Hopner was having lunch at the time, and he had just returned from the wolf's den and went to the front line for a spin before returning to headquarters.

The staff officer said incessantly beside Hopner: "General, we should shrink our right flank, because its flank memory cannot hold back the attack of the Russians, otherwise the Russians will open a gap in our line......"

At this time, the call came, and the communications man handed the phone to Hopner.

After Hopner took the phone, he heard Hitler's voice coming from inside: "General, I order you to hand over the command, the Fourth Panzer Army is under the command of Major General Negan!" ”

Then the phone hung up.

Hopner couldn't help but be stunned, although this was expected, but he didn't expect it to be at this time, when the battle on the front line was so intense.

What Hopner didn't expect was that his punishment was not only dismissal, but even his military rank was revoked.

Although Guderian and others were also removed, they all retained their ranks, and they may be used again after a while.

But Hopner was completely a civilian with nothing, leaving the army in disgrace.

Perhaps, this is also the reason why Hopner became the spearhead of Hitler's assassination after this.

At that time, Hopner was very calm, and as a professional soldier, he knew that he could not be rash on the battlefield.

Hopner raised his head to Major General Negan, who was also looking at him in astonishment when he received the call, and said, "I'll leave it to you, good luck!" ”

With that, Hopner removed his military hat from the wall and walked out of the headquarters.

The officers and men of the 4th Panzer Army were stunned by the news, because Hopner was clearly an excellent commander, who led his troops to great feats in both the French and Soviet theaters, and was always on the front line as a general...... Therefore, Hopner's dismissal will undoubtedly have a considerable impact on the Fourth Tank Army, which is not something that Major General Negan can suppress.

Sure enough, while Hopner was still on his way to the Wolf's Lair, the Fourth Tank Army was already showing signs of collapse.

At this time, Shulka was still fighting back and forth with the 6th Panzer Division for the Tver Bridge.

In fact, there was no point in fighting for the bridge at this point, because even if Shulka abandoned the Tver bridge, the Germans would not have enough time to resume transportation and deliver enough supplies to the 4th Tank Army...... Even if supplies could be delivered, they wouldn't be able to save the defeat.

Shulka only suddenly felt less whistling of the German fighters overhead, and the psychological pressure was lightened.

Prior to this, the reason why the Soviet troops did not dare to fight with the enemy in the open field was not because the 1st Guards Tank Brigade could not defeat the enemy's armored divisions, but because they occupied air supremacy.

Just when Shulka was wondering, he heard Katukov call and excitedly exclaimed: "Well played, Shulka, they failed!" ”

"What failed?" Although Shulka knew what it was, he wasn't sure.

"The Germans' defense line collapsed!" Katukov said: "Because we cut off the supply lines of the Germans, the Kalinin Front has broken through the German lines, the Germans began to flee in large areas, and we are victorious!" ”

The surrounding fighters also heard the voice on the phone, but they were also incredulous like Shulka.

Until the instructor raised his arms and shouted, "Do you hear that, comrades?" We are victorious, we are victorious! ”

And so the cheers immediately rang out.

Although the 1st Guards Tank Brigade achieved many victories, this time it was not the same as usual...... This victory was the victory of the counteroffensive, which meant the defeat of the strategic objective of the German army in the Battle of Moscow, and the fact that the Soviet army had held Moscow and won a decisive victory.

Now it was a question of how far the Soviets could drive the Germans out.

"Comrade Captain!" The instructor said excitedly: "It's time for us to attack, give the order!" ”

"No, Comrade Instructor!" Shulka replied: "The more we should calm down at this time!" ”

"Calm down?" The instructor said suspiciously: "The enemy's air force has been withdrawn, and at the same time our morale is high, isn't this a good time to attack?" Wait any longer, and the enemy will flee! ”

"The Kalinin Front broke through the German lines from the north!" Shulka said: "They will form a siege of Tver, and then the time will be to attack!" ”

The instructor nodded: "Listen to you, Shulka, you're always right!" ”

After a pause, the instructor sighed again: "Unbelievable, we really won!" I believe we can win, but when it does......"

The instructor didn't know what to say about it.

However, Shulka understood the instructor's thoughts at this time.

In fact, not only the instructors, but every officer and every soldier of the Soviet army from top to bottom will have mixed feelings, and of course, the people in the rear.

The reason is that before that, the vast majority of people believed that the USSR could not withstand the German offensive...... Many people say "believe that victory belongs to the Soviet Union", but in fact they do not think so in their hearts, they are forced to think so, or even if they think so, they are not firm.

After all, the German army had swept across the entire European continent without a single defeat before that, and many people believed that the Soviet Union was no exception, especially since the Soviet Union had suffered such heavy losses since the beginning of the war.

But now, the German army actually collapsed, and the USSR actually won...... This turn of events made many Soviet officers and soldiers feel like they were dreaming.

Also unbelieving this was Hitler, who, after hearing the information about the retreat of the Fourth Tank Army in the wolf's den, could only repeat hysterically the previous words: "Do not retreat, hold on!" ”

Field Marshal Lugar called Hitler and reported: "Your Excellency, the breakthrough of the 4th Tank Army's defensive line means that we will be surrounded by the enemy, and I think we should retreat, shrink the defensive line and stabilize our position!" ”

But where would Hitler listen, and he objected without thinking about it: "No, I will never allow retreat!" Everyone has to hold on to their position...... Don't worry about being surrounded, we'll be able to hold off their attacks in no time! ”

This idea was completely unrealistic, and it was the same as the fact that the Soviets at that time would rather have a million Soviet troops surrounded in Kiev than allow them to retreat.

After putting down the phone, Marshal Luger said angrily: "He is simply crazy, this is not a war, but a gift of our excellent soldiers to the enemy!" ”

After walking back and forth several times in front of the desk, Field Marshal Lugar gave the order to the adjutant: "Pass the order down and retreat!" ”

"Your Excellency Marshal......"

"I'm fully responsible!" Marshal Lugar interrupted the adjutant.