The Russian army's Western Front, after being reorganized and strengthened, has become the front army with the largest number of troops in the Russian army. It has 24 infantry armies, two tank armies and two air force armies, with a total strength of more than 3 million people.
Buru Politburo member Marshal Voroshilov, serves as the commander of Western Front. However, Marshal Voroshilov is opposed to this position from the bottom of his heart. If he was facing a weaker opponent, perhaps he would readily accept this order. However, the current enemy is the powerful Germany! Moreover, the previous front armies were defeated, and even Marshal Budyonny was killed in the battle. This made Marshal Voroshilov very worried, fearing that after defeat, he would follow the same example as Marshal Budyonny.
The headquarters of Western Front is located in Dorohovo, which is a Small Town about fifty kilometers away from Moscow. A road passes through this Small Town, which is a gateway to the west of Moscow.
Of course, there is only one important gateway to the west of Moscow, and that is Smolensk. But unfortunately, the Russian army captured Smolensk during the battle last year.
"Comrade Commander, German military launched a large-scale artillery bombardment. At the same time, their air force also dispatched and launched a large-scale bombing of our artillery. Now, our artillery is completely suppressed, and the losses are very heavy!" Lieutenant General Malanjin, chief of staff of the front army, reported.
"Damn! Those guys in the Air Force are too careless, aren't they? They actually suffered heavy losses in one day, and they don't even have the courage to fight the Germany people anymore. If this continues, how can we continue to fight the Germany people?" Before Marshal Voroshilov could speak, Lieutenant General Political Commissar Ponomarenko began to complain.
Voroshilov sighed. Having served as People's Commissar of Defense before, he also had some understanding of Russian Air Force's strength. He knew very well how powerful German Air Force was. With Russian Air Force's strength, it would be too much to challenge German Air Force.
"There is a huge disparity in strength between the Air Force and the Germany people. Although the Yak-1 fighter jets have begun to enter the army, the number is too small and cannot play a big role at all. It is inevitable that they suffered a disastrous defeat in yesterday's air battle. However, even without the support of the Air Force, we must resist the Germany Only the people can attack. Behind us is Moscow! Now, if we are defeated by the Germany people again, Comrade Joseph will never forgive us!" Marshal Voroshilov said.
Even though he is Buru Politburo member, he is still a marshal. But if he loses the battle and Joseph wants to deal with him, he will also die. Through the Great Purge and Political Commissar systems, Joseph has firmly controlled Buru's army. Now, no one can disobey the meaning of Joseph.
Lieutenant General Ponomarenko and Lieutenant General Malankin both nodded. Last year's disastrous defeat had already caused many Russian generals to be punished. It can be seen that Joseph is serious. If they are defeated by the Germany people this time, the consequences can be imagined.
"Order the armies on the front line to defend their positions. 3rd Tank Army Corps and 4th Army Corps must resist the Armored Forces of the Germany people!" Marshal Voroshilov ordered.
He knew very well how powerful German armored forces was. If he could not withstand German armored forces, the Russian army's defense would be as easy as a piece of paper to be broken through by German military.
3rd Tank Army Corps suffered a disastrous defeat in the previous battle and almost lost everything. But after supplementation, the strength was restored. However, a tank army of the Russian army only has more than a thousand tanks when it is full. Not to mention that the current Russian army simply does not have enough tanks to equip it. Therefore, due to serious shortages, a tank group of the Russian army only has more than 600 tanks, which is only equivalent to the number of tanks owned by an infantry group of German military.
Even if 3rd Tank Army Corps and 4th Tank Army Corps combined, it is estimated that they are no match for an armored group of German military. Not to mention that German Army Group B has four infantry armies in addition to one armored army. The number of tigers and leopards owned = the number of tanks, more than 3,000!
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Lieutenant General Ponomarenko and Lieutenant General Malankin reported.
Marshal Voroshilov's order was issued to all the group armies on the front line, but the group army commanders on the front line were also miserable. Facing the fierce bombardment of German military and the indiscriminate bombing of German Air Force, their artillery losses were very heavy. One artillery position after another was destroyed, a large number of artillery pieces were blown into scrap metal, and countless artillery pieces were torn into pieces. German military's artillery and aircraft are destroying their defenses. The defensive position that was finally built over the winter was becoming fragmented under the fierce shelling and bombing of German military.
German military's five Army Group launched a fierce attack at the same time, and all the defense lines of the entire Russian army were hit by fierce firepower. Russian Northwestern Front Army, Western Front, Southwestern Front, Yuzefgrad front army and Caucasian Front Army were attacked by five Army Group of German military. Only General Zhukov's Reserve Front Army holds heavy troops and stays behind Western Front and Northwestern Front Army, acting as a reserve team. Joseph will not easily agree to this front's participation in the war. Because, if the battle on the front line goes unfavorably, this front army will become Moscow's last holding force.
"Your Excellency, with the help of the air force, our artillery has completely suppressed the Russian artillery. Moreover, it has caused heavy losses to the Russian artillery." 8th Army Corps Chief of Staff Karl Lieutenant General Hilpeter reported.
Marshal Guderian nodded. "Let all armies prepare. Launch an attack in an hour. Use Armored Forces to tear apart the Russian army's defense line, and then implement division and encirclement tactics!"
"Yes, Your Excellency!" Karl? Lieutenant General Hillpet immediately went to convey the order.
In the next hour, German artillerymen and the air force worked even harder, plowing the Russian position several times with almost artillery shells and bombs. While the Russian defenses were destroyed, the troops also suffered heavy losses.
After that, the 3 Armored Division, 8th Armored Division, 88th Armored Division, 13 Armored Division, 14 Armored Division, 15 Armored Division, and 12 Mechanized Infantry Division under the B Army took the lead and launched an attack on the Russian defense line.