In the underground bunker of the Fourth Army Command, the dim gas lights flashed, twisting the figures of everyone on the wall. Admiral Walter Kruger leaned over the map table and had been in this position for twenty minutes. His eyes were tightly locked on the defense map from Smolensk to Orsha, his brows frowned, and the wrinkles on his forehead seemed to be traces of war carved by time. The staff held their breath and stood quietly three meters away, not daring to show their breath. They knew very well that the commander, known for his rigor, was under tremendous pressure at this moment, and any slight disturbance could interrupt his thoughts. The red and blue pencils in Kruger's hand repeatedly hooked the map, and each stroke seemed to be writing a life-and-death command. Various defense plans were constantly deducing in his mind, trying to build an indestructible line of defense for the German army in this upcoming storm. Under the gas mask hanging on the wall, the gold-plated cover of the newly arrived No. 3 Assault Cannon Training Manual was faintly exposed. The golden color seemed particularly dazzling in this dim environment, as if it was a glimmer of hope in the darkness, and it seemed like it was about to be A silent omen of the coming war. "Tell the Logistics Department that the No. 3 assault gun assembly of the 197th Infantry Division must be completed before dawn tomorrow." Kruger suddenly stood up, his voice low and powerful, echoing in the bunker. The gray-blue military uniform on his body shone coldly under the gas lamp, like a cold statue, exuding a sense of awe.

"Each anti-tank battalion must be equipped with at least six Pak40s. I want to see that every artillery observer can report the coordinate grid with his eyes closed." His words were concise and clear, without any drag, every word It was like a heavy bullet hitting the heart of everyone present. Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Mueller was about to turn around to convey the order, but was stopped by Kruger: "Wait, let the communications staff of each division start the rotation tonight. The newly arrived FuG5 radio station must be tested every half an hour. I want to make sure that every line of defense can directly call the Stuka machine group." The Admiral's fingers poked heavily in the middle of the defense zone, where he drew three gradually deepening arc lines of defense with red pencils, as if they were the nets of heaven and earth he laid for the enemy. At this moment, at the training ground thirty kilometers away from the headquarters, the sky was getting darker, and the afterglow of the sunset shone on the ground, covering the entire training ground with a layer of golden gauze. Major General Frank was standing on a high ground, watching his 131st Infantry Division conducting his last reorganization exercise with a look of concentration. The roar of the tracks rolling through the mud was deafening, as if the earth was moaning in pain. Twelve brand new StuGIII assault guns lined up in a wedge-shaped queue and moved forward slowly, like a giant steel beast, exuding a terrifying momentum. The 75mm StuK40L/48 gun barrels are shining with a cold blue light in the sunset, and the cold metallic luster seems to silently tell the destructive power they are about to bring. Technical Sergeant Chief Schneider from Ruhr District was lying on the back of an assault gun, patiently teaching the recruits to operate the viewing scope. His voice seemed a little hoarse in the noisy roar, but it was still full of majesty: "Remember, the armor tilt angle on the Soviet T-34 was 60 degrees, so you should calculate the in advance when shooting... It's about you The life and death of this war also concern the direction of this war." The recruits listened attentively, their eyes flashing with the light of tension and expectation. They knew that they were about to embark on the extremely cruel battlefield, every subtle operation and judgment They may determine their life and death fate. Suddenly, a thunder-like vibration came from the southwest direction. The voice was faint at first, like a faint whisper from afar, but soon became stronger and stronger, as if it was a roar from the depths of hell, creepy. Frank raised his wrist suddenly, his movements swiftly and flustered, and the surface of the glass reflected his sudden tightening jaw. His eyes revealed shock and disbelief - at 18:47, three days earlier than the intelligence department's estimated attack time. A strong ominous premonition surged in his heart. This war was probably even more cruel and difficult than they thought. In the headquarters, Kruger also heard the faint vibration. His face instantly became even more gloomy, like the sky before the storm came, covered with dark clouds. He knew that the storm of war had arrived early and could not tolerate any hesitation or slackness. He turned to look at the staff officers and ordered loudly: "Enter the first-level combat readiness immediately, notify all troops and prepare for battle!" The staff acted quickly, and the bunker was busy, with the ringing of the phone, footsteps and shouts intertwined, and a tense prelude to the war was played. On the training ground, Frank responded quickly.

