red moscow

Chapter 3041

In order to defeat the enemy near Klyukovo as quickly as possible, Rokossovsky made many preparations in advance. However, plans could not keep up with changes. After the 16th Army received three infantry brigades from its superiors, Rokossovsky's strength near Klyukovo far exceeded that of the German army.

For a renowned general like Rokossovsky, defeating a weakened German force when he had the upper hand was incredibly easy. With a series of battle orders issued, the troops near Klyukovo launched a full-scale attack on the enemy forces in the vicinity of the city.

The German troops, already weakened by the infantry brigade's attacks, were no match for the powerful Soviet offensive. After only a brief resistance, they collapsed entirely, abandoning large quantities of military supplies and equipment in their hasty retreat. By nightfall, the participating troops had achieved considerable success, capturing over 60 tanks, more than 120 vehicles, numerous artillery pieces, ammunition, and other military supplies.

As the first infantry brigade to launch the attack, it naturally achieved great results, capturing 15 of the more than 60 tanks and 9 105mm howitzers.

Upon seeing the list of spoils, Belkin stammered, "Comrade Brigade Commander, I never imagined that our troops would achieve such a brilliant victory in today's battle."

Sokov did not deny Belkin's statement, as it was indeed true. He was now considering whether, given the large number of tanks and howitzers captured, he could form a tank battalion and add an artillery battalion to strengthen the existing infantry brigade.

Seeing that Sokov remained silent, Belkin continued, "Although it is already dark, the enemy, who have suffered heavy losses from our army, are busy fleeing for their lives. If we send troops to pursue them through the night, we may be able to achieve even greater results."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Karsokov shook his head and rejected his suggestion: "Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander, the enemy has laid a large number of landmines on the retreat route, and many of them are wooden mines that mine sweepers cannot detect. It will take a lot of time to clear them."

“The Chief of Staff is right,” Sokov continued. “Visibility is already low at night, and the enemy has planted a large number of wooden mines that cannot be detected by mine sweepers. If we continue the pursuit at night, our progress will be very slow.”

"In that case, we have no choice but to abandon our plan to pursue the enemy through the night," Belkin said regretfully. "This will give the Germans a chance to catch their breath and use that time to build up their defenses."

As the group was discussing tomorrow's battle plan, Rokossovsky called: "Misha, congratulations on your fortune! You've captured so many tanks and artillery!"

Sokov's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. The words sounded familiar; every time Old Li heard the brigade commander greet him like this, he was about to suffer a major financial loss. It seemed his unit's captured tanks and artillery were doomed.

He forced a smile and greeted them, "Hello, Commander! My troops have indeed captured quite a few tanks and artillery pieces in the battle. I'm planning to use these technical equipment to form a tank battalion and a new artillery regiment."

"What? You want to form a tank battalion within an infantry brigade?" Rokossovsky said, somewhat surprised. "Have you considered how to replenish the fuel and ammunition needed for the tanks if you actually form a tank battalion? Who will repair the tanks if they are damaged during long marches or combat?"

Faced with a barrage of questions from Rokossovsky, Sokov really didn't know how to answer. He could only obediently remain silent and let the other party keep talking. He became even more convinced that the captured tanks and artillery had no choice but to be handed over.

Finally, after waiting for Rokossovsky to finish speaking, Sokov quickly seized the opportunity and tentatively asked, "Comrade Commander, didn't you say that you planned to have our brigade participate in the battle to recapture Sun Mountain City when the time was right? I would like to ask, when will our brigade set off for Sun Mountain City?"

“Misha, I called you mainly to talk about this,” Rokossovsky said. “According to the latest intelligence, the enemy in the Leninno direction has retreated, and your troops left there can be recalled. You will rest in Kamenka village for a day, and then head to Sun Mountain City early the day after tomorrow.”

Upon hearing Rokossovsky mention the village of Kamenka, Sokov remembered the two railway guns hidden near the village and quickly asked, "Comrade Commander, if we are to launch an attack on Sun Mountain, would it be possible to use the railway guns we captured today?"

“I’m afraid that won’t work.” But Rokossovsky immediately rejected his words: “The NKVD personnel took control of these two railway guns before nightfall, and the NKVD forces will be responsible for their security. Didn’t your subordinates report this to you?”

