News of the failure of the 57th Group Army's attack reached the division headquarters at Mamayev Ridge. After reading the battle report, Golikov took off the fur from his head, threw it heavily on the table, and said angrily
: "What did Tolbukhin do? He clearly broke through the enemy's defense line, but was defeated by the German counterattack. If this affects the morale of our army and leads to the failure of this counterattack, I will personally kill him
Sent to court martial."
After Sokov picked up the battle report on the table and quickly browsed it, he figured out the reason for the failure of the 57th Army's attack. He handed the message to Sidorin and Ivanov, and faced Golikov and said
: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I think the strength of the 57th Group Army is because the commander underestimated the enemy too much. After they defeated the Romanian cavalry and successfully tore open the enemy's defense line, they did not consolidate the breakthrough in time and rushed forward.
.When encountering a sudden attack by the German army, we failed to take timely and effective response measures, which led to this failure."
"Colonel Sokov," Golikov turned to look at Sokov, and after calming down the anger on his face, asked: "Do you think our counterattack today will be successful?"
"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, although there are some problems with the 57th Group Army's offensive, I believe that the 51st Group Army, which attacks on the right wing, will definitely achieve good results."
"I hope so." Golikov, who was originally confident in this counterattack, felt that the future of the battle was not good because of the failure of the 57th Army's offensive. He picked up the cigarette case on the table, took out a cigarette and held it in his mouth.
Before striking a match, he asked specifically: "Can I smoke here?"
"Okay." Sidorin nodded quickly and said, "The engineers in the division have specially installed a ventilation duct to ensure the air circulation in the headquarters. You can smoke at will."
Golikov lit the cigarette, took a puff, and said with regret: "I didn't expect that before our troops had time to advance in depth, they encountered a crazy counterattack by the Germans. If the 51st Army on the right wing also
Many German troops encountered them head-on, and I'm afraid the situation will not be much better."
Seeing that Golikov became worried about gains and losses due to the failure of an attack, Sokov quickly comforted him and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I feel that in the next battle, General Volsky's Mechanized 4th Army will
They will play a vital role. As long as they can break through the enemy's defense line, the next battle will be easy to fight."
"Oh, Volsky's 4th Mechanized Army?" Sokov's words aroused Golikov's interest. He lowered his head and looked at the map on the table. Although he already knew the location of the counterattack troops well,
But he still watched carefully. After watching for a while, he looked up at Sokov: "Volski's unit is located at the junction of the 57th and 51st Group Armies. If he can really successfully break through the enemy's defense line, then
The enemy's defense line will become fragmented, and our army's counterattack will become smoother."
Although Golikov no longer mentioned asking Sokov to organize troops to counterattack as soon as possible, Sokov felt that there were some things that should be prepared for a rainy day, so he took the initiative and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I feel that if our army's counterattack
If results are achieved, the troops in the city should also take some positive actions to contain the enemy within the existing area..."
"Take positive actions to contain the enemy within the existing area." After Golikov repeated Sokov's words, he asked expressionlessly: "Why?"
"Once Paulus discovers that the purpose of this major counterattack launched by our army is not just to relieve the siege of the city, but also to prepare to encircle and annihilate them, he will consider withdrawing troops from the city." Sokov answered confidently.
Said: "It is very easy for the enemy to retreat on open ground and get rid of our army's pursuit. But in today's street fighting, it is another thing to get rid of our army's counterattack and pursuit. In the city
The positions of the enemy and ours are intertwined, and the fire support points of both sides are intertwined in a chaotic manner. It is extremely difficult for them to get rid of our troops."
After listening to Sokov's words, Golikov nodded thoughtfully and said: "Colonel Sokov, what you said makes sense. We must find a way to drag the enemy into the city so that they cannot escape."
After Sokov and Golikov chatted for a few more words, he felt that he should tell Belkin, who was fighting in the barricade factory, what he thought, so he picked up the phone. After hearing Belkin's voice, he called
The microphone said: "Comrade Political Commissar, how is the situation there? Is the enemy still attacking?"
"Yes," Belgin replied affirmatively: "The enemy went crazy and launched a fierce attack on our position. Within two hours, we have repelled three enemy charges in a row. Fortunately, you
The Marine Corps Battalion from Shamrih has been sent over, otherwise our position would have been broken through by the enemy."
