After the attack of the German 168th Infantry Division failed, the division commander immediately reported the bad news to the army commander, General Rouse: "Your Excellency, Army Commander, my troops' attack on the Compass Town of Kazachya was bombed by the Russian Air Force and
The strafing operation unfortunately ended in failure."
General Rouse listened quietly to the report of his subordinates, and after thinking for a while, he said slowly: "Mr. Division Commander, temporarily stop the attack on the Compass Town of Kazachiya and wait for my new order."
The German division commander originally thought that Rouse would order him to regroup his troops and launch a new attack on the Russians. At this moment, when he heard this order, he immediately let go of the boulder in his heart and quickly replied: "Understood, your Excellency, Commander, I am determined to
Carry out your orders."
After Rouse put down the phone, he felt that the matter was of great importance, so he called the commander of the battle group, General Kenff, and told him the news of the failure in the attack on the Compass Town of Kazachia: "... General Kenff, because the Russians
Controlling the air superiority of the battlefield, if we continue to launch an attack on the Compass Town of Kazachya without air cover, the offensive we launch may be crushed by the Russian air force."
"General Routh, I know that the Russians have control of the air on the battlefield, and their aircraft pose a great threat to our attack." Kenf said firmly: "But our attack on the Russians must continue, and we must do it in the shortest possible time.
Within the time limit, drive them out of Kazachia Compass Town."
"But, General Kenf." After hearing Kenf's order, Rouse became a little anxious: "If my troops launch an attack on the Compass Town of Kazachiya without any air cover, once they are attacked
If the Russian air force attacks, the troops will inevitably suffer heavy casualties."
"General Rouse, I think it is necessary to remind you that the troops currently occupying the Compass Town of Kazachya are the 27th Army belonging to Sokov." Kenff reminded Rouse in a stern tone: "The Russians have always
Using his troops in important areas, now the Compass Town of Kazakhya has fallen into their hands. If it is not recaptured as soon as possible, the Russians may use it as a starting point for their attack. Do you think that with what you have now?
With your strength, can you stop them in Dergach?"
"It can't be stopped." Rouse replied rationally: "If we encounter other Russian troops, the probability of victory is very high. But the enemy we face now is the 27th Army commanded by Sokov. This
The record of this army has always been more victories than defeats. If they attack my defensive position, I don't think my men can stop them."
"General Routh, your answer is correct." Kenff continued: "It is precisely because our soldiers cannot stop their attack that we need to launch an attack with all our strength and drive them out of the town while their foothold is not stable.
Drive out."
"General Kenff," Rouse said in embarrassment: "Let my troops continue to attack. I will resolutely obey your orders, but I implore you to provide air support for my troops no matter what."
As a senior senior officer, Kenf does not know the importance of air supremacy in war, but now he is also a clever woman who cannot make a meal without rice. In addition to infantry, the troops under his command only have armored troops, and there is no air force at all. If you need to ask Lao
The Sri Lankan offensive forces provided air support, and could only ask Marshal Manstein for help.
Based on the recent actions of the Soviet army, Manstein had already calculated that Kharkov would be the next target of attack. Although the Soviet army had a strength advantage, he was not worried at all. At the beginning of the year, the Soviet Union
The army had the advantage in strength and equipment, and even occupied Kharkov for a time, but in the end it was beaten to pieces by itself.
Regarding the two Soviet front commanders, the one he despised the most was Vatutin. Although this person now holds the rank of general, he is the type with great ambition and limited talent. This can be seen from the battle at the beginning of the year. It is precisely
With such a manager, Manstein is confident of beating Vatutin again in Kharkov.
As for Konev, since the outbreak of the Soviet-German war, his performance has been mediocre, with no remarkable achievements at all. It is said that when the German army advanced towards Moscow, Konevdie, who served as commander of the Western Front, suffered a defeat. If it were not for Zhukov's force,
Guess, he's probably been sent to a military court long ago.