Sokov was taken aback. He was unaware that the railway guns had been taken over by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He was still thinking about using the railway guns to destroy the enemy's strong fortifications and open a passage for the attacking troops during the attack on Sun Mountain.

“No,” Sokov replied truthfully. “I’ve been commanding the troops in combat and haven’t had time to inquire about the situation in Kamenka village.” “Misha, General Kazakov and Colonel Oror will be visiting you early tomorrow morning,” Rokossovsky continued. “Just hand over the tanks and artillery your brigade has captured to them.”

“Comrade Commander, can’t you leave us a few artillery pieces?” Sokov thought that during the attack on Sun Mountain, the 76.2 mm artillery battalion of the infantry brigade was having some difficulty destroying the enemy’s strong fortifications, but if they had 105 mm howitzers, things would be much easier. So he pleaded with Rokossovsky, “If our brigade has 105 mm artillery pieces, we won’t have to worry about the enemy hiding in their strong fortifications and putting up a stubborn resistance.”

But Rokossovsky remained unmoved: "Misha, the higher-ups have made a decision. General Kazakov and Colonel Orel will take over the captured tanks and artillery, and there is no room for discussion. As for the artillery preparations for the attack, you don't need to worry about that. General Kazakov will provide you with strong artillery support."

Sokov put down the phone and said with a wry smile to Belkin and Karsokov standing beside him, "It's over. The commander gave me a death order to hand over all the captured tanks and artillery to General Kazakov and Colonel Orel by tomorrow morning."

"What? We have to hand over the tanks and artillery we captured to the army group headquarters?" Belkin's heart sank when he heard Sokov say this: "Without 105mm cannons, how can we attack the settlements south of Sun Mountain? With the 76.2mm cannons that the artillery battalion currently has, it will probably not be an easy task to destroy the enemy's strong fortifications."

“Deputy Brigade Commander, don’t worry. Even if we lose the captured 105mm howitzers, we still have railway guns,” Karsokov said enthusiastically. “No matter how strong the enemy’s fortifications are, just a couple of shots will shake their lines. Once our soldiers launch an attack, we can break through their lines directly.”

"Comrade Chief of Staff, you are too optimistic." Hearing Karsokov say this, Sokov said with a wry smile, "The railway guns have been taken over by the NKVD forces, which means that we will not be able to get railway gun support in the process of liberating Sun Mountain City."

“That can’t be, Comrade Brigade Commander.” But Karsokov was full of doubt: “If the railway guns were really taken over by the NKVD, why didn’t Captain Yefim report it to us in time?”

"Comrade Chief of Staff!" Belkin reminded Karsokov from the side, "You'd better call Yefim and ask if this is true?"

Karsokov nodded and then made a phone call to the battalion command post.

After the call was connected, Karsokov first identified himself, then asked sternly, "Captain Yefim, I would like to ask if the railway guns have been taken over by the NKVD?"

Yefim, on the other end of the phone, paused for a moment before giving Karsokov an affirmative answer: "Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff. Before dark, a company of the NKVD took over the two railway guns we captured. I thought that since someone had taken over the railway guns, our battalion could free up more troops for the next battle."

"Then why didn't you report it in time?"

"I'm sorry, Comrade Chief of Staff, it's all my fault." Yefim quickly apologized to Karsokov: "It was my fault for not reporting this to the brigade headquarters in time."

Sokov took the microphone from Karsokov and asked, "Comrade Captain, will all the items captured at the station be handed over to the NKVD?"

“Yes, Comrade Brigade Commander.” Yefim answered the question without hesitation, then realized his expression was not accurate enough and quickly added, “Saying that all the captured items were taken over is not quite accurate either. The two 20mm Flak 38 light anti-aircraft guns are still in our hands. I was thinking that these two anti-aircraft guns might be useful in the upcoming battle, so I moved them out before the NKVD took over the handover.”

"Well done," Sokov said approvingly. "Captain, you're right. These two light anti-aircraft guns will definitely be very useful in the upcoming battles."

After hanging up the phone, Sokov said to Karsokov, "Comrade Chief of Staff, please call Captain Nazorov, the commander of the 3rd Battalion, and have him lead his troops out of Lenino and head to Kamenka to join us. Our brigade headquarters will move to Kamenka as soon as possible."

(End of this chapter)