When a German armored squad rushed to the vicinity of the Guards Division command, Malankin realized that his left wing troops had been defeated by the Germans and did not even say hello to him when he evacuated.
After discovering the enemy's traces, Malankin immediately ordered his chief of staff: "Call the commander of the 238th Regiment and order him to command his troops to eliminate the enemy that rushed into the near division headquarters. At the same time, establish defenses on the left wing to prevent the enemy from splitting our defense."
Taking advantage of the time when the Chief of Staff contacted the 238th Regiment, Malankin called the group army headquarters: "I am General Malankin, the commander of the Guards Division. Please help me find the commander to answer the phone."
When Klitschko learned that Malankin was looking for him, he quickly took the microphone from the staff officer: "I am Klitschko, General Malankin, how is your situation there?"
"Oh no, comrade Commander." Malankin knew that the situation was critical and needed to race against time, so he did not go around with Klitschko, but said bluntly: "Our left-wing 107th Division was defeated by the Germans and did not even say hello to me when retreating. If the enemy's tanks had not rushed to my command, I would not have known that the defense line of my neighbor had been broken by the enemy."
"What, the defense line of the 107th Division was broken by the Germans?" Klitschko was stunned when he heard this news. Not long ago, he was still killing the commander of the 6th Armored Division for Sokov's troops, and was complacent, thinking that the German attack today was just like this. Then a few hours later, the situation suddenly took a sharp turn, and the left wing position was actually broken by the Germans.
After a brief panic, he continued to ask, "What about your right wing? It's not occupied by the enemy, right?"
"No." Marantin replied very simply, "General Sokov's troops still tenaciously stick to the right wing of our division and did not let the German invaders go further."
Klitschko couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when he learned that Sokov's troops were still holding their positions. He knew that Sokov's troops were good at fighting defensive wars. As long as they could hold on to their positions, even if some areas were broken by the Germans, they could still delay and obstruct the German army's advance towards Prokholovka.
After putting down the phone, Klitschko said to his chief of staff: "Chief of staff, immediately contact General Sokov's intentional 305th Division to find out what they are doing now."
The Chief of Staff agreed and immediately asked the Director of the Communications Force to connect to the division headquarters of the 305th Division. But the other party quickly told him regretfully: "I'm sorry, Comrade Chief of Staff, I can't connect to the division headquarters of the 305th Division."
"What's going on?" Klitschko immediately asked with a stern face when he heard the communications officer say this, "Is there a problem with the line?"
"Comrade Commander," the director of the Communications Force quickly replied: "I have sent someone to check the route, it should not be a problem with the route."
"Isn't it a problem with the line?" The words of the Communications Force Director made Klitschko feel ominous: "What do you mean? Did the 305th Division also be repelled by the enemy?"
"This is hard to say." The Director of the Communications Force replied awkwardly: "It will take you until the Communications Force has checked the route before you can figure out what's going on."
"Every minute is precious on the battlefield." Klitschko waved his hand and said to the communications officer: "Since the phone cannot be reached, please call them and ask what's going on."
"Yes." Just as the director of the communications troop agreed and was about to leave, Klitschko called him again and said to him: "By the way, help me connect with General Sokov's command. I want to say a few words to him. The 305th Division is on his right wing, and maybe I can learn about the situation of the 305th Division from him."
When the communications officer heard Klitschko say this, he asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, then do we still call the 305th Division with the radio station?"
"The call continues," Klitschko said: "I just said that it is possible to obtain information about the 305th Division from General Sokov, or to obtain nothing, so the call to the 305th Division must continue."
At this time, Sokov was too busy to take care of himself. The 658th Regiment deployed on the right wing was defeated, and the pressure it was under suddenly increased. Koida asked in panic: "Comrade Commander, what should we do? The defense line on the right wing was broken by the enemy, and we are now attacked on both sides. If the guard division on the left wing could not hold on, we might be surrounded by the Germans."
