Whether Malashenko can survive the onslaught of three SS divisions for one day until the support troops arrive tomorrow for rescue is the key to the development of the situation.
Vatutin wanted to tell himself that Malashenko would definitely be able to persevere. The Malashenko in his memory would never be easily defeated by the Germans.
But the encirclement and suppression by three full elite armed SS divisions was still a bit too scary. You must know that the two units of the Skeleton Division and the Imperial Division had just attacked each other and defeated the Soviet army that originally came to attack itself. The offensive energy
The strength is undoubtedly revealed, and they still have huge attack power after riding on the victory. These three SS divisions have obviously been preparing for this trap for a long time.
Otherwise, Vatutin did not believe that the SS troops who had launched a hasty counterattack could have such strong offensive energy. This was unreasonable and unjustifiable.
In any case, Malashenko must hold on until reinforcements arrive. This is the key point.
If it can hold on, the three SS divisions that use troops both internally and externally to fight on two fronts will inevitably face the dilemma of insufficient troops. When the reserve force reaches the bottom and there are no more extra troops to invest in filling holes, that is when the SS
At the last stage of forced retreat, otherwise, not only would the encirclement not be able to maintain, but there would also be a risk of being eaten by the Soviet army in one fell swoop.
But if Malashenko cannot hold on, he will be surrounded and eliminated before reinforcements arrive.
Next, Vatutin must consider how to withstand the offensive edge of these three armed SS divisions after the serious loss of troops, especially technical equipment. This is bound to be a quite huge attack.
When energy and troops are severely damaged, there is really no guarantee that it can withstand it. Even if reinforcements arrive, it will be difficult to make up for the losses of existing troops.
Losing the 1st Heavy Tank Brigade of Stalin's Guards is equivalent to having its main beam removed. This is the only force in our hands that can effectively delay and block the assault edge of the German armored forces.
No matter what, Malashenko and his troops cannot be allowed to fall in the encirclement and position in front of the October State Farm!
Vatutin, whose eyes became more determined, felt that the moment of final decisive battle was coming. As long as the outcome was determined by this confrontation, the situation of the entire Kursk southern front battlefield would be completely finalized. Who will win depends only on today and tomorrow.
battle!
"Two o'clock! Kill that No. 4 and open fire!"
boom--
The loud roar of the cannon was followed by a burst of fire.
A No. 4 tank that had rushed to a position less than 200 meters away from the position was pierced by a single shot. The 122mm full-caliber hooded armor-piercing bullet hit the front armor on the side of the tank, leaving a gap big enough for an adult male's arm to penetrate.
Hole punch.
The strong ammunition explosion instantly tore apart the fragile body of the Panzer IV tank. The additional armor hung on the sides of the turret and car body were blown up into the air by the flaming blast like fallen leaves swept by the autumn wind.
The power of the steel parts and armor fragments that were blown out from both sides of the car body was far greater than that of artillery fragments.
Several SS Panzergrenadiers who were following the attack and avoiding Soviet machine gun fire were instantly swept away. The most unlucky man was even hit by a piece of armor fragment with a diameter of 30 centimeters attached to the rear of the turret on the spot.
, the transverse cut hit the abdomen.
The armor fragments as sharp as a burning razor cut the whole living person into two pieces in an instant. Intestines, spine bones, muscles, military uniforms, nothing could stop this armor fragment larger than a palm from continuing to move forward.
The upper and lower corpses covered with internal organs, blood and flesh were the final result.
What's even more miserable is that the SS Panzergrenadier who was cut in half in an instant was still not completely dead on the spot. The blood on the upper half of the body spurted from the severed part, and the fallen internal organs were scattered all over the floor. But his conscious brain was still there.
He forced his mouth to let out the most miserable howl since he was born.
If the sound was simply processed to the point where it could not be distinguished as a human voice, you would probably believe it if you said it was the sound of three pigs being slaughtered at the same time in a slaughterhouse.
The heartbreaking wailing lasted only a few seconds, and the life force flew away like a big hole in a balloon filled with water. In less than ten seconds, even the upper body that was originally conscious was completely turned into a pile.
Smelly carcasses.
No one paid attention to this unlucky Panzergrenadier, and he left for another world without even having time to explain his last words before his death.
Holding the weapons in their hands tightly, the other ferocious-looking SS infantrymen were still rushing madly after the tanks. The wreckage of the Russian tank that was blown up by the Tiger tanks used for long-range fire support on the position was burning. It looked like
It is the fire of hope that indicates final victory, enough to make all the brave soldiers of the Führer flock to it and work hard for it, regardless of their own safety.
Commanding Iushkin to kill the nearest No. 4 vehicle with one shot, while Kirill was reloading, Malashenko immediately turned the commander's periscope in his hand to look for the next highest threat target.
As for how tragically the unfortunate Panzergrenadier died, he didn't even bother to look at it.
That is, at the stall where Malashenko was looking for his next target, Lavrinenko's urgent voice suddenly came from the radio intercom hanging on the iron frame next to him, bringing a message that had always been Malashenko.
The most worrying bad news.
"The right position has been breached, Malashenko! The 9th Guards Airborne Division can no longer hold on, and the German tanks rushed into their position!"
Malashenko, who was only focused on the fierce fighting at the front and had no time to pay attention to the side positions, was stunned for a moment after hearing this. He immediately turned the commander's periscope in his hand without saying a word and looked around.
.
As Lavrinenko said, the few Panzer IVs and Panthers at the front have broken through the fire blockage and rushed to the position. Several IS2 heavy tanks from the third tank battalion sent by Malashenko to assist in the defense
The tanks were struggling to block the attack, but they were clearly outnumbered, far less than the number of German tanks that were following up on the charge.
The German Panzer IV tanks, which had the advantage in loading speed, were firing fiercely at the IS2s. The tinkling armor-piercing bullets hit the front armor and splashed a series of sparks, but more Panthers and Panzer IVs were trying to use maneuvers.
Use the superior flank to take a roundabout route and eliminate these thick-skinned heavy tanks from the side with weak armor.
The SS Panzer Grenadier troops charging with the tanks had already entered the position. This group of Nazi fanatics with powerful firepower and a large number of automatic weapons immediately attacked the Red Army soldiers in the trenches and on the position without fear of death.
Fight together.
Submachine guns fired face-to-face, bayonet-mounted rifles flashed with swords, engineer shovels and even grass-cutting scythes found from unknown sources were all used as melee weapons. The close-quarters combat in which cold weapons and hot weapons competed on the same stage had just begun.
reached its climax.
The soldiers of the 9th Airborne Division, who are also elite guards like Malashenko, showed no fear. Even the wounded soldiers with gauze on their heads and bandages on their arms had already rushed forward and broke into the position.
The SS infantry fought with their lives.
The few remaining IS2 heavy tanks will never be able to hold on for much longer. Once they are destroyed, there will be nothing that can drive those German tanks out of their positions.
Malashenko must do something before this happens, before it is too late.