The Russian forces in Smolensk ceased resisting, leaving the German military and its allies, who had been preparing to attack, staring at one another in bewilderment, unable to understand what had happened. It was only after Russian envoys arrived in the German-controlled area that they learned these Russian troops were preparing to surrender.
General Fedor von Bock, Commander of the German 3rd Army Corps, ordered the German 3rd Army Corps, the 1st Polish Army Corps, the 2nd Army Corps, and the 1st Belarusian Army Corps to halt their attacks. At the same time, he reported the situation to General Guderian.
General Guderian was also greatly startled upon learning that the Russians intended to surrender. In their previous understanding, Russian officers and soldiers had practically been brainwashed. They fought without fearing death in battle, so how could they possibly surrender to the enemy?
However, this was undoubtedly a good thing for the German military. If the Russian forces surrendered, they would be able to occupy Smolensk immediately. At the same time, German casualties could be reduced to a minimum.
At the same time, this seemed to prove that the Russian forces' will to fight was not unshakable. Once driven into a desperate situation, they would surrender as well. If so, the coming war might become much easier.
At the German General Staff Headquarters, Field Marshal Manstein, Chief of the German General Staff, immediately went to the imperial palace after receiving General Guderian's Telegram to report the matter to Emperor Qin Tian of the Empire.
"Your Majesty, General Guderian's troops have beaten the Russian forces in Smolensk until they have nowhere left to turn. Now, General Timoshenko, Commander of the Russian Western Front Army, has formally requested to surrender to us!" Field Marshal Manstein said.
"Timoshenko wants to surrender?" Oscar froze for