December 15, Soviet-German battlefield.

While heavy snow fell on the Korean Peninsula, the plains of Eastern Europe ushered in a rare sunny day.

The sun was in the sky, but the temperature was as cold as ever, at least minus 25 degrees.

In front of the 6th Army, a high-level military meeting was being held in the headquarters of the 16th Army, which belonged to the German Army Group Northern.

Army General Ernst Busch, commander of the 16th Army with various medals on his chest, said to several commanders in the headquarters:

"We have received accurate intelligence that the Russians will launch a full-scale counterattack in the next two days."

"The Bolsheviks want to use the cold air to drive the Imperial Army back to Leningrad so that we cannot threaten their capital!"

"The head of state has issued an order. The frontline troops must hold their position, not retreat even a step, and resolutely and completely crush the Russian counterattack."

"Only when the enemy pays enough blood and lives will they realize that winter is equally cruel and cold to everyone."

Although they have spent a winter on this land, the senior German generals of the 16th Army still had difficulty adapting to the harsh weather and seemed a little wilted.

Army General Ernst Busch glanced at several corps commanders and his tone became cold and low.

"Directly opposite our army group is the Chinese Expeditionary Force from the east. Their officers have been trained by imperial instructors. They were established later than the Third Reich army that values ​​honor and inheritance."

"But we must not underestimate the enemy!"

"This is an army that has grown up from the flames of war and has rich practical experience!"

The Commander of the Tenth Army, Christer Hansen, scratched his chin and said:

"I have played against them several times, and we have won and lost."

"In my opinion, this army is also not adapted to the cold weather in Eastern Europe."

"They went abroad for expeditions and did not have enough tacit understanding with the surrounding armies, so they were tied up when fighting."

General Alefir, commander of the Second Army, said with some dissatisfaction:

"Since the Chinese Expeditionary Force has so many limiting factors, why has your troops been unable to break through the opponent's defense line?"

After teasing, Alefell looked at Army Group Commander Ernst Busch and asked:

"Now that it has been determined that the enemy is going to launch a large-scale counterattack, will the Marshal send additional reinforcements in our direction?"

"You must know that what we are facing is the Chinese Expeditionary Force. They have 30 full-strength military divisions. The quality of their soldiers and weapons are better than the Russians. To put it modestly, they are also better than us."

"And our group army only has eight infantry divisions that are not fully equipped, and there are also big problems in logistics and supply."

"The gap in strength is too big, and the battle line is very dangerous!"

The commander of the 28th Army also nodded in agreement, his face full of worry.

Army General Ernst Busch, commander of the Army Group, hesitated for a moment and then said:

"Marshal Loeb has already considered this. The Fourth Armored Group will allocate three armored divisions to assist us in our defense."

"On the entire front, the Chinese Expeditionary Force poses the greatest threat, and the Russians have nothing to fear."

"Eight of the previous 10 counterattacks were made with heavy thunder and weak rain, and could not break through the defense line of our Northern Army Group at all."

"Therefore, our 16th Army is under the greatest pressure. The head of state personally called and placed high hopes on us. We must not let him down!"

Several officers adjusted their uniforms and said at the same time:

"Long live the Führer!"

..

"The attack time has been determined, early morning on December 17th!"

Lieutenant General Khachanov, Chief of General Staff of the Expeditionary Force, said to Zhang Shengqing and Fu Yisheng:

"As expected, the 6th Corps serves as the core of the entire northern front counterattack."

"The code name for this counterattack is Avalanche!"

Zhang Shengqing and Fu Yisheng savored these two words carefully and figured out a lot of things from them.

"The focus of the avalanche operation is in the south, on the Volga River!"

Lieutenant General Khachanov pointed at the map and said:

"The purpose of the southern operation is to capture Stalingrad and prevent the enemy from plundering the oil fields in the Caucasus."

"This is the top priority of this avalanche operation!"

"Therefore, all aircraft and tanks will be dedicated to fighting in the south!"

Zhang Shengqing raised his eyebrows and asked:

"How many are there in total?"

A smile appeared on Khachanov's face.

"At least 2,000 tanks and 800 aircraft!"

‘Good guy, it turns out that these heavy equipment supported by China and the United States have always been useless!’ Zhang Shengqing sighed in his heart.

He then raised another concern.

"Can a tank function in this weather?"

Khachanov smiled and replied:

"Ice and snow are the enemy of Germany, but not the enemy of our Red Army soldiers!"

This sentence was said with full confidence, and Zhang Shengqing said no more.

Khachanov changed the topic to the expeditionary force.

"The Sixth Corps serves as the vanguard of the northern counterattack. The goal is to defeat the enemy's 16th Group Army's defense line and open a gap in the entire large defense line to assist other friendly forces in attacking in depth."

"The German Army Group North is the biggest threat to Moscow. Operation Avalanche will completely eliminate this threat and ensure the safety of the capital!"

On the map Khachanov spread out, the attack direction of the 6th Corps and other surrounding Soviet units has been marked.

Lao Maozi had been preparing for Operation Avalanche for several months, but he was ready to take action.

After finishing the specific combat plan, Khachanov patted his forehead and said:

"By the way, armed helicopters will also participate in the operation and be deployed to the northern front."

Zhang Shengqing and Fu Yisheng looked happy.

With the support of armed helicopters, they were confident of breaking through the defense line of the 16th Army of the Third Reich.

The night of December 16th, the last dinner before the attack.

Lao Maozi's logistics force transported a batch of cans, but the quantity was limited and not enough for the entire corps.

The last batch of canned meat was made into soup and served to the soldiers with bread and potatoes.

"Operation Avalanche is expected to last 5 to 7 days. This is the soldiers' rations for the first three days!"

Khachanov pointed to a supply on the table and said.

Zhang Shengqing looked at everything on the table at a glance.

A loaf of brown bread weighs about half a pound, and there are eight potatoes.

This is three days' worth of food.

He frowned, but ultimately said nothing.

Due to the loss of air superiority, it is difficult to transport supplies supported by China and the United States to the front line.

Brown bread and potatoes have a big advantage, that is, they are small in quantity and can prevent hunger, especially the former.

Since losing Ukraine and the food-producing areas of the lower Volga River, the Soviet army's food has become very poor. It used to include chocolate, biscuits, soybeans, vegetables, fruits, etc.

Being able to get a loaf of black bread and 8 potatoes for three days is already enough to provide for you during wartime.

A typical meal consists of only two potatoes and a spoonful of dark soup.

It's just that in this cold weather, black bread can quickly be used as bricks. Together with potatoes, a set of combo punches can kill the enemy.

On the evening of the 26th, after receiving ammunition and supplies, all soldiers of the expeditionary force entered combat positions and waited for the final attack moment.
Chapter completed!