It's better to conquer them than to command the steel torrent

Chapter 105 Chapter | Mr. Shang's Concerns

Miskolc, a city more than 20 kilometers east of the Tisza River, has now become a place where heavy troops are gathered.

The Hungarian army turned this place into a complex fortified area, using a large number of reinforced concrete permanent fortifications, anti-tank cones, and stakes to construct deep defense positions as a solid support point for the shallow and deep defense line of the Tisza River.

The headquarters of the Hungarian 2nd Army was located here. When Shang Ke arrived by train overnight, many elite field troops, including the 1st Mountain Division, were being dispatched in full swing.

What's going on here?
With such doubts in mind, Shang Ke came to the army headquarters.

His identity as a member of the Grand Control Federation Military and Technical Advisory Group allowed him to move freely. At times like this, one could only sigh that the strength of the motherland could truly benefit everyone.

After some inquiries, he learned that a decision-making meeting of senior generals was about to be held here. Combined with what he saw and heard when he came here, he guessed that the Hungarian military might make a big move.

Coincidentally, Colonel Xia Zhizun from the advisory group also came accompanied by several Hungarian generals.

"Zhicheng, I was scared when I heard about the attack on Budapest the day before yesterday. You reacted quickly and fought beautifully." Xia Zhizun thought of the dean's evaluation of Shang and had to admire the dean's ability to judge people.

"Well, that's all. Commander Xia, are you going to discuss a combat meeting?"

"Well, there's going to be a big move here. Since you're here, why don't you come and take a look."

Facts have proved that it is true that it is easier to get things done when you have more acquaintances.

With just a simple greeting, Shang easily blended in with the participants with the rank of major.

The army group headquarters was located on the first basement floor of Jiuzhou Bank. This bank building with a reinforced concrete structure and granite exterior walls was very sturdy. The fully armed Hungarian military police strictly checked people entering and leaving. When they saw Shang with the rank of major, they thought they were seeing things.

The atmosphere of the resolution meeting was quite strange. To be more specific, it was seven parts excitement and three parts tension.

Major General Levent, Chief of Staff of the Army Group, held a slender baton and explained the general idea to everyone.

"The morale of the Ivan Rus people remains high. Aerial reconnaissance indicates that the 41st Army has assembled in the area of ​​Rice on the upper Tisza River last night and is attempting to advance towards the Zempléni Mountains."

"Intelligence indicates that Ivan Ross's 13th Mountain Division has crossed the border to support the 41st Army's operations, which will increase significant pressure on the Tisza River defense flank."

"We shouldn't just sit there and do nothing. The 1st Mountain Division has arrived as reinforcements. The General Staff has instructed our 2nd Army to withdraw troops and concentrate on attacking the enemy's 41st Army, attempting to lay siege."

Off to the side, Commander Admiral Roland glanced at everyone, clearly excited.

He spoke passionately, "Since the outbreak of the war, the Ivan Rus' have continued to win, and even the Varlanders have been unable to stop them. The terrain in the Zamprun Mountains is complex, and the Ivan Rus' will surely face many difficulties if they attack rashly. If we destroy two or three of their divisions, it will greatly inspire the will of the Hungarian people!"

Major General Levent took over, reading aloud from a document still wet with ink. "We envision using the garrison in the Zhanpulun Mountains to delay the enemy's movements and conducting repeated false maneuvers in the southeast to confuse the enemy. During this period, the mobile forces will move to the northwest and north to launch a powerful offensive against the enemy from the flank. Now, I will list the units planned to participate..."

The order of troops that the Hungarian army planned to deploy in the field encirclement and annihilation battle was as follows:

｜1st Mountain Division

｜15th Infantry Division

｜18th Infantry Division

｜24th Infantry Division｜3rd Cavalry Division

In short, the Hungarian army assembled all available mobile forces on the northern section of the Tisza River defense line, as well as half of the strategic reserve, hoping to use superior forces to catch the enemy off guard, severely damage an army of Ivan Rus's army, and strive to annihilate one or two divisions.

This idea can be said to be both beautiful and delicious. Most of the generals present were very excited and looked eager.

Ivan Rus's army marched alone deep into the mountainous and densely forested Zhanpulun Mountains, arrogant and conceited!
If we act quickly and decisively, it is entirely possible to deal a heavy blow to the enemy and win a beautiful victory!

Then, everyone expressed their opinions one after another.

In stark contrast to the impatience of others, Shang Ke stared at the sand table silently and fell into deep thought.

Being willing to take the initiative is a good thing, as it shows that the Hungarian army's morale is high and they are not afraid of the enemy.

But there is one problem that cannot be avoided - so many mobile forces have been withdrawn, what should be done with the front line of defense?
This is the situation that Shangke is worried about. If Ivan Rus's troops take the opportunity to launch a large-scale attack on the Tisza River defense line, once they successfully break through, the Hungarian army will not have sufficient reserve mobile forces to plug the gap, and it will eventually evolve into a tragedy of total defeat!
He whispered his concern to Xia Zhizun beside him.

The latter smiled slightly and was noncommittal.

Admiral Roland noticed that the only two members of the Grand Control Federation Advisory Group present were whispering to each other.

Out of respect and also to seek approval, he waved his hand to stop the discussion and said with a smile: "So what do our friends think of this plan?"

Xia Zhizun, looking calm, mused, "It's a bit radical and inappropriate. There are some risks that need to be considered. Then let Major Shang Ke explain it."

There were many generals present, and among all the people present, only Shang had the lowest military rank except for the servants who served tea and water.

This feeling of being the center of attention was still a bit nerve-wracking, but since he was named, Shang Ke simply raised his questions openly.

"I believe the success rate of operations on the outside is very high and we can inflict heavy damage on the enemy. However, as for the inside, our reserves are too few. The lack of sufficient backup forces is very dangerous."

"If we fail to achieve our campaign objectives within a short period of time, once the enemy reacts and puts pressure on the front of the defense line, it may lead to its collapse."

Shang's words did not seem to cause surprise.

Major General Levent smiled politely and said, "Major Shang, you have a good overall perspective. We have taken your concerns into consideration. The powerful armored division is an elite reserve force and will not move."

Because the battle plan was to be carried out in the mountains, armored units would naturally not be used, so the Hungarian 1st Armored Division and the 3rd Independent Armored Regiment remained in the second line as reserves, ready to launch a powerful counterattack once the enemy broke through the defense line.

Based on the actual combat experience of these days, the Hungarian generals have roughly figured out the strength of Ivan Rus's army. Everyone is convinced that they have hundreds of tanks on standby at any time and there is nothing to worry about.

Actual combat has shown that the Skoda 32mm tank guns installed on Hungary's domestically produced Turan I medium tanks and the imported Type 47 tanks can easily penetrate Ivan Rus's T-26 and BT-7 light tanks from one kilometer away, so there is no need to worry.

To be fair, the Hungarian generals' deployment was quite comprehensive.

However, Shang Ke, unconvinced, continued to argue, questioning, "Those old tanks aren't a threat, but what about the new ones? What if the enemy sends dozens of them?"

[Brief map of the battle (the Zamprun Mountains are the mountainous areas northeast of Miskolc)]

(End of this chapter)