"Great, this is great." Sokov couldn't help but cheered when he learned that Lieutenant Colonel Dobrushin's troops successfully occupied the bus station and seized more than fifty complete buses and trams.
: "I am worried about how to send troops and weapons into the city quickly. If we have these captured vehicles, we can solve a big problem."
"That's right, Comrade Commander." Sameko also happily agreed: "Although the hovercraft is good, it cannot enter the city. The anti-tank obstacles and various barricades on the streets, as well as the ruins of collapsed buildings, will
hinder its progress. Now with so many buses, we can transport the troops and supplies outside the city in batches to the areas occupied by our army in the city, and at the same time transport the wounded back on the front line so that they can receive timely treatment.
treatment."
"I think trams cannot be used under today's circumstances. Only buses can be used." Sokov told Samyko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, use buses to transport soldiers, supplies and wounded people."
You must designate a few reliable comrades to take charge of the matter."
"Don't worry, I will let the director of the logistics department be responsible for this matter." Sameko replied: "I believe they will be able to complete this matter."
With the help of buses, the troops moved forward much faster. At the beginning, due to insufficient strength, the commanders and fighters of the two Marine Corps brigades had to divide their troops to search the buildings on both sides of the street after breaking through the enemy's barricade defense line.
The enemies within will inevitably be slowed down.
However, as more than 30 public vehicles continued to transport troops from outside the city, the task of searching for the remaining enemy forces fell to the friendly forces, and the two Marine Corps brigades were able to advance deeply into the enemy regardless of the situation.
Chuvashov's order to the troops was particularly concise and clear: "The attack must be fast, fierce, and ruthless! When encountering the enemy's defensive position, whether it is barricades or building defenses, use rocket launchers to crush all who dare to resist.
enemy!"
Following Chuvashov's order, the attack speed of the two marine brigades merged into one place greatly accelerated. By three o'clock in the afternoon, the leading troops were less than 800 meters away from the municipal building where the German headquarters was located.
speed.
The troops at the forefront were a battalion commanded by Shamrich. When he saw the clearly visible buildings in the distance, he immediately reported the good news to Chuvashov and asked for instructions: "Comrade Colonel, the enemy
The headquarters is only about 800 meters away from us, can we use new rockets to attack?"
"No, Comrade Major, we must not do it." Although Chuvashov knew very well that as long as dozens of new rockets hit it, the enemy's headquarters, no matter how strong it was, would be reduced to a sea of flames, and many German troops might be burned to death.
However, he considered that only placing the red flag on the top of the municipal building would represent the occupation of the city. If he recklessly bombarded the building with new rockets, where should the red flag be placed?
Therefore, he ordered Shamrih: "You should continue to advance towards the German command headquarters according to the original plan. As for whether rockets can be used, I will wait until I ask the commander for instructions."
When Chuvashov said that he wanted to ask Sokov for instructions, Shamrih, as an old subordinate of Sokov, naturally would not disobey the order and quickly replied: "I understand, comrade colonel, I will continue to command the troops and fight against the enemy's attack."
Attack the location of the headquarters and wait for your next order."
When Sokov received the call from Chuvashov, he couldn't help but lament the smooth progress of the other party. He originally thought that he would not be able to approach the German headquarters until noon tomorrow at the earliest. He did not expect that Chuvashov's troops were making such rapid progress.
After working for more than 20 hours, he completed the combat goal he set for a long time.
"Comrade Colonel, good job. Your advance is very fast. I believe that after the battle to liberate Belgorod is over, your brigade will definitely receive the honorary title." Sokov asked: "Your red flag is ready.
Yet?"
"Red flag?" Chuvashov was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Comrade Commander, didn't you order people to equip all combat units above the battalion level with red flags? Don't worry, we will put them up after occupying the municipal building.
Immediately plant the red flag on the top of the building."
"Comrade Colonel, listen, it is a tradition of the Russian army to plant a red flag on the municipal building of an ancient city to indicate the occupation of the city." Seeing that Chuvashov did not understand what he meant, Sokov said
Explained to him: "Since it is a tradition, we must pay attention to it. I think that after you occupy the building, you just put up an ordinary red flag, which does not make much sense. It is better to put up your brigade's military flag to show that you are the most important person."
Take this city first."
