Battle of the Third Reich Chapter 4: Run

　　 "Hey... Hey... I can't hear you louder."

　　Major Raffin almost wants to put the phone receiver into his ear hole. The noisy environment and poor call quality make him totally unable to hear what the other party is talking about. He puts his hand in another ear hole and shouts loudly. So, trying hard to increase the noise index in this room.

　　 At this time, a beautiful female secretary hurried to his desk holding a document. Ruffin smiled at the girl and nodded and took the document from the girl.

　　 "I understand, but now I can't do anything for you, Colonel. We are solving this problem, what... I can't understand." Ruffin finally understood the other party's question, and he listened. Following the complaint of the colonel opposite, he read the document in his hand.

　　 "Please wait, Colonel." Ruffin covered the handset of the phone and then shouted to the secretary: "Miss Raffle, wait a minute."

　　 Hearing Ruffin's call, the girl turned her head.

　　 "Come here..." Ruffin gestured with a wave of the file in his hand.

　　 "What's the matter, Major." The girl ran back in a hurry.

　　 "Take this document..." Ruffin picked up a pen from the desk and scribbled a name on the document, then handed the document to the secretary. "Please print out two more copies of this document, one for me, one for Colonel Long of the Logistics Department, and the copy of your hand to Colonel Watson of the Operation Bureau."

　　 "Yes, Major." The secretary took the file and hurried back to her desk.

　　" I’m very sorry, Colonel, where did we go... Oh, I remember. As I said before, we are solving your problem, not just you, but the same problem as you There are still many troops in the army. I know, I understand your anxiety, but there is no way to do it. If there are results, I will notify you. I know this is very important to your troops, but...understand Yes, Mr. Colonel. Yes, that's it, goodbye."

　　 Ruffin put down the receiver, he leaned tiredly on the back of the seat and let out a long sigh. This is the first call received this morning, and Ruffin can't remember clearly. The phone on the desk has not stopped since he took over in the morning, making him feel as if the entire front line was complaining to him. Ruffin was rubbing his sore temples. His ears had been hurting since two hours ago. He decided to go to the military doctor for examination after the shift.

　　 Since Hitler's death, the Supreme Command of the Third Reich Armed Forces has been moved by Xu Jun from the "cliff castle" to Douai on the French front. The personnel basically continued the original organization, except that some of Hitler’s cronies were removed. The generals recommended a group of experienced grassroots staff to replace those people. From the current point of view, the operation of the command is fair. Satisfactory.

　　Xu Jun requisitioned the most spacious and comfortable Golden Laurel Hotel in Douai as the new address of the command, but he still gave the hotel operator a large mark as compensation for the loss, which made this expropriation look like More like lease. The generals and marshals felt a little dissatisfied with the new head of state's actions. They felt that there was no need to compensate the French for this. These French should feel infinitely honorable for the German Supreme Commander’s stationed in their hotel. Not only should they not ask for any compensation, they should also give the German officers and soldiers stationed in the hotel the highest-end service to repay the favor of the head of state to them, but Xu Jun blocked the complaints of these generals and marshals with one sentence.

　　 "We are the glorious German army, not the inferior robbers. If we live in someone's home without making any compensation, what is the difference between us and those robbers."

　　 As a result, the generals and marshals present blushed with shame, but this also gave them a deeper understanding of the noble character of the new head of state. They finally found a perfection for the German army. The leader is happy that the German army is just around the corner to restore his former glory.

　　Golden Laurel is the most spacious and luxurious hotel in Douai. It has more than fifty gorgeous suites and hundreds of standard guest rooms. The interior decoration is gorgeous and elegant. Every inch of the place reveals the French 16th century. A magnificent and luxurious temperament.

　　 But since the German High Command came in, everything about the Golden Laurel has changed. The lobby on the first floor, covered with the highest-grade Italian marble, turned into a huge office. Fifty desks and hundreds of file boxes separated it to pieces. The smooth floor is now everywhere. It is densely packed with wires and cables, which looks like entering a jungle.

　　Those thick cables ran across the entire lobby and spread to the door. Four huge generator cars roared day and night in the yard to provide power to the various electrical appliances of the command. The original power system of the hotel is obvious. Can't meet the needs of the command. Let's not mention those electric printers and telex machines that never stop. The large radio stations alone are enough to destroy the fragile lines of the hotel.

　　Due to security reasons, all French employees in the hotel were ordered to go home and rest. A tight defensive position was set up outside the hotel. Three SS Stormtroopers and one regiment of army soldiers assumed the responsibility of the command. Defense work. These soldiers, armed to their teeth, patrolled their defenses around the clock, and under their guards, even a rat would risk his life to get into the hotel.

