USSR 1941

"The Tsaritsa River?" Captain Harichev couldn't help but widen his eyes after hearing the plan: "We are going to land on the Tsaritsa River?"

"Yes, is there a question?" Major General Batrakov asked.

"No, no problem!" Captain Harichev replied, then thought for a moment and asked again: "But... Comrade Batrakov! I want to know, how will our supplies be maintained? I mean, if 300 amphibious landing ships All used to log in!"

"We don't need to think about supplies!" Shulka replied: "Because our goal is to blow up the railway bridge, land at the fastest speed, then raid and occupy along the river bank, and return quickly after completing the task!"

This is actually the quick fight and quick retreat in special operations.

"We may be able to complete the mission, but..." Captain Harichev pointed to the map and said: "As you said, the enemy has deployed a large number of artillery on the south bank. They may not have time to react when our army attacks, but in our When the army retreats..."

"I will organize artillery to cover your retreat, Comrade Kharichev!" Batrakov interrupted Captain Kharichev.

"Yes, Comrade General!" Captain Harichev replied helplessly, but a trace of dissatisfaction flashed in his eyes.

Shulka frowned involuntarily.

This can be said to be Shulka's omission, because the railway bridge is too important to Stalingrad, so all the attention is focused on how to blow it up without considering the retreat.

As for Major General Batrakov, this may not be in his consideration at all... In order to complete the mission and defend Stalingrad, such a sacrifice is obviously worthwhile, and any resistance and doubt will be cowardly.

The so-called "retreat with artillery cover", everyone who understands knows that it is just a kind of psychological comfort.

It is true that the Soviet army could indeed receive some artillery reinforcements after dark, but the strength of the Soviet artillery was far from that of the German army. At the same time, the banks of the Tsaritsa River were still under attack from both sides of the German army. The Soviet army could not suppress the German artillery at all. .

If the Soviet army does this, there is only one possibility, and that is that the artillery will be ruthlessly destroyed by the German army again.

As a result, the commando will suffer heavy casualties from the blocking fire of the enemy artillery.

Lieutenant Harichev is a veteran, and he is also a high-quality navy...Compared with infantry, the Soviet Navy has a higher level of education and training, plus combat experience,

So of course he knew what was going on.

After the meeting, Captain Harichev sat alone at his desk in the corner staring at the map in a daze.

Shulka walked to the side and handed Harichev a cigarette, and just about to say something, Captain Harichev said first: "I know what's going on, Comrade Shulka, we should obey! For the sake of Stalin Guller, for the Soviet Union! I just..."

"It's kind of hard to swallow, isn't it?"

Captain Harichev froze for a moment, then nodded and replied: "Yes! I would rather hear the truth!"

Shulka nodded silently.

He understood Captain Harichev's mood at this time, a feeling of being deceived and used.

If Major General Batrakov told the truth: "Now is the time for you to sacrifice, we cannot guarantee that you will return safely!"

This will make people feel more comfortable.

Captain Harichev took the cigarette and said, "But it doesn't matter, I will tell the truth to my subordinates!"

"Sorry, Comrade Kharichev!" said Shulka.

"It's not your fault!" Lieutenant Harichev shook his head while lighting a cigarette and replied, "I've heard about you and know what you did. The Crimean landing battle and even the amphibious landing craft were all your inventions... …it's really good and the Navy needs it! So, I believe you have no choice!"

Shulka took a deep breath and said, "Actually, we have a choice!"

"Oh?" Captain Harichev raised his eyebrows: "But it's not a very good choice, is it?"

Shulka had to admit that Harichev was smart enough, because if it was a "very good" choice, Shulka didn't need to use this expression and tone on this occasion.

"Yes!" Shulka nodded.

"I'm listening, Captain!" said Captain Harichev. "How could it be any worse?"

Shulka pointed to the map and said: "As we know, the enemy has deployed a lot of artillery on the south bank of the Tsaritsa River, and in order to cover the Soviet-controlled area as far as possible, these artillery units are very far away from the Tsaritsa River. close!"

This is common sense, the longest range of artillery is only a dozen kilometers.

The artillery positions deployed by the German army on the south bank of the Tsaritsa River were on the one hand because of safety, with the Tsaritsa River as a barrier, and on the other hand, the Soviet artillery was completely suppressed, so the Germans would move the artillery positions as far north as possible. to increase the area covered by the enemy.

"You mean..." Captain Harichev looked at Shulka with puzzled eyes: "Attack the enemy's artillery position?"

"Yes!"

"No, Captain!" Captain Harichev laughed: "The enemy has many artillery positions, but we only have one battalion... The result of the attack is that none of us can return!"

Shulka did not speak.

Captain Harichev realized that the answer would not be so simple, so he asked, "Isn't it?"

"Attacking the artillery positions is only a sign, Comrade Kharichev!" Shulka explained: "The problem is that the enemy does not know our strategic goals!"

"What's the meaning?"

"If you were the commander of the German army, you suddenly found that the enemy crossed the Tsaritsa River at lightning speed and tore through the defense line in the middle of the night!" Shulka said: "And then launched an attack on its deep artillery positions, what would your reaction be? ?”

Harichev thought about it for a while, then nodded, and said, "I would think that the enemy is a large-scale counterattack, that the enemy's goal is the artillery position, and I will urgently order the artillery to retreat..."

"Yes, Comrade Kharichev!" Shulka said: "Artillery is also their weakness. No one will use artillery to directly face the enemy's infantry attack. If the German commander can misjudge and think that our goal is The artillery...then we've won half the battle! I mean, while the enemy artillery was panicking about being attacked and was busy retreating, we'd done our job and headed back to the North Shore!"

"A very good idea, Comrade Shulka!" Harichev asked a little puzzled: "But...why do you think this is not a good choice?"

"Because we want to attack the artillery positions, Comrade Harichev!" Shulka pointed to the map and said, "We must have at least a company-sized force, and after landing, use the darkness and the mobility of the amphibious landing ship to look around and attack. Enemy artillery positions, only in this way may cause enemy misjudgment!"

Hearing this, Harichev understood.

"They're going to be left on the South Bank forever?!" Harichev said.