Chuikov did not expect that the counterattack he organized would be crushed by German artillery fire and tight defenses in such a short period of time. Fire?Ran?Wen?? ｗ?ｗ?ｗｗ． ?The troops participating in the counterattack suffered varying degrees of losses, and more than a dozen battalion-level commanders and a regiment commander were sacrificed.
"Chief of Staff!" Chuikov asked Krylov with a straight face: "The counterattack against the enemy has failed. What do you think we should do next?"
Krylov stared at the map in front of him, then raised his head and looked at Chuikov and said: "Comrade Commander, I think it is necessary to realign the deployment of some troops so that they can exert stronger combat effectiveness."
"Adjust the deployment?" Chuikov asked in confusion: "How do you plan to adjust?"
"Comrade Commander, this is what I think about it." Krylov pointed to the map and told Chuikov his adjustment plan: "Transfer Yermolkin's 112th Infantry Division to Spartanov In the Ka area, it occupies from highland 75.9 to highland 97.7, and deploys defenses along the gully to the southeast of the Mechetka River;
Move Gurdiev's 308th Infantry Division to defensive positions from the orchard north of Barricade New Village to the Silicate Factory, Makeyevka, and the gully;
Major General Guryev's 39th Guards Division replaced Smehotvorov's 193rd Infantry Division and built defenses along Association, Bible and North Streets, allowing the 193rd Division to mobilize some of its troops to form reserves. "
After hearing Krylov's plan, Chuikov couldn't help but frowned: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I would like to remind you that the 39th Guards Division is responsible for the defense of the family area west of the Red October Factory. Once they are transferred, , which means that the enemy can directly threaten the factory area."
"We still have a Guards Division on Mamayev Ridge. Although they also suffered attrition in the early battles." Krylov grinned at Chuikov, "But their division commander is Colonel Sokov. He is a man who is good at creating miracles, and I believe he can mobilize enough troops to fill the gap created by the transfer of the 39th Guards Division."
Perhaps out of trust in Sokov, after listening to Krylov's words, Chuikov actually agreed to transfer the 39th Guards Division to take over the defense of the 193rd Division. He even dictated the order to Krylov. : "Chief of Staff, record my order: after dark, the 112th Infantry Division is moved to the west to the Mechetka River; the 39th Guards Division sends two regiments to take over the defense of the 883rd Regiment of the 193rd Infantry Division; After completing the defense handover, the 883rd Regiment was transferred north to build a new direction behind the 895th Regiment of the 193rd Division and serve as the second echelon..."
…………
While Chuikov and Krylov were discussing adjusting the deployment of their troops, Paulus was also discussing the capture of Mamayev Hill with a group of officers in his headquarters.
He slapped the table and shouted at the generals sitting on both sides of the conference table: "Mamayev Hill is a small hill with an altitude of more than 100 meters, but we have tried every means, but there is no way to remove it from Russia. As long as the Mamayev Hills are still in the hands of the Russians, we will not be able to advance to the Volga River and cut off their communication with the outside world."
"Your Excellency, Commander," as soon as Paulus finished speaking, the commander of the 297th Infantry Division, Major General von Drebel, stood up and said: "As far as I know, the Russian troops stationed at Mamayev Heights are Russian lieutenant colonels. The 73rd Infantry Brigade commanded by Sokov. When we were in Kursk, my troops suffered defeats under his hands, which caused the morale of the troops to be low. But after these months of fighting, the soldiers have achieved a series of achievements. After the victory, confidence was restored. I implore you to give us the task of attacking Mamayev Heights. My soldiers will use this rare opportunity to avenge themselves and drive the damn Russians out of Mamayev. Fu Gang.”
Seeing Von Drebel taking the initiative to ask for help, Paulus showed a smile on his face, but he did not immediately agree to the other party's request. Instead, he turned his attention to the other division commanders sitting at the table. However, what he didn't expect was that when his eyes fell on someone, they would look away, and even have a panic expression on their face.
