203

Episode 203: Battle of Moscow (4)

The Soviet military's offensive attempt targeting Hort's 3rd Panzer Group, which was advancing north of Moscow, was halted as of yesterday.

However, the Soviet troops did not withdraw and held on to their current position.

I don't know if it was due to lack of fuel or some other reason, but there was no good news for our troops.

They were setting a trap right in front of me, but instead of running away, I was just staring at them.

While Hort's 3rd Panzer Group and Strauss's 8th Army formed a huge trap to encircle the Soviet Army, Kluge's 4th Army and Model's 9th Army attacked from the front and south, respectively.

The baton in Bork's hand moved busily between lines leading to Moscow.

"The 4th Army is attacking Zvenigorod, and the 9th Army is attacking Chekhov. "Supply supplies are progressing smoothly so far, but the ground has receded and the movement of troops, especially armored units, is being delayed more than expected."

"This damn Rasputica is drying up the blood of many people."

The Soviet army's desperate resistance hindered our forces, but the problems caused by Rasputitsa were also formidable.

Even though engineers were mobilized to improve roads and pay special attention to supply, the advance of our troops toward Rasputitsa was gradually slowing down.

It is said that not only the friendly forces are suffering from Rasputitsa, but also the enemy forces, so the Soviet military is also having difficulty moving and concentrating its troops.

The lack of air superiority and fuel also acted as great shackles for the Soviet military.

On days with bad weather, the air force could not fly sorties, but if the weather cleared up a little, they would definitely fly sorties and sweep through the enemy lines and return.

"Just a few days ago, we launched a sortie and destroyed six railroad tracks and four bridges leading to Moscow, as well as five Soviet supply trains. "During the bombing process, our forces also lost three bombers and four fighter jets, but the morale of the front-line pilots is always at the highest level."

said Kesselring, commander of the 2nd Air Fleet.

In addition to direct bombing using bombers, rocket attacks using V1 and V2 were also continuously being launched against Moscow.

Although the detailed damage has not yet been confirmed, the V1 and V2 bombings must have been psychologically exhausting for the Soviet troops and Moscow citizens who were already pushed back to the very front of the capital.

Because of this, despite the many difficulties, the generals were full of confidence.

Everyone, including Bork, thought that although it would be difficult to capture Moscow before the start of winter, it would be possible before December.

"I really don't know what's going on in the world. "He visited Moscow at Stalin's invitation earlier this year, and in the same year he personally led a large army to attack there."

"Well, I guess this is your second visit. "It is my personal wish, but I hope Stalin will be present on this visit as well."

All the generals in the conference room burst into laughter at Bork's joke.

"So, does Stalin still remain in the Kremlin?"

"Perhaps not so? He appeared on the air just three days ago, so if I'm right, he's still in the Kremlin. "We will have to consider the morale issues of the Soviet military and Moscow citizens."

Even in history, Stalin stayed in Moscow and made public appearances to boost the morale of the Soviet army even when the German army had advanced right in front of Moscow.

Of course, in order to escape in case of emergency, an evacuation railway was built in advance under the Kremlin and a special train was always on standby.

Therefore, there was a high probability that Stalin was still in Moscow. It will stay there until our troops enter downtown Moscow.

After the meeting, I headed to the front with Bork despite my aides' dissuasion.

Even if I didn't go to the front line where bullets were flying, I wanted to go near the front line and see the battlefield with my own eyes.

Of course, I am not in a position to plan the strategy myself, so there is no need to go to the battlefield and check the status of the battle myself, but considering the views of the soldiers suffering on the front lines and the public in the rear, this level of suffering was worth it.

If the President, and not just anyone else, goes to the front line and personally inspects the battlefield, wouldn't it naturally have a positive effect on the morale of the military and the people?

The people want a brave and diligent leader who goes out of his way to check the battlefield rather than a typical leader who gives orders from behind.

It's not like I'm fighting on the front line with a gun anyway, so why is it so difficult to take the time to go there?

As I rode the Tiger command tank, piloted by a lieutenant and the captain as the operator, to the friendly observation base at the front, I heard gunshots. The closer we got to the artillery position, the louder and more frequent the sound.

"It reminds me of the old days. Even when I was on the Western Front, I heard gunfire every day."

"That's right. "It brings back memories."

When the real Hitler was a junior infantryman and a messenger on the front lines of the Western Front, Bork was a captain.

He made several achievements on the battlefield and was awarded the Order of Merit. He was promoted to major and deployed to the Western Front, where he fought until just before the end of the war.

"When I first set foot on French soil, I thought I could quickly get to Paris. "Instead of seeing Paris, I had to rot in the trenches for four whole years."

"But hasn't that dream come true now? Soon, Moscow will fall into the arms of the Third Reich."

I thought this guy was stubborn and far from flattering, but that wasn't the case.

When we arrived at our destination, we looked at the front line where the battle was taking place through artillery observation binoculars.

