bookrandom Chapter 221 Lindeman's Prayer
Chapter 221 Lindeman's Prayer
Lindemann stood in the command post, frowning. He had not expected the Chinese army to be so cunning. As soon as his heavy troops arrived, the enemy quickly retreated, using the fortifications they had built to successfully delay his attack.
He knew full well that the 200th Group Army, with its three tank divisions, one armored division, and one motorized division, was a formidable force. While his own forces were numerous, fighting in the darkness of night, the enemy had already established substantial fortifications. Combined with the advantages of reactive armor, their tanks and armor were even more dominant. A rash charge would likely result in heavy losses.
After a moment of deep deliberation, Lindemann decisively ordered the 71st Infantry Division to attack the Chinese positions, dispatching a regiment from the 52nd Tank Corps to support the attack. He also ordered his artillery to launch a suppressive bombardment against the Chinese positions. As the 71st Division prepared to depart, he quietly gave the division commander a direct order: "Advance gradually. Try to keep up your harassing attacks tonight, giving the enemy no chance to rest."
After the 71st Division set out, Lindemann again ordered the remaining two infantry divisions to deploy from the left and right flanks, gradually approaching the enemy under cover of darkness and then establishing defensive positions. He knew that such a deployment would distract the enemy while preparing for subsequent attacks.
Lindemann then contacted the commander of the 39th Army and asked him to reorganize the remaining troops tonight and replace the 71st Division early tomorrow morning to continue the suppression offensive against the Chinese army. He believed that through such continuous attacks, the Chinese army's combat effectiveness could be gradually weakened.
Of course, Lindemann's goals went far beyond this. He had already contacted the 3rd SS Army and was about to take over the nearby Youth Grenadier Division and another SS Grenadier Division. Together with the 56th Motorized Corps, they would move overnight to get behind the Chinese forces. He intended to encircle the 200th Army and launch a full-scale assault on it tomorrow morning!
Liu Molong was also observing the German attack from the shadows. When he learned that the enemy had only deployed about a regiment of tanks to cover an infantry unit attacking the 302nd Division's defensive positions head-on, he chuckled to himself, "Finally, we've managed to scare the Germans. As long as we can get through tonight and wait for the outcome of the decisive battle over there, I'll send out all three of my tank divisions. Let's see how you can stop me."
The reconnaissance teams returned one after another, reporting to him in detail the Germans' flanking maneuvers and defenses. Liu Molong nodded slightly; this was all within his expectations. He even suspected that the Germans would have a surprise force circling behind him, attempting to cut off his retreat.
Liu Molong quietly summoned the deputy commander of the 600th Division and whispered in his ear, telling him to quietly move the 600th Division to his left wing. He then ordered the 599th and 301st Divisions to also draw out elite assault forces to try to break out secretly from the left wing and ambush behind the enemy positions so as to form a pincer attack when the entire army breaks out tomorrow.
Liu Molong hadn't even considered breaking out from the northeast. What a joke! Even if the German 7th Army was defeated, Huang Wei and his men wouldn't be able to completely annihilate it. The Germans still had at least one motorized corps in that direction. This wasn't some low-profile version of the 39th Army that had just been defeated, but a genuine, frontline German motorized corps. Retreating in that direction would likely lead to a complete German encirclement.
Just as Liu Molong was secretly planning his battle plan for Operation Tianming, a staff officer arrived with an urgent telegram from the Soviet 16th Cavalry Army. Liu Molong's battle at the site had successfully drawn nearly all the surrounding German forces to the area. The 16th Cavalry Army had successfully crossed the Amvrosyevka line and begun advancing deep into German territory. The cavalry army's follow-up troops had encountered a flanking German force. With both sides pursuing their own objectives, the battle was quickly disengaged after a brief exchange of fire. The cavalry army's commander, Dadlov, kindly reminded Liu Molong that this German force was likely intended to attack him from behind.
Similarly, Lindemann also received a report from the outflanking troops that a large Soviet cavalry had encountered them and was advancing in the direction of Amvrosyevka.
"Damn the Soviets! They're taking advantage of the situation!" Lindemann cursed. After a quick check of the map, his expression grew serious. "This cavalry unit's purpose must be to attack the rear defenses."
He immediately sent a telegram to Field Marshal Manstein, commander-in-chief of Army Group B, indicating that a large number of Soviet cavalry had entered the depths of Ukraine from the direction of Amvrosyevka.
After Lindemann finished making these arrangements, he immediately called the commanders of the 39th and 56th Armies and the Army Group Chief of Staff. He wanted to work with them to finalize the specific plan for the encirclement operation against the 200th Army Group after dawn the next day.
The Chief of Staff spoke first: "I believe we should concentrate the tanks of the 56th Army and launch a frontal assault, pressing forward from both sides to squeeze the 200th Army and force them to retreat. The SS's combat power is obvious to all. If we block the Chinese army's advance from behind, once their defensive positions are breached, even with the 200th Army's armored superiority, they will have no room to maneuver in a positional defense and will ultimately be annihilated."
Lindemann nodded in agreement. The 39th Army commander said with a bitter face, "Your Excellency should understand that the 39th Army truly no longer has the strength to charge into the front lines. We only have the combined strength of a division."
The commander of the 56th Army frowned and said, "I have fought against the 200th Army. Their tanks are indeed very powerful. We can't take them lightly." There was a hint of worry in his eyes.
Lindemann was silent for a moment, then said, "I understand your concerns, but we must complete our mission. 39th Army, although your forces are limited, you cannot retreat. You must do your best to cooperate with the 56th Army. 56th Army, you must leverage your strengths and break through the enemy's defenses as quickly as possible."
The two commanders looked at each other and nodded.
Lindemann continued: "We must have faith in our own strength and in our soldiers. The Third Reich is invincible, and we will certainly be able to defeat the enemy."
In the subsequent discussion, they worked out a detailed battle plan, with everyone clearly aware of their tasks and responsibilities.
Finally, Lindemann said, "Okay, everyone go back and get ready. Tomorrow morning is when we'll take action."
Everyone stood up and left. Lindeman looked at their backs and prayed silently in his heart: "May God bless us. I hope this operation will be successful."