The German 48th Panzer Army continued to launch attacks in the Oboyan area, trying to break through the Soviet defenses here so that it could quickly advance along the road to Kursk. However, the commanders and fighters of the 1st Tank Army, in Katukov
Under the command of the general, they stubbornly blocked the German attack, causing them to stagnate in front of Oboyan's defensive position and unable to make any breakthrough.
Fierce fighting was going on in the direction of Oboyan, and the battle outside Prokhorovka also entered a fever pitch. General Bakharov's 18th Tank Army, after restoring the October Farm to the north of the 252.2 Hill, established a new base there.
defense to prevent the Germans from taking it again.
Manstein, who had lost his reserve team, could only order Hauser's SS Panzer Corps and the Kef Combat Group to intensify their attack on the Soviet army in order to annihilate one of them first in order to seize the city of Prokhorovka.
Department, and then capture this city.
After receiving the order, Hausser decided to retake the October Farm as a breakthrough, and then detoured to the rear of the Soviet army. According to his experience on the Soviet-German battlefield, once the Soviet army was encircled, many troops would fall into chaos.
Among them, as long as one of them is annihilated, the rest will not be a concern.
In order to achieve this operational goal, Simon went to the front line in person and commanded his troops to launch an attack on October Farm. He and his chief of staff stayed in an observation post and saw with his own eyes a battalion of infantry, followed by more than 20 soldiers.
From behind a tank, they launched an attack towards the Soviet position in the distance.
The Soviet positions were just temporary dug trenches, with neither minefields nor barbed wire in front. The German infantry, covered by tanks, could easily rush to the trenches. Seeing his officers and soldiers rushing forward, Simon
In his mind, he began to think about which troops he should leave for defense once he captured the October Farm, and which troops should then bypass the Russians' rear and encircle them.
However, what happened next shocked Simon. He saw that the Russians holding on to the position did not have many anti-tank guns, and relied more on anti-tank rifles to sniper their own tanks from long distances.
However, since the tanks leading the infantry charge were all Panther tanks, the anti-tank rifles on the position were unable to penetrate the frontal armor of the tanks. The limited number of anti-tank guns were fired after two shots.
The tank locked onto the target and quickly destroyed it with artillery fire.
Unexpectedly, just as the tank approached the trench, countless figures jumped out of the bomb crater next to the tank. Some of them threw anti-tank grenades at the tank, some threw Molotov cocktails, and some even had cluster grenades tied to their bodies and rushed to fight with them.
Those Panther tanks that couldn't even be destroyed by anti-tank rifles were destroyed.
Seeing dazzling firelight and black smoke rising in the distance, Simon's heart bleeds. He realizes that it is his tank that is being destroyed by the damn Russians. He originally thought that the tanks following the tank were
The infantry could destroy the Russian anti-tank fighters, but they did not expect the opponent to fight bravely. Unexpectedly, someone held a smoking grenade and rushed directly into the formation of the German infantry, killing several or even a dozen soldiers together.
Although the Skeleton Division was an elite division of the German army, they still felt intimidated when they encountered such desperate tactics as the commanders and fighters of the 18th Tank Corps. At this time, Baharov saw that the infantry brigade successfully blocked the German attack.
, he decisively ordered the 170th Tank Brigade to launch a counterattack against the German army.
The German officers and soldiers who had begun to retreat suddenly became confused when they saw the Soviet tanks rushing up. Immediately, some officers and soldiers retreated like a tide, while the remaining officers and soldiers hid in the destroyed tanks.
Behind the tank, or in the bomb crater, shoot at the rushing Soviet tanks.
While the 18th Tank Army stubbornly blocked the Skeleton Division at October Farm, the 29th Tank Army was also fighting fiercely with the Flag Guard Division near the 252.2 Heights. To the south of Prokhorovka City, there were several units of the 69th Group Army.
An infantry division was engaged in positional warfare with the Kempf Combat Group, where every inch of territory was contested.
Rotmistrov, who set up his headquarters in the city of Prokhorovka, after carefully studying the situation outside the city, called Vatutin and said to him: "Comrade General, the Germans
The force is more tenacious than we imagined. If we launch a comprehensive counterattack at this time, it may be difficult to achieve any results, and it will easily exhaust our effective strength."
