Anti-Japanese War: My equipment is infinitely refreshed

On the battlefield, the wreckage of thousands of tanks was scattered all over the place, their steel hulls twisted and deformed by the flames of war, and wisps of black smoke continued to rise.

The lingering smoke on the battlefield was like a heavy curtain, weighing heavily on everyone's heart.

Zhukov stood in the makeshift command post, looking out the dusty window at the tragic scene and sighed helplessly.

That sigh was filled with disappointment, worry, and emotion about the unexpectedly complex situation of this war.

He had replayed this battle in his mind countless times and anticipated that it would be extremely fierce. After all, the combat effectiveness of the German army should not be underestimated.

But he always believed that with the powerful strength of the Soviet army, the German army would eventually suffer a disastrous defeat.

He personally commanded the troops this time and dispatched an army of three million. In his opinion, with such a huge force, victory should be a foregone conclusion.

If he couldn't win even after this, he even felt ashamed to face his motherland and people, and he was really ready to commit suicide by shooting himself to apologize.

Originally, Zhukov carefully formulated a battle plan. His goal was to first encircle the German Third Panzer Group, just like cutting off an arm of the Center Army Group.

He thought that as long as they could successfully defeat this key force, subsequent battles would become much easier and the Soviet army would be able to gain greater initiative on the battlefield.

The entire plan was excellent. The 3rd Guards Panzer Army would make all-out efforts to break through the enemy's defenses on the front, while at the same time providing large-scale artillery coverage and intensive air strike support from the sky. The ground forces would adopt a tactic of coordinated infantry and tank operations. With such a layout, there was hope of severely damaging the German 3rd Panzer Army or even annihilating it completely.

However, the direction of war is always full of variables.

After only a few days of fighting, many situations arose that Zhukov had not expected.

The German army on the front seemed to have changed its fighting style and did not engage in a head-on confrontation with the Soviet army.

On the one hand, they methodically contracted the front line, adopted flexible defensive combat strategies, and cleverly used terrain and fortifications to deal with the Soviet army; on the other hand, they concentrated superior forces from time to time to launch surprise attacks on the advancing Soviet troops and swallowed them up in one gulp.

Although Zhukov felt sad about the loss of these troops, he felt that this loss was still within his tolerance as he had nearly three million troops under his command.

He thought that as long as the strategic goals could be achieved, these sacrifices would be worth it.

But what made him even more headache was that the German army seemed to have changed its previous combat style. Once the situation became unfavorable to them, they would immediately and decisively retreat without any delay.

This made it impossible for the Soviet army to effectively capture the main force of the German army.

After great efforts, the Soviet army successfully surrounded the 3rd Panzer Army Group. Just when Zhukov thought victory was in sight, the German air force, which had been missing for a long time, suddenly appeared in large numbers out of nowhere.

Moreover, these German fighter planes were actually more advanced jet fighters than before - me262 jet fighters.

Faced with such advanced fighter jets, the Soviet air force was temporarily passive. Many fighter jets were destroyed in air battles and the pilots' blood was shed in the sky.

Faced with this series of emergencies, Zhukov's heart was filled with deep shock, followed by endless anger.

He felt that the German army was really going too far. The Soviet army at this time was no longer what it used to be. It was no longer the army that could only passively take a beating two years ago.

In a rage, Zhukov immediately issued the order for a counterattack without hesitation.

The supreme leader Stalin was even more furious when he learned about the situation on the battlefield. He directly gave Zhukov a severe counterattack order and issued strict tactics: anyone who retreated would be killed on the spot.

This order was like a thunderclap, exploding within the Soviet army. All commanders felt unprecedented pressure. They were fully alert and devoted themselves to this battle.

Under this powerful pressure and encouragement, the Soviet soldiers on the front line burst out with amazing fighting power.

They charged forward like tigers descending from the mountains, their shouts of killing shaking the heavens and the earth.

With the heroic fighting of the soldiers, the Soviet army quickly broke through many German positions and annihilated a large number of German troops.

