Chapter 1480 Another defeat (Part 2)

   Also the commander of the tank troops, Katukov is much more famous than Rotmistrov. Don't look at the latter who shined in the Battle of Kursk, but compared with Katukov, his reputation is obviously much less. You know, Katukov is known as "the first man in armored soldiers" because of his outstanding performance in the Battle of Mtzensk in the early stage of the Moscow Defense War.

  At that time, the strength of the enemy and us was very different. The German commander was the famous tank general Guderian, while the Soviet army was a little-known colonel. The German army attacking Mtzensk had two armored divisions plus a motorized infantry division, with a total of five or six hundred tanks, while the Soviet army was only a newly established independent tank brigade with more than forty tanks, most of which were They are all old tanks used for training before the war.

   Lieutenant General Yeremenko, commander of the Bryansk Front, has four full-stacked army groups. He patted his chest and assured the bearded man that he would be able to stop Guderian and even have a chance to beat him up. As a result, he was quickly slapped in the face by reality. They only advanced less than ten kilometers before they could no longer move forward and were defeated by the German army instead. A well-equipped front army is not an opponent of the German army. What kind of storm can a temporarily formed tank brigade cause?

  Under the absolute strength gap, any tactics are useless. An unknown person like Katukov is an opponent of a famous player like Guderian. No matter how you look at it, the Soviet army will undoubtedly lose in the battle of Mtsensk.

  Katukov knew that it was absolutely impossible to hold back Guderian's troops with conventional tactics. He adjusted his tactics in time and made a series of changes to the battlefield. After 8 days and nights of fierce fighting, they destroyed 133 German tanks and shot down 2 planes, while their own troops almost retreated, successfully completing the task of their superiors, and minimizing the impact of the German tanks. Due to their outstanding performance and the great results achieved, the brigade was reorganized into the 1st Guards Tank Brigade on November 11, 1941, becoming the first tank unit to receive the title of Guards.

  The shadow of a famous tree is precisely because Katukov has such a brilliant record. Therefore, when Tsvetayev heard that Katukov's troops also participated in the attack in other areas, he felt a lot more at ease. According to his idea, within two days, Katukov's troops will be able to appear in the city of Kharkov, and then his own troops will be able to fight side by side with them.

"General Sokov," although it is possible to join forces with General Katukov's troops in two days, Tsvetayev said unwillingly: "There are two more days to wait, it is too long .”

   Sokov stared at Tsvetayev for a while, and then said: "Comrade General, if you can't wait, you can join General Rotmistrov's troops before dawn tomorrow."

"Join with General Rotmistrov's troops?" Tsvetayev stared at Sokov with wide eyes, and said in surprise: "Didn't the attack they launched today be crushed by the Germans? Could it be?" Are they going to launch a new attack soon?"

Sokov didn't know the specific situation of the 5th Guards Tank Army, but he knew that Rotmistrov had suffered huge losses for three consecutive days, and he absolutely couldn't swallow this breath. Cover and launch a new attack on the enemy again.

   It was out of this consideration that Sokov told Tsvetayev that there was a chance to join Rotmistrov's troops before dawn tomorrow.

He tapped his finger on the tabletop and said to Tsvetayev: "Comrade General, regardless of the fact that General Rotmistrov's two-day offensive has ended in failure. The 3rd Armored Division must have had a lot of casualties.

According to my analysis, General Rotmistrov will also feel that the enemy blocking them has become exhausted. As long as he launches a new attack at night, he may be able to break through the German defense line in one fell swoop and rush into Kharko smoothly. In husband city. "

After Tsvetayev said "ah", he said quickly: "General Sokov, I know you have always been very good at analyzing the situation of the enemy and ourselves. Since you think that General Rotmistrov's troops, A new attack will be launched tonight, so can we meet them and make their attack smooth?"

"Response?!" Sokov sneered and said, "Do you think we can spare our troops to meet them? The enemy forces in that area are extremely strong. I'm afraid our two divisions on the left landing field will throw them in, and even see a bubble." If you don't see it, you will be wiped out by the enemy."

