Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 845 Night Breakout from Smolensk , Summer of Despair

Military vehicles arrived at the Rocket Force's position.

Fang Wen and Commander Vasily got off the vehicle.

As for Fang Wen, he doesn't need Vasily's introduction; many people here already know him.

Before the outbreak of the Soviet-German War, these people were still competing with the Taishan Storm rocket launcher produced by Taishan Military Industry, which was led by Fang Wen.

After all, the Taishan Storm was a weapon system that drew inspiration from Soviet-made rockets but surpassed them, and it had a number of successful combat examples.

But now, they have lost their competitive spirit and are hoping that Fang Wen's arrival can solve the problems they are currently facing.

An accompanying engineer asked anxiously, "Mr. Fang, do you have a way to solve the problem of shooting accuracy?"

Fang Wen glanced at the rows of magnificent rocket launchers and replied, "I need you to tell me about the daytime launch first."

Immediately, the rocket force selected two people to explain to Fang Wen: one was the military engineer who had spoken earlier, and the other was the launch vehicle commander.

The engineer spoke first: "The biggest problem is the uncontrolled lateral dispersion. During the day, we conducted salvo firing on the target area. The rockets had a small forward and backward deviation, and only a small number of rockets were fired out of the target area. However, the lateral deviation was extremely serious, and some rockets deviated directly from the target area."

"The density of salvo firing is also difficult to control," the launch vehicle commander added. "We've tried single-vehicle reduced-ammunition firing and multi-vehicle group firing, but we still can't control the firepower. When multiple vehicles fire simultaneously, the trajectories are prone to mutual interference. The accuracy of a single vehicle firing a single shot is acceptable, but the firepower is too weak to destroy the enemy's machine gun positions and trench defenses."

At this point, a young artillery captain added: "There's also the issue of unstable firing attitude. The chassis has poor shock absorption, and the recoil from a full salvo causes the vehicle to skid and lift, resulting in a different vehicle attitude for each firing. Even if we pre-calibrate the firing angle and azimuth, all the data from the next round of firing becomes invalid, making repeatability extremely poor."

His speech spurred more people to participate.

Everyone chimed in, sharing all the problems they had discovered during the launch.

These problems had troubled them for a long time and remained unresolved; they were not discovered only after they went to the battlefield.

Fang Wen listened attentively.

He was very familiar with these problems; they were common issues with the early BM-13 Katyusha rocket launchers, and they were also the key difficulties they tackled during the development of the Taishan Storm rocket launcher.

"Have you finished speaking?" he asked.

No one asked any more questions.

Fang Wen walked to the rocket launcher next to him, climbed up, and looked at the launcher structure.

He then pointed to the launch rail in front of him and said in Russian: "Your launch method has flaws. Using a fully open smooth rail, the rocket's initial restraint is extremely poor. A slight deviation occurs the moment the rocket starts, and as the flight distance increases, the deviation amplifies exponentially, eventually causing a large-scale lateral dispersion. This is the fundamental reason why your lateral deviation is far greater than your longitudinal deviation."

This single sentence succinctly explains the biggest problem with the Soviet army's rocket launchers.

This immediately won over the soldiers and engineers present.

This makes everyone even more eager for what to come.

Fang Wen jumped off the rocket launcher.

He patted the car body.

"I think the salvo density is probably due to uncontrolled recoil. We also found the same problem when we tested the Taishan Storm. You didn't equip the launch vehicle with launch fixation components, and only relied on simple brake pads for braking. The muddy and soft battlefield conditions themselves have insufficient load-bearing capacity, and the recoil generated by the salvo will push the vehicle to move, making it impossible to uniform the posture, so the firing range calibration is naturally meaningless."

"And ammunition. The rockets you use have fixed tail fins and no spin stabilization design, so they cannot correct their deviation on their own during flight and have almost zero wind resistance. In addition, you are used to firing large clusters of rockets simultaneously, and the tail fins of multiple rockets interfere with each other, which directly exacerbates the ballistic turbulence."

Fang Wen finished his analysis and looked at the Soviets surrounding him.

"I'm done talking."

The Soviet engineers and officers present felt a sense of sudden enlightenment.

Vasily quickly asked, "Mr. Fang, how should we rectify this now?"

Yes, figuring out how to solve these problems is the hardest thing to do tonight.

Without industrial processing equipment, it is impossible to modify ammunition and launch rails.

Fang Wen frowned.

There's a Chinese proverb that says, "Even a clever cook can't cook without rice," which perfectly describes the current situation.

However, it's not entirely without a solution.

When Fang Wen activates his superpowers, he becomes a human computer, capable of performing high-intensity data analysis on the situation.

He quietly pressed the switch on the belt buckle, activating his supernatural ability.

Mechanical perception radiated outwards, enveloping the entire rocket launch site, and calculations and thinking were aided by powerful mental energy.

After a while, he exited his superpowered state.

He addressed the Soviets present, saying, "I have a method that you can try. Are you willing to make the adjustments as I suggest?"

Vasily's expression changed immediately, and the other Soviets also looked embarrassed.

