artillery arc

Chapter 649: Marshal Goron is good at escaping (Update 45/84)

At 7 on July 11, Antekosalia Front Command.

After circulating today's briefing, Pavlov spoke first: "It is now certain that the enemy is in total retreat."

Wang Zhong: "We launched the attack before the encirclement was complete because we were afraid they would escape. So how long will it take for the two pincers to close?"

"We should be able to complete the encirclement by tomorrow, but the enemy's resistance is fierce. In addition, aerial reconnaissance shows that there are a large number of troops in the gap of the encirclement and they are rushing towards Shepetovka."

As he spoke, Pavlov picked out a photo from the table and put it into Wang Zhong's hand.

Wang Zhong took a look at the photo and threw it on the table: "Send out the air force to bomb as much as possible and delay the enemy as much as possible."

On Earth, Sandezi's troops were often able to break out of encirclement. Even in a large-scale siege operation like Bagration's, many of Sandezi's troops broke through.

Wang Zhong's feeling after reading the war history is that the Allied forces always underestimated Sandezi's combat effectiveness, thinking that the encirclement was successful and they could close the net, but as a result, they were careless and were taken advantage of by Sandezi.

Could it be that Proshen in this time and space is also like this?
Wang Zhong: "Can't the armored forces speed up? Let's try to successfully meet up and complete the encirclement by noon tomorrow."

Pavlov shook his head. "Objectively, it cannot be accomplished. Although the troops have rested for a few days, the equipment and personnel losses have not been replaced. For example, the meritorious 1st Guards Heavy Breakthrough Tank Regiment, according to today's report, still only has three heavy tanks that can fight."

Popov: "It's mainly because we suffered heavy losses in the battle against the enemy's armored forces, and our spears have become blunt."

Vasily comforted Wang Zhong: "It's great to be able to encircle so many people. Although it's a little bit small compared to the victory last winter, it's of great strategic significance! You see, we will be able to encircle Shepetovka soon!"

Wang Zhong: “That’s true.”

He came to the map, picked up the map stick and gestured on the map: "After completing the encirclement, we can attack in this direction--"

The map stick passed over a familiar place name, causing Wang Zhong to stop.

Pavlov asked in confusion: "What's wrong?"

Wang Zhong: "Nothing, I just saw a familiar city name."

Pavlov glanced at the map and said, "Let me guess. It's Orachi, right?"

Wang Zhong: "You obviously guessed it because you saw where my map stick stopped!"

Pavlov: "Aorach is the city with the deepest roots in this area. Even without looking at the location of your map stick, you can probably guess it. If we reoccupy Aorach, the enemy troops in Shepetovka will retreat in the direction of Army Group Center.

"We will also isolate the enemy's 11th Army guarding the coastal fortress, and the situation in all of Eastern Kozalia will become favorable to us."

Wang Zhong: "Yes, and taking back Orachi has great symbolic significance for me and us."

Pavlov: "The plan I have drawn up for the next phase includes a version of capturing Orachi. Should we use this version as the next phase of the battle plan?"

Wang Zhong: "It's feasible. It is estimated that it will take fourteen days to annihilate the surrounded enemy troops, as well as to rest and replenish after the battle. How about launching the next phase of the attack on July 25th?"

Pavlov: "Considering the losses of our armored forces, a half-month rest is reasonable. But is it possible that the enemy will voluntarily abandon Shepetovka?"

As he spoke, Pavlov took the map stick from Wang Zhong and gestured on the map.

"Giving up Shepetovka will not have much impact on the enemy's central front, but for the southern front, they can shrink their defenses and hold on to the Tiber River."

Vasily: "Impossible. How could Emperor Proson allow the Proson Imperial Army to give up so many occupied areas at once? No way! I can make a judgment without the general coming."

Wang Zhong shook his head: "We should be lenient in anticipating the enemy. Emperor Proson has already lost so many troops due to his stubbornness. We should assume that he can learn from past failures."

Vasily was very surprised: "I really didn't expect you to say that."

Wang Zhong: "We should be lenient in anticipating the enemy. Of course, it would be great if we could surround the enemy's heavy forces in Shepetovka. Even if we can't surround them, and let them flee to the defense zone of the Central Army Group, it would be very beneficial for us to strengthen the Tiber River - because these troops will not be able to return to the southern front for a while."

Pavlov: "The only problem is that the Tiber River is in its flood season this season, and the intensity of the Tiber River is very difficult. If the losses from the attack are too great, I would suggest waiting until the Tiber River freezes over in winter before launching the attack.

"It's already good enough that we have recaptured such a large area of ​​Eastern Khazaria in the summer campaign."

Wang Zhong was silent for a moment and then shook his head: "No, we can't just stop here. The Tiber River is indeed difficult during the flood season, but the enemy did it two years ago, so there is no reason why we can't do it!"

Pavlov: "What if the enemy destroys all the ships on the east coast during their retreat?"

