We promised to develop a game called Candy Crush, what the hell is the Third Reich?

Chapter 145 [Battle of Kharkiv] Facing the 'Skull Division' (6.3k combined)

[Introduction to the Battle of Mamayev Kurgan]

This was one of the bloodiest battlefields of the Battle of Stalingrad, where more than 100,000 lives were lost on both sides in the struggle for this 102-meter-high hill.

Mamayev Kurgan is the highest point in Stalingrad, overlooking the entire city and the Volga River.

[Soldiers survived an average of less than 24 hours, and officers less than 3 days. The Soviet 13th Guards Rifle Division fought 14 battles with the Reich in 6 hours, and was almost completely annihilated.]

With the pop-up announcement of the Mamayev Kurgan settlement and introduction, netizens on Earth learned just how many people had died on this small hill, which was less than two square kilometers in size.

Next came the settlements of the various federations, with the Great Xia Federation's settlement being the first to come into view:

[Battle for Mamayev Kurgan Ends]

Great Xia Federation

[Occupied: 179 times.]

Casualties: 3671.

[Kills: 7514]

[Time occupied: 18 days, 21 hours, and 54 minutes.]

The data from other federal governments also vary.

Antarctic Federation

[Occupied: 176 times.]

Casualties: 4124.

【.】

[Occupancy Time Statistics: 15 days 8]

Slavic Federation

[Occupied: 176 times.]

Casualties: 4537.

【.】

[Occupancy Time Statistics: 15 days 2]

Based on a comprehensive ranking including casualties, the Great Xia Federation ranks first among the six major federations, but the settlement results from the 'Earth' live stream were not provided.

With the rankings released.

On Earth, netizens in the Great Xia Federation were extremely excited, while only the other federations sensed something was amiss.

When did the soldiers of the Great Xia Federation become so awesome?
Especially the soldiers and officers of the Slavic Federation, whose borders are adjacent to the Great Xia Federation, were all evenly matched during previous border clashes.

However, inexplicably, the overall combat effectiveness of the Great Xia Federation soldiers has increased over the past six months.

Moreover, the Antarctic Federation has improved quite rapidly. In previous military exercises and competitions, the individual soldier quality of Antarctica was much worse than that of the Slavic Federation.

Surprisingly, they are now performing better than them in the competition. What exactly is the difference?
The Slavic Federation was pondering this.

However, I couldn't think of any reason for it at the moment.

Actually, it's also because the Golden Moon Federation is a bit weak. Otherwise, if the Golden Moon Federation had trained its troops and risen to prominence under the leadership of the First Prince, other federations would have noticed something amiss.

Let's not even talk about the Great Xia Federation.

Both the Antarctic Federation and the Golden Moon Federation have the distribution rights for the game "World War II: Rise of Empires".

Although there won't be any special backdoors, some training campaign instances are still available.

However, the Golden Moon Federation's mind was not on that, and it was also the eldest prince's personal action, which did not extend to the lower-level troops.

Otherwise, the three commonalities among the Federation regarding the soldiers' rapid improvement in strength within six months would be easily discovered.

After all, it's possible to keep a large-scale simulation of real-world training in a game for a while, but that can't be hidden forever, provided that people are speculating in that direction.
With the settlement of [Mamaev Gang].

Next, an introduction to the "Battle for Central Station" was displayed.

The Battle for Central Station

This was one of the most intense and protracted battles of the Battle of Stalingrad, with soldiers from both sides fighting fiercely amidst collapsed platforms, shattered trains, and burning ruins, using bayonets, entrenching tools, and their fists to fight for every inch of railroad track.

When the battle ended, the station buildings were razed to the ground, the rails were twisted into a pretzel shape, and frozen corpses were piled on the platforms.

In this battle, the infantry of the Imperial 24th Panzer Division suffered an average of two deaths for every meter they advanced during their charge.

The Reich and the Soviet Union committed over 8 troops to the Central Station, with total casualties reaching 4.7 (approximately 2.8 German and satellite state troops, and approximately 1.9 Soviet troops).

The two sides changed hands 107 times in the ticket hall area, with grenade fragments embedded in the walls, creating a metallic sheen.

