Chapter 629 Airborne Troops

Chernov knew that this battle could not be won... The biggest advantage of the Soviet army compared to the German army was the tanks, but these tanks have now been destroyed in the sea of ​​​​fire, and the only ones that can escape are used as reserves. Twelve, but it is obvious that these tanks cannot play any role.

Therefore, Chernov desperately ordered the bombing of oil refineries, even though he knew that these refineries were the lifeblood of the Soviet Union... In any case, it was better to blow them up than leave them to the Germans.

However, Chernov's wish was not realized because the refinery has been basically emptied of gasoline and crude oil, and emergency fire prevention measures have been taken to key parts, such as using sandbags to protect it.

However, there were still two fires. After all, it was an oil refinery, and there were always places that could not be cleaned up properly. However, the German soldiers quickly organized people to control the fire... The organizers were the workers of the oil refinery. They did not say that I really want to help the Germans put out the fire, but to some extent their fate is already connected with the refinery.

Of course, the sad thing is that the Soviet army will not listen to their excuse. If the Soviet army fights back one day, these workers will undoubtedly become traitors who help the enemy, and what awaits them will be shot.

During the bombing of the oil refinery, Chernov reported to Tyulenev feebly over the phone.

"We have failed, Comrade Tyulenev!" Chernov said: "A complete failure!"

"But you have just launched an attack!" This made Tyulenev unbelievable.

"They used oil to set off a wall of fire!" Chernov replied: "There are flames everywhere in front of us. Our tank brigade is finished. Most of them were burned into a pile of scrap metal!"

Upon hearing this, Tyulenev could not help but be stunned. He did not expect that things would change so dramatically.

"We are bombing the refineries!" Chernov said: "I can't let them fall into the hands of the Germans..."

Before I finished speaking, the other end of the phone hung up.

Chernov could understand, because he knew that General Tyulenev didn't know what to do either... No one could bear the responsibility of throwing away the Baku oil fields.

Tyulenev was silent for a long time before summoning the courage to call Stalin.

"Comrade Stalin!" Tyulenev reported: "I regret to report to you that just now, the Germans crossed the Caucasus Mountains and occupied Baku and the surrounding oil refineries from the rear!"

Starlin couldn't help being stunned when he heard this, and almost dropped the pipe in his mouth.

Then he ordered in a firm tone: "Then take it back!"

"We tried!" Tyulenev replied: "But... we failed!"

"What does failure mean?" Stalin asked: "You have a front army in your hands, but the Germans have less than a group army. Are you saying that all the troops in your hands have died on the battlefield?"

"No, Comrade Stalin!" Tyulenev replied: "They set up several walls of fire in the Baku oil fields to keep us all out of Baku!"

There was silence on the other side of the phone, and Tyulenev continued with a slightly trembling voice: "Comrade Stalin, we can only blow up the refineries now so that they will not be used by the Germans..."

"No!" Stalin replied: "Stop this stupid move!"

"What?" Tyulenev seemed to see hope again.

"We still have airborne troops, do you understand?" Stalin ordered: "Stop them immediately!"

"Yes, Comrade Stalin!" Tyulenev seemed to see hope in this. It would be great if Stalin personally commanded this battle.

Not long after, the Soviet shelling of the refinery stopped.

Instead, the Soviet army tried every means to find a gap in the wall of fire... But of course these were in vain. Even if there was a gap, it was only a small section. It was not enough to become a breakthrough for the Soviet army, even if the Soviet army still had tanks. .

Manstein called Qin Chuan to the headquarters at this time.

"Major!" Manstein said: "I reported our occupation of the Baku oil fields to the head of state. The head of state praised your performance very much. He specifically mentioned you in the telegram!"

With that said, Manstein handed the telegram to Qin Chuan.

Qin Chuan just glanced at it and didn't care much about it.

Of course Hitler was in a good mood after hearing the news at this time, but historically, when the 1st Mountain Division fought against three Soviet mountain divisions with one division in the Caucasus Mountains, Hitler was still doubting the German army. Loyalty to him... Hitler was suspicious by nature. He did not trust the Wehrmacht. He thought that every general in the Wehrmacht was deceiving him. He thought that Army Group A clearly had the strength to take over the Baku oil fields but did not do so. He did not believe that the battle on the Caucasus Mountains would be possible. How hard it is.

There was an incident where the rock-climbing troops of the 1st Mountain Division climbed to the highest peak in the Caucasus, planted a flag, and then asked military reporters to take photos of them on top.

Hitler became furious about this and went into a rage that lasted for several hours.

Hitler's exact words were: "We are concentrating all our efforts on conquering Baku, but these people, driven by stupid ambition, climbed a stupid mountain. These damn sportsmen!"

Hitler thought that these soldiers and even generals on the front line did not care about strategic goals. They only cared about conquering the so-called highest peak in Europe with their own fun mentality... Little did they know that this highest peak had extraordinary strategic significance.

This is the "flag planting incident" in history.

Hitler certainly didn’t understand this. He didn’t trust anyone except the SS. Later, he simply dismissed List, the commander of Army Group A, and took command himself.

Of course, the current war situation did not develop in this way. The 11th Army’s successful occupation of Baku can be said to have also achieved Hitler’s wish.

"Major!" Manstein continued, "Do you think the Soviets are a little strange?"

"Yes!" Qin Chuan replied, "I think so too!"

"They bombed the refinery first, and then gave up doing so!" Manstein said, "Looking for gaps to break through, do they really think they can break through these gaps?"

"I don't think so, Marshal!" Qin Chuan replied, "I think they may have other ways to break through our defenses!"

"What methods will they use?" Manstein cast his eyes on the map: "The Baku defense line in the south is not a concern. The 28th Hunter Division has perfectly blocked the Soviets from the fire wall. In the east, we use the oil fields to block the Soviets. In the north, the Soviets have to deal with the attack of our A Army..."

"I think!" Qin Chuan said, "There is only one possibility, that is, the Soviet airborne troops!"

Manstein looked up at Qin Chuan, then nodded slightly.