Steel Soviet Union

"Do you think the Germans will attack Leningrad again anytime soon? Zhukov."

Even though the German armored iron hooves have now hit the city of Moscow, Comrade Stalin, the loving father of Ningrad, is still very concerned about the holy city that represents the mentor of the Supreme Leader of the Soviet Union.

Hitler's wishful thinking was that after seizing Leningrad and seizing the heavy industrial area, Stalin would be disgraced in the Soviet Union and his personal prestige would be lost.

Even though this plan seemed a bit foolish from a long-term strategic perspective and delayed a lot of precious time to attack Moscow, the life and death of Leningrad, the Bolshevik holy city, was indeed closely related to Stalin's personal prestige. Stalin did not want to The loss of Leningrad at this very special time has dealt a heavy mental blow to the entire Red Army and even the Soviet Union. It is self-evident what this means for the upcoming defense of Moscow.

After hearing Stalin's question, Zhukov, who was looking thoughtful, thought for a moment. After he was sure that his analysis and judgment was accurate, Zhukov then raised his head and spoke slowly to Stalin, who was waiting for the answer.

"I don't think so. The enemy has suffered heavy losses under the city of Leningrad in recent months, and no ground troops have been able to break into the city. Moreover, the Germans have now transferred tanks and motorized troops from the Leningrad area to the central direction. , I judge that the Germans are unable to continue launching a large-scale siege operation with the insufficient forces currently in the Leningrad theater.”

After hearing the answer from Zhukov, he calmed down a little. Stalin, who was worried about the upcoming battle to defend Moscow, immediately changed the topic.

"Where do you think Hitler will use the tanks and motorized troops that he has drawn from the Leningrad area?"

Facing the questions raised by Stalin, Zhukov, who already had the answer in his mind, did not hesitate at all this time.

"Obviously, in the direction of Moscow."

As Zhukov blurted out his calm words, Stalin's eyes became increasingly sharp as he stared at the military map of the war zone.

"It seems that the enemy has already started taking action in the direction of the Western Front."

About fifteen minutes later, Zhukov, who had finished his final conversation with Stalin, immediately came to the office of Shaposhnikov, the current Chief of General Staff of the Red Army. The two Chiefs of General Staff of the Red Army began without any barriers. Emergency consultation.

"This is an overview map of the defense patterns and battle conditions in the theater around Moscow. I have marked for you with a pen all the key strategic conflict points and the trends of the enemy and our troops. Of course, these things are as of today."

"In addition, the current situation of the Western Front is the most unoptimistic. The report sent by the Front Army Headquarters said that the German Army Group Center had just launched the battle in front of their front, and invested 12 units at once with identified numbers. Full of staff.”

"On the frontal defense direction of the front army, which is less than 45 kilometers wide, there are only two armies to resist the German offensive. What is more important is that the organization of these two armies is incomplete, the troops are seriously attrited, and there is almost no light and heavy technical equipment!"

"In general, the strength of the German offensive group gathered in front of the enemy on the Western Front is 5 to 6 times that of ours. A rough estimate of the tanks is at least 10 times more, and the artillery and aircraft will not be less than this number. The 19th and The junction of the two armies of the 30th Army has now opened a gap by the German offensive group, and is detouring towards Vyazma. The strategic intention is very obvious. The Germans intend to use the same detour and encirclement tactics to encircle the entire Western Front. Eat it in one bite!”

Having said this, Chief of General Staff Shaposhnikov let out a long and worried sigh before he finished speaking. Although even Shaposhnikov himself was unwilling to admit it, the current situation was But it is almost a dead game.

"The construction of the Moresk defense line and the field fortifications and deep positions in the suburbs of Moscow have not been completed, and there are only some engineering troops and militia workers in these areas. The defense is very weak! Once the Germans attack here, we will There are no defense forces available, and there are really no more troops on the front line to defend here. "

Compared with the sighs of Chief of General Staff Shaposhnikov, Zhukov, who listened carefully to all the briefings, still had the same determined look on his face.

"Even if the troops on the front line cannot be mobilized, they must ensure that the defense line from Mozhaisk to Moscow is flawless! It is better not to repair the field fortifications and deep positions without having troops stationed there! Since the Germans want land so much Just give them some for now.”

“Once the defense line from Moresk to Moscow takes a firm foothold, the huge strategic depth and multiple reserve defense positions in this area will greatly slow down the pace of the German offensive and provide us with the opportunity to mobilize subsequent reserve reinforcements. Time! The defense line from Mozhiesk to Moscow must be defended!"

"Although the Soviet Union is big, behind us is Moscow. We have no way to retreat! Success or failure depends on this, Comrade Shaposhnikov, we have no choice!"

Seeing that Zhukov, the front-line commander in charge of all battles on the front, was more determined than himself, Shaposhnik had been overwhelmed by the heavy burden on his shoulders since the German Army Group Center resumed its offensive. The husband finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm glad to see that your fighting spirit is still so high, Comrade Zhukov! This may be why Comrade Stalin trusts you so much. Have you decided which point to start from?"

Looking at the questioning expression on Chief of Staff Shaposhnikov's face, Zhukov, who had already made up his mind without any hesitation, immediately pointed his index finger at the spot on the map where the conflict was most intense.

"The Western Front Headquarters is here, tonight!"

Before leaving, Chief of Staff Shaposhnikov, who packed Zhukov's backpack supplies and assigned several entourages and guards, accompanied Zhukov all the way to the jeep.

Looking at Shaposhnikov waving goodbye to him outside the car window, Zhukov suddenly remembered something and hurriedly opened the car window and stuck his head out.

"Comrade Chief of General Staff, please tell Comrade Malashenko, who is recovering in Moscow, to get ready. I will need him to lead a new tank unit soon!"