Thinking of Rotmistrov’s hundreds of tanks being wiped out in the confrontation with the Germans, Tsvetaev didn’t feel that what Sokov said was alarmist. He asked with some hesitation: “Should we Is it like this to watch friendly troops being wiped out by the enemy without taking any action?"

   "There is no way." Sokov said thoughtfully: "If we deploy a new force in this area, then there is still a chance to turn the tide of the war."

"Introduce another new force?" Tsvetayev couldn't help but feel troubled when he heard Sokov say this. The three infantry divisions in his hand, the 300th Division, were assigned to Sokov's command and are now deployed in Fei The 87th Division is also stationed in the area, and together with the former friendly forces, they resisted the attack of the Viking Division. The other 315th Division is currently fighting alongside Sokov's 384th Division on the east bank of the Ud River. In addition to these three infantry divisions, all he can use is the 4th Mechanized Army.

  Thinking of this, he tentatively asked Sokov: "General Sokov, what do you think of me putting the 4th Mechanized Army on the battlefield at this time?"

"It's not good." But after he finished speaking, Sokov didn't give him any face at all, but said plausibly: "As far as I know, except for one mechanized infantry brigade in your mechanical army, the rest are Tank brigade. There is no bridge over the river in front of us now, and it is simply impossible to transport so many tanks to the other side of the river."

  Sokov's words reminded Tsvetayev that if the bridge problem is not resolved, even if the 4th Mechanized Army is transferred, they will have to stay on the shore and do nothing. Thinking of this, he humbly asked Sokov: "Then should we build a pontoon bridge on the river as soon as possible?"

   Tsvetayev's problem is also a problem that Sokov has been struggling with in his heart. Although the troops on the left landing field were to attract a feint attack from the German army, as the main force approached the city, it was only a matter of time before it turned into a formal attack. At that time, there will be no bridges on the river, which will become a short board for our troops.

Thinking of this, Sokov said to Tsvetayev: "Comrade General, if your engineers can complete the erection of the bridge over the river before dark, then your Mechanized Fourth Army and General Rotmistrov It is not impossible for our troops to join forces."

  Seeing that Sokov agreed to build a pontoon bridge on the Ude River, Tsvetayev couldn't help feeling ecstatic. If your troops are able to join forces with Rotmistrov's tank troops from the northwest before dawn tomorrow, you will be able to take the opportunity to expand the results of the battle. When the battle is over and the meritorious deeds are rewarded, your troops can get more honor.

After thinking about this, Tsvetayev quickly picked up the phone on the table, called his headquarters, and ordered the chief of staff to say: "Comrade chief of staff, immediately dispatch the engineering troops to the bank of the Ude River. I'm going to have them put a pontoon over the bridge."

In fact, as early as the moment Sokov's troops entered the city, Tsvetayev's chief of staff began to mutter in his heart, why not build a pontoon bridge on the Ude River. In that case, the two artillery divisions deployed by the river, And other troops can pass the pontoon bridge, continuously reach the landing field on the other side of the Ude River, and at the right time, launch an attack on Kharkov.

  Receiving Tsvetayev's order at this moment, he couldn't help being overjoyed, and said repeatedly: "Understood, Comrade Commander, I will immediately send engineering troops to build a pontoon bridge on the bank of the Ude River."

  After saying this, he paused for a moment, and then asked again: "Comrade Commander, I still want to ask, do you need to transfer other troops to the bank of the Oude River?"

"If our engineers can complete the erection of the pontoon bridge before dark, then we can transfer the 4th Mechanized Army to assist the friendly army's attack." General Rotmistrov's army reunion was told to the chief of staff, so as not to accidentally leak the news and cause unnecessary trouble: "Our next action depends entirely on the speed of the bridge-building of the engineers."

Before putting down the phone, he specifically told the chief of staff: "Comrade chief of staff, let the 4th mechanized army get ready to go, so that it can rush to the designated place as quickly as possible after receiving the order. "

   When Tsvetayev called, Sokov was listening. After Tsvetayev put down the phone, he reminded the other party: "Comrade General, the area in front of us is the widest part of the Ude River. Can your engineering troops really complete the erection of the pontoon bridge before dark?" ?”

   "As long as the German planes don't bomb, I think we should be able to get this done."

