Steel Soviet Union

No matter what efforts Guderian and Marshal Bock made, this operation to change the German winter offensive ultimately failed.

It is worth mentioning that after returning to his frontline headquarters, Guderian was still unwilling to accept this, so he asked Lieutenant Colonel von Kalden, the liaison officer of the Army Headquarters assigned to Guderian's Second Armored Group in Berlin, to Once, he went to report the situation here to the German Army General Staff and implored him to solve the dilemma and stop the order requiring Guderian to continue the assault on Moscow.

Although Guderian convinced Lieutenant Colonel Kalden with what he saw and heard and was truly moved by every word, Lieutenant Colonel Kalden still returned in vain due to his limited function. German Army Chief of Staff Halder reiterated The order issued by the head of state Hitler was consistent with that of Army Commander Brauchitsch, requiring Guderian's 2nd Armored Group to maintain the current offensive and capture Moscow as quickly as possible.

In this day's diary, Guderian slowly wrote in his diary with a slight sigh.

"Judging from the current situation, the order to continue the offensive in the direction of Moscow for the Second Armored Group should not be just the idea of ​​the head of state. If I am not wrong, Brauchitsch and Halder should also think that we have ability to end everything before 1942, or that we are just looking for an excuse to escape the cold in their eyes, I don’t know.”

"But no matter what, the highest military authorities in Berlin now finally understand the critical situation of our Army Group Center. Marshal Bock's words are very convincing in my opinion, and I believe the same is true for Brauchitsch. . If I guess correctly, Brauchitsch and Halder will definitely report this matter to the head of state. I hope this can change even the stubborn opinion of the head of state. Of course, if he can come to my headquarters in person It would be great to take a look inside.”

Bock and Zhukov, who were fighting with all their strength in the cold winter, were mobilizing their troops to lick their wounds, but compared to the poor German soldiers who were so frozen in the ice and snow that they could even fall when they walked normally, they could barely The Soviet side, which was well fed and very warm in cotton-padded clothes, undoubtedly had an advantage at the starting line.

Malashenko, who was ordered by Zhukov to stand firmly in the direction of Istria, never retreated even half a step. Malashenko, who held the outer position of Istria together with three Siberian infantry divisions, was unable to continue the attack. However, with less than thirty tanks on hand, they still repelled many tentative attacks by the German army, crushing the Germans' attempt to regain control of Istria in the bud.

To Malashenko's surprise, under the sunny weather in the following days, he never encountered any large-scale German air raids. In addition to the German fighter patrols in twos and threes and the reconnaissance planes that flew around the Soviet positions from time to time, Malashenko could even look up at the blue sky above his head and smoke a whole pack of cigarettes without hearing a single sound from the Germans. The roar of planes.

"This is so abnormal, Malashenko. Those German planes haven't stopped like they have in the past two days since they invaded the Soviet Union. I always feel that they are planning some bigger operation."

Political Commissar Petrov's worries are not entirely unreasonable. As the largest German main army group under the jurisdiction of the air force, the German Central Group led by Marshal Bock did not launch a large-scale effective air strike in the main attack direction. It is undoubtedly extremely abnormal. .

Faced with the questions raised by Political Commissar Petrov to him, Malashenko, who was somewhat confused about the reasons, was puzzled at first and could not understand. The current situation is indeed very abnormal.

But just when Malashenko was wondering whether the German army facing the enemy had already begun to intend to retreat, a phone call from the front army headquarters once again ruthlessly shattered his fantasy assumptions.

"Malashenko, the Germans have invested a large amount of offensive forces in the city of Tula south of Moscow to launch an attack. According to the information fed back by the intelligence department, this German armored group is the second armored group led by Guderian. undoubtedly."

"The vanguard of the German army attacking Tula from the south has now broken through the outer positions of the local garrison and workers' regiment, and is launching an attack into the city. If it does not receive support, there is nothing that can be done with the local defense force in Tula. If they persist for too long, they will need immediate support from powerful troops."

From the words of Zhukov, who did not directly state the subject, he has already noticed the meaning contained in it. It is not clear why Zhukov, who has always been firm in the impression, has reservations about the orders given to him this time. He is used to being in Malashenko, who puts out fires everywhere on the battlefield and serves as a firefighter, has transformed without any complaints.

"I understand what you mean, Comrade Commander, the Germans attacking Tula must be resisted. This is the mission goal that must be achieved!"

"No matter how difficult the situation we are about to face, my troops and I will never look back! Please give me orders now, Comrade Commander!"

Although I had certain psychological expectations for the affirmative answer that Malashenko should give, when Malashenko blurted out the fearless words with a firm tone that exceeded expectations, I still have no idea. Zhukov, who could provide any effective supplies to Malashenko, actually felt a little guilty.

"The Front Army Headquarters owes you a lot, Malashenko. It is my dereliction of duty not to be able to provide you with supplies under such circumstances. Please understand that I have done my best to find any possible supplementary strength for you. "

The somewhat careless Malashenko obviously didn't notice that Zhukov's words on the other end of the phone had changed slightly. Malashenko, who just thought it was Zhukov talking to him in a polite way, once again gave a firm reply.

"This is what a Red Army commander should do, Comrade Commander. If I fail to drive those Germans out of Tula, please tell Natalia my feelings for me and ask her not to do it for me again. Keep waiting.”

Malashenko's words from the other end of the microphone were like a heavy hammer that tortured the soul, constantly hammering Zhukov's heart.

Compared with the solemn promises Malashenko has repeatedly made at this moment, Zhukov, who once promised Malashenko that he would provide new tanks and crew supplies, has so far failed to fulfill his promise.

After weighing it over and over again in my heart, I finally made a decision. Both emotionally and logically, I should strongly rearm Malashenko, who was about to go to Tula to support him. It has been a long time since I took the initiative to call my loving father, Comrade Stalin, for help. Zhukov finally decided to break this exception.