A year may not seem like a long time, but it can change a lot. Let's take the situation of the Soviet Union as an example, the historical Soviet Union Leningrad was besieged, Ukraine, Belarus and even the Caucasus were almost lost, and there was really only one hand left to hold on to the cliff. So at that time, there was really no second way except to play with the sea of people, except to kneel and lick the US imperialists to ask for assistance.

Otherwise, with Stalin's urine, he could take the initiative to dissolve the Comintern? Can you repeatedly ask Britain and the United States to hurry up and open up a second battlefield in Europe?

And now, the situation is completely different, it is undeniable that most of Belarus and Ukraine have been lost, but this does not hurt the bones. Let's put it this way, according to the industrial layout of the Soviet Union, the east of Minsk in Belarus and the east of Kiev in Ukraine are the focus. And now this piece is still in the hands of the Soviet Union.

Minsk also produces automobiles, the Dnieper hydroelectric power station still provides electricity for the metallurgical industry, and the tank factory in Kharkov does not need to move east to lower Tajikistan. As for Leningrad, it was calm here, and even the hair of the German army could not be seen.

It can be said that 90% of the industrial capacity of the Soviet Union is intact, not only the industrial capacity is not damaged, but the production area of energy and mineral resources is also very well preserved. Oil from the Caucasus can still be transported to the heart of Russia. Stalingrad, or Volgograd, is still a big rear here.

Let's just say that the large area now occupied by the Germans was of no importance in the industrial layout of the Soviet Union, and that area, which had always been the main agricultural area, could have had a greater impact on the Soviet Union's food problem.

However, compared to the embarrassing food problem at the end of World War I. Now that's a little bit of a problem. The Soviet Union was also able to import grain from the United States and South America. And with the spread of collective farms. The increase in agricultural productivity in the Soviet Union, coupled with the progress of agricultural technology and the planned economic rationing system of the Communist Party's frenzied economy, may not have eaten very well, but it was not a big problem to have a full stomach.

Therefore, the German army's current damage to the Soviet Union is actually very small, except for the annihilation of part of the Soviet Union's valuable living forces by Tukhachevsky's mistakes in the early stage of the war. But with the victory in the Battle of Bryansk, this hole was filled by the USSR.

Note that from November 1941. The Soviet Union began to recruit reservists and mobilize the population on a large scale, and by May 1942, the size of the Red Army had changed from more than 3 million before the war to more than 7 million! It can be said that it has doubled.

The main reason why the Red Army is still strained on the battlefield is not that there is a lack of troops, but that the production of weapons is somewhat unable to keep up. Together with the seven or eight hundred thousand troops lost in the battle, the Red Army had to produce a total of five million men of equipment. Even if the pre-war stocks were to be emptied (note that only some of the artillery and light weapons could be used, and fighters and tanks would certainly not be usable), the Red Army's equipment gap would be around three million.

And these recruits need to be trained and have to wait for officers, right? These take time. Let's put it this way, just in terms of scale. The Red Army had already outnumbered the Germans by a significant margin, but because of the losses in the early stage and the use of a large number of new weapons. This created the illusion that the Red Army was strained.

However, this is not something that cannot be changed, and for the Red Army, as long as they are given sufficient time, with the mass production and equipment of new equipment, changing the balance of forces between the enemy and the enemy is like playing.

Even according to the most conservative estimates, in the second half of 1942, the Red Army surpassed the German army in both size and quality, and this is an important reason why Li Xiaofeng insisted on counterattacking in the second half of 1942.

Looking at the Germans, from the very beginning the Germans were inadequately prepared for this world war. According to the estimates of the German General Staff and the Führer himself before the war, the German army was not actually capable of waging war until 1942.

The problem is that, as we all know, the Germans were out of the way in 1939, and then a series of brilliant victories gave the Germans the great illusion that the blitzkrieg was invincible, that their opponents were nothing more than that. This led to another great consequence, that is, Germany was very late in carrying out full-scale mobilization for war.

