As soon as the German bombing was over, the infantry, under the cover of tanks, launched an attack on the positions of the three guard regiments at the same time.
Faced with the fierce offensive of the German army, the Soviet army carried out tenacious resistance. However, due to the huge gap in military strength and equipment between the two sides, and the German army had long understood the Soviet firepower configuration and distribution. After the fierce battle, the commanders and fighters of the three regiments gave up their front-line positions one after another and retreated to the second line of defense along the traffic trench, intending to continue to fight against the German army's attack.
The news that the German army occupied the first line of defense soon reached the division command of Mamayevgang. After seeing the battle reports of the three regiments with a calm expression, Sokov looked at Cidolin and asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, although the frontier positions of the three regiments were captured by the German army, have you noticed that Lieutenant Colonel Papchinko's 122nd Regiment was the one that lasted the longest."
"That's right," Cidolin immediately agreed with Sokov's statement: "Teacher, I have also discovered the problem you mentioned."
"What do you think?"
Cidolin thought for a while and replied: "According to the war report, the German army used the troops and equipment to attack the three regiment positions, which were roughly the same. Lieutenant Colonel Papchinko's 122nd Regiment was the only regiment that was not equipped with a rocket launcher. Logically speaking, they should be the first to be broken through by the enemy. But the actual situation was just the opposite. They persisted until the end, which made me very puzzled."
"Yes, I think so too." Ivanov echoed: "We all know that bazooka is a very effective weapon against German tanks. But due to its limited number, the 122nd Regiment is not equipped with such weapons. It is a miracle that they can hold on for so long without anti-tank weapons."
"It's not a miracle," Sokov said with a wave of his hand: "The bazooka is indeed an anti-tank weapon, but its disadvantage is that its range is too close. The reason why the 122nd Regiment can last for so long is that they are equipped with self-propelled cannons and cannons installed on the tank chassis can not only fire high-explosive grenades, but also launch armor-piercing bombs to deal with German tanks."
After Sokov's reminder, both Sidolin and Ivanov remembered the first tank battalion commanded by Bere himself. On the position of the 122nd Regiment, they did have several self-propelled artillery.
"Comrade Commander," Since this kind of self-propelled artillery is a good thing, Ivanov naturally hopes that the troops can be equipped more. He asked Sokov tentatively: "I wonder if the superiors can provide us with more self-propelled artillery?"
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander." As soon as he finished speaking, Cidolin reminded him: "These self-propelled artillery equipped by the first Tank Battalion are all provided by the Red October Factory. I am worried that they have insufficient raw materials now and cannot produce more self-propelled artillery to equip our troops."
"What should I do?" Ivanov's face showed a disappointed expression: "I don't know where the factories that can produce self-propelled artillery are?"
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander." Sokov just knew the answer to the question asked by Ivanov, so he popularized it with him: "The main tank factories in our country are the Kirov factory in Leningrad and the Kharkov factory. When Leningrad was about to be besiege by the German army, the Supreme Command decided to transfer the Kirov factory, and to the rear as a whole, and to Chelyabinsk in Ural.
With full organization and mobilization, the Kirov factory took only two months, and the relocation was basically completed in early October. Ten thousand employees and 8,000 family members came to work in the new factory in Chelyabinsk. The new factory was named Chelyabinsk Kirov Factory, also known as the "Tank City", which mainly produces KV-1 heavy tanks. Since 1942, the production line of T-34 tanks has been added.
Before I left Moscow, I heard that the factory had added several production lines for self-propelled artillery. I believe that with the factory's technical level and production capacity, it will take no long to produce a large number of self-propelled artillery to equip our troops."
"Chlyyabinsk is not close to here." Ivanov sighed after Sokov finished speaking, "Even if they produce it now, they will need to transport it to the left bank by railway and then drive from the left bank, at least one week. I am worried that our troops will not last that long."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, you are too pessimistic." Sokov said with a smile: "Don't look at the enemy being so rampant now, their power is almost exhausted. As long as we persist for a few days, their destruction will be just around the corner."
When the situation is unfavorable to our side, the commander's attitude will directly affect the commanders and fighters below. Although all three regiments have lost their frontier positions, the staff in the command center, seeing Sokov's calm look, felt that he must have a careful plan in his mind to fight back the enemies occupying the positions, and he felt much more at ease.
Sokov knew very well that to crush the German attack on the second line of defense, he must obtain the support of the left bank artillery and use their powerful artillery fire to block the German attack. At this moment, he must contact the headquarters immediately to get the artillery ready to fire.
After dialing the call from the Group Army Command, Sokov heard that the person who answered the call was Krelov, and he said bluntly: "Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff, I am Sokov. The Germans have occupied the frontier positions of our division. They are likely to continue to attack the second position. I ask the artillery on the left bank to be able to block and shoot the attacking enemies."
Since Sokov reported to both Trekov and Krelov in advance, if necessary, he might give up his first position and put the enemy into the depth of defense, relying on long-range artillery fire and fortifications to cause major damage to the German army. Therefore, as soon as he received Sokov's call, Krelov said without saying a word, "I will call the artillery immediately and let them establish contact with you."
After saying this, Cuikov's voice came from the receiver: "Col. Sokov, do you think you can defend the second line of defense?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Sokov said confidently: "Although the enemy has occupied our frontier positions, it would be a daydream to seize the second position. We are ready for everything. As long as the enemy dares to come, we will definitely beat them all over the field."
"It is a good thing to be confident, but you can't underestimate the enemy." Although Sokov showed great confidence, Cuikov still reminded him with concern: "If you have any needs, call me immediately. Do you understand?"