　　 The offices in the lobby of the hotel are all grassroots departments such as the logistics support of the command department. They maintain the daily operation of this organization. On the second floor of the hotel is the office space for several important organizations of the command department. There is a huge ballroom there, which is now the general office of the general staff. Like in the "hill cliff castle", dozens of desks surround a huge The map sandboxes are lined up. Hundreds of staff officers and secretaries are busy walking around in this large office. Various documents and telegrams are constantly passing on these desks. The sharp telephone ringing and the staff's discussion, shouts, commands, and quarrels mixed together, making the office of the most important department of the German army as noisy as the famous stock exchange on the other side of the ocean. The offices of the supervisors are arranged in small single rooms beside the corridors on both sides of this office. There were originally supporting service facilities for the ballroom, pantry smoking rooms and the like, but now they are used by those supervisors to escape the noise and enjoy peace. A small world.

　　 The third floor is the office area for generals and marshals, and the most critical combat bureau is also placed here. Those standard guest rooms have been changed into standard offices. Although the unnecessary furniture has been moved out from there, the overly gorgeous decoration has been preserved, which makes these offices a bit nondescript. Especially when large maps filled with military signs are hung on those luxurious gilded wall coverings, this feeling is even more intense, as awkward as seeing a tank painted in pink.

　　 The top floor of the hotel became the living area of ​​the generals and marshals. Of course, Xu Jun’s bedroom and office were also set there. As the new head of Germany, Xu Jun was placed in the most luxurious, highest-class and most spacious suite in this hotel, but he seemed to dislike working alone, and often he would go to Keitel or Yodel Talk to them in his office, or lead the group of generals to the meeting room on the second floor. He occasionally went to the big office to inspect the work of his subordinates, but after he discovered that every time he appeared would cause a technical failure in that office, he seldom went again. He looked at those awe-inspiring eyes. He felt a little uncomfortable.

Major Ruffin was sitting in that big office now, and the phone miraculously didn't ring since he took the call from the colonel, and he could finally take a breath. Ruffin poured himself a cup of strong coffee from the large coffee pot on the table, and then took out from his briefcase a meat loaf that he had brought from the restaurant in the morning, and the major was about to start enjoying his coffee. meal. Although the lunch time is approaching, he knows that he will not be able to enjoy an undisturbed lunch in the past two days, so he might as well fill himself up during work breaks, which has become a habit of him. Ruffin took a bite of the meaty bread and then drank a big sip of coffee. He felt that he had finally recovered a bit of strength, and the busyness of this morning made him choking. Ruffin took the bread in one hand and picked up a document on the table and read it carefully.

　　 "All stand up."

　　 The call of the duty officer suddenly sounded in the office, the noisy room suddenly became quiet, the sitting officers all jumped up, and those who were walking around the room stood still in place. Everyone turned to the door of the office. Since there are too many chiefs here, the school-level officers entering and leaving this office are like crucian carp who cross the river. Just standing up and paying tribute in this way may be exhausting. When Xu Jun discovered this problem, in order to maintain the operation and efficiency of the high command, he issued a special order. The school-level officers inside the high command did not need to stand up and pay tribute when entering the door. Although this obviously violated the German military etiquette norms, they were It was welcomed by most officers. However, if the duty officer shouted out the command to stand upright, it means that it is a general or a marshal, and you must not neglect at this time, otherwise it is likely to get into big trouble.

　　 "All salute!"

　　The duty officer then shouted. Following his trembling password, Xu Jun led his staff into the office strode. Today, the new German head of state is dressed as usual, a neat set of marshal uniforms, no medals, only ordinary badges, his knight iron cross is pinned on the neckline, and his marshal battle is in his hand. , The shiny leather boots were spotless, and the gold rim on the military cap shone softly under the light. However, Xu Jun's face is not as energetic as his uniform. It can be said that the German military **** is very haggard now. Although his eyes are still so sharp, his slightly frowned brow and serious mouth reveal his exhausted.

　　 Xu Jun raised his marshal's scepter to pay tribute to the staff and secretaries, and then led the generals to the large conference room on the other side of the office.

　　 "Major Ruffin, come with me."

　　 Ruffin's immediate boss, General Yordel, Chief of Army Operations, whispered to Ruffin as he passed by Ruffin's desk.

　　 "Yes, Lord General."

　　 Raffin nodded in flattery, he hurriedly put on his military cap and walked into the large conference room behind Yordel.

　　 After everyone was seated, Xu Jun first glanced at the men sitting on both sides, then he turned his face to his commander’s chief of staff and asked: "Marshal Keitel, we basically Now that you understand, you first talk about your views on the current situation."

　　 "Yes, my head, this..."

　　 Keitel frowned, he gestured behind him, and his adjutant quickly handed over a document. Keitel took out his monocle from the chest pocket of his military uniform and clamped it on his eyes, then opened the document.

