Nine hundred and fifty-five. The dignity of death
March 22, 1966, was the Judgment Day of Fate.
On this day, all the soldiers who participated in the battle made great efforts to this end.
They fought and sacrificed their lives on the battlefield, and they used their blood and loyalty to fight and sacrifice. If the war ends one day, all the survivors will not forget what they have been through.
Wang Weiyi will also not forget what he has experienced.
The roaring artillery fire on the battlefield continued to deprive countless people of their lives. Numb, cold, and unforgiving. And all of them have long been accustomed to all this. They await the final judgment of fate in numbness, bloodshed in cold battles, and death in merciless fighting.
In fact, they are just a bunch of machines...... Once the machine's button is pressed, there is no possibility of stopping until the end of the work......
Wang Weiyi saw a large number of German soldiers charging forward and dying one after another for the freedom and dignity of the country. The names of the vast majority of them will not be remembered by others, they are a group of heroes who died silently.
If one day Germany could really win, only Ernst would be remembered. Bramm, Rommel, Guderian or their Führer, who would remember the names of ordinary soldiers?
But without these ordinary soldiers, no even the most talented commander could have won the war......
The battle that began in the morning was brutal and bloody and made people reluctant to recall. Often when the battle for a position ends. You will see corpses all over the ground.
Or the same phrase that has been repeated countless times: This is a cursed war......
Probably the most primitive and despicable invention of mankind is war......
Another group of tanks rushed up, and another group of soldiers bravely rushed forward......
The commander of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Division of the US Army, General Corrett, also appeared at the front. No one can question his loyalty to his country, but there is nothing he can do about what is happening in front of him.
A number of positions were broken through by powerful German troops. Although the American soldiers who had never experienced war before were growing up rapidly during the long war, they were inadequate in all respects compared to the German army, which had experienced two world wars.
In the struggle for some small positions, all units of the US military are fighting their own battles. Each held its ground, but the Germans showed very different battles. The commander of some German assault squads, when he saw that friendly forces were in a favorable position. It will quickly draw some strength from its own squad for reinforcements, and then help the allies achieve victory. They will selflessly come up with the only tank they have, or the only bazooka they have, to help their allies......
So it seems that the Germans are only achieving some sporadic victories, but these small victories are accumulating. The Germans were quickly taking control of the situation on the battlefield.
Around noon. Another German legend, the "Death Knight" Wittmann, appeared on the front lines.
The commander-in-chief of the German Imperial Panzer Corps brought all the armor power in his hands to the soldiers who were fighting on the front line.
These even include the old "Tiger" and "Leopard" tanks.
In order to achieve the last victory of the war, Berlin also took out all the last bit of belongings......
"The Ninth Panzer Squadron Attacked to the West...... "came to Ernst. At Marshal Bream's side, Weidmann gave a loud order, and then he said: "Marshal, I am here. ”
"Not too soon, but not too late." Wang Weiyi said lightly.
"People hate war, but I love it......" Wittmann said suddenly, "I thought I wouldn't have a chance to be promoted to marshal." But now perhaps our enemies have given me such an opportunity. ”
Wang Weiyi smiled, this damn "death knight". Ideas are always different from others.
His enthusiasm for war is difficult for outsiders to understand......
"Marshal, do you remember the first time we met?" Wittman asked, holding up his binoculars.
"It was in Demyansk......" Wang Weiyi also picked up the binoculars: "Order the 2nd Armored Squadron to reinforce the B3 front, and the 2nd Skeleton Infantry Regiment of the Skeleton Division has launched a general attack on the enemy." ”
"Yes, I'll give the order...... "Wittman came to the phone, gave his own order, then put down the phone and returned to the marshal's side: "Yes, right in Dmiyansk, I fought with you, and then I found my purpose in life......"
Wang Weiyi's head turned to him: "I remember, you entered Dmiyansk without the permission of your superiors, and the military court tried you for such an act?" ”
Wittman was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "Marshal, I have to beg you not to mention this matter again, they have probably forgotten about it. ”
Wang Weiyi laughed loudly...... This war-hungry "Death Knight" is a ......
The scales of war were rapidly tilting in favor of Germany......
At 1 o'clock in the afternoon, with the 2nd Skull Infantry Regiment as the main force, accompanied by the 2nd Armored Squadron of the "Wittmann Armored Assault Group", the Germans began to launch a general attack on the 3rd Armored Brigade of the US Army.
