artillery arc

Chapter 697 Hometown
At the same time, in the heart of the Proson Empire, the Eagle's Nest.

Emperor Proson looked at the marshals and generals with a beaming smile: "What do you mean? Hmm? You may know a lot about military affairs, but you don't know Rokossov! If we follow your idea and slowly replenish troops and set up defenses, the Tiber River will collapse at the first touch!"

The senior officers looked at each other.

Grand Duke Meyer exclaimed: "Your Majesty has a brilliant plan and is about to play Rokossov in the palm of his hand!"

The emperor was in a good mood and accepted the flattery of the Air Force Marshal with a smile.

The Grand Duke continued, "The air force field divisions that will be deployed along the Tiber River will definitely give Rokossov a taste of his power!"

The emperor's smile froze.

Generally speaking, the air force would be favored and get better equipment. But this air force field division was different, it was made up of scraps left over from the army and scrap metal looted from occupied countries.

Grand Duke Mayer should also know what kind of air force field division under his command is. Now he is actually using it to seek credit. No wonder the emperor's expression froze.

Noticing the emperor's expression, the Air Force Marshal decisively shut up.

Fortunately, Gilais said at this time: "Although we made preparations in advance according to His Majesty's expectations, the time was too hasty and the fortifications and troop replenishment were not completed-"

"The same goes for Rokossov! Do you think he can complete the replenishment? We have also transferred four fully equipped armored divisions from the Western Front! This time Rokossov will suffer a bloody nose!"

Giles: "Although time is very tight for both sides, Rokossov's troops suffered less losses than ours, and they have an advantage in terms of manpower..."

The emperor waved his hand and said, "Don't be so pessimistic! After all, we are the defenders. Throughout history, the defenders have always had the advantage. What's more, there is the Tiber River! This river is known as the mother river of Khazaria. The wide river surface serves as a natural barrier, which is equivalent to increasing our military strength by 50%!"

Marshal Rundstedt: "Even if our forces are increased by 50%, we still cannot defeat Ante."

Emperor: "We are on defense! We can still have an advantageous exchange ratio when attacking, and it will definitely be even better when defending! The Ants will shed their last drop of blood in the Tiber River!"

At this moment, the director of the Eagle's Nest's confidential secretariat pushed the door open and entered the room with a telegram.

Everyone's eyes were focused on him.

The director handed the telegram to Marshal Celtic with a stern face.

When the marshal lowered his head to read the telegram, the emperor said, "Just read it out."

Marshal Celtic: "The Southern Army Group Headquarters called and confirmed that the Ants broke through the Tiber River defense line in (read the place name)... and other areas. According to the experience of the Central Army Group, the Ants will soon break into our army's hinterland through these breakthroughs."

The emperor waved his hand: "As long as the armored division launches an attack, everything will be fine! In the summer, the important army group used this tactic to block the Ants and brought them huge casualties!
"The victory of Army Group Center almost offset Rokossov's victory! Almost!"

Marshal Celt: "Army Group Center has not reported encountering Ante's new tanks, and the number of vortex tank destroyers reported is not large. But Rokossov has new tanks!"

Emperor: "All of Rokossov's new tanks should have been damaged during the summer offensive. Even if some were repaired, there wouldn't be too many. Together with the new tanks that were replenished, he would have about a hundred new tanks!

"We have a fresh force of 800 tanks! We can even wear down Rokossov's new tanks!"

This time no senior generals raised any objections.

The emperor stood up and placed his hands on the table. "If my estimate is correct, Rokossov will show signs of defeat in a few days! Then let the Minister of Propaganda portray Marshal Shiprin as the guardian of the eastern empire!
"Together with Erwin Romell, we can become the two pillars of the empire and restore all the morale we lost before!
"And the Ante front has fallen into a stalemate again. The United Kingdom and the United States will inevitably slow down their landing plans! We will get another chance to catch our breath!
"During this time, we will create the 'Messiah' (referring to the atomic bomb. Currently, no one in Proshen knows that Heisenberg filled in the wrong data)! The Proshen people will get the living space they have always dreamed of!"

As the emperor spoke, he clasped his hands in front of him and clenched his fists, looking up at the ceiling as if he was watching his destiny.

Giles: "It would be great if that were the case. But we also need to be prepared for unexpected events. I think we can continue to transfer the infantry divisions on the Western Front as a reserve for the Southern Army Group."

Emperor: "No! We have already transferred two infantry armies from the Western Front to Shiprin, and we cannot transfer any more troops from the Western Front. However, we can hand over the reorganized 505th Heavy Tank Battalion to Shiprin as soon as possible, so that he will have the troops to have a fair fight with Rokossov!"

