Steel Soviet Union

The repelling of the German mixed battle group that launched an attack in the direction of Schlusselburg was only a partial firefighting. For Leningrad, which was already surrounded on three sides on land, the current situation was far from being enough to sit back and relax.

On September 15, the German army, which had fought many times with the 42nd Army of the Soviet garrison in Uritsk and was repulsed, came back again.

The German offensive group, with a total of five divisions of four infantry divisions and one armored division, launched an offensive in the early morning. The First Air Wing of Army Group North was responsible for providing air support for this attack.

The German army was determined to completely capture the town of Uritsk in one go and use it as a springboard to invade the city of Leningrad. The Soviet 42nd Army, which had suffered heavy losses in the previous series of defensive and local counterattacks, suffered heavy losses.

Some of its infantry divisions, which have experienced the most brutal battles, have been reduced to only ten to thirty percent of their remaining strength.

The particularly critical issue of morale can barely be sustained with the support of the Soviet political commissar. However, in terms of hard power, the 42nd Army, which has been beaten half-disabled in the storm, is no longer able to withstand the full force of its full strength for five full days. Three German divisions supported the attack with air support.

The precarious and severe situation in the direction of the town of Uritsk forced Zhukov, who was commanding the entire Leningrad Front from Smolny Palace, to make strategic defense adjustments.

Zhukov, who no longer had a complete reserve team available, could only start with the troops that had been replaced on the front line for rest and recuperation.

Including the 21st Border Guard Infantry Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs under the command of Colonel Donskoy, the 6th Militia Infantry Division formed from Leningrad workers and military police personnel and some defeated troops, plus some ashore support from the Baltic Fleet A total of two infantry brigades were formed by the sailors of the Red Navy and personnel transferred from the air defense force.

And after just experiencing a steel strangulation, less than 20 tanks were left to withdraw from the battle. The independent first heavy tank breakthrough battalion led by Malashenko.

Although these cobbled-together troops appear to be numerous on the surface, the actual situation of these troops with division and brigade-level designations on their heads is appalling.

The 21st Infantry Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Border Defense, commanded by Colonel Donskoy, has only a little over 2,000 troops left to continue fighting. A considerable number of them are Red Army soldiers who were slightly injured and could not leave the firing line under the support of firm faith, including the division's artillery regiment. Almost none of the heavy equipment, including various technical weapons, was lost, and basically only light weapons were left for battle.

Needless to say, the situation of the so-called 6th Infantry Division of the Militia. This force was temporarily formed by workers and remaining combatants from various units. It was originally used to maintain order and security in the city.

The organization is incomplete, the personnel are incomplete, and there are almost no heavy weapons of all types. Sending him to the front line can only show that Zhukov has reached the end of his rope. No matter how small the mosquito's legs are, they are all flesh.

The two infantry brigades, which were formed by the Baltic Fleet's ashore support sailors and air defense forces, have a relatively complete organization and good combat effectiveness. It's just that even these high-morale Red Navy sailors still lack decent heavy weapons support, and they can't bring all the warships of the Baltic Fleet ashore.

The independent First Heavy Tank Breakthrough Battalion led by Malashenko, whom Zhukov relied on as the last trump card against the German armored forces, after some rest and reorganization, only 17 tanks, including 14, were left that were capable of continuing operations. KV1 and 3 T34s, trying to fight a fully equipped German armored division with such little possessions is tantamount to seeking death.

Zhukov, who has always advocated the use of superior forces, naturally would not do such a thing of attacking the stone with an egg. Before the independent first heavy tank breakthrough battalion led by Malashenko went to the front line again, Zhukov, who had already made a plan, solved it for Malashenko. solved the problem of new tanks.

"When the Kirov Tank Factory evacuated Leningrad, it left behind a batch of old equipment that was too heavy and inconvenient to carry to continue production. Some former Kirov Tank Factory workers who stayed in Leningrad and refused to evacuate are still here today. Working hard day and night on the production line with these old equipment.”

Zhukov stopped the pen in his hand while writing at a fast pace, tore off the note on the notepad, and then handed it to Malashenko.

"Go there, Malashenko, take this note and I hope you get the help you need."

He stretched out his hands to take the autographed note handed over by Zhukov with one hand, and the still-dry handwriting appeared completely in front of Malashenko.

"Please do whatever you can to help Lieutenant Colonel Malashenko get any support he needs."

"Commander of the Leningrad Front, Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov."

Facing General Zhukov's strong support and trust, he felt that there was nothing in return. Malashenko, who was very grateful for all this, had to bid farewell to the physically and mentally exhausted Red Army God of War with a solemn military salute, and once again embarked on a journey to prepare to fight against Ukraine. The German army invaded from the direction of Ritzke.

After returning to the temporary rest camp, Malashenko immediately recruited his deputy and old classmate Lavrinenko. There was already an invisible tacit understanding between Lavrinenko. As soon as he saw Malashenko, he The clues can be seen from his pretty and not rigid face.

"Let me guess, what gift has Comrade Commander prepared for you, the tank hero? Is it a new tank, or a golden medal?"

Malashenko, who received a new task from Zhukov, Lavrinenko, who was not leisurely and elegant and a bit talkative, continued to amuse him. After some recovery and rest, Malashenko, who was in a fair mood, immediately looked calm. blurted out.

"The 42nd Army in the town of Uritsk was attacked by four German infantry divisions and one armored division. There were hundreds of German aircraft in the sky taking turns bombing and strafing. Our battalion was organized into Uritsk The support troops in the direction of Croatia should go to the Kirov Factory to pick up some new equipment before setting off. Notify them to gather the troops and set off immediately! "

Quite puzzled by what Malashenko said, Lavrinenko immediately asked after Malashenko ran away and strode towards his car.

"Kirov Factory? Didn't they evacuate to Chelyabinsk a long time ago? There are no heavy equipment production workshops in Leningrad now. Where can you get new equipment?"