Canteen System Assistance Notes

When the Germans tried to retreat, they destroyed another one because the front part was retractable.

The heavy tanks, which were slow to move due to malfunction of their additional armor, completely defeated the German army's hastily launched armored offensive.

But perhaps precisely because of this, after the sun rose again on the 15th, the Germans launched a truly fierce offensive, to the point that Rurik felt somewhat aggrieved, "I only knocked out a few tanks! We also suffered losses in our tanks" (referring to a T-43 that had been hit repeatedly, its running gear damaged and unable to move)!

"Grievance" aside, joking aside, Rurik couldn't quite understand why the Germans were so angry, but he probably didn't have much time left to joke. The battlefront was changing rapidly. Rurik, who had secretly set up a communications antenna in the Fifth Workers' Village, could now simultaneously receive reports from both the Leningrad and Volkhov Fronts.

According to the battle report, the Leningrad Front in the west has successfully broken through the defense of the Neva River and divided and surrounded Schlüsselburg, but encountered certain resistance in the process of attacking the First and Second Kirov towns and Moskovskaya Dubrovka; the Volkhov Front has divided and encircled the German army and used tanks and sled troops to achieve the intention of flank attack

However, the Germans still held Lipka, the First and Fourth Workers' Villages.

These strongholds tied down a considerable number of Soviet troops.

If at this time, a viable force was sent from the direction of the German Army Group North in the south to break through the Fifth Workers' Village that they had seized, even if the Soviet army could eventually defeat the enemy, not only would the results of the battle be greatly reduced, but the casualties of the troops would also continue to rise.

I know this, and the Germans must know it too.

So, when the sun on the 15th had not yet completely risen from the horizon, German artillery shells began to rise from the other side of the frozen woods and swamps.

It fell on the position of the 256th Division.

They were 105mm and 150mm guns, with some unusual roars of artillery fire occasionally, which might be 88mm guns firing from the high ground. There were not many of them, only about 3-4 guns.

The Germans deployed artillery preparations from the outset, clearly considering themselves a formidable opponent. Rurik, having previously fought German infantry divisions, knew that the Germans were not fond of launching large-scale artillery preparations before a typical offensive, as the Soviets did. Instead, they preferred to use direct-fire artillery in conjunction with multiple waves of advancing infantry to attack the Soviet firing points. They would only proactively launch large-scale artillery preparations when they judged the Soviets to be a formidable opponent.

So the German army obviously "values" itself.

The Fifth Workers' Village had a standard road running through it, so the village itself was significantly larger than before. This was probably because the potato cellars used by the workers' families to store potatoes were temporarily safe from artillery fire. However, Rurik knew that the soldiers on the front lines clearly did not have such adequate protection.

The Germans had built ample fortifications, trenches, and bunkers in the village, but even after a night of exploration and preparation, our troops were still a hastily deployed force, unable to fully understand the firing range and support points of each bunker and fortification. Their only good news was that the snow had lightened considerably, and the trenches they had worked so hard to clear were now usable, no longer just a series of shallow snow pits.

What they have to face is a more direct but also more cruel threat.

The sound of gunfire and artillery began to sound intensively from the periphery. After losing valuable heavy tanks in succession, the German army no longer dared to let those tanks lead the infantry to attack the Soviet positions directly. Instead, they let those heavily armored heavy tanks roam behind the infantry line and use the 88mm large artillery for direct fire support.

This was a complete waste of a heavy tank (Rurik estimated the one at the village entrance must have weighed at least 50 tons, seriously!), but it also presented Rurik with considerable difficulty. At a distance of 1,800 to 2,000 meters, targeting a tank that moved around in the snow was clearly much more difficult than taking out a heavy infantry gun that couldn't be easily moved. While this made it more difficult for the enemy to observe and aim, it naturally made it easier for them to suppress their own equally immobile anti-tank artillery.

