The bombers that bombed the front line of the German 113th Infantry Division came from the 16th Air Force Group of the Don Front. They were ordered by Rokossovsky to bomb enemy positions.
While the bombing was going on, at the front headquarters more than a hundred kilometers away, Chief of Staff Malinin learned that the bomber group had begun bombing the German front line and asked Rokossovsky: "Comrade Commander, according to the Air Force's
According to reports, the enemy's forward position has become a sea of fire, and there is no sign of counterattack on the ground."
Rokossovsky nodded and asked: "Where is General Kazakov?"
"He is at the artillery headquarters at the moment," Malinen replied, "waiting for your artillery order!"
"In ten minutes," Rokossovsky raised his hand, looked at his watch, and ordered Malinin, "order the artillery to fire at the front of the German 60th Motorized Division. The artillery fire will last no less than half an hour."
"Understood." Malinin agreed, picked up the phone on the table, and dialed the artillery headquarters: "General Kazakov, the commander ordered that the artillery fire at the front of the enemy's 60th Motorized Division in ten minutes.
The bombardment lasted no less than half an hour."
After issuing the order, Malinin looked at Rokossovsky and asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, after the artillery and bombing are over, do you still order General Galanin's 24th Group Army to attack the enemy's defense line?"
"Yes, if we delay launching a ground attack after bombing and shelling the enemy's front line, we will definitely find that we are feigning an attack." Rokossovsky replied with a smile: "We have launched such a heavy attack.
For the capital, you have to ask the Germans for some interest."
"If the assembly of friendly troops and technical equipment had not been completed, we could have launched a full-scale attack on the German army in two days." Ma Lining said with regret: "What a pity, in order to ensure that the general offensive in more than ten days cannot be carried out.
Affected, this time we can only use the severely reduced 24th Group Army to launch a feint attack against the enemy."
"Chief of Staff, you are right." Regarding Malinin's statement, Rokossovsky nodded in agreement: "The divisions of the 24th Group Army have suffered serious attrition after a long and arduous battle. However, although the troops
They were very tired and suffered heavy casualties, but the commanders and soldiers were very motivated. They clearly realized that their recruiting action today would directly support the friendly forces fighting in Stalingrad, giving them more confidence to defend the city."
Malinin, one of the few insiders, waited for Rokossovsky to finish speaking and said with a wry smile: "Comrade Commander, I really didn't expect that any action we took before was only done by the guerrillas behind enemy lines to cooperate with us.
The reason why we made such a big noise today is to cooperate with the guerrillas in launching an attack on the enemy's station."
"The two stations that the guerrillas are going to attack are important material transfer stations for the Germans. Once they are occupied, it means that the German supply lines have been cut off." Rokossovsky glanced down at the map on the table.
He said thoughtfully: "At that time, the Germans may not have the intention to attack the city again, but will deploy sufficient troops to ensure the safety of their supply lines."
After finishing speaking, he picked up his tea cup and took a sip of water. He said with some laughter and tears: "Chief of Staff, although my superiors said that this attack plan behind enemy lines was formulated by a captain of the 41st Guards Division, in my estimation
, this matter is inseparable from Misha. I really didn’t expect that although this guy was still a colonel, he indirectly commanded dozens of generals to mobilize the Germans according to his intentions to ensure that
His men can complete this offensive behind enemy lines."
Rokossovsky did not expect that Sokov had no knowledge of this battle plan before it was reported. It was all Guchakov who wanted to give Sokov a break and retaliate against the German bombing of Mamayev Heights.
A temporary battle plan was formulated. But what everyone did not expect was that it was originally a battle plan for the guerrillas to work alone. After it was reported to the Supreme Command at all levels, the Don River Front Army received an order to cooperate in the battle.
When the Don River Army's artillery bombarded the front line of the German 60th Motorized Division, Paulus and Schmid began to study the Soviet army's intentions. Schmid said: "Your Excellency, Commander, we originally thought
The Russians were preparing to break through from the direction of the 113th Infantry Division, but judging from their actions, it seemed that they planned to launch two simultaneous assaults from the direction of the 113th Infantry Division and the 60th Motorized Division."
