151

Episode 151: Spear and Shield (2)

'Damn it. What the hell is this… '

General Dmitry Pavlov, commander-in-chief of the Soviet Union's Western Front, gritted his teeth.

The German army's defense line was like an iron fortress. An iron fortress that doesn't have a single scratch no matter how many times it is beaten.

Pavlov used every means and method he could to break through the German defense line, including infantry, tanks, tanks, artillery fire, and even air support, but the Germans blocked all attacks from the Soviet Union.

For four days after the war broke out, Pavlov's Western Front troops advanced only a few kilometers from the border and could not advance any further.

According to the plan, they should have taken control of Lublin by now and headed toward Warsaw.

When the damn Germans started barraging, they opened fire like ghosts and sent shells flying over the heads of the red artillerymen.

Even if we tried to bomb by mobilizing the air force, since the enemy had air superiority, our planes were likely to be shot down as soon as they took off.

What about the rockets flying at every supply route? More than 200 trucks have already been hit by rockets fired irregularly by the German military.

If you include the soldiers who flew away with the truck, supplies, ammunition, food, and oil, the damage will be greater.

Pavlov took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped the sweat from his smooth, hairless head.

"What is the damage to the 21st Tank Division?"

"Currently, there are only 40% of the total number of operational tanks left. "The division's personnel has been reduced to 60% of its capacity."

"The 21st Rifle Corps has requested support, so send them there. "Even though the numbers have decreased, it's better than nothing."

"Understood, Comrade Commander-in-Chief."

In the Western world, where 30% of the troops are incapable of combat, it is considered annihilated, the 21st Tank Division has already been declared annihilated and must leave the battlefield and be reorganized in the rear, but in the Soviet style, it is considered annihilated only if 70% of the troops are incapable of combat. According to calculations, the 21st Tank Division was still capable of fighting.

As such, the soldiers of the 21st Tank Division could not escape the battlefield. Until they all become Polish dirt.

"Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I got a call from the General Staff... ."

At the adjutant's words, Pavlov's hair seemed to stand on end. He answered the phone with his body shaking like an aspen.

"This is Captain Dmitry Pavlov."

-Comrade Pavlov? It's me.

"… .Comrade Chief of Staff."

-Have you still not been able to break through the German defense line?

"I apologize, comrade."

Zhukov's tone was as cold as ice, and Pavlov repeatedly bowed his head.

-I just received a call from Moscow. When will we be able to capture Lublin? There isn't much time left for us now. If we don't achieve even the minimum amount of results, then it's the end for both my comrades and me. Do you understand?

gulp.

"Of course, comrade. But the enemy-"

"emergency! air raid!"

Just as Pavlov was about to reply to Zhukov's words, an air raid alarm sounded.

"Comrade Commander-in-Chief! You must avoid it!"

When Pavlov was led by his staff into the shelter, a bomb dropped by a Ju88 fell on the garrison.

The anti-aircraft guns opened fire quickly, but the handful of anti-aircraft guns could not stop the Luftwaffe's air attack.

Feeling the roar and vibration of the bombs dropped by German bombers exploding, Pavlov couldn't help but grit his teeth.

"Damn it, where is our air force doing?"

Pavlov felt more angry and betrayed by the Soviet Air Force than by the bombing German Air Force.

The Soviet Air Force, which was supposed to control the air superiority and assist the army's advance, was busy running away when the German flag flew.

Pavlov even saw eight MiGs fleeing from one Bf109.

I have to trust and fight only with cowards like them... . Even when Pavlov thought about it again, he was dumbfounded.

When I heard the news that Baku, thousands of kilometers away from Germany, was attacked by the German Air Force and its oil fields were destroyed, it was so absurd that I doubted whether it was a misinformation.

Unfortunately, the news he heard was not misinformation but fact, and even Pavlov's subordinates were unanimous in criticizing the incompetent air force.

Taking responsibility for the Baku air raid, Stalin dismissed Zhigarev and appointed Vladimir Sudetz, who had been commander of the Air Force of the Volga Military District, as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force. However, the Soviet Air Force, which had suffered heavy losses from the beginning of the war, lacked the ability to fight with the German Air Force. Conditions were not available.

Unless the Air Force takes over air superiority from the Germans, the Red Army will not be able to advance even a single step.

forever. Pavlov had to wait for the air raid to end. He felt sick with anger and worry.

"What the hell is happening because of those damn bastards!"

***

Despite the army's resentment and sarcasm, the Soviet Air Force was doing its best.

However, compared to their efforts and fighting spirit, the enemy is far more powerful.

"Red flag at 3 o'clock!"

"Fuck!"

The IL-2 squadron, which sortied after receiving a request for support from the Army, ran away in confusion when it encountered a Bf109 squadron of the German Air Force.

The Bf109s rushed at the Soviet planes at breakneck speed like tigers that had found their prey.

In actual history, IL-2 was an object of fear from the German military, especially the army, calling it the Black Death.

Armed with a Berezin UBT heavy machine gun, a 23mm cannon, RS-82 rockets, and PTAB anti-tank bombs, the IL-2 was called the flying T-34 and reigned as the greatest threat to German armored forces.

