148

May 26, 1942

German Polish Protectorate

Wittmann was now going through a period of patience.

Has the time come? Or should I wait a little longer?

Wittmann glanced at the watch on his wrist and realized that time was already up. But he hesitated to take action.

Judging by the temperature of the water, I thought I should wait a little longer. We had to be careful because moving too hastily could lead to irreversible results.

30 seconds passed, then a minute. Bol, who was sitting next to Wittmann, glanced sideways at Beekman with an anxious look on his face.

"Maybe now?"

"… … Okay, open it!"

Ji profit.

When I opened the lid, white steam rose out and I saw properly cooked noodles.

When I wrapped the noodles around the fork and lifted them up, the noodles rose without interruption.

"It seems ripe."

"It was cooked very deliciously."

"Let's eat quickly."

It was the first meal I tasted after the war broke out.

There were many comments that the amount of furenudel itself was not enough to satisfy the hunger of soldiers who consume a lot of calories, but the soldiers developed a way to make up for the lack of food by adding canned peas or cut sausages to the furenudel.

Although it has the disadvantage of requiring hot water and being vulnerable to external shocks, furenudel has the advantage of being able to finish a meal easily and quickly, and thanks to its taste and texture that cannot be tasted in ordinary German cuisine, furenudel has gained nationwide popularity not long after its launch. enjoyed it

Due to the fact that it is made by frying it in oil, there are warnings that eating too much is bad for your health, but this is a trivial warning in a battlefield where there is no time for fat to accumulate in the body.

After pouring every drop of broth left at the bottom of the furenudel into his mouth, Wittmann took out a cigarette.

Berlin smokes Yuno - this was the phrase always engraved on the cigarette pack of his favorite Yuno.

The current time is 2:34 am. Normally it would be a time in dreamland, but Wittmann's platoon was ordered to stay awake in preparation for an enemy attack.

In principle, everyone must be awake, without exception, but as a veteran with extensive experience in the battlefield, Wittmann knew how to lead a disciplined military life.

"Let's take turns one by one every hour and keep an eye on each other. Hassel, you go to sleep first."

The fact that war had already broken out was causing stress, tension, and fatigue, and there was concern that not being able to sleep would have the opposite effect of not being able to fight properly when it was time to fight.

Wittmann knew from practical experience that not everything that is always awake is good.

"How long will the war last? "It took less than a year to get from Poland to Italy."

Wittmann responded to Ball's question by smoking a cigarette.

"The Soviets have a large land area, so it won't take longer than that, right? "It may take a year, or even two years."

If an armistice agreement is signed before then, the war will end, but for some reason, I had a feeling that this war would not end easily.

Since the Soviet Union broke the non-aggression pact first, even if the Soviet Union proposed a ceasefire to Germany, would Germany actually accept the Soviet Union's request?

Since there will be no problem with mediocre conditions, we should at least put forward conditions that we can be satisfied with.

Even if things work out somehow and you manage to reach an agreement, there is no law that says you can't betray a second time because you betrayed them once.

In the end, the two countries will continue to be at odds.

That's how war will break out again, and then it will not be a strengthening, but a true 'war to end all wars' that will never stop until one side is completely destroyed... .

Because of the damn Bolsheviks, all of Europe has to live trapped in the shackles of war.

And that too forever. Thinking like that, Wittmann became very irritated.

The people who started the war are different, so why do we have to do anything about it? .

-Quaaang!!

Suddenly, Wittmann raised his head reflexively at the sound of a loud noise coming from the front.

The flame created when the shell landed 150 meters ahead was shining alone in the darkness.

Soon, dozens or even hundreds of shells began to rain down like hail.

"It's shelling! Everyone, be careful!"

Wittmann closed the hatch and lowered his posture. The ground shook up and down due to the vibration caused by the impact of the Soviet Army's 152mm artillery shell.

Every time a shell hit the ground and exploded, dirt and stones flew in all directions.

The infantrymen also hid in the trenches and covered their ears with both hands. Every time I heard the sound of a shell flying, a chill ran down my spine.

