Then there is the issue of amphibious landing craft.
This was not originally a problem, because as the factory continued production day and night, there were more than 700 amphibious landing ships transporting supplies to Stalingrad on the Volga River.
On the other hand, the problem of the railway bridge is related to the life and death of Stalingrad, so with just a phone call, the Army Headquarters will not hesitate to transfer the amphibious landing ship to the NKVD 10th Division.
This is indeed the case. When Major General Batrakov contacted the army headquarters, Golikov only asked: "Does Shulka know?"
"This is exactly what Comrade Shulka asked for, Comrade Golikov!" Batrakov replied.
"No problem!" Golikov said: "Three hundred ships, and I will select the landing ships in good condition and perform necessary repairs before handing them over to you!"
After saying that, Golikov hung up the phone.
This made Batrakov a little embarrassed, because Golikov obviously did not trust him as the division commander and trusted Shulka more.
But at this time, he had nothing to complain about, because now it seemed that the fate of the entire 10th Division was tied to Shulka, and there was no point in refusing to accept it.
The problem lies in the mobilization of this equipment.
"We must keep it strictly confidential!" Batrakov said: "If the Germans find out that we have transferred the amphibious landing ship transporting supplies to the 10th Division, they will probably guess that we are going to cross the river for a raid!"
Shulka nodded in agreement.
The fact that Batrakov can think of this shows that he has gradually come out of his previous state of bewilderment and found a little confidence.
But he still didn't think carefully enough.
"Strict secrecy by any means will not be useful!" Shulka replied: "German spies and informants are everywhere, and what we need is 00 amphibious landing ships, and they are still from Volzhskaya Station
Transferred to the granary, such a large-scale transfer cannot even be hidden from the enemy's air force!"
Volzhskaya Station is a station on the bank of the Volga River, more than ten kilometers away from the station. It is an amphibious landing ship transportation line opened by the Soviet army in residential areas.
"So……"
"Do nothing!" Shulka said: "Business as usual! I mean, the amphibious landing ship will not be mobilized until the last moment!"
Batrakov couldn't help but said "Oh" after hearing this, and then nodded in agreement.
The reason is simple, it is very difficult to mobilize 100 amphibious landing craft and hide them from the Germans.
But if the amphibious landing ship is transferred from a station more than ten kilometers away at the last moment, that is, half an hour before the planned raid, then even if the German spies discover something, it will be difficult for them to send the news out within half an hour.
Make correct judgments and respond promptly.
You must know that the amphibious landing craft can reach a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour on land. Considering factors such as driving at night and street congestion, even at a speed of 0 kilometers per hour, it only takes half an hour to reach the granary.
There is no need to say more next, just use fast and slow to launch a surprise attack immediately.
"We can let the engineers open up as many roads as possible in advance!" Batrakov pointed at the map and said: "From the station to the granary, and from the granary to the shore!"
"Good idea!" Shulka agreed.
This would not only make the German army suspicious, but also speed up the deployment.
Another problem is the commandos.
Batrakov said to Shulka without thinking: "I think the main force should be the army led by you. You have two companies, don't you?"
This is somewhat ironic. Not long ago, Batrakov looked down on the two companies in Shulka's hands, but now he wants to use these two companies to his advantage.
Shulka couldn't refuse. The only ones in Railway Station No. 1 who could be called elite were the Cadet Company.
"But they only have two companies!" Shulka said: "At the same time, they are not suitable as the main offensive force!"
"What do you mean?" Batrakov asked.
"They are more suitable for street fighting!" Shulka said: "For example, fighting the enemy in the granary!"
Shulka, this is telling the truth.
The battlefield is real, and various occasions and situations are actually suitable for different troops to fight. If you don't know your own situation or you know it's not suitable but go for it, the result will not only fail to win but also harm yourself.
For example, now, the quality and expertise of sniper companies and mortar companies are certainly more suitable for dealing with enemies in cities rather than landing on beaches.
After a pause, Shulka added: "Why don't we give this task to the navy? I mean the naval infantry brigade! And our sniper company and mortar company can cooperate with them in combat!"
"That makes sense!" Batrakov said: "They could even prepare at the Volzhskaya station and then leave for the granary with the amphibious landing ship at the last moment!"
This is exactly what Shulka thought, that is, the entire army, including men, supplies and landing craft, will be arranged and reinforced by the group army.
Of course the Army Group would not refuse.
On the one hand, it is still because the loss of the railway bridge is not a trivial matter.
On the other hand, the supply line in Stalingrad at this time was not as difficult as it was in history, especially troops and light equipment... Light equipment and personnel can be transported through pontoons and amphibious landing ships, while heavy equipment can only be transported by large-scale transportation
Ships transporting from the Volga River channel are still under blockade by the German air force.
More importantly, at this critical moment, any troops that reinforce Stalingrad should not complain, otherwise Moscow will soon impose sanctions.
So Golikov just called the front army, and an elite battalion of a naval infantry brigade was immediately ready.
This unit is the Battalion of the 55th Naval Infantry Brigade... The Soviet Navy can be said to be the most "unprofessional" unit. Although this brigade is called the Navy, its combat experience was in the heroic battle with the German army in the Tuapse area.
He was awarded the Order of the Red Banner for fighting in the jungle.
The reason why this battalion is here is because it was sent to Znaminsk to receive the amphibious landing ship customized by the navy and receive relevant training.
Therefore, when the commander of the 1st Battalion was ordered to reinforce Stalingrad and then rushed to the NKVD 10th Division headquarters to report, he did not have a good attitude... The 1st Marine Battalion was preparing at Volzhskaya Station, and the commander secretly rushed to
Discuss the detailed battle plan at the No. 1 station.
"It seems that we can finally use amphibious landing ships!" The naval captain named Kharichev said angrily: "Those are our amphibious landing ships!"
"They have always been yours!" Shulka replied with a smile: "And I can guarantee, Comrade Kharichev, you can use them to launch a perfect landing operation!"
Captain Kharichev's eyes lit up, as if he was saying that this is what the navy should do.
But what he didn't know was that he landed not on a beach but on a river. (To be continued)