Arc of Gunfire

September 21, 916, the heart of the Prosen Empire, the Eagle's Nest.

As soon as Marshal Shipling got out of the elevator, he saw a group of generals standing in the corridor outside the war room door.

Xipling stopped and looked at everyone suspiciously.

Marshal Rundsteyer was the first to speak: "Don't worry, His Majesty just wants to be alone, so let us come out and have a cigarette."

Marshal Celtic: "It is also understandable that this time His Majesty completely guessed Rokossov's actions, took the initiative, and mobilized troops from the Western Front. Personally, I even received the news of Rokossov's attack. At that time, I had a drink in advance to celebrate another victory of the empire.

"Now that the fight is like this, I want to be quiet."

Shipling looked at the Celtic marshal: "Did you really have a drink?"

"Yes, many people in the staff room of the headquarters have seen it." After a short silence, Marshal Celtic sighed, "The current situation is very scary, which shows that the Ant people can defeat us openly. Before They have to rely on General Ni, General Dong, and various tactics that go against military common sense to defeat us."

Shipling: "Actually, there is no need to be so pessimistic. The Ant people just adopted a tactics suitable for Khazalia. We do not have a particularly good way to deal with this kind of tactics on the current vast front.

“Actually, when Army Group Center faced the same tactics last year, it was a bit in a hurry. In the end, it was able to block it because the defense area of ​​Army Group Center had forest swamps and dense river networks.

"But in Khazalia, we have no way of doing this kind of tactics. In contrast, Rokossov's elite armored force equipped with new tanks actually doesn't have much effect."

General Moltke, Director of the Armored Forces, asked with a surprised look: "No? I thought you would put the responsibility on these new tanks."

"No, Rokossov did use these elite armored forces to defeat most of our armored counterattacks, but these elite armored brigades themselves were also severely damaged. They actually did not cause much damage to our ordinary troops.

"Also, some of the armored divisions on the Western Front that we launched into the counterattack were defeated by Ant's armored forces. Facts have proved that the tank crews from the Western Front are better at fighting than the veterans that Ant fought hard for. There is no advantage in skills anymore.”

After a brief pause, Shipling added: "Also, the 504th independent tank destroyer battalion equipped with the 'emergency product' Panzer IV tank destroyer has performed well. I think the production of this tank destroyer should be expanded immediately."

Marshal Celtic: "We are already working on this. By the beginning of next year, the production of Panzer IV tank destroyers will triple!"

General Moltke followed: "They will all join the newly formed armored division!"

"What?" Shipling's eyes widened. "The 504th Battalion achieved outstanding results because it cooperated with the infantry! This destroyer will cooperate with the infantry to dig anti-tank bunkers and will play a huge role in future homeland defense operations!"

General Moltke: "This type of destroyer is classified as Panzerjger, so it should naturally be counted as an armored force. It will be under my control and incorporated into an armored division."

In fact, long after the destroyer category was proposed, General Moltke counted all vehicles under this category into the armored corps and took away the power to allocate them.

Shipling was about to argue when Marshal Celtic stopped him: "Don't be impatient. In fact, we have reached an agreement with General Moltke. The No. 4 artillery carrier equipped with an open turret that has been built as a prototype is a self-propelled vehicle." Artillery, in the same category as the Buffalo self-propelled infantry artillery, will be assigned to the infantry units at the front of the wave.”

Shipling burst into laughter: "An artillery carrier with a turret, not a tank, joins the infantry force. An assault gun without a turret is obviously more suitable for defense - I mean a destroyer, incorporated into an armored division?"

Marshal Celt: "But the problem is solved, isn't it? The Director of Armored Forces got more armored vehicles, and the infantry got precious mobile anti-tank firepower."

Shipling: "But destroyers are more suitable for defense! In defensive operations, the requirements for the range of fire are not so high, and reliable frontal defense can play a greater role. Artillery carriers - I never expected The Bison self-propelled infantry gun is used for anti-tank! That thing can be penetrated by a heavy machine gun!

"The enemy's heavily equipped P47s can kill all the members with one strafing shot!"

Speaking of this, Shiplin noticed the smile on Moltke's face.

Okay, this guy just deliberately threw the unarmored convertible in the fighting room to the infantry! He knew these vehicles were terrified of machine gun fire!

General Moltke spoke: "The Allied forces on the Western Front like to use open-top destroyers very much. Those fast-running destroyers caused us huge trouble. I believe that the brave Prossen soldiers can do the same thing. "

Shipling was so angry that his face turned green, and Lundstel got a glass of wine from somewhere: "Here, drink some wine, don't get excited."

