Germany could always quickly imitate things invented by the Soviet Union, and even the performance was more advanced than the Soviet Union's, while the Soviet Union was somewhat stuck in its advancement.
Such as a rocket launcher.
Ironically, it was the Soviet Union that needed to improve the rocket launcher. The German army only needed to use the original version... The Soviet Union only had T4 tanks. The Bazooka rocket launcher was enough to pose a threat to it, but it could not destroy the German army.
"Tiger" and "Panther" tanks. (Note: Bazooka does have a record of destroying a "Tiger", but that was because the rocket hit the observation hole of the "Tiger")
And all these new types of equipment seemed to be piled together on the Kursk battlefield.
"It's conceivable!" Vatutin said with a pale face: "This winter, when we are preparing, the Germans will also go all out to produce and equip these new weapons. So, do you really not consider a counterattack?"
Vatutin has not given up the idea of counterattack yet.
It should be said that his idea still makes sense, especially after knowing that the Germans have so many new types of equipment... Counterattacking first means that you can start a fight without the enemy being prepared, including new types of equipment.
But Zhukov rejected Vatutin's idea without thinking.
"Our counterattack should not be due to fear of the enemy, Comrade Vatutin!" Zhukov said with some dissatisfaction.
"Yes, Comrade Zhukov!" Vatutin was a little embarrassed.
Vatutin was indeed a bit rude when he said this. Recalling that not long ago, the reason why he supported the counterattack plan was because he "underestimated the enemy", that is, he thought that the Germans could be driven out of the Soviet Union in one battle. But now, because he knows that the enemy has many new
Equipment and "fear"... Although the word "fear" is a bit excessive, at least it is fear.
In fact, this is normal. Anyone, especially commanders, will be afraid when they know that the enemy has new equipment that is difficult to fight against, not to mention the possibility of so many equipment appearing at the same time.
Not to mention other things, just the large-scale equipment of STG44 and new rocket launchers is enough to feed the Soviet army.
Rokossovsky pointed this out.
"I think the Germans will use STG44 with rocket launchers!" Rokossovsky said: "We all know that rocket launchers can not only deal with armored targets but also ground fortifications..."
This is a tactic that the Soviet army has been using. Since the bazooka has the same direct fire capability as an assault gun, it can easily target enemy fortifications, such as bunkers.
Of course the Germans will also learn this tactic.
"So!" Rokossovsky said: "The German infantry we will face... they will have stronger anti-armor capabilities and offensive capabilities than before! In addition, the gap between German infantry, tanks and air force
Together, this will be a very difficult battle!”
"Yes, it is difficult!" Zhukov cheered: "But which battle was not difficult for us? Moscow? Or Stalingrad? In these battles, our equipment was also inferior to the enemy, but we still won in the end...
This shows that what determines war is not equipment, but people, courage and spirit, understand? So what we have to do is not to be afraid, but to deploy defense!"
Several people in the headquarters did not speak, including Shulka.
Zhukov's words are a bit like a spiritual atomic bomb... These words can deceive soldiers, but they have no effect on commanders.
Because the commander knows very well that it is not just people who determine the outcome of a war, but people and equipment.
Especially in modern warfare with highly developed equipment, the more advanced the equipment, the less and less the role that people can play...
In ancient cold weapon warfare, everyone used broadswords and spears, and there was not much difference in equipment. So when they met in a narrow road, the brave one would win.
Modern warfare involves airplanes, tanks, and artillery at every turn... So there are often situations where no matter how brave or talented you are, you can just slash at the enemy tank with a saber, and the enemy will be blown to pieces before you even see it.
However, these words and principles cannot be said at this time, especially when the Soviet army is on the weak side.
From this perspective, Zhukov's statement is still correct.
"Okay, Comrade Zhukov!" Vatutin said: "Then, let's see how to deploy defense!"
"Of course the enemy will not attack from the front!" Rokossovsky said: "I mean their main attack direction, they will either attack from the north or from the south."
This is common sense.
The Kursk salient protrudes in a semicircle to the west. If the Germans attack from the front, that is, from the west, they will only compress the Soviet army towards their defense line.
Therefore, the most likely method of attack should be to penetrate in depth from the north or south, or from both sides at the same time. This would not only be able to quickly break through the Soviet defense line and attack the weak rear of the Soviet army, but also penetrate the Coors salient.
All the Soviet troops were surrounded and annihilated to achieve the strategic goal of "obtaining maximum benefits at the minimum cost".
But Shulka saw it more concretely.
"North!" Shulka said: "Their main attack direction will be the north!"
"How can you be sure?" Rokossovsky asked puzzledly.
"Because of their attack time!" Shulka replied.
After saying this, Rokossovsky understood. He nodded slightly and said: "That makes sense. The Germans' attack is likely to be from the north, or they may try to open a breakthrough from our flank!"
"Why?" Vatutin still didn't understand what was going on.
"Season, Comrade Vatutin!" Rokossovsky replied: "When the Germans attack, it will be spring and summer, when the ice and snow have melted, and the Kursk area is high in the north and low in the south, that is to say
The accumulated water will flow to the south, and more places in the south will become swamps, while the north will be much better!"
"So!" Zhukov added: "If the Germans break through with armored forces, of course they will choose the north which is more suitable for the armored forces to march!"
This was almost certain, since the Germans would of course break through with armored forces.
Vatutin couldn't help but said "Oh", then nodded in agreement, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief... To the north is Rokossovsky's defense area, which means that the Central Front Army will bear greater pressure.
But in fact, there is not much difference, because the Central Front Army and the Voronezh Front Army are back-to-back. If the Central Front Army is defeated, the Voronezh Front Army will be attacked from both sides.
"Then, we should focus our defense on the north!" Zhukov made a decision: "Anti-tank trenches, bunkers, barbed wire...no matter what they are, as long as they can block the tanks, pile them all up!"
"Yes!" Several generals responded. (To be continued)