However, Rurik had no intention of doing so. He simply ordered Colonel Kolobanov to drag the damaged and immobile T-43 tank to the flank of the position and half-buried it with sandbags and snow. Its tracks could no longer move, but the 00mm gun could still function and deliver its scorching armor-piercing shells to the Germans. Afterwards, Rurik allocated his valuable scouts, the "Lantern Fish," and several "Gem Peaks," and ordered Colonel Kolobanov to move to the flank, waiting for the opportunity.

"Salmon, 'seals' and 'fur seals' have reappeared. 2 'seals' and 5 'fur seals' have been observed."

"Salmon got it, Lanternfish, don't fire easily, stay hidden." The staff officer on the side was replying to the troops' situation report according to the previously agreed plan.

"Herring, bigmouth, be careful of the Nazi artillery fire, the enemy enters effectively

It is strictly forbidden to open fire before the range, and commanders are not allowed to go to the front line unless necessary."

"Herring understands."

"Bigmouth got it."

"Fish Nest, White Salmon, and Sardines are not moving for now."

"receive."

The enemy officially launched an attack, and dust and powder snow were falling irregularly above his head. He could feel the slight vibration of the falling shells, like the regular hum of a chainsaw idling, cutting into his sanity and life one by one.

The German heavy tank crippled in front of the village unexpectedly became the first target of concentrated fire. The short-barreled guns of the Panzer IIIs, the heavy tanks' 88mm armor-piercing rounds, and the 75mm anti-tank guns hidden in the rear opened fire. Because its ammunition had long been emptied and its gasoline had been diverted for other uses, the unfortunate tank failed to erupt in flames or explode, prompting the Germans to fire three or four more rounds at it to confirm its complete destruction.

Huge sparks flew across the gray armor, and parts of the heavy tank were scattered everywhere.

Immediately afterwards, a "Khitan Broom" anti-infantry directional mine, commonly used by the ski battalion, was triggered. The rain of iron immediately swept down a German soldier and caused another to fall to the ground, wailing. This was also like a signal, and the soldiers on both sides began to pour out all their firepower.

After becoming the division commander, it became difficult for Rurik to go to the front line regularly.

Without the stench of TNT when the shells exploded and the blast wave that distorted the air when the bullets were fired, Rurik was surprised to find that he did not get the tranquility he had imagined in the past - the front-line soldiers charging with shouts, the anti-tank gun crews holding on the border between life and death, the front-line commanders' alertness or helplessness in the crisis, still lingered in his mind like a nightmare, like an illusory giant octopus, slowly placing its tentacles with suction cups on his brain and strangling his neck.

Soviet direct-fire artillery began to counter-press the exposed German direct fire, while German Panzer III tanks fired 75mm high-explosive shells, suppressing the artillery positions in the resulting cloud of dust. Meanwhile, German "shredders" sounded, and the Soviet mortars, which had not yet been suppressed, began to attempt to dislodge the core firepower of the German infantry squads.

Both sides were learning each other's tactics. Faced with the extremely increased density of Soviet anti-tank firepower, the German army abandoned the classic diagonal tank impact tactics and instead used tanks as mobile artillery positions, intending to first consume the Soviet firepower points before launching an attack. In order to reduce the risk of recoilless guns being exposed on the battlefield, the Soviet army, under the leadership of anti-tank gun company commander Pavel Petrovich, dug guide trenches, hid the precious 107 recoilless guns behind bunkers, and fired indirect fire to attack the German infantry who were attacking in sparse formations.

The leafless forest was stripped of its branches by the explosion, becoming nothing more than straight tombstones; houses burned in flames, stirring up the snowflakes that drifted around them; and blood spilled on the white earth, transforming into a dull color along with the soil, like oil paint frozen on canvas - except that the paint that made up these brushstrokes was a series of lives that were familiar or unfamiliar to Rurik.

The German offensive was fierce and resolute. The Huna Battle Group, composed of the 61st Infantry Division and the 502nd Heavy Armored Battalion, was like a tsunami. The Soviet resistance was also extremely resolute. The resistance force composed of the 256th Rurik Division and the tank company of the 46th Guards Heavy Tank Regiment was like an immovable rock, swaying and persisting in the terrifying waves.

And at least at this moment, the blood of invaders and anti-invaders is flowing equally and silently.

