Red Moscow

  Chapter 389 The Brave Guards (Part 2)

After receiving Chuikov's request for help, General Sharayev, the commander of the city defense, immediately called the person in charge of the Dzerzhinsky factory and said in a stern tone: "Comrade Ivanov, the guards deployed on your west side The 35th Division is currently being attacked by the Germans frantically, and I order your factory to immediately dispatch one or two destroyer battalions to support them. Do you understand?"

After Ivanov heard the order from Sharayev, he couldn't help hesitating. At present, the factory has only formed two destroyer battalions for the defense of the factory area. So who will defend the factory? Thinking of this, he said with some embarrassment: "Comrade General, our factory currently only has two destroyer battalions. If they are all transferred away, who will be in charge of the factory's defense?"

"Comrade Director," Sharayev became impatient when he saw Ivanov pushing back and forth, "If the Guards' position falls, do you think you can hold Dzerzhinsky with your current strength? "

Facing Sharayev's questioning, Ivanov replied hesitantly: "No... you can't. But if... if we send... all the defense... defense forces, the enemy comes to attack us, what should... what should we do? manage?"

Hearing Ivanov's pitiful words, Sharayev felt that he shouldn't push the other party so hard, so he took a step back: "Well, Comrade Factory Director, what you said makes sense. In order to prevent your factory from dispatching After all the forces have been attacked by the German army, you can leave a company behind. In addition, organize the women in the factory to form a new armed force.”

"Yes, Comrade City Defense Commander." Ivanov put down the phone and said to the deputy factory director sitting opposite: "Comrade Zalitsman, I just received a call from the City Defense Commander. He said that the situation at the 35th Guards Division It is very critical, and we need to send people to support immediately. I thought about it, the two militia destroyer battalions in the factory, except for one company, you should take the rest."

"What, only one company is left?" After hearing this, the deputy factory director known as Zalitsman asked in surprise: "Comrade factory director, have you forgotten that our factory area is about the size of a small city, Two battalions are not enough to defend the entire sector, let alone one company."

   "Comrade Zalitsman, the Guards Division is in urgent need of reinforcements. Go and assemble the troops immediately." Ivanov urged the other party, "As for the defense of the factory, don't worry about it."

  Zalitzman saw the anxious expression on Ivanov's face, and he didn't dare to neglect, and nodded quickly. He picked up the phone on the table, dialed a number, and said into the microphone: "Battle alarm, order the destroyer battalion to gather in front of the factory building immediately."

  Ten minutes later, the notified militiamen rushed over from various parts of the factory and assembled in front of the factory headquarters building. Seeing that it was almost time for people to come, Zalitzman stood at the door of the building and said loudly to the militiamen in front of him: "Comrades, our 35th Guards Division is fighting tenaciously with the Germans on the west side of the factory. Fight. At present, their defense line is in danger, and we are urgently needed to support them. Although our strength and weapons are far inferior to those of the Germans, we are determined to do everything possible to defend Stalingrad with our allies and defend the land under our feet. This land. I believe that we will be able to stop the German Kou's attack!"

   As soon as Zalitzman said this, nearly a thousand militia fighters began to shout slogans: "Defend Stalingrad!" "Defend our factories!" "Defeat the Japanese invaders!"

After the shouting of slogans stopped, Zalitzman continued: "You are the armed forces defending the factory. Although there are not many of you and the equipment is not very good, I believe that all of you are doing well. Now I will Lead you to support the comrades of the Guards Division, and severely attack the Japanese invaders! Let's go!"

  As Zaalitzman's order was issued, the commanders of the militia destroyer battalion began to issue orders to the militia. When the militiamen lined up and walked towards the gate of the factory in irregular steps, Ivanov shook Zalitsman's hand and said, "Comrade Zalitsman, I wish you success!"

  ...

