"General, you don't seem very confident about the upcoming offensive." After everyone retreated, Falkenhausen carefully closed the door and said to Kruger.

"It's not that there is no confidence, but that the meaning of this battle is limited. You know? What the government needs is a decent ending. And this ending does not necessarily have to be paid for with blood. What China needs is to keep them in Iran

The private territory in the north is enough. The core of all their actions is centered around this point, including this time targeting Kirkuk.

Both sides have spilled too much blood in this war. Why do we have to use blood and fire when problems that can be solved through negotiation? This is very detrimental to our future wars. The high-quality officers and soldiers trained over several years have been wiped out. I

I have a hunch that after this war ends, it will take at most 2 to 3 years! The war will finally break out!" Kruger said while rubbing his numb temples.

Germany is not afraid of going to war with any big country. Even if it fights with the United States, Britain, and China, the Germans will show a hint of cowardice. But everything has a priority. Germany's armaments production has obviously not kept up with the pace of the war, whether it is the Italian War or the Iran War.

Its consumption exceeded Germany's initial expectations. Especially in the Iranian Civil War, the Germans never expected to invest 1

More than 0 divisions of the elite army and more than 4,000 aircraft are still unable to solve this weak country in the Middle East! I didn't expect that China would spend all its money to fight for Iran and Germany to the end! Even if the two sides have to decide the outcome in the future, but now

The German army is obviously weaker than China in terms of equipment and preparation, so the Germans would rather endure it and wait until all aspects have reached their peak before regaining their ground!

Although Germany from high-level to front-line officers has begun to intend to retreat, it does not mean that the German troops in the northern and southern groups will be soft-hearted in the upcoming offensive operations! On the contrary, this time, after careful study of the lessons learned on the battlefield, after full preparation

After that, the German Army launched the highest level of combined offensive of all arms since the end of World War 1! The perfect coordination of all arms and the smooth attack plan made the enemy China have to give a thumbs up! In this final blow, the German troops

It can be said that you try your best!

Kruger was very clear about the advantages and disadvantages of both sides. The hardware indicators of the Chinese armored forces were the first insurmountable obstacle for the German army. In a meeting, he once said bluntly that as long as the Chinese armored forces could concentrate at the German army's breakthrough point,

With a battalion of Type 29 tank destroyers, the German armored forces will break through the opponent's defense line in waist-deep blood! Since this tank first appeared

On the battlefield, it is the biggest nightmare of the German armored forces! The low body, thick armor, baptized artillery, and aesthetically pleasing appearance design together form this vehicle, which is called a rhinoceros within the German army.

Deadly weapon! The German armored spearheads have little effect on the opponent's iron wall defense. Even the German army itself admits that it is difficult to break through the opponent's defense solely relying on armor strength.

Although the Germans have a numerical advantage, it is reflected in the infantry and various artillery. If we talk about the number of armored units, the heavy armored units owned by the 2 mechanized infantry divisions and the 2 armored divisions are actually no better than the 3 units on the opposite side.

There are too many Chinese divisions! The second obstacle is China’s rocket launchers and various howitzers. According to reliable information, China collected a large amount of supporting firepower from Iranian troops and Russian legions during the reorganization process. China

Thinking that the Iranian and Russian armies have been crippled, it doesn't make much sense to leave heavy equipment to them, so they put these troops in the rear to perform logistics tasks and serve as reserves, and used the heavy weapons that should have been supplemented to these troops.

Included in its own establishment, this means that China has a large number of artillery with a range of about 15km. This is definitely bad news for the German infantry. China plans to use firepower to make up for the lack of troops.

The advantage of the Germans lies in three points. The first is that the number of infantry is relatively sufficient, at least on paper. There are only 3 divisions in northern China. The German army has 6 divisions. Although two of them are Austrians.

Divisions formed with the Turks, but in line with the principle that as long as it can be thickened, it is a good plaster. Using these troops can use more elites for attack. Moreover, even if the quality of these infantry is poor, the various equipments are still in place.

, greatly improving the German frontline firepower density.

The second is air force superiority. Although the original northern air force group was badly beaten in Operation Monsoon, Richthofen was very interesting. He quickly used the aircraft of the southern air group to supplement the shortcomings of the northern air force (south air force group).

