novelden Chapter 218 Another reversal
Chapter 218 Another reversal
The 17th Army's tank unit's final charge ultimately resulted in the annihilation of the entire unit, having bought nearly two hours of time to defend their positions. The commander of the German 20th Tank Corps approached Dollmann and asked how to deal with the more than 200 captured Chinese tank soldiers. Dollmann admired these Chinese warriors from the bottom of his heart and ordered them to be taken to the rear and given the respect they deserved.
Time ticked by, and the night's fierce fighting made Dorman increasingly anxious. He had a deep question in his mind: where had the Sino-Soviet tank cluster that had engaged him in a massive decisive battle the day before gone? To the northeast, the enemy engaging his tank division was only a single tank division. The Sino-Soviet tank cluster clearly outnumbered his own. After all night, why hadn't they appeared yet?
He gripped the binoculars tightly, his brow furrowed, his doubts growing heavier. He looked ahead. Given the current situation, his troops would likely be able to break through the enemy's defenses and advance directly towards Rostov in less than half a day. However, the Chinese and Soviet armies would not easily abandon their defenses, withdraw their main forces to Rostov, and allow him to break through. What exactly were they planning?
As for Lin B, he, with the main force of the tank group, had already reunited with Wang Congwu, and his troops were already rushing southwest along the railway line at top speed. The Germans were indeed weak in this direction. Wang Congwu's 598th Division had already advanced early in the morning, attacking small German defensive positions along the line. Due to the limited strength of the 598th Division, the Germans had not detected any signs of a large-scale Sino-Soviet offensive from this direction, and only transferred half a grenadier division from the northeast to assist in the defense. This was also what puzzled Dollmann.
At about 9 o'clock, Lin's tank group had moved into place and the mobile artillery group was also deployed. Seeing that the time had come, Lin issued the order for a full-scale assault!
"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—" Countless artillery shells flew towards the German positions, followed by a huge roar and explosion. The tank clusters were like a steel torrent, easily breaking through the pitifully small German blocking forces and penetrating deep into the German army!
Meanwhile, Lin B, leading the main force of the tank group, successfully reunited with Wang Congwu. The troops raced southwest along the railway line at top speed. The German forces in this direction were indeed weak. Wang Congwu's 598th Division had already advanced that night and successfully attacked the small German defensive positions along the line, opening a path for the tank group's assault.
The limited manpower of the 598th Division cleverly concealed any signs of a large-scale Chinese and Soviet offensive from this direction. Upon receiving the battle report, Dolman interpreted it as a diversionary attack by Chinese and Soviet forces in the Shakht direction. He had already learned from intelligence that Chinese and Soviet forces in the Shakht direction were also limited, so he only transferred half a grenadier division from the northeast to assist in the defense.
At approximately 9: AM, Lin's tank group had already moved into position, and the mobile artillery group was also ready. Seeing that the time had come, Lin decisively issued the order for a full-scale assault!
"Swish, swish, swish—" Countless artillery shells rained down on the German positions, followed by a deafening roar and earth-shattering explosions. The tank cluster surged forward like a steel torrent, easily breaking through the meager German blocking forces and piercing the German line like a sharp sword!
With the direction of the Sino-Soviet tank group's attack exposed, Dolman immediately realized their intentions and urgently ordered the 29th Army, which had rushed back from the southwest, to press forward and resolutely resist the Sino-Soviet tank group's attack. However, he knew full well that a motorized infantry corps could not withstand such a large-scale tank group. He then ordered the tank division in the northeast to turn northwest to delay the Sino-Soviet forces. He also ordered the SS Grenadier Division in the northeast to hold its position and not allow the Sino-Soviet forces to break through from this direction.
From the command post, Dollmann watched all this through his telescope, his expression growing increasingly grim. He realized he had fallen into a carefully crafted trap set by the Chinese and Soviet armies, but it was too late to make further adjustments. He could only hope that the German defenses could withstand this onslaught. Dollmann now had no choice but to risk everything, desperately trying to break through the current defenses of the Chinese 17th Army and advance directly towards Rostov. At the same time, he decisively requested assistance from Field Marshal Manstein, commander of Army Group B. He needed the German 15th Army and other units to advance northward from Taganrog as quickly as possible to link up with him in Rostov!
Meanwhile, Lin B, aboard the command vehicle, calmly observed the battlefield situation and issued precise commands. With his sharp judgment and decisive command, he mobilized his troops to their full potential, fundamentally shifting the tide of battle.
The battlefield was filled with smoke and flames. The German defense line was crumbling under the fierce attack of the Chinese and Soviet armies, while the Chinese and Soviet armies were in high spirits and bravely advanced.
At this point, Lao Peng and Huang Wei at the frontline headquarters breathed a sigh of relief. War had been a thrilling gamble, and this time, their victory seemed a stroke of luck. Their plans seemed flawless, yet they had underestimated their adversary's resolve and fortitude, briefly putting them in limbo and on the brink of defeat. Fortunately, the 17th Group Army held firm amidst the chaos. Despite heavy losses, they persevered. It was undoubtedly a miracle.
By this point, the battle situation was clear. Liu YL had withdrawn his main forces from the northeastern front to assist the 17th Army in strengthening its defenses. With heavy artillery firepower reaching hundreds of meters from the enemy, the Germans' hopes of breaking through the 17th Army's defenses were a pipe dream. At this point, Dollmann's resolve would be crucial. Would he choose a decisive move, or risk everything and ultimately annihilate his entire army? This would test the acumen of a campaign-level commander.
Yu Shao, Chief of Staff of the 200th Group Army, walked over with a serious expression, holding a heavy telegram tightly in his hand. His steps seemed a little hesitant, as if the telegram was of great weight and he didn't know whether he should hand it to Huang Wei.
Old Peng caught a glimpse of Chief of Staff Yu's expression, and an ominous premonition immediately surged in his heart. He rushed forward and grabbed the telegram in his hands. With a quick glance, Old Peng's heart felt like it was hit by a hammer, and he was stunned on the spot. Huang Wei saw this and hurriedly reached out to take the telegram:
"General Peng, Chief of Staff Huang: The 200nd Division of the 602th Group Army, with its single-handed strength, turned the tide and defended its position to the death. Over 8000 men from the division were killed, including its commander, Wu Bairen..."
Just a few lines of text, like a bolt from the blue, struck Huang Wei's heart fiercely. His arms drooped weakly, and the telegram paper fluttered in the air like fallen leaves...