After learning that the artillery fire preparations before the attack had begun, everyone in the headquarters cheered and shouted in unison: "Ula! Ula!!" The sound was so loud that it alerted the soldiers standing guard at the door, making them look around.
Peering inside, trying to figure out what made the commanders in the room so excited.
"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army," Sidorin asked Golikov tentatively after the calm was restored in the headquarters: "Do I need to inform all the commanders and fighters of the division about this good news?"
"What's wrong with you, Comrade Chief of Staff?" Sokov saw Golikov's face, and as soon as the question changed, he guessed that it was not the time to announce the counterattack news, and quickly spoke before Golikov.
Said: "Our artillery preparations have just begun. If you can't wait to report this news to all the commanders and fighters of the division, aren't you worried about leaking the secret?"
Hearing what Sokov said, Sidorin immediately realized that he was too excited and actually ignored such an important matter. He quickly apologized to Golikov: "I'm sorry, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I didn't think carefully, and I almost missed it."
It's a big deal."
"Okay, okay." Fortunately, Golikov was in a good mood and did not argue with Sidorin. He just waved his hand and said, "Forget it this time, be more careful in the future."
After Golikov finished speaking, he turned his attention to Sokov again and asked: "Colonel Sokov, if our front army's attack goes smoothly, can your troops take some countermeasures to contain the enemy's attack?"
Part of the force?”
Seeing that Golikov brought up old things again and urged himself to counterattack the enemy in front of him, Sokov couldn't help but hesitate in his heart, because he knew very well that he did not have the conditions to counterattack at the moment. If he forced a counterattack, it would be equivalent to hitting a stone with an egg.
After a fierce ideological struggle, he felt that he could not risk the lives of his commanders and soldiers, so he said righteously: "I'm sorry, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, the artillery preparations before the attack have just begun, and we cannot yet determine what our army will do next.
Whether the attack will be successful or not, I think it is inappropriate to consider such unrealistic things prematurely."
Ivanov saw the embarrassment on Golikov's face, and in order to relieve him, he said to Sokov: "Comrade division commander, I think you can give it a try. After all, Paulus's superiors have given him orders.
Order, I think the German troops in the city will be empty today, which is a good time for us to launch a counterattack."
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander, you are so optimistic." Despite the smooth progress of the Southwest Front Army and the Don River Army, and the Stalingrad Front Army's major counterattack was about to begin, Sokov was always a little uneasy in his heart. He was cautious.
Said: "When our front troops launch an attack from the south side of the city, we still don't know what countermeasures the enemy will take. It is very dangerous to take rash actions everywhere."
"Comrade division commander." Hearing what Sokov said, Ivanov was a little unhappy. He thought about why the division commander was different from usual and became forward-looking and hesitant. This could easily delay the opportunity for fighting, so he specifically reminded: "Our army
You have also seen the intercepted telegram. Paulus's superiors ordered him to move his troops to the Don River Basin to stop our offensive. As soon as his troops are moved away, the pressure on the city's defenders will be greatly reduced.
, you can definitely take some actions in local areas to attract the enemy's attention."
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander, have you ever thought that after Paulus received that telegram, would he really immediately dispatch troops to the Don River Basin to rescue the Romanian army that was defeated by friendly forces?" Sokov retorted: "
If he deliberately delayed the mobilization but continued to order troops to attack the factory area, what fate would we suffer if we left the existing defenses and fought against the enemy at this time? Have you ever thought about it?"
When Sokov and Ivanov had an argument, Golikov sat aside and listened quietly, while thinking about who made more sense. When the two were almost finished arguing, he raised his hands to
Xia Xu pressed down for a moment and said: "I think what Colonel Sokov said makes sense. The more times like this, the more cautious we must be. If the Germans really did not follow the order of the telegram to mobilize their troops, and
We are continuing to launch an attack on the factory area. We allow the troops to easily leave their positions to carry out the attack, which is likely to bring unexpected consequences."
Seeing that Golikov actually agreed with Sokov's statement, Ivanov was very surprised: "Why, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, do you also agree with the division commander's statement? The enemy may still make a death struggle?"