The infantry was advancing, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, while Soviet artillery guns positioned between buildings smaller than the fingernail of a little finger were firing.

The Soviet army could hardly withstand the attack of our army, which had heavily armored Tigers at the forefront.

In addition, our artillery in the rear fired shells from time to time to support the advance of infantry and tanks.

"The advance is going smoothly."

A deep sense of relief was evident in Bok's tone.

The President, not just anyone else, came to inspect, and if the attack were to fail, it would be very difficult. Fortunately, our army's offensive was successful and the enemy was being pushed out of the defense line.

"I want to get a little closer and observe."

As soon as he finished speaking, a blind cannonball landed in the forest about 100 meters away.

However, the shell may have been an unexploded shell, but it only landed and did not explode. The second shell exploded properly.

As the shell exploded, broken pieces of wood fell from the sky.

It was a shame that I closed the hatch after the first shell landed, so I almost got covered in shrapnel.

"junior! "Hurry!"

The driver, who was as surprised as Bock, quickly put the tank in reverse. While Tigger was backing up, Bork wiped the sweat from his forehead and watched my movements.

"Mr. President. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Wouldn't it be weird if you were closing the hatch and got hurt somewhere? "I'm fine, so don't worry."

"Anyway, I'm glad you're okay. "I will return right away."

It seems that there were still batteries that our troops were unable to remove.

The shells did not fall any more after that, but our batteries fired a large amount of shells towards the enemy camp to ensure that the enemy was still alive.

While heading back, I opened the hatch and stuck my head out.

While Nebelwerfer 42 was firing 21cm rockets, trucks and half-tracks loaded with ammunition were busy going to and from the position.

An engineer lieutenant on horseback with a white spot on his forehead was smoking a cigarette.

As he was throwing the butt toward the mud, he turned his head and made eye contact with me. He looked at me with his wide-eyed eyes and screamed in astonishment.

"······Cho, Mr. President?"

"I managed to find out. Good luck."

***

-All prisoners must come out immediately! right now!

Until now, there has never been a single broadcast by the camp leader himself.

Only international songs and other unintelligible noises came out of the speakers installed throughout the gulag.

When the warden's voice was heard from the speaker, the prisoners knew something had happened. Unless it was an ordinary incident, there was no reason for the director to broadcast it himself.

The prisoners, who were just about to go to bed after a hard day's work, put on their shoes and rushed outside.

I could hear the guards walking around the barracks and yelling at the lazing prisoners.

"You bastards, are your ears clogged? "Get out quickly!"

Five minutes later, all the prisoners gathered at the parade ground.

On one side of the parade ground, dozens of trucks were waiting without their engines turned off.

Soldiers armed with rifles and submachine guns lined up behind the prisoners. The guards and the camp leader, who looked very nervous, guided someone onto the platform.

The person who ascended the podium guided by the guards was a colonel dispatched from the NKVD.

When the prisoners saw the blue military cap symbolizing the NKVD, they trembled involuntarily. Memories of being arrested and tortured by the NKVD came to mind.

Why on earth did the NKVD appear in this remote place? And that too with a bunch of soldiers.

The prisoners were extremely anxious due to the unexpected situation. The guards were also nervous.

The colonel with a thick mustache like Stalin's who stood on the podium coughed a few times, cleared his throat, and opened his heavy-looking mouth.

His voice was loud and deep, as if he was hitting a wall with an iron bar.

"I was dispatched here by order of great Comrade Stalin. There is only one reason I came here. "Now our country is at the crossroads of life and death."

Even here, hundreds of kilometers from the front line where the battle was taking place, the prisoners knew roughly what was going on in the world.

Although the guards never officially informed the prisoners of outside news, the prisoners knew through conversations among the guards that the German army had advanced to the very front of Moscow, the capital.

"The current war situation is worse than you think. Many soldiers died heroically while fighting to stop the fascists. Right now, what this country lacks most is soldiers. Comrade Stalin showed his generosity and gave even unresponsive human scum like you a chance to serve the country again.

From now on, you are not prisoners but soldiers of the Red Army. Pick up your weapons, go to the front lines, and fight the Germans. And achieve victory. Whether you survive or die in battle, you will forever remain as great soldiers of the Red Army. Go back to the barracks, gather your personal belongings, and line them up here within 5 minutes. "A train is ready to send you to the front."

There was no time to be surprised. After speaking, the colonel went down the stage, and the prisoners were immediately sent to the barracks.

Everyone reacted with disbelief at the unexpected situation.

To prevent any unrest, armed guards and guards followed the barracks and controlled the prisoners.

"Hurry! "There are now 4 minutes left!"

The guards kicked the butts of slow-moving prisoners and swore at them.

The quick-witted prisoners quickly gathered their few belongings and gathered at the parade ground.

"Get on quickly! hurry!"

"Stop dawdling, you bastards!"

