USSR 1941

It turned out that several commanders in the group army headquarters were worried about the main force of the attack.

The army commander, Major General Trufanov, advocated mechanized infantry as the main offensive force, while the cavalry army commander, Lieutenant General Shapkin, advocated cavalry as the main offensive force.

This is a bit strange... the commander of the army group is a major general but he commands a lieutenant general to fight.

But this kind of situation is actually not uncommon in the Soviet army at this time, mainly because the command system of the Soviet army was relatively chaotic after the war broke out, and on the other hand, it was also because too many people in peacetime did not have much command ability but obtained high military ranks, and the battle started. In the end, of course, it is necessary to use ability as the benchmark rather than military rank.

Take Shulka for example, his military rank is still captain and Mikhailvich, who is the deputy head of the regiment, is a major.

After listening to the arguments between the two sides for a while, Shulka asked a little strangely: "Why don't we consider using tank troops as the main offensive force?"

"We don't think tanks are suitable for attacking the main force!" Trufanov stared at the map without looking up to answer.

"Yes!" The commander of the cavalry army agreed with Trufanov on this point: "The side we are attacking is Prodotoviye, because of the climate there is mud everywhere, and it is difficult for tanks to fight here. Fast forward on this terrain!"

"There are also bomb craters and rivers!" Khrushchev added: "Our amphibious landing ship can quickly cross the river, or we can build a simple pontoon bridge to carry mechanized troops and cavalry troops across the river to chase the enemy, but tanks are It's something else!"

Shulka understood what they meant by these words.

In fact, Shulka had thought of these reasons before asking this question.

What they said is indeed reasonable, especially at this time of summer, when the Soviet Union is full of mud, and the design of the T34 is more suitable for driving in snow.

Coupled with the large and small rivers lying in front of them, it will indeed cause a headache for the tank troops.

From this aspect, it is true that cavalry units and mechanized infantry are more suitable for offense.

The problem is that they seem to think that the Romanian army is too simple. Once it launches an attack, it will be overwhelming, even if there is no tank reinforcement.

This may be because of the Soviet army's fear of the German army... Combat power is often compared. If the German army and the Romanian army stand together, it goes without saying that the German army must have stronger combat effectiveness.

So this directly led to the Soviet army's contempt for the Romanian army, as if a nerve was tense when facing the German army but relaxed when facing the Romanian army.

Therefore, Trufanov, Shapkin and even Khrushchev believed that the main offensive force must be to choose between the fast-moving cavalry army and the mechanized infantry.

As for the tank unit, because of its slow speed and inconvenient maneuvering in this terrain, it should follow behind as the backbone rather than the vanguard.

After thinking about it, Shulka said: "I believe that the Romanian army lacks heavy equipment or anti-tank equipment, but I don't think they have the ability to stop our cavalry and mechanized infantry from advancing, especially the muddy environment will also make Cavalry and mechanized infantry are in trouble!"

Shulka's words were actually quite polite.

If you really want to make it clear, people don't think that the combat effectiveness of the Soviet army, which has replenished a large number of recruits, will be much stronger than the Romanian army.

Of course, Shulka believes that the overall combat effectiveness of the Soviet army is stronger than that of the Romanian army. In particular, the 51st Army has concentrated many elite troops, such as several infantry divisions and tank regiments.

The problem is that the Romanian army defends against danger, and cavalry and mechanized troops attacking the Romanian defense line also face the problem of muddy land.

Among them is the cavalry unit... This kind of unit should be eliminated in this era. The reason why it survived for so long in the Soviet Union is because it is suitable for snowmobile maneuvering. The second is because the Soviet army advocates quick and brave attacks on enemy positions. charge.

It may be faster than infantry in the mud, but as long as the enemy sets up a few machine guns in front of the trenches...

"Do you think we should use tanks as the main offensive force?" Khrushchev asked with some surprise.

"Yes!" Shulka replied. "First of all, it's a matter of morale. I mean, if the Romanians are caught off guard by our attack, they will panic..."

"That's exactly what I want to say, Comrade Shulka!" Trufanov interrupted Shulka: "They will panic, so we can easily break through their defenses! All we have to think about is how quickly Go forward and divide and encircle them!"

This kind of combat thinking is somewhat like the German "blitzkrieg" that emphasizes speed, but the German army's speed is based on tanks.

"The problem is that if our offensive power is insufficient, it may build up the enemy's confidence!" Shulka said: "What I mean is that if the enemy resists for a while and finds that our army is not as strong as they thought, even our army's strength is not as strong as they thought. The attack is still frustrated by their defense, and those Romanians who originally planned to escape will stop and organize defense! But if we attack with tanks, it will be completely different!"

Khrushchev nodded silently, and said: "It seems reasonable. Comrade Shulka is talking about psychological warfare, that is, destroying the confidence of the enemy's defense. In this way, even if our attack speed is not fast, they can be defeated. thousands of miles!"

This is the reason for soldiers to attack the heart first.

Even after a tank attack had destroyed the confidence and morale of the Romanian army, it would have been far better pursued with faster cavalry and mechanized infantry.

In fact, the faster but vulnerable cavalry and mechanized infantry are also suitable for reconnaissance, cover, and annihilating enemies around tank troops.

But Trufanov thinks otherwise.

"This is why I plan to use mechanized infantry to attack!" Trufanov said: "Mechanized infantry also has tanks. Its firepower and defense are higher than cavalry, and its speed is faster than tank troops, so I think it is the best Suitable as the main force!"

"But I don't think those tanks are enough, Comrade Trufanov!" Shulka said.

"If we attack with tank troops, do you know what the consequences will be?" Trufanov said: "Our encirclement may be closed a few days later, which will not only bring more dangers and variables to our plan. , the Germans may escape calmly from our encirclement!"

Shulka could not deny this.

After all, it is normal for the German Sixth Army to break through, and Shulka can't tell them... Don't worry, Hitler will not agree to the retreat of the Sixth Army.