Red Moscow

The chief of staff of the division hurriedly raised his binoculars and looked in the direction Lensky said. Just in time, I saw an object pulling white smoke, flying out of the crater, directly hitting a moving tank, blowing it into a fireball.

"Your Excellency, Division Commander, this is not a Russian anti-tank gun." The division chief put down his binoculars, turned to Lensky and said, "You can't see the trajectory of the shell, so I guess it is some kind of anti-tank weapon newly developed by the Russians. "

"Damn Russians." Lensky cursed angrily after hearing what his chief of staff said, and then asked: "Tell me, how should we deal with this new weapon of the Russians?"

"Your Excellency, Division Commander, I think our first task is to withdraw the attacking troops." The Division Chief of Staff suggested to Lensky: "It's not too late to start the offensive again after we figure out a way to deal with the Russians' new weapons. "

Lensky looked into the distance. Although his tanks were constantly being destroyed by the new Russian weapons, the infantry was only 300 meters away from the opponent's position. If they withdrew at such a time, the previous efforts would be in vain.

Seeing that Lensky was hesitating, the division chief of staff reminded him: "Your Excellency, due to the shortage of fuel and shells, we have concentrated the fuel and shells of the remaining tanks on these tanks. Lose it, and our division would have no usable tanks."

Can an armored division be called an armored division without tanks? The words of the division chief of staff made Lensky cautious. After weighing the pros and cons, he finally issued an order: "Let the attacking troops withdraw temporarily."

But when Lensky's retreat order reached every tank, five more tanks were destroyed by rocket launchers and stopped burning on the battlefield. The tank soldiers who escaped from the tank were killed by snipers from the Soviet position without running far. Perhaps in other units, using snipers to deal with the enemy's tank soldiers is a bit too extravagant, but in the Belkin Regiment, as long as the enemy can be eliminated, not to mention a few snipers, even using new rockets to attack. . Moreover, the tank soldiers are all professional arms. Every time a German tank soldier is killed, there will be one less person who can drive a tank. Even if the German army replenishes new tanks, no one can start it.

After the German offensive troops withdrew, the infantry did not suffer many casualties, but the tanks that opened the way ahead suffered heavy losses. Of the twenty tanks that were able to retreat, only six tanks were destroyed. In addition to being destroyed by the rocket launcher, two tanks broke down on the way to retreat. The tank soldiers were worried about being attacked by the Soviet bazooka, so they took the initiative to throw away the malfunctioning tank, and withdrew with the infantry.

The heads of the regiments summoned by Lensky all knew the news of the failure of the attack. At the beginning of the meeting, Baron Edelsheim first raised his own question: "Your Excellency, I don't understand why the attack on the Russians failed?" Even if they can't break through the defense of the Soviet army, they won't be beaten so badly.

Lensky glanced at him, and said with a wry smile: "Your Excellency, the Russians have a new type of anti-tank weapon that can destroy our tanks from a long distance. If we don't eliminate their weapon, we will even launch a new attack." Repeated attacks may not have any effect."

"A new type of anti-tank weapon?" Because the Soviet army has only used rocket launchers on a large scale in barricade factories so far. The 306th Infantry Division, which was beaten terribly by the Soviet rocket launchers, naturally would not talk about such embarrassing things everywhere, so that most of the German commanders have so far not known that the Soviet army has a new anti-tank weapon. Since Lenski didn't know, Baron Edelsheim was even more unclear, and he asked in a daze, "Mr. Commander, are the Russian anti-tank guns regarded as some kind by our soldiers?" New weapons."

"It's not an anti-tank gun." The chief of staff of the division stood up, shaking his head and said, "The Russians who use this kind of anti-tank weapon all hide in the bomb craters in front of the positions. When they see our tanks approaching, they stand up." Attack. According to my observation, the attack distance of this new weapon is about 100 meters."

"The purpose of calling you here today is to study a way to deal with this new type of anti-tank weapon of the Russians." Lensky added: "As long as this anti-tank weapon of theirs is eliminated, our division will Can continue to advance south and cut off the defenders of Mamayev Kurgan."

