As a tank commander, Katukov is much more famous than Rotmistrov. Although the latter shined in the Battle of Kursk, compared with Katukov, he
His reputation is obviously much smaller. You know, Katukov is known as the "first armored soldier" because of his outstanding performance in the Battle of Mtsensk in the early stages of the Moscow Defense War.
At that time, there was a huge disparity in strength between the enemy and us. The German commander was the famous tank general Guderian, while the Soviet army was a less famous colonel. The German army attacking Mtsensk had two armored divisions plus a motorized infantry division.
There were five to six hundred tanks in total, while the Soviet army was just a newly established independent tank brigade with more than 40 tanks, most of which were old tanks used for training before the war.
Lieutenant General Yeremenko, commander of the Bryansk Front, had four full armies. He patted his chest and assured the bearded man that he would be able to stop Guderian and even have a chance to beat him up. As a result, he quickly
They were slapped in the face by reality. They only advanced less than ten kilometers and could no longer advance. Instead, they were defeated by the German army. A well-equipped front army was not a match for the German army, but a temporarily formed tank brigade was no match for the German army.
What big storm can it cause?
Under the absolute strength gap, any tactics are in vain. A unknown person like Katukov is the opponent of a famous general like Guderian. No matter how you look at it, the Soviet army will definitely lose in the battle of Mtsensk.
undoubtedly.
Katukov knew that it was impossible to hold off Guderian's troops with conventional warfare. He adjusted his tactics in time and made a series of changes to the battlefield. After eight days and nights of fierce fighting, they destroyed the German army.
133 tanks, shot down 2 aircraft, and almost all of his troops retreated. They successfully completed the task of their superiors and minimized the impact of the German tanks. Due to their outstanding performance and the huge results they achieved, the brigade
It was reorganized into the 1st Guards Tank Brigade on November 11, 1941, becoming the first tank unit to receive the title of Guards.
It is precisely because Katukov has such a glorious record that Tsvetaev felt much more at ease when he heard that Katukov's troops also participated in the attack in other areas. According to
His idea was that within two days, Katukov's troops would appear in Kharkov, and then his troops would be able to fight alongside them.
"General Sokov," although it was possible to join forces with General Katukov's troops in two days, Tsvetayev said reluctantly: "It's really too long to wait for two days.
."
Sokov stared at Tsvetaev for a while, and then said: "Comrade General, if you can't wait, you can join General Rotmistrov's troops before dawn tomorrow."
"Meet with General Rotmistrov's troops?" Tsvetayev looked at Sokov with wide eyes and said in surprise: "Didn't the attack they launched today be crushed by the Germans? Wasn't it possible?
Are they going to launch a new attack soon?"
Sokov did not know the specific situation of the 5th Guards Tank Army, but he knew that Rotmistrov had suffered huge losses for three days in a row.
Cover and launch a new attack on the enemy again.
It was out of this consideration that Sokov told Tsvetaev that there was a chance to join Rotmistrov's troops before dawn tomorrow.
He tapped his fingers on the table and said to Tsvetayev: "Comrade General, don't look at the attacks launched by General Rotmistrov for two days in a row, but they all ended in failure. The first German army that intercepted them ended in failure.
The 3 Armored Division must have suffered quite a lot of casualties.
According to my analysis, General Rotmistrov will also feel that the enemy blocking them has become exhausted. As long as he launches a new attack at night, he may be able to break through the German defense line in one fell swoop and successfully rush into Kharko
In the husband's city."
After Tsvetayev said "Ah", he quickly said: "General Sokov, I know that you have always been very good at analyzing the situation between the enemy and ourselves. Since you think General Rotmistrov's troops,
A new attack will be launched tonight, so can we assist them and make their attack go smoothly?"
"Response?!" Sokov sneered and said: "Do you think we can send out troops to respond to them? The enemy force in that area is extremely strong. I'm afraid if the two divisions on our left landing field are thrown in, they will even see blisters.
If you don’t see it, you will be annihilated by the enemy.”
Thinking of the hundreds of Rotmistrov's tanks that were wiped out in the confrontation with the German army, Tsvetaev did not think Sokov's words were alarmist. He asked hesitantly: "Are we going to
Do you want to watch friendly troops being annihilated by the enemy without taking any action?"