He shouted loudly, "Stop the exercises and enter the combat position!" The soldiers acted quickly, and the originally orderly exercise queue instantly turned into a tense combat deployment. The gunners of the assault guns quickly took their place, with firmness and determination in their eyes; the loaders were nervously preparing ammunition, and their hands trembled slightly from tension and excitement. The entire training ground was filled with a pungent smell of tension, as if the air could be ignited at any time. When the first 152mm grenade hit the observation post with a sharp whistling sound, the huge impact force stirred up dust and gravel in the sky, and Kruger's command had entered the highest state of combat readiness. "The Dnieper Observatory report confirms the vanguard tank group of the 5th Army of the Soviet Guards." The voice of the communications soldiers was filled with a murmur of current, which seemed particularly harsh in the bunker. "They broke through the flank of the 23rd Armored Division!" Kruger's eyes instantly became as sharp as an eagle. He pulled Feng Ji's buckle suddenly, as if he wanted to break free from the invisible pressure that bound him. His eyes swept like lightning past the small blue flag representing the Soviet army on the sand table, his brain was running rapidly, thinking about solutions. "Order the 14th Armored Division to feint in the direction of Courtney, and mobilize all the assault gun companies of the 78th Assault Division to go to the 217th Heights to establish a blocking position." His voice was firm and decisive, without any hesitation, and the pencil in his hand was on the map Sharp lines were drawn, as if outlining the trajectory of war. "I need at least two squadrons of FW190 to seize air supremacy before dawn." Major General Frank's command half-tracked vehicle was shaking violently between the craters, and calls from various battalions were constantly heard from the on-board radio station: "Company B's anti-tank gun position was broken through by the KV-1 cluster!" "The right wing found that the Soviet engineers were building a floating bridge!" The major general grabbed the microphone: "All units should pay attention to it and implement the 'heedgehog' defense plan! The self-propelled artillery company retreated to the second defense line in a ladder, and the engineers immediately deployed S on the tributary of the Berezinna River. ” His voice was firm and powerful, trying to point his troops in this chaotic battlefield. On the front line, Private Hoffman was curled up in a fox pit, and the MP40 submachine gun barrel was still carrying snow water. Fifty meters away, three T-34/76s were running over the body of their comrades, and the white stars on the side of the car were flickering in the flames. As he trembled and loaded the Iron Fist anti-tank rocket, he suddenly heard the familiar diesel roar - four camouflaged Weasel III destroyers rushed out of the flanking bushes, and 75mm shells pierced through the side armor of Soviet tanks one after another. A glimmer of hope flashed in Hoffman's eyes. He knew that he was temporarily safe, but the war had just begun. On the battlefield, smoke filled the sky and fires were rising. The German defense line was shaking under the fierce attack of the Soviet army, but they still resisted tenaciously. In the command center, Kruger was always paying attention to changes in the situation on the battlefield, constantly issuing orders to adjust combat deployment. His voice was passed on the phone and radio, bringing a glimmer of hope and strength to the soldiers on the front line. Major General Frank fought side by side with the soldiers on the front line, and his figure shuttled through the artillery fire and smoke, encouraging the morale of the soldiers. He knew that only by uniting one's heart could one survive this cruel war. He constantly inspires the soldiers and allows them to see the dawn of hope in despair. After a brief breath, Private Hoffman re-entered the battle. His MP40 submachine gun kept spitting out flames, trying to block the Soviet attack. Beside him, his comrades fell down one by one, but he still did not retreat. He knew that he could not retreat because behind him was his motherland and relatives. As night falls, the situation on the battlefield becomes even more tense. The Soviet army's offensive did not weaken due to the darkness of the sky, but became more violent. The German defense line became riddled with holes under the baptism of artillery fire. No mistakes, one song, one content, one in 6, one book, one bar, one reading! But the German soldiers still stood firm, and they built an indestructible line of defense with their flesh and blood. At the same time, in the sky, the FW190 fighter of the JG51 Wing launched a fierce air battle with the Soviet fighter jets.