Let's put it this way, the Germans realized in 1943 that this world war was not simple, and only then began to mobilize in full force, and before that, a considerable part of Germany's material and industrial capacity was consumed by civilian needs.

If the Führer had woken up earlier and carried out a comprehensive mobilization earlier, not to mention that he would have been able to turn the tide and win the war, he would have at least inflicted greater losses on the Soviet Union, and perhaps he would have been able to hold out for a longer time.

Of course, this is not to give advice to the Führer, but to explain a very simple truth: compared with history, the balance of forces between the enemy and us is completely different, and what the Soviet Union could not do in history does not mean that it cannot do it now.

For example, in history, the Soviet Union advanced to the Berlin line only after opening up, but now, I am afraid it is different, now the German army has only advanced to the Kursk line, thousands of kilometers away from Moscow, and this is still the spearhead of the German attack. Let's put it this way, looking at the entire front, the German army advanced about two thousand kilometers less than in history. And this meant that the Red Army was two thousand kilometers closer to Berlin.

Once the Red Army enters a strategic counteroffensive and hits the city of Berlin, it will probably be simpler than in history, and how far Berlin is from the Netherlands and Belgium. Let's put it this way, as long as the Red Army is not too waste, it is entirely possible to bring the whole of Germany into the sphere of influence!

After taking Germany, the strategic situation of the Soviet Union would be completely different, so to speak, which meant that Britain and the United States would no longer have a fulcrum in Europe, and how long would it take to level France with the mechanized capabilities of the Red Army?

I'm afraid that when the American soldier brother is still on the Atlantic, Western Europe will already be finished. And you should also note that after taking Germany, the English Channel was already within the range of the Red Army's firepower, and perhaps with the urine of the Red Army, while beating French chickens, they would also be slaughtered with British cattle.

Let's put it this way, taking Germany is equivalent to sticking the muzzle of a gun to the temples of Britain and France, and once World War III breaks out, it will not leave them much time to react at all.

According to Li Xiaofeng's plan, he is not prepared to leave much territory to Anglo-American France in Europe. He laughed at the whole of Eastern and Central Europe. As for Southern Europe. Isn't there Yugoslavia? Although Tito has a bad temper, Li Xiaofeng is not Stalin, let alone Khrushchev. He didn't plan to turn his face with the other party, so let Tito toss around in the Balkans.

Central and Eastern Europe were completely eaten, and Northern Europe co-opted and supported Norway, and the naval power was able to reach Iceland, which was tantamount to breaking the geopolitical blockade. Li Xiaofeng still didn't believe that the rest of Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium and the like could help Britain, France and the United States much.

As long as the Soviet Union firmly dragged Britain, France, and the United States in Europe, in Asia, in Africa. How much energy can the three kingdoms have to toss? On the contrary, the Soviet Union still had the help of the Turkish Communist Party in Asia, and it was like a joke to turn the world upside down. If the US imperialists no longer know whether to live or die and go to Vietnam to join in the fun, I am afraid that there will be more than one layer of skin.

Of course, these are only the future assumptions of a certain immortal, in order to achieve these, in addition to the Red Army must be powerful enough, the most important link is not to be like in history, and the little friends are awkward. How to deal with the contradictions between the communist parties of different countries requires the art of politics. Even Li Xiaofeng is not sure whether he has this kind of political art. But he wanted to try.

For the time being, this is too far away, because it is not yet the turn of the Red Army to strike back in full. In fact, in Kursk, it was still the German army that attacked and defended the Red Army.

Paulus still has two brushes, which may be less creative than Guderian and the like, but there is no problem in fighting with a clear eye. In particular, he, like other German officers, was meticulous and rigorous, which was especially important in complex operations.

The Germans, with the 46th and 47th Panzer Corps as spearheads, inserted Kursk from the left and right, and by the end of May his troops had entered Kursk, where German grenadiers engaged the Reds in hand-to-hand combat on the streets of Kursk.

