Under the horrified gaze of 1,500 "militiamen" and under the blows of countless bullets, the BT tank continued to hold up the red flag, move arrogantly in front of the German formation, and fired from time to time with machine guns.
These people who had never seen a battle formation were soon so frightened that they peed their pants under the far from violent attacks of the tanks. They were here to work for the Germans, not to be used as cannon fodder.
As some people were hit by stray bullets from tank machine guns and fell into pools of blood, the sense of crisis quickly spread to the entire front line.
The regular German troops located behind them had a premonition that the defense line was about to collapse. A battalion commander immediately gave an order to all his machine gunners: "If they dare to retreat, use bullets to drive them back."
At the same time, the German army also began to counterattack with reliable weapons-small mortars with a caliber of only 50 mm.
Although the damage caused by this gun to armored vehicles is negligible, if a small shell hits the roof, the BT tank is really at risk of being penetrated through the armor. The three people in the car are very aware of the weakest point of the entire tank.
, nothing is better than the top cover. Similarly, the weakest point of a tank is always the turret top cover!
"Speed up and don't let these shells explode! Gunner, move the muzzle and search for the enemy's mortar position!"
After Chekov issued the order, he soon saw an abnormality in the distance while shaking. Some smoke and dust were erupting abnormally on the ground there. The mortar position was found, and the tank immediately launched a counterattack, although it did not explode.
When it reached the enemy, it suppressed the German artillery fire.
"The enemies are so strange, they are really too weak! Brothers, why don't we charge boldly?" Chekov asked.
"Okay! Let's scare these fascists to death!" The driver suddenly pulled the right clutch, and the tank quickly turned and rushed towards the loose defense line guarded by the "militiamen".
How can you stop this with just a rifle and flesh and blood?!
The tank broke through the defense line of "private houses" effortlessly, and the machine gun fired at the exposed crowd. At this moment, the gunner could no longer care about so many people. Anyway, those who appeared here with weapons were enemies. Even if these
Most of the enemies are wearing civilian clothes.
Therefore, at the breakthrough point of the tank, more than fifty "militiamen" fled. He exposed his back and immediately became the target of the machine gun, which also led to the gunner's crazy killing. The PD3 machine gun also directly shot out a bullet tray. In the backup
While the magazine was being loaded, the driver continued to impact, knocking down at least three people.
"What the hell! No retreat!" the German battalion commander roared. Unfortunately, his roar was completely drowned in the endless gunfire.
More than five hundred "militiamen" fled upon hearing the tanks. They were so frightened of the tanks that they even forgot about the German supervising team.
The German machine guns ruthlessly fired at these deserters who were used as cannon fodder. The number of "militiamen" killed and wounded by the Germans was three times that of the tanks. After nearly a hundred people were killed and injured, the militiamen fell down one after another, and then they stopped their escape.
"Oh, it's really strange. The enemy is actually firing on our own people?! Anything can happen on the battlefield." Chekov couldn't help but sigh.
"It would be a good thing for us if the enemies kill each other. Platoon leader, shall we continue to move forward?"
"Xie Miao, keep driving, don't be afraid!"
The German army did not deploy combat anti-aircraft artillery here. After all, the German army itself seriously lacked combat anti-aircraft artillery. The appearance of tanks and their participation in the battle really surprised the German army. But the German army was not simply helpless. They were equipped with standard M24 long-handled grenades.
It can be tied together to make a cluster grenade, and it is completely feasible to blow up the chassis of a light tank.
But the Germans lacked time, so the soldiers threw M24 grenades at the tanks.
The fragments washed away the thin armor of the tank without breaking the armor. However, the violent vibrations caused made Chekov feel a huge danger.
"Brothers, we are in danger now. Maybe the Germans still have large-caliber mortars. We don't stop, we turn around immediately and continue westward along the edge of the city to the train station!"
Anyone with a discerning eye can understand the importance of railways and train stations. Chekov estimated that the German army would of course stockpile a large amount of supplies in the warehouse near the train station. Similarly, in order to protect these supplies, the German army had reason to deploy heavy troops there. So he
The enemy firepower received at the current position is actually weaker than that of the Romanians. It is most likely that the main force of the German army is not here.
"The railway station must be investigated to ensure the smooth operation of the large forces!"
Taking great risks, the tank drove away, leaving behind only two ruts and a series of small craters.
The German battalion commander on the front line was so angry that the tank actually greased its soles, evaded all the mortars on its side, and ran westward! Of course, as it ran westward, it directly became a huge threat to the German army.
