In response to Fang Yan's question, Zeitzler explained: "This is the result of my last inspection of the Italian army. Although the combat effectiveness of the Italian army is an order of magnitude inferior to ours, the concept of their new infantry division has many merits: the most important of which is to reduce the traditional three regiments of infantry into two regiments, relying on reinforced artillery and infantry firepower at all levels to make up for the loss of density of front-line personnel. ”

Zeitzler took the glass of water and moistened his throat, and tried his best to use concise and straightforward words to talk to Fang Yan: "With the advancement of the times, the long-range firepower that army soldiers can obtain has become more and more abundant. In 1914, soldiers could only use rifles, a small number of field guns, and very few machine guns against the enemy a few hundred meters away, but today, not only are mortars and infantry guns flooding the troops, but even a platoon can have three general-purpose machine guns. Coupled with the development of long-range artillery, armored forces, and aviation, continuing to maintain the traditional huge infantry establishment will only be eliminated by the battlefield of the new era with blood. In 1918, our army introduced the three-regiment system in response to the situation, and today it is time for change. ”

Hearing these words, a corner of Fang Yan's memory suddenly flashed. Historically, it seems that Germany reorganized its infantry divisions in 1944, and although the number of infantry regiments remained three, the number of infantry battalions per regiment was reduced from three to two, which is quite similar to Zeitzler's proposal at this time. Thinking that the German military output ushered in the highest peak under Speer's leadership during the same period, Fang Yan suddenly realized: It may be precisely because of the abundance of weapons and equipment that the traditional establishment has brought development and change.

Seeing Fang Yan's abrupt expression, Zeitzler nodded and said, "Just as you think." The reason why the army's current mainstream infantry divisions are still traditional is that there is a huge gap in weaponry and professional and technical personnel, which is simply not enough to realize the heavy firepower of all personnel. And if the Navy is just going to form a regiment, then there are no such restrictions at all. ”

He paused for a moment, and then looked Fang Yan up and down with a calm gaze: "This time the navy has the ambition to form a marine corps, so it must have been fully prepared in terms of funds and personnel, right?" At present, hundreds of thousands of troops in the army are about to be demobilized, and if the navy has the heart, it will be enough for you to gather the technical backbone of the new troops. ”

"He is truly worthy of some of the best thinkers in the Army General Staff. I'm afraid that it won't be long before you can truly step into the ranks of generals. Fang Yan exhaled and sighed from the bottom of his heart. Before he revealed any inside information, Zeitzler had already speculated about his plan, and this insight was indeed a general who could become the chief of the army's general staff. Fang Yan gathered his mind and said in a sincere tone: "Marshal Raeder has appointed me to be in charge of the formation of the Marine Corps. I sincerely invite you, Mr. Colonel, to help me in the preparation of this unit. This is not a previous gratuitous bet, and I will give you plenty of reward for your wisdom and hard work. ”

"Me?" Zeitzler obviously didn't expect Fang Yan to make this request, and immediately froze in place. After a while, he slowly waved his hand and shook his head, "I'm afraid this is not in accordance with the rules." I'm an army officer, how can I jump into the navy? What's more, I'm very satisfied with my current position and have no intention of making a change. ”

Fang Yanzhan smiled and said, "Of course I can't let you out of the army's service sequence. In fact, I'm only going to hire you for 8 to 10 months to assist me with all the things I encountered during the new Marine Corps build-up. When the daily training of this unit is on track, I will let you go and let you go back to serving in the Army. I believe that with your strength, it will not be difficult to take up a promising position at that time. ”

Seeing that Zeitzler's brows were frowning, and there was still no sign of loosening, Fang Yan, who had already been prepared, knew his plan well. Fang Yan did not continue to flash his chips to urge Zeitzler, but took the time to open the bottle of wine with the bottle on the coffee table. In the fragrant sweet aroma of the wine poured into the glass, Fang Yan easily changed the topic: "Do you have a friendship with General Guderian?" Due to technical equipment and some political reasons, I was quite familiar with him, and we had several meals together after the battle on the Western Front. ”

Zeitzler couldn't figure out Fang Yan's intentions, but he still replied honestly: "I have been serving in the General Staff before, and I was only transferred to the 11th Army at the end of last year, and I have no contact with General Guderian. But his talent is something I admire. In this battle of revenge that swept through Western Europe, the senior generals of the front line unanimously agreed that General Guderian should be the first to take credit. His command skills and battlefield sense were exemplary for all generals. ”

"Then do you know why General Guderian has achieved what he is today?" Fang Yan stared at the man in front of him and said. Zeitzler's eyes were slightly condensed, but he did not speak. Fang Yan paused for a moment and said calmly: "At a dinner, he personally told me that this was all due to his more than ten years of precipitation and exploration at the grassroots level. ”