Brauchitsch said that he was deceived). Although he could not return to the state before the war, he managed to scrape together more than 400 usable aircraft and squeeze out 250 ground attack aircraft.

Attacks and bombers are still possible. This is the first time that the German army has a greater air superiority in the fight against China. The bombers of the two wings are very capable of clearing the ground. One attack is the firepower output of more than 300 tons of bombs.

, to use a later saying, it means tons of damage was output! No matter how strong the bunker is, can it block a 1500kg armor-piercing projectile?

The third is the heavy artillery advantage that Germany has always had. The artillery with the longest range among the Chinese and American and British armies is the M1 155mm cannon called Long-Legged Tom. The 170mm cannon equipped by the Germans has a longer range and is more powerful. This advantage still exists

Retained by the German army. Overall, the German army still has a great advantage, although some advantages will fade over time.

It is becoming less and less obvious that the Air Force has passed away. For example, in the Air Force, Kesselin mentioned many times in the telegram that the Chinese Air Force was temporarily silent because of the destruction of its logistics facilities. As time goes by, their recovery speed will be very fast.

They are fast, and the ultra-long range of their fighter jets makes it possible for them to conduct long-distance mobile operations. If they have to, they will fight to the death.

Based on the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, Kruger boldly reformed the original organizational system. If tanks alone could not break through the opponent's position, then it didn't matter. Then he changed it to tanks, infantry and artillery to break through together. He changed each combat unit from

stripped from the original system

Come out and increase the number of front-line artillery and infantry. First ensure that you have sufficient firepower advantage at the breakthrough point, wipe out the surrounding infantry and artillery units, and then turn back to deal with those tank destroyers. Don't be quick. But you must be stable.

Anti-aircraft guns are a must.

After the breakthrough, the offensive force cannot rush to develop in depth, but must wait until the infantry on both wings has consolidated the breakthrough. The defensive force, mainly the No. 4 tank destroyer, blocks the opponent's counterattack before making the next breakthrough, long-range artillery

Follow up in time, but fire support cannot be interrupted.

The air force and long-range artillery are alternately responsible for supporting the battlefield. China's defense lines are deep and large. The Germans do not expect to break through the opponent's defense line with a long-distance rapid assault. Instead, they hope that the entire German army will slowly crush the opponent like a rolling disk.

. The only thing that makes Kruger unhappy is that,

The preparations for the northern front were in full swing, but the preparations for the German army on the southern front were very slow. Not only were supplies and movements slow, but a war-weary mood was also spreading among the army. If you think about it carefully, you can't blame all the grassroots officers and soldiers.

Many of the three divisions on the front have been fighting since the beginning of the war.

Fighting on the front line, the entire army faced fierce battles. Especially the battle that just ended, which exhausted the vigor of the southern front troops. The air force's week-long battle also occupied a lot of time.

Supplies, which made the preparations of the Southern Front Army even more delayed. This eventually led to this situation.

While the Germans are sharpening their swords, China is also making final preparations. The number of fighter jets that Qin Yue originally promised to dispatch every day has declined due to the continued attacks by the German Air Force. Now, it is even more that it can be used every day.

The number of fighter jets has been reduced to 150! The German attack on deep targets in China

The attack effect is relatively limited, but the attack on the front line is real! Under the indiscriminate bombing by hundreds of bombers every day, China's entire defense system has also suffered a relatively serious blow. And the real test has not yet come.

The strength of the six German divisions on the northern front was like a huge mountain weighing on Peng Yi's heart.

Relying on high-quality armored forces for defense seems to be unworkable this time. The opponent has a large number of attack aircraft and has sufficient strength. Even Peng Yi doubted whether the Germans would choose two directions at the same time as a breakthrough. Relying on static defense

The final result of a deadly fight can only be directly killed by the German land and air combination punches. When the Germans were statically attacking the enemy, they were actually

It has an advantage. At least the artillery is relatively sufficient. China's overall layout is 3 divisions in the north, 1 division and 1 brigade in the south. One division is left as the general reserve. Originally, the Russians should be able to make up one division.

