After answering Manstein's call, Hausser asked straight to the point: "Your Excellency, Marshal, the Skeleton Division's attack on the Russian second line ended in failure. A full infantry battalion was almost completely destroyed."
"What, the attack on the Russian second line of defense failed?" Hausser's report made Manstein feel very strange: "But an hour ago, didn't you tell me that the troops of the Skeleton Division easily defeated
Did he conquer the first Russian position and suffer very few casualties? How come he suffered a defeat and suffered huge losses when he attacked the second position?"
The reason why Manstein felt strange was that based on his many years of experience fighting the Soviet army, the Soviet army liked to put the strongest troops on the front line when defending, while those on the second line were those with more recruits and weaker combat effectiveness.
Ordinary troops. Since the Skeleton Division made smooth progress when it broke through the first position, it should be easier to fight in the subsequent battles. How could it fail?
"According to General Simon's report," Hausser said: "When they attacked the second position, they were not only intercepted by Russian artillery fire, but the tanks approaching the Russian position were also attacked by rocket launchers. As for being almost attacked by
The infantry battalion that was completely wiped out was attacked by new rockets."
"Bazookas and new rockets?" Manstein couldn't help but frowned when he heard this, "Hausser, aren't the two weapons you mentioned only available to Sokov's troops? Why were they attacked by you?
Will the Russian army also have these new equipment?"
"Your Excellency, Marshal, the reason is very simple." Hausser said with some laughter and tears: "The Russians holding on to the second position may be Sokov's troops."
"There's no mistake, right?"
"How could it be wrong?" Hausser reminded Manstein: "Marshal, you should still remember that a few months ago, when Sokov was the commander of the Sixth Army, he severely damaged the Skeleton Division.
Even General Simon, the acting division commander, was captured by him. Fortunately, on the way to Moscow, some scattered officers and soldiers of the Skeleton Division attacked the transport convoy and successfully rescued General Simon.
Being captured this time was a great shame and humiliation for General Simon. Naturally, he was more familiar with the equipment and tactics of Sokov's troops than anyone else. Since he said that the troops on the opposite side were commanded by Sokov, he would definitely not do anything.
wrong."
"Hausser, ask General Simon, what is the firepower of the Russians?" After a brief thought, Manstein asked bluntly: "Approximately how many troops are on the position?"
Hausser immediately covered the microphone with his hand and asked Simon, who was sitting next to him and was sulking: "General Simon, the marshal asked, how many people are there in the Russian second line of defense?"
Simon thought for a while and replied: "Judging from the firepower, there are no more than two battalions of troops holding the position."
"Your Excellency, Marshal," Hausser released his hand covering the microphone and replied to Manstein: "General Simon said that judging from the firepower on the position, the defenders should not exceed two battalions."
"That's right." After listening to Hauser's report, Manstein nodded and said: "According to the intelligence we have, the defenders blocking the front of the 6th Armored Division are the 188th Infantry Division under Sokov.
Division. It seems that he transferred part of his troops to cover the Russian troops on his right flank, which was attacked by our army. I believe that the defenders of the second line of defense are at most one regiment, so your attack cannot
Stop and continue fighting. Although Sokov's troops are more powerful than other Russian troops, their numbers are limited after all. If we continue to attack, I believe it won't be long before we can still break through their defenses."
Manstein's words were a reassurance to Hausser. No matter how powerful Sokov's troops were, they now had to face the Skeleton Division, the Sixth Armored Division, and the 19th Armored Division that was about to enter the battle.
The troops were simply not enough. So as soon as he put down the phone, he said to Max Simon: "General Simon, you go back immediately to reorganize the troops and continue to attack the Russians' second line of defense."
"Your Excellency, Commander, my troops have just suffered a defeat, and I'm afraid the morale will be affected."
"What is a temporary attack setback?" Hausser said disapprovingly: "No matter how powerful Sokov's troops are in combat, after all, there is only one division in front of us, and we have three divisions deployed to attack in this area.
There are so many, there is no reason why he cannot be defeated."
Seeing that Simon was still undecided, Hausser called him to the map, pointed at the Soviet defensive position and said: "General Simon, look at it, the Russian position in front of us is about five kilometers wide.
The strength of Cove's regiment seems a bit too weak when placed here. As long as you concentrate your forces to attack a small area, you can break through their defenses."
He gently pushed the opponent's shoulder with his hand: "General Simon, don't forget that you were captured by Sokov in March. Now is a good opportunity for revenge. You must not miss it.
.”
Being captured by Sokov's troops was the most humiliating thing for Max Simon. If it weren't for the scattered troops that happened to attack the convoy transporting him, I am afraid that he would be living in a Russian prisoner of war camp for a long time at this moment. Hausser
His words aroused the fighting spirit in his heart: "Don't worry, Army Commander, I will go back immediately to redeploy the attack. My troops will break through the Russian defense line in an hour and advance to the Pushor River."
When the Skeleton Division's offensive began again, Sokov's position was also attacked by the 6th Armored Division and the 19th Armored Division. The commanders and fighters of the 188th Division and the Guards Division fought fiercely with the enemy, and after a huge effort,
After suffering casualties, he tenaciously held his position.
But what was unexpected was that the 107th Division's position on the left side of the Guards Division was broken through by the German 19th Armored Division. The defeated commanders and fighters withdrew to the banks of the Pushor River, so much so that the Guards were
The division's seats were exposed to the enemy. Because the 107th Division did not report to the Guards Division in time when it retreated, General Malankin did not know that his left wing was completely exposed to the enemy.
The situation at the position held by the 658th Regiment was not much better. Although the commanders and soldiers put up tenacious resistance, the second position they held was still broken through by the Germans. Part of the defeated troops withdrew to the main area where Sokov was located.
The other part of the army retreated to the Pushor River in panic.