"What is the defense situation of our army in this area?" The military situation was urgent, and Paulus no longer cared about eating his second breakfast. He was now only concerned about whether the existing defensive positions could block the Soviet attack: "Yes
Block the Russian attack?"
"Your Excellency, Commander," as Paulus' chief of staff, Schmid was very competent. As soon as he heard Paulus's question, he immediately replied without thinking: "The defensive positions occupied by these two divisions are
It was built by the Russians in the past. Not only is the terrain favorable, but it is also very strong. There should be no problem in blocking the Russian attack in a short period of time."
After Paulus waited for Schmid to finish speaking, he slapped the map with his hand and said: "Chief of Staff, call the two division commanders again and order them to speed up the mobilization of troops. According to my estimation, when the bombing and the
After the shelling is over, the Russians will launch a massive attack, so there will be no defensive troops on the position by then."
"Don't worry, Commander." Schmid replied respectfully: "I have made it clear to the two division commanders the seriousness of the gaffe. They said they would use all transportation forces to move the troops to the front.
but……"
"But what?" Seeing that the chief of staff suddenly showed a troubled expression on his face midway through his words, Paulus urged impatiently: "Why don't you continue?"
"The two division commanders were worried that the troops would be bombed by Russian aircraft during the movement." Schmid reminded Paulus: "Judging from the bombing of the forward position of the 113th Division, the Russians are fully capable of dispatching two troops at the same time.
The capability of three aviation divisions.”
"Then call the commander of the Fourth Air Force." Paulus waved his hand to Schmid and said: "Ask him to dispatch a fighter formation to cruise over the combat area to ensure that the air superiority of the battlefield is in our hands.
"
After Schmid waited for Paulus to finish speaking, he asked tentatively: "Your Excellency, Commander, do you need to report the Russian counterattack to Berlin immediately?"
"Don't worry." Paulus shook his head and said: "We currently don't know the scale of the Russian counterattack. If we report it rashly, and Berlin asks, we won't be able to explain clearly. It's better to wait until we find out.
It will not be too late to report to Berlin the direction of the Russian counterattack, the troops and technical equipment used."
The Soviet bombing of the forward positions of the 113th Infantry Division lasted for nearly half an hour. After all the bombers dropped their bombs, they turned around and flew back to the airport. It was not until long after they left that the German fighter formation arrived.
Late.
A reconnaissance plane operating with the fighter formation lowered its altitude to take pictures. It was surprised to find that the forward position where a battalion was originally stationed had been blown beyond recognition. There were blazing flames everywhere, and darkness had covered several kilometers.
In the crater, no living creatures could be seen at all.
Not long after the commander of the German 113th Division received the telegram from the front, he completely lost contact with the front. Not only was the phone unreachable, but there was no response even to the radio call. After the division chief of staff reported the situation to the division commander
, let out a long sigh, and said in annoyance: "Your Excellency, division commander, I think that the whole battalion that was holding on to the forward position should have been completely destroyed."
"What, the whole army was destroyed?" When the division commander heard what the division chief of staff said, he immediately jumped up from his seat: "This is impossible. How can you say that there are seven or eight hundred people gone?"
"But we only received one telegram from the front line, and then we completely lost contact with them." Seeing the division commander's anger, the division chief of staff said cautiously: "The best case scenario is that the communications room is hit by a bomb, and the commanding officer
The system and troops are still preserved."
"Chief of Staff," in order to find out what was going on, the division commander ordered his chief of staff: "Immediately call the troops on the second line of defense and ask them to send people to the front immediately to see what is going on.
"
"Your Excellency, Division Commander, I think you need to be mentally prepared." The division chief of staff couldn't help but shudder when he thought about the fate of the forward troops, and said cautiously: "If this battalion has been stationed in the fortifications established by the Russians, it will
In the air raid that just ended, their losses were much smaller. After all, the Russian fortifications had air defense facilities. But in the past few days, the battalion commander felt that the Russians on the opposite side seemed to lack strength, so he took the decision without permission.
, the original defense line advanced six hundred meters."
