Chapter 935:

  Chapter 935

  As soon as the German bombing ended, the infantry, under the cover of tanks, simultaneously attacked the positions of the three guard regiments.

  Facing the ferocious German offensive, the Soviet army put up tenacious resistance. However, due to the disparity in the strength and equipment of the two sides, and the fact that the German army had already figured out the firepower configuration and distribution of the Soviet army. After fierce fighting, the commanders and fighters of the three regiments successively abandoned their first-line positions and withdrew to the second line of defense along the traffic trenches, intending to continue to resist the German attack.

  The news that the German army occupied the first line of defense soon spread to the division headquarters on Mamayev Gang. After seeing the battle reports of the three regiments calmly, Sokov looked at Sidolin and asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, although the forward positions of the three regiments have been captured by the Germans, have you noticed that, Pap Lieutenant Colonel Cenko's 122nd Regiment was the one that lasted the longest."

   "That's right," Sidolin immediately agreed with Sokov's statement: "Master, I have also discovered the problem you mentioned."

   "How do you feel?"

Sidolin thought for a while and replied: "According to the battle report, the German army attacked the positions of the three regiments with roughly the same strength and equipment. The 122nd regiment of Lieutenant Colonel Papchenko was the only one not equipped with rocket launchers. It stands to reason that they should be the first to be broken through by the enemy. But the actual situation is just the opposite, and they persisted until the end, which makes me very puzzled."

"Yes, I think so too." Ivanov echoed: "We all know that the bazooka is a very effective weapon against German tanks. But due to the limited number, the 122nd regiment is not equipped with this weapon ,It is a miracle that they lasted that long without anti-tank weapons."

"Actually, it's not a miracle." Sokov waved his hands and said, "The bazooka is indeed an anti-tank weapon, but its shortcoming is that the range is too short. The reason why the 122nd Regiment was able to persist for such a long time is entirely because they are equipped with Self-propelled artillery, the cannon mounted on the tank chassis, can not only fire high-explosive grenades, but also fire armor-piercing projectiles to deal with German tanks."

   After Sokov reminded, both Sidolin and Ivanov remembered that the first tank battalion commanded by Bely himself was in the position of the 122nd regiment. They were indeed equipped with several self-propelled artillery.

   "Comrade Commander," since this kind of self-propelled artillery is a good thing, Ivanov naturally hopes that the troops will be equipped with more. He tentatively asked Sokov: "I wonder if the superior can provide us with more self-propelled artillery?"

"Comrade Deputy Commander." As soon as he finished speaking, Sidolin reminded him: "These self-propelled artillery equipped by the first tank battalion are all provided by the Red October factory. I am worried about their current situation. There are not enough raw materials to produce more self-propelled guns to equip our troops."

   "Then what should I do?" Ivanov showed a disappointed expression on his face: "Where are the factories that can produce self-propelled artillery?"

"Comrade Deputy Division Commander." Sokov just knew the answer to the question Ivanov asked, so he popularized science to him: "The main tank factories in our country are the Kirov factory in Leningrad and the Kharkov factory. Factory. When Leningrad was about to be besieged by the German army, the Supreme Command decided to transfer the Kirov factory to the rear as a whole, and moved it to Chelyabinsk in the Urals.

  With sufficient organization and mobilization, the Kirov factory only took 2 months, and the relocation was basically completed in early October. Fifteen thousand employees and 8,000 family members came to work in the new factory in Chelyabinsk. This new factory was named the Chelyabinsk Kirov Factory, also known as the "Tank City", which mainly produced KV-1 heavy tanks. Since 1942, the production line of T-34 tanks has been added.

  Before I left Moscow, I heard that this factory had added several self-propelled artillery production lines. It is believed that with the technical level and production capacity of the factory, it will not be long before a large number of self-propelled artillery can be produced to equip our troops. "

"Chelyabinsk is not close to here." Ivanov waited for Sokov to finish speaking, sighed and said: "Even if they produce it now, it will be transported to the left bank by railway, and then drive from the left bank. It will take at least a week. I am worried that our troops will not last that long."

