After the air raid warning was issued, the driver of the convoy did not know what measures to take.
In fact, these auto soldiers cannot be blamed for this. After all, since they entered the Soviet Union, apart from encountering guerrilla attacks, they have never encountered any air raids. When they suddenly encountered an air raid, they really didn’t know how to deal with it.
Most of the cars were parked on the road, and the drivers stuck their heads out of their cars and looked into the sky, trying to see where the Soviet planes were.
The four bombers in the air actually stopped moving when they saw the convoy on the ground, and the trucks were parked neatly on the road. Although the distance between each other was a bit far, to experienced bomber pilots, it was simply a sight.
Target during training.
Four bombers swooped down from the sky one after another and dropped bombs on the truck on the ground. If the bomb dropped from the sky directly hit the truck, it would explode into a ball of fire with a loud roar; even if it did not directly hit the target, it would land not far away.
The air wave caused by the explosion can also overturn the truck.
It would be slightly better if it contained ordinary supplies, but it would just be scattered all over the floor. But if it contained ammunition, it would be terrible. It would soon cause an explosion and knock down the surviving soldiers around the truck to the ground.
As for the resistance on the ground, it was simply negligible. Each German vehicle only had two soldiers escorting the vehicle. They basically carried rifles, at least a few submachine guns, and no machine guns at all. Facing the bombers swooping down from the sky,
Their anti-aircraft fire was in vain.
After the bombers dropped the bombs they carried, they began to return. At this time, the ground was full of fire and thick smoke. Except for two trucks that took shelter in the woods on the roadside in time, the rest of the German convoy was basically destroyed by the Soviet army.
of bombing.
Immediately after the bombers left, two reconnaissance planes appeared in the sky. The pilots flew low and passed over the burning trucks, taking risks to take photos of the destroyed enemy convoy.
After Colonel Nechepolenko waited for the photos to be developed, he immediately rushed to the headquarters to find Sokov and reported to him: "Comrade Commander, look at this, these are the results achieved by our bomber squadron."
After looking at a series of photos, Sokov showed a happy smile on his face. After handing the photos to Vitkov and Lunev, he said with a smile: "Our air strikes destroyed so many enemy transports."
Vehicles, if they want to ensure the supply of the Skeleton Division, they will have to transfer enough vehicles from other directions to supplement. As a result, the supply level in other directions will decrease to a certain extent."
"Comrade Commander," Lunev said to Sokov after seeing the photo: "Actually, after you proposed this plan to attack the German transportation lines, I don't think well of you. I always believe that bombers should be used to deal with the enemy's
A transport convoy is a waste. But judging from the results achieved by the Air Force today, your tactic is very effective. If the Germans want to ensure the supplies of the Skeleton Division, they must invest more transport vehicles in this direction.
, to replace those lost vehicles.”
"Comrade Commander," Colonel Nechepolenko said excitedly: "The pilots who participated in this air strike were extremely enthusiastic about fighting. After they flew back to the airport, they strongly demanded that they replenish ammunition and fuel before rejoining the new battle.
.”
"The enemy's transportation lines have been attacked by you. I estimate that the Germans will not resupply the Skull Division before tomorrow." Sokov said casually: "Comrade Colonel, even if your pilots want to attack, they can only
Can wait until tomorrow."
"No, Comrade Commander, you didn't understand what I meant." Colonel Nechepolenko waited for Sokov to finish speaking and quickly explained: "The pilots thought that since we successfully attacked the transportation line to the west,
, then we might as well take advantage of the weather being conducive to attack and attack the German transport line to the north to cut off their supply to the Imperial Division."
"There is no need." After hearing this, Sokov waved his hand and said: "The Imperial Division only has one regiment to the north of us, and we have the strength of one division, which can completely deal with them. We don't need to consider cutting off their supplies for the time being.
.”
"Comrade Commander, I have a bold idea." Vitkov interrupted: "We can order the troops stationed north of the city to conduct feints against the Imperial Division, making the enemy think that we may launch an attack on them."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," when Sokov was thinking about the plan proposed by Vitkov, Lunev asked first: "We plan to launch an attack on the enemy. In order to prevent them from being prepared, we must make concealment in advance.
Work to prevent them from increasing troops towards the front. And your method will definitely alert the Germans. If they significantly increase their troops towards the front, it will make our upcoming offensive very disadvantageous."
"Comrade Military Commissar, please wait a moment. I think what the Chief of Staff wants to express is not what you think." Sokov first stopped Lunev, and then asked Vitkov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you
Are you planning to use our army's feint to attract the enemy to mobilize more troops to the north?"
Seeing that Sokov had guessed his intention, Witkov smiled and nodded, and replied affirmatively: "Yes, that's how I thought about it."
"I don't understand why the enemy should be allowed to add troops to the front?" Lunev said confusedly: "You know, the fewer troops the enemy has on the front, the easier it will be for us to break through the enemy's defense line when we launch an attack."
Seeing that Lunev did not understand what Vitkov meant, Sokov explained to him: "Comrade Military Commissar, what the Chief of Staff means is to attract the enemy to increase troops forward. When their troops reach a certain number, we will send them
The Air Force attacks their transportation lines. You must know that the more German troops on the front line, the more supplies they consume every day. If their transportation lines are paralyzed under the attack of our Air Force, the German troops on the front line will face the possibility of running out of ammunition and food.
Situation. Tell me, if you wait until the enemy is short of supplies and morale, and then launch an attack unexpectedly, what kind of results will be achieved?"
Runev was not an idiot. After Sokov explained this, he immediately understood what was going on. He said with a look of surprise: "So that's what happened. The more German troops are at the front, the more supplies they need."
The more. As long as our air force blocks their transportation lines, they will soon be short of supplies and ammunition."