You know, Vatutin has always advocated offense. Soon after the Battle of Kursk began, he ignored the battlefield situation and threw all his reserves into the counterattack. As a result, not only did he fail to crush the German army on the southern front,
The offensive, on the contrary, exhausted all the effective strength that he had finally accumulated, and finally had to shamelessly ask for help from the base camp.
If he had heard Rotmistrov's words a few days ago, he would have definitely gotten angry at him. But after learning the lesson from the past few days, he could only suppress the anger in his heart and ask:
"General Rotmistrov, what do you think about it?"
"Comrade General, this is what I think about." Rotmistrov stared at the map in front of him and replied: "Let the troops of the 18th and 29th Tank Corps hold on to the October Farm and 252.2 Highlands in the west of the city, blocking the way.
The attack of the 2nd SS Panzer Corps. In addition, I plan to divide the 5th Guards Mechanized Corps into two parts, one part will be deployed behind the two tank corps, and the other part will be deployed behind the 69th Army to stop Kef
The advance of the corps.”
After Vatutin heard Rotmistrov's idea, he did not speak immediately. Instead, he glanced at Zhukov who was standing next to him and asked for his opinion with his eyes. Zhukov heard Vatutin and Rot clearly
During the conversation, Mistrov lowered his head and looked at the map. He felt that this arrangement was very safe, so he nodded slightly, indicating that he agreed with Rotmistrov's plan.
"Okay, General Rotmistrov." After getting Zhukov's approval, Vatutin immediately said into the microphone: "Let's arrange the defense according to your plan."
"Although the Germans have transferred their reserve team, the situation is still not good for us." Vasilevskiy took advantage of Vatutin's call and said to Zhukov: "What should we do?
What measures can be taken to resolve the current crisis?”
"Do we have any other troops we can mobilize?" Zhukov asked without looking up from the map.
"We have deployed all available troops in the Oboyan and Prokhorovka areas." Vatutin, who had just put down the phone, heard Zhukov's question and replied with a look of shame: "If the base camp does not give us
If we send more reinforcements, I think we won’t have any troops to put into the battlefield.”
"Comrade Vatutin, you are wrong, we still have troops that can be mobilized." Zhukov raised his head, looked at the embarrassed Vatutin in front of him, and said expressionlessly: "Once this troops are put into the battlefield, they can
Deal a heavy blow to the German army."
"Is there such a unit?" Vatutin had just said this, and immediately realized which unit Zhukov was talking about, and quickly said: "Comrade Marshal, are you talking about Major General Sokov's 27th Army?"
Army group?"
"Yes, it's Misha's troops." Zhukov nodded and replied affirmatively: "He told me on the phone yesterday that Manstein's reserve team could not be put into battle and would be transferred. I also
I criticized him. I didn’t expect that his analysis was completely correct.”
Hearing Zhukov mention the 27th Army, Vasilevsky quickly echoed: "For the Germans, the 27th Army is their nightmare. A few days ago, they not only annihilated the Imperial Division that broke through the Oboyan line of defense
, and even killed the division commander of the German 6th Armored Division. If this unit is allowed to go into battle, we will definitely be able to reverse the situation on the southern front of Kursk in the shortest possible time."
At this stage of the battle, it would be a good thing if one of his own forces could join the battle. But Vatutin thought that although this force was stationed in the Prokhorovka area, it was not under his control.
Quan directly issued orders to the other party, and then said to Zhukov with some embarrassment: "Comrade Marshal, although the 27th Army is not far from us, it is under the control of the Steppe Front Army. I cannot mobilize it before getting authorization from General Konev.
of this unit.”
"Leave this matter to me." Vasilevsky said proactively: "I am the representative of the base camp. I will come forward to talk to General Konev. I am sure he will not have any objections."
Seeing that Vasilevsky took the initiative to take on this offending matter, Zhukov said nothing, just nodded, and then said to Vatutin: "Comrade Vatutin, judging from today's battle, the situation of the 69th Group Army
It is very dangerous. They may be cut off and surrounded by the Germans at any time. Should you arrange to evacuate them to a safe area?"