Seeing the description of the devastation, which was no less horrific than that of Mamayev Kurgan, netizens on Earth were somewhat stunned.

Are 'Earthlings' this ruthless in war?

A ticket hall changed hands 107 times, and the shrapnel from hand grenades coated the hall with a layer of metal.
How many grenades must have been thrown?!
hiss--

I can't even imagine it.

For some reason, many netizens on Earth recalled the description on the Order of Stalingrad.

The title "World War II meat grinder" is truly fitting.

As the introduction ended, the images in the live stream rooms of the six major federations and the 'Earth' live stream room suddenly zoomed out and then moved southward.

Until we reach Central Station.

The Central Station in the picture is still in the midst of fierce fighting. From an overhead view, you can see both sides attacking and defending around the station.

Although nothing is clear at the moment.

However, observing the surrounding environment reveals the extent of the difficulties here. The area around Central Station is full of ruins, and the only thing standing here is Central Station itself.

The soldiers of the Soviet Federation held their ground inside.

Meanwhile, Imperial soldiers were everywhere outside the central station, launching an attack on it.

Swish!
The screen suddenly zoomed out.

Then, the six Federation soldiers who had just been on Mamayev Kurgan appeared inside the Central Station.

The live stream also showed a group of soldiers who had come to provide support.

Inside the official Polaris live stream room.

Tianji and Mo Xiaomo then began to explain:

"All right."

"After the introductions were completed, the remaining personnel were moved directly to the central station."

"And new NPCs have been added to Mamayev Hill."

"It looks like the game's difficulty has doubled again."

"Let's see how the soldiers from the various federations perform!"

And at this time.

The soldiers of the six federations in the game couldn't help but want to curse.

It didn't say that it would include changing maps!
After several days of fighting for control of the hill, they were suddenly thrown into a central station filled with ruins and corridors, leaving everyone somewhat bewildered.

But the empire won't give them time to be bewildered.

boom--! ! !
The wall not far away suddenly exploded, and smoke and dust spread everywhere along with the shock wave.

Soldiers from all the major federations dared not slack off.

Immediately, they focused their attention, held their breath, and followed the sound of gunfire to prepare for battle.

On the Antarctic Federation side, they had just approached and were not yet ready to attack.

boom--! !

A tank shell struck the wall behind the Antarctic Federation soldiers, causing it to collapse and bury them alive.

The live stream screen went dark for a moment, then slowly lit up again.

A new squad of Antarctic Federation soldiers has entered the game.

In other live streams, the battles were equally fierce, with screens going black one after another as players were forced to switch.

the other side.

The battle for Central Station has begun.

Meanwhile, Fang Ming's live stream was stuck on the hidden storyline settlement screen, which had been there for several hours.

After all, we've held out in the game for 58 days, so we need to take a break.

At this moment, the game was running, and he was chatting with the viewers in the live stream. In the lower right corner, there was a video playback module that repeatedly played some of the highlights of the 58 days of guarding the building.

Although the storyline ended several hours ago.

However, the hype remained high, and many players who saw the trending topic flocked to Fang Ming's live stream during their break.

Fang Ming looked at the comments and replied:

"Medal Challenge?"

"We'll have to wait a while. To be honest, these 58 days of guarding the building have really worn me out."

"Let's put the fighting on hold for now."

"I plan to play the [Immersive Story] mode for a while."

"Sometimes immersive storylines can be surprisingly delightful."

"Moreover, the timeline of the [Immersive Story] mode is faster than that of the [Battle of Stalingrad]. Let's see how long this battle will take in the [Immersive Story] mode."

"That way we'll know roughly when it will end."

"This way we'll have enough time to challenge for medals."

Fang Ming stretched while chatting, then turned his gaze back to the game's main interface.

The settlement screen had been running for quite some time. Fang Ming looked at the messages on it and then closed the settlement screen.

At this time.

A notification popped up, and Fang Ming looked over at it:

"Ok?"

"A hidden reward?"

A form pops up asking for your mailing address, and it looks like there might be a physical reward as well.

