"By when can the 22nd Army arrive?" General Fyodor inquired.
As the German onslaught intensified, and with their own forces suffering grievous losses, the Russians found themselves clinging to hope for reinforcements to arrive in Hium.
"The 22nd Army departed yesterday morning. If we calculate the time, they should reach us this afternoon. However, if Boris decides to dawdle on the way, that could pose a problem. Given the dire situation we face, with the Germans proving exceedingly formidable, I doubt Boris would rush to his death," General Golovin replied darkly. Were he in Boris's position, he too would hesitate to hurry to Hium.
"We cannot allow him to linger any longer; we need more reinforcements. Otherwise, with the Germans' overwhelming offensive capability, we may not hold out for even three days," General Fyodor insisted.
"Then we must send a telegram to the general, urging him to press the 22nd Army," Golovin suggested.
General Fyodor nodded. Both he and General Boris held the same rank, so they had no authority to command Boris. Only General Dmitriev had such power.
The German forces' sharp assaults had inflicted devastating losses on the Russian garrison at Hium. With no alternatives, they placed their hopes on the arrival of reinforcements, praying they would arrive swiftly to extend their defense.
Outside Hium, at the command post of the German 17th Army, General Zekkt and his division commanders listened intently to frontline reports.
"General, our advance is proceeding smoothly. Although the Russian resistance remains stubborn, the entirety of Hium lies in ruins, and their fortifications have been nearly destroyed. Their defensive capabilities are minimal, posing little threat to us. Additionally, our armored units and air support have effectively dismantled their firepoints, clearing the way for our infantry's assault. We have already secured nearly a third of Hium's urban area. By this afternoon, we should capture an equal expanse," the staff officer reported.
"Excellent! This means we should be able to seize the entirety of Hium by tomorrow at the latest," General Zekkt replied, beaming with satisfaction.
The orders given by QinTian to the 8th Corps were to dismantle the Russian 4th Army within a fortnight, outflank the Russian Southwest Front in collaboration with the Austrians, and obliterate the opposing forces. Defeating the 4th Army was undeniably the paramount task for the 8th Corps. The 17th Army's attack on Hium contained a third of the 4th Army's strength. If they could eliminate the Russian presence there within three days, subsequent advances would be far more manageable.
"Based on the current situation, capturing Hium by tomorrow appears certain. As the Russian casualties mount, their ability to hold firm will diminish, leading to a decline in morale and combat resolve. Defeating them is all but guaranteed," the commander of the 49th Infantry Division stated.
Zekkt nodded in agreement. "Once we neutralize the Russian forces in Hium, we can advance westward, collaborating with the 20th Army to seize Zamosc. This would effectively eliminate the main strength of the Russian 4th Army. Subsequent battles will undoubtedly be much easier."
The other commanders nodded in unison, sharing an optimistic outlook regarding this engagement.
"General, the air force reports that their reconnaissance aircraft have spotted a contingent of Russians approximately twenty kilometers southwest of Hium, moving toward the city," a staff officer announced upon entering.
"Another Russian force? How many are there?" General Zekkt asked, feeling a pang of concern.
This was a critical juncture in their assault on Hium; an attacking Russian force could severely disrupt their operational plans.
"General, the air force estimates this Russian contingent to be around fifty thousand," the staff officer continued.
"Fifty thousand? While not overwhelming, that is still a significant number. Allowing them to enter Hium would fortify the Russian defenses, likely prolonging our effort to secure the city. We cannot permit this reinforcement to reach Hium!" the commander of the 51st Infantry Division declared.
Zekkt nodded in agreement, recognizing the gravity of the situation. Fifty thousand Russians were a considerable threat, matching the strength of the 17th Army.
"Colonel Rommel, how many tanks are still operational?" Zekkt inquired. If they were to launch an offensive against this Russian contingent and decisively defeat them, support from their armored units was crucial.
"General, we have approximately seventy tanks available for deployment," Colonel Rommel responded.
"Very well. Deploy fifty tanks to assist the 51st Infantry Division in launching an assault against the Russian reinforcements. I will also contact the 8th Air Corps to bombard the Russian contingent. We must aim to decimate their forces at once. If we can break the Russian reinforcements, I would like to see how much longer the Russian garrison in Hium can hold out!" Zekkt ordered.
"Understood, General," both Colonel Rommel and the commander of the 51st Infantry Division affirmed.
Despite the combined forces of the 51st Infantry Division and the fifty tanks from the 8th Armored Division totaling fewer than twenty thousand troops, they faced a daunting challenge against the fifty thousand Russians. Yet, Zekkt remained confident that the cooperation of armored and aerial forces would ensure victory over the Russian reinforcements. Once those reinforcements were shattered, the resolve of the garrison in Hium would surely falter again, making their task of capturing the city considerably easier.
"While the 51st Infantry Division and the armored units engage the Russian reinforcements, the 49th and 50th Infantry Divisions must continue their assault on Hium without allowing the defenders any respite," Zekkt commanded.
"Understood, General," the commanders of the 49th and 50th Infantry Divisions responded.
The 17th Army and the 8th Armored Division promptly mobilized. Part of their forces continued to advance on Hium, while another contingent surged toward the Russian reinforcements.