Chapter 423: command

Chapter 423 Command

This time, Manstein actually made a mistake.

Manstein did not want the German army's victory in the Kerch Peninsula to be ruined... If, as Sponek said, withdrawing the 46th Division to Feodosia would indeed solve the crisis in Feodosia, even if The Soviet army's possession of amphibious landing vehicles may not help.

The reason is very simple. The beach landing battle is even more dangerous than infantry charging towards enemy tanks.

However, the result of doing so is to hand over the Kerch Peninsula to the Soviet army.

Manstein even thought that this was probably a trick of the Russians, that is, the landing from Feodosia was false, and it was true that the German 46th Division was forced to return to help to resolve the Kerch crisis.

In fact, Shulka did have this meaning.

If the 46th Division of the German Army returned to Feodosia, the Soviet army would not be so stupid as to continue to land in Feodosia as planned. They only need to turn around and land in Kerch and regain the lost ground.

Manstein is unwilling to give up the Kerch Peninsula, because, as he said before, if the Kerch Peninsula is captured by the Soviet army again, it means that the German army will be attacked on both sides.

So Manstein pinned his hopes on the follow-up troops.

He immediately contacted the Romanian 4th Mountain Brigade and the 8th Cavalry Brigade...these are the two units closest to the Crimea. Among them, the Romanian 4th Mountain Brigade was used by Manstein in the Crimea and the Caucasus Mountains The preparations for combat are not satisfactory.

The commander of the 4th Romanian Mountain Brigade was Major General Agapia. After looking at the map, he replied to Manstein: "General, we still need a day to reach the Crimea!"

"One day?" This gave Manstein a little hope, but he replied: "No, one day is not enough, I need you to speed up and reach Feodosia within 15 hours!"

"Yes, General!" Major General Agapia who received the order replied, and then immediately ordered the troops to march.

However, in the low-temperature wind and snow, even if you want to speed up, it is very limited, especially the Romanian army is the famous "mule and horse" army... This seems understandable, especially the mountain division, because the mules and horses can still barely walk on the mountain. No, it can be slaughtered for food. It is even more important than a car for mountain divisions.

On the other hand, Manstein called Sponek again.

"The Romanian Mountain Brigade can arrive within 15 hours!" Manstein said: "I hope Feosidoya can hold on for 15 hours!"

"But they only have one reinforcement battalion, General!" Sponeck said worriedly: "They may not be able to hold for 15 hours!"

"There is always a way, Sponek!" Manstein said: "You let them blow up all the facilities in the port, and then plant mines and barbed wire on the shore, and then they can hold for 15 hours! Even If you can't hold it, the Romanian Mountain Brigade will also drive the landing enemies into the sea!"

"Yes, General!"

Sponek agrees with Manstein's statement.

This is mainly due to the extremely low temperature. Without piers and ferries, it would be difficult for the Soviet army to transport a large number of soldiers and supplies ashore in a short time.

So, after blowing up the port facilities, even if Feodosia cannot defend for fifteen hours, there will be very few Soviet troops landing.

Then, the Romanian Mountain Brigade arrived, followed by the German 73rd Infantry Division, and soon the German army no longer had to worry about the issue of Feodosia.

This plan was implemented immediately, and Major Webb led his men to blast the port facilities before arriving on Soviet warships.

Major Weber had a foreboding about this...he was a smart guy and knew that if the Germans were capable or if reinforcements would arrive in time, they wouldn't need to blow up the port installations at all because they would be useful to the Germans and they would It became a transport line for the German army, and transport ships from Romania were able to deliver supplies to Feodosia.

But Major Weber didn't say anything, he still commanded the troops to carry out orders sternly.

At this time, Shulka was on the fleet bound for Feodosia.

The battleship "Paris Commune" is the first-class battleship of the Soviet Union and the only first-class battleship inherited by the Soviet Union from the Tsarist Navy.

Shulka and Mahlis stood on the deck and looked at the port city Feodosia, which was getting closer and closer.

Mechlis' face was a little pale, and he asked Shulka in a low voice: "Are you sure that German planes can't fight at night?"

"Yes, Comrade Mechlis!" Shulka replied: "I think you can rest assured that even if they drop a few bombs, they probably won't cause much damage to the battleship!"

You must know that the armor of the command room of this battleship is as thick as 254MM. Not to mention that the chance of hitting it is very small. The barrel of the gun is thick, even if it is parked in the sea and let the planes bomb it in turn, it may last for several hours.

Except for ammunition depots and oil depots that were hit.

Mechlis relaxed a bit, then raised the binoculars and continued to pretend to look at the distant coastline.

Mechlis didn't need to be on the ship to direct, although he was not in command.

But is it good that Mechelis sent the entire battle plan to Moscow and handed it over to Stalin before the war... Originally, Mechelis didn’t need to do this, he was a "representative of the Supreme Command", that is, he could command on behalf of the Supreme Command , you can cut first and then play.

On the other hand, it is also because Stalin, Zhukov and others pay attention to the frontline war in Moscow and don't care about others.

So, Mehlis is actually asking for credit by doing this, and he can't wait to claim credit.

Sure enough, as Mehlis expected, Stalin greatly appreciated this battle plan.

"A very good plan, Comrade Mehlis!" Stalin said: "I am very surprised that you have not discovered your military talent before! Just do as planned, and I will order other troops to fully support you!"

Mechlis was so ecstatic looking at the phone call that he almost jumped up with pride.

But the next telegram left a grin on his face.

"The most critical point is the landing battle in Feodosia!" Stalin said: "So I think you should personally command this battle!"

Mehlis would not have put himself in any danger, even the slightest, so he had originally planned to take command from Temryuksky...actually to Major General Vladimir.

But now he has to move his so-called headquarters to a warship, of course the strongest, thickest armored, and safest battleship.

(end of this chapter)