The decisive battle against the Third Reich

On December 20, Second Lieutenant Herbert Koontz of the 100th Bomb Group flew his HE-111 over German pilots over the Caucasus.

The order given to him by the command was: "Look carefully to see if there is still fighting anywhere or anywhere where the Soviets are gathering, and then drop your bombs or report to the command, and we will send more planes!"

Koontz was hovering 6,000 meters above this high mountain. Not a single anti-aircraft gun or anti-aircraft machine gun fired at him. Thick fog shrouded the mountains below, and a patch of white snow made it difficult for him to spot the Soviet soldiers who were also wearing white camouflage uniforms.

The observer glanced directly at the radio operator and said, "There's nothing there, or they're down there, but we can't find anything!"

The radio signal reported these words to the command headquarters, and soon the order to return was received.

As the temperature gradually dropped, the temperature in the Caucasus Mountains dropped to minus 37 degrees, which forced both the enemy and ourselves to be in a state of dormancy. In many places, there was even no need to worry about sneak attacks, because if anyone did so, it would be more likely To freeze to death outside rather than die under enemy gunfire...

The cold in the Caucasus Mountains was different from the cold during the defense of Moscow.

The extreme cold during the Moscow Defense War was minus 40 degrees Celsius, which was lower than the temperature in the Caucasus Mountains at that time.

The problem is that there are strong mountain winds in the Caucasus Mountains... It's okay if there is no wind, because the clothes on your body will keep your body temperature for a while.

It's a torture when it's windy, and it doesn't take long for the heat to escape from your body. Especially my feet, they gradually lost feeling, as if they were stepping on ice with bare feet, because the mountain wind and low temperature had long taken away the warmth of their shoes and socks. The mucus was uncontrollable at all and flowed out involuntarily. What was even worse was that before it could all flow down, ice streaks formed under the nostrils...

This bad weather also caused a complete truce between the Soviet and German armies.

But despite this, the German army still had to be careful because many Soviets would sneak into their camp every day to surrender... The Soviets lacked not only food, but also fuel and necessary fortifications (except in Except for the Soviet troops on Kazbek Peak who occupied part of the German fortifications, in fact, the Soviet troops there had no fortifications).

And in these extremely cold conditions, not having these means death. Under the threat of death, the Soviet army had no choice but to surrender to the German army.

"You are the last patrol aircraft!" the control tower said to Kuntz: "At least this is the case this winter. We think there is no need to waste fuel until next spring!"

"Oh ho!" The soldiers on the bomber couldn't help cheering.

Just as they lowered their altitude and flew over Fort Kinov, the observer saw a group of people playing baseball below, and he was moved.

"Sir!" the observer asked, "Since we don't have much to do this winter, can we organize a baseball game?"

"Good idea, Lieutenant!" the commander replied, "You can use this as a good time to relax!"

As a result, a baseball game led by Air Force Commander Major General Lorenz began among the German troops stationed in the Caucasus.

The most excited person about this kind of thing was Werner. As soon as he heard the news, he jumped out of bed: "Hey, it's finally my turn to show off!"

"Lieutenant Colonel!" Werner then ran to Qin Chuan and reported, "I plan to form a baseball team, will you join us?"

"Forget it, Werner!" Qin Chuan replied: "I know nothing about baseball!"

Qin Chuan didn't lie. He can play some football and basketball, but he has never touched a baseball... As a Chinese, he is more exposed to table tennis. Almost every school has a table tennis table, but Baseball stadiums are rare.

"Please, Lieutenant Colonel!" Werner said, "I can teach you, you are the 'Legendary Sergeant', you can do it!"

The soldiers couldn't help laughing.

"Forget it, Werner!" said the baker: "You just want to have something more than the lieutenant colonel!"

"If the Soviets also play this baseball game with us!" Alfredo said, "then call the lieutenant colonel!"

"Yes!" Dominic said: "The lieutenant colonel seems to be only suitable for fighting the Soviets!"

…

"Sorry, Werner!" Qin Chuan refused: "That stage belongs to you, you should find some experienced people to form a team, and then win the championship for our 21st Armored Division!"

"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel!" Werner stepped forward and answered.

This baseball game before the battlefield began on a small scale, limited to German troops in the Transcaucasus, and generally organized into divisions.

But after a few games, Marshal Manstein also heard the news.

"This is a very good idea!" Manstein said to his staff: "Playing a game can relax the soldiers without leaving the front line. More importantly... this is a humiliation and blow to the Soviets. !”

"Humiliation? Blow?" The staff officer didn't understand what Manstein meant.

"Of course!" Manstein replied: "This is a game on Soviet soil. On the other hand, the Soviets are short of food and clothing on the front line, and even have to build roads and bridges in the severe cold. They are nervous for next year. We are preparing for the battle, but we still have the energy to organize a competition... How do you think the Soviets will feel when they hear this? We can even broadcast the competition to the Soviets!"

This is in line with Manstein's aristocratic spirit. What they like most is to use this kind of civilized and spiritual humiliation to the enemy, and the enemy cannot even respond.

"So!" Manstein said: "Why don't we expand this event to the army group? Although it may require a little waste of fuel (the participating baseball teams need to fly to the competition point), but our fuel is very adequate!"

Manstein immediately reported this idea to Hitler.

Hitler didn't think much and agreed to the "match" plan on the spot...At this time, Hitler's control over the frontline troops had become increasingly tight, and any movement of troops above the regimental level required Hitler's personal approval.

Although everyone knew that this was contrary to the flexibility and artistry of the German army in combat, no one dared to try to protest against it.

Of course Qin Chuan's mind was not focused on this.

If the baseball game is a kind of relaxation for the German soldiers, then Qinchuan's relaxation is to use this time to concentrate on further discussing the improvement of the helicopter with Conrad and Biedermann.

But at this time, someone took the opportunity of a baseball game to find Qin Chuan.