Chapter 28
While the Russians were discussing this, the four German T-34 tank armored divisions were ready.
One thousand Tiger tanks were also organized into two heavy tank divisions to lead the charge.
While the Germans were stepping up their preparations for the decisive battle, Zhukov was anxious because the artillery battle on the front was very fierce and he needed to know the outcome of the artillery battle.
"How is the battle situation at the front? Has our casualty rate come out?"
Hearing this, the chief of staff beside him replied solemnly:"Comrade Commander, unfortunately, our army has lost more than 2,000 artillery pieces, 300 Katyusha rocket launchers, 800 tanks, and 500 fighter planes, with more than 50,000 casualties.……"
Hearing this number, Zhukov's face was bruised, and he stared at the chief of staff and roared,"Damn it, how could there be so many casualties?"
In normal times, it is impossible to lose so many people in a local battle. This is just a tentative attack, and the result is not only that they did not gain an advantage, but they were beaten by the German army.
If it was before, he might think it was very normal, but now it is unbelievable
""Commander, the Germans have a lot of Katyusha rocket launchers, at least a thousand, and they seem to have endless ammunition. The fighting lasted three hours from the exchange of fire to the ceasefire, and most of the casualties were caused by Katyusha rocket launchers," the chief of staff explained.
"What on earth is the intelligence department doing? The German army has so many new weapons, but there is no news at all?"Zhukov's expression was grim. If he knew that the German army had so many new weapons, he would never send troops to test them easily.
At least, he would have to accumulate weapons and ammunition for a while before launching an attack. Now he was in a dilemma and wanted to retreat, but the German army began to counterattack.
"Commander, there is another piece of news. The Air Force reported that the German army has a batch of new fighter planes with a speed of over 1,000 kilometers per hour. They are suspected to be jet fighters. Our army is no match for them and will only be slaughtered."
"Damn it, what on earth is the intelligence department for? Why is there no news at all? The German army is equipped with such advanced weapons, but they have no reaction at all."Zhukov's face turned pale, and he wanted to shoot the intelligence officer in front of him.
The officer in charge of intelligence was sweating profusely and said immediately:"Comrade Commander, we are still investigating.……"
"waste……"Zhukov's tone was cold. He would never be so arrogant before. Since he won two decisive battles in a row and wiped out millions of Hans's troops, his prestige reached its peak. Naturally, he had no good face for the intelligence department.
Just as Zhukov was cursing, a staff officer hurried in, holding a telegram in his hand, and said with a bad face:
"Commander, the main force of the German army has launched a full-scale counterattack!"
After hearing the words of the communications staff, Zhukov's face became even uglier, and he immediately roared:"How dare Manstein launch a counterattack?"
Unfortunately, no one could answer his question. If it were before, they could still ridicule him, saying that if they had lost their heavy weapons, how could the German army counterattack?
But now, the successive failures made them dare not underestimate the German army.
"Any more bad news?"Zhukov glanced at the communications staff who had not left yet and said coldly.
Hearing this, the communications staff said with a stiff face:"Comrade Commander, the front-line scouts report that the German army has dispatched armored units this time."
"Armored troops? Are they finally willing to send out armored troops?"Zhukov was stunned when he heard the word armored troops, and then a smile appeared on his face:"This is good news. We must also concentrate all armored troops and take the opportunity to destroy the German tank troops."
"Comrade Commander, the tanks deployed by the German army include a large number of T-34 tanks."
Hearing this, Zhukov was stunned, looking at the communications staff in disbelief, snatched the telegram, and his face turned pale:"T-34 tanks? A huge number? How is this possible?"
You have to know that the T-34 tank was only introduced two years ago, and the production is not high. The production has only increased in the past two years. Although tanks are occasionally captured, the number is no more than a hundred at most.
At present, the number of T-34 tanks reported by the front line is at least more than a hundred, or even more.
"A large number of T-34 tanks? Did the German army start to copy our tanks? This is impossible."The chief of staff was also surprised.
You know, without specific drawings, it would take several years to reverse deduce the tanks.
But how to explain the large number of T-34 tanks on the battlefield?
"Comrade Commander, what should we do now?"The chief of staff was also panicked and looked at Zhukov.
Upon hearing this, Zhukov's expression flickered, and finally said in a cold voice:"Even if the German army has T-34 tanks, what can it do? Order: The First Tank Army, the Fifth Guards Tank Army, and the Sixth Guards Tank Army to assemble quickly. I will teach the damn German army a lesson."
"yes!"