Eventually, when I felt the roar and vibration of the cannonball hitting the ground and exploding, the blood in my whole body felt like it was freezing.

The bombardment, which continued for nearly 20 minutes, ended only after the German artillery located in the rear began firing anti-artillery fire.

After identifying the location of the Soviet artillery, 12 German Hornise self-propelled guns opened fire, and the Soviet artillery barrage cut off as if cut with a knife.

When the bombardment stopped, Wittmann opened the hatch.

Due to the effects of artillery fire, there was a thick layer of soil on top of the tank turret. There was so much soil that it was thought that crops could grow if seeds were sown and watered.

"Check everyone's devices. If anything goes wrong, report it to me."

"yes!"

It was intense artillery fire, but fortunately there was no damage to the tank. The control system, turret, radio, and antenna were all intact, and there was no problem with the radiator.

All other tanks in the platoon were also damaged. The infantrymen in the trenches outside the tank were also largely unharmed.

"This is Caesar. No problems with all vehicles. Capable of combat, more than that."

-This is Orange, got it. There will be guests visiting soon, so please pay attention to hospitality.

"reception."

As soon as I finished talking with the company commander, I heard the sound of the T-34's engine. When I put the binoculars to my eyes, I could see the T-34s coming in a row.

"They say a tiger will come when I tell it to, so how do I know that it comes like a ghost?"

As before, this time too the number of enemies was large. No, it seemed to be stronger than before.

Wittmann, who was counting the number of enemy tanks, gave up counting when the number exceeded 30.

"Fuck. "They're coming in droves."

Wittmann spat on the dirt piled up on the turret and then entered the turret.

Without Wittmann's instructions, Richter removed an armor-piercing round from the mount and placed it in the chamber.

"Loading complete."

"Notify all vehicles. Since the number of guests this time is greater than the previous guests, it starts at 1800. Repeat. "It starts at 1800."

As signals were received from each tank, Wittmann stuck his head out of the hatch again.

The enemy wasn't just the T-34. Among the T-34s, there were several tanks with higher overall height than the T-34.

"What is that guy over there that looks like a Moai statue?"

Hasel, who was watching the enemy lines through the driver's observation window, asked.

What was that guy's name? KV I think it was something… ..

"Was it KV-2? Yes, KV-2 would be correct. "The guy with a 152mm gun mounted on the turret."

The identity of the tank, which had an abnormally large turret and high overall height, was the KV-2. And there was one that was similar to the KV-2 in terms of overall height but had a slightly different appearance.

The main gun was so long that it could not be compared to the T-34's 76mm gun and the KV-2's 152mm gun.

Wittmann remembered that it was KV-3. It was rewarding to pay attention to the identification card.

"Put off the T-34 and aim for the KV first. "Because their main gun is much more threatening than a 76mm tank gun."

Wittmann, who remembered that he had been taught to be careful because the KV-2 and KV-3 were more dangerous than the T-34 and KV-1, which were armed with 76mm main guns, instructed other tanks to target the KV heavy tank first by radio. .

The KV-2 and KV-3 had a higher overall height than the T-34, making it easier to aim.

"Do you think it would be difficult to break through here with just the T-34?"

Richter said, taking his eyes off the ammunition storage observation window.

"I guess so? "If you thought the T-34 was enough, there would be no reason to bring those monsters."

Distance 2,000m. There were now 200 meters left until the 1,800 meters predicted by Wittmann.

Ball took a deep breath and composed himself. The distance to the enemy quickly decreased.

1,860. 1,850. 1,840. 1,830… .

"Distance 1,800, shoot!"

Four 88 guns spewed fire from their muzzles, and four different explosions erupted in the charging Soviet camp.

"Defeat!"

The KV-2 that Ball was targeting exploded and its turret was blown away.

The energy generated when the 152mm shells loaded inside the car exploded all at once, sending even the KV-2's turret weighing dozens of tons flying into the air like a soccer ball.

Caught in an explosion several times the size of the tank, the T-34 overturned on its side and the infantrymen on the tank were sent flying in all directions.

