Chapter 23: Battle with Broad (Part 1)

The fact is just as Lieutenant Colonel Petrov said. For the Soviet Southwest Front, to which the 20th Tank Division belongs, the unstoppable German Army Group South is already within reach.

In order to stop this powerful German army group commanded by Marshal Rundstedt, which is rushing towards Kiev, a key city in the southern part of the Soviet Union.

Admiral Kirponos, then the commander-in-chief of the Soviet Southwest Front, dispatched troops and called on many elite troops of the Soviet Southwest Front, including the 9th Mechanized Army commanded by Rokossovsky, a famous Soviet general recognized by later generations, as well as the 19th Mechanized Army and the 22nd Army, to intercept and try to stop this seemingly unstoppable German armored behemoth.

In response to the Soviet army launching a large-scale campaign-level battle, Marshal Rundstedt, the commander-in-chief of the German Army Group South, also sent his trump card troops - the German First Panzer Group commanded by General Elvard von Kleist to meet the attack.

At this moment, the dawn light has spread all over the grassland like a golden wheat field. The Soviet and German soldiers, who have long been trained in the smoke of war and have developed an extremely keen sense of smell, understand that a cruel armored stranglehold that will exhaust their flesh, blood and lives is coming.

Lieutenant Colonel Petrov, who could almost smell the smell of gunpowder and blood in the air, looked out of the field tent and turned back to the division tent.

"I just received a telegram from the military headquarters. Comrade Peter Rokossovsky ordered our division to launch an immediate attack on the German troops in the front half an hour according to the original plan. We must seize the opportunity before the Germans attack us."

Lieutenant Colonel Petrov, who had just inspected the preparations of the attacking troops, was not surprised by what the division commander Cherniaev conveyed. He spoke immediately.

"The troops are almost ready. The first batch of tanks and infantry for the attack are in place. The artillery is doing the final steps of deploying positions and can launch artillery attacks according to the scheduled schedule."

"But there is one thing, comrade division commander. In addition to our division, I want to know how the other friendly forces of our 9th Army are prepared? And what about the other armies?"

After hearing the question from Petrov, Cherniayev, who never thought of hiding it from his old partner, blurted out.

"As for our 9th Army, the 131st Motorized Infantry Division and the 35th Tank Division are ready for our right wing and center attack positions, and our 20th Tank Division will take on the task of attacking the left wing."

"As for the other armies"

After hesitating and smacking his lips, he was a little hesitant. Cherniayev, who knew little about the deployment of the other army-level friendly forces, finally had to give a vague answer.

"There are five mechanized armies including our Ninth Army on the front from Lutsk to Brod. The mission of our Ninth Army is to attack and capture the town of Brod occupied by the Germans. Several other friendly forces will launch operations in other nearby locations and fronts, and launch an attack on the Germans together with our Ninth Army."

After saying this, he walked forward slowly with steady steps, knowing what terrible things his old friend who had survived the Great Purge had experienced. Cherniaev, who was already an old partner, patted Political Commissar Petrov on the shoulder and spoke in a softer tone.

"I know what you are worried about, Peter. But don't worry, this time our Southwestern Front has mobilized five mechanized armies with more than 2,000 tanks to fight the Germans. Although we have temporarily lost the sky, with such a large force and the tenacious and unyielding will of our Red Army soldiers, I believe we can definitely defeat these Germans completely."

For this comforting answer from Cherniaev, Petrov, who always felt a little uneasy in his heart, felt that it was better than nothing.

"Hey, although I know that I shouldn't say such things as a political commissar, what I'm really worried about is whether these new officers who were quickly promoted after the Great Purge can shoulder the responsibilities of their corresponding positions."

"You and I are both old guys who have been with the Red Army since its establishment, Cherniayev, I think you should know better than me how much impact those overly young new officers will have on such a large-scale battle at the front level."

The tone of the light words sounded as heavy as a mountain to Cherniayev, who was standing aside. Due to his special status as a political commissar, he knew some young new officers who relied on shady means of flattery and were promoted vertically at a rocket-like speed. Lieutenant Colonel Petrov, who had sworn allegiance under the party flag, couldn't help but be full of worries about the success or failure of the entire battle.

"To be frank, Comrade Division Commander. I really hope that the new young officers in our Red Army can be as wise and brave as Captain Malashenko. When I see the young Malashenko, I seem to see myself when I was young."

"While swearing allegiance to the motherland and eradicating all enemies, they can also have a little cleverness that does not affect the overall situation. Such young officers are what our Red Army really needs right now, not those incompetent people who simply rely on their ability to flatter to seek promotion."

Looking at the solemn expression on his old partner's face, he couldn't help shaking his head. With a little laugh, Division Commander Cherniayev immediately asked Political Commissar Petrov.

"According to what you said, Peter, do you really like this young Captain Malashenko? Of course, I mean not the kind of gratitude that you entrusted your little nephew to him, but from the perspective of a division-level political commissar, you really admire him with the method of a qualified soldier."

Listening to such a tongue-twisting word from Cherniayev's mouth, Lieutenant Colonel Petrov, who understood, also smiled faintly.

"To be honest, Comrade Division Commander. I really admire this Malashenko a little."

The 20th Tank Division prepared to attack the starting position, the position of the first company under the 1st Armored Regiment.

After traveling day and night, they finally arrived at the designated target location in the early hours of last night together with the new reinforcements. The exhausted Malashenko and his crew members did not even have time to take a short nap and rest. They immediately began preparations for the attack again under the urgent order of the division headquarters.