Chapter 54 Proof of Value

"Comrade Commander, Captain Malashenko of the 20th Tank Division is reporting to you. I wish you good health!"

Although Rokossovsky, who holds an important position, has heard this kind of polite greeting report countless times, when this clichéd words came from the subordinates who were admired by Rokossovsky himself, When he blurted out the words, this outstanding general of the Soviet Red Army still smiled with a rather satisfied look on his face.

"Captain Malashenko, I learned from the battle report submitted by your division and from the mouth of Political Commissar Petrov that you have destroyed more than twenty German tanks. This kind of record is not only for our Southwest Front Army but also for the entire front line. All the Red Army troops have outstanding records and can be called the number one ace.”

In his words and deeds, he praised Malashenko's previous outstanding achievements without any concealment. It can be seen that Rokossovsky, who is currently shouldering a heavy burden, appreciates Malashenko's performance in the battle. Very satisfied with the positive performance.

"After you have eliminated so many enemies, Captain Malashenko, I would like to know your insights into the strategies and tactics of our Red Army tank troops against those German armored forces. I hope you can summarize some of your tactical experience Share it. If necessary, I will report your excellent tactics and combat skills to your superiors with your signature. The so-called "blitzkrieg" tactics mentioned by the German invaders are indeed very effective and extremely difficult to deal with. "

I was a little surprised when I heard the question from Rokossovsky. I never thought that this comrade commander, one of the most outstanding generals of the Soviet Army in later generations, would lower his profile to ask me about his tactical summary. , this sudden and without warning moment made Malashenko, who met Rokossovsky for the first time, feel a little flattered.

"Uh, this, this"

With an embarrassed look on his face, he looked at the political commissar Petrov next to him out of the corner of his eye with an inquiring look.

Obviously, Malashenko, who met Rokossovsky for the first time and knew very little about his behavior and character, did not want to accidentally say something wrong that he should not have said.

"Oh, this kid is quite careful at critical moments."

Commissar Petrov, who understood Malashenko's request for help and inquiry from the look in his eyes and wanted to help Malashenko to smooth things over, was about to speak, but he didn't expect the same person in front of him. After seeing Malashenko's inconspicuous little move, Rokossovsky immediately spoke first.

"I understand what you are worried about, Captain Malashenko. But your worries are unnecessary. I just hope that I can analyze some useful things from your successful combat cases and tactical experience to promote to our Red Army. Come on, don’t have any other thoughts or plans, so you can just say it and don’t worry about any bad effects these words will have on you.”

Hearing that Rokossovsky had already spoken like this, Malashenko, who had originally thought that there was some kind of trick or digging a hole waiting for him to jump into, breathed a sigh of relief and summed it up in his mind. Then he spoke immediately as Rokossovsky asked in his words.

"It is obviously inappropriate for me, a young captain, to make arbitrary evaluations and judgments about macro-strategies that are too profound. Comrade Commander, I only have some personal armor tactics and suggestions for the development and improvement of our army's tank forces. I hope that I can To bring you some reference value.”

"Objectively speaking, Comrade Commander. After I have experienced a series of actual combat confrontations with the German armored forces, I personally think that although the tanks in the hands of the Germans are not as good as the new T34 tanks of our Red Army, the performance of these German armored forces is There is no doubt that the officers and soldiers have richer combat experience and advanced tactics than our Red Army tank divisions."

"In the earlier German blitzkrieg against Europe, the British and French forces, which fought inextricably with the Germans during World War I and persisted for four years, were completely conquered by the Germans in less than six weeks this time. The British army was crippled again."

"It is true that the British and French allied forces cannot keep up with the times in terms of tactical thinking and strategic application. This is one of the reasons, but it also proves that the German armored forces already possess this large-scale armored group combat tactic for wars of invasion of other countries, and they also have This tactic has been proven to be very effective in actual combat. This is what the Germans call the "Blitzkrieg" tactic."

After hearing this concise and concise statement from Malashenko, Rokossovsky, as the commander of the army, had never heard this from his staff officers and grassroots army officers. Such unique and novel insights and perspectives.

While thinking about what Malashenko had just said, he seemed to feel that a bright new window had opened. Rokossovsky's eyes lit up and he immediately spoke with interest.

"That's very well said, Captain Malashenko, keep going, I'm very interested in your insights!"

After hearing Malashenko say that the combat experience of his Red Army tank troops was not as good as that of the German invaders, Commissar Petrov, who specialized in political work and figured out people's hearts, originally thought that Rokossovsky was going to get angry and cause trouble, so he secretly prepared to smooth things over. , but he never expected that the iron-fisted commander in front of him, who had always strictly governed the army, would suddenly become interested with his eyes shining.

Political Commissar Petrov, who was not very good at military command and was not within his duties, stopped talking after seeing this. It was impossible for Petrov, who had been tempered by the Great Purge, to interrupt the commander's fun.

"Yes, commander."

After answering, he secretly glanced at Rokossovsky's expression with the corner of his eye. He noticed that the commander, one of the three famous generals of the Soviet Army in later generations, did not show any displeasure on his face. Malashenko finally put down his heart and continued to speak after a little thought.

"As for the reason why these German armored forces can be invincible and unstoppable in battle, I think it is mainly due to two key factors."

"First, although the quality of these German armored forces' tanks is obviously inferior to ours, the German Air Force support above them can launch timely ground attacks at any time to make up for the shortcomings of their armored forces."

"After many years, modern warfare is no longer the trench warfare composed of infantry and artillery during World War I. The air force no longer plays a secondary role in the battle, but plays a key factor that can turn the tide of the war."

"No matter how powerful the heavy tanks are, they cannot withstand the top attack of aerial bombs. The reason why those Germans were able to withstand our offensive and finally turn defeat into victory in today's battle is that the timely and effective ground attack support of the German Air Force undoubtedly occupies the most important layer in the cause and effect loop."