Chapter 819: Chapter 43: Lieutenant Karl’s Raid (8.5K)_2

Wang Zhong could only stock up more White Phosphorus Shells and napalm.

He even experimented with a type of napalm launched by an Urban Assault Gun, and the results were exceptionally good; although it couldn’t destroy bunkers, it could burn up all the surrounding air, causing the people inside the bunkers to suffocate.

Of course, Russian drivers still preferred regular shells, using the plain and simple TNT to send both the enemy and their cover sky-high.

In preparation for future urban warfare, Wang Zhong also began equipping T54s with thin shell fragmentation grenades, which do not produce many fragments, but their warhead contains a madness-inducing seven kilograms of explosive, ensuring that one shot temporarily incapacitates every enemy in a building for 30 seconds.

By next year’s summer offensive, he hoped these items specifically for the Eastern Yuloba urban areas would be ready.

For this winter, the final goal was to even out the front line, withdrawing as many front-line troops as possible for rest and recuperation.

Pavlov also expressed the same view: “It seems that there will be no major breakthroughs this year, evening out the front line, minimizing the necessary defensive manpower, and withdrawing troops for rest should suffice.”

Wang Zhong: “Why don’t the Prosen just simply retreat? By evening out the ‘front,’ their needed manpower would also decrease.”

Pavlov: “Why don’t you ask the Plathen Emperor yourself? How would I know such things!”

Right then, Vasily appeared on the balcony: “Phone call from the commander of the Saint Andrew Regional Army.”

Wang Zhong: “Why is he calling at this time?”

He had a poor impression of General Andrei, as last summer, during the campaign, his First Mobile Group Army had been attached to the Suhayaveli Army commanded by this general, who had practically been a drag the whole time.

Vasily: “I asked, and he said he has good news to report to you, Marshal.”

Wang Zhong and Pavlov exchanged looks.

——–

Wang Zhong picked up the receiver: “This is Rocossov. Hello, General Andrei, I heard you have good news?”

“Yes, we have broken through the enemy’s lines. I repeat, we have broken through the enemy’s lines. We have crushed the enemy’s 190th Infantry Division west of Donar, completely wrecking the division. Our forces are now advancing along the highway from Donar to Futeng Castle, soon to complete the encirclement of Donar.”

Wang Zhong picked up the phone, walked to the map, and immediately located Donar.

Following his gaze, Pavlov identified the breakthrough point as Donar and explained: “This is an important defensive stronghold for the Prosen Northern Group Army and key to maintaining the enemy’s threat to Saint Andrew Fort. Once it’s captured, the enemy’s siege on Saint Andrew Fort will be totally ended.”

Wang Zhong: “I thought the encirclement was already broken?”

“The northern encirclement has been broken, and supplies are now being transported into the city through the northern forest. But that route is only slightly better than the previous route over the ice lake.”

After understanding the situation, Wang Zhong congratulated him: “Congratulations, General Andrei, this may be the greatest victory of our winter offensive.”

At that moment, Vasily muttered quietly: “Doesn’t it mean this general will get promoted to Marshal for this merit?”

Pavlov: “The surrounding area of Donar has most of Prosen Northern Army Group’s forces. If he really fought an annihilation battle, then he indeed deserves a promotion to Marshal.”

Vasily, slightly upset: “But last year, he was drastically dragging us down!”

Wang Zhong, to prevent General Andrei from hearing Vasily’s words, directly took the phone to the edge of the map room.

Popov was doing ideological work with Vasily: “You can’t say that, maybe he didn’t perform well then, but now he has accumulated more experience and is doing well. Maybe he’s not good at defense, but efficient in offense.”

While Popov spoke, Wang Zhong also congratulated General Andrei: “Congratulations, General Davarish, when this annihilation battle ends, you should be promoted to Marshal.”

“It’s not confirmed yet, our side has just punctured through the defense lines, the enemy might deploy Armored Divisions for a counter-assault. I’ve already positioned the 18th Independent Tank Brigade and the 11th Heavy Assault Tank Regiment at the forefront to counter the enemy’s armored counterattack. Our side has too few tank units with the Guards title. We can finally show the strength of two!”

Wang Zhong: “Is there anything I can do to help you? Like dispatching more Armored Troops to you?”

“Not for now, according to the documents and maps we captured at the 290th Division headquarters, the Prosen Northern Army Group is low on armored strength near our breakthrough point, only an independent Armored Battalion of the Army Group’s reserve force is deployed. The 18th Brigade and 11th Regiment can handle it.

“I just wanted to inform you of this fantastic news.”

“Then I’ll wait for more good news.”

“Thank you!”

After the final pleasantries, Wang Zhong hung up the phone, looked around at the personnel in the Headquarters, and then loudly announced: “Everyone, the Saint Andrew Regional Army has achieved a breakthrough, possibly about to encircle the large Prosen forces in Donar soon, I suggest everyone stop their work and have a drink!”

Hearing about the chance to drink, smiles appeared on the faces of both staff officers and clerks in the office.

——–

November 6th, Prosen Northern Army Group, 502nd Heavy Armored Battalion, Second Company.

Lieutenant Karl climbed out of his seat in vehicle 217, jumped to the ground, and said to the infantrymen resting on the roadside in the forest: “Which unit are you from? Where is your commanding officer?”

A private pointed toward a nearby hillside: “Lieutenant Hansen is our leader now; all other senior officers are dead. He’s on that hillside observing the situation, it looks like he’s preparing to lead us in defense here.”