The attacking Soviet infantry successfully returned to the trenches, but came to support their armored trains. At this moment, they were still being hit by German long-range artillery fire. The German army used at least ten heavy artillery pieces to bombard the armored trains running on the tracks. Shells roared and fell around the tracks, making earth-shattering explosions.
Seeing that the enemies attacking the 105th Regiment's position had been repulsed, and that his train had become a target of German attack, the commander of the armored train battalion quickly ordered the driver: "Stop, reverse, and return to the base as quickly as possible."
When the train was traveling quickly in the direction of the base, the captain walked to the battalion commander's side and asked worriedly: "Comrade battalion commander, do you think we can return to the base smoothly?"
"I don't know, I don't know." The battalion commander said angrily: "The German army concentrated so many heavy artillery to bombard our train. It seems that they will not give up until they kill us."
The captain's heart rose in his throat as he listened to the explosions coming from outside the vehicle and the clang of shrapnel hitting the armor plates. He prayed secretly in his heart: God, please help us return to the base safely.
The division chief of staff looked through the telescope at the armored train moving quickly through the smoke. He couldn't help but asked the regiment commander worriedly: "Comrade Colonel, can you tell us, can our armored train return to the base safely?"
"It's hard to say." After hearing the question from the division chief of staff, the regiment commander said in an uncertain tone: "Logically speaking, it is not that easy for the German long-range artillery fire to hit a high-speed train. Even if their shells fall on the rails If it explodes nearby, the shrapnel generated will not pose any threat to the train..."
Unexpectedly, before he finished speaking, the fast-moving armored train was directly hit by a shell. The car body shook violently, and a raging fire immediately ignited in the middle of the carriage. The train with billowing black smoke, under the huge inertia, Down, moving forward at high speed along the rails.
However, not far after driving, the ammunition stored in the carriage exploded, and a bright orange fireball burst out of the smoke and formed a huge rolling black mushroom in the air. The train seemed to be lifted up by an invisible hand, and a larger explosion occurred while rolling. In the deafening explosions, smoke and fire rose into the sky. The car body was first blown to pieces, and then was blown to pieces. Completely blown to pieces.
In the smoke and dust that covered the sky and the sun, the shattered armor fragments were mixed with various fragments and parts, sweeping away everything within a radius of nearly two hundred meters. The officers and soldiers of the Guards Division near the railway tracks, those who reacted quickly fell down directly on the spot; those who reacted slowly were swept down by flying fragments and shrapnel...
The division chief of staff and regimental commander, who were still worried about the fate of the armored train, stared dumbfoundedly at the armored train that terrified the German army. After being hit by a shell, it was blown to pieces. After an unknown amount of time, the division chief of staff said to the regimental commander in a hoarse voice: "Give the troops an order to rescue the comrades in the train."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," the regiment leader heard this order with a sad expression on his face: "It's useless. The people in the car were already blown to pieces when the explosion occurred. We may not even have one intact body." None of their bodies can be found.”
Regarding the regimental commander's statement, the division chief of staff nodded slightly and said in a helpless tone: "Yes, Comrade Colonel, you are right, all the commanders and fighters on the armored train should have been killed. Inform the troops and hurry up. Repair the fortifications and prepare for a new round of attacks that may be launched by the German invaders."
Glazkov and Zalitzman, who were staying at the division headquarters, heard a huge explosion from the front and felt the ground shaking violently. They guessed that something big might have happened and ran out of the headquarters quickly. Wanted to see what was going on. But they could see nothing but the black mushroom cloud rising in the distance.
Judging from the location, Glazkov knew that the location of the explosion was in the defense area of the 102nd Regiment. He quickly returned to the headquarters and called the chief of staff of the division supervising the operation there: "Chief of Staff, what happened to the big explosion that just happened there? What's going on?"
"Comrade division commander," the division chief of staff heard Glazkov's question and quickly reported: "The armored train supporting our operations was destroyed by long-range German artillery fire. The explosion you just heard was caused by ammunition in the train. Emitted during the explosion."
