It turned out that several commanders in the group army headquarters were worrying about the main offensive force.
Major General Trufanov, the commander of the group army, advocated using mechanized infantry as the main offensive force, while Lieutenant General Shapkin, the commander of the cavalry corps, advocated using cavalry as the main offensive force.
This is a bit strange...the commander of the group army has the rank of major general but commands the operations of a lieutenant general.
But this situation was actually not uncommon in the Soviet army at this time. This was mainly because the command system of the Soviet army was relatively chaotic after the war broke out. On the other hand, it was also because during peacetime too many people had high military ranks without much commanding ability, and the battle started.
In the end, of course, ability should be the benchmark rather than military rank.
For example, Shulka, his military rank is still captain, while Mikhailovich, who is the deputy regimental commander, is major.
After listening to the argument between the two sides for a while, Shulka asked strangely: "Why don't we consider using tank troops as the main offensive force?"
"We believe that tanks are not suitable as the main offensive force!" Trufanov answered without looking up while staring at the map.
"Yes!" The commander of the Cavalry Army maintained the same opinion as Trufanov in this regard: "Our offensive side is Prodotovie. Because of the climate problem, there is mud everywhere, and it is difficult for tanks to move here.
Move forward quickly according to the terrain!”
"There are also craters and rivers!" Khrushchev added: "Our amphibious landing ships can quickly ferry troops across rivers, or we can set up simple pontoons to move mechanized troops and cavalry troops across rivers to pursue the enemy, but tanks are
It’s another story!”
Shulka understood what they meant by these words.
In fact, Shulka had thought of these reasons before asking this question.
What they said does make sense, especially since it is summer and there are muddy areas everywhere in the Soviet Union, and the T4 is designed to be more suitable for driving in snow.
Coupled with the large and small rivers lying in front of them, it will indeed cause a headache for the tank troops.
From this aspect, it is true that cavalry units and mechanized infantry are more suitable for offense.
The problem is that they seem to think too simply of the Romanian army. Once they launch an attack, they will be overwhelming, even if there are no tank reinforcements.
This may be because the Soviet army is afraid of the German army... combat effectiveness is often compared. If the German army and the Romanian army stand together, it goes without saying that the German army has a stronger combat effectiveness.
This directly led to the Soviet army's contempt for the Romanian army, as if they tensed up when facing the German army but relaxed when facing the Romanian army.
Therefore, Trufanov, Shapkin and even Khrushchev believed that the main offensive force must be to choose between fast-moving cavalry and mechanized infantry.
As for the tank troops, because they are slow and difficult to maneuver in this kind of terrain, they should follow behind as the backbone rather than the vanguard.
After thinking about it, Shurka said: "I believe that the Romanian army lacks heavy equipment or anti-tank equipment, but I do not think that they do not have the ability to stop the advancement of our cavalry and mechanized infantry, especially in the muddy environment.
Cavalry and mechanized infantry are in trouble!"
Shulka's words were actually said in a polite way.
If I really want to make it clear, people don't think that the Soviet army, which has added a large number of new soldiers, will be much more powerful than the Romanian army.
Of course, Shulka believed that the overall combat effectiveness of the Soviet army was stronger than that of the Romanian army, especially since the 51st Army concentrated many elite units, such as several Guards infantry divisions, tank regiments, etc.
The problem is that the Romanian army defends in danger, and the cavalry and mechanized troops also face the problem of muddy land when attacking the Romanian defense line.
Among them, especially the cavalry unit... This arm should be said to be eliminated in this era. The reason why it can survive for so long in the Soviet Union is firstly because it is suitable for snow maneuvers, and secondly because the Soviet army advocates quick and brave attacks on enemy positions.
charge.
It may be faster than infantry in the mud, but as long as the enemy sets up a few machine guns in front of the trench...
"Do you think we should use tanks as the main force of our attack?" Khrushchev asked in surprise.
"Yes!" Shulka replied: "First of all, it's a matter of morale. I mean, if the Romanians are defenseless against our attack, they will panic..."
"That's exactly what I want to say, Comrade Shulka!" Trufanov interrupted Shulka: "They will panic, so we can easily break through their defenses! What we have to consider is how to quickly
Move forward to divide and surround them!"
This kind of combat thinking is somewhat like the German army's "Blitzkrieg" which emphasizes speed, except that the German army's speed is based on tanks.
"The problem is that if our offensive power is insufficient, it may build confidence in the enemy!" Shulka said: "What I mean is that if the enemy resists for a while and finds that our army is not as strong as they imagined, or even our army's
The attack was still frustrated by their defense, and those Romanians who originally planned to escape would stop and organize their defense! But if we attack with tanks, it will be completely different!"
Khrushchev nodded silently and said: "It seems reasonable. Comrade Shulka is talking about psychological warfare, which is to destroy the enemy's confidence in defense. In this way, even if our attack speed is not fast, we can defeat them.
Thousands of miles!”
This is the principle when it comes to soldiers, attacking the heart is the most important thing.
Even after destroying the confidence and morale of the Romanian army with a tank attack, it would be much better to pursue it with faster cavalry and mechanized infantry.
In fact, the faster but fragile cavalry and mechanized infantry are originally suitable for reconnaissance, cover, and enemy destruction around tank troops.
But Trufanov didn't think so.
"This is also the reason why I plan to use mechanized infantry to attack!" Trufanov said: "Mechanized infantry also has tanks. Its firepower and defense are higher than cavalry, and its speed is faster than tank troops, so I think it is the most powerful force.
Suitable for the main force!"
"But I think those tanks are far from enough, Comrade Trufanov!" Shulka said.
"If we attack with tank troops, do you know what the consequences will be?" Trufanov said: "Our encirclement may be closed a few days later, which will not only bring more dangers and variables to our plan
, it is still possible for the Germans to escape from our encirclement calmly!"
Shulka could not deny this.
After all, it is normal for the German 6th Army to break through. Shulka can't tell them... Don't worry, Hitler will not agree to the 6th Army's retreat. (To be continued)