Uzhhorod, Austrian Army Headquarters. Russian Southwestern Front Army's three armies are still launching a fierce attack on the Austrian defense line. Although, the Austrian army used fortifications and powerful firepower to successfully resist the Russian attack and caused great casualties to the Russian army. But at the same time, the Austrian casualties were also increasing.
As casualties increased, the morale of the Austrian army inevitably began to decline. The consequence of this is that the Austrian army's defense line has been in danger several times. Several lines of defense were almost broken by the Russian army. This made Marshal von Hotzendorf very nervous, and he even had to split up 4th Army Corps, who was the reserve team, and send them to the front line to stabilize the defense.
Regarding the performance of the Austrian army, Oscar couldn't help but shake his head. Initially, the Austrians performed reasonably well. But as casualties appeared, the unit's performance began to get worse and worse. The reason is undoubtedly that the Austrian army's fighting will is too fragile. If it were German military, such a situation would never happen.
However, the Austrian army has been weak for a long time, and Oscar has nothing to do about it. He can only hope that the Austrian army can persist until German military's strategic plan is realized. In that case, they will win this battle. Otherwise, the consequences will be disastrous.
"Your Excellency, is the Russian offensive still very fierce?" Oscar asked.
"Yes, Crown Prince. Russians is like crazy, constantly launching fierce attacks on our defense line. Our troops are under great pressure." Marshal von Hotzendorf said with red eyes. He didn't sleep all night last night. Because, at night, the Russian army organized several night attacks and almost broke through the Austrian army's defense line.
As the Chief of General Staff of the Austrian Army, Marshal Herzendorf knew very well how serious the consequences would be if the Austrian army failed to hold on to its defense line. Therefore, he stayed at the headquarters and was in constant contact with the front line, knowing that he would personally send telegrams to the commanders of each infantry division, asking them to hold the line of defense no matter what.
"Russians's losses are even greater than ours, and much greater. I think their high-intensity attack will not last long. If we persist for a few more days, there will be a turn for the better." Oscar said.
Marshal von Hotzendorf nodded, he thought so too. After all, the casualties of the Russian army were much greater than those of the defending Austrian army. Even with this kind of consumption, the Austrian army would have the advantage. It is precisely because of this that Marshal von Hotzendorf took a very rare and harsh attitude towards the generals, requiring them to defend the line of defense no matter what. They were not allowed to retreat without permission, and violations of military law would be punished.
It was precisely because of Marshal von Hotzendorf's strong suppression that the Austrian generals fought tooth and nail to hold on to the defense line. If the Austrian army's previous performance on the battlefield was anything to go by, their defense line would have been broken through by the Russian army long ago.
"Your Highness, German military, how is the progress there?" Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf asked.
"8th Army Corps's progress is considered a victory. Our battle at Chełm is about to win. The Russian army tried to send a Infantry Corps to reinforce Chełm, but we were defeated. The battle for Zamość has also begun. There, we also have an absolute advantage. It is an irreversible fact that Russian 4th Army Corps will be killed soon." Oscar said confidently.
Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Oscar say this. He knew that Oscar would not deceive him on these issues. As long as German 8th Army Corps progresses smoothly, it means that victory is expected.
"Crown Prince, don't worry. This time, we will definitely not hold back. Before German military completes the scheduled combat plan, we will firmly hold the line of defense and will never let Russians break through our line of defense!" Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf said.
"Your Excellency, I believe that your army can definitely do it. Russians, I will definitely not be your opponent this time." Oscar said.
Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf nodded, and he seemed very satisfied to be recognized by Oscar.
Back in his office, Oscar received the battle report from the front line.
"Russians actually surrendered? How is this possible?" After learning that the Russian troops stationed at Chełm surrendered to German 17th Army Corps, Oscar was also very shocked. After all, although the Russian army's combat effectiveness is not very good, their fighting will in this war is still very admirable.
"Maybe it's because there is no hope of victory. Now that the Russian army has surrendered, 17th Corps's combat mission has undoubtedly been completed ahead of schedule. Your Highness, what should we do next?" Brigadier General Manstein asked.
Oscar's eyes fell on the map hanging on the wall.
"General Manstein, what's your opinion?" Oscar asked.
"Your Highness, I think 11th Corps can be dispatched. Let Colonel Rommel lead the remaining tanks to support 11th Corps and directly attack Lviv. If we win there, we will have a sure chance of winning this battle!" Brigadier General Manstein said.
Lviv is the most important strategic node for Russian 4th Army Corps's defense, and it is the important material distribution center for the Russian Southwestern Front Army. It can be said that 60% of the entire Russian Southwestern Front Army supplies are transported here first and then distributed to the various troops. If German military can capture Lviv, it means that Russian Southwestern Front Army will face a shortage of supplies. Maybe in less than half a month, German military and the Austrian army will be able to defeat Russian Southwestern Front Army.
"11th Corps are you ready?" Oscar asked.
"Your Highness, these days, 11th Corps has secretly moved to the front line. We have assembled more than two thousand Truck for 11th Corps. In addition to their original transformed Truck, enough for 11th Corps to rush to Lviv as quickly as possible. If they are not intercepted by the Russian army, it only takes one day for them to arrive at Lviv and launch an attack." Brigadier General Manstein said.
Oscar nodded, although 11th Corps is now more than a hundred kilometers away from Lviv. But if everyone rides Truck, it won't be a problem to travel more than 100 kilometers a day. And after arriving, the soldiers were able to devote themselves to the battle with full energy.
"Okay, let General François take action! Launch a direct attack on Lviv. Within three days, Lviv must be captured!" Oscar ordered.
"Yes, Your Highness."