Rotmistrov received Sokov's reply. After reading it carefully, he frowned and said to the chief of staff: "Use a 122mm cannon to directly attack the enemy's tanks at a distance of 800 to 1,000 meters." Aim and shoot. Chief of Staff, do you think General Sokov’s method is effective?”
"Comrade Commander," the chief of staff replied cautiously: "The 122mm artillery equipped by our army can theoretically penetrate 140mm of armor at a distance of 1,000 meters. The frontal armor of the German Tiger tank turret is 102 mm, the side is 82 mm; while the Panther tank uses 80 mm 55-degree inclined hardened armor, which has good ballistic resistance. But if it is directly hit by our army's 122 mm artillery, it can completely destroy the opponent's target. "
Rotmistrov shook his head with a wry smile and said: "You know, artillery usually aims not at a specific target, but at a place. Artillery shells focus on fire coverage, not direct hits. Let the artillery use direct-aiming shooting. Using this method to hit a target thousands of meters away, I think it is simply a fantasy.”
Seeing that Rotmistrov was so unfavorable to Sokov's proposal, the Chief of Staff was about to continue persuading him, but was stopped by the other party raising his hand: "Chief of Staff, you don't have to say anything. I don't think Sokov can do anything. Well, the advice he gave us is simply not applicable on the battlefield."
"Comrade Commander, what should we do?" the chief of staff asked.
"Still use the original tactics and rush through the open space at a faster speed." Rotmistrov reminded the chief of staff: "Tell the tank brigade commanders to increase the distance between tanks and use a sparse formation to attack. , so the chance of being hit by enemy artillery fire will be greatly reduced."
After Sokov's telegram was sent, Koida asked curiously: "Comrade Commander, do you think General Rotmistrov will adopt your opinion?"
"Comrade Colonel, when you use heavy artillery to shoot directly at a specific target a thousand meters away, the hit rate is appallingly low." Sokov smiled faintly and replied: "I think Rotmistro My husband will definitely not accept my suggestion, and will still order the troops to pass through that open area regardless of casualties."
Seeing that Sokov had already guessed that Rotmistrov would not adopt his opinion, but still sent such a telegram, Koida asked in confusion: "Since you know Rotmistrov General Husband will not adopt your opinion, so why do you still make such a suggestion to him?"
"Comrade Colonel," Sokov explained: "Using heavy artillery to shoot directly at enemy tanks may not have a high hit rate, but it can pose a threat to German tanks and force them to change their positions. In this way, When our tanks attack, the chance of being intercepted by enemy fire will decrease."
"So that's it." After Koida figured out what was going on, he asked Sokov tentatively: "Comrade Commander, do you think it is necessary to send another telegram to General Rotmistrov to tell him about this matter? Explain it to him in detail?"
"No need." Sokov waved his hand and said: "How to attack the enemy outside Prokhorovka is General Rotmistrov's business, so we don't have to meddle in his own business. Our priority at the moment The task is to hold the existing positions so that the German 6th and 19th Armored Divisions cannot rush to join the Flag Guard Division and the Totenkopf Division. The connection between them must be effectively cut off so that the wounded in the enemy's front cannot be transported. Down, ammunition and fuel from the rear cannot be transported.
The German SS divisions are indeed elite, and one division is fully capable of dealing with one of our army groups. But as long as their logistical supplies are cut off, even if they can fight again, when they run out of fuel and ammunition, their tanks and artillery will become a pile of scrap metal, and they can only choose to discard or blow up. "
The Soviet Union and Germany launched a huge tank battle outside the city of Prokhorovka, and both sides fought like crazy. The tank crews who escaped from the destroyed tanks did not flee to their own area as quickly as before. Instead, they hid next to the wreckage of the tank and fought with the enemy with the weapons they carried.
The battle outside Prokhorovka made Manstein realize that if the Soviet attack could not be stopped, the offensive launched on the southern front of Kursk might collapse. Therefore, he issued an order to the commanders of the 6th and 19th Armored Divisions, asking them to break through the Soviet defense lines as soon as possible at all costs, rush to the outside of Prokhorovka, and join the troops there.
The combat effectiveness of the 6th Armored Division was not the strongest among the German army. In addition, the division commander was killed in a recent battle, which had a great impact on the morale of the troops. After receiving Manstein's order to attack, the acting division commander immediately dispatched an armored battalion to cover two infantry battalions and launched a fierce attack on the 188th Division's position.
If the area they attack is where General Malankin's Guards Division is defending, perhaps their attack can make some progress. But what they have to face now is the enemy who killed their division commander, and the commander opposite is still a character that makes many German commanders talk about it. Therefore, they are a little helpless when fighting, even half of their usual combat effectiveness Can't even show it.
On the contrary, the 19th Armored Division, fighting on their right flank, performed extremely well. The offensive troops were the 1st Battalion of the 27th Armored Regiment and the 2nd Battalion of the 117th Armored Grenadier Regiment. More than 20 tanks covered more than 500 soldiers and launched a fierce attack on the Guards Division's position.
Perhaps because they learned that the main force had launched a counterattack outside the city of Prokhorovka, the commanders and soldiers of the Malankin Division felt that victory was in sight, and they could not help but feel a little underestimating the enemy. Facing the enemy's attack, their performance was lackluster. Less than half an hour into the battle, a position was about to be broken through by the Germans.
When he learned that the position had been breached, Malankin was suddenly frightened and broke into a cold sweat. Only then did he realize that what Sokov had reminded him was not alarmist, but words from the bottom of his heart. In order to save the situation, he quickly asked Trufanov for help and asked him to send a tank battalion to counterattack the breach and eliminate the enemies there.