Glazkov was silent for a moment and asked tentatively: "Are there any survivors?"
"No." The chief of staff answered simply: "I just received a call from the frontline troops. There are many of our commanders and fighters near the explosion point. Although many of them continued to take evasive measures such as lying down when the explosion occurred. action, but because they were too close to the explosion point, they were all shocked to death."
When Glazkov heard the bad news, the corners of his mouth twitched violently, "How many casualties do we have?"
"Nearly a hundred people were shocked to death on the spot, or killed by flying shrapnel." The division chief of staff reported: "There are also some soldiers who were injured by the shock. It seems that their injuries are not serious. Whether they can survive, It depends on their luck.”
The armored train that could provide artillery support for his troops was destroyed. Glazkov's expression became serious. He knew in his heart that once such powerful fire support was lost, the next battle would be difficult to fight. However, before receiving the order from his superiors, even if he knew that the troops suffered heavy casualties, they could not allow the troops to retreat. They could only continue to stick to the existing positions and deal with the enemy. Therefore, he said into the microphone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, in the next step In the battle, you have no artillery support. If you want to block the enemy, you must have strong fortifications. Even if you only have one minute to prepare, you must order the troops to repair the fortifications. Do you understand?"
"Understood, comrade division commander." The division chief of staff replied cautiously: "We will do everything we can to block the German attack."
…………
The explosion of the armored train was discovered by the observation post on Mamayev Ridge, and he immediately reported this information to the brigade headquarters. Knowing that the armored train was destroyed by German artillery fire, Sidorin couldn't help but be shocked. He said to Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, the armored train was destroyed by the enemy, then we will not get anything in the next battle." No artillery support."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov waited for Sidorin to finish speaking, looked at him and asked: "Are we not going to fight without the support of armored trains?"
Seeing that Sidorin was speechless, Sokov continued: "We have built strong fortifications on Mamayev Hill. Even without the support of armored trains, with our strength, if we want to block the enemy's attack , there should be no problem.”
Hearing Sokov's confident tone that we could hold Mamayev Heights, Sidorin couldn't help showing a surprised expression on his face: "Comrade Brigadier, do you really think we can hold Mamayev Heights?" Yevgang?”
Seeing that Sidorin was still questioning whether his troops were capable of holding Mamayev Heights, Sokov said with some displeasure: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you have been in the infantry brigade for a long time. Do you think that with the help of your troops?" Can't our thousands of commanders and soldiers be able to defend such two small hills?"
Sidorin quickly waved his hand and explained to Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, you misunderstood. I am not questioning the combat effectiveness of our brigade. However, the enemy is much stronger than us in terms of troops and weapons and equipment." There are too many, and I worry that no matter how brave our commanders and fighters are, it may not be easy to defend Mamayev Heights."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, if we only have superficial positions on Mamayev Heights, I very much agree with your statement." Sokov felt that a war was imminent, and he must first unify the thinking of the brigade commanders, otherwise it would Affecting the morale and morale of the army, he explained to Sidorin again: "But don't forget, we still have complete tunnel fortifications. Even if the Germans occupy our surface positions, we can still use the tunnel fortifications to deal with them. To consume their vitality.”
"Comrade Brigadier, your phone number." Just as Sokov was comforting Sidorin, a staff officer not far away called Sokov with a microphone: "It's a call from the Army Headquarters."
When he learned that the call was from the Army Group Headquarters, Sokov guessed that Chuikov must have an important task to give him, so he quickly walked over and took the phone from the staff: "This is Sokov."
"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, the 35th Guards Division was severely attacked by the Germans." Chuikov's voice came out of the receiver. He did not beat around the bush, but said straight to the point: "Although they are getting the 30th Independent Armored Train With the support of the battalion, the German attack was repelled. However, at this moment the armored train has been destroyed by German artillery fire. If it is attacked again, it may not be able to hold its current position."
"Comrade Commander," Sokov heard something in Chuikov's words, and thought to himself that he would not be allowed to send troops for reinforcements, would he? In this way, the defense of Mamayev Heights will be weakened, so he quickly asked: "I wonder what your instructions are?"
