USSR 1941

Although it is just a good word, a seemingly ordinary good word.

But this good sentence was said by Khrushchev, the military commissar who holds a lot of power.

To put it simply, whether many things are right or wrong is actually just a matter of Khrushchev's thoughts.

And Shulka mentioned Trufanov's credit when Khrushchev was happy, which is likely to cancel all of Trufanov's previous responsibilities.

"Thank you very much, Comrade Shulka!" Trufanov, who was still worried in his heart, was relieved: "I don't know what to say, about the previous..."

"I'm just telling the truth, Comrade Trufanov!" Shulka shook Trufanov's hand and said, "It's normal to think differently, I think we will have different opinions in the future! But I think, when such a situation arises in the future, we will have a good talk!"

Trufanov laughed, and replied with some shame: "Of course, I would love to do that!"

Compared with icing on the cake, the energy of sending charcoal in the snow will obviously be much greater.

The reaction from Germany and Luo was another situation. Paulus couldn't help turning pale when he heard that the air battle had been lost.

This can also be said to be his underestimation of the enemy, because the German army has always had air supremacy without a doubt, even in the extreme situation of Moscow... The defense of Moscow was due to cold weather and insufficient fuel. The serious shortage restricts air supremacy, but as long as it can take off, the German fighters can still return with a full load.

But now, the German Air Force has lost a solid battle and lost more than 70 fighters.

These seventy or so fighter planes, originally used by Paulus to cooperate with the 29th Panzergrenadier Division to block the Soviet offensive, have now been shot down and turned into a pile of scrap iron.

Just when Paulus was in a daze, Dumilarescu called again.

"General!" Dumilarescu said in panic: "The enemy is still attacking, a large number of tanks, did you find the wrong target? Their attack speed has not slowed down at all!"

At this time, Dumilarescu did not know the news of the defeat of the Luftwaffe.

This is not surprising, first of all, the Romanian army is retreating... or rather fleeing. Communications are in chaos.

Second is the rainy weather.

Although there is a big battle in the air where you chase after me, and a few planes fall from time to time, not many people can clearly see the results of the air battle.

Paulus said nothing.

Because he thinks there is no need to say anything to Dumilarescu about such things... This is a kind of disdain. Of course, there is no need to explain to the subordinates if the superior has lost a battle, and the explanation is useless.

After thinking for a while, Paulus ordered: "Order your troops to retreat, retreat to Surovikino!"

"Yes, General!" Dumilarescu replied without hesitation.

Dumilarescu certainly didn't need to hesitate, because this was a retreat, and he was even a little worried that Paulus would go back on his word.

As a result, a large number of Romanian troops retreated along the line of defense.

It's just that their retreat is somewhat orderly this time, and they will plant landmines in the rear.

This is not to say that the morale of the Romanian army has recovered, but that Dumilerescu knows that if his subordinates are allowed to flee like this, the Soviet army will soon catch up and divide them and encircle them piece by piece.

Therefore, if you really want to retreat, you should make some trouble in the rear to slow down the enemy's advance speed.

Planting mines, bombing railways, bridges, and even highways are all good choices.

The advance speed of the 51st Army was indeed affected, especially when German fighter planes flew into the air from time to time to harass them...

This is a contest between the German Air Force and the Soviet Air Force.

Of course, the Su Air Force knew that the German army was prepared for this kind of provocation and wanted to give the German Air Force a blow, so it deliberately avoided the German army's edge and remained silent for a few days.

In this way, the infantry was uncomfortable, and once again fell into the situation of being bombarded indiscriminately by German attack planes and bombers.

It's just that what the Germans didn't know was that most of the targets they bombed were actually false targets prepared by the Soviet military.

That's not the problem, it's all in the plan.

While Stalingrad was advancing steadily on the front line, something happened to the Supreme Command in the rear.

Stalin called Vasilevsky to his office and asked, "Do you think there is something wrong with our counteroffensive plan?"

Vasilevsky was taken aback for a moment, and then replied: "I don't think there is any problem, Comrade Stalin! At least they are advancing steadily now, and the battle in several directions is going smoothly!"

"Really?" Stalin thought for a while with a pipe in his mouth, and replied: "But the enemy has not retreated from Stalingrad, they are still attacking the city!"

So Vasilevsky understood why Stalin was worried.

If the Germans thought that the counterattack and encirclement of the Soviet army would be fatal to them, they would of course choose to break through.

Therefore, if the Germans did not choose to break out of the siege, and inversely deduced from this result, the German army would be confident.

As for why he was so confident, Stalin did not know.

Stalin, who was suspicious by nature, didn't like unknown and uncertain things, so he always felt that it was not a good thing.

Maybe only Shulka knows the truth.

This is actually not because the German army was confident, but because the German army was confused in this matter, or it can also be said that Hitler was unwilling to give up Stalingrad... Many people thought it was because Hitler believed in Goering, but in fact it was more important It was Hitler's problem. If Hitler had clearly realized that this battle was irreparable, he would not have given Goering any chance at all.

However, under the circumstances at the time, the reaction of the German army to seize the time to attack Stalingrad instead of breaking through the encirclement would indeed make the Soviet Supreme Command feel nervous.

Even Vasilevsky found this unusual.

"You mean..." Vasilevsky asked.

"I heard that the Germans are mobilizing reinforcements!" Stalin replied: "It's Manstein's troops. Can our troops withstand their counterattack?"

After a pause, Stalin added: "Perhaps, this is the reason why the Germans did not break out!"

Vasilevsky understood what Stalin meant.

Although the 51st Army's offensive has been smooth, at least so far, it can even be said that they have won a few big victories.

However, judging from the previous battles, only two German divisions can cause chaos in the 51st Army and even threaten to be encircled.

So, if Manstein's troops arrived and went into battle, could the 51st Army hold up?