Chapter 1661: Breakthrough, Interspersed, Detour, Encirclement

Breakthrough, penetration, detour, and then surround the enemy and beat the enemy behind closed doors. This can be said to be one of Malashenko's favorite things to do. Nothing is more satisfying than beating the Germans in the encirclement.

Operation Bagration will be the climax of the Soviet Red Army's counterattack within its own territory. Malashenko certainly knows this. After this, the next stage of the Soviet Red Army's operations will cross the border and step onto the land of Eastern Europe, directly approaching Poland and East Prussia. The day of complete settlement with the Germans is coming.

As long as this battle is fought well, the German Central Army Group will go offline and say goodbye, and this most powerful field group of the German army will also become history. Being able to play an extremely important vanguard role in such a battle, Malashenko is of course very happy about this.

"That's no problem, Comrade Commander. The Stalin Guards 1st Tank Division was born to crush the enemy! We will crush all enemies who dare to block the road like crushing ants on the offensive road. You only need to urge the encirclement troops in the other direction to cooperate with our encirclement troops, and don't let us wait for them at the encirclement point for too long."

Encircling the enemy and eating dumplings is not something that can be done by one unit. It requires two units to advance towards the encirclement point in two roundabout directions at the same time, and finally meet in victory, and completely close the escape exit of the encirclement to complete the task.

Malachenko didn't know which unit would be assigned to cooperate with him in the encirclement operation, but Comrade Lao Ma was confident that he could do better than the other encirclement unit, make faster progress, and arrive at the encirclement meeting point first. This was due to the strong self-confidence supported by past combat experience and absolute hard power.

"Haha, you are quite arrogant. I don't know which unit is cooperating with your division, but you started to urge me first."

Malachenko smiled, but this time there was no modesty.

"Because I have confidence, comrade commander, our division will definitely be the best group!"

Malachenko's ambitions are beyond words, and his words and deeds are full of fighting spirit. Hearing this, Vatutin nodded in agreement.

"Well, I agree with you on this point. The people in the Supreme Command also said that the Leader Division is the most powerful division-level tank unit in our Red Army at this stage. There is no doubt about this."

"The one who cooperates with your division is the First Baltic Front located to the north of us. Their strength is quite good, and the quantity and quality of technical equipment are not worse than our front. Although there is no heroic unit like your division, those guards tank divisions are also elites with rich combat experience.

"It's good to have confidence, but you have to play well on the battlefield, and don't let those people in the First Baltic Front get ahead of you. Seize the encirclement point and hold it there. I'll wait for your good news in the rear. Before you leave, go to the Chief of Staff to ask for specific combat orders and deployment documents. He has already prepared them for you. "

"Okay, I think it's almost time. The meeting is about to start. Shall we go in together?"

In meetings, the leaders are usually the last to arrive. This is not only true in China, but also in Russia.

Malachenko and Vatutin talked for a long time. The venue was already full of stars and bigwigs, waiting for Vatutin, the host of the meeting, to arrive and announce the start of the meeting. If Malachenko and Vatutin went there together at this time, it would probably cause some thoughts among many people present.

But the time was up, and Malachenko was embarrassed to say something like "Brother, I'll go later" to Vatutin. With no other choice, he could only accept Vatutin's invitation and reply.

"Okay, comrade commander, let's go. "

Political Commissar Petrov, who had reserved a seat for Malashenko in advance, had already taken his seat. He watched Malashenko walk into the venue closely behind Vatutin, and then winked at Malashenko, indicating the empty seat next to him. Comrade Lao Ma, who understood, immediately turned around and walked over, pulled out his chair and sat down formally.

"This is a special treatment. Entering the venue at the same time as the commander, guess who among so many people doesn't have some thoughts in mind?"

The political commissar lowered his voice and whispered softly. Malashenko could only smile instead. This matter was really not decided by him.

"If possible, I would also like to come earlier, but you know, this kind of thing is not up to me. I have to do what I need to do, do you understand what I mean? ”

Since saving Vatutin’s life last time, Malashenko has indeed discovered that Vatutin’s attitude towards him is different from before. In addition to the relationship between superiors and subordinates, there is also a higher level of personal relationship.

This is a relationship that can only be understood but not expressed in words. Malashenko himself is not good at describing the specific extent. Just looking at the actual performance can give you a rough idea. The political commissar who also understands this situation also nodded.

“The meeting has begun. You come to prepare your speech and I will be responsible for taking notes. If you can’t answer, let me speak. This is the time for you to show your ability. ”

The last combat meeting before the operation began was not too long. Vatutin made the final pre-war mobilization at the meeting and deployed combat tasks at the army and division levels.

As before, the Stalin Guards 1st Tank Division was once again placed at the forefront of the attack. As the vanguard of the entire front, it was responsible for tearing open the most important position on the enemy's defense line and opening the offensive path for the follow-up troops.

Malashenko will receive field artillery support and aviation cover at the front level. This is an extremely luxurious and rich battle. It is obviously easy for Malashenko, who has fought countless bloody and difficult battles.

"The attack time is set at the early morning of the day after tomorrow. We still have one day to prepare for the deployment."

Malashenko, who had just closed the car door, had just sat down when the political commissar next to him spoke first. Malashenko, who was indeed worried about something, immediately responded.

"The troops are almost ready, and it's okay even if we start fighting right now. What I care about is whether our new batch of equipment can be delivered before the attack begins. I can't wait."

"Hey, even if it is delivered, you can't use it right away, right? The new equipment has not been tested, let alone run-in period, no one can guarantee its performance, do you really plan to use it in actual combat right away?"

Malachenko curled his lips, and dissatisfaction with some of the existing equipment instantly climbed onto his face.

"It may be effective if used, but if not, the status quo will remain. If you want to make a change, you have to take that step. Even if it is a small amount of actual combat trial, I must use it!"