After the battle, Colonel Michel Gebermeier immediately passed the battle report to Lin Wei. After Lin Wei learned that the Soviet 163rd Division and the 44th Division had been completely wiped out, an indescribable expression flashed across his face. Smile, "Soviet people, this has just begun..."
The central offensive came to a standstill with the annihilation of the 44th and 163rd Divisions of the Soviet Ninth Army. In this battle, Chuikov's 9th Army suffered an unprecedented defeat, losing a large amount of firearms and ammunition, and suffering more than 40,000 casualties. As a result, Chuikov was relieved of his position as commander of the 9th Army.
Taking advantage of Chuikov's dismissal, the Soviet Ninth Army was in brief chaos. Colonel Michel Gebermaier led the Northern Combat Group, and together with the 9th Finnish Infantry Division commanded by Colonel Silas Vuau, took the initiative to attack the Soviet Union. As the 54th Division as a reserve force, the Soviet army followed I didn’t expect that the Finns would come so quickly. On January 9, 1940, on the day that Vinogradov’s 44th Division was annihilated, Michel Gebermeier’s Northern Combat Group and the 9th Finnish Infantry The division surrounded the Soviet 54th Division.
Colonel Michel Gabermeier and Colonel Silas Vouault, the commanders of the two forces, met for the first time. Only then did Colonel Silas Wuao know that the friendly forces he had been fighting with were all Germans.
With the help of an interpreter, the two commanders discussed their views on the Soviet forces in front of them.
It was what Colonel Silas Wuot said first, "Colonel Michel Gebermeier, I really didn't expect that the army that has been fighting with us would be the German Army. However, you can use sleds There is no need for us to be wrong at all! Haha..." Silas and Colonel Wuao also had a sense of humor at this time.
"Colonel Silas and Wuot, you are wrong, we are not the German Army, but the SS!" Colonel Michel Gebermeier first corrected Colonel Silas and Wuot's mistake, and then said, ; "Germany sympathizes with Finland's situation, but due to the earlier non-aggression treaty, Germany was plotted by the Soviets, so it can only help you secretly!" Michelle Gabermeier said Lin Wei earlier I told Colonel Silas and Wuao exactly what he said.
"SS?" Colonel Silas & Wuau muttered, but then he smiled heartily and said, "It turns out they are the SS who showed their prowess in the Battle of Poland! I didn't expect the German government to send you here. , are you a military police division or an imperial division?"
"No! We don't have an independent establishment yet." Colonel Michel Gabermeier shook his head and smiled bitterly. "Maybe after the war is over, the leader will fight for an independent establishment for us! Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. The problem of the Soviet 54th Division is still waiting for us to solve it."
When it came to business, Colonel Silas Wuao also became rarely serious, "Although the Soviet 54th Division is surrounded by us, it is indeed not the time for us to take it lightly."
"That's right!" Colonel Michel Gabermeier agreed, "The Soviet 54th Division, as the reserve force of Chuikov's Ninth Army, suffered no losses at all some time ago, if Chuikov had not been dismissed. , leading to confusion in the command system of the Soviet Ninth Army, and we may not be able to surround him."
"Yes, it was indeed a bit of a fluke to surround the 54th Soviet Division this time!" Colonel Silas Wuao also said, "Surrounding them benefited from Chuikov's dismissal and the speed of our actions, but to annihilate him , we really can only rely on ourselves.”
Seeing the two commanders, they started talking about the topic. The staff officer next to them analyzed, "The Soviets have a very large organization, which is different from the organization of the German and Finnish troops. The Soviet 54th Division, which Chuikov regarded as a reserve force, subordinates, There are three infantry regiments, namely the 118th, 337th and 529th regiments, one artillery regiment, the 86th Artillery Regiment, a tank battalion, and the 97th Tank Battalion. Some time ago, the The 54th Division has not been dispatched at all, so it is estimated that the Soviet 54th Division should be at full strength now."