　　"My head of state, judging from the general form of our army, the combat at this stage is still satisfactory, but some problems have been exposed. These problems are not encountered in previous battles, and we Never considered it. I think we must take it seriously now, otherwise these problems may lead to very serious consequences."

　　 Ketterton had a meal. He raised his eyes to observe the reaction of the commanders present to what he said. The result satisfied him. Everyone, including Xu Jun, was watching with a serious look. For himself, Keitel cleared his throat and continued: "At present, our Army Group A has completed 70% of the tasks we have entrusted to them at this stage, and Army Group B has also completed your plan and created what we need. The situation of the army group C is completing the containment of Magino’s enemy forces in accordance with your orders. From the current situation, it seems that the battle can enter the second stage. However, in fact, we cannot start the second stage yet. The main problem with the operation of the campaign was the logistics supply. We obviously underestimated the difficulty of logistics transportation at the beginning of the battle. If the materials cannot be delivered, the next phase of the battle cannot be launched."

　　 "You are right, my Chief of Staff." Xu Jun said in a faint interface: "If there is a problem with logistics supplies, the consequences will become very serious. This should indeed be taken seriously. But before we talk about this issue , Let’s take a look at my idea of ​​the next step."

The adjutant on the side of 　　 took a map and spread it on the conference table. Xu Jun stood up and took a look at his men, then picked up a red pencil on the table and drew on the map.

　　"The offensive of our Army Group A disappointed me. Guderian would be blocked by a small French village for a whole day, but the ruins were left to me. Although he has accelerated the attack now, I still I still feel that something is a little bit worse. Maybe it’s my fault, maybe I put too much pressure on him before the war, so I let him lose his previous spirit, I am ready to give him a little bit in due course Stimulate, let him regain self-confidence.

　　 Next, I will prepare to transfer my Cyprus to his right wing, and then take Le Havre this important port with all my strength. After that, my army will plunge straight down the coast along with Guderian’s 19th Armored Army and the 60th and 20th Mechanized Division, and seize several other French coastal ports, and cut off their foreign aid. channel. Of course, the follow-up infantry units of the Eighteenth Army must also keep up. They must consolidate our occupied areas and must completely cut off the French from these areas.

　　 Army Group B has now reached the position we planned. The next step is to launch a large-scale pincer offensive, General Reinhardt’s 41st Armored Corps and General Holt’s 15th Armored Corps. As the main force of this offensive, their more than a thousand tanks will be inserted directly behind the French until here. . . . Tours. It is a transportation hub for the French. We must occupy it within three days of the offensive, and completely separate the French 7th and 6th Army. The French 7th Army was in the last Battle of Dunkirk. Zhong slipped out from under our hands, and this time I definitely can't let them run away.

　　 The rest of the Army Group B proceeded in a plane according to the original plan and occupied the line from Paris to Metz. Three of the infantry divisions blocked the passage of the French Second Army Group to the French mainland and assisted the Group C Army in the country. The group contained the Maginot defenders. This is my second phase of the campaign concept. "Xu Jun sat down and took a sip of water from the cup on the table.

　　"Please forgive me, my head of state, your strategic vision has always admired us. No one raised any objections to this believer. I just want to remind you how you can solve our logistics The problem, this will definitely affect our next stage of battle." Keitel asked suspiciously.

　　 "Don't worry, I haven't said this yet. We may have some logistical problems now, but I don't think this is a serious problem. We must be able to figure out a way to solve it." Xu Jun said lightly.

　　 "Which troops are we having supply problems now?" Xu Jun asked Yodel.

　　"My head of state, according to current statistics, the situation encountered by the vanguard of Army Group A is more serious, while Army Group B is much better. I called Major Ruffin, who is on duty who received feedback from the troops directly. Officer, he can answer your questions about this."

　　Yordel turned his head to Raffin sitting in the corner of the conference room and said: "Major Raffin, you are here to answer the head of state's question."

　　"Observe.... Follow your orders, Your Excellency General."

　　Raffin quickly stood up, and he pushed his chest up vigorously. As a general staff, he had never spoken in front of so many generals, let alone the head of the empire. Due to tension, Ruffin's face became white, his forehead began to sweat, his mouth became a bit dry, and his body began to tremble slightly.

　　 "Major Ruffin, can you tell me now that some troops have reported problems with their supplies, and what supplies they are missing?" Xu Jun saw that the major was nervous, and he smiled. Fern asked.

　　"Report to the head of state, now there are the 19th Armored Corps, the Fourth Armored Division, the Sixth Armored Division, the 11th Armored Division and the Third Mechanized Infantry Division report that their supplies cannot be delivered to the frontier The Army, the Second Infantry Division and the 37th Infantry Division also reported the same situation, as well as the right-wing units of the B Army Group, including the 15th Armored Corps. What they lack is ammunition and fuel, and the armored unit still lacks everything. Kind of parts.” Ruffin answered Xu Jun’s question respectfully, and he has already begun to slowly get rid of the initial tension.