-—--———-

"In today's battle, the 930th Regiment suffered 74 casualties; the 937th Regiment suffered 97 casualties. Their positions were heavily suppressed by the Nazis. The reconnaissance battalion followed your orders and maintained covert reconnaissance, suffering only minor losses.

One of the 45th Regiment's tanks was penetrated by German forces, leaving only the driver alive. Regimental Commander Kolobanov towed the wreckage back and told us to extract the shells. He said the remaining hull could be used as cover. "The 255th Independent Communications Company reports that the relay station in the north has intercepted multiple repeated conversations in German. The specific content is: 'Plumber's orders, plumber's orders, Zacharias will proceed to Havana. Anton, Berta, C'asar, commence Operation 0-4-2 as soon as possible.' The exact meaning is unknown."

"Okay, I understand. The remaining troops will take turns to rest, and you go and make the arrangements." The comrade chief of staff nodded and saluted Rurik briefly.

His clean face was now unshaven, and his usually shiny leather shoes were covered in mud and snow. His voice became steady, and his pace became rapid. At the entrance to the shelter, his strong body suddenly tilted to one side, then straightened as if struck by electricity.

"Forget it, Kvov, I'll go. Go find something to eat and fill your stomach quickly before coming back."

Rurik stood up from his chair and replaced the slightly drowsy chief of staff.

"Leave it to me," he repeated.

Chapter 756: Burning Snowfield (8) Anvil and Hammer

Snow stopped.

The snow clouds that had been rolling across the sky yesterday suddenly vanished, like sheep being driven away by the west wind. Under a sun so scorching it could cause snow blindness, daylight arrived even earlier on the 16th. Rurik received some good news today:

The strained Second Assault Army finally managed to muster a force and launched a new offensive against the trapped German 227th Division. Many German strongholds and perimeter defenses softened under the onslaught of tanks and artillery fire, ultimately being breached by Soviet soldiers. This allowed the army to free up some troops to support its own forces.

On the Leningrad front, the German defenses in the First and Second Kirov towns and Moskovskaya Dubrovka remained strong, and they also received support from the German 96th Infantry Division in the rear. However, the Leningrad Front began to use tanks and power sleds to prepare to cross the frozen swamps and forests from its flank to bypass the German flank and complete the encirclement of this German army.

However, compared with the good news obtained through radio coordination and forwarding of communications between the two fronts through relay stations, the bad news Rurik received was more straightforward and obvious: the German offensive was becoming more fierce.

A large number of aircraft began to appear in the sky, including Spitfires and P40s from the Red Navy and Jacques and Lagers from the Luftwaffe. They flew from the east and west, fighting with the Messerschmitts and Focke-Wulfs coming from the south.

Because the battle between the two sides was so intense and neither side could completely gain air superiority, occasionally some screaming Stukas or aggressive Il-21 attack planes would dive down and fire and drop bombs on the Soviet or German troops on the ground.

However, Rurik had no time to watch the battlefield that was like a grand ball, because he was already in the snowfield that was burning like flames.

Numerous 105mm and 150mm shells were fired from the German positions, covering the Fifth Workers' Village. Four-story brick houses were reduced to rubble and ruins by the continuous bombardment, and the blackened larch and spruce trees were blown in half by the artillery fire. The Germans were also using artillery fire to cover the woods on the flanks of the Fifth Workers' Village. Although it was very ineffective, the tank troops and scouts hidden in the forest were still forced to retreat to avoid the artillery fire.

The German infantry and tanks followed closely behind, pressing forward step by step.

The battle broke out on the outskirts of the village and in the jungle. The German infantry charged forward bravely and used a type of automatic rifle that had never been seen before in close combat. They were very brave. The German Type 3 tank, which had been acting as a mobile artillery position in the rear for a whole day, finally realized that it had destroyed enough Soviet anti-tank forces and began to advance with the infantry, intending to use 75mm artillery to blow up Soviet firepower points. The last two new heavy tanks were still wandering behind the front line in a mobile artillery bombardment, waiting for an opportunity to attack Rurik's remaining anti-tank guns and recoilless guns.