Wang Zhong: "We can use the Dragon trailer sent by the United States to transport the boats directly from the rear to the front line. Before the muddy period comes, we should advance to the vicinity of Agsukov and then stop to ride out the muddy period.

"When winter comes, we will return to Agsukov and complete this year's operations."

Pavlov: "Very good, then I will make plans according to this schedule."

————Marshal Goron’s barrel cart stopped in front of the Agusukov city defense headquarters. The general got off the barrel cart, looked up at the sky, and then breathed a long sigh of relief.

The two people who came to greet him happened to be leaving the gate of the city defense headquarters at this time. When they saw the marshal sighing to the sky, they hurriedly asked, "What does this mean, Marshal?"

Marshal Goron looked at the two of them and said, "Don't worry, I'm just sleepy and yawning. It looks like a sigh."

The two looked at each other and finally decided to just leave it at that.

"I see. We thought the battle situation was so bad that even the marshal would sigh."

Marshal Goron gave a wry smile and did not answer.

Seeing this, the two people who greeted him hurriedly changed the subject: "Your Excellency Marshal, His Majesty the Emperor just called and asked you to take the plane he sent immediately and return to the Eagle's Nest to report to him."

Marshal Goron nodded: "I understand."

After saying this, he turned around and said to his new chief of staff, "You should also prepare to welcome the new commander. I guess it will be General Eric von Shipling, who is currently commanding the 11th Army to defend the coastal fortress."

New Chief of Staff: "Huh? Is that so? Isn't it a bad idea to change the generals in the middle of a battle?"

Marshal Goron: "The Empire needs someone to take the responsibility for failure. This fiasco should naturally be taken by me. Don't worry, in order not to anger the old Junker officers, His Majesty will probably not embarrass me, but just let me retire to grow flowers.

"Like former Army Chief Marshal Bryan."

"Is that so?" The new chief of staff obviously had no idea how to respond to the general's words.

Marshal Goron smiled at him, then turned to ask the person who greeted him, "Has the plane arrived at the airport?"

"Yes, there is a special agent waiting to greet you. The airport ground staff has already filled the plane with fuel. You can rest assured to board."

Marshal Goron turned around and climbed onto the barrel truck and said to the driver, "Go to the airport."

----

Just as the greeter said, the three-engine Junkers transport plane nicknamed "Iron Annie" was already waiting at the airport.

As soon as Marshal Goron boarded the plane, he saw a unfamiliar colonel sitting in a chair near the door.

Marshal: "Are you the special commissioner?"

"Yes." The colonel stood up and saluted the marshal.

"Okay, don't worry about it. The cabin of the plane is quite low, so there's no need to stand up and salute. But as far as I know, these planes that take back the scapegoat rarely send any special envoys, let alone special envoys with the rank of colonel!" Marshal Goron looked at the colonel, took out a cigarette box, opened it, and took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth.

Colonel: "Actually, I'm not - wait until the plane takes off."

Marshal Goron said something shocking: "You are here on behalf of the Valkyrie Club, right?"

Colonel: "Let's talk about it after the plane takes off."

At this time, the crew opened the door of the cockpit and entered the cabin, saluted Marshal Goron, and reported loudly: "We are ready for takeoff, please give instructions!"

Marshal Goron: "Just take off when the control tower tells you to. There's no need to ask me one by one."

"Yes!"

After the pilot went back, Marshal Goron calmly lit a cigarette and took a long puff.

At this time, the roar of the engine came through the cabin wall, and the plane vibrated with the roar.

Then the plane began to taxi, and inertia caused the people on the plane to sway back and forth several times.

Marshal Goron glanced at the colonel and just smoked his cigarette while waiting for him to speak.

The colonel was also very patient, and waited until the plane took off and flew 3000 meters in the air before speaking: "Your Excellency Marshal, the crew are all our people, and they did receive an order to take you back to take the blame.

"But we all know that the loss of the war is not your fault."

"It's my responsibility." Marshal Goron interrupted the colonel. "I could have withdrawn the defense earlier. In that case, the Southern Army Group would not have lost so much combat power at once, and the enemy's encirclement would not have been completed so quickly! No, if I withdrew the defense line and simply gave up Shepetovka and relied on the Tiber River..."

The colonel interrupted the marshal: "Sir! We all know that you are a glorious Plossen soldier. You will not blame others for your failure! That is why we came to you!
"Your Excellency! The most effective way to save Prosom is to hand over the culprit who started the war! Hand over His Majesty the Emperor!"

"No!" Marshal Goron shouted, "I know better than you! We, the generals, are the ones who want to launch Operation Barbarossa the most! Because if we don't continue the attack... Of course, Your Majesty also wants to win merit and complete what the conqueror failed to complete. It can only be said that we are all wrong, and it is wrong to let Your Majesty bear the responsibility alone."

(End of this chapter)