At this time, Lin Wei's telegram came. Although Marshal Bock agreed to take a temporary rest due to the weather, the Soviet Red Army that had been surrounded must be annihilated. The rest must wait until Mozhaysk and Lukaga are controlled, and the Battle of Moscow officially begins. Establish a sufficiently favorable situation. Lin Wei thought very simply. People cannot go against nature, but they can still overcome difficulties. Moreover, Marshal Bock saw an unquestionable tone in the telegram, that is to say, all the conditions mentioned by Lin Wei must be met, and the debate between Marshal Bock and the Supreme Command in the Battle of Kiev cannot be repeated. Marshal Bock could only accept it, not refute it.
Since the Battle of Moscow is unlikely to progress in the short term due to weather conditions, Lin Wei has to focus on other positions. Once the Soviet Union forces Germany to stop from the blitzkrieg, Germany will have to endure the torment of a protracted war, although Lin Wei is not afraid . But this does not mean that Lin Wei is willing to watch this happen. Now three million Soviet soldiers have entered the prisoner of war camp. This is an amazing victory for any country, but in the face of the Soviet Union, which cannot be guessed by common sense, The country needs the German army to work harder if it wants to win. The efficient mobilization mechanism of the Soviet Union has allowed Lin Wei to thoroughly see the horrors involved. After the three major front armies in the western part of the Soviet Union were annihilated, Germany did not sit back and relax. On the contrary, the German soldiers now feel that they are facing more enemies than There will be more when war begins.
In fact, this is exactly the case. In Lin Wei's carriage, there is the latest Soviet-German situation map. From the map, the German Wehrmacht penetrates hundreds of kilometers into the Soviet Union, and huge blue arrows are rampaging across the Soviet Union. This was originally Things that make people happy. But the densely packed Soviet troop numbers on the other side of the battle line never made Lin Wei happy. In Leningrad, the 18th Army of Army Group North has pressed hard on the southern suburbs of Leningrad and is infinitely close to the armed SS trapped in the Kirov Islands in Leningrad. However, one detail must be understood, that is, in Leningrad To the east of Grad, the Leningrad Front Army and the Volkhov Front Army still have contact with Leningrad. Although this connection channel seems likely to be cut off at any time, this does not make Lin Wei give up his vigilance. To the south of these two fronts was the newly formed Northwestern Front, which was responsible for the connection between Moscow and Leningrad. To the south are the newly formed Kalinin Front and Western Front, as well as the surrounded Bryansk Front and the Central Front that suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Smolensk. These three fronts are responsible for defending Moscow. As for the Southwest Front, Voronezh Front and Stalingrad Front corresponding to the Southern Army Group on the southern front, as well as the North Caucasus Front and Transcaucasus Front further south, they are either composed of fronts that were severely damaged in the Kiev battle, or the current war situation in Moscow It has no impact and is no longer considered by Lin Wei.
"One, two, three... eleven, twelve! Twelve front armies, such strong mobilization capabilities, how did they do it!" Lin Wei praised, the huge map was accidentally stabilized due to the shaking of the train, giving Lin Wei It gave the illusion that these Soviet Red Army troops would fall off the map and kill themselves.
"Crawford, where do you think we can break the deadlock?" Lin Wei looked at his adjutant with expectant eyes.
Crawford squinted his eyes slightly, read the map several times from top to bottom, pointed to the location of Leningrad, and said, "Now as long as the situation in Leningrad is most beneficial to us, the Finnish army will come from the north, The Sixth and Seventh Divisions are on the Kirov Islands to the west of the city, and the Eighteenth Army of the Northern Army Group has surrounded Leningrad on three sides in the south. This is also the best situation we can achieve at the moment. Although Zhukov is in Leningrad, But like all battles, the Leningrad Front and Volkhov Front are on standby east of Volkhov, a city east of Leningrad. As long as the connection between the two fronts and Leningrad is cut off within a short period of time, we can capture it. Leningrad!”
