Capítulo 154: 154
Episode 154: Spear and Shield (5)
June 4, 1942
Gumbinen, East Prussia, Germany
"Hey, Franz. "Please lend me some fire."
"here."
Brunegger, who had borrowed a light from his classmate Huber Franz, inhaled the smoke with all his might.
As the sticky smoke seeped into my lungs, I felt my mind calming down.
The Fuhrer hated smoking, saying it made his body and mind sick, but Brunegger could never quit smoking.
Especially in times like these. If I didn't have alcohol and cigarettes, I might have gone crazy.
"I wonder what the hell this is because of these fucking commies."
"I know yeah. Fuck, if it weren't for those guys, I would have been dating a girl by now... ."
"what. "Do you look like a girl?"
Brunegger was surprised by Franz's words. Even this guy has a woman. The sun was to rise in the west.
"Then why? "Did you think there wouldn't be one?"
"I didn't know it existed because I didn't say anything. "How long have you been dating?"
"It's been a while since we met. "Her name is Erica, and she's the same age as me."
"What about the photos?"
"Of course there is."
Franz smiled as if it were ridiculous and rummaged through his pockets as Brunegger looked at him suspiciously.
"Now, look."
"where… ."
Brunegger, who received the photo from Franz, could not believe his eyes for a moment.
The woman in the photo, whom Franz said was Erica, was looking straight ahead and smiling shyly.
And next to him, Franz, with his mouth shut, was standing politely.
"how is it? "Isn't it pretty?"
"Didn't you stop and ask anyone on the street to take a picture? "A beautiful woman like this wants to meet you?"
"They fell in love with my looks and personality."
"It's so fucking stupid. "Don't be a strict woman and block your bright future, just take it in moderation-"
Brunegger chewed his tongue at the sudden sound of heavy gunfire.
Leaving Brunegger to struggle in numb pain, Franz focused on the smoke rising ahead.
A moment later, shells rained down like hail, completely reducing the village to dust, where more than half of the buildings had collapsed due to the fierce fighting.
***
"dismissal! The rebels attacked-"
"I know, so don't make a fuss."
Hausser had already gathered his staff and was glaring at the map.
After receiving intelligence that the 56th Panzer Corps, located on the flank of the 1st SS Panzer Corps, was also under attack by the Soviet Army, he concluded that a major Soviet offensive had clearly begun.
However, the Soviet army attacked again along the same route as before.
Hausser held off on judging for a while, believing that the enemy currently attacking was a decoy and that the main attack might be different, but when considering all the information received later, he decided that the enemy's main attack was clear.
"Their target is Insterburg. "The guys who are attacking the 56th Panzer Corps are probably targeting Raviau."
Both cities were places you had to pass through to get to Königsberg, the capital of East Prussia.
Even if the intention is obvious, isn't it too obvious? Hausser scoffed at the simplicity of the enemies, who seemed to have no intention of hiding their goals.
"It's a good thing. "I no longer need to think about where they will attack."
Convinced that the enemy's target was Insterburg, Hausser took a sip of his now lukewarm coffee.
He then instructed his adjutant to radio Dietrich.
Dietrich's LSSAH was resting between Insterburg and Gumbinen, alternating with the 2nd Feldhernhalle Division.
Although the division's damage was only scratches, Hausser deliberately pulled the LSSAH to the rear to use it as a reserve force and counterattack.
"Good luck, Dietrich. "What is the atmosphere like in the division?"
-Needless to say, it is the best. As soon as an order is given, it is ready to sprint all the way to Moscow.
"Right. I don't have to go all the way to Moscow right now, but I'm going to take some time to warm up. "I have to run away properly sooner or later."
After finishing his radio call with Dietrich, Hausser communicated with Eicke of the Totenkopf Division.
Heavy drinking could occasionally be heard over the radio, but Ike spoke in a carefree manner, perhaps because he was used to heavy drinking.
-Don't worry, Your Excellency. As long as Totenkopf is there, the communists will not be able to set a single foot in Gumbinen!
