After receiving Chuikov's request for help, General Sharayev, commander of the city defense, immediately called the person in charge of the Dzerzhinsky factory and said in a stern tone: "Comrade Ivanov, the guards stationed to the west of you The 35th Division is currently under a crazy attack by the German army. I order your factory to immediately dispatch one or two annihilation battalions to support them. Do you understand?"
After Ivanov heard the order issued by Sharayev, he couldn't help but hesitate. The factory currently only has two fighter battalions set up for the defense of the factory. If they are sent out to support the 35th Guards Division, once they are all lost, So who will protect the factory? Thinking of this, he said with some embarrassment: "Comrade General, our factory currently only has two annihilation battalions. If they are all transferred, who will be responsible for the defense of the factory?"
"Comrade Factory Director," seeing Ivanov's pushback, Shalayev became anxious: "If the Guards Division's position is lost, do you think you can defend Dzerzhinsky with your current strength? "
Faced with Sharayev's question, Ivanov replied hesitantly: "No...can't. But, if...if...if...if...we send out...all the defense...defense forces, and the enemy comes to attack us, what...should... manage?"
Hearing what Ivanov said so pitifully, Shalayev felt that he should not push the other party so hard, so he took a step back: "Okay, Comrade Factory Director, what you said makes sense. In order to prevent your factory from sending out After gathering all your strength, if you are attacked by the German army, you can leave one company behind. In addition, organize all the women in the factory to form a new armed force."
"Yes, Comrade City Defense Commander." Ivanov put down the phone and said to the deputy factory director sitting opposite: "Comrade Zalitzman, I just received a call from the City Defense Commander. He told me about the situation in the 35th Guards Division. It's very critical and we need to send people to support immediately. I thought about it, except for one company of the two militia annihilation battalions in the factory, you can take the rest with you."
"What, leaving only one company?" After hearing this, the deputy director of the factory, known as Zalitzman, asked in surprise: "Comrade director, have you forgotten that our factory area is almost the size of a small city? Two battalions are not enough to defend all areas, let alone only one company.”
"Comrade Zalitzman, the Guards Division is in urgent need of support. Go and assemble the troops immediately." Ivanov urged the other party: "As for the defense of the factory, I don't need you to worry about it."
Seeing the anxious expression on Ivanov's face, Zalitzman did not dare to neglect and nodded quickly. He picked up the phone on the table, dialed a number, and said into the phone: "Battle alert, order the annihilation battalion to assemble in front of the factory building immediately."
Ten minutes later, the militiamen who had been notified came from all parts of the factory and gathered in front of the factory headquarters building. Seeing that the people had almost arrived, Zalitzman stood at the door of the building and said loudly to the militiamen in front of him: "Comrades, our 35th Guards Division is fighting tenaciously with the German invaders to the west of the factory. Fighting. At present, their defense line is in danger and they urgently need us to support them. Although our troops and weapons are far inferior to those of the German invaders, we are determined to do everything we can to defend Stalingrad with our friendly forces and the ground under our feet. This land. I believe we can stop the German invaders’ attack!”
As soon as Zalitzman said this, nearly a thousand militia soldiers began to chant slogans: "Defend Stalingrad!" "Defend our factories!" "Defeat the invaders!"
After the shouting of slogans stopped, Zalitzman continued: "You are the armed force that protects the factory. Although there are not many people and the equipment is not very good, I believe that all of you are good. Now I will Lead you to support the comrades of the Guards Division and strike hard at the invaders! Let’s go!”
As Zalitzman's order was issued, the commanders of the militia annihilation battalions began to issue orders to the militiamen. When the militiamen lined up and marched untidyly towards the factory gate, Ivanov held Zalitzman's hand and said: "Comrade Zalitzman, I wish you success!"
…………
When the militiamen from the Dzerzhinsky Factory moved out of the factory, the defensive position of the 101st Regiment was breached by the Germans. More than a hundred German officers and soldiers followed the two tanks and rushed into the depth of the Soviet defenses. When the commander of the 101st regiment learned about this hour, he couldn't help being shocked. He quickly ordered the troops to intercept, and at the same time called Glazkov to warn: "Comrade division commander, a group of enemies has broken through our regiment's defense line and is heading towards the division headquarters." Go in the right direction. For safety reasons, please move the command post immediately."
