Chapter 877 Action Target: Karachi

It would be best if this super cannon could be preserved. Malashenko, who had staked his future on it, did not want to just capture this thing and then blow it up in vain. As the commander of the front army, Vatutin I had the same idea.

Just trying to transport this thing is really not something that can be done 100% by human efforts alone. It depends on God's blessing and how long it can block the German air force.

But even if there is a huge risk of failure, it is still worth trying for the few possibilities of intact capture. Facing the huge difficulties like mountains, still choosing to face them is the traditional virtue of Communist Party members.

Malashenko could guess that the work of dismantling the cannons to transport the second Miss Dora away in an emergency was definitely not his fault. It would be a waste if a bunch of tough men who drove the tanks were left to do this kind of engineering work. , the front line with the fiercest artillery fire is the best place for you to go.

"Where is our next target of action? Comrade Commander?"

Faced with the question raised by Malashenko, Vatutin, who never stopped doing anything, simply reached out and asked for the map from his accompanying staff officer on the spot, and spread it on the side armor of the nearest tank. Start personally arranging combat missions on the spot.

"Here, look here, a small town called Karachi. This is our planned final encirclement coordinate point. As long as we occupy this place, the entire Stalingrad pocket will be completely sealed. If the friendly forces on the southern front advance If everything goes well, you will join us here, and all you have to do is lead your troops to occupy this place and then hold it!"

"Previous investigation reports showed that Karachi has a large amount of military supplies and a large flow of personnel. It looks like a transfer station for German logistics supplies and troop replenishment. The front army headquarters judged that there should be heavy German guards here. The strength may be two to three divisions, and the Germans should send their own troops to complete the defense task of this strategic location. "

"No matter how many counterattack forces are mobilized by the Germans in the city and other directions, you must defend this place unconditionally! Newly occupied locations are often the weakest defense points and easy breakthrough points. The Germans will not know this. I will use Urge troops from other directions to rush to your side as quickly as possible to support the rendezvous, but until they arrive, you can only rely on yourself for the time being. "

The moment he heard that the target location given by Vatutin was Karachi, the big stone in Malashenko's heart actually fell to the ground.

"Phew, it's okay, okay, I can finally pick up the soft persimmons and defeat so many hard bones. It's good to change the taste of the German garbage army."

Although I think so in my heart, I definitely can't say it on the surface. Only by pretending to be in place can I perfectly conceal my identity as a time traveler. Keeping a low profile and not arousing suspicion is the truth of life that Malashenko has always pursued.

"I understand, Comrade Commander. I will immediately gather the troops to prepare for overnight operations. Karachi will be captured by the most powerful and swift offensive. Just wait for the good news about our brigade at the front army headquarters."

Malashenko looked relaxed and confident. Vatutin naturally knew that it was a good thing for the military chief of an army to have such an optimistic attitude, but he still had to crack down on the areas where he should be prevented from being arrogant and underestimating the enemy.

"I want to remind you, Malashenko, that the two infantry divisions assigned to you as coordination forces in the previous stage of the offensive are now dozens of kilometers away from you. The mountains are covered with snow and ice. The cross-country road conditions are very difficult. With the level of mechanization of these two infantry divisions, they will have to wait at least until dawn before they can meet you. Don’t ignore this. "

The kind reminder from Vatutin was right.

Under Zhukov's personal care and support, the mechanization level of the combat troops of the 1st Guards Heavy Tank Brigade has reached almost 100%, and the mechanization level of the logistics troops has also reached more than 80%, only those transporting parts and some sub-assemblies Logistical baggage troops who needed supplies were transported by mules and horses.

The rest of the troops were either armored vehicles, tanks or trucks and jeeps. Although the models of wheeled vehicles were relatively complex and patchwork, they were filled with trucks sent from the US aid bill and trucks produced by the Soviet Union. Some of the vehicles produced by the Soviet Union were even used. You can find old products produced in 1936.

This undoubtedly increased the workload and difficulty of the field maintenance battalion led by Karamov, but it is undoubtedly a good thing that the level of mechanization has been raised to such a level. Malashenko, who sprinted more than 100 kilometers overnight, has already Fully experienced this refreshing feeling.

However, corresponding problems also arise.

Malashenko's own 1st Guards Heavy Tank Brigade ran very fast, but the Soviet infantry divisions, which were less mechanized than the Germans, could not keep up with Malashenko's offensive rhythm.

The previous first phase of the attack was okay. After all, the assault distance was short and effective coordination could barely keep up.

But when Malashenko dashed for more than 100 kilometers in order to quench the thirst of Miss Dora, the infantry accompanying the 1st Guards Heavy Tank Brigade had nothing more than what Malashenko had brought with him. Other than that, there was only a light infantry battalion that was "cheated" on the back of the tank.

The number of infantry to cooperate with the attack was quite insufficient, and Vatutin wanted to remind Malashenko of this extremely critical and important point. A tank without infantry cover is equivalent to a loss of life. Vatutin believes that Malashenko, who is rated highly by Zhukov, will not fail to understand this.

Vatutin, who said nothing, was quietly waiting for Malashenko's answer. After thinking for a moment, Malashenko did not disappoint Vatutin, and quickly gave his firm answer.

"I am determined to take the troops to try it once, at least to try to break the deadlock and tear open the enemy's defense line. If you don't test it yourself, you will never know what the enemy's defense layout is and whether the troops are strong or weak."

"The strategic advantage is firmly in our hands, Comrade Commander. I will make the most reasonable tactical arrangements based on the actual battlefield conditions I encounter, just like every battle I have commanded before, in this matter You can trust me 100% and I will give you the most perfect answer.”

Malashenko could clearly realize that the strategic advantage lay in his own hands, and at the same time he did not forget that he still knew nothing about the enemy's true and false situation, and was determined to try to break the deadlock with a tentative attack first.

There are almost no things under the definition of absolute perfection. There are only many things that are infinitely close to perfection in this world. The answer Malashenko gave clearly belongs to the latter in Vatutin's own opinion, which is of course enough.

Vatutin, who could feel the absolute confidence from Malashenko's eyes and answers, chose to repay his trust. His big round hands took off the thick winter gloves and landed on Malashenko's shoulders.

"Go and bring victory to the Red Army, Comrade Malashenko! Completely crush the last hope of the Germans in this place called Karachi."