After receiving the request for help from Cuikov, General Sharayev immediately called the person in charge of the Derrensky factory and said in a stern tone: "Comrade Ivanov, the 35th Guard Division, which was deployed to the west, is currently being attacked by the German army. I order your factory to immediately draw one or two destroyer battalions to support them. Do you understand?"
After hearing the order issued by Sharayev, Ivanov couldn't help but hesitate. Currently, there are only two fighter battalions in the factory for defense in the factory. If they are sent to support the 35th Guard Division, who will defend the factory once the losses are all gone? Thinking of this, he said with some embarrassment: "Comrade General, our factory currently has only two fighter battalions. If all are transferred, who will be responsible for the defense in the factory?"
"Comrade Director," Seeing Ivanov's look of pushing and hindering, Sharaev was anxious: "If the guard division's position is lost, do you think you can defend Derrensky with your existing strength?"
Faced with Sharaev's questioning, Ivanov hesitated and replied: "No...no. But, what should...if...if we send all our defenses and defense forces and the enemy attacks us?"
Hearing Ivanov say so pitiful, Sharaev feels that he shouldn't force the other party so hard, so he takes a step back: "Okay, comrade director, what you said makes sense. In order to prevent your factory from being attacked by the German army after sending all its forces, you can leave a company. In addition, organize all the women in the factory to form a new armed force."
"Yes, Comrade City Defense Commander." Ivanov put down the phone and said to the deputy factory director sitting opposite: "Comrade Zalitzman, I just received a call from the City Defense Commander. He said that the situation in the 35th Guard Division is very critical and we need to send people to support immediately. I thought about it, except for one company to stay, you should take away the rest of the two militia annihilation battalions in the factory."
"What, only one company?" After hearing this, the deputy factory manager, known as Zalitzman, asked in surprise: "Comrade Director, have you forgotten that our factory area is about the size of a small city, and neither battalion is enough to defend against all areas, let alone only one company."
"Comrade Zalitzman, now the Guard Division needs support urgently, you can gather the troops immediately." Ivanov urged the other party: "As for the defense in the factory, don't worry about it."
Zalitzman saw the anxious expression on Ivanov's face and did not dare to neglect it. He nodded quickly. He picked up the phone on the table, dialed a number, and said to the microphone: "Fight alarm, order the fight battalion to gather in front of the factory building immediately."
More than ten minutes later, the militia who were notified rushed over from all parts of the factory and gathered in front of the factory building. Seeing that the people were almost here, Zalitzman stood at the door of the building and shouted at the militia in front of him: "Comrades, our 35th Guard Division is fighting tenaciously with the German Koks west of the factory. At present, their defense line is in danger and urgently needs us to support them. Although our troops and weapons are far inferior to those of the German Koks, we are determined to do all our strength to work with friendly forces to defend Stalingrad and defend the land under our feet. I believe that we can definitely block the German Koks' attack!"
As soon as Zalitzman said this, nearly a thousand militia soldiers began to shout slogans: "Defend Stalingrad!" "Defend our factory!" "Defeat the invaders!"
After the slogans stopped, Zalitzman continued: "You are the armed forces to defend the factory. Although there are not many people and the equipment is not very good, I believe that you are all good. Now I will lead you to support the comrades of the Guard Division and severely attack the invaders! Let's set off!"
As Zalitzman's order was issued, the commanders of the militia's extinguishing battalion began to issue orders to the militia. When the militia lined up and walked towards the factory gate, Ivanov held Zalitzman's hand and said, "Comrade Zalitzman, I wish you success!"
…………
When the militia of the Derrensky factory drove out of the factory, the defensive position of the 101st Regiment was broken by the German army. More than 100 German officers and soldiers followed the two tanks and rushed towards the Soviet defense depth. After learning about this hour, the commander of the 101st Regiment was shocked and quickly ordered the troops to intercept it. At the same time, he called Grazkov to warn: "Comrade Commander, an enemy broke through the defense line of our regiment and headed towards the division headquarters. For safety reasons, please transfer the command post immediately."
"What, an enemy broke through your defense?" Grazkov couldn't help frowning when he heard the regiment commander's report. He was silent for a moment and asked, "How many people are there?"
"There are more than a hundred people and two tanks." After briefly introducing the situation, the regiment commander made a suggestion to Grazkov again: "Comrade Commander, for your safety, please transfer the command post as soon as possible."
"Transfer, where to move?" Grazkov replied angrily when he heard the regiment commander say this, "There are open land all around. As long as we leave the command center, we will become the target of the German attack. I now order you to immediately seal the breakthrough opened by the German army, and I don't have to worry about it."
The German army came faster than Grazkov imagined. After only seven or eight minutes, they approached Grazkov's division headquarters. Fortunately, after receiving the warning from the 101st Regiment, Grazkov had already summoned more than 100 people in advance and prepared to fight in the trenches.
The enemy rushing towards the division headquarters were all infantry who did not see the tanks, and they didn't know whether they broke down on the way or were blown up by the commanders and fighters of the 101st Regiment. However, even so, when Grazkov saw the German infantry of the same number as his, he still felt a little beaten. Although the number of people was similar, almost all the people around him were staff members. The combat effectiveness of the two sides was not the same level as the same level.
Just as Grazkov was staring at the enemy moving towards the division headquarters, a staff officer next to him said in panic: "Comrade Commander, I didn't expect there were so many Germans. I think we can't beat them, so let's retreat."
Grazkov shouted sternly: "Lt. Ross, do you know that you are panicking and shaking the morale of the army. If you dare to say something more, I will shoot you immediately."
