Chapter 141: The White Plan (Part II)
Reinhardt, who was accustomed to endorsement education and had finished all the contents of the "White Plan" early, gave a vivid and word-for-word recitation performance to the German generals who had never seen the ability of oriental endorsement:
"In accordance with the requirements of the White Plan, the Army General Command committed 42 active divisions on the Eastern Front, and 16 infantry divisions that had just been formed in mobilization. This includes all 6 of our armored divisions, 4 motorized infantry divisions and a cavalry brigade. ”
"And it is reassuring to know that counting the two SS divisions sent to the Oder, as well as the newly incorporated Southern Province, the 100,000 reserves that can be drawn north at any time. Our forces on the Eastern Front are no less than those of the Polish army. ”
"In addition, we have the 22nd Division, which has been airborne training and equipped accordingly, to be retained as a mobile reserve for the Army General Command. It can be flexibly moved at any time according to the situation. ”
However, as far as General Rundstead was concerned, the Army General Command had only 11 active divisions and 35 newly formed low-combat divisions left on the Western Front, and there was not a single armored or motorized infantry division. The risk is indeed too great! ”
Hearing this, the face of Rundsted, who was standing on the side, became quite good-looking. Originally, his biggest opinion about Reinhardt's troop distribution plan was that it was too risky.
As far as the current estimate of the strength of France by the General Command of the Army is concerned, the French army has no less than 90 divisions. The information given by Reinhardt to the General Headquarters of the Army pointed out more accurately that the French army had the ability to expand to 108 divisions within three weeks, including 57 infantry divisions, 5 cavalry divisions, 1 armored division, and 45 local divisions with low combat effectiveness.
However, the French troops and reserve units were all well trained, and had a considerable advantage over the 35 newly formed divisions of the German army on the Western Front.
However, seeing that the Führer knew this quite thoroughly, Rundstead also had a bottom in his heart. It seems that the Führer is not the kind of ordinary politician who is completely ignorant of military affairs. In this way, General Sickert's guidance at the beginning must have been more or less effective.
Seeing that the expression on Rundstead's face was a little more steady, Reinhardt further took out a "reassuring pill" for the generals, and said with a sly smile: "However, the above is not all the troops we put on the Western Front!" ”
Boom, Rundstead seemed to think of something. I thought of something he had been ignoring before, something new that belonged to this era.
Facing Manstein beside him with a confident look, Reinhardt proudly continued: "That's right! Today, we also have a reserve with German characteristics – the strength of the SS. You know, I've telegraphed Steve to pull all the remaining nearly 200,000 men of the SS to the Western Front to standby. Among them, there was also a newly formed SS 1st Panzer Division. ”
These words can be regarded as completely relieving the worried old general Rundstead. If nothing else, the SS and the French army are also old rivals. At the time of the Ruhr conflict, Petain, a famous French general, came with 100,000 Franco-Belgian troops, but he was not beaten to shame by the SS of less than 50,000 under Steve.
Today, the SS weapons are not known how many times better they were then. The position that could be relied on was also changed from the original ordinary high ground to the more well-equipped Siegfried Line.
Although Rundstead and other high-ranking generals who knew the inside story understood that the so-called Siegfried Line was nothing more than a cut of corners composed of "new things" such as multiple rows of angular conical reinforced concrete piles, and it was completely incomparable to the Maginot Line in France, which cost a lot of money. But it's better than nothing, and by the way, it can also paralyze the judgment of the French.
Seeing the peace of mind of the few worried army generals led by Rundstead, Reinhardt felt that there was no need to memorize it. With a wave of his hand, he motioned to the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, Catherine, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Brauchitsch, to continue.
Finally, it was his turn to speak, and Brauchitsch, as the commander-in-chief of the army, said excitedly: "The specific content of the "White Plan" is written by Feng . General Bock's Army Group North broke through the Danzig Corridor from the northern flank with 5 infantry corps and 1 panzer corps, plus 2 motorized infantry divisions and 1 cavalry brigade with high mobility, joined 2 fortress divisions and 1 infantry brigade from East Prussia, and moved south along the Vistula. After overcoming the Narev line of the Polish army, attack their Vistula line from behind. ”
"And the task of our Army Group South is to use the huge strength of our three army groups, a total of 36 divisions, to spread out from the industrial zone of Upper Silesia to the west of Czechoslovakia, outflank and annihilate the main Polish army in Galicia in one fell swoop, and then assault Warsaw with motorized forces." Rundsted, who had already let go of his knot, followed Brauchitsch in a relaxed tone.
These two men are also worthy of being the leaders of the older generation in the German Army. With a few words, the senior generals present, especially the generals of the navy and air force, sorted out the planning framework of the army.
This is of crucial significance to future coordinated operations, especially the coordination between the Air Force and the Army. Only by understanding the Army's operational policy and offensive priorities can the Air Force formulate a reasonable support plan.
Obviously, Catherine, the commander-in-chief of the Air Force personally promoted by Reinhardt, will naturally not live up to everyone's expectations. Through the introduction of the two generals, he clearly summed up the specific implementation policy of the army on the "White Plan" - using the long border line to encircle the Polish army on both flanks from the beginning. The middle sector was largely abandoned, leaving only two SS infantry divisions under SS General Moder for defense. The main German army tried to destroy the main Polish army in a short time through rapid and precise strikes, and then went straight to Warsaw, the capital of Poland.
When the two army generals finished speaking, Catherine immediately introduced when Reinhardt turned his attention to herself: "The main force of the Air Force has been organized into two air groups for the implementation of the White Plan. The remaining part of the Third Air Force, which was formed by the relatively backward fighters of the former Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and other countries, remained on the Western Front. Although the fighters on the Western Front have poor performance, they are still competent for fixed-point defense. And the air formations sent to the Eastern Front, I promise that they will definitely be able to seize air supremacy, so that our fighters will always roar over our army. ”
"So, the generals of the Third Reich!" Reinhardt made a wink at his henchman Catherine, which translates to "well done." Then he changed his serious tone and straightened up and said: "Since the Polish government is unwilling to allow the Third Reich to complete the unification of the situation, then we will take back our own territory." I am sure that by the day of the war, the Poles will not even have time to regret it. The Third Reich is bound to usher in a swift and grand victory! ”
"Yes! Long live the Führer! All the generals raised their right arms in salute.