"It's not the last desperate struggle, but the final madness." Sokov corrected Ivanov: "I think even if they want to attack, it may only last one day. As long as they can resist their attack, the final victory will be
It will definitely belong to us."
Although Sokov had already said this, Ivanov felt that he was alarmist. Just when he was about to refute a few more words, the phone on the table rang. Sidorin picked it up and listened for a moment.
, and reported to Sokov in panic: "Comrade Division Commander, Commander Belkin reported that the enemies in the barricade factory have launched another attack on them."
Sokov took the microphone from Sidorin's hand and asked straight to the point: "My comrade political commissar, report to me immediately the situation there."
"Misha." Belkin said anxiously on the phone: "The enemy launched a fierce attack on us in the barricade factory. In addition to the enemy's 305th Infantry Division, the troops participating in the attack included the 50th, 162nd, 294th and
The 1st Battalion of the 336th Engineer Battalion captured several forward positions through night attacks last night, but they have now fallen into the hands of the enemy."
Knowing that the enemy had launched an attack, Sokov couldn't help but feel his heart in his throat. He was worried that if Belgin and the others could not hold on, the entire barricade factory would fall into the hands of the Germans, and the situation would change.
It must be detrimental to his own side. He said secretly in his heart that if the situation at the barricade factory was really critical, then he would order Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko's 122nd Regiment to rush over for reinforcements.
He calmed down and asked with a solemn expression: "Can you hold on?"
"We can hold it." Belkin replied on the other end of the phone: "No matter our regiment is tenaciously resisting the enemy's attack, the neighboring Lyudnikov Division is also fighting fiercely with the enemy. I believe we will be able to defeat it.
Enemy attack."
Belkin said he was confident of holding on, but Sokov did not dare to take it lightly. He said into the microphone: "Comrade political commissar, if you have any difficulties, just call and I will try my best to support you."
Seeing Sokov put down the phone, Golikov couldn't help but asked curiously: "Colonel Sokov, I seem to have heard you call Commander Belkin a political commissar. What is going on?"
"When I was the commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade, Comrade Belkin was my political commissar." Sokov explained: "Maybe it's because I'm used to calling him. Even if he became the regiment commander, I still used to call him "
political commissar."
After explaining to Golikov, Sokov picked up the microphone again and asked the communications soldier to connect to the 122nd Regiment Headquarters. After hearing Papuchenko's voice, he immediately asked: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, are you
What's the situation there? Is there any movement from the enemy?"
"It's very calm, there's no movement at all." After answering Sokov's question, Papuchenko asked: "Comrade division commander, do you think it was yesterday's rockets that hurt the enemy so much that today they
There was no movement."
"There is no movement from the enemy. This is really good news." Sokov continued: "The barricade factory on your right wing is now under fierce attack by the German army. You immediately mobilize Captain Shamrich's Marine Battalion and rush over for reinforcements."
"What, transfer the Marine Corps battalion to support the barricade factory?" Hearing Sokov's order, Papuchenko became anxious: "Comrade division commander, if the Marine Corps battalion is transferred away, our defense strength will be weakened.
…”
Sokov had long expected that Papuchenko would say this, and continued with a sneer: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, the Workers' New Village that your regiment is holding on to, let alone a battalion, even if there is only one battalion left, it will be useless."
It can completely block the enemy's attack. Besides, the battalion I want to transfer originally belonged to the Belkin Regiment. Let them go to reinforce the barricade factory, but they are just returning to build it."
Papuchenko, who originally wanted to argue with Sokov, immediately became honest after hearing Sokov's last words: "I understand, comrade division commander. I immediately asked Captain Shamrih to take him with him.
The troops rushed to the barricade factory, but reinforced the Belkin regiment that was holding on there."
Golikov waited for Sokov to put down the phone this time, and asked curiously: "Colonel Sokov, I don't understand. There are Lyudnikov Division and Belkin Regiment in the barricade factory, and you still have to mobilize troops."
Go to reinforce. But you seem to be a little careless about Workers' New Village. Aren't you worried that it will be occupied by the enemy?"
"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army," Sidorin said proactively before Sokov could reply: "Please allow me to report to you!"
"Permission!" Golikov nodded and signaled to Sidorin: "Keep talking!"
