Chief of Staff Emil Hull's analysis was sound and logical. Of course, this was based on the combat summary report given by Major General von Neuhaus to the Kiev Army Headquarters. The rigor and conscientiousness of the Germans made the preliminary report on the Battle of Kharkov more effective during the battle. It took less than a day for the report to be reported to the Army Group. In the report, von Neuhaus did not emphasize the difficulties he encountered at that time. He only pointed out that if he did not have control of the air, or if he could effectively check and balance the air superiority of the coalition forces
The German 10th Army has little chance of defeating the Allied Southwest Front. If all the light and heavy machine guns and mortars of the three Class A divisions of the Japanese Third Army were like those of the Third Division that appeared on the Kharkov battlefield, it would have been impossible. If the Chinese-made Browning light and heavy machine guns and the m60/m81, two extremely excellent infantry mortars, are installed
"Everyone, according to Neuhaus's report, the remaining troops of the 29th Infantry Army have a high probability of holding Yekaterinoslav, but it is almost impossible to counterattack and regain Kharkov. The shortcomings of the Japanese coalition forces The long-range artillery at the brigade level lacks firepower, and its caliber is not as good as that of the German artillery. Although the breakthrough of the Chinese armored forces is sharp, the wheeled armored combat vehicles are not tracked vehicles and cannot cross trenches and anti-tank trenches. The large-caliber machine guns on their armored vehicles Although the firepower is fierce, the armored forces also lack long-range artillery support. As long as the grenade of our 7.m light infantry mortar hits the opponent's armored vehicle, it can damage or even destroy the opponent's vehicle"
"Chief of Staff, the 29th Infantry Army currently has two intact infantry divisions left, plus the 47th Infantry Division can be used as at least two and a half infantry divisions, that is, not counting the remaining national army of Simon Petliura's gang. According to your calculations, the Japanese 3rd Division faced heavy casualties in Kharkov. Why can it defend Kharkov? Why can't the main force of the 29th Infantry Corps be used to counterattack? Instead of cowering in Yekaterinoslav and being beaten?¡±
The commander of the 27th Infantry Corps, von Cusmani, still insisted on the 29th Infantry Corps and Major General von Neuhaus. In his opinion, since the attacking coalition forces suffered heavy casualties, why did they not invest more than 2 infantry divisions? The 29th Infantry Corps on the battlefield retreated all the way to Yekaterinoslav and did not dare to fight back?
"Well in von Neuhaus's report, he believed that although the Japanese Third Division suffered heavy casualties in the battle to capture Kharkov, the Chinese armored forces suffered few casualties, and two of the Third Division's The artillery regiment was also unscathed. On the contrary, the artillery of the 47th Infantry Division suffered almost no casualties. The group army not only lost almost all its artillery, but also suffered nearly half of its infantry casualties. , Unless the coalition forces do not invest in reserves to reinforce Kharkov, the result of his rash counterattack will not be optimistic! "
Emile Hull lowered his head and quickly glanced at the report sent by von Neuhaus, then raised his head to answer von Cusmani's question.
"Reserves? Von Neuhaus thinks that the coalition forces will continuously invest reserve forces in the direction of Kharkov?! Are the troops in the direction of Tsaritsyn re-transported to Kharkov?" Chief of Staff of the 27th Infantry Corps Major General Palouse von Barlouis stood up and asked.
"That may not be the casethe other party is determined to win the Donbas coalfield. Our analysis shows that the other party will not easily give up its plan to attack Eastern Ukraine in two ways. Don't forget that the Japanese Third Army has three main divisions. If the coalition forces had been there before, If a main division is deployed in the direction of Kharkov and Glukhov, then there will be at least a third division as a reserve force. Since you can directly go to Yekatier, the important town on the Dnieper River, from Kharkov to the south! Linoslav, there is no reason to think that the coalition forces will not commit the third Japanese division to fight in the direction of Kharkov! "
Major General Emile Herr looked a little solemn when he said this. Several division commanders and division chiefs of staff of the 27th Infantry Corps who were present were silent after hearing this. The fall of Kharkov provided the best opportunity for the attacking coalition forces. At the breakthrough point, there is no heavy German defense within at least 200 kilometers to the south. The opponent cannot attack Yekaterinoslav in one go If the Japanese Third Division needs to rest and replenish after taking Kharkov, it will be difficult to quickly If dispatched, it would be logical for the coalition forces to devote reserve forces to continue fighting!
"All this intelligence comes from Berlin? It's a joke. When did the German army cross the river in the dark like this? Captain Goering, why can't your reconnaissance plane cross the border to conduct reconnaissance and thoroughly understand the deployment of the coalition forces?" Feng Lieutenant General Koosmani pounded the table and pointed the finger at Hermann Wilhelm Goering in the corner again, the captain of the 1st Fighter Wing!
"Cross-border reconnaissance? I would like to, but do you know how risky it is? The most important mission of the 1st Fighter Wing is to defend the air superiority over Kiev and Western Ukraine. When the enemy is strong and we are weak, one aircraft and one No pilots can be wasted on cross-border reconnaissance The coalition air force has deployed at least two flying wings across the border, with more than 250 fighter aircraft. The 1st Fighter WingThe number of fighter planes is now only one-third of the opponent's. We didn't win when it was only one-half of the opponent's. How can we easily cross the line and fight for attrition now? "
Hermann Wilhelm G?ring dismissed the words with disdain. He could only defend Kiev first. Otherwise, if the coalition's bomber group suddenly appeared and successfully attacked Kiev, let alone G?ring, the captain of the fighter wing. I am afraid that General Wilhelm Greiner will not be able to explain to Berlin
"Okay, Captain Goering, although the first mission of the fighter wing is to maintain air supremacy over Kiev and Western Ukraine, I hope that you and your people will be ready at any time to appear on any battlefield that requires your presence General, I have my own discretion regarding the use of the air force! Chief of Staff, please continue! "General Wilhelm Greiner once again settled the dispute between Goering and von Kusmani!
"If Major General von Neuhaus's judgment is accurate, the coalition forces, relying on the developed railway and road transportation capabilities in the Volga Federation, will deploy a third division to join the offensive in the direction of Kharkov within one to two days. This way First, the 2 and a half infantry divisions of the 29th Infantry Corps had to contend with the opponent's 3 infantry brigades, plus 2 Chinese armored regiments, and 34 federal infantry divisions. It was obvious that the enemy was outnumbered so they counterattacked rashly. Kharkov will surely hit the nail on the head!¡±