"Then trust me and leave it to me. Good work. Heil Hitler."
-Heil Hitler!
***
Even though he ordered the offensive with his own mouth, Vlasov was unable to hide his uneasy feelings.
Is this really true? Isn't it just a waste of the lives of my subordinates for no reason?
Although it was an order that he had no choice but to follow, Vlasov still felt skeptical about whether his choice was really the right one.
The soldiers who did not know his intentions were busy shooting and loading shells.
"Shoot!"
-bang!
My ears buzzed every time a white flash came out from the muzzle of a 152mm field gun. The adjutant approached and spoke.
"Comrade, please go inside now."
"… .Sure."
Even as he walked towards the command post, Vlasov's mind was spinning complexly.
The troops and supplies that Tymoshenko had promised to deliver to him had not yet arrived.
When I asked what happened, I was told that it took some time because bridges and roads were destroyed by enemy air raids.
Vlasov called Kulik and asked if the start of the operation could be delayed, but Kulik's answer was firm.
Will you follow orders, or will you disobey them?
Kulik hinted at Vlasov, who was hesitant about going on the offensive, by mentioning the Kremlin's secretary general, and Vlasov, with a feeling of vomiting blood, gave the order to start the offensive.
Because he did not have enough troops and materials, he had no choice but to launch the offensive in the same direction as before.
If we had at least enough troops, we could have divided the main attack and tribute and tried to disrupt the enemy so that he would not know which direction the attack was coming from. However, the situation was not favorable, so he had to choose the lowest of the low.
"Comrade, what do you think will happen to this offensive?"
Vlasov, who entered the command center, asked the staff who saluted him.
The staff officer, who was young and had the rank of colonel, was puzzled by Vlasov's question, but soon came up with an exemplary answer.
"We have soldiers armed with the will to win, so of course we will succeed, right?"
"That's right, comrade! The fascists will eventually fall out!"
hmm… .
Vlasov looked closely at the faces of each of his staff members.
Did he think the question just a moment ago was a test of loyalty? Or do you truly believe that it will happen?
You couldn't tell his true feelings just by looking at the expression on his face.
"okay. "I really hope so."
***
"Brunegger. "Are you alive?"
"okay. Fuck you, you fucking Roske bastards."
My eyes were stinging from the gunpowder smoke. What about the dirt that got into the gaps between military uniforms?
It's literally the worst feeling. Bruneger felt deep anger and raised his lowered upper body.
The bombardment was over, but I could still hear the buzzing in my ears.
"Hey, you two!"
As the two sat in the trench waiting for the dizziness to subside, SS Sergeant Pett, who had followed the traffic signal, appeared and shouted.
Bruneger waved his hand to let them know he was safe.
"Check your personal firearm. The Ivans are coming soon. "Be alert."
SS Sergeant Pett left to check on the condition of the other platoon members. After coming to his senses, Brunegger tightened the straps of his helmet that had been loosened so that there was no space between his head and the helmet.
As I turned the gun over to shake off the dirt particles that had entered the muzzle, Franz, who had been watching ahead, suddenly shouted and lowered his posture.
"They are rebels!"
***
At the appointed time, the artillery in the rear fired the signal for the attack.
Twelve heavy 152mm field guns fired shells simultaneously.
At the same time as a loud roar, fireworks exploded from the gun port.
Snow accumulated on the branches fell to the ground, and startled birds flew from the trees.
The artillerymen covered their ears with their hands to protect their hearing, but it was not very effective.
My ears were throbbing and my head was spinning, as if my eardrums had been torn.
The new artillerymen were startled by the gunfire they heard for the first time in their lives and staggered, unable to move properly.
While dozens of 152mm shells fired by artillerymen pounded the ground, Lieutenant Ivan Anitolievich Blohov inspected the tank for the last time.
There is no problem with both the sight and main gun. The infantrymen on the tank grabbed whatever they could to avoid falling when the tank moved.
"If the Germans are completely wiped out by this bombardment, I will have no wish." Pilot Sergeant Barkov said.