"How confident are you?" Vasily asked.

“Seventy percent,” Fang Wen replied. Actually, he felt it could be higher, but it was better to be conservative.

"I'll go ask for instructions." Vasily left.

After a while, he returned: "The higher-ups have approved it. Please present your proposal."

Immediately, Fang Wen raised his voice:

"All launchers have had their array configuration changed. The horizontal side-by-side array has been abandoned, and all have been arranged vertically parallel to the predetermined breakthrough channel, taking advantage of the smaller vertical dispersion to reduce the problem of horizontal scattering."

Immediately, someone understood that changing the launch vehicle's location was indeed the simplest solution.

Of course, Fang Wen's plan didn't stop there.

He continued, “The engineers immediately organized a team to complete two modifications. First, they used wooden planks and sheet metal to install limiting strips on both sides of each guide rail to reduce the initial movement gap of the rocket launch and constrain the initial offset; second, they cut the camouflage canvas of the rocket vehicle and tied it to the tail of all the rockets to be launched.”

The engineers were stunned.

They can accept the restrictions imposed on the guide rails.

Is it really effective to attach a canvas strip to the tail of a rocket?

Seeing their reaction, Fang Wen knew the engineers didn't believe him, and smiled, "Actually, the reasoning isn't that complicated. I'm very familiar with your rockets. During the modification and testing at Taishan Military Industry, we tried adding an extra device to the tail of your rockets to suppress the spin deviation of the projectile, and the effect was good. Now that we don't have that condition, using canvas as a substitute will also have some effect."

Upon hearing Fang Wen's explanation, the Soviet engineers readily accepted it and quickly gathered their forces to get to work.

Then, Fang Wen said to Vasily:

"Use wooden stakes and steel cables to secure the four corners of the vehicle body, compact the soil under the wheels, lock the chassis, and prevent launch skidding. Standardize the launch elevation angle of all vehicles, and check it before launch."

"Change the firing tactics. Abandon the salvo firing mode and adopt staggered firing in waves. The flank units fire first, and after a 15-second interval, the main channel units fire in reduced quantities, with each vehicle firing only eight rockets at a time, covering the missile surface in segments. This will be more effective."

"Hmm." Vasily noted down Fang Wen's words and directed his men to get to work.

The entire position came to a stop.

The artillerymen carried wooden stakes and steel cables to secure the launch vehicle; the engineers led their assistants to cut wooden boards and sheet metal to quickly make limit bars and simple stabilizing tail fins.

Busy figures were everywhere on the launch site, everyone looking forward to the results of the new round of launches.

Vasily walked to Fang Wen's side, looked at the bustling battlefield, and relaxed his tense face: "Mr. Fang, only now do I understand why Mount Tai Storm is better than us."

"Why?" Fang Wen turned to look at Vasily.

"Your problem-solving approach, even in this situation, allows you to come up with a solution. No wonder you do better than us."

Fang Wen accepted Vasily's praise. This was a product of the combination of futuristic thinking and superpowers; how could it not be superior to people of this era?

He gazed into the darkness of the distance, towards the encirclement blocked by the German forces: "This is only a stopgap measure in the battlefield, and hopefully it can help you open up a safe and controllable breakout route. Without a test firing location, it's still very difficult!"

Vasily nodded: "Fortunately, we launched one round during the day and got the data."

Time passed little by little.

The sky grew increasingly dark.

After emergency modifications, all BM-13 Katyusha launchers have completed battlefield conversions. The launchers, originally arranged in neat, horizontal rows, are now arranged longitudinally, with their bodies parallel to the designated firing lanes.

The simple wooden and iron limit bars installed on both sides of the guide rail are firmly stuck to the edge of the rail, restricting the initial movement space of the rocket.

Each rocket ready for launch has a neatly cut canvas strap tied to its tail.

The artillerymen used wooden stakes and heavy steel cables to lock the four corners of the vehicles and repeatedly tamped down the soft black mud under the wheels to prevent the vehicles from slipping due to vibration during firing.

Vasily and Fang Wen stood on a small hill, with the Rocket Team's communications officer behind them.

The communications soldier reported immediately after receiving the telegram.

"Order received, launch time 9 PM. Command requires time synchronization."

Vasily glanced down at his watch, which was covered in mud, and said, "My watch reads 8:30."

The communications officer immediately sent a message, and a moment later he replied: "No time adjustment needed, launch on time."

Immediately, Vasily issued the combat order in a deep voice: "Notify all launch units to prepare for wave-by-wave strikes according to the established tactics. All personnel shall immediately enter combat status."

The order was relayed to each launcher, and the position suddenly fell silent, with only the idling roar of the engines remaining.

All artillerymen, take your positions.

Fang Wen's gaze passed over the rows of launchers and landed on the German blockade line in the darkness several kilometers away.

He himself wasn't sure.

Even with a 70% or 80% chance of success, it doesn't guarantee actual success. This hastily put-together emergency plan can only barely control the spread of bullets. Whether it can carve out a path to survival on the ever-changing battlefield remains to be seen.