"Someone suggested to me in the headquarters." Chuikov did not answer Sokov's question, but said to himself: "Let you send troops to support the 35th Guards Division..."
"No, Comrade Commander, the troops at Mamayev Heights cannot be mobilized casually." After hearing Chuikov talking about sending himself to support the 35th Guards Division, Sokov hurriedly interrupted him and said excitedly: "In In the next battle, the German army will definitely concentrate its superior forces to attack Mamayev Heights. If troops are deployed to reinforce the 35th Guards Division, our defense here will become empty. Once attacked by the German army, can we Blocking them is still an unknown.”
Just as Sokov was making an impassioned speech, Chuikov covered the microphone with his hand and said to Krylov who was standing next to him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, listen to this. As expected, Sokov is determined to Refuse to send troops to reinforce the 35th Guards Division."
"Comrade Commander, I think what Lieutenant Colonel Sokov did is right." After listening to Chuikov's words, Krylov quickly expressed his attitude: "The mission of their brigade is to hold on to Mamayev Heights, and the rest of the area They can completely ignore the fighting that happened. If I were to be the brigade commander, I might not easily send troops to support friendly forces."
Chuikov released his hand covering the microphone and said to Sokov, who was still chattering: "Okay, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, don't continue to complain. I just said that someone advised me to transfer you to support the 35th Guards. Division, we have no real intention to mobilize your troops."
Chuikov's words were like a reassurance for Sokov. He breathed a long sigh of relief and said: "Comrade Commander, if you have anything to say, please say it all at once. Don't always say half-sentence, which makes me sweat. Out."
"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov," Chuikov said: "The troops of the 35th Guards Division have been severely reduced after a long battle. With their current strength, they may not be able to hold their position. I have given General Glazkov issued an order to move the troops towards Mamayev Heights if the defense line is lost. I hope you can assist them then."
Hearing that he was only responding to the retreating 35th Guards Division, Sokov immediately patted his chest and assured Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, don't worry. As long as the 35th Guards Division retreats towards us, I will definitely send an effective force." Troops will assist them to ensure that they can reach Mamayev Heights safely."
After receiving Sokov's assurance, Chuikov put down the phone and said to Krylov standing next to him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I have made an agreement with Sokov that once the 35th Guards Division comes to Mamayev When the post is put down and the transfer is carried out, he will send troops to respond. You immediately call the 35th Guards Division and inform General Glazkov of this matter."
From the phone call from Chuikov, Sokov knew that the 35th Guards Division was about to be defeated, because as soon as he put down the phone, he began to arrange the response troops. He looked at Sidorin and asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, perhaps in the near future, the troops of the 35th Guards Division will withdraw to Mamayev Heights. Which troops do you think we should arrange to meet them?"
"The third battalion will definitely not be able to do it." Sidorin was afraid that Sokov would send Andrei's third battalion to perform this task again, so he quickly objected: "After repeated battles, the entire battalion has suffered a serious reduction in strength. For the time being, We cannot accept such a combat mission. In my opinion, we should let Captain Golia's 192nd Battalion go to respond to the retreating 35th Guards Division."
When Belkin heard the conversation between Sokov and Sidorin, he couldn't help but have an idea, and quickly asked: "Comrade Brigadier, I wonder if after the 35th Guards Division arrives at Mamaev Hill, can we Would you like to request the headquarters to allow this division to allocate some of its troops to strengthen the defense here?"
Regarding Belkin's thoughts, Sokov naturally understood what was going on. There were various signs that after the division retreated to Mamayev Heights, it would definitely be urgently transferred to the rear for reinforcements. He wanted to take advantage of them. The superiors will definitely not agree to replenish the troops they need there. Therefore, he tactfully reminded Belkin: "Comrade Political Commissar, I think that once the 35th Guards Division is withdrawn, it will be transferred to the east coast for reinforcements by superiors. Troops will be transferred from this division to supplement our brigade plan. Superiors I definitely won’t agree.”
