On the morning of May 19, in the village of Salabas in the middle of the Crimean peninsula, in the operational command room of the headquarters of the German XII Army.

The whip in the hand of Admiral Heinrich drew a circle on the lower right corner of the map on the Crimean Peninsula, on the sea near the Kerch Peninsula, and said to the commanders at the map table:

"General Rosen was a respectable, honest and trustworthy soldier, and he once said that he was going to bring in a unit with artillery firepower to reinforce us. Just last night, he fulfilled his promise, and the fleet he led had already passed through the Turkish Straits and was approaching the Kerch Peninsula. According to the agreement, the offensive will start on time on the 20th, that is, tomorrow morning at 3:30 a.m. ”

The chief of staff, Colonel Busse, stood aside, and when he heard the tone of envy and jealousy hidden in the words of His Excellency the commander, he followed very understandingly: "After several days of reconnaissance, we can already determine that the three subordinate armies of the Crimean Front, which are entrenched on the Kerch Peninsula, are deployed according to the first two and the last one.

The 47th Army was in the north and the 44th Army was in the south, forming the first line of defense, which was about 18 kilometers wide from north to south. The north and south ends of the defense line are the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, respectively, which cannot be bypassed, so they can only be attacked head-on.

The enemy's separate 51 Army, as well as an unknown number of tank units, hid behind the line of defense. Our plan remains the same, still to open the breach from the southernmost end of the defensive line. General Mandolfer, how are your troops preparing? ”

"The Heavy Armoured Brigade of the 'Polish Doge's Guard,' the Panzer Division of the 'Imperial Marshal,' and the 1st and 2nd Divisions of the Honorable Jewish Infantry Corps are in position and ready to attack," Mandolfir said, "and the 3rd Honorable Jewish Infantry Division will serve as tactical reserve." ”

Admiral Heinrich continued: "In the last week, we have launched a series of campaigning operations, and the Russians should already know that our main attack is on the southern front, and their reserves and main forces should have been assembled here. However, they should regret at this moment that they put the main forces of their forces within the range of the ship's guns, and this is exactly what we want to see. Judging from the current balance of forces, within ten days we should be able to deal with the Crimean Front, what do you think? ”

"I think a week to 10 days will be able to get rid of these Russians," Mandolfil said. ”

"Very well, anyway, to end the fighting by June, so that we still have time to participate in other larger battles." Admiral Heinrich said.

Although Admiral Heinrich did not say it explicitly, everyone knew that the larger battles he spoke of would only take place in one place.

Moscow!

Heinrich and the others discussed it for a few more minutes before adjourning the meeting, and after the meeting was adjourned, he deliberately left Mandolfer.

"General Mandolfur, there's something I want to ask you about."

"What's the matter?"

"The day before yesterday, the 1st Parachute Corps of the Luftwaffe was transferred to the Crimean Peninsula, do you know about this?"

"I know." Mandolfil nodded.

"I don't think it will take so many troops to purge the Russians on the Crimean peninsula, especially the Airborne Forces, who are here to conduct a new large-scale military operation?"

"I don't know." Mandolfil's answer was succinct and to the point.

"Oh······· There is also a problem, our troops were originally subordinate to Army Group South Ukraine, no, now it has been renamed Army Group A. Also the day before yesterday, the command of Army Group A announced that we would break away from their command and become an independent force, directly under the command of the Supreme Command. Do you know the inside story? ”

"I don't know." Mandolfil shook his head and said.

In the face of Mandolfel's three questions and two questions, Heinrich could only say helplessly: "General Rosen is a well-informed person, if it is convenient, I hope you can ask him, I always feel that this kind of change is very unusual." ”

"If I see him, I'll ask him."

Sending away Mandolfel, who had a very strict mouth, Heinrich stared at the map with red and blue arrows, shook his head and said, "There must be an inside story here." ”

Admiral Heinrich pondered the inside story of the change in the number of the troops, at the junction of the Crimean Peninsula and the Kerch Peninsula, at the southernmost tip of the Palpache Isthmus, on the position of the 1st Battalion and 2nd Company of the 1st Regiment of the 1st Division of the Honorable Jews.

The commander of the second company, Captain Rabin, stood aside with an STG42 assault rifle on his back, watching the two naval officers around him take turns to come to the scissor binoculars and peek at the Russian positions opposite.

Every few minutes of viewing, two naval officers marked the map they carried with them.

"Major Lorenz, this anti-tank trench is about ten meters wide and five meters deep. Once the offensive is launched, it will be the biggest obstacle we will face. Captain Rabin said to the Lieutenant Commander at the head.

Major Lorenz nodded and said solemnly: "This anti-tank trench is indeed tricky, it has minefields in front, barbed wire in the back, and then an untold number of Russian firing points, and it takes some effort to break through it." After the attack starts, our naval guns will help you blow up a few sections of anti-tank trenches, and you will cooperate with the sappers to fill in a few roads that can allow the tanks to pass, remember, we are bringing big guys this time, don't be accidentally injured by the naval guns, be sure to keep the radio communication open, Captain Pol will assist you, and try to ensure the accuracy of the shell landing point. ”

"I understand, Mr. Major, that I will do my best to cooperate with Captain Pol." Captain Rabin said.

Major Lorenz nodded, then looked up behind Captain Rabin.

Captain Rabin turned to look behind him and saw four officers in plain black uniforms walking towards him along the trench.

The black uniform indicates the identity of the opposing tanker, and the distinctive collar badge indicates the identity of the opposing Waffen-SS.

After saluting each other, Captain Rabin pointed to the SS captain and said to Major Lorenz: "This is Captain Michel Weitmann, the commander of the fourth company of the heavy armored battalion of the Polish Governor's Guard. ”

Captain Wittmann saluted Major Lorenz politely and said, "Hello, Mr. Major, tomorrow the battle will begin, and I will take my platoon commanders to see the terrain again." ”

Major Lorenz pointed to the scissor binoculars beside him and said, "I've finished reading it, and now that the right to use it belongs to you, I'm going back." ”

As the two passed by, Major Lorenz suddenly stopped Captain Weitmann.

"Captain Wittman, do you know the new commander of the Panzergrenadier Battalion under your brigade?"

"You're talking about Major Piper? I've seen him twice. ”

"How is he doing in the army?"

Wittman couldn't figure out the relationship between Major Lorenz and Major Piper, so he could only vaguely say: "He is a Knight of the Iron Cross, a combat hero, very strict when training troops, and I heard that he was an adjutant next to General Rosen before he came. Because of his arrival, the fighting spirit of the Panzergrenadiers is now very strong. ”

Major Lorenz nodded: "Oh, that's good, I wish you good luck tomorrow and at the same time bring bad luck to the Russians." Honor is with us, the Führer is with us. ”