The division chief of staff quickly raised his telescope and looked in the direction Lenski said. He happened to see an object dragging white smoke flying out of the crater and directly hitting a moving tank, blowing it into pieces.
A fireball.
"Your Excellency, division commander, this is not a Russian anti-tank gun." The division chief of staff put down the telescope and turned to Lensky and said: "The flight path of the artillery shell cannot be seen. I guess this is some kind of anti-tank weapon newly developed by the Russians.
"
"Damn the Russians." After listening to his chief of staff, Lensky cursed angrily and asked: "Tell me, how should we deal with this new weapon of the Russians?"
"Your Excellency, Division Commander, I think our first task is to withdraw the offensive troops." The division chief of staff suggested to Lensky: "It will not be too late to restart the offensive after we figure out how to deal with the Russians' new weapons.
"
Lensky looked into the distance. Although his tanks were constantly being destroyed by the Russians' new weapons, the infantry was only three hundred meters away from the opponent's position. If he retreated at this time, all previous efforts would be in vain.
Seeing Lenski's hesitation, the division chief of staff reminded him: "Your Excellency, division commander, due to the shortage of fuel and artillery shells, we have concentrated the fuel and artillery shells of the remaining tanks on these tanks. If they all attack during the attack,
If it is lost, our division will have no usable tanks."
Can an armored division still be called an armored division without tanks? The words of the division chief of staff made Lenski become cautious. After weighing the pros and cons, he finally issued an order: "Let the offensive troops withdraw temporarily."
But when Lensky's retreat order was given to each tank, five more tanks were destroyed by rocket launchers and parked on the battlefield burning. The tank soldiers who escaped from the tanks did not run very far before they were killed by the Soviet army.
Kill the snipers in the position. Maybe in other armies, using snipers to deal with enemy tank soldiers is a bit too luxurious, but in the Belkin Regiment, as long as the enemy can be eliminated, let alone a few snipers, it is to use new rockets
He did not hesitate to attack with bullets. Moreover, the tank soldiers were all professional arms. Every time a German tank soldier was killed, there was one less person who could drive a tank. Even if the German army added new tanks, no one could drive them.
After the German offensive troops withdrew, the infantry did not suffer many casualties. On the contrary, the tanks that opened the way in front suffered heavy losses. Only six of the twenty tanks were able to retreat. In addition to those destroyed by rocket launchers, there were two more on the way to retreat.
Broken down. Worried about being attacked by Soviet rocket launchers, the tank crew voluntarily abandoned the malfunctioning tank and withdrew with the infantry.
The commanders of the various regiments summoned by Lensky all knew the news of the failure of the attack. At the beginning of the meeting, Baron Edelsheim first raised his question: "Your Excellency, Division Commander, I don't understand why you are attacking the Russians."
Will the attack fail?" What he meant was that in an area so suitable for tank operations, even if the Soviet defenses could not be broken through, they would not be beaten so badly.
Lensky glanced at him and said with a wry smile: "Your Excellency, the Russians have a new anti-tank weapon that can destroy our tanks from a long distance. If they don't eliminate this weapon of theirs, we will launch another attack."
Repeated attacks may not have any effect."
"A new anti-tank weapon?" Since the Soviet army has only used rocket launchers on a large scale in barricade factories so far. The 306th Infantry Division, which was badly beaten by Soviet rocket launchers, would naturally not think of this humiliation.
So much so that most German commanders still don’t know that the Soviet army has a new anti-tank weapon. Since Lensky doesn’t know about it, Baron Edelsheim is even less aware of it.
He asked confusedly: "Your Excellency, division commander, is it true that the Russian anti-tank guns were regarded by our soldiers as some new type of weapons?"
"It's not an anti-tank gun." The division chief of staff stood up and shook his head. "The Russians who use this kind of anti-tank weapon always hide in the craters in front of their positions. When they see our tanks approaching, they stand up.
Carry out an attack. According to my observation, the attack distance of this new weapon is about one hundred meters."
"I called you here today just to work out a way to deal with this new anti-tank weapon of the Russians." Lensky added: "As long as their anti-tank weapon is eliminated, our division will be able to defeat it."