Shipling took the cup, drank it all in one gulp, slammed the empty cup on the table, and stared at General Moltke with a tiger-like look.

It's a pity that his guns were placed on the counter in front of the reception room, otherwise something unspeakable might have happened.

For example, "How can we manage the Prosen Empire well with such insects?"...

————

At the same time, it was already night in Bogdanovka, where the headquarters of the First Kozalia Front was located.

Wang Zhong opened the envelope brought to him by the special envoy from the United States and took out a stack of photos.

"What's this?"

"Your old friend General Ike asked me to bring you the new tanks tested at the Aberdeen Proving Ground," the special envoy said.

Wang Zhong: "It's good to have connections. At this point, the United States may not be happy to let me see these photos - what is this?"

He stopped, pulled out a photo and asked the envoy.

While Wang Zhong questioned the special envoy, Vasily took a look at the remaining photos.

Special envoy: "I learned before taking off that this vehicle was named Wolfgrow and it was a destroyer vehicle that was about to be transported in batches to the Europa theater."

The Earth's Wolf Cat is a "large Hellcat", but the "Wolf Cat" in the photo now looks like an M4 Sherman with an M56 Scorpion anti-tank gun inserted into the chassis of Wang Zhong Upper half.

This looks too good.

However, Wang Zhong immediately praised with great emotional intelligence: "This seems to be a solution composed of mature technology. It can be easily mass-produced and added to the army in large numbers. But I don't understand. If it is just to install a cannon, wouldn't it be possible to use a jeep? ?”

Special envoy: "It has been tested and it can be turned over. The Ordnance Bureau believes that it may be necessary to research a new chassis. If there is no time, it is better to directly modify it with the Sherman chassis. There is also one modified with the M5 Stuart chassis, and the M3 Those converted to half-track vehicles will be put into the army as soon as possible.”

Good guy, is this the way the first industrialized countries play? Put the 90-mm cannon that can deal with the new Proson tanks on any chassis you can find, and rely on production capacity to explode a lot and drown the enemy?

"Hey," Vasily suddenly broke into the conversation, "Marshal, look at this!"

He handed a photo to Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong took a look at what was in the photo: a Willys Jeep with six gun barrels on it.

The shape of this thing looks a bit familiar!

Wang Zhong: "Is this a Willys Jeep with six recoilless rifles?"

"Yes," the special envoy replied, "using a recoilless smoothbore cannon to fire projectiles with stabilized tail fins can ensure that the shaped charge warhead has a better penetration effect when it hits the enemy. As for installing six guns, it is probably necessary Pursue firepower density and release smoke as soon as possible to escape.”

Wang Zhong raised his eyebrows, how could the United States be forced into this state? But don't say anything about these weird things, you really don't say anything! It feels useful!

In the future, "War Thunder" will also be born in this time and space, and I don't know how many weird things will be used.

Wang Zhong put down the photo: "I understand that you will soon gain the ability to fight against Proson's new tanks. The more pressure you put on Proson on the Western Front, the smoother our progress will be."

"Of course, of course." The special envoy agreed. Anyway, he had no power to decide on launching a cross-sea operation.

Wang Zhong: "Okay, I have received the photos. My cook has prepared a reception banquet. Vasily, please take the special envoy with you."

Vasily: "Yes."

————

Return to the Eagle's Nest.

Shipling finally just sighed: "I hope these artillery carriers can have enough armor-piercing capabilities to deal with the increasingly thick armor of the Ant tanks."

Marshal Celtic: "Don't worry, this carrier uses a 105mm anti-tank gun."

General Moltke: "We are still testing the lengthened 88 mm gun. Although this will greatly increase the production time of the 88 gun barrel, it will achieve satisfactory armor-piercing capability.

"We are also working on a new type of artillery shell, which is like a steel needle and can achieve better armor-piercing capabilities, but we have not yet been able to solve the impact of the spin of the shell."

Marshal Shipling: "I have seen your new artillery shells, and tank crews generally responded that after using the new artillery shells to attack Ant tanks, the fire rate has been greatly reduced. Ant tankers can often be seen abandoning their tanks."

General Moltke: "Abandoning the tanks has also achieved our goal. The Anters do not have much repair capabilities, and they will not repair those abandoned tanks."

Shipling was about to retort when the door to the war room opened.

Giles came out and said to everyone present: "Your Majesty has adjusted his mood, please come in."

The officers looked at each other.

Marshal Rundsteyer reminded: "Don't quarrel in front of His Majesty later. Adding pressure on His Majesty is not good for everyone."

