Burning Moscow

Vasilevsky noticed my abnormality and said apologetically: "I'm sorry, Lida. You should understand that this matter has nothing to do with me, so you don't have to complain about me." Then, he walked over. He patted me on the shoulder and comforted me, "Don’t worry, according to various signs, the German attack from the south will not be earlier than September. The Supreme Command believes that Manstein must wait for the Central Army to occupy it. After Kursk, he launched an offensive and attempted to meet with friendly forces east of Korsk to form a tendency to encircle Moscow."

I heard Vasilevsky’s words, and I really couldn’t laugh or cry. My feelings I just said were all in vain. He still stubbornly believes that the Germans will only attack Kursk from the northwest. I really think that Manstein and his men are the best. The elite three SS divisions are vegetarians.

Perhaps it was to reassure me. Vasilevsky told us more secrets: "At the beginning, Marshal Zhukov deployed you to the south of Kursk in order to block Manstein’s southern army. Think about it. , Voronezh Front Army has jurisdiction over the 6th, 7th Guards Army, 38th, 40th, and 60th Army, General Katukov’s 1st Guards Tank Army, and Infantry 35th Army, with a total strength of more than 600,000 It is also equipped with 8,000 cannons and assault guns, as well as more than 1,700 tanks and self-propelled artillery."

"Yes, Lida." Shumilov also helped Vasilevsky enlighten me: "Don't worry too much. We have so many troops and technical equipment. If Manstein doesn't attack, it will be fine. If we launch an offense, we will definitely teach them a lesson they will never forget."

"In addition to what I just said, the Supreme Command has deployed Admiral Konev's steppe front army behind the two fronts of Rokosovsky and Vatutin. They are responsible for providing reinforcements for you. Even if the most Bad situation. The Kursk line of defense collapses, and the steppe front army will become the last line of defense to defend Moscow; and once our army turns into a major counteroffensive, the steppe front army will become our new force.

The Supreme Command used three fronts. To deal with the 9th and 2nd Army of the German Central Army Group, the Tank 4th Army and the Kempf Group of the Manstein Army Group to the south. No matter in terms of strength or equipment. Our three fronts all have absolute advantages. In addition, Sokolovsky’s Western Front, the Russian Bryansk Front, the Southwest Front’s 57th Army and the 2nd Tank Army are deployed in Kursk Oblast as a battle reserve. team. "

As he said, he grabbed my arm and came to the battle map hung on the wall. After opening the curtain, he picked up the explanation stick and pointed it to me and Shumilov and said, "Come and see. In the forward position of the Kursk Bulge. We have established multiple lines of defense with a defense depth of more than 160 kilometers. Trenches, barbed wire, anti-tank support points, anti-tank trenches, and minefields are densely covered in the entire defense system. We have also deployed heavy troops in the most likely direction of the German offensive...."

When Vasilevsky was explaining the map for us, I couldn't help nodding secretly, saying that I understand this period of history and know what is the focus of defense, so I can naturally build a defense system in a targeted manner. However, Zhukov and the others only analyzed the situation, and the defense system they deployed was actually well deployed.

Shumilov deserves to be a commander with rich experience in battles, waiting for Vasilevsky to finish introducing the situation. He went on to add: "Comrade Chief of the General Staff, from the current strategic situation, the Kursk Bulge is defended by Rokosovsky’s Central Front to the north. The Voronezh Front of General Vatutin is defending to the south. The Central Front is defended by General Vatutin’s Voronezh Front. To the north, we have the Bryansk Front Army and the Western Front commanded by Sokolovsky. To the south of our Voronezh Front, there is the Southwest Front, and the Steppe Front at our rear is located in the center of the rear of the protrusion. As a result, they can attack the 9th Army of German Mordel to the north, and attack the Southern Army of Mainstein to the south. At the same time, they can prevent the German army from encircling the Central Front and our Voronezh Front. This deployment of the Supreme Command. It’s amazing, it’s amazing."

Although I heard the two talk in detail. It also made sense, but the mood did not improve. I still remember in my heart that I don't know when the new equipment of the troops will be installed. So that I heard Vasilevsky ask me: "Lida, after hearing so much from us, is there anything else you should worry about?"

"Of course there is." I said what I was thinking without thinking about it: "I wonder if my troops will be able to completely change their outfits before the war breaks out."

"New equipment! New equipment! Don’t your group armies change to new equipment, won’t this battle stop?" Vasilevsky expressed strong dissatisfaction with my stubbornness, and he said with a anger: "Even if We are lagging behind, and we must fight bravely in the face of the enemy who rushes up. If the bullet is out, we hit the stick with a rock; if the rock is gone, the stick is discounted, and we hit with a fist; If we are, we will bite with our teeth. In short, as long as we have a breath, we must continue to fight with the enemy."

Regarding Vasilievsky’s involuntary criticism, I said aggrieved: “Comrade Chief of the General Staff, even if we don’t change the outfits of the commanders and soldiers, we will be nailed to the ground like a nail when facing the enemy who rushes up Don't take a step back. The reason why I strongly urge the superiors to change our outfits as soon as possible is to reduce the casualties of the troops and allow more young people to live to see the day when we won the final victory."

