198

Episode 198: Toward Victory (11)

October 1, 1942

soviet mosaisk

- Immediately drop your weapons and surrender!

-Will you die for Stalin and the communists who oppress you and persecute your family?

-Do not remain on a sinking ship, but embrace the arms of Greater Germany! Come into the arms of Germany! There is food and beds for you here!

Before the bombardment, the German army mobilized aircraft and randomly sprayed leaflets on the Soviet camp, as if spraying pesticide at night.

Where the Fw189 Woohoo, known as the 'flying picture frame,' passed, a mountain of leaflets was piled up.

The red soldiers, exhausted and sick in spirit, secretly approached the leaflets distributed by the German reconnaissance plane.

"Do not touch! "Everyone stay in your place!"

"I'm warning you. Anyone who touches a leaflet distributed by the enemy will be summarily shot to death without any questions asked!"

"You there! "Didn't you hear what I just said?"

Political officers went around checking to see if any soldiers were touching the leaflets, but it was nearly impossible to control all the actions of the soldiers who were rushing through the ground toward the mantle.

The soldiers, who had already lost all hope of victory, picked up leaflets that had fallen on the ground, hid them in their clothes, and sprinted toward the enemy camp under cover of night to avoid the eyes of political officers.

They had some hope in Germany's propaganda that if they surrendered with a leaflet, they would be given special treatment over ordinary prisoners.

Ivan Konev was a capable general. Although he fell out of favor with Tukhachevsky, who planned the modernization of the Soviet Army, and was briefly demoted, Konev entered the Frunze Military College with the help of Voroshilov, graduated with honors, and became an important member of the Moscow Military District and the Belarusian Military District. He took on various positions and achieved success.

At the time the German-Soviet War broke out, his rank was Lieutenant.

He did his best to lead his troops, but the German defenses were too thick and his attack failed.

Afterwards, in a series of endless defeats, he was defeated by Hort's 3rd Panzer Group at Bazimya.

Even Voroshilov, who had always cared for Konev, harshly reprimanded him, and Stalin even considered purging Konev.

However, thanks to the lack of high-level commanders, Zhukov's protection, and the excellent results he had shown in the past, Konev was able to survive.

Stalin entrusted Konev with the defense of the Mozhaisk defense line.

Zhukov also gave him as much support as he could.

Konev led the construction of a defense line, saving time to sleep and eat.

Sometimes riding a reconnaissance plane, sometimes riding a horse or walking with the staff.

In this way, a strong defensive line was completed on the outskirts of Mozhaisk, but the German army's firepower was enough to reduce even the defensive line that the Soviet army had painstakingly built to a tattered state, like a used rag.

The artillery, which would become the core of the Soviet Army, suffered devastating damage from the German Air Force, and the German artillery was able to leisurely fire shells into the Soviet camp without any hindrance.

The Soviets, who had been deprived of air superiority and had their artillery power shattered, had almost no way to stop the enemy's artillery fire.

'It's like fighting with crutches.'

Konev mocked himself as he watched the dust falling from the basement ceiling and pouring onto the map board, and his subordinates struggling to clean it up.

All our aircraft have long since become stars in the sky, and our artillery pieces have been torn to pieces and scattered across the fields as ant food.

The German army is pushing back against the Soviet army, seizing important bases one by one with overwhelming firepower and air power.

"If only we had enough fuel, we would have been able to launch a counterattack."

That damn oil, the oil always got in my way. The Germans also knew that the Soviet army was short of fuel, so they deliberately focused their attacks on only the supply train.

In order to defend the supply route from the V1 that flew in every day, the Soviet military used all possible methods, such as intensively deploying anti-aircraft guns and transporting them at night, but it had no significant effect.

"Is support, support yet?"

"I will contact you."

Konev became anxious when there was no news even after two days of requesting the supply of troops and ammunition.

The staff members, who became anxious, kept biting their lips and staring at the map.

"shit. How can we stop the fascists when we are short on ammunition, troops, and fuel? "Please request that they send at least one division's worth, no, at least one regiment's worth!"

"Comrade Sangjang! It's urgent! "The 10th Army's defense line has been breached!"

"The 10th Army's defense line? "Insert the 13th Mechanized Division from the reserve."

The 10th Army was already as thin as a thread that could be broken by the slightest breeze due to long battles and lack of supplies.

Konev was not surprised as he had expected a breakthrough of the 10th Army's defense line.

but-

"This is a message from the 13th Mechanized Division! Movement is being delayed due to enemy air raids..."

Konev gritted his teeth. After all, there is an air raid right now.

However, he had stored up additional reserves in preparation for such an event.

"Insert the 36th Rifle Division. Since we have enough troops, it might be worth a try."

"Well, that is..."

"?"

"The 36th Rifle Division has no fuel, Comrade Sergeant."