Colonel Silas Vouau and Colonel Michel Gebermeier were silent, listening to the staff officer's analysis. . After waiting, the two looked at each other with a wry smile, understanding the meaning in each other's eyes. It was difficult...
"In this situation, the gains outweigh the losses by attacking by force. It seems that we have no choice but to besiege them," Colonel Michel Gabermeier suggested.
"That's enough!" Colonel Silas and Wuao agreed helplessly.
"Colonel Silas and Wuot, there is one thing I need to state first!" Colonel Michel Gebermeier stopped Colonel Silas and Wuot who was about to leave and said.
"Please tell me!" Colonel Silas and Wuao replied.
"This siege of the Soviet 54th Division was mainly accomplished by your Finnish 9th Infantry Division," Colonel Michel Gebermeier explained immediately. "Please don't get me wrong. After all, we cannot openly participate in the war." , so I must try not to let the Soviets discover our existence. So this time the Northern Combat Group can only help you blockade the Soviets on the periphery."
Colonel Silas Wuao nodded and said, "I understand, you also have your own problems. Don't worry, our Finnish army is not a soft persimmon."
"That's good..." Colonel Michel Gabermeier said with a sigh of relief.
At the decision of the two commanders, the Northern Combat Group and the 9th Finnish Infantry Division began to prepare for a long siege. The commander of the Soviet 54th Division also knew that continuing like this was not an option, and the fact that the Soviet 54th Division was fully staffed also gave him a little more confidence. So starting from the second day after being surrounded, the Soviet 54th Division began to try to break out.
With the support of the 86th Artillery Regiment, the 118th and 337th Regiments of the 54th Division began to try to break through. They first assaulted from the northeast. The soldiers of the two regiments were behind the 97th Tank Battalion. With support, they continued to bombard the defense line of the 9th Finnish Infantry Division.
Starting from dawn, the Soviet 54th Division organized seventeen attacks. Although they were all beaten back by the Finnish 9th Infantry Division, the Finns also suffered heavy losses. This kind of face-to-face consumption is the last thing Finns want to accept.
In one day, hundreds of Finnish soldiers were killed, and the distressed Colonel Silas Vuau's eyes almost burst into flames. Although the Soviet Union paid a higher price, the Soviet Union had the foundation and quickly replenished its losses, but Finland did not. Every soldier killed in battle was one less soldier.
After a day and night of fighting, the Soviet 54th Division finally failed to break through. But the next day, the Soviet 54th Division also sent out the only remaining regiment as a reserve force. The three regiments took turns attacking. Constantly attacking the Finnish defense line, the northeastern defense line was almost broken through several times, and the casualty ratio of the Finnish 9th Infantry Division also skyrocketed.
At this time, Colonel Silas Wuao finally couldn't sit still anymore, got up and came to the Northern Combat Group, and found Colonel Michel Gabermeier. Colonel Michel Gabermeier knew very well the purpose of Colonel Silas and Colonel Vuault's visit, but he couldn't tell this kind of thing by himself first, so he waited for Colonel Silas and Colonel Vuiao to speak.
Normally, Colonel Silas Vuau wouldn't mind working with Colonel Michel Gabermeier for a while, but this time was obviously inappropriate. He didn't waste a minute, and the 9th Finnish Infantry Division had One more soldier might be killed, so he immediately said anxiously, "Colonel Michel Gebermeier, the firepower of the Soviet 54th Division is very fierce, and they have no reserves at all. They have pressed forward across the entire line, ready to fight with us. It’s a desperate fight.”
"Speak slowly..., Colonel Silas and Wuao!" Colonel Michel Gabermeier asked someone to bring him a cup of coffee and said slowly.
At this time, Colonel Silas Wuao was obviously not in the mood to drink coffee, but continued, "The 97th Soviet Tank Battalion has put a lot of pressure on us. We lack anti-tank equipment. I hope you will We can help, otherwise the Soviet 54th Division is likely to break out."
