Chapter 100 Bloody Smolensk (1)

While time was passing quickly on the Soviet side for the smooth launch of the campaign and the formation of the new Army Group, the German Army Group Center, unwilling to be left alone, took the lead in launching the Stalinist Army Group in line with the principle of blitzkrieg warfare at the highest possible speed under the clouds of war. Prologue to the Battle of Molensk.

On July 14, the Waffen-SS "Reich" Armored Division affiliated with the 2nd Armored Group of German Army Group Center and the 46th Armored Corps jointly attacked the important town of Gorki, opening an offensive path for the arrival of the large forces of Army Group Center from behind.

On July 15, the German 46th Armored Corps occupied and controlled Sverrofezi, the 29th Motorized Infantry Division captured the southern suburbs of Smolensk, the 18th Armored Division occupied the northern area of ​​Krasny, and the 17th Armored Division attacked Eastern and southern regions of Lower Orsha.

The 29th Division of the German 47th Motorized Corps, which has the most aggressive offensive, has captured the old city of Smolensk. The surviving Soviet troops in the city are surrounded on three sides and the situation is critical. The fall of Smolensk is only a matter of time.

On July 16, the Soviet Western Front, realizing that the war situation on the front was becoming more urgent, continued to increase its troops and increase its speed, and the transportation of materials from the direction of Moscow in the rear to Smolensk became more frequent.

On July 17, the well-prepared Soviet 21st Army took the lead in launching a counterattack against the German enemy in front of them. However, it was defeated by the enemy's powerful armored forces and more than 600 fighter aircraft air support, and was forced to switch to strategic defense.

On the same day, Rokossovsky, who received the order from Moscow to form a new group army, led his headquarters to the city of Yartevo. The scattered retreating troops collected along the way plus several new fully-formed divisions that were about to be put in place in the rear reserves were , Rokossovsky’s 16th Army will be completed in the next few days.

At the same time, Malashenko, who received a transfer order, also boarded the train heading for Smolensk and led his crew on a journey to report on the Western Front.

On July 18, the German 17th Armored Division captured the city south of Smolensk and successfully withstood the Soviet troops counterattacking from the north and drove them back to the city.

On the same day, Major Malashenko, who arrived by train in the city of Yartevo, where the Soviet 16th Army Headquarters was located, formally received orders from Rokossovsky and was ordered to form the 16th Army Command directly under the command of the 16th Army Headquarters. 1 heavy tank breakthrough battalion mission.

On July 20, the German 46th Armored Corps captured the city of Yelnya, 70 kilometers east of Smolensk, thus building a protrusion facing Moscow.

At this point, the Soviet army group that had gathered in the direction of Smolensk to participate in the battle was now only a stone's throw away from defeat.

At this point in the war, the newly formed Soviet Western Front under Marshal Timoshenko has killed more than 300,000 people and injured more than 80,000 people, which is equivalent to a daily loss of more than 20,000 combat troops.

Comrade Stalin was furious when he learned in the rear area of ​​Moscow that the German army had captured the city of Yelnya and established a salient in the direction of Moscow.

The furious Stalin quickly ordered Timoshenko to use the newly formed battle cluster to launch a counterattack against the German army within the next few days, and there could be no further delay!

In order to show support for Marshal Timoshenko's difficulties, Stalin, after much thought, finally removed a total of 17 divisions from the four Soviet army groups fighting in other directions to reinforce Timoshenko to strengthen the Western Front. Counterattack strength and show their determination to win the battle of Smolensk.

Time continued to advance with the German army's triumphant advance and the Soviet army's intensive deployment of troops. On July 22, the Soviet Western Front, which was fully prepared, was under the command of Marshal Timoshenko, commander of the new front army. The 24th, 28th, 29th, 30th and the 16th Army commanded by Rokossovsky, a total of five armies, launched a general attack on the German army.

In this super-large battle that was large enough to encompass the entire Soviet Western Front and the German Army Group Center, the 16th Army commanded by Rokossovsky attempted to attack the rear and flanks of the German Army Group at the beginning of the war. Outflank in an attempt to put pressure on the German flank defenses and create opportunities for our own frontal offensive.

As the direct command unit that Rokossovsky relied on most, the 1st Heavy Tank Breakthrough Battalion led by Malashenko was put into the hot spots on the front line where the battle was most intense not long after the war started.

"Major Malashenko, your mission is to assist the friendly infantry to tear apart the German frontal defense position and open a gap. The 142th highland occupied by the German army must be captured. There is no second possibility. Do you understand? "

Through the brand-new commander's periscope with good vision in his hand, he could clearly see the hilltop less than one kilometer away. Malashenko, who realized that a war was about to break out, immediately Holding the radio communicator in his hand, he replied to Rokossovsky, who was still waiting.

"Our tracks will crush the positions of those Nazi invaders! Please wait for our news, Comrade Commander."

After saying this, he switched the communication channel to the communication channel of the tank battalion he led. After experiencing several brutal tank battles, Malashenko, who had developed a strong will, immediately used his calm voice. He ordered in a tone of voice.

"Comrades, the target is Hill 142, which is held by the Germans right in front of the 12 o'clock direction! Crush it, we have no second choice, Ula!"

"Ula!"

Loud shouts of high morale instantly spread throughout the communication channels of the entire heavy tank battalion along with each crew's response to Malashenko.

If there is anything that pleases Malashenko the most, who has just taken over the newly established heavy tank battalion, the result is undoubtedly that every battle tank under the battalion, including the T34 tank, is equipped with the latest factory 10R wireless communication radio for inter-vehicle communication.

With the help of these brand-new radio stations that have just been produced, Malashenko, who has been suffering from his "stand-alone" combat mode, can finally overcome the poor communication difficulties he encountered in previous battles and completely free himself from the part-time job of a gunner. The independent commander is responsible for commanding every battle.

Looking at the German anti-tank gun teams in the periscope field of view, they were lowering the muzzles of the anti-tank guns on the position and then turning their directions to slowly aim at their own side. Malashenko, who left the gunner's position for the first time, then gently put his arm over the gun breech and put it on the shoulders of the gunner who was ready.

"The wound has not completely healed, so don't push yourself too hard, Second Lieutenant Iushkin! Be careful with those Germans, let's go!"