Half an hour later, he heard Vasily's loud command.

"Attention all personnel, first wave, flank suppression units, prepare to fire!"

In an instant, several rocket launchers ignited.

The rockets, trailing long fiery tails, roared into the sky and shot towards the German machine gun bunkers, artillery positions, and motorized squad assembly points on both sides of the passage.

Unlike the scattered and disorderly barrage of bullets during the day, this round of rockets landed in a more concentrated manner, covering the German flank defense nodes. Explosions and flashes of light rose and fell, and debris and the remains of German fortifications were blasted into the air.

Fifteen seconds later, a new round of attacks began.

"Second wave, main channel unit, reduced launch!"

A new wave of flames erupted once again.

Compared to the Soviet army's previous ferocious saturation salvo, each launcher fired only eight rockets at this moment.

The modified guide rails limit the initial deviation of the ammunition, and the canvas ribbon at the tail stabilizes the projectile's attitude, avoiding the drawbacks of mutual interference between wakes.

A rain of fire flew in a narrow band towards the junction of the forest and the German encirclement.

As the rocket salvo landed, an explosion zone appeared that stretched 800 meters in depth and 2000 meters in width.

This breakout tunnel, blasted open by artillery fire, provided a clear nighttime guide for the Soviet troops both inside and outside the encirclement.

Inside the Smolensk encirclement.

Inside the dilapidated makeshift underground command post, the telegraph machine beeped incessantly.

A moment later, the telegraph operator handed the message to Lu Jin, commander of the 16th Army Group.

The same telegram was also seen by the commander of the 20th Army.

The telegram was simple, ordering the main forces of the 16th and 20th Army Groups to immediately organize their troops and break out to the east.

News in dire straits is like rain after a long drought.

Then, the massive explosions and flames in the east gave them a signal.

The two army groups selected their elite troops to form vanguard columns and headed straight for the gap in the artillery fire.

The main force followed.

The hope of escaping seemed to be within reach.

But no one could have predicted that a cruel twist of fate would suddenly occur at this moment.

Almost simultaneously, the Soviet rocket forces completed their artillery barrage, and the Soviet troops inside and outside the encirclement launched their attack.

On the west side of Smolensk, a deafening roar of artillery fire suddenly erupted.

Compared to the short burst of rockets, the bombardment of heavy artillery was much deeper and more violent, continuous and shaking the entire earth.

The German army also launched a large-scale night offensive that night.

This was not a spur-of-the-moment counterattack, but rather a nighttime operation plan that the German Army Group Center had already devised.

Guderian's armored forces selected elite armored battalions, equipped with heavy artillery, and focused their main attack on the Soviet 19th Army's defense zone west of Smolensk.

Hundreds of grenades landed on the Soviet positions, sending flames soaring into the sky. The trenches and fortifications were no match for the heavy artillery.

Following the artillery barrage, dozens of Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks launched an assault, charging straight toward the forward positions of the 19th Army Group.

German infantry, supported by tanks, launched a simultaneous assault.

The 19th Army had been fighting bloody battles for days, losing more than half of its men and its ammunition supplies were running out. Faced with the German army's long-planned heavy night raid, it was powerless to resist.

In less than twenty minutes, the northern front line of defense completely collapsed.

The tattered trenches were flattened by tanks, the organized defensive forces were divided and surrounded, and the morale of the surviving soldiers completely collapsed, making it impossible for them to organize an effective resistance.

The rout spread rapidly like a plague, and the remaining troops at the front, in order to save themselves, had no choice but to abandon their positions and retreat to the southeast.

The southeast direction was precisely the direction from which the 16th and 20th Army Groups broke through.

The routed allied forces swarmed into the rear of the breakout troops like headless flies, instantly disrupting all breakout plans.

Even more fatally, the German armored group following the retreating troops did not stop its offensive. Taking advantage of the Soviet army's confusion, it broke through the defenses and directly entered the Soviet ranks.

The tanks rampaged, cutting the originally massive breakout army into scattered small combat blocks.

The Soviet troops within the square were unable to support each other, communication was cut off, and they could not coordinate their operations, so they could only fight individually.

Faced with the sudden change behind him, Lukin stared at the gap that seemed within reach ahead.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and gave the order.

The troops were split into two groups, with those closest to the breach ordered to rush out and rendezvous with the supporting troops.

More troops were diverted to rescue friendly forces in the rear that were on the verge of annihilation.

The breakout operation was forced to end.

After nearly two hours of chaotic fighting and difficult regrouping, the German tank units retreated.

These Soviet troops, having completely lost the means to break out, could only retreat back to their original, dilapidated positions, reinforce their defenses, and passively defend themselves.

The night remained deep, the fire gradually died down, and the battlefield was littered with corpses and abandoned weapons.

The passage opened by the Katyusha rocket launcher has been sealed off by German armored forces, and no soldiers can leave through that gap anymore.

Fang Wen couldn't help but sigh that war is always full of variables, and the outcome of war is never determined by a single weapon or tactic.

In that desperate summer of 1941, the Soviet Union would face even more desperate days. (End of Chapter)