"I think the situation is developing in a direction that is unfavorable to us, Comrade Maihelis!" Shulka frowned: "We should rush to help Crimea quickly. We know that for the Battle of Moscow, we almost destroyed Crimea.
The troops are out of time..."
This can also be said to be success or failure.
Historically, the German army attacked Moscow and Crimea at the same time, so the Soviet army deployed about 500,000 troops in Crimea for defense.
But now, because Shulka blocked the main German attack on the Kiev front line, Crimea was not in danger of being attacked for the time being. This caused the Soviet army to continuously transfer Crimean troops to Moscow for defense.
At this time, Crimea had only about 200,000 troops.
"Yes!" said Mahlis, "I don't understand either. I've reminded them, why don't they take action?"
"I believe part of the reason they didn't reinforce Crimea was Sevastopol!" Shulka pointed at the map and said, "That's a very strong fortress, isn't it?"
"Of course!" Maihelis nodded: "Not only that, it also has many large-caliber artillery, which will be difficult for the Germans to capture!"
Shulka certainly knew this. It was a twin-mounted 305mm cannon built by the Soviet Union in 1934. It had a range of 44 kilometers and an armor plate with a turret thickness of 200 to 300 millimeters. It could be said to be almost indestructible.
The fortress resisted the German forces for 6 months, and was finally captured by Manstein using railguns.
But that was history, and it was when Crimea had relatively sufficient military strength, but that may not be the case now.
At this time, the communications soldier on the other side raised his head and shouted to Mahlis: "Comrade Mahlis, the latest information is that the enemy has broken through our Dnieper River defense line!"
Breaking through the Dnieper River defense line means that they have broken through the Kiev defense line of General Kirponos, and can seal the exit of the Crimean Peninsula by continuing south.
"We should reinforce Crimea immediately!" Shulka said: "Otherwise it will be too late, especially the Caucasus!"
The Caucasus Mountains are a mountain range that runs east-west. It almost spans the Caucasus region and divides it into the South and North Caucasus. There are only a few mountain passes in between, and several of them are narrow valleys that the railway passes through.
Guan Wanfu cannot open it.
If the German army occupied these mountain passes first, the Soviet army would not be able to reinforce them even if they wanted to.
Although Mahlis did not understand this, perhaps because of the confidence that he had judged correctly before, he immediately called Stalin.
"Comrade Stalin!" Maihelis said: "The military situation is urgent. I think we must send reinforcements to Crimea immediately!"
Stalin on the other end of the phone was silent for a while. At this time, he seemed to realize that he had made a mistake in his estimation.
On the other hand, he also knew the importance of the Crimean Peninsula.
Its importance is not only on land, but also strategically... Soviet bombers taking off from here can directly bomb the Romanian oil fields across the Black Sea.
If it fell into German hands, the Germans could enter the South Caucasus from the Kerch Strait without attacking the dangerous mountain passes.
"I agree, Comrade Mahlis!" Stalin replied: "Because of your extraordinary insight, you saw the enemy's strategic intentions first. I think you should rush to Crimea immediately as a representative of the Supreme Command to assist in the command.
, I will send reinforcements to the Crimea!"
Mahlis almost jumped for joy. This can be said to be Stalin's recognition of him... Mahlis has never been assigned to command a battle. If so, it was because he was the Supreme Commander of the Supreme Command.
Interfering with frontline command as a representative.
Mahlis agreed without thinking.
"Yes, Comrade Stalin!" Maihelis said: "But I have a request... To be precise, it is not a request, but a 'request', Comrade Stalin! Please forgive my recklessness..."
This is the difference between Mahlis and professional soldiers. Professional soldiers always speak simply and clearly, but Mahlis is very concerned about such details.
"Tell me, what's your request?" Stalin interrupted Mahlis impatiently.
"I hope to bring the 1st Guards Tank Brigade to reinforce the Crimea!" Maihelis said: "You know, I have been training this unit during this time. It is an excellent unit, just like
Just like its achievements on the battlefield, I also have feelings for it. I feel like it is my hands and feet. I believe that I can command them to defeat the enemy on the battlefield..."
Shulka almost vomited when he heard these words. He couldn't imagine that Mahlis would take the 1st Guards Tank Brigade under his command and even train? Emotions?
But Shulka said nothing.
This is not only because he knows that even if he says it, it will be useless, but also because this is what he hopes.
"I agree with your request!" Stalin replied: "But you have to act quickly, because the Germans will soon blockade Crimea!"
"Yes, of course, Comrade Stalin!"
As soon as Mahlis put down the phone, he immediately shouted to the staff beside him: "Did you all hear it? Gather troops immediately and reinforce Crimea!"
Shulka's jaw almost dropped when he heard this.
Just gather troops for reinforcements like this?
What are the reinforcement routes and plans?
Then Shulka's idea was quickly verified... Mahlis had no plan, he only knew about reinforcements.
The 1st Guards Tank Brigade gathered urgently in the snow, only to realize that there was no train.
So Myhlis and his party anxiously contacted the vehicle, but it turned out that it would take an hour at the earliest before they could reach Rzhev.
Of course, the troops could not stand in the snow for an hour waiting for the train, so they were disbanded under the order of Mahlis.
"What happened?" Katukov asked Shulka. He looked at the command post of Maihelis, and then lowered his voice and asked: "Isn't that guy going to attack again?"
"No, comrade colonel!" Shulka replied: "We are going to reinforce the Crimea!"
Hearing this, Katukov couldn't help but nodded.
Although he did not agree with continuing to attack the German army on the front, he had no objection to reinforcing Crimea... He understood the situation in Crimea and knew that this was right.
But there was one thing that worried Katukov.
"You mean..." Katukov once again set his sights on the Myhelis command: "We want to reinforce Crimea under his command?"
"I'm afraid so, Comrade Colonel!" Shulka nodded helplessly: "This is Comrade Stalin's order!"
After a moment of silence, Katukov said to Shulka: "Then it is your task to keep an eye on him, Comrade Shulka! Don't let him do anything inappropriate!"