Shipling nodded, suddenly remembered something, and asked, "Why isn't Marshal Erwin Romell here?"

"He is inspecting the fortifications of the Western Wall and calls us every day to ask for landmines." Marshal Celtic said with a wry smile, "It seems that we are all magicians and can conjure millions of landmines just by blowing our breath."

General Moltke: "The beach will definitely be prepared for naval gunfire. Is it really useful to lay a large number of mines?"

"I heard that Romell planned to lay mines on the road from the Western Wall to the interior." Marshal Rundsteyer said, "Okay, stop talking and go in."

The group of people entered the war room past Gil-Ais.

His Majesty's face was a little rosy and he looked like he had drunk a little wine. This is not normal. The emperor of Prossen never drinks during the day. He is strict with himself during working hours like "a standard Prossian". Seeing Shiprin, the emperor said: "You have come back from the front. I have a very urgent question that I need you to answer. Do we still have hope of defeating Rokossov?"

Shiplin immediately spoke: "Of course, Rokossov's breakthrough now is inseparable from the terrain of Khazalia. When the battle line moves to the border between Melania and Khazalia -"

"The terrain is still grassland." The emperor said quickly.

Shipling: "But the width of the battle line has been greatly reduced, and the towns have become denser, and they are all reinforced concrete towns. Lord Giles has studied Rokossov's defense in Shostka. We can apply these experiences to used against him."

Giles nodded: "Yes, in fact we adopted Rokossov's defensive ideas in Army Group Center. The town fortifications we built caused huge casualties to Ant's Western Front."

Emperor: “You mean, can we stop it with Melania?”

"Yes, we can block it. When the time comes, Rokossov - no, it's Ant's General Gorky (Shipling doesn't know Gorky has been promoted to marshal yet)'s tactics will not work." Shipling said When he spoke, his tone was very confident.

In fact, it can still work, but it requires the strongest light infantry unit in the world to execute it. Now neither Proson nor Ant can fight.

Marshal Celtic took over: "We built a defense line on the border between Melania and Ant last year, and 30% of it has been completed."

"Only 30%?" the emperor exclaimed, "nine months!"

Marshal Celtic replied calmly: "The reason the progress is so slow is because a large number of young people who were supposed to participate in the national labor camp were directly recruited into the recruit camp. We have a labor shortage."

The emperor was silent for a few seconds: "Let the prisoners of war repair it."

Celtic Marshal: "This is a violation of the Geneva Convention."

"What does it have to do with it? The Ant people still let prisoners of war work in factories! They say 'liberate the prisoners of war' and 'recognize the mistakes of oneself and the Prosen Empire and return to the wrong path', huh, I don't believe it!"

Marshal Celtic: "Understood, I will arrange for the mobilization of prisoners of war to participate in labor service."

Emperor: “Remember, give them less food and make them do heavier work, so that they won’t have the strength to escape, and this will reduce the pressure on management!

"As for dying while working, we are already so short on food now and we still have to feed prisoners of war. No, let them die, and the saved rations will be given to our people.

"Why did I capture so many prisoners of war back then, just to show off our military exploits! We should have found a pit and shot all the prisoners of war!"

The emperor muttered something and banged the table hard.

Everyone waited tacitly for the emperor to calm down.

They didn't have to wait long.

The emperor, who had calmed down, asked Shipling: "Can you hold on until the mud season comes?"

Shipling: "Yes, in fact, I personally estimate that Rokossov's logistics are almost at their limit. At most, he will have to stop and rest after taking Ronezh.

"They have advanced far enough that the troops' armor and vehicles need to stop for repairs, and ammunition and fuel also need to be replenished."

Emperor: "We actually have to wait until the enemy's logistics capabilities can't keep up and stop the attack!"

"Rokosov was like this in the first year. In the first year, it wasn't about how strong his tactics were. His only role was to maintain Ant's determination to resist, until we couldn't keep up with our supplies." "This is part of the art of war," Pring said.

What he said in summary is: Rokosov did it too, so there is no need to be shy.

Emperor: "Since we are waiting for Rokossov to exhaust his supplies, if I replace you now, Marshal Shiplin, will it affect the actions of our army?"

Marshal Shipling: "No, in fact, it can be clearly felt that the Ant attack is weak, especially the Ant cavalry troops. They suffered heavy casualties in continuous battles, and even a cavalry battalion lost most of its troops. War horses can only fight on foot.

"Our entire retreat was carried out in an orderly manner. As long as we do not make large-scale changes to the Army Group South headquarters and just replace me as the commander, it will not affect the operations of the entire Army Group."

