Red Moscow

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Konev said to Zakharov with a sideways face, "immediately call the commander of the Air Force, General Goryunov, and ask him to come to my headquarters immediately and say that I have important You need to consult him."

Just when Zakharov took the phone and was about to call Goryunov according to the order, Konev suddenly added: "By the way, General Fumin, the artillery commander of the Front Army, also called Come here. If you want to deal with the new German aircraft, neither of them can do it without them."

When Sokov, who was sitting next to him, heard this, he thought that Marshal Konev was very considerate. Not only did he want to invite the commander of the air force, but even the commander of the artillery. As long as we get the assistance of these two generals, we can still be sure of intercepting the German V1 missiles.

The two generals who received the notification from Zakharov came to the headquarters half an hour later.

Lieutenant General Fuming, the artillery commander, was the first to arrive. Seeing Sokov who was chatting with Susaikov here, he couldn't help feeling a little jealous. You know, it hasn't been long since the other party was promoted to lieutenant general. , was promoted to admiral again, and he had worn the title of lieutenant general for two years, but there was no sign of further promotion.

However, facing Sokov who took the initiative to greet him, he still showed due courtesy: "Comrade General, it's a pleasure to meet you here!"

Hearing Fumin call himself an admiral, Sokov was somewhat uncomfortable in his heart, but when he shook hands with the other party, he still took the initiative to explain the fact that he appeared in the headquarters: "I just reported to Comrade Marshal about the important information."

"Important information?" Hearing what Sokov said, Fuming instinctively turned to look at Konev, hoping to get some answers he wanted from him: "I don't know what important information?"

Konev did not criticize the other party, but said casually: "It is precisely because of the report from Comrade Sokov that I called you and General Goryunov to discuss a proper way to reduce our army's downfall. Phase one loss."

"Comrade Marshal," Fuming asked tentatively, "Can you tell me what's going on?"

Konev looked at his watch and said, "General Goryunov is coming soon. After he arrives, I'll tell you two to listen."

Fortunately, Goryunov did not keep everyone waiting too long, and appeared at the gate of the headquarters.

After the impromptu meeting started, Konev circulated Sokov's report to Goryunov and Fomin to let them know what happened.

Fomin had just returned from Klemenchug in the morning, and he had no idea that the V1 missiles of the German army attacked the former headquarters and caused huge casualties. After reading the report at this moment, he asked Konev in surprise: "Comrade Marshal, is this all true? The Germans really have aircraft that can fly more than 100 kilometers and strike us with precision?"

"That's right, it's all true. When I heard Sokov mention this matter just now, I still thought he was scaremongering." After hearing Fomin's questioning words, Konev said with a wry smile: "Not long after that , I was slapped in the face by reality. An aircraft of the German army landed on the place where our commander used to be—the explosion in Molianqi Village, causing heavy casualties among the soldiers and civilians in the village.”

"Comrade Marshal, I want to ask." Goryunov clicked on Sokov's report, and asked Konev curiously: "Are you telling us to dispatch the air force to Intercept this aircraft of the German army?"

"Yes, that's how I think about it." Konev simply replied: "As Comrade Sokov said, if we want to intercept this new German aircraft, we must use a two-pronged approach. When the enemy's aircraft is found , The fighter planes immediately took off to meet the enemy and destroyed them in the air. Even if there are fish that slip through the net, the anti-aircraft guns we deployed along the way can effectively consume a batch of German aircraft."

"Comrade Marshal, I think this is a bit difficult to handle." Goryunov said: "The report shows that the speed of this German aircraft has reached 500 kilometers per hour, and the flying speed is similar to that of our fighter planes. Unless it is a frontal interception, it is impossible to catch up with the enemy's aircraft."

"General Goryunov, you are worrying too much." Seeing that Goryunov had misunderstood, Sokov quickly explained to him: "Sit down first, I have a bold idea and I want to tell you about it."

Seeing that Sokov wanted to talk about his point of view, Konev naturally would not object, he made a gesture to the other party and said, "Please speak, Comrade Sokov, explain the contents of your report in a simple and simple way." Explain it to us."

