
solve this problem!"
"But, Comrade Stalin..."
Mahlis didn't know what to say at the moment. This is the disadvantage of stealing other people's ideas. If there are other different opinions, Mahlis, who has no ink in his belly, can't do anything.
"Of course I know we need to make some preparations!" Stalin replied: "We can't take chances, so at least part of what you said is useful, that is, we should strengthen Crimea's defenses and give them something to do.
Plan to reserve some strategic supplies!”
"Of course, Comrade Stalin!" Mahlis nodded and said, "We should do this!"
When Myhlis returned to Rzhev the next day, he excitedly told Shulka: "Great, Comrade Shulka, Comrade Stalin has accepted our suggestion!"
"Really?" Shulka was a little surprised. He didn't expect it to go so smoothly, but the next words of Mahlis let Shulka know that this was not the case.
"Yes!" Mahlis poured Shulka a glass of wine, which was of course the captured French brandy.
"Comrade Stalin plans to strengthen the defense in Crimea!" Mahlis handed the wine glass to Shulka and poured himself a glass: "At the same time, let them reserve strategic materials!"
"That's it?" Shulka thought there was more to it.
If you really accept Shulka's suggestion, the first thing to do is to try to avoid Kiev being surrounded, because there are one million troops there.
Shulka believed that these troops should be sent to Odessa.
The reason is obvious. Odessa is a port city. It can advance, attack, retreat or defend... The Soviet Union has the Black Sea Fleet. If it is surrounded by the German army, it can at least withdraw its troops through the fleet at night.
On the other hand, Odessa can be said to be a more important place than Kiev at this time.
Without capturing Kiev, the German army could bypass it and continue to advance, which would hardly affect the German army's plan to attack Crimea, the Caucasus, and Baku.
But if Odessa was not captured, the German army would not be able to attack with confidence, because the Soviet army could use the navy to transport troops to Odessa at any time to cut off the German supply line from the rear and surround the German army.
However, Stalin did not do this.
"Yes!" Mahlis replied: "Your idea may be correct, but the matter is not as serious as you think, because we are solving this difficulty through diplomatic channels, and it is estimated that it will not take long... Britain, the United States
Aid will be restored!”
Then Shulka had nothing to say.
Shulka knew what was going on, and Stalin did not completely believe the information he conveyed through Mahlis.
From Stalin's point of view, he hopes to continue to expand the results of the counterattack in the direction of Moscow, so he will not easily turn his attention to the south, even if he believes that the crisis in the south does exist.
"Perhaps!" Shulka said: "We should give Kiev a warning! Because once these become facts, Kiev will be completely surrounded by the German army!"
"That's right!" said Mahlis, "I'll send them a telegram!"
As he spoke, Mahlis raised his glass and said, "Cheers to our victory!"
"For victory!"
Shulka felt a little funny in his heart when he drank the glass of wine. He could see that Mahlis's mind was not on this war at all. He was more concerned about whether he could get Stalin's recognition or attention.
That's why he called Stalin's reservations in listening to his opinions a "victory."