We can continue to advance south and cut off the defenders of Mamayev Heights who are advancing."
If Lensky had not mentioned the Mamayev Hills, I am afraid that no one present would have thought of Sokov. When Lensky mentioned it, a Grenadier Regiment commander immediately remembered the matter and quickly asked
He said: "Your Excellency, Division Commander, I would like to ask, which Russian unit is blocking us?"
The commander's words stopped Lensky. So far, he really didn't know who his opponent was. He could only say vaguely: "According to the original reconnaissance information, those who hold on to this area
, should be the militiamen from the Red October Factory."
After hearing this, the regiment commander sneered, and then said: "Your Excellency, division commander, do you think this improvised mob can stop the attack of our tanks? Since they can repel our attack so easily, I think
There must be elite Russian troops deployed on the position."
"What, the elite troops of the Russians?!" The commander's words shocked everyone present. Edelsheim stood up and said tremblingly: "It can't be Sokov's troops, right?
"
Edelsheim's words made everyone tremble. For them, Sokov's troops were a nightmare. Not only did they kill a regiment commander and battalion commander in their own division at the beginning of the war. In
In the battles in recent months, the troops have suffered heavy casualties. When the troops were transferred away from the area where they fought with Sokov's troops, there were even officers and soldiers drinking and celebrating. Unexpectedly, after such a long time, they would actually have to fight with Sokov's troops again.
Sokov's troops fought, which Lensky could not tolerate.
Thinking of this, Lensky quickly ordered the Chief of Staff: "Chief of Staff, immediately send out reconnaissance personnel to conduct reconnaissance on the Russian position in front of our division to find out which Russian unit is holding this area?"
The division chief of staff realized the seriousness of the problem and did not dare to neglect. He quickly got up and called the division's reconnaissance department, asking them to immediately send personnel to conduct reconnaissance on the Russian garrison in front and find out the number of that unit.
In order to stabilize the morale of the troops, Lenski forced a smile and said: "Don't be nervous, everyone. The Russians on the front of our division are unlikely to be Sokov's troops."
Hearing what Lensky said, Edelsheim couldn't help but asked curiously: "Your Excellency, why do you say that?"
"It's very simple." Lensky walked to the wall, pointed to a map hanging on the wall, and said to everyone: "As far as I know, Sokov's 41st Guards Division has four regiments. Now,
His three regiments were used to attack our 71st and 76th divisions located in front of Mamayev Hill, and had occupied most of the areas; while the other regiment was deployed at the barricade factory. Since the four regiments are located in
It’s been confirmed, do you think Sokov can still create new troops?”
The officers were initially wary of the defenders in front of them, fearing that it was really Sokov's troops. Not only would their attack not be successful, but they would lose their troops. However, after listening to Lensky's analysis, everyone felt that their division commander
It makes sense. Sokov's men only have four regiments, and they are all deployed in important areas. Wherever there are extra troops, they can be used for frontal defense. Maybe there are troops transferred by the Russians from other areas in front of them.
, as long as a method is found to deal with the new anti-tank weapons, the attack can be launched again.
"Let's talk about it." Lensky returned to his seat from the wall and sat down. He looked at his group of subordinates and asked: "What method should we use to deal with the Russian anti-tank weapons."
"Your Excellency, Division Commander," as soon as Lensky finished speaking, the artillery regiment commander stood up and asked cautiously: "Can I tell you my opinion?"
"Okay." Lenski nodded at the other party, stretched out his hand and made a gesture, indicating that the other party would continue: "Tell me what you think and see if it will be helpful for the next attack."
"According to the description just now, the Russians have hidden their anti-tank weapons in craters in front of their positions. We can bombard those craters with artillery fire." The artillery regiment commander said excitedly: "Use artillery fire to destroy these anti-tank weapons."
"No, Mr. Colonel, your method is not applicable." Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, the division chief of staff shook his head and made a rebuttal: "As far as I can see, this kind of anti-tank weapon of the Russians is
A kind of individual weapon. If they are bombarded by our army, they may retreat to the trenches to hide. And our current artillery shell reserves are limited. Once all the artillery shells are used up, we will not be able to get artillery fire in the next battle.
support.”