A major-general-ranked staff member with a bandage on his head due to a shrapnel injury reported. No fuel? This is a unit that has never fought a battle?

"What do you mean? "There's no fuel!"

"The supply unit was hit by an enemy air attack, and what little fuel it had was handed over to the nearby 7th Tank Division, so it is said that there is not a drop of oil left."

"Who is that famous..."

Konev belatedly remembered that he was the one who had ordered the 36th Rifle Division to hand over oil to the 7th Tank Division and kept his mouth shut.

When the German army made a diversionary attack, he was barely able to repel the German attack by delivering tanks and oil to the 7th Tank Division.

The problem was that the 7th Tank Division also suffered heavy damage in that battle, and the 36th Rifle Division completely ran out of what fuel it had.

If such measures had not been taken at that time, the front line would have been breached and greater chaos would have occurred, so Konev's decision could not be said to have been wrong.

This wouldn't have happened even if fuel had been supplied on time.

"shit! Does that mean you're just going to sit there and suck your fingers? "Tell them to run and go!"

"Yes, yep!"

"Tell this to the 13th Mechanized Division! Do your best! "If this is breached, Moscow will be next!"

***

-caution. Enemy anti-tank gun on the side!

"Busart 2, reception!"

Barkman, who had been promoted to SS sergeant, responded to the platoon commander's radio call and looked to the side. Tankers were escaping from a Panther that had been ambushed by an anti-tank gun.

"shit. "Where are you hiding?"

Because the Soviet army cleverly camouflaged its anti-tank guns, it took a long time to search for the enemy.

While Barkmann searched for enemy anti-tank guns, SS Corporal Grundmeier placed his Panther behind the T-43 that Barkmann's Panther had destroyed three minutes earlier.

The driver's burned arm was sticking out of the half-open driver's hatch at the front of the vehicle.

As a Ketzhen ran behind Barkmann's Panther, the ambushed anti-tank gun opened fire.

"Ah, I found it!"

The shell passed over Ketzhen.

The surprised driver put the armored vehicle in reverse. Thanks to this, Barkmann figured out the location of the enemy anti-tank gun and instructed Poggendorf to aim.

"Loaded!"

"Aim complete!"

"launch!"

Even the shells in the ammunition boxes piled up near the 52-K 85mm anti-aircraft gun exploded, creating a huge pillar of fire.

As the steel fragments that had risen into the air from the explosion rained down, Barkman entered the cupola cursing.

Occasionally, debris from tanks and anti-tank guns would rain down, so we had to be careful at all times.

It was not a matter to be trifled with, as many tank commanders were injured by falling debris and were evacuated.

When the steel rain ended, Barkman stuck his head out of the cupola again.

Only after confirming that there were no more targets did he order to advance again.

After advancing about 400m, a new enemy appeared and blocked Barkman's path. T-34/85. Before Barkman could give the order to fire, he fired first.

-Kang!

"Ricochet. "It bounced!"

Although the distance to the enemy tank was only 300m, the Panther's frontal armor easily deflected 85mm shells.

If it had been a Tiger, it would have been unavoidable to be defeated, but the Panther, which had superior defense power compared to the Tiger only in terms of frontal armor, boasted almost complete immunity even to 85mm shells fired at close range.

"Take a hit!"

"yep!"

When Poggendorf pressed the trigger, a hole appeared in the frontal armor of the T-34/85 and the ground shook.

When Barkman opened his eyes, the T-34 tank commander, covered in blood, was coming out of the hatch.

The tank commander barely got out of the hatch and threw himself out, but when he landed, his feet slipped and he ended up hitting the back of his head on the track.

Poor guy. Barkman paid his respects to the dead Soviet tank commander and continued moving forward.

***

"Heil Hitler!!"

"Heil Hitler."

Manstein and Bock also responded with a Nazi-style salute to the leadership of the II SS Panzer Corps, who extended his right hand and saluted.

The three SS Panzer Corps were at the forefront of Army Group Center charging toward Moscow and were clearing away the Soviet Army's defensive line.

Although the SS Panzer Corps suffered heavy losses due to the resistance of the Soviet Army, it continued to advance steadily as expected of Germany's most elite unit.

Dietrich, commander of the II SS Panzer Corps, reported to Manstein and Bock exactly the explanation given to him by his adjutant, SS Colonel Max Wünsche.

"I'm glad the advance is going smoothly. Isn't that right, senior?"

"That is correct."

Unlike the Wehrmacht, which has a deep history and origins, the SS, which was founded less than 20 years ago, was considered precious by Bork, but even he could not help but acknowledge their combat prowess.