"The German firepower is very strong! Lantern fish, bluefin tuna, don't hold on! Retreat according to the scheduled program, quickly, quickly, quickly!" "Okay, big marlin, give me 5 minutes!"

Rurik finally used his "support fire" call right. The support artillery group, which had been replaced by ML-20 howitzers from D-1, responded quickly. The 152mm shells it fired streaked through the air, setting off scorching explosions in the German formation. After all, projecting firepower at a moving enemy was troublesome and difficult, but bombarding a fixed, previously tested position was much simpler.

At the same time, in the positions outside the village, nearly two hundred high-explosive bombs moved from several Tiger tanks (at this time, everyone was grateful that the German tanks could carry so much ammunition) were strung on the remaining German anti-tank mines by Rurik's engineers and manually detonated after the German army broke into the first trench.

Along with the advancing German troops, leaden powder snow flew into the sky in explosions, shimmering in the sunlight, reminiscent of a ballerina twirling and gliding on a stage. Although the reconnaissance battalion and T-43 tanks that tumbled out of the woods were in a state of extreme distress, and the Soviet soldiers retreating to the second line of defense were slightly deafened, this round of the German offensive was largely averted.

Subsequently, under the tenacious counterattack of the Soviet army, the German army temporarily retreated.

930团伤亡121人，累计213人;937团伤亡84人，累计193人;312营还剩2门Zis-3，4门107无后坐力炮;由334独立侦察连和422工兵营混编的灯笼鱼"侦察营损失22人，几乎都是那种新式冲锋枪造成的――他们尽力夺取了几把来;

“Our, oh, actually the Germans’ first trench almost collapsed in the explosion and is temporarily unusable.

"In addition, we lost three more tanks. One was a total loss, one had a broken track and was abandoned and then lost to fire, and one was... the one we were using as a fixed artillery turret." "I understand."

Chief of Staff Kovov Matveyev, his face bandaged, hesitated after briefly reporting the casualties, but ultimately made up his mind: "Political Commissar Titalenko just asked if he should bring the White Salmon (934th Infantry Regiment) and the Sardines (SU-160 self-propelled mortars)—this is the third time he's asked. Our losses are indeed heavy, Comrade Kapovich, isn't it...?"

Soviet Army regulations in 1942 required divisional units to retain one-ninth of their forces in reserve, but Rurik retained an entire regiment as his own. Political Commissar Titalenko, codenamed "Fish Nest," led them, camouflaged, and lurking in the woods northeast of their area.

This was his last fresh force for the time being. The troops had suffered heavy losses, and although they could still hold on, it was only noon, and the Germans were clearly going to continue their offensive. Should he... "No, wait a little longer. Matveyev, we're in a defensive battle, we can hold on a little longer."

The reserve was a hope. Although through rational thinking, Rurik knew that if his two damaged regiments plus the T-43 and the mixed reconnaissance battalion "Lantern Fish" could not stop the German army, then letting the political commissar bring the last regiment and SU-160 to reinforce would probably not make any difference.

Then, keeping this hope might be a better choice...

“Boom—!”

1943年1月16日中午11点30分，德军再度发起进攻，留里克成功击退了胡纳战斗群，部队新增伤亡247人。

At 1:05 PM, Rurik exhausted his last artillery bombardment and orchestrated a daring surprise attack. The resting Huna battle group was caught off guard by the Soviets' audacity to launch an offensive. Chaos ensued, and four Panzer III tanks and several anti-tank guns were destroyed, forcing the enemy artillery positions to retreat. Rurik paid the price, suffering the loss of one T43 tank, its gun shield disabled, and 46 casualties.

At 16:05 p.m., in the twilight before sunset, the communications battalion received another call from the army group, asking them if they could hold on and that reinforcements would arrive soon.

Rurik, who was facing the strong pressure from the "reinforcement corps" composed of the Huna battle group, the German 1st Infantry Division and part of the 21st Infantry Division, could hardly restrain himself and shouted on the radio: "The soldiers are fighting a bloody battle, and the troops have lost more than 800 people! I need artillery! I need reinforcements! We are in the Fifth Workers' New Village, we need reinforcements!"

