Battle of the Third Reich Chapter 444: [Mussolini] Defense Line (2)

The particularity of mountain troops is that the complex terrain that usually discourages ordinary infantry troops can hardly restrain the actions of mountain troops, because they rely mainly on foot marches, and they have almost no road requirements, as long as humans can Mountain soldiers can move in the area they set foot in.

It can be said that the Alps gave birth to this unit. As a natural dividing border, the countries surrounding the mountains have established their own mountain warfare units either for self-defense or for conquest. Italy has invested considerable energy in this area because of its geographical environment. The Italian mountain troops can be regarded as pioneers in this field in terms of equipment and tactics.

For quite a long time, their opponents were the same elite Austro-Hungarian mountain soldiers, but with the end of the First World War and the disintegration of the once powerful Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Alpine soldiers thought that Europe could no longer compete with them. Matching opponents, Italy's mountain troops are already invincible.

But now, the tough Austro-Hungarian mountain hunters are back, but they are now wearing the uniforms of the mountain soldiers of the Third Reich, with M40 helmets inlaid with edelweiss badges on their heads.

Italy can be regarded as a mountain country. The plains only account for about 20% of the country's land area. Because of the lack of arable land, it has always been unable to achieve self-sufficiency in food. The Roman Empire back then was entirely dependent on the production of food and supplies from overseas territories. The merger of Italy was serious, and most of the arable land was used by noble veteran farmers to grow grapes and olives, which are more profitable cash crops. At that time If the rich overseas provinces are lost, at least half of the Roman Empire will starve to death.

Compared with the steep Alps, the Apennines can only be regarded as endless hills. The height of the peaks is generally below one thousand meters above sea level, and the height of the mountains near the center drops to five or six hundred meters. The ridge where the 100th Jager Regiment is now located is only more than 500 meters above sea level. If the original topography of the mountain is added, the drop from the peak to the bottom of the valley is actually less than 200 meters, but for mountain soldiers who are used to climbing cliffs. Said that marching in such a place is like an autumn outing.

The Italians claimed that there was only another group of mountain soldiers that could restrain the mountain soldiers, but this was only for the special environment of the Alps. When the Apennines were densely populated with road networks, the mountain soldiers did not occupy them. What an advantage, to be precise, their advantage can't be played out in this kind of place. On the contrary, because they are carrying light equipment, they have extremely limited firepower. If they encounter conventional infantry units, they will be disadvantaged in firepower confrontation.

The German mountain soldiers are luckier than their Italian counterparts. They are supported by infantry units. The Fifth Mountain Division is basically a semi-mechanized march along the way. As an important branch of the assault force, the Mountain Division is assigned an additional truck regiment to take charge of them. Logistics.

In some areas with complex environments, the forward troops will leave their motor vehicles and ride allocated bicycles for armed reconnaissance. This is the old line of the German mountain soldiers. Compared with the hard-to-serve mules and horses, bicycles require neither feed nor drinking water. When encountering difficult-to-pass areas, one person can carry them and march.

"This is an order from a superior. I can understand your feelings, but there is no other way. An order is an order. You know the consequences of disobeying, Captain, that's it." Rudolf, the first battalion commander of the 100th Jager Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Zander hung up the field call.

"What's this?" Zander took an envelope from the bicycle messenger.

"The regiment commander asked me to send it, sir." The messenger replied loudly, and the heels of his boots made a military salute.

"I see, you can leave, soldier." The lieutenant colonel returned a military salute.

"What is this?" Major Zorn, the administrative staff of the camp, asked curiously.

"For this list of honorees, wait a minute to notify the platoons they belong to." Zander handed the opened letter to Zorn.

"The morale of the grassroots troops will definitely increase." Zorn said happily.

"The question now is how to calm them down and don't call for battle every half an hour." Zander scratched his chin with a look of helplessness on his face.

The Italian mountain troops finally set up a position before the Germans arrived. As experts in the industry, they knew how to use the terrain and successfully blocked a large area with very few troops. The Italians occupied a hill more than 650 meters high. Two mountain roads built along the ridge happened to pass on both sides of the peak. The road and the surrounding mountains within one kilometer were all made of Italian large-caliber heavy machine guns and forced Within the attack range of the artillery.

After repelling a group of German scouts, the revenge of the Chinese and German troops was originally expected but did not come. The commander of the German mountain troops did not know what was wrong. They seemed to completely abandon the idea of ​​a storm. Instead, they were in Italy. The troops built their positions outside the line of fire.

In this way, the two mountain soldiers started a confrontation across the two mountain beams. Both sides established a standard defensive position. The soldiers hid in bunkers and sneered at each other far away. The two elite troops froze and turned the mountain war into a trench warfare. This is also a spectacle in this war.

