Chapter 898： The best in Poland pocket (1/2)
And if at this time, the Austro-Hungarian Army and part of the Bavarian Army counterattacks in the direction of Lviv, then there are not two army groups and enough reserves, so can the Russians rest assured? This is 1.5 million troops! In addition, in the Transcaucasus region, there are also Turks to contain, the Russians deploy at least one group army, and in the Baltic region, the Russians have another group army. In this way, the Russian troops have reached their limits, and they have no more front-line troops.
”I did not intend to completely tear off the Russian defense line from Poland. This is inefficient. The Russians are not stupid. They know to build a series of fortresses and fortifications on the borders and deep areas of the two sides. Even if it is crappy. , Is always an obstacle for the offensive troops.”
”So, my breakthrough is here!” The prince clicked the direction of Riga Bay on the map with a putter, and then drew a circle!
”Since the Russians on land are offensive and obstructed by terrain, why don't we open a gap from the sea, bypass the opponent's border defense, and insert directly behind the enemy?” the prince asked rhetorically. ”In order to achieve this goal, I need the support of the Navy!”
In fact, in history, Germany did have the idea of the Gulf of Riga. The first action was relatively unsuccessful. On the one hand, it was because the Russians made mines more powerful. On the other hand, Germany did not act resolutely. The second time, it was famous in history. The Albion operation was a partial success, and in the eyes of the prince, this operation was a bit late, because by 1916, the two fronts were already very close to the Gulf of Riga, and the offensive resistance was relatively high. But if it is activated now, the effect is completely different!
The reason is simple. The main Russian troops are on the front line of Poland and Silesia. There is an accident in the Gulf of Riga, and it is too late for the Russians to mobilize troops! The only possibility is the reserve team in the St. Petersburg area, but a group army came over and the German army with the cover of the high seas fleet smashed? What do you think? !
After the successful landing, the German army's knife was equivalent to directly slashing the Russians' most vulnerable neck! There are almost no large Russian corps in the entire nearby area, and the Russians can act casually! The next step is to target the Russian railway lines and railway hubs!
Don't ask for occupation, just destroy! If the railways in Western Europe can be described by the railway network, then what is the description of the railways in Russia? Just a few lines! The entire Russian army's maneuvering and logistical supplies are completed by these lines, and they are overwhelmed. If they are temporarily cut off, the frontline troops basically rely on their legs to maneuver... . Maybe it's a four-legged horse or a two-legged person!
It is true that at this time, the encirclement was not completed, but how is that? The Polish region cannot supply millions of troops for consumption, and the latter cannot be shipped. Do you want to retreat? Either the railway is destroyed or there is no car. Want to walk from Poland to Belarus and Ukraine on your legs? What do you think?
Because the initial goal of the German army after landing was to destroy the railway network, some smaller, high-mobility units could be responsible for this task, which can be undertaken by the Bavarian Army, such as motorized units and cavalry. Add bicycle.... (Don't laugh, in history, there were really well-established bicycle brigades in Operation Albion.... This is much earlier than the Silver Wheel Corps in the second battle.)
To operate in the Russian rear without any heavy protection, it does not require too strong attack capability. Then, as long as it can destroy a few important railway lines and some military stations, then Germany must have an advantage in the race against the Russians. ! In the process of retreating from the opposite direction, kill the exhausted Russian army one by one! What a touching thing this is!