On November 18, 1880, the Russian army conquered Poznan, and the Prussian army in Warsaw was in danger of being cut off at any time, and the Russo-Prussian war became clear.

Command of the Prussian Army in Warsaw

Moltke was not surprised to receive this bad news. From the moment he refused to send troops to reinforce Poznan, he prepared for the worst.

There is also skill in carrying the black pot, and giving up Warsaw is not as simple as it says, and if there is no sufficient reason, there is no way to explain it to the outside world.

At the military meeting, Moltke said calmly: "Poznan was lost in advance, our rear road is threatened, and the plan to encircle and annihilate the Russian Third Army and the Sixth Army is bankrupt."

Now we had to change the original battle plan, first recapture the Poznan area, ensure that the rear road is unblocked, and then turn back to Warsaw to fight a decisive battle with the Russians.

Now occupying Poznan is the Russian Eighth Army, mainly infantry, with a total strength of nearly 200,000, and its combat effectiveness can only be regarded as mid-stream among all units of the Russian army.

The Russian Eighth Army is not alone, the Russian Ninth Army is less than 160 kilometers away from them, and once we launch a counteroffensive, the enemy will definitely carry out reinforcements.

Everyone has heard of the situation in China, and the combat effectiveness of the newly formed units is worrisome, and they will not be able to put them on the battlefield in a short period of time.

In order to recapture the Poznan region from the enemy as soon as possible, we must draw the main forces into the battle this time, and now we need to have someone to stay in Warsaw to ensure that Warsaw is not lost while the main forces are gone. ”

Staying in Warsaw is no easy job. Now the situation on the battlefield is obviously not in favor of the Poppo Federation, if it goes well, they still have a chance to usher in a counteroffensive, if something happens, the remaining troops will be outcasts.

The commander of the First Army, General Giovanni Ferrari, preemptively said: "Let's stay, the First Army has the strongest combat effectiveness and should be able to buy enough time for the main force." ”

This is not a show, the First Army is the absolute main force of the Prussian army, and the stronger the combat effectiveness of the troops on the battlefield, the heavier the combat tasks they often undertake.

Knowing that the country had decided to abandon Warsaw, Admiral Giovanni Ferrari naturally had to take on this difficult task for the sake of the big picture.

Moltke denied: "No! ”

Then he explained: "It is true that the First Army is the most combative, but what you are best at is attacking, not defending. The next step to recapture the Poznan region is also inseparable from the First Army.

This battle of Warsaw defense is very difficult to fight, the Russians may be crazy like never before, and we cannot have many troops left, and in this context, in order to hold the Warsaw area, it is necessary to cooperate closely with the local militia forces.

A national mobilization order has been issued, and Warsaw, together with the surrounding areas, is capable of mobilizing about 200,000 people. These units have received only simple military training and cannot be used as the main force, and they are okay as auxiliary troops.

In the face of insufficient troops, we must bring into play the combat effectiveness of this force. If you don't want to defeat the Russians, as long as you keep Warsaw and don't lose it, it will be considered a victory.

Taking into account various factors, the command decided to let the Third Army, which had the best popular base, remain in the Warsaw area.

General Varthievis, is there a problem that you will hold on to Warsaw for at least 40 days under the attack of the Russian army? ”

The establishment of the Pop-Polish Confederation was too short, and although the Warsaw government intended to promote the unification of the written and written languages, the time was still too short, and coupled with the resistance of the Poles, it naturally failed to achieve results.

There was no unification of the written and written language, and in order to enforce the ban, the Prussian army had to be organized separately.

The Third Army was a predominantly Polish force, with most of its soldiers coming from the surrounding area of Warsaw. Naturally, the mass base of the troops composed of locals is better than that of other troops.

Wastkevis's face was a little ugly, and on the surface it looked like Moltke was asking for his opinion, but in fact he had no chance of refusing at all.

The command has made a decision, what can he do other than carry out the order?

Moreover, Moltke's reason is also very strong, the Third Army is a local, and defending its homeland is itself a proper duty.

Unaware of the fact that he had been reduced to an outcast, Wastkelvis's resistance was not high, and it was just an ordinary task.

