Cannon Fire Arc

Pavlov looked at Wang Zhong as he hung up the phone and said, "Our forces should have no problem devouring a division in front of us. But to take on the Prosen Armored Division will be much harder, as the enemy's armored division is likely to be fully equipped and at full strength. We lost some tanks and tank destroyers during the hard fight against the Sedder Division."

Wang Zhong asked, "Should we be able to repair a considerable portion of them?"

Pavlov picked up a chart from the desk: "This is the report from the maintenance department as of yesterday afternoon—five o'clock."

It was now past midnight on the 17th, making the 16th officially 'yesterday,' so Pavlov specifically corrected his reference.

Wang Zhong took the chart and frowned at the total number, "That many under repair?"

According to the data on the chart, there were 100 jeeps, more than 40 tanks, and 13 whirlwinds undergoing repairs.

Wang Zhong remarked, "Yesterday—no, the day before yesterday, I don't remember losing that many, did we?"

"Because many tanks that were completely fine the day before yesterday developed minor faults today that needed repairs. Especially the whirlwinds, apart from those with the tracks broken the day before yesterday, the rest suffered mechanical failures yesterday," explained Pavlov.

Wang Zhong asked, "Does that mean seven or eight whirlwinds experienced mechanical failures yesterday? Let me see, there are a total of nine minor repairs. Are track repairs considered minor?"

"Yes," replied Pavlov.

In astonishment, Wang Zhong exclaimed, "So, four of them need major repairs due to mechanical failures? What kind of issues are we talking about?"

"Mostly, the filters weren't working properly, causing the engines to suck in a lot of debris like grass and leaves. So, the engines need a thorough cleaning, hence they are classified as needing medium repairs."

Wang Zhong still looked incredulous when Vasily spoke up, "I've talked with the maintenance personnel, they said the problems occurred in tanks that had their engines replaced before departure. The new batch of engines might have some issues."

"Are you sure?"

Vasily shrugged, "They just mentioned it in passing, but we can check the engine replacement records. The clerks wouldn't miss such a detail."

Wang Zhong corrected, "Call him Colonel Karataev of the civilian personnel. Colonel, you heard that? Please get us the engine replacement records."

The old man clearly snorted, and then gave instructions to the clerks around him. Before long, one of the clerks came over with a report.

Wang Zhong flipped to the next page of the armored vehicle readiness chart in his hand: This page contained a detailed table, meticulously recording the specific tactical numbers of the vehicles under repair, the parts malfunctioning, and the estimated repair time, among other details.

Comparing the two charts, Wang Zhong quickly concluded, "Non-combat malfunctions are almost exclusively found in vehicles that had their engines replaced starting from April this year. There's no doubt, the rate of engine reliability has decreased."

"If we calculate the time," Pavlov said, "workers conscripted in January of this year would have just finished training and started full production."

Wang Zhong clicked his tongue, realizing that expanding production meant using inexperienced workers, which was an unavoidable problem.

He remembered from Earth's history that during the second year of the Patriotic War, the Soviet military industry also faced serious quality issues, even affecting the quality of armor in the T34 tanks produced that year.

Poor-quality armored T34s could even be penetrated by the short-barreled 50mm guns of the Panzer III.

Wang Zhong had also taken some measures to mitigate the impact of unskilled labor - the three months of training was his suggestion.

It turned out that three months of training was still futile.

If the First Mobile Army was having so many problems with its engines, the conditions of tanks in other units that received the engines were even more worrying.

Wang Zhong mused, "It seems I underestimated the impact of unskilled labor."

He set down the two charts.

"We can only do our best to repair them," he said.

"The good news," Pavlov interjected, "is that the tanks of the First Division of the Melania People's Army from the Federation are in very good condition, and they did not participate in the battle at Yeisk. Now they are fully equipped and eager for battle."

Wang Zhong replied, "Good. Let the Melania People's Army take the lead in the offense, first by taking over the defensive positions of the Guard First Motor Rifle Division and the 225th Division. Once the pincer movement is complete and the 190th Division's retreat is cut off, we'll launch the attack with Melania's Davarish."

"Understood," nodded Pavlov, "they will be pleased to hear that."

Popov commented, "But this way, we won't have the forces to annihilate the enemy's armored division. We must have the support of the 40th Tank Army."

"Let's go through the standard procedure first and submit our operation plan to the Military Orders Department," Wang Zhong suggested. "I guess the Military Orders Department will agree to place the 40th Army under our command. If they disagree, I'll call His Majesty the Tsar."

Popov nodded, "Then let's do that... Are we really just an Army Group?"

"Of course, even if we reinforced with the 40th Tank Army, we are still just an Army Group, which still falls short of the Prosen's Army Group organization, not to mention the Front Army."

