Chapter 144: mobilize

Chapter 144 Transfer

The news of the defeat of the Romanian 4th Army soon spread to the Southern Army Group Command.

Lundstedt was too surprised to speak for a long time after receiving this telegram.

But another piece of information left him stunned on the spot.

"Your Excellency, Marshal!" said the adjutant, "We have just confirmed that Admiral Schobert was struck by a mine and died during the retreat!"

"What? What did you say?" Lundstedt could hardly believe his ears.

The adjutant repeated it again, and then added: "The 22nd Infantry Division suffered more than 3,000 casualties..."

Lundstedt dared not listen any longer.

This is simply a shame for the German army, especially when other fronts are in dire straits.

Then Lundstedt realized that what he had to face was how to explain to Berlin.

Sure enough, the phone rang soon after, and the adjutant handed the receiver to Rundstedt. Judging from his expression, Rundstedt knew that it was Hitler calling, and the tone was not good.

Lundstedt guessed right. Before he could reveal his identity just after he got on the phone, Hitler's roar came from the other end of the phone:

"You should be ashamed of this battle! When our army defeated the Russians and fled all the way, your command caused our troops to suffer unprecedented, heavy, and horrific casualties..."

Hitler's speeches sounded like speeches at any time, even when they were swearing.

Lundstedt knew that his failure this time was indeed serious, so he let Hitler be furious without saying a word.

After scolding for a long time, Hitler suddenly asked: "How do you plan to solve this mess in front of you?"

Lundstedt was stunned for a moment, and then replied: "I will try my best to open up the supply line, Your Excellency, their armored forces are in Odessa, and the main infantry is in Kyiv. The middle part is obviously more vulnerable!"

"But our troops are equally vulnerable!" Hitler retorted loudly: "Army Group South was divided into two parts, in fact three parts: the armored troops were blocked on the east bank of the Dnieper River and could not return, and the main force was surrounded. During the interruption, the logistics troops are blocked on the periphery, I think you know what this means, Marshal!"

Hitler said the word "Marshal" through gritted teeth, which shows Hitler's anger towards Lundstedt at this time.

"Yes, Your Excellency the Führer!" Lundstedt replied.

Of course, Lundstedt knows what this means... The logistics force has ammunition but has no combat effectiveness. The main force has combat effectiveness but does not have enough ammunition. If the plan to open up the supply line fails, it is likely to be counterattacked by the Soviet army. .

And then...then there is no after.

The main force will be wiped out by the Soviet army due to lack of ammunition. Such a failure is unbearable for the German army.

After a short silence, Hitler said: "I know what to do, Field Marshal! Someone must be responsible for this failure!"

Hitler hung up the phone while speaking, leaving only Lundstedt in a daze with the microphone in place. After a while, he slowly put the microphone back.

Lundstedt knew what Hitler meant by "responsible for this failure", which meant that he would leave the position of commander of the Army Group South with shame.

In fact, Lundstedt should be grateful, because if the Soviet general heard the words "responsible for this failure", he would most likely be imprisoned or even shot.

But this seems to make no difference to Rundstedt... The German general who pays attention to honor resigns with the shame of failure, which is probably worse than killing him.

Lundstedt guessed right, the order from the Supreme Command came down in less than half an hour.

Of course, the order fully considered Rundstedt's face, and ordered him to hand over command to Marshal von Reichenau on the grounds that he had a heart disease.

Marshal von Reichenau was originally the commander of the 6th Army and a loyal supporter of Hitler, and he was expected to succeed him in Lundstedt.

Then Hitler urgently transferred Manstein, who was in the Northern Army Group, to the Southern Army Group to replace Schobert's 11th Army Commander.

After that, Lundstedt can be said to have made no achievements.

If anything was done, it was to build the "Atlantic Barrier" in France to resist the possible landing operations of Britain and the United States, but because of his negative attitude, the power fell to Rommel.

When Hitler punished Lundstedt and made a series of transfers, the Soviet army on the other side was a different scene.

When the 9th Army entered Odessa, it received a warm welcome from the Soviet army and civilians...Although Shulka knew that at least some of the people were not sincere, as said before, they might hope that the German army would win.

But at this point even a fool would know not to show it.

Then, the whole of Odessa boiled.

Before entering Odessa, the 9th Army took some time to prepare... It is said that this is to boost the morale of the Odessa army and civilians with a better image.

This can be said to be an image project, but this image project is effective, because morale is a kind of spirit and a kind of motivation. Compared with a weak army with wounded everywhere, it makes Odessa soldiers and civilians There is no doubt that there is no doubt about the effect of seeing a vigorous reinforcement army with more self-confidence and the effect of stopping the reactionaries who are still hesitating.

So, who can say that this is image engineering?

On the battlefield, as long as it is useful, even if it is just an appearance, even if it is not real, it is still a good tactic.

At this time, Shulka's mirror and razor came in handy, but other fighters... had to take out cigarettes in exchange for borrowing these things from Shulka.

The actor couldn't help but sighed with emotion: "Comrade platoon leader, you have already thought of this day!"

Shulka couldn't help laughing. Before that, he never thought that such a thing would happen. It changed history and saved Kyiv and Odessa, and it can even be said that the entire southern theater.

Then they cleaned their helmets and military uniforms in the lake, and some people even took off their clothes and jumped into the lake to take a bath... In fact, there is no need to jump into the lake at all, the rain can wash them clean.

At the same time, the Odessa garrison is also preparing.

They emptied the straightest and widest street in Odessa, "Harbor Avenue," a street that connects the northern railroad tracks and highways, running north to south to the port.

During the battle, this was the main attack direction of the Romanian army, so the line of defense was built with obstacles and sandbags along the way.

Of course, it is impossible to clear them all. They only had time to clear a passage in the middle that is enough for two tanks to run side by side.

(end of this chapter)