"Can we find a way to destroy the Leningrad Front Army and the Volkhov Front Army?" Lin Wei suggested, "If the two front armies are completely eliminated, our strategic position will be even more advantageous!" When saying these words, Lin Wei was not at all worried. Don't you realize you're committing a crime? Le's mistake, biting off more than he can chew, Hitler in history? Le was always confused by victory, and always divided his troops at critical moments, ultimately ruining Germany's good start.
Sure enough, Crawford retorted cautiously, "Leader, the task of the Northern Army Group is already very heavy. Even if you add the Norwegian Army Group, it will be difficult to achieve your expectations!" The meaning is very simple, don't dream, this is not possible!
"Oh, that's it!" Lin Wei had no reaction, but it shocked Crawford who secretly wiped his sweat.
If the Finnish army was more powerful, I wouldn't have to worry about it. Lin Wei was also helpless about the performance of the Finnish army. The Finnish army's combat effectiveness is not weak, and it can be a good helper for the German army like the Hungarian army, but one thing is that it is too happy-go-lucky. After they regained their territory before the Soviet-Finnish War, they showed great comfort and did not cooperate with the German army's offensive at all. Hungary's current involvement in the war is far less than the scale of World War I. In comparison, the combat effectiveness of the Romanian army, which is now very keen to cooperate with Germany, is too tragic.
"Send power to Marshal Loeb. Since the operations in Moscow were affected by weather and lack of troops, General Hott's Third Armored Group must immediately be transferred to the Moscow front line to participate in the battle. Therefore, the battle in Leningrad must end as soon as possible. This The deadline is ten days!" Lin Wei paused at this, "The outcome of the battle will determine whether Marshal Loeb can continue to play a role in the next stage!"
"Leader, this..." Crawford looked at Lin Wei in surprise. Of course he knew what this telegram meant. If Marshal Loeb could not capture Leningrad within ten days, his ability in the army would be compromised in the future. If you doubt it, your future fate can be imagined. It is no exaggeration to say that Lin Wei's telegram determined the fate of Marshal Loeb.
"Follow my orders!" Lin Wei looked at Crawford and ordered, "Also send electricity to the commanders of the two divisions and send them Article 7 of the soldier's instructions!" Lin Wei asked the northern mountainous area The order for the Division and the Prinz Eugen Division to hold on for half a month is about to expire, but the current situation still requires the armed SS troops who have already tried their best to work harder, so Lin Wei can only make up his mind to let them continue to hold on.
"Yes, leader!" Crawford was a little helpless. Article 7 of the Waffen-SS training order states that the task assigned to you is like a death warrant. You must complete it at all costs. In other words, unless all the troops of the two divisions are killed in battle, they will still face Zhukov's siege.
Although Zhukov has been besieging the armed SS in the Kirov Islands, he has not forgotten his intention to defend Leningrad. While constantly attacking the SS, all fronts, fleets and workers united. Start building a defensive area close to the city. Residents also participated in the construction together with the army. Hundreds of thousands of workers participated in defense operations every day during July and August. A defense system consisting of several rings was established around Leningrad. In the vicinity of the city, the Krasnogvardeisk fortification area and the Slutsk-Korpino fortification area were built to the southwest and south; the Karelia fortification area was strengthened to the north. Along the lines of Peterhof (Peter Palace City) and Pulkovo, fortification zones with resistance hubs were also built. In addition, a defense system within the city of Leningrad was established. According to Stalin's call, a militia organization totaling approximately 160,000 people was organized. In various enterprises, the production of technical weapons, weapons and ammunition is increasing day by day.
While the Kiev battle on the southern front was in full swing, the Eighteenth Army was also gnawing at the defense system Zhukov had established for Leningrad. On September 10, the Eighteenth Army approached Leningrad and the newly formed Lenin The battle began on the Gullah Front. Starting from September 18th, the Panzergrenadier Division of the 18th Army switched to the offensive in the direction of Krasnogvardeisk. On the 22nd, the Soviet army abandoned Kingisepp after a hard battle. The 18th Army went out to the Krasnogvardeisk fortification area before the 21st, trying to bypass the fortification area from the southeast. An attempt was made to break into Leningrad, but the attempt was thwarted. From the 22nd, fierce fighting began in the direction of Oranienbaum; the enemy was blocked here northeast of Kopolije. In the direction of Luga, the soldiers of the Luga Battle Group fought bravely and repelled various attacks by the 18th Army.
