Chapter 1440 The real crisis

The Northwest Front Command of the Russian Army, Commander General Kurochkin, Political Commissar Lieutenant General Bogatkin, and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Vatutin were frowning. Although after the fall of Ulyanovgrad, the Northwest Front was rebuilt and strengthened at the same time. The current Northwest Front Army has eight infantry armies and one tank army, with a total strength of nearly 1.5 million people.

But unfortunately, the German Army Group A they encountered included, in addition to the three German Army Groups, a Finnish Army Group and three Army Groups from the three Baltic States, with a total strength of 1.4 million people. The strength of the two sides can be said to be almost the same. The combat effectiveness of the Finnish army and the armies of the three Baltic countries is no worse than that of the Russian army. Even the newly formed troops of the Russian army may not be as powerful as the armies of Finland and the three Baltic countries. This also made them unable to resist the fierce attack of the German Army Group A, and they were beaten back steadily.

With the continuous loss of positions, after the 1st Russian tank army was also hit hard by the two German armored divisions, the Russian Northwest Front was even more unable to withstand the German attack.

"Comrades, the front line of defense is constantly being breached by the Germans, and our losses are very heavy. However, Comrade Joseph has issued a death order, prohibiting us from retreating! Now, what should we do?" Admiral Kurochkin said blackly said the face.

Lieutenant General Bogatkin and Lieutenant General Vatutin also have no good solutions. After all, facing the current situation, they are also helpless. If they retreat, they may be able to retain part of their troops. However, that would defy Joseph's order. Joseph, who was furious, would definitely not let them go easily. But if you stick to it, the entire Northwest Front Army may be eaten by the German army. In that case, the situation will be even more unfavorable to them.

Like the leaders of the Northwest Front, the commander of the Russian Southwest Front, General Kirponos, Political Commissar Lieutenant General Zhertov, and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Pulkayev are also worried. In last year's battle, several group armies under the Southwest Front Army were disabled and suffered heavy losses. However, after a winter, several armies were replenished and regained their strength. In addition, three armies were also strengthened, bringing the total strength of the Southwest Front to eight infantry armies and one air force army. However, their opponent is the powerful C Army Group of the German Army. In addition to the five German armies, this army group also includes servants from Ukraine, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The number of these servants is as high as two million.

What's more, the powerful German 9th Panzer Army is also here. The German army also assembled 3,000 tanks in this army group. The number of tanks owned by several infantry armies of the Russian Southwest Front Army is less than one-third of the number of tanks owned by the German Army Group C. With such a huge gap in strength between the two sides, the difficulty for the Russian army to resist the German attack can be imagined.

Facing the fierce attack of the German Army Group C, the Russian Southwest Front Army could not resist at all. After a week, several army groups have been disabled. The remaining group armies are also in danger. The defense line of the entire Russian Southwest Front Army is undoubtedly in jeopardy. Once the Russian Southwest Front Army is wiped out, then the German Army Group C will be able to drive straight in and directly approach the city of Moscow.

"Comrades, we need reinforcements. Our enemy is stronger than us. Their strength is almost three times that of ours. The number of their tanks is also more than three times ours. Under the German attack, Our troops have lost a lot. Without reinforcements, we will not be able to withstand the German attack. Once we are defeated by the Germans, the Germans will be able to advance directly to Moscow. At that time, we will have no strength at all Come to stop the Germans." General Kirponos, commander of the Russian Southwest Front, said.

"Yes, Comrade Commander is right. The difference in strength between us and the enemy is too great. Under such circumstances, we have no way to compete with the Germans. We must get more reinforcements!" Lieutenant General Zhertov, political commissar, also said.

"Comrade Pulkayev, in the name of the Front Army Command, sent a telegram to Moscow requesting reinforcements. Otherwise, we will not be able to withstand the German attack." Admiral Kirponos said.

"Yes, Comrade Commander. However, if this happens, will Comrade Joseph be dissatisfied." Lieutenant General Pulkayev was a little worried. They all knew very well that Joseph could not tolerate the news of the defeat on the front line.

Admiral Kirponos couldn't help hesitating for a moment. If Joseph knew that the Southwest Front Army would be defeated, these generals might not end well.

"Send a telegram! If we don't send a telegram and we are defeated by the Germans, Comrade Joseph will not let us go!" General Kirponos said.

"Yes, Comrade Commander," Lieutenant General Purkayev replied.

At the same time, less than a hundred kilometers away from the headquarters of the Russian Southwest Front Army, in the headquarters of the German Army Group C, Field Marshal Rommel, the commander of the 9th Army, was talking with the commander of the 7th Army, Franz von Admiral Loeb spoke.

"General Loeb, the Southwestern Front of the Russian Army, is about to be cornered by us. We have already wiped out their 37th and 40th armies. In addition, we have disabled two other armies. The remaining four A group army is constantly retreating. If we gather all the armored forces to launch a large-scale rapid assault, we will be able to completely defeat them. As long as the remaining troops in the southwest of the Russian army are killed, then the road to Moscow is It's all over the place!" Marshal Rommel said.

Admiral Franz von Loeb nodded: "Your Excellency, Marshal, compared with Army Group B, we really don't have much light in this war. If we can defeat the Russian Southwest Front Army, the first It would be very nice to launch an attack on Moscow."

Marshal Rommel shook his head: "It's meaningless to fight for the first troops to attack Moscow. After defeating the Russian Southwest Front Army, we turned to attack the flank of the Russian Army Western Front Army, equipped with Army Group B, Eat them. That's the most important thing! The greatest threat to the Russians!"