Manstein's guess was correct. At this time, the main force of the 51st Army was on its way to attack Karachi.
This was a dramatic change. Manstein pulled his armored division to Miloway, while the Soviet 51st Army went straight to Karachi... There seemed to be a swap of forces between the enemy and ourselves.
"Why don't we attack Karachi?" Shulka said to Trufanov and Zolotarev: "Our goal is to crush the enemy's operation to rescue Stalingrad! If, I mean if... the Germans
If an infantry division and an armored division are transferred from Karachi to Miloway to deal with us, then their strength in Karachi will be only one armored division and four infantry divisions!"
(Soviet intelligence actually said there were five infantry divisions, but there was not much difference between four and five infantry divisions, because two of them were Romanian divisions).
"Yes!" Trufanov exclaimed excitedly: "And there are two railway lines leading to Karachi... We can move forward in two directions at the same time, which will allow us to invest more in a short time.
troops!"
Most of the Soviet Union's railway lines in this area are south- and north-bound. Because oil from the Caucasus has to be continuously transported to Stalingrad, there are more railway lines, and the same is true for roads. Even the road conditions of the south- and north-bound roads are even worse than
East and west directions are better.
"But the order from the Supreme Command..." Zolotarev hesitated.
It's no wonder that Zolotarev had such a reaction. Not to mention that it is the bounden duty of soldiers to obey orders, not to mention that this is an order from the Supreme Command, even Stalin, and disobeying his orders is no joke.
"We need to report to the High Command!" Zolotarev said.
"What if the high command disagrees with this plan?" Shulka asked rhetorically.
Zolotarev was stunned when he heard this.
"Would the High Command disagree?" Trufanov couldn't believe it: "This is a very good plan, and it can be said to be the best choice in this situation!"
Shulka turned his attention to Zolotarev.
Zolotarev was silent for a while, and then replied: "Yes, they will probably not agree to this plan!"
Trufanov was speechless for a moment, because Zolotarev had more say in this matter and he knew better the thoughts of those in the Supreme Command.
In fact, it is not difficult to guess. The generals of the Supreme Command will never be "intimidated" by difficulties. At the same time, they will also pursue greater results... Therefore, if they get this plan, they are more likely to
answer:
"We cannot be deterred by the difficulties before us. We should overcome all difficulties and fight to the end resolutely! The Southwest Front Army is dozens of kilometers in front of you. As long as you speed up and advance bravely, victory will belong to us..."
There is also a subtle issue of face involved.
Originally, Shulka insisted on a large encirclement, but the Supreme Command wanted to pursue quick success and small encirclement. It turned out that small encirclement was not as easy as they imagined. Then, under the leadership of Shulka, the Flooded Seventh Army revived the large encirclement plan.
So the Supreme High Command took advantage of the situation and moved to a large encirclement.
Now, Shulka has shifted his strategic direction to a small encirclement, that is, to attack Karachi... If the supreme commander follows up like this, he will inevitably be suspected of being led by Shulka.
"Fight wherever you say, I'm so embarrassed." This made Shulka believe that it would be very difficult for this plan to gain support from the Supreme Command.
After a moment of silence, Trufanov asked: "So, what should we do?"
This question was mainly asked to Zolotarev, because Trufanov is undoubtedly on Shulka's side... This does not mean that he is biased towards Shulka, but that he knows that this plan is correct and can be done.
A plan that achieves maximum results at the minimum cost is a plan that can reduce the casualties of subordinates and even affect one's own life and future.
Trufanov sees this very clearly.
He knows that the most important thing on this battlefield is to win... Trufanov has seen a lot about this. He only obeys orders to no avail. From the outbreak of the war to the present, countless commanders have firmly carried out the orders of their superiors and even the supreme commander.
However, once the battle is defeated, all the blame will fall on the shoulders of the commander.
Therefore, when Trufanov faced this problem, he stood on the side of victory without hesitation, even if it meant disobeying military orders.
Zolotarev has not yet seen this clearly.
In other words, it's not that he didn't see this clearly, but that he didn't need to take the risk... His identity is different. He is a political commissar and is here to supervise the operations of the 51st Group Army, although the command power is actually in his hands.
From this point of view, as long as he resolutely implements the orders of the Supreme Command, there will be nothing wrong. Even if the 51st Army loses the battle in the end... it has almost nothing to do with him.
However, if he fails to carry out the orders of the Supreme Command and "deceives" the Supreme Command together with Trufanov and others, then he will be in trouble, and he may be in big trouble.
Therefore, Trufanov turned his attention to Zolotarev, and even looked a little unkind... In the system of the Soviet army, the interests of political commissars and commanders are often opposed, which is a quasi-hostile state.
Zolotarev smiled and said: "If I don't agree, are you going to pull out the pistol again and put it to my head?"
Shulka smiled and replied: "No, Comrade Zolotarev! I believe you!"
"What do you believe in me?"
"I believe you will consider the fate of the officers and soldiers of the 51st Group!" Shulka said: "Consider the fate of Karachi and the fate of Stalingrad! Therefore, there is no need for me to draw a gun to your head!"
Zolotarev nodded.
Shulka is right. The current war situation is indeed as Shulka said. The situation in other places seems to have reached a certain balance... The Southwest Front Army is blocked by the German army in the north and cannot move. The Don River
The front army was trapped in the quagmire of Stalingrad and fought with the German 6th Army. Both sides were exhausted. The 57th Army was also in danger as they had mutual attacks and defenses in Karachi.
In other words, the battle situation in these directions has reached a stalemate.
Therefore, all hopes of victory fell on the 51st Army.
Going a step further, it was actually a decision made by Zolotarev.
If Zolotarev makes the wrong decision, it may lead to the failure of the 51st Army, which will lead to the failure of Karachi and lead to the failure of the Battle of Stalingrad like dominoes. (To be continued)