, but in order to supplement the battle losses of each division, the equipment and supplies originally given to the Russians were transferred to other divisions, and the Russians were directly responsible for logistics.

If we want to solve the problem once and for all, then China must be able to severely damage the opponent in a counterattack, but from the current point of view, even if the reserve divisions are also transferred, it seems that 4 divisions will not be able to counterattack 6 divisions with air superiority and artillery superiority.

easy.

If both sides are disabled and Xu Huaide on the southern front can no longer hold on, there is a risk of complete collapse. Xu Huaide only has 1 division and 1 brigade, and he is facing 3 German divisions! No matter how he is mobilized, he will be able to

There is a feeling of being stretched thin!

"Actually, if possible, we can be more proactive and cripple one road first and then turn around and deal with the other road." At this time, Peng Yi remembered a very bold suggestion Xu Huaide made before leaving. "The German troops on the northern front will lead

With a large number of infantry, even his advantage is also his disadvantage! Although the Germans obtained some cannon fodder from their allies, I think everyone should have a more reliable estimate of the combat effectiveness of the Austro-Hungarian Army, which has been severely damaged many times.

test,

The Germans must have understood it, but they still did it at that time. What was their purpose? They wanted to slowly overwhelm us through a war of attrition, just like boiling frogs in warm water. Their offensive would be very fierce, but the speed of advancement would not be

Soon! The reserve division that stayed behind for a period of time at the beginning of the battle did almost nothing. In this case, why can't it be transferred to the southern front? Give me 3 days! I can bring the hastily reorganized German army to the southern front.

Heavy damage!"

I have to say that Xu Huaide's plan is very tempting. His analysis is correct. The addition of two infantry divisions by the Germans just exposed their weakness and cowardice. They gave up the overly radical and rapid penetration style of play. Instead, they used

The step-by-step tactic cannot be said to be a wrong choice from the perspective of the northern front, because the German Army's attack does lack penetration in China's eyes. Rather than hitting heads and bleeding, it is better to wear out the opponent bit by bit with water and effort.

.

But from an overall perspective, Kruger's actions put the German troops on the southern front in a more dangerous situation. Especially when part of the German air force on the southern front was transferred to the northern front, the German troops on the southern front were transferred from the land and air.

He is unprecedentedly weak in every aspect, and is nothing more than a shelf.

Already! If the Germans are caught off guard and suddenly concentrate two divisions and a brigade to take the initiative to fight, then there is a great possibility to completely solve the crisis in the south, and then concentrate their forces on the northern front. Pressure on the southern front

Once we go there, the Northern Line won’t be a problem!

Although the prospects are very good, the risks are also very high. Let’s not talk about what if Xu Huaide fails to severely damage his opponent within the specified time? Once his last mobile force is out, then the three divisions deployed in echelons on the northern line will

We have to face the attack of the opponent's 6 divisions! Don't forget that the southern front failed to break the deadlock in the end, and the northern front was destroyed first, and it was completely over. Once China's 5 divisions and 1 brigade were defeated, I'm afraid

The whole of northern Iran

The entire city has become unstable. Even now, it is difficult for China to hastily gather such a powerful force and send it to Iran. The risks involved make it difficult for Peng Yi, who is in a high position, to make a decision.

This time was different from the Hanging Garden. In the end, even if Tian Yong was unable to complete the planned counterattack, the strategic bomber force coming from afar from the mainland could destroy the opponent. But this time Peng Yi had no extra reserve force! None at all!

The probability of victory seems to be almost the same between fighting a tough battle and taking a risk. It's not that Peng Yi is timid and dare not make a decision, but that Peng Yi believes that he still lacks enough information, such as the two divisions that the Germans put together like a tough guy.

What is the combat effectiveness? How the Germans will use the infantry of these two divisions is a very important question. Peng Yi needs to judge the feasibility of his other plan based on the battlefield conditions.

"The direct distance between the third outpost defense line and the main position is about 9 kilometers. This distance is not far or close. It can give us a chance to test the quality of the opponent. The general reserve team is ready to go south to support Xu Huaide. The remaining

Just wait and adapt to changes!" In the end, Peng Yi did not make a final plan before the battle began.
Chapter completed!