Long before the decisive battle broke out, Brigadier General Gott and the 3rd Armored Brigade under his command were already under heavy pressure. They were mobilized on all fronts again and again, acting as firefighters again and again, and their strength was quickly weakened when they could not be resupplied.
Eventually, after the surrender of the U.S. 7th Infantry Regiment, Brigadier General Gort and his troops were besieged in the B3 theater.
Gort had a sense of foreboding in his heart, there were German soldiers in the assault everywhere, and it was difficult for him to find an opportunity to play. The only thing he could do at this time was to defend passively.
And after the start of the general offensive of the German troops. Finally, there was good news that General Corrette had personally brought a battalion of infantry to reinforce part of the 3rd Armored Brigade, which lacked infantry protection.
General Corrit looked a little heavy. Gort knew what it was for.
Theater B3 is so important to the battlefield that if it can't be held, the entire 2nd Armored Cavalry Division may soon be wiped out.
This is the last thing Americans want to see......
"How long can I hold on?" General Corrit asked, observing the battlefield.
"I don't know what to do." Brigadier General Gott replied honestly: "We are under a lot of pressure, we have lost about a third of our strength in the previous battles, and it is especially frustrating that the absolute air superiority we had before is no longer there. Lieutenant General. The Germans know how to fight, and the Germans know how to win......"
General Corrit did not hear fear in these words, and he knew that Brigadier General Daogot was telling the truth.
The Germans not only knew how to win. And they know how to achieve victory at the lowest cost.
This is something that Americans do not have.
"Thank you for your candor, Got." General Corrit sighed softly, "There are some things that I think you should know better." After the German counteroffensive, the British Royal Navy fleet swore allegiance to Elizabeth II. and launched an attack on the Allied Navy. And in the North African and Middle East theaters. The Germans and their allies also launched a massive counterattack against us, and the development of the war became very unoptimistic......"
Brigadier General Gort was stunned, why did it happen that the earth had changed in a short period of time?
"So, if we fail again in Berlin, the consequences are already very unpredictable." General Corrit looked worried: "Do your best, Gort. ”
"I will, I will do my best to block the enemy's attacks." Brigadier General Gort perked up: "But the only thing I don't understand is where did the Germans get so many weapons and ammunition? I've heard some rumors before. The Germans, in addition to opening the Constantine base, received military assistance from various countries from some secret channels? ”
General Corrit pursed his lips, "I can't answer your question. Because I don't have the answer at all......"
Until this time, Corrit could not learn that Germany was not alone, and that secret assistance from the United States and France had never stopped.
Germany is not alone, and neither is Baron Alexon......
General Corrit was gone, and he did everything he could to bring the aid he could, leaving the rest to Goth himself.
Goth actually knew very well that the strength of an infantry battalion was not enough for him to be able to defend his position. But Goth knew all too well where the war was going, especially after talking to General Corret.
The Allies needed them to hold on until reinforcements arrived.
A new German offensive began......
The B3 theater of operations became a top priority, and Brigadier General Gort and his 3rd Armored Brigade were also the key to whether they could get reinforcements from the 2nd Armored Cavalry Division and others.
No one wants to lose a victory in a war like this.
From the afternoon, Wang Weiyi once again moved his headquarters forward, this German field marshal who had never been afraid, this time directly placed his command headquarters in the headquarters of the 2nd Skeleton Infantry Regiment.
This was a pressure for all German soldiers, but it was also a great encouragement......
The 2nd Skeleton Infantry Regiment, supported by the 2nd Armored Squadron of the "Wittman Armored Assault Group", launched non-stop attacks on the US positions again and again.
To be sure, those American servicemen also showed their loyalty and courage. They repeatedly fought the Germans on certain important positions. The battlefield was littered with corpses and rivers of blood.
Brigadier General Gott had never experienced such a brutal war......
"Air raids, air raids!" A terrible cry rang out.
The last thing the Americans wanted to see happened, when the Luftwaffe, which was fighting for air supremacy with the Allies, forcibly sent out their bombing squadrons.
Escorting the bombers was a fleet of Luftwaffe fighters. And the most striking of them is the fiery red fighter:
The Red Baron!
Like the adoration of Baron Alexon, the Red Baron can also bring great confidence.
Bombs fell on American positions. At the same time, German artillery was thrown into the assault here.