"What's going on?" Sokov was secretly surprised and asked quickly: "What section was almost broken by the enemy?"
"The junction between the 1st Battalion, 3rd Company and Lyudnikov Division was broken through by the German 162nd Engineer Battalion. I sent a reserve team for reinforcements. The two sides launched a fierce battle, but they were still unable to drive the enemy away from our positions.
Get out." Belkin reported: "Fortunately, Captain Shamrih's Marine Corps battalion arrived and fought with the enemy with bayonets. After a hard battle, we finally wiped out all the enemies who broke into our regiment's position."
"Comrade Political Commissar, please tell the commanders and soldiers that our Stalingrad Front's major counterattack has begun. The enemy is going crazy." Sokov said into the microphone: "As long as we can withstand the enemy's attack, the final victory will be achieved.
It must belong to us."
After Sokov finished speaking, he realized that what he said were all cliches and empty words, and he did not give any instructions to Belkin on how to hold his position. When he was about to add a few more sentences, he heard Belkin talking on the other side of the phone.
One said: "Misha, I will pass on the good news you told me to all the commanders and soldiers. I believe their morale will be boosted when they hear the news."
Since Belgin said this, Sokov could not refute the other party and said that this was not what he meant. He could only laugh twice and then said: "Comrade Political Commissar, I am calling because I have something important to tell you."
you."
"What's the matter?" Belkin said briefly: "Tell me about it."
"We intercepted a telegram from the German Army Group headquarters to Paulus, asking Paulus to move troops out of the city and rush to the Don River Basin to intercept our army." Sokov said solemnly:
"Now that the enemy has entered the city, we must not let them leave easily. The mission of your regiment is to take active actions after the enemy completely stops attacking to pin down the enemy in their current position so that they cannot leave smoothly.
.How are you, are you having any difficulties?”
"Don't worry, Misha." Belkin let out a long sigh and said, "We will definitely try our best to contain all the enemies in the barricade factory."
After calling Belgin, Sokov felt that the situation at the barricade factory was still quite serious, so he called Chuikov again and reported to him: "Comrade Commander, I just spoke with Commander Belkin.
He told me that the enemy is launching a frantic attack on the barricade factory. I am worried that with their existing troops and equipment, it may be difficult to block the enemy. I wonder if you can..."
"Can I send troops to reinforce them, right?" Chuikov heard this and interrupted Sokov impatiently: "It's not just the barricade factory that was attacked, the enemy is in Dzerzhins
The base factory has also invested a large amount of troops, constantly launching fierce attacks on the defense areas of the 37th Guards and the 45th Infantry Division. All the troops I can send have been sent out. Whether they can hold it depends on
It’s up to them.”
When Sokov was about to end the call, Chuikov suddenly asked in a confused manner: "The deputy commander of the front is at your place, right?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander."
"Keep him safe. Do you understand?"
"clear!"
As soon as Sokov put down the phone, he heard Golikov on the side saying: "This Chuikov, he is worried that I can't guarantee his own safety, and he actually asked you to take care of him. It's really interesting."
"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, Commander Chuikov said this out of concern for you." Sokov observed Golikov's expression and saw that there was no unhappy look on his face, so he cautiously said
Said: "After all, the city is the most dangerous place, and everyone may die at any time."
"I think the Mamayev Hill that your division is holding is good." Golikov said nonchalantly: "The enemy may be frightened by you, and they don't even dare to attack you easily. I stay here, and it should be safe.
There’s no problem, right?”
"No problem." Sidorin replied resoundingly: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, as long as you stay at Mamayev Heights, I assure you that there will never be any danger."
…………
The Stalingrad Front's counterattack on the south side of the city finally made new progress by noon. The Mechanized 4th Army commanded by General Volski, after fierce battles, annihilated the Romanian army outside the Red Army city and once again
A breach was opened in the defense line.
After Golikov learned the news, there was no expression of surprise on his face. Instead, he asked uneasily: "Colonel Sokov, do you think General Volsky's troops will not suffer another German counterattack?"