I was a little annoyed when I saw Himmler and Heydrich pontificating to receive the Führer's protection, but anyway, as long as they fight well, that's enough. The fact that Waffen-SS generals like Hausser and Dietrich did not act arrogantly and paid attention to their actions also had a great influence on the Waffen-SS receiving a good evaluation from the Wehrmacht elders.

"The Fuhrer said we should arrive outside Moscow before Rasputitsa begins in mid-October. "Do you think it is possible?"

"At the current pace, I think it is quite possible."

Manstein readily nodded in response to Bock's question.

Rasputitsa begins in two weeks.

When Rasputitsa begins, the German army will have to worry more about the roads that have turned into dirt than the Soviet army.

If we reach Moscow before then, we can occupy Moscow before the end of the year.

"The President said he plans to come to the Eastern Front to inspect the front soon, so shouldn't we somehow get to Moscow before then? "No matter what damage it takes."

Manstein also strongly agreed with the Fuhrer's call to get as close to Moscow as possible before Rasputitsa began.

Winter begins after Rasputitsa, and winter in Russia is on a different level from winter in Germany.

Russian winters are not just cold, but so cold that survival is threatened.

For this reason, the President paid particular attention to the distribution of cold weather equipment.

You can't expect soldiers shivering in the cold wearing summer military uniforms to occupy Moscow.

"What do you think of the Allied armies? Do you think it helps?"

The Central Army Group included many Axis armies.

Denmark, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary, Spain, Ethiopia and Free Russia.

In addition to these, including the nationalities of the volunteers belonging to the 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking and the 9th SS Panzer Division Nordland, soldiers of 16 nationalities were fighting on the Russian battlefield for the victory of the Third Reich.

"The Danish and Spanish armies are flawless. Surprisingly, the Belgian, Dutch, and French troops also seem to basically do their part. "I don't know about Ethiopians..."

The Ethiopian Army's 'Gideon Legion', which was sent to Europe by Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie to help Germany liberate their homeland, was not befitting its name as a corps, but its actual size did not even reach the level of a division.

These Gideon Legions were the most elite unit among the Ethiopian army, led by Mehal Sefari, the imperial body's direct bodyguard, but Bork distrusted their combat power and entrusted them with only maintaining security in the rear.

"Dietrich, what do you think?"

"To me, he is just like Marshal Bork. Since it was rare to engage with the Soviet military in the first place, there are many ambiguities in making any kind of evaluation. Still, the Ukrainians and Russians in our Waffen-SS fought like Germans. "They fought so much better than I expected that when I asked them how they were able to fight so hard, they said they had been looking forward to defeating the communists with their own hands."

"Hahaha! That's a masterpiece. Well, since we lived under communist rule, the communists are bound to be even more shitty."

The army and the Waffen-SS included tens of thousands of former Soviet soldiers.

They wore Wehrmacht and SS uniforms, used German-made weapons, and fought against the Red Army, to which they had previously belonged.

The Heavies fought more tenaciously than anyone else, ignoring the German generals' concerns that they might betray again. Even more than the German army.

If Germany was victorious, they would become true patriots who fought on the side of the liberating German army, but if Germany was defeated, their fate was as clear as day.

That's why the Hibis fought more desperately and fiercely than anyone else.

"Marshal, this is good news. "Das Reich has just succeeded in breaking through the Soviet defenses."

"Ohh? already?"

"It's good because it's fast."

Bork whistled at the long-awaited news. He snapped his fingers, and his staff took the map board.

After talking about follow-up measures with Bock for about 30 minutes, Manstein smiled with satisfaction and took out his favorite cigar and put it to his mouth.

As he put the cigar in his mouth, his driver took out a lighter and lit the cigar.

"Hmm, cigars taste better today."

"It must be awkward."

"Senior, would you like to smoke too? "It tastes special because it's from Belgium."

"I'm done. "I have it separately."

"Is that so? Anyway, how long does it take to completely take control of Mosaisk? Four days?"

"Just two days is enough."

***

"Report from Manstein. Break through the Mosaisk defense line. "We will complete the occupation of Mozhaisk by October 3 and advance toward Moscow."

"good. very good."

I was delighted to hear that our troops had broken through the Mosaisk defense line.

Once Mozhaisk is occupied, there will now be nothing left between Moscow and the allies except the empty plains.

Whether due to lack of supplies or some other reason, there was no proper defensive line between Mozhaisk and Moscow.

At best, there are only a few positions made up of trenches.

The moment that seemed like it would never come was quickly becoming a reality.

The war does not end with the capture of Moscow alone, but if Moscow, the center of the Soviet Union, is taken over politically, militarily, and economically, it will not only have a greater impact on the Soviet people than the fall of Leningrad, but will also paralyze all transportation in European Russia. You can do it.

Thinking of the enormous benefits that the fall of Moscow would bring, I welcomed an important guest from the Third Reich.

"Nice to meet you, President."

"Welcome to Berlin."