Rurik rarely expressed his emotions like this. After the Battle of Lyuban, he always felt that his emotions were no longer easily fluctuated, just like the frozen Neva River. Even in the most critical battles, his rational brain was at most like the slowly drifting snow mist on the ice surface blown by the west wind.

The reserves had already been deployed to the battlefield. The mixed reconnaissance battalion, codenamed "Lantern Fish," was already rushing around as a fire brigade. Many tanks in the T43 tank battalion had exhausted their high-explosive ammunition and were now using armor-piercing rounds, with the same power as large hand grenades, to pound the hissing German machine gun positions. Gunner Loriex Korzhev had exhausted his 122mm cannon and was now diligently using his 76mm cannon to bombard the woods where the German direct-fire guns were hiding...

Even the SU-160 that came as an emergency reinforcement suffered losses - an 88mm shell penetrated its front, igniting the propellant bag in the vehicle body, burning it and its crew into a charred tombstone.

In the snow, swamps and woods almost one kilometer in front of them, there were more than 1200 German corpses and the remains of more than ten German tanks - and among them, there were as many as six of those terrifying heavy tanks.

But now, but now... Rurik seemed to be unable to hold on any longer. Amidst the raging wind and waves, he felt like an orphan, abandoned in a vast, uninhabited forest. The surroundings were as quiet as death, and he was immersed in the starry sky and loneliness.

"Big marlin, big marlin, hiss hiss hiss... We are encircling them... The division is fleeing from the south of the first village... You must hold on for another hour, we will give you everything we can... Hey! Hey! Big marlin! Hiss hiss hiss..." The continuous high-intensity work caused Baofeng No. 4 to burst its tube again. While the radio operator was busy changing the tube, Rurik quickly captured some key information.

Escape south?

north!

Rurik suddenly realized that his gaze passed through the sheltered command post where the soil was peeling off, and looked towards the north side of the battlefield which seemed to have been peaceful all the time.

"Big Marlin!!! North!!! Germans!!!" The sharp voice of Political Commissar Leonid Fyodorovich Titalenko exploded through the intercom.

Chapter 757: Burning Snowfield (9) “Everything is burning”

The pressure has reached its limit and everyone is on the verge of collapse.

Near sunset on the 16th, Rurik not only had to face the final counterattack from two regiments and two battalions of German infantry from the Huna battle group and the German armored forces, but also had to face the pressure from the German 1st Infantry Division and part of the 21st Infantry Division.

The two troops were originally attacking the Seventh Workers' New Village. Now, because the attack on the Fifth Workers' New Village was progressing too slowly, they also followed the command of the headquarters and sent reinforcements.

Even though the 256th Division was at full strength, a rare occurrence among Soviet forces, the combined strength of just over 8000 and the mounting casualties made it difficult for Rurik to maintain a sufficiently strong defensive line. Now, the Soviet 18th and 191st Infantry Divisions to his east were also being entangled by German infantry, making it difficult for them to mobilize support. Meanwhile, German forces were also approaching from the previously safe north.

The only regiment in good shape was the 934th, the reserve unit. Shortly after arriving under Political Commissar Titalenko, they were forced to join the ferocious battle. Rurik knew the principle of a cornered beast fighting to the bitter end, and knew that even animals could unleash terrifying fighting power when desperately trying to escape. It was best not to engage in a head-on confrontation. But now, he had no time to employ more scientific and effective methods to salvage the situation.

"The 934th Regiment enters the position and implements defense!" Rurik controlled his restless emotions, grabbed the phone and shouted orders, "Call for artillery support, and block the road north of 'Anchor Point'. Quick!"

"Anchor Point" was the codename for the Fifth Workers' Village. A road ran from north to south through the village. Although the surrounding swamps were now frozen, the Germans would still need the existing road to retreat. Since the army and front were willing to provide "all possible assistance"—Rurik automatically filled in the blanks—then let's build a wall for the Nazis along this road!