The IL-2 was famous as the embodiment of fear on the battlefield, so much so that many German tank crews feared the IL-2 more than the T-34.

However, as a heavy and slow ground attack aircraft, the IL-2 was relatively vulnerable to attacks from fighter jets, and to make matters worse, the rear seats, the only means of defense, disappeared due to the incompetence of the leadership, opening the gates of hell for the IL-2 pilots.

German pilots used the Bf109's speed and turning ability, which were superior to those of the IL-2, to catch the rear of the IL-2 and attack.

The IL-2, which was slow due to heavy armor and armament, soon had to give up its rear to the Bf109, and fell to the ground one by one after being hit by the machine cannons fired by the Bf109.

"Just watch me run away!"

"Do you mean those idiots, they are so slow, they don't even have rear machine guns?"

German pilots laughed at the incompetence of their enemies as they watched the smoke emitted from the falling enemy plane.

Thanks to the German Air Force's tight hold on air superiority and refusal to let go, it became easier for the army on the ground to engage the enemy.

Senior General Walter Model, commander of the German 9th Army, held his baton and gazed at the 1:25,000 tactical map with a relaxed expression.

Every time he gave an order, two young captains moved the board, erased or redrawed the dotted lines, and reproduced the model's commands on the map board.

Model, who had previously been known as a capable officer within the Wehrmacht, received special favoritism and trust from Fuhrer Hitler that was difficult to understand, and was promoted at the fastest rate among his peers, reaching the position of senior general.

The Fuhrer assigned him as commander of the 9th Army of the Central Army Group, and Model passionately planned operations and devoted himself to command to repay the Fuhrer's expectations of trusting him and protect his native Germany.

In his view, the Soviet army was large but unskilled in all aspects of tactics and strategy.

Would you say he looks like a 12-year-old child? A child with the size of an adult man, but the thinking level of a 12-year-old.

The Soviets tried to use all their firepower and mobilized infantry and tanks to make a breakthrough, but they were repulsed every time they attempted an attack.

Despite continued failure, the Soviet army continued to attack at different times. They seemed unwilling to change their strategy until they succeeded.

"I only feel sorry for the soldiers. I have to hit the ground running under those stone heads. "If it were me, I would commit suicide."

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Where is the enemy's firepower concentrated?"

Model, who made his subordinates burst into laughter with a light joke, visited the place where the Soviet army's artillery firepower was concentrated.

Soon a lieutenant colonel answered his question, pointing to the map with his index finger.

"Right here, the 10th, 11th, and 18th Panzer Divisions of the 41st Panzer Corps."

The model examined the terrain of the area covered by the three armored divisions with a magnifying glass.

"What is the damage to each division?"

"The 10th Armored Division and the 18th Armored Division have suffered no noticeable damage to date. However, the 11th Armored Division suffered significant damage due to being heavily attacked by the enemy's heavy artillery. The division commander was injured and was evacuated, and the deputy division commander is currently in command. The damage to the division personnel and the remaining number are-"

"Um, um."

After confirming the necessary conditions, the model quickly completed calculations and gave instructions.

Put the 12th Armored Division in reserve, contact the artillery brigade directly under the corps, and begin supporting artillery fire.

While the officer who received the order was sending a radio message to the 41st Armored Corps Artillery Brigade, Model gave the following instructions to a lieutenant colonel who had been dispatched from the Air Force as a liaison officer.

Send out the Stukas and give the rude Russian barbarians a hard time.

When the Soviet army attacks, counter it and pour more firepower on the enemies! Four days after the outbreak of war, Model was slowly gaining a sense of how to handle the Soviet army.

"Your Excellency, according to radio interception, the 4th Rifle Corps under the 3rd Army of the Soviet Army requested assistance due to lack of fuel and ammunition. "A request has been received to immediately launch an air strike against the rear supply base along the enemy's supply route."

"It is permitted."

"Requests for support have been received from the 267th Infantry Division and the nearby 56th Motorized Infantry Division."

"I don't know about the 267th Division, but didn't the 56th Division request reinforcements yesterday and receive reinforcements? But support already? "Please check again."

"Has confirmed. "As additional enemy attacks are expected, additional support from troops and tanks will likely be needed."

"no. "I tell them not to act harshly and just hold on with whatever strength they have for the time being."

"A report has arrived from our scout team. A regiment-sized Soviet armored unit and supply unit are moving from A-8 to B-2 area."

"I think they are the 22nd Tank Division support unit I just mentioned. "Tell them to blow it up with V1."

The model never panicked despite countless reports pouring in from the front.

He calmly issued orders as if he already knew all this and decided whether to reinforce or change troops, or to fire or air raids.

Model's subordinates relayed their superior's instructions to each corps and division and were impressed by Model's quick and accurate judgment.

Even though he received the awe-filled gaze of his subordinates, he never became conceited and remained faithful to the situation in front of him.

"Are you the commander of the 31st Armored Division? I'm a model. Yeah, good to know. "I asked for support because I don't have enough tanks. Can you tell me why?"

"Ah, is that so? I guess I was momentarily mistaken. "I understand. Good luck then."