After saying this, Wang Zhong also nodded, adding to himself, "Hmm, it's an Army Group."

Vasily: "Actually, back during Karanskaya, we were commanding forces far beyond the capability of the headquarters."

Pavlov sighed as if recalling some painful memory, "I was nearly worked to death back then. We were still organized as a division command, yet had to deal with matters on the scale of an Army Group or even a Front Army. That's why I intentionally overstaffed this Army Group command with a large number of staff officers and clerks, and it turned out exactly as I expected."

Wang Zhong turned his head to look at the staff officers and clerks packed in the warehouse, thinking to himself: Wow, Pavlov, you bushy-browed fellow, even you have started playing tricks!

————

Ye Fort, Summer Palace, High Command of the Ante Empire. Find your next adventure on empire

General Tugenev put down the telegram that had just arrived and looked toward Defense Minister Field Marshal Boris: "Rocossov wants command of the 40th Tank Army; it seems he's preparing to take a bite out of the enemy's Armored Division."

Marshal Boris glanced at the small door leading to the Tsar's office before saying to General Tugenev, "If his performance is passable this time, he should be the Commander of the Front Army. Giving him a bit more troops in advance isn't an issue. The question is, will General Andrew accept this?"

Tugenev shook his head, "Definitely not. In fact, many Army Group commanders who support his decision have already started moving on the retreat order. The only ones who haven't moved at all are the First Mobile Group Army. The shadow of last year's encirclement by the Prussians still lingers over many of our commanders."

Marshal Boris sighed, "Indeed, no one wants to be the one who gets encircled. Inform these commanders of Rocossov's intentions; they might even bring up General Skorobo, who was personally executed by Rocossov last year."

As his words fell, the two senior officials of the High Command fell silent.

Seconds later, Tugenev broke the silence, "It's summer again, and again on the plains, it's no wonder the commanders thought of fleeing. We'll have to order them to hold their ground by authority of High Command, at least until Rocossov completes his offensive and Duke Meishikin retreats to the Caucasus Mountains."

Marshal Boris: "That's all we can do. Whose name do we sign on the order for the Suhayaveli Front Army?"

"Sign my order," Olga's voice came from the side door.

The two men turned their heads just in time to see His Majesty the Tsar enter the room, and they immediately stood up straight.

Olga: "I will sign the orders; if there's any problem, I will take responsibility. Follow Rocossov's plan to strike hard at the enemy and support Duke Meishikin's battle."

Tugenev and Boris exchanged glances before Marshal Boris, the higher-ranking officer, spoke up, "Your Majesty, it's not yet that time. Moreover, if either of us signs, that's already sufficient to stop the Army Group commanders from retreating. If this command results in a very bad outcome, we could resign to accept the blame."

"Oh, is that so," Olga nodded, then asked with curiosity, "Alyosha—what about those officers that Rocossov has trained? Where are they?"

General Tugenev: "They are continuing to gain experience. Most of them have now risen to command at the division and army level, with only a small number taking on Army Group command.

"Your Majesty, there is something you must know. The reason so many Army Group commanders are eager to retreat is the great impact of last year's failure, not because they are unqualified as commanders."

Olga seemed surprised, "Really?"

"Yes, even experienced commanders, after the defeat of Argesukov last year, would fear being the next to be surrounded by the Prussians. This tendency can only be overcome by defeating the Prussians.

"We can't dismiss these commanders just because they followed General Andrew's orders to retreat; we don't have that many qualified Army Group commanders to replace them."

After General Tugenev finished, Olga looked at him for several seconds and said, "If I didn't know so well the work you've always done, I might suspect you of treason."

General Tugenev spread his hands, "Leading an army isn't black and white. Of course, General Andrew, who ordered the retreat, could be replaced since he indeed behaved too cautiously, neglecting our allies, but his Army Group commanders can simply be ordered not to retreat next time."

It was then that Marshal Boris said, "How about we transfer General Golikov, who closely cooperates with Rocossov, to command the Suhayaveli Front Army?"

General Tugenev thought for a few seconds and said, "How about the Commander of the Western Front Army be taken on by Ivan Stepanovich, who has been General Golikov's chief of staff since the time of the Saint Andrew Front Army?"

Marshal Boris: "Ivan Stepanovich? Sure, I've long felt he's wasted as a chief of staff; let him have a go."

Olga: "Is that really a good idea? To move all the capable generals to the Suhayaveli Front Army?"

General Tugenev: "In reality, the change of senior military officers has limited impact on the troops because the troops are truly familiar with their direct leaders. Who issues the orders doesn't greatly affect the combat style of the ground forces. After all, not every general likes to make frequent appearances in front of frontline soldiers like Rocossov does."

Olga nodded, "Alright, let General Golikov cooperate with Rocossov."