The decisive battle against the Third Reich

At first, other German soldiers were very puzzled when they saw the "rat-catching special operations team" running around in the wheat fields. Many people were curiously asking the same question: "What are they doing?"

However, when they smelled the aroma of roasted voles in the air, they suddenly understood. Especially after trying the food, they could no longer hold back. They formed "action teams" in groups of three and five.

Although the German army was well-trained, this still set a record for the 21st Armored Division in the history of the most consciously formed combat team and the most heroic battle.

There is entertainment, vegetables, and crispy field mouse meat. There is really nothing to ask for in such a battlefield day.

But such days soon became memories for German soldiers.

That night, Eberhard looked to the north while chewing vole meat, and then said: "Brothers, I don't know if you have noticed that the northern defense line is much quieter!"

The baker turned sideways and listened, then nodded and replied: "Yes, the Soviets cannot continue to fight like this!"

"Or, it can also be said that they are ready in Stalingrad!" Dominic expressed a different opinion.

But Qin Chuan thought the baker was right.

On the one hand, this is because the Stalingrad Front's offensive regardless of casualties consumes a lot of troops.

According to statistics, the total strength of the four armies used by Zhukov amounted to 250,000 people. During the seven-day offensive, one-third of the strength was lost, which was an average of more than 10,000 casualties per day.

The four armies had a total of 400 tanks, 300 of which were destroyed, and dozens of tanks that could not be started again due to malfunction or fighting, so the tanks were almost exhausted.

Under such casualties and losses, even the Soviet Union, which had a large number of troops, could not afford it and could only end such a battle.

On the other hand, if Stalingrad was prepared... no preparation would lead to a "good" day.

"This is a good thing, isn't it?" Eberhard said: "We can finally escape from the northern defense line!"

"Why is this a good thing?" Qin Chuan asked.

The soldiers understood what Qinchuan meant. The German army could escape from the northern defense line, which meant that the attack on Stalingrad was about to begin.

Sure enough, in the early morning of the next day, the German 14th Armored Group was transferred to the direction of Stalingrad... Paulus's 6th Army only had such an armored group, so it was needed for both the northern defense line and the attack on Stalingrad. , this force can only be mobilized back and forth during the battle.

It can be seen that the German troops of the 14th Armored Group are generally optimistic about attacking Stalingrad.

When the 14th Armored Group passed the state farm, many soldiers stood on the tanks and cheered at the soldiers of the 21st Armored Division:

"Well done, 21st Armored Division."

"Well done, 1st Infantry Regiment!"

…

Of course Qin Chuan and others knew that they were referring to the First Infantry Division breaking into Stalingrad and burning down the factory... There was no need to worry about a record like this not spreading, because the German commanders needed to use these examples to teach other troops. role model to inspire them to fight bravely.

But what was somewhat unexpected was that Major General Wittelsheim, commander of the 14th Armored Group, specifically stayed to visit all the officers and soldiers of the 1st Infantry Regiment when he passed by.

"You bought us time!" Major General Wittelsheim held the hands of Colonel Slain and Qin Chuan and said: "As you can imagine, everything you did to defend Stalingrad was a disaster. Now, we will start from The northern defense line is free, then Stalingrad is next!”

Major General Wittelsheim's expression and tone made it seem as if Stalingrad was within easy reach.

But Qin Chuan doesn't think so.

This is not only because he knows how difficult the Battle of Stalingrad was in history, but also because he knows that Chuikov should take over Stalingrad at this time.

But Chuikov... is not that easy to deal with.

In fact, the reason why the Soviet army was able to win the Battle of Stalingrad was not only Zhukov's command in the general strategic direction, but more importantly, Chuikov's command in Stalingrad.

Qinchuan's guess was correct. As the offensive on the northern front weakened, Chuikov also realized that there was not much time left for him to prepare, so he reorganized the 62nd Army almost day and night.

Chuikov was one of the "troika" of the Soviet Union. The so-called "Troika" basically means the three famous generals.

As a famous general, Chuikov realized immediately that the most serious problem in Stalingrad was morale.

This may be caused by Lieutenant General Lopatin, or it may be caused by the repeated failures of the 62nd Army... But no matter what, as a group army commander, Lopatin has no confidence in sticking to Stalingrad. It is definitely indispensable at one point.

But Chuikov knew that there would be no benefit in pursuing responsibility at this time. What was in front of him was such a mess: insufficient equipment, insufficient troops, insufficient supplies, and panic. From top to bottom, from the army to the people, everyone seemed to be waiting for the German attack. Then they retreated to the east bank of the Volga River with a symbolic defense.

On his way to take office, Chuikov even heard some soldiers say something like this: "What's the point of defending Stalingrad? The tractor factory and artillery factory were burned down by the Germans. We should retreat to the east bank of the Volga River to defend. That way It would be much easier! The Germans would not be able to break through the Volga River defenses!”

Therefore, the first thing Chuikov did after taking office was not to inspect the frontline defenses, nor to deploy and adjust the frontline troops, but to do the ideological work of the 62nd Army.

"If they have already admitted defeat in their hearts!" Chuikov said to his deputy Krylov: "Then it will not help even if they have guns in their hands. All they can do is raise their hands towards the Germans and hand the guns to the enemy! "

So Chuikov immediately gave a speech on the radio... At this time, it was impossible to gather the soldiers together to give a speech. It was obviously very dangerous to do so.

"I am Chuikov, commander of the 62nd Army!" Chuikov said straight to the point: "I am in Stalingrad right now, among you. I just want to tell you one thing, Stalingrad is our last line of defense. In order to protect her, we Never take a step back, including me. I repeat, no one can evacuate from Stalingrad. I flew here from Moscow to die with you!"

The speech was short and rude, without fancy language or rhetoric, but it was sonorous and powerful.

At that moment, all the Soviet soldiers and even the people were shocked by these words.