In the Novgorod-Dovo direction, the Norwegian Army captured western Novgorod on September 16. The battle for eastern Novgorod continued until the 19th. All the enemy's attempts to advance eastward were defeated. Subsequently, the Soviet army retreated to the other side of the Malhovec River. In these battles, the officers and soldiers of the 28th Tank Division commanded by Colonel H. Fanchernyakhovsky performed particularly tenaciously. The counter-assault carried out by the Northwest Front Army in the Old Rusa area contained the enemy's huge strength and forced the German army to change the direction of the assault.
But now everything has changed. The Northwest Front Army, which had held back most of the Northern Army Group, suddenly became an enemy. This was nothing. What made Zhukov even more panicked was that Marshal Loeb could calmly mobilize a total of four Ten divisions of German troops attacked Leningrad, which Leningrad was unable to resist.
Retreat now? For a moment, Zhukov considered retreating. A narrow strip between Leningrad and Volkhov is still controlled by the Soviet Red Army. Although the narrow strip is covered by forests and the road conditions are very bad, if used properly, it can completely guarantee the safety of the military and civilians of Leningrad. Safe exit. But this idea was immediately rejected by Zhukov. Stalin would not agree to retreat. Just as he did not agree to abandon Kiev, Leningrad was not on the list that Stalin must defend.
At this time, the headquarters of Army Group North had moved to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. The Estonians were obviously very excited about the arrival of the German army. They regarded the German Wehrmacht as liberators. German soldiers were warmly welcomed by local residents wherever they went. Even Marshal Loeb, the commander of Army Group North, was invited by the leaders of the local resistance organizations. Compared with Marshal Loeb, General Kuznetsov, who is also the Russian Liberation Army and commander of the Northeast Army Group in Germany, is not so happy. Although he has always known that the Soviet Red Army is not popular, he never dreamed that the locals Seeing the Soviet Red Army look like this, General Kuznetsov's faith collapsed in an instant.
"Admiral Kuznetsov!" Marshal Loeb certainly saw the sad expression on Admiral Kuznetsov's face and said, "Now you should understand what will happen if you impose your will on the other party. What consequences will it lead to!" After a pause, "Although we in Germany are doing the same thing as you, our military strength is far stronger than yours! Now let's talk about Leningrad! What do you think of Zhukov? ?”
Admiral Kuznetsov's dejection only lasted a short while, and now he could no longer look back. He knew clearly how Stalin would treat him. Thinking of this, he straightened his face and said, "Zhukov is a very powerful person. There are even people in the Red Army who compare him with Marshal Tukhachevsky. He is the new theory of armored warfare." An ardent supporter of the Soviet Union, after Marshal Tukhachevsky was shot, he was considered the successor of armored warfare. However, Zhukov was not trusted by Stalin, which was also well known within the Red Army! Zhukov was even prepared to take action against Germany An undeclared attack, but Stalin did not unify!”
Hmm..., Marshal Loeb nodded and asked noncommittally, "Do you think Zhukov can withstand the attack of Army Group North?"
"I don't know!" Admiral Kuznetsov evaded Marshal Loeb's question. He has an ambivalent attitude towards the current war. On the one hand, he hopes that his motherland will win, and on the other hand, he hopes that Germany will win. Victory, this is because General Kuznetsov himself knows that he has now been included in Stalin's list of those who must be eradicated.
"Marshal, Commander-in-Chief General Krupp is calling!" Marshal Loeb's adjutant opened the door and came in. Not only did Marshal Loeb divert his attention, but even General Kuznetsov looked at Marshal Loeb with interest. After all, the commander-in-chief is a general and the army group commander is a marshal. It is really interesting. Moreover, the commander-in-chief is really too young.