"You really came at the right time!" Colonel Michel Gabermeier said with admiration, "Yesterday afternoon, a batch of anti-tank equipment was shipped from the rear. His name is Iron Fist. I was just about to try it. To deal with the Soviet Union What about the effect of tanks?"
"That's great!" Colonel Silas and Wuao said happily.
At noon, the 2nd Grenadier Regiment of the Northern Combat Group went to take over the defense line of the 9th Finnish Infantry Division. After noon, the Soviet troops who had eaten lunch immediately rushed over again, under the cover of the 97th Tank Battalion. Next, the Soviet infantry behind them moved forward step by step, but in the eyes of the German soldiers, these armored soldiers and infantry could not cooperate at all.
There is a long distance between armored troops and infantry. Maybe the Soviets can bully the Finns who have no experience in tank warfare, but in the eyes of the Germans, it is indeed an attack full of loopholes. The armored soldiers who were alone in the depths, lacking infantry cover, were killed one by one by the Northern Combat Group using Iron Fist anti-tank rocket launchers.
One afternoon passed, and the remains of dozens of Soviet tanks lay on the position in front of the Second Grenadier Regiment. The tank battalion of the Soviet 54th Division no longer existed.
The Soviet 54th Division, which had lost its tanks, could no longer pose a threat to the encirclement. In the next few days, the attacking Soviet troops were beaten back by the Finnish 9th Infantry Division. Gradually, the Soviet 54th Division's life became increasingly difficult. To make matters worse, supply lines have been cut off and the troops are surrounded by encirclement. The morale of the soldiers became very low because they had nothing to eat.
The blind attack and breakthrough in the past few days left the 54th Division full of wounded soldiers. The harsh climate and extremely poor sanitary conditions turned Soviet soldiers' minor injuries into serious injuries, and serious injuries into death. The pessimistic mood was eroding the determination of the officers and soldiers of the 54th Division to resist.
The Finnish 9th Infantry Division took advantage of the Northern Combat Group to help defend the defense line, immediately sent the wounded to the rear for treatment, and replenished its troops. Now the Finnish 9th Infantry Division is making a comeback no longer to prevent the Soviet 54th Division from breaking out. Their purpose this time is to annihilate the Soviet 54th Division.
After more than ten days of siege, the Soviet 54th Division has run out of ammunition and food. During the all-out attack of the Finnish 9th Infantry Division, the defensive area of the Soviet 54th Division is getting smaller and smaller. People starve to death or die every day. freeze to death.
On January 29, 1940, the Soviet 54th Division, which had been besieged for more than 20 days, had only a thousand soldiers still able to fight. Under the cover of the Northern Combat Group, the Finnish 9th Infantry Division kept bombarding the Soviet army's defense line with artillery, and finally broke through the Soviet 54th Division's defense line in the evening. The officers and soldiers of the Soviet 54th Division collapsed. .
There were constant stragglers walking through the forest, trying to escape from the encirclement. However, Colonel Michel Gebermeier had already ambushed enough soldiers in the forest to annihilate them. In other words, as long as the Soviets entered the forest, they would never get out.
On January 30, 1940, the 54th Soviet Division was completely wiped out. Colonel Michel Gebermeier wrote in the battle report included in the gift, "Leader, since we arrived in Finland, we have been completely wiped out. Three Soviet divisions, I think if this continues, the Soviets are likely to encounter Waterloo in Finland."
Lin Wei looked at the battle report, smiled and said nothing, but took out a piece of paper from the drawer. This piece of paper was filled with the strength and serial numbers of the Soviet troops sent this time. Lin Wei found the Fifth Soviet Ninth Group Army. At the position of the Fourteenth Division, he took out his pencil and made a big cross. There are two more crosses on the side of this cross, and the words forty-four and one-six-three can be vaguely seen.
