"Comrade Chief of Staff," Konev said to Zakharov with a sideways look: "Immediately call Air Force Commander General Goryunov and ask him to rush to my headquarters immediately and tell him that I have important information.
You should consult him on matters."
Just when Zakharov took the phone and was about to follow the order and call Goryunov, Konev suddenly added: "By the way, General Fomin, commander of the front artillery, also called
Come here. If you want to deal with the Germans' new aircraft, no one can do it without the two of them."
When Sokov, who was sitting next to him, heard this, he thought that Marshal Konev was very considerate. Not only did he want to invite the commander of the air force, but also the commander of the artillery. As long as he got the help of these two generals, he could intercept the enemy.
The German V1 missile is still very reliable.
The two generals who received Zakharov's notification arrived at the headquarters half an hour later.
The first person to arrive was Artillery Commander Lieutenant General Fomin. Seeing Sokov chatting with Susaikov here, he couldn't help but feel a little jealous. You know, it hadn't been long since the other party was promoted to Lieutenant General.
, was promoted to general, and he had worn the title of lieutenant general for two years, but there was no sign of further promotion.
However, facing Sokov who took the initiative to greet him, he still showed due courtesy: "Comrade General, I'm glad to see you here!"
Hearing Fomin call himself a general, Sokov was still a little uncomfortable. However, when shaking hands with the other party, he took the initiative to explain his appearance in the headquarters: "I just reported an important matter to Comrade Marshal.
information."
"Important information?" Fomin heard what Sokov said and instinctively turned to look at Konev, hoping to get some answers he wanted from him: "I don't know what important information?"
Konev did not criticize the other party, but said casually: "It was precisely because of receiving Comrade Sokov's report that I called you and General Goryunov to discuss a proper way to reduce the pressure on our army.
One stage of loss.”
"Comrade Marshal," Fuming asked tentatively, "can you tell me what it is?"
Konev raised his hand and looked at his watch and said: "General Goryunov is about to arrive. When he arrives, I will tell you two more. Listen."
Fortunately, Goryunov did not keep everyone waiting for too long and appeared at the door of the headquarters.
After the impromptu meeting began, Konev circulated Sokov's report to Goryunov and Fomin to let them understand what happened.
Fomin had just returned from Kremenchug in the morning and had no idea that the German V1 missiles had attacked the former location of the headquarters and caused huge casualties. After reading the report, he asked Cogne in surprise.
Husband: "Comrade Marshal, is this all true? Do the Germans really have aircraft that can fly more than a hundred kilometers and carry out precision strikes against us?"
"Yes, this is all true. When I heard Sokov mention this just now, I thought he was being alarmist." After hearing Fomin's questioning words, Konev said with a wry smile: "Then not long after
, I was slapped in the face by reality. A German aircraft landed in the village of Morianqi, where our commander used to be, and exploded, causing heavy casualties to the soldiers and civilians in the village."
"Comrade Marshal, I want to ask." Goryunov clicked on Sokov's report with his finger and asked Konev curiously: "Are you asking us to dispatch the air force according to General Sokov's proposal?
Intercept this kind of German aircraft?"
"Yes, that's how I think about it." Konev replied simply: "As Comrade Sokov said, in order to intercept this new type of German aircraft, we must take a two-pronged approach. When the enemy's aircraft is discovered,
, the fighter planes immediately took off to respond to the enemy and destroyed them in the air. Even if there are fish that slip through the net, the anti-aircraft guns we deployed along the way can effectively consume a group of German aircraft."
"Comrade Marshal, I think this is a bit difficult to handle." Goryunov said: "The report shows that the speed of the German aircraft has reached 500 kilometers per hour, and the flying speed is similar to the speed of our fighter planes.
Unless it is a frontal interception, there is no way to catch up with the enemy's aircraft."
"General Goryunov, you are worrying too much." Seeing that Goryunov had misunderstood, Sokov quickly explained to him: "Sit down first. I have a bold idea that I want to tell you."
Seeing that Sokov wanted to talk about his point of view, Konev naturally would not object. He made a gesture to the other party and said: "Please tell me, Comrade Sokov, explain the contents of your report in simple terms.
