Chapter 199 The Handshake of Friendship Between Gentlemen Before the Duel
While Rundstadt's Army Group South was bombarding Warsaw, Bock's Army Group North was not idle either.
Under Bock's order, Guderian led the 19th Armored Division of the Wehrmacht in a lightning advance, cooperating with the 1st SS Armored Division in the south. In just two days, they advanced more than 140 kilometers east of Warsaw, even more than
The total distance the Soviet army advanced westward.
"Lucas, don't you like to drive fast? Why do I think you are driving slowly today?" After fiddling with his brand-new Iron Cross Second Class, Wittmann happily approached the tank driver Luca.
Si chatted.
The Iron Cross Second Class that Wittmann received was personally awarded the day before yesterday by Guderian, Germany's most famous "armor expert". For an armored soldier, there is nothing better than receiving it from Guderian.
It is more honorable to receive the Iron Cross.
"Come on Wittmann, I'm driving a tank, and the fastest speed can only be a little faster than it is now." Lucas yawned and replied slowly: "Since the last time we were defeated head-on,
After that Polish cavalry battalion, the 111th car crew has never experienced a decent battle again. From my point of view, the reason why you think the speed of the car is slow is because it was idle. If there is a war, you will know this
The speed can’t be called fast.”
The battle that defeated the Polish cavalry battalion in Lucas's words was the battle of honor that won Wittmann the Iron Cross.
In that battle, the 111th car crew and the 112th car crew teamed up for a surprise attack, taking advantage of the favorable terrain and the equipment advantages of the T3 tanks to defeat an elite Polish cavalry battalion in one fell swoop, creating a classic tank VS cavalry showdown.
"Wittmann, your No. 111 tank is driving too far forward. Be careful to control the speed and don't put too much distance between you and us!" Vic, the commander of the armored reconnaissance platoon, warned vigilantly on the communication channel.
Although the "enemy troops" they encountered occasionally along the way were just a group of remnants, deserters, and broken troops who were on the verge of collapse. Moreover, the No. 113 tank that had been left for maintenance due to tank failure has now returned to the reconnaissance platoon.
Strengthened the armor strength of the entire platoon.
But now, after all, the sky is dark, and the setting sun is blocked by the distant hills, leaving only a thin line of light connected to the edge of the hills. In the increasingly dark twilight, many seemingly ordinary scenes during the day are beginning to hide.
threaten.
Although the Polish army has no way to recover and its morale is disorganized, if it happens to encounter an enemy force that deliberately sets an ambush, the German forward reconnaissance platoon in the night is very likely to have an unexpected incident. On the battlefield, you should remain alert at all times.
Such vigilance!
The distance that could be reached by the vision was already somewhat blurry. As the platoon leader, Vic secretly decided that after advancing 5 kilometers, the reconnaissance platoon must return along the way to join the large troops in the rear.
As for the area 5 kilometers ahead, that is tomorrow's task.
"No. 112, No. 113, can you hear me?" Wittmann's voice came from the earphones: "Look carefully. Is there a large bright light in the distance?"
As the twilight became darker, the continuous light on the distant hills became more obvious.
Judging from the continuous length of the light, there must be a huge legion stationed there, no less than a division in size!
Vic stayed in Tank No. 112 with a sullen face and thought.
The main Polish armies have been beaten to pieces for a long time. It is impossible for the Polish army to still have so many troops stationed in the rear. If there are really so many troops, why didn't they pull them to Warsaw earlier to defend the capital?
"Let's fire together." Wittmann's voice sounded from the headphones again.
When firing at this distance, in addition to the sound being transmitted to the other side, no matter how light the shell is, it cannot hit it.
What did Wittmann want to do?!
............
"Commander!" A staff officer turned around and reported: "There is news from the forward troops that armored troops have appeared in the distance! They are firing artillery in demonstration!"
Armored troops? Artillery demonstration?
Faced with the news coming from the forward position, Timoshenko in the headquarters couldn't help but startled.
The Poles still have armored units? Weren't they all disbanded long ago?
Fired artillery to demonstrate? Why is this?
It is impossible for the Polish army to have armored troops. After all, their commander did not have the courage to save such a powerful trump card until now.
The two divisions he placed at the forefront are the main forces, so if they really fight, it would be...
No! While thinking about it, Timoshenko suddenly realized another possibility. Armored units, isn’t that what the Germans like to use?!
God! They actually advanced here!
What an incredible conclusion. Timoshenko's breathing began to become rapid: "Let the frontline troops send people who can speak German and try to make contact. Be careful, try not to shoot until the situation is clearly understood!"
Timoshenko's judgment was correct. The contact personnel carefully walked in with their hands raised and saw Wittmann and others, and confirmed the identities of the German soldiers. Then, they responded to Timoshenko in the rear.
The actual situation.
The next day, the large troops of the 1st SS Armored Division quickly arrived at the location where the two sides met last night.
As a German representative, Commander Joseph Dietrich of the 1st SS Armored Division met with Soviet representatives Timoshenko, Kovalev, Yezhov, Khrushchev and others who arrived at the front line at noon.
If Reinhard hadn't met Joseph, who was born in a poor family, when he was arrested at the police station, and later promoted him to "Reinhard Tristan" after Joseph joined the Socialist Workers Party.
Eugen Heydrich was the captain of the "Standard Guards". Later, he introduced him to Manstein and found him an excellent mentor. Joseph would not have the command of the Waffen SS to join forces with the Soviet Union today.
The military’s historic achievements.
In this meeting, the German representative Joseph was just a division commander. But the person he was talking to was the commander of two Soviet front armies. In terms of his position, Joseph should have been the humble one.
However, on the battlefield, what matters is the performance rather than the position. Timoshenko and others, who had only advanced about 90 kilometers, were more or less embarrassed in front of Joseph, the division commander who led the SS to complete a distance far exceeding the Soviet advance.
Lack of energy.
However, Joseph was upright. The next day, he asked a motorized infantry battalion of the 1st SS Armored Division to walk to the Soviet camp and hold a joint Soviet-German meeting in Lublin with several main battalions under Timoshenko.
parade.
Under the flashlights of reporters, the German Wehrmacht and the Soviet Red Army stood shoulder to shoulder and gloriously accepted the review of the generals of both sides, leaving countless handsome photos.
Afterwards, Joseph readily agreed to have Khrushchev, Yezhov and other Soviet politicians take photos with him so that he could take them back for business.
After the military parade ended, Khrushchev and others even thought about the contents of the report to be sent to the country, and just said that the Red Army and the Wehrmacht jointly sent troops to attack the evil Polish landlord class government, and the two sides have now successfully joined forces in Lublin.
