Red Moscow

  Chapter 877 Time of Crisis

   "Comrade Commander, please rest assured." Sokov thought for a while, and then replied loudly: "We will immediately send anti-tank fighters carrying rocket launchers to the Dzerzhinsky Factory to support the 37th Guards Division."

   "Comrade Commander." Seeing that Sokov readily agreed to Chuikov, Ivanov stomped anxiously beside him. As soon as Sokov put down the phone, he couldn't wait to say: "Our rocket launchers and ammunition are limited, if they are used to support the 37th Guards Division, then we will face a shortage of rocket launchers when we counterattack. "

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Although the number of rocket launchers is not used much these days, Sidolin often heard Sukov mention that rocket launchers can not only attack tanks, armored vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers at close range. , and can also use direct aim to destroy the enemy's fortifications. If such good weapons are handed over to other troops, then what will your own troops use in the counterattack? It is precisely because of this consideration that he echoed Ivanov's statement: "At present, we still cannot get supplements of rocket launchers and ammunition. Once they are exhausted, what weapons will we use to deal with them after the counterattack begins? What about the enemy's tanks, assault guns and fortifications?"

   "Chief of Staff, Deputy Commander, I understand what you mean." Sukov was naturally aware of Sidolin and Ivanov's dissuasion. But for the sake of the overall situation, he had to send someone to support him. But before sending reinforcements, he had to explain the reason to his two deputies: "The enemy is launching a fierce attack on the Dzerzhinsky factory. If we don't go to support General Rudev and the others, once the factory is occupied by the enemy, we will The counterattack plan had to be adjusted. At that time, the direction of our attack will no longer be the enemy in front of Mamayev Post, but the enemy who occupied the Dzerzhinsky factory, even if our division is wiped out , and the lost factories must be taken back.”

   Hearing Sokov say this, Sidolin and Ivanov shut their mouths. They knew very well that Sokov was telling the truth. Once the Germans occupied the Dzerzhinsky factory, the adjacent Barricade factory would also become precarious. If the city falls before the big counterattack achieves results, I am afraid that everyone will have no good fruit to eat.

Seeing that the house was calm again, Anisimov asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, the distance from Mamayev Post to Dzerzhinsky Factory is not close. If there was a ring railway in the past, we would It may take only ten minutes to reach the destination. But now it takes at least two hours to walk to the factory, so if we send people to rush there now, will we be able to make it in time?"

"I don't think General Rudev's line of defense can last that long." Sokov said bluntly, "I'll call Commander Belkin immediately and ask him to send the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion over. .”

   "What about the barricade factory?" Sidolin asked rhetorically, "Once the anti-tank platoon leaves, the anti-tank force in the barricade factory will be weakened."

"The second battalion also has an anti-tank platoon, which can be transferred to the front by Belkin." Sokov said: "In this way, we will have enough time to send anti-tank troops from Mamayev to the barricade factory." Tank troops."

Hearing that Sokov had considered all the issues that should be considered, Sidolin nodded, "Comrade commander, since you have thought about it thoroughly, I will immediately call Commander Belkin and ask He sent a battalion of anti-tank platoons to the Dzerzhinsky plant to support General Zholudev's troops."

Unexpectedly, after Belkin received the call from Sidolin, he asked suspiciously: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't you know that the enemy is also launching a fierce attack on us. If at this time, the anti-tank platoon is transferred away, So who is going to deal with the enemy tanks?"

Seeing Sidolin's embarrassed expression, Sokov knew that he must have hit a wall in front of Belkin, so he walked over to take the microphone in his hand, and said to Belkin: "Comrade my political commissar, It was my order to send the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion to support the Dzerzhinsky factory. The enemy is now storming the Dzerzhinsky factory. If the anti-tank platoon is not supported, their defense line may be destroyed. Enemy tanks break through."

"Misha, I understand what you mean." Belkin heard Sokov's voice, and knew that this order could not be changed. He sighed and said, "I can send the anti-tank platoon to support General Joludev, but I have one condition."

   "What conditions?" Sokov asked briefly.