After filling in his information as prompted, Fang Ming submitted the form and smiled at the viewers in the live stream, saying:

"There should be some physical rewards as well. We'll unpack them for everyone once they arrive in the mail."

"Now let's continue with the immersive story mode~"

I clicked the "Start Game" button.

The screen flashed, and I was back in the game.

at this time.

Since the storyline of the Pavlov Building ended at the end of November, the game is now starting in the winter of 1942.

same.

Because of winter, the Empire's troops gradually showed signs of decline.

The Battle of Stalingrad, which began in the summer of July 1942, has now reached its winter in December, and is facing the same predicament as it did in Moscow last year.

In the [Immersive Story] mode, Fang Ming tries to survive by relying on his own strength and then skips the story.

half a month later.

More than a month has passed in the game, and Fang Ming has died no less than ten times, averaging once every three days. This is only because he tries his best to stay alive.

Otherwise, you might have to start a new game every day.

at this time.

In Fang Ming’s live broadcast room.

The game's timeline has moved to January 1943.

Fang Ming was leading a battalion of troops, following the main force to complete the encirclement of the Sixth Army of the Empire.

Although the 'real-time map' on the Polaris website is still set in 1942, Fang Ming has already commissioned someone to create a custom map for the story dungeons.

Using information obtained from photonic supercomputing analysis, the 'Earth' map in the live broadcast room is updated in real time.

This is Stalingrad at this time.

The Soviet Federation has severed the connection between the Reich Sixth Army and other armies, slowly strangling the Reich Sixth Army (approximately 33 men).

On the Reich side, Manstein's Army Group Don attempted to relieve the Sixth Army on several occasions.

However, due to the Soviet Union's fierce attack on the Don Army from both sides, the army was forced to retreat, thus thwarting the plan to rescue the Sixth Army.

Fang Ming's unit was the Southwestern Front of the Soviet Union, which, according to orders from the higher command, was attacking the Don Army Group of the Reich from both sides, together with the Stalingrad Front.

We have already advanced more than 100 kilometers.

The predicament of Stalingrad has been completely resolved. Once the Sixth Reich Army trapped in Stalingrad is annihilated, the battle will be over.

Looking at the situation on the map.

The map is constantly updated based on information, and it also includes projected data.

Fang Ming looked at the screen and said:
"Based on the current situation, the Soviet Federation should be able to advance several dozen kilometers."

"Because the main force of Army Group Don on the Reich side is not in these peripheral areas."

“It’s really tough.” “It’s already January. It started last July, so it’s been six months.”

"It's been less than 200 days."

"But the casualties have already exceeded 200 million."

"More than 10,000 people die every day on average—"

This is only in Stalingrad.

Fang Ming had an idea and searched for Leningrad's live stream.

They immediately discovered that Duan Yu's live stream was still running.

Good guy.

The siege of Leningrad was not yet over.

True survival in PUBG.

However, Duan Yu looked much better at this moment, not because he ate anything he shouldn't have, but because of the arrival of winter and the counterattack.

The Soviet Federation also opened up a road to Leningrad.

Although it's unclear how long this effect will last, it seems to be working quite well so far.

However, looking at Duan Yu's live stream...

Countless people died in Leningrad. It was probably several thousand a day.

Fang Ming watched for a while, then switched back to his own live stream.

The current scene depicts a march. Seeing the skip button, Fang Ming clicked it directly. The screen flashed, and when it lit up again, they had arrived at the camp.

You can explore the scenery or skip the scenes without combat.

Fang Ming watched the plot and chose to skip it.

After a few times.

The timeline has jumped to February. During this period, there have been no battles or plot events, and the Empire is also actively shrinking its defenses.

The screen lit up right after Fang Ming skipped over it.

Fang Ming overheard the soldiers around him discussing Stalingrad while holding newspapers. He walked over and noticed them.
"Any new information from Stalingrad?"

The soldiers who were discussing the matter immediately stood up, their expressions filled with joy and excitement:
"Sir."

"We have won the Battle of Stalingrad!"

He handed the newspaper to Fang Ming to look at.

Fang Ming took the newspaper and, as expected, saw the news of the victory announced by the Soviet leader, as well as news of the mass surrender of the Sixth Army of the Reich.