Vasilievsky, who was originally angry, softened because of my last words. He sighed and said to me: "Lida, I understand your feelings. Why don't I think the same way. I hope that more officers and men can survive after victory. But no, the production speed of the arsenal has almost reached. It is impossible to increase production even after reaching the limit."

"Is there really no way at all?" Although Vasilevsky was sure about it, I still asked with a hint of luck. "Maybe the Supreme Command can move the position of our group army to the front when arranging the order of change."

"How is this possible? The decision made by the Supreme Command is not allowed to be changed. The battle plan is like this, and the same is true for the change plan." When he said this, he suddenly stopped. It took a long time to hesitate to spit out a word: "Unless..."

When I heard there was a play, I hurriedly asked: "Comrade Chief of the General Staff, except what?"

Vasilievsky didn't seem to hear me. He said to himself: "As far as I know, the Weapons and Equipment Department has special authority. A small amount of equipment can be directly installed into the designated troops without passing through the Supreme Command." He said that, his face Suddenly he showed a surprised expression, turned his head and said to me, "Lida, don't you know Comrade Ustinov? You can call him and try, maybe you will get unexpected results."

"Really?" I was overjoyed when I heard him say that. Based on the friendship between Ustinov and I, even if the commanders and fighters of the entire army cannot be changed, the equipment of one or two guards should still be guaranteed. I turned my head to look at Shumilov next to me, and asked excitedly: "Comrade Commander, can you contact Moscow with your high-frequency phone here?"

Shumilov glanced at Vasilevsky, and when he saw that the other party nodded in agreement, he said to me affirmatively: "You can talk to Moscow. But, Lida. There is a word I want to explain first, it can only be you Come forward to negotiate with Comrade Ustinov. Neither the Chief of Staff nor I can participate. Do you understand what I mean?"

"I understand. I fully understand, Comrade Commander." In order to confirm whether my guess is accurate, I also added specifically: "If you or the Chief of Staff will come forward on this matter, once you persuade Committee Member Ustinov, you will get it. The equipment we want. Then when the commanders of other troops get this news, they will also ask the chief of staff to go out to solve the equipment for their troops. If this progresses, things may get out of control."

"Lida, your judgment is completely correct." Vasilevsky smiled and praised me. Then he said: "With your friendship with Comrade Ustinov, even if it is not possible to achieve a complete replacement of the troops. However, the equipment of one or two guards is fine.

Fearing that I wouldn't know how to use a high-frequency telephone, Shumilov helped me dial Moscow. When he heard a voice from the microphone, he said solemnly: "Hey, Comrade Duty, please find me Comrade Ustinov. Who am I? Sorry, you don’t know yet. Please notify Comrade People’s Committee immediately. If something goes wrong, you can’t afford this responsibility.”

Perhaps it was Shumilov's tone that frightened the other party, and he might go to Ustinov soon. After a while, Shumilov put his hand over the microphone and handed it to me, and said in a low voice, "It's Comrade Ustinov."

After nodding to him with a smile, I took the microphone and pressed it to my ear, and said, "Hey!"

Ustinov’s familiar, magnetic voice came from the receiver immediately: “Hello, hello! I’m Ustinov. Who is looking for me?”

"Hello, Comrade People's Committee." I quickly answered politely: "I am Oshanina."

"It turned out to be Lida." Ustinov's original serious voice softened, and he even said jokingly: "I heard that our heroine has gone to the front to be the commander of the group army. I haven't had time to congratulate. How about you. How does it feel to be a commander?"

"Not very good. There are a lot of things that bother me every day." I also said in a joking tone: "I knew this was the case. I might as well stay with you and be the person in charge of the base."

"It's not too late now. I have always reserved that position for you." After Ustinov said this, his tone returned to normal and asked, "Lida, you call me today. Is there anything important on the phone?"

"That's it, Comrade People's Committee." When I heard Ustinov's initiative to ask, I followed the flow and told him about the situation of my group army~www.NovelMTL.com~ Finally, I added: "You See if we can install a new batch of new equipment in the near future?"

In response to my request, Ustinov was silent for a while, and then said slowly: "Lida, the situation is not easy to handle. At present, the production of the arsenal has reached its limit, and it is very difficult to increase production." He said When I got here, I heard the sound of turning the pages of the book faintly, seeming to be looking at the dressing list provided to him by the base camp. Then, he said embarrassedly: "Leda, the situation is not easy to handle. According to the list of changes, the replacement time of your 6th Guards Army is in mid-October, which means you have to wait five more. Months before we can change outfits for the troops."

Hearing Ustinov’s words, I immediately said to him with a hippy smile: "Comrade People’s Committee, I seem to have heard that you still have a mobile quota for weapons in your hand. I wonder if you can look at the face of an old friend. Come on, give this place to our group army?" (To be continued.)

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