The Soviet army suffered a crushing defeat in the battle in Ukraine, and the chain of command collapsed after the death of Kirponos. The besieged Soviet troops, with the failure of the command system, broke through to the east in groups like crazy, trying to break through the German blockade.

The Soviets' breakout was more like a rout, their actions were disorganized, and they left behind a large number of corpses, and Moder was involved in the task of blocking the Soviet breakout, which he described as a massacre. Only on some sections of the defense where the encirclement was not so severe or where the Germans were poorly equipped, part of the Soviet troops managed to break through.

Therefore, what was given to Timoshenko was a huge mess, and of the 700,000 Soviet troops besieged, 90,000 finally managed to break through,

The besieged troops are still fighting, many have surrendered, and the rest are putting up a stubborn resistance. Eventually, the fighting would cease completely by October, and the battle in Ukraine was destined to be a great victory for the Germans.

Timoshenko felt that he was powerless, he had to replenish his forces, and the Soviet army was coming from the rear in a far number. The troops of the Southwestern Front and the Southern Front had a huge task ahead of them, and both fronts were to try to prevent the Germans from continuing their offensive.

For Timoshenko, he had to do everything he could to prevent the continuation of the German offensive in the direction of Moscow.

It was already late September, and the last resistance of the encircled Soviet troops was finally over. The Southwestern Front suffered a crushing defeat, and Timoshenko felt a heavy heartache, but he still mustered up courage.

At the headquarters of the front army, he said to all the staff officers with deep sorrow: "We have suffered a crushing defeat in this battle, with losses of more than 600,000 men, and we are now worried about our troops, but new troops are being formed, and new equipment will soon be put into the war." We will restore our forces, and now is a critical moment for us to regain our strength. “

His optimistic outlook inspired many people, many of whom were smiling and hoping that the great motherland would withstand the enemy's attack.

The South-Western Front moved to a full-fledged defense, and the troops had to withstand the German offensive to the east, preventing their offensive in the direction of the Crimea, while at the same time supporting the defense of the Bryansk Front.

He also did not forget that there was still a unit of the Soviet army in the Pripet marsh, which was intact because of the graben. More importantly, the number of the 284th Guards Division was completely legal, and the Military Commissariat even assigned it to Timoshenko.

At the meeting, he asked the chief of staff: "We need to transport a large amount of supplies to the Pripet swamp, and we should support the 284th Guards Division and encourage them to continue fighting." ”

"But it's very dangerous to get there. We can only help them by airdrop, the distance is long, and we are likely to be obstructed by enemy aircraft. "Chief of Staff Tupikov still has to look at this issue from the point of view of whether it is reasonable or not. Kirponos was killed, but he managed to break through.

"So, our support plan needs to be replanned?"

"Nope." Tupikov vetoed, "I didn't mean that at all. Guards 284 Division, I have dealt with them a lot. While your predecessor Kirponos was still alive, we wanted them to come to our aid, and they did a very good job. This force is very combat-ready, they are very suitable for fighting in the forests and swamps, and it is very necessary for us to assist them. ”

Timoshenko nodded: "In that case, the support plan is up to you, and we must give them the necessary supplies to support the battle." It is likely that the 284th Guards Division will become the backbone of guerrilla warfare in the occupied areas. ”

Tupikov was very interested in Berekov of the 284th Division, who was clearly in the swamp, but could anticipate the change in the tide of battle. Perhaps he has genius command ability, and macro battlefield insight, and even if conditions permit, he has the ability to be a more senior commander. However, because he is a foreigner, it is probably impossible for the leader to need his combat ability and take some inventions and creations, and give him high military power.

The support plan was drawn up by Tupikov, and since the land route was completely occupied by the enemy, the only means of replenishment was to send transport planes to drop it. As for what to airdrop, Tupikov didn't have to worry at all, because he had a list in his hand.

Yang Mingzhi and Yevlov counted all the materials that their troops lacked.

"We seem to have some lions with big mouths, and we need a lot of supplies, but we don't know if they can deliver them." Yang Mingzhi was still very worried in his heart, after all, the German attack had not stopped, and it was very dangerous to transport it to the swamp by air.

Yevlov was still very confident in the Soviet army, "We tried to ask as much as we could and tell them that we had suffered heavy losses in materiel. As long as they understand that we can continue to fight with large-scale supplies. ”

Therefore, on this list, the wintering bedding is extremely demanding, and the troops are required to change into winter clothes, at least 10,000 sets of winter military uniforms. The so-called winter military uniform of the Soviet army is almost a set of cotton coats, and sometimes it cannot even be regarded as a military uniform.

Compared with the German army, the Soviet army was too pragmatic. Now Yang Mingzhi has long since long cared whether it looks good or not, the soldiers want bread and butter, warm clothes, and enough ammunition.

The list was launched to the headquarters of the Southwestern Front through Morse code, and after deciphering it, there was a list in Tupikov's hand, the text of which was densely packed like an ant's nest.

