The news of the rout of the Romanian 4th Army soon reached the headquarters of Army Group South.

When Rundstedt received this telegram, he was so surprised that he was speechless for a long time.

But another piece of information made him stunned on the spot.

"Your Excellency, Marshal!" The adjutant said: "We have just confirmed that Admiral Chaubert was killed by a thunderbolt during the retreat!" ”

"What? What did you say? Rundstedt could barely believe his ears.

The adjutant repeated it again, and then added: "The 22nd Infantry Division suffered more than three thousand casualties......"

Rundstedt didn't dare to listen any further.

This was a humiliation for the Germans, especially when the rest of the front was overwhelmed.

Then Rundstedt realized that what he had to face was how to explain to Berlin.

Sure enough, soon the phone rang, and the adjutant handed the microphone to Rundstedt, who knew from his expression that it was Hitler calling, and there was no good tone.

Rundstedt guessed correctly, he had just picked up the phone and had not had time to appear to be his identity, when Hitler's roar came from the other end of the phone:

"You should be ashamed of this fight! While our army was crushing the Russians all the way, your command caused our troops unprecedented, heavy, and horrific casualties......"

Hitler's speech sounded like a speech at all times, even if it was swearing.

Rundstedt knew that his defeat was serious, so he let Hitler rage and did not say a word.

After scolding for a while, Hitler suddenly asked: "How are you going to solve this mess in front of you?" ”

Rundstedt was stunned for a moment, and then replied: "I will try my best to open the supply line, Your Excellency, their armored forces are in Odessa, the main infantry is guarding Kyiv, and the middle part is obviously more vulnerable!" ”

"But our troops are just as vulnerable!" Hitler retorted loudly: "Army Group South was divided into two parts, in fact three parts: the armored forces were stopped on the east bank of the Dnieper and could not return, the main forces were surrounded in the break, and the logistics forces were blocked on the perimeter, I think you know what this means!" Marshal! ”

The word "marshal" was uttered by Hitler through gritted teeth, which shows Hitler's anger at Rundstedt at this time.

"Yes, Your Excellency!" Rundstedt replied.

Rundstedt certainly knows what that means...... The logistics units are equipped with ammunition but do not have combat effectiveness, the main forces have combat effectiveness but do not have enough ammunition, and if the plan to open up supply lines is not successful, it is likely to be counterattacked by the Soviet army.

And then...... And then there was no then.

The main forces were to be annihilated by the Soviets in the absence of ammunition, and such a defeat was unbearable for the Germans.

After a moment of silence, Hitler said: "I know what to do, marshal!" Someone has to be held accountable for this failure! ”

With that, Hitler hung up the phone, leaving Rundstedt stunned and holding the microphone in a daze, and after a while slowly put the microphone back.

Rundstedt knew what Hitler meant by "taking responsibility for this defeat", which meant that he was leaving the position of commander of Army Group South in disgrace.

In fact, Rundstedt should rejoice, because if the Soviet generals heard the phrase "responsible for this defeat", they would most likely have been locked up in prison or even shot.

But that doesn't seem to make a difference for Lundstedt...... The honor-minded German generals left their posts with the shame of defeat, which was more uncomfortable than killing him.

Rundstedt guessed correctly, and in less than half an hour the order from the High Command came down.

Of course, the order took full account of Rundstedt's face, and ordered him to report to von on the grounds that he had a heart that needed to be recuperated. Marshal Reichenau relinquished command.

Feng. Field Marshal Reichenau, who was originally the commander of the 6th Army and a loyal supporter of Hitler, was expected to be succeeded by Rundstedt.

Hitler then urgently transferred Manstein, who was in Army Group North, to Army Group South to replace Schubert as commander of the 11th Army.

After that, Rundstedt can be said to have achieved nothing.

If anything, it was to build an "Atlantic barrier" in France to defend against possible landing operations by Britain and the United States, but Rommel lost power because of his negative attitude.

When Hitler disposed of Rundstedt and made a series of moves, the Soviet troops on the other side were in a different picture.

The 9th Army received a warm welcome from the Soviet army and civilians when it entered Odessa...... Although Shulka knew that at least some of the people were not sincere, as mentioned before, they might have preferred the victory of the German army.

But at this point, even a fool knows that he shouldn't show it.

So, the whole of Odessa boiled.

Before entering Odessa, the 9th Army also spent a little time to prepare...... It is said that this is to boost the morale of the military and civilians of Odessa in a better image.

This can be said to be an image project, but it is an image project, because morale is a kind of spiritual encouragement, and compared with a unit with a weak army and wounded everywhere, there is no doubt that the military and people of Odessa can see a strong and energetic reinforcement army, have more self-confidence, and have a discouragement effect on the reactionaries who are still hesitating.

So, who's to say it's image engineering?

On the battlefield, as long as it is useful, even if it is just to make an appearance and appearance, even if it is not real, it is a good tactic.

That's when Shulka's mirror and beard knife came in handy, but the other warriors ...... I had to take out my cigarettes in exchange for borrowing these things from Shulka.

The actor couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "Comrade platoon commander, it turns out that you have long thought of this day!" ”

Shulka couldn't help laughing, he could not have imagined that such a thing would happen before, changing history and saving Kyiv and Odessa, and even the entire southern theater of operations.

Then they washed their helmets and military uniforms in the lake, and some people even jumped into the lake to take a bath...... In fact, there is no need to jump into the lake at all, the rain can wash them away.

At the same time, the Odessa garrison was also preparing.

They cleared the Harbor Boulevard, the straightest and widest street in Odessa, a street that connects the northern railroad tracks with the highway from north to south to the port.

During the battle, it was the main direction of attack of the Romanian army, so the line was built with obstacles and sandbags along the way.

Of course, it was impossible to empty it all, and they only had time to clear a passage in the middle that was enough for two tanks to run in parallel.