It was precisely because of this mentality that Manstein was not interested in the war in the direction of Kharkov. Instead, he was fully engaged in operating the Dnieper River defense line to prevent possible cross-river operations by the Soviet army.
After receiving a call from Kenf, Manstein asked casually: "General Kenf, are there any movements from the Russians in the direction of your defense area?"
As the commander of the battle group, Kenf's losses such as the loss of October Town and Kazachya Compass Town were trivial matters to him, so he did not report them to Manstein at all.
Now he called Manstein for help and could only report truthfully: "Your Excellency, Marshal, I have sad news to tell you. October Town and Kazachiya Compass Town have been lost."
"What, what did you say?" Manstein couldn't believe his ears: "General Kenf, what did you just say, that both October Town and Kazachiya Compass Town were lost? When did this happen?
?”
"yesterday."
"Falled yesterday?" Manstein's blood rushed to his head and he almost dropped the microphone in his hand. However, in order to find out what happened, he suppressed his anger and tried his best to ask in a calm tone: "
Why didn't you report it in time?"
Kenf hesitated for a while and replied: "Marshal, I think the Russians are not very powerful. Even if they occupy the town, we can drive them out as long as we counterattack. But the attack launched today failed."
And ended.”
After Manstein waited for Kenf to finish speaking, he gasped and asked: "When did the Russians become so powerful in combat?" He asked this because during the Battle of Kursk, Kenf's combat group had
Several Soviet armies were defeated. Now he has not received a report from Kharkov, which proves that the number of troops invested in this battle will not be too much.
"Your Excellency, Marshal, it is Sokov." Kenfu said through gritted teeth: "It was Sokov's troops who captured October Town and Kazachya Compass Town one after another."
Manstein picked up a piece of intelligence he had just received not long ago. It said that the Soviet troops were being mobilized intensively and that they might not be able to launch an offensive within a day or two. However, at this time, he learned from Kenf's report that the defense line
The two towns on the left were occupied by the Soviet army. This was really incredible. He asked in confusion: "What the hell, how could Sokov's troops suddenly launch an attack on your defense area?"
"I don't know either, Mr. Marshal." Kenff said helplessly: "When General Routh reported to me that the Russians started to attack, half of the town of Kazachia Compass had already fallen into the hands of the Russians. In order to
To recapture the town, he used an artillery group to bombard the outer positions in the south of the town today, and then used more than 30 tanks to cover a regiment of infantry to launch an attack on the town."
Although Manstein already knew that the attack failed, he couldn't help but ask: "You used such a strong force to attack the town, why did it end in failure?"
"Originally, the leading troops of the 168th Infantry Division were already close to the Russian trenches. As long as they took a few more steps forward, they would be able to rush into the Russian trenches." Kenff regretfully reported to Manstein: "But right now
At this time, a large number of Russian aircraft appeared in the sky. They dropped bombs and strafed our ground troops, causing us huge casualties. In this case, the commander in charge of the operation could only order the troops to stop the attack and temporarily withdraw.
Out of battle."
"Oh, what a pity." Manstein sighed and said: "If the Russian plane had arrived a minute or two later, our troops might have rushed into the Russian position."
"Yes, Your Majesty Marshal." Kenf continued: "I am calling you just to request the air force to dispatch to provide necessary air support for our ground offensive forces. If there is no air cover, no matter how much we use,
If our troops and equipment participate in the attack, I am afraid that they will also be crushed by Russian aircraft."
After hearing this, Manstein understood the purpose of Kenf's call and said quickly: "General Kenf, so you called me just hoping to get air support?"
"That's right, Your Excellency Marshal." Seeing that Manstein had guessed his intention, Kenf said with a feeling: "As long as you can provide us with the necessary air support, we will definitely be able to remove the town of Kazachia Compass from the Russians.
Take it back from your hand."
"General Kenff, I can provide you with air support." Manstein asked cautiously: "But do you think your troops can break through Sokov's defense line?"
