Chapter 1112 The Counterattack of the Tank Brigade

   Probably in order to eliminate the insecurity in the rear as soon as possible, the German infantry division immediately launched an attack on the defensive position of the 67th Guards Division after reaching the attack position. Seeing that the enemy launched a fierce attack, and his forward position was shrouded in flames and gunpowder smoke, Merkulov did not dare to take it lightly, and quickly ordered the 138th Artillery Regiment to block and shoot the attacking enemy.

   Then, not long after the Soviet artillery opened fire, the German bombers swarmed in. Like annoying flies, they swooped down from high altitude and bombarded the positions of the artillery regiment indiscriminately.

   After the bombing lasted for five minutes, all the artillery on the entire artillery position was dumb. The German tanks and infantry, which were intercepted by artillery fire, moved forward again.

"Comrade Commander," seeing that his artillery position was wiped out by the enemy's bombing, Merkulov hurriedly called Sokov for help: "My artillery is finished, please ask for artillery support, please ask for artillery support, otherwise Our position is in danger of being breached by the Germans."

  Sokov did not immediately promise to give him any assistance, but asked bluntly: "Friends on the left, have you entered the position yet?"

"No." Merkulov replied very simply: "I have set up an observation post in the south of the city. If any friendly troops arrive, I will know immediately. But unfortunately, one of us The reinforcements didn't see it."

   "Don't worry, General Merkulov, you are not fighting alone." In order to appease Merkulov, Sokov specially said to him: "I will send someone to provide support to you soon."

   "That's good." Merkulov felt a lot more at ease when he heard Sokov's assurance to himself. But before hanging up the phone, he pleaded with Sokov: "Comrade Commander, please act quickly, I'm afraid the troops won't last long."

   Seeing Sokov put down the phone, Witkov immediately asked him: "Comrade Commander, how do you plan to support the 67th Guards Division?"

"Once Donetsk is lost, our retreat will be cut off." Sokov said with a serious expression: "I will immediately call the commander of the front army and ask him to dispatch the air force to provide necessary supplies for the 67th Guards Division. air cover."

However, Vitkov was dubious about whether the Front Army Command would send air support: "Comrade Commander, as far as I know, the Air Force of the Front Army is facing a shortage of ammunition and fuel. Can they really come to support us in time? ?”

"If they don't come in time, it is estimated that Donetsk may fall." Sokov said to Witkov: "Once Donetsk falls, our retreat will be cut off, and we will be on the verge of losing it." It will be easily defeated by the enemy like the Sixth Army and Popov's rapid grouping. I believe the superiors can see this clearly, and they will never allow this to happen."

Sokov picked up the phone and was about to call Rokossovsky. He said to Witkov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please contact General Krylov and ask him about the two infantry divisions he promised. , When will they arrive in the suburbs of Donetsk? If they arrive late, they will have to collect the bodies of our commanders and fighters.”

Although Sokov's words were harsh, Witkov understood that this was the truth. Although the name of the Guards Division was scary, the troops that had just recruited a large number of new recruits had little chance of winning against the powerful German army. . So while Sokov called Rokossovsky, Witkov also ordered the communications corps to connect to the 21st Army Headquarters.

Vitkov used to be Krylov's deputy during the defense of Stalingrad. When he called, he was still thinking that with his friendship with Krylov, the other party might not refuse his request. up. So when the phone was connected, when he heard Krylov's voice coming from the headset, he immediately said excitedly: "General Krylov, hello, I'm Witkov."

   "Oh, it's Colonel Vitkov." Unexpectedly, Krylov asked coldly, "Do you have anything to do?"

"That's right, Comrade General." Witkov thought that the other party didn't know about the German attack on Donetsk, so he introduced him: "A German force is attacking Donetsk. In order to To seize the city, they not only used artillery and tanks, but even the air force. I would like to ask, when will the two divisions you promised to send to Donetsk be able to enter the designated positions.”

   After receiving Rokossovsky's order on the first day, Krylov immediately issued a combat alert to the troops of the two divisions, but because the troops were too scattered, it took a long time to assemble. As a result, the assembly has not been completed yet. Hearing Vitkov's inquiry, he could only reply with a bitter face: "I'm sorry, Colonel Vitkov, I guess it will be after noon tomorrow at the earliest before our troops can reach the suburbs of Donetsk."

"What, we won't be there until noon tomorrow?" Hearing Krylov's reply, Vitkov almost smashed the phone in his hand: "General Krylov, can we hold on to the troops in Donetsk?" It will be a problem until tonight, but you will arrive at noon tomorrow. By the time you arrive, it is estimated that the commanders and fighters in the city will have turned into cold corpses."

"Colonel Vitkov, I understand your feelings very well." Krylov is now a clever woman who can't live without rice. The troops cannot be assembled, and there is no use for him to worry. He can only say tactfully: "But I have done my best." With the greatest effort, my troops will not be able to reach Donetsk until noon tomorrow at the earliest, and you can only rely on your own strength to block the enemy."

  When Witkov put down the phone, Sokov had just finished calling. From the expression on his face, Witkov knew that Rokossovsky would definitely agree to send a plane for support. But thinking that there are no reinforcements on the ground, it may be difficult to turn the tide of the battle just by dispatching some planes. He said with a bitter face: "Comrade Commander, General Krylov said that his troops will not be able to arrive until noon tomorrow at the earliest." Battlefield, what should we do now?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov said to Vitkov, pointing to the map, "the troops holding Donetsk, in addition to Merkulov's Guards Division, also have the 148th Tank Brigade, we can order the tank brigade , to launch a counterattack against the enemy."

   "The tank brigade only has more than 30 tanks left," Vitkov said solemnly, "Will their counterattack be effective?"