  When the militiamen of the Dzerzhinsky factory moved out of the factory, the defensive position of the 101st regiment was broken by the Germans. More than a hundred German officers and soldiers followed the two tanks and rushed into the depths of the Soviet defense. When the head of the 101st regiment learned of this hour, he couldn't help but turn pale with fright, and quickly ordered the troops to intercept, and at the same time called Glazkov to warn: "Comrade commander, a wave of enemies broke through our regiment's defense line and headed towards the division headquarters. Heading in the direction. For safety's sake, please transfer the command post immediately."

   "What, a wave of enemies broke through your line of defense?" Glazkov couldn't help frowning when he heard the commander's report. He was silent for a moment and asked, "How many people are there?"

   "There are more than 100 people and two tanks." After a brief introduction to the situation, the head of the regiment made another suggestion to Grazkov: "Comrade commander, for your safety, you should move the command post as soon as possible."

"Transfer, where are you going?" Glazkov replied angrily when he heard the commander say this: "There are open fields all around here. As long as we leave the headquarters, we will become the target of the Germans. Now I I order you to immediately seal the breakthrough opened by the German army, and I will leave you alone here."

  The German army came faster than Glazkov imagined. After only seven or eight minutes, they approached Glazkov's division headquarters. Fortunately, after receiving the early warning from the 101st Regiment, Glazkov had convened more than a hundred people in advance and prepared to face the battle in the trenches.

   The enemy rushing towards the division headquarters were all infantry who didn't see the tank, and didn't know whether it broke down on the way or was blown up by the commanders and fighters of the 101st regiment. But even so, when Glazkov saw the number of German infantry that was comparable to his own, he still couldn't help but beat his heart. Regardless of the number of people, the people around him are almost all staff officers, communications soldiers, and logistics personnel. The combat effectiveness of the two sides is not at the same level at all.

Just as Glazkov was staring at the enemy moving towards the division headquarters, a staff officer beside him said in a panic: "Comrade commander, I didn't expect there to be so many Germans. I don't think we can defeat them. We should retreat." Bar."

  Grazkov snarled: "Lieutenant Ross, do you know that you are panicking and shaking the morale of the army. If you dare to say one more word, I will shoot you immediately."

   Lieutenant Ross was startled by Glazkoff's words. He suddenly thought of the Order No. 227 issued more than a month ago. If he retreated without an order, he would be shot immediately. Hastily stated: "Comrade teacher, don't worry, as long as I have a breath, I will definitely not take half a step back."

While talking, the German army has changed from a trot to a fast run. Seeing this, Grazkov jumped into the trench with a bayonet-mounted Mosin Nagant, turned half-turned and shouted at the commanders who were still in the trench. Said: "Sanlian, for the motherland, for Stalin, go forward!"

   Seeing the division commander taking the lead in charging, the commanders and fighters staying in the trenches climbed out one after another, holding weapons and shouting and rushed forward. The dozen or so fast-running fighters quickly overtook Glazkov, and engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat with the rushing German troops.

   Although Glazkov is the leader of the first division, he also participated in this fierce hand-to-hand battle. Instead of dealing with the enemy with a pistol, he fought the enemy face to face with a bayonet. Perhaps the German army saw the rank on his collar badge and knew that he was a big man, so two German soldiers rushed towards him, one left and one right. He didn't dodge or dodge. After parrying a bayonet with his gun, he stabbed directly through the throat of another German soldier. Then he turned around and started a stabbing with another soldier.

  But other Soviet commanders and fighters did not take advantage of the German army. Most of them are staff officers, communications soldiers, and logistics personnel who do not participate in the battle. One-on-one, even two-on-one or three-on-one, may not be able to defeat a German soldier.

  After seven or eight minutes of stabbing, more than 70 of Glazkov's men fell under the bayonets of the Germans, while the Germans lost only more than 20 people. After stabbing a German soldier, Lieutenant Ross came to Glazkow's side and said pantingly, "Comrade Commander, our casualties are too high. If we continue to fight, the whole army will be wiped out. Let's withdraw."

Glazkov looked at the German army that was gradually encircling him, and said with a stern expression: "Lieutenant Ross, we have nowhere to retreat, we can only fight on. Now there is nothing else but to fight the Germans." There is a way."

