Chapter 904 Soviet Counterattack (5, Additional Update for 4,500 Votes)

The reason why the armored divisions organized in 1944 were expensive was not only because of the steel jungle on the ground, but also because of the Fw-190F attack aircraft that flew overhead from time to time, because these aircraft were strictly speaking also part of the armored division. The biggest difference between the 1944 type and the 1943 type was the air-ground integration, giving each division the command of 36 ground attack aircraft. The organization and supply still belonged to the Air Force, but in combat, these aircraft were directly under the command of the ground forces, deployed by the army group, and the command was delegated to the division headquarters, and the relevant expenses were also borne by the army.

Although the German army used blitzkrieg to gain a great reputation, there were always many problems in the actual cooperation process. It was nothing more than that the enemy was worse and more fragile, so it looked brilliant. But after the war entered the fifth year, even the dumbest enemies began to learn and seek ways to deal with it, and the Red Army also adopted corresponding tactics. The most common thing was to use a small-scale force to launch a quick counterattack-sending tanks, tank destroyers and Il-2 attack aircraft to cooperate in combat.

Each time the scale was not very large, that is, battalion level, and the highest was no more than brigade level (compared to the German regiment), but the losses caused were not small. In order to deal with the increasingly difficult Tiger tanks, the Red Army not only developed T-34/85, IS-1, IS-2, but also released Su-85M, Su-100 and other tank destroyers in advance, and began to take the route of elite counterattacks in an uncharacteristic way. Of course, this route was also a last resort. On the one hand, the Red Army had a small number of such elite equipment and could not afford to be too large. On the other hand, there were not many excellent troops who could master this tactic proficiently, and not everyone could learn to counterattack quickly.

However, this set of tactics caused great trouble to the German armored divisions or the heavy armored battalions that they had always been proud of. When the attacked ground forces hurriedly summoned the air force for support, unless they were nearby, they would be escaped by the enemy every time. The German army also tried to equip self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles, but it was inconvenient to move around. More importantly, if they wanted to defend completely, it was completely uneconomical to rely on anti-aircraft vehicles. The armored force was already very large, and it would definitely not work if they were equipped with a large number of anti-aircraft vehicles.

The following question was submitted. After many discussions and Hoffman’s personal decision: the ground forces were equipped with direct ground attack aircraft. It was simply unimaginable in the Goering era, but it was just a matter of words after the Führer became the commander-in-chief of the three armed forces.

Initially, there were selections for ground attack aircraft. Hs-129, Ju-87G, and Ha-329 (see the fan fiction in this book) were all considered, but later none of them was selected, and the Fw-190 ground support type was selected. After comprehensive analysis and judgment, the Armament Department found that due to the rapid mass production of Ta-152 and Do-412, Fw-190 became redundant, especially the early Fw-190A (1-6) series, which was no longer sufficient to undertake air superiority combat missions. However, there were still a lot of them. After a large number of them were sold to the Allies, there were still more than 2,000 aircraft. In this case, it was a waste to launch ground attack aircraft alone. Therefore, it was advocated to convert all these aircraft into F-type ground attack models (F-type and A-type are similar in body).

In addition to ground attack missions, the Fw-190 attack aircraft, which was converted from a fighter, also had another mission, which was to fight against enemy ground attack aircraft and tactical bombers that lacked fighter protection. Even if it was converted to F-type ground support, the Fw-190 was still a good fighter, more than enough to deal with Il-2 or light bombers.

This choice was surprising at first, but after careful consideration, it made sense: the Red Army increased the Il-2's equipment to make up for its weak anti-armor capability. The German army did not need to overemphasize this capability. The performance and number of tanks alone were enough to crush the enemy. The purpose of equipping ground attack aircraft was to coordinate rapid reconnaissance and prevent enemy attack aircraft from attacking their own tanks. The Fw-190F was not only capable of this task, but also saved a lot of money. Why not do it?

During the internal demonstration, the tactic achieved good results. Just when the army's senior officials thought that the Führer wanted to establish the Army Aviation Corps, Hoffman laughed: "The Army Aviation Corps is to be established, but not this kind of aircraft. We have brand new equipment."

Soon a group of military and political leaders, including Hausser, saw the new equipment: the Fa-223 Dragon helicopter.

This aircraft was developed under the impetus of Dr. Fokker in the late 1930s. By 1942, a pre-production model had been produced for test flights, achieving good results. Its main technical indicators are first-class among all countries in the world, exceeding the capabilities of the U.S. military's U-6 experimental helicopter: the ceiling exceeds 7,500 meters, the load capacity exceeds 2,000 kilograms, and the cruising speed is 200 kilometers per hour.

The Armament Department conducted a large number of tests on the aircraft, such as hoisting 75mm anti-tank guns and transporting ammunition and supplies for mountain troops. All 75mm anti-tank guns of a mountain artillery company can be transported from the valley to the combat area 2,000 meters high with just one Fa-223, and ammunition and supplies can also be completed with just one Fa-223. If transported by mule, it would not work without 40 to 50 mules, and the time would be even longer.