Barkov, who was older than Vlokhov, was calmly smoking a cigarette on the tram, even though it was prohibited.
Mahorka cigarettes are famous for their unique scent. Like most Russians, he loved Mahorka cigarettes as much as vodka.
"Stop talking nonsense and tell me what's for dinner tonight. "I'm already starving to death."
These were the words of machine gunner Sergeant Maxim. Maksim, the biggest eater in the company, complained that he was hungry as soon as he turned around even though he had eaten just a little while ago.
He often exchanged his rationed cigarettes for Barkov's bread, and every time he did so, Barkov said he had more cigarettes and was happy like a child.
"It'll be the same as this morning anyway. Boiled cabbage soup with dried herring and black bread."
"I wonder if Comrade Secretary General will eat the same thing as us, damn it."
Maxim was as fearless as he looked, and was also famous for casually spewing out scary words like this.
Ivan lightly advised Maxim, who was not very afraid.
"Hey, Sergeant Maxim. Didn't I tell you before that you should watch your mouth if you don't want to end up buried in the ground? "I remember wrong, huh?"
"Cancer. "Do you have any doubts, Comrade Lieutenant?"
"Once the bombardment is over, we charge right away. "Get ready."
Ivan had already given orders to other tanks.
If you move, move, and if you stop and shoot, shoot the same way.
Since very few tanks had radios, they had to communicate with other tanks individually by giving orders in advance or using flag signals.
This was in sharp contrast to the German army, where all tanks were equipped with radios and enabled smooth communication.
As the bombardment reached its end, the tanks and infantry began to move.
Ivan's tank took the lead in the attack. With the hatch firmly locked, Ivan relied on a small periscope to find the enemy.
There was no sign of the enemy yet.
"It's a straight line all the way to the village. Barkov, if you see anything, tell me right away."
"All right."
"Comrade Lieutenant. "What should I do with Tanjong?"
Private Gogol, the ammunition guard, asked. After much thought, Ivan chose a stray bullet.
Dirt was sprinkled behind the T-34's wide track. A long mark in the shape of a caterpillar was left where the tram passed.
The infantrymen walked along the track tracks and strengthened both hands holding their rifles.
"charge! "Don't hesitate, comrades!"
"Our country is calling us!"
The political officers kept shouting for an assault and drove the soldiers forward.
The muzzle of the revolver held in the right hand of the second lieutenant, who had just graduated from the military academy, sparkled in the light.
***
"Ready to fire!"
"Do not shoot until ordered to do so!"
Brunegger stared at his enemies with a light in his eyes. This time too, the Soviet army charged in shouting "Ura!"
Nasty guys. Aren't you tired of it? Even when I saw the enemy charging in with shouts, I felt more angry than afraid.
I couldn't bear to think that I was here during the most prosperous time of my life because they were starting a war.
"Please come quickly. "Send me to God as quickly as even 1 second."
Franz was confused. Brunegger tightened his finger on the StG39's trigger.
I wanted to pull the trigger right now and put a bullet hole in those damn bastards' heads, but since there was no order to shoot yet, I had to hold back.
The Soviet soldiers, who had been running straight ahead like marathon runners, suddenly flew into the air with an explosion. It was a land mine.
"Kwaaah!!"
The sharp fragments embedded in the mine tore mercilessly through the unfortunate soldier's flesh.
Blood, flesh, and torn pieces of military uniform splattered everywhere. The soldiers' screams and the sound of a mine exploding followed.
"… ..Start shooting!"
As the company commander SS Captain Zolhöfer's hand cut through the air, the soldiers pulled the trigger in unison.
The enraged soldiers did not hesitate at all to fire bullets at the enemy.
Brunegger focused on the political officer, who had his pistol drawn and was shouting to charge.
When he pulled the trigger, the political officer and the Soviet soldiers around him fell like dominoes.
I felt a cruel joy as I saw the enemy ranks collapse in an instant.
"You bastards! "You guys are like pigs!"
Franz, who was seated next to Brunegger, also gritted his teeth and fired a gun.
