USSR 1941

  Chapter 87 Inspection

   "Central Army Group!" Admiral Kirponos gave the designation: "That is the German Central Army Group!"

"Yes, the Central Army Group!" Shulka said: "We fought against one of them at the Brest Fortress, and their combat effectiveness is very strong. If the Central Army Group crosses the Dnieper River in the direction of Minsk, Our flanks will be exposed to them, and they will turn south..."

Admiral Kirponos and Major Gavrilov were stunned and speechless for a long time when they heard the words. They were frightened by this unprecedented encirclement... If this is the case, the Germans do not need to storm Kyiv at all , and there is no need to forcibly cross the Dnieper River, but to encircle them all.

   "This is impossible, Shulka!" After a while, Major Gavrilov objected: "To do what you said, the Germans must annihilate the entire Western Front in a short time!"

   Shulka did not answer because this was not his time to answer questions.

  Admiral Kirponos didn't speak, he just looked at the map silently.

  Major Gavrilov sensed something was wrong, and cast a puzzled look at Admiral Kirponos.

   "Minsk is in trouble!" Admiral Kirponos replied: "The Western Front has been surrounded by the Germans!"

  This news cannot be announced casually, so even Major Gavrilov did not know.

  Major Gavrilov was stunned for a moment, then glanced at Shulka, and said, "That is to say, the encirclement that the sergeant said...is probably true?"

   "Yes!" Admiral Kirponos nodded: "But it's not sure yet!"

   It is indeed uncertain, because the Battle of Minsk is still in progress at this time.

  However, for Shulka, it is certain that the Western Army was annihilated by 500,000 people within 20 days, and the commander, General Pavlov, was sentenced to death for treason.

   This is a bit wronged. Although General Pavlov's command is weak, he can't talk about "treason".

   "Then..." Major Gavrilov said: "Comrade General, with all due respect, we must be ready to retreat!"

  Major Gavrilov said this politely. The fact is that we must retreat, otherwise it is not a joke that millions of people are surrounded here.

   "The situation in Minsk is still unclear!" Admiral Kirponos said: "The intention of the German Army Group Center is also unclear, and we will consider this aspect later!"

  Admiral Kirponos was right. In fact, Guderian did not want to outflank Kyiv, because this would delay the process of the Central Army's attack on Moscow, and finally had to change direction at Hitler's insistence.

  So, this discussion ended in an uneasy atmosphere.

  For Shulka, he thinks the purpose of this trip has been achieved, at least he reminded Admiral Kirponos, although Shulka knows that this will actually have no effect.

   "Have you thought of this a long time ago?" Major Gavrilov asked on the way back.

"What?"

   "This encirclement!" Gavrilov asked, "What have you been worrying about all this time? That's what you said today, right?"

   "Yes, Comrade Major!" Shulka could not deny it.

"How did you think of this?" Major Gavrilov shook his head: "Army Group Central? But they are thinking about the movement of the enemy's army group!"

   "Sorry, Comrade Major!" Shulka replied: "I can't stop my head from rambling!"

  Suddenly, Shulka remembered that as a Soviet soldier, he was not allowed to have his own thoughts, so he asked: "Did I violate something..."

"No, that's fine!" Major Gavrilov laughed. "Before the war, yes, you really couldn't think. But now, believe me, Shulka, we need you to 'think crazy'! "

  This is of course. In peacetime, it may be possible to build a car behind closed doors, and you can do whatever you want after closing the door, but when the war breaks out, the country’s doors are opened...everything will be pulled down and implemented in a practical and effective way, otherwise it will be a dead end.

  In this respect, war is still a panacea for national reform.

   That night, the 333rd regiment got a few hours of rest.

   They were arranged in a warehouse, and the orderly had prepared bread, dry quilts, beds, and even a brand-new military uniform.

I don’t know who took the lead. Regardless of fatigue, the soldiers stripped themselves naked one after another and rushed into the rain cheering... This is indeed a good idea. Having dry beds and military uniforms means at least a moment of comfort Even if they knew that the military uniforms would still be wrapped in mud and water the next day.

  However, when Shulka walked out of the warehouse with them and let the cold rain hit him, he suddenly felt that what the rain washed away was not the dirt and fatigue on his body, but the smoke and blood of the battlefield.

   This made Shulka stand under the rain for a long time, unwilling to return, until Major Gavrilov ordered a rest.

  Everyone slept well that night, not only because they had a safe haven, but also because it was a hundred kilometers away from the front line... This made them temporarily away from the fear of death.

  So, Shulka felt that the whistle to get up sounded as soon as he closed his eyes.

  At first he thought that there must be something wrong or there was an emergency, but he looked at his watch... The five-hour rest time has passed, and although the outside was still gloomy due to the heavy rain, it was clearly dawn.

  As General Kirponos said, the task of the 333rd regiment is to use their experience to check the Kyiv defense line.

  This gave the 333rd regiment a lot of freedom and power. They could "check" one place after another at will, or they could "check" the defense zones of the 13 divisions outside Kyiv one by one in order. As long as Gavrilov is willing, they can even ask the district to cooperate with them in a small-scale exercise.

   This is a bit like a troop specially used for inspections, which makes the garrisons in all districts a little nervous when they see the 333rd regiment.

In order to conduct more effective and rapid "patrols", Admiral Kirponos also allocated cars to the 333rd Regiment... This was somewhat unimaginable during the war preparation period. Cars are usually used to transport ammunition supplies or from Front line transport of the wounded or something.

  Of course, having these "benefits" is not without cost. Major Gavrilov and Shulka have to report to Admiral Kirponos about the "inspection" every day.

  (end of this chapter)