Chapter 0346: Victory Within Grasp
General François of the German 11th Army drove his jeep into the heart of Lviv. Although sporadic gunfire still echoed within the city, it was evident that the Germans had secured control.
Rows of dejected Russian soldiers marched past François's vehicle, their demeanor reflecting their defeat.
"Colonel Rommel, I wager this is the most orderly formation those Russians have maintained since they enlisted!" François remarked with a chuckle.
"Indeed, General. I wholeheartedly concur," replied Colonel Rommel, a grin on his face.
In just one day, they had seized Lviv, annihilating tens of thousands of Russian troops. Simultaneously, the German offensive at the Zamość battlefield was drawing to a close. This effectively marked the end of the German assault on the Russian 4th Army, with over three hundred thousand troops largely decimated, save for a few.
More importantly, they had captured Lviv, a vital supply base for the Russian southwestern front. Without this stronghold, the entire Russian army in that region would struggle to endure. Unless their soldiers could somehow battle on empty stomachs with rifles devoid of ammunition, retreat would be their only option.
Yet, would the Germans allow the Russians to withdraw so easily? Unthinkable! This was a prime opportunity to strike a debilitating blow. If they could entirely eliminate the Russian southwestern front, it would severely diminish the enemy's strength and grant Germany and Austria-Hungary a significant period of security on the Eastern Front. Even if Russia managed to mobilize and form new troops, the absence of their elite forces would render those newly assembled units a mere rabble, incapable of posing a credible threat to Germany and Austria-Hungary. They could easily be defeated again, paving the way for even greater victories.
"General, we have discovered large caches of Russian supplies—mountains of food, ammunition, and other operational necessities," reported a brigadier general to François.
"Unbelievable! The Russians left these resources untouched?" François exclaimed in astonishment. The Germans would never commit such an oversight. Even if they could not utilize the supplies, they would ensure their destruction to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.
"Perhaps the haste of their retreat precluded the destruction of these supplies," the brigadier general suggested.
"Ha! Excellent! That bodes well for us!" François said, exhilarated.
Though the caliber of Russian artillery differed from that of the Germans, making the shells unusable, the food, rifle ammunition, and machine-gun rounds would surely be compatible. The Germans could fully exploit these resources, alleviating the logistical strain on the 8th Army and facilitating their continued efforts in the war.
"Relay the news of our victory to the command and the Crown Prince. Then, let us investigate what spoils the Russians have left us," François ordered.
"Understood, General." An officer promptly set off to send the telegram.
At the Austrian command in Uzhhorod, Marshal Heřman von Hatzendorf appeared utterly fatigued. Although he had previously maintained his vigor due to his advanced age, the relentless days of conflict had visibly aged him. What once were subtle age spots now marked his face.
The burden of stress he bore was evident.
On the front lines, Russian attacks persisted. Though their intensity had waned, the battles remained fierce, resulting in increasing casualties for the Austrians. The reserves of the Austrian 4th Army had been fully committed to the front, yet the stalemate persisted. While Russian losses were considerably higher, the relentless pressure began to show signs of diminishing Austrian resolve.
"Your Excellency, despite the mounting tension, you must take care to rest! Your health cannot withstand this strain," Qin Tian expressed, concern etched across his features. As a younger man, he could endure the fatigue, but Hatzendorf was already in his sixties.
"Your Highness, I am fine. If we can win this battle, what does my health matter?" Hatzendorf replied nonchalantly.
"Has there been any new intelligence from the front?" Hatzendorf inquired.
"The 11th Army and a portion of the 8th Panzer Division have initiated an assault on Lviv. The Russian troops inside reportedly have little to no defenses. This battle should proceed smoothly!" Qin Tian replied with a smile.
"Excellent! Once we capture Lviv, victory will be within our reach," Hatzendorf beamed.
"Your Highness, we have received a telegram from General François!" Brigadier General Manstein reported, grinning broadly.
"Is it good news?" Qin Tian asked.
"Yes, Your Highness, it is indeed good news. General François has taken Lviv, and the main body of the Russian 4th Army has been entirely destroyed. Only a handful of troops escaped from the city, and all the vast quantities of military supplies stored by the Russians are now in our possession," Manstein informed him.
"Ha! Marvelous! I had thought the 11th Army would need until tomorrow to secure Lviv; I am delighted to hear they succeeded today!" Qin Tian exclaimed, overjoyed.
"Congratulations, Your Highness. You command one of the most formidable armies in all of Europe, indeed the world," Hatzendorf remarked, a smile gracing his features, though envy flickered in his eyes.
"Marshal, it is we who should celebrate. The 8th Army has seized Lviv. Now, it is time to rally against the Russians. I believe victory is now within our grasp, though the scale of our triumph remains uncertain," Qin Tian stated.
"Indeed, Your Highness. This battle is already ours. With Lviv lost and its supplies gone, the Russians cannot hold out much longer," Hatzendorf replied, his spirits soaring.