Burning Moscow

In my limited memory of the Patriotic War of the Soviet Union, it seems that from the end of the Kursk battle, the Soviet army has been on all the battlefields, and then went straight to Berlin. But now it has been more than ten days since Kiev was liberated. The Germans around our defense zone showed no signs of retreat. On the contrary, they beat the 38th and 60th Army to the ground.

Yesterday, when the German 7th Armored Division launched an offensive against the defense area of ​​the 67th Guards Division, although I did a lot of preparations, I strengthened the artillery and tank brigade of the Baksov Division. According to my imagination, even if they can't severely inflict heavy snowfall on the German troops, they can at least tie the opponent.

But unexpectedly, after our first attack was repelled by us, the German army adjusted its deployment in time. After suppressing our artillery with long-range artillery fire, the infantry, under the cover of tanks, once again launched a rush to our forward positions. .

More than two dozen tiger tanks and leopard tanks deployed in formation and rushed to our army's defensive positions. The fast-moving tracks made deep ruts on the vast white snow. The 20th Guards Brigade, which was deployed at the front, although only had more than 30 T-34 tanks left, faced the menacing German tanks and bravely greeted them.

It is a pity that the next battle turned into a one-sided slaughter. The 76mm tank gun equipped on the T-34 tank could not penetrate the 102mm frontal armor of the Tiger tank at all; the inclined armor of the Panther tank was also the target of the mission. Most of the shells turned into ricochets.

Although the T-34 tank is helpless against the German Tiger and Panther tanks, the 88 mm tank gun of the German Tiger tank and the 75 mm tank gun of the Panther tank can be at a distance of 1000 meters and 500 meters, respectively. Easily penetrate the frontal armor of the t-34 tank.

With the muffled sound of the German tank guns, the tanks of the 20th Guards Tank Brigade were destroyed one by one on the snow by the German tanks. The turrets of several tanks were thrown into the sky by sabotaged ammunition, and then hit the ground heavily, causing some casualties to nearby infantry commanders.

With their powerful armored assault capabilities, the Germans opened a two-kilometer gap in the forward position of the 67th Guards Division. Just as the enemy was rushing down the city of Zhytomyr along the breach, the division commander Baksov arrived in time with a regiment. He first ordered the anti-tank fighters to use 40 rocket launchers to kill the tanks that were in range, and then commanded the troops towards The German infantry, who had lost the cover of the tank, launched an assault, closing the gap opened by the Germans again.

When it was dark, I was in the command post and received a call from Baksov who had just recovered the position. He said emotionally: "Comrade Commander, I thought that our troops rely on fortifications and are covered by artillery and tanks. Even if the German 7th Armored Division is strong, it can easily block them. But with them As soon as the actual exchange of fire, I discovered that this unit is very different from the units we have been in contact with before. Their combat effectiveness is too strong. In just a few hours of fighting, I lost almost a regiment of troops. If this kind of attack comes two more times, our division should withdraw to the back to make repairs."

I didn't talk too much nonsense with him, but simply ordered him: "General Baksov, hurry up and repair the fortifications. If there are no strong fortifications on the plain, then only the German armored forces will end up."

After putting down the phone, I directly instructed Akhromeyev: "Major, call General Bere, commander of the tank army, here."

As soon as I put down the phone, Vatutin's call came in. He asked me bluntly: "Comrade Oshanina, the current situation in the direction of Fastiv is very bad. According to our latest reconnaissance information, the German Armored 48th Corps has been stationed. If they attack Kiev with all their strength, It may be difficult for me to defend Kiev."

When I heard that two days ago, I was very confident, saying that there is no problem with defending Kiev, Vatutin, and using such a tactful words to say the grim situation facing Kiev, I have a hint of premonition in my heart: the difficulty is the plan. Let us launch an offensive from the rear of the German army and contain the power of the 48th Panzer Corps in order to buy more time for the troops of Kiev to deploy?

