of the latter fled, abandoning his troops. By August 24, the Soviet mechanized troops are advancing 130—140 kilometers, closing a ring around 18 enemy divisions.
At the same time, an anti-government uprising broke out in Bucharest; The Romanian king arrested the premier Antonescu and the generals who support the Reich, declares war on Germany, asks for help from the Soviet Union. August 29, with the liquidation of the encircled troops and the exit to the port of Constanta, the operation is completed. The forces of the parties: the USSR – 1.3 million people, 1,900 tanks and self-propelled artillery systems, 2,200 aircraft, Germany-Romania – 0,9 million people, 400 tanks, 800 aircraft. Losses: USSR – 13,200 soldiers and officers, 75 tanks, 11 aircraft, Germany-Romania – 135,000 killed, 208,000 prisoners. Tanks T-34-85, coming from factories so much that it is customary to take on new, not repaired, vehicles.
The Ardennes operation. The forces of the parties: the United States and Great Britain – 84,000 people, 1,500 tanks and self-propelled guns, about 1,200 aircraft (all in this theater of operations the allies had 8,000 aircraft) Germany – 240,000 people, 1,800 tanks, 800 aircraft. Begins on December 16, in southwestern Belgium; the main purpose of the «fire Reich», Field Marshal Walter Model – to cut off the bridgehead of the Anglo-American forces advancing to Germany. Volunteers Otto Skorzeny, 2000 people, 150 of whom speak fluent English, are called to land in the rear, to destroy military leaders, to commit sabotage, to rearrange road signs, to sow panic. After the initial success, the tank units of the Wehrmacht begin to tie in positional battles. Airborne troops return through the front line to their troops. Saboteurs, when the initial plan is determined, are promptly identified and, after a short military court, they are shot (the military performing such operations are not considered combatants, the norms of international humanitarian law do not apply to them). The focus applied since the Anschluss of Austria, this time, in general, fails. The weather has improved, the tanks are subjected to powerful attacks of Anglo-British «Typhoons». German troops stop on December 25, before reaching their goal – the French port of Pas-de-Calais. Nevertheless, the situation continues to be serious, and on January 6, Churchill appeals to the Soviet command to begin the offensive on the Eastern Front ahead of schedule. Losses of the parties: Germany – 40 000 killed, 600 tanks, about 350 aircraft, the United Kingdom – the United States – 30 000 people irrevocably, 800 tanks, 400 aircraft (on land and in the air). Walter Model himself will end his life in April 1945, surrounded with his 300,000-strong group in the Ruhr; The «fireman of the Reich» issued direct orders for the destruction of the civilian population (including adolescents from the age of 14) in the USSR, and realized that he, as a war criminal, should not be expected.
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1. La-5 (LaGG-5). Completed from a fairly «raw» plywood LaGG-3. The plane, in particular, the Soviet ace Ivan Kozhedub (64 wins only in single battles, in addition, 3 US fighter Mustang, invading the Soviet occupation zone with aggressive intentions, and not counted). On this fighter fought, achieved 7 victories, lost legs, Alexei Maresyev (before being shot down by Yak-1). La-5 is also known for the iconic Soviet film «Only old men are going to battle.» Created in the KB Lavochkin, with numerous obstacles from the Yakovlev Design Bureau and manufacturers, thanks to the persistence of designers and the stock of luck, stood all the tests. It is considered a competitor of the brand «Focke-Wulf», while the «Yak» family is the opponent of «Messershmit». Armament – two 20 mm. gun ShVAK, with ammunition of 200 rounds. The speed is 509 km. at the ground, 580 km. at an altitude of 6000 m., La5F, with a constantly forced air-cooling engine (which practically did not affect its resource) – 600 km. h. The range is 1200 km. – La-5, 760 km. – La-5F. The practical ceiling is 9500 meters. From 1942 to 1944, 9920 vehicles were produced.
2. Yak-3. Development of the Yak-1 concept. The most famous fighter of the Great Patriotic War. Armament is one 20 mm. gun, two 12.7 mm. machine gun. Cruising speed 600 km. h) (at 30 kmh higher than the maximum in the Yak-1), the maximum – 650 km. h. Water cooling engine. The practical range is 648 km. From 1944 to 1945. produced 4111 cars. Later on it will be based on the Yak-9, with approximately the same flight characteristics, but enhanced armament: up to 23 mm. or 37 mm. guns and two 12.7 mm. machine guns, in version «B» – with a compartment for 400 kg. bombs. In total, from 1942 to 1948, 16,000 Yak-9 were produced.
3. Aerocobra (Bell P-39 Airacobra). The machine of Soviet aces Alexander Pokryshkin (59 wins), Amet Khan Sultan (30), etc., is distinguished, above all, by powerful weapons: 37 mm. a cannon with 30 shells, two 12.7 mm. machine guns, 270 cartridges and four 7.62 mm. machine guns with 1000 cartridges in the wing. Can be used as a light bomber, with one 272 kg. bomb. The speed at an altitude of 4200 m is 585 km. h, at the land of 500 km. h, practical range of 990 km. The engine behind the pilot serves as an additional protection against firing, helps to avoid hooding when landing. This same feature of the layout increases the likelihood of entry into a tailspin, for which American pilots strongly dislike the P-39, preferring it to a more stable «Mustang». The side door improves comfort in everyday operation, but is a risk factor when evacuating the pilot sideways, rather than downwards (usually to throw out with a parachute enough to open the lantern, flip the plane and unfasten the straps). In total in the USSR from the beginning of 1942 4500 cars are delivered.
4. Lend-Lizovsky bomber «Boston» (Douglas A-20 Havoc / DB-7 Boston). A total of 3,066 units were supplied to the USSR. Own armament – six 12, 7 mm. machine guns (part – controlled by servos), bomb load 1,100 kg. In general, it corresponds to the Soviet Il-4, but it has the highest level of comfort for the crew (airtight cabin, heating, a bathroom under the seat of one of the pilots), a reliable radio station and a set of navigational instruments..
4. Focke-Wulf-190 (Focke-Wulf FW-190 «Würger»), German attack aircraft, fighter. The engine – with a star-shaped two-row arrangement of cylinders, with – very successful aerodynamics. Armament: two 20-mm. guns MG 151 / 20E at the base of the wings, 150 shots per barrel (the experimental models had 4 or even 6 guns), two 13-mm guns. a machine gun, 250 cartridges each. As an attack aircraft, Focke-Wulf was equipped with a 6-mm. armor, while he could carry two 250 kg. bombs. The speed at an altitude of 5700 m is 660 km. h., 3100 meters – 585 km. h., at the ground of 545 km. h. The flight range is 750 km. From 1941 to 1945, 20,000 units were built.
5. The fighter «Comet» (Messerschmitt Me.163 «Komet»). The commencement of flights – 1941, the first combat application-May 14, 1944. Armament: two 30 mm. guns with 60 rounds per barrel, or missiles.
