The decisive battle against the Third Reich

The refinery was inevitably subject to a violent bombing. After all, the refinery was there and there was no way to avoid it, and the target was quite large. If the Soviet army was determined to bomb it, it would be unavoidable.

However, due to the emergency preparations made by the German army, the damage caused by the Soviet bombing was also very limited... In fact, this was mainly due to the fact that the Soviet Baku Oil Refinery itself was well-prepared to deal with bombing. For example, the factories for important components were located underground. And it is protected by reinforced cement concrete with a thickness of more than 500 millimeters.

This once surprised the German officers and soldiers.

"What are the Soviets worried about?" Kuhn asked doubtfully when he saw these protection facilities: "Are they worried that the Baku refinery will be bombed?"

Kuhn's doubts are reasonable, because Baku is in the heart of the Soviet Union for Germany. Before the war, Germany had no bombers that could reach Baku and drop bombs... In other words, Baku had no need for air defense in the first place. .

"You forgot the Soviet-Finnish War!" Eberhard reminded Kuhn: "The British and France were not friendly to the Soviet Union before this!"

These words made the German officers and soldiers say "oh".

Eberhard was right.

In fact, the Soviet Union and Germany were friendly countries before the Soviet-German War broke out...

Germany was suffering under the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, and the Soviet Union was regarded as an alien by Western countries because of ideological issues.

As the saying goes, the enemy of the enemy is a friend, so the Soviet Union and Germany signed the "Treaty of Rapallo" and entered a close period of relations between the two countries. This was one of the reasons why the Soviet Union and Germany were able to carve up Poland.

Then, the Soviet Union started the Soviet-Finnish War in 1940.

There is no doubt that the Western countries have the biggest opinions on this war, but Britain, France and other countries are not really going to fall out with the Soviet Union for the sake of a small country, Finland. At the same time, they have to make some gestures, so Britain and France They jointly planned to bomb the Baku oil fields and even sent troops to occupy and support Finland...

These plans may be true, because occupying the Baku oil fields will also have huge benefits for Britain and France. No one in the industrial era would not covet oil.

But it could also be fake and just a form of intimidation from Britain and France to the Soviet Union.

In any case, the Soviet Union still made some necessary protection for the refinery to avoid bombing.

But what Stalin didn't expect was that these protections would actually work in the hands of the Germans.

At this time, Qin Chuan was in Manstein's headquarters with several officers.

This time they were not discussing how to deal with the Soviet army, but were preparing to celebrate the victory.

The reason is obvious. Another meaning of the Soviet army's all-round bombing of the oil refinery is to admit defeat.

"Look!" Manstein said, listening to the explosion of artillery shells and the roar of aircraft in the distance: "They hope to run faster, so they drop as many shells and bombs on our heads as possible!"

"It's not surprising at all!" Colonel Slain continued: "We have experienced this situation many times in Africa. The only difference is that the other parties are British and Americans!"

"Oh?" Manstein looked at Colonel Slain, then nodded and said, "Yes, I have heard about General Rommel's achievements in the African battlefield!"

"In fact!" Colonel Slaine raised his glass to Qinchuan and said, "I mean, a considerable part of our victory in the African battlefield was thanks to the major. Of course, I am not denying Rommel. The general’s achievements!”

"I completely understand!" Manstein replied with a smile: "Just like this time we were able to seize the Baku oil field, it was the major's suggestion. Of course, I am not denying Marshal Manstein's achievements!"

The officers were amused by Manstein's humorous self-deprecation.

Then Manstein raised his cup and said: "Let us pay tribute to the warriors who sacrificed their lives in this battle, to those heroes who fought bravely on the front line and never flinched, and... let us successfully win the Baku oil field. Major!"

"Cheers!" The officers raised their glasses and drank down the wine.

Just at this time, the explosion in the direction of the refinery slowly weakened, and then the staff officer walked into the headquarters and reported: "Your Majesty Marshal, the Soviets have retreated!"

"Uh-huh!" Manstein nodded very calmly, and then replied lukewarmly: "We know, can't you see we are celebrating? You can join us!"

"My pleasure, Your Excellency Marshal!" said the staff officer and poured himself a glass.

This is a common behavior of German nobles. They tend to remain calm when encountering major events, whether they are good or bad. As a Chinese saying goes, "If Mount Tai collapses in front of you, your face will remain unchanged."

If this was a grassroots general like Rommel, he would probably cheer loudly and hug each other with his subordinates.

For some reason, Qin Chuan prefers the latter.

At this time, a correspondent reported: "Your Majesty the Marshal, the head of state's phone call is for all of us!"

Manstein nodded, and the correspondent placed the phone in front of a special loudspeaker, turned up the volume, and reported: "Your Majesty the Führer, we are listening!"

Hitler's voice came from the loudspeaker: "Generals, I am very happy to hear the news of your victory. There is nothing more exciting than being in Berlin and hearing the news of the occupation of Baku from the front line. Salute to you!

I said that Germany is not a war-loving country, it is a heroic country. I mean, Germany doesn't want war, but if war chooses us, then we have to face it, and not only that, we have to grab it by the throat and force it to surrender.

This is the path Germany should take, and it is the only path.

Today, you did it my generals, I am proud of you, Germany and the German people are proud of you!

I have seen your confidence, I have seen your courage, and I have seen the cowardice and cowardice shown by the evil forces in front of you!

Cheers to your success, generals!

I really hope I can celebrate with you on the battlefield at this time. Long live Germany and the German people! "

The generals responded in unison: "Long live Germany and the German people!"

A very moving speech, but unfortunately it was just a phone call. If Hitler were in front of him, his movements and expressions would definitely make it more interesting.

But Qin Chuan was not moved at all, because he knew that if the 11th Army failed to win today and ended in failure, the direction of these remarks would completely change.

Marshal Manstein seemed to realize this. He raised his glass, touched it with Qin Chuan, and whispered: "The debate about whether to cross the Kerch Strait... you are right, Major!"

On the surface, this sounds like a war, but Qin Chuan knows what Manstein means.

Because Qin Chuan once said when persuading Manstein: "What the head of state cares about is victory!"