If Lensky hadn't mentioned Mamayev Gang, no one present would have thought of Sokov. Hearing Lensky's words at this moment, a head of the grenadier regiment immediately thought of this and asked quickly: "Master Commander, I would like to ask, which Russian unit is standing in front of us?"

The commander's words stopped Lensky. So far, he really doesn't know who his opponent is. He could only say vaguely: "According to the original reconnaissance information, the people who stick to this area should be the militiamen in the Red October factory."

After hearing this, the regiment leader sneered, and then said: "Your Excellency, do you think the improvised mob can stop the attack of our tanks? Since they can repel our attack so easily, I think Some of the elite troops of the Russians deployed in the positions."

"What, the elite troops of the Russians?!" The commander's words startled everyone present. Edelsheim stood up and said tremblingly, "It can't be Sokov's troops, right?"

Edelsheim's words caused everyone to fight a cold war. For them, Sokov's troops were a nightmare. Not only did they kill a regiment commander and battalion commander in their division at the beginning of the war. In the fighting in recent months, the troops have suffered heavy casualties. When the troops were transferred from the area where they fought against Sokov's troops, there were even officers and soldiers drinking to celebrate. Unexpectedly, after such a long time, he would have to fight Sokov's troops again, which Lenski could not tolerate.

Thinking of this, Lensky quickly ordered the chief of staff: "Chief of staff, immediately send scouts to conduct reconnaissance on the Russian positions in front of our division, and find out which Russian unit is holding on to this area?"

The chief of staff of the division was aware of the seriousness of the problem and did not dare to neglect it. He quickly got up and called the reconnaissance department in the division, asking them to immediately dispatch personnel to conduct reconnaissance on the frontal Russian defenders and find out the designation of that unit.

In order to stabilize the morale of the army, Lensky said with a strong face and a smile: "Everyone, don't be nervous. The Russians on the front line of our division are unlikely to be Sokov's troops."

Hearing what Lensky said, Edelsheim couldn't help asking curiously: "Master, why do you say that?"

"It's very simple." Lensky walked to the wall, pointed to a map hanging on the wall, and said to everyone: "As far as I know, Sokov's 41st Guards Division has four regiments. Today, Three of his regiments were used to attack my 71st and 76th Divisions on the front of Mamayev Hill, and had already occupied most of the area; while the other regiment was deployed at the Barricade Factory. It's confirmed, do you think Sokov can conjure up new troops?"

All the officers were afraid of the frontal defenders, fearing that it was really Sokov's army. Not only would their own attack not succeed, but they would lose troops and generals. However, after listening to Lensky's analysis, everyone felt that what their division commander said made sense. Sokov had only four regiments under him, and they were all deployed in important areas. Where would there be extra troops for their own frontal attack? defense. Maybe the front is the troops transferred by the Russians from other areas. As long as they find a way to deal with the new anti-tank weapons, they will be able to launch an attack again.

"Let's talk about it." After returning to his seat by the wall and sitting down, Lensky looked at a group of his subordinates and asked, "What method should we use to deal with the Russian anti-tank weapons?"

"Mr. Commander," Lensky had just finished speaking, the artillery commander stood up and asked cautiously: "May I express my opinion?"

"Yes." Lensky nodded at the other party, and made a gesture with his hand, signaling the other party to continue: "Tell me your thoughts and see if it will help the next attack."

"According to the description just now, the Russians hide their anti-tank weapons in the craters in front of the positions. We can completely bombard those craters with artillery fire." The artillery chief said excitedly: "Destroy these anti-tank weapons with artillery fire."

"No, Mr. Colonel, your method is not applicable." Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, the chief of staff of the division shook his head and made a rebuttal: "As far as I can see, this Russian anti-tank weapon is It is an individual weapon. If they are bombarded by our army, they may retreat to the trenches to hide. Moreover, our ammunition reserves are limited now. Once all the shells are fired, we will not be able to get artillery fire in the next battle support."