At this time, during the offensive of the Soviet South Road Group, the 168th Division of the Eighth Army was also surrounded and annihilated by the Finnish army on the north bank of Laduga Lake. In just two months, the Soviet troops had Four divisions were lost forever.
But at this time, but at this time, news came from the country that made Lin Wei uneasy. It turned out that Hit? Le has recently been discussing with the generals of the National Defense Forces to prepare to march north. The thing is, Germany's iron sand ore is mainly imported from Sweden. Mali and Norway have important strategic positions, and the German navy has been watching the north for a long time. Germany did not have direct access to the ocean. This geographical fact had already left a deep impression on its naval officers during the First World War. The British used torpedoes and patrol fleets to deploy a tight blockade across the narrow North Sea from the Shetland Islands to the Norwegian coast, blocking the powerful German navy and seriously hindering submarines' attempts to break through the blockade and enter the North Atlantic. , and prevented German merchant ships from going to sea. Germany's overseas fleet has never been able to go overseas.
During the First World War, the British naval blockade suffocated the German Empire. During the two wars, the German naval officers with a small command carefully considered this experience and this geographical fact, and believed that when fighting Britain again in the future, Germany must try to obtain a base in Norway so that it could break the British position in the North Sea. The blockade opened the way to the vast ocean for German surface and undersea ships, allowing Germany to reverse the situation and implement an effective blockade of the British Isles.
As early as October last year, the German Navy Commander Marshal Raeder once again asked Hitler? Le raised the importance of acquiring bases in Norway. But the Polish campaign had just ended at that time, Hit? Le is fighting with the generals of the Wehrmacht to get them to submit to Hit? Le's will to attack Britain and France, so it was obvious that he did not take into account Marshal Redl's advice. He obviously couldn't care less about the Norwegian issue. But two months later, severe winter was coming, and Germany's iron ore supply was under new threats, so the issue was put back on the agenda.
The reason is that Germany's survival depends on the import of Swedish iron ore. In the first year of the war, of the 15 million tons of iron ore consumed by Germany each year, 11 million tons were imported from Sweden. During the warmer months, iron ore can also be transported from northern Sweden to Germany via the Gulf of Bothnia and across the Baltic Sea. Even in wartime, there will be no problems with this route, because the Baltic Sea has been effectively blocked and British submarines and ships cannot enter. But in winter, this seaway transportation line cannot be used due to thick ice. During the severe cold season, Swedish iron ore had to be transported by rail to the Norwegian port of Narvik, and then transported by ship along the Norwegian coast to Germany. The entire navigation route of German iron ore ships was within Norwegian territorial waters, which provided opportunities for destruction by British naval ships and bombers.
In London, Churchill, the then British Lord of the Admiralty, immediately saw this move. In the weeks after the war broke out, he worked hard to persuade the cabinet to allow him to lay mines in Norwegian territorial waters to prevent German shipments of iron ore. But Chamberlain and Halifax were unwilling to violate Norway's neutrality, and the proposal was shelved for the time being.
The outbreak of the Soviet-Finnish War on November 30, 1939, fundamentally changed the situation in Scandinavia and greatly increased its strategic importance to the Western Allies and Germany. Not knowing that Germany had secretly sent troops to help Finland, both France and the United Kingdom started organizing an expeditionary force in Scotland, preparing to help Finland attack society? host? the righteous Soviet Union.
But the expeditionary force could reach Finland only through Norway and Sweden, and Hit? Le also immediately saw that if the Allied forces were allowed to pass through the northern parts of these two Scandinavian countries, then they would keep enough troops there in the name of maintaining traffic to completely cut off the Swedish iron ore. Supplying Germany will also certainly encircle Germany from the north. This intensifies the urgency of the issue.
If Lin Wei were in Berlin, would he definitely persuade Hit? Le, because it is impossible for Sweden to let the British and French garrison. For Sweden's own interests, he will never get involved in the war, but will continue to do business and develop his country. But now Lin Wei is bleeding Soviet people in Finland and cannot return to Germany at all.