"Establish a defense line along here, here, and here, facing the main city of Stalingrad. There is no anti-tank firepower for the time being, but we have a sufficient number of tanks. There is no problem in dealing with the Germans' garbage tanks. Weather.
We will not be subject to enemy air attacks until things get better, which is the only good news for us."
In front of the temporary command post, which was open in the open without even a tent, Malashenko was using a piece of chalk to draw a diagram of the defense situation on the armor on the side of his vehicle. He was looking at the surrounding grassroots commanders and combatants, especially the battalion of the light infantry battalion.
Long assigned tasks.
"We have captured an incredible super weapon, comrades. The enemy may mobilize all available troops nearby to counterattack frantically against us, trying to recapture this super weapon. Our reinforcements are expected to arrive soon
, the entire strategic situation is still absolutely beneficial to us, and we must be prepared for a life-and-death battle with the enemy before reinforcements arrive."
Holding a piece of chalk in his hand, Malashenko circled the armor of the tank. The infantry battalion commander whom Malashenko assigned a key task raised his hand.
"Permission to speak, Comrade Limavov, please speak."
After receiving Malashenko's nod, the infantry battalion commander named Limavov quickly spoke.
"Comrade Brigadier, our current location is very close to Karachi. It was mentioned in the previous meeting that a large number of German reserve forces are deployed there. Do we need to focus the defense direction towards Karachi?"
In the original history, the town of Karachi was a key node where the Soviet army's northern and southern fronts joined forces and finally defeated the surrounding German pockets.
This strategic town is the bridgehead of the key landmark Don River Bridge. Once the situation is too critical and unfavorable, the Germans can choose to use several tons of explosives to completely blow up the Don River Bridge. This will prevent the Soviet heavy tank troops from crossing the river.
Buy your own time.
The Germans, who knew the importance of the town of Karachi, had indeed deployed a "heavy force" here, at least judging from the paper figures and the results of aerial reconnaissance.
But as a time traveler, Malashenko knew clearly that the so-called "heavy force group" of the German army defending Karachi was actually a makeshift army composed of supplementary troops and logistics troops.
There is basically no technical equipment and even very few artillery pieces, but there are quite a lot of transit supplies, weapon parts, and ammunition piled in the town of Karachi. Compared to a strategic town, the Germans seem to regard this place more as a transit station for supplies.
.
In the original historical trend, the Germans were relatively successful in strategic deception in the town of Karachi. In addition, the Soviet army itself, which had hastily prepared for Operation Uranus, did not have time to conduct sufficient pre-war reconnaissance.
Therefore, in the original official history, the Soviet army dispatched an entire tank army to attack Karachi, which was regarded as a strategic town. However, after crossing the bridge, the Soviet army discovered that Karachi was actually garrisoned by such a powerful force.
The third-rate German army.
The battle lasted from early morning to two o'clock in the afternoon, and a complete victory was declared, and the important town of Karachi was liberated. Even Vatutin himself, who was commanding the front army headquarters, did not expect this unexpected surprise and was quite surprised.
In other words, the German troops stationed in Karachi are not far away from destruction. They are the type of people who cannot save themselves when crossing the river. It is not worth Malashenko's excessive worry.
Malashenko, who was pretending to be mysterious, took a breath, then raised his hand and tapped the "blackboard" and said.
"I can't say too much due to military confidentiality, but the problem in Karachi is completely worth mentioning. We have made sufficient strategic preparations for this. Friendly forces will quickly and aggressively solve this place. We only need to defend.
Just follow the direction you are in."
Before Malashenko could finish half of his words, a figure trotting along came to Malashenko's side. The person who came was none other than Lieutenant Colonel Kulbalov, the commander of the first battalion of the main heavy tank.
.
"Comrade Brigade Commander, Comrade Political Commissar asked you to come over because there is something urgent."
"Is it an urgent matter?"
Malashenko, who rolled his eyes quickly, immediately realized what the problem was. The reply to the call from the Front Army Headquarters had already been sent. Malashenko, who knew clearly that he seemed to have gotten into a big trouble, immediately put down his hand.
I'll take my leave for now.
"Deploy defenses as mentioned just now. If you have any questions, go to Deputy Brigadier Lavrinenko. He is right over there."
Once again, he hurriedly arrived at the location of Political Commissar Petrov not far away. Outside the tent that had been temporarily set up, there was a wooden pole antenna used for sending and receiving telegrams. Malashenko, who was trotting along, did not bother to pay attention to the two guards who saluted him.
In return, he raised his hand to open the tent door and strode inside.
"What do you want from me? Did the front army headquarters call you back?"
As soon as Malashenko entered the door, he couldn't wait to ask questions. The only person who responded was the back of Commissar Petrov smoking a cigarette and handing over a telegraph newspaper.
"You're right, let's see for yourself."
After hearing this answer, Malashenko said nothing, and immediately snatched the telegraph newspaper from Commissar Petrov's hand. The simple lines of black and white words shocked Malashenko.
Endless.
"We have been informed of the situation and will dispatch response troops as soon as possible. We will hold our position and wait for follow-up orders. We are strictly prohibited from taking any unauthorized actions again."
The group was "strictly prohibited from taking any unauthorized action again", which really frightened our brigade commander comrade.
Malashenko seemed to be able to feel that this passage should be specially narrated to him by Vatutin. The meaning of beating was obvious, and it was somewhat too reckless to act without asking for instructions.
Especially after combining the two key points of the newly released hero status of the Soviet Union and the well-known personal relationship between himself and Comrade Lao Zhu, it is easy to be criticized for acting without permission.
The label of "arrogant and arrogant" is natural. This is also what Malashenko, whose little heart is racing, is most worried about right now. To be honest, something big might happen.
"Did you mention in the telegram that we seized this big treasure?"
After reading the telegram, Malashenko, who became even more worried, couldn't help but ask questions. He was greeted by Commissar Petrov's expression of matter-of-factness.
"Of course, why not mention such a big contribution? I said in the telegram that we have captured a super weapon that is powerful enough to have a key impact on the overall battle situation. The Germans on the left and right must have learned that this cannon fell on us
Regarding the matter at hand, I think there is nothing wrong with how I described it in the telegram, what do you think?"