At dawn, along the line from Vyazma to Yartevo, the long river of active people began to flow backwards. Only cars carrying the wounded and refugees continued to move against the current.
As Dongfang Bai expected, the Chinese army invaded all major locations near Moscow. In Constantine? Before Konstantinovich arrived in the Yartevo area, the 101st Tank Division commanded by Soviet hero Colonel Michlin had arrived at the Vopi River from the North Caucasus Military District and occupied the defense. East of Yartevo, the 38th Infantry Division commanded by Colonel Kirillov was digging trenches. This division originally belonged to the 19th Army and lost contact with General Konev's headquarters during the retreat. South of Yartevo, Alexander? Colonel Irichlidyukov's mixed troops have also organized defenses at various crossings of the Dnieper River. The detachments and troops on the main Minsk-Moscow highway between Vyazma and Yartevo were gathered in the forest near the Vopi River. The 101st Tank Division is rustic and has considerable strength. The division's two tank regiments and two motorized infantry regiments, together with the reserves controlled by the division commander, have a total of 415 tanks, including 318 new German "Leopard" tanks. The reserve force under the control of the division commander includes 5 "Klim Voroshilov" (kb) heavy tanks and 10 "T-34" tanks. In addition to the tank regiment and the motorized infantry regiment, the division also has two artillery regiments, an independent reconnaissance battalion and an independent engineer battalion.
When the Chinese army crossed the river and occupied Yartevo, if there were not considerable troops near the Wopi River, the Soviet army might not be able to hold on. Liu Baicheng's Armored Corps, Lin Yuying's Armored Group's 7th and 12th Armored Divisions. As well as motorized troops, as well as troops airborne in the northwest of Yartevo, they all concentrated on attacking here. The Chinese army launched attacks every day. At the same time, there were indiscriminate bombings from aircraft and heavy bombardment from howitzers, rocket launchers and mortars.
The defense of Dongfang Bai's army group is quite strong. This was not only due to their tenacious fighting, but also due to the proper deployment of their troops and the timely and accurate maneuvers of their firearms. Another situation is that the headquarters of the cluster has been almost reorganized: Vasily? Ivanovich? The original personnel and all technical means of Vinogradov's 7th Mechanized Army Headquarters. All transferred to Dongfang Bai. Vinogradov was a veteran of the Civil War and an experienced general. He made extraordinary achievements in the Soviet-Finnish War. He was energetic and tenacious, and was appointed as Dongfang Bai's deputy. The chief of staff of the headquarters is Mikhail. Sergeyevich? Colonel Malinen. Ma Lining was the director of the tactics department of a higher military school. Proficient in staff business. Dongfang Bai's right-hand man is so capable, it feels like a huge relief.
On April 27, the Chinese army¡¯s huge armored column attempted to destroy the Soviet defenses in the Solovievo area and seize the landing site on the east bank of the Dnieper River. Colonel Mironov's 108th Infantry Division of the 44th Army of the Soviet Army arrived in time and entered the battle from the march, helping to repel and defeat some Chinese tanks. On the same day, the commander-in-chief of the East ordered Vasily? Alexanderovich? Major General Yushkevich's 44th Infantry Corps was under the command of General Dongfangbai.
April 28th was the first significant offensive battle, which Timoshenko deployed. Part of the assault campaign was launched in the direction of Smolensk with 5 army-level groups. It was impossible to launch an assault earlier, because the Chinese army had already rushed towards Vyazma, and Dongfang Bai could only take a defensive position
"When you think about the offensive campaign starting soon, Constantine? Konstantinovich was on pins and needles, and he jumped out of the uncomfortable bed.
"I've had enough!" he said to himself and started to put on his boots.
The rising sun rises slowly from the mist-shrouded sky and has not yet illuminated the treetops of the polar forests and pine forests. However, it was getting daylight, especially up front. On the outskirts of Yartevo, where the first line of defense of the Soviet Red Army was hidden among rocks and dirt, it looked even brighter. In the deep shade not far from the edge of the forest, there is an old maple tree that has experienced many vicissitudes of life. The platform of the observation post is set up on the top of this tree. There is a gun scope here. Dongfang Bai looked through the gun scope from time to time. This vast forest closely surrounds Yartevo, with the Wopi River flowing through it and the banks of weeping willows dividing the city into two. Look to the right. It is the black railway embankment leading to Vyazma, looking ahead across the railway. It is a deserted road, like a long gray belt and a still river.
