153

Episode 153: Spear and Shield (4)

Since Zhukov and Tymoshenko were fighting Germany, the task of conquering Finland fell to Soviet Deputy Chief of Staff Alexander Vasilevskiy.

With the Soviet army struggling in Germany, Hungary, and Romania, Stalin placed his remaining hopes on an invasion of Finland.

He promoted Vasilevskiy, a promising talent in the Red Army, to the rank of general and gave him the command of the army to invade Finland.

Vasilevsky's shoulders were indeed heavy. Stalin hoped that he would rebuild the prestige of the fallen Red Army by crushing the Finnish army and accomplishing the long-awaited goal that had not been achieved in the Winter War.

Vasilevsky was proud of the secretary's expectations, but at the same time he was afraid.

If he didn't live up to the Secretary General's expectations, he didn't know what would happen.

On the day of the invasion, Vasilevskiy personally visited the front line and observed the red artillery shelling Finnish territory.

Perhaps because of the pressure of being watched by the commander-in-chief, the officers harassed the soldiers more harshly than usual.

"hurry! hurry!"

"Hurry, comrades!"

"Can a war be fought this slowly?"

Vasilevskiy quietly gazed at the Finnish positions under fire, without even giving a glance to the officers who were trying to keep their eyes to themselves.

The Finnish army's defense line, which had been bombarded for an hour, was shattered and almost reduced to dust.

"Do you think this is enough?"

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander-in-Chief. "There won't be a single ant baby in there by now."

Hearing the corps commander's shout, Vasilevsky lowered the binoculars he was holding.

It was important to break the Finnish army's momentum in the beginning, but conserving ammunition was also important.

Stalin had repeatedly emphasized that artillery was the god of war and that ammunition should not be spared when firing.

Vasilevsky also thinks that Stalin is right, but not now that the operation of the Baku oil fields has been shut down due to the German army's surprise attack.

When the Baku oil field ceased operation, orders were issued throughout the Soviet Union to conserve oil.

They urgently requested support from the United States, but both countries prioritized oil for their own armies, so they could not provide a large amount of support to the Soviet Union (they also had to consider the public's opinion).

Therefore, the Soviet Union had no choice but to survive with only what it had for the time being.

What if you use ammunition without thinking about what happens next and run out of ammunition, and supply is delayed due to an oil problem?

So what if artillery support cannot be provided in time at a critical moment?

Vasilevsky was concerned about such a situation and paid special attention to the consumption of ammunition.

As the corps commander said, with this level of bombardment, there would be almost no soldiers alive.

"Stop shelling and send in infantry and tanks."

"Understood, Comrade Commander-in-Chief."

Now that the artillery's turn was over, it was now the infantry and tanks' turn.

"For Mother Russia!"

"Charge, forward!"

"Uraaaaa!!!"

At the commands of political officers with drawn pistols, the soldiers came out of the trenches all at once and began the assault.

The tanks followed the infantry out of the tank and charged.

Since most medium and heavy tanks were deployed in Germany and Romania, the tanks given to Vasilevsky were mainly light tanks.

There were very rare tank regiments equipped with KV-2s equipped with 152mm guns, but the vast majority were BT-7s, T-26s, and T-60s.

Light tanks have the advantage of being lighter and faster than medium tanks, but these advantages cannot shine when they have to charge together with infantry.

For infantrymen who had to take on the enemy's firepower with their bare bodies, the mere existence of tanks was a source of comfort, but this was not the case for tankers.

Not only could it not properly utilize its mobility, which was one of the few advantages of light tanks, but it was also designated as a priority attack target by the enemy.

-bang!

"Aaaah!"

The anti-tank gun that survived the bombardment opened fire on the T-26 charging with the infantry.

The 37mm armor-piercing round pierced the T-26's armor like a sheet of paper, and the tank commander, who lost his right leg due to the penetrating armor-piercing round, escaped screaming.

The Finnish army's machine guns also opened fire, knocking out three or four Soviet soldiers. When machine gun fire began, some soldiers fell to the ground, but got up again when they heard the political officers yelling.

"Don't act like a scared bastard! "Keep moving forward!"

"Anyone who falls down or pretends to be shot will be killed! "Charge!"

The T-60's ShVAK cannon provided fire for the infantry, but the 20mm cannon shells had difficulty suppressing the concrete machine gun bunkers.

The PaK 36, which had just finished reloading, spewed fire again and skewered the T-60.

