Volume 3 Chapter 1 (1/2)
Volume 3, Chapter 1
”Are we returning to headquarters?”
“Yes, prepare for departure!”
“Understood, General!” Hans replied.
“Major Muller, I cannot continue to delay if Colonel Rothenburg has not arrived by lunch.” he added, ”I apologize that I could not host the celebration. I must return to headquarters and talk to the Fuhrer about the plan going forward.”
Now I promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and commander of the 7th Panzer Division. Once Colonel Rothenburg returns, convey my order. I appoint him as the deputy commander of the 7th Panzer Division. It'll be up to you to make the force a force to be reckoned with.
Because of our great losses, I will request the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht [Military High Command] to immediately replenish the division. The empty officer positions will be replaced by the surviving junior officers. They have already proved their ability in the battle. I will soon send them a letter of appointment. The other problems will be left to you and Rothenburg to discuss, do you understand?”
”I am honored for you to put your confidence in me, General. I may not be able to rise to your level. However, I will strive to live up to your expectations. I will wait until the day that you can personally command us again.” Muller answered excitedly.
Raising two ranks in two days, this was unheard of in the Wehrmacht. Muller felt like he was in a dream. Now Xu Jun's position in his mind had been promoted to the level of a deity. Muller secretly vowed, that he would repay the favor, even if it meant his death.
After lunch, Rundstedt's plane arrived right on time. It was a brand new Ju52. However, in order to let her land, the 58th Battalion spent two hours, using 20 heavy tractors and 80 various trucks to create a simple runway.
[MD: ]
Now Xu Jun and his men were standing on the side of the plane, bidding farewell to the 7th Panzer Division’s officers. Because the destination this time was the base camp, Xu Jun was only accompanied by Hans, Randolph, and Dorgen. The two junior officers stayed in the division to continue their training and the two other officers were now under Muller's command.
The soldiers of the 7th Panzer Division managed to find out that their general was departing and arranged themselves on the field. Forming a neat square and watched as the commander’s plane slowly left the ground.
Xu Jun was sitting in the Ju52's s.p.a.cious cabin, instructing Hans to arrange messages and a variety of other files. He had to prepare himself to present a formal report to Hitler once he arrived.
He looked at the doc.u.ment beside him and whispered to Hans about some issues in the report. Randolph sat behind them and he looked excitedly outside at the escort planes surrounding them. Headquarters was quite uneasy and made sure that nothing like that forced landing would happen again. Now, they deployed two entire fighter squadrons of Me110's. Forty in total. Forming a dense cloud of fighters around the Ju52.
Dorgen however was not too interested, instead tilting his head asleep in his seat.
Xu Jun made some of the details meticulously clear, the other miscellaneous text would be left up to Hans to decide. He lifted his head and gazed out the window, thinking about a new problem. Leaving poor Hans to juggle the pile of doc.u.ments.
Xu Jun pondered, how could he make Hitler change his decision? How would those other generals believe him?