Everything around seemed to be still. There wasn't even a breath of wind on the treetops, maybe the wind had already passed. It seems that he is not used to it: looking through the eyepiece of the gun scope, the earth and ground objects do not tremble as usual. The observation post that Dongfang Bai climbed up just now along the tall, strong and rough wooden ladder was the observation post of the commander of the 74th Tank Division. It is very close to Yartevo. There is a platform on a tree next to it, and a gun scope dedicated to the division commander is set up on it.
From the east, this city looks like a huge cemetery full of desolation and filth. As far as the eye can see, there are rubbles of burned-out houses standing everywhere.??'s chimney. There seems to be a burning smell, although the air is so quiet, pure and transparent, and the chimneys blackened by smoke look like tombstones. What is the secret of why these chimneys can survive and stand tall?
The red signal flare suddenly rose at the front of the Chinese army's position, flew high into the sky, drew an arc, and fell in the direction of the Soviet army. Now, behind, in the distant horizon, the sun broke through the clouds and illuminated the dense green groves on both sides of the Yartevo and Vopi rivers. Near the forest, there is a thick black and broad tree shadow stretching to the left and right sides, just covering the starting position of the Chinese tank regiment, making it difficult to see clearly.
Dongfang Bai saw tanks among the drooping branches and leaves of the treesthere were so many tanks! These tanks spewed out thick gray smoke almost at the same time and began to move out.
Each regiment is divided into two echelons and launches an attack in a company's "line" combat formation. When the tanks began to attack, the Chinese artillery and mortars simultaneously bombarded the Soviet firepower points and positions that had been clearly reconnoitred in advanceThe infantry battalions of the 52nd Infantry Division swarmed forward. From the place where the troops launched their attack, there was suddenly a strong and weak air current blowing towards them. The treetops were trembling, and the wooden planks at the feet of the observation post were creaking. Looking through the eyepiece of the gun scope, the battlefield undulated as if it were rising from heaven to earth. Dongfangbai's eyebrows were pressed against the rubber cover of the eyepiece, and he adjusted the vertical sight with skillful movements.
For a moment, he felt as if it was not the tanks and infantry approaching the outskirts of Yartevo, but that he and the observation post were slowly drifting back together with the forest.
Not long ago, the Chinese army forcibly crossed the Wopi River. Occupy Yartevo, attack the Soviet defensive positions for several days, look for weak links in our defense, and prepare to pounce in the direction of Smolensk. They did not expect that the Soviet army would launch an attack. It was like encountering a cold gun fired from the corner. Bewildered. For a period of time, the Chinese army did not fight back, and the dead silence on the Chinese army's position can illustrate this point. But that didn't last long.
? Observed from the top of the maple tree, it is clear at a glance. The frontier bunkers of the Soviet Red Army suddenly became clear, machine guns and submachine guns began to fire, sparks flashed from the basement vents of the destroyed houses, from behind the chimneys. And from somewhere, a large-caliber machine gun fired bullets with trailing tails. Those bullets flew rapidly, drawing slightly curved flash traces. Cannons in the ruins of the wall aimed directly at the tanks and fired. One of the cannons was directly hit by a Chinese artillery shell. Suddenly, the cannon stood upright on the gun mount, as if the cannon had grown two iron feet. It stood upright for a moment, and then looked like an invisible giant. With a bang, it collapsed backwards, throwing the armor shield aside, and the surrounding gunners were also knocked down.
A Soviet medium tank was hit and caught fire. The top cover of the tank opened, and three figures in black jumpsuits jumped out quickly. The tank crews scattered and fell down. At this moment, fire and smoke rushed out from the hit tank. From a distance, the turret looks like a hat blown away by a strong wind. Flying away from the tank lightly.
