The decisive battle against the Third Reich

After Kerch was captured, the three Soviet armies located behind the German army, namely the 45th, 44th, and 51st armies, lost their last hope... Their only way to survive was to attack the German army from both sides with Kerch.

If they can annihilate the German army, they can return to Kerch and echo the Taman Peninsula, in their words, "return to the embrace of the motherland."

But they failed to do so.

It is almost impossible to capture the German-garrisoned Kerch City with their own strength.

On the one hand, this is because the German army has sufficient ammunition, while the Soviet army, although numerous, is out of ammunition and food.

On the other hand, Kerch has a good location... As mentioned before, Kerch is located at a high altitude and has hard ground, which means that the Soviet army has to attack in the mud. Everyone knew that such an attack would have no meaning other than increasing casualties.

As a result, except for a small number of senior officers and soldiers of the three Soviet armies who were taken out by transport ships, warships and submarines, the vast majority of the rest chose to surrender.

For the German army, they achieved a very amazing victory. Even they themselves could not believe it... The troops, which were completely weak in terms of strength and equipment, simply and quickly defeated their seemingly powerful opponents within a few days. They captured 170,000 Soviet troops and suffered only 7,588 casualties.

On the one hand, this one-nation victory proved the Germans' confidence in their own abilities and their contempt for the Soviet combat capabilities. On the other hand, it also proved once again that the Soviet troops were a disorganized rabble with low morale.

Therefore, at the moment when the three Soviet armies surrendered, the entire sky above Kerch was filled with cheers from German soldiers. Qinchuan even knew that Manstein would be promoted to marshal soon because of this.

However, Qin Chuan believes that this is not necessarily a good thing.

Because it was precisely because of the victory in this battle and the victory in the direction of Kharkov... In fact, the victory in the Kharkov battle seemed to be greater, because the German army surrounded and annihilated 260,000 Soviet troops there. , and only lost 20,000 people.

But if you look at the proportion of troops, it is obvious that the Battle of Kerch is more proud.

In the context of these two victories, Hitler began to underestimate the enemy. He originally planned to use a pincer offensive to attack Stalingrad from the left and the right (Army B on the left and Army Group A on the right). Or it can be said that Hitler was still hesitating before. The troops were divided into two groups... At this point, he no longer hesitated and resolutely ordered Army Group A to attack the Caucasus instead.

Of course, the current situation will be a little different, because Qin Chuan plans to attack the Caucasus first.

Manstein stood on this side of the Kerch Strait, confidently looking at the Taman Peninsula on the other side, which was only a few kilometers away, and from time to time he raised his telescope to take a look.

"Captain, with your help, I won the most proud victory in history!" Manstein said: "Thank you, and all the soldiers of the First Infantry Regiment who participated in this battle!"

"You don't need to thank me, general!" Qin Chuan replied: "This is what I should do. In addition, this is indeed the most proud victory in your history, but maybe... it will not be the most proud in the future!"

With that said, Qin Chuan turned his eyes to the Taman Peninsula opposite.

Manstein understood what Qinchuan meant, which was to cross the Kerch Strait and point directly at the Caucasus as he said before.

Of course, these are not things that can be discussed in such a public place. There are Kerch people and captives under control everywhere.

At Manstein's signal, Qin Chuan and Colonel Slain followed Manstein to his headquarters.

"Captain!" Manstein said: "You may not know how difficult amphibious landing operations are!"

"No, General, I know!" Qin Chuan replied: "We successfully resisted the British and Americans' landing operations in Sicily!"

"Hmm!" Manstein said: "But that was just an anti-landing operation, wasn't it? Besides, you should know what the British and Americans invested in that landing operation!"

Of course Qin Chuan knew.

The British and American coalition forces invested a large number of fighter planes, warships, transport ships, as well as ground combat troops, tanks and airborne troops in that battle.

What Manstein meant was that the British and American coalition forces failed to land in the face of such powerful troops and equipment. How could the German 11th Army win the amphibious landing battle?

"I have to make it clear, Captain!" Manstein said: "This is not because I don't keep my promise, but I am discussing the feasibility of an attack with you!"

"I understand, General!" Qin Chuan replied.

Qin Chuan believed what Manstein said... In other words, at this time, Manstein was no longer bound by Hitler's orders as before, but if the attack itself was not feasible, then Manstein would still refuse to attack. Taman Peninsula because he was responsible for the lives of his soldiers.

"This was taken by our reconnaissance plane!" Manstein handed Qinchuan several photos and said, "The enemy has warships and gunboats, and also retains a large number of aircraft, and has deployed defenses along the coast. Although these fortifications are very rough, any of them may become a disaster for our landing! "

Qin Chuan took the photo and saw that it was several Soviet Type 1125 gunboats.

In fact, Qinchuan could not tell exactly which type of gunboat this was because the gunboat models of the Soviet Union during this period were too complex... This was related to the Soviet Union's emergency mobilization and industrial relocation.

Due to the relocation of industry, the Soviet military industry on the front line was basically in a stagnant or primitive state. On the other hand, the Soviet army was in urgent need of a large amount of equipment and put it into the battlefield.

So the Soviet army pieced together equipment haphazardly.

For example, this type 1125 gunboat has a tank turret moved to the ship as the main gun, and sometimes even a Katyusha rocket launcher is moved on board, so it becomes a gunboat of various types.

Of course, Qinchuan did not need to subdivide it. He only needed to know that there was such a thing in the Kerch Strait that would pose a threat to the landing.

"So!" Qin Chuan looked at the photo and said, "I believe that the Soviet army was not prepared for our landing!"

"I agree with that!" Manstein replied.

This can be seen from the rough fortifications of the Soviet army along the Taman Peninsula.

But this seems normal. How can they believe that the German army will cross the strait and land for operations if they have control of the sea? What did the Germans use to cross? Fishing boat? If you do this, the German army will only be buried under the sea.

Manstein continued: "But we can't bank on that, can we?"

"Yes, General!" Qin Chuan replied: "But it can surprise us!"