On March 5, 1940, the first phase of Operation Star-1 was launched.

The Germans threw thirty divisions into a very traditional armored assault on the Russian-occupied zone east of Lublin.

The Russian army put up fierce resistance, but the defensive line was quickly torn apart, and the German armored units detoured to the northeast of Lublin, cutting off the passage between Ukraine and the main forces of the Russian invasion.

The Russian army immediately put in troops to counterattack, trying to cut off the narrow German-controlled area, but unfortunately this time the German breakthrough distance is relatively short, the troops are relatively substantial, and the distance from the airport is very close to the air force can be strongly supported. Although the Russian counterattack made considerable progress for a time, breaking through the narrow and long control zone of the German army, it was soon driven away by the follow-up units of the German army, and they reconnected the advance and rear fronts.

On March 10, 1940, the Germans had surrounded Lublin from three sides, and at the same time, the Luftwaffe continued to bomb the Russian connection between Lublin and Warsaw, attacking the Russian troops reinforced to Lublin.

**

"They told me that the German offensive would begin at the end of March." In the palace in Minsk, Iron Ji looked out the window sullenly, "The reason is also high-sounding, what 'our army's offensive on Warsaw involved the German army's troops and materials, delaying the German army's offensive preparations, but the German army will definitely attack before the snow begins to melt in April, because then the ground will become muddy and unsuitable for armored troops to fight', hmph, it's really like that." As a result, they didn't think about the snowmelt at all, because they were going to attack as soon as March began! The ground was frozen hard enough for their chariots to rumble through! ”

Natalia, who was next to her, waited for the steel queen to finish muttering before she spoke: "I think the problem is mainly in our estimate of the strength of the German army, if the German army is really as we estimated, about three million people in Poland, then our attack on Warsaw will indeed seriously delay the progress of the German army's offensive preparations." The units that our army put into use in February were equipped with submachine guns developed by the Emergency Committee on Light Weapons, and although their performance was not as good as that of the German assault rifles, they also greatly strengthened the firepower of our army and shortened the gap with the German army. ”

Iron Ji pursed her lips.

"Is this submachine gun really that effective?"

"At least the feedback from the front-line troops shows that they are effective. The emergency committee referred to Lin Youde's instructions to the German military industry department to pursue reliability and productivity, so this gun rarely jammed, did not require frequent maintenance, and had good continuous firing performance. However, feedback from officers and soldiers on the front line also showed that the submachine guns using pistol bullets were too powerful and the shooting accuracy was not enough, and the Germans using assault rifles could not be defeated in medium-range firefights. ”

"It's a defective weapon."

"But in street fighting, this flaw has little effect." Natalia shrugged her shoulders, "And this gun is very productive, there are few parts in the whole gun, most of them are stamping parts, just because our stamping technology is not as good as Germany, so some parts need to be polished to affect the output." However, the production department believes that with the improvement of worker proficiency, we can reach the level of 6,000 per day in May. In addition, work was underway to copy the assault rifle of the Germans, recommended by the armament bureau of the firearms designer Mikhail? Timofeevich? Kalashnikov is in charge. ”

Iron Ji still had a dissatisfied expression, but she still nodded.

"Now, then, transfer to Lublin the units of our army, which are also equipped with weapons suitable for street fighting." Iron Ji turned to the map, "It's not as big and difficult as Warsaw, but it's the regional capital of Poland, and it can fit a lot of troops." ”

"We're already doing it, Your Excellency." Natalia replied in a calm voice, "The troops stationed in Lublin were given priority to reload their submachine guns last month, and about a third of the troops were reloaded. ”

Iron Ji sighed, pressed her hands on the map, and muttered in a low voice: "Damn, if I had known, I should have cleared those nobles who were in the way earlier, and started to revitalize industry." I always thought that Lin Youde's theory was exaggerated, and it was just something he concocted in order to make political capital, just like the remarks of other Western politicians. ”

"No one can foresee what will happen in the future, until the year before last, Lin Youde's air force severely damaged the Royal Navy, people all over the world thought that battleships would rule the world for many more years."

"But Lin Youde foresaw it."

"That's why we're being beaten so badly by him now." Natalia's voice was very calm, "Josephine ......"

"Don't call me by that name."

"Well, Miss Dzhugashvili, even if we have to withdraw from Poland, we will not fail. We still have vast strategic depth and a huge military resource, and the United States will not sit idly by and watch the rise of a new power that can command Europe and share with them the hegemony that should belong to them. The Americans will do everything they can to help us. ”

"Yes, I know that as long as we don't stop fighting, Germany can't wear us down. But just like that, I am not reconciled to return to Russia! ”

"No one is going to go back to Russia like this, and it will take a lot of effort for the Germans to drive us away, believe me." Natalia smiled rarely.

Iron Ji looked at Natalia, and the expression on her face softened.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I should have faith in my men and my people. ”

Of course, Natalia did not remind Iron Ji that she was only the prime minister, and Russia belonged to His Majesty the Tsar.

After a short silence, Iron Ji said to Natalia: "I will combine the First Ukrainian Front and the Belarusian Front into one Warsaw Front, and fight the Germans to the end on the Polish plain." Who do you think would be the most appropriate commander of the front? ”

Natalia thought for a moment, then replied: "I recommend Leonid?" Aleksandrovich? Govorov. He was an expert in the use of artillery and also had a hand in leading defensive operations. In such a passive situation of our army, only a good use of artillery can neutralize the superiority of German equipment. The only thing that our army can stand on the same starting line as the German army is the artillery unit. ”

Iron Ji recalled for a moment, and said frankly, "I don't remember who he is, but since Natalia you think he's a good fit, let him try." The order was issued in my name, and the original two commanders were to withdraw and let them go on vacation on the shores of the Black Sea. ”