The refinery was inevitably bombarded with a burst of heavy bombardment, after all, the refinery was there and there was no way to avoid it, and the target was quite large, and the Soviets could not avoid it if they were determined to bomb it.

However, because of the emergency preparations made by the German army, the damage that the Soviet bombing could cause was very limited...... In fact, this is mainly due to the fact that the Baku oil refinery in the Soviet Union itself has good protection against bombing, for example, the plant of important components is located underground and covered by reinforced concrete with a thickness of more than 500 millimeters.

This once came as a great surprise to the German officers and soldiers.

"What are the Soviets worried about?" When Kuhn saw these protective facilities, he asked suspiciously: "Are you worried about the bombing of the Baku refinery?" ”

Kuhn's doubts were justified, because Baku was in the heart of the Soviet Union for Germany, and Germany before the war simply did not have bombers to reach Baku and drop bombs...... That is, Baku did not have the need for air defense at the beginning.

"You forgot about the Soviet-Finnish war!" Eberhard reminded Kuhn: "The British and France had not been friendly to the Soviet Union until then!" ”

These words made the German officers and soldiers "oh".

Eberhard was right.

In fact, the Soviet Union and Germany were friendly countries before the outbreak of the Soviet-German war......

Germany was suffering under the constraints of the Treaty of Versailles, and the Soviet Union was seen as an outlier by the West because of its ideology.

As the so-called enemy of the enemy is a friend, the Soviet Union and Germany signed the "Rapallo Treaty" and entered the secret period of relations between the two countries, which is one of the reasons why the Soviet Union and Germany were able to divide Poland.

Then, in 1940, the Soviet Union started the Soviet-Finnish War.

There is no doubt that the Western countries have the biggest opinions on this war, but Britain, France and other countries are not really going to turn against the Soviet Union for the sake of a small country, Finland, and at the same time they can't help but make some gestures, so Britain and France jointly plan to bomb the Baku oil fields and even send troops to occupy Finland in solidarity with Finland......

These plans may be true, because the occupation of Baku's oil fields would also have huge benefits for Britain and France, and no one in the industrial age could not help but salivate over oil.

But it may also be fake, but it is nothing more than a kind of intimidation of the Soviet Union by Britain and France.

In any case, the Soviets did the necessary to protect the refineries from bombing.

It's just that what Stalin didn't expect was that these protections would work in the hands of the German army.

At this time, Qin Chuan was in Manstein's headquarters with several officers.

This time, instead of discussing how to deal with the Soviet army, they were preparing to celebrate the victory.

The reason is obvious, another meaning of the all-round bombing of the refinery by the Soviet army is to admit defeat.

"Look!" Manstein listened to the explosion of shells and the whistling of airplanes in the distance, and said: "They want to run as fast as they can, so they can drop shells and bombs on our heads as much as possible!" ”

"Not a surprise at all!" Colonel Slane continued: "We have experienced this situation many times in Africa, the difference is only that the other side is British and American!" ”

"Oh?" Manstein looked at Colonel Slein, then nodded and said, "Yes, I have heard of General Rommel's achievements in the African theater!" ”

"In fact!" Colonel Slain raised his glass to Qin Chuan and said, "I mean, a large part of our victory in the African theater is due to the Major. Of course, I am not negating the merits of General Rommel! ”

"I totally understand!" Manstein replied with a smile: "Just like this time we can seize the Baku oil fields, it is all the Major's suggestion." Of course, I am not denying the merits of Marshal Manstein! ”

The officers were amused by Manstein's humorous self-deprecation.

Then Manstein raised his glass and said: "Let us pay tribute to the warriors who gave their lives in this battle, to the heroes who fought bravely on the front lines and never flinched, and ...... Let's take down the major of the Baku oil field smoothly! ”

"Cheers!" The officers raised their glasses and drank them down.

At this moment, the sound of explosions in the direction of the refinery slowly weakened, and then the staff officer walked into the command headquarters and reported: "Your Excellency, the Soviets have retreated!" ”

"Uh-huh!" Manstein nodded very calmly, and then replied lukewarmly: "We know, don't you see that we are celebrating?" You can join us! ”

"My honor, Your Excellency Marshal!" As he spoke, the staff officer poured himself a glass.

This is a common sign of the German aristocracy, which tends to remain calm when confronted with important events, both good and bad. Just like there is a saying in China, "Mount Tai collapses in front of you and does not change its color".

If this is a grassroots general like Rommel, I am afraid that he will cheer loudly and hug each other with his subordinates.

For some reason, Qin Chuan prefers the latter.

At this time a correspondent reported: "Your Excellency Marshal, the Führer called, addressed to all of us!" ”

Manstein nodded, and the correspondent put the phone in front of a special loudspeaker, turned up the volume, and reported: "Your Excellency, we are listening!" ”

Hitler's voice came over the loudspeaker: "Generals, it's nice to hear the news of your victory. Nothing is more exhilarating than being in Berlin and hearing the news of the capture of Baku from the front, salute to you!

As I said, Germany is not a war-loving country, it is a heroic country. I mean, Germany doesn't want war, but if war chooses us, then we have to face it, and not only that, but we have to choke it by the throat and force it to submit.

This is the way Germany should go, and it is the only way.

Today, you have done it my generals, I am proud of you, Germany and the German people are proud of you!

I have seen your self-confidence, your courage, and the cowardice and cowardice shown by the evil forces in front of you!

Cheers to your success, generals!

I wish I could celebrate with you on the battlefield at this time, long live Germany and the German people! ”

The generals responded in unison: "Long live Germany and the German people!" ”

A very moving speech, but unfortunately it is only a phone call, if Hitler is in front of him, it will definitely add a lot of color with his movements and expressions.

But Qin Chuan was not moved at all in his heart, because he knew that if the 11th Army failed to achieve victory today and ended in defeat, the direction of these words would completely change.

Marshal Manstein also seemed to recognize this, he raised his glass and touched Qin Chuan, and whispered: "The argument about whether to cross the Kerch Strait...... You're right, Major! ”

On the surface, this sounded like a war, but Qin Chuan knew what Manstein meant.

Because Qin Chuan once said when he persuaded Manstein: "What the Führer cares about is victory!" ”