"There are not many ways." Sokov said thoughtfully: "If we invest a new force in this area, there is still a chance to turn the tide of the war."
"Invest another new force?" Tsvetayev heard what Sokov said and couldn't help but feel embarrassed. The three infantry divisions in his hand, the 300th Division, were placed under Sokov's command and are now deployed in Fei
The 87th Division is also stationed in the area, fighting with the former friendly forces against the Viking Division's attack. The other 315th Division is currently fighting alongside Sokov's 384th Division on the east bank of the Oud River. In addition to
Of these three infantry divisions, the only one he could use was the Mechanized 4th Army.
Thinking of this, he asked Sokov tentatively: "General Sokov, what do you think of me putting the Mechanized 4th Army into the battlefield at this time?"
"Not very good." Unexpectedly, after he finished speaking, Sokov did not give him any face. Instead, he said plausibly: "As far as I know, except for one mechanized infantry brigade in your mechanical army, the rest are
Tank brigade. Now there is no bridge on the river in front of us. It is simply an impossible task to transport so many tanks to the other side of the river."
Sokov's words reminded Tsvetayev that if the bridge problem is not solved, even if the 4th Mechanized Army is transferred over, they can only stay on the shore doing nothing. Thinking of this, he humbly asked Sokov
Ask: "Then should we build a pontoon bridge on the river as soon as possible?"
Tsvetayev's problem is also a problem that Sokov has been struggling with in his mind. Although the troops at the left landing site are intended to attract a feint attack by the German army, as the main force approaches the city, it will only be a matter of time before it turns to a formal attack. By that time
, there is no bridge on the river, which will become a shortcoming of our own troops.
Thinking of this, Sokov said to Tsvetayev: "Comrade General, if your engineering troops can complete the erection of the bridge over the river before dark, then your Mechanized 4th Army and General Rotmistrov will
It is not impossible for our troops to join forces."
Seeing that Sokov agreed to build a pontoon bridge on the Oud River, Tsvetayev couldn't help feeling ecstatic. If his troops were able to join forces with Rotmistrov's tank troops coming from the northwest before dawn tomorrow,
, then you can take the opportunity to expand the results of the battle. When the battle is over and rewards are given, your troops will be able to gain more honors.
After thinking about this, Tsvetayev quickly picked up the phone on the table, made a call to his headquarters, and told the Chief of Staff: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately mobilize the engineering troops to the bank of the Ude River.
I'm going to let them build a pontoon over the bridge."
In fact, as early as the moment Sokov's troops entered the city, Tsvetaev's chief of staff began to wonder why not build a pontoon bridge on the Oud River. In that case, the two artillery divisions deployed on the river would
and other troops can pass through the pontoon bridge, continuously reach the landing site on the other side of the Oud River, and launch an attack on Kharkov at the appropriate time.
Upon receiving Tsvetayev's order at this moment, he couldn't help but be overjoyed and said repeatedly: "Understood, Comrade Commander, I will immediately send an engineering unit to the bank of the Ude River to build a pontoon bridge."
After saying this, he paused for a moment, and then asked: "Comrade Commander, I also want to ask, do you need to mobilize other troops to the bank of the Oude River?"
"If our engineering troops can complete the erection of the pontoon bridge before dark, then the 4th Mechanized Army can be transferred over to assist the friendly forces in the attack." Tsvetayev was cautious and did not compare his plans with
General Rotmistrov told the chief of staff about the rendezvous of troops, so as not to accidentally leak the news and cause unnecessary trouble: "Our next actions completely depend on the speed of the engineering troops to build the bridge."
Before putting down the phone, he also specifically told the chief of staff: "Comrade chief of staff, let the 4th Mechanized Army be ready to go, so that after receiving the order, it can rush to the designated location as quickly as possible.
"
While Tsvetaev was on the phone, Sokov had been listening. After Tsvetaev put down the phone, he reminded the other party: "Comrade General, the area in front of us is the widest part of the Oud River.
Can your engineering troops really complete the erection of the pontoon bridge before dark?"
"As long as the German planes don't bomb, I think we should be able to complete this mission."
Seeing that Tsvetaev was so confident, Sokov did not pour cold water on him. On the contrary, he followed his wishes and said: "Comrade General, you don't have to worry about the German air force. Our air force has already mastered the air superiority on the battlefield."