Write it. Vasilevsky, who was watching the battlefield through binoculars, clicked his tongue every time he saw friendly tanks being destroyed by enemy bullets.

No matter how long the battle began, four tanks have already been destroyed.

This was the extent of the number of tanks seen by his eyes, but it was difficult for Vasilevsky to guess how much it was in areas beyond his gaze.

"shit. We also need the T-34 or T-43... ."

Fortunately, the infantry was able to reach the enemy defense line as the heavily armored KV-2 blew away the enemy soldiers firing machine guns into the bunker, and a T-26 tank commander succeeded in destroying an anti-tank gun.

When he saw soldiers waving red flags and shouting for national independence on a hill covered with corpses of Finnish soldiers, Vasilevsky's stern expression softened a little, but the shadow on his face still did not disappear.

There were still more than 200 kilometers left to Helsinki for him to capture.

To reach Helsinki, you had to travel more than 200km through land filled with mines, trenches, bunkers, anti-tank guns, and infested with Finnish troops filled with hatred and hostility toward the Soviet Union.

'It won't be an easy journey.'

Vasilevsky left the command center, swallowing the sigh that was trying to escape his mouth.

I wanted to breathe fresh air, but the air had a strong, acrid smell of gunpowder.

There was also the fishy smell of blood and burning flesh.

***

June 3, 1942

East Prussia, Germany

"Comrade Commander, I brought you a meal."

"Thank you."

Lieutenant General Andrei Vlasov, commander of the Soviet 4th Mechanized Corps, looked up from the map upon hearing that the meal had arrived.

Two bloodshot eyes were visible behind thick glasses.

On the tray containing the duty officer were two soft wheat breads, a bowl of borscht, boiled beef, butter, jam, and tea.

"You can lift it too."

"How dare someone like me... ."

"That's because it's too much to eat alone. Don't talk too much and eat quickly. Don't you know that borscht is more delicious if you eat it before it gets cold?"

"Okay, then I'll be grateful."

At Vlasov's urging, the soldier on duty hesitated, but sat down and began to eat borscht.

Even while eating, the gunfire from the front continued.

The 4th Mechanized Corps, commanded by Vlasov, had its strength greatly reduced due to the fierce fighting that had continued since the first day of the war.

Although a request was made to higher-ups for additional personnel and ammunition, only one battalion's worth of ammunition and 150 infantrymen arrived.

The rest all became sacrifices to Stuka and V1.

I expected it would be a difficult fight since the German army had conquered all of Europe in one year.

But even he didn't expect that it would be such an arduous fight.

The operation may have been leaked to German spies, but it was clear that the Germans knew in advance that the Soviets would attack.

On the first day of the war, our artillery wasted valuable artillery shells by shelling empty defensive lines where the Germans had already withdrawn, and was even hit by German artillery fire during the bombardment.

Even though we barely managed to cross the border, there were landmines planted on the road and all bridges were cut off.

The moment they finally found an intact bridge and were about to cross it, the bridge collapsed, causing the infantry and tanks crossing the bridge to fall dozens of meters down.

The village was empty, and the well was poisoned.

Soldiers who drank well water to quench their thirst without knowing this fact died in pain and despair.

The soldiers began to tire before they even fought properly, and when they encountered the German army's solid defense line, they were beaten one-sidedly.

And now, the 4th Mechanized Corps was confronting the German army to clear the road to Königsberg.

As it happened, the enemy that stood in the way of the 4th Mechanized Corps was the Waffen-SS, considered the most elite of the German army.

In line with the SS's reputation that only the most outstanding and courageous soldiers could enlist, the Waffen SS divisions boasted a combat power equivalent to that of three Wehrmacht divisions combined.

It was very difficult to withstand their attacks as they fought like lions, and breaking through their defenses was not easy at all.

After inflicting damage that was several times greater than that of the German army, they finally succeeded in taking control of several villages and hills, but this was only possible because the German army withdrew under cover of night.

Vlasov thought that the withdrawal of the German army was part of a set plan, not because it was judged to be difficult to defend.

'If we fight like this, how long will it take to get to Berlin?' .'

"Comrade Commander?"

"?"

An adjutant came in and saluted Vlasov, who was using a fork to chop a piece of meat that had cooled and started to stick to the oil.

"Sorry during the meal, comrade."

"It's okay. "What's going on?"

"Comrade Marshal Kulik is looking for Comrade Commander."

"Comrade Marshal Kulik? "Has something urgent happened?"

In response to Vlasov's question, the adjutant only shook his head.