One truck carried 10 prisoners and 2 soldiers to watch over them. After boarding was completed, the truck immediately passed through the main gate of the camp and headed toward the station.

Trains were waiting at each station to transport prisoners to the front. The train carrying the prisoners ran without stopping and headed to the front line.

The Soviet Union, pushed into a corner, mobilized all the manpower and resources it needed to survive.

The Soviet Union, which had lost millions of soldiers through multiple defeats and retreats, conscripted factory workers, dressed them in military uniforms, gave them guns, and sent them to the front lines.

Even though they did that, there were still not enough soldiers on the battlefield.

As more workers and miners were conscripted, the factories and coal mines were almost empty, so the Soviet Union sent the prisoners held in the Gulag to the battlefield instead.

Anyway, what is urgent now is the number of soldiers, not their quality.

Whether you are a factory manager at an artillery factory or a human scum isolated from society after committing a crime, all you need is a soldier who knows how to hold a gun and shoot.

Strapnoy Battalion (штрафной батальон), abbreviated Strapbad (штрафбат).

The punishment unit appeared in the world.

There have been penal units since the old Russian Empire, but the Soviet Union's penal units were different from those of the Russian Empire.

Although they were the same in that criminals were dressed in military uniforms, armed with guns, and used as soldiers, the difference was that the penal units were not treated as regular soldiers rather than criminals from the moment of deployment, but rather as expendable units that were treated differently from the regular army.

The punishment unit was the first to be deployed to various dangerous missions with a rare chance of survival, and was the last to remain to fight the enemy to cover the retreat of friendly forces.

A special unit followed behind the penal unit and monitored the unit at all times.

The mission of the unit was not to fight against the German army, but to monitor the punishment unit. They were instructed to kill the soldiers of the punishment unit if they refused to fight, deserted, or surrendered to the enemy.

As the war reached its peak, things that could not even be imagined in peacetime occurred calmly.

While prisoners taken from the Gulag were driven to the front lines and served as cannon fodder, construction of defense facilities in preparation for German attacks was in full swing in downtown Moscow.

All Moscow citizens, except children and the elderly who were unable to work, were mobilized to build barricades on the streets, pour dirt into sacks, and give up their shared apartments as machine gun positions.

'Moscow remains in Russia!'

'Victory or chaos!'

'When Comrade Stalin orders, we follow!'

Various propaganda slogans were produced and written on every wall to boost the morale of the military and citizens.

The city's painters were mobilized and put to work drawing propaganda slogans and posters.

"Even if there is no bread and oil, do you think there will be paint left?"

"Shh. Shut up, man. "Do you want to be taken to Smersi?"

Moscow citizens mocked themselves as they watched painters scrawl propaganda slogans on the walls with red paint symbolizing the Soviet Union under the supervision of party members.

The German army is right in front of the capital, and they are scrawling propaganda slogans that are not helpful at all.

Smersh, the NKVD, and the gendarmerie busily roamed the city of Moscow, arresting and punishing those who tried to leave the city without permission from the authorities, deserters, and subversive elements who did not follow the authorities' instructions.

Among those arrested, the lucky ones were sent to penal units and driven to the front lines.

However, they were usually sentenced to death by firing squad or hanging and were executed on the same day as sentencing.

The Smershi hung the executed reactionaries from street trees and electric poles so that everyone passing by could see them.

The plaque on the body mainly had the following words written on it:

'I am a deserter.'

'I am a reactionary who betrayed my country, a human scum.'

'I refused to follow Comrade Stalin's orders.'

The families of those executed were also arrested by Smersi. Smersi did not show any mercy even to the families of the arrested reactionaries.

The relatives of the reactionaries were often forced to wear uniforms and fight, or to do jobs so dangerous that there were few volunteers.

A very unlucky few ended up in the same situation, brought to trial for their possible involvement in the crime.

The sidewalk blocks on the street were lifted out, and a tram was installed in their place.

Because of a lack of oil, instructions were given to use broken tanks as fixed artillery batteries by burying the hulls in the ground, leaving only the turrets behind.

Tanks were already acting as fixed batteries in the same way on the front lines outside Moscow.

The formation of a punishment unit made up of Gulag prisoners and the construction of Moscow's defenses were reported to Stalin in real time.

German bombs were falling on downtown Moscow every day, but the speed of work was surprisingly fast.

Of course, this incredible speed concealed the hardships suffered by Moscow citizens, but in any case, the defense plan was being steadily prepared.

But Stalin could not relax.

Even as prisoners from the Gulag were brought in and thrown to the Germans as cannon fodder, and all their resources were used to turn Moscow into a gigantic fortress, the Germans continued to advance steadily.

Air raids also continued every day except on days when the weather was rough.

Stalin now provided all his lodging and lodging in the Kremlin's underground bunker. There he slept, ate, worked, and then went back to sleep.

When he was slowly getting used to life as a mole, new news reached him