Seeing that Tsvetayev was so confident, Sokov didn't pour cold water on him. Instead, he said along with him: "Comrade General, you don't have to worry about the German air force. Our air force has already mastered the air supremacy on the battlefield." , as long as the enemy's air force is found, our air force can be dispatched in time to teach them a lesson."

Hearing what Sokov said, Tsvetayev raised his hand and slapped himself heavily on the forehead, and said angrily: "Yes, how could I forget that our Air Force has already mastered the air supremacy on the battlefield. Mechanized The 4th Corps and the Corps of Engineers set out together so that as soon as the pontoon bridges were erected, the troops could cross the river as quickly as possible."

Seeing that Tsvetayev grabbed the phone and was about to make another call to his chief of staff, Sokov quickly stopped him: "Comrade General, don't worry. I think it's better to wait until the pontoon bridge is erected soon before ordering mechanization." It is not too late for the 4th Army to start. If you let them reach the river too early, it will only alarm the enemy on the opposite side and make them prepare in advance. In that case, you will face a fierce battle tonight."

Don't look at Tsvetayev who has always been known for his decisiveness in his own troops, but in front of Sokov, he is like an inexperienced recruit. , he will be shaken. This time was no exception. After being silent for a while, he said, "Okay, General Sokov, then I'll listen to you. Let the engineering troops come over to repair the bridge first. When the pontoon bridge is almost completed, then order the 4th Mechanized Army to move out." .”

   When it was dark, several pontoon bridge battalions under the jurisdiction of the Engineering Corps of the Assault Army completed the erection of the pontoon bridge on the Oude River. After confirming that the pontoon bridge was passable, the three tank brigades of the 4th Mechanized Army passed the pontoon bridge in an orderly manner and entered the landing field on the left wing, where they were ready to attack.

   It took more than three hours for the three tank brigades and one mechanized brigade of the mechanized army to cross the river. Seeing that the mechanized army had finished crossing the river, Sokov suggested to Tsvetayev: "Comrade General, since we have a pontoon now, it is better to transfer the artillery to the east bank. This way, when we launch an attack on the city, it will be easier for us to attack the city." Conveniently provides artillery support to infantry."

When Tsvetayev thought about it, it seemed very reasonable, so he immediately sent an order to the two artillery division commanders, asking them to cross the river as soon as possible, and to find a suitable place to build a new artillery position in the landing field on the east bank, so that they could take advantage of the new artillery position. During a round of attack, artillery support can be provided for the attacking troops.

  When the artillery units of the Assault Army began to cross the river, the Tank Army located in the northwest of the city once again launched a battle formation and advanced towards the German defense line.

  The roar of 160 tanks at night can be heard clearly even a few kilometers away. The officers and soldiers of the German 3rd Armored Division immediately entered their combat positions, ready to meet the attack of Soviet tanks.

  When an unlucky Soviet tank ran over an anti-tank mine and exploded, the flames on the tank body illuminated the surrounding tanks like a torch, pointing out the direction of attack for the German anti-tank guns in the distance.

  Seeing the Soviet tanks exposed in the field of vision, the German anti-tank guns opened fire, and the Tiger tanks, Leopard tanks and assault guns hidden around also fired. The howling shells fell on the Soviet tanks and exploded, destroying tanks one after another. The light from the burning tanks exposed more tanks to the Germans.

Sokov, who was far away on the west bank of the Ud River, heard the rumble of artillery from the northwest, and knew that it must be Rotmistrov's tank unit. Tsvetayev suggested: "Comrade General, you heard the rumble of artillery in the distance. If I guessed correctly, it was General Rotmistrov and the enemy. The enemy's rear is now empty. , you can send a mechanized army to attack the enemy's flanks and rear, forcing them to be unable to attack General Rotmistrov's troops with all their strength. At that time, you will be able to attack the 3rd Armored Division severely and complete the reunion of the two troops. action."

Tsvetayev heard that as long as the mechanized army attacked, it would be possible to join forces with the friendly army. He couldn't bear it anymore, so he immediately picked up the phone on the table and called the commander of the mechanized army on the other side: "Comrade commander , It’s time for you to establish your meritorious deeds. I order you to immediately set off to the northwest to support the friendly forces who are fighting the enemy.”

  (end of this chapter)