The German officers and soldiers who had just broken through the position were counterattacked by the infantry supported by tanks before they could gain a foothold. After more than ten minutes of fierce fighting, they were all driven out of the Soviet position.
Malankin and Trufanov, who were standing in the command post, couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that the German officers and soldiers who broke into the position were driven out by the counterattack troops. Trufanov said to Malankin: "Comrade Malankin, it seems that the enemy is determined to rush over to reinforce the enemy outside Prokhorovka. This attack has been repelled, and they will launch one soon." New attack. In order to prevent your defense line from being broken through again, I think it is necessary for you to adjust your deployment."
"Comrade Deputy Commander," Malankin said to Trufanov: "When we went to General Sokov's headquarters, he once suggested to us that tanks that had malfunctioned and would be difficult to operate again in a short period of time , placed on the position as a fixed fort. At the time, I thought it was a bit unnecessary. The enemy was not able to break through our position yesterday, so could they break through today?
But it turned out that there was a problem with my judgment. The enemy's offensive today was even crazier than yesterday. After yesterday's battle, my troops have suffered serious attrition. If fixed forts are not deployed on the position, I am afraid that the enemy will break through our position again. "
"I understand, Comrade Malankin." After returning from Sokov's temporary headquarters, when Malankin proposed to use those failed tanks as fixed forts, Trufanov strongly opposed it, feeling that there was no such thing. Necessarily, even if something goes wrong with these tanks, they should be used in other directions. But the facts at this moment showed that the severely weakened Guards Division would be difficult to hold its position without the cover of tanks. "I immediately asked people to place all the broken down tanks on the position and use them as fixed forts."
…………
"Comrade Sokov?" Sokov's troops had just repelled two attacks by the 6th Armored Division when they received a call from Konev: "I'm Konev, how is the situation there? ?”
"Report to Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov quickly replied: "The enemy's 6th Armored Division launched two attacks on the 188th Division's defense line, but we were repelled both times."
Knowing that Sokov's troops were still holding on to their position, Konev suddenly felt more at ease: "Comrade Sokov, General Rotmistrov's troops are currently fighting with the enemy outside Prokhorovka. Fierce fighting. According to the report he provided me, it is possible to repel the enemy before dark. Therefore, I made this call specifically to you, hoping that you can find a way to block the retreat of the defeated German army."
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army, please rest assured about this." Sokov said: "I have ordered the tank army to dispatch at three o'clock in the afternoon to cut off the retreat of the Flag Guard Division and the Skeleton Division, and must annihilate them all in Prokhorov Card area.”
"Are you really sure?" Konev asked.
"Yes." Sokov replied confidently: "I am currently concentrating nearly two divisions of troops to hold the position of the 188th Division and block the path forward of the German 6th Armored Division. In addition, I am stationed on the banks of the Pushor River. The tank corps and two infantry divisions will be stationed in the middle of the two defense areas at three o'clock in the afternoon to cut off the German army's retreat."
Konev knew that Sokov had many clever ideas, so he did not ask him about the specific combat plan. Instead, he nodded and said: "Okay, Comrade Sokov, since you are confident in blocking the enemy, then I believe you." .If you need anything, just call me directly."
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov asked tentatively as he wanted to deal with the German tanks. It would be best to use the air force. It is said that during this period, the Soviet army had developed an aerial bomb specifically designed to attack ground targets: "I wonder if you can provide us with air support?"
He was deeply afraid that Konev would disagree. After all, most of the air force was still competing with the German Air Force for air supremacy in the skies outside Prokhorovka. If the other party is to allocate part of its strength to support him, he may still find it very difficult.
Sokov's guess was correct. It was difficult for Konev to agree to provide air cover for his troops. Since the Steppe Front was a reserve force, its air force was relatively weak, with a small number of aircraft and very limited fuel and ammunition. Each time it launches into the air, it can only provide air support to troops in a local area. The most intense fighting today is outside the city of Prokhorovka, and the area where Sokov's troops are located is no longer within the scope of providing air support.
Hearing Konev's delay in speaking, Sokov sighed secretly in his heart and said: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, if the Air Force really cannot provide us with air support, it doesn't matter. We will still try our best. , to cut off the enemy's retreat."
After Sokov ended the call with Konev, he held the phone and thought for a long time. He finally set up a closed-door and dog-fighting posture. If his superiors were unable to provide him with air cover, then the enemy might break out from his hastily deployed defensive zone, and then his plan to encircle and annihilate the enemy would come to nothing.
After some thought, Sokov dialed the number of the Army Headquarters. When he heard Samyko's voice coming from the receiver, he asked straight to the point: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I want to ask you, now How many new rockets do we have?"
"There are probably more than eight hundred." Samyko quickly replied: "Colonel Yakov just ordered someone to send it yesterday." He knew that there must be a reason for Sokov to suddenly ask about this, and he quickly He asked, "Comrade Commander, why do you think of asking about this?"
"I just spoke to General Konev, and he told me that he may not be able to provide us with air support in the coming battle." Sokov felt that it was necessary to let Samyko know the whole story, so he told him : "Therefore, we can only rely on our own strength to stop the defeated enemy."
After some thought, Sokov dialed the number of the Army Headquarters. When he heard Samyko's voice coming from the receiver, he asked straight to the point: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I want to ask you, now How many new rockets do we have?"
"There are probably more than eight hundred." Samyko quickly replied: "Colonel Yakov just ordered someone to send it yesterday." He knew that there must be a reason for Sokov to suddenly ask about this, so he quickly He asked, "Comrade Commander, why do you think of asking about this?"
"I just spoke to General Konev, and he told me that he may not be able to provide us with air support in the coming battle." Sokov felt that it was necessary to let Samyko know the whole story, so he told him : "Therefore, we can only rely on our own strength to stop the defeated enemy."