   Lieutenant Ross heard what Glazkov said and knew that the opponent was preparing to fight to the last moment, so he roared and rushed towards a German soldier opposite him with a bayonet. Glazkov saw that he and the rest of the commanders and fighters were surrounded by the German army. It was impossible to retreat completely. He followed Ross's example and rushed into the German army's queue with a bayonet in his hand. , and the final battle with them.

  The Soviet army was originally smaller than the German army, and its combat effectiveness was weak. After a few minutes, there were only seven or eight soldiers left around Glazkov and Lieutenant Ross. Glazkov had just stabbed a German soldier. Before he could pull out his bayonet, a German soldier rushed over and stabbed him directly in the heart with the bayonet in his hand.

   "Teacher, be careful." Ross saw that Glazkov was in danger, and after yelling, he rushed to him without hesitation, blocking the bayonet piercing the heart for him. The bayonet pierced Lieutenant Rose's left shoulder, and the blood-dripping tip protruded from his back.

  Grazkov pulled out the bayonet and saw that Lieutenant Ross was wounded trying to save himself, his eyes widened, and with a roar, he stabbed the bayonet into the German soldier's rib through the side door. He quickly pulled out the bayonet, kicked the German soldier away, supported Ross who was leaning back, and asked with concern: "Lieutenant Ross, are you okay?"

   "Comrade Commander, we are fine." Ross endured the pain and said this, suddenly froze, then he pointed to the distance and exclaimed: "Comrade Commander, look quickly!"

  Grazkov looked in the direction of his finger, and saw a troop in civilian clothes walking through the artillery fire, heading towards his position. Seeing this force, Glazkov couldn't help being overjoyed: "It's the militia destroyer battalion!"

Zalitzman, who led the team, saw that hand-to-hand combat was going on here, so he stopped and looked through the binoculars, and found several commanders wearing big-brimmed hats, surrounded by dozens of German soldiers, and the situation was extremely critical , he quickly ordered: "The submachine gunners speed up and go to destroy those enemies."

  After hearing Zalitzman's order, a company commander immediately shouted at the team: "Submachine gunners come out~!"

   Following his command, more than twenty militiamen with Popov submachine guns stood up. The equipment of the militia has always been very poor. Those who can be equipped with submachine guns are all militias with high technical and tactical levels and certain combat skills. After the company commander waited for them to come out, he pointed at the place where hand-to-hand combat was taking place and said, "Our commander is being besieged by the enemy. Follow me to destroy the enemy. Let's go!"

   More than 20 militiamen followed behind the company commander, and ran towards Glazkov's position at a speed of 100 meters. After entering the effective range, they stopped and fired towards the place where the German troops gathered. A large number of German soldiers who were caught off guard were immediately knocked down, and the remaining soldiers, seeing the fierce firepower of the militia, did not dare to fight, and turned around and fled.

   After the German army fled, Glazkov walked towards the militiamen who had just rescued him. He came to the company commander and asked with a smile on his face, "Comrade, which part are you from?"

"Hello, Comrade Commander." Although the militia company commander is not a formal soldier, he also understands the reason why he cannot salute his superior commander on the battlefield. He just straightened his body and replied, "We are Dzerzhinsky Factory The militiamen came to support the 35th Guards Division under the order of their superiors."

   "Hello, Comrade General." Zalitzman, who had just arrived, saw the gold star on Glazkov's collar badge, and asked politely, "Excuse me, are you General Glazkov?"

   "Yes, mine is Grazkoff."

"Hello, Grazkov." Zalitsman quickly extended his hand to the other party: "I am Zalitsman, the deputy director of the Dzerzhinsky factory, and I have brought two militia battalions. You see , where should they be arranged?"

"Hello, Comrade Zalitsman. Thank you for arriving in time and saving our lives." Glazkov glanced at the approaching militia troops and said, "Now that the division is empty, you can Now station here, and when there is insufficient troops, I will send you there."

  (end of this chapter)