The German soldiers stationed on the right bank of the Don River Bridge watched helplessly as the Soviet tanks destroyed the machine gun position at the bridge head on the left bank and then rumbled towards their position at full speed. The German soldiers, who did not have any anti-tank weapons, knew that staying there would lead to death, so they jumped out of the fortifications and fled toward the wilderness in a panic.
After the tank brigade easily captured the Don Bridge, the brigade commander immediately sent a message to Volsky and reported the news. When Volski learned that the bridge had been occupied, he repeatedly said hello and told the other party: "Colonel, have your people build new fortifications near the bridge immediately to prevent possible German counterattacks. Wait for those who are following you. When the 59th Mechanized Brigade arrives, you will cooperate with them to seize Karachi on the march."
Perhaps because the battle to seize the Don River Bridge was too easy, the tank brigade commander had the idea of underestimating the enemy. He promised that the troops would seize the time to build fortifications and wait for the Motorized Rifle Brigade to arrive before launching an attack on Karachi. But as soon as he put down the phone, he ordered a tank battalion to stay on the Don Bridge, and the remaining troops immediately launched an attack on Karachi.
The brigade chief of staff reminded him in a low voice: "Comrade Brigade Commander, didn't the Army Commander ask us to wait for the mechanized brigade to arrive before attacking Karachi? If he knows that you are acting without permission, he may..."
Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by the tank brigade commander who raised his hand: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the winner will not be blamed. As long as our brigade can capture Karachi, even if the commander knows that we have violated the order, he will not be blamed." I won’t say anything. Okay, stop talking and get the troops ready to attack immediately.”
It was a wrong decision to launch an attack on an unfamiliar city at night with extremely poor visibility, and without the support of infantry. However, since the brigade commander had already issued a combat order, the chief of staff could not say anything else. It can only be arranged to assign offensive or defensive tasks to each battalion based on their location.
The offensive battle started half an hour later. As soon as the tanks without infantry cover entered the city, German anti-tank crews rushed out of the buildings on both sides of the street and threw anti-tank grenades at the moving tanks. Without the cover of infantry, the tank crews with narrow vision could not detect these damn anti-tank crews in time. In the successive explosions, one T-34 tank after another was blown up by the Germans and parked on the street burning. .
Seeing that the situation was not good, the tank brigade commander quickly ordered the tanks that had entered the city to withdraw. However, despite this, almost two tanks of the tank company have been destroyed by the enemy on the street.
Seeing that the attempt to seize the city failed, the brigade chief of staff quickly said to the brigade commander: "Comrade Colonel, I think it's not too late to wait until the mechanized brigade arrives before launching an attack on the city."
The brigade commander who had just suffered a defeat was no longer as stubborn as before the battle started. After listening to the chief of staff, he nodded and said helplessly: "Okay, we will wait for the mechanized brigade to arrive before attacking the enemy. attack."
After more than two hours of long waiting, the 60th Mechanized Brigade, which was cooperating with their operations, finally arrived at the outskirts of Karachi. As soon as Lieutenant Colonel Karapeqiang, commander of the 60th Motorized Rifle Brigade, saw the tank brigade commander, he said apologetically: "I'm sorry, comrade Colonel, all the cars of our brigade have been handed over to the 51st Group Army. The soldiers can only rely on Go on your own two legs."
"Hello, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." The chief of staff stepped forward and shook hands with Karape, and said understandingly: "Without the car, your marching speed will definitely be affected. After the soldiers have a good rest, we will go to the army again. Karachi attacks.”
Karapeqiang heard something amiss from the Chief of Staff's words, and frowned and asked, "What, Comrade Chief of Staff, have you already launched an attack on Karachi?"
"Yes." The tank brigade commander said shamefully: "Since there was no infantry cover, many of the tanks we rushed into the city were killed by German anti-tank crews. But now that you are here, I think we have the chance to capture the city. The certainty is even greater. By the way, when can you launch an attack on the city?"
The mechanized brigade had just arrived at the outskirts of Karachi, and the soldiers had already become exhausted. It was obviously unwise to launch an attack at this moment. After calculating silently in his mind, Karapeqiang replied: "It is estimated that it will take three hours before the attack on Karachi can be launched."