The sight of the KV-2 with its turret blown off and only the hull remaining gave the illusion of seeing a chicken with its head cut off.

"Loaded!"

"The next one is the one between 11 o'clock and 12 o'clock."

Wittmann's next target was the KV-3. Soon, the sound of aiming completion came from Ball's mouth.

"firing!"

The moment there was a flash from the muzzle, the 88mm main gun retreated and then immediately advanced.

"It bounced!"

Wittmann clicked his tongue when he saw the armor-piercing bullet that hit the front of the turret bouncing upward with a yellow tail.

Since the front of the turret is curved, I thought it would be difficult to penetrate unless you aim and fire accurately near the main gun.

"Aim for the hull, not the ball and turret. "The hull will have thinner armor than the turret."

"All right!"

Following Wittmann's advice, Ball aimed at the hull of the KV-3 instead of its turret.

"Did you aim?"

"Yes, I aimed!"

"Then, fire!"

"Shoot!"

The KV-3's frontal armor was 120mm thicker than that of the Tiger, making it the best defense among the Red Army's tanks, but it was barely able to protect against 88mm armor-piercing bullets.

If I had been 100m further back, the result would have been different, but once time has passed, it cannot be turned back.

Even if protection was barely successful, the results would not have changed much because the KV-3 tank crews would not have been able to tell which direction the shells were coming from.

Wittmann clenched his fists as he saw flames rising out of the hatch, which had been blown away by the pressure of the explosion.

"Defeat!"

***

The headquarters of Army Group North, which was in charge of defending the northern part of East Prussia and the Polish protectorate, was located at the Mozart Hotel in the center of Königsberg.

The walls covered with wallpaper with antique patterns were hung with expensive paintings worth at least a few hundred Reichsmarks, and the carpets on the floor were imported directly from Iran, so expensive that ordinary people earning average wages would not even dare to look at them. had

The hotel, which was usually frequented by rich people who pride themselves on having made some money, wealthy businessmen, and tourists, was now frequented by soldiers wearing dull grey-green military uniforms.

"SS friends are fighting hard. "It's frustrating, but it seems to be true that Himmler said that in terms of pure combat power, it is superior to most army divisions."

The four Waffen-SS divisions deployed at the front line - LSSAH, Das Reich, Totenkopf, and Wiking - showed flawless combat power and were repelling wave after wave of Soviet attacks.

The outstanding combat power of the Waffen-SS divisions was partly due to the presence of state-of-the-art equipment that was given priority over army divisions, but the training and discipline that was much harsher than that of the army, as well as the pride in being the Fuhrer's SS, also had a significant impact.

The generals in the army gave Lev's praise a mixed look, but did not particularly refute it. Anyone can see that the SS's combat power was at a high level.

In the Army, if the GD Division, Hindenburg Panzer Division, Fuhrergrenadier Division, and SA are included, the Feldherrnhalle Panzer Division would be comparable to the above-mentioned Waffen SS divisions.

"Your Excellency, we have just received word that the evacuation from Memel has been completed."

At the report of the major general-ranked chief of staff, Lev stopped drinking his coffee and nodded.

It was Lev who judged that the defense of Memel was impossible and suggested to Manstein that they should retreat as soon as the residents' withdrawal was completed. Manstein also agreed with Lev's opinion and planned the operation with the early fall of Memel in mind.

Since the withdrawal of civilians was completed as planned, the divisions blocking the Soviet army's advance also had to retreat.

"Tell the 90th Light Infantry Division that they can withdraw. Also, insert Polish auxiliary units and Sonderkommando as the rearguard of the 90th Light Infantry Division."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Lev placed Polish auxiliary units and Sonderkommando in the rear as reserves and then sent them to the front in time.

It seemed like a waste to mobilize ordinary divisions to slow the enemy's advance and cover our troops' retreat, but it was a different story if it was a unit made up of Poles.

Lev actively used the auxiliary units because they were classified as third-tier units anyway, so there was no regrets even if they wasted, and it could save other divisions.

