German military Army Group A conquered Ulyanovsk, indicating that they have completed the first phase of Operation Barbarossa's combat plan. Before capturing Ulyanovsk, German Army Group C successfully captured Bryansk, Oryol, and Lipetsk and Tambov have once again pushed Army Group C's defense line tens of kilometers northward, which means that they are one step closer to Moscow.
At the same time, German D Army Group, after annihilating the Russian army Southern Front Army, invaded the territory of Buru. The second time, Rostov-on-Don was captured, and Volgograd was captured all the way east. After that, Army Group stopped the offensive and switched to defense.
As a result, German military major Army Group have completed the first phase of Operation Barbarossa's combat missions. During this phase of the combat mission, German military destroyed four fronts of the Russian army and wiped out more than two million enemies.
Although, compared to Buru, which has tens of millions of troops, two million people seem to be nothing at all. However, the two million people who were wiped out were the standing army of the Russian army and could be regarded as the elite force of the Russian army. Even if the Russian army can further mobilize more troops, there is undoubtedly a certain gap in combat effectiveness between the newly formed troops and the standing army. This will make German military achieve remarkable results in eliminating the effective forces of the Russian army. The next battle will always be much easier.
If it weren't for the fact that Russia's cold winter was so terrifying, German military could have continued the attack. In this case, there would be no need to give Russia a chance to breathe. But unfortunately, Russia's territory is too vast and its strategic depth is too great. With Germany's current strength, he still can't eat Russia in one bite. In addition, German Emperor Oscar knows the mistakes made by Führer in another time and space. Therefore, he must avoid making similar mistakes as much as possible. He didn't want to end up failing after working hard all his life.
German military stopped attacking and went on the defensive, which also made Russia breathe a sigh of relief. The previous fierce attack by German military wiped out more than two million Russian troops in less than a month after the war began. Such attack power scared Buru to the core, worrying that German military would hit Moscow in one go. However, German military's cautious approach to combat also disappointed the top brass of the Russian army. They had originally hoped that the Russian army could further attack, thereby lengthening German military's front line and logistics supply line. In this case, they may have a chance to launch a counterattack and defeat German military.
German military took the initiative to stop the attack, causing a rare calm on the battlefield. However, beneath this calmness lies a greater crisis. All fools know that the reason German military did this was to prepare for the next large-scale attack. Once German military completes preparations and survives the cold winter, their fierce offensive will begin again. By then, it is undoubtedly very difficult to say whether the Russian army can withstand German offensive. After all, previous battles have proven that in front of German military's Blitzkrieg, the Russian army's defense is like a joke.
Germany, Berlin, General Staff Headquarters.
Emperor Qin Tian of the Empire and a group of Cabinet senior officials went to General Staff Headquarters to listen to the situation report.
"Your Majesty, so far, the four Army Group of the Empire have completed the first phase of the combat plan. Now, the whole army has shifted to defensive operations. Except for some of the millions of troops of the Imperial Army, most of them will retreat to the second-line positions. The first-line positions will be controlled by The Protectorate armies of the Empire will be responsible. By next spring, our large-scale offensive will begin again. In next spring, we plan to capture Moscow and Yuzefgrad and other large cities," said Chief of General Staff Field Marshal Manstein.
Oscar nodded, very satisfied with German military's victory in this stage. At least, all plans have been completed.
"Have the supplies for the winter arrived at the front line?" Oscar asked.
"Your Majesty, most of the supplies have been transported to the front line. The remaining troops are also seizing the time to rush to transport them. Although the temperature in Russia has begun to drop now. However, it has not started snowing yet, and the weather is not very cold yet."
"Fuel, winter clothing, food, and weapons and equipment accessories must be delivered on time. I don't want non-combat attrition due to our inadequate winterization measures. I don't want Russia to launch a counterattack, and our defense line will be broken through by Russians!" Oscar said with a serious face.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Please rest assured, such a situation will never happen!" Field Marshal Manstein assured.
"Using this winter, we will dispatch elite troops to clear out the Russian guerrillas in the occupied areas. Make sure they will not cause us trouble in next year's war!" Oscar said.
Tomorrow's war will play a decisive role. Therefore, any unexpected situation must be avoided. The guerrillas led by Bolshevik Party will be a huge threat to German military's occupied areas and supply lines.
"Your Majesty, our special forces are ready. As soon as it starts to snow, they will be dispatched."
"Field Marshal Kesselring! From now on, Strategic Air Force can take action. Ground troops cannot launch large-scale attacks in the cold winter. However, Strategic Air Force can be dispatched. We will launch bombings on Russia's important cities, including important industrial bases. Destroy their industrial strength and war potential as much as possible!" Oscar said.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Strategic Air Force is ready for battle!" Albert Field Marshal Kesselring replied.
"Everyone, since everything is ready. Then, I will wait and see. Next, I will leave it to you to perform. In addition, after a week, the promotion ceremony will be held in the palace. Let the generals come back!" Oscar said.
On the morning of October 15, 1939, Germany held a marshal promotion ceremony. Generals who perform outstandingly in this war will be promoted.
In the army, the 1st Army Group Commander General Blomberg, 2nd Army Group Commander Brauchitsch generals, the 8th Army Group Commander General Guderian and 9th Army Group Commander Rommel generals will be promoted to marshal Imperial Army.
In terms of the Navy, Admiral Commander Dönitz of the Submarine Force and Admiral Fleet Commander Lütjens of the local navy were promoted to Marshal Imperial Navy.
In the Air Force, General Edward? Milch was also promoted to Marshal Imperial Air Force.