artillery arc

Chapter 617: Emperor Proson's Choice
June 6, Eagle's Nest, 24 a.m.

Emperor Proson looked at Marshal Celtic, who had just finished his report, and then looked at Army Commander-in-Chief Rundstedt: "So your opinion is to postpone the attack on the southern front and go all out to deal with the...'crisis' in the center?"

"Yes." Marshal Rundstedt nodded.

The emperor pursed his lips and thought for a while, then asked, "So this is really a crisis? Ten hours ago, you said Admiral Mendel's counterattack was very effective?"

"Yes, and so far, his counterattack has been very successful. He has wiped out most of the Ante troops that broke through the Ninth Army's defense line. But the problem is..."

"What's the problem?" the emperor asked.

Marshal Celtic: "The other armies have not been able to launch an effective counterattack, and the current defense line is in a fragmented state. In fact, Marshal Borg judged that, except for the Ninth Army, the other armies have reached a relatively dangerous situation.

"They need fresh troops to fight back and get some breathing space."

Emperor: "So what you mean is to withdraw troops from the Southern Army Group to supplement the Central Army Group so that they can block the attack and delay the offensive on the southern front?"

Marshal Celtic: "Due to transportation problems, half of the new weapons scheduled to be deployed on the southern front have not arrived. By July 7, when the attack was scheduled to be launched, some of these equipment may still not be in place.

“It is better to wait for more time until we block the offensive in the center, and then mobilize the troops to launch an attack.

"At that time, all the new weapons that were difficult to transport had already been delivered to the front line, and we only needed to transport the ordinary troops."

Marshal Celtic finished speaking, and Marshal Rundstedt added: "There is another benefit to postponing the attack. Our newly formed armored divisions can also be put into battle. By then, our forces will be even stronger."

Originally, the commander-in-chief should not have said anything about the formation of new troops. This is something the chief of staff should report, but we can't care about that now.

Emperor: "Then how can you guarantee that Rokossov will not attack?"

Marshal Rundstedt: "Isn't this just right? We can also launch a defensive counterattack. The Elephant tank destroyers that were transported to the front line with great effort have low mobility and are obviously more suitable for defense. There are also mass-produced Max anti-tank guns, which are also more suitable for defensive operations in preset positions.

"Let Rokossov also have a taste of the bitter fruit of the offensive."

The emperor asked, "What about the 500mm rocket launcher that Rokossov put in?"

"Your Majesty, we are organizing a mobile defense in the wilderness, and Rokossov's new weapon is obviously used for attacking cities. It will not be of much use on the plains."

The emperor thought for a while, then turned to look at Gilais: "What do you think?"

Gilais replied very firmly: "I don't think we should launch an attack when we need to withdraw troops."

Marshal Celtic and Marshal Rundstedt both breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that Giles supported their opinion.

The emperor was still a little hesitant: "We only have three months to attack. The mud will come in October, and all the armored units will be stuck in the mud and unable to move."

Giles: "It's the same with the enemy. Rokossov is preparing for battle. He must have big plans this year. He will attack. This time it's our turn to defend and counterattack."

The emperor thought for a few seconds and finally nodded: "You are right, this time we will defend and counterattack. Marshal Celtic, modify the plan and withdraw troops from the Southern Army Group to supplement the Central Army Group to stabilize the front.

"Also, send a commendation telegram to Mendel for successfully launching the counterattack and stabilizing the front. Draft it in my name."

Celtic Marshal: "I will do it immediately."

After saying that, he turned and left the conference room.

Everyone else left in the conference room looked at the emperor, and could clearly feel the sadness emanating from him.

Emperor: "Over the years, Proson has been attacking and winning. Offense and victory seem to be tied together. Now I have ordered an end to the attack. Although I know the necessity behind this, I still feel as if I have given up the chance of victory."

Giles: "Defense counterattack is ultimately a counterattack, which is also an attack, and we will win. Rokossov has been defending and counterattacking. He has defeated us time and time again and enjoyed the fruits of victory."

The emperor nodded. "I know. I know this choice is right and logical. Giles, thank you. Without you, I might not be able to make a calm decision. This Rokossov has made me sleepless for countless days and nights.