　　 "Are there only these troops? Major Ruffin."

　　"No, my head of state, these are more serious problems. Some troops also raised the same problem, but they were resolved later. Their supplies were delayed on the way, and it was not impossible to deliver them. ." Ruffin replied.

　　 "Then have you asked what happened to the logistics department?" Xu Jun asked.

　　 "No, my head of state, I just relayed these questions to the logistics department."

　　 "Very well, Major Ruffin, you can go out." Xu Jun said to Ruffin lightly.

　　 "Yes, Your Excellency." Ruffin respectfully saluted and walked out of the conference room.

　　 Xu Jun turned his head and said to his logistics staff: "Can you explain to me the reason? General Steck."

　　 "Report to the head of state that we are trying our best to solve these problems. The problem is not about the materials. We are still sufficient with these materials. The main reason is that the troops have blocked the passages. Many supply convoys cannot move forward at all." The logistics staff is cautious. The answer is.

　　 "Okay, I'm clear. General Steck." Xu Jun leaned against the back of the seat. He thought for a while, then frowned.

　　 "I was responsible for this matter. I didn't expect this to happen. But thank God, this problem is not as serious as I thought, and it has not developed to the point where it can't be managed." Then he He picked up the pencil and pointed on the map. "The problem lies in this area. It's my fault. I invested 23 divisions in this area, and their offensives were limited to this small area. Many troops simply did not expand the occupied area before the forward troops. Unable to unfold, they were all jammed there. And in order to complete the task I gave them within the time I set, they all had to cross the Somme within the set time, but our crossing was only These few, I can imagine what they will be chaotic in order to grab these channels.

Because the 　　 armored unit is fast and is the main attacking unit, they crossed the river first. In order to maintain the offensive speed, they must follow the usual practice to leave the heavy baggage behind with the subsequent infantry divisions. As a result, the infantry division The heavy weight and slow movement completely blocked the passages. Not only the armored division's supplies could not be sent, but even the logistics supply base's convoy could not use those passages. "Xu Jun smiled bitterly and shook his head.

　　"This is the result of my eagerness and quick success. I did not consider these logistical issues. Now I am unable to proceed to the next step. I originally wanted to invest so many troops to grab a favorable position as soon as possible. , And then launched a quick attack to regain our lost time, but what we did not expect is that this just made us waste more time. This is a lesson for me."

　　 Xu Jun paused and continued: "But we still have a chance to remedy this mistake. Immediately order the infantry divisions to stop seizing the ferry, relax the time limit for them to complete the task, order them to widen the crossing of the river as much as possible, and order the engineers. The troops set up a double pontoon bridge on the Somme. In any case, it is necessary to speed up the evacuation of the congested area. The forward troops may be able to attack the French army in depth before receiving new supplies. There must be a French army supply base there. You can **** those materials to supplement your own consumption. I hope they can do this before they use up their supplies. It depends on the specific situation of their troops and the commander himself decides. The specific operation of this issue is left to you. Marshal Keitel, you must give me a satisfactory answer."

　　 "Yes, my head of state, you will not be disappointed by this." Keitel was happy, and he was waiting for Xu Jun to hand this issue to him to solve it. There was already a specific plan. It would be a great achievement to save the troops in trouble, and it would be a shame to fall into the hands of others. But Keitel didn't show any overjoyed look on the surface at all, he still faintly agreed with a serious expression.

　　"Okay, now let’s take a look at my previous campaign concept. Do you think there are any shortcomings or missing questions? Feng~IndoMTL.com~Marshal Brausic, you come first Let me express your opinion..." Xu Jun felt that a problem had been solved and his mood became more relaxed. He smiled and asked the commander-in-chief of the army.

　　 "Oh, my Führer, I have some personal thoughts about the next battle, such as here..." The Field Marshal finally found an opportunity to show himself, and he quickly stood up and turned. The lower back pointed on the map.

　　 Just then, the door of the conference room was knocked gently.

　　 "Come in." Xu Jun said loudly. The guard opened the door, and Dougan and Randolph walked in.

　　 "Ah, it's you guys, what's the matter?" Xu Jun asked with a smile.

　　 "My head of state, Feng. General Rondstedt and General Manstedt are here, you ordered them to report to you as soon as they arrive." Daogen replied respectfully.

　　 "Von. Rondstedt and Manstein." The generals on the side were in a commotion, and their faces were filled with joy. It is always something to hear that their colleagues return safely. Happy things.

　　 "Let them come in quickly, oh no, please ask the two generals to wait for me in the small living room, I will come right away." Xu Jun said happily.

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