The battalion commander called the headquarters and received a surprising reply.
It turned out that because the Soviet army took the initiative to attack the office building, Hertzman believed that the building would have to be blown up in the subsequent battle. In order not to be buried alive, the entire 707th Division headquarters was moved to a building 200 meters away from the office building.
The basement of a building - the backup command post.
The German operator connected the backup command post, and the front line established contact with the rear.
"Report to the division commander, Russian tanks are rushing towards the train station!"
Such a brief report shocked Hertzman into a rage: "Idiot! Isn't that tank a backward BT tank? Why didn't you kill it?!"
"Division Commander, you don't really think that those civilians dare to fight against the tanks! I tell you pessimistically, if our machine gunners hadn't suppressed them, just one tank would have frightened the civilians' defenses into collapsing."
"It's... it's really awesome. You continue to defend. Remember, no one is allowed to retreat. Anyone who disobeys the order will be shot!"
After hanging up the phone, Hertzman stomped his feet several times, almost breaking his leather shoes. He muttered: "I really think too highly of these civilians. One thousand, five hundred people! That's fifteen hundred heads."
A wild boar would go crazy and attack that tank."
After calming down for a while, Hertzman estimated that the troops guarding the train station should also engage in a firefight with the desperate tank.
He dialed the phone again and issued a series of clear orders to the two battalion commanders defending the railway station.
Almost all orders are directed at this unparalleled tank, that is, it must be destroyed with all available anti-tank weapons!
At the same time, the BT tank had already reached the railway track, and it easily knocked down a large number of iron fences protecting the railway. The building not far away was the train station, and there were several huge factory-like buildings there, which were warehouses.
.
"Gunner! Load up on high-explosive shells. It would be great if you could set the warehouse on fire!" Chekov shouted.
The gunner hesitated on the spot: "No! What if there is a lot of food there? What if..."
"Bah! I can't worry about that much. You have to know that there may be a pile of ammunition stored there. If we blow up their ammunition depot with one shot, there will be nothing to fear in the subsequent battle."
The gunner could only obey the order. The shell hit the wooden roof of the warehouse and indeed ignited flames and thick smoke. However, the main supplies in the warehouse had been moved long ago. There is still a small amount of supplies in the warehouse, that is, a small amount
flour, and a lot of wood products.
These wooden products are also very special. They are a lot of white-painted crosses, which are sent to the front line to build the cemetery for fallen soldiers. The crosses are the objects inserted on the tombs.
The roof of the warehouse suddenly caught fire, which immediately caused all the defenders defending the train station to explode. There were not many valuable things in the warehouse, but it was very difficult to put out the fire in a combat situation. The buildings around the train station had a large number of wooden structures.
The temperature is currently very high and the wood is dry. They are excellent ignition materials. Once the fire spreads, there is a high possibility that the train station will be caught in the flames.
No different, the German army ignored the possibility of arson by the Soviet army. However, the fire on the warehouse ceiling was more like an accidental incident.
Yes, who would have expected that an outdated BT tank, with its small body, would continuously produce a large number of results on July 18th. It was indeed one of the most dazzling stars in this battle!
However, the squandering luck will eventually run out, and when Chekov decides to attack the train station, the biggest crisis facing the tank also comes.
It is because the train station is so important that the German army deliberately placed most of its artillery here. In the streets and alleys in the train station area, there are currently fifteen 37mm anti-tank guns and three 45mm anti-tank guns. Only
However, because the enemies faced by the 707th Division are guerrillas who lack heavy weapons, they have these combat artillery, but they seriously lack artillery shells suitable for the current situation-armor-piercing shells.
However, the German army's large number of Czech-made small-caliber anti-tank guns are indeed very exquisite in workmanship and have very good performance. Although they use high-explosive bombs, if they frequently attack the tracks of Soviet tanks, it is feasible to paralyze them.
Not only that, the four No. 3 assault guns deployed by the German army in the city were ordered by Herzmann to move quickly to the train station.
The caliber of the main gun of any type of Type 3 assault gun will not be less than 75 mm.
This type of assault gun fires high-explosive shells and can basically kill the Soviet army's outdated BT tanks instantly.
Chekov had no idea and was unprepared for the menacing four Santuzi vehicles. But before the assault artillery came, he was the first to be bombarded by a long-range German 80mm mortar.
Larger and faster fragments smashed into the armor of the tank, and the more severe tremors made the three people inside not only worried.
Chekov began to communicate with the large troops again. He held the walkie-talkie tightly and calmly told what happened to the tank.
