"Please rest assured, Comrade Commander." Sokov thought for a moment and then replied loudly: "We will immediately send anti-tank fighters carrying rocket launchers to the Dzerzhinsky Factory to support the 37th Guards Division."
"Comrade Commander." Seeing Sokov agreeing to Chuikov so readily, Ivanov stamped his feet anxiously beside him. As soon as Sokov put down the phone, he couldn't wait to say: "Our rocket launchers and ammunition are limited.
Yes, if it is used to support the 37th Guards Division, then we will face an insufficient number of rocket launchers during the counterattack."
"Yes, Comrade Division Commander." Although rocket launchers are not used much nowadays, Sidorin often hears Sokov mention that rocket launchers can not only attack tanks, armored vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers at close range.
, and can also use direct aim to destroy enemy fortifications. If such good weapons are given to other troops, what will their own troops use in the counterattack? It is out of this consideration that he agreed
Ivanov said: "At present, we cannot get replenishment of rocket launchers and ammunition. Once they are exhausted, what weapons will we use to deal with the enemy's tanks, assault guns and fortifications after the counterattack begins?
"
"Chief of Staff, Deputy Division Commander, I understand what you mean." Naturally, Sokov was well aware of Sidorin and Ivanov's dissuasion. But for the sake of the overall situation, he had to send people to support him.
However, before sending reinforcements, he had to explain the reason to his two deputies: "The enemy is launching a fierce attack on the Dzerzhinsky factory. If we do not support General Zorudev and the others, once the factory is occupied by the enemy, we will
The counterattack plan will have to be adjusted. At that time, the direction of our attack will no longer be the enemy in front of Mamayev Heights, but the enemy occupying the Dzerzhinsky Factory, even if all our divisions are defeated
, we must also take back the lost factory.”
After hearing what Sokov said, Sidorin and Ivanov shut up. They knew very well that Sokov was telling the truth. Once the Germans occupied the Dzerzhinsky factory, the adjacent barricades would
The factory will also become in danger. If the city falls before the counterattack achieves results, I am afraid that no one will be able to reap the benefits.
Seeing that the room had returned to calm, Anisimov asked tentatively: "Comrade division commander, the distance from Mamayev Heights to Dzerzhinsky Factory is not very close. If there was a ring railway in the past, we would
Maybe it only takes ten minutes to reach the destination. But now it takes at least two hours to walk to the factory. If we send people there now, can we make it in time?"
"I feel that General Rudev's defense line may not be able to sustain for such a long time." Sokov said simply: "I immediately called Commander Belkin and asked him to send the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion over.
.”
"What about the barricade factory?" Sidorin asked rhetorically: "Once the anti-tank platoon leaves, the anti-tank force in the barricade factory will be weakened."
"The Second Battalion also has an anti-tank platoon, which allows Berkin to move them to the front." Sokov said: "In this way, we will have enough time to send anti-tank platoons from Mamayev Heights to the barricade factory.
Tank troops."
Hearing that Sokov had considered all the issues that should be considered, Sidorin nodded, "Comrade division commander, since you have given careful consideration, I will call Commander Belkin immediately and ask him to
He sent a battalion of anti-tank platoons to the Dzerzhinsky factory to support General Zorudev's troops."
Unexpectedly, after Belkin received Sidorin's call, he asked doubtfully: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't you know that the enemy is also launching a fierce attack on us? If at this time, the anti-tank platoon is transferred,
So who is going to deal with the enemy tanks?"
Seeing Sidorin's troubled expression, Sokov knew that he must have hit a snag in front of Belkin, so he walked over, took the microphone from his hand, and said to Belkin: "My comrade political commissar,
It is my order to send a battalion of anti-tank platoons to support the Dzerzhinsky Factory. The enemy is currently storming the Dzerzhinsky Factory. If they do not receive support from the anti-tank platoon, their defense line may be overrun.
Enemy tanks break through."
"Misha, I understand what you mean." When Belkin heard Sokov's voice, he knew that this order could not be changed. He sighed and said: "I can send the anti-tank platoon to support
General Rujeev, but I have a condition."
"What conditions?" Sokov asked briefly.