"Although the surface buildings of Workers' New Village have long been destroyed by enemy artillery and bombing," Sidorin said, "our troops have used sewers and ruins to establish new positions. As soon as the enemy enters the defensive zone, they will be attacked.
Attacks came from all directions, and after the enemy suffered several losses, they gave up the idea of seizing the Workers' New Village..."
"So that's it." After listening to this, Golikov said thoughtfully: "I heard that the troops in the city used the sewers to deal with the enemy, but the actual effect was not good. When the enemy attacked,
, throwing grenades or explosives into the sewer shaft and killing the commanders and fighters hiding inside, causing great casualties to our army."
"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, you should be talking about other troops." Sidorin said with a smile: "They may have chosen their hiding places close to the exit of the shaft for the convenience of attack, so that once
If discovered by the Germans, the enemy would throw grenades or explosives into the shaft to kill the soldiers hiding inside and cause huge casualties to our army. However, our division chose to hide deeper in the sewer.
A few people are monitoring the entrance to the shaft, and the rest of the soldiers are hiding far away. Even if the enemy drops bombs, the damage caused to us will be almost negligible."
"So that's it." After Golikov figured out what was going on, he turned to look at Sokov, "This is probably Colonel Sokov's idea again. If other troops learn from you, they will definitely
Can destroy more enemies."
…………
After the artillery preparations carried out by the Stalingrad Front ended, the troops of the 57th and 51st armies gathered in Beketovka, south of the Red Army City, launched a strong attack on the Romanian 6th and 7th armies holding on to this area.
The Romanian army, which was dominated by cavalry, was able to deal with the Soviet infantry in the wilderness without the cover of tanks and armored vehicles. However, in the face of the powerful offensive launched by the Soviet troops reinforced by tanks, these cavalry appeared to be powerless.
The 57th Group Army encountered the Romanian 20th Cavalry Division to the west of the Red Army City. The battle only lasted five minutes. The division completely collapsed with less than 500 killed. The cavalry turned their horses' heads and
Fleeing aimlessly, the Soviet commanders and fighters who broke through the defense line felt a little confused, not knowing which small fleeing unit to pursue.
When the tank troops of the 57th Group Army bypassed the Red Army City and prepared to continue advancing north, they encountered the German 29th Motorized Infantry Division, which was rushing south. Since some time ago, the commander of the Motorized Infantry Division, General Leiser, was replaced by Soko
The officers and soldiers of the division were holding back their anger and dreamed of competing with Sokov's troops. It was a shame that the division commander was captured. Unfortunately, Paulus never gave them this chance. Now they have been protected.
Following Luce's order, they went south to block the large Soviet army that was trying to move north. The German officers and soldiers were all as if they were beaten to death.
When the 129th Battalion, as the vanguard, arrived near the Red Army City, it was catching up with the tank troops of the Soviet 57th Army, which had defeated the Romanian cavalry and was trying to bypass the city and go north. The German battalion commander immediately ordered the tanks of the entire battalion to start a wedge-shaped battle.
formation, and rushed towards the Soviet tanks.
The Soviet tanks that were advancing north did not expect that a German tank force would rush towards them. They had no time to form a battle formation and were hit head-on. The German tanks stopped advancing and aimed at the advancing Soviet tanks, like target practice.
They seemed to destroy them one after another, forcing the remaining Soviet tanks to make an emergency U-turn and retreat in the direction they came from.
Seeing that the Soviet tank force was defeated, the German tanks started up again, following the fleeing Soviet tanks, and rushed towards the breach, trying to quickly block the gap abandoned by the Romanian cavalry and block the following Soviet troops.
The tank troops without infantry cover counterattacked directly towards the Soviet troops attacking the defense line. This was a very risky tactic. But it may be that God was favoring the Germans and tilted the balance of victory to their side. On the way forward of the tank troops
On the way, they did not encounter any counterattack. On the contrary, what appeared in front of them were trucks full of commanders and combatants. The German tank troops stopped again, like target practice, destroying the trucks that were heading towards them.
.
The Soviet army did not expect to encounter a counterattack by the German tank troops as they advanced. They immediately fell into panic. The infantry jumped off the trucks one after another and followed the hastily retreating tanks and fled towards their starting position.
This chapter has been completed!