Chapter 1487 Lying and Talking

What surprised Stemmermann was that Herbert's speech, which distorted the facts and made up nonsense, unexpectedly received a tsunami of enthusiasm from the Viking Division soldiers below the stage.

"Hi! Hitler!"

"The Fuhrer is sending a large army to save us! Cheer up and cheer up, this time we have to kill more Russians!"

"Kill all those inferior Russians, we will fight for the Fuhrer to the end!"

Stemmermann was quite surprised and surprised by what was happening in front of him, but Herbert, the commander of the Viking Division who was in charge of the speech on the stage, had an expected expression and was complacent, as if even he himself was deeply impressed by his speech, the information was true, or in Herbert's eyes, this was true and unquestionable.

What made Stemmermann even more confused was that the group of Viking Division SS soldiers around him who were also on the stage were not Germans, but a group of foreigners, many of whom were recruited from countries conquered by Germany, such as the French and the Poles.

But it was these foreign soldiers who burst out with higher morale and fighting will than the German Wehrmacht. The scene of shouting the Führer and various slogans was like a victory in the daytime, and the Kremlin would be captured tomorrow, and a celebration meeting would be held the day after tomorrow, and they would enjoy fine wine, food and the taste of victory, and they would set off for home the day after tomorrow.

Sturmmann, who really couldn't understand this, took another look at the podium and found that Herbert, who was wearing Himmler-style glasses, was smiling insidiously and complacently at this moment. Even Sturmmann, who knew countless people, couldn't figure out the unpredictable smile.

Sturmmann didn't know how such a fanatical corps was trained, but he understood why the Viking Division, a foreign corps, could be regarded as the four most powerful ace divisions of the Waffen SS in the internal combat power evaluation of the SS, along with the three divisions of the Empire, the Skull, and the Guard Flag.

Putting aside the deep-rooted opposition, dislike and contempt between the Wehrmacht and the SS, Stemmermann, as a general of the Wehrmacht, had to admit that these foreign soldiers of the Viking Division had the most important things for an excellent soldier: high morale and a tenacious fighting will to fight to the end.

And this is exactly what the Wehrmacht troops, whose personnel quality has been declining, lack the most. The brainwashing recruitment and training model of the SS, which was originally despised by the Wehrmacht, now seems to have its strengths.

But no matter how Herbert said in front of his subordinates and soldiers, no matter how much he lied, Stemmermann, who knew everything and the truth, was not fooled at all.

Hube's First Panzer Army was held back by the Russians blocking the periphery and could not move forward. Manstein, the commander of the Southern Army Group and the so-called German God of War, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, urging the rescue troops to step up their offensive and break the Russian encirclement, but no matter how much he urged and sent urgent orders, there was still no effect.

Sturmmann, who unexpectedly received Vatutin's surrender proposal, originally planned to buy two or three days of time through negotiations and delay to see if the German army coming to rescue can create a miracle in these two or three days.

Perhaps the promise made by the Führer to himself in the telegram means that there will be more powerful reinforcements in place, or perhaps there is still hope, as long as he can lead his troops to hold on, he can usher in the moment of miracle.

Just a few minutes ago, although Sturmmann, who had not seen it yet, was a little uneasy, he really thought so.

But now, after meeting Colonel Weckert himself as a negotiating representative to negotiate with the Russians, and hearing the news that was as bad as it could be, but reasonable after careful consideration, Stemmerman, who had already extinguished the last glimmer of hope in his heart, was relieved.

Yes, all fantasies were unrealistic from the beginning. The so-called hope may never have existed at all. All ideas and possibilities might really be just wishful thinking.

The Russians have successfully advanced the war to this point, why should they listen to the enemy's slander at such a critical juncture, stop where they are, and sit still for three days without doing anything? The Russians are not fools.

"Oh, I took it for granted. I was blinded by the desire to survive and hope for a while. This is the response and attitude that the Russians should have."

Looking at Stemmerman who stood up from his chair while talking to himself, Weckert, with a panic on his face, didn't know what to say or do.

Persuade Sturmmann to surrender to the Russians?

No, even if the final result is like this, this should not be said by me, but let Sturmmann make the decision himself. If you speak carelessly, it may cause big problems.

But persuading Sturmmann to fight to the end does not seem to be a good idea. Colonel Weikert feels from the bottom of his heart that he has tried his best so far. All the besieged German troops fighting in the Cherkassy theater have fulfilled the obligations and duties of a soldier.

The fact that the German army still cannot win the war at this point is not because of their lack of effort, but because the strength of the Russians on the opposite side is really overwhelming. To put it bluntly, it is "not a crime of war". In this case, since there is no hope of victory, surrender is not an impossible thing.

All the attempts that should be made have been made, but the result is still the same. If we continue to fight, the result will be the same. It is not a good idea to die in vain.

"Do you want to say something?"

Weckert's crazy expression did not escape Stemmerman's eyes. After getting up and looking at Weckert, Stemmerman is now facing the window.

"General, I am wondering if we are really going to die here meaninglessly? Even if we fight to the end, the result will still not change. You know this."

Colonel Weckert did not have the courage to say it clearly. In the end, he expressed his true thoughts in this almost suggestive way.

Stemmerman still stood in front of the window, staring at the night view outside. No one knew what this Wehrmacht general who controlled the fate of more than 30,000 German remnants was thinking at this moment.

After a long time, Stemmerman, who was still facing the window, finally spoke slowly again.