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Volume 1: The Setting Sun of the Empire Chapter 94: Counterattack

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    In the German winter offensive launched by the Soviet army, the tragic battle in Ulm was just an ordinary microcosm of the long front.  From north to south, in Dortmund, Siegen, Frankfurt, Mannheim, Kempten and other places, Soviet and German soldiers all launched desperate fights at the same time.  In order to cut off the connection between the German forces in Baden-W¨¹rttemberg and other areas, the Soviet army invested nearly 20 divisions in the direction of Mannheim-Karlsruhr. The forward offensives were higher and higher, and they were as unstoppable as a tsunami.  After capturing the positions carefully laid out by the German army, the front quickly approached the French-German border.

    In this crucial battle, the Soviet and German armies did their best, and Western countries that were unwilling to sit back and watch the Soviet Union win also repeatedly exceeded the "lower limit."  In order to support the German army in combat, the US military almost emptied their inventory of supplies in France and used air force and ground air defense forces to protect transportation lines in the border areas. France not only provided the German army with airport facilities in its territory, but also directly sent hundreds of pilots to participate in the war.  , and even allowed the German army to maneuver across the border at night; Britain sent some Royal Air Force pilots to fly German-painted fighter jets to participate in the war, and the powerful Royal Navy patrolled the northern waters of Germany together with the US fleet. The officers and soldiers were ready to intervene at any time in this battle that affected the fate of Europe.  war

    Essen, the "industrial heart" of Germany, has been the source of power for Germany's rich countries and strong military in modern times. It used to be lined with chimneys and hordes of workers, and various industrial raw materials were transformed into steel and machines here. Its rise and fall directly determined the strength of Germany.  Since the outbreak of the Second Soviet-German War, German citizens have tried every means to protect it, and thousands of people have paid the price with their lives. The remains of hundreds of Soviet bombers are also scattered in the fields around the city.  As the Soviet front line approached, the figures of MiG and Jacques made the anti-aircraft operations here lose suspense. The Germans had to disperse and relocate industrial production. To this day, only a few ordnance repair shops remain in the huge Essen.  operation.  The heavy artillery fire of the Soviet army fell from time to time, but the remaining German civilians were not afraid at all. They turned the incomplete factory buildings and desolate neighborhoods into defense lines.  And use the remaining equipment to strengthen it - use discarded steel to construct a simple and effective tank blocking fortification, turning the solid house into an all-round military fortress; weld steel plates on the repaired artillery to turn it into a solid turret,  Cover the damaged armored vehicle with heavy armor.  Make them difficult to deal with concealed fire points, and install protective brackets on the machine gun firing ports to make them difficult to destroy with ordinary firepower.  Before the Soviet ground troops broke into the city of Essen, hundreds of thousands of German residents were still working hard to consolidate their defense lines. They had stored ammunition, food and fresh water, preparing to fight against the powerful enemy with their perseverance. They were surprised and excited.  Yes.  Just after the battle started, their head of state and military commander, the youngest democratic leader in German history and a national hero, came to the front line to inspect the battle situation.

    ¡° Appearing in Essen at this time, Linn¡¯s main purpose is not to show off.  With the support of the entire Western world, the reborn German army was fully capable of turning Essen into Germany's Leningrad. However, in order to confuse the Soviet army's judgment, the battle was launched.  The German army defending Essen only had two artillery defense line garrison divisions, one German artillery infantry division and some auxiliary personnel. Compared with the opposite Soviet 17th Army, it was at a clear disadvantage.  Under the strong cover of the air force, the Soviet army broke through the German front-line positions on the first day of the battle.  Although they damaged many armored vehicles, judging from the surrender leaflets and broadcasts, the Soviet commanders were very confident in eventually taking Essen.

    In Essen, Linn witnessed the bravery and tenacity of the garrison soldiers and was satisfied with their performance in strictly obeying combat orders. The Soviet army's fighting style regardless of casualties also strengthened his confidence in blowing the clarion call for counterattack.  Taking advantage of the gap when the Soviet army slowed down its offensive and consolidated its positions at night, the German army secretly mobilized concealed and standby troops to enter Essen, doubling the strength of the defenders.  After dawn, the Soviet army indeed put on a posture to take Essen in one go, but the previously invisible German air defense forces quickly gave the Soviets a disincentive.  Twelve sets of U.S-made surface-to-air guided rockets shot down 31 Soviet bombers in just half an hour. The self-propelled air defense system integrating radar fire control and proximity fuze technology also shot down 9 Il-2 attack aircraft.  In the face of such strong anti-aircraft firepower, the Soviet aviation forces could hardly do anything, while the Soviet ground forces still hoped that artillery fire and fierce attacks could defeat their opponents.  In the central city of Essen, the Soviet infantry, which coordinated with the armored forces in the attack, encountered a nightmare blow. The defenders deployed a large number of machine guns and machine guns in dilapidated but solid buildings.  They weave a terrifying web of death firepower on the battlefield of street fighting.  Just as the British and French infantry attacked the German machine gun positions thirty-six years ago, the Soviet infantry was unable to resist and suffered huge casualties in a short period of time. The blood of the warriors once again soaked the earth, and the ruined city suddenly became  Shocking purgatory.  As for the unstoppable Soviet tanks in the field, whether they are the old and tough T-34 or the new T-54, it is difficult to change the situation with their steel armor and artillery fire. The Soviet tanks using 122 or 152 mm heavy cannons  Self-propelled artillery is known as a weapon for street fighting, but in Essen,Most of them were injured by the German officers and soldiers who deliberately hid around the fallen defense line before they could take effect. Most of the German soldiers could not escape their fate after using anti-tank rocket launchers to attack the target.  The fearless spirit of the country!