"Comrade deputy commander, you are too pessimistic." Sokov said with a smile: "Don't look at the enemy is so rampant now, but their strength is almost exhausted. As long as we persist for a few days, their destruction is just around the corner gone."

  When the situation is unfavorable to one's own side, the commander's attitude will directly affect the commanders and fighters below. Although the three regiments had lost their forward positions, the staff officers in the command headquarters, seeing Sokov's calm face, felt that he must have a well-thought-out plan in mind to repel the enemies who occupied the positions, and their hearts suddenly A lot more practical.

  Sokov knew very well in his heart that to smash the German attack on the second line of defense, he must get the support of the artillery on the left bank, and use their powerful artillery fire to block the German attack. At this moment, the headquarters must be contacted immediately to get the artillery ready to fire.

After dialing the number of the Army Group Command, Sokov heard that the person who answered the phone was Krylov, and said bluntly: "Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff, I am Sokov. The Germans have occupied our division. They are likely to continue to attack the second position, and I ask the artillery on the left bank to conduct blocking fire on the attacking enemy."

Since Sokov reported to both Chuikov and Krylov in advance, if necessary, he may abandon the first position, put the enemy in the depth of defense, rely on long-range artillery fire and relying on fortifications, and cause major damage to the German army. . So when he received Sokov's call, Krylov said without saying a word, "I'll call the artillery immediately and let them establish contact with you."

   After saying this, Chuikov's voice came from the receiver: "Colonel Sokov, do you think you can hold the second line of defense?"

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Sokov said confidently: "Don't look at the enemy occupying our forward position, but it's just a daydream if they want to capture the second position. We have made all preparations, as long as If the enemy dares to come, we will definitely beat them to death."

   "Confidence is a good thing, but you can't underestimate the enemy." Although Sokov showed extra confidence, Chuikov still warned: "If you need anything, call me immediately. Do you understand?"

   "Understood." With Chuikov's words, Sokov was more confident in holding his position. "Comrade Commander, I assure you that we will never let the Germans pass through the second line of defense."

   Sidolin and Ivanov, who were standing beside Sokov, couldn't help showing worried expressions when they heard that he assured Chuikov in such a confident tone. As soon as Sokov put down the phone, Sidolin said anxiously: "Comrade commander, if the German army launches another fierce attack, I am worried that our troops will not be able to hold the second line of defense."

   "What's the matter with you, Comrade Chief of Staff?" Regarding Sidolin's concerns, Sokov said in a bit of astonishment: "Don't you have confidence in our soldiers?"

   "How can that be, Comrade Commander." Sidolin said shyly, "I'm just worried that an accident might happen."

"Our troops have built solid fortifications on the second line of defense. There are minefields and barbed wire fences in front of the fortifications. It was not an easy task for the Germans to approach our army's positions smoothly." Soko The husband said calmly: "Don't say that we can get support from the artillery fire from the left bank. Even if there is no artillery support, it is not difficult to hold the position."

  Seeing that Sokov was so confident, Sidolin originally wanted to refute a few words, but after thinking about it, it seemed that he had never missed what the teacher said. Since he said he could hold the second line of defense, he must be able to hold it. Thinking of this, Sidolin shut his mouth obediently, and stopped discussing with Sokov whether the second line of defense could be held.

Sidolin did not speak, but Ivanov felt that as the deputy division commander, it was necessary to remind Sokov a few words to prevent him from underestimating the enemy and causing irreparable consequences: "Mr. Yevgang mobilized its forces to strengthen the third line of defense..."

"Drawing forces from Mamayev Post?" Before Ivanov could finish speaking, Sokov interrupted him: "Now there are only more than 300 soldiers in the tunnels of the northern and southern posts. They are all wounded. Can't you let the wounded take up weapons and fight the enemy?"