Vatutin pointed to the map and said to Zhukov: "In order to avoid the risk of them being encircled, I can withdraw them to the next line of defense. But the problem now is that not only are the troops of the group army too scattered, but all the troops
We are all fighting the enemy. Once we retreat, the enemy will take the opportunity to occupy the area we gave up, and then the situation in the Prokhorovka area will become even more unfavorable to our army."
"Comrade Vatutin, I think Misha said something right." Seeing Vatutin's surprised look, Zhukov continued: "As long as the enemy's effective strength can be eliminated, sometimes there is no need to worry about a city.
Gains and losses in one place. As long as we can preserve our strength, even if we temporarily give up some places, when the time is right, we can take these places back from the enemy's hands.
On the contrary, if we keep fighting against the enemy, in the end we may lose our positions and use up all our troops. It will take a long time to retake these positions."
Vasilevsky, who called Konev, thought that the other party would readily agree to his request. Unexpectedly, after he finished speaking, Konev said slowly: "Marshal Vasilevsky,
The 5th Guards Army and the 5th Guards Tank Army, which originally belonged to our front, have been placed under the command of the Voronezh Front. Now you want to put my 27th Army under the command of General Vatutin again. In this way
, half of the effective strength of our front army is gone, how can we fight the next battle?"
Vasilevsky did not expect that Konev would object to transferring Sokov's troops to Vatutin's Voronezh Front. For a moment, he did not know how to answer. Even thinking about it, he felt aggrieved for Konev.
, he only had seven armies at his disposal. Two full armies were assigned to the Voronezh Front, so he suffered a big loss. Now he has to put Sokov's 27th Army under the command of Vatutin.
The combat effectiveness of the front army with half its strength will definitely be affected.
Seeing Vasilevsky's embarrassed look, Zhukov walked over and took the microphone from his hand and said, "I'll talk to General Konev." Zhukov put the earphone close to his ear and spoke in a friendly voice.
The tone said, "Is it Comrade Konev? I am Zhukov!"
Konev served as the commander of the Western Front during the Battle of Moscow, but was dismissed from his position by the base camp because the army was defeated. If Zhukov, who took over as commander, had not spoken kindly to him and recommended him as the commander of the Kalinin Front,
Maybe he would end up like General Pavlov. He always kept Zhukov's kindness in mind. When he heard Zhukov's voice, he quickly replied politely: "Hello, Comrade Marshal."
"Comrade Konev," Zhukov organized the vocabulary in his mind, and then said into the microphone: "I know that the base camp has transferred two armies from your front army, which has greatly weakened your strength. Now there are still
From your organizational structure, removing Sokov's 27th Army will further weaken your strength.
However, there is no way around it. The situation outside Prokhorovka is extremely critical now. Vatutin has used all the power he can, but he still cannot crush the German attack on the city. And Sokov
The 27th Group Army is stationed not far from the fighting area. If his troops can go into battle, they can completely reverse the unfavorable situation of our army in the Prokhorovka area..."
"Okay, Comrade Marshal." Konev patiently listened to Zhukov's words and realized that Sokov's troops were the key to reversing the occupation at hand. Even if he insisted on his principles, he firmly disagreed with placing them under the command of the Voronezh Front.
But if this matter goes to the top and an order is issued, he still cannot keep this army. Rather than offending others by being stubborn, it is better to be a favor. After thinking about this, Konev said: "Then follow your instructions.
As mentioned, Sokov's 27th Army was temporarily placed under the command of the Voronezh Front."
But Konev was more cautious and thought that Zhukov came forward to talk to him about the 27th Army in a negotiating tone, but issued an order through the base camp, proving that this army could continue to be under his command. So he tactfully said
Said: "Comrade Marshal, I want to make it clear in advance that Sokov's troops are only loaned to you. You can return them to me after the Battle of Kursk."
Since Konev agreed to let Vatutin command the 27th Army, Zhukov would naturally not refuse the condition he proposed: "Don't worry, General Konev. I will personally take care of this matter as soon as the Battle of Kursk is over."
, let the troops of the 27th Group Army return to their posts."