Burning Moscow - Chapter 1419
Chapter 1418 Separate battle (20)
After I hurriedly issued a series of orders, the battle west of Kalinkovic started.
The German army bombarded the position of the 309th Guards Regiment with tank artillery, preparing to take advantage of our army being suppressed by artillery fire, and the cover infantry quickly launched an assault on our army position.
Just as the Germans just launched a charge, Shuklin’s self-propelled artillery regiment opened fire. The shells fired by the 152mm artillery immediately enveloped the German tank formation in the smoke. When the five-round salvo was completed and the artillery regiment moved to a new position, only a third of the German tanks remained intact. One, the rest were destroyed in the artillery fire and become flaming wreckage.
After I heard Major Shumakov’s report relayed by Sergeikov, I thought for a while and said: “Comrade Colonel, please tell Major Shumakov. Don’t be irritable and don’t attack for the time being. Just watch. When the enemy is about to flee, we can send troops to attack, and we must find ways to drag the enemy to their current position so that they cannot leave contact with us. Understand?”
Sergeikov hesitated for a moment, and then asked back: “Comrade Commander, I can ask, how long are we going to drag the enemy?”
“I have ordered the 67th and 71st Divisions of the Guards to quickly turn north and attack the Germans from the northwest.” Regarding Sederikov’s question, I answered with confidence: “In addition, the three of the 11th Army North of the city The division is also moving westward, preparing to cut off the German army’s retreat. At the same time, the troops of the 65th Army South of the City are also acting. They will cooperate with our troops to attack the German army from the front.”
“I understand, Comrade Commander.” After listening to my explanation, Sergeikov said straightforwardly: “I will let Major Shumakov do everything possible to hold the enemy in the west of the city. They escaped.”
I have set up the siege and annihilation in the west of the city. The next thing I should be concerned about is the battle on the Pripyat River. I asked Bezikov, “Chief of Staff, how is the fighting on the Pripyat River going?”
“According to the report of Colonel Lukin and General Chernov, the enemy had prepared a large number of river crossing equipment by the river an hour ago, and put on a posture of preparing to cross the river and fight with our army.” Bezikov Reported to me: “When they found out that although fighting was taking place in the west of Kalinković, our troops on the east bank were still waiting, and they gave up the operation of crossing the river.”
When I heard this, I felt that the German army’s actions were taken for granted. Seeing that our army’s defenses were impeccable, they would not risk heavy casualties and forcefully cross the river. I looked at the map, and then asked, “How about the 52nd Division of General Nekrasov’s Guards?”
“The German army may know that their entire army across the river has been destroyed.” Bezikov pointed to the map and said to me: “So now they have stopped their offensive and withdrawn their troops to the West Bank, and are building a line of defense here in an attempt to block our army. Offense.”
I saw that the direction pointed by Bezikov’s finger was on the only way to Mozili. I frowned and asked, “Chief of Staff, if the enemy builds a line of defense here, will it block our way to Moziri?”
“Yes, that’s the way it is.” Bezikov replied surely.
“Comrade Commander, I have an idea.” Kistyakov, who hadn’t spoken for a long time, suddenly said: “Let’s see if we can order the 52nd Guards Division to launch an attack, with the tank brigade as the leader, and go straight into the depths of the German army. ?”
“Let the 52nd Guards Division, under the cover of the tank brigade, attack the Germans who are building fortifications?” Hearing this suggestion from Kistyakov, my mind started to work quickly, weighing the power of doing so. Gains and losses. After a fierce ideological struggle, I said decisively: “I think the deputy commander’s plan to switch from defense to offense is feasible. Okay, let’s try it. Chief of Staff!”
Hearing my shout, Bezikov immediately agreed: “Comrade Commander, do you immediately give general Nekrasov and the tank brigade a combat order?”
“Yes, tell General Nekrasov that apart from leaving one defensive position, he immediately ordered the other two regiments to attack the enemy who is constructing a fortification under the cover of the tank.” I am deeply afraid of Nekrasso. After receiving this order, the husband would look forward to the rest of the German troops around him, and would be fearless when executing the order, so Bezikov specifically asked Bezikov to emphasize to him: “As for the German troops on both wings, he doesn’t have to worry. Colonel Lukin and General Chernoff’s troops will deal with it.”
When I saw Bezikov turn around to send a telegram to Nekrasov, I couldn’t help feeling a while back. The series of orders I gave tonight were simply messy, without any order. They belonged to that kind of headache. The practice of painful medical treatment. Fortunately, the strength of the German army is not as strong as ours. Otherwise, one of the many orders I have issued will ruin the entire army.
While I was blaming myself, I suddenly heard Kistyakov ask me: “Comrade Commander, if we solve the enemy in the west of the city after dawn, General Nekrasov’s troops will also successfully build a bridgehead on the west bank. , Then what will we do next?”
“Comrade Deputy Commander, is this still necessary?” I looked at Kistyakov with a strange look, and said: “As long as we can successfully cross the Pripyat River, we must move westward and besiege Moziri, wipe out all the enemies in the city.”
“I want to ask one more question.” Kistyakov pointed to Kalinkovic on the map, “If our troops are all going westward, who will give this city to you?”
“I intend to hand it over to General Batov,” I have already considered the question asked by Kistyakov, so at this moment I can answer him without thinking: “In the early battle of the 65th Army, the original soldiers and The ammunition consumption is extremely high. In addition, the German army was suddenly counterattacked a few days ago, and the troops were almost defeated. Such troops are okay to fight defensive battles. If they are used to attack cities, they are not suitable at all. So after my careful consideration, I It was decided to let General Batov’s troops to defend Kalinkovic, and we and the 11th Army troops headed west, together with General Belov’s 61st Army, to besiege Mozyri, completing the strategy entrusted to us by our superiors. The mission of Mozyr Kalinkovic.”
