Later Shulka learned that they were lucky enough to convince Novikov to support this combat plan.
Because Stalin gave special instructions to this counterattack plan: "If Novikov believes that our air force is unable to complete the mission of defending Stalingrad in the counterattack now, then it is best to postpone or cancel the start of this battle!"
This is also the reason why Khrushchev, the political commissar, had no choice but to do anything to Novikov and even did not get angry even when Novikov repeatedly stated that he could not defeat the enemy... If it were anyone else, Khrushchev would have given the opponent the title of "
Those labeled as "cowards", "traitors" and "cowards" were arrested and even shot.
Then, after formulating a reform plan for the aviation force's establishment, Shulka and Novikov enthusiastically discussed the reform of tactical directions.
"Every infantry attack requires strong air power cover!" Shulka said: "Because we need to penetrate quickly and defeat the enemy before they can react!"
"Yes, just like the 'Blitzkrieg' used by the Germans!" Novikov agreed.
Only Novikov dared to say this, and he said it in front of the political commissar Khrushchev... Although many Soviet tactics came from their enemy, Germany, this can only be understood but cannot be expressed in words.
, because there is no such thing as "learning from the enemy".
This made Shulka a little embarrassed. He coughed slightly to ease the weird atmosphere, and then said: "So we need more attack aircraft!"
"Assault plane?" Novikov looked at Shulka doubtfully and said, "Shouldn't it be a bomber?"
The Soviet Union has always used bombers to provide the main air cover for infantry, because bombers carrying aerial bombs can easily blow up enemy bunkers, fortifications, tanks, etc.
"No, we should switch to using attack aircraft as the main cover for the infantry!" Shulka said: "The reason is that we cannot obtain air supremacy, or we can only obtain limited air supremacy!"
Novikov nodded thoughtfully.
When fighting a war, we should make a detailed analysis of the specific situation according to local conditions. When we seize air superiority, we can use bombers to cover the main force. For example, the German army likes to use "Stuka" to carry out precise bombing on targets.
However, the Soviet army did not have air supremacy or had limited air power. The result of using bombers as the main force was that when they encountered enemy fighters, they had no power to fight back and had to either die or wait for the fighter planes to rescue them.
The attack aircraft is different. It is a multi-mission aircraft. It can use rockets, bombs, machine guns, and machine guns to destroy the defenses of the enemy's forward positions. If necessary, it can also engage in air combat with enemy bombers and fighters in tactical zones. It can also
Perform reconnaissance missions.
The most important thing is that attack aircraft are much cheaper than bombers and can be mass-produced and equipped.
"So, we need to establish an air-ground coordination system!" Shulka said: "This way the pilots can know which infantry needs air support and what type of support is needed!"
"Of course!" Novikov said: "I have already implemented this. I try my best to secure radios for them. Each air force has at least one long-range radio that can communicate with the headquarters!"
This means that many Soviet fighter planes are only equipped with short-range radios, which can only be used for coordinated operations among fighters in the formation.
However, there is nothing we can do about it. At this time, the conditions of the Soviet Union can only do this.
"I think we can use our strength in numbers!" Shurka said.
This point has been used before when attacking the Crimean Peninsula, but good tactics do not mean that it cannot be used a second time, especially when the number of German fighter planes is obviously smaller than that of the Soviet army.
"You mean..."
"Disperse the strength of the German Air Force!" Shulka pointed to the map and said: "The Southwestern Front is located on the enemy's flank..."
It was in the northwest of Stalingrad. The Don River turned a bend here and flowed towards Stalingrad. The German troops stationed along the Don River formed a salient here, so the Southwest Front's defense area went deep into the German flank.
"If our fighter planes take off from the Southwest Front Army's defense area, they can directly bomb the enemy's railways and roads without flying long!"
Novikov was stunned, and Khrushchev and Zhukov also cast strange looks at him.
"What's wrong?" Shulka asked.
"You mean to bomb the German supply lines?" Zhukov looked at Shulka in disbelief: "You actually want to bomb the German army?"
"Why not?" Shulka asked.
It’s no wonder that Zhukov and others were surprised. The Soviet Air Force has been retreating in disastrous defeats. This is also one of the reasons why the aviation force is too dispersed and resembles a piece of scattered sand: the Soviet aviation group’s original establishment was about 60 aircraft per group, but due to the Germans along the way,
The Air Force's bombing and sneak attacks resulted in heavy losses on the one hand, and on the other hand, in order to facilitate the retreat in emergency situations, the establishment of the aviation regiment was reduced sharply to 0 aircraft.
An aviation regiment only has 0 aircraft... which before was only equivalent to an aviation fleet.
This also shows that the Soviet Air Force has been in a state of strategic defense until now...either defense or evacuation, and usually does not take the initiative unless it is a last resort.
But now, Shulka suggested that the Air Force take the initiative and attack the enemy without rescuing it.
Novikov was stunned for a while, and then understood what Shulka meant: "Although our combat effectiveness is not as good as that of the enemy, we have a numerical advantage! So taking the initiative to open up new battlefields in other directions has only advantages and no disadvantages for us!"
"Yes!" Shulka pointed to the map and said: "At the same time, from Kharkov to Stalingrad, the Germans have many railways and roads, as well as bridges, warehouses, train stations, etc. On the one hand, we are familiar with the terrain.
, on the other hand, we have guerrillas to provide information and respond, which is very helpful for us in bombing and blocking enemy supplies!"
"There are many targets we can attack!" Novikov agreed: "This means that the Germans have loopholes everywhere. If they want to defend against these loopholes, they must move a considerable number of fighter jets back to rear defense! This
In fact, it weakens their strength!"
Zhukov also understood the reason: "If they don't move their fighter jets back, our planes can safely bomb their supply lines. This is also a support for Stalingrad!"
As he spoke, Zhukov laughed and patted Shulka on the shoulder.
"Well done, Comrade Shulka!" Zhukov said: "You made the whole situation clear!"
"Now, Comrade Novikov!" Khrushchev asked: "Tell me, do you need a few more months to prepare?" (To be continued)