"What a bunch of crazy people, I think I should drive a transport ship directly into the Sea of Azov, go north directly against the Dnieper, and send you all the supplies." After complaining, Tupikov still had to give them the necessary supplies.

After some research, he drew up a plan and sent it to Timoshenko.

"Ten TB3 bombers were dispatched, not loaded with ammunition, all loaded with supplies. The scale of this support is really huge. "Timoshenko's only objection is that such a large-scale airdrop is not too dangerous." We had to make sure that the transport planes were safe and sound and that they did not encounter the German planes. ”

"In that case, we must send fighter jets to escort us." "Once the fighter jets are dispatched, we will even be able to carry some more supplies." The payload of our Seagull fighters is still good, and it is good for them to send more of them. ”

After some consideration, Timoshenko decided to do just that. "You're the chief of staff, and you've been taught a lot with them. That Berekov was very important to us, and the leader demanded that we must support him, support and order him to expand the battle in the enemy-occupied areas, preferably like a cancer, in the enemy-occupied areas. So you know what to do. ”

"Of course." Tupikov happily saluted.

He was just about to leave the office when he heard Timoshengo tell him to go back.

"What? Is there still a demand? Tupikov asked curiously.

"Yes, I thought about it, we should give them something more powerful."

What is the so-called powerful, the answer is tanks. "We gave them some BT2 tanks, these guys weigh only twelve tons, bring some more parachutes, and they should be able to complete the airdrop. I also remember that the 284th Division also built airfields, and it would be better if our transport planes could land. ”

This is a bit shocking, it is true that the TB3 bomber is completely capable of transporting light tanks, and the Soviets have been doing this for a long time. However, the tank is not always unloaded after the plane has landed, and it is a bit risky to tie more parachutes to it.

Tupikov questioned with the experience of a staff officer: "Comrade commander, there is a swamp, and I am also worried that even with a parachute, the tanks will land at high speed, and they will either be broken or sink into the mud. ”

"How do you know if you don't try?" Timoshenko slowly stood up and walked to the side of the bed with his hands behind his back. The headquarters was stationed in this town, which was located close to the front line, and the troops were moving around frequently, and outside the window, civilians were running around. "We need to take some adventures sometimes. These BT tanks are completely incapable of defending against enemy tanks, and if they are transported to the occupied area, they will be greatly improved by obtaining these heavy weapons at 284. If the enemy attacks the swamps, they will not throw their tanks into battle. And Berekov has a light tank, which can definitely inflict great damage on the enemy. ”

Saying this, Tupikov was also moved, and he had to revise the plan. "Well, I'll take a risk and give the tanks a lot of parachutes, hoping they won't be broken."

Tupikov therefore had to carry out a new plan, and the tank had to use a large number of parachutes. The canopy was to be strapped to the bomber, and after the airdrop, at least ten parachutes were to slow it down. For reasons of time, there was simply no time to conduct tests, and Tupikov's plan was authorized by Timoshenko, and the Air Force of the Front had to agree.

The Air Force dispatched fifteen TB3 bombers, thirty Seagull fighters, and five Li-2 transport aircraft. Five of the TB3s were to transport light tanks, and the pilots knew that with the tanks mounted, the aircraft had almost no load margin. Wouldn't it be better if they were given more guns and ammunition, but an order is an order.

The TB3 bomber is also used as a transport aircraft many times, its standard bomb load is four tons, and if you don't take into account many factors, he can take off with more than ten tons of supplies, and carrying a light tank is its limit.

Yang Mingzhi and Yevlov soon received news from the Front Command, and the two were ecstatic because they had decided to carry out the airdrop plan on September 28.

The command of the front army sent down the list of airdrops, and the total amount of all the supplies was 110 tons. This number is very large for Yevlov, but in Yang Mingzhi's opinion, the capacity of this era is still too weak. The items on the list are indeed very tempting, and even more incredible, Yang Mingzhi saw the words tank.

"They are actually going to send us a couple of BT light tanks! Is this possible? Are they going to land at the airport? Yang Mingzhi couldn't believe it, and so did Yevlov.

Because the airport can also take off and land Class 2 transport aircraft, for TB3, the length and width of the airport are not good.

So, how are tanks transported? The two immediately noticed the word "airdrop".

This group of old hairy people has always been a master of art and bold, or a tendon! Cotton clothes and blankets can be airdropped, and tanks can also be airdropped? Such a violent airdrop?! Yang Mingzhi slapped his thigh and stood up, screaming in the conference room. "It's crazy, these Iron Kings have either fallen and broken into pieces, or they have fallen into the mud. If it breaks, it can't be used, and I can't get it out of the mud. ”

Yevlov smiled and patted him on the shoulder: "Stupid, whether these tanks can land safely or not, we just have to wait honestly." Even if it breaks, I can still use it. We've dismantled trucks and armored trucks, and we've recycled steel plates into rockets and grenades, and we need metal so much right now. ”

Yang Mingzhi suddenly became a big deal, "Yes, they are ten tons of metal after all." Craft tens of thousands of grenades! (To be continued.) )