The war went from cruel to even more brutal......
The German soldiers, who were greatly excited, let out a tsunami of cheers, knowing that victory was only one step away from them.
As Brigadier General Goth believes, defeat is only one step away from him.
It's time to put an end to it all!
Brigadier General Gort, urging his troops to fight with all their courage, told the American officers and enlisted men that reinforcements would soon arrive. What they're going to do. Just hold on a little longer, hold on a little longer!
This time the German offensive was never interrupted, supported by air force and ground artillery. The German company carried out a full two-hour assault.
By 5 p.m., Brigadier General Goth had lost most of his position and more than half of his strength.
He has a clear conscience, and he has done his best...... Now the only thing he begged for. Just hurry up and get dark. This would buy him some respite.
But it was clear that the Germans were simply not willing to drag out the battle until tomorrow.
The Germans, who had adjusted slightly, immediately returned to the battle.
And the 4th Armored Brigade, not far from Brigadier General Gort, could not help its allies much, and their situation was not optimistic at all, and even worse.
Company F was devastated...... New bad news reached Brigadier General Gort's ears, but it was already numb to him.
He still has some distress, F Company is a very elite unit. From the beginning of their entry into Germany, they showed tenacity and made many outstanding achievements. But here it is. Brigadier General Gort lost F Company forever.
He had not many forces at his disposal, and he had a hunch that the Germans would not stop attacking even when it was dark.
Brigadier General Gort's hunch was not wrong.
The Germans, who had decided to go all out, continued to maintain a strong attack posture even after the sky gradually darkened.
What made the Americans even more frustrated was that the veteran "Mylistel Commando" also took the initiative to join the attack on the 3rd Armored Brigade of the US Army.
This is a heroic force that has followed Baron Alexon since the beginning of the Second World War. They never disappointed.
Now, Brigadier General Gort's situation is even worse.
The light of the fire lit up the night like day, and the sound of cannons and gunfire never stopped.
After the Myristal commando joined the attack, in just over an hour, the 3rd Armored Brigade was completely cut into sections, and Brigadier General Gort lost control of the troops.
The U.S. military had to fight on their own, with no one to direct them, let alone what they should do......
Even Brigadier General Gort's life is at risk at all times.
All he could get his hands on was three tanks and a few dozen soldiers.
The worst of the worst was when Brigadier General Gort encountered a strong German force at 9 p.m.
This is an armored force consisting of the "Leopard IX.", "Destroyer 3" and "Moder" commandos. Their commander probably had a sudden inspiration and felt that he had caught a big fish.
The attack started from the first second......
The three American tanks resisted as best they could, but they were far from being the match for the German tanks. In less than ten minutes, they had already lost two tanks.
"General Gort, please retreat at once."
Gort recognized the captain who spoke, his name was Max, and he was a very brave officer. General Goth actually smiled at this time: "Captain, where do you think I can retreat?" ”
Max looked around, and suddenly he smiled.
yes, where can they retreat? There were Germans everywhere around, and they were completely surrounded.
"So, should we choose surrender or die?" Max asked this slightly childish question.
"What do you think, Captain?" Brigadier General Gort asked rhetorically.
"I think we're all going to die here." Max seemed to be thinking there.
"Then let's do it." Brigadier General Goth finished speaking, and took a gun.
It's been a long time since I've felt like an ordinary soldier...... If you can die here like an ordinary soldier today, you don't have too many regrets......
Brigadier General Gott and the American squad under his command lost one of their last tanks to a powerful German attack. And among the infantrymen, there were only a few people left.
Brigadier General Goth watched Captain Max die in front of him.
The captain was very brave, and when the enemy's bullets were about to be fired at Gort, he used his body to protect the general, but he died.
What a stupid and lovely captain, what difference does it make if you die early and die later?
The Germans presumably found themselves surrounded by an American general, and they stopped firing and slowly surrounded it.
Want to capture yourself alive? Goth quickly understood the other party's intentions.
Someone surrendered in the war, they were a bunch of cowards, but such cowardice would never befall them.
He threw away the weapon in his hand, pulled the pistol from his waist, and stuffed it into his mouth.
The shots rang out, and Brigadier General Gort ended his military career in this way.
In any case, he was at least a brave soldier, and he used his death to maintain the dignity of a soldier.
At this point, he is undoubtedly worthy of respect! (To be continued......)