Manstein's words silenced Kenf. Yes, it is indeed not difficult to get air support. But if your troops receive air support during the attack, they will definitely be able to break through the Russian defense lines and rush into Kaza.
Chia Compass Town?
"General Kenf," Manstein heard that Kenf didn't speak for a long time, so he tapped the microphone lightly with his finger a few times, blew two breaths in succession, and asked, "Are you still there?
"
"Yes, Marshal Your Excellency, I am still here."
"Why don't you answer my question?"
"Marshal, it's difficult for me to answer your question." Kenf said cautiously: "According to the information I have, Sokov's troops are not only good at attacking, but they are also good at defending. Even if our troops are attacking
At that time, with cover from the air, it is still unknown whether it can break through the Russian defense line."
"Even if you can't break through the Russian defenses, you have to try a few more times." Manstein said on the phone: "Once Sokov's troops gain a foothold in Kazachya Compass Town, they can directly threaten Huote.
If Hott wants to ensure the safety of his flank, he has to mobilize troops and strengthen the defense in this direction. If the two Russian front armies launch an attack at this moment, the weakened defense line will be broken through by the Russians.
The danger is greatly increased.”
After listening to Manstein's words, Kenfu understood what he meant and asked cautiously: "Marshal, you mean that even if our army cannot take down the town of Kazachia Compass, we must launch uninterrupted counterattacks."
, so that the Russians cannot build new fortifications there and turn it into a starting point for the attack, right?"
"Yes, that's what I meant."
Kenff heard the implication from Manstein's words, and then asked: "Your Excellency, Marshal, do we have to attack continuously even though we know that our troops cannot take the town?"
"Of course, only if you continue to attack, Sokov will not be able to allocate strength to attack Huot's left wing." Manstein explained to Kenf: "You are doing this to reduce the pressure on General Huot.
.”
…
Manstein explained the combat deployment to Kenf, and Sokov was also in his headquarters, discussing with Samyko how to resist a new round of attacks that the Germans might launch: "Comrade Chief of Staff, we can repel the enemy's attack.
It all depends on General Konev to send the air force to support us. But at the same time, we must also see that in order to seize the town of Kazachya Compass, the enemy will definitely send the air force to compete for air supremacy on the battlefield, and the battle will become extremely cruel.
"
"Comrade Commander, Major General Fomenko just called and said that his 268th Regiment is ready to change defenses and can replace the 568th Regiment with serious losses at any time."
"Wait a minute, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov looked at Samyko and said: "Please tell General Fomenko that the change of defense will be postponed. I think the next battle will be even more cruel. If the first battle is carried out too early,
Troops from the 84th Division have also entered the battle, and I am afraid that both divisions will be crippled."
"Then what should we do?"
"Tell Major General Fomenko and Colonel Koida." Sokov pointed his finger at Samyko and ordered him: "The 188th Division will fight the enemy first, and when the casualties are too heavy, it will be withdrawn and the 84th Division will take over.
Defense. Let them all rest assured. How many commanders and combatants of the 188th Division and the 84th Division suffered casualties in this battle? When the battle is over, I will replenish them one by one."
Samyko wholeheartedly agrees with Sokov's statement. During a battle, what a commander is most worried about is that after his troops have suffered heavy casualties, they will not be able to get the replacement they deserve, even if they wait for a period of time.
Time, the soldiers added are also a group of recruits without any combat experience. Once the recruits enter the army, the combat effectiveness of the entire army will be diluted. And the promise Sokov made is to tell the other party, don’t worry about losses, we will
I am your strong backing and will fully support you.
After Samyko finished recording, Sokov said to him: "One more point, whether it is the 188th Division or the 84th Division, they must hold on to the town of Kazachiya Compass with all their strength, and they must not give up an inch of ground, and they must not let the enemy
Take the town from us again."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Samyko smiled and said to Sokov: "I think after the two division commanders see your order, they will definitely command the troops to fight against the German attack with all their strength, and they will never let it go.
