Arc of Fire

At this moment, Wang Zhong suddenly realized that this was the first time since arriving at Argesukov’s that the military officers, chief of staff, and the military bishop had gathered together.

Just as he was about to reflect on this, Popov asked, “General, how long do you think we have for reorganization?”

Wang Zhong pursed his lips. Regarding the unfolding events on Earth, he only roughly remembered one timeline: the pivot towards the small ancient began in mid-August and was almost complete by mid-September.

According to this timeline, there was about one month left for reorganization.

But Wang Zhong always felt there wasn’t as much time, mainly because Prosen’s strength in this world was much greater than the Sturmtigers’.

So, to be on the safe side, he said, “We can probably reorganize until July 22nd. After that, we should begin to see some clues about the enemy’s activities, and by then we should figure out a way to make a move.”

Pavlov: “Use one division to block the Central Army Group? Even you can’t do that, right?”

Wang Zhong: “Of course I can’t. But at least I can delay the enemy’s attack and buy time for a breakout.”

Pavlov: “Buying time for a breakout… It seems you are convinced that the enemy will pivot. Do you have any basis for that? From the current distance, the gap between the enemy’s Central Army Group and Southern Army Group exceeds four hundred kilometers, that’s four hundred kilometers!”

In fact, if only the latitude difference is considered, it’s not that far, but the Central Army Group’s advance is too fast, which results in a diagonal distance.

It is precisely because of the Central’s rapid progress that a large-scale encirclement has become possible.

Wang Zhong: “Take a look at the Carolingian campaign. People have path dependencies, and so do armies. The Prussians executed a splendid encirclement at Carolingian, so naturally, they would do the same here.”

Popov had been listening to the two military commanders’ conversation. Seeing that Pavlov fell silent, he said, “The General has always been right; it must be a sort of battlefield intuition. Also, I’ve heard someone at the High Command holds the same view, and he has been dismissed and sent to command the Saint Andrew Front Army in the North.”

Pavlov shook his head: “His Majesty the Tsar seems to have believed General Skorobo, even sending the Crown Prince here.”

Wang Zhong: “Isn’t the Crown Prince coming to find me?”

Pavlov and Popov looked at Wang Zhong with an expression that said, “What are you talking about?”

Pavlov: “He’s here to supervise the army. The Tsar had initially planned to come himself, but the High Command stopped him. It’s different now; in the past, the cannons could only reach as far as the fifth row of front-line infantry, posing no danger to His Majesty, but now cannons and bombers can easily reach the rear.”

Wang Zhong clicked his tongue in realization: “I see. Anyway, let’s hurry to reorganize and prepare for every possibility.”

The other two nodded in agreement, and the division headquarters thus reached a consensus.

————

Jules Year 914, July 22nd, at 1130 hours.

Wang Zhong was in the divisional headquarters studying the latest situations when a communications officer with a telegram in hand entered the map room from the next door.

When the door opened, the beeping sound from the next room entered Wang Zhong’s ears.

Wang Zhong: “Leave the door open. Listening to the beeping sound gives more of a feel of being at the command center.”

After all, Wang Zhong’s favorite “Great Battle” always featured beeping sounds whenever the command center of our army was shown.

The communications officer immediately turned around to leave the door open, then walked over to the map and handed the telegram to the operations officer.

Such telegrams, not directly addressed to the division, are normally not read to the division commander but instead, the operations officer updates the information directly on the map.

Wang Zhong looked at the new information: “Armored Division 26 hasn’t moved all day today?”

Operations Officer: “Yes, that’s what the telegram says.”

Pavlov stood up and approached Wang Zhong: “They’ve stopped for repairs?”

“Probably.” Wang Zhong stroked his chin, “The war has been going on for a month, the enemy’s armored divisions should also have stopped for repairs by now.” ŕ𝐚ɴ𝙤𝖇Ëš

If Prosen’s tanks have the same characteristics as Earth’s Sturmtigers, then the enemy’s armored units should have suffered considerable non-combat casualties, needing to stop and wait for the repair units to fix the tanks.

In addition, there are replenishments like ammunition, fuel, and food, and people also need rest.

Pavlov stepped forward, picked up a pointer next to the map, and pointed at it: “As of now, of the enemy’s strongest Second Armored Group, consisting of six armored divisions and an independent armored brigade, three armored divisions have already stopped for rest.

