newbobooks Chapter 179 The German Army's Response
Chapter 179 The German Army's Response
On December 1943, 12, at Akhtubinsk, the German 8th Army's 17th and 17th Armies, along with the 44th Armies of the 49th Tank Army, which were besieging the Soviet 4th Army, were suddenly attacked by unidentified forces to the east and north of Akhtubinsk. The enemy's equipment was markedly different from traditional Soviet equipment, employing exclusively American weapons, including M17 Sherman and M4A Storm tanks, M6B Jagdpanzer tank destroyers, and M6 armored vehicles, as well as MG anti-tank rocket launchers and MP self-propelled artillery, among other US mainstays.
In the battle with the enemy, the Leopard series tanks equipped by the German 17th Tank Army were almost ineffective against American tanks. According to information from Rommel's Corps in North Africa, these American tanks should be equipped with special reactive armor. The German army is also developing them from samples captured on the battlefield. It is said that they have been equipped in elite tank divisions such as the SS "Reich Division" and "Skull Division". The armies and divisions under the German 4th Tank Army have not yet received them.
General Hermann Hoth ordered Lieutenant General Heinrich von Stulpnagel, commander of the 17th Tank Corps, to evacuate immediately. He also notified General Richard Ruoff, commander of the 17th Army, to evacuate Akhtubinsk as well. As the designated commander of Army Group South in the Akhtubinsk direction, General Hermann Hoth was well aware of the potential consequences for the Germans if their tank forces failed to effectively defeat the enemy tanks and were pinned down, and the Soviet 17th and 17rd Armies in the Akhtubinsk direction reacted.
The Germans had already obtained intelligence that, judging by their equipment, the attack was likely carried out by the Chinese. A week earlier, they had been operating against the German 11th Army in the Red Kut region, yet within a week, they had advanced 200 kilometers south to attack the German 17th Army in another salient. This demonstrated the Chinese army's high mobility, employing tactics that were fundamentally different from those of the Soviet Union and the Western Allies, including the United States and Britain.
General Hermann Hoth pondered this question, as did Field Marshal Fedor von Bock, commander-in-chief of Army Group South. His adjutant had already placed before him Field Marshal Rommel's summary of the battles with the Chinese in North Africa, as well as the Army Group Intelligence's summary of the recently concluded battles with the Chinese in the Yershov direction. Also sitting in Field Marshal von Bock's office were General Friedrich Paulus, Chief of Staff of Army Group South, who had recently been promoted from commander of the Sixth Army. Also present were Field Marshal Ewald von Kleist (commander of the 6st Panzer Army), General Hermann Hoth (commander of the 1th Panzer Army), General Eugen Ritter von Schobert (commander of the 4th Army), General Johannes Friesner (commander of the 11th Army), and General Walter Model (commander of the 6th Army).
Marshal von Bock instructed his adjutant to distribute the information to the attendees. After everyone briefly reviewed it, he began to consult: "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the relevant information about our new opponent. The Japanese have sent us information on the changes in the Chinese military since the start of the Burma campaign. I will also send it to you soon. You can express your opinions first."
No one spoke directly, instead turning to look at Field Marshal von Kleist, the most senior officer. After some reflection, Field Marshal von Kleist said, "Field Marshal von Bock, everyone, I believe the information provided by Field Marshal Rommel is rather one-sided. The small-scale Battle of Yereshov doesn't prove much. Japan had already occupied China for over four years before the Pacific War, but was never able to conquer it. The Fuehrer was very dissatisfied with this, and was also very dissatisfied with von Ribbentrop's diplomatic work in the Far East. Since the Burma Campaign, the Chinese army has seen a sudden surge in strength. Based on our intelligence, I believe we need to keep an eye on Huang Wei, Yang Hong, and Kuang Zhengqi. Various signs indicate that the sudden rise of these individuals is closely related to the Chinese army's rise."
Admiral Paulus nodded. As the new Chief of Staff, the Imperial order for his promotion to Field Marshal was already on the way. He took over von Kleist's words and added pointedly, "According to intelligence, Yang Hong is currently in the Pacific, Kuang Zhengqi is in North Africa, and their key figure, Huang Wei, has been missing for the entire time. This is clearly unusual. Considering the actions of China, the US, and the Soviet Union in the Far East, I believe Huang Wei must have already arrived in the Soviet Union. It's very likely that he is the commander in the Akhtubinsk area this time!"
General Walter Model asked doubtfully, "According to the intelligence department, the commander-in-chief of the so-called Third Expeditionary Force of China entering the Soviet Union was Wei, and the deputy commander-in-chief was Zhu. The frontline commander of the Battle of Yershov was Peng, and the commander in the Red Kut direction was Liu. There was no Huang Wei."
Admiral Paulus glanced at Field Marshals von Bock and von Kleist, and both men saw the same message in their eyes: to speak his mind. Admiral Paulus knew this was an opportunity for the two marshals to establish his authority. Of course, if he misjudged the situation and made a mistake, his authority would be completely lost.
Paulus carefully sorted out his thoughts again in his mind, convinced that his intuition was correct. He organized his words and said calmly, "You may have overlooked one issue. During the Battle of Yershov, the Chinese army only participated in the advance corps. Fifteen days ago, intelligence stations in the Ural region had reported that a large number of American-equipped troops had arrived, all of whom were of Asian appearance. These troops are surprisingly consistent with the troops now appearing in Akhtubinsk, which means that the main force of the Chinese Third Expeditionary Army has arrived. Also, General Model, you are familiar with the Chinese commander, deputy commander-in-chief, and even the front-line commanders, but another important position of the opponent has not appeared, that is, the Chinese army chief of staff! I think this Huang Wei is probably the Chinese army chief of staff, and he is probably the one who formulates all the battle plans."
At that moment, an adjutant hurried in and handed Field Marshal von Bock an urgent intelligence report. Field Marshal von Bock took the report, glanced at it, and casually handed it to von Kleist. He then took over Paulus's message and said, "The latest intelligence just now indicates that the Huang Wei you mentioned has indeed arrived. Just as Chief of Staff Paulus analyzed, his position is Chief of Staff of the Third Expeditionary Force of China and Commander of the 200th Army Group!"
Admiral Paulus finally breathed a sigh of relief. Besides proving his judgment correct, it also established his prestige among the German generals. Field Marshal von Bock didn't allow the others to continue speaking, but instead issued the Reichsfuhrer's latest promotion order: Paulus was promoted to Field Marshal!
After everyone's congratulations, Field Marshal von Bock ordered: Field Marshal Paulus to formulate a combat plan to deal with the Chinese Expeditionary Force and implement it as soon as possible.