"What, three hours later?" When the tank brigade commander heard what Karapeqiang said, his eyes widened in surprise: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, have you ever thought about it, if the army commander knows that we have not launched an attack for a long time? What will be the reaction?”
"There is no way, Comrade Colonel." After Karapeqiang waited for the tank brigade commander to finish speaking, he spread his hands, shrugged his shoulders, and said helplessly: "The soldiers are very tired now and cannot rush to attack. We can only wait for them to wait for a while." Only by recovering your physical strength for a while can you have a chance to achieve your goal in one go.”
Although Karapeqiang had already said this, the tank brigade commander also knew that what he said was the truth. He was heartbroken when he thought that almost two of his tank companies had been wiped out in the attack just now. After a moment of silence, he shook his head and said: "No, Lieutenant Colonel Karapeqiang, I think three hours is too long. I can only give you one hour to rest. After one hour, I hope to see the attack on Karachi The battle begins again.”
"Comrade Colonel," Karape patiently explained to the tank brigade commander: "During the rapid march in the snow at night, perhaps one-fifth of the soldiers in our brigade fell behind. The three hours I mentioned include waiting. These stragglers have arrived. Three hours of rest is the minimum. This is to ensure that our upcoming attack can be successful the first time."
Karapeqiang's words calmed down the tank brigade commander. He felt that what the other party said made sense. More than two hours ago, the reason why the attack on Karachi failed was because I was too eager for success. If the mechanized brigade is urged to rush into battle this time, I am afraid the final outcome will not be too good.
Seeing that both of them were silent, the chief of staff quickly came out to help Karapeqiang: "Comrade brigade commander, Lieutenant Colonel Karapeqiang is right. We must wait until all the commanders and fighters of the mechanized brigade have arrived before entering the battle. This way we can seize the city." The probability will be greater. I think, since we have waited for such a long time, we don’t care to wait two or three more hours. Besides, it was already dark at that time, and the soldiers could clearly see the enemies hiding nearby when they attacked. , and effectively eliminate them.”
Seeing that his chief of staff was also helping Karapeqiang speak, the tank brigade commander stared at Karachi shrouded in darkness and asked Karapeqiang: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, if we launch an attack in three hours, do you think we can succeed?" ?”
"The chance of success is very high." Karapeqiang did not give an accurate answer to the tank brigade commander: "After daybreak, the army commander will arrive with the 59th and 36th mechanized brigades. Even if the garrison in Karachi can If they block our brigade and your attack, can they still block the attack of a mechanized army?"
When the tank brigade commander heard this, he finally made up his mind: "Okay, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. Just as you said, I will give you three hours of rest."
At dawn, the commanders and fighters of the Tank Brigade and the 60th Mechanized Brigade launched another attack on Karachi. Since the Germans had no fortifications outside the city, the attacking troops easily broke into the city.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered the city, the German troops used mortars and machine guns to attack the infantry following the tanks from the buildings on both sides. The commanders and fighters who had no experience in street fighting immediately fell into chaos after being suddenly attacked. The battle lasted less than ten minutes, and the troops who rushed into the city were killed by the Germans.
Seeing the failure of the troops' attack, the tank brigade commander became a little anxious. He said loudly to Kalapeqiang: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, look at your soldiers. They fell into chaos as soon as they were attacked by the German army. Not only It did not play the role of protecting the tanks, but instead ran around in the streets, making our tanks afraid to move or fire at will. As a result, they became targets for German anti-tank fighters."
"I'm sorry, Comrade Colonel." Seeing that his troops performed so poorly in the battle, Karapeqiang also felt very ashamed: "My troops have just been formed not long ago, and the officers and soldiers have only fought regular position offensive and defensive battles, and they are not very familiar with urban street fighting. It’s unfamiliar, so it’s inevitable to panic during the battle.”
Before the tank brigade commander could have another attack, the communications soldier on the side reported to him: "Comrade brigade commander, the army commander wants to speak to you."