Seeing the reactions of these division commanders, Paulus couldn't help but become a little angry. He pointed at Von Lensky, commander of the 24th Armored Division, and said: "General Von Lensky, I see that you don't seem to have any confidence in attacking Mamayev Heights."
Seeing that Paulus was a little angry, Von Lensky quickly stood up from his seat and nervously explained: "Your Excellency, Commander, you misunderstood. The terrain of Mamayev Heights is complex and is not suitable for the use of armored forces. I It is obviously more appropriate to use our division to attack the Russian factory area."
When Dr. Kofis, the commander of the 295th Infantry Division, saw Paulus turning his attention to him, he quickly stood up and replied: "Your Excellency, Commander, since General von Drebel wants his troops to turn around, I think it is better to Leave the task of attacking Mamayev Heights to his troops. I believe he will live up to your expectations."
As soon as Dr. Kofis's words came out, he was immediately echoed by several other division commanders. They all said that there is no more suitable unit than the 297th Infantry Division. If they are allowed to attack Mamayev Heights, they will definitely be able to achieve victory. ideal results. The reason why these division commanders tried their best to avoid the battle was entirely because they were beaten terribly by Sokov's troops. If there was no need, he hoped to never fight Sokov's troops again in his life.
Seeing that except for von Drebel who volunteered for military service, Paulus was really dumbfounded when he saw that all of his subordinates were choosing various reasons to avoid the battle. In desperation, he could only agree to von Drebel's request and let his troops take on the task of attacking Mamayev Heights.
Seeing Paulus's delay in announcing the order, Chief of Staff Schmidt interjected: "Your Excellency, Commander, I think the 297th Infantry Division can let the troops of our allies test the defenders before attacking Mamayev Heights. Strength."
"Are we still using those Romanian troops?" Paulus shook his head and said, "In the battles of the past few days, they indeed performed exceptionally bravely. Then after several consecutive attacks on Mamayev Hills were frustrated, they There were problems with the morale and morale of the troops, many Romanian soldiers became panicked, and some companies deserted."
"I'm not talking about the Romanian army," Schmidt said, shaking his head: "The 369th Infantry Regiment from Croatia has performed well in recent battles. If they are allowed to assist the 297th Infantry Division, I believe they can improve their victory. Possibilities of Mayevgan.”
Von Drebel had just spoken quickly and offered to lead his troops to attack Mamayev Heights. However, after saying these words, he saw that his colleagues were evading the offensive task, and he immediately realized that he might have made the wrong decision. But now that the words have been spoken, it is obviously impossible to take them back. Now when I heard Schmidt mentioned that the Croatian troops would take the forward position, he quickly agreed: "Your Excellency, Commander, I think what the Chief of Staff said is very reasonable. Let the troops of Cronia consume the strength of the Russians first, and then we can If we launch an attack, we will be able to completely wipe out all the Russians who are holding on to Mamayev Heights."
Neither Paulus nor Schmidt nor the following division commanders realized that the information they had was out of date. Sokov was no longer a lieutenant colonel but a colonel, and the troops he commanded were no longer It was an infantry brigade, but a Guards division. The combat plan they formulated based on wrong intelligence was destined to have no good results.
"Chief of Staff," Paulus looked at Schmidt and said, "Immediately arrange for the Croatian 369th Infantry Regiment to take over the defense of the 276th Regiment, and launch an attack on Mamayev Heights at the appropriate time."
When the Croatian troops and the German 276th Regiment switched defenses, Sokov was worrying about an order from Chuikov. Chuikov briefly stated in the order: In order to strengthen the defense of friendly areas, the 39th Guards Division originally stationed west of the Red October Factory will be transferred. Sokov was asked to send troops immediately, but he was replaced by the 39th Guards Division. The gap left by the division.
"Comrade division commander, what should we do?" Sidorin looked at Sokov who was walking back and forth in the room and asked anxiously: "Although we now have four regiments of troops, once we take over the defense of the Red October Factory, Our strength will become dispersed, and then there is the possibility of being defeated by the Germans."
