Published at 13th of February 2023 06:52:19 AM

"Come on, call Comrade Shaposhnikov!" Joseph ordered.

"Okay, Comrade Joseph." The secretary immediately went to make a phone call.

Ten minutes later, Marshal Shaposhnikov, Chief of the Russian Army's General Staff, arrived at Joseph's office. The general was relieved of his post and exiled to Siberia. Shaposhnikov knew that Joseph was now in a rage. It's best to follow his wishes, otherwise, you will be affected.

"Comrade Shaposhnikov. Novikov and Glovanov fought badly, caused heavy losses to the air force, and lost air supremacy. I have dismissed both of them. So, who is suitable to take over The positions of Air Force Commander and Chief of Staff?" Joseph asked.

Shaposhnikov thought for a while, and then said: "Comrade Joseph, the current situation of the Air Force is very bad. Even if someone else takes over as the commander and chief of staff of the Air Force, I am afraid that the current situation cannot be reversed."

Joseph frowned, he understood what Shaposhnikov meant. Obviously, Shaposhnikov was worried that after he changed the leader of the Air Force, he would be replaced again because of the unfavorable air force operations. In that case, I am afraid that the air force will be panicked.

"I know the situation of the Air Force. With our strength, it is too difficult to defeat the Germans. However, I hope that the Air Force can continue to fight and work hard to defend our airspace. We cannot turn around and run away in fear of the strength of the Luftwaffe. In that case , What's the use of using them?" Joseph looked angry.

"Yes, Comrade Joseph." Shaposhnikov nodded. Since Joseph also understands this meaning, he has nothing to worry about.

"Comrade Joseph, what do you think of Comrades Skripko and Comrades Faraleyev?" Shaposhnikov asked.

The former is the deputy commander of the Russian Air Force, and the latter is the deputy chief of staff. After Admiral Novikov and Admiral Glovanov were dismissed from their positions, it is undoubtedly very appropriate to have them advance in sequence.

Joseph thought for a while, then nodded: "Comrade Shaposhnikov, so be it, and give the promotion order in my name."

"Yes, Comrade Joseph!"

"Tell them that our enemy is very powerful, but the great Bu-Russian fighters will never be easily defeated. Let them not be afraid of sacrifices, not afraid of difficulties, and resolutely fight against the Germans. I will do my best to help them. On the factory side, I will say hello and let them increase the production of Yak-1 fighters as much as possible." Joseph said.

Although Joseph still very much hopes that the Russian Air Force can regain its disadvantage and defeat the Luftwaffe. But he knew that this was almost impossible. The only thing that can be done is to continue to fight. In that case, there might be a turning point.

"Yes, Comrade Joseph."

Admiral Skripko and Admiral Faraleyev served as Air Force Commander and Chief of Staff respectively, but they did not have a little joy. If they could make their own decisions, they would certainly not be willing to take over such a position. Because they are worried that Admiral Novikov and Admiral Glovanov will serve as a lesson for them.

No matter how angry Joseph is, it is an indisputable fact that the Russian air force suffered a disastrous defeat. On April 15th, the Russian Air Force was shot down by the Luftwaffe and destroyed more than 2,000 aircraft on the airport. And all the Yak-1 fighters were lost. Although the Russian Air Force still has a lot of aircraft left, most of them are old I-16 fighter jets and P-40 fighter jets aided by the United States. Previous air battles have proved that the I-16 fighter jets and P-40 fighter jets are not opponents of the Luftwaffe's BF-109 fighter jets. Not to mention facing the more powerful FW-190 fighter jet.

Combined with the bombing of a large number of field airports of the Russian Air Force, the German Air Force has completely seized the air supremacy of the battlefield.

That night, Marshal Albert Kesselring, Minister of the Imperial Air Force, reported the situation of the air force to Emperor Qin Tian.

Knowing that the Air Force has achieved air supremacy, Qin Tian was very satisfied. Although the air force also suffered a lot of losses during the battle, after seizing the air supremacy, it will be very beneficial to the next battle of the imperial army.

"The air force has won the victory. Then, it's up to the army. Marshal Manstein, give the order to attack! Early tomorrow morning, the five army groups of the Imperial Army will launch an attack, tearing apart the Russians in one fell swoop." The line of defense, wipe out their vital forces, and advance steadily towards Moscow!" Qin Tian ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Marshal Manstein replied.

"Marshal Kesselring, the army still needs the strong support of the air force for the next battle." Qin Tian continued.

In the process of launching an offensive, if the army can get the support of the air force, casualties will be effectively controlled.

"Yes, Your Majesty, this is our responsibility!" Marshal Kesselring replied.

On the morning of April 16, just before dawn, the five German army groups launched a large-scale artillery attack on a front thousands of kilometers long. The German army plus the servant army, more than 20,000 howitzers and field guns, frantically poured shells into the Russian defense line. 20 heavy artillery brigades and 1,440 210mm self-propelled howitzers performed very well in battle. The defense line built by the Russian army was easily destroyed under the heavy shelling of the German army.

Although, the artillery of the Russian army is also fighting back tenaciously. The 203mm self-propelled howitzer, 152mm howitzer, 122mm howitzer, and 76.2mm field gun, known as Joseph's heavy hammer, are all fighting back. The Russian army also attaches great importance to the construction of artillery. It's just that they are a bit behind the German Army in terms of the number and performance of artillery.

Soon after the bombardment started, fighter planes of the Luftwaffe appeared on the battlefield. FW-190 fighter jets, also carrying bombs or rockets, participated in the offensive of the Russian artillery. Not to mention those dive bombers and ground attack aircraft carrying bombs.

The powerful air strikes made the artillery losses of the Russian army even heavier, and they were completely at a disadvantage in the artillery battle. Under such circumstances, the losses of the Russian troops deployed on the front line were very large.

But even so, those Russian officers and soldiers are still fighting back desperately. Under the political commissar system, there is no way to dare to escape. In that case, you will only seek your own death. Coupled with the love for the country and the leader, many Russian officers and soldiers knew that the enemy was very strong, but still chose to fight to the end.

It's just that the German offensive has just begun.