Manstein could understand the old marshal's feelings, but he didn't immediately agree to his request.
For Manstein, this choice was not only related to his own fate, but also the fate of the empire.
Staying in the north and attacking Lingling could indeed improve the current predicament of the German army on the northern battlefield to a large extent, freeing the troops of the Northern Army Group, thus exerting great pressure on Mao Xiong's central front.
However, the situation in the southern battlefield had taken a sharp turn. According to history, the Soviets would launch Operation Jupiter in January next year, which was two months later.
This time, the Soviets would put in a lot of troops and start attacking the flanks of the German army.
In history, the vassal armies stationed on the flanks were almost defeated at once, and soon betrayed the German army on the main battlefield.
After losing the protection of the flanks, the German troops on the battlefield of Stalingrade were surrounded by the Soviets.
Although the German army made a strong decision and chose to retreat the moment they saw that the situation was not good, they saved the other main forces except the Sixth Army and did not suffer further losses.
However, the Sixth Army was the main force of the German Southern Army Group. Their loss meant that the German army had lost its dominance in the southern front. From then on, the southern front was completely passive, and the Soviets began to launch a strategic counterattack.
If he stayed in the north, he would not be able to change the situation in the south.
However, if he chose to go south to the southern battlefield, the war situation in the north would also change. Without him and the 11th Army, Marshal Leeb would not be able to take down the Lower Lingle, even if he was extremely capable. If he could not take this place, the German army would not be able to end the stalemate in the northern front line. The 600,000 - 700,000 troops would also be delayed here and would not be able to play any role.
Therefore, from Manstein's point of view, no matter which of the two options was chosen, it would lead to a stalemate.
Only children make choices. I naturally want all adults!
Thinking of the god-tier item he had previously drawn from the system, Manstein had a plan in mind.
"Marshal, please forgive me for being blunt. Even if I stay in the north, with our current strength, it will be difficult for us to take down the heavily guarded Lelingrador!”
After hearing Manstein's words, Marshal Leeb became a bit disappointed.
"What you said is very reasonable. Our military strength is indeed seriously insufficient!”
The Northern Army Group lacked armored troops. The Central Army Group and the Southern Army Group both had their own armored armies, but the Northern Army Group did not.
Without this kind of armored army, their attack power would be greatly reduced.
Although in siege warfare and street warfare, the armored army was not very useful, and might not be as useful as an ordinary infantry army.
However, considering that the main forces of the Soviets were not in the city, but in the positions outside the city, this required the German army to gain an advantage in the field and suppress them.
In the field, an infantry army was far less useful than an armored army!
"If that's the case, then I'll have to force you to stay. You should bring the eleventh army to the south as soon as possible. The situation in the south is not too optimistic.”
After hearing Manstein's words, Marshal Leeb thought that Manstein had already rejected him tactfully. Therefore, he didn't force Manstein to stay; instead, he urged Manstein to go south as soon as possible.
Since there was no way to change the situation on the northern front line, it was useless to keep Manstein. It was better to let him go to the southern battlefield as soon as possible.
Perhaps if he arrived in time, he might be able to change the situation in the southern battlefield.
"Marshal, you misunderstood me. I didn't say that I was going south, at least not in the short term. What I meant was that we were going to attack Leningrador, but we don't have enough troops.!”
"What? Really? Manstein, are you lying to me?”
When Marshal Leeb heard that Manstein was not going to leave, he couldn't believe it.
"How can that be? This kind of thing is not a joke. I know this clearly!”
"Phew, that's good. As long as you stay, there's still hope!”
After hearing Manstein's words and making sure that he was telling the truth, Marshal Leeb let out a sigh of relief.
"Indeed, what you said makes sense. Our current military strength is a little too small. If we want to attack the following Lingala, we need more troops!”
After hearing Manstein's words, Marshal Leeb shook his head.
If he could get more troops, he would have done so a long time ago. It was precisely because there were not enough reinforcements that the situation on the northern front line was in such a stalemate. If he had enough troops, he would have taken down the Lower Lingala a long time ago.
"Perhaps we can turn our attention to the north!”
……
Northern front line, Karelia Canyon front line, in the command center of Finlan's Southeast Army.
Marshal Mannerheim had been staring at the map for an hour.
"General, the German frontline has just received good news. Why do you look so worried?”
Major General Colt looked at his marshal in confusion. He didn't understand why the other party was so worried.
The news from the front line was clearly good, but why did it feel like he had lost?
"Look at this!"
Mannerheim handed Colt the latest telegram and asked him to read it himself.
Major General Colt quickly read the telegram and became nervous.
"Is the head of state really going to transfer General Manstein's troops away?”
The major general asked nervously.
"It seems that it is true. At least, the order from Bo Lin has been given. At this moment, Manstein and his troops should be preparing to go south!”
"But, but if Manstein and the 11th Army leave, won't we miss the opportunity to capture Lelingrador again?”
Even Major General Colt could see this clearly. He didn't think that the head of state of Bolin wouldn't understand!
But why did the head of state still insist on transferring Manstein and the Eleventh Army?
This was really a little puzzling!
"The situation in the south is worse than we imagined. The Ruler must have been forced to do this!”
Mannerheim looked to the south and said worriedly.
"Perhaps we should start thinking about how to end this war!”
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