    With the spirit of disregarding death, the German army successfully withstood the Soviet offensive in Essen.  After reversing the situation, the German army used night battles to retake some of the previously lost positions, but failed to completely drive the Soviet army out of the city, making Essen a biting bone stuck in the throats of the Soviets who were unable to swallow it and found it difficult to spit it out.  In the next few days, the Soviet army continued to send more troops to Essen, and the fighting between the two sides in the urban area also reached a stalemate. Around Essen, the German army abandoned Dortmund, Wuppertal and other areas east of the Rhine after inflicting a heavy price on its opponents.  city, and instead relied on the Rhine River defense line to block the Soviet army. Essen gradually became a "bulge" on the northern front of both sides.

    On January 17, 1951, after more than a week of hard fighting, the Soviet army finally captured Karlsruhr, located on the western border of Germany, thus dividing the German armed forces in western Germany into two parts, the north and the south.  Compared with the battlefield situation in early January, the area held by the German army has been reduced by nearly half, and the loss of soldiers is no less than that of the Soviet army.  From the strategic situation point of view, it seems that the Soviet army only needs to work harder to extinguish the hope of the German people to stand up. However, the German army, which has shrunk its defense, is now like a spring pressing to the bottom.  Under the cover of the "peace appeal", seven German divisions boarded ships secretly at ports such as Calais and Dunkirk in France. The huge transport fleet arrived at the East Frisian Islands accompanied by the American and British fleets.  After receiving this news, the Soviet army had to mobilize reserve troops to supplement the Wilhelm-Bremen-Hamburg line.  At the same time, 77 German divisions were assembled on the line from Duisburg to Cologne, and their leading troops entered Essen under cover of night, causing the first subversive reversal in the strength comparison between the two sides on the Essen battlefield.

    The fateful counterattack is about to begin. At the German Joint Staff, the military minds and command elites of the German armed forces gathered together.  Even the most arrogant people are not 100% confident whether this battle will follow the footsteps of the "Ardennes Counterattack" or become a victory that can turn the tide. But from the F¨¹hrer, Rommel, Manstein, and every senior general and "super think tank" present,  Judging from their expressions, everyone has no doubt about the necessity of this counterattack, just as the head of the empire said: "Germany has reached the edge of the cliff, and the only way to find hope is to move forward!"

    In situations where the head of state does not appear, Lynn is the legitimate head of state and spiritual leader, and his performance in the war is worthy of this status.  Facing the prestigious, talented and charismatic German generals, he said in a decisive tone: "More than a thousand years ago, we defeated the arrogant Roman legions. More than a thousand years later, we will defeat the entire army again."  The enemy that the world fears! Sixty million Germans are waiting for the call to attack. I believe that most of them would rather die with dignity than become slaves of the Slavs!"

    As the supreme commander of the Imperial Army and the actual person in charge of the German Joint Staff, Rommel, who was proficient in tactics, had sublimated his comprehensive quality in the unusually tortuous history. He exhorted: "Your wisdom and courage are indispensable.  If you have any doubts, please remember that this battle was a desperate counterattack launched by 60 million Germans in order to fight for a chance of survival. Compared with the final victory or defeat, there is no objection to the honor and disgrace of any unit. No matter what you have done in the past  No matter whether there were any misunderstandings in the process of working together, no matter how different the styles and characteristics are, we must all work closely together for this common goal. Even if there are personal losses, the whole of Germany will praise your tolerance and justice."

    Marshal Manstein, the chief staff officer of the Joint Staff and the most comprehensive, stable and convincing among the current German generals, will serve as the commander-in-chief of this counterattack.  With the trust and expectations of the soldiers, the marshal issued a call: "In this battle, we may not be able to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop, but at least let the whole world see that Germany is unconquerable. Everyone, what are the days ahead for us?  It will be very difficult. Every judgment we make is related to the situation of the frontline troops and the success or failure of this war. When the real opportunity is before us, we should seize it in time, but if this opportunity comes with  If it is deceptive, we have to think calmly to avoid leaving irreparable regrets in our military careers!" (To be continued!~!

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