When the two ran out of bullets, they changed magazines and continued shooting.
We shot and fired until the bullet casings piled up on the floor and formed a small mountain, and the acrid smell of gunpowder paralyzed our sense of smell.
***
When the German army began firing, the Soviet soldiers who had been running straight ahead like marathon runners fell in a heap.
The Soviet soldiers lay down and crawled on the floor to avoid the bullets flying from the front.
"Damn, there is no hell."
Ivan's ears also heard the screams of his allies.
As religious believers in God say, if there really is a place called hell, I wondered if it would look similar to this place.
The human body made of bone and flesh was powerless against lead bullets.
However, tanks with thick armor plates were an exception.
The tank crews on the tank moved forward confidently, protected by armor that protected them from enemy fire.
"Barkov, stop!"
After receiving Ivan's instructions, Barkov immediately stopped the tank.
Gogol had already loaded the shells, so all Ivan had to do was aim at the target and shoot.
He turned the up and down handle to lower the main gun.
After finishing aiming, Ivan pressed the trigger with his foot. As the main gun fired, a magnificent gunfire erupted.
The cannonball he fired flew in a gentle parabola and hit a barn with the roof blown off and only the walls remaining.
"Reload!"
Just as Gogol was about to load the second grenade, an explosion occurred on the left.
When Ivan looked into the observation window on the side of the turret, he saw a T-34 engulfed in orange flames.
The ammunition loaded into the vehicle exploded again, sending sparks and fragments flying in all directions.
"Gogol, load armor-piercing bullets!"
While Gogol put the grenade back and took out an armor-piercing shell, Ivan desperately searched for the enemy.
Soon, a tank came into view, emitting faint smoke from its port.
It was a tank without a turret, with a main gun mounted on the hull.
Ivan vaguely remembered that it was a self-propelled gun called Hatcher operated by the German army.
In the Soviet Army, there was no such thing as a tank destroyer, and all armored vehicles with a main gun in a fixed fighting compartment were considered self-propelled guns.
When Hatcher fired again, another T-34 exploded and came to a halt. Gray smoke flowed out of a hole in the front of the car.
Ivan hurriedly fired the main gun. The cannonball he fired hit Hatcher squarely in the face, but bounced off like his fingers were rubbing the surface of butter.
Ivan screamed involuntarily when he saw the 76mm armor-piercing bullet ricocheting off.
"Gogol, reload! Barkov, I… . No, back up! "Back up, quickly!"
Barkov hurriedly put the tank back, but before it had even gone 50 meters, Hatcher fired at Ivan's tank.
The 75mm armor-piercing shell that hit the T-34's hull penetrated the armor plate and exploded inside.
Ivan felt a violent shock. When the tank was hit, he hit his head somewhere and blood flowed from his torn forehead.
My head rang as if I had hit a bell with a hammer, and things like yellow lights passed before my eyes.
He tried to say something, but the words got caught in his throat and wouldn't come out.
What happened to me now? How is the situation going? Ivan's tank was on fire now.
A rush of heat touched his face. When he remembered that he had been hit, he pushed open the hatch with his hand.
All he could think about right now was that he had to get out before the tank exploded.
Ivan, who came out of the turret, managed to land on the ground. Gogol came next.
He too was a complete wreck. Maxim and Barkov did not get out of the tank.
When the shell that penetrated the armor exploded, the two were killed instantly.
German cries were heard from all directions. Ivan pulled Tokarev out of his holster and blindly fired straight ahead. Three or four bullets flew towards him.
But Ivan was not shot. Instead, Gogol was right.
The blind bullet hit Gogol, who was behind Ivan, in the back and killed him. Just one bullet.
Gogol stumbled and collapsed, blood pouring from his mouth. Ivan held his hand and helped him up, but he only collapsed.
Ivan looked down at the fallen Gogol, forgetting that he had to avoid him.
Gogol's life was quickly fading away.
When Ivan, belatedly realizing that there was no hope for him, turned his head, a bullet flew into his temple
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