Don't talk about the Italians on the opposite side, the Germans themselves are a little confused. In their opinion, the Italian mountain troops on the opposite side have no ability to stop their attacks. It has an army artillery battalion supported by the hundredth The hunting battalion can completely eliminate these enemies in one go.

But the superior suddenly issued an order, ordering the troops to immediately stop advancing, and at the same time turn to a defensive posture on the spot, and forbid to initiate assaults on the Italian positions.

Zander was certainly not satisfied with this inexplicable order. He almost thought that there was a problem with his ears, but the commander called him directly and then told him that this was a direct order from the group army command. The person is likely to be Marshal Keitel, which means that the head of the empire may also know.

The commander’s words directly extinguished all of Zander’s thoughts. This must have involved strategic issues. Once I messed up on my side... I was scared when I thought of this lieutenant colonel. .

At this moment, the German front-line headquarters has moved to the famous city of Mantova in northern Italy. This ancient city surrounded by water on three sides is located in the center of the Po River Plain. The geographical position here is very suitable for the headquarters to the entire northern theater of troops. Scheduling and control.

"This is what they call the [Mussolini] defense line, and Badoglio can't be more serious?" Manstein handed the cap to the adjutant behind him, and strode to the station. Beside Yodel at the map table.

"He has successfully mobilized the troops around Rome, and also transferred the two newly formed Black Shirts to the north, blocking the French attack along the coastline. Roman forces will soon be transferred. Once empty, it will become an undefended city." Yodel glanced at Manstein, then picked up a compass and gestured to the map.

"We are now trying to convince the Italians that this line of defense is working. It has successfully blocked our footsteps. At the same time, we must continue to apply pressure from the east and west lines to give Badoglio a reason to call out more. The troops came out. We must take Rome intact, because this is the order of the Führer Da." Yodel nodded Rome with a compass.

"This is a city that belongs to the world. Any damage caused to it will have a huge impact on the entire world. The Wehrmacht is obliged to maintain the prestige of Germany and cannot attack those hidden enemies The tongue of the empire. Because of this, the Führer agreed to some of the conditions proposed by Badoglio, and let us fully cooperate with the marshal to implement his somewhat absurd plan."

Yordel was actually a little reluctant in his heart, but this was his first time as a front-line commander. He originally wanted to build a prominent military exploit in this war. However, as a senior commander, he must look at the problem from a strategic point of view. The Italian plan can indeed save a lot of energy for the German army, and the army can also avoid too many losses. He has seen it more than once in the report submitted. Then, the lower commanders admired the courage that the Italians showed in the battle.

In the four days since the war began, the German army has lost more than 2,000 soldiers, of which more than 300 were killed and nearly 1,700 seriously injured, most of which may be retired. Many of these are veterans who have gone through the European wars. According to Yodel, these are the seeds of future officers. When the German Wehrmacht is expanding its army on a large scale, losing any of them is a huge loss for the army.

"Well, the will of the head of state is our mission. Cyprus is already in place. How long will it take for Bagdoglio?" Manstein leaned on the map table and looked at the densely marked arrows. , Each of the above flags represents a German army.

"According to him, it will take another three or four days, but I don’t really believe in the marshal. You can go to the staff room later and ask Hendrick for a copy of the newsletter. Now you come to see this, I suddenly Have a new idea.". Yodel took off the monocle and put it in his chest pocket, then turned to the other side of the map table and picked up a pointer stick.

"The result of this war has been predetermined from the beginning, so I have been thinking about how ~IndoMTL.com~ can enable the German army to win the war more quickly. Badoglio’s plan is currently It is our best choice. I very much agree with the decision of the head of state. It is very decisive and wise, which impresses me deeply." As usual, the head of the command of the command praised the wiseness of the head of the empire, which was raised since Hitler’s time. He has become a habit, and he believes that with the magical powers of the apostle, these words will surely reach the other's ears.

"It's just that Badoglio is an old fox. I know this man. To be honest, he is not worthy of our trust. So we must prevent him from playing tricks behind his back. Of course he cannot have the guts to challenge the Wehrmacht. But we need to add an insurance to this matter." Yodel said to Manstein.

"I agree with you, we really need to be more cautious. Tell me about your plan, what kind of insurance is it."

"Three days later, no matter whether Badoglio's plan is successful or not, we will initiate a landing here." Yodel pointed his stick at the map.

"That's...Anzio?" Manstein raised his eyebrows.

"It is Anzio. If Badoglio's plan goes well, the defenders in this area will be moved away, and this coastline is equivalent to being completely open to us. I and several staff members studied carefully After this generation of terrain, Anzio has the most ideal landing conditions, where there is a great beach.

We have enough landing equipment and ships to send two infantry divisions ashore from here within 24 hours. It’s only forty-five kilometers away from Rome. We can assault Rome at full speed before the Italians can react, and then..." Jodel stretched out his hand and patted the city of Rome on the map, with a triumphant smile on his face. To be continued.) Good book, home of book friends! The only website: