Chapter 1316 To fight or not to fight
Not only did the Austrians cry out that they could no longer fight, but even the Germans were shaken after seeing the tragic losses. Let’s look at the distance between China’s military front and Kirkuk, the oil town in the two river basins, and the distance to the Middle East Railway
The Germans shuddered at the distance. The Germans had no doubt that the targets of China's next attack would be these two places. "The Chinese army does not even need to attack the city. It only needs to use artillery and bombers to blow up the oil fields and factories inside and outside the city."
If we do it again, it will take us several years to rebuild. We will lose the most important fuel supply base going south to India. What will happen even if we take down Iran? The Iranians will destroy their oil fields, and Iran’s oil refining capacity will not matter
In terms of output and quality, it is not enough to support our actions." Faced with the aggressive offensive of the Chinese Army, even the most bellicose Ludendorff realized that it would be Germany that would suffer if the fight continued.
"Are we just going to admit defeat? Just because we failed in one battle, we gave up the plan we had been planning for several years? Is it possible that a few divisions of Chinese troops left nearly 200,000 troops of our allies helpless? That army that stretched across Europe back then
at the same time and
Where are the German iron armies that Britain, France, Russia and the United States fought against now? We have defeated each and every powerful enemy. Do we have to admit defeat in front of China?" The Kaiser's angry roar resounded throughout the hall. The king's anger shocked everyone present.
Everyone shuddered.
"Actually, we have not lost. Strategically speaking, we have achieved our goal. With the efforts of the imperial army, we have established a road to India. The bordering parts of British India and Iran are under our control
However, China only controls the northern part of Iran. Together with Turkey, we surrounded the remaining territory of Iran from the north and south. Strategically
Speaking of which, we are at an advantage." Looking at Ludendorff, who had been winking at him, Hindenburg finally came forward. "It is a fait accompli that we have occupied most of Iran's territory. China should have no intention of regaining lost territory for Iran, otherwise
They should fight us in Iran rather than in the Mesopotamia. The other side's intimidation is just to get a slightly more honorable ending."
"The situation at this time is the same as that in the Italian War. Both sides were exhausted on the battlefield. What is needed now is an opportunity, an opportunity to end this war with dignity." Looking at the Kaiser's slightly relaxed brows,
, Hindenburg continued. He
It can be felt that the Kaiser does not want to fight anymore. The huge casualties and losses have seriously affected the construction of the German army. The equipment lost is not very important, but only a few months of production capacity. This is without mobilization.
.What really hurts the German people is the loss
There are a large number of experienced grassroots commanders and veterans, especially in the Air Force. The loss of pilots made Richthofen heartache. This cannot be achieved quickly, and even individual ace pilots cannot be cultivated through training.
This depends on talent! So in
At this meeting, the Luftwaffe and the Army had the same opinion, which was to give up as soon as possible and end the war as soon as possible. The humiliation that China has brought to Germany will be discussed later. Anyway, Germany has achieved its minimum goal. Let's continue the fight.
The benefits are small, but the costs are huge.
"Count Spey, how is the situation over there? If I remember correctly, you just told me three days ago that the Iranian fleet will be annihilated within a week. Is that so?"
While Hindenburg was thinking about how to continue to "fool" the Kaiser in order to take over the armistice proposal, the Kaiser turned his attention to the silent German naval commander, Count Spey.
"It's like this, we will definitely see the outcome within four days. General Luckner has already captured his opponent in the South Atlantic. All that is left is the final blow. The opponent will definitely not be able to escape. We will win the final victory, dear
Your Majesty." Count Spey bowed slightly and said seriously.
"Hiss. What do you mean by saying this at this time?!" Count Spey's statement made Hindenburg, who had just proposed an armistice, very surprised and dissatisfied! When everyone said that the war situation was unfavorable and was ready to end as soon as it was ready, you suddenly
He jumped out and said that the Navy was about to win a great victory. Isn’t this trying to undermine everyone?! You let
Where can the Army and the Air Force show their respect? A man who is full of emotions does not know how hungry a man is. The land battle in Iran has nothing to do with your navy, so you are here to advocate the continuation of the war?! Hindenburg said with great dissatisfaction. He can already
It was imagined that the Kaiser would most likely let the battle continue because of this victory at sea.
