Hopkins, the logistics commander of the 707th Division and a colleague of Lawrence, faced the instant collapse of his troops. He first led his troops to counterattack. However, under the attack of the Soviet army's absolute superiority in strength, the so-called
Fighting back was completely in vain.
But at least he counterattacked, and the troops were unable to block the gap, so his defeat would have no psychological burden at all.
Hopkins was at least a man of moral integrity. When the troops retreated while resisting, he sent a desperate telegram to the city of Lechitsa.
"The defense line was breached by the powerful firepower of the Soviet army. The Soviet army had more than 10,000 troops and our troops were unable to complete the blockade."
Twenty minutes after this telegram was sent, he sent another telegram.
"Our troops suffered heavy casualties. The Soviet troops captured at least three kilometers of our defense line. Our troops are still resolutely blocking it and fighting to the last man."
Hopkins was mentally prepared to die in battle if he could not escape, although he did not want to die in such a useless way.
These two telegrams were sent to the 707th Division headquarters currently located in Lechica City. At least 20 telegrams came through at almost the same time.
The entire 707th Division headquarters exploded, and the entire city of Lechica was boiling.
The deflagration of the high-energy fuel warhead of the Feiyu rocket launcher not only makes a huge noise, but the violent vibrations on the earth turn into large low-frequency vibrations that spread farther and farther.
The bombardment occurred in the morning. Some German garrison troops, police garrison troops, security policemen, and even family members of such people in the city felt this unusual shock. Many people also heard a muffled sound coming from the south.
As for the fact that the Soviet Army in the south has placed some troops near the defense line, everyone in the city is really aware of it. After several cleanings in Lechica, there are no civilians in the pure sense in the city. At present, almost all the so-called civilians
They are family members of the police corps and security police.
The German army was very confident in the defense line they had operated for three months. However, the division commander Herzmann considered the threat from the large guerrillas from the north, so the city's urban defense was still operated. For example, sandbags were used at every intersection and at every corner of the road.
A machine gun position was set up with wooden roadblocks. Some armored vehicles and rare assault guns were also placed in the city. Even as assault troops supporting nearby operations, they were the backbone of the city defense force.
Herzmann treated the possible street fighting with the rigorous attitude of the Germans and his personal understanding. However, the possibility of street fighting was too low, and he was very confident in the defense line of the troops. Therefore, the so-called civilians in the city, on July 18,
, there was no evacuation at all.
Twenty telegrams were sent to the headquarters, and all the staff officers became ants on a hot pot and were extremely busy.
Because the contents of these telegrams were surprisingly consistent - the Soviet army attacked the defense line, the Soviet army broke through the defense line, and the Soviet army had a strong tendency to attack Lechica.
Especially the last type of message, the Soviet army is going to attack Lechicha!
After Hertzman woke up, he thought he wouldn't have too many worries today. He imagined that Soviet guerrillas everywhere would be beaten hard by bandit suppression troops everywhere.
The development of the battle turned to a slap in the face, which slapped Hertzman mercilessly and almost knocked him unconscious.
"Why! Why is it like this?! My army collapsed like this?" Hertzman's eyes almost burst out. His staff officers and chief of staff were waiting for the division commander to have a countermeasure. Unexpectedly, the division commander turned out to be a
Looks like a nervous breakdown.
The command headquarters fell into dead silence until the chief of staff violently slammed the table: "Commander! What on earth are we going to do?!"
"What are you yelling about!" Herzman, who was upset, also yelled.
The chief of staff changed his tone to a relatively calm tone: "Division commander, what should we do? Are the frontline troops still waiting for our orders? We..."
"I……"
Herzman only felt a headache, as if his cerebral blood vessels were about to explode. He had read those telegrams, especially the report from the logistics team, which made him feel more desperate than ever. Although Hopkins claimed to fight to the end, Herzman was rational.
I guessed that this person must lead his troops to retreat, otherwise they would be completely annihilated.
Therefore, the gap in the defense line is not just three kilometers. If the enemy intends to, they can continue to expand the gap. Of course, their strategic significance in expanding the gap itself is not great. It is natural for them to target the attack at Lechica, which is 20 kilometers away.
Hertzman was so worried about the unprecedented predicament faced by the 707th Division that he was so anxious that he didn't know what to do.
Seeing the division commander's hesitation, the chief of staff continued: "Division commander, we must defend this city now. This is our responsibility. You must give the order to hold on. You must also give the frontline troops an explanation as to whether to let them return to defense or continue.
Hold the line."
As if it was a nightmare, Hertzmann, who had just woken up, looked at the map on the desk, with wooden blocks representing the enemy and ourselves placed on it. The strategic situation was prepared by the staff based on the telegram. It was very straightforward, and Hertzmann's clear consciousness
The Soviet army's spearhead was definitely aimed at Liechica.
The words of the chief of staff made the confused Hertzman wake up slightly. He knew that he had to make two decisions immediately.
"Division Commander, stop hesitating! Should we defend the city of Lechica, or should we notify the frontline troops to return to defense?"
"Give me the order!" Hertzman suddenly straightened his back and stood up. Just now, he had already made his own judgment.
"Orders, first, that all the frontline regiments of our division immediately withdraw half of their troops and advance towards the defensive section of the Lawrence regiment, blocking the Russians at all costs. Second, Lechitsa sounds a warning, and all city defense troops, including the security police, do
Be prepared for street fighting. All armored vehicles guard all intersections. Order all civilians in the city to move immediately and order them to move towards Mozyr. That's it for now, implement it immediately."
The staff officer took the notes and immediately rushed to the communications room, and the entire 707th Division headquarters finally took action.
Hertzman, who finally woke up, immediately began to discuss the next countermeasures with the chief of staff and others. Although the situation was very serious for the German army, if you calm down and think about it carefully, the situation might not be too bad.
The chief of staff pointed to several cities near Rechica: "Here, Mozyr. Here, Gomel. Now the newly arrived 700th Division still has some logistics troops in Mozyr, and part of their main force is going to reinforce the 805th Division.
Based in Svetlogorsk in the north, part of them penetrated south to attack the Russians. The headquarters of the 734th Division is also near Mozyr, and they also have some troops stationed there. As for Gomel, that is where the 722nd Division is based. We
Now it is necessary to directly bypass the requesting group army and ask for reinforcements from these three divisions."
"Okay, let's do it. We don't have much time. The Soviet army is going to attack this city, and we will have a firefight with them as soon as this afternoon."
Thinking of this, Hertzman couldn't help but feel a little sad.
The chief of staff quickly corrected him: "Division commander, you must not look embarrassed at this moment. If the headquarters is filled with despair, then our infantry division will completely collapse."
"No, no, I'm just sighing." As he said that, Herzman pointed to a point on the Mozyr-Lechica highway on the map, "This, the town of Luvanka, this town has been bombed.
"
The chief of staff immediately understood what the division commander meant, "Our former division commander encountered a worse situation than us. At least we are now prepared and have more troops than at that time. The death of the former division commander was accidental. Besides, Lieqi
Chako is much bigger than Luwanka. There are many friendly forces around us, so don’t think of dying in battle, things are definitely not that bad.”
Hertzman's confidence has improved. "Thank you for your kind words. You are right. The situation encountered by the 707th Division today is better than that then. We only need to hold on to the city and delay the enemy for 24 hours. In this way, we
Once the friendly forces arrive, they can actually create a beautiful central flower."
Seeing a faint smile appear on the division commander's clouded face, the suffocating atmosphere in the headquarters was relieved.