Chapter 1147 Speed of Life and Death
The offensive led by Lavrinenko continued. The SS's shabby little position in the wind and rain was like a lone boat in the sea, constantly being beaten and swept by the red storm and becoming more and more precarious.
If the situation continued like this, then Lavrinenko would probably win the victory that was almost within reach, together with the Red Army soldiers he led.
But if everything on the battlefield developed in the expected direction, it would be fine. The unexpected huge variables were like dark clouds approaching this small village that had been beaten to pieces.
Political Commissar Petrov had mentioned to Malashenko before that when the vanguard reconnaissance troops arrived around the village, they were actually discovered by the SS guard troops deployed outside the village. After all, the roar of the diesel engines of more than a dozen tanks could not be covered up anyway, and the ears of the SS were not deaf to this extent.
What did those SS soldiers do after they noticed the enemy's attack? Political Commissar Petrov, who was not a worm in the enemy's stomach, did not know, and Lavrinenko could not guess the truth either.
However, soon, what the SS soldiers did after discovering the large-scale tank assembly outside the village had become a real result and fell on Lavrinenko's head.
The fierce battle in the village continued, and the explosions and various gunshots made the battlefield boil like boiling water.
It was at this time that another burst of tank engine roared outside the village, but this time it was the sound of gasoline engines instead of diesel engines.
The main force, the Skeleton Division, which was also rushing all the way, arrived at the battlefield before Stalin's First Guard Heavy Tank Brigade.
The Panthers and No. 4s who rushed to the front of the marching column obviously knew that the battle in the village was extremely fierce and was developing in a direction that was not favorable to them. The SS Panzergrenadiers who were lying on the tanks to march faster did not even have the chance to get off and walk. They were directly carried by their own tanks and rushed to the village.
"Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander, enemy tanks were found outside the village! They rushed from the west!"
"What!?"
Lavrinenko was stunned when he heard this terrible and abrupt news. The German support troops rushed to the village at the most critical moment, which was beyond Lavrinenko's expectations.
If Lavrinenko was given another 20 minutes, no, even if it was only 10 minutes.
Lavrinenko was absolutely sure that he could grind the stubborn SS fanatics in the village into meat paste, and let the blood and flesh of these dogs provide maintenance for his tanks. After that, the village would be brought back under the control of the Soviet Red Army.
The German reinforcements, who were like a troublemaker, arrived at this very moment. Lavrinenko, who was holding the commander's periscope, could see the scene described on the radio. Another wave of SS tanks, which were advancing at full speed and raising dust all the way, was indeed imminent and about to arrive. Lavrinenko, who felt like he had eaten a fly, had the urge to curse.
"Damn it, bastard! Why did you come at this time? Well, okay!"
The development of the war situation was no longer up to Lavrinenko. Now he had to adjust his plan and make countermeasures for this sudden emergency.
"Kurbarov, take a few cars to stop the Germans outside the village first! I will stay and continue to command and end the battle here as soon as possible!"
Even now, Lavrinenko still did not intend to give up this last hope, and still wanted to take control of the village and hold it in his hands with this wave of offensive.
Is Lavrinenko greedy for merit and reckless?
Not really, because this has nothing to do with greed.
Generally speaking, the most suitable plan for Lavrinenko at the moment is to immediately retreat with the troops and quickly break away from contact with the enemy to avoid being disrupted by the enemy's large forces that arrive later, or even being divided and surrounded until they are completely annihilated.
Lavrinenko, whose available troops are only about the same as the SS vanguard in the village, has no capital to fight against the main force of the SS Division.
This kind of high-altitude village with no strategic defense is extremely unsuitable for defending against armored forces. That is, there are no preset anti-tank fortifications and positions, and there is no strategic depth. This can be seen from the poor defensive performance of the SS in the village when facing Lavrinenko's rapid raid.
The basic conclusion is that it is not that the SS did not work hard, but that this village is really difficult to defend in the face of armored raids. If it does not continue to expand and dig anti-tank fortifications and bunkers, it can only be regarded as a garrison point at most, not a suitable defensive position.
Therefore, even if Lavrinenko really took the village, how to fight the defensive battle that would follow would be a big problem. If you think in this way, this small village may not be of much value, but Lavrinenko does not think so simply at the moment.
Since the follow-up support force of the SS has arrived, it means that the movement trajectory and retreat direction of the enemy have been captured by the enemy. All the SS troops in motion around them will quickly pounce on the enemy if they smell the smell. If this village is lost, it means that the last breakout point will be completely closed, and the only remaining hope will be stabbed in the pocket.
Even if we wait until Malashenko arrives with a large force and then quickly gather a wave of offensive, the enemy will be strengthened by the arrival of reinforcements. And the enemies who are constantly approaching the current position must be more and more, and the total force will be many times more than ours.
So even if he is completely desperate, Lavrinenko must take this village and prevent the enemy on the move from occupying a favorable defensive position again.
As long as he can do this and hold on until Malashenko arrives with a large force, the possibility of a successful breakout will not only still exist but also be very high! There is a great confidence that we can make a concerted effort to jump out of this encirclement that has not yet been completely closed, and end everything quickly before those SS forces react.
But all of this has a premise, the control of the village must be in the hands of the Red Army. Only by taking this key node can we be qualified and have the possibility to plan the next action, otherwise everything will be empty talk.
The key to success or failure is only in the next hour or even half an hour.