Sokov only knew that the major counterattack carried out by the Soviet army was successful and encircled Paulus's more than 300,000 troops in the Stalingrad area, but he did not know the specific battle. Therefore, Golikov
He didn't know how to answer this question, so he just smiled bitterly.
Seeing that Sokov was just smiling bitterly, Golikov couldn't help but sigh softly. He even thought that it wouldn't be long before Volski's Mechanized 4th Army was counterattacked by the Germans.
News of the defeat.
Fortunately, what he was worried about did not happen. The German 29th Motorized Infantry Division, which had defeated the 57th Group Army, was consolidating its position when it was attacked from the flank by the 4th Mechanized Army. The German command had to mobilize a considerable number of troops.
, to strengthen the defense of one's flanks.
The 29th Motorized Rifle Division deployed troops to defend the flanks, and their frontal defense immediately became weak. Major General Tolbukhin, commander of the 57th Group Army, immediately ordered Colonel Tanahishin, commander of the 13th Tank Army, to command the troops to attack again
He broke through and launched an attack in the direction of the attack, trying to tear open the German defense line again.
Colonel Tanakhishin, who had been defeated in the morning, was feeling ashamed and embarrassed when he suddenly received the attack order from Tolbukhin. He took the lead and personally led the troops to carry out the attack. Hundreds of tanks of the 13th Tank Army,
Two wedge-shaped formations were formed and rushed towards the direction of the German army.
The Germans never dreamed that the Soviet army would adopt a coordinated attack from two sides and launch an attack on the area they controlled. The German Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks hid behind the trenches and opened fire on the Soviet tanks that were speeding towards them.
, but just after destroying two tanks, the Soviet tanks had already rushed to the front of the position.
At such a short distance, the German Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks were unable to compete with the Soviet T-34. In one moment, more than a dozen German tanks were all killed by the Soviet tanks as if they were on target.
Through the intelligence system of the front army, Golikov was able to understand the situation on the battlefield in a timely manner. When he learned that Colonel Tanahishin's 13th Tank Corps was launching a fierce attack on the German positions, he couldn't help but asked Sokov worriedly: "What's going on?"
Colonel Koff, do you think the tank army can break through the German defense lines?"
"I think there should be no problem." Seeing that Volski's Mechanized 4th Army played a great role in the offensive, Sokov said with more confidence: "I think that by dark at the latest, the 51st Group Army
The troops can also successfully break through the enemy's defense and wedge themselves deep into the enemy's defense line."
Sokov took advantage of Golikov and was able to keep abreast of the progress of the battle on the south side of the city. However, Chuikov, who stayed at the headquarters, could not get any news. He was eager to know the progress of the counterattack on the south side of the city, and also
I made a special call to Sokov and asked him about the situation: "Colonel Sokov, this is Chuikov. I would like to ask how the counterattack on the south side of the city is going?"
"Report to Comrade Commander!" Sokov replied respectfully: "According to the latest battle report, the 4th Mechanized Army commanded by General Volsky has successfully broken through the enemy's defense line and is advancing towards the depths of the enemy's defense.
Advance. The 57th Group Army, whose attack was once frustrated, also dispatched Colonel Tanahishin's 13th Tank Corps, which is storming the defensive area of the German 29th Motorized Infantry Division, and now has the upper hand."
Chuikov learned that Chengnan's counterattack was progressing smoothly, and a rare smile appeared on his face. He paused for a moment, and then asked: "What about the 51st Group Army and the 64th Group Army in Chengnan? How is their progress?"
"The commanders and fighters of the 51st Group Army are engaged in a fierce battle with the enemy." Sokov did not see the battle report about the 51st Group Army and could only follow his own guess: "I believe they can break through the German defense line before dark.
, join forces with the 4th Mechanized Army that is advancing deep into the enemy."
"Colonel Sokov, thank you!" Chuikov's voice suddenly became a little excited and said: "Thank you for telling us such good news..."
"Comrade Commander," Sokov felt that he needed to remind Chuikov that the Germans might escape from the city when they see that the situation is not good, and he quickly added: "I feel that once the enemy feels that the situation is not good, they may
To find a way to evacuate the city, we should keep the troops in constant contact with the enemy so that they cannot escape even if they want to."