Looking at the temporary advantage on the battlefield, Marshal Vasilev next to him suggested to Zhukov: "Your Excellency Marshal, should we turn our target to another army group?"

Zhukov asked in confusion, "Why?" Marshal Vasilev explained his views clearly, "Since the Third Armored Group cannot be annihilated in a short time, it is better to turn the main force to the Fourth Army. This is an army composed of pure infantry. Compared with the German armored forces, its combat effectiveness is not very strong."

After hearing this, Zhukov pondered for a moment and nodded slowly.

He knew in his heart that according to the current battlefield situation, it was indeed impossible to completely wipe out the Hoth cluster in a short period of time.

Finding a relatively weak target at this time is undoubtedly a wise choice, just like looking for a breakthrough in a difficult situation. "You are right, this is indeed a good choice. And using the Fourth Army as a breakthrough point can not only recapture Smolensk, but also suppress Minsk. From a strategic point of view, this will be a great victory."

As if trying to convince himself, Zhukov asked again: "Have the troops, weapons and ammunition of the Steppe Front been replenished?"

Marshal Vasilev quickly responded: "All military supplies needed for the battle have been prepared."

After hearing this, Zhukov decisively ordered: "In this case, we can give it a try. Let the Fifth and Sixth Guards Armies, the Fourth Guards Tank Army, and the First Guards Tank Army immediately launch an attack on the Yar area. After the Steppe Front is ready, start moving to the north of Smolensk. In addition, let the Southwestern Front hold back the Southern Army Group and not give them a chance to reinforce."

At this time, the Soviet army had already gained certain advantages in strategic layout, and they no longer had to worry too much about the northern front.

Because the German troops on the northern front had retreated to the three Baltic countries, they could only adopt a passive defensive posture and did not dare to launch an active attack.

Therefore, Zhukov's strategic adjustment has a great chance of success.

However, his only worry was whether the German Army Group South would suddenly provide support.

But he was not particularly worried about this.

After all, on the southern front, there was not only the newly formed Southwestern Army Group, but also the Don Army Group.

Although the combat effectiveness of these two army groups may not be as good as that of the German Army Group South, there is absolutely no problem in delaying the enemy and buying time for the main attack direction of the Soviet Army.

"Does this amount to a full-scale counterattack?" Marshal Vasilev said with some concern.

Zhukov responded meaningfully: "Do you think this battle can end easily without calming the anger of the Supreme Leader?"

Marshal Vasilev was still worried and continued, "I always feel that this is not a good time to counterattack. We can wait another two months. By then, we will be stronger."

Zhukov sighed helplessly and said, "But the German army will also become stronger." Faced with this dilemma, Zhukov knew that the opportunity for war was fleeting and he could not miss the chance to fight because of waiting. ...

On the other hand, Timoshenko still served as the commander of the newly formed Soviet Southwestern Army Group.

But this time, Timoshenko's face was gloomier than ever.

Since returning from Moscow, he has uttered less than a hundred sentences, and every answer has been a simple "hmm".

For a moment, everyone in the command center was trembling with fear, not daring to say a word. They could only keep their heads down and silently do their jobs.

At this moment, a communications staff officer came hurriedly with a telegram. After a salute, he said, "Commander, Marshal Zhukov has sent an urgent telegram ordering your troops to counterattack immediately and to hold back the Germans and not give them a chance to support you."

Upon hearing this, Timoshenko nodded lightly.

There was a flash of bloodthirstiness in his eyes, and a cruel smile appeared unconsciously at the corner of his mouth. He whispered: "I have finally waited for this day."

He clearly remembered what the supreme leader Stalin had told him: if he failed again this time, he would not have to come back.

This order was like a sword of Damocles hanging over his head, and it also aroused the fighting spirit deep in his heart.

Soon, the Southwestern Front, which had been holding back its strength, launched a large-scale attack on the German army on the opposite side.

"Have the Soviets gone crazy?" Model was stunned when he received the news. He never expected that the Soviets had just started a new round of counterattacks not long after they stopped.

His troops had not had time to replenish their troops and supplies, and he had originally thought that they would have some time to catch their breath, but now it seems that this idea has been completely dashed.