Of course, Lavrenti did not want the last tank of the Partisan Republic to be damaged in this battle. Besides, this tank also stole the show in today's battle, and its crew members were all heroes. When the war is won
, they will all enjoy the glory and wealth for the rest of their lives.
Therefore, Lavrenti gave a serious order: "According to your ministry report, I know that the German army has deployed heavy troops at the train station, and I also know that the German army's defensive center of gravity is at the train station. I will immediately adjust the offensive tactics and the tanks will retreat immediately. It is expected that the main force will
Will enter the battle in half an hour."
There's only half an hour left! All-out war will begin under the sunset.
Chekov sighed with relief, grabbed the walkie-talkie again, and responded seriously: "Report to the main force, the tanks will continue to conduct reconnaissance to further determine the details of the German army."
"You!" Lavrenti was instantly angry: "Chekov! You idiot, who do you think you are? Do you dare to disobey me? Get back!"
"No! Sir, to be honest, this tank is not far away from being scrapped. I decided to give it one last try before it is scrapped. We have not broken into the German defense line at the train station. What happened to them, we still need to continue
In-depth investigation.”
"No, you can't be so stubborn. Do you want to die?"
Chekov was overjoyed, "Sir, our crew has always had the consciousness of sacrifice. If we are willing to sacrifice, we will sacrifice on the battlefield. However, we will fully understand the enemy's details before we sacrifice." He said.
Arriving here, a fearless spirit of sacrifice suddenly surged into my heart. Chekov held the walkie-talkie and shouted at the top of his lungs: "If our sacrifice can reduce the casualties of our comrades, our sacrifice is worth it. My personal life is considered
What? For the motherland, hurrah!"
The communication ended, and Lavrenti was stunned on the spot. Only thousands of soldiers were still moving towards the battlefield. The troops at the forefront had already seen the last patch of woods, and through it was the battlefield. The vanguard troops also listened.
Then came the dull sound of gunfire from the north.
"Chekhov, you are really three lunatics!" Lavrent shed two lines of tears. He was too worried about the heroic sacrifice of tanks and members, so he issued revised orders to each regiment on the spot. Each regiment had a clear direction of attack, and
The attack began with a rapid march, so that the Soviet army could enter the battle within half an hour.
On Chekov's side, the tank bravely advanced towards the artillery fire, and the three people in the car sang the Soviet national anthem enthusiastically, as if they really died generously.
Why does Chekov want to die? He wouldn't really do that.
The BT tank continued to evade the German mortars with high maneuverability, but suddenly, the tank encountered a straight attack.
The driver suddenly woke up from his excitement: "Platoon commander, this is a combat anti-aircraft gun!"
Upon hearing this word, Chekov immediately woke up: "There is danger ahead! Turn quickly!"
Soon enough, when the tank suddenly turned, a 45mm high-explosive round coincidentally hit the barrel of the BT tank and exploded violently.
The vehicle body was hit by bullets and vibrated violently. Chekov's head hit the iron sheet violently, and his forehead bled immediately. He covered his wet head and asked with difficulty: "Tank! Can the tank still move?"
"It can actually move forward," the driver said in shock.
However, the gunner said pessimistically that the barrel was useless.
Chekov was a little sad. He originally wanted to repeat the success he had just achieved, break into the German position, conduct a zero-distance reconnaissance, kill some fascists and then escape unscathed.
"Okay, it's time to accept the order from the frontline command. Comrades, let's withdraw!"
The tank turned around with the intention of escaping. Unfortunately, the German army did not give this BT tank, which stole the show, a new chance.
The tank's turret, which had lost its barrel, was pointed towards the west, but the direction of travel was south. The gunner was still using the intact machine gun to enlarge the machine gun while retreating, but the low-profile No. 3 assault gun suddenly appeared, frightening him and almost collapsed.
.
Chekov also suddenly noticed the German army's killer weapon. Before he could react, the assault gun actually opened fire!
The shell did not directly hit the BT tank. It exploded near the end, and the shock wave directly shattered the tail of the tank. The engine was directly shattered, fuel flowed to the ground and ignited the mass and thick black smoke. The loads on both sides
Three sets of wheels were shattered, and the tracks were broken.
From the German perspective, the Soviet tanks were destroyed.
A German battalion commander proudly reported to Herzmann: "Reporting to the division commander, our No. 3 assault gun arrived in time and destroyed the enemy tank with only one shell."
Hertzman breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, just one tank brought a huge test to his city defense.
He responded solemnly: "Do your job well and welcome the main attack of the Russians. The most difficult battle will begin soon!"