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Episode 200: Battle of Moscow (1)
October 3, 1942
Wolfsschanze, East Prussia, Germany
I have officially declared the start of Operation Typhoon.
Moscow. The heart of the Soviet Union, where all important fields of the Soviet Union, including politics, economy, military, and railways, are concentrated.
In particular, since all of the railway networks in European Russia were connected to Moscow, taking control of this place meant severing the railway network in Europe and Russia.
In other words, simply losing Moscow would render the Soviet Union's railway network useless.
The Soviet Union is already short on oil, so what if we can't even supply it here?
The entire vast territory of southern Russia, from the Don River to the Caucasus Mountains, falls into German hands.
In fact, it becomes possible to advance to Line AA as planned by Nazi Germany, this means!
If Moscow cannot be captured this year, the Soviet Union will strengthen its defenses during the winter and further conscript troops from the Far East, Central Asia, and Siberia and send them to the front.
The Baku oil field will also begin operation again.
If the Soviet Union succeeds in holding on, Churchill will go on a rampage again, and the United States may also try to support the Soviet Union, making various excuses.
Therefore, we must, absolutely, take control of Moscow.
It is no exaggeration to say that the fate of this war, and of Germany and Europe, depends on the fate of this battle.
"Rasputica will begin soon, so we must hurry to advance. "I heard that the ground on the front line is starting to recede."
"Nonetheless, as instructed by His Excellency the President, we are mobilizing all engineers to repair the road."
The friendly forces were advancing toward Moscow by building a road by laying logs and pouring asphalt on top of them.
There are many more troops advancing through unpaved roads than through roads made this way.
"The problem is that our engineers alone are limited in repairing all the roads on the vast eastern front. Therefore, we are seeking cooperation from our allies and mobilizing residents of the occupied areas to carry out road repair work."
"It is okay to deploy residents of the occupied areas, but be careful not to let them turn into enemies. "If the residents become partisans, only our soldiers on the front lines will see blood."
There were many reasons why Nazi Germany lost the war, but the indiscriminate massacres based on racism and the resulting backlash from the residents of the occupied territories also played a significant role in Germany's defeat.
Soviet residents, sick of Stalin's reign of terror, enthusiastically welcomed Germany's invasion, but Germany treated them ruthlessly, calling them inferior Slavs.
Naturally, the residents rebelled against this and became partisans, attacking the German army's supply routes and disrupting the rear, and Germany had to allocate hundreds of thousands of troops to stabilize the rear and guard the supply routes, as it was not enough to devote all its troops to the attack on Moscow.
What a waste.
To avoid repeating the mistakes made by Hitler and the Third Reich, I instructed my generals to minimize friction with the people.
Even if food is requisitioned, provide appropriate compensation or at least provide an IOU, and if residents are mobilized for construction work, they should be paid wages.
They also issued instructions to severely punish those who violated the instructions, and even deployed field military police to monitor whether anyone violated the instructions.
There were complaints that there were too many restrictions in mobilizing the residents of the occupied territories, making it difficult to carry out the operation, and that the costs were too high, but I could not compromise on this.
It was Nazi Germany that abused the residents and caused even greater damage when the residents turned into partisans and rose up?
They say that what can be blocked with a hoe cannot be blocked with a phlegm.
Of course, despite sufficient consideration, not all residents cooperated with the allies.
In the occupied territories of Belarus and Russia, partisans appeared and captured and executed villagers who cooperated with the friendly forces, burned villages, and planted bombs on railroad tracks to hinder the friendly forces' supply.
I ordered complete zero tolerance toward partisans, but took measures to prevent the suppression of partisans from turning into a massacre of civilians.
In fact, the Nazis only emphasized rule through fear and burned down all villages that cooperated with the Partisans or were suspected of cooperation, but conversely, these Nazi atrocities only aroused anger and resistance rather than the obedience of the residents.
"Rather than punishing those who cooperated with the Partisans, let's move towards rewarding those who cooperate with the subjugation of the Partisans. It is important to let people know that resistance to Germany will result in bloodshed, but if it goes too far, there is a risk of creating resistance rather than fear.
Rather, we should make our allies aware of the benefits they will receive by cooperating so that they cooperate voluntarily. "There are more troops in the Allied Forces responsible for security in the rear than the National Defense Forces, so please explain this well to the Allied Forces as well."
"All right. "I will convey His Excellency the President's words to each military service."
Deployment of the Tiger II was delayed.
Although the training of the tank crews had already been completed, the Tiger II and the tank crews were still unable to leave Germany due to road and supply problems.
As the ground began to recede due to the rainy season, supply and advancement began to stagnate, and no matter how much weight was reduced, the roads were too soft for the 59-ton Tiger II to roll.