After hearing this, the emperor nodded to the Celtic marshal.

Marshal Celt took out an order from his briefcase: "Marshal Shipling, this is an order for you. The position of commander of Army Group South will be replaced by General Mendel, who has performed well in Army Group Center."

Marshal Shipling: "Very good, Mendel is very good at organizing defense, especially good at integrating troops that have been scattered. He comes at the right time."

Emperor: "Now that it's over, you don't have to come back to flatter me anymore."

"I speak from the bottom of my heart," Marshal Shipling replied.

Emperor: "Don't be too happy too early. I won't let you be idle at home like the former commander-in-chief of the army."

Marshal Shipling nodded, put on his military cap, saluted the emperor, then turned and left the room.

As soon as he arrived at the reception room, he saw his adjutant chatting happily with a strange colonel.

"Who is this?" Marshal Shipling came to the adjutant and asked.

Adjutant: "This is Colonel Berg from the Reserve Service Administration. He is..."

"Valkyrie Club." Marshal Shipling interrupted the adjutant, "I heard that Marshal Werner is the leader of your club."

Colonel Berg: "Many marshals have been in and out of our club, even Marshal Romell."

Marshal Shipling: "Well, then congratulations to you. It seems that your career is booming, so I won't bother you."

Colonel Berg: "Aren't you worried about Prossen's future?"

Shipling glanced at the reception room - this is mainly a place where the adjutants wait and socialize. Theoretically, as long as the emperor is in a meeting, there will be many marshal's adjutants in the room.

But now the room is empty.

Shipling said to his adjutant: "When I have the opportunity to enter the Eagle's Nest again in the future, don't wait here. You can go anywhere for a walk. There are many beautiful typists in the secretarial department outside. You can go and give They give you a flower."

The adjutant nodded understandingly.

Colonel Berg: "Your Excellency Marshal——"

"I still have a lot of handover matters to deal with, and now I have to return to the front line." Shipling smiled at the colonel and left the room with the adjutant walking as fast as flying.

Colonel Berg watched them leave.

————

On September 23, the headquarters of Army Group South in Plossen.

Marshal Shipling deliberately returned by plane one day late. When he entered the headquarters, he saw General Mendel chatting with his staff in front of the map.

"General Mendel, I've heard of you for a long time!" Shipling stepped forward and stretched out his hand.

Mendel saluted: "I am the one who has heard the name for a long time. You are known as the maker of miracles on the battlefield."

"Huh, whatever names you had before, they are all gone now." Marshal Shiplin said with a bitter smile, "On the huge Eastern Front battlefield, the only real legend is Rokossov. No matter which side of the war history we stand on in the future, No one can avoid him."

Mendel: "I have never fought against him. In Army Group Center, my old opponent was General Gorky. Apart from his constant consumption of his own troops, there is nothing impressive about him."

Marshal Shiplin: "No, his tactics allowed Rokossov to achieve such great achievements. He just didn't use his tactics in the right place."

Mendel: "The situation will get better when the front shrinks to Melania's border. We can set up defenses along the line from Königsberg to Barachia. There are rivers and mountains here, and they are all terrain suitable for defense. There are also a lot of reinforced concrete buildings.”

At this time, Shipling's adjutant interjected: "Isn't this tantamount to giving up all the achievements since Barbarossa?"

The marshal and the general turned to look at the adjutant.

Adjutant: "Then what's the point of launching Barbarossa?"

"There's no point - I mean, there's no point in discussing this now." Marshal Shipling looked at General Mendel, "But I guess it's not that easy to get His Majesty to agree to retreat to the national border. What I told His Majesty can also be preserved. Part of the land of West Kosalia.”

Marshal Mendel: "Stop being ridiculous. It's all plains and there isn't even a wider river. How can we defend it? The 'Eastern Wall' built by the Celtic marshals is also on the national border, taking advantage of the fortifications that the Ants used to deal with us. . Now you are telling me to defend the land east of the border?

"You were relieved of your duties, but I am the one responsible for defense!"

Marshal Shipling: "You can protest and stand still, and maybe you can skip those complicated stages and be successfully dismissed."

Mendel was silent.

After who knows how long, he said: "No, I will try to defend. I will not let myself be removed on purpose."

Marshal Shipling: "Then you are more qualified than me as a soldier. However, listen to my advice, everyone will meet their destined ending, and the empire will be the same."

Mendel stared at Shipling: "Yes, I think struggling with all your strength before that is what is called life."

Shipling stared at Mendel for a few seconds and said, "Salute to you. But... maybe the end will come sooner than we think."