"hiss--?!"

"Finally finished?!"

Fang Ming quickly looked at the date.

2 month 2 day.

The fighting lasted from July 1942 to early February 1943, a period of six and a half months.

At this point in the Battle of Stalingrad, the time has reached the Pavlov Tower, meaning there are still about two months left to challenge for the medal.

Fang Ming breathed a sigh of relief. There was still plenty of time; he would proceed with the [immersive storyline] first.

Fang Ming handed the newspaper back to his soldier, a smile appearing on his face:

"really not bad."

"Next, it's time to teach those guys from the Don River a lesson."

Currently, the Soviet Federation is taking advantage of the winter season to launch a smooth offensive. Fang Ming has gathered some information, and the map displayed in the live stream is automatically updated.

Starting from Stalingrad, this includes the Southwestern Army Group and the Stalingrad Army Group.

Under attack from both sides, they have already advanced and conquered more than 200 kilometers of land.

If they were to launch another attack, they would be facing the Don Army Group on the Reich's side, except that the commander there was a famous Reich general, Manstein, who was also in the World War II Hall of Fame.

Fang Ming pulled up the Hall of Fame and found a photo of Manstein.

[Erich von Manstein (to be unlocked)]

[Title: Master Strategist, Spear of the Empire]

Military Rank: Field Marshal

[Biography: The foremost of the three great generals of the Empire, hailed by later generations as "the most outstanding strategist of World War II." He orchestrated the world-shaking "Manstein Plan," decisively defeating the British and French forces; on the Eastern Front, he repeatedly created miracles with inferior troops.]

[Famous quote: "A skilled boxer often takes a step back before launching a fatal blow."]

[Exclusive plot: To be unlocked]

[Exclusive biography: To be unlocked]

[Note: Participating in the Eastern Front campaign will unlock the "Manstein's Counterattack" storyline, where you may serve as a staff officer alongside Manstein and witness the birth of the "reverse scythe" tactic.]

Looking at Manstein's introduction, it says he is the foremost of the three great generals of the empire.

He appears to be even stronger than Guderian.

At this time, Fang Ming's Southwestern Army was facing the Imperial Army commanded by Manstein.

Fang Ming and his viewers in the live stream were studying the introductions in the Hall of Fame.

Meanwhile, the Soviet Union, following its victory at the Battle of Stalingrad, set its sights on the Reich's Army Group Don, a massive force commanded by Manstein.

Fang Ming's unit soon received orders to attack the Don River.

The offensive went exceptionally smoothly.

After several days of fighting, the battle went so smoothly that there was almost no fighting, yet the Empire suffered repeated defeats.

For a time, the entire Soviet Federation was filled with joy.

Fang Ming and the netizens on Blue Star always felt that something was wrong. After all, those Soviet Federation soldiers didn't know, but could there be fakes in the Hall of Fame?
'The most outstanding strategist of World War II' 'Repeatedly created miracles on the Eastern Front'

How could such renowned generals of the empire, possessing these titles and deeds, be driven into a state of repeated defeats?

Fang Ming couldn't analyze it for the time being, so he could only follow the team's advance.

Until February 19th in the game.

Fang Ming's division had just repelled the Empire's forces, and the map in the live stream was updated again, showing the Soviet Federation's troops.

It's already almost piercing into the heart of the Empire's defenses, like a sharp knife.

Fang Ming had a bad feeling.

This is also why Earth has little knowledge of military strategy.

Netizens on Earth could see at a glance that the attack was too fierce, and the Empire was clearly using a strategy to lure the enemy deep into their territory.

However, the Soviet Union was captivated by the joy of victory.

They didn't notice anything amiss.

Fang Ming followed the main force to clean up the battlefield and collect some equipment abandoned by the Empire, but it was all useless equipment.

Searching.

The scene before my eyes gradually darkened, then slowly reappeared.

Battle of Kharkiv

Fang Ming's heart skipped a beat. Had another battle event been triggered?

Since it's a battle.

That clearly means the empire's counterattack is about to begin.

Fang Ming quickly pulled up the map in the live stream and looked at it with the viewers.

Although the current advance area is somewhat deep.