"But a victory at sea cannot fundamentally change the German army's disadvantage in Iran. The air force and army stationed in Iran are exhausted, and we have spent several years preparing for this war. Even if our sea transportation is smooth, the speed of replenishment
It will also be very slow. Our transport fleet has to set off from the Mediterranean or even the North Sea. It takes a long voyage to reach it.
The Persian Gulf, and the throughput capacity of the Port of Basra is very limited. This bottleneck is difficult to overcome. "What a turning point! What almost everyone here could not imagine is that Count Spey just said that the German Navy hopes to achieve a great victory in the near future.
In less than 5 minutes, the army and air force also began to express their support for the armistice. This made almost everyone feel a little incredible.
"This war has tended to expand in scale. General Schrager was attacked by the Chinese Strategic Air Force. According to our estimates, China has concentrated at least 4 strategic bomber wings and more than 800 heavy bombers to take turns attacking Austria.
The Hungarian Army attacked. They were on the east coast of the Caspian Sea
There must be more bombers. There is only a narrow Caspian Sea between our largest oil production base and the opponent's strategic air force deployment area. If the opponent launches an attack on our oil fields, the scale of this war is likely to be completely expanded.
." Richthofen then added fuel to the fire.
"China will not do this. They are also not ready for war." William II's words also revealed a sense of uncertainty. Deep in his heart, William II believed that Xu Jie and himself were very close.
I think he is a person who will not give in easily. Judging from Xu Jie’s performance over the past few decades,
Look, China has never succumbed to the pressure of external forces. Even for Saipan, China was able to fight against the American fleet. The decisiveness and courage in this made William II have to admire him. Although William II was arrogant,
But he is definitely not stupid. He can tell when it is more advantageous to start a war.
"It is precisely because they are not ready that there is a possibility of reconciliation between us, even if it is temporary. In the future, the first target we have to deal with is France. Even if we can defeat China in the next battle,
We cannot deploy too many military forces in the Middle East. In order to deal with France, we must do our best! In this case, we can now slow down after opening the road to India." Richthofen
It was rare for him to be brave in front of the Kaiser.
"If we now send a strategic bomber force to attack the Chinese Air Force Base on the east coast of the Caspian Sea, can we curb the other party's strategic air strikes?" William II's words shocked Richthofen.
"This is impossible. Our strategic bombers in the Middle East are deployed in the southern area of the Mesopotamia. The combat distance is too far. The fighter jets cannot accompany the escort. Moreover, they have to fly over the defense area of the opponent's air force. I am afraid that we will not reach the Caspian Sea.
A considerable number of aircraft were lost. China has established a very complete radar network and ground guidance and command system in northern Iran.
We can't take advantage now. It's impossible to attack from the Caucasus oil fields. All we deploy there are fighter units to resist the other side's bombing. Even if we immediately transfer our local strategic bomber units there, the airport and maintenance situation
It is also difficult to support large-scale strategic bombing. Moreover, it is easy for the war to develop in an unpredictable direction."
"However, as the logistics and transportation situation improves, we can definitely deploy more aircraft in the Mesopotamia. If we can fully understand the threats at sea as the count said, then we can increase the strength of at least three aviation wings.
, This will greatly improve the situation on the battlefield." Richthofen said. Luftwaffe
The size of the legion in the Middle East has always been limited by logistical supplies. All kinds of materials, including high-grade aviation gasoline, are transported from the mainland. If there is no threat from the sea, then the materials transported from the mainland can support a larger fleet.
, and the increase in various accessories will also help improve the aircraft’s attendance rate.