The fighting was fierce and brutal, but Paulus felt good about himself, and on 31 May he reported to Army Group Center Commander Bock: "My troops are crushing the Russian resistance step by step, and in early June, they can break through Kursk!" ”

This guarantee did not please Bock, and as a veteran, the longer the Battle of Kursk went on, the more he felt that it was wrong. When Paulus's heavy army cluster got bogged down in the quagmire of Kursk, both he and a considerable part of Rundstedd's forces were forced to continue to put pressure on the Red Army east of Kiev in order to ensure its safety. The battle over there is even more brutal and fierce than in Kursk!

For example, Konotop, this small city is of great significance, for the German army, Zhukov's Fifth Army must be driven away, otherwise the supply of materials on Paulus's side cannot be guaranteed, and in the event of a mistake, Paulus will not even have a way to escape. So Konotop was a must-win for the Germans.

The problem is that Zhukov could not abandon the city, but Ubolevich gave him a death order, resolutely cut off the retreat and supply channels of the Paulus group, and cooperate with the 37th and 38th armies to encircle and annihilate it.

Zhukov's pressure is also very great, but he is different from Rokossovsky, he will not carry it alone when he is stressed, he will vent, so soon the commanders and division commanders of the Fifth Army are unlucky, once they do not behave well or do not satisfy Zhukov, it will definitely be humiliated.

For example, our old friend Petrovsky, as the commander of the 1st Guards Mechanized Army, recalled the days of the Kursk battle and frankly admitted: "It was an unbearable time, not to mention the military pressure, every order of the army group command cannot be refused, Comrade Zhukov will not care what methods you use or how difficult it is, he only needs the result." And if the result doesn't satisfy him, it means a ruthless humiliation......"

Petrovsky himself was scolded by Zhukov at least three times, once as a pups, the second as a dog mongrel, and the third as a fool without brains. And please note that Zhukov's scolding is definitely not private, he will mercilessly humiliate you in front of your subordinates or colleagues, and will not give any face.

So much so that after the Battle of Kursk, when the 1st Guards Mechanized Army was rebuilt, Petrovsky was greatly relieved, and he said in private: "Finally, you can get rid of that rude tyrant!" ”

Of course, Zhukov's bad temper and lack of morality did not affect his military talents, and he was indeed still able to fight, withstanding the repeated attacks of Manstein and Moder. His Fifth Army, though struggling. But it was never repulsed. A grappling ensued between the two sides around Konotop.

In this regard, Manstein was deeply impressed: "The enemy's commander is very difficult to entangle, although his tactical style is slightly rough, but his courage to invest in the reserve and tenacious will are admirable!" ”

Shi Nengzhi was very tired, his company had been fighting continuously for a day and a night, blocking at least fifteen rounds of German attacks, and the whole company had fought from more than 100 people to only more than 50 people, which can be described as heavy casualties.

But he did not receive an order to retreat. There is no one to replace or reinforce him, the reason is very simple, there is not a single unit of the Fifth Army that is not tense in strength, and there is no way to draw manpower anywhere!

Releases pulled out the last section of his cigar, the only stimulant he could use to refresh himself. As he lit his cigar and took a big puff, he couldn't help but think, "How is that old man doing now?" Tankmen should have an easier time than infantry, right? ”

However, before he could take a second bite, a sentry shouted from the front: "Company commander, the enemy's tank is coming!" ”

Reluctantly, he extinguished his cigarette butt and raised his binoculars to see six No. 4 tanks covering about a reinforced company of German soldiers slowly advancing. That's not good news for him. Because in the last battle. His company had already exhausted all the anti-tank ammunition. At this time, there were neither armor-piercing shells nor anti-tank grenades on his positions. Not even Molotov cocktails.

"When will the ammunition arrive?" Shi Neng asked with a calm face.

