Steel Soviet Union

Klemenskoya is a troop assembly point located north of Stalingrad and within the actual control range of the Soviet Southwest Front.

On the battlefield of Stalingrad, the German army's own elite troops were mainly responsible for siege battles and deep assault street battles. This was the hardest nut to crack in the entire battle, and it was also the heartbreak of Paulus, commander of the Sixth Army of the Wehrmacht. , as the strongest main force of the Axis powers, the Germans must complete this arduous task themselves.

On the German flank in Stalingrad, the presence-promoting army responsible for covering the German army and making soy sauce on the battlefield was composed of expeditionary corps from Italy, Romania, and Hungary. This was Hitler's previous attempt to make up for the huge losses in the Battle of Moscow. He was in a deficit, and went to his bastard allies to beg for troops.

The Führer believed that even if the troops of these loser allies were at a disadvantage, they would still be fine if they could provide cover for the German army, fill up the number of troops, and look after the flanks and rear of the main German army.

However, the facts on the front line were exactly the opposite. The combat power of these dog-legged allies was so bad that even the German front-line commanders unanimously expressed disbelief.

In order to prevent these Italians, Hungarians, and Romanians from escaping at the critical moment, Paulus also specially deployed about half an armored division to assist in the defense. However, the main purpose was to serve as a supervisor and pillar to prevent these Trash allies ruined their own good deeds at a critical moment.

Can the "supervision team" sent by the German army be effective? How powerful is the dog-legged army composed of Italy, Romania, and Hungary? What tactics are most appropriate for the next counterattack?

These are all issues that Malashenko is still considering. Sitting in the back seat of the jeep with a map in hand, Malashenko has been thinking about it all the way to this day.

"You've been reading all this time, and I don't even know what you're looking at. What are you studying?"

Lavrinenko, who was also sitting next to him in the back row, finally couldn't help but muttered, but Malashenko, who was holding a map in his hand, still had a calm expression.

"Depends on how the upcoming counterattack will be carried out. If nothing else happens, our brigade will definitely be placed at the forefront again. It is better to prepare in advance than to look at the map at the last minute when the war is approaching."

When Malashenko said this, Lavrinenko was even more unhappy.

"But you don't even know when the counterattack will start or the general direction of our attack. What can you tell by looking at the map like this? You are not the commander of the front army. My old classmate, are you thinking about the overall strategy? "

This time, Malashenko stopped talking, but he still held the map in front of him and looked at it carefully from top to bottom, as if he was bored. He originally planned to chat and relax on the way. Lavrinenko was very depressed.

"You look at your map, I smoke my cigarette, that's it"

The situation of one person looking at the map and the other smoking a cigarette continued until the convoy reached its final destination of Kremenskoya.

"Regiment, comrade brigade commander, we are here. This is Kremenskoya marked on the map."

Malashenko, who had long forgotten the concept of time, heard the reminder from the driver in the front seat and put down the map in his hand. He stuck his head out the car window and took a look outside. The first thing that caught his eye was the brigade of Red Army soldiers. Figures busy outside the village.

"Move here, quickly move those boxes of ammunition and load them into the car. You guys can come over and help. Hurry up."

"Where is the logistics and military supplies office? We need to declare a list of supplies, yes, we need them immediately."

"Stop, stop! Don't fall down again. There is a hole behind, be careful to fall into it!"

Malashenko was a little surprised by the busy scene of hundreds of people and dozens of cars of various types. This place did not look like it had been baptized by war at all. Everything seemed to be in the preparation process before an attack. Among them, it is obvious that these Red Army soldiers are not the infantrymen of the 1st Guards Heavy Tank Brigade that they came to take office.

"Get out of the car and ask. It's not okay to drive around like this all the time."

Before Lavrinenko could answer, Malashenko took the lead in opening the car door and walked out of the car alone. Lavrinenko, who was leaning on the back seat and was about to fall asleep in confusion, opened his eyes and saw that there was no one next to him. , and then hurriedly opened the car door and followed Malashenko.

The target whom Malashenko found to ask for directions was a major.

Looking at the more than 100 people in front of him, he is the largest officer. There are several lieutenants surrounding him who seem to be accepting the orders given by the major and obeying them. Malashenko feels that this major should be able to bring him all the benefits. seeking answers.

"Hello, comrade! Our troops are passing by here and I have a few questions to ask you. Are you free now?"

The major, who seemed to be two or three years older than Malashenko, obviously didn't notice Malashenko's approach. He was only concentrating on assigning tasks to his subordinates. He heard the sudden words coming from beside him. He turned around instantly with a cigarette in his mouth.

He was wearing the uniform of a lieutenant colonel tank soldier that looked quite new, but the top of his head was missing a military cap that should be worn correctly.

At first glance, the tower-like figure of over 1.9 meters taller than himself. The major, who was a little dazed, looked directly at Malashenko with his head slightly raised.

"Why do I feel like this person looks familiar? I seem to have seen him somewhere, more than once."

The major looked up at Malashenko and looked a little distracted for a moment, but the lieutenants beside him were not blind.

Compared with this familiar face that was recognized at a glance by several people who often read newspapers, the shiny little golden star hanging on his chest at this moment is obviously more worthy of attention.

"Oh, hell! Am I blind? That can't be it."

"Tank hero Malashenko and the Gold Star Medal swear an oath to Comrade Stalin. This is the biggest news I have seen in this month, bar none."

"Comrade battalion commander, comrade battalion commander?"

The major, who felt someone tugging at the corner of his sleeve, looked back subconsciously, but then he saw that all of his subordinates, without exception, were hinting at something with their strong eyes, and their expressions were really all kinds of weird and outrageous. Outrageous.

The major, who was still thinking about who the familiar person in front of him was, turned his head back and took a second look in the direction that suggested his eyes were focused.

It doesn't matter if you don't notice it, your jaw almost drops when you look at it.