Chapter 426 Spring Awakening (2)

Switzerland, Sweden, and Portugal, the three remaining neutral countries in Europe (Spain publicly declared that it was not a neutral country but a non-belligerent country), sent reporters and representatives, and then rushed to the Katyn Forest with representatives of the International Red Cross. There is also a 5-person investigation team sent by the Polish Red Cross (at the request of the new German Governor-General Sauker), consisting of 4 technical committee members and 1 headquarters representative (Polish Red Cross Secretary-General Kastelzhenski). group.

Reporters and members of the investigation team were directed to the site where the remains were excavated, and then there was a pile of miscellaneous items taken out of the deceased's pockets, including newspapers and letters from March and April 1940, and even a copy of April 11. "Pravda" reported that after inspecting the scene, the German authorities provided a relatively detailed investigation report, which not only included the testimonies of the arrested members of the Red Army Internal Affairs Unit, but also the testimony of local residents. Although the investigation team only conducted preliminary verification, But many people believe the facts described in this report are credible:

“...from early March to late April 1940, 2-3 carriages full of captured Polish officers were secretly transported to Gniezhdov Station every day, and they were transported by car to an area surrounded by barbed wire...every day A lot of shouting and gunshots could be heard."

The investigation team also saw the bodies of many Polish officers who had been forensically examined. The wounds were invariably caused by revolver bullets, which entered the back of the head and came out of the forehead. Kastelzhensky wrote in the investigation report: "Obviously, the wounds were of the same nature, the shots were fired in the same direction, and all shots were fired with pistols - the officers were all killed while standing at close range. Some of the corpses had their hands tied tightly behind their backs, which may indicate that they had engaged in self-defense and resistance. They were wearing Polish military uniforms, medals, decorations, school logos, and their pants and shoes were still intact... …I also saw the bodies of two generals, who were identified as Generals Smoravinsky and General Boharovich, as indicated by the markings of their general rank strips.”

Reporters at the scene also discovered a record of Major Solsky, one of the victims of the massacre, before he was killed from a large number of diaries of the dead. The record was next to his body: "...at 3:30 in the morning, a small The Polish officers of the detachment were brought to Smolensk by the Soviet army from Kozelsk, a military camp in Belarus where they were detained. A few minutes before 5 o'clock in the morning, we were woken up and put into the prison van, and then arrived at a small forest. It seemed that there It was some villa. In addition to our belts and penknives, they took away our rings and watches. The hands of the watches pointed to 6:30. What would they do to us? ..." - About a few minutes later, Solsky was shot and killed.

Photographers took a lot of photos, and journalists took the time to record what they saw and heard. The scene was very quiet, and the number of corpses totaled more than 4,000. As for the surrounding Germans, except for necessary help, they did not intervene in the whole matter at all and allowed the investigation team to investigate. Of course, someone will expose Stalin's good deeds. The ones who jumped the most were the Russian Liberation Army and the Russian National Council. General Vlasov, who rushed to the Katyn Forest from the Don River front line, showed off his presence. On the one hand, he spoke to reporters and the investigation team, expressing deep regret for the entire incident and apologizing to Poland on behalf of the Russian interim government. ; On the other hand, he said that this was the deep sin of Stalinism and the Bolsheviks. What he had to do was to lead the Russian Liberation Army to overthrow this tyrannical regime and establish a new Russia.

Hoffman thought very clearly that since he wanted to "tease" Stalin, the amount of the drug must be sufficient, and Vlasov and the Russian People's Liberation Army must be drawn out to stimulate each other. In the two days of confrontation between you and me, , the Polish government-in-exile and the Russian provisional government frequently appeared in the newspapers and became the focus of world public opinion.

Now anyone with any sense can guess what the truth of the matter is. Although Churchill put pressure on the Polish government-in-exile in London, this group of "unsound bastards" (Churchill's original words) still made a fuss known to everyone, and then they were dragged into A group of "indignant" and "uninformed" MPs made the whole situation a riot.

"Führer, how useful is this news in attacking the Three Kingdoms Alliance of Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union?"

"Basically useless."

"It's useless?" A bunch of people were dumbfounded. They made such a big fuss, spent such a price, and mobilized so many people to invite so many people. In the end, they said "It's useless." Everyone felt very unwilling.

"As long as Britain and the United States still need the Red Army to contain the main force of our army, they will not fall out with Stalin. The Poles were a gift from Britain and the United States before they were subjugated, and a mere government-in-exile is nothing to mention." Hoffman laughed. Said, "But being useless to Stalin does not mean that it is useless to us. The military officers and politicians in the Eastern countries should understand the meaning behind this matter - if we fail, their fate in the future will only be worse than that of the Poles. And Fu Rasov will gain more supporters. Those photos and film films can be used to play in the Red Army prisoner-of-war camps. The relevant leaflets, radios, and newspapers can also be used to propagandize against the Red Army troops, so that they can consciously stand up against Stalin**** . By the way, prepare a batch for Guderian and let him airdrop it to the Americans - let those liberal fighters understand what their allies are."

