Steel Soviet Union

There was not enough time left for the Stalin Guards 1st Tank Division to move north, especially since the German reinforcements were still pouring into the salient in this key location, and the strength of the German troops accumulated in the salient was still increasing. , any further delay will only do a lot of harm to the Red Army without any benefit. read

In view of this, launching offensive operations as soon as possible, even just preliminary offensive operations, has become something that must be done as early as possible, and the sooner the better.

Which unit should be assigned to complete the combat mission is a question. Especially when the troops heading north are not large and only have one tank regiment as the main force, it is naturally necessary to carefully select and save troops. It was the order personally issued by Political Commissar Petrov that the First Tank Company of the First Tank Regiment and First Battalion commanded by Kirill was finally asked to carry out the sharp knife mission.

"Didn't Kirill perform well in the past few operations? Then leave the task to him. Besides, he also complained to me a few days ago that he had no chance to perform. Now the opportunity has come."

As Kirill's uncle, Commissar Petrov did not do anything to protect his relatives. He only made this decision after consulting Kulbalov.

Since Kirill leads the most powerful tank company in the regiment, he must do what he should do and has unshirkable responsibilities. He is first a grassroots commander of the Red Army, and then my nephew and my relative. What Comrade Political Commissar has in mind is actually that simple.

Of course, Kirill knew that the assignment for him to serve in the Sharp Knife Company was given by his own uncle: Commissar Petrov.

But just as Comrade Political Commissar expected, Kirill had no complaints about this order in his heart, and even felt a little excited about it.

"A real man is born in troubled times, and he should carry a three-foot sword and make immortal achievements." To make contributions to the motherland during the war years is the great dream of every ambitious and dignified man with seven feet.

Compared to the confused graduate of Moscow University's music department who was just thrown from the ivory tower of the university to the front line, Kirill today has undergone earth-shaking changes. Especially in terms of tactical command and combat style, it can be said that he is in the same vein as the commander comrade Malashenko who single-handedly promoted him and trained him.

Even for the sake of his uncle and comrade commander, and in order not to be embarrassed by their great guidance, cultivation and respect for him, Kirill silently vowed in his heart that he must seize the few opportunities to lead troops alone in battle. He must Fight the good fight.

As the main sharp knife company in the main battalion of the division's main force regiment, Kirill's troops at hand are not unpowerful.

In addition to all the heavy tank companies of the 1st Stalin Guards Tank Division, the standard 3 rows of 9 vehicles plus one for the captain and deputy company commander, a total of 11 IS6 heavy tanks. Kirill's company was also strengthened by a platoon of three medium tanks to enhance the company's strength and ensure more diverse tactical options in emergencies. After all, heavy tanks alone cannot do everything.

Now, Kirill has a total of 14 medium and heavy tanks in his hands. In addition, there are also an infantry company assigned to him for coordinated operations, which are also affiliated to the Stalin Guards 1st Tank Division. In addition, the battle-damaged infantry regiment that had just withdrawn after the previous attack failed and fought with the Germans for two days but could not swallow the village was also included.

With the current power in his hand, Kirill felt that the "confidence but not arrogance" that the commander of the vehicle often mentioned to him before was probably the way to kill the Germans in the village who had few heavy weapons and no armored support. This feeling now.

The German troops in the village did not know that the Soviet infantry unit that had just been repulsed had been reinforced, and it was also reinforced by powerful heavy armor units that were best at attacking cities and fighting fortified battles. The German commander who was stationed in the village even thought that after the fierce fighting just now, the Russian offensive would end today, and there was a high probability that they would not be able to make a comeback until tomorrow.

"Maybe our thinking is a little too simple, Unn, no one can guarantee whether those Russians will come back. It's just the afternoon, and the Russians still have at least four hours to attack before dark. I I don’t think they will let it go. After all, we have been here for two days, and even the Russian commander will probably be angry about this. "

The major of the Wehrmacht, who expressed his opinion with one hand on the table, was the deputy commander, and the man who was called Unn, who was sitting behind the wooden table in the bedroom of this small shabby house in the village and lit a cigarette while hearing this, was the deputy commander. He was the lieutenant colonel who was the highest commander of the German troops stationed in the village.

"Well"

Staring at the war zone map spread out on the table in front of him, the lieutenant colonel, who was puffing away at a cigarette between his index and middle fingers, nodded. The look of approval on his face seemed to agree with his deputy's analysis. .

"My thoughts are a little different from yours, but that doesn't affect my agreement that you are right. After all, you have to be careful in everything."

"Continue to maintain combat alert and inform everyone not to take it lightly. Today is the third day of our defense of this small village. If I were the Russian commander, I would be angry that I could not defeat this small village in three days. . So we have to be careful of these Russians going crazy. Who knows whether they will use all their remaining troops to launch a strong attack. They have always been very dogmatic. "

""

The lieutenant colonel behind the desk had a rather disdainful smile on his face. This just goes to show that even in today's position, there are not a few front-line commanders of the National Defense Force who still think highly of themselves and look down on their opponents' inferior races. It can be said that there are many people there.

But in sharp contrast, the major said nothing and remained silent. He just nodded in greeting and then voluntarily retreated. He went to arrange the execution of specific orders in a hurry. It is hard to say what the major was thinking at this moment. What are you thinking about, who knows.

However, unexpected emergencies often come so suddenly, and they even hit you at the very moment when you are most unprepared.

That is to say, when the major had just arrived in the courtyard and had not yet left the hospital, the familiar roaring sound that had been continuous from the previous two days to this day screamed again without warning.

The major's eyes widened in an instant, and he suddenly realized the seriousness of the problem. He didn't have time to think too much, put down the documents he was looking through in his arms, took advantage of the situation, and jumped forward like a vicious dog, and fell to the ground.

What came immediately after was the shocking explosion that suddenly sounded in all directions at a very close distance, like bursts of rolling thunder across the sky.