This is not the limit of the Fa-223. In one test flight, a BMW801 engine system weighing 1.3 tons was hoisted and flown for more than 30 kilometers.

Hoffman affirmed the efforts of the engineers, but thought their vision was too limited. Why did the helicopter only undertake the transportation function and not the attack function? Under his promotion, the attack type Fa-423 helicopter was put into use. 16mm thick steel plates were added to the important parts to strengthen the armor characteristics and replace the new engine. Although it is called a new engine, it is actually a mature product - the 14-cylinder star-shaped air-cooled BMW701 engine (i.e. the German production model of Rong 21) removed from the Bf-219 can produce a maximum of 1250 horsepower on the basis of 580 kilograms. Not only is the power efficiency better than the original W323A (1000 horsepower, 550 kilograms), but the diameter is also smaller, and the whole helicopter looks very compact.

At the end of 1943, the famous female pilot Hannah-Leitch performed Hoffman's idea of ​​using armed helicopters to carry out "treetop attacks" in front of senior officials: the Fa-423 took off, first used the 16 ground-to-ground rockets it carried to attack and cover the entire position, and then used the MG213 machine guns (also ready-made products) on both sides of the fuselage to carry out unscrupulous strafing attacks. When equipped with tungsten core armor-piercing shells, any active tanks in Germany, the Soviet Union, and the United States can successfully attack the top, and as for the human body, it can be swept away. If a tank tries to thicken the top, it doesn't matter, there is still the MK213 machine gun (30mm revolving gun) waiting behind. Except for self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery, general anti-aircraft machine guns can't do anything to this kind of armed armored helicopter.

After the performance, Hoffman said something that came to his mind: "I think we can also hang wire-guided rockets, which don't have to be as heavy as the Hs-393 - that is for dealing with battleships. A lightweight missile of 150 kilograms is enough to deal with tanks of dozens of tons. A heavy tank will be destroyed with one missile. I think it's no problem to hang two missiles on a helicopter."

This demonstration shocked the top leaders. It seemed that the head of state personally unveiled a new model of future war: first, all the air force fighters took off to compete for air supremacy in the battlefield airspace, and then the overwhelming armed helicopters took off to cover the enemy's heavy equipment and firepower positions with firepower, and then the tanks rushed in and finished it. If they found permanent firepower points or hard equipment that they couldn't beat, they would call on helicopters to drop two smart bombs...

Helicopters are not only cheap (much cheaper than Tigers), but also do not need complicated runways. They can fly on flat ground, which greatly improves the rapid response capability - no wonder the head of state always talks about the European Rapid Reaction Force! Everyone finally feels that war has entered the three-dimensional era.

Everyone believed that once this Fa-423 attack helicopter matured and matched with the armored advantage of the German ground forces, it was believed that there was no need to replace all the 1944 armored divisions. Just replacing about 10 of the Wehrmacht would be enough to end the war successfully.

Hausser was also at the scene at the time. He was not only shocked by the grand scene, but also deeply admired the Fuhrer's insight and foresight. In his mind, the other party was omnipotent and prophetic. He not only understood politics, but also economics; not only understood strategy, but also equipment, and could even discuss advanced technology with scientists. He read the summary of the Fuhrer's speech at the Peenemünde base through secret channels, and was fascinated by the summary speech that "Germany's future journey is the stars and the sea". More importantly, the Fuhrer was not just talking big. No one could match him in governing the country, fighting wars, and even engaging in conspiracy and intrigue.

The Fuhrer also had almost no bad image. Many big men are either greedy for money, lustful, or both, but the Führer is not greedy for money. Although the oil fund is a large sum of money, everyone thinks that the Führer should take it. If the Führer does not take the lion's share, how can the subordinates take it? Even so, the Führer still considers the future of ordinary soldiers very considerately.

The Führer is not lustful either. Hausser is an old comrade who has followed the party for many years. He knows that there is only one Eva by the Führer's side, and there has been no scandal for many years. He has seen several female secretaries in the Führer's office. I dare not say that they are beautiful, but at least they are charming, but the Führer has never thought of getting involved. In the past two years, the Führer took in an additional confidential secretary named Helen. At first, everyone thought that the Führer finally had some special ideas, but later they found that this was just a normal working secretary.

Of course, the Führer will change. He now loves sports more. Under the guidance of Eva, he likes swimming, equestrianism and tennis. Recently, he is said to be fascinated by fencing. Hausser accompanied the Führer for several meals and found that he gradually changed his vegetarian habits and no longer talked endlessly during meals. He looked very young and healthy in his 50s, unlike politicians from other countries - such as the fat man in Britain, the lame man in the United States or the playboy in Italy.

"Sir!" An urgent military report pulled Hausser back from his trance...

ps: The monthly ticket ranking has dropped a lot, I beg for great help...