“Cavalry recon at the front lines indicates that the enemy’s infantry is constructing defensive positions in Balagima and Bolsk, clearly meant as a precaution against our Balagima-Bolsk Army Group’s attack. I think this is enough to prove that the enemy intends to encircle us from the south; these positions are to prevent us from attacking.”

“`

“After the enemy completes their reorganization, they will start the encirclement,”

Wang Zhong said, “Just report to the Front Army like this. But I’m guessing it won’t be of any use.”

Pavlov replied, “General Skorobo may not admit it, but he is prepared. He has positioned three tank armies on this line.”

As he spoke, Pavlov drew a line on the map with a pointer, just brushing past the three tank armies scattered to the north of Argesukov.

Popov joined the conversation, “General Skorobo has a background in armored troops, and often calls himself a ‘Tank Operator.’ He’s probably been itching for an armored battle with the Prussians.”

Wang Zhong shook his head, “But if we attack, the Prussians will deploy smoke and then retreat until they’re back in front of their 88mm guns.”

Wang Zhong paused and sighed, “It will fail.”

————

“We will win!” General Skorobo paced excitedly in front of the map.

“Among these three tank armies, the 6th Tank Army is entirely equipped with T34s! And the 11th Tank Army has many KVs!

“The enemy will be crushed under our armored fist!”

“The enemy’s 2nd Armored Army Group is still led by their Armored Supervisor Heinz Wilhelm von Mauch! He is the proponent of blitzkrieg theory!

“Now, we can completely shatter their blitzkrieg myth!”

The Chief of Staff of the Front Army said, “So, you’re acknowledging the Major’s prediction is correct?”

“No! His guess is unsubstantiated! If he had presented this evidence then, I would have supported him!” General Skorobo, waving his fist, said, “The enemy has stopped after consecutive victories, which shows they’ve reached the end of their tether! Our armored fist will crush them! The war will end this winter!”

After a brief pause, General Skorobo added, “His Majesty the Tsar thinks so too! That’s why he sent His Royal Highness the Crown Prince! Our victory will be the beginning of a turnaround!”

————

Wang Zhong slammed the table, “We can’t keep waiting like this. How many troops do we have now?”

Pavlov immediately started listing, “Infantry includes the near-Guard 31st Infantry Regiment, the 5th Byeshensk Regiment, totaling 4,500 combatants.

“Armored troops are currently designated as the 422nd Independent Armored Battalion, with 30 T34s ready for battle, and four awaiting repair.

“The 339th Anti-tank Artillery Battalion, 12 45mm anti-tank guns ready.

“The 155th Artillery Regiment, 24 152mm heavy artillery pieces ready. (The logistics personnel for heavy artillery are very numerous, averaging 53 people per piece)

“One independent B4 battery, four B4 heavy howitzers ready, and one awaiting repair.

“The 55th Anti-aircraft Battery, 12 72-K anti-aircraft guns.

“Additionally, there are auxiliary forces like the God’s Arrow Company, the Sound Array Regiment, etc. A total of 9,800 combatants and 12,000 logistical support personnel.”

Wang Zhong said, “We will do our best and leave the rest to fate. Our target is here!”

He stabbed his finger on the map on a place called Orachi.

Popov asked, “Why here?”

Wang Zhong replied, “First, the highway passes through here. The enemy’s armored units can’t avoid this place since they need supplies for their push to the south. Second, except for this area, the surroundings are all open grassland. Here there are hedgerows and forests, suitable for concealed defensive positions.

“Third, if we can delay the enemy forces here, the enemy’s 1st Armored Army Group from the south will need more time to bypass this area. Our troops can seize this opportunity to break through from the road at Orachi. Besides the road, look over here, this grassland can also be traversed before the muddy season starts, allowing us to get many forces out.”

In truth, Wang Zhong was basing these ideas on his gaming experience.

He didn’t actually know if it would work.

But at that moment, he was a commander with unwavering resolve, and he decided to give it a try.

Pavlov sighed, “Your idea is good, but how can we obtain orders to move out? We’re part of the Southwest Front Army, and although we haven’t been assigned to any army or army group, we are still under the Front Army’s control.”

Wang Zhong replied, “Can only try to reach out to my old man then.”

“`

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