…………
At dawn, the battle in the west of the city came to an end. As the 11th Army’s troops did not enter the blocking position in time, at least half of the Fourth Armored Division of Lieutenant General Sauken escaped. And the 102nd Infantry Division, nearly one-third of the troops, rushed out of the encirclement that we had not had time to close.
When I saw such a battle report, I was so angry that I threw the tea cup in front of me to the ground. The teacup fell to the ground and immediately fell to pieces, and the tea inside splashed on Kistyakov’s body.
Seeing water splashing on Kistyakov’s body, I suddenly felt a little embarrassed that my impulse had actually implicated others. When I was about to apologize to Kistyakov, he dusted the tea splashed on the army coat with his hand, and then said casually to me: “Comrade Commander, although quite a few enemies have escaped our encirclement. , But their strength has been seriously damaged. I believe that with their existing strength, they cannot attack us until they are supplemented. In this way, we can safely and boldly attack Mozili’s The defenders attacked.”
I waited for him to finish, nodded, and then asked Bezikov: “Chief of Staff, how is the situation with the 52nd Guards Division?” As in Nekrasov’s report, due to the tenacious defense of the Germans , The four attacks they launched all ended in failure. If they can no longer seize the position built by the Germans, then the next battle will be difficult to fight.
Hearing my question, Bezikov said with a smile on his face: “Comrade Commander, General Nekrasov reported that after fierce fighting, they successfully seized the German defensive position and the enemy has retreated. In the direction of Moziri.”
I think the reason why Nekrasov’s offensive failed so many times was because of the German attack from both wings. While they were attacked by the enemy, neither the Lukinian nor the Chernovian were able to help them, because their troops were also stubbornly blocked by the Germans when they were crossing the river. Neither was able to board the West Bank.
After listening to Bezikov’s words, Kistyakov said to me: “Comrade Commander, I think that since the 52nd Guards Division has seized the German position on the West Bank and established a bridgehead, then the Guards 90th Division With the 375th Infantry Division, this kind of futile crossing operation can be stopped. They lack adequate river crossing equipment and do not have the cover of heavy weapons. If they want to forcibly cross the Pripyat River, they will inevitably pay huge casualties.”
While I was blaming myself, I suddenly heard Kistyakov ask me: “Comrade Commander, if we solve the enemy in the west of the city after dawn, General Nekrasov’s troops will also successfully build a bridgehead on the west bank. , Then what will we do next?”
“Comrade Deputy Commander, is this still necessary?” I looked at Kistyakov with a strange look, and said: “As long as we can successfully cross the Pripyat River, we must move westward and besiege Moziri, wipe out all the enemies in the city.”
“I want to ask one more question.” Kistyakov pointed to Kalinkovic on the map, “If our troops are all going westward, who will give this city to you?”
“I intend to hand it over to General Batov,” I have already considered the question asked by Kistyakov, so at this moment I can answer him without thinking: “In the early battle of the 65th Army, the original soldiers and The ammunition consumption is extremely high. In addition, the German army was suddenly counterattacked a few days ago, and the troops were almost defeated. Such troops are okay to fight defensive battles. If they are used to attack cities, they are not suitable at all. So after my careful consideration, I It was decided to let General Batov’s troops to defend Kalinkovic, and we and the 11th Army troops headed west, together with General Belov’s 61st Army, to besiege Mozyri, completing the strategy entrusted to us by our superiors. The mission of Mozyr Kalinkovic.”
…………
At dawn, the battle in the west of the city came to an end. As the 11th Army’s troops did not enter the blocking position in time, at least half of the Fourth Armored Division of Lieutenant General Sauken escaped. And the 102nd Infantry Division, nearly one-third of the troops, rushed out of the encirclement that we had not had time to close.
When I saw such a battle report, I was so angry that I threw the tea cup in front of me to the ground. The teacup fell to the ground and immediately fell to pieces, and the tea inside splashed on Kistyakov’s body.
Seeing water splashing on Kistyakov’s body, I suddenly felt a little embarrassed that my impulse had actually implicated others. When I was about to apologize to Kistyakov, he dusted the tea splashed on the army coat with his hand, and then said casually to me: “Comrade Commander, although quite a few enemies have escaped our encirclement. , But their strength has been seriously damaged. I believe that with their existing strength, they cannot attack us until they are supplemented. In this way, we can safely and boldly attack Mozili’s The defenders attacked.”
I waited for him to finish nodded, and then asked Bezikov: “Chief of Staff, how is the situation with the 52nd Guards Division?” As in Nekrasov’s report Because of the tenacious defense of the German army, the four attacks they launched all ended in failure. If they can no longer seize the position built by the Germans, then the next battle will be difficult to fight.
Hearing my question, Bezikov said with a smile on his face: “Comrade Commander, General Nekrasov reported that after fierce fighting, they successfully seized the German defensive position and the enemy has retreated. In the direction of Moziri.”
I think the reason why Nekrasov’s offensive failed so many times was because of the German attack from both wings. While they were attacked by the enemy, neither the Lukinian nor the Chernovian were able to help them, because their troops were also stubbornly blocked by the Germans when they were crossing the river. Neither was able to board the West Bank.
After listening to Bezikov’s words, Kistyakov said to me: “Comrade Commander, I think that since the 52nd Guards Division has seized the German position on the West Bank and established a bridgehead, then the Guards 90th Division With the 375th Infantry Division, this kind of futile crossing operation can be stopped. They lack adequate river crossing equipment and do not have the cover of heavy weapons. If they want to forcibly cross the Pripyat River, they will inevitably pay huge casualties.” ^