"What, that battalion commander pushed the defense line forward six hundred meters?" Hearing what the division chief of staff said, the division commander's eyes widened in surprise: "Why didn't anyone report this to me?"
After listening to the division commander's words, the chief of staff of the division really couldn't laugh or cry. He thought to himself, if the Russians hadn't launched a sudden attack today, you might have wished that all the troops had pushed their defense lines forward to further reduce the Russians' space for movement.
But he could only think about these words in his heart, but he did not dare to say them casually in front of the division commander. He paused for a long time and then said vaguely: "Maybe the battalion commander is eager to make a contribution and plans to
Move the defense line forward to facilitate the next possible attack."
The division commander looked down at the map in front of him and asked his chief of staff: "If the battalion commander moves the defense line forward without permission, then the distance between them and the second line of defense will be 1,200 meters instead of 1,200 meters."
It has reached 1,800 meters, no wonder the second line of defense cannot see the situation there."
He raised his head and ordered the chief of staff again: "Call the commander of the second line of defense immediately and ask him to immediately send scouts and ride motorcycles to the forward position to find out what the situation is there."
"Your Excellency, division commander, where is the battalion commander?" When the division chief of staff picked up the microphone again, he specifically asked: "What do you plan to do with him?"
Hearing this question from the chief of staff, the division commander gritted his teeth and said: "When we repulse the Russian attack, we will send this battalion commander to a military court. If everyone is like him, how can we command the troops."
…………
After the bombing and artillery bombardment, the Soviet army used two infantry divisions to simultaneously launch an attack on the defense areas of the 113th Infantry Division and the 60th Motorized Division under the cover of tanks and artillery fire.
This move by the Soviet army made Paulus and Schmid even more convinced that the Russians were planning to launch an attack in this area to save Stalingrad from its imminent fall. Therefore, Paulus was not attacked by the Soviet army.
The two divisions issued combat orders. At the same time, they also ordered several divisions in the factory area north of Stalingrad to suspend their attacks and build defenses on the spot. Parts of the 289th Infantry Division and the 295th Infantry Division were transferred to the enemy.
The area where the Soviet army attacked.
After adjusting the deployment, Paulus breathed a sigh of relief and said to Schmid: "Chief of Staff, as long as the two divisions attacked by the Russians can withstand the whole morning, then the two divisions transferred back from the factory area will
With one division, under the cover of aircraft, they can attack from the Russian flanks and cut off their attacking troops."
Schmid seemed to see the dawn of victory in Paulus's words. He said excitedly: "You are right, Commander. As long as the 289th and 295th Infantry Divisions move quickly, they can win the battle before noon."
, launch an attack on the flanks of the Russian attacking troops. The Russians never pay attention to protecting their flanks when attacking. Our troops can easily cut them off and encircle them.
As long as we severely damage the Russian counterattack forces, we will no longer have to worry about threats from the flanks in the subsequent battle to attack Stalingrad."
"Yes, you are right." Paulus stared at the location of the Soviet troops marked on the map, pointed at the location of the Don River Front with his finger, and said with a look of disgust: "Every time we attack the city
When the final fierce attack is launched, the Russians in the north will suddenly launch an attack to disrupt our offensive steps. I hope that this time, our attack from the flank will seriously weaken the Russians and make our north in a short time.
Inside, there will no longer be any threats.”
Schmid was a more cautious officer. After Paulus finished speaking, he carefully expressed his concerns: "Your Excellency, Commander, Rokossovsky is one of the most capable Russian generals. I'm worried.
He may have some backup plan to deal with our attack from the flank."
"Chief of Staff," Paulus said with a sneer: "To the Russians, Rokossovsky is a great general. But to us, this is nothing more than the Russians choosing the taller one from the shortest."
.Don’t forget, his opponent is our Sixth Army. To defeat us is simply a fantasy. Maybe wait a few more days, and you will be able to see this famous soldier in our prisoner camp.
Russian general."
"Your Excellency, Commander, you are right!" Schmid said with a smile: "No matter how powerful the Russian general is, if he encounters Paulus's army, his final end will be either to be annihilated or to be sent to a prisoner of war camp."