Chapter 944: Chapter 5 Fated Death

The confidential staff officer entered the room and whispered a few words to Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong nodded and said to the generals who had just finished their meal, “We have just captured the small town of Luki on the west bank of the Oder River. The enemy’s resistance was very low, initially proving our assumptions to be correct.

“Aside from the Asgard Knights, the combat power of the Prosen Army is quite low. Under our psychological warfare offensive, they can be easily defeated.”

Actually, whether it was the effect of psychological warfare or not, Wang Zhong was not sure. In any case, they had indeed captured a small town.

Kashuk: “In the next couple of days, the intensity of the enemy’s counterattack on Luki will reveal their current combat strength. I’m also curious if they can still muster forces to retaliate now?”

Kiriyenko spread his hands: “They should still be able to squeeze out some armored troops. We also have Rocossov Type II tanks to counter them.”

The Rocossov Type II is an enlarged version based on the Rocossov Type I, equipped with a more powerful engine and a 122mm gun model.

The 122mm gun not only meets anti-armor needs but, more importantly, fulfills the forces’ need for anti-fortification capabilities.

Recently, the Ante Artillery units have become addicted to mounting bayonets on cannons. They not only fire the 203mm B4 howitzer up close to the enemy’s face but also the 122 and 152 are pulled up for direct firing.

It seems that Wang Zhong deliberately cultivated a tradition in the Ante Army: the best way to deal with fortifications is not to rush in for indoor CQB but to send the enemy and the fortifications flying.

This tradition has been implemented in all aspects.

For instance, now Ante Troops commonly request a large amount of explosives and anti-tank mines before engaging in urban warfare. Besides the conventional pressure fuse, the anti-tank mines also have a manual detonation fuse, and these guys throw anti-tank mines like grenades.

The same goes for explosives. Nowadays, every unit has a few experts who can craft simple detonators. During assaults, they are issued in batches with 10-second timers and combined with explosives to become the frontline soldiers’ favorite “breaching grenades.”

After Wang Zhong learned of these “grenades,” with a stroke of his pen, he named the sappers using these grenades “Veyron.”

In summary, the Rocossov Type II is equipped with a 122mm gun, specially developed concrete penetrating shells, and similarly specialized super white phosphorus shells. In terms of armor penetration, it might only be comparable to the 100mm gun, but the concrete penetrating shells and white phosphorus shells are just as powerful against tanks.

After all, tanks of this era lacked anti-spalling liners and an internal positive pressure NBC system.

Kashuk: “How many Rocossov Type IIs have been equipped so far? My Front Army only has 42 vehicles, just enough for two regiments.”

Kiriyenko: “I have one regiment. Eugene probably has the most over there.”

Eugene: “I do have three regiments, but it’s not much more than you all. Mainly, the Rocossov Type I is already sufficient for most issues. The changes in the Type II are quite significant, so the tank operators need time to get familiar with the new vehicle.

“By the time they familiarize themselves with the new vehicle, the war in Europa will be over.”

Indeed, this is why the Rocossov Type II hasn’t fully replaced the Rocossov Type I.

Once the war ends, the Type I can naturally cease production, focusing all efforts on producing the Type II. Until then, the Type I can still handle most situations.

Pavlov: “Actually, the anti-armor demand on the frontline isn’t that strong. The Vortex and self-propelled artillery units with their 152 self-propelled guns can handle anti-armor. Recently, the ‘Divine Arrow’ has gone into mass production. After improvements, it has been very well-received by the troops. Some units even don’t want anti-tank guns, clamoring all day for Divine Arrow launch vehicles.”

Wang Zhong had two future experts work on anti-tank missiles, and unexpectedly, they really developed them. Now they’re working on the third version.

Wang Zhong instructed them to focus on ease of use, and as a result, they developed a completely foolproof third-generation Divine Arrow. Two months of training a tenth-grade graduate can achieve a 70% hit rate.

After witnessing a test firing of the Divine Arrow, Allied envoys damn near wet themselves. The Federation’s related research over there will likely receive special funding.

Wang Zhong: “In short, as long as we can withstand the enemy’s counterattack, proving this attrition strategy effective, we should employ it across the board, applying maximum pressure on the enemy, not allowing them to prepare comfortably.

“The Allied Forces will also coordinate with our offensive, pressing the enemy on the Western Front to end the war in Europa as soon as possible and focus on combat with the Empire of Fusang.”

Marshal Gorky: “Will the Allies really fulfill their promises?”

“Of course, because currently, the United Kingdom generals have lost influence at the Allied Headquarters. President Lou’s foresight knows what is right, and he won’t let Leonard, that shortsighted political animal, succeed.”

——–

Western Front, Allied Headquarters.

“All our units have currently completed their refitting,” Eck paused, surveying the Allied generals in the conference room, “Compared to Rocossov’s troops, we suffered fewer losses, and our manpower and ammunition are more abundant. We will launch a fierce offensive against the enemy before Christmas.”

Eck picked up the map pointer and started outlining on the large map.

“We have three main directions of attack. One is the United Kingdom’s Thirtieth Corps, advancing toward the bridge not captured during the Market Garden operation, striving to occupy the entire Low Countries.

“The second is the central Twelfth Army Group’s troops, advancing towards the enemy’s industrial heart, the Ruhr Region. The first phase’s goal is to cross the Ruhr River and establish a bridgehead fort, and the second phase is to encircle Cologne.