The advance tank companies have rushed into Yartevo, and Soviet tanks are approaching. Fight back. Before long, many Soviet "KV" and "T-34" tanks were hit, and more and more were burned or stopped. However, the "Tiger" and "Leopard" tanks provided by the Germans are currently relatively difficult to destroy. Dongfang Bai stared closely at the "White Tiger" tank rushing in front. This tank seemed to be in an uninhabited land, smashing down the ruins and running through the central streets that ran through the city to the banks of the Wopi River without stopping, and kept firing. Nearly every round hits and destroys its target. Several Soviet tanks and several artillery pieces also fired back at the tank. Dongfang Bai could see that those shells turned into balls of fire and were bounced back by the armor of the heavy tank. Otherwise, those "metal blocks" got into the thick steel plate and were embedded in there like jagged bad teeth.
The battlefield was filled with thick smoke, covering the sky and blocking out the sun. Thick smoke spread on the ground and enveloped the entire city of Yartevo. Covered by this smoke, the enemy troops hurriedly retreated to the west bank of the Vodu River.
Dongfang Bai could hear the voice of Colonel Michlin giving orders. He was on the observation post platform nearby, using the radio to order Mo Yongsheng, commander of the 203rd Tank Regiment, and Lieutenant Luo Yaning, commander of the tank company in front, to occupy the bridge over the Wopi River. , stick to the right bank of the river and ensure that the infantry seizes the landing site. The Soviet artillery battery fired at the Chinese tanks from the right bank of the Wopi River and the high ground west of the highway. Mo Yongsheng had apparently requested artillery fire to suppress it. In the highland village of Saprekino, all the houses have been burned. Dongfang Bai could see clearly that every time the Chinese army fired a cannon, a plume of smoke and dust rose up in front of the position.
¡°Meanwhile, the battle for Yartevo continues. The Soviet 101st Tank Division and the 38th Infantry Division paid a high price for the battle for this city sandwiched deep in the forest between Smolensk and Vyazma. Su Jun?Ten tanks were hit by bullets and caught fire, lying motionless. In the city of Yartevo, soldiers fought bloody battles and their bodies were left lying on the streets. The Soviet army, which was shocked by the sudden attack by a group of Chinese tanks, suffered even greater casualties.
Lieutenant Luo Yaning rode in a "Gray Wolf" tank and led his tank company in the second echelon according to the battalion commander's instructions. Although the crew of his tank was on the battlefield for the first time (it was only the second time on the battlefield at best), they were well-trained. There were three people in the tank. In addition to Luo Yaning, there were also the driver, Sergeant Jin Xiaoyong, the gunner Bai Wei, and the loader Li Wenyuzhong. Soldier. In the first few minutes of the battle, Luo Yaning saw through the observation hole that more and more Soviet tanks were destroyed in the first and third companies of the first echelon. He could not suppress his excitement.
In these burning tanks, the Soviet soldiers fighting with them died one after another
In the battalion¡¯s offensive combat formation, unobstructed loopholes gradually increased. The attack speed should be accelerated. The tank where Luo Yaning was located felt empty due to the smell of burning gunpowder and smoke, making it difficult to breathe. The "Gray Wolf" tank trembled, bumped, and swayed from side to side as the tracks rose and fell. However, the 100mm caliber artillery fired shells tirelessly. Now, Luo Yaning saw four Soviet tanks rushing towards the Chinese front line from the collapsed houses. Attack the flanks of the Chinese tanks.
"Load armor-piercing bullets!" the lieutenant issued an intermittent command.
"The armor-piercing bullets are loaded!" Sergeant Li Wenyu replied with a hoarse voice.
A tank of the Soviet Army just appeared on the crosshairs of the sight, and Luo Yaning immediately opened fire. The shell accurately hit the observation hole of the tank, and then it twitched convulsively as if it had swallowed something. He became silent and motionless. A tank behind it deflected slightly. Use the side to withstand another shot from Luo Yanin's artillery. As a result, the tank was wounded by armor-piercing bullets and spun in circles. The tank crew jumped out, ignoring the risk of machine gun fire The other two tanks backed into their bunkers.
The "White Tiger" tank of Major Mo Yongsheng, the regiment leader, is in the formation where Chinese tanks continue to attack. Slightly forward, the Soviet tanks concentrated their firepower and fired fiercely at this tank. The Soviet gunners fired accurately, setting off dense sparks again and again, and the heavy tank was hit by shells one after another. Flames flashed from time to time on the turret. But the armor of the "White Tiger" tank can withstand any impact and firepower. You can also see melted projectiles trailing fire trapped in the armor plates.
