Chapter 72 scorched earth policy

Because these movements are to be carried out under extremely difficult conditions, we must take all possible measures to prevent the enemy's pursuit.The most important thing is to ensure that when they reach the Dnieper River, they cannot take advantage of their pursuit and continue to attack immediately. So now the Germans must also adopt a scorched earth policy, which is exactly the same old method that the Russians used in the past when they retreated.In a strip fifteen miles wide in front of the Dnieper, everything that enabled the enemy to approach the river bank with a broad front was destroyed or retreated.This includes everything that can cover the Russian army in concentrated areas and provide them with shelter and use, as well as things that can help them solve their supply problems.

At the same time, in order to carry out the order of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Göring, all materials and equipment that could be used for Russian war production were also withdrawn.As far as our army group is concerned, such measures are limited to the necessary machinery, mules and livestock.Naturally, we did not rob the lot.This type of action was intolerable to the German Army perhaps unlike other armies.We have made strict inspections and have not allowed any vehicle to be loaded with inappropriate things.As for the materials in factories, warehouses and farms, they are the property of the state, not private property, so it is a different matter.

Because this is the policy of Russia, no matter what territory is recovered, all the strong men under the age of sixty are immediately incorporated into the army, and the rest of the population is also forced to participate in military work, often between the theaters of war. middle.Therefore, the Supreme Command also ordered that all civilian populations should retreat at the same time.In fact, coercive measures were taken only for those of military service age, because they would be immediately incorporated into the army by the Russian army.On the contrary, many Russian people are willing to withdraw voluntarily to avoid the murderous hands of the Russian army, just like the situation in eastern Germany in the future.During the retreat, these Russian people were assisted by the German army. In the area west of the Dnieper River, the German authorities arranged for them food and lodging.They were allowed to bring anything, including livestock and horses, and we provided them with vehicles whenever possible.Although the war has caused these people to suffer a lot.However, compared with the bombing suffered by the German people and the devastation suffered later in the eastern region, it is still relatively lucky.In any case, all measures taken by the German army were limited by military needs.

To cite one or two digits is enough to express the great technical achievement of this retreat operation, and the first thing to say is that there are 200,000 wounded soldiers to retreat.A total of 2,500 trains were needed to transport German equipment, supplies, and confiscated Russian property.Hundreds of thousands of Russian people accompanied the retreat.Although it was an extremely difficult environment, and only those few ferries were available, the retreat was successfully completed in a relatively short period of time. This is different from what most people imagine, and even such an operation can still be carried out quickly. .

By September 30 all the armies of our army group had withdrawn to the rear of the Melitopol-Dnieper line.