…………

While Lensky and his subordinates were discussing how to deal with the Belkin regiment, the telecommunications department of the Southwest Front heard frequent radio signals in the Gumrak area, which should be the headquarters of the German Army Group. This news was first reported to the Front Army. Vatutin felt that the matter was too big and dared not make decisions without authorization, so he reported it to Vasilevsky and the Supreme Command.

After Stalin learned that the German army headquarters might be in the Gumlak area, he immediately called Vasilevsky and asked him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, how likely do you think the German army headquarters is in the Gumlak area?" ?”

"Comrade Stalin," Vasilevsky replied respectfully: "Two days ago, our telecommunications monitoring department noticed that Gumrak had busy radio activity. Information came that the German headquarters might be located at Nizhny Chirskaya on the Nizhny Chir River, and all attention was directed in this direction."

Stalin glanced at the map spread out on the table, and said thoughtfully: "Comrade Vasilevsky, see if this is possible. The German headquarters has always been in the Gumrak area, and the next The radio waves that appeared in the Kirskaya area may be a bait for the enemy, just to make our army misjudge and choose the wrong direction of attack.”

After being reminded by Stalin, Vasilevsky felt that there was indeed such a possibility. From the analysis of the situation of the enemy and the enemy on the map, Rokossovsky's vanguard would be able to reach Nizhny Chirska in half a day at most. Ya. With the character of German officers who are greedy for life and fear of death, they would never set up their headquarters so close to the front. After thinking about this matter, Vasilevsky nodded and said in agreement: "You are right, Comrade Stalin. It is entirely possible that the enemy has set up a confusing formation for us, making us confused about the exact location of their headquarters. General Rokossovsky may have been duped."

Seeing that Vasilevsky agreed with his opinion, Stalin showed a satisfied smile on his face, he lit his pipe, put it in his mouth and asked: "So, my comrade chief of the general staff, what are you going to do? "

"Order all the troops participating in the counteroffensive to carry out a concentric attack on the Gumrak area." Vasilevsky stared closely at the location of the Gumrak area, and said through gritted teeth: "Since Paulus sent the commander If the Ministry is here, we will concentrate our efforts to take it here first, and see where he can go."

"Once our army occupies the Gumrak area," Stalin said, tapping twice on the map with his hand, "even if Paulus is not captured alive by us, he can only flee to the city. As long as he enters the city, Don't even try to get out of Stalingrad alive."

"I understand, Comrade Stalin." Vasilevsky replied respectfully: "I immediately issued an order to the troops of the three front armies to launch a concentric attack on the Gumrak area."

…………

At around two o'clock in the afternoon, the scouts of the German army reported the scouting situation to Lenski through the radio, and confirmed that the troops standing in the frontal position were the downsizing regiment under Sokov's command, but they did not know when they left the barricade The factory withdrew and quietly entered its now defensive position.

Knowing that the frontal defenders were the most elite retrenchment regiment under Sokov, the muscles on Lensky's face twitched violently. He knew very well in his heart that if he wanted to break through the defense line held by this army, he might not be able to wipe out all the remaining tanks. Since you can't attack, you can only choose to retreat.

But without the consent of Paulus, he retreated without permission. I am afraid that after jumping out of the Russian encirclement, he will be sent to a military court. Out of such considerations, Lenski was caught in a dilemma.

"Your Excellency, Division Commander," just as Lensky was at a loss what to do, the chief of staff of the division came over with a telegram and said to Lensky with a puzzled look on his face: "Just received a telegram from the Army Group Command, ordering us to stop at the horse camp. Operations in the direction of Mayev Konk, immediately diverted in the direction of Orlovka."

For Lensky, Paulus' order to retreat was a timely event. He didn't have time to figure out why the other party issued such an order, so he couldn't wait to order the chief of staff of the division: "Chief of staff, immediately issue an order to all the troops, let them hurry up and transfer to Orlovka."

The chief of staff of the division naturally understood Lensky's psychology very well, and it was also what he expected in his heart that he could no longer deal with Sokov's troops. Now that the division commander had given the order to retreat, he agreed unequivocally, turned around and called the heads of the regiments.