Valery emerged from the cover, then grabbed the gun and ran forward... At this time, he didn't actually need to do this, but because of training, this action had become a natural habit.
After a while, Valery emerged from the smoke and shouted excitedly: "Comrade Shulka, it's blown through, it can blow through the enemy tanks!"
The soldiers immediately burst into cheers.
German tanks have always been a thorn in the throat of the Soviet army, especially the infantry... In previous battles, the Soviet air force and tank troops failed to live up to expectations, and the infantry seriously lacked anti-tank weapons. The infantry was often suppressed and beaten by German armor.
Now there are anti-tank grenades, to be precise, anti-tank grenades that can penetrate the "Plank 3" tank. At least you have something to defend yourself against when facing enemy tanks.
This is not just equipment for them, but more importantly, it increases the confidence and courage to defeat the enemy.
But in fact, this anti-tank grenade can play far more roles than these, especially in the upcoming Battle of Stalingrad.
At this time in Moscow, Stalin was holding a pipe in his mouth and lost in thought in the smoke, while Zhukov stood straight in front of his desk and did not dare to move.
After a long time, Stalin asked: "In other words, do you think we should not launch a counterattack against the enemy at this time?"
"Yes, Comrade Stalin!" Zhukov replied.
"Do you have any basis for this?" Stalin asked unhurriedly.
"This is my judgment based on the performance of the Germans on the frontal battlefield!" Zhukov replied: "The enemy's Central Army Group has stabilized its position. This shows that their morale has not declined. Even the Germans are still gathering troops. I think they are
Try a new round of attack..."
"That's why we have to counterattack, don't you think so?" Stalin interrupted Zhukov. He stood up and walked to the window, looking at the white snow scene outside, and said thoughtfully: "We should
Learn from the Germans, Comrade Zhukov! From the German offensive tactics, we can see the terrible energy burst out by the enemy. Time and time again, they win with less and more. I think this is because they take the initiative to attack, at least in part.
Yes, so we can’t let them succeed!”
Zhukov didn't know how to answer, because what Stalin said was theoretically correct, and this understanding could even be said to be very profound and thorough.
As mentioned before, the German army is based on the theory of offensive superiority. They always attack, attack and attack again on the battlefield, so they can concentrate their superior forces to find the weaknesses of the enemy's defense circle and break them, ultimately achieving the goal of defeating more with less.
Stalin realized this, and at the same time he knew that the Germans were gathering forces to prepare for the next round of attack... Stalin, who was shadowed in the Moscow Defense Battle, did not want another Moscow Defense Battle, so he decided to preemptively strike, that is, to seize the opportunity.
The German army launched an offensive before launching a new round of offensive.
In this way, it can boost morale and regain its homeland. On the other hand, it can disrupt the deployment of the German army and prevent it from launching an attack. It is also a process for the Soviet army to learn the strategies and tactics of the German army.
Of course, this can only be discussed at a high level, especially when studying the German strategy and tactics.
"But we are not ready, Comrade Stalin!" Zhukov replied: "We are not ready to attack!"
Zhukov didn't say it too clearly. From a strategic point of view, Stalin's idea may be correct. The problem is that the Soviet Union does not have an army that can coordinate closely with each other like the German army... The air force, artillery, tank troops and infantry almost all fight on their own.
Our own, especially the Air Force, was still at a disadvantage against the German Air Force, and without air supremacy many problems would arise.
Zhukov didn't speak too clearly because he didn't want to offend everyone at once.
"But they are also unprepared!" Stalin replied: "What's more, we still have Kiev..."
As he spoke, Stalin turned around, pointed to a point on the map and said: "Kharkov is only 520 kilometers away from Kiev. If we attack from here, we can use Kiev as a nail to surround the German army from Kiev to Kharkov."
In this area of Kov, we can also get in touch with Kiev to lift its siege!"
"Comrade Stalin..."
Stalin waved his pipe-holding hand at Zhukov, signaling him to stop talking.
"Let's put it this way, Comrade Zhukov!" Stalin said: "I'm asking you to come this time. I just want to hear your opinion on the timing of the attack!"
Zhukov's heart sank.
This means that whether to attack is no longer within the scope of Stalin's consideration. What now needs to be considered is when to attack.
"Then, I hope to wait until the ice and snow melt in May before attacking!" Zhukov said, he now has the mentality of delaying it for a while.
"Why?" Stalin asked back: "The road was muddy at that time, I'm afraid it would be even more detrimental to the attack!"
"Just because it's not good for the offensive, Comrade Stalin!" Zhukov replied: "I'm worried that the Germans will launch a counterattack, so at least we can have more time to react!"
Stalin was silent for a while and then said: "I think your worries are unnecessary!"
A few days later, Kalashnikov ran to Shulka in a panic and said: "Comrade Shulka, they have launched an attack!"
"What? Who? The Germans or us?"
"We are in Kharkov!"
Shulka couldn't help but be stunned. He thought he had two months left, because historically the Battle of Kharkov started in May, and it was already June by the time Stalingrad was reached.
But now, the situation has obviously changed.
After looking at the map, Shulka seemed to understand.
Because there are hundreds of thousands of Soviet troops in Kiev and they are holding on there.
This made the Soviet Supreme Command believe that the time was ripe for an attack, because at this time the German troops in Kharkov were actually being attacked from two sides.
In fact, the German Sixth Army stationed in Kharkov was attacked from three sides. The Soviet front was divided into two parts, and the north and south routes broke through the two wings of Kharkov from the Barvinkovo protrusion and the Volchansk area.
There is a strong momentum to encircle the German army with Kiev as the base point.
This tactic is too aggressive. On the surface, it does appear that the Soviet army is encircling the German army. However, because the German army has also accumulated considerable strength in the south, and at the same time, the air force, tanks, etc. still have the upper hand, so it is actually the Soviet army that goes deep into the area alone.
Dive into the German encirclement.
Of course, Shulka doesn't need to worry about this.
"We don't have much time!" Shulka said: "We must be ready within a month!"