Marshal Loeb took the telegram from his adjutant, glanced at it hastily, and laughed, "Does Lampard just look down on me, an old guy?" Order the 16th Army and the 18th Army to attack Leningrad immediately. The main assault will be carried out in the area west of Krasnogvardjesk. Call in the air force to clear the way for the offensive forces! The Northern Assault Group will be composed of Reinhardt's 41st Panzer Corps and Kussiler's 18th Army. , break through the defense line from the lower reaches of the Luga River, attack Leningrad via Gatchi; use the 56th Armored Corps to form the Western Assault Group, attack Luga from the middle reaches of the Luga River, contain the main force of the Soviet army, and then along the Luga-Lenin The Grad Highway attacks Leningrad; Boucher's 16th Army and the 57th Armored Corps of Army Group Center's Hoth 3rd Armored Corps form the Southern Assault Group, breaking through the defense line from the upper reaches of the Luga River, and then turning to the northeast. Attack Chudovo, cut off the October railway line from Leningrad to Moscow, and encircle Leningrad from the east.”
"Yes, Your Majesty Marshal!" The adjutant saluted, bowed and left.
On September 29, the German Army Group Northern began to attack Leningrad. Marshal Loeb's troops were still two armies under Army Group Northern. Among them, Marshal Kuchler's Eighteenth Army had the heavier offensive task. Some, because the strength of the Soviet Air Force was recovering bit by bit, Lin Wei asked Goering to transfer the 5th, 6th and 7th Air Force to the Eastern Front after taking office. However, 80% of the German Air Force is now All the strength was invested in the Soviet Union. In addition to defending the local aviation fleet, the Luftwaffe had done everything it could.
The Seventh Air Force deployed to the northern front is commanded by Lieutenant General Jedinek, Chief of the Air Force General Staff. The Seventh Air Force, which was formed in the late stages of the Battle of Britain, has been deployed in Norway for a long time and has adapted to the high-latitude climate for a period of time. So there was no acclimatization.
A massive group of German bombers took off from Estonia, aiming straight for Leningrad. They dropped tens of thousands of bombs over Leningrad. On the ground, Marshal Kuchler's Eighteenth Army attacked Krasnog and Leningrad. The defenders took over. Subordinates of the Soviet 42nd Army defended the highlands south of Leningrad.
The Northern Lutheran Army took the lead in launching a fierce attack on the Kingisep area from the lower reaches of the Luga River. On September 30, it broke through the Kingisep defense line, occupied the Moloskovice station, and cut off the railway and railway links from Leningrad to Kingisep. Highway line; the Southern Lutheran Army launched an attack from the upper reaches of the Luga River to the Shimsk area on the 29th. On the 30th, it broke through the Soviet army's first line of defense and occupied Novgorod. Then it moved northeast to Chu Dovo advanced and prepared with part of its forces to cross the Volkhov River and occupy Tikhvin; the 56th Armored Corps in the center launched an attack on Luga on the 29th. Although it suffered a setback, it contained the three Soviet divisions. troops.
Since Marshal Kuchler's Eighteenth Army now has the greatest security for Leningrad, Zhukov did not bother to attack the armed SS on the Kirov Islands and withdrew the 43rd Army, which was used to destroy the armed SS. After landing, the area that was under the pressure of Marshal Kuechler was stabilized. With the combined efforts of the two armies, the attack of the 18th Army was temporarily suspended. However, in the last two days of September, the progress made by Army Group North was huge. The closest distance between the German army attacking from the south and the Finnish army on the northern front was reduced to 80 kilometers, while the 56th Panzer Army and Leninger The distance to Le city is only thirty kilometers.
While the Northern Army Group was on an all-out offensive, Lin Wei kept sending text messages to Shad Herman, the commander of the Northern Mountain Division defending the Kirov Islands. There was only one sentence in it that was most important: "Are you sure that Zhukov himself is in Leningrad? Not Volkhov who is outside the encirclement!" Lin Wei's meaning is very simple. If Zhukov is in Leningrad, Lin Wei will definitely try his best to kill him. This kind of person will be a threat to Germany even if he lives for a day. The way to kill a threat is to eliminate it before it grows.