Chapter 877 Action Target: Karachi

It would be best if this super cannon could be preserved. Malashenko, who had staked his future on it, did not want to just blow it up again after seizing it. Vatutin, the commander of the front, had the same idea.

It was really not something that could be done 100% by human efforts alone to transport this thing down. It depended on whether God would bless them and how long they could stop the German air force.

But even with a huge risk of failure, it was worth a try for the few possibilities of seizing it intact. Facing the huge difficulties like mountains, he still chose to face them head-on. This was the traditional virtue of the Communist Party members.

Malashenko could guess that he had nothing to do with the work of dismantling the cannon that was urgently transported away by Miss Dora. It would be a waste for a group of tough guys who drove tanks well to stay and do this kind of engineering work. The front line with the most intense artillery fire was the place where he should go the most, no other.

"Where is our next target? Commander?"

Faced with the question raised by Malashenko, Vatutin, who was determined to do it, simply reached out to his accompanying staff and asked for a map. He spread it on the side armor of the nearest tank and began to arrange the combat mission on the spot.

"Here, look here, a small town called Karachi. This is the coordinate point of our final encirclement. As long as we occupy this place, the entire Stalingrad pocket will be completely sealed. If the friendly troops on the southern front make good progress, they will also return here with us. What you have to do is to lead your troops to occupy this place and then defend it!"

"Previous reconnaissance reports show that Karachi has a large amount of military supplies and a large flow of personnel. It looks like a transit station for the German army's logistics supply and replenishment of troops. The front headquarters judged that there should be heavy German troops guarding here, and the troops may be between two and Three divisions, and the defense of this strategic location should be completed by the Germans' own troops. "

"No matter how many counterattack forces the Germans in the city and other directions dispatch, you must defend this place unconditionally! Newly occupied locations are often the weakest defenses and easy to break through. The Germans will know this. I will urge the troops in other directions to rush to your side to support and join you as quickly as possible, but before they arrive, you can only rely on yourself for the time being."

The moment he heard that the target location given by Vatutin was Karachi, the big stone in Malashenko's heart actually fell to the ground.

"Huh, fortunately, fortunately, I can finally pick up a soft persimmon after hitting so many hard bones. It's not bad to be able to change the taste of the Germans' garbage troops. "

Although I think so in my heart, I certainly can't say it on the surface. I have to pretend to be in place to perfectly conceal my identity as a time traveler. Being low-key and not arousing suspicion is the life truth that Malashenko has always adhered to.

"I understand, comrade commander. I will immediately gather the troops to prepare for action overnight. Karachi will be captured by the most fierce and swift offensive. You just need to wait for good news from our brigade at the front headquarters."

Malachenko looked relaxed and confident. Vatutin naturally knew that it was a good thing for the military chief of a unit to have such an optimistic attitude, but he still had to knock on the places where he should be prevented from being proud and underestimating the enemy.

"I want to remind you, Malachenko, the two infantry divisions assigned to you as a supporting force in the last stage of the offensive are now far behind you by dozens of kilometers. The off-road conditions covered with snow and ice are very difficult to walk. With the mechanization level of these two infantry divisions, they will have to wait until dawn to meet you. Don't ignore this point."

The kind reminder from Vatutin was right.

Under Zhukov's personal care and support, the combat troops of the 1st Guards Heavy Tank Brigade have reached a mechanization level of nearly 100%, and the mechanization level of the logistics troops can reach more than 80%. Only those logistics and baggage troops that transport spare parts and some minor supplies use mules and horses for transportation.

The rest of the troops are either armored vehicles and tanks or trucks and jeeps for transportation. Although the models of wheeled vehicles are relatively complex and somewhat patchwork, they are full of trucks sent by the US Aid Act and Soviet-made trucks. Some Soviet-made vehicles can even be found in 1936.

This undoubtedly increased the workload and difficulty of the field maintenance battalion led by Karamov, but it is undoubtedly a good thing that the mechanization level has been raised to such a level. Malashenko, who rushed more than 100 kilometers overnight, has fully experienced this refreshing feeling.

However, corresponding problems also arise.

Malashenko's own First Guards Heavy Tank Brigade ran very fast, but those Soviet infantry divisions, whose mechanization level was lower than that of the German army, could not keep up with Malashenko's offensive rhythm.

The first stage of the attack was still okay, after all, the short assault distance could still be effectively coordinated.

But after Malashenko rushed more than 100 kilometers in order to quench his thirst by forcing the second lady Dora, the infantry accompanying the First Guards Heavy Tank Brigade, except for the ones Malashenko brought with him, only the light infantry battalion "tricked" behind the tanks was left.

The number of infantrymen supporting the attack was quite insufficient, and Vatutin wanted to remind Malashenko of this extremely critical and important point. Tanks without infantry cover are like the lips and teeth of the cold, and Vatutin believed that Malashenko, who was highly praised by Zhukov, would understand this.

Vatutin was silent and quietly waiting for Malashenko's answer. After thinking for a while, Malashenko did not disappoint Vatutin and quickly gave his firm answer.

"I am determined to take the troops to try once, at least to break the deadlock and tear open the enemy's defense line. If you don't try it yourself, you will never know how the enemy's defense is arranged, and whether the troops are strong or weak."

"The strategic advantage is firmly in our hands, comrade commander. I will make the most reasonable tactical arrangements based on the actual battlefield conditions I encounter, just like every battle I have commanded before. You can trust me 100% on this matter, and I will hand you a perfect answer sheet."

Malachenko can clearly realize that the strategic advantage is in his hands, but he has not forgotten that he still knows nothing about the enemy's strength, and is determined to try to break the deadlock with a tentative attack.

There are almost no things that are absolutely perfect. There are only many things that are infinitely close to perfection in this world, and the answer given by Malachenko is obviously the latter in Vatutin's opinion, which is of course enough.

From Malachenko's eyes and answers, it can be felt that Vatutin, who is absolutely confident, chose to trust him. His round hands took off his thick winter gloves and fell on Malachenko's shoulders.

"Go and bring victory to the Red Army, Comrade Malashenko! Crush the last hope of the Germans in this place called Karachi."