Marshal Celtic: "We have already made arrangements, but the new tanks equipped by the 505th Battalion are too heavy and the tracks are too wide, so it is not convenient to transport them by rail. The newly improved Panzer IV tank destroyer is very suitable for emergency support to the front line."

Emperor: "Mobilize everyone to the front line! Giles is right, we need to have more cards in case of emergency."

At this time, an important staff officer came in with a telegram.

Because the director of the confidential department was in the room, the staff officer first handed the telegram to the director, who then handed it to Marshal Celtic.

The emperor looked at his men playing pass the parcel here, and looked like he wanted to complain.

Marshal Celtic: "Your Majesty, the 29th Division that launched the counterattack encountered Rokossov's heavy tanks. After losing sixty tanks, it released smoke and retreated."

"What?" The emperor stood up, "What about the enemy's losses?" "I don't know." The Celtic Marshal replied.

Before the emperor could lose his temper, Giles said, "We were defeated and retreated, so it is reasonable that we don't have time to calculate the results of the battle."

The emperor took a few deep breaths before he let out a long sigh: "It's just a small setback. It allows the 29th Division to bypass the enemy's heavy tank units and counterattack in other directions!"

Marshal Celtic: "Isn't it inappropriate for us to directly skip the Southern Army Group Headquarters and command the troops? Marshal Shiplin will take care of it."

The emperor hesitated.

Giles: "Shipurin is also a veteran who has fought against Rokossov many times. He has never let Rokossov take advantage of him before."

The emperor nodded: "That's right. It depends on his performance."

Giles continued, "Moreover, the 29th Division lost more than a quarter of its tanks in one fell swoop. It will take time for them to retreat like this and reorganize a counterattack in other directions. Considering the issue of daylight hours—"

Giles calculated the time difference in his mind and continued, "It may be too late to fight back today."

The emperor waved his hand and said, "Pay close attention to the situation! Summarize the results of the whole day's counterattack for me tonight! It must be done before I go to bed!"

----

Ant's First Mobile Army Headquarters.

Yegorov put down his latest report, a look of joy on his face.

"Chief of Staff, call the front headquarters!"

A moment later, the call was connected and the chief of staff handed the receiver to Yegorov.

Yegorov: "I am Yegorov! We have just repelled the counterattack of the Proshen Armored Division, and we are encircling Loktov! Repeat, we are encircling Loktov!"

Pavlov's voice came from the receiver: "Very good, the Marshal has been expecting this news. You - um? You tell it? Here you go."

A few seconds later, Marshal Rokossov's voice came from the receiver, making Yegorov stand at attention involuntarily, even though the marshal was many years younger than him.

Rokosov: "According to the intelligence of the underground parish, there is a Proson third wave infantry division defending the city of Loktov. They have just been transferred from the western front. Their equipment and morale are very reliable. A strong attack may result in heavy casualties!

"I suggest that after a tentative attack, we surround the city and continue to move westward!"

Yegorov: "What's wrong with you, commander? This is Loktov! Two years ago--"

"I know, I want to walk the streets of Loktov again just like you! But this is no reason to send our warriors to their deaths! Surround it and continue to march west!"

Yegorov: "Commander, let me give it a try. If I can't take it in 30 hours, I will continue to attack westwards."

After a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line, Rokossov's voice came: "24 hours, I only allow you to waste 24 hours! This is because most of your troops are mechanized infantry.

"If the armored units ahead suffer because of your disconnection, you will be the only one to blame!"

Yegorov: "Don't worry, Commander! I'll let Melania's First and Second Armies keep up with the armored forces, leaving only the old troops that fought fiercely in Loktov to attack the city!"

Rokossov: "Nonsense, what old troops? Only the 1st Guards Mechanized Infantry Division came from Melania. Can you defeat them with just one division?"

Yegorov: "And there's the Eighth Division!"

The Red Flag Division was originally evolved from the 151st Provisional Infantry Division, but a part of it was withdrawn to form the 225th Infantry Division, which later became the 225th Guards Mechanized Infantry Division.

Rokossov: "Okay! You decide. I told you, things are going well with Eugene. Don't you feel bad that he took away the credit for entering Bogdanovka?"

Yegorov: "I don't feel bad! I will capture Loktov in 24 hours! Commander, wait for me, I will welcome you at the headquarters back then!"

There was an obvious sound of deep breathing from Rokossov: "Okay, there is no joking in the army. The day after tomorrow morning I will take a car to see your results!"

"Yes! I promise to complete the mission! Just wait and see, Commander!"

(End of this chapter)