"The Imperial Household Ministry promised countless times that the plan to assassinate him was ready, but so far, only the one with Baras almost succeeded. All other plans failed without exception!"

The head of the Imperial Household Ministry was also present and said awkwardly, "Most of our actions were thwarted by the secular church's inquisition. Bishop Lavkid under Belinsky is very powerful and extremely cruel. He will kill all suspects and their families, even the children."

General Moltke teased, "The Imperial Household Ministry has actually started to accuse others of being cruel?"

The Imperial Household Ministry has always been famous for its tyranny. In the Plossen Empire, when a child cries at night, as long as they are told "The Imperial Household Ministry is here", the child will immediately be too scared to speak.

That's why General Moltke teased them like this. However, the head of the Imperial Household Ministry just smiled at General Moltke.

General Moltke was the director of armored forces and the emperor's favorite, but he still got goosebumps from this smile.

Emperor: "That's enough. Stop undermining each other at this time and think about how to win the war for the empire."

"I do have an idea," the head of the Imperial Household Ministry said, "According to reliable intelligence, the Allies will hold a summit meeting before the end of this year. Rokossov, who will end the war this year, may also attend. We can consider wiping them out at that time!"

General Moltke: "You can't handle a single court. This kind of joint meeting must involve counterintelligence experts from various countries. Can you handle it?"

"How do you know if you don't try?" The leader smiled again.

Emperor: "We can discuss these matters after the enemy actually holds a meeting. We have almost finished discussing today, so we can adjourn the meeting. Gilais, please stay. My sister wants to invite you for afternoon tea."

Gil Ace was overjoyed: "Is she okay?"

"Aren't you the one who knows best whether I am in good health?" the emperor asked.

The other generals pretended not to hear and quickly left the meeting room.

----

On June 6, at 27, Plossen was 1330 meters above Army Group South.

Wang Zhong opened his little notebook, where he had written down in code the enemy numbers he had seen during his last aerial reconnaissance.

The reason for using code words to record is that if this book is opened by other people, they will see that the commander of the front knows all the enemy numbers by heart, which will cause trouble.

After a careful comparison, he confirmed one thing: three divisions of the Prosom troops originally deployed around Oril had been withdrawn.

Plossen's divisions were all large-scale divisions, so at least 70,000 people were transferred away.

In other words, the enemy was indeed transferring troops to Army Group Center.

At this time, Emilia said, "It feels like the enemy's activities are decreasing. Combined with what I saw when I just flew over the front line, why do I feel like the enemy is stationed in place?"

Wang Zhong: "Yes, I took pictures when I flew over the front line. The enemy was obviously building fortifications. Although the attacking side will also build some fortifications at the starting point of the attack to hide the troops and confuse the defending side, but... I always feel that the scale of the enemy's fortifications is not what it seems."

Emilia: "So the enemy is going to postpone the attack? To deal with the Central Army Group first?"

"Yes, that's what happened."

Emilia: "Could this be a trick by the Prosents?"

Wang Zhong: "Hahahahahaha... It's hard to say, but if this is really an operation to deceive the enemy and the enemy really continues to attack us under such circumstances, then I will laugh out loud. Well, we have seen enough, let's go back."

"Okay!" Emilia swung the joystick, the plane turned right and turned to fly towards Ant's control area.

Two hours later.

The First Khazaria Front Headquarters.

Wang Zhong: "Given the current situation, I think we can launch an attack ahead of time. This will prevent the enemy from withdrawing too many troops from our front and reduce the pressure on General Gorky.

"At the same time, the enemy's fortifications have not been completed yet, which can reduce our casualties."

Popov slammed his fist on the table. "Very good. We took the initiative to attack the enemy without suffering a major setback. I didn't expect that this day would come so soon."

Pavlov seemed worried: "The enemy has a strong force, and we don't have that much advantage in force. If we attack... is it really appropriate?"

Wang Zhong: "Try to attack first. If you can't defeat them, then consider changing tactics. Soldiers are unpredictable, so we must be flexible."

Pavlov thought about it and nodded: "You make the decision and I will execute it. However, you should inform the headquarters, right? It is not appropriate to attack rashly."

Wang Zhong: "Okay, let's send a telegram to the headquarters in the name of the three of us, requesting to change the battle plan!"

(End of this chapter)