However, it shouldn't be fatal yet. The battle lines are long, so we won't be surrounded and wiped out by the Empire.

Kharkiv?

Fang Ming immediately located Kharkiv on the map.

Nearby?!
this.???

Sudden.

Fang Ming suddenly realized something and quickly brought up the Hall of Fame.

The viewers in the live stream were confused, watching Fang Ming's strange actions.
Why would someone be inducted into the Hall of Fame? Is there information about it?

[There's not much information, right? Besides Manstein, the only other one left here is Chuikov.]

Yes, none of the other generals made the list.

Why aren't you triggering the storyline? What are you doing looking at the Hall of Fame?

Fang Ming didn't reply. Instead, he pulled up a picture of Manstein and looked at the famous quote in the introduction.

A skilled boxer often takes a step back before launching a fatal blow.

hiss--

Fang Ming felt a chill run down his spine. Holy crap?!
pass.

All connected.

Take a step back, then launch a fatal attack?!
The current situation is that the Empire is suffering repeated defeats, while the Soviet Union's army is penetrating deep into enemy territory. Although, judging from the map, the battle lines are long and the probability of being encircled is low.

But what if?
What if they really did make dumplings for me?!

Will the joy of the recent victory in the Battle of Stalingrad be dealt a heavy blow before February is even over?

The more Fang Ming thought about it, the more horrified he felt.

These Hall of Fame players are truly amazing. He had a real-time map, a third-party perspective, and so many viewers in the live stream, yet he still didn't react in time.

I didn't understand until the campaign storyline was triggered.

If it doesn't trigger, you might die without even knowing how.

Are all 'Earthlings' this terrifying?

Is it really possible for a supercomputer like Photon Supercomputer to create such a famous NPC?
Can't figure it out.

Fang Ming quickly turned around, preparing to go and talk to the commander of his division.

He also shared his discovery with the viewers in the live stream.

At this moment, the live stream room was filled with question marks and shock as people stared at the mounted real-time map.

[Holy crap? It really is?]

With such a long front line, is it even possible to make dumplings?

[You forgot? The Empire's Blitzkrieg.]

[That's right. This battle line may seem long in the short term, but if the scale is large enough, as long as the Empire's blitzkrieg is fast enough, it can completely encircle and annihilate the enemy.]

[Moreover, it's February now, the ground hasn't thawed yet, so a blitzkrieg could be launched.]

【hiss--】

Fang Ming watched the comments on the screen while simultaneously running to the regimental headquarters.

He was just a battalion commander, so he could only communicate with the regimental commander first. As soon as he entered the regimental headquarters, before he could even speak, he heard the regimental commander say:
"Maxim, you've come at the perfect time."

"Order the troops to prepare; the order to attack has been issued from above."

"Coordinate with the main force to intercept those devils, the Imperial Skeleton Division."

Fang Ming spoke up:
"what?"

"Wait, Commander."

“I have something to report, and I feel like this is a trap.”

"Manstein is enticing us to go deeper."

"They might surround us later."

After a moment of silence upon hearing Fang Ming's words, the regimental headquarters erupted in laughter. The regimental commander looked at Fang Ming with a strange expression and said:
"Maxim, have you been under too much pressure lately?"

"The empire is surrounding us?"

"You should know that we have already conquered more than 200 kilometers of land, and even Manstein has been driven back by us. What means do they have to surround us?"

"Perhaps you should take a break."

"However, the troops cannot stop. I'll give you a day off. Go and pass on the orders."

"Time to get going."

"Sweep away those devils, the Imperial Skeleton Army."

Fang Ming felt a chill run down his spine:

"I?!"

But looking at the Soviet officers with strange expressions in the room, he knew he was powerless and could only leave the regimental headquarters, standing there feeling exhausted.

At the same time, a sense of helplessness and insignificance rose within him, and Fang Ming complained to the live stream:

"No wonder everyone wants to be a high-ranking official. My words as a mere battalion commander can't even get me out of the regimental headquarters."

But there's nothing we can do. If it dies, it dies. We can always restart. It's just...
"Imperial Skeleton Division? What kind of unit is that?"

(End of this chapter)