"Comrade Commander, is this appropriate?" Hearing what Sokov said, Chuvashov said hesitantly: "You know, if something goes wrong with the military flag, you will be punished."
Sokov knew very well what Chuvashov meant. Once a unit with a military flag loses its military flag, its superiors will cancel the organization without hesitation, and commanders at all levels will also be sent to military courts. Even if the military flag is not lost,
If damage occurs, the top commander of the army will also be punished. On a battlefield under heavy artillery fire, the military flag placed on the top of the municipal building may be knocked down by enemy artillery fire. In this way, the troops occupying the building will not only have to
Instead of receiving a commendation, you will be criticized or even punished for damaging the military flag.
After guessing what Chuvashov was thinking, Sokov comforted him and said: "Comrade Colonel, don't worry, just follow my orders. As long as you occupy the building, you can put your brigade's flag on the roof. No matter what the future is.
Whatever happens, I will help you take responsibility.
Put the military flag on the top of the municipal building and announce to everyone that your brigade was the first to occupy Belgorod. This will be a military achievement that will be recorded in history in the future." Sokov said earnestly: "If
Because you were worried that you might be sent to a military court for damaging the military flag, you missed the opportunity to make great achievements. Won't you regret it in the future?"
Sokov's words accelerated Chuvashov's adrenaline secretion. He slapped his hands on the table and said loudly: "Comrade Commander, you are right. Since it was the municipal building that our brigade occupied first,
Naturally, we have to put up our military flag and announce to everyone that the troops occupying the enemy's headquarters are our 84th Marine Brigade."
Chuvashov ended the call with Sokov, immediately walked to the radio, asked the radio operator to connect to the first battalion at the front, and said into the radio: "Major Shamrih, this is Chuvashov.
.I now give you a special order. Once your troops rush into the municipal building, you must send soldiers to plant the military flag on the top of the building."
"Comrade Colonel," Shamrich said loudly after Chuvashov finished speaking, "but I only have ordinary red flags here, not military flags."
"You don't have to worry about the military flag." Chuvashov said to him: "I will send someone to send it to you immediately. Be sure to send someone to plant the flag on the roof of the municipal building when we occupy it."
"clear."
"By the way, Comrade Major. I would also like to remind you that you must tell the soldiers who plant the flag on the roof of the building to care for our military flag as much as they care for their own eyes, and there must be no mistakes."
"Understood, Comrade Colonel." Shamrih assured Chuvashov: "I will definitely send the most experienced soldiers to complete this task, and I will never let you down."
Shamrich commanded the troops of the first battalion to continue to advance and encountered German fire interceptions at the crossroads ahead. The Germans may not have expected that the Soviet army would advance so fast, so their defense in this direction was not very tight. There was a rush.
The barricade fortifications built were still a half-finished project without even a single sandbag being stacked. The German officers and soldiers set up two MG42 machine guns on such an incomplete barricade, trying to block the advance of the first battalion with intensive firepower.
Shamrih saw that the enemy's machine gun fire had suppressed his men, and that the soldiers using rocket launchers were a little far away from the barricades and had insufficient shooting range. He quickly ordered people to contact the tanks that were acting together and asked them to clear the road ahead.
The German firepower point opened up a channel for the attacking troops.
After receiving the request for help from Shamrih, the tank battalion commander immediately dispatched a tank company of five T-34 tanks to open a way forward for his sailor comrades.
The Soviet tanks carefully bypassed their comrades who were suppressed by fire and drove towards the barricades in the distance. The tank crews ignored the dense firepower network composed of German machine guns, submachine guns and rifles, and drove forward at full speed, vehicle-mounted
The machine guns fired wildly, hitting the German soldiers behind the barricades unable to raise their heads.
A minute or two later, several tanks rushed in front of the German barricades. None of them fired, but just ran over them. Just hearing a series of clicks, the German soldiers behind the barricades and the weapons in their hands were all knocked out.
Crushed to pieces under the tracks of tanks.
The commanders and soldiers who had been suppressed by the enemy's firepower saw that their tanks had passed the enemy's fortifications. They got up from the ground and rushed forward with weapons in hand and shouts.
As soon as they saw the Soviet tanks crossing the barricades, the Russian infantry, which had been suppressed by their own firepower, also attacked. The surviving German soldiers became anxious. They kept throwing grenades at the tanks, trying to destroy the Soviet tanks first, and then
Turn around and deal with the oncoming infantry.
