Anti-Japanese War: My equipment is infinitely refreshed

In the underground bunker of the Fourth Army Headquarters, the dim gas lamps flickered, distorting the figures of the people on the wall.

Admiral Walter Kruger was hunched over the map table, and had remained in this position for a full twenty minutes.

His eyes were fixed on the defense zone map from Smolensk to Orsha, his brows were furrowed, and the wrinkles on his forehead seemed like traces of war carved over the years.

The staff officers held their breath and stood quietly three meters away, not daring to make a sound.

They knew very well that this commander, who was known for his rigor, was under tremendous pressure at the moment, and any slight disturbance could interrupt his thoughts.

Kruger repeatedly drew on the map with the red and blue pencils in his hand, and every stroke seemed to be writing a life-and-death order.

He kept deducing various defense plans in his mind, trying to build an indestructible line of defense for the German army in the coming storm.

Under the gas mask cover hanging on the wall, the gold-stamped cover of the newly arrived Type III assault gun training manual was faintly visible. The gold color was particularly dazzling in this dim environment, as if it was a ray of hope in the darkness, or a silent omen of the upcoming war.

"Tell the logistics department that the 197th Infantry Division's Type assault gun must be put into service before dawn tomorrow." Kruger suddenly stood up, his voice deep and powerful, echoing in the bunker.

His gray-blue military uniform glowed coldly under the gas lamp, making him look like an ice-cold statue, exuding an awe-inspiring aura.

"Each anti-tank battalion must be equipped with at least six Pak40s. I want to see that every artillery observer can report the coordinate grid with his eyes closed." His words were concise and clear, without any procrastination. Every word was like a heavy bullet, hitting the heart of everyone present.

Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Mueller was about to turn around to convey the order when Kruger stopped him: "Wait, let the communications staff of each division start taking turns tonight. The newly arrived FuG5 radio must be tested every half hour. I want to make sure that each line of defense can directly call the Stuka fleet." The admiral poked his finger heavily in the center of the defense zone map, where three gradually deepening arc-shaped defense lines were drawn in red pencil, as if he had laid a dragnet for the enemy.

At this moment, at a training ground thirty kilometers away from the headquarters, the sky gradually darkened, and the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the earth, covering the entire training ground with a layer of golden veil.

Major General Frank was standing on a high ground, watching his 131st Infantry Division conducting its final reorganization exercise with a focused look.

The roar of the tracks rolling over the mud was deafening, as if the earth was groaning in pain.

Twelve brand-new StuG III assault guns were arranged in a wedge-shaped formation, moving slowly forward like giant steel beasts, exuding a terrifying aura.

The 75mm StuK 40 L/48 gun barrels glowed with a cold blue light in the setting sun, and the cold metallic luster seemed to silently tell of the destructive power they were about to bring.

Technical Sergeant Schneider from the Ruhr area was lying on the rear of an assault gun, patiently teaching the recruits how to operate the sight.

His voice seemed a little hoarse amid the noisy roar, but still full of majesty: "Remember, the Soviet T-34's upper armor is tilted at an angle of 60 degrees. You must calculate the lead time when shooting... This is related to your life and death, and also to the direction of this war." The recruits listened attentively, their eyes flashing with tension and anticipation. They knew that they were about to step onto the cruel battlefield, and every subtle operation and judgment might determine their life and death.

Suddenly, there was a thunder-like vibration from the southwest.

The sound was faint at first, like a faint whisper coming from afar, but it soon became stronger and stronger, like a roar from the depths of hell, which was creepy.

Frank jerked his wrist up, his movements so quick and frantic that the glass reflected his suddenly tightened jaw.

His eyes revealed shock and disbelief - 18:47, a full three days earlier than the intelligence department had estimated the attack time.

A strong sense of foreboding surged in his heart. This war might be far more cruel and difficult than they had imagined.

In the headquarters, Kruger also heard the faint vibration.

His face instantly became even darker, like the sky before a storm, covered with dark clouds. He knew that the storm of war had arrived ahead of time, and there was no room for hesitation or slackness.

