Holm, which means "hill" in Russian.

It is indeed just a "hill", as the elevation of the entire town is less than 50 meters.

But it is a hill in the middle of a vast wilderness of swamps and woodlands, and above all the confluence of two rivers, and more importantly, ...... The only solid road connecting Staraya Rusa to the major cities in the southwest crosses Holm.

Of course, none of this matters.

At least not for now.

The reason is that it is winter, and all the swamps and rivers have become icy, which makes the radius around Holm several kilometers passable.

But here's the thing: once the weather gets warmer, swamps, rivers, and woodlands are insurmountable barriers for the military. At that time, Holm and the road that crossed it were of particular importance.

A reconnaissance unit of the 1st Battalion reached Holm first.

This reconnaissance platoon used the ski equipment that Qin Chuan had captured from the Soviet army...... The ski equipment was enough for 80 people, but unfortunately only 50 people in the first group could ski.

Qin Chuan can say that he can skate, but he can only roller skate, so he won't join in the fun.

The first thing the reconnaissance unit did when it arrived in Holm was to report to Colonel Slane by radio: "Everything is going well, we have reached Holm." It's still in our hands, but it's not going to be good! ”

"What do you mean?" Colonel Slane asked.

"Uh......" replied the reconnaissance unit: "I don't know what to say, Colonel, soon you will know!" ”

Half an hour later, when Qin Chuan, Colonel Slein and others arrived in Holm, they understood what it meant to be "not optimistic": there were ruined walls everywhere, most of the houses had no roofs and were still pitch black, and from time to time there would be a few Russian civilians who looked like beggars in the ruined houses and poked their heads out to look at the Germans with frightened eyes; Craters several meters deep in the middle of the road are so widespread that people have to put wooden planks or other hard objects on them to pass through, and even more terrifying are some craters covered in snow like smooth roads, if you step on them......

Several German officers greeted him, and after saluting Colonel Slein, a major general at the head introduced himself: "I am Hartmann, commander of the 211th Security Division, welcome to you!" ”

"Colonel Slein, 1st Battalion, 21st Armored Division!" Colonel Slane replied.

"21st Panzer Division?" Hartman looked confused.

"We are from the Afrika Korps!" Colonel Slane explained: "It wasn't long ago that I was parachuted into the neighborhood! ”

Major General Hartmann couldn't help but suddenly realize: "Rommel's troops ...... Do we look like Africa here? ”

The officers around him couldn't help but laugh.

Colonel Slain didn't have time to talk nonsense with them, and asked, "How many of you are there, General?" ”

Major General Hartmann couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and then said solemnly: "It seems that I should ask you this, Colonel!" ”

"Well, General!" Colonel Slein replied, "We have two thousand one hundred and thirty-five men. ”

"Uh-huh!" Major General Hartman nodded in satisfaction.

But Colonel Slane's next words made Major General Hartman stunned.

"I don't know, I think, that the Soviets of an army group are coming in our direction!" Colonel Slane said: "This will soon be the front line!" ”

Not only Major General Hartmann, but also the officers around him were stunned.

"No, I don't know!" Major General Hartmann replied: "We have just withdrawn from Staraya Rusa!" ”

"I knew it!" Colonel Slane replied.

"I have a battalion in my hands!" Major General Hartman said, "But they are a police force!" ”

Colonel Slain knew this, of course, and the meaning of the security division was that they were responsible for the security of the rear when the front-line troops attacked, and if there was any fighting fought, it was against the guerrillas in the rear.

"I'm from the infantry regiment!" One of the officers replied: "The 416 Infantry Regiment, a battalion, but mostly wounded!" ”

"I'm from the 1st Company of the 869th Mobilization Barracks!"

"I'm a sapper of the 680th Road Construction Battalion!"

……

In the end, there were as many as 60 troops, either police units and engineer units with no combat experience, or they were routed troops who had been withdrawn from the front line and suffered heavy casualties.

Although there are more than 2,000 people in total, it doesn't seem to be of much help.

"Good!" Colonel Slane glanced at Qin Chuan a little helplessly, and then said to Major General Hartman: "General, it seems that we should start making some preparations!" ”

"No, no!" Major General Hartmann replied: "Not us. Sorry Colonel, we were given the order to retreat......"

"Captain!" Colonel Slane ignored Major General Hartman, and he said to Qin Chuan, "I think it's time to describe the situation to them!" ”

Colonel Slane was not a good speaker, so he gave this "difficult" task to Qin Chuan.

"Yes, Colonel!" Qin Chuan answered the call and jumped onto a shell box next to him, and then opened his voice and shouted to the remnants of the German army: "Guys, just like the colonel said, the enemy has a group army, and we only have a few thousand people, this is a big challenge, isn't it?" But I like it! ”

The German officers and soldiers burst into laughter.

"You probably know better than we do!" Qin Chuan continued: "The Soviets have ski soldiers, and their movements are much faster than ours, and it is impossible for us to outrun them. If you think you can, then it's time for you to hurry......"

As he spoke, Qin Chuan raised his head towards the road west of the town.

After waiting for a while and seeing that no one moved, Qin Chuan continued: "Or, we can only hold this town and keep the Soviets out, let them blow the wind outside, whatever, the Soviets don't seem to be so afraid of the cold, do you say?" ”

"Boom!" The officers and soldiers responded.

"Let me emphasize one more point!" Qin Chuan said: "This is the only way for us to live, unite and exert everyone's strength under the unified command of Colonel Slain!" For Germany, for victory, and even more for ourselves! ”

"Boom!" The officers and men cheered in unison.

"Colonel!" Qin Chuan stepped down from the shell box and let Colonel Slane take over.

"Well done, Captain!" As he spoke, Colonel Slane stepped up to the shell box and ordered: "I need you to count the numbers, equipment, supplies, and the number of people who can fight in the shortest possible time, and then it's time for the Soviets to see what we have done!" ”

"Boom!" The German officers and soldiers cheered loudly, like knights about to go on a march in the Middle Ages.