The 202nd Tank Brigade, which cooperated with the infantry, finally appeared on the battlefield. Seeing the appearance of the tanks, the commander of the 109th Division breathed a secret sigh of relief, and then ordered his men to follow the tanks and attack the bridge on the Berezina River.
Facing the influx of Soviet offensive troops, the German tank battalions seemed somewhat powerless. If they are equipped with Leopard tanks, they can still sit back and wait for the Soviet tanks to gain a slight advantage.
But the battalion is all equipped with Panzer IV tanks. Not to mention that the Soviet tanks coming across are T-34/85. Even if they face the early model T-34/76, they are still no match.
After tanks from both sides fought against each other eight hundred meters apart, the Soviet tank brigade became the final winner. They destroyed 35 German tanks at the cost of seven tanks.
The German tank battalion originally had 100 Panzer IV tanks, but they lost 56 in less than an hour after the battle started. The battalion commander, Major Schultz, felt that if the fighting continued, his tank battalion would definitely be wiped out, so he decisively ordered the tanks to withdraw from the battle.
After the 109th Infantry Division occupied the bridge over the Berezina River, the division commander ordered one battalion of troops to be left to guard the bridge. The remaining main force, under the cover of tanks, headed towards Titovka north of Bobruyinsk. Advance and prepare to attack the German 35th Army massed in that direction.
The 109th Division's unauthorized adjustment of the combat plan was quickly reported to Sokov.
Sidorin asked Sokov cautiously: "Comrade Commander, the 109th Division did not follow our original orders to launch an attack on Bobruyinsk, but turned to Titovka to the north of the city, and the 3rd Division The army's troops surrounded and annihilated the German 35th Army. Do you think they should be ordered to stop advancing north, or should they be ordered to attack the city as planned?"
Although the commander of the 109th Division was good at making opinions, it made Sokov feel very uncomfortable. However, after carefully studying the map, he found that the mayor's idea was correct. He ordered the division to attack Bobruyinsk, just to attract the enemies in the city and annihilate them.
Now the German 35th Army blew up its own tanks and armored vehicles and broke out to the north as infantry in an attempt to escape Mogilev. But after their intentions were discovered, not only were they bombed by the Soviet army, but friendly forces also strengthened Titovka's defenses to prevent the enemy from escaping north.
If at this time, one force launches an attack from the enemy's flank and rear, it will definitely speed up the progress of encircling and annihilating this German force.
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov thought about this, stood up straight and looked at Sidorin and said, "I think the decision of the commander of the 109th Division was correct. The German 35th Army blew up their technical equipment. , intending to flee to Mogilev as pure infantry. Now the friendly forces have strengthened their defenses on their way forward, making it more difficult for them to break out. If a force attacks from their flanks and rear at this time, there may be Opportunity to encircle and annihilate the German 35th Army in a short period of time."
"But how should the division commander disobey orders?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, as a commander, the most important thing is to know how to adjust the offensive plan in a timely manner according to changes in the situation on the battlefield." Sokov said to Sidorin: "This division commander changed the direction of the attack in a timely manner. The decision was very correct. However, when he adjusted his offensive deployment, he did not report to us in time, which was very wrong. You should criticize him well when you make the call."
"I understand, Comrade Commander." Sidorin nodded and said, "I will convey your intention to the division commander."
While Sidorin was on the phone, Ponedelin asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, since the 109th Division cannot continue to implement our plan to lure the enemy, should we send other troops to carry out this task?"
Sokov thought for a moment, then shook his head and rejected Ponedelin's proposal: "I don't think it is necessary. The troops participating in the war have already been deployed. If other troops are deployed to perform this task, there will definitely be a fight. It will disrupt our original deployment and thus affect our entire plan. Doing so is not worth the gain."
"If we don't take any action, when the 109th Division launches an attack on the 35th Army in Titovka, it may cause a German attack from inside the city." Ponejelin reminded Sokov: "I'm afraid it will be given to them by then. It caused a lot of damage.”
"Comrade Deputy Commander, just listen to me and let other troops continue to stand still." Sokov said confidently: "If the Germans in the city really launch an attack from the rear of the 109th Division, we will launch a new sheep attack. It’s not too late, that way the Germans will have the illusion that our attack on the 35th Army is a real sheep attack.”