As soon as the tank brigade commander put on the headphones, he heard Volski's voice coming from inside: "Comrade Colonel, how is the situation? Have you captured Karachi?"
"No, Comrade Commander." The tank brigade commander heard Volski's question and replied bitterly: "We launched two attacks on the city, but neither succeeded. Now the troops are regrouping and preparing Attack again."
After learning that his troops failed to capture Karachi, Volski was still a little disappointed, but he did not blame the other party. Instead, he said to the tank brigade commander: "Comrade Colonel, stop the attack temporarily and wait for the 59th and 36th Mechanized Regiments." After the brigade arrives, it will not be too late to attack the enemy.”
"Understood, Comrade Commander." Considering that it would take some time for the troops to regroup, the tank brigade commander readily accepted Volski's order: "I immediately understood that the troops would suspend the attack and wait patiently for the follow-up troops. s arrival."
After dawn, the 59th Mechanized Brigade of Colonel Skenshenski arrived first. After greeting Karapeqiang and the tank brigade commander, he stood at the window of the temporary observation post and raised his telescope towards Karachi in the distance. Look. After watching for a while, he put down the telescope and asked: "From what direction did you attack the city?"
"To the south." The tank brigade commander and Karapeqiang replied in unison.
"It's not enough to attack from one direction. In this way, the enemy can easily focus their defense on the south." Stenshenski shook his head and said, "I think we should attack from the east or north. attack."
"Comrade Colonel," the tank brigade commander waited for Stenshenski to finish and then asked politely, "I wonder from which direction you plan to attack?"
"Our brigade will attack the city from the north." Stenshensky said without hesitation: "As for the attack from the east, it will be completed by the 36th Mechanized Brigade following behind."
As they were talking, Lieutenant Colonel Rodionov, commander of the 36th Brigade, also arrived with his troops. After listening to Stenshenski's proposal, he did not express his opinion immediately, but looked towards Karachi with his telescope for a long time. After he put down the telescope, he said to the tank brigade commander: "Comrade Colonel, I have a request, I don't know whether I should say it or not."
The tank brigade commander was a little anxious when he heard what Rodionov said: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, if you have anything to do, just ask. As long as I know, I will definitely tell you."
"I think that to seize the city, we need the support of artillery fire." After Rodionov said this, he saw a wry smile on the faces of the three people, and then continued: "I know that the artillery is still very far behind us. From far away, I'm afraid I won't be able to catch up in a while. Therefore, I suggest sending at least one tank company to the high ground on the right bank to use tank artillery to bombard the firepower points in the city or the enemy's gathering positions to provide the troops attacking the city with Artillery support.”
After Rodionov's reminder, the three commanders quickly raised their telescopes and looked towards the high ground on the right bank of the Don River. They were all experienced commanders. After looking at the high ground and the location of Karachi, they all felt that Rodionov's plan was completely feasible.
After the tank brigade commander put down his telescope, he turned to his chief of staff and said: "Comrade chief of staff, you immediately lead two tank companies to the high ground on the other side and carry out an attack on the German firepower points or troop concentration locations in Karachi. Artillery bombardment.”
The tank brigade commander was a little anxious when he heard what Rodionov said: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, if you have anything to do, just ask. As long as I know, I will definitely tell you."
"I think that to seize the city, we need the support of artillery fire." After Rodionov said this, he saw a wry smile on the faces of the three people, and then continued: "I know that the artillery is still very far behind us. From far away, I'm afraid I won't be able to catch up in a while. Therefore, I suggest sending at least one tank company to the high ground on the right bank to use tank artillery to bombard the firepower points in the city or the enemy's gathering positions to provide the troops attacking the city with Artillery support.”
After Rodionov's reminder, the three commanders quickly raised their telescopes and looked towards the high ground on the right bank of the Don River. They were all experienced commanders. After looking at the high ground and the location of Karachi, they all felt that Rodionov's plan was completely feasible.
After the tank brigade commander put down his telescope, he turned to his chief of staff and said: "Comrade chief of staff, you immediately lead two tank companies to the high ground on the other side and carry out an attack on the German firepower points or troop concentration locations in Karachi. Artillery bombardment.”