"Can the anti-tank platoon of the second battalion be transferred to General Zholudev?" After Belkin made this request, he was afraid that Sokov would not agree, so he took the initiative to analyze to him: "The anti-tank platoon of the second battalion will be transferred from
After entering the barricade factory, they have been idle. If they are ordered to take over the work of the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion, they will not only need to be familiar with the process, but may even cause unnecessary confusion."
"Then what did you think about it?"
"It's very simple." Belkin continued: "Directly transfer the anti-tank platoon of the second battalion to the Dzerzhinsky factory. This can avoid confusion during the defense change. At the same time, the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion does not have to be in the Dzerzhinsky factory.
In an unfamiliar area, get familiar with the environment again.”
Belkin's words gave Sokov a wake-up call, and he immediately realized that there were some problems with his deployment. He could clearly send the currently idle 2nd Battalion anti-tank platoon to the Dzerzhinsky factory, but he instead
It is simply superfluous to add more than necessary.
Thinking of this, Sokov smiled sheepishly, and then said into the microphone: "Comrade Political Commissar, you are right, then let the anti-tank platoon of the second battalion go to reinforce the Dzerzhinsky factory, and the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion will
The tank platoon continues to hold its position. In addition, I will dispatch soldiers from the division guard battalion who know how to use rocket launchers and rush over to reinforce you."
Sidorin waited for Sokov to put down the phone and immediately asked him for instructions: "Comrade division commander, who do you think will lead the troops to reinforce the barricade factory?"
"Comrade Commander, can I say a few words?" Anisimov on the side couldn't help but interjected and asked: "Didn't the commander order us to reinforce the Dzerzhinsky Factory? Why have you turned into a reinforcement barricade?
factory?"
"Comrade Political Commissar," upon hearing Anisimov's question, Sokov turned to face him and explained to him: "The barricade factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory are not far apart. We are moving reinforcements to the barricade factory.
, we can achieve our goal of reinforcing them at any time.”
"Comrade Division Commander," Seeing that his words were interrupted by Anisimov, Sidorin repeated his question again: "Do you plan to send troops to reinforce?"
"Let the guard battalion commander Major Tenev lead the team." Sokov considered that after Tenev came to his division, he was almost transparent and rarely assigned any combat missions to him. I am afraid that in his heart
There was also resentment. He was asked to carry out this mission: "Ask him to lead two guard platoons, carry five rocket launchers and supporting ammunition, and rush to the barricade factory as soon as possible."
"Comrade Division Commander, there are almost a hundred people in the two guard platoons." Hearing this, Ivanov couldn't help but remind Sokov: "Isn't it a little too few to only carry five rocket launchers?"
"No less, no less." Sokov shook his head and said: "I asked them to go to the barricade factory, not only to deal with the enemy's tanks, but also to prepare to deal with the enemy's infantry. Therefore, I plan to let them carry thirty more new-type missiles.
rocket missile."
"I think Commander Belkin would be very happy if he knew this news." Knowing that Sokov also planned to let the reinforcements carry new rockets, Ivanov showed a knowing smile on his face: "
But if this happens, the Germans who attack the barricade factory will suffer."
Seeing Sidorin making a phone call to Major Tenev, the commander of the guard battalion, Sokov could not help but shake his head secretly. He originally thought that as long as the Stalingrad Front counterattacked, he could use the additional troops provided by his superiors to attack the front.
The Romanian army launched a counterattack. However, the plan could not keep up with the changes. First, the German army and the Romanian army switched defenses, and then they stormed the barricade factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory, forcing them to redeploy some of the troops and technical equipment originally intended for counterattack to reinforce
These two factories are in critical condition.
"Comrade division commander, what are you thinking about?" Seeing Sokov staring at Sidorin on the phone in a daze, Anisimov couldn't help but ask: "Are you worried that our troops will not be able to defend the factory?"
"That's right." Sokov nodded and said in an affirmative tone: "Wait another ten hours or so, and our Stalingrad Front will launch a counterattack against the enemy from the south of the city, and then in the shortest time
, to join forces with the Southwest Front and the Don Front moving south. But if the barricade factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory fall at this critical moment, all the efforts made in the middle of the night will be in vain."