Model was shocked by the large-scale and continuous counterattacks of the Soviet army. He had never expected that the Soviet army would take such resolute actions.

After a brief moment of shock, Model quickly calmed down. He thought for a moment and said decisively: "Send a telegram to the High Command and report the situation here. Order all troops to fight back immediately and not leave the defense line."

"Yes!" The staff officers quickly took the order and left. A new fierce battle began again on this land that had been baptized by war.

In this war, both sides were constantly adjusting their strategies, trying to find the other side's flaws and win the war.

Every decision concerns the lives of countless soldiers and affects the direction of the entire war.

Under the command of Zhukov and Timoshenko, the Soviet army launched a tenacious attack towards victory; while the German army, led by generals such as Model, held its line and tried to resist the Soviet attack.

The situation on the battlefield changes rapidly, and no one knows what will happen next. Will the Soviet army successfully break through the German defense line and achieve its strategic goals, or will the German army hold its position and defeat the Soviet counterattack? Everything is full of unknowns.

As the battle continued, the Soviet troops quickly took action in accordance with Zhukov's orders.

The Fifth and Sixth Guards Armies were like two sharp daggers, piercing directly into the German defense line in the Yar area.

The soldiers shouted slogans, held their guns, and charged forward bravely.

Their eyes were full of determination and fearlessness, as if death was not scary to them and everything would be worth it as long as they could win victory for their motherland.

The 4th Guards Tank Army and the 1st Guards Tank Army provided powerful fire support from behind. The roar of the tanks was deafening and the tracks left deep marks on the ground.

Tanks spewed flames and poured shells at the German positions. The German defense line began to waver under the fierce attack of the Soviet army.

The Grassland Front Army was also intensively preparing for war. Soldiers were busy checking their weapons and equipment and loading boxes of ammunition onto trucks.

The officers carefully studied the marching routes and combat plans in front of the map to ensure that every detail was foolproof. They knew that their mission was crucial and that once they reached the north of Smolensk, they would pose a strong deterrent to the German army and play a key role in turning the tide of the entire war.

On the Southwestern Front side, under the command of Timoshenko, the fighting was extremely fierce.

Ignoring the fierce German artillery fire, Soviet soldiers rushed towards the German positions one after another.

They engaged in fierce close combat with the German army. Bayonets flashed coldly in the sun. Shouts and screams were intertwined, and the entire battlefield turned into a purgatory on earth.

Although the German army resisted tenaciously, under the frenzied attack of the Soviet army, loopholes gradually appeared in their defense line.

Model was in the command center, anxiously looking at the battle reports from the front. He constantly adjusted the deployment of troops, trying to plug the gap in the defense line.

He knew that if the Soviet army broke through the defense line, the consequences would be disastrous.

At the same time, Zhukov was in the headquarters, paying close attention to the situation on each battlefield. His eyes kept moving on the map, analyzing the dynamics of each battlefield.

He knew that the war had reached a critical moment and any small mistake could lead to overall failure.

He constantly communicated with the commanders of various units and issued the latest combat orders.

Although his face remained calm, his eyes revealed a hint of tension and anxiety.

After all, the outcome of this war is related to the fate of the entire country.

At the German High Command, after receiving Model's telegram, the top brass also fell into a tense discussion.

They did not expect that the Soviet army would launch such large-scale counterattacks in succession and that the tactics were so flexible and varied.

On the one hand, they ordered Model to hold the line, and on the other hand, they began to consider whether to withdraw troops from other places to support the southern front.

But at this time, the German army was facing varying degrees of pressure on every battlefield, and the deployment of troops became very difficult.

The entire German High Command was filled with a tense and depressing atmosphere.

In this fierce war, both sides are doing their best to win.

The Soviet army, relying on its tenacious fighting spirit and firm belief, continuously launched attacks on the German positions; the German army, relying on its advanced weapons and equipment and rich combat experience, put up a tenacious resistance.

The smoke on the battlefield grew thicker and thicker, and the cruelty of the war became more and more apparent. (End of this chapter)