"Comrade Commander," Ivanov said eloquently, "I think the lightly wounded should be armed as soon as possible, and be prepared to let the mother go into battle at any time. After all, the enemy's attack today is more than one of us." It's the worst I've seen in months. It's not that I don't trust our fighters, it's just that I'm planning for the worst."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, get in touch with the artillery on the left bank immediately." Sokov didn't want to have unnecessary arguments with Ivanov, so he told Sidolin: "Once the German army launches an attack on our second line of defense, then we will Let the artillery carry out artillery interception and destroy as many of the enemy's vital forces as possible."

  ...

After the German army occupied the forward position of the Soviet army, Lensky, the commander of the 24th Armored Division, couldn't help but be overjoyed. He called Paulus himself and said triumphantly: "Report to Your Excellency, my troops have recaptured the land lost by the Russians." Occupied positions."

"Well done, General Lensky." Paulus said happily after listening to the report, "Let the troops rest for a while, and attack the Russian second line of defense again. It must be done in the shortest possible time. Take their positions. This will make it possible for our troops to advance to the foot of Mamayev Kurgan before dark."

  Although the 24th Armored Division paid a high price when capturing the first line of defense of the Soviet Army, losing nine tanks and more than two hundred soldiers. But Lenski felt the price was worth it as long as he could win the ground. According to his thinking, the Soviet army that had just retreated to the second line of defense must be in a state of confusion at the moment. Maybe they saw their tanks rushing up, and those Soviet troops hiding in the trenches would immediately flee.

   After Lensky gave the troops an offensive order, he even made his chief of staff ready to report to Paulus at any time that he had successfully captured the second line of defense. Unexpectedly, before the attacking troops approached the Soviet position, they were hit by intensive artillery fire from the left bank of the Volga River.

  Seeing one tank after another being destroyed by artillery fire, burning like torches on the battlefield one after another, his heart was bleeding. This is the only remaining capital of the 24th Armored Division. As a result, under the intensive artillery fire of the Soviet army, it was torn to pieces like a toy.

The head of the tank regiment immediately gave Lensky an idea: "Your Excellency, the reason why we successfully captured the Russians' first line of defense was entirely because of the support of the air force. Their bombing destroyed a large number of Russians. Fortifications. Why don’t you ask Your Excellency Commander to ask the Air Force to help us bomb the Russian positions again.”

  The suggestion of the head of the regiment made Lensky's eyes light up, and he quickly ordered the communications soldier, "Put me through the phone number of the headquarters immediately. I want to talk to the Commander in person."

After the call was connected, Lensky said respectfully: "Your Excellency, my troops were attacked by artillery fire from the left bank of the Volga River when they attacked the Russian second line of defense. Now the officers and soldiers have suffered heavy casualties. Therefore, we I implore you, send out the air force and carry out intensive bombardment of the Russian positions and the artillery positions on the left bank."

   Lensky originally thought that as soon as his request was made, Paulus would immediately agree. Unexpectedly, after the other party was silent for a long time, he said leisurely: "There is no air force. At least for a few days, we will not receive any support from the air force."

   Paulus' words startled Lensky, and he quickly asked: "Your Excellency, what happened? Why can't we get support from the Air Force? Could something have happened?"

"You guessed right, General Lensky." Paulus said weakly: "I just received a call from Marshal Manstein, who said that due to the tenacious rent from the Russians and the fact that the two wings discovered the Russian It is a sign of the movement of the National People's Army. In order to avoid being surrounded like us, they intend to stop their offensive and withdraw to their original starting positions. When they retreat, the air force will provide them with the necessary air cover."

   "Damn, Your Excellency Commander." Hearing Paulus say this, Lensky became anxious immediately: "Without the support of the air force, our tanks alone cannot destroy the fortifications on the Russian positions."

"I'm sorry, General Lensky." Paulus said helplessly, "It's true that I can't get the air force to provide you with air support, but I can get the artillery to attack the Russian second line of defense intensively to destroy the position." to those strong fortifications."

  (end of this chapter)