Chapter 23 Fierce Battle with Brod (Part 1)

The fact is, as Lieutenant Colonel Petrov said, for the Soviet Southwest Front to which the 20th Tank Division currently belongs, the unstoppable German Army Group South, which is rampaging all the way as if entering no man's land, is already within easy reach.

In order to block this powerful German army group commanded by Marshal Rundstedt, which was rushing towards Kiev, a key town in the southern Soviet Union.

General Kilponos, who was the commander-in-chief of the Soviet Southwest Front at the time, mobilized troops and assembled the 9th Mechanized Army, commanded by Rokossovsky, a famous Soviet general recognized by later generations, as well as the 19th Mechanized Army and Many elite troops of the Soviet Southwest Front, including the 22nd Army, went to intercept, trying to stop this seemingly unstoppable German armored beast.

In response to the Soviet army launching a large-scale campaign-level battle, Marshal Rundstedt, who served as the commander-in-chief of the German Army Group South, also dispatched his ace unit-commanded by General Ehrwade von Kleist. The German 1st Panzer Group moved to meet them.

At present, the rising light of dawn has spread all over the grassland like golden wheat fields. The soldiers of the Soviet and German armies, who have already experienced extremely keen sense of smell in the smoke and fire of war, all understand that a cruel armored battle that consumes flesh, blood and life The great strangulation is coming.

He poked his head out of the field tent and glanced at the rising sun that had already appeared on the horizon. Lieutenant Colonel Petrov, who could almost smell the smell of gunpowder and blood in the air, turned around and returned to the division headquarters tent.

"I just received a telegram from the military headquarters. Comrade Peter Rokossovsky ordered our division to immediately launch an attack on the German troops facing the enemy in half an hour as originally planned. We must get there before the Germans attack us. Seize the opportunity.”

Not surprised by what Division Commander Chernyev conveyed, Lieutenant Colonel Petrov, who had just inspected the preparations of the offensive troops, spoke immediately.

"The troops are almost ready. The first batch of tanks and infantry to go into the attack are already in place. The artillery is doing the final steps of deploying positions and can launch artillery attacks according to the scheduled schedule."

"But there is one thing, Comrade Division Commander. In addition to our division, I would like to know how prepared the other friendly forces of our 9th Army are. There are also several other armies, and what is their situation."

After hearing Petrov's question, Chernyaev, who had never thought of hiding his old partner, immediately blurted out.

"As for our 9th Army, the 131st Motorized Infantry Division and the 35th Tank Division are already in position to attack on our right and center, and our 20th Tank Division will take on the task of attacking on the left."

"As for the other armies"

After hesitating to speak and smacking his lips, Chernyaev was a little undecided. Chernyayev, who knew little about the deployment of friendly forces at the first level of several other corps, finally had to give a vague answer.

"A total of five mechanized corps, including our Ninth Army, are gathered on the front from Lutsk to Brod. The mission of our Ninth Army is to attack and capture the town of Brod occupied by the Germans. "Several other friendly forces will operate in other adjacent positions and fronts to attack the Germans alongside our Ninth Army."

After saying that, he walked forward slowly with steady steps, knowing full well that his old friend, who had experienced nine deaths before finally surviving the great purge, had experienced terrible things, and they were already old partners. Ernyayev then patted Commissar Petrov's shoulder and spoke in a gentle tone.

"I know what you are worried about, Peter. But don't worry. In this battle, our Southwest Front mobilized five mechanized corps and more than 2,000 tanks to deal with the Germans. Although we temporarily lost the sky in our hands, But with such a huge force and the tenacity and indomitable will of our Red Army soldiers, I believe we can completely defeat this group of Germans.”

Regarding the comforting answer from Chernyaev's mouth, Petrov, who had always felt a little uneasy in his heart, could only say that he felt better than nothing.

"Hey, although I know I shouldn't say such things as a political commissar, what I'm really worried about is whether these new officers who were promoted quickly after the Great Purge can shoulder the responsibilities of their corresponding positions."

"You and I are both old guys who have been working together since the establishment of the Red Army. Chernyaev, I think you should know better than me how those new officers who are too young will give this kind of front army a chance." What a huge impact a large-scale battle has.”

The tone of his soft words sounded as heavy as a mountain to Chernyaev who was standing aside. Because of his special status as a political commissar, he used shady means to flatter those who relied on flattery, and rode like a rocket along the way. Some of the young new officers who had been promoted vertically understood this. Lieutenant Colonel Petrov, who had sworn allegiance to the party, could not help but be worried about the success or failure of the entire campaign.

"Frankly speaking, Comrade Division Commander. I really hope that the new young officers in our Red Army can be as wise and courageous as Captain Malashenko. When I see the young Malashenko, I seem to be able to see the youthful spirit." Own."

"While swearing allegiance to the motherland and eradicating all enemies, they can still have a little bit of cleverness that does not affect the overall situation. Such young officers are what our Red Army really needs right now, rather than those who simply rely on the ability to flatter others to seek superior positions. An incompetent person."

Seeing the solemn and solemn expression on his old partner's face, he couldn't help but shake his head. Commander Chernyaev, who was a little dumbfounded, immediately asked the political commissar Petrov a question.

"According to what you say, Peter, do you really have a crush on this young Captain Malashenko? Of course, I mean not the kind of gratitude you entrusted your little nephew to his hands, but I really appreciate him from the perspective of a division-level political commissar and the way of looking at him as a qualified soldier."

Listening to such convoluted words from Chernyaev's mouth, the understanding Lieutenant Colonel Petrov also smiled slightly.

"To tell you the truth, Comrade Commander, I really admire this Malashenko."

The 20th Tank Division prepares to attack the starting position, where the first company of the 1st Armored Regiment is located.

After continuous driving day and night, they finally arrived at the designated target location with the newly reinforced troops in the early hours of last night. The exhausted Malashenko and his crew members did not even have time to take a nap and rest, so they immediately arrived at the designated target location. Under the emergency order of the division headquarters, they once again devoted themselves to preparations for the attack.