"I don't know either."

"I understand for now. "Go now."

Two days earlier, Vlasov's corps had come under Kulik's command.

The Kremlin's secretary-general seemed to have decided that it would be effective to have Kulik, who was the only general among the numerous generals whose military records were at least somewhat successful, command more troops.

In Vlasov's opinion, Kulik was a general who did not understand modern military strategy, but he had no choice but to follow Stalin's orders, not anyone else's.

"This is Vlasov, Comrade Marshal."

-You received it late. The war situation is urgent, but isn't that too lazy?

What a laziness. As soon as I received the report, I rushed over... . Vlasov was irritated, but as someone who was already well-versed in Soviet-style politics, he responded with a model answer.

"I'm sorry, comrade. "We will ensure that something like this does not happen in the future."

-That's right. Anyway, from now on, comrade will attack the German army's southwestern defense line and advance towards Innsterburg. I will attack their western defenses and advance towards Raviau.

"What do you mean, comrade? Didn't I tell you yesterday? "In the current situation, further attacks are impossible unless there are reinforcements."

Vlasov felt embarrassed by Kulik's one-sided notification.

Yesterday, he explained to Kulik in detail for two hours how thick the German defense line was, how much damage our troops would suffer, how many more troops would be needed to break through the enemy's defense line, and how much artillery and air force support would be needed. .

But what an attack! Will this person even remember what I said yesterday?

-I know that. But it is an order given directly by Comrade Secretary General.

"Comrade Secretary General… ..?"

-okay. He called me directly yesterday and said the following: Unless you intend to refuse the orders of Comrade Secretary General, it would be better for you to quietly follow the instructions.

Even after the radio was cut off, Vlasov remained standing there like a fossil.

Kulik, this man clearly did not properly report to his superiors what he said yesterday.

Otherwise, there was no way such an absurd order would have been issued. After some thought, Vlasov came up with a solution that could resolve the situation as smoothly as possible.

"Send a radio call to Comrade Marshal Tymoshenko. Right Now."

"I understand, comrade."

***

"What's going on, Comrade Vlasov?"

At the sound of a radio call from Vlasov, Tymoshenko stopped eating and ran to the radio.

Two years ago, Tymoshenko visited the 99th Rifle Division, where Vlasov, then a major general, was the division commander and observed training.

From the division commander to the privates, all members of the division perfectly memorized their assigned missions and roles, and their training was so complete that it was almost reminiscent of actual combat.

Neither the weapons nor the sanitary conditions of the barracks were flawless.

Tymoshenko selected Vlasov's 99th Division as the best division in the Soviet Army, and Vlasov, who received good reviews from him, was quickly promoted and now holds the important role of commander of the 4th Mechanized Corps.

-I have news that I urgently need to convey to Comrade Marshal.

"Tell me."

Tymoshenko heard the Kremlin's orders from the Secretary General delivered to him through Vlasov's mouth. Tymoshenko was not surprised.

This is because it was something he had already heard on the phone with the Secretary General.

"I know that too."

- Did Comrade Marshal know this?

"okay. I wonder what my comrade wants to say. But I can't help it. "I tried to persuade Comrade Secretary General, but he was so strong-willed that there was nothing I could do."

In fact, Tymoshenko did not complain at all about Stalin's orders.

Stalin's trust in him had already fallen to the ground, as he was constantly standing still rather than advancing, and this was clearly revealed through his tone of voice.

Listening to Stalin's sharp voice, Tymoshenko instinctively felt it.

He said that if he went against Stalin's orders, he would end up like Rokossovsky.

Tymoshenko obeyed Stalin's orders, and Vlasov was unwittingly chosen as the victim of unjust orders.

Tymoshenko felt guilty, but there was nothing he could do. First of all, shouldn't we live for ourselves first?

"Although it will be difficult, don't lose hope. "According to the report, the German army's southwestern defense line that you will be dealing with has already been weakened significantly compared to the beginning due to heavy fighting."

- Comrade Marshal, I'm sorry, but I think the information is incorrect. The German army was not weakened at all. They are already receiving replenishment of troops and supplies through proper supply routes, and their strength remains the same as before.

"… ..I will entrust you with the support for the 43rd Rifle Division. Size of the 5th Combined Air Force Division. "Wouldn't this be enough?"

-… ..How much support will there be?

"It will be about two divisions. "We will also add additional reinforcements to the 77th Tank Battalion."

-All right. We'll do our best.

"okay. "I expect good news."