The planes of both sides shuttled through the night sky, and the flames of machine guns and cannons kept flashing. With their superb skills and tenacious fighting spirit, the German pilots tried to seize air supremacy and provide support to the ground forces. As time goes by, the situation on the battlefield gradually changes. The German army's tenacious resistance finally began to show results, and the Soviet army's offensive momentum gradually weakened. Kruger seized this opportunity and ordered a counterattack. German troops rushed out of various defense lines and launched a charge towards the Soviet positions. Major General Frank also led his 131st Infantry Division to join the ranks of counterattacks. The soldiers shouted slogans and rushed towards the enemy. Their eyes were full of determination and determination. They wanted the Soviet army to know that the German army would not be defeated easily. Private Hoffman also charged with the troops, and his heart was filled with courage and strength. He is no longer afraid because he knows that he is not fighting alone, and he has countless comrades around him, and they all have a common goal - to defend the motherland. As the German counterattack became more and more fierce, the Soviet army finally began to retreat. Countless corpses and wreckage were left on the battlefield, filled with smoke, and the air was filled with pungent smell of gunpowder and blood. The German soldiers cheered, and they finally won the battle. But Kruger knew that this was just a temporary victory. The Soviet army will definitely make a comeback and they must be prepared. He ordered the troops to quickly clear the battlefield, repair the defense line, and replenish ammunition and equipment. At the same time, he began to reexamine his combat plan and prepare for the next battle. Major General Frank returned to his command, sitting tiredly in the chair, with a hint of relief on his face. He knew that this victory was hard-won and was exchanged for the soldiers' lives and blood. He decided to treat his troops well and let them recover their strength and spirit during a short break. Private Hoffman also returned to his camp, lying on the ground, looking at the sky. His heart was filled with emotion. This war made him experience too many life and death tests and made him stronger. He knew that the war was not over yet and he still needed to continue fighting. As time went by, the Eastern Front battlefield fell into a brief calm again. But everyone knows that this is just the tranquility before the storm. The shadow of war still envelops this land, and the next battle may break out at any time. The German soldiers seized time to rest and prepare in this brief calm. They knew that the next battle would be even more cruel and difficult. "Report to the division commander, the battle statistics are out." A staff officer ran over panting and handed over a report. His face was full of fatigue, but a hint of excitement was revealed in his eyes. Major General Frank took the report and read it carefully. The report records in detail various data during the battle, including the number of Soviet tanks destroyed, casualties between both sides, etc. Looking at these data, Major General Frank showed a gratified smile on his face. "Beautiful job!" He patted the staff's shoulder and said with praise, "This is the result of the joint efforts of all our officers and soldiers. Everyone performed very well. Everyone is the pride of the empire!" At the same time, General Walter Kruger also received a battle report from the front line in the command center. He sat at his desk, looking at the report seriously, with a look of satisfaction on his face. He nodded and said to the Chief of Staff: "It seems that our dress-up plan is very successful, and new weapons have played a huge role in the battlefield. This is a good start, but we cannot take it lightly." "Yes, Your Excellency Commander. This battle not only stabilized our defense line, but also severely damaged the Soviet army's offensive power." The Chief of Staff said excitedly, his face filled with the joy of victory.

General Walter Kruger pondered for a moment and continued, "But we cannot take it lightly. The Soviet army will not give up easily, and there may be a more fierce attack next. We must be fully prepared, from personnel training to There must be no negligence in every link in material reserves. We must make every soldier a sharp blade on the battlefield and every weapon can play its best. " "I understand! I will immediately notify all troops to strengthen defenses and prepare fortifications. At the same time, organize soldiers to conduct targeted training to improve their proficiency in the use of new weapons." The Chief of Staff nodded solemnly, and then quickly went to execute Order. (This chapter is finished)