Explain it to us."
Sokov stood up and said: "Based on the intelligence we recently obtained, the German aircraft is six to eight meters in length and flies at about 500 kilometers per hour, which is about the same speed as our fighter planes.
In other words, as long as you encounter it in the air, the chance of shooting it down is still quite high."
Having said this, he turned his attention to Fuming again and continued: "In addition to using fighter planes to intercept, you can also use anti-aircraft guns to shoot it down from the sky. Usually when enemy planes are hit by ground anti-aircraft fire, they will be intercepted in time.
You can adjust the course or altitude to avoid being hit by artillery fire. But the flight route of this kind of aircraft is fixed. As long as the advance is set, there shouldn't be much problem in shooting it down."
After listening to Sokov's words, Goryunov didn't take it seriously and said to himself, who knows where the German aircraft will appear from, and where should I send fighter planes to intercept them?
After hearing this, Fuming's eyes lit up, and he asked excitedly: "General Sokov, do you mean that we can shoot down the German aircraft as long as we set up air defense positions on the path that the aircraft must pass?"
"Yes, Comrade General." Sokov nodded and replied affirmatively: "With the level of our anti-aircraft artillery force, I believe they will be able to shoot down a considerable number of aircraft."
"But," Fumin said with some embarrassment: "I don't know where the German aircraft will pass by, and how to deploy defenses?"
Sokov vaguely remembered that the Soviet army began to equip radar on a large scale in 1944, so he tentatively asked Konev: "Comrade Marshal, I would like to ask if our army is equipped with radar?"
This question really stopped Konev. He raised his hand and touched his bare forehead, and replied with some embarrassment: "Comrade Sokov, I really can't answer your question."
Fortunately, Zakharov on the side came to Konev's rescue in time: "Let me explain this matter. A month ago, our army equipped the air defense system with an effective surveillance and indication radar P-3. The
The radar can detect aircraft within a range of 35 kilometers and flying at an altitude of 1,000 meters."
After listening to Zakharov's words, Fomin began to complain: "My Comrade Chief of Staff, since we have such a good thing, why don't we equip our air defense forces as soon as possible? You know, our original radars can be used
It’s very inconvenient and the soldiers have been complaining.”
"Don't be anxious, General Fomin." Konev reassured the other party: "I will arrange this matter as soon as possible and let the relevant departments complete the installation of the radar."
After receiving Konev's guarantee, Fomin felt much more at ease: "If this radar can really achieve the conditions mentioned in the manual, we will be able to detect the enemy's aircraft in the shortest time and
Organize your efforts to bring it down."
Seeing the confident looks of the two men, Sokov couldn't help but frowned. He knew very well that not to mention that the radar used by the Soviet army was still very backward. Even the most advanced radar in this era would not be able to detect the enemy.
Flying V1 missiles in the air is not an easy task.
"Just solving the radar problem is not enough." Fomin really didn't have much confidence in the task assigned by Konev. He decided to take advantage of today's rare opportunity to make some requests to Konev.
: "Comrade Marshal, we also need anti-aircraft artillery, a large number of anti-aircraft artillery, so that we can have sufficient air defense power."
When it comes to anti-aircraft artillery, Sokov's mood becomes even more depressed. The 53rd Army he took over now has many problems, such as few experienced veterans, few tanks, and few artillery. I wanted to mention it specifically to Konevti
In this matter, let him help him solve the problem of soldiers and technical equipment. At this moment, hearing that Fumin had already made the request he wanted to make, he swallowed the words on his lips and looked at Konev quietly.
I want to hear how he responded to General Fomin.
"Comrade Fomin," Konev sighed first, and then said: "I will apply to the Supreme Command and ask the superiors to provide us with a sufficient number of anti-aircraft guns to establish a complete air defense system."
"Comrade Marshal, you have to hurry up." Fomin kindly reminded Konev: "I can't tell when the German aircraft will fly over again. If there are not enough anti-aircraft guns, the German aircraft will fly towards our army.
When defending in depth, there is nothing I can do to stop it."