If the Germans had encountered other Soviet troops, perhaps their tactics would have worked. But the Marine Brigade was the most powerful force in the Soviet army, and they were also equipped with the most sophisticated assault rifles, waiting for the commander to
After giving the order, the soldiers continued to shoot with the assault rifles in their hands, killing the enemies who tried to blow up the tanks.
However, Huot deployed elite troops near the headquarters. Seeing that the Soviet army broke through another line of defense and advanced towards the location of the headquarters, the German commander immediately organized his troops. Under the cover of two Panther tanks,
Launched a counterattack against the Soviet army.
At the same time as the German counterattack began, the German commander reported to Holt by phone: "Your Excellency, Commander, the situation is not good. The Russian leading troops are only five or six hundred meters away from the headquarters. For your safety, you still
Transfer as soon as possible?"
"What, the Russians are only five or six hundred meters away from my headquarters?" Holt was startled by the commander's order. He quickly covered the microphone and asked a staff officer to go to the other side of the building.
Check to see if the Russian troops have approached your headquarters.
It only took less than two minutes for the staff officer who went to investigate to reappear in front of Holt and said in a panic: "Your Excellency, Commander, the Russian infantry, under the cover of tanks, is advancing towards us along the street.
, the visual distance does not exceed 500 meters.”
Knowing that the Soviet troops were less than 500 meters away from his headquarters, Holt was frightened into a cold sweat. He quickly released his hand covering the microphone and loudly said to the commander who reported to him: "Colonel
, I order you to hold your position at all costs and never let the Russian troops get close to my headquarters."
"Understood, Commander. I will find a way to drive them away." The German commander said equally loudly: "But for your safety, you should move to a safe place as soon as possible."
Holt put down the phone and asked Mei Linjin in a daze: "Chief of Staff, tell me, what should we do?"
"Your Excellency, Commander!" Mei Linjin said quickly: "You are the commander of the 4th Armored Group Army. You cannot risk your own life. I think you should move to a safe area as soon as possible."
"Chief of Staff, do you think there is any place in Belgorod that is safe?" Holt asked rhetorically: "Even if we move the headquarters to another place, judging from the speed of the Russian attack,
I’m afraid we’ll have to move again tomorrow.”
Melinjin heard from the tone of Hott's words that the other party did not want to stay in Belgorod, so he asked tentatively: "Your Excellency, Commander, how about we transfer the headquarters to Kharkov?"
He was deeply afraid that in order to protect his own honor, Hott would not agree to the request to transfer the headquarters, so he quickly added: "Belgorod and Kharkov are a complete defense system of our army. You can transfer to Kharkov."
Kokov can also command the battle in Belgorod."
"Okay." Ever since Holt learned that the Soviet troops were close to his headquarters, he didn't want to stay in the city for a second. However, as the commander of the group army, he couldn't just withdraw at the drop of a hat.
There must be at least a justifiable reason. When he heard what Mei Linjin said, he said smoothly: "Chief of Staff, what you said makes perfect sense. In order to prevent the Russians from destroying our headquarters and causing the troops in the city to lose their unity,
The command was in chaos, so I decided to temporarily transfer my headquarters to Kharkov. I will return here after our army crushes the Russian attack on Belgorod.
"
After Holt made the decision to retreat, less than five minutes later, the entire group army headquarters began to retreat. The German officers and soldiers who were fighting fiercely with the Soviet army in the distance saw that the retreat was being implemented in the direction of the headquarters, and the morale of the army was inevitably affected.
, their counterattack against the Soviet army also became weak.
Seeing that the German counterattack had become exhausted, Chuvasov ordered Dobrushin to devote his troops to the attack on the German headquarters. The German officers and soldiers, who were already somewhat unable to support themselves, saw more and more Soviet commanders and fighters acting like
It came like a tidal wave and was immediately beaten back.
Five o'clock into the battle, the German officers and soldiers who blocked the Soviet army retreated into the municipal building, and started close combat and hand-to-hand combat with the Soviet commanders and fighters who rushed into the building.
Shamrich, who rushed into the building with his troops, called a sergeant and said to him: "Comrade sergeant, take two people to the roof and put the flag of our brigade up."
The sergeant agreed and led two extremely tough soldiers, holding the military flag and running towards the stairs.