Steel Soviet Union

Malashenko already knew a little about what Colonel Baranovsky said. He had seen the deep craters when he arrived at the dock and the heavily damaged transport ship that had been stranded on the beach.

"It's nothing, Comrade Colonel. It didn't take our battalion long to find the location of the dock. You don't have to apologize for this."

"Well, thank you very much for your understanding, Comrade Major."

Colonel Baranovsky smiled slightly at Malashenko's answer. Colonel Baranovsky, who had a heavy burden and responsibility on his shoulders, got the topic on track and continued to speak.

"As for your heavy tank battalion's transportation across the river, I have received the order telegram from the front army headquarters and quickly started to arrange relevant plans."

"Since the fascist invaders surrounded and blockaded Leningrad on three sides, the water transportation line on Lake Ladoga has become the only feasible logistics supply channel. Those German planes will visit the dock as soon as daylight comes to bomb and straf. The anti-aircraft artillery force can only play a very limited role in protection and expulsion, and the fighter force is unable to ensure the safety of the dock due to its double disadvantages in quantity and quality. You need to understand these things, Major Malashenko.”

After hearing the bitterness from Colonel Baranovsky's mouth, I couldn't help but feel tight. Generally speaking, this situation could only have a bad outcome.

Sure enough, as if to prove the accuracy of Malashenko's conjecture, Colonel Baranovsky, who looked tired and somewhat helpless, quickly concluded his speech.

"At present, the transportation capacity of the Lake Ladoga Squadron is extremely limited despite suffering considerable losses. On top of this, most of the transportation ships must be used to ensure the minimum supply of Leningrad's necessities."

"I will try my best to allocate all available ships under my command to you to transport your troops, Major Malashenko. But at the same time, I also hope that you can be mentally prepared. After all, the situation we are facing is indeed different now. It’s past.”

After hearing these concluding words from Colonel Baranovsky, Malashenko, who was no longer a novice, could not understand the implication of these words.

"I will try my best to allocate transport ships for you, but the number is too small, so don't blame me. Comrade has done his best."

Malashenko, who translated in his own mind the fundamental meaning of what Colonel Baranovsky wanted to express, had no choice but to pinch his nose and accept this fait accompli, no matter how unwilling he was.

After all, the German army's blockade of the skies over Lake Ladoga and the entire waterway was recorded in war history even in later generations. Colonel Baranovsky cannot be blamed for the current bad situation. He is just a Red Navy squadron commander who fulfills his duties and acts in accordance with the orders of his superiors.

After silently pondering and thinking for a moment, Malashenko, who knew that the waterway during the day must be extremely dangerous, spoke again after paying attention.

"Comrade Colonel, I have another request regarding the water transportation plan for me and my troops. I hope you can agree to it. I want to start the transportation operation after nightfall. After all, every tank that can be transported into Leningrad is extremely precious. ! We cannot afford any losses from German air attacks, and we should try our best to avoid them."

Faced with this new request from Malashenko, Colonel Baranovsky, who tapped the tabletop of his desk to make a rhythmic sound, quickly gave a reply.

"That's no problem, Major Malashenko. But you need to know that you won't be able to transport all your troops across the lake in one night. I don't know what your battalion's detailed combat plan is, but if you rush I just want to remind you about the time."

After getting a definite reply from Colonel Baranovsky, Malashenko, who finally breathed a sigh of relief, had naturally made plans for the time issue.

"Thank you for your help, Colonel Baranovsky, and please allow me to express my sincere respect for you."

Seeing Malashenko standing up from the sofa in front of him to thank him, Colonel Baranovsky responded with a relatively kind smile. He also straightened up from behind his desk and extended his hand to Malashenko. Right hand.

"For the sake of the motherland and the Soviet Union, please help me kill those Nazi lackeys in Leningrad. This is my only request, Major Malashenko."

There was not much time left in the day, and soon it was approaching dusk as Malashenko directed his troops to prepare for the disassembly of the tank.

Fortunately, the German Air Force, which launched a round of air strikes after the rain cleared this morning, never appeared over the pier until the last moment of sunset. This was undoubtedly a problem for Malashenko, who needed to operate covertly. Excellent news.

When the dark night finally enveloped the entire Lake Ladoga like an endless net, a mighty tank battalion with a total of 41 KV1 heavy tanks had been disassembled and grouped, and Malashenko was ready. Then he began to command his troops to carry out boarding operations.

This transportation operation for Malashenko provided the greatest support within his ability. As the commander of the Lake Ladoga Squadron, Colonel Baranovsky transferred a total of 24 civilian ships to Malashenko. , and 4 military medium-sized ships.

These civilian ships are basically large fishing boats borrowed from farmers in surrounding villages after the war broke out, as well as some civilian transport ships that were previously engaged in water transportation on Lake Ladoga. Their carrying capacity ranges from a few tons to fifty Tons up and down.

As for the other four military medium-sized ships, three of them are inland armored gunboats serving as combat ships of the Lake Ladoga Squadron.

The full load displacement varies from the largest of more than 380 tons to the smallest of more than 40 tons. These combat ships are not born as professional transport ships. The transportation capabilities are relatively limited, and at best they are better than nothing.

As for the last military ship, it was a genuine military transport ship.

This military transport ship with a full load displacement of more than 1,800 tons was converted from a retired old Red Navy destroyer. It was originally used as a daily training ship for new recruits of the Baltic Fleet and a transport ship for some large military accessories and supplies.

It was also dispatched to the Lake Ladoga Squadron to perform transportation tasks at the most urgent moment. It can be said to be the ship with the most powerful carrying capacity in the entire Lake Ladoga Squadron. This will undoubtedly be the The absolute main transport ship that Malashenko relies on for his transportation operations.