In addition, the fact that all the tanks currently being operated by the Soviet Army can be disposed of on the Panther and Tiger ships also had a significant impact on the delay in deploying the Tiger II.
I don't know if the IS-2 or T-44 comes out, but even now, the Soviet Union is rolling out light tanks such as the T-26 and T-60 in large quantities on the front line, so why bother with the Tiger II, which weighs a lot and requires a lot of attention in various aspects such as supply and maintenance? There was no need to send it.
And as of yesterday, Leningrad, which was occupied by friendly forces, was officially renamed Adolfsburg (Adolf's city).
At first, I planned to return it to its original name, St. Petersburg, but people around me strongly insisted that it be Adolfsburg.
The reason was that since it was the Wehrmacht that occupied the city, it was necessary to humiliate the Soviet Union and raise the morale of our people by naming it after me, the supreme commander of the Wehrmacht.
"Stop talking nonsense. The name St. Petersburg is not only a German name, but also a place that will remain Russian even after the war ends, so what are you doing by naming it after me?"
Anyway, what you say is plausible. It was obvious to anyone that the intention was to flatter me, so I told them not to do anything stupid... but Free Russia, these guys, came forward and announced that the city would be named Adolfsburg.
Without even consulting me.
It had already been reported in newspapers and radio, so I couldn't buy it now.
What would Britain and the Soviet Union say if it was announced that the road would be built in St. Petersburg?
Are you only now realizing how embarrassing it is, or are you going to laugh at me for not properly controlling your household?
Since the water has already been spilled, I have no choice but to just move on. And there was a lot of work left to do to waste energy on the name of the city.
***
October 4, 1942
USSR Dmitrov
"air raid!"
"Everyone evacuate!"
When the air raid alarm sounded, the soldiers carrying pickaxes and repairing the damaged railroad tracks dispersed all at once.
Anti-aircraft artillerymen fired anti-aircraft guns at the Ju88 squadron that appeared in the cloudy sky.
I don't know how many times this has already happened. In the shelter he had roughly dug with a shovel, Sergei secretly sighed.
Even after Leningrad fell, the Soviet army attempted several offensives toward the German Northern Army Group front.
To break through the front lines, retake Leningrad and drive the fascist invaders to the Baltic Sea.
The Soviet military's offensive, which no one could see was possible, was eventually halted, leaving only a significant number of dead, missing, and wounded.
As the German army got closer to Moscow, the recapture of Leningrad fell out of the rankings.
First of all, we had to protect Moscow, the capital, first so we could hope for the future.
To defend Moscow, Stalin gathered all the troops he could muster toward Moscow.
Divisions in Central Asia and Siberia were also sent west to defend Moscow.
And of course, Germany couldn't just sit back and watch this.
The German army carried out air raids every day, bombing the railroads and bridges leading to Moscow.
However, the Soviet Union was equally desperate, and when German bombers cut off the railroad tracks, the Soviet military repaired the railroad tracks at night and made trains passable again by sunrise.
Then Germany launched another airstrike and destroyed the railroad, and the Soviet Union repaired it again.
After much tearful effort, Sergei's unit reached Dmitrov, but was stranded again while repairing the railway damaged by the bombing.
To make matters worse, we were hit by an air raid while we were working.
"Aaaah!!"
"You fucking Germans!"
Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the soldiers despaired when the restored railway was blown away by the bomb. As a result, all their hard work was in vain.
"What are you doing, you guys! "Move quickly!"
Officers and non-commissioned officers scolded the despairing soldiers. Since the railroad tracks had been blown away, it was obvious what to do. Starting construction again from the beginning.
The German fascists wickedly blew up not only the railroad tracks but also the trains with bombs.
To make matters worse, there was a shortage of materials.
The materials they had used to repair the shattered railroad tracks were all they had, so now there was little left.
After much deliberation, the commanders made a decision. Since we do not have the strength to take revenge on the railroad, the only option is to march on foot.
The soldiers were relieved to hear that they would not have to work again, but their faces hardened when they were told that they were leaving immediately.
My body has no strength from working without any breaks, but I'm leaving right now?
However, although the situation was urgent, the commanders were no different from the soldiers.
Their arrival in Moscow was already delayed, and if they had delayed further, our soldiers' bullets might have killed them before the Germans' bullets.
The soldiers began their march, forcing themselves to take steady steps.
Sergei was worried. He was worried about German air attacks while marching to Moscow, but even after safely arriving in Moscow, he could only sigh at the thought of fighting the Germans.
The officers were constantly shouting that the German army would never be able to occupy Moscow and that when winter came, all the weak German soldiers would freeze to death, but Sergei was now tired of the officers' sugarcoating.
If we had been that strong, if the fascists had been phantoms, we would have gone to Berlin a long time ago! Now, look at this tail. Following Minsk and Kiev, Leningrad has been taken away, and isn't even Moscow under threat?
