USSR 1941

It was only later that Shulka learned that they were fortunate enough to be able to persuade Novikov to support this battle plan.

Because Stalin gave special instructions on this counterattack plan: "If Novikov believes that our air force cannot complete the task of defending Stalingrad now, then it is best to postpone or cancel the start of this campaign!"

This is why Khrushchev, a political commissar, had nothing to do with Novikov, and even did not get angry when Novikov repeatedly stated that he could not defeat the enemy... If it was someone else, Khrushchev would have given the other party the title " Cowards", "traitors" and "cowards" were arrested and even shot.

Then, after drawing up the reform plan for the aviation establishment, Shulka and Novikov enthusiastically discussed the reform of the tactical direction.

"Every time the infantry attacks, it needs the cover of powerful air power!" Shulka said: "Because we need to penetrate quickly and defeat the enemy before they can react!"

"Yes, just like the 'blitzkrieg' used by the Germans!" Novikov agreed.

Only Novikov dared to say this, and he said it in front of Khrushchev, a political commissar... Although many tactics of the Soviet army came from their enemy, Germany, this can only be understood and cannot be expressed , because there is no such thing as "learning from the enemy".

This made Shulka a little embarrassed. He coughed lightly to relieve the somewhat weird atmosphere, and then said: "So we need more attack aircraft!"

"Attack aircraft?" Novikov looked at Shulka suspiciously and said, "Shouldn't it be a bomber?"

The Soviet Union has always used bombers to provide the main air cover for infantry, because bombers carrying aerial bombs can easily blow up enemy bunkers, fortifications, tanks, etc.

"No, we should switch to attack aircraft as the main force of infantry cover!" Shulka said: "The reason is that we cannot obtain air supremacy, or we can only obtain air supremacy to a limited extent!"

Novikov nodded thoughtfully.

When fighting a war, we should take measures according to local conditions and analyze the specific situation in detail. In the case of seizing air supremacy, bombers can be used as the main cover. For example, the German army likes to use "Stuka" to carry out precise bombing of targets.

However, the Soviet army did not have air supremacy or had limited air supremacy. The result of using bombers as the main force was that when they encountered enemy fighter jets, they had no power to fight back. They either waited for death or waited for fighter jets to rescue them.

The attack aircraft is different. It is a multi-mission aircraft. It can use rockets, bombs, machine guns, and machine guns to destroy the defenses of the enemy's forward positions. Perform reconnaissance missions.

The most important thing is that the price of attack aircraft is much cheaper than that of bombers, and it can be mass-produced and equipped.

"So, we need to establish an air-ground coordination system!" Shulka said: "In this way, the pilots can know which infantry needs air support and what type of support they need!"

"Of course!" Novikov said: "I have already implemented this point. I have tried my best to get radios for them. Each air force has at least one long-range radio station that can communicate with the headquarters!"

This also means that many Soviet fighters are only equipped with short-range radios, which can only be used for coordinated operations between fighters in formation.

However, there is no way to do this. At this time, the conditions of the Soviet Union can only do this.

"I think we can play with numbers!" Shulka said.

This point was used in the previous attack on the Crimean Peninsula, but a good tactic does not mean that it cannot be used a second time, especially since the number of German fighters is significantly smaller than that of the Soviets.

"You mean..."

"Distribute the strength of the Luftwaffe!" Shulka pointed to the map and said: "The Southwestern Front is on the enemy's flank..."

It was in the northwest of Stalingrad, where the Don River turned a bend and flowed towards Stalingrad. The German troops deployed along the Don River formed a salient here, so the defense zone of the Southwest Front went deep behind the German side.

"If our fighter planes take off from the defense area of ​​the Southwest Front Army, it doesn't take long to bomb the enemy's railways and roads directly!"

Novikov was dumbfounded, and Khrushchev and Zhukov also cast strange glances at the same time.

"What's wrong?" Shulka asked.

"You mean to bomb the German supply line?" Zhukov looked at Shulka in disbelief: "You actually want to bomb the German army?"

"Why not?" Shulka asked back.

It is no wonder that Zhukov and others were surprised. The Soviet Air Force has always been retreating in disastrous defeats. The bombing and sneak attack of the air force caused heavy losses on the one hand and on the other hand it was for the convenience of emergency retreat, so the establishment of the aviation regiment has been sharply reduced to 20 aircraft.

An air regiment has only 20 planes... which was equivalent to an air fleet before this.

This also shows that the Soviet Air Force has been in a state of strategic defense until now...or defense or evacuation, and usually does not take the initiative to attack unless it is a last resort.

But now, Shulka suggested that the Air Force take the initiative to attack, and it is still necessary to save the enemy.

Novikov was stunned for a while, and then understood Shulka's meaning: "Although our combat power is not as good as the enemy's, we have a numerical advantage! So taking the initiative to open up new battlefields in other directions will only benefit us and not harm us!"

"Yes!" Shulka said, pointing to the map: "At the same time, from Kharkov to Stalingrad, the Germans have many railways and roads, as well as bridges, warehouses, railway stations, etc. On the one hand, we are familiar with the terrain On the other hand, we have guerrillas to provide information and respond, which is very helpful for us to bomb and block the enemy's supplies!"

"We can attack a lot of targets!" Novikov agreed: "This means that the Germans are full of loopholes. If they want to defend against these loopholes, they must transfer a considerable number of fighter jets back to the rear for defense! It actually weakened their strength!"

Zhukov also understood the truth: "If they don't transfer the fighter jets back, our planes can safely bomb their supply lines. This is also a kind of support for Stalingrad!"

As he spoke, Zhukov laughed and patted Shulka on the shoulder.

"Well done, Comrade Shulka!" said Zhukov. "You have made the whole situation clear!"

"Now, Comrade Novikov!" Khrushchev asked: "Tell me, do you still need a few months to prepare?"