Then, all Shulka and the soldiers had to do was wait in the dark warehouse for the time to come. They were not even allowed to talk, especially the troops who were guarding them... Only afterward did Shulka find out that the troops guarding them
They also had no idea what was going on, and the orders they received were also not to talk, and if anyone tried to escape from the warehouse, they were allowed to be shot to death.
This kind of life is like a vacation for the soldiers, because they have not had such a leisurely life for a long time:
During the meal, someone brought bread and other food, such as mashed potatoes, and if you were lucky, a small piece of sausage... This was definitely a rare benefit for Soviet soldiers.
Sleeping was done on the floor in the warehouse, and convenience issues were solved in a row of temporary toilets built in a corner of the warehouse. As for bathing, the Soviet army generally would not consider this issue.
On the other side, General Kleist, the commander of the German 1st Armored Group, also received relevant intelligence.
The adjutant handed a telegram to General Kleist and reported: "Good news, General, the Russians have withdrawn their tanks to the east coast, which will save us a lot of trouble!"
The adjutant was right. Although Kleist did not think that the Russian army's tanks could prevent the German army from breaking through the Kiev defense line, he still had to admit that the enemy's tanks were a problem... especially the enemy's heavy tanks: kv1, kv2
wait.
Among them, especially the KV2 tank, the 110mm thick front armor makes it fearless of any anti-tank gun: the German 37mm anti-tank gun became a "stepping stone" in front of it, and the short-barreled gun of the No. 4 tank was scolded by the soldiers.
"Schützenmeier" (wooden stake).
The 152mm caliber gun of the KV2 tank can destroy everything in front of it... If it weren't for the mobility and failure rate of this thing, Kleist wouldn't even know how to face it.
Therefore, the withdrawal of Soviet tank troops across the Dnieper River is indeed good news for the German army.
But……
Admiral Kleist took a look at the telegram and asked doubtfully: "Why do they want to withdraw across the Dnieper River? Do they want to abandon Kiev? But that's not the order Moscow gave them!"
If Moscow heard this, it would definitely be a surprise: the German commander actually knew the order sent by Moscow to the front line.
But this is actually not surprising at all. As mentioned before, with the support of guerrillas from Brandenburg and Ukraine and even other regions, coupled with the chaos within the Soviet Union... very little information can be hidden from Germany.
"The person stationed in Kiev is Admiral Kirponos!" the adjutant said: "He has requested Moscow to retreat several times, but has been rejected. I think... Kirponos may intend to disobey Moscow's orders!
"
Admiral Kleist said nothing.
Although what the adjutant said makes sense, and in this situation, anyone can see that the Southwest Front troops stationed in Kiev should retreat, at least to the east bank of the Dnieper River, otherwise the bridge will be blown up before crossing the river.
Breaking through is not that easy, especially with tanks and cars.
From this perspective, it is reasonable for the Russians to withdraw their mechanized troops across the Dnieper River instead of using them to defend Kiev. If the Russians plan to break out, then this mechanized force will be the vanguard and pillar of the breakthrough.
but……
At this time, Kleist was no longer so confident in his own judgment and that of his adjutant.
This was affected by the war during this period.
The first is the "log house disguise" that I don't like at all.
Who would have thought that simply doing some camouflage could cause armored units to suffer such heavy losses.
The second was the encirclement of the enemy at the "Stalin Defense Line"... Kleist knew from the intelligence department that the Russian unit was the 333rd Regiment, and it was said that the person who made the plan was a sergeant known as the "Escape Hero".
This siege made Kleist feel frustrated. He originally thought that he had surrounded the 333rd Regiment and was unable to escape, but the fact was that they easily escaped through the defense line.
Thinking of this, Admiral Kleist couldn't help but secretly praise him in his heart... This is an opponent worthy of respect.
First, captured German tanks were used to disguise themselves as German troops to break through from the flanks, and then a small number of troops were used to attract the firepower of the German troops on both flanks, causing them to "misunderstand". However, the main force quickly broke through at another location... This series of plans can be said to be a ring.
Interlocking.
It was hard for Admiral Kleist to imagine that this was the work of a Russian whom he despised, especially a Russian staff sergeant.
What surprised General Kleist even more was that the German army faced heavy Soviet defenses: every ten kilometers, breakthroughs were made one after another, as if there was no end.
Although these lines of defense could not stop the advance of the German armored forces, in many cases the Soviet troops were even beaten and fled.
However, General Kleist had to admit a fact: the momentum of the German army's advance was blocked. It was only 160 kilometers from the "Stalin Defense Line" to Kiev. It used to only take two days to get there, but now it took a full eight days to fight.
Time is only one aspect. Under continuous high-intensity combat, the German army, including the 1st Armored Group, became a tired army when they arrived in Kiev. In addition, they also consumed more ammunition and supplies, which was very important for rainy season supplies.
It was simply a nightmare for the difficult German army.
This series of misjudgments made Kleist even doubt himself.
"Could this be a Russian trap?" Admiral Kleist asked.
The adjutant hesitated for a moment, and then asked: "General, if it is a trap by the Russians, what is their purpose?"
These words stopped General Kleist from asking. If the Soviet tanks stayed in Kiev, it would indeed be a dead end for the German army... Their individual tanks may have better performance than the German tanks, but they cannot be integrated into a force.
So it will eventually be defeated by the tracks of the German armored group.
This has been proven in previous battles.
"I don't know, David!" Admiral Kleist said: "I only know that we cannot easily believe what they tell us. These Russians we are facing are not simple!"
"So, what should we do, General?" the adjutant asked.
After thinking for a while, Admiral Kleist said: "Rest!"
"rest?"
"Yes!" General Kleist said: "Take a day's rest, let the soldiers replenish their strength, and then... attack Kiev with all their strength. I want to see if they have really transferred the tank troops to the east coast!"
Then the adjutant understood that General Kleist wanted to use a powerful attack to test the truth.