If this continues, we will be pushed all the way to the Ural Mountains. It would be better if we signed a peace treaty with Germany now.
***
October 5, 1942
USSR Moscow Kremlin Palace
The Mozhaisk defense line, which Stalin had shouted that must be defended in exchange for one's life, was eventually breached by the German army.
Ivan Konev, in charge of the defense of Mozhaisk, was out of contact.
Stalin ordered the arrest of the Konev family. On the grounds that Konev may have surrendered to the Germans.
However, Voroshilov and Zhukov requested that the arrest of the Konev family be postponed, arguing that Konev's surrender had not yet been confirmed and that the possibility that he had been killed in action should be taken into account.
They say it is not too late to arrest the family after Konev's surrender is confirmed.
Stalin canceled the arrest of the Konev family, but as suspicions still remained, he ordered the NKVD to conduct thorough surveillance.
"How far did the German army advance?"
Stalin woke up at the usual time and held a strategy meeting at the same time as usual.
He acted as usual and feigned composure, but he was unable to completely hide the concern in his tone.
"We advanced to Klin in the north, Serpukhov in the south, and 65km from Moscow in the west."
Zhukov explained, pointing out points on the map.
The German army was advancing from three directions using a unique two-wing penetration tactic called Keil und Kessel.
Front, north, and south.
Before the Mozhaisk defense line was breached, Zhukov persistently insisted that a new defense line be built between Mozhaisk and Moscow, but Stalin resolutely rejected this idea.
They argued that if there were such troops and materials, it would be wiser and safer to deploy them to the Mosaisk defense line.
Should I have listened to Zhukov then? If a new defense line had been built as instructed by Zhukov, Moscow might have been safer than it is now.
However, on the other hand, it may have been possible that he was able to endure until now because he concentrated his troops and materials on the defense of Mosaisk.
When I thought about it that way, my uncomfortable feelings seemed to ease a little.
"Comrade Secretary General?"
"······I'm listening. "Why are you doing that?"
When Voroshilov gave him a puzzled look, Stalin waved his hand. Zhukov's explanation continued.
"The construction of anti-tank shelters in the Istra and Zvenigorod directions, which you ordered earlier, was completed today, and Podolsk and Zelenograd are currently in progress. If all goes according to plan, we expect construction to be completed within two to three days."
Vasilevsky's 3rd Shock Army is in reserve, and Yeromenko's 4th Shock Army has not yet completed its formation.
Stalin, who was quietly listening to Zhukov's explanation, paid attention to Zhukov's words that the flanks of the German army attacking from the north were relatively thin.
"wait. "Then how about having Comrade Vasilevsky's 3rd Shock Army attack the enemy's flank?"
Stalin asked with sparkling eyes. However, Zhukov answered in a calm tone, as if he had anticipated Stalin's question.
"I have also considered this plan, but it is realistically unreasonable, Comrade Secretary General."
"Why?"
"First of all, we are running out of fuel. And the 3rd Shock Army is scheduled to be deployed to defend the Zelenograd area in case of emergency. thus-"
"Comrade Zhukov, don't you know that offense is the best defense? "The enemy's weakness is clearly visible, but if you leave it alone, you won't be able to inflict any damage on the enemy."
Stalin said, interrupting Zhukov. Zhukov patiently tried to persuade.
"Of course, what Comrade Secretary General said is correct. In fact, it might have been worth doing if you had enough troops and fuel. But as I said, we don't have enough fuel to move our entire army."
"That damn fuel is holding me back."
Tsk. Stalin clicked his tongue. Damn oil! If only the Baku oil field had been intact, this would not have happened.
However, Stalin focused again on Zhukov's remark that it was worth it if there was enough fuel.
In other words, if you have enough fuel, you can go on the offensive.
"No matter how low the fuel is, it doesn't mean there isn't a drop of oil."
"Yes, but-"
"How about sending fuel to the 3rd Shock Army to launch an offensive? No matter how low the fuel is, there will be enough. Comrade Voroshilov, what do you think it looks like?"
"It's a high risk, but I think it's quite possible."
Voroshilov was not unaware of Zhukov's concerns. But he thought Stalin's argument had some truth.
If successful, it could block the German offensive north of Moscow and further threaten the flanks of the German army attacking from the front.
In this case, the German army would have no choice but to divide its forces into two to defend the flanks. So it was a gamble worth taking.
"I will not accept any further objections. Now that Moscow is in crisis, we need to act a little bolder. Do you understand, comrade?"
"Yes, Comrade Secretary."
Zhukov realized.
No matter what you say here, you cannot overturn the Secretary's decision.
(@Eyes: you read too fast 😩, 10-25 chapters/day)