Sokov's words were like a tongue twister, and Ponedelin thought about it for a while before he figured it out. He nodded and said: "Comrade Commander, maybe you are right. If we really launch an attack on the city at this moment, the Germans may only deploy part of their troops to meet us, while other troops will be transferred to the north of the city to support The 35th Army was attacked from both sides."
"When we originally formulated this sheep attack plan, it was to draw out the defenders in the city and eliminate them, so as to reduce the losses of our army in the siege and street fighting." Sokov was worried that Ponejelin still didn't understand something. He further explained: "If there had been no fighting in Titovka in the north of the city, our sheep attack plan would have worked. But now the 35th Army in the north of the city is in danger, and the German troops in the city may be ready for rescue at any time. When we launch a sheep attack on the city at this time, the enemy must be on the defensive. Even if our army retreats, they will not pursue it. After all, the north direction of the city is where they are concerned."
"Yes, Comrade Commander is right." Sidorin, who had just finished the phone call, heard what Sokov said and immediately agreed: "As soon as the battle in the north of the city started, our original plan to lure the enemy It has lost its effect. Even if we want to launch another attack, I’m afraid we can only wait until the battle in Titovka is over.”
The battle in the Titovka area is going on fiercely.
The German 35th Army, which broke out to the north, received support from artillery fire in the city and mobilized a regiment to attack the position of the 444th Regiment of the 108th Division.
Looking at the German troops walking towards their positions, the Soviet commanders and fighters on the positions behaved extremely calmly. They pointed their guns at the approaching enemies and quietly waited for the order to fire.
When the enemy was still 700 meters away from the position, the artillery regiment of the 108th Division opened fire. The shells that hit the team exploded violently, and every loud noise could carry away many soldiers, like a nest of ants blown away by the storm. Faced with sudden artillery fire, the German officers and soldiers who reacted quickly relied on tactical instinct to lie down; those who reacted slowly were blown up and shattered in groups.
But the German officers and soldiers knew in their hearts that if they wanted to avoid dying here, they must break through the Soviet defenses and open a channel for the follow-up troops. The fierce German officers and soldiers continued to advance despite the intensive artillery fire. They distinguished the sound of the shells passing by in the continuous explosions, judged the distance of the explosion point, looked at the gap between the shell explosions, and tumbled from one crater into another.
Hundreds of German officers and soldiers braved the artillery fire and crawled and rolled. Some people died every second, but they managed to pass through the shelling area amid the intensive artillery fire.
When the enemy was still 400 meters away from the position, the machine guns on the position opened fire. The muzzle flashes of the light and heavy machine guns were like dark red fire whips, constantly sweeping towards the approaching German officers and soldiers. The mortars in the trenches fired, bursting shrapnel and splashing bullets intertwined into an airtight fire net.
Major General Teremov, commander of the 108th Division, saw this scene in the headquarters. He couldn't help but sneered, put down the telescope in his hand, turned to the Chief of Staff next to him and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the Germans have gone to great lengths to open a passage. To the point of everything, this is a kind of shock that makes you lose your mind. From these enemies, I don’t see any trace of the selfless and sacrificial spirit of soldiers. The enemies are just in a state of semi-numbness. The march of this large group of soldiers is different from the It is better to say that it is an army that wants to subdue the enemy with its will at all costs than it is that a group of livestock shows the stubbornness of animals.”
The chief of staff nodded and said: "You are right, comrade division commander. But the scene in front of you is indeed thrilling."
"Comrade Division Commander," a staff officer reported to Teremov: "The commander of the 407th Regiment reported that thousands of German troops were found in front of their defensive positions. It seems that the Germans intend to launch an attack on their positions. Shock."
After hearing the report, Teremov said confidently: "Call the artillery regiment and tell them that the enemy is preparing to attack the 407th regiment's position and ask them to prepare for artillery interception."
General Baharov, who was responsible for blocking the road, learned that the German army had begun to break out in the direction of Mogilev, and immediately sent a tank brigade to support. The tank troops were divided into two groups, one going to the 444th Regiment's defense area and the other to the 407th Regiment's defense area to assist the infantry in blocking the enemies fleeing north.