Of course, appropriate support was also planned to be provided to the auxiliary units.

In this way, not only will you be able to hold off the enemy for as long as possible, but you will also be able to use it multiple times in the future.

"Retreat Tilsit's 44th Infantry Division and 73rd Infantry Division to the reserve defense line. "Leave the rear guard to the Sonderkommando."

There was quite a lot of talk in the military when the Jewish special unit, Sonderkommando, was created at Himmler's suggestion.

No matter how persistently the Führer insists that racism is bad and that it doesn't matter whether you're a Jew or a Martian, as long as you're German, existing perceptions are not easily changed.

Although they did not express it outwardly for fear of violating the Führer's instructions, the Wehrmacht was overflowing with people who hated Jews.

Wouldn't it be too much to form a unit comprised only of such disgusting squires?

As the Sonderkommando, which was deployed to subdue the Partisans, achieved decent results, the voices of opposition decreased, but many still viewed the Sonderkommando as a thorn in their eyes.

Although Lev was distant from the racists in the Wehrmacht, he had no qualms about sending in the Sonderkommando instead of the noble Wehrmacht divisions to spare them the sacrifices.

What does it matter since it was a unit created in the first place for the purpose of shedding the blood that would have been shed by the National Defense Force? Since they volunteered to fight for Germany, they would have no complaints about dying for Germany.

All you need to do is build graves for the dead, treat the survivors like regular soldiers, and give a few medals to those who have made meritorious contributions.

Isn't this the perfect way to ensure that everyone is satisfied and no one gets hurt?

***

The telegram sent by Kulik to the Kremlin seemed to calm Stalin's seething stomach a little.

Memel falls. It took a little longer than planned, and the damage to his troops and supplies was significant, but Kulik succeeded in completing the one mission assigned to him.

Compared to generals who only stood still rather than moving forward even after receiving similar or greater damage, Kulik could be called a fairy.

At least to Stalin.

"Selecting Kulik was a wise choice. Look. "Only he did not make the word victory a reality."

"Yes, that's right, Comrade Secretary General."

"I can't help but be always amazed at the insight of Comrade Secretary General!"

Feeling satisfied that his choice was not wrong, Stalin instructed Kulik to move south to Königsberg as planned.

Stalin, who regained his calm after hearing the news of the fall of Memel, headed to his bedroom to sleep. She hoped that when she opened her eyes, more similar news would arrive.

However, what was waiting for Stalin when he opened his eyes was not the news of victory he desperately hoped for, but only the opposite news.

"her. This is so... ."

Stalin frowned at the report that out of the 20 Pe-2s that had been sortied to bomb Norway in retaliation for the Murmansk air raid, only eight returned alive, and he twisted his lips at the subsequent news from Finland.

Some of the bombers that crashed in battle with the Norwegian Air Force or the German Air Force made an emergency landing on Finnish territory, and several bombers were shot down by Finnish anti-aircraft artillery while trying to escape pursuit by enemy planes.

Finland notified that it would hand over captured Soviet pilots to the Soviet Union.

There were no problems up to this point, but Stalin took note of the fact that his country's bombers had been shot down by Finnish anti-aircraft artillery.

"Isn't Finland also in the same boat as Germany?"

"yes?"

"I don't know what you mean… ."

"Literally. I heard that our air force's bombers were shot down by Finnish anti-aircraft artillery. "Perhaps Finland could have done this in advance with Germany and Norway?"

As Stalin spoke in a confident tone, his associates, who had been tilting their heads with puzzled expressions, realized what Stalin meant and spoke in one voice.

"Finland is definitely suspicious."

"As Comrade Secretary General said, the Finns may have joined hands with the Germans."

"Now that I think about it, isn't Finland already importing weapons from Germany and inviting instructors to develop its military? It's not that you might be in one, it's that you're already in one."

In fact, Stalin also knew that it was unlikely that Finland would collude with Germany and try to screw over the Soviet Union.

but,

What if we use this as an excuse to pressure Finland and get a way to Norway?

Isn't this truly a surplus business?