He turned to look at the staff and shouted an order: "Immediately enter the first level combat readiness state, notify all troops, prepare for battle!"

The staff officers acted quickly and the bunker was suddenly busy with the sounds of telephone ringing, footsteps and shouting interweaving together, playing a tense prelude to war.

On the training ground, Frank also responded quickly.

He shouted loudly: "Stop the exercise, everyone get into combat position!" The soldiers acted quickly, and the originally neat and orderly exercise formation instantly turned into a tense combat deployment.

The assault gun gunners quickly took their positions, their eyes revealing determination and resoluteness; the loaders nervously prepared the ammunition, their hands trembling slightly with nervousness and excitement.

The entire training ground was filled with a pungent smell of tension and gunpowder, as if the air could be ignited at any time.

When the first 152mm grenade hit the observation post meters away with a sharp whistling sound, the huge impact force raised a cloud of dust and gravel. Kruger's command had entered the highest state of combat readiness.

"The Dnieper River Observation Station reports that the Soviet 5th Guards Army's vanguard tank group has been confirmed." The signalman's voice was filled with electrical noise, which was particularly harsh in the bunker. "They broke through the flank of the 23rd Armored Division!"

Kruger's eyes instantly became as sharp as an eagle's. He suddenly pulled open the discipline buckle, as if trying to break free from the invisible pressure that bound him.

His eyes swept across the blue flag representing the Soviet army on the sand table like lightning, and his brain was working rapidly, thinking about countermeasures. "Order the 14th Armored Division to feint in the direction of Courtney, and mobilize all assault gun companies of the 78th Assault Division to establish a blocking position on Hill 217." His voice was firm and decisive, without the slightest hesitation. At the same time, the pencil in his hand drew sharp broken lines on the map, as if outlining the trajectory of the war. "Let the Air Force liaison officer connect to the JG51 Wing. I need at least two squadrons of FW190 to seize air superiority before dawn."

Major General Frank's command half-track vehicle was shaking violently between the craters. Calls from various battalions kept coming from the vehicle radio: "The anti-tank artillery position of Company B was breached by the KV-1 cluster!"

"Soviet engineers were spotted building a pontoon bridge on the right wing!" The major general grabbed the microphone: "Attention all units, implement the 'Hedgehog' defense plan! The self-propelled artillery company retreats to the second line of defense in echelons, and the engineers immediately lay S-shaped minefields on the tributaries of the Berezina River!" His voice was firm and powerful, trying to point the direction for his troops on this chaotic battlefield.

On the front line, Private Hoffman huddled in a foxhole, the barrel of the MP40 submachine gun in his arms still soaked with snow and water.

Fifty meters away, three T-34/76s were running over the bodies of their comrades, the white stars on the sides of the vehicles flickering in the firelight.

As he was trembling as he loaded the Panzerfaust anti-tank rocket, he suddenly heard the familiar roar of a diesel engine - four camouflaged Marder III tank destroyers rushed out from the bushes on the flanks, and their 75mm shells penetrated the side armor of the Soviet tanks one after another.

A glimmer of hope flashed in Hoffman's eyes. He knew that he was safe for the time being, but the war had just begun.

The battlefield was filled with smoke and flames.

The German defense line was crumbling under the fierce attack of the Soviet army, but they still resisted tenaciously.

Kruger was in the headquarters, always paying attention to the changes in the battlefield situation, constantly issuing orders and adjusting combat deployment. His voice was transmitted through the telephone and radio, bringing a glimmer of hope and strength to the soldiers on the front line.

Major General Frank fought side by side with the soldiers on the front line. His figure shuttled through the gunfire and smoke, boosting the morale of the soldiers.

He knew that only by uniting as one could they survive this cruel war.

He constantly inspired the soldiers and allowed them to see the light of hope in despair.

After a brief respite, Private Hoffman returned to the battle.

His MP40 submachine gun continued to spew flames in an attempt to stop the Soviet attack.

Around him, his comrades fell one after another, but he still did not retreat. He knew that he could not retreat because behind him were his motherland and loved ones.

As night fell, the situation on the battlefield became more tense.