"Can the anti-tank platoon of the Second Battalion be transferred to General Joludev?" After Berkin made this request, he was afraid that Sokov would disagree, so he took the initiative to analyze to him: "The anti-tank platoon of the Second Battalion, from the After entering the barricade factory, they have been idle. If they are ordered to take over the work of a battalion anti-tank platoon, they will not only need a familiarization process, but may even cause unnecessary confusion."

   "Then what do you think?"

"It's very simple." Belkin continued: "Directly transfer the anti-tank platoon of the second battalion to the Dzerzhinsky factory. Unfamiliar location, re-acquainted with the environment."

Belkin's words reminded Sokov that he immediately realized that there were some problems with his deployment. He could directly send the anti-tank platoon of the Second Battalion, which is now idle, to the Dzerzhinsky factory, but he himself It is simply superfluous to add superfluous things to the snake.

Thinking of this, Sokov smiled embarrassedly, and then said into the microphone: "Comrade Commissar, you are right, let the anti-tank platoon of the second battalion go to reinforce the Dzerzhinsky factory, and the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion The tank platoon continues to hold its ground. In addition, I will draw soldiers who know how to use rocket launchers from the division guard battalion, and rush to reinforce you."

  Sidolin waited for Sokov to put down the phone, and immediately asked him for instructions: "Comrade commander, who do you think will lead the troops to reinforce the barricade factory?"

"Comrade commander, can I say a few words?" Anisimov on the side couldn't help interjecting and asked: "Didn't the commander order us to reinforce the Dzerzhinsky factory? Why did you become a reinforcement barricade again?" factory?"

"Comrade Commissar," Sokov turned to Anisimov at this question and explained to him: "The Barricade Factory is not far from the Dzerzhinsky Factory, and we will send reinforcements to the Barricade Factory , we can achieve the goal of reinforcing them at any time.”

   "Comrade Commander," seeing that his words were interrupted by Anisimov, Sidolin repeated his question again: "Are you going to send someone to lead troops to reinforce?"

"Let the battalion commander, Major Tenev, lead the team." Sukov considered that after Tenev came to his division, he was almost a transparent person, and he rarely arranged any combat missions for him. There is also resentment. It is planned for him to carry out this task: "Let him take two guard platoons, carry five rocket launchers and supporting ammunition, and rush to the barricade factory as soon as possible."

   "Comrade Commander, there are almost a hundred people in the two guard platoons." Hearing this, Ivanov couldn't help but remind Sokov: "Is it a little too little to carry only five rocket launchers?"

"A lot, a lot." Sokov shook his head and said, "I let them go to the barricade factory, not only to deal with the enemy's tanks, but also to deal with the enemy's infantry. Therefore, I plan to let them carry another thirty new rocket missile."

"I think Captain Belgin will be very happy if he knows the news." Knowing that Sokov also plans to let the reinforcements carry new rockets, Ivanov showed a knowing smile on his face: " But in this way, the Germans who attacked the barricade factory will suffer."

Seeing that Sidolin was on the phone with Major Tenev, the battalion commander of the guard, Sokov couldn't help shaking his head secretly. He thought that as long as the Stalingrad Front counterattacked, he could use the additional troops provided by his superiors to attack the frontal forces. Romanian troops counterattacked. But the plan could not keep up with the changes. First, the German army and the Romanian army switched defenses, and then stormed the barricade factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory, so that I had to deploy some of the troops and technical equipment that were originally planned for the counterattack to reinforce these two critical situations. factory.

   "Comrade commander, what are you thinking?" Seeing Sokov staring at Sidolin on the phone in a daze, Anisimov couldn't help asking, "Are you worried that our troops won't be able to defend the factory?"

"That's right." Sokov nodded, and said in an affirmative tone: "Wait another dozen hours, our Stalingrad Front Army will launch a counterattack against the enemy from the south of the city, and then in the shortest possible time , Join forces with the Southwest Front Army and the Don River Front Army going south. But if the Barricade Factory and the Dzerzhinsky Factory fall at this critical moment, then all the efforts made in the middle of the night will be in vain.”

