Chapter 223: surrender

   "Boom!"

  After defeating the Russian Cossack cavalry, the German 8th Armored Division did not stop pursuing, but continued to advance, approaching the Russian position.

   "God! Those black devils are coming, let's run away."

  Countless Russian soldiers had been frightened by the tanks of the German 8th Armored Division. They simply didn't have the courage to continue fighting and retreated one after another.

  Even the generals of the Russian army were all in mourning. They knew it was really over this time. Despite their last-ditch efforts and heavy losses. But still can't change the result.

   Fortunately, the German 8th Armored Division did not continue to pursue, and retreated after driving the Russian army for almost five kilometers. It's not that they don't want to continue to chase, but that the fierce battle just now has caused problems with many parts of the tank, and they need to be replaced to avoid more trouble.

  The performance of the current tank is still very bad, especially the reliability, which has become an extremely important factor restricting the performance of the tank. If the German army wants to fight a blitzkrieg, it must first further improve the performance of the tank. At least it must be ensured that the tank can penetrate hundreds of kilometers without any problems. Otherwise, the blitzkrieg is nothing more than delusional.

  The German army stopped its pursuit, which made the retreating Russian army finally breathe a sigh of relief. Many people, actually have a feeling of surviving after a catastrophe.

"General, what should we do now? In today's battle, the troops suffered heavy losses. Especially the cavalry, there are only more than 1,000 people left. The artillery has been completely lost. We have no strength, so organize another battle." Similar attacks." A Russian general looked desperate.

  The other generals of the Russian army also had extremely ugly faces, almost all with expressions of no confidence. Today's battle has completely wiped out all their confidence.

  The powerful firepower of the German army, especially the last armored unit, gave them a fatal blow. When they first learned of the disastrous defeat of the 2nd Army, they still somewhat despised the 2nd Army for being too weak. But now, they know that it's not that the Second Army is too weak, but that the Germans are too strong! If it were them, they would not be the opponents of the Germans either!

   "General, since we can no longer ensure the breakout of large forces. Then, let's disperse the breakout! Just like what the 2nd Army did in the end, we can escape as much as possible." A general suggested.

   "Yes, General. We have no other choice." The other generals also said.

"Everyone, don't forget the terrain here. This is the Masurian Lake swamp area. Those traffic arteries that can pass are all under the control of the German army. The rest are impassable swamps. If you disperse and break through, We have to go through those swamps. At that time, I am afraid that not many people will be able to get out alive." A Russian general broke everyone's head.

  Those Russian generals suggested breaking out of the siege, nothing more than wanting to gather elite troops, protect them to break out, and ensure that they can escape. As for ordinary Russian soldiers, they can only give up. However, if it is to cross the swamp, it is different. Those bottomless swamps will not swallow them just because they are generals.

  Suddenly, the faces of the Russian generals became very ugly. If it is also possible to lose their lives in a scattered breakout, then they will definitely not make that choice.

  All eyes were on Admiral Leiningkamp.

   After feeling the desire of his subordinates to survive, Admiral Leiningkamp also felt tremendous pressure. These generals, as well as the more than 200,000 Russian soldiers, don't want to die!

   "Let's go back first, let me think about it." Admiral Leiningkamp said.

   "Yes, General."

  Although some Russian generals hesitated to speak, they never spoke. Everyone handed over the power of choice to General Leiningkamp.

  After everyone left, Admiral Leiningkamp fell into deep thought. Now they can be said to have fallen into a desperate situation. If no miracle happens, then they are dead. Of course, General Leiningkamp never believed in miracles.

  Admiral Leiningkamp is sixty-one years old, neat and straight, with two curled beards. During the Russo-Japanese War and the suppression of the revolution in 1905, he was well-known in the army for his bravery, decisiveness, and strategy. However, there is a thin shadow over this general, that is, he is a descendant of Germans, and people have certain doubts about his loyalty.

   "Well, since you don't trust me in the first place, then there is no need for me to continue working for the Tsar." After thinking for a long time, General Leiningkamp finally made up his mind.

  Because he is of German descent, he was treated unequally in Russia. This time, his life was threatened again. Therefore, Admiral Leiningkamp made up his mind to betray the Russian Empire.

   "Come here, pass my letter secretly to the Russians." Admiral Leiningkamp found his confidant and adjutant, and solemnly handed him the letter written by himself.

  The adjutant obviously knew what this meant, and nodded with a serious face. This adjutant was an orphan raised by General Leiningkamp himself, and he was very loyal to General Leiningkamp. He has long been very dissatisfied with the unfair treatment of Admiral Leiningkamp in Russia.

  General Leiningkamp's adjutant, with a secret letter, went to the German defense line.

   After some twists and turns, he met Lieutenant General Francois.

   "Your Excellency, General, this is a letter from General Leiningkamp." The adjutant handed over the superstition to Lieutenant General François.

  Because Admiral Leiningkamp is of German origin, he can also speak German. So, the secret letter was written in German.

  Although Lieutenant General Francois was a little surprised, he opened the letter and read it. When he read the letter, he was stunned. He never expected that a senior Russian general like General Leiningkamp would voluntarily surrender to Germany, which was beyond his expectation.

   "General Leiningkamp, ​​do you really want to surrender?" Lieutenant General Francois asked in surprise.

"Yes, General. Now the Russian 1st Army has no other way out. Apart from surrender, there is no other way to survive. What's more, the general has been discriminated against in Russia. The Tsar and others are doubting his Loyalty. That's why he decided to surrender to Germany," the adjutant explained.