After Sokov saw that Lunev understood what he meant, he turned to face Nechepolenko and said: "Comrade Colonel, from now on, the mission of your aviation division is to block Pavlograd to the Skull Division.
supply line, and on the northern line, just send out reconnaissance planes to find out the route and time of the enemy's transport convoy."
"Understood, Comrade Commander." Seeing Sokov entrusting him with such an important task, Colonel Nechepolenko couldn't help but be overjoyed. He quickly expressed his stance: "Don't worry, our team will be ready in two days at most."
Reconnaissance aircraft can figure out the enemy's transportation routes and the time of appearance."
After saying this, Colonel Nechepolenko remembered Vitkov's proposal and prepared to have a unit carry out harassment operations against the enemies in the north, so he took the initiative and said: "Comrade Commander, the troops in the north will feint to the German Imperial Division."
When there is a movement, do we need our air force to attack?"
"No, no, no," Sokov waved his hand and said, "Comrade Colonel, I have already said that the mission of your aviation division is to block the transportation lines to the west and minimize the supplies that the Skeleton Division can obtain."
"Comrade Commander, there should be no problem if we block the enemy's transportation lines during the day." Colonel Nechepolenko waited for Sokov to finish and then expressed his thoughts, "But if they adjust the transportation time to
At night, what should we do?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Colonel." Witkov replied with a smile: "We have sent many sabotage squads to the enemy's rear. They carry a new type of rocket that can attack German targets at long distances. Your Air Force
Responsible for blocking transportation lines during the day, they will use this new rocket to attack German transportation vehicles at night."
After Colonel Nechepolenko left, Vitkov asked Sokov for instructions: "Comrade division commander, we are making a feint in the north of the city. How many troops do you think should be dispatched?"
"The enemy has one regiment, and I think one of our regiments is enough." Sokov said to Vitkov: "Major General Merkulov's 67th Guards Division is a division with relatively strong combat effectiveness in our army.
, I think it is very appropriate for them to carry out the feint operation."
Witkov said: "I can't explain the mission clearly on the phone. I think it's better to call him here."
"Okay," Sokov nodded: "You can call him."
The distance from the headquarters of the 67th Guards Division to the headquarters in Sokov was only five or six kilometers. After receiving the call, Major General Merkulov took less than ten minutes to get to the headquarters by car.
department.
After shaking hands with Merkulov, Sokov said to him: "Comrade General, I called you here today because there is an important task for your division to complete."
Merkulov has been serving as Sokov's subordinate for a long time. He knew very well that if Sokov said this, it meant that the other party would give him a task that could make a difference. He quickly straightened his body and said
: "Comrade Commander, please give the order."
Sokov pointed to the position of Rodincik and said to Major General Merkulov: "Comrade General, the enemy has placed a regiment of the Imperial Division here. You should know that, right?"
"Of course I know." Merkulov nodded and replied: "In the early hours of this morning, our patrol also exchanged fire with the enemy who tried to sneak into our position, killing one person and wounding two others on the spot.
They all fled in panic."
"What, your division had a firefight with the enemy early in the morning?" Sokov couldn't help but frowned when he heard the unexpected news, "Why wasn't there a report?"
"Comrade Commander," Merkulov said with a smile, "it's just a small-scale exchange of fire. I don't think there is any need to alarm you."
"Comrade General, your idea is completely wrong." After hearing what Merkulov said, Sokov scolded them with a straight face: "Maybe these enemies are trying to sneak into our positions to conduct reconnaissance, and you
But I thought it was just an ordinary firefight, and my vigilance was so low, which is very dangerous."
Merkulov, who was criticized by Sokov, blushed and said nothing.
After Sokov finished speaking, in order not to embarrass the other party, he changed the topic again and went on to talk about the purpose of calling him here: "Comrade General, I called you here because I have an important task to hand over.
Leave it to your division to complete. Tomorrow, I hope you can use a regiment of troops to attack Roginsik."
"Comrade Commander, don't worry." Hearing what Sokov said, Major General Merkulov became excited: "I assure you that our division will be able to capture the town of Roginsik in just half a day.
, drive away all the enemies inside."
"Comrade General, you are mistaken." Sokov waved his hand and said: "I asked you to attack Rojinsik not because I want you to drive away or eliminate the enemies in the town, but because I hope that through your attack
, making the enemy feel threatened and forced to ask for help from the enemy in the rear, causing the enemy to dispatch more troops to Roginsik."
"Comrade Commander, I don't quite understand what you mean." Regarding Sokov's order, Merkulov said with a blank face: "Since attacking the enemy is not to destroy the enemy, but to
Attract more enemies to Rojinsik, I really don’t understand why you want to do this.”
"Before I explain to you, I want to tell you another thing." Sokov said slowly: "Today our air force attacked a transport convoy from Pavlograd.
After some bombing, all the transport vehicles were basically destroyed. This batch of supplies was prepared by the enemy to supply the Skeleton Division, but due to our air strikes, the troops of the Skeleton Division will not receive enough supplies within a day or two. You said
Say, what does this mean?"
Major General Merkulov frowned and thought for a moment, then said cautiously: "Paulus's troops were besieged by us in Stalingrad. Because they did not receive sufficient supplies, the combat effectiveness of the troops dropped and their morale declined.
We are depressed and our troops are disorganized, otherwise it would not be so easy for us to annihilate them."
"You have analyzed a lot. The reason why we were able to annihilate the Paulus Group was entirely because their supplies were interrupted." Sokov then explained to Major General Merkulov: "I asked you to find a way to make the enemy
The purpose of transferring more troops to Rojinsik is to wait for enough German troops to gather there and then use the air force to cut off their supplies. In this way, the German troops who are short of supplies can avoid our army's strong attack.