Sokov stood up and said, "According to the information we have obtained recently, the German aircraft is six to eight meters long, and its flying speed is about 500 kilometers per hour, which is about the same as our fighter jets. In other words, as long as you encounter it in the air, the chances of shooting it down are quite high."

Speaking of this, he turned his attention to Fuming again, and continued: "In addition to intercepting with fighter planes, antiaircraft guns can also be used to shoot it down from the air. Usually, when an enemy plane is hit by ground anti-aircraft fire, it will immediately You can adjust the heading or change the altitude carefully to avoid being hit by artillery fire. But this kind of aircraft has a fixed flight path, so as long as the advance is set, it shouldn’t be a big problem to shoot it down.”

After listening to Sokov's words, Goryunov didn't take it seriously. He thought to himself, who knows where the German aircraft will emerge from, and where should I send fighter jets to intercept it?

After hearing this, Fuming's eyes lit up, and he asked a little excitedly: "General Sokov, you mean that we can shoot down the German aircraft as long as we set up anti-aircraft positions on the path that the aircraft must pass?"

"Yes, Comrade General." Sokov nodded and replied affirmatively: "With the level of our army's anti-aircraft artillery unit, I believe they will be able to shoot down a considerable number of aircraft."

"But," Fuming said with some embarrassment, "I don't know where the German aircraft will pass by, and how to deploy defenses?"

Sokov vaguely remembered that the Soviet Army began to equip radar on a large scale in 1944, so he tentatively asked Konev: "Comrade Marshal, I would like to ask whether our army is equipped with radar?"

This question really caught Konev. He raised his hand and touched his bare forehead, and replied with some embarrassment: "Comrade Sokov, I really can't answer your question."

Fortunately, Zakharov on the side rescued Konev in time: "Let me explain this matter. Our army equipped the air defense system with an effective surveillance and indication radar P-3 a month ago. The The radar can detect aircraft at a range of 35 kilometers and at an altitude of 1,000 meters."

After listening to Zakharov's words, Fumin began to complain: "Comrade chief of staff, since there are such good things, why don't we equip our air defense forces as soon as possible? You know, our original radars are used. It's very inconvenient, and the fighters have been complaining."

"Don't worry, General Fumin." Konev comforted the other party and said, "I will arrange this matter as soon as possible and let the relevant departments complete the installation of the radar."

After receiving Konev's guarantee, Fuming felt much more at ease: "If this radar can really achieve the situation stated in the manual, we will be able to detect the enemy's aircraft in the shortest possible time, and Organize forces to bring it down."

Seeing the confident looks of the two, Sokov couldn't help frowning. He knew very well that the radars used by the Soviet Army today are still very backward, even if it is the most advanced radar of this era. The V1 missile flying in the air is not an easy task.

"It's not enough just to solve the radar problem." For the task assigned by Konev, Fuming really didn't have much confidence, so he decided to take advantage of today's rare opportunity to ask Konev some requests of his own. : "Comrade Marshal, we still need anti-aircraft artillery, a large number of anti-aircraft artillery, so that we have enough air defense force."

When it comes to anti-aircraft artillery, Sokov's mood is even more depressed. The 53rd Army that he took over now has many problems such as fewer experienced veterans, fewer tanks, and fewer artillery. I wanted to mention this matter to Konev specifically, and asked him to help him solve the problem of soldiers and technical equipment. At this moment, hearing that Fumin had already made the request he wanted to make first, he swallowed the words that came to his lips, looked at Konev quietly, and wanted to hear how he would reply to General Fumin.

"Comrade Fumin," Konev sighed first, and then said, "I will apply to the Supreme Command and ask the superiors to provide us with a sufficient number of anti-aircraft guns to establish a complete air defense system."

"Comrade Marshal, then you have to hurry up." Fumin reminded Konev kindly: "I don't know when the German aircraft will fly over again. If there are not enough anti-aircraft guns, the German aircraft will fly towards our army." When defending in depth, I can't stop it."

