On the way back to the garrison, Wang Zhong furrowed his brows, contemplating where to acquire anti-tank artillery.
The infantry division lacked anti-tank artillery, and close-quarters combat was a meat grinder, yet the Prussian infantry were no slouches either.
Previously in Loktov, Wang Zhong had been pushed to the brink by the enemy infantry’s assault. Now, considering the quality of his troops, he dared not engage the Prussians in close-quarters combat anymore.
Unbeknownst to Wang Zhong, this was actually a form of experience accumulation. Though he was an outsider to the military, through so many battles he had gradually come to understand the enemy and form “muscle memory.”
Wang Zhong continued his calculations with a frown:
To defeat the enemy in the open fields, aside from relying on tank cover and the accompanying tank ambush tactics, the most important thing was the anti-tank artillery.
This is a cycle of mutual restraint. Machine-gun fire points can suppress infantry in the open fields, direct tank fire can take out fire points, and hidden anti-tank artillery and tanks can destroy enemy tanks.
The last is artillery, which can dominate everything on the ground, unless the fortifications are constructed like the tunnels at Shangganling, otherwise enemy artillery barrages will surely cause casualties.
He also had to think of ways to counter the enemy’s heavy artillery. Perhaps balloons could be used? Could observation balloons still be found nowadays?
If they didn’t observe and fired blindly, it wasn’t certain where the enemy’s artillery would be placed, as howitzers didn’t have as strict requirements for position as direct-fire cannons.
How could he ascertain the location of the enemy artillery positions? Rely on infiltration squads?
But the enemy was the Prussian Army, not India; their positions wouldn’t be so easily pinpointed.
And the enemy was incredibly brutal, so disguised reconnaissance was definitely out of the question; getting close to the artillery positions, the enemy would surely open fire directly.
What should he do?
Ludmila had been watching Wang Zhong all this time, looking very worried but not daring to interrupt his thoughts.
Finally, they reached the gates of the manor, and the guards at the door immediately opened the iron gate upon seeing Wang Zhong’s car—they had been assigned to guard the entrance since yesterday.
After driving into the manor, Grigori looked back and took the initiative to head toward the barracks in the corner of the estate.
No sooner had they driven a short distance when Ludmila broke the silence, poking Wang Zhong vigorously in the shoulder, “Alyosha! Look over there!”
Wang Zhong was forcibly pulled from his thoughts, looking a bit bewildered as he mechanically followed the direction of Ludmila’s pointing finger.
He saw a row of brand-new T34 tanks parked on the lawn.
These definitely weren’t Wang Zhong’s original tanks because no matter how much they were repainted, they couldn’t hide the mottle left by the battlefield—the scratches caused by armor-piercing shells were very noticeable.
Not only was the paint on these T34s new, but their surfaces were also quite smooth, and there were no traces of incomplete diesel combustion around the exhaust.
New T34s!
Wang Zhong broadened his view and noticed that these T34s were arranged in three rows of eight each, totaling 24 tanks!
All the tank guns were adjusted to the same angle, like heads raised high during a parade review.
“Where did these tanks come from?” Wang Zhong asked, puzzled.
Ludmila: “Did you forget that yesterday Dad... Uncle Konstantin said he would give some to your troops?”
Wang Zhong: “He said he was going to write some letters, that it would take three to five days to get results, right?”
“Maybe the process went especially smoothly?”
In fact, the old German Armored Troops always considered Soviet anti-tank guns to be a bigger threat than tanks—mainly because the tanks were too blind.
And the anti-tank guns with observers were not blind, difficult to detect, and even the Germans, with their heavy armor, were wary of the thing.
Duke Rocossov nodded, “Is this coming from real combat experience? It should be taken seriously. However, the 76 guns are also in high demand. I’ll try to get you some 45mm guns first. After all, the ammunition carriages and pack horses can use 76mm shells too, and the gunners only need a bit of training to adapt to the new artillery.
“That way, in the future, you can try to apply for separate 76mm gun reinforcements and gradually switch the artillery to primarily 76mm.”
Wang Zhong had a feeling that the old man had probably not been above using shrewd tactics to enhance his own strength.
At that moment, an idea suddenly struck Wang Zhong: Why not ask the old man about the very issue that had been troubling him?
So, he asked, “In your experience, how do you deal with the enemy’s heavy artillery?”
Duke Rocossov raised his eyebrows, “Heavy artillery? It depends on the situation. If both sides have formed solid front lines and trenches are everywhere, then let the planes carry out reconnaissance of the enemy’s artillery positions, and then bomb them with artillery.
“At that time, the area with the densest anti-aircraft firepower is the artillery positions of both sides, and they would risk disrupting the trajectories of their shells by surrounding their artillery positions with barrage balloons to interfere with enemy reconnaissance planes.
“Sometimes, when enemy planes are spotted, they would release smoke and do it at several different locations to confuse the enemy.”
Wang Zhong, “Using planes for reconnaissance...”
If I had planes under my command, I could use the radio on the plane to establish contact, then I could root out the enemy’s artillery positions! Indeed, this would be a method.
Unfortunately, in order to command the Air Force, I’d have to be a general in command of a Front Army.
Wang Zhong, “Other than planes, is there anything else?”
Duke Rocossov, “When no solid trenches have been formed, you could use Cavalry Troops.”
“Cavalry?”
“Yes, cavalry are quite excellent. Saddles can carry extra rations and ammunition, allowing the cavalry to operate without resupply for seven days. As for the horses, although the feed for warhorses is very precious—carrots and whatnot—they naturally eat grass!
“While the people sleep and rest, the horse will graze on its own. Although a warhorse generally loses a lot of weight after a week of combat, this only slightly affects its endurance and top speed, not so much its trotting pace on average.
“Look, Cavalry Troops can roam enemy territory for a week without resupply. They also have the mobility, which makes them the most suitable for surprise raids on enemy artillery positions, doesn’t it?”
It indeed seemed to be the case!
Wang Zhong thoughtfully propped his chin with his hand.
Duke Rocossov said, “Come on now, everything will straighten out in the end. Don’t look so worried. Go meet your new Armored Troops, boost their morale, and introduce them to some real combat experience. Organize a sharing session or something.
“The troops I transferred to you are entirely new, with no experience. Before the enemy attacks, you have to train them well!
“Understand? More sweat in training, less blood in battle!”
Wang Zhong nodded, “Understood!”
“Is that how you respond to a superior?” the old man snapped.
Wang Zhong snapped to attention and saluted, “Yes, Your Excellency the General!”
“That’s more like it. Now off you go!” The old man waved his hand as if shooing a fly.