"As long as their assault can destroy the German artillery positions, it will be a huge support for the defenders." Sokov said to Witkov: "The German army without artillery support will have a greatly reduced combat effectiveness. At that time, the 67th Guards Division can hold on to Donetsk's grasp and become even bigger."

"There are still two tank brigades in the Red Army village." Sokov continued: "Colonel Bely's 84th tank brigade is our last assault force, and it cannot be easily used until the last moment. The 246th Brigade is now only 12 kilometers away from Donetsk, and I think they and the 219th Guards Regiment can be used to attack the German flank."

After listening to Sokov's deployment, Vitkov nodded vigorously and said, "Comrade Commander, you are still thoughtful. The Germans probably never dreamed that our army would launch an attack from their flank at this time , will definitely be caught off guard by us. Just do it like this!"

While Vitkov was conveying his combat orders to the troops, Sokov specially called Merkulov in order to reassure him: "General Merkulov, I have good news for you. The planes sent by the headquarters will be able to feel the sky above Donetsk in ten minutes at most, and they will provide you with the necessary air support."

   "This is really great," Merkulov was overjoyed when he heard Sokov say this, and thanked him repeatedly: "Comrade commander, on behalf of the commanders and fighters of the whole division, I would like to express my thanks to you."

   "There is no need to thank you," Sokov waved his hand even though he knew that the other party could not see him, and said, "As long as you defend Donetsk with all your strength, that is the best thank you to me."

  Merkulov knew that according to Sokov’s order, besides requesting the superior to provide air support, there must be other backers, so he quickly asked, “Do you have any specific deployment?”

   "I will order the 148th Tank Brigade in the city to immediately carry out a counterattack against the German army, and strive to destroy the enemy's artillery positions at all costs to reduce the pressure on you."

  Hearing Sokov's order, Merkulov fell silent. After a long time, he said: "Comrade commander, your order is tantamount to sending our tank soldiers to their deaths. You also know that tanks without infantry cover cannot deal with the enemy's anti-tank fighters. I am worried , They have wiped out the entire army before they even saw where the enemy's artillery positions were."

"This kind of possibility exists." Sokov had originally planned to let the tank brigade launch a desperate attack. Even if it was exhausted, he could bear it in his heart: "But in order to defend the city, some sacrifices are necessary. inevitable."

  Merkulov knew very well in his heart that if the German artillery positions were not destroyed, the commanders and fighters who stayed in the trenches would continue to pay the price of casualties under the fierce enemy fire.

Sokov noticed Merkulov's thoughts and changed the subject in time: "Of course, it is a last resort to let the 148th tank brigade attack. If you can hold on for a while, the 246th tank brigade will be able to fight against the infantry. Under the cover of the Germans, attack from the flank of the Germans and inflict heavy losses on them."

   This plan of attacking from the German flank was perfect for Merkulov. In this way, not only can the entire army of the 148th Tank Brigade be avoided, but it can even ensure that the German army suffers a heavy blow. He quickly assured Sokov: "Comrade commander, I assure you that our division will do our best to block the enemy long enough to buy precious time for the reinforcements."

"Very good, General Merkulov," Sokov said with satisfaction after listening to Merkulov, "If you can really do this, I believe the enemy will not only be unable to take your city, There is even the possibility of being wiped out or severely injured by our army."

  The air force dispatched by Rokossovsky arrived over Donetsk fifteen minutes later, and engaged in a fierce fight with the enemy planes hovering over the city. After a fierce battle, the German army lost six bombers, injured two, and the rest withdrew from the battlefield. The Soviet army also lost three fighter planes and injured three. After driving away the enemy planes, they also returned to the airport one after another.

  The battle in the air is over, and the battle on the ground is still going on.

  The position held by the Soviet army has long been turned into a pitch-black scorched earth under the enemy's shelling and bombing. In the broken and incomplete position, the soldiers shot at the German officers and soldiers who rushed up. Although there are only seven or eight people left in some companies in the battle, the remaining commanders and fighters are still fighting tenaciously.

Seeing the fierce battle ahead, Merkulov sighed softly, called the brigade commander of the 148th tank brigade, and said politely: "Comrade brigade commander, our forward position is almost overwhelmed. , ask your tanks to attack immediately and drive the enemy from our positions."

The tank brigade commander knew that attacking at this time would be tantamount to committing suicide, but after hearing Merkulov's order, he still had the duty to say: "Don't worry, General Merkulov, even if we all die, we will definitely die." The enemy will not be allowed to storm the city. In five minutes, we will launch a full-scale counterattack against the enemy."

The tank brigade commander picked up the microphone and said to all the tank soldiers: "Brothers, due to the fierce enemy's offensive, our infantry brothers can't stand it anymore. We need to attack immediately to save the immediate crisis. Attack later At that time, my tanks will rush to the forefront, and the tanks of the deputy brigade commander and battalion commanders will follow behind us. I will personally command you and crush the enemy's attack on the city."

   A few minutes later, only the remaining thirty-five tanks of the 148th Tank Brigade launched and attacked the German armored forces in a wedge formation. The Germans never dreamed that the Soviet army would launch an armored assault at this time, and they were caught off guard for a while. Many tanks close to the Soviet trenches were destroyed immediately. Seeing that the situation was not good, the remaining tanks turned around and fled back.

  The battle ended after an hour, and only ten Soviet tanks participated in the assault. The tank on which the tank brigade commander was riding was destroyed not far from the trench, and the brigade commander was among the three charred corpses lying beside the tank.

When Merkulov heard the news of the death of the tank brigade commander, he couldn't help crying. He quickly ordered the commander who called him: "You immediately send someone to collect the body of the tank brigade commander, find a place to bury it, and put it in the ground. Make a mark. After this battle is over, we will build his tomb."

  (end of this chapter)