"From 1926 to 1939, General Guderian started with the captain and went through the whole process with the development of mechanized troops. He is well versed in the technical characteristics of every vehicle and every weapon, and he is even more familiar with the actual situation of the troops. Because of this, he will not hesitate on the battlefield: in the face of the complex situation that is changing, he can make the most timely and accurate response at any time. ”

Fang Yan's eyes locked on Zeitzler's eyes, and he said all the words he had planned in his belly: "To let the commander of the group army, and even the army group group, be familiar with all the troops under his command like the army commander, General Guderian also admitted that it is indeed difficult for some strong men. However, the senior staff officers around the commander need to be people who are familiar with the frontline at the grassroots level, and this is the criterion he has repeatedly emphasized. Because only in this way will the actual situation of the front-line troops, which are limbs, not produce obvious deviations in the rear brain due to too long nerve transmission. As a veteran Army officer, you must know better than I do what this will bring. ”

Zeitzler's expression changed suddenly. He was silent, and a huge wave had already been set off in his heart. As the young man in front of him said, the disconnection between the rear command and the reality of the front line was originally a taboo on the battlefield: the most unforgettable lesson of the German army was that on the eve of the Battle of the Marne in 1914, the General Staff and several army group headquarters urged the right-wing army to continue the assault, but they did not know that the front-line soldiers were already exhausted, and it took great perseverance to even pick up their rifles and shoot. Even in the two battles last year and this year, the German army's performance in this regard had many omissions, and it was only because the opponent made too many mistakes that the army has achieved today's amazing achievements.

And what about yourself? When I interpret the reports of front-line troops, how many blind spots are plausible, generalized, and inaccurate to judge? Zeitzler found it difficult to continue thinking, and he found that the two victories in Poland and France really covered up too many of the shortcomings that the German army should have exposed. Seeing Fang Yan's clear and serious eyes, but with a hint of expectation, Zeitzler suddenly reacted. This little guy has said so much, isn't it just to let himself return to the grassroots army to sharpen himself, and at the same time help him bring out a strict and well-organized army elite?

"As far as I know, although you were a non-commissioned officer in your early years, you have entered the General Staff since you were promoted to lieutenant, and you haven't served in the front-line troops for at least 15 years, right?" Fang Yan took a sip of the purple-red liquor and said unhurriedly. In the face of an expert like Zeitzler, Fang Yan doesn't need to say too much, the other party will naturally understand that the establishment of the Marine Corps is a great opportunity for him to regain his grassroots literacy.

As for the previous remarks thrown out in the name of Guderian, Fang Yan really did not make up his words, but only slightly modified the original Guderian exhortation to Hitler in 1942 and said it in advance. If not, how could his shallow army attainments make a figure like Zeitzler change his mind?

Seeing that Zeitzler's face showed a little hesitation, Fang Yan threw out the last bargaining chip: "As long as you are willing to accept this invitation, then the reward will definitely satisfy you." You'll get exactly the same treatment as a lieutenant general, including that special income! As you know, senior officers of the Wehrmacht do not expect that regular salary at all. The private allowance given by the Führer was at the heart of the generals' purchase of estates. ”

Zeitzler gritted his teeth, and his inner obsession, which had cracked, seemed to be slammed into pieces by a heavy hammer. He came from a poor civilian family, and after 20 years of military service and a humble official position, he still has to devote himself to supporting his family and earning money. If you agree to the invitation of the young man in front of you, then your income can increase by nearly 6 times, which is a temptation that is almost impossible to refuse!

In addition, for most of the next half a year, the German Army will not have any major battles, and even if it lands in Britain, it will not necessarily be the turn of the 11th Army, which is in the middle of the combat effectiveness. Instead of spending time in the army group headquarters, it is better to accept the job; After the formation of the Marine Corps, they can not only earn a good salary, but also accumulate valuable front-line service experience, which will be of great help to their future development.

"When will the Marines of the Navy begin to be formed?" Zeitzler took a deep breath and asked. A bright and pleasant smile appeared on Fang Yan's face, and he said, "You have made the wisest choice. Rest assured, in order to imprison and settle me, an unstable element, Marshal Raeder will definitely obtain permission to form the Marine Corps as quickly as possible. Now that the Marines have the two of us, we will go to the Caesars Hotel tomorrow to celebrate this historic occasion. ”

"Captivity? Unstable molecules? Zeitzler opened his mouth in some consternation. Suddenly, he felt a trace of regret: he seemed to have gotten on the thief ship of the young man in front of him. ()

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