The Darkest hour of the Russian Empire 2
Chapter Five: 1941
Part XXXIV: Khotyat li russkie voiny*
*Do the Russians really want war?
Manchurian front became a nightmare when the winter came and snow covered the steppes. Russians were well-known to be as tough as possible during such season, but even Siberian soldiers were badly suffering from the weather. Probably, "General Winter" first time used friendly-fire against Russian army.
Two Russian corps leaving Mudanjiang on 14 of December
Cold trenches of Manchuria...
In Huma everything was almost done to break the North-Manchurian front completely. Arkhangelsky believed that the Japanese didn't have any fresh reinforces available.
Arkhangelsky storms Huma
Bulgarian front was bad. Wrangel didn't know what to do - he simply didn't have enough fresh divisions to redeloy them to Constantinople. The most important strategic point in the Black Sea was going to fall very soon. With Bosphorus under their control, Germans could effectively supply their troops in the southern parts of the Russian Empire. Hitler was pleased with Balkan front.
Russian army is pushed out of Adrianople
Russian communication soldier in the Balkans
Wrangel couldn't sacrifice so many troops in Constantinople. He ordered to defend the city as long as possible and sent Black Sea transports to evacuate the troops. On 17 of December rear admiral Geiden left his port and moved to the Holy City.
Operation "Rescue" begins
On the next day Japanese armies reached Mudanjuang. The city was again under Manchukuo's control - offensive in southern Manchuria turned into bloody exhausting stalemate, digged down in the snow.
Japanese army returns
IJA pilots getting instructions - very soon they'll go bombing Russian positions
Heroic defense of Tromso continued - supply genius Mannerheim managed to keep his army in good conditions, but Norwegian army was fighting till the last breath. Arctic front was as stative as Western front in the WW1.
Mannerheim tries again and again
By 22 of December Adrianople was lost and Constantinople was so close for the Axis...
Thrace will be lost...
Bulgarian soldiers in the trenches
The catastrophe began on 24 of December. General Boldyrev, one of the Russian commanders, wasted most of his forces in the bloody defense of Adrianople. So, when he was attacked by 2 German divisions in Gallipoli, his 8 nominal (equal to 1,5 real division) divisions couldn't do anything. Constantinople looked like terrible pocket, but general Masalov (general-governor of Constantinople) was indecisive to evacuate his troops. He believed that he could stop the Germans and Bulgarians there...
Gallipoli in flames
Bulgarian armored car Sd.Kfz. 222
Because of Boldyrev's affair, Geiden couldn't finish his mission - transport squadron was attacked by Luftwaffe bombers, and most of vessels were severely damaged - 3 flotillas were sunk, two returned to Crimea. Wrangel was really angry - he called Boldyrev and Masalov idiots. Evacuation was spoilt. Constantinople was doomed.
Geiden returns with terrific casualties
Russian soldiers from Constantinople corps. Now nothing can save them from death or imprisonment
On the Polish front Russians started performing actively - Germans weren't ready for cruel frosts and stopped their offensives and breakthroughs. It was a great chance for a Russian comeback. On 30 of December general Kruze launched so-called "New Year Offensive" to take Bydgoszcz back.
Russian counterattack on New Year's Eve
Attack, attack!
On the same day Karbyshev, Wrangel (Commader-in-Chief was always on the frontline), Shaposhnikov and Scherbachev stormed Wloclawek.
The Germans will remember that day
Field Marshal Wrangel leads his troops personally
To be continued
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Next update: March, 14