Wasskewis asked with concern: "In general, I have no problem, the Third Army will try to buy time for the main force as much as possible." However, if you want to cooperate with the local troops, who will be in command? ”

After receiving an affirmative answer, Moltke nodded with satisfaction: "Of course the command belongs to you." Until we launch a counteroffensive, the Third Group will take over all military and political power in Poland.

These are special times, and special treatment is necessary. Both the local forces and the local government are under your control for the time being.

How to fight this battle, the command will not ask, I have only one request, I must hold Warsaw. ”

Decentralization, maximum decentralization. Wasche Kevis was about to become the commander of the most powerful army group in the Pupo Federation, and even Moltke, the marshal, had no power to control the local government.

Waskovis was not surprised, anything was possible during the war years. Although this may be the first case that the Prussian army has not yet taken over local administration, the army's interference in local affairs has long been rampant.

In order to win the war, the Berlin government had become accustomed to playing deaf and dumb. As long as it is beneficial to the war, you can do it.

This is the first case of moderation of local governments, and it will never be the last.

This bad start is undoubtedly a heavy blow to the authority of the government. However, the people sitting here are all soldiers, and the position under the ass determines that they must lean towards the military.

Washi Caivis was overjoyed, it was a surprise to be able to get the command of the local troops, and now that even the local government can control it, then the resources that can be mobilized have greatly increased.

With so many resources, he can't hold on for 40 days, then he can go home and farm, so as not to stay and be embarrassed.

Wasschevis replied in the affirmative: "There is no problem, the Third Army is guaranteed to complete the mission!" ”

Moltke glanced at Wascher Kevis, and with a hint of sympathy on his brow, he quickly covered up the past, and warned in a serious tone:

"Don't be too happy, the Third Army has only 156,000 men, and even if you add 200,000 local troops, the total strength of the total strength is only more than 60% of the enemy.

Even if we are on the defensive side and have a geographical advantage, we are still at a disadvantage and we have to be careful.

Local units have just been formed, and many of them have not even completed basic military training, so it is better not to have too much hope for combat effectiveness.

The situation on the battlefield is ever-changing, and this 40 days is only the minimum period. If something happens along the way, no one knows when, and we will be able to reinforce Warsaw. ”

"Yes, Marshal!" Wastkelis replied solemnly

Mei Yuzhong still has a little gratitude, since Moltke became commander-in-chief, he still takes good care of the Third Army, whether it is material replenishment or the assignment of combat tasks, he has not treated him differently.

Defending Warsaw, the most challenging task Group 3 has received since the start of the war. However, high risk also means high reward, and this kind of difficult task is also the easiest to achieve.

Wastkevis is driven and not afraid of challenges. Moltke's warning, he only regarded the coach as caring for his subordinates, and did not have the slightest suspicion.

Moltke nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, since you are so confident, the task of defending Warsaw is entrusted to the Third Army."

There is not much time left for us, and the rest of the troops, immediately pack their bags and set out for Poznan early tomorrow morning.

Due to the limited capacity of the railway, heavy weapons and logistical supplies were transported by train, and the troops set off on foot with light equipment. ”

The railway facilities of the Pubo Federation are relatively perfect, but no matter how perfect they are, there is no way to transport hundreds of thousands of troops, along with logistics materials, to hundreds of miles away in a short time.

Against this background, in order to save time, it is natural to give priority to the delivery of weapons and equipment, strategic materials, and soldiers still have to march on foot.

Fortunately, Poland is not a large area. The journey from Warsaw to Poznan was less than 37 pri (about 280 km), and it was almost a week's journey for the troops to travel lightly.

Of course, this is theoretical data. In fact, it will definitely take longer, and the combat speed of the large corps itself cannot be fast.

Before arriving at the battlefield, it is necessary to first distribute heavy weapons and logistical materials to the troops, and this requires testing the ability of logistical organization.

If the organizational capacity is not up to the mark, and these tasks cannot be completed in time, it is better to let the soldiers go on the road with weapons, equipment, and logistics materials, so as not to waste time in confusion.

……