"I think our troops should be able to defend the Barricade Factory and the Dzerzhinsky Factory." Anisimov said with some lack of confidence: "Anyway, they also know that our army's major counterattack has begun, and the enemy
The destruction is right in front of them. Therefore, no matter how fierce the enemy's attack is, they will find ways to support it and wait until victory comes."
Belkin received Sokov's order and was about to call the second battalion commander, Captain Brisky, but a new round of German attacks started again. Lyudnikov called him and said in a panic:
"Commander Belkin, the enemy has launched a new attack. It seems that they will never give up until they take the factory. With my current strength, I am afraid it will be difficult to stop them. I hope I can get your
help."
"Don't worry, Comrade Colonel." Since the snow outside was not that heavy, Belkin could see the situation outside from his command post. He saw groups of German soldiers wearing white camouflage uniforms, attacking tanks and
Under the cover of artillery and armored vehicles, he rushed towards the last line of defense of the barricade factory. He quickly said into the microphone: "We will continue to fight side by side with you and completely crush the enemy's attack."
Belkin thought that there were not many artillery shells left in the artillery regiment, and it would be a waste for the second battalion to stay on the artillery position. He quickly called Briski and told him: "Comrade Captain, this is Belkin.
Commander, I will give you two orders now."
"Comrade Commander, please give me an order." From Belkin's tone, Brisky heard that the order he was about to give was very important, so he said solemnly: "Our battalion has made all preparations for battle.
.”
"Now that you are ready for battle, that's very good." Belin was very satisfied with Briski's reply. He said in a straight tone: "Order 1, dispatch the anti-tank platoon to the Dzerzhinsky factory
, to support General Joludev’s defense area; Order 2: Except for leaving a few troops to protect the artillery, the remaining troops rushed to the 1st Battalion’s position to strengthen their defenses.”
"What, transfer the anti-tank platoon to the Dzerzhinsky factory?" Briski couldn't help but be shocked when he heard this order, because he also saw that the German army was getting tough this time. The tanks, assault guns and armored vehicles dispatched were at least
There were more than thirty vehicles, and it was impossible to deal with them with just a few rocket launchers from the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion. He carefully reminded Belkin: "Comrade commander, haven't you seen how many tanks the enemy has dispatched this time?"
And armored vehicles? It’s impossible to deal with them just by relying on the anti-tank strength of the first battalion.”
"This is an order from the division headquarters, execute it immediately." Belgin was afraid that Brisky would not be able to figure it out, so he emphasized: "If the Dzerzhinsky factory is lost, the enemy will be able to get behind us.
We will be completely surrounded by the enemy. You have to understand that helping friendly forces is helping ourselves."
"Also," after talking about the anti-tank platoon, Briski continued to raise the question in his mind: "Didn't the division headquarters just replenish the strength of the first battalion not long ago? If our battalion goes over again, what will happen to the position?
Wouldn't it be too crowded? Comrade Commander, is it appropriate to assemble so many troops in such a narrow area? Every enemy shell will cause us casualties of more than a dozen or even dozens of people. Is this appropriate?"
"There's nothing inappropriate." Belgin said impatiently after hearing Briski's repeated attempts to find objective reasons: "The newly added troops to us from the division are all recruits with little combat experience. Facing the rapid arrival of
tanks and armored vehicles, I'm afraid many soldiers will be so nervous that they can't even hold their guns. To hold the position, we can only rely on the first battalion and your battalion. Do you understand?"
"I understand, comrade leader."
"Now that you understand it, why are you still dazed?" Belkin urged: "Hurry up and bring your troops over for reinforcements, otherwise it will be too late when the enemy rushes into the position."
When the commanders and fighters of the second battalion rushed to the defense area of the first battalion along the communication trench, the enemy's tanks and assault guns had already rushed into the forward position. Although the anti-tank fighters of the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion performed tenaciously, they were faced with an overwhelming position.
The numerically superior German tanks and armored vehicles were no better than moths flying into a flame. The anti-tank crews who hid in craters and shot at the tanks became the targets of the machine guns on the armored vehicles. As soon as they stood up, they would
After being strafed by intensive machine gun fire, some anti-tank pilots died on the spot and fell into the crater. The deputy shooter picked up the rocket launcher, stood up again under the hail of enemy bullets, and continued to aim at the approaching tanks and shoot.
