The decisive battle against the Third Reich

Hitler never hesitated to praise the officers and soldiers he recognized, especially the battle fought by Qin Chuan and Alexander, which was indeed unprecedented and created a new tactic.

But the focus of the discussion soon turned to the Eastern Front. After all, there was a problem in front of everyone... How to deal with the Soviet counterattack.

"The situation is now very clear, Mr. Fuhrer!" Paulus said: "Either stop the enemy or retreat!"

This is certain. The Soviet army intends to break through the defense line to encircle the 6th Army and attack its logistics... If it can't stop it, it can only retreat.

"Retreat?" Hitler objected without thinking: "We can't retreat. The 6th Army is a fortress garrison. The mission of the fortress garrison is to withstand siege. If necessary, the 6th Army must hold on to Stalingrad even if it is besieged!" "But Mr. Fuhrer!" Paulus said, "What about our supplies?" "Remember the Battle of Holm?" Hitler turned his gaze to Qin Chuan and continued, "Major, you have participated in the Battle of Holm, right?" "Yes, Mr. Fuhrer!" "A great victory!" Hitler said, and then changed the subject: "Could it be Don't you see that Stalingrad and Holm have many similarities? They both have complex underground fortifications. With the combat effectiveness of the Soviets, they can defend Stalingrad for months. Why can't we? Of course we can, and then... wait until the spring of the following year. Do you know what will happen then? The ice and snow melt, and the Don River and the Volga River become an insurmountable barrier again. The mud everywhere puts the Soviets in trouble. At this time, we can launch an offensive again to completely stabilize the situation! "Hitler's highly romantic idea stunned Paulus and others, including Qin Chuan. Qin Chuan suddenly realized... Holm's victory may also be one of the reasons for the failure of Stalingrad, because Hitler believes that this victory can be replicated. It only requires the 6th Army to carry forward the same fighting spirit as the German soldiers in the Holm Battle. "But Mr. Führer..." Paulus said, "We have no way to supply the 6th Army!"

"That's not a problem, General!" Hitler replied, "Just like the Battle of Holm, we can bring supplies into Stalingrad by air!"

"We can't do that, Mr. Führer!" Paulus objected, "The 6th Army is a 300,000-man force, and Stalingrad is not Holm!"

"Of course!" Hitler turned his eyes to the map, "This is just a strategy in case we are surrounded. Before that... we can extract two motorized regiments and an infantry division from the 6th Army, and as many auxiliary motorized regiments as possible. In addition, we must extract as many anti-tank weapons as possible and assign these troops to the Romanian 3rd and 4th Armies to cooperate with their defense!"

This plan seems feasible, because the Romanian troops are deployed as a whole in order not to be controlled and commanded by the German army. Now Hitler is willing to transfer the strong German troops to Romanian command to enhance their combat effectiveness. Why not?

But the problem is... the total force is only two motorized regiments and one infantry division, and they have to be divided into two directions. It is basically like a stone thrown into the sea, disappearing without any ripples.

"Your Excellency the Führer!" Paulus emphasized again: "It is impossible for us to get enough supplies for the 6th Army through air transport. I think it is a crime to abandon the 6th Army in Stalingrad!"

"No, my general!" Hitler said: "We have never abandoned the 6th Army!"

Then he picked up the phone and said: "Let the Imperial Marshal Goering come!"

Then he turned around and said to Paulus: "Whether the 6th Army can get enough supplies through air transport, our Air Force Marshal has more say, right?"

Goering, Hermann. Wilhelm. Goering.

Qin Chuan is of course very familiar with him. He was an ace pilot in the First World War and the commander-in-chief of the German Air Force...

Just as Qin Chuan was thinking, a slightly fat general wearing a white general uniform and wearing the highest level military medal in Germany, the "Grand Iron Cross Medal", appeared at the door.

"Goering!" Hitler asked impatiently: "I have to make an important decision at this time. But I want to hear your opinion first. Should I withdraw from Stalingrad? What do you think?" Goering stood at attention and replied: "My Führer, you have to make a major decision now. If we withdraw from Stalingrad, it means giving up most of the results we have paid a huge price to obtain in the summer offensive. But on the other hand, if we do not withdraw the 6th Army, the situation of the army will get worse and worse. Before we see further actions from the Soviets, my opinion is to hold on to Stalingrad!" Hitler nodded with satisfaction, and then asked: "Do you think the Air Force can keep the 6th Army supplied by air transport?" Goering raised his right arm and answered with exaggerated confidence: "My Führer! I assure you that the German Air Force can keep the 6th Army supplied under my command!" Hitler looked at Paulus triumphantly. "The German Air Force definitely can't do it!" Paulus replied.

"You are not qualified to express an opinion on this issue!" Goering said: "I am the commander of the Air Force! It is up to me to decide whether I can do it or not!"

Paulus blushed and was speechless for a moment.

Qin Chuan couldn't help but interrupt: "Your Majesty the Head of State, can I ask the Imperial Marshal a question?"

"Of course!" Hitler replied.

"Mr. Imperial Marshal!" Qin Chuan asked: "Do you know how many tons of supplies the 6th Army needs every day?"

Goering was stunned when he heard this, and then replied: "My staff officer knows!"

"If..." Qin Chuan asked: "The Imperial Marshal doesn't know how much supplies the 6th Army needs, how can he use the air force to ensure that the 6th Army gets enough supplies?"

Goering hesitated for a moment and then replied: "At least we can guarantee the minimum amount of supplies. Of course, this requires the 6th Army to implement a rationing system!"

Alexander said slowly: "The minimum limit is 300 tons, Your Excellency Marshal. In addition, not every day is suitable for flying, such as thunderstorms. Therefore, at least 500 tons of supplies must be transported every flying day!"