The road leading to Mogilev from the north has been blocked by the tank corps and infantry division. However, the commander of the 35th Army did not give up his plan to break out to the north and gave the troops strict orders to open the passage at all costs.
While the 35th Army was madly attacking to the north, the 109th Division, under the cover of the 202nd Tank Brigade, launched an attack from their rear.
Before Operation Bagration began, the Germans did not expect that the Soviet army would launch such a large-scale military offensive in Belarus. Outside cities like Bobruyinsk, except for the fortifications built by the Soviet army a few years ago, there was basically no No new fortifications were built.
These fortifications, which were abandoned before they were built, could not perform their proper defensive functions in the face of the Soviet attack. Facing the German troops who were hiding in the trenches and shooting, the tanks firing from the front only needed a few shots to kill them. The German army, which had lost its heavy weapons, was helpless in the face of the Soviet tanks. The only option was to turn around and run back.
Seeing that the enemy began to retreat, the Soviet army accelerated its attack and followed the enemy towards the headquarters of the 35th Army.
Although the German troops in the city discovered that the Soviet army had launched an attack from the rear of the 35th Army, they did not dare to fire easily because they were worried that the artillery fire would accidentally injure their own people. They could only watch helplessly as the Soviet troops scattered their friendly troops. flee.
What's even more terrible is that Batov's 65th Army suddenly launched an attack from the south and southwest of Bobruyinsk. Seeing that the situation was not good, the garrison commander in the city immediately ordered the artillery to turn their guns and intercept artillery fire in the direction of the 65th Group Army's attack to prevent the Soviet troops from approaching the city.
Rokossovsky learned about Batov's troops and launched an attack on Bobruyinsk. However, except for an infantry division and a tank brigade participating in the battle, the rest of Sokov's troops were still on standby. , so he called Sokov and asked him why he stood still.
After listening to Rokossovsky's words, Sokov explained to him: "Comrade General, if our army also launches an attack on this matter, the Germans will definitely adjust their deployment according to the strength of the two armies, thus increasing our It is difficult to attack the city. But if I remain stationary, the enemy will not be able to figure out my strength and weakness, and they are worried that they will be suddenly attacked by us when they move the main force to the south and southwest of the city. "
After hearing what Sokov said, Rokossovsky thought carefully for a while and felt that what the other party said made sense. As the defender, the German army can naturally feel which unit has the strongest combat effectiveness and poses the greatest threat to itself, so as to make defensive adjustments. And if Sokov's main force remains stationary, it will form a deterrent force to the German army. The troops originally defending the southeast will not dare to mobilize easily, lest Sokov be caught off guard.
After putting down the phone, Malinin came over and said to Rokossovsky: "Comrade Commander, if Sokov's troops can also join the army, it may speed up our process of liberating Bobruyinsk."
"I think Misha is right." Rokossovsky lit a cigarette and continued: "He is very famous within the German army. Most of the German commanders have heard of his name. As long as If his main force does not move, the defenders in the city may not feel at ease and dare not randomly transfer troops from the direction where he is to reinforce the direction in which Batov is attacking."
"Then do we need to provide some help to Bartov's troops?"
Regarding Malinin's proposal, Rokossovsky thought for a while, then shook his head and said: "I don't think it is necessary. Bartov is also a senior commander, and he knows how to provide powerful enough fire support for the offensive troops. Our first task now is to annihilate the German 35th Division in the Titovka area in the north of the city. As long as they are annihilated, it will not only deal a heavy blow to the morale and morale of the German army, but also reduce the damage we suffered during the siege. threats."
"Then I called General Rudenko and asked him to send out the air force again to carry out air strikes on the enemy and cooperate with the ground troops to eliminate the 35th Army." Malinen said: "After clearing the enemies outside the city, we can launch an attack on the city. ”
The 35th Army, which was attacked from both sides, was still struggling to hold on. But with the arrival of hundreds of Soviet fighter planes, the area where they were located was blown into a sea of fire. The officers and soldiers completely lost their organization and ran around like headless flies until they were killed or captured by the arriving Soviet commanders and soldiers. until.
By evening, the main force of the German 35th Army was completely wiped out, except for hundreds of people who escaped from Mogilev via a small road. Commander von Ludtsov also became a prisoner of the 109th Division.
