Steel Soviet Union

The map in Malashenko's hand is an analyzed map that was handed over not long ago by the hand of political commissar Petrov who made the map himself.

Based on prior aerial reconnaissance and feedback from frontline troops on the enemy's situation, Commissar Petrov personally drew this highly accurate theater map based on the reference information he received from the front army headquarters.

The offensive of the German Army Group South was fierce and swift, and the arrow on the map penetrated into the heart of the Soviet Union like a sharp knife. There was not much remaining land under control that could be used for strategic maneuvers. This was for Stalin, who was at the forefront of the war zone. For the 1st Guards Heavy Tank Brigade, this is already quite bad news.

"Here, here, and here, the three German vanguards with the most ferocious offensive are not far away from us, especially the three elite divisions of the German Reich, the Guardsmen, and the Skeletons, all of which are attacking the most fiercely. The most brutal force."

"I just asked a friendly company commander on the battlefield. The gang of SS bastards we trampled to death were the troops of the Skeleton Division. They have been attacking the second line of defense since yesterday. Progress. The speed is very fast, ranking first among the three elite SS divisions. "

"Although this is not a compliment, I must admit and emphasize that you must use all your abilities to deal with these elite SS bastards. The Wehrmacht troops we have encountered in the past have less combat effectiveness than this group of inhumane thugs. With everything in front of them is bullshit, these bastards fanatically believe in their leader, even fearing death as a form of loyalty.

Malashenko's tone when poking at the map was very serious, and the serious expression on his face did not look like he was joking at all. The same was true for Lavrinenko and Kulbalov who also took this seriously.

"We just caught the Germans by surprise. The Skeleton Division used its troops to attack an infantry position with light firepower and suffered heavy losses. Almost all of them were killed by our sudden sap. Don't think that this will make them give up. I dare to use my military honor to assure you that what these lunatics are thinking about now is not retreat, but how to take revenge. "

After hearing Malashenko's words, Kulbalov and Lavrinenko looked at each other, and then blurted out the question.

"So we didn't counterattack just now. The risk factor was too high, especially for this group of SS bastards, is that right?"

"The analysis is correct, it is indeed the case! Of course, I also have other considerations, such as the order that Commander Vatutin personally conveyed to me."

There is no need to hide or deliberately lie in front of his two right-hand men. The open and honest Malashenko then drew a circle on the map with his finger and marked the center of gravity.

"I plan to disperse the four tank battalions in battalion units. The frontal position we have to defend now is very wide. We cannot expect that the enemy will only attack the strongest defensive areas like a fool."

"The Germans will definitely try to find the weak points of the new solid defense line after being reinforced by us. If our support is too slow, the Germans will find the breakthrough point and rush in. At that time, we may be attacked from both sides and face the most dangerous situation. Terrible situation."

"Kurbalov's first and second battalions and Varosha's infantry remain with me, and I will be responsible for personal command. Lavri, you take the remaining two tank battalions and go to the west for support. I Guess if the Germans hit a wall on our side, they will definitely try to break through on the westward position. If they cannot achieve their goal, you know what to do. "

Lavrinenko, who was holding the lighter in his hand and lighting up a cigarette for himself, nodded, then faced Malashenko and spoke immediately.

"What about the self-propelled howitzer battalion? Are you going to let me take them all away, or are you going to keep them under your command?"

After the real battle began, the various artillery positions prepared by the Soviet army became the key targets of the Luftwaffe. More than half of the more than a thousand sorties dispatched in a day went directly to the artillery positions.

After all, if the artillery positions of the world's most powerful field artillery group are not knocked out, it is no exaggeration to say that the Germans' offensive will be bathed in artillery fire from various large-caliber projectiles, suppressing and destroying them. A necessary subject for every German attack of the Soviet artillery division.

The mind-blowing battle continues until now. The first-echelon field artillery positions on the Red Army defense lines on the front have been basically wiped out.

Red Army fighter aviation units tried to block enemy air attacks, but with little success.

The Germans frantically launched an overwhelming number of fighter jets for air combat, including the latest FW190A5 and A6 fighter jets, as well as the equally brand-new BF109G6 fighter jet. These are the most cutting-edge weapons and equipment of the Luftwaffe.

With the support of cutting-edge weapons, the German Air Force firmly controlled the air superiority of the theater over Kursk in its own hands. Although the price paid along the way was a bit unbearable, the artillery positions and tanks that were able to be killed were the results of the victory. It is quite abundant and plays an important supporting role in ground battles that cannot be ignored.

In the absence of effective artillery support, the importance of the battalion SU152 of the Stalin Guards 1st Heavy Tank Brigade is self-evident.

Malashenko initially planned to let Lavrinenko take away the whole battalion, but when he thought of the miserable scenes of tired and dark-faced friendly soldiers he had just seen on the position, Malashenko was very Worrying about how much combat effectiveness these infantrymen who have suffered heavy losses can exert.

To be on the safe side, it is better to prepare a few more cards in your hand to play with, so that you can be confident if you encounter a German guy going crazy.

"Let's do this, Lavry. You take half of the battalion and leave the remaining half to me. If your situation is critical, I will send troops to rescue you as soon as possible, and vice versa for you."

"That's basically what I want to say. Let's hurry up. The Germans may come soon."

"Plane! The German plane, the air attack is coming! Get out of here!"

Malashenko was just mid-sentence when someone outside the room shouted at the top of his lungs and interrupted his words, followed closely by the piercing roar of an aircraft engine from far to near. Voice.

"Quick! I heard you all, don't be stunned, get out and enter the bunker quickly!!!"

He pushed and pushed his two comrades to run out of the half-collapsed wooden house. As soon as Malashenko came outside the house, he saw the dark clouds on the horizon that were not far away.

"I'm holding you in my mouth! So many!?"