"What, a group of enemies broke through your defense line?" Glazkov couldn't help but frowned when he heard the regiment leader's report. He was silent for a moment and asked: "How many people are there?"
"There are more than a hundred people and two tanks." After briefly introducing the situation, the regiment leader once again made suggestions to Glazkov: "Comrade division commander, for your safety, it is better to move the command post as soon as possible."
"Move to where?" Glazkov heard what the regiment leader said and replied angrily: "There are open areas all around here. As soon as we leave the headquarters, we will become the target of the German attack. I am now I order you to immediately seal the breach opened by the Germans, and I don’t need you to take care of it here."
The German army came faster than Glazkov imagined. After only seven or eight minutes, they approached Glazkov's division headquarters. Fortunately, after receiving the early warning from the 101st Regiment, Glazkov had summoned more than a hundred people in advance and prepared for the battle in the trenches.
The enemy who rushed towards the division headquarters were all infantry who did not see the tank. It was not known whether it broke down on the way or was blown up by the commanders and soldiers of the 101st Regiment. However, despite this, when Glazkov saw the German infantry whose number was equal to his own, he still felt uneasy. Even though the number of people was about the same, almost all of the people around him were made up of staff officers, communications troops, and logistics personnel. The combat effectiveness of the two sides was not at the same level at all.
Just as Glazkov was staring closely at the enemies moving towards the division headquarters, a staff officer beside him said in a panic: "Comrade Division Commander, I didn't expect there were so many Germans. I think we can't defeat them, so we should retreat." Bar."
Glazkov shouted sternly: "Lieutenant Ross, do you know that you are panicking and shaking the morale of the army. If you dare to say another word, I will shoot you immediately."
Lieutenant Ross was frightened by Glazkov's words. He suddenly thought of the Order No. 227 issued more than a month ago. If you retreat without permission, you will be shot immediately. He hurriedly expressed his position and said: "Comrade Commander, don't worry, as long as I still have breath, I will never take a step back."
While he was talking, the German army had changed from a trot to a fast run. Seeing this, Glazkov jumped into the trench with a Mosin-Nagant with a bayonet in his hand. He half-turned around and shouted to the commanders and soldiers who were still in the trench. Said: "Third Company, for the sake of the motherland and for Stalin, move forward!"
Seeing the division commander leading the charge, the commanders and soldiers staying in the trenches crawled out one after another, rushed forward with weapons in hand and shouts. The dozen or so fast-running warriors quickly overtook Glazkov and started a fierce hand-to-hand battle with the overcoming German troops.
Although Glazkov was the leader of a division, he also participated in this fierce hand-to-hand combat. He did not use a pistol to deal with the enemy, but faced the enemy with a bayonet. Perhaps the Germans saw the rank on his collar and knew he was a big shot, so two German soldiers rushed towards him, one on the left and one on the right. He did not dodge and used his gun to block a stabbing bayonet, and then stabbed directly through the throat of another German soldier. Then he turned around and stabbed another soldier.
But other Soviet commanders and fighters did not take advantage of the German army. Most of them are staff officers, communications soldiers and logistics personnel who do not participate in combat. They say that one-on-one, even two-on-one or three-on-one, may not necessarily be able to defeat a German soldier.
After seven or eight minutes of fighting, more than seventy of Glazkov's men fell under the German bayonets, while the German losses were only more than twenty. After Lieutenant Ross stabbed a German soldier, he came to Glazkov's side and said breathlessly: "Comrade Division Commander, our casualties are too great. If we continue to fight, the entire army will be destroyed. It's better to withdraw."
Glazkov looked at the German troops that were gradually surrounding him, and said with a stern expression: "Lieutenant Ross, we have no way to retreat and can only fight on. Now there is nothing but fighting with the Germans." There’s a way.”