"It's not a possibility, but a certainty." Ivanov said with a wry smile: "Although Mamayev Hill has complete tunnel fortifications, if there are not enough manpower to defend it, it is just a decoration. Now we have four Although each regiment has been weakened to varying degrees, they are still a force that cannot be underestimated. But if they are dispersed to different areas, the combat effectiveness of the army will be weakened. Once they encounter a powerful All enemies have the fate of being defeated one by one."
"Report!" Seryosha walked in from outside the door, interrupting the conversation of the three. He replied excitedly: "Comrade Political Commissar and the soldiers from the third platoon are back."
Political Commissar Anisimov followed Sokov's order to escort a tank lieutenant back to the army headquarters. Sokov originally thought he would be able to return on the same day, but unexpectedly he stayed for two days before returning. Seeing that he had returned safely, Sokov showed a knowing smile on his face. He came up and gave Anisimov a warm hug, and then said kindly: "Comrade Political Commissar, welcome back to the command department."
After Anisimov and the three of them hugged each other, he looked at the map spread out on the table and asked curiously: "Comrade Commander, I would like to ask, what were you discussing before I came in?"
"That's it, Comrade Political Commissar." When this matter was mentioned, Sokov felt a headache: "According to the orders from superiors, after dark, the 39th Guards Division originally stationed west of the Red October Factory was about to move north. The commander ordered us to send troops to take over the defense positions they vacated."
"This is indeed a headache." As a political cadre, Anisimov naturally spoke with reason: "But the superiors must have made overall arrangements, since they issued such an order , then we believe that with our strength, we can completely defend Mamayev Heights and the Red October Factory."
"Comrade Political Commissar, I won't tell you how important Mamayev Heights is, but you should know it in your heart." Sokov said with a bitter look on his face: "If we use the existing troops to defend Mamayev with all our strength, Fu Gang, then no matter how many troops the enemy sends, it is almost impossible to seize our position. But once we mobilize our forces to strengthen the defense at the Red October Factory, then the defense here at Mamayev Gang will be will be weakened..."
"You are worrying too much, Comrade Commander." After listening to Sokov's words, Anisimov said with a smile: "If you want to defend the Red October Factory, just one Guards regiment is not enough. But. , have you forgotten the working class in the factory? They will fight bravely in brutal battles to keep the factory they love."
Anisimov's words gave Sokov a wake-up call. Some time ago, he had deployed defenses at the Red October Factory and repelled the German attacks again and again. He began to secretly think in his mind that if all the workers in the factory could be mobilized, the power for the defense of the factory and family areas would be greatly enhanced.
Thinking of this, Sokov nodded and said: "Now that everyone has reached a consensus, the next thing we have to consider is which regiment to send to the Red October Factory to take over the defense?"
"I think it's the 124th Regiment of Starcha," Sidorin suggested to Sokov: "The commanders and fighters of this regiment have fought many tough battles. Send them to the Red October Factory to build. I I believe they will be able to block the enemy’s attack.”
"No, we cannot send Lieutenant Colonel Starcha's 124th Regiment to perform such an important task." Sokov said to Sidorin: "You must know that their regiment is now the main force holding Nangang. Once they are transferred, , our defense force here will be greatly weakened."
Seeing that Sokov rejected his proposal, Sidorin was not angry. Instead, he asked respectfully: "Then which regiment do you think should be sent there?"
"In my opinion, just send Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko's 122nd Regiment," Sokov replied without hesitation: "I believe that with their combat effectiveness, there should be no problem in defending the family area of the Red October Factory. .”
"But this regiment has been severely reduced in the battles in the past two days." Sidorin reminded Sokov: "If you ask them to defend such a large area, I am worried that they will not have enough strength to defend at all."
"Replenish Shamrich's Marine Battalion to him." Sokov said seriously: "If Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko cannot achieve greater results after being reinforced by the Marine Corps, then I will consider it. , re-dividing the Marine Corps battalion at Shamrih."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Ivanov interrupted: "They are all my old subordinates, and I know very well what their abilities are. I believe they will not let you down."