Seeing that Konev indirectly agreed to Fomin's request, Sokov was about to make a request when he heard Konev continue: "But General Fomin, although I will apply to the Supreme Command, can I
Obtaining approval is still unknown. Moreover, the number of anti-aircraft guns allocated to us by our superiors may be far lower than your request, so you must be mentally prepared."
Konev's next words nipped Sokov's request in the bud. Now that Konev has gone so far as to say it, even if he makes a request, it may be difficult to get the other party's consent. Understand this.
After that, Sokov felt that it was better to rely on others than on his own. Since he couldn't get what he wanted from his superiors, he would find a way to search for these technical equipment himself.
On the way back from the front army headquarters, Sokov had been thinking about this matter, so much so that he couldn't even remember when he walked into the headquarters.
Seeing Sokov's return, Smirnov hurriedly came up to him and asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, you are back! How are you? After reading your analysis report, did Marshal Konev express any opinions?"
"He agreed with my analysis," Sokov said: "He also called two generals, Goryunov and Fomin, and assigned them their respective tasks. The Air Force uses fighter planes to shoot down enemy aircraft, and
Artillery establishes air defense positions on the ground and uses artillery fire to destroy aircraft flying over the positions."
"Comrade Commander," Ponedelin, who was sitting silently next to him, waited for Sokov to finish speaking and then asked: "If the enemy's aircraft flies over our army, what weapons should we use?"
To intercept it?"
Ponedelin's words touched Sokov's mind. He nodded and said: "Yes, Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin, this is also a very headache for me. There are not enough anti-aircraft guns, and the German aircraft
, it can fly over our heads in a big way, but we are helpless against it."
Smirnov said carelessly: "Comrade Commander, I think we should make a request to the Front Army Headquarters and ask them to provide us with a certain number of anti-aircraft guns to ensure that we have enough air defense power to intercept the missiles flying over our group army's defense area.
German aircraft.”
"This is unrealistic, Comrade Chief of Staff." Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Ponejelin retorted: "I stayed at the Artillery Headquarters of the Front Army for a few days and found that they were also facing a shortage of artillery.
, not only is there a lack of anti-aircraft guns, but the number of howitzers and cannons of other calibers is also seriously insufficient."
"Then what should we do?" Smirnov said with a worried look: "If we don't have enough anti-aircraft guns, just do nothing?"
"That's not true." Ponejelin looked at Sokov and said: "It seems that it is time for Comrade Commander to appear again. In order to obtain anti-aircraft guns as soon as possible, it is necessary to bypass the logistics department of the front army and contact directly.
Colonel Yakov from the Weapons and Equipment Department. I believe he will give us enough help."
Ponedelin's proposal was consistent with Sokov's thoughts on the road. After Ponedelin finished speaking, he nodded and said: "That's what I meant, so I'll call Colonel Yakov now."
Give me a call."
With the help of the director of the communications corps, the call was quickly connected.
"Yasha, it's me, Sokov!"
"It's Misha!" After Yakov heard Sokov's voice, he couldn't help but shiver all over. He knew very well that the other party calling him would have nothing else to do except for weapons and equipment.
, he quickly asked tentatively: "What do you want from me?"
"Yasha, we need a lot of anti-aircraft guns, can you help us get them?"
"A large number of anti-aircraft guns?" Yakov couldn't help but be stunned after hearing this, and then asked: "Misha, is your group army's defense area often bombed by German aircraft?"
"No."
"Are there often German reconnaissance planes hovering over your defense area?"
"nor."
Sokov's answer made Yakov feel puzzled: "Since there was no bombing by enemy planes and no enemy planes conducted reconnaissance over your defense area, what do you want the anti-aircraft guns for?"
"Yasha, yesterday the Germans used a newly developed aircraft to bomb the village of Morenchi, causing huge casualties." Sokov said happily: "Fortunately, Marshal Konev had already
Move your headquarters out of the village, otherwise the troops will soon lose their unified command because of his injury."
Since neither Zhukov nor Konev reported the V1 missile attack on the village of Morenchi, the Supreme Command still does not know that the German army has launched a new aircraft.
I don't know about this matter. Yakov is just a colonel in the Weapons and Equipment Department, so naturally there is no way to know about it.