To the west of the city, forests are spread out like green blankets on the ground, dotted with lakes and swamps.

Over the forest, from time to time, flocks of black pressure birds hovered and landed, adding a bit of vitality to the quiet forest.

Beneath the forest, beside the thick trunks of birch trees, in the thick bushes, groups of German soldiers crouched on the ground, weapons in hand, nerves tensed, staring at the city of Shebezh in the east.

No one spoke, no one moved freely, and even the soldiers covered their mouths when they coughed, and their voices were almost inaudible.

Behind them, the stiff body of the No. 4G tank was also poised to strike.

Six kilometers to the west, on the edge of the forest, under more than 70 camouflage nets, large and small, the artillery regiments of the 56th Panzer Corps were hidden on both sides of the road, and the muzzles of 150-mm howitzers and 105-mm K18 cannons were raised high, pointing to the east.

The gunners stood by the guns and ammunition boxes, and the officers behaved in much the same way.

They sat on ammunition boxes, phone microphones in their hands, and their eyes fixed on their wrists, silently waiting for that moment to come.

Unlike the calmness of the officers and soldiers on the front line, there was an anxious atmosphere in the headquarters of the 56th Armored Corps in Zilupe City.

Taking two puffs of the cosmic brand cigarette in his mouth, the commander of the 56th Armored Army, Admiral Scheer frowned and asked, "Haven't you contacted the 46th Armored Army yet?" Are they missing? ”

Chief of Staff Nelson shook his head.

"Five minutes ago, the communications battalion sent another telegram, but there has been no reply from the 10th Panzer Division so far, so we can only wait."

Admiral Scheer looked at his watch and said impatiently: "There are still eight minutes before the attack is launched, and they have lost contact at this time. What exactly do they want to do? ”

"Maybe they have some trouble on the way to Sheberi, and they can't arrive on time, don't worry, we'll wait." Nelson said.

"If they can't cooperate with us in flanking the Stalinist lines on time, they can send us a telegram informing us, and we can go it alone. Now they are pretending to be missing. It must be vanity that does not dare to admit his mistakes. When I see the 10th Panzer Division again, I will educate them vigorously and let them know the consequences of doing so. Admiral Scheer said.

Admiral Nelson knew that Admiral Scheer had every confidence to say such a thing, because Admiral Scheer was the former commander of the 10th Armored Division.

Because of the war in Romania, the former commander of the 56th Panzer Corps, Manstein, was transferred to the commander of the 11th Army, and General Scheer was promoted from the commander of the 10th Panzer Division to the commander of the 56th Panzer Corps.

At the critical moment before the start of this kind of battle, the old troops brought out by himself actually played missing. No wonder Admiral Scheer is full of anger.

Nelson had to persuade: "They must have had an accident, so they can't reply to us in time, but it doesn't matter, even if they can't attack on time, we can occupy Sheberi with our own strength." ”

"Of course, we can occupy Seberi on our own, but without the cooperation of the 10th Panzer Division, we will have to pay even greater sacrifices. Think of the minefields and anti-tank trenches, and the fortified areas. ”

Nelson's mood also became heavy for a while, and the 56th Panzer Corps had conducted fire reconnaissance of Soviet strongholds in the Shebezh area. As a result, I was surprised to find that in the face of those seemingly tall and sturdy fortifications. 150-mm howitzer shells can only leave a few white marks on them.

Without the cooperation of the 10th Panzer Division, it is impossible to storm these reinforced concrete fortifications head-on, and I don't know how many more boys' lives will have to be paid.

Nelson looked at his watch depressedly and saw that there were only four and a half minutes left before the scheduled offensive launch.

At this time, a lieutenant staff officer hurriedly walked into the command headquarters.

"The 10th Panzer Division replied to us, and they said that the operation was canceled. Let's stop attacking and be on standby. ”

After reading the telegram, Admiral Scheer said angrily: "The command of the Fourth Panzer Army did not order us to stop the offensive, but the 10th Panzer Division dared to let us stop the operation without authorization, what do they want to do?" ”

Another staff officer rushed into the command headquarters and rushed almost at a trot to Admiral Scheer.

"The command of the army group sent an urgent telegram. Abort the assault on the Stalinist lines and let us stay put. The staff officer said hurriedly.

Nelson read the telegram and said to Admiral Scheer: "The command of Army Group told us to stand by and wait for the infantry of the XVI Army in the rear to follow, and the offensive operation was postponed indefinitely. ”

Admiral Scheer gradually calmed down at this time.

"Looking at this posture, the 10th Armored Division should really have an accident, otherwise we would not have received this kind of order. Whatever happened to them, carry out the order. ”

Following an order from the headquarters of the 56th Armored Corps, all units of the 56th Armored Corps on the front line suddenly withdrew from their offensive starting positions one after another, retreated to a safe distance, and brandished engineering shovels to engage in civil engineering and fortifications.

In Pustoshka City, Chen Dao held the coffee cup but did not drink it, but held his breath and listened quietly to the sound of gunfire outside the house.

"The gunfire in the west is very dense, and it seems that the enemy's 21st Mechanized Corps is trying to hold us back and buy time for their infantry. The sound of gunfire in the east is relatively sparse, it should be the encounter between the troops of the Imperial Division and the enemy's outposts, and the big scene is coming soon. ”

After Chen Dao analyzed the situation, he took a sip of coffee.

"The enemy's military strength is much stronger than we thought, and it is estimated that there is at least one army group, and this time it is really going to be a big battle. I see you sending people to build an airfield west of Lake Krupeia, do you want to get reinforcements from the air? Admiral Scheer asked.

"Getting reinforcements is only one of my purposes, Marshal Goering said that General Student would be sent to Pstoshka, and this airfield was also prepared for him." Chen Dao said.

Admiral Schell was about to speak, when he suddenly saw Major Bach hurrying up to him.

After nodding to Admiral Schelle, Major Bach said to Chen Dao: "Your Excellency, there is something you need to deal with, please come with me." ”

Chen Dao got up and walked out of the headquarters of the 46th Army with Major Bach and asked, "What can't you say in front of General Scheer?" ”

Major Bach took a telegram out of his pocket and handed it to Chen Dao.

"It's about Madame, just look at it."

Chen Dao was really taken aback when he saw the contents of the telegram.

Margaret is pregnant, and it has been two months since the doctor diagnosed it, and the pregnancy reaction is very serious, hoping that Chen Dao will rush home to accompany her. (To be continued.) )