As soon as this idea came up, I immediately rejected it, because I thought Vatutin should be very clear that Zhitomir was threatened from three directions from north, west, and south, and there was no power at all from Fastiv’s The German army launched an offensive from the rear. I hesitated for a moment and asked tentatively: "Comrade General, I don't know if you call me, do you have any important instructions?"

"This, I can't talk about instructions, I just want to discuss it with you." Vatutin said hesitantly: "If your Sixth Guards Army can launch an assault from the enemy's flank, you may be able to contain Faz. A part of the German army in the Tief area relieved some pressure on the 38th and 60th Army that were sticking to the southwest of Kiev."

"Comrade General, if it is your order, then I will obey; if it's just negotiation, I'm sorry, I think I can only reject your proposal." In order to avoid causing Vatutin's unhappiness, I also specifically explained to him: " Fastiv’s 48th Panzer Corps threatened not only Kiev, but also Koroslav. And today, the German 7th Panzer Division in Volensky’s New City also braved the heavy snow to the 67th Guards Division. The defense zone launched an offensive, although after a fierce battle, the enemy’s offensive was smashed by our brave commanders. But judging from their strong combat effectiveness, I think we can only hold on for a week in Zhitomir at most. time."

"Comrade Oshaninna, this can't do it." Vatutin listened to me and said a little unwillingly: "If the other three armored divisions of the German army are united with the 48th Panzer Corps of Fastiv. At this point, if we jointly invade Kiev, it will be very difficult for me to defend this city. Therefore, I order you to hold on to Zhytomyr at all costs and block German troops from three directions. The longer the better."

"Don't worry, Comrade General." I heard that he no longer asked us to send troops to harass the German flank of Fastiv, and said smoothly: "I will pass your words to our commanders and fighters so that they can defend. Kiev fought bravely, even if there was only one soldier left, it would never give up the position easily."

Beley, who received my order, hurriedly rushed to the command post from Korostlev in a jeep braving the wind and snow. As soon as he saw me, he raised his hand to salute, he couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade Commander, would you like to ask me to come to the headquarters, do you have any important tasks to explain?"

"Comrade General, I would like to ask, many of the original tank brigades have been replaced with new tanks, but why is there not even one in the 20th Guards Tank Brigade?" Thinking of those new tanks that surpassed this era, The battlefield is full of tiger-like panther-like characters, but now it’s rare to see it. I feel particularly uncomfortable in my heart, so my tone of voice is also very strong: "If there are several such new tanks in the brigade, then In today's tank battle, the battle will not become a one-sided trend, and they will not be wiped out by the German Tiger and Panther tanks."

Hearing what I said, the muscles on Biele’s face twitched violently. After a while, he replied: "Comrade Commander, you don’t know anything. Although the new tanks have been installed in the army for a while, but later Because of the serious shortage of repair parts and supporting ammunition, it was gradually replaced by the original T-34 tank."

"Replaced by the t-34? So, where did the new tanks that were replaced?" I heard Bie Lei say that, and I couldn't help but stunned, but then asked: "It won't all come back, right? ?"

"Return to the furnace?! How could it be possible." Bie Lei said with a wry smile: "Although two production lines have been opened to produce supporting ammunition for new tanks, the demand for troops is always in short supply. Just in the second half of last month, it is said that A member of the Supreme Command suggested that we should concentrate our efforts on the production of T-34 tanks and supporting ammunition. Even if the performance of the tank is not as good as that of the German Tiger Panther tank, it can be compensated by the advantage in quantity."

"Who said this?" Bezikov, who had seen the power of the new tanks, asked Berei as soon as he finished speaking, "Doing so does not mean that our tanks will become German tigers as soon as they are on the battlefield. The target of a panther tank."

"I don't know exactly who said it." In response to Bezikov's questioning, Bely said vaguely: "Anyway, my source is reliable. This matter can't be faked."

Seeing Bezikov's expression that he wanted to continue to inquire, I quickly raised my hand to stop him: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, don't ask any more, maybe General Don Lei has troubles, so don't embarrass him anymore. "After finishing speaking, I looked at Beley and asked, "General Beley, do you have any way to deal with the German Tiger and Panther tanks?"