The crowd roared with laughter.

"Although Moscow has repeatedly claimed that we are making up rumors about the whole thing, Stalin's fierce and evil nature cannot be covered." Zeitzler introduced, "Marshal Kuchler sent a telegram, and the Red Army's Northwest Front launched an attack on him uncharacteristically. The direction was pointed towards Smolensk, but it was repelled by us. "

"The northern and central lines must strengthen defense to prevent Stalin from jumping over the wall." Hoffman asked, "What is the situation on the Don front?"

"Our army has crossed the meander of the Don River. The enemy's 24th Group Army has been completely destroyed, and most of the 69th Group Army has been annihilated. A total of more than 140,000 enemy troops have been wiped out. Our army's casualties are less than 20,000 (including the Russian People's Liberation Army and the Eastern National Defense Forces). Nearly 10,000 people), the remaining elements of the enemy's 4th Tank Army and the 63rd Army are currently fleeing towards Stalingrad and are expected to enter the suburbs of the city tomorrow."

"How is the enemy's defense?"

"The enemy only has two relatively complete group armies and some city defense troops left, with an estimated strength of between 200,000 and 250,000. Other intelligence shows that the Red Army is deploying the rest of the front troops to prepare to strengthen the face-to-face defense force, but it will not be able to enter the battlefield in a short time. If In another 7-10 days, we are sure to capture Stalingrad," Lieutenant General Weiler replied.

Was it possible to capture Stalingrad so easily? Hoffman muttered, but he did not want to dissipate the enthusiasm of Army Group South, so he warned: "Our attention should be given priority to encircling and annihilating the enemy's 63rd Army Group and the 4th Tank Army-the combat effectiveness of this part of the enemy is stronger than others. Troops, as for Stalingrad, I have no intention of occupying it at present, and I firmly oppose your street fighting. "

"But it would be a shame to let this opportunity pass."

Hoffman nodded: "Hitting Stalingrad seems to make the 'Spring Awakening' plan more realistic. First let the air force destroy the city's industrial system and buildings, and then let the Russian People's Liberation Army rush in to explore the strength of the Red Army. , our infantry divisions and armored divisions should not join in the fun. Mechanized units have no advantage in street fighting. The rest should be carried out according to the established plan. By the way, the two special self-propelled mortar battalions 301 and 302 are recommended to be strengthened by the Russian People's Liberation Army. Let them experience the power of new weapons and enhance their combat confidence."

"What about the Stormtroopers?"

"How many people are there?"

"There are a total of 6 commando teams, each team is close to a company in size, all equipped with assault rifles and snipers, and have undergone special training in urban street fighting."

"You can let them try their skills. Actual combat is the best place to test tactics and training."

The 301 and 302 mentioned by Hoffman were close support forces equipped with Assault Tigers. Together with the heavy self-propelled rocket launcher battery, they formed a street fighting strike force. Manstein originally planned to use them for street fighting when he was in Rostov. Unexpectedly, The Red Army could not even break through the outer defense line during its winter offensive, and those 380mm-caliber Assault Tigers never had a chance to function. The Stormtroopers are an elite street fighting assault force that is modeled on the formation model of the assault engineers during World War I and recruits volunteers (many of whom were recruited from special forces recruits).

"Vlasov will be grateful for your generosity."

"Führer, there is a report from the front. All troops for the Spring Awakening Battle are ready."

Hoffman looked at the time and nodded with satisfaction: "In three hours, that is, at zero o'clock tomorrow, the second phase of the 'Spring Awakening' campaign will be launched on time. I hereby wish you success!"

While Hoffman was intensively planning the offensive campaign on the eastern front, the Japanese combined fleet in Italy had completed comprehensive preparations and was about to pull anchor and set sail. Among the many capital ships, the deck of the aircraft carrier Zuikaku has been completely restored, and a catapult provided by Germany has been installed. Each warship has completed supplies and maintenance in accordance with the agreement, and has also installed radar provided by Germany. It is in the best condition ever.

After a long period of preparation and coordination, the materials and equipment promised to Japan have been shipped and are gradually moving towards the port of Alexandria for assembly. The accumulated transport ships before and after, including those captured by Japan and provided by Germany, exceeded 140, with an overall carrying capacity of more than 1 million deadweight tons, and the ships were fully loaded. It was originally agreed that more ships and supplies would be given to Japan, but Japan was short of manpower. Even if it freed up sailors on 2 battleships (Ise, Hyuga) and 2 light cruisers (Kitagami, Oi), at the same time, it would also remove sailors from various warships. The personnel deployed can only meet the current minimum demand for transport ships.

"Sir, the combined fleet is ready. Please give your instructions."

Horikichi nodded with satisfaction, and then issued an order that surprised everyone...