Lieutenant Ross was frightened by Grazkov's words. He suddenly thought of the order No. 227 issued more than a month ago. If he retreated without receiving the order, he would be shot immediately. He hurriedly expressed his opinion: "Comrade Commander, don't worry, as long as I still have a breath, I will never take a step back."
While he was talking, the German army had changed from trotting to fast running. Seeing this, Grazkov jumped into the trench with a bayonet, holding a bayonet, and half turned around and shouted at the commanders and fighters who were still in the trench: "Three Company, for the motherland and Stalin, advance!"
Seeing the division commander taking the lead in charge, the commanders and soldiers staying in the trenches came out one after another, and rushed forward with weapons and shouting. The dozen soldiers who were running fast quickly surpassed Grazkov and engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand battle with the rushing German troops.
Although Grazkov was the commander of the first division, he also participated in this fierce hand-to-hand battle. Instead of using a pistol to deal with the enemy, he fought with the enemy face to face. Perhaps the German army saw the rank he was on the head and knew that this was a big man, so two German soldiers rushed towards him one left and one right. He did not dodge or dodge, and blocked a stabbing bayonet with a gun, and a pierced pierced the throat of another German soldier directly. Then he turned around and stabbed another soldier.
However, other Soviet commanders and fighters did not gain any advantage when they fought with the German army. Most of them were staff officers, communication soldiers and logistics personnel who did not participate in the battle, so they said one-on-one. Even if they were two-on-one or three-on-one, they might not be able to defeat a German soldier.
After seven or eight minutes of sting, more than 70 people of Grazkov's subordinates fell under the bayonet of the Germans, but the Germans suffered only more than 20 losses. After stabbing a German soldier, Lieutenant Ross came to Grazkov and said breathlessly: "Comrade Commander, our casualties are too great. If we continue to fight, the entire army will be destroyed. Let's retreat."
Grazkov looked at the German army that had gradually formed a siege against him and said with a serious expression: "Lieutenant Ross, we have no way out and can only fight. Now there is no other way except to fight with the Germans."
When Lieutenant Ross heard Grazkov say this, he knew that the other party was preparing to fight until the last moment, he yelled and rushed towards a German soldier opposite with a bayonet. Seeing that he and the remaining commanders and soldiers were surrounded by the German army, it was impossible to escape without any hesitation. He also imitated Ross, rushed into the German army's ranks with a bayonet and fought the final battle with them.
The Soviet army was originally smaller than the German army, and its combat effectiveness was weaker. After a few minutes, there were only seven or eight soldiers left by Lieutenant Glazkov and Lieutenant Ross. As soon as Grazkov stabbed a German soldier, before he could pull out the bayonet, a German soldier rushed over, and the bayonet in his hand stabbed directly into his heart.
"Teacher, be careful." Ross saw that Grazkov was in danger, shouted and rushed to him without hesitation, blocking the bayonet that pierced the heart for him. The bayonet pierced Lieutenant Ross' left shoulder, and the tip of the knife dripping with blood was exposed from his back.
Grazkov pulled out the bayonet. Seeing that Lieutenant Ross was injured in order to save him, he immediately widened his eyes and roared, stabbing the bayonet into the German soldier's ribs from the side goal. He quickly pulled out the bayonet, kicked the German soldier away with one kick, and held Ross who was leaning back behind him, and asked with concern: "Lieutenant Ross, are you okay?"
"Comrade Commander, we're fine." After Ros endured the pain and said this, he was stunned. Then he pointed his finger at the distance and exclaimed: "Comrade Commander, look!"
Grazkov looked in the direction of his finger and saw a unit in casual clothes walking through artillery fire and heading towards his position. Seeing this unit, Grazkov was extremely surprised: "It's the militia annihilation battalion coming!"
Zalitzman, who led the team, saw that he was having a hand-to-hand combat here, and stopped to look with a telescope. He found that several commanders wearing big-brimmed hats were surrounded by dozens of German soldiers. The situation was particularly critical. He quickly issued an order: "Submachine gunners speed up and go over and eliminate those enemies."
After hearing Zalitzman's order, a company commander immediately shouted at the team: "Submachine gunners are out of line~!"
With his command, more than 20 militiamen carrying Popov submachine guns stood up. The militia's equipment has always been poor. Those who can be equipped with submachine guns are all militias with high technical and tactical skills and certain combat. After they left the line, the company commander pointed at the place where hand-to-hand combat was being carried out and said, "Our commanders are being besieged by the enemy. Come with me to destroy the enemy. Let's set off!"
More than 20 militiamen followed the company commander and ran to the location where Grazkov and others were, sprinting at a speed of 100 meters. After entering the effective range, they stopped and fired at the place where the Germans gathered. A large number of German soldiers were knocked down, and the remaining soldiers saw that the militia's firepower was fierce and did not dare to fight, so they quickly turned around and fled.
After Grazkov and the Germans fled, he walked towards the militia who had just rescued him. He came to the company commander and asked with a smile: "Comrade, which part of you are from?"
"Hello, Comrade Commander." Although the militia company commander was not a formal soldier, he also understood the reason that he could not salute the superior commander on the battlefield. He just straightened his body and replied: "We are militias of the Derrensky factory. We came to support the 35th Guard Division under the orders of our superiors."
"Hello, Comrade General." Zalitzman, who had just arrived, saw the Venus on the Grazkov's captain and asked politely: "Are you General Grazkov?"
"Yes, mine is Grazkov."
"Hello, Grazkov." Zalitzman quickly reached out to the other party: "I am Zalitzman, the deputy director of the Derrensky factory. I brought two militia battalions. Look, where should they be arranged?"
"Hello, Comrade Zalitzman. Thank you very much for rushing to save our lives." Grazkov looked at the militia unit and said, "Now the division headquarters is empty, you are stationed here now. When somewhere is insufficient, I will send you there."