However, no one could answer his question, because the battalion headquarters had said before that not only did he lack ammunition here, but the whole battalion and even the whole regiment were lacking, and I heard that it was the harassment of enemy planes and the snow that prevented the supplies from being delivered.

"Company commander, how to fight?"

Shi Neng Zhi glanced at the sergeant major, he was also embarrassed! As the so-called Qiao woman is difficult to cook without rice, she didn't fight anything, when she was in the Eighth Route Army, the only thing she could do in this situation was to flash people. However, now is not a guerrilla fight, the position must be defended, and it cannot be flashed!

Shi Neng was immediately embarrassed, let's fight, I definitely can't beat it, and if I don't get it, I will lose all the money; But if you don't fight, it's another escape. Shi Neng is a man, and he has never done anything like running away without eggs.

What to do?

Looking at the remaining dozens of comrades in the whole company, Shi Neng sighed and waved his hand: "Comrades, you retreat!" I'll stay! ”

This order shocked the whole company, and all the soldiers stared at the Shi Neng Ji with their mouths wide open, they really couldn't understand this strange order. Of course, they quickly reacted, this is the company commander's way of sacrificing himself to protect them, this ...... It's so impressive!

Immediately, a crowd of fighters shouted: "Company commander, let's not go!" ”

"Yes, company commander, we live and die together!"

"Swear to live and die with the company commander!"

Shi Neng pressed his hand and choked up: "Thank you for your kindness, but I can't accept it!" As a company commander, my responsibility is to hold my ground, and I can't retreat. As your superior, I must also be responsible for your safety, and I must not engage in unnecessary sacrifices. So, now I command you, all of you, turn back and walk in unison! ”

There were still people who tried to persuade Shi Nengzhi to give up this unreasonable order, and a large group of soldiers strongly demanded to stay, and many even refused to leave on the ground. But Shi Neng's attitude was resolute, and he simply pulled out his gun and drove all the fighters away.

Tyuminov, then the commander of the second platoon, recalled: "The attitude of the company commander was very resolute, there was no room for negotiation at all, and he arrogantly drove all the comrades away. The comrades left with tears in their eyes, and the big guy felt that this time he might have to say goodbye to the company commander...... After retreating to the second line, the comrades were still indignant and strongly complained about the unreasonable orders of the battalion headquarters, why were they not ready to take a step back, was it obviously a mortal and useless end, and the comrades had to be sacrificed in vain? What is the rationale for this? ”

However, at that time, Shi Neng had no complaints in this regard, because he was a qualified party member, and even more a qualified company commander, and he knew very well why his superiors would give death orders. It must have been the hardest and hardest time to fight, to the point when there was no way to retreat.

Shineng's guess was accurate, Manstein did put great pressure on Zhukov, and the 11th Army, which had the advantage of troops, was crushing the Red Army with the overwhelming force of Mount Tai, and the Red Army had to make sacrifices in order to hold the last position in Konotop without the main force reaching the battlefield.

Therefore, at that time, Shi Neng Zhi understood the difficulties of his superiors very well, so he did not feel wronged and wronged, and he did not even feel that he was great. In his opinion, as a company commander, it is a matter of course to protect his own soldiers.

Of course, the situation that Shi Neng had to face at that time was quite sinister, there were too many enemies and too strong, but he was single-handed, no matter how he looked at it, he felt a little like hitting a stone with an egg. Anyway, in the eyes of others, he will be dead and lifeless, and this day next year will be his death day.

So how is the release of energy ready to fight this asymmetrical battle with extremely disparity in strength? He nervously looked around the battlefield - his position was in front of a forest, and a road crossed in front of his position, and the Germans could only use it safely if they occupied his position. On both sides of the road, several tanks destroyed in the previous battle were slowly burning...... (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank you to xuyiqing1985, SC-VX, Zeng Yan, Xingmushi, Admiral Hood, hzwangdd and Comrade Juventus!