"I think our troops should be able to defend the barricade factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory." Anisimov said with some confidence: "Anyway, they also know that our army's major counterattack has begun. The destruction is in sight. Therefore, no matter how fierce the enemy's attack is, they will find a way to support it and wait until the victory comes."

  Belkin received Sokov's order and was about to call the second battalion commander, Captain Briski, but a new round of German offensive began again. Lyudnikov called him and said in a panic: "Commander Belgin, the enemy has launched a new attack. It seems that they will never stop until they take down the factory. Based on what I have seen With some troops, it may be difficult to stop them, and I hope to get your help."

"Don't worry, Comrade Colonel." Since the snow outside was not that heavy, Belkin could see the situation outside from his command post. He saw groups of German soldiers in white camouflage uniforms, tanking, assaulting Under the cover of guns and armored vehicles, he rushed towards the last line of defense of the barricade factory. He quickly said into the microphone: "We will continue to fight side by side with you to completely smash the enemy's attack."

Belkin thought that the artillery regiment did not have many shells left, and that it would be a waste for the Second Battalion to stay on the artillery position, so he hurriedly called Briski and told him, "Comrade Captain, this is Belkin." Commander, now I give you two orders."

"Comrade commander, please give the order." Briski heard from Belkin's tone that the order the other party was about to issue was very important, so he said solemnly: "Our battalion has made all preparations for battle. .”

   "Since you are ready for battle, that's very good." Belkin was very satisfied with Briski's answer. He said sternly: "Order one, dispatch the anti-tank platoon to the Dzerzhinsky factory to support General Zholudev's defense area; positions, to strengthen their defenses."

"What, send the anti-tank dispatch to the Dzerzhinsky factory?" Briski couldn't help being surprised when he heard this order, because he also saw that the German army was ruthless this time, and the tanks, assault guns and armored vehicles dispatched were at least There were more than 30 vehicles, and it was impossible to deal with them with just a few bazookas from the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion, so he carefully reminded Belgin: "Comrade commander, haven't you seen how many tanks the enemy has dispatched this time?" And armored vehicles? Just relying on the anti-tank force of the first battalion is simply impossible to deal with."

"This is an order from the division headquarters, execute it immediately." Belkin was afraid that Briski would not be able to figure it out, and he specifically emphasized: "If the Dzerzhinsky factory falls, the enemy will be able to go around behind us. We will be completely encircled by the enemy. You have to understand that helping our allies is helping ourselves.”

"Also," after talking about the anti-tank platoon, Briski continued to ask his own question: "Not long ago, didn't the division headquarters just replenish the first battalion with troops? Will it be too crowded? Comrade regiment commander, is it appropriate to gather so many troops in such a narrow area, and every shell of the enemy will cause us casualties of a dozen or even dozens of people?"

"It's nothing inappropriate." Belkin heard Briski repeatedly looking for objective reasons, and said impatiently: "The new troops added to us by the division headquarters are all recruits with little combat experience. I am afraid that many soldiers will be so nervous that they can’t even hold their guns. To hold the position, we can only rely on the first battalion and your battalion. Do you understand?”

   "Understood, Comrade Leader."

   "Now that you understand it, what are you still doing?" Belkin urged, "Hurry up and bring your troops over for reinforcements, or it will be too late when the enemy rushes into the position."

  When the commanders and fighters of the second battalion rushed to the defense area of ​​the first battalion along the communication trench, the enemy's tanks and assault guns had already rushed into the forward position. Although the anti-tank fighters of the first battalion anti-tank platoon were tenacious, their performance was no different from moths to the flame in the face of the German tanks and armored vehicles that had an absolute numerical advantage. Those anti-tank fighters who hid in the craters and fired at the tanks became the targets of the machine guns on the armored vehicles. As soon as they stand up, they will be strafed by intensive machine gun fire, and some anti-tank fighters died on the spot, falling headlong into the crater. The deputy shooter picked up the rocket launcher, braved the enemy's bullets and stood up again, and continued to aim and shoot at the approaching tank.

  (end of this chapter)