"Big Marlin, the theater has received it. The concerto is about to begin. The concerto is about to begin." A clear voice came out from the Baofeng stage after the pipes were replaced. "Pay attention to the performance."

“Don’t delay, hurry up!!!”

Although the German infantry of the 227th Division to the north wasn't as elite as the Germans to the south and didn't dare charge straight ahead, the quarter-hour they waited for the artillery fire to arrive felt incredibly long. Finally, a sharp noise like a train whistle rang out from the sky.

First, a few test shots were fired, followed by a continuous barrage of bombs. The earth-shaking explosions were almost continuous, with almost no pause. The artillery of the Second Assault Army and the Volkhov Front began to speak!

The temporarily adjusted firepower plan wouldn't be very generous, but at this moment, on the road north of the 256th Division, a massive amount of 152mm artillery shells roared and exploded like a galloping horse - they couldn't immediately produce enough soldiers to confront Rurik, but they could indeed use their firepower to build an insurmountable wall!

Many German soldiers who did not retreat in time between the test firing and the effective firing turned into flea powder, flying into the sky along with mud and snow.

Some of them may still need to fly in the sky for a while.

But even with this level of firepower support, it was only barely enough for Rurik - he was now like a critically ill patient struggling to survive on a hospital bed. The therapeutic dose that was enough to make a healthy person explode on the spot might just be enough for him to barely hang on to life.

The Soviet army's own artillery and captured German artillery fired non-stop: after the mortar crews had used up all their shells, they took up their guns and joined the front-line battle. Some artillery was destroyed, but the surviving anti-tank teams began to drag the Pak40 anti-tank guns left in the village by the 27th Division, and used the remaining German artillery shells to fire at the Germans, shooting up several German vehicles that intended to approach and blocking the road.

The last bit of ammunition and weapons were sent to the most critical position by the transport company, and the wounded who were still breathing were sent down from the position - those with minor or serious injuries had no time to be evacuated for treatment - the guard battalion belonging to the headquarters was directly deployed to the shaky southern defense line, consolidating the defense line that was crumbling due to lack of manpower.

After all, the German army in the south is still attacking northward endlessly.

On that front, the two sides were too close together, and the 152mm shells, with their high lethality and dispersion, had a high probability of causing accidental casualties. Rurik could only call in artillery fire at the enemy's rear on the southern flank in the hope of preventing reinforcements, while soldiers from both sides continued to fight bloody battles on the front line.

But the situation is getting better.

?

Often, even when someone is extremely tired and in a state of intense concentration, they can still maintain good focus before falling into a drowsy state due to exhaustion. However, if they relax for a while after a period of sustained tension, it may not be so easy to regain their focus and fight fiercely.

Rurik still lacked a little experience after all.

At the western edge of the artillery wall on the north side of the battlefield, more than a dozen half-track light vehicles emerged.

Among them were French "Souma" half-tracks and German Sd.Kf2s. They were not heavily armed, but were generally loaded with soldiers. They unloaded their troops where Soviet artillery fire could not reach them and waited patiently for a while until a clumsy self-propelled gun, with an engine speed that seemed to threaten an immediate explosion, slowly crawled across the snow-covered frozen swamp and stopped behind a small dirt slope.

Then, under the setting sun, the 227th Division's most valuable weapon outside the organization - the "Lorraine" self-propelled artillery using a French chassis - spewed out a ball of flame.

"Attack! Beep! Beep!"

"Big Marlin! West of Anchor Point, at the Herring Position, there's a Nazi boom...hiss hiss hiss." "Hey! Hey hey hey!"

The shouting on the communication channel suddenly stopped. At the same time, two signal flares flew up from the northern and southern German positions, as if it were some kind of agreed-upon method of communication.

Taking this as a signal, explosions and shouts of killing were heard from the flank positions on the west side of the Fifth Workers' New Village. Even amidst the continuous explosions of 152mm shells, they were still unusually clear. The German PAK4Q anti-tank gun that played a great role in the defensive battle was paralyzed in the position before it even fired more than a dozen shells.