"Okay. But I still want to know what the so-called decent ending is. The answer given by the Navy is to destroy the Iranian fleet. What about the Air Force and Army? What is your answer?" William II asked. In fact, William II
Shi Geng hopes that the Army will show that Air Force aircraft can quickly fly over as long as supplies are in place. But the Army is different. The transportation of a large number of soldiers and tanks and vehicles is a difficult process. And the current losses of German frontline troops
Tragic. It will probably be a long process to return to the strength before Hanging Garden.
"Based on the unloading standards at Basra Port, it is difficult for us to obtain enough supplies. The equipment and personnel coming from sea and land can only make up for part of our losses in the previous battle. If we can get some equipment from Turkey, the situation will be
Much better. Turkey uses the same weapons as us. And many of its troops are stationed in the north of the Mesopotamia.
They lack experienced and high-quality troops, and if we transport combat personnel there and then requisition Turkish equipment, we will get twice the result with half the effort." Although the top brass of the German Army has agreed to a truce, but for this time the German Army is
The performance on the battlefield was obviously not satisfactory, so Hindenburg and others planned to work hard to save some face.
"Our two armored divisions on the northern front are now ready. If the Turks cooperate, we can at least gather the strength of two mechanized infantry divisions. Such a combat effectiveness is already very impressive. In three weeks, we will
The four divisions on the southern front can be restored to 70% of their pre-war combat effectiveness. In this case, we will regain the advantage. The troops on the northern front will cooperate with the garrison of Kirkuk to block the opponent, while the troops on the southern front will
Then it can threaten the opponent's flank. We have already figured out the strength of the Chinese Army. Counting the troops that will follow, they will have 5 division-level combat units and 1 independent brigade, as well as several independent armored units. Strategic bombers are not counted.
If so, the Chinese Air Force will not have more than 600 aircraft at its disposal. Our military strength will still be superior, and we are at least 70% sure of blocking the opponent," Hindenburg replied.
If Hindenburg's plan can be realized, then the German Army's combat situation will be perfect. The front of the Chinese Army is Kirkuk surrounded by permanent fortifications. Although Schrager lost most of his equipment, his field capabilities have been greatly reduced.
But if you rely on fortifications, you can at least hold on for a longer period of time. After all, there are 100,000 garrison troops. Even if you line up to kill, it will take a while! And north of Kirkuk are 4 German divisions. This force
Not yet joined the war
, is in good condition and can threaten the opponent from the side. As for the remaining German troops on the southern front, although they cannot return to pre-war levels after rest and reorganization, they do not have to face the main force of the Chinese army like they did before the war. In the next battle,
They only need to face China's ever-expanding supply lines. China's total military strength is limited, and there will not be many troops to cover the supply lines. If China dares to continue to go deeper, then what awaits China will be an all-round attack from the Allied forces!
The Air Force has stated that it will increase the strength of at least 3 wings. If combined with the existing available crews, the number of aircraft will definitely exceed that of China. Although it may not guarantee air superiority, it is still no problem to split the difference. Hindenburg
Although it is admitted that the quality of the Chinese armored forces is
Higher than our own, but I don’t think the difference between the two engines is so big that it is incomparable. According to the deduction of the German General Staff, if the Chinese Air Force is suppressed, the German Army’s 4 divisions plus 1 brigade will fight against the Chinese Army’s 3 divisions at least
It's a tie. Don't forget that the Huaxia Division has a larger organization.
The request of the German General Staff is very simple: stop China to the west of Kirkuk. Then severely damage the opponent so that the opponent has to evacuate. As long as China finally retreats to the Iranian mainland, then at least Germany has not lost from the scene. In this case
If negotiations are carried out, Germany can at least guarantee the current fruits of victory. Of course, all this is
It depends on whether the German navy can completely destroy the Iranian fleet. If the sea transportation line cannot be guaranteed, then everything will be empty talk. At this time, in the Atlantic far away from Germany, the German fleet commanded by General Luckner is encircling and killing
It has reached the final moment, and as Earl Spey said, the outcome will be known within a few days!
Chapter completed!