After answering Manstein's phone call, Hauser asked straight to the point: "Marson Marshal, the attack on the Russians' second position by the Skeleton Division ended in failure, and a fully-organized infantry battalion was almost destroyed."
"What, did the attack on the Russians' second line of defense fail?" Haussel's report made Manstein feel very strange: "But an hour ago, didn't you tell me that the troops of the Skeleton Division easily took the first position of the Russians, and the casualties were extremely small? How could they suffer losses and huge losses when attacking the second position?"
The reason why Manstein was surprised was that based on his years of experience in fighting with the Soviet army, the Soviet army liked to put the strongest troops on the front line when defending, while the second line was ordinary troops with many new recruits and weak combat power. Since the Skeleton Division was progressing smoothly when breaking through the first position, it should be easier to fight in the next battle. How could it be possible to lose?
"According to General Simon's report," said Hauser: "When they attacked the second position, they were not only intercepted by Russian artillery fire, but also by tanks close to the Russian position, but also by rocket launchers. As for the infantry battalion that was almost wiped out, they were attacked by new rockets."
"Battlehot and new rockets?" Manstein couldn't help frowning when he heard this, "Housel, aren't the two weapons you mentioned so far the two weapons are there? Why do the Russian troops attacked by you also have these new equipment?"
"Marson, the reason is very simple." Haussel said with some amusement and cry: "The Russians who stood in the second position may be Sokov's troops."
"You can't make a mistake, right?"
"How could it be wrong?" Haussel reminded Manstein: "Marson Marshal, you should still remember that a few months ago, when Sokov was also the commander of the Sixth Army, he severely damaged the Skeleton Division. Even General Simon, the acting division commander, was caught by him. Fortunately, on the way to Moscow, some of the broken Skeleton Division officers and soldiers attacked the transport convoy and successfully rescued General Simon.
This time the capture was a very shame for General Simon, and he was naturally more familiar with the equipment and tactics of the Sokov troops than anyone else. Since he said that the opposite troops were commanded by Sokov, he would definitely not make any mistakes."
"Housel, ask General Simon, how powerful is the Russian fire?" After a brief thought, Manstein asked straightforwardly: "How many troops are there on the position?"
Hauser immediately covered the microphone with his hands and asked Simon who was sitting next to him sulking: "General Simon, the marshal asked, how many people are there in the Russian second position?"
Simon thought for a while and replied: "Judged by the firepower, there are no more than two battalions of troops holding their positions."
"Marson," Hausel let go of his hand covering the microphone and replied to Manstein: "General Simon said that according to the firepower on the position, the defenders should not exceed two battalions."
"That's right." Manstein nodded after listening to Hauser's report, "According to the information we have, the defenders who blocked the front of the Sixth Armored Division are Sokov's 188th Division. It seems that he has drawn some of his troops to cover his right wing of the Russian troops and became attacked by our army on the flank. I believe that the defenders on the second line of defense are at most a regiment, so your offense cannot be stopped, and you must continue to fight. Although Sokov's troops have stronger combat effectiveness than other Russian troops, their number is limited after all. If we continue to attack, I believe that it will not take long to break through their defense."
Manstein's words were equivalent to giving Hauser a reassurance. No matter how powerful Sokov's troops were, they now had to face the Skeleton Division, the Sixth Armored Division, and the 19th Armored Division, which was about to be put into battle, and the troops were not enough. So as soon as he put down the phone, he said to Max Simon: "General Simon, you go back and reorganize the troops immediately and continue to attack the Russians' second line of defense."
"Mr. Commander, my army has just suffered a defeat, and my morale will be affected."
"What is the temporary attack frustration?" Haussel said disapprovingly: "No matter how strong the combat effectiveness of Sokov's troops are, after all, there is only one division in front of us, and there are three divisions that we invest in the attack in this area, and there is no reason why we cannot defeat him."
Seeing that Simon was still indecisive, Hauser called him to the map, pointed to the Soviet defensive position and said, "General Simon, look, the Russian position on our front is about five kilometers wide, and the forces of a regiment of Sokov are placed here, so it seems a bit too weak. As long as you concentrate your troops to attack a little, you can break through their defense."
He gently pushed the other person's shoulder with his hand: "General Simon, don't forget that you were captured by Sokov in March. Now it is a good opportunity to take revenge, you must not miss it."
Being captured by Sokov's troops was the most shameful thing for Max Simon. If it weren't for the broken troops attacking the convoy that transported him, I'm afraid I would be living in the Russian prisoner-of-war camp at this moment. Hauser's words aroused his fighting spirit: "Don't worry, Mr. Commander, I will go back and re-deploy the attack immediately. My troops will break through the Russian defense line in an hour and advance to the Pschoer River."
When the attack of the Skeleton Division began again, Sokov's location was also attacked by the Sixth Armored Division and the 19th Armored Division. The commanders and fighters of the 188th and Guard Division fought fiercely with the enemy, and after suffering huge casualties, they stubbornly defended their positions.
But unexpectedly, the 107th Division position on the left side of the Guard Division was broken through by the German 19th Armored Division. The defeated commanders and fighters retreated along the Pscher River, exposing the seats of the Guard Division to the enemy. Because the 107th Division did not promptly inform the Guard Division when the 107th Division retreated, General Malankin had no idea that his left wing had been completely exposed to the enemy.
The situation of the position held by the 658th Regiment was not much better. Although the commanders and soldiers resisted tenaciously, the second position they held was still broken by the German army. Some of the defeated troops retreated to the main position where Sokov was located, while the other part retreated to the Pshore River in panic.