"You idiot. What's different about you from those Soviet guys? And you're still a general in the Wehrmacht? I'll call you back in 2 hours. It would be best to resolve it by then. "If you want to keep that prestigious general title."

Model, who is the type of person who does not pass over even the most insignificant elements and needs to check directly to be honest, contacted the unit under his command as often as his subordinates, listened to the situation directly, and came up with an answer.

He praised those who fulfilled their duties and reprimanded those who did not so harshly that even those who heard them felt bitter.

Seeing the model devoting himself to command like a fish out of water, his subordinates firmly believed that the Fuhrer had an eye for people.

At the same time, they were confident that their superiors would soon be commanding the Central Army Group in place of Marshal Bork, who was the commander of the Central Army Group.

"Why are you procrastinating? There are 24 hours in a day. It's already been 15 hours. Let's move quickly!"

"yes!"

***

The report Bork sent to me didn't contain much information. It was briefly written about how many Soviet troops were destroyed, how many tanks and aircraft were shot down, and how many prisoners were taken.

And in the last line of the report, there was an article about the performance and evaluation of a person I know.

The 9th Army, commanded by Senior General Walter Model, showed the most outstanding performance in the entire Central Army Group.

"After all, she's a model. "There is a reason why I believe in it and use it."

When Model was appointed to the position of senior general during peacetime rather than wartime, there were comments from within the Defense Forces that the promotion was too fast this time and that they asked what they could trust to be given such a large position as Commander-in-Chief of the 9th Army.

Of course, I ignored all of those words and proceeded to promote the model and appoint him to the position of commander of the 9th Army. And the result is this:

As the people I singled out and promoted proved their worth through their actions, empty words were forgotten and my unabashed praise for my excellent insight in selecting talented people continued.

Just trust me from now on, please. Have I ever disappointed you all so far? There isn't any.

"I'll have to call him to Berlin soon and award him the Knight's Cross of the White Leaf. "If there are no other reports, I'll just go in."

"Yes, Mr. President. Rest in peace."

As I laid down on the bed, which had room for five adults to lie side by side, I felt drowsy.

Perhaps because it was wartime, I felt fatigue building up in my body as I worked a lot all night long.

Since the war is going well, it would be better to sleep as usual for the time being.

My doctor, Dr. Hase, also advised me to go to bed at least before 12 o'clock as sleeping late is not good for my health.

I definitely thought so... ..

***

May 30, 1942

Soviet Army General Headquarters, Minsk, USSR

"Whoa."

Lately, Zhukov has been sighing a lot more.

After five days, several more wrinkles appeared on his face, and his eyes became bloodshot and red, like a vampire's.

Tymoshenko was no different. On the shoulders of these two men rested Operation Uranus, the Soviet Army, and the future of the Soviet Union.

Every day, they felt the weight of the burden on their shoulders and approached their command with a prayerful heart.

But no matter how hard they tried, they could not move forward along the red line marked on the map.

The reports pouring in from the front were all despairing.

Which unit was destroyed, how much was lost, how many people were left, etc.

As he received reports that were of no help to the war effort, Zhukov wearily ordered the deployment of reserve forces each time.

'Nothing works.'

How long will it take to reach Berlin at this speed? 10 years? 100 years?

Even if it took a thousand years, we wouldn't even be able to reach the Oder River, let alone Berlin.

Zhukov laughed self-deprecatingly.

Although the ultimate goal of Operation Uranus was to capture Berlin and force Germany to surrender, no one thought that the Soviet Army would reach Berlin.

Even Stalin, who ordered the establishment of Operation Uranus.

Zhukov and Tymoshenko believed that even if things miraculously went well and the Red Army continued to advance and Germany raised the white flag, the limit would be Posen or Breslau.

But if you think about it, maybe even this wasn't an excessive goal. As things stand now, it seems impossible to even capture Warsaw and Königsberg.

On the vast eastern front, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, Zhukov believed that there must be a weak point in the German army.

However, so far, he has only confirmed that the German army's defense line is flawless and strong, let alone any vulnerabilities.

How is it possible that there is not a single weak spot on such a wide front?

"It's not for nothing that he was chosen by Hitler himself. "He is Manstein, but he seems like a great friend."

Tymoshenko mumbled.

The German marshal in charge of the entire Eastern Front was a man named Erich von Manstein, who was appointed to his current position by Hitler himself.

I once heard that Hitler adopted his strategy and Germany conquered France.

After fighting with him now, I understood that what he said was pure fact, without the slightest exaggeration, and why Hitler appointed him as Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Front over many other candidates.

That too, very painfully.

"Comrade People's Commissar of National Defense."

"What's going on?"

"This is a call from Comrade Secretary General."

When told that Stalin had called, Zhukov and Tymoshenko looked at each other.

Was he calling to reprimand us for the delay in our advance? Tymoshenko stood up with a heavy face.

"Excuse me?"

Five minutes later Tymoshenko returned. Zhukov, seeing that his expression was not good, assumed that he had received a reprimand from Stalin.

However, contrary to his thoughts, what Tymoshenko heard was not a reprimand or ridicule.

"Comrade Secretary General is planning to attack Finland."