The German army attacked Luhansk twice in a row, both ending in failure, and the news soon reached Manstein's ears.
"What the hell is going on? How could our attack on Luhansk fail?" After learning the news, Manstein slapped the table and was furious: "You know, although the troops involved in the attack are just ordinary national defense forces, not elite SS. But even if they face the Russians with more people than them, they are still sure to win."
"His Excellency Marshal," the chief of staff of the army reported to Manstein carefully: "According to our reconnaissance, the troops stationed in Luganskerry are the 41st Guard Division of the Russians..."
"What's so great about the Guard Division? A few days ago, our Kok Division easily defeated one of their Guards. Isn't it easier to defeat one army?... Wait," Manstein said this and realized that he had heard a number that made him headache: "Chief of Staff, what is the number of the Russian Guard Division you just mentioned?"
"The 41st Guards Division, His Excellency Marshal." After answering Manstein's question, the Chief of Staff also added: "The commander of the division is Colonel Sokov, who led people to capture Paulus."
"So it's him." When I learned that the troops that were standing in Luganskri were actually the 41st Guard Division commanded by Sokov, Manstein's eyebrows were twisted into a knot: "Isn't this army in Mamayev's hill? When was it transferred to Lugansk? Why didn't I get a report?"
"Hiss Commander," replied the Chief of Staff with a wry smile: "I think the reason why we didn't know that this army had entered Luhansk was probably because when they entered the city, the situation here was not good, so we didn't have the extra energy to understand the new trends of the Russians."
"Which front army does this division belong to the Russians?"
"Based on the information we have, this Guard Division is now part of Cuikov's 62nd Army and is affiliated with Rokosovsky's Don Front."
"Hell, this is really a ghost." After listening to the Chief of Staff's report, Manstein laughed without anger: "If I remember correctly, Luhansk should belong to the defense zone of the Southwest Front in Vatujing. How could the Don Front troops be stationed?"
"Maybe the Russians realized our intentions, so they sent their elite troops to Luhansk." The Chief of Staff analyzed to Manstein: "To prevent our army from cutting off their retreat."
"How could the Russians detect our intentions?" Regarding the analysis of the Chief of Staff, Manstein said disdainfully: "If we had noticed our intentions, the Russians' offensive would not be so reckless. You have not seen Vatujing's troops, which are already thousands of kilometers away from their logistics supply base. If it weren't for the long roads and the roads and bridges along the way were destroyed by us, so that there would be no sufficient supplies, we would have probably been driven to the other side of the Dnieper River."
"Marson, what should we do next?" The Chief of Staff asked Manstein for instructions: "Is it necessary to send more troops to strengthen the offensive against Luhansk?"
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Manstein waved his hand and said, "No."
"His Excellency Marshal," the Chief of Staff saw that Manstein had rejected his proposal, and quickly reminded him: "If we cannot occupy Luhansk quickly, we will not be able to cut off the retreat of the Russians, and then they may escape from our encirclement."
"Just run away." Manstein said disapprovingly: "Our remaining troops can turn around and go north to continue attacking the Russians who occupied Kharkov and Belgorod, and take back these places."
Seeing that the Chief of Staff wanted to persuade him again, he continued to say: "Paulus's Sixth Army attacked Stalingrad, and all the troops that encountered Sokov suffered a great loss under his command. Even if we increase our troops to attack at this moment, we may not be able to take down Lugansk in a short time, but instead disperse our troops. The Russians deployed Sokov's troops in Lugansk, perhaps just to disperse our troops and allow those Russians who may be trapped in our encirclement to escape from the encirclement calmly."
"But, Mr. Marshal, even if we do not send people to attack Lugansk, no one can guarantee that the 41st Guard Division will not stab us in the back when we encircle and annihilate the Russians' Southwest Front."
"Chief of Staff, you're over-concerned." Regarding the Chief of Staff's concern, Manstein said confidently: "I'm sure that Sokov's troops will never appear behind us during our attack on the Southwest Front."
Seeing that Manstein was so confident, the Chief of Staff couldn't help but ask curiously: "Marson Marshal, why is this?"
"After several months of fierce battle, I believe that there must be a lot of new recruits in the 41st Division of the Guards. With the addition of these new recruits, although the number of troops increased, their combat effectiveness was inevitably weakened." Manstein said with a smile: "It is okay for such troops to fight defensive wars. If they fight in the field, they will be defeated by our armored troops in just a few hours. Colonel Sokov is a smart man, and he will never do such stupid things.
If I were in his position, I would probably choose to defend the city. At the right time, accommodate the defeated stragglers to enrich the city's defensive power."
After listening to Manstein's analysis, the Chief of Staff gave him a thumbs up: "Mr. Marshal, your analysis is really reasonable. After hearing what you said, I feel much more at ease. What should we do next?"
"Term the Sixth Army of the Russians first." Manstein said gritting his teeth: "More than 20 days ago, they annihilated our Sixth Army. Now it is our turn to take revenge. I must kill the Sixth Army of the Russians in the shortest time.
When the Russians are eliminated, the next thing we have to deal with is the rapid cluster of Popovs, who are alone and deep. I want to eliminate all these damn Russians, the shame of the devastating defeat of the Stalingrad."
"Chief of Staff," Manstein issued an order to his chief of staff: "Immediately order our troops and launch a fierce attack on the Russian Sixth Army, and be sure to wipe out the Russian army within two days."
"I understand, Your Excellency Marshal." The Chief of Staff knew that the Sixth Army of the Soviet Army had now been trapped in siege and it was not difficult to destroy them, so he replied loudly: "I will immediately issue an order to the troops besieging the Russians, so that they can wipe out this Russian army in the shortest time."