The decisive battle against the Third Reich

But in fact, even if the Soviet 86th Infantry Brigade arrived in time, it would not change anything, because the strength of this brigade was simply unable to break through the airport where the 1st Infantry Division was stationed and there were even many bunkers as large as intact... The bunkers were very important to the 1st Infantry Division. The infantry regiment played no role, but it was another story for the Soviet army without rocket launchers.

Therefore, when the Soviet troops launched an attack on the airport from the outside, prisoners and captured supplies were being counted inside the airport.

There were more than 3,000 prisoners, more than 1,000 of whom were pilots and airport support staff. Colonel Slaine ordered them to be divided into two groups and imprisoned, and ordered the soldiers guarding the prisoners to shoot the pilots and support personnel immediately if there was any danger or signs of escape... These people were never allowed to escape.

There were a lot of materials seized, because 289 fighter planes of various types, 86 cars, 30 Katyusha rocket launchers, and 89 "Stuart", "Valentin" and T26 tanks of various types (Note: Caucasus Region It is an important land channel for Britain and the United States to provide equipment assistance to the Soviet Union, so nearly half of the tanks in the Caucasus are provided by Britain and the United States)

In addition, there are mountains of ammunition, gasoline and diesel in the warehouse... Just as Qinchuan estimated, Soglione is an important transfer station. When the frontline materials are tight, transport aircraft will also be used to transport supplies, and even There will also be many supplies shipped from the Caucasus by the Black Sea Fleet and concentrated here.

The reason is very simple. Soglione is the intersection of the southern and northern peninsulas, and it is only more than 30 kilometers away from the front lines of both peninsulas. Wherever supplies are needed, they can be sent to the front lines in time from here.

Of course, the most important supplies are gasoline, tanks and cars.

"This gasoline and equipment is enough for our entire army to reach the Caucasus!" Colonel Slain said: "It's just...a lot of it is aviation fuel!"

Colonel Slaine had a look of regret on his face.

Aviation fuel, which has a higher octane rating than regular fuel and has additives to make it less explosive, was in short supply in the Luftwaffe.

"Oh!" Qin Chuan replied: "Then maybe we can get to the Caucasus faster!"

Colonel Slaine couldn't help laughing.

News of the successful capture of Soglione soon reached Manstein, who was both excited and worried.

He was excited because he did not expect that the battle would go so smoothly. Not only did he successfully land, but he also captured the strategic location of Soglione in one fell swoop. Not only did he capture Soglione, he also seized cars, gasoline and tanks that were urgently needed for the troops... This is This means that the 11th Group Army does not need to risk being attacked by the Black Sea Fleet to transport these supplies and equipment.

The worry was because none of this had been approved by Hitler. This was actually disobeying the Führer's orders. He didn't know how the Führer would react to this.

After some hesitation, Manstein decided that it was time to report to Hitler. Otherwise, it cannot be explained no matter how hard it is.

So he drafted a telegram and sent it to Berlin:

"Dear Head of State, due to the sudden opportunity, and I think we should seize this opportunity decisively... Just as this battle was going on, we detected that the Soviet defenses on the Tamanan Peninsula were very weak, so we launched an attack in the early hours of this morning We crossed the Kerch Strait and landed on the southern peninsula at around 2:10, and fully occupied Soglione Airport at 5:07 and captured a large amount of equipment and supplies. Their speed was so fast and their progress was so smooth that I was surprised. I can’t believe it. Now, we are waiting for your order to take the next step, Your Excellency!”

The time difference between Berlin and the Caucasus is nearly two hours. It is half past five in the Caucasus and half past three in Berlin.

Of course Hitler was sleeping in bed at this time, but when the staff saw the telegram, they classified it as important without thinking and immediately knocked on Hitler's bedroom door.

Hitler took a look at the telegram, and his sleepy eyes immediately widened... Then, Hitler, who always paid attention to appearance, actually strode to the war room in his pajamas and found the Taman Peninsula and Soglione on the map. s position.

"How many people did they cross?" Hitler asked.

"The 1st Infantry Regiment, the 1st Mountain Division, the 28th Chasseur Division and the 22nd Armored Division!"

Hitler couldn't help but look up at his staff officer in astonishment: "First Division of the 22nd Armored Division? You mean they also crossed the strait with their tanks?"

The staff officer couldn't believe it, so he picked up the telegram again to verify it. After confirmation, he replied: "Yes, Your Excellency the Head of State!"

"How did they do it?" Hitler asked. "Get the tank across the Kerch Strait?"

This is indeed hard to imagine, because Hitler actually had plans to cross the Kerch Strait and penetrate the Caucasus Mountains. But the problem was that sea control was in the hands of the Soviets, and the Germans didn’t even have a decent ship in their hands, so This becomes a delusion.

What puzzled Hitler the most was that it would be excusable if the troops could use fishing boats to cross over, but tanks...

"What did they have to get the tanks across?" Hitler asked.

"They..." the staff officer rummaged through the telegram, found one of the details and handed it to Hitler, and then replied: "They seemed to have driven the tank over. This is what General Manstein said... for The tank can float on the water with a screen, and then it can be equipped with... actually two propellers, so the tank can travel in sea water. "

Hitler looked at the telegram in his hand blankly. After a while, he suddenly raised the telegram happily and said: "They are geniuses, simply geniuses! Look, this is my general, these are the best soldiers of the empire. Their combat effectiveness is not only reflected in their courage on the battlefield, but also in their artist-like creativity and imagination! God, this is simply a beautiful piece of art. If I could, I would paint it on canvas. Keep it forever!”

"Your Majesty the Führer!" the staff reminded: "General Manstein is waiting for your order!"

"Oh, yes!" Hitler nodded, and then said to the correspondent: "To General Manstein: This is a great victory. Your raid made the entire war situation develop in our favor. The bold attack Advance to the Caucasus Mountains, they are waiting for you to conquer. At the same time, General Manstein, congratulations, you have become the Marshal of the Empire, and the Empire will cheer for your bravery and victory!"