…………
While Lensky and his men were discussing how to deal with the Belkin Regiment, the Southwest Front Army's telecommunications department monitored frequent radio signals in the Gumlak area, which should be the location of the German Army Group Headquarters. This news was first reported to the Front Army
, Vatutin felt that the matter was too big and did not dare to make the decision without authorization, so he reported it to Vasilevsky and the Supreme Command.
After Stalin learned that the German Army Group Headquarters might be in the Gumlak area, he immediately called Vasilevsky and asked him: "Comrade Chief of General Staff, how likely do you think the German Army Headquarters is in the Gumlak area?"
?”
"Comrade Stalin," Vasilevsky replied respectfully: "Two days ago, our telecommunications monitoring department noticed that there was busy radio activity in Gumlak. However, due to the reception of Rokossovsky
Intelligence came in that the German command headquarters might be located in Nizhny Chilskaya in the Nizhny Chir River basin, so all attention was shifted in this direction."
Stalin glanced at the map spread out on the table and said thoughtfully: "Comrade Vasilevsky, do you think this is possible? In fact, the German headquarters has always been in the Gumlak area.
The radio waves that appeared in the Chilskaya area may be a bait for the enemy to cause our army to misjudge and choose the wrong attack direction."
After Stalin's reminder, Vasilevsky felt that this was indeed possible. Based on the analysis of the situation between the enemy and ourselves on the map, Rokossovsky's vanguard would have at most half a day to reach Nizhny Chilska.
Ya. With the greedy and fearful character of German officers, they would never set up their headquarters so close to the front line. After thinking about this, Vasilevsky nodded and said in agreement: "You are right.
Comrade Stalin, it is entirely possible that the enemy has set up a confusion array for us to make us confused about the specific location of their headquarters, and General Rokossovsky may have been deceived."
Seeing that Vasilevsky agreed with his opinion, Stalin showed a satisfied smile on his face. He lit his pipe, held it in his mouth and asked: "So, my comrade Chief of General Staff, what are you going to do?
"
"Order all the troops participating in the counterattack to carry out a centripetal attack on the Gumlak area." Vasilevsky's eyes were fixed on the location of the Gumlak area, and he gritted his teeth and said: "Since Paulus has sent the commander
The headquarters is here, so we will concentrate our efforts to capture this place first and see where else he can run."
"Once our army captures the Gumlak area," Stalin tapped the map twice with his hand and said, "Even if Paulus is not captured alive by us, he will have no choice but to flee to the city. As long as he enters the city,
Just stop thinking about leaving Stalingrad alive."
"I understand, Comrade Stalin." Vasilevsky replied respectfully: "I immediately gave orders to the troops of the three fronts to launch a centripetal attack on the Gumlak area."
…………
At around two o'clock in the afternoon, the German scouts reported the situation to Lensky via the radio and confirmed that the troops holding the frontal position were Sokov's reduced regiment. However, it was not known when they emerged from the barricade.
The factory withdrew and quietly entered its current defensive position.
Knowing that the defenders in front were Sokov's most elite shrinking regiment, the muscles on Lensky's face twitched violently. He knew very well that if he wanted to break through the defense line held by this unit, he would probably lose all the remaining troops.
It won't work if all the tanks are used up. Since we can't attack, we can only choose to retreat.
However, he retreated without permission from Paulus. He was afraid that after jumping out of the Russian encirclement, he would be sent to a military court. Due to this consideration, Lensky was in a dilemma.
"Your Excellency, Division Commander," when Lenski was at a loss what to do, the division chief of staff came over with a telegram and said to Lenski with a puzzled look on his face: "We just received a telegram from the Army Group Headquarters, ordering us to stop moving in Ma
Operations in the direction of Mayevgang will be immediately transferred to the direction of Orlovka."
For Lensky, Paulus's retreat order was a timely blessing. He had no time to figure out why the other party issued such an order, so he couldn't wait to order the division chief of staff: "Chief of staff, give all troops immediately
Give an order to them to move to Orlovka as soon as possible."
The division chief of staff naturally understood Lensky's psychology, and he was looking forward to no longer having to deal with Sokov's troops. Now that the division commander had given the order to retreat, he agreed unequivocally and turned around to tell everyone
