And what’s more fatal is that in March of the second year of the war, the enemy will deploy the Panzer IV F2, which can penetrate the T34 from a long distance. The enemy’s armored troops are of high quality, and then their sights are a notch more advanced. Rookie T34 crews are often easily picked off for achievements.
Then in September of the second year, the Tiger tanks come into action.
At first, new tanks have a high rate of mechanical failures, so their combat effectiveness is not so high, but once the flaws are mostly fixed, they become the dominant force on the battlefield. Enjoy exclusive adventures from m-v l’-NovelFull.net
On Earth, the last Soviet Union won with heavy casualties. But in this timeline, the Prussians are stronger than the Sturmtigers, and these new weapons might lead to the collapse of the front lines, ultimately losing the war.
After all, just like on Earth, this timeline’s Prussians have not mobilized nor have they adopted a wartime economy.
Wang Zhong thought about future events and realized more and more that what he urgently needed to do was not to achieve many victories at the front, but to quickly carry out an industrial survey, interfere with military-industrial production, and preferably even influence the composition of the troops and even the combat regulations…
He was thinking when the communication staff officer came in: “The enemy’s open coded telegram.”
Wang Zhong: “Read it.”
Communication Staff Officer: “All Prosen soldiers in Karanskaya request to surrender to the Ante people.”
Wang Zhong nodded: “That’s more like it, but they have to send it at maximum power, repeatedly until tonight at 20:00. We can stop the artillery bombardment, and send envoys to discuss terms of surrender, but the transmission must not stop. If it ceases, our army will launch a strong attack. Inform the enemy of this.”
It wasn’t long before the communication staff officer came back: “Report, the enemy has agreed.”
Wang Zhong: “Then stop the artillery bombardment. But the artillery troops should remain on alert.”
Pavlov: “I think the enemy won’t play tricks anymore. How about we drink to celebrate the victory? This is the first time we have truly defeated the enemy since the war began half a year ago, and it’s not the start of another retreat.”
Yegorov perked up at the idea: “Good!”
Wang Zhong thought for a moment and nodded: “Indeed, today we shall drink deeply to celebrate our victory!”
————
November 20, Saint Andrew Fort, Ante Army Saint Andrew Front Army Headquarters.
General Golikov, the commander of the Front Army, was discussing the enemy’s latest movements with senior officers when suddenly the door of the headquarters was flung open and the communication staff officer came in: “We received a telegram sent using international aviation code. It reads: ‘All Prosen soldiers in Karanskaya request to surrender to the Ante people.'”
Upon hearing this, Golikov immediately turned to check the full map of the front lines and then asked: “Why has Rocossov launched an attack? Shouldn’t he be encircling the enemy, waiting for them to attempt a breakout? Now the enemy will run away!”
Front Army Chaplain: “It could be for political… and diplomatic reasons, General Golikov Konstantinovich. Especially this telegram—if we can receive it, the meteorological stations in the northern Arctic regions of the United Kingdom and Federation can too. It’s a message to the world that we’ve won.”
General Golikov stared at the map for a few seconds and said, “Did you see the statement Rocossov made that we cannot win swiftly?”
“Of course. Actually, the Church has been actively spreading this view; I think it has already become the official stance of the Grand Patriarch and the entire College of Cardinals.”
General Golikov nodded: “Some foresight there, but how will he respond to the demands of the faction that wants a swift victory? Promoting him to Commander of the Western Front Army out of turn has already sparked a lot of dissatisfaction. He can only attack, but what if he wins the attack? As much glory as he has now, he will be criticized just as miserably later on!”
Unlike the stern-faced General Golikov, Staff Commander Ivan Stepanovich went to the liquor cabinet: “Let’s worry about that later, for now, let’s toast to the victory!”
Golikov thought for a moment and nodded: “Right, to the iron wall of our empire, Rocossov, and to his crucial, first victory of annihilation, cheers!”
————
Inside Prosen territory, Eagle’s Nest.
“All Prosen soldiers in Karanskaya request to surrender to the Ante people.” After the private secretary read this line, he looked at the emperor with a shrinking neck.
The emperor waved his hand: “You all leave.”
The people crammed in the room looked at one another, then turned to walk toward the door.
“Siegfried, you stay,” the Emperor said.
So Siegfried Gilais stayed behind.
After everyone else had left, Emperor Reinhard suddenly pounded the table, “How could they do this! Even if we surrender, can’t we do it quietly? Now we’ve become passive in the international community!
“Our spy network in the Federation is working hard to stop the passage of the Lend-Lease Act! This telegram is going to turn all those efforts into nothing! Into nothing!
“If they were honorable Prosen soldiers, they should have died for the empire! Fought to the death!”
After his outburst, the Emperor of the Prussians, the Conqueror of Europa, slumped in his chair in defeat.
Siegfried: “They’re also human, and they want to live. I think there’s nothing wrong with that.”
The Emperor looked up, gazing at his friend: “Nothing wrong, you say?”
Siegfried: “The fault lies with us, who underestimated the enemy. I believe if we start total mobilization now, with all factories entering wartime production and all civilian factories switching to war production, we still have a chance.”
The Emperor was silent for a few seconds, then shook his head: “No, we still have some new weapons that we haven’t had a chance to deploy in the war, like the 88mm gun carrier developed after our B1 heavy tanks were brutally defeated by the enemy in Carolingian. I’ve seen the prototype tests; there’s no need for mobilization yet.”
Siegfried sighed.
At that moment, Reinhard stood up: “Bring the wine, Siegfried. Although he’s an enemy, he indeed won the battle. According to your account, I recognize him as an excellent defense expert. Let us drink on the deck after the battle, like the captains of the sailing warships a hundred years ago.”
Siegfried Gilais nodded: “Yes, we certainly should have a drink.”
————
United Kingdom, 10 Downing Street.
Prime Minister Leonard Spenser was reading a daunting document provided by the Admiralty, discussing the feasibility of a landing operation behind the Mamluk battlefield.
At that moment, his Principal Private Secretary Bernard and the Cabinet Secretary Sir Apby walked in together.
Bernard placed a document in front of Leonard.
“What’s this?” the Prime Minister asked, looking up.
Sir Apby said: “We’ve just received an unencrypted cable from the Prosen Army, ‘All Prosen soldiers in Karanskaya request to surrender to the people of Ante.’
Prime Minister Leonard was visibly delighted: “Have you confirmed its authenticity?”
Bernard: “Sir Camin’s department has analyzed the intelligence currently coming from inside Prosen and believes it is very likely true.”
Leonard was overjoyed: “Bring the wine! We must have a good drink! This is great news indeed!”
Sir Apby: “However, just now, the Federation’s upper house rejected the Lend-Lease bill, meaning they won’t provide us and Ante with material support for free, at least for the time being.”
Leonard’s enthusiasm abruptly waned: “Damn those Prosen lobbyists!”
Secretary Bernard: “Do you still want the wine?”
Leonard gestured dismissively: “Yes! More so now than ever! Bring it!”