Seeing that Konev indirectly agreed to Fumin's request, Sokov was about to make a request when he heard Konev continue to say: "But General Fumin, although I will apply to the Supreme Command, can I It is still unknown to be approved. Moreover, the number of anti-aircraft guns allocated to us by the superior may be far less than your request, so you must be mentally prepared."

Konev's subsequent words nipped Sokov's request in the bud. Now that Konev has already talked about this, even if he makes a request, it may be difficult to get the other party's consent. After figuring this out, Sokov felt that relying on others was better than relying on himself. Since he couldn't get what he wanted from his superiors, he would find a way to search for these technical equipment by himself.

On the way back from the Front Army Command, Sokov had been thinking about this matter all the time, so much so that he didn't even remember when he walked into the headquarters.

Seeing Sokov's return, Smirnov rushed up to meet him and asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, you are back! How is it? After reading your analysis report, Marshal Konev expressed any opinion?"

"He agreed with my analysis," Sokov said. "He also called in Generals Goryunov and Fomin and assigned them tasks. The Air Force uses fighter jets to shoot down enemy aircraft, and Artillery is to establish anti-aircraft positions on the ground and use artillery fire to destroy those aircraft that fly over the positions."

"Comrade Commander," Ponegerin, who was sitting silently next to him, asked after Sokov finished speaking: "If the enemy's aircraft flew over our army, what kind of weapon should we use?" To intercept it?"

Ponegerin's words struck Sokov's mind. He nodded and said, "That's right, Lieutenant Colonel Ponegerin, this is also something that gives me a very headache. There are not enough anti-aircraft guns, and the German aircraft , can swagger over our heads, and we can't do anything about it."

Smirnov said carelessly: "Comrade Commander, I think we should ask the Front Army Command to provide us with a certain number of anti-aircraft guns to ensure that we have enough air defense forces to intercept flying over our army's defense zone." German aircraft."

"This is unrealistic, Comrade Chief of Staff." Who knows that as soon as he finished speaking, Ponegerin retorted: "I stayed at the Artillery Command of the Front Army for a few days and found that they were also facing a shortage of artillery. , not only the lack of anti-aircraft guns, but also the number of howitzers and cannons of other calibers is seriously insufficient."

"Then what should we do?" Smirnov said with a worried face: "If there are not enough anti-aircraft guns, why don't we do anything?"

"That's not true." Ponedelin looked at Sokov and said: "It seems that now is the time for Comrade Commander to appear on the field again. In order to get the anti-aircraft guns as soon as possible, it is necessary to bypass the logistics department of the Front Army and contact directly. Colonel Yakov from the Armament Department. I believe he will give us enough help."

Ponegerin's proposal was consistent with Sokov's thoughts on the road. He waited for Ponegerin to finish speaking, nodded, and said, "That's exactly what I mean, then call Colonel Yakov now."

With the help of the director of the communications corps, the call was quickly connected.

"Yasha, it's me. Sokov!"

"It's Misha!" Yakov couldn't help shivering when he heard Sokov's voice. He knew very well in his heart that the other party would call him for nothing other than asking for weapons and equipment. He hastily asked tentatively, "Is there anything you want from me?"

"Yasha, we need a lot of anti-aircraft guns, can you get them for us?"

"A large number of anti-aircraft guns?" Yakov couldn't help being taken aback, and then asked: "Misha, is your army's defense area often bombed by German planes?"

"No."

"Are there often German reconnaissance planes hovering over your defense zone?"

"nor."

Sokov's answer made Yakov feel puzzled: "Since there are no enemy planes bombing and no enemy planes conducting reconnaissance over your defense zone, what do you need anti-aircraft guns for?"

"Yasha, yesterday the Germans used a newly developed aircraft to bomb the village of Morenzi, causing huge casualties." Sokov said fortunately: "Fortunately, Marshal Konev had already Move your own headquarters out of the village, otherwise the troops will soon lose their unified command because of his injury."

Since neither Zhukov nor Konev reported the V1 missile attack on Morenzi Village, the Supreme Command has not yet known that the German army has launched a new aircraft. The Supreme Command didn't know about it. Yakov was just a colonel in the Armament Department, so there was naturally no way to know about it.