After hearing what Glazkov said, Lieutenant Ross knew that the other party was preparing to fight until the last moment, so he roared and rushed towards a German soldier on the opposite side with his bayonet straight. Glazkov saw that he and the remaining commanders and fighters were surrounded by the German army. It was impossible to escape unscathed. He also followed Ross's example and rushed into the German army's queue with a bayonet in hand. , and have a final battle with them.
The Soviet army was originally smaller in number than the German army, and its combat effectiveness was weak. After a few minutes, only seven or eight soldiers were left beside Glazkov and Lieutenant Ross. Glazkov had just stabbed a German soldier. Before he could pull out the bayonet, a German soldier rushed over and stabbed him directly in the heart with the bayonet in his hand.
"Commander, be careful." When Ross saw that Glazkov was in danger, he shouted and rushed to him without hesitation, blocking the bayonet piercing his heart for him. The bayonet pierced Lieutenant Ross's left shoulder, and the tip dripping with blood was exposed from his back.
Glazkov pulled out his bayonet. When he saw Lieutenant Ross being wounded while trying to save himself, his eyes widened. He roared angrily and thrust the bayonet into the German soldier's ribs through the side door. He quickly pulled out his bayonet, kicked the German soldier away, supported Ross who was leaning back, and asked with concern: "Lieutenant Ross, are you okay?"
"Comrade Commander, we are fine." After Ross endured the pain and said this, he suddenly froze. Then he pointed into the distance with his finger and exclaimed: "Comrade Commander, look!"
Glazkov looked in the direction of his finger and saw a troop in civilian clothes walking through the artillery fire, heading towards his position. Seeing this unit, Glazkov couldn't help but be overjoyed: "It's the militia annihilation battalion coming!"
Zalitzman, who was leading the team, saw that hand-to-hand fighting was going on here, and stopped to take a look with a telescope. He found several commanders wearing big-brimmed hats surrounded by dozens of German soldiers. The situation was particularly critical. , he quickly issued an order: "Speed up the submachine gunners and go over to destroy those enemies."
After hearing Zalitzman's order, a company commander immediately shouted to the team: "Come out, the submachine gunners~!"
Following his command, more than twenty militiamen armed with Popov submachine guns stood up. The militia's equipment has always been poor. Those who can be equipped with submachine guns are militiamen with high technical and tactical levels and a certain degree of fighting. After the company commander waited for them to come out, he pointed with his hand towards the place where the hand-to-hand fighting was taking place and said: "Our commander is being besieged by the enemy. Come with me to destroy the enemy. Let's go!"
More than twenty militiamen followed the company commander and ran towards the location of Glazkov and the others at a sprint speed of 100 meters. After entering the effective shooting range, they all stopped and fired at the place where the German troops gathered. The German soldiers who were caught off guard were immediately knocked down in large numbers. Seeing the fierce firepower of the militiamen, the remaining soldiers did not dare to fight and quickly turned around and fled.
After Glazkov waited for the Germans to escape, he walked towards the militiamen who had just rescued him. He came to the company commander and asked with a smile: "Comrade, which section are you in?"
"Hello, comrade commander." Although the militia company commander is not a formal soldier, he also understands that you cannot salute superior commanders on the battlefield. He just straightened his body and replied: "We are the Dzerzhinsky Factory The militiamen came to support the 35th Guards Division on orders from their superiors."
"Hello, Comrade General." Zalitzman, who had just arrived, saw the gold star on Glazkov's collar badge and asked politely: "Are you General Glazkov?"
"Yes, mine is Glazkov."
"Hello, Glazkov." Zalitzman quickly extended his hand to the other party: "I am Zalitzman, the deputy director of the Dzerzhinsky factory, and I have brought two militia battalions. You see , where should they be placed?”
"Hello, Comrade Zalitzman. Thank you very much for arriving in time and saving our lives." Glazkov glanced at the approaching militia troops and said, "Now that the division headquarters is empty, you will Now you are stationed here, and when the troops are insufficient somewhere, I will send you there."