Sergeant Jin Xiaoyong drove the tank where Lieutenant Luo Yaning was located, walking closely behind the regimental commander's heavy tank. This means that the tanks of this company were marching behind and on the left and right sides.
The Soviet troops had not yet had time to blow up the bridges over the Wopi River. They never thought that the Chinese army would rush into Yartevo, so the Chinese tanks took the enemy by surprise. It disrupted the battle formation of the Soviet army, rushed into the ruins of the city, crossed the railway embankment of Yartevo station, and reached the road from Minsk to Moscow north of the "May Day" farm.
Mo Yongsheng¡¯s tank is parked on the road, which is a very favorable terrain. The steep roadbed behind the ditch covers the lower part of the tank. From the turret, you can cross the roadbed and clearly see the village of Saprekino, and you can fire without missing a beat. Attack the Soviet army artillery batteries and dense swarms of tanks stationed in the village. Lieutenant Luo Yaning also ordered Jin Xiaoyong to park the tank on the road. Chinese tanks on the left and right sides followed suit. Intensive and lethal firepower was fired at the village of Saprekino.
?The explosion of mortar shells was heard continuously from behind. that is. Nearby or not far away, a Chinese army mortar company is stationed. It is necessary to be vigilant and not stop shooting. However, the thick smoke from the burning tanks of our army and the Chinese army, the rolling of the tracks, the explosion of artillery shells and mortar shells, and the firing of tank artillery, rolled up the smoke and dust, and blinded Luo Yaning's eyes. He had to look through the curtain of smoke and dust that weakened from time to time, aim at any black spot that suddenly appeared, and shoot at random.
Luo Yaning felt uneasy, opened the turret cover, and saw a group of bombers coming from the dark sky. The engine made a dull rumble and flew towards Smolensk. This is a "fast knife" aircraft!
The lieutenant looked around and discovered that destroyed and burned Soviet tanks, trucks and tractors were everywhere on both sides of the road. How did our army's artillery fire destroy these guys? How could there be such intensive firepower? How could Major Mo Yongsheng discover that "vertical cone" on the road while traveling, which could just accommodate his tank, and let the tanks behind him follow suit? In any case, before that, Su The situation of the Chinese army was not good. Their ground firepower could hardly damage a hair of the Chinese tanks. However, in front of the Soviet tanks, the Chinese army could be said to be invincible. However, we can no longer fire anymore.
From above, it is clear that the two armies are facing each other. The Soviet army's artillery fire exposed the target and allowed the "Knife" aircraft to attack the Soviet Union.?Dump the bomb. Terrible! That's how scary it is. Even if it is stationary, it is easy to be spotted by the air, and its own tanks are also attractive targets for bombing by Chinese aircraft, which is even more shameful. It's no longer possible to hide. The only glimmer of hope is that the Chinese military pilots will miss their bombs, or they will turn around and chase other targets. At that moment, three green flares shot up into the smoke-filled sky from the Saprekino Farm. This is the target indicated by the Chinese army to its pilots, in which direction the bombs should be dropped.
Luo Yaning immediately yelled at Sergeant Jin Xiaoyong. At this time, Jin Xiaoyong was like a driven wild dog, facing the open front hatch, breathlessly sucking in the air that was not much cooler than the air in the tank.
"Jin Xiaoyong! Send three green flares in front of you! In the direction of the enemy."
Jin Xiaoyong has a sharp mind and quick actions. He immediately took out the signal gun from the clamp on the side wall, quickly loaded the green-cased bullet, stretched out his hand through the open hatch, and fired one shot into the sky in the direction of Saprekino Village, and then fired two more shots in succession. Gun Each crew of Major Mo Yongsheng's tank regiment followed suit. Dozens of green flares rose up in the sky, and then slid down diagonally towards the Soviet artillery position.
ps: In the night, Xiangzi took the guests and went straight to the destination. On the way, the customer asked about the car dealership and Huniu. Xiangzi was puzzled and took a closer look. It turned out to be Liu Siye, the owner of the car dealership and his future father-in-law. Almost scared to death: "Fourth Master, it's you" The man said: "No, I am Peter Yan." and showed a book "The Self-cultivation of Actors". Only then did Xiangzi let out a sigh of relief: "You, an actor, still want to be a liar, you should have refuted the rumors long ago!"