, as long as the enemy's air force is discovered, our air force will be dispatched in time to teach them a severe lesson."
Hearing what Sokov said, Tsvetayev raised his hand and slapped himself hard on the forehead, and said angrily: "Yes, why did I forget that our air force has mastered the air superiority on the battlefield. We should let mechanization The 4th Army and the Engineering Corps set out together, so that once the pontoon bridge is completed, the troops can cross the river as quickly as possible."
Seeing Tsvetayev grabbing the phone and preparing to call his chief of staff again, Sokov quickly stopped him: "Comrade General, don't be anxious. I think it's better to wait until the pontoon bridge is almost erected before ordering mechanization." It’s not too late for the 4th Army to set off. If they arrive at the river too early, it will only alert the enemy on the opposite side and make them prepare in advance. In that case, you will encounter a fierce battle tonight.”
Although Tsvetayev has always been known for being decisive in his own troops, in front of Sokov, he was like a new recruit with little experience. As long as he heard Sokov express an opinion that was contrary to his own, Sometimes, he would be shaken. This time was no exception. After being silent for a while, he said: "Okay, General Sokov, then I will listen to you. Let the engineering troops come to repair the bridge first, and wait until the pontoon bridge is almost completed. , and then order the 4th Mechanized Army to move out."
At dark, several pontoon bridge battalions under the engineering corps of the Assault Group Army completed the erection of the pontoon bridge on the Oude River. After confirming that the pontoon bridge was passable, the three tank brigades of the 4th Mechanized Army passed through the pontoon bridge in an orderly manner. , entered the landing field on the left wing, and prepared for an attack here.
It took more than three hours for the three tank brigades and one mechanized brigade of the mechanized army to cross the river. Seeing that the mechanized army had finished crossing the river, Sokov suggested to Tsvetayev: "Comrade General, since now With the pontoon bridge, it is better to move the artillery to the east bank. This way, when we launch an attack on the city, it will be more convenient to provide artillery support to the infantry."
When Tsvetayev thought about it, it seemed to make sense, and he immediately sent an order to the two artillery division commanders, asking them to cross the river as soon as possible and find a suitable location to establish a new artillery position in the landing site on the east bank so that they could build new artillery positions in the new area. During a round of attack, it can provide artillery support to the attacking troops.
When the artillery units of the Assault Army began to cross the river, the Tank Army located northwest of the city once again formed a battle formation and advanced towards the German defense line.
The roar of 160 tanks at night could be clearly heard even several kilometers away. The officers and soldiers of the German 3rd Armored Division immediately entered their respective combat positions, preparing to meet the attack of Soviet tanks.
When an unlucky Soviet tank ran over an anti-tank mine and exploded, the flames on the tank's body illuminated the surrounding tanks like a torch, indicating the direction of attack for German anti-tank guns in the distance.
Seeing the Soviet tanks exposed in sight, the German anti-tank guns opened fire, and the Tiger tanks, Panther tanks and assault guns hidden around them also opened fire. The whizzing shells fell in the Soviet tank formation. The explosion destroyed one tank after another, and the light from the burning tanks exposed more tanks to the German army.
Sokov, who was far away on the west bank of the Oud River, heard the rumble of artillery coming from the northwest, and knew that it must be Rotmistrov's tank unit, exchanging fire with the German 3rd Armored Division holding the defense line, and hurried to the
Tsvetayev suggested: "Comrade General, listen to the rumble of artillery in the distance. If I guess correctly, it is General Rotmistrov and the others who are exchanging fire with the enemy. The enemy's rear is empty at the moment.
, you can send mechanized troops to attack the enemy's flanks and rear, forcing them to be unable to attack General Rotmistrov's troops with all their strength. By then, you will attack from the front and back, and you will be able to severely damage the 3rd Armored Division and complete the rendezvous of the two forces.
action."
When Tsvetayev heard that as long as the mechanized army attacked, it would be able to achieve reunification with friendly forces. How could it be tolerated? He immediately picked up the phone on the table and called the commander of the mechanized army on the other side: "Comrade Commander
, the time for you to establish your merits has come. I order you to immediately set off to the northwest to support the friendly forces fighting the enemy."
This chapter has been completed!