The Soviet offensive did not weaken due to the darkness, but became more fierce.

The German defense line became riddled with holes under the baptism of artillery fire.

But the German soldiers still held on, using their flesh and blood to build an indestructible line of defense.

At the same time, in the sky, the FW51 fighters of the JG190 Wing engaged in a fierce air battle with Soviet aircraft.

Planes from both sides flew across the night sky, with machine gun and cannon fire flashing constantly.

Relying on their superb skills and tenacious fighting spirit, German pilots tried to seize air superiority and provide support for ground forces.

As time went on, the situation on the battlefield gradually changed.

The German army's tenacious resistance finally began to show results, and the Soviet army's offensive momentum gradually weakened.

Kluge seized this opportunity and ordered a counterattack. German troops poured out from various defense lines and charged towards the Soviet positions.

Major General Frank also led his 131st Infantry Division to join the counterattack.

The soldiers shouted slogans and rushed towards the enemy.

Their eyes were full of determination. They wanted to let the Soviet army know that the German army would not be defeated easily.

Private Hoffman also charged with the troops, his heart filled with courage and strength.

He was no longer afraid because he knew that he was not fighting alone. He had countless comrades around him, and they all had a common goal - to defend the motherland.

As the German counterattack became more and more fierce, the Soviet army finally began to retreat, leaving countless corpses and debris on the battlefield, filled with smoke, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder and blood.

The German soldiers cheered, they finally won the battle.

But Kruger knew that this was only a temporary victory. The Soviet army would surely come back, and they had to be prepared.

He ordered his troops to quickly clean up the battlefield, repair the defense line, and replenish ammunition and equipment. At the same time, he began to review his battle plan and prepare for the next battle.

Major General Frank returned to his command post. He sat down in his chair tiredly with a relieved smile on his face.

He knew that this victory was hard-won and was won with the soldiers' lives and blood.

He decided to reward his troops well and let them recover their physical strength and spirit during a short rest.

Private Hoffman also returned to his camp. He lay on the ground and looked at the sky.

His heart was filled with emotion. This war had made him experience too many life and death tests and had also made him stronger.

He knew that the war was not over yet and he needed to keep fighting.

As time went by, the Eastern Front fell into a brief calm again. But everyone knew that this was just the calm before the storm.

The shadow of war still looms over this land, and the next battle may break out at any time.

During this brief period of calm, the German soldiers took the time to rest and prepare, as they knew that the next battle would be even more brutal and difficult.

"Report to the division commander, the battle statistics are out." A staff officer ran over breathlessly and handed over a report. His face was full of fatigue, but there was a hint of excitement in his eyes.

Major General Frank took the report and read it carefully. The report recorded in detail various data of the battle, including the number of Soviet tanks destroyed, casualties on both sides, etc. Looking at these data, Major General Frank showed a gratified smile on his face.

"Well done!" He patted the staff officer on the shoulder and said approvingly, "This is the result of the joint efforts of all our officers and soldiers. Everyone performed very well. Everyone is the pride of the empire!"

At the same time, Admiral Walter Kruger also received the battle report from the front in the headquarters. He sat at his desk, carefully reading the report, with a satisfied look on his face. He nodded and said to the chief of staff: "It seems that our replacement plan is very successful, and the new weapons have played a huge role on the battlefield. This is a good start, but we can't take it lightly."

"Yes, Your Excellency Commander. This battle not only stabilized our defense line, but also severely damaged the Soviet offensive force." The chief of staff said excitedly, his face filled with the joy of victory.

Admiral Walter Kruger pondered for a moment and continued, "However, we cannot let our guard down. The Soviet army will not give up easily, and there may be a more fierce attack next. We must be fully prepared, from personnel training to material reserves, and there must be no negligence in every link. We must make every soldier a sharp blade on the battlefield, and every weapon can play the maximum effect."

"Understood! I will immediately notify all troops to strengthen their defenses and prepare for battle. At the same time, organize soldiers to conduct targeted training to improve their proficiency in the use of new weapons." The chief of staff nodded solemnly and quickly carried out the order. (End of this chapter)