"What did you think about it?" Sokov didn't expect that the situation on the battlefield would suddenly take a sharp turn. He was now in a favorable position, but now he was in a dangerous situation. So after hearing what Koida said, he asked casually: "Are you planning to give up your position?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Koida did want to retreat, worried that he would not know how to speak. When he heard Sokov say this, he quickly echoed: "The German army mobilized three divisions of troops to launch a fierce attack on us. Now the 305th Division on the right wing has been defeated, and I think the guard division on the left wing may not be able to support it for long. Why don't we give up our positions and retreat? As long as we retreat to the Pshore River, we can join the 84th Division and the Tank Army that were standing there to rebuild a new defense."
If Sokov is not moved by Koida's words, it must be a lie. No matter what, there are two divisions of troops on both sides of the river, plus a tank army. Even if the German army uses the Skeleton Division and two armored divisions, its own troops can rely on the fortifications on the river bank to carry out orderly resistance and wait for more troops to arrive at the battlefield.
But then I thought about it, the German army's offensive was fierce. If we chose to retreat at this moment, it might turn the retreat into a fleeing. The troops who lost their establishment fled to the Pushuel River, not only would it be difficult to organize decent resistance, but it would also affect the morale of other troops. After understanding this truth, Sokov shook his head and said, "No, comrade Colonel, no matter how bad the situation is, we cannot retreat easily. Once we retreat, the Guard Division, which is fighting fiercely with the enemy on the left, is in danger of being surrounded by the German army. Once the Guard Division is annihilated by the enemy, the defense line of the 69th Army will collapse."
"Comrade Commander, do you really think that the Guard Division can hold their positions?"
Sokov thought that the Guards Division's current defense front was only about two kilometers. Even if the troops were small, it would be not too big to block the German attack. However, for the sake of safety, he decided to call Malankin to find out about their situation so as to make a correct judgment.
Just as he was about to pick up the phone, the phone ringing first. When he picked it up, Klitschko's voice came from it: "Is it General Sokov? I am Klitschko."
"Hello, General Klitschko." Sokov guessed that the other party called at this moment, which must be related to the defeat of the 305th Division. "Do you call me? Is it related to the retreat of the 305th Division?"
Although Klitschko had long thought that the 305th Division was defeated by the German army, when he heard the news from Sokov, he was still very surprised: "General Sokov, do you have any news about the 305th Division?"
Klitschko's words made Sokov stunned: "What, General Klitschko, don't you know the news that the 305th Division was defeated by the German army?"
Hearing Sokov's question, Klitschko replied embarrassedly: "General Sokov, our headquarters and the 305th Division have been out of contact for a long time. If you have any news about them, please let me know."
"General Klitschko, according to the information I have, the German Skeleton Division successfully broke through the defense line of the 305th Division and rushed to the second position." In order to give Klitschko a clear understanding, Sokov did not hide anything from him, but said truthfully: "The 658th Regiment I deployed there successfully repelled the enemy's first attack. But they did not block the enemy's subsequent second attack and were forced to give up the position they held."
From Sokov's story, Klitschko realized the seriousness of the problem. Not only was his 305th Division defeated, but even the regiment sent by Sokov to help did not block the enemy. He was silent for a long time before muttering: "So, my right wing troops are also finished."
Sokov frowned: "General Klitschko, then, is the situation of the left-wing troops not very good?"
"Yes," Klitschko said without any concealment: "The 107th Division on the left was also defeated. Now the troops that stick to the defense are your 188th Division and General Malankin's Guards Division."
When Sokov learned that the left-wing guard division was still holding his position, he felt much more at ease. Fortunately, there were friendly troops who were fighting and did not let his troops become lonely. Then it would be meaningful to continue to stick to it. When he was about to tell Klitschko that his troops would continue to stick to it, he saw Koida's face on the side with concerns. After he hesitating for a moment, he asked tentatively: "General Klitschko, don't know when General Malankin and others can stand?"
"I really can't tell when I can hold on." Klitschko did not draw a cake for Sokov, but said truthfully and helplessly: "But they will definitely stick to the last person and shoot the last bullet."
"Okay, General Klitschko." After hearing the other party's answer, Sokov immediately made his promise: "As long as General Malankin's troops do not give up their positions, my troops will block the enemy's attack at all costs."
Chapter completed!