Chapter 632 Speech

The refinery was inevitably bombed fiercely. After all, the refinery was there and could not be avoided. Moreover, the target was quite large. If the Soviet army was determined to bomb it, it would be unavoidable.

However, due to the emergency preparations made by the German army before, the damage caused by the Soviet bombing was also very limited... In fact, this was mainly because the Soviet Baku refinery itself had prepared for bombing. For example, the factory building of important parts was located underground and covered with reinforced concrete with a thickness of more than 500 mm.

This surprised the German officers and soldiers for a time.

"What are the Soviets worried about?" Kuhn asked puzzledly when he saw these protective facilities: "Are they worried about the bombing of the Baku refinery?"

Kuhn's doubts were reasonable, because Baku was in the heart of the Soviet Union for Germany. Before the war, Germany had no bombers that could reach Baku and drop bombs... That is to say, Baku did not need air defense at the beginning.

"You forgot the Soviet-Finnish War!" Eberhard reminded Kuhn: "The British and French were not friendly to the Soviet Union before that!"

This made the German officers and soldiers say "Oh".

Eberhard was right.

In fact, before the outbreak of the Soviet-German War, the Soviet Union and Germany were friendly countries...

Germany suffered under the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, and the Soviet Union was regarded as an alien by Western countries because of ideological issues.

As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, so the Soviet Union and Germany signed the Treaty of Rapallo and entered the honeymoon period of bilateral relations, which was one of the reasons why the Soviet Union and Germany were able to divide Poland.

Then, the Soviet Union launched the Soviet-Finnish War in 1940.

There is no doubt that the Western countries had the greatest objections to this war, but Britain, France and other countries did not really turn against the Soviet Union for a small country, Finland. At the same time, they had to make some gestures, so Britain and France jointly planned to bomb the Baku oil fields and even send troops to occupy and support Finland...

These plans may be true, because occupying the Baku oil fields also has huge benefits for Britain and France. In the industrial age, no one would not covet oil.

But it may also be false, just a kind of intimidation from Britain and France to the Soviet Union.

In any case, the Soviet Union still made some necessary protection for the refinery to prevent it from being bombed.

What Stalin didn't expect was that these defenses would play a role in the hands of the German army.

At this time, Qin Chuan was in Manstein's headquarters with several officers.

This time they were not discussing how to deal with the Soviet army, but preparing to celebrate the victory.

The reason was obvious. Another meaning of the Soviet army's all-round bombing of the refinery was to admit defeat.

"Look!" Manstein listened to the explosion of artillery shells and the whistling of planes in the distance and said, "They hope to run faster, so they drop as many artillery shells and bombs as possible on our heads!"

"Not surprising at all!" Colonel Slaine replied, "We have experienced this situation many times in Africa, the only difference is that the other side is British and American!"

"Oh?" Manstein looked at Colonel Slaine, then nodded and said, "Yes, I have heard of General Rommel's record in the African battlefield!"

"In fact!" Colonel Slaine raised his glass to Qin Chuan from a distance and said, "What I mean is that a considerable part of our victory in the African battlefield is due to the major. Of course, I am not denying General Rommel's achievements!"

"I fully understand!" Manstein replied with a smile, "Just like this time we were able to capture the Baku oil field, it was all the major's suggestion. Of course, I am not denying the achievements of Marshal Manstein!"

The officers were amused by Manstein's humorous self-deprecation.

Then Manstein raised his glass and said, "Let's toast to the warriors who sacrificed their lives in this battle, to the heroes who fought bravely on the front line and never retreated, and... the major who helped us successfully capture the Baku oil field!"

"Cheers!" The officers raised their glasses and drank them all.

Just at this moment, the explosion from the direction of the refinery gradually weakened, and then the staff walked into the headquarters and reported, "Your Excellency, Marshal, the Soviets have retreated!"

"Uh-huh!" Manstein nodded very calmly, and then replied indifferently, "We know, don't you see we are celebrating? You can join us!"

"My honor, Your Excellency, Marshal!" The staff also poured himself a glass.

This is a common performance of German nobles. They tend to remain calm when encountering major events, whether it is good or bad. Just like the Chinese saying "Mount Tai collapses in front of you and your face remains unchanged."

If this were a grassroots general like Rommel, I'm afraid he would cheer loudly with his subordinates and hug each other at this moment.

For some reason, Qin Chuan preferred the latter.

At this time, a communicator reported: "Your Excellency Marshal, the Führer called and spoke to all of us!"

Manstein nodded, and the communicator placed the phone in front of a special loudspeaker, then turned up the volume and reported: "Your Excellency the Führer, we are listening!"

Hitler's voice came from the loudspeaker: "Generals, I am glad to hear the news of your victory. Nothing can be more exciting than being in Berlin and hearing the news of the occupation of Baku from the front line. Salute to you!

I said that Germany is not a war-loving country, it is a heroic country. What I mean is that Germany does not want war, but if war chooses us, then we must face it, not only that, we must strangle it by the throat and force it to surrender.

This is the path Germany should take, and it is the only path.

Today, you did it, my generals, I am proud of you, Germany and the German people are proud of you!

I saw your confidence, your courage, and the cowardice and cowardice of the evil forces in front of you!

Cheers for your success, generals!

I really hope to celebrate with you on the battlefield at this time, long live Germany and the German people! "

The generals responded in unison: "Long live Germany and the German people! ”

A very moving speech, but it was a pity that it was just a phone call. If Hitler was in front of him, it would definitely be more colorful with his movements and expressions.

But Qin Chuan was not moved at all, because he knew that if the 11th Army failed to win today, the direction of these words would be completely changed.

Marshal Manstein seemed to realize this. He raised his glass and clinked it with Qin Chuan, and whispered: "About the debate on whether to cross the Kerch Strait... You are right, Major!"

On the surface, it sounds like a war, but Qin Chuan knows what Manstein meant by this.

Because Qin Chuan once said when he persuaded Manstein: "What the Führer cares about is victory!"