Steel Soviet Union

However, only a week later, Major General Osheim finally realized how stupid his original statement was.

The tried-and-tested roundabout tactics in the past had no effect at all in this ruined city. The Russians, who were good at defensive warfare, took advantage of the right time and place and blocked their own side in the city to ravage them wantonly.

The artillery couldn't be brought in, and the planes used traps.

The advantages in technical equipment were offset to almost zero in this damn city. The Russians were finally able to stand on the starting line infinitely close to themselves after the failure of the second Battle of Kharkov.

To be honest, Major General Osheim didn't know whether such a result was what the Russians wanted.

But the only thing that is certain is that no one, including himself and even Commander Paulus, certainly does not want to see such a scene. No one expected in advance that this siege battle that was supposed to be the finale would be so difficult. But it is difficult to move even an inch, and now they are even forced by these Russians to the point where they have to make a life-and-death choice.

Why? What was the reason that made something that should have been wonderful turn out like this? Which link has the fatal problem?

"Osheim? Osheim!"

The roar of the chief of staff beside him brought Major General Osheim, who had been thinking about it for a while, back to reality in an instant.

With an embarrassed look on his face, he turned to look at the chief of staff next to him. Major General Osheim, who knew how out of control he had just been, spoke up and brought the topic back on track.

"You want to tell me that I have to retreat now, is that what you mean?"

It was a bit beyond Major General Osheim's expectations. The chief of staff beside him seemed quite calm about his remarks, as if he had expected them.

"It's okay if you want to think so. In fact, what I mean is similar to this. At least temporarily, we must withdraw and reorganize our troops. If we continue to fight in such a mess, we will only suffer greater losses in the end."

Major General Osheim, who was still observing the battle situation on the front line with a telescope in his hand, was noncommittal. He was clearly aware of the battle situation and was obviously filled with considerable contradictions at the moment, so that he was unable to make a decision and give an accurate answer to the chief of staff.

After holding it in for a long time, Major General Osheim finally said something that even he didn't understand.

"Do you think Commander Paulus will agree? Even if it's just to retreat and regroup."

""

From the tone of a person's speech, you can tell whether the person is simply explaining or asking a rhetorical question that he is not sure about. In the opinion of the Chief of Staff, Major General Osheim obviously belongs to the latter.

There is no doubt that this is a life-and-death moment, but Major General Osheim is still hesitant about whether Commander Paulus will agree to retreat.

Major General Osheim has never been like this in the past. His character is brave and resolute, and he can command battles calmly without losing the demeanor of a general. Working with Major General Osheim makes the chief of staff always feel very appetizing and pleasant to work with.

Why did Major General Osheim become such a different person?

The chief of staff felt that it was probably because of Paulus' previous phone call.

What did Commander Paulus say on the phone? The Chief of Staff, who didn't even touch the phone, had no idea. He could only guess a few things from the gloomy look on Major General Osheim's face at that time. Commander Paulus on the other end obviously didn't mean anything nice.

A phone call can directly change a person's personality into such a completely different state. The chief of staff simply thinks this is the most amazing and weird thing in the world.

If you continue to hesitate like this, you can guess what the consequences will be. The chief of staff, who can no longer tolerate his partner being so timid anymore, is about to say something in the harshest tone, when the phone on the desk behind him suddenly It rang quickly like a midnight bell, causing Major General Osheim and the Chief of Staff to turn around almost at the same time.

""

Unlike other phones in the forward command post, this phone is a dedicated line used to maintain direct contact with the army headquarters, in case the phone is occupied or other phone lines are blown out and the headquarters cannot be contacted in an emergency. Case.

Paulus promised that he would call again when it gets dark and evening. Just thinking about what an early call at this time portends makes people feel shuddering.

"We are in big trouble"

"But you have to face it, don't you?"

The brief words became the last dialogue between each other before picking up the phone. Major General Osheim reached out to hold the phone and raised it to his ear. Before Major General Osheim could speak, the voice on the other end of the phone came to his ears immediately.

"I received news that Russian planes bombed you. It is said that there were heavy casualties. Is this true? Osheim!"

There was no doubt that the voice that spoke was Paulus himself. Major General Osheim could still hear this extremely familiar voice even though he was mostly deaf.

Major General Osheim didn't know how Paulus learned about the Russian air attack so quickly, and of course he didn't have time to think about why.

After taking a deep breath, Major General Osheim, who tried to keep his tone as calm as possible, then replied to Paulus on the other end of the phone.

"The news is true, Commander Paulus, I was just about to report to you that the Russian fighter planes just violently attacked us! The troops who had already moved forward to attack suffered heavy losses from the air attack. Those Russians immediately seized the opportunity to attack us. We launched a counterattack."

"I just ordered the troops to resist the counterattack of those Russians on the spot, hold them back and then continue the attack. So far, the situation is going well, and it is worth forcing."

"That's good, Osheim, your orders and judgment are correct."

Major General Osheim was stunned as he held the phone in his hand. He did not expect that Paulus, who had always been calm on the other end of the phone, would suddenly interrupt him at this turning point. Is there any reason or intention for this?

There was no time for Major General Osheim, who was holding the phone in a daze, to fully understand. Paulus, who was "pursuing victory" on the other end of the phone, continued to speak in a tone that left no room for doubt.

"I have ordered the troops in the surrounding blocks to suspend their offensive and move closer to you. My order to them is to "get to the train station as quickly as possible."

"Before that, Osheim, do what you have to do! I have contacted Baron Richthofen and reported the resurgence of the Russian planes. Baron Richthofen asked me to tell you The commander of the train station, that is, you, Osheim, several air patrol fighter formations are approaching your position. There will definitely be no more Russian bombs thrown on your head in the next few hours. Come on, you can concentrate on the victory we promised in the evening."