"I understand." With Cuikov's words, Sokov's confidence in defending the position was even greater. "Comrade Commander, I promise you that we will never let the Germans pass the second line of defense."
Sidolin and Ivanov, who were standing beside Sokov, couldn't help but look worried when they heard him assuring Cuikov in such a confident tone. As soon as Sokov put down the phone, Sidolin said anxiously: "Comrade Commander, if the German army launches a fierce attack again, I'm worried that our troops will not be able to defend the second line of defense."
"What's wrong with you, Comrade Chief of Staff?" Sokov said in amazement about Sidolin's concerns: "Do you have no confidence in our soldiers?"
"How can that be, comrade of the division commander?" Cidolin said embarrassedly: "I'm just worried that an accident might happen."
"Our troops built solid fortifications on the second line of defense. There were minefields and barbed wire mesh before the fortifications. It was not easy for the Germans to get close to our army's position smoothly." Sokov said calmly: "Don't say we can get support from left-bank artillery fire. Even without artillery fire support, it is not difficult to defend the position."
Seeing that Sokov was so confident, Sidolin wanted to refute a few words, but then he thought that what the teacher said seemed to have never missed. Since he said that he could defend the second line of defense, he would definitely be able to defend it. Thinking of this, Sidolin shut his mouth obediently and stopped discussing with Sokov whether the second line of defense could be defended.
Sidolin stopped talking, but Ivanov felt that as the deputy commander, it was necessary to remind Sokov of a few words to avoid irreparable consequences from underestimating the enemy: "Comrade in the commander, I think we should draw strength from Mamayev's post to strengthen the third line of defense..."
"Draw strength from Mamayev's gang?" Before Ivanov finished speaking, Sokov interrupted his later words: "Now there are only more than 300 soldiers in the tunnels of the north and south gangs, and the rest are wounded. Can't you let the wounded take weapons and fight the enemy?"
"Comrade Commander," Ivanov said with a striking remark: "I think the lightly wounded should be armed as soon as possible and be prepared to let his mother be in the battle at any time. After all, the attack launched by the enemy today is the worst time we have in more than a month. It's not that I don't believe in our soldiers, but just to make the worst plans."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, you immediately contact the artillery on the left bank." Sokov did not want to have a meaningless argument with Ivanov, so he ordered Cydolin: "Once the German army launches an attack on our second line of defense, then let the artillery intercept artillery and destroy as much of the enemy's living forces as possible."
…………
After the German army occupied the frontier positions of the Soviet army, the commander of the 24th Armored Division, Rensky, was overjoyed. He called Paulus personally and said proudly: "Report to the commander, your army has regained the positions occupied by the Russians."
"Good, General Rensky." Paulus said happily after hearing the report: "After letting the troops take a break, attack the Russians' second line of defense again, and be sure to seize their positions in the shortest time. In this way, our army may re-advance to the foot of the Mamayev hill before dark."
Although the 24th Armored Division paid a considerable price when seizing the Soviet army's first line of defense, losing nine tanks and more than 200 soldiers. However, Lensky felt that as long as he could take the position, the price was worth it. According to his idea, the Soviet army, which had just retreated to the second line of defense, must be in a state of chaos at this moment. Perhaps when he saw his tanks rushing up, the Soviet army hiding in the trenches would immediately escape.
After Linsky issued an offensive order to the troops, he even prepared his chief of staff to report to Paulus that he would successfully seize the second line of defense. Unexpectedly, before the attacking troops approached the Soviet position, they were hit by dense artillery fire from the left bank of the Volga River.
Seeing one tank after another destroyed by artillery fire, burning on the battlefield like torches after torches, his heart was bleeding. This was the only old capital left by the 24th Armored Division. As a result, under the intensive artillery fire of the Soviet army, it was torn to pieces like a toy.
The leader of the tank regiment immediately gave Lensky an idea: "Sir Commander, the reason why we were able to successfully seize the first line of defense of the Russians was entirely because we received support from the Air Force. Their bombing destroyed a large number of fortifications of the Russians. Why not, you would like to ask the Commander to make a request to let the Air Force help us bomb the Russians' positions again."
The regiment commander's proposal made Rensky's eyes lit up, and he quickly ordered the communications officer, "Immediately call the headquarters, I want to talk to the commander in person."
After the phone was connected, Rensky said respectfully: "Hisser Commander, my troops were attacked by artillery fire from the left bank of the Volga River when they attacked the second line of defense of the Russians. Now the officers and soldiers are suffering a lot of casualties. Therefore, I beg you to let the Air Force dispatch and carry out intensive bombing on the Russians' positions and the artillery positions on the left bank."
Rensky thought that once his request was made, he would immediately get Paulus's consent. Unexpectedly, after a long time of silence, he said, "There is no Air Force. At least for a few days, we will not receive any support from the Air Force."
Paulus's words shocked Rensky, and he quickly asked: "Master Commander, what happened? Why can't we get support from the Air Force? Is there something happened?"
"You guessed it right, General Lensky." Paulus said weakly: "I just received a call from Marshal Manstein, who said that due to the tenacious rent from the Russians and the signs of Russian troops found on both sides. In order to avoid being surrounded like us, they planned to stop their attack and withdraw their original positions. When they retreat, the Air Force will provide them with necessary air cover."
"Hey, Commander." Lensky was anxious when he heard Paulus say this: "Without the support of the air force, our tanks alone cannot destroy the fortifications on the Russian positions."
Chapter completed!