"The enemy will never imagine that we will use our powerful armored forces to launch a surprise attack through the Ardennes Forest, and then advance to the lower reaches of the Somme River, cutting them off from the retreat of the Belgian army in front of the Somme River!" Manstein
He said emotionally.
More than half of the Ardennes area is covered by forests. The land is barren and the roads are rugged. It is a truly dangerous area. Not only did the French not expect that German armored forces could pass through this area, but even many German generals did not.
Agreed to allow armored troops to enter this forest.
There is a classic military doctrine in ancient China, which is called Don’t enter the forest area. This means that when troops encounter a forest area, they should avoid it as much as possible and never enter easily. Because in a forest area that is easy to defend and difficult to attack, it is difficult to enter a forest area.
An enemy that has been ambushed in advance can even kill and injure several times of its own troops, achieving the effect of one man being able to block a barrier and ten thousand others not being able to open it.
In contemporary Germany, this art of war has another meaning. That is not to drive armored units into dense woods, because tanks will simply not be able to pass under those environmental conditions.
However, Manstein seemed not to see the doubtful expressions on everyone's faces, and continued talking to himself: "With this method alone, we can surround them on the northern flank of the front, and then completely annihilate this counterattack force.
, thereby creating the prerequisite for a comprehensive victory in the French Campaign."
In order to illustrate how important this point is, Manstein also gave an example: "Everyone, in Poland, we wiped out their counterattack forces on the Buzula River, and then completed all the subsequent operations in one go. In the same way, France
People will not be able to withstand the blow of losing the main counterattack force, and will completely collapse!"
After hearing this, someone finally couldn't help asking questions. Brauchitsch, the commander-in-chief of the Wehrmacht Army who formulated the initial "Yellow Plan", finally poured out the doubts squeezed in his heart.
"Mr. Chief of Staff, when you formulated the specific plan, did you ever think about the crucial impact of terrain in the war? How do you allow the armored forces to move normally in the dense forests of the Ardennes region?" Brauchi said reluctantly.
asked: "In addition, once the British and French coalition forces handle it properly, avoid a decisive battle in Belgium, and at the same time gather forces to launch a large-scale counterattack on the southern flank of our army to encircle the main force of our army in Belgium, how should we respond?
!”
Brachych said seriously and loudly: "War is not a sandbox simulation. If you lose, you can never start over again. And the plan you are responsible for formulating assumes everything as the most ideal situation. I completely disagree with this!"
Although Brachitch had gradually accepted the new plan, when he heard that Manstein had chosen the Ardennes Forest as the breakthrough point for Army Group B, this responsible commander-in-chief once again stood up.
In fact, the question asked by Braachi was also something that many generals present wanted to confirm. It was just that he stood up first.
Sure enough, these two guys who had never gotten along with each other in history still couldn't get along even after they met under his own coordination.
Reinhardt on the side watched helplessly as the two famous generals with different styles explained their views and played games.
Speak freely, this is the effect he is pursuing. Reinhard will not favor Manstein because he is his direct descendant, nor will he deny Brachich just because he knows in advance that the "Scythe Harvest Plan" will succeed.
.
"This is natural," Manstein remained calm at the beginning and responded calmly to Brauchitsch: "I don't expect to just wait for the war to end with just one plan and no backup plan."
Unlike Brachich's excited seriousness, Manstein just smiled slightly and then began his speech: "First, the "Scythe Harvest Plan" is not a plan that can be taken for granted. I have passed every part of it through
After multiple consultations and comparisons, the final decision was made.”
"As for whether the armored forces can pass through the Ardennes Forest, I have asked Lieutenant General Guderian, and the answer I got is - it can pass." Manstein nodded slightly in the direction where Guderian was sitting.
.
"Yes, I have done some research on the terrain of the Ardennes Forest. The Panzer V tanks currently equipped by our armored forces can completely break down some small trees passing there. As for some large trees blocking the main roads, it can be used even if it is not possible.
Clean it up with the chain saw." Seeing everyone looking at him, Guderian responded with a few words: "In short, if the armored forces want to pass, there is no problem in theory."
With Guderian, an armor master, speaking out, everyone no longer has any doubts about whether armored forces can pass through the Ardennes Forest. Even if they know more about tanks, they can still compete with Guderian.
Are there any comparisons between academic experts?
Forget it, I only know a little bit about it, so I'm still being held captive to avoid making a fool of myself.
"Panzer V?" Brauchitsch apparently reacted to Guderian's sudden mention of the new name.
He has heard of the Panzer 1, Panzer 2, and Panzer 3 tanks, and he also knows about the Panzer 4 tank, also known as the T3 tank. When did the Panzer 5 tank come about?!
Finding that not only Brauchic, but also Bock, Lebu and other generals looked puzzled, Guderian continued as if he was remembering something: "Oh, by the way. Tank No. 5 is still under confidentiality. For the time being, it is only under my command.
The 19th Armored Corps has changed its uniform."
Reinhardt's face twitched when he heard this. I secretly gave you the good equipment to use first, why did you say it out loud?
Fortunately, the National Socialist Party's propaganda was in place, and Guderian's reputation in the German armor community was quite good, so no one seemed to feel anything was wrong.
"Ahem... By the way, I just want to say something." Afraid of everyone's reaction, Reinhardt allocated all the first batch of Panzer 5 tanks to Guderian and missed them.
He quickly changed the subject and said: "This... the British and French coalition forces in the Ardennes region basically did not deploy defensive forces, because they did not believe that we would launch an attack in such an inaccessible place."
"This is absolutely reliable information, and everyone can trust it with confidence." Reinhardt made up for his prophet Goldfinger: "We have placed several senior intelligence officers at the top of France, and they have made inquiries about this matter.
The information is the same."
After Guderian and Reinhardt finished explaining themselves, Manstein then continued: "Of course, it is impossible for any combat plan to accurately predict every detail that will occur after encountering the enemy.
.Only a layman would believe that during a battle, a pre-decided battle plan can take into account all the details and implement the original plan from beginning to end."
"We in the staff department always leave ample room for every plan!" Manstein straightened his collar and said somewhat arrogantly.
He has the capital to be conceited! Everyone below thinks so.
