Chapter 289: Tula

Chapter 289 Tula

At the Western Front Command, Zhukov leaned on the office chair and rubbed his forehead, then lit a cigarette to try to relax himself.

Since Zhukov took over as the commander of the Western Front, now can be said to be the most dangerous stage... The Mozhaisk defense line is only a hundred kilometers away from Moscow. If there is a little carelessness, the Germans will break through the defense line and advance to Moscow.

To this end, Zhukov successively transferred 14 infantry divisions, 16 tank brigades, more than 40 artillery regiments and other units from the friendly front and the rear to the front line, and reorganized the 5th, 16th, 43rd and 49th Army Group.

This is already the limit that the Soviet army can bear at this time.

But what makes people feel happy is that although these are not enough to build a solid front, they have eased after all.

"Comrade Zhukov!" The staff officer carefully handed Zhukov a document.

If Zhukov hadn't told him, the staff officer wouldn't bother Zhukov at this time.

Zhukov gave a "hmm" and nodded to signal the staff to put the documents on the table.

That was the minutes of the meeting sent from the Stalingrad Tractor Factory.

If someone else proposed a half-track armored vehicle, Zhukov would not bother to bother, but this person is a "breakout hero"... Zhukov has to take it seriously.

Speaking of this "breakout hero", even Zhukov felt a little incredible.

Not only did he successfully break out of the enemy's encirclement again and again, he even broke out other troops from the encirclement.

For example, this time, if it were not for his plan, Zhukov believed that the Fourth Tank Brigade would not be able to rescue the 20,000 Soviet troops who were besieged in Tver at all.

If before this, a force of 20,000 people might not be anything at all.

But now, when the entire army is deployed on the Mozhaisk line of defense and guarding its position nervously, there is basically no remaining troops, 20,000 people are very important.

After resting for a while, Zhukov picked up the meeting minutes from the desktop and flipped through them casually.

Then he couldn't help raising his eyebrows, especially seeing the last paragraph, Zhukov nodded while watching... Now, if anyone tells him that he should abandon the development of half-track armored vehicles, Zhukov thinks that he is probably a spy sent by the Germans .

"Comrade Zhukov!" At this moment, the staff officer opened the door and came in and reported, "Comrade Stalin is on the phone!"

Zhukov picked up the phone, and Stalin on the other end of the phone asked in an unhurried tone: "In 10 days, it will be the anniversary of the October Revolution. Shall we hold a military parade on Red Square?"

Zhukov couldn't help being taken aback when he heard the words. At this time, Moscow was retreating in a panic, and all agencies were burning documents. The front line was tensely resisting the German attack, and it was possible to break through the defense line and rush into Moscow at any time. How could it be possible to hold a military parade? ?

"I ask again, shall we hold a military parade?" Stalin repeated.

"Comrade Stalin!" Zhukov replied: "Our situation is very serious. Almost all our troops are at the front. Is it appropriate to hold a military parade at this time?"

"I think a military parade should be held!" Stalin replied: "Especially at this moment of national peril! Holding a military parade will not only inspire the people of Moscow, but even the entire army and the whole country!"

"Yes, Comrade Stalin!" Zhukov quickly understood that this was not an inquiry at all, but Stalin asked him to prepare for the military parade.

After putting down the phone, Zhukov began to feel embarrassed.

Because the military parade needs to concentrate troops on Red Square in Moscow, which is easily bombed by the Luftwaffe.

This problem seems to be easy to solve, because the air defense force can be organized to fully defend the air, and the air force can be used intensively... Although the Soviet Air Force can't fight against the Germans at this time, it is still possible to ensure the safety of Moscow in a short time.

More importantly, the military parade must withdraw troops from the front line, and the withdrawal of troops will inevitably make the front line empty, and the German army may take the opportunity to launch an attack at this time.

Zhukov observed on the map for a while, thinking:

Perhaps part of the troops for the military parade can be drawn from various units, and they can be sent back to the battlefield immediately after the military parade is over.

The problem is in the direction of Tula.

Tula has been surrounded by the Germans, that is to say, it has broken through the defense line. The Soviets only used mines and obstacles to block the advance of the German armored division. On the other hand, the Germans also attacked because Tula occupied the supply line... On the side of Tula is There is a river on one side of the lake, and the German 3rd Armored Division has only a narrow railway bridge as a supply line, which is far from meeting the offensive needs, so they can only try to wipe out the Tula defenders first.

But it also means that the direction of Tula is dangerous.

Thinking of this, Zhukov said to the staff: "Notify the Fourth Tank Brigade, ready to launch a counterattack against Tula!"

"Yes, Comrade Zhukov!"

At this time, the Fourth Tank Brigade is undergoing intense training. They must adapt to the addition of mine clearance tanks and solve various problems.

And Shulka was discussing half-track armored vehicles with Kalashnikov at the company headquarters.

The research and development department needs to fully understand the requirements of the troops for half-track armored vehicles. There is no need to say who this candidate is, of course Kalashnikov.

"The armor thickness is required to be 7mm on the side!" Shulka said: "About 13mm on the front..."

This is the thickness of the frontal armor of the German "No. 1" tank, which means it can block machine gun bullets.

"There must be an armored panel in front of the cab!" Shulka said.

"Armor shield?" Kalashnikov didn't know what it was.

"Yes!" Shulka said: "It is a piece of armor that can be moved. It can be opened to block sunlight and rain when marching, and it can be put down to increase the protection of the cockpit during combat...Of course, an observation hole must be opened!"

"Good idea!" Kalashnikov said.

"The maximum speed requirement can reach about 50 kilometers per hour!" Shulka said: "The top speed of the T34 tank is 45 kilometers per hour. The speed of the half-track armored vehicle used to transport infantry should be faster than it, so that it can effectively catch up with and support tanks in combat. !"

Kalashnikov nodded: "If you reduce its size and reduce its load, the top speed of 50 kilometers per hour is not a big problem!"

"The minimum requirement is to carry 10 people, and there must be some space for machine guns to store ammunition!"

"Of course!" Kalashnikov replied: "If even 10 people can't load it, it will become an armored vehicle!"

The Soviet army was generally equipped with a light armored vehicle BA64 at this time, which was mainly used to perform reconnaissance and **** transport convoy tasks.

At this moment, a call was made to Shulka's office, and Pukarev who answered the phone said, "Comrade Shulka, Major Zakhakovic asked you to go to his headquarters!"

(end of this chapter)