Don’t think for a while, and then said, “Comrade Commander, this is not easy. Even if our tanks are within 400 meters, they can’t destroy enemy Tiger and Panther tanks, but they can easily destroy us. The tanks exploded one after another. Also, the 40 rocket launchers carried by the infantry were very difficult to use against enemy tanks alone. They had to wait for the enemy tanks to enter the range of 200 meters before firing. Destroy the tank."

After Biele talked about the difficulties he was facing now, the commanders in the room were silent. After a while, Kistyakov bit his posterior teeth and said: "Damn German, knowing that our fighters cannot be dispatched in such a snowy weather, so they attacked us in the snow."

After he finished complaining, he turned his head and looked at me and said, "Comrade Commander, I know you are resourceful, and you must have thought of a way to deal with enemy tanks."

Although I have been thinking about ways to deal with German tanks, I can't think of a better way in a hurry. Seeing that everyone’s eyes are on me at this moment, when I make up my mind, I can only change some of the common old methods I know and say after changing my face: "General Bie Lei, send engineers immediately after you go back. Bury explosives and anti-tank mines on the path of enemy tanks. In order to prevent mines from being picked up by enemy engineers, at a distance of two hundred meters from the minefield, you should also lay snipers and anti-tank mines in ambush."

"Snipers and anti-tank fighters?" Bie Lei looked at me in surprise, and asked puzzledly: "Why do you want to arrange this?"

"It's very simple. Snipers are designed to deal with engineers who want to clear mines. As for anti-tank fighters, they are to solve tanks at close range and prevent them from causing damage to snipers." After I said this, I thought of snipers. He and the anti-tank fighters were both in the infantry company, and quickly added: "These personnel can be dispatched from Tavart Kiradze in Zhytomyr after you go back."

"I understand, Comrade Commander." After Bie Lei said this, he straightened his body and asked me: "Allow me now? I want to go back now to set up minefields to deal with German tanks."

"General Bie Lei." Seeing that Bie Lei was about to leave, I quickly added: "In addition to anti-tank mines and anti-tank fighters, we must also consider how to use our tanks reasonably. Do you understand?"

"Understood." Bie Lei finished his answer, raised his hand to salute us, and then turned and walked out of the headquarters.

After Bere left, I walked to the map hung on the wall, stared at it for a while, then turned and waved to Kistyakov and Bezikov, motioning for them to come to me. When the two came to me, I picked up the explanation stick and pointed at the map and said to them: "Look, if the intelligence from the front army headquarters is accurate, the 48th Panzer Corps is now stationed in Fastif. What is the combat effectiveness of this army, I think I just don’t say it, everyone is very clear in their hearts. They defeated General Konev’s army not long ago and drove them across the Dnieper River, bringing us to Cherka. Se was exposed to the German army ~www.wuxiaspot.com~Comrade Commander, what are you worried about?" Bezikov asked cautiously, taking advantage of my pause.

I used the explanation stick to focus on Fastiv: "Chief of Staff, I am most worried about this. If the Germans want to recapture Kiev, they must first take the Zhytomyr we occupy. In other words, In the next battle, what we will face is not just the German offensive from the north, west, and south. The 48th Panzer Corps in the southeast may also deploy a part of its forces to attack us from the east. In this way, our entire Sixth Guards Army will be encircled by the Germans."

"What, trapped by the German army?" Bezikov was taken aback when he heard me say this. He took a step forward, gestured on the map with his hand, and said to himself: "If If the German army really launches an offensive from the east, then the contact between us and Kiev will be completely interrupted and we will become a lone army surrounded."

"Comrade Commander." After Bezikov finished speaking, Kistyakov also expressed his own views: "Our group now has 50,000 or 60,000 people, so many soldiers and horses consume ammunition and All kinds of military supplies, but an astronomical number. If the German army cuts off the connection between us and Kiev, then it will not be long before our troops will be on the brink of extinction because they run out of ammunition and food." (~^~)