CHAPTER 6 (continued)
- You are given complete freedom of action, Mr. Field Marshal. However, remember one thing - after the capture of Leningrad, it must be wiped off the face of the earth! Hitler slammed his fist hard on the table.
For a moment, after the Fuehrer's words, there was silence in the room. Hitler quickly returned to his seat, sat down on a chair, and concluded by saying. - You can discuss interaction with the Finnish troops with the chief of their general staff, General Heinrichs - he arrived at the headquarters of our High Command in the morning. And now everyone is free, and Field Marshal Keitel, I ask you to stay.
Saluting, Halder, Manstein and Schmundt left the Fuehrer's office. The Chief of the General Staff of the Ground Forces, after such a tense meeting for him, looked depressed. Having said goodbye to Schmundt and Manstein dryly, he walked quickly away. They looked after him for a while.
“General,” Manstein said finally, addressing Schmundt. - The relationship we saw today between the commander-in-chief and the chief of the general staff of the ground forces is completely impossible. Either Hitler needs to obey his chief of the general staff and observe the necessary forms of dealing with him, or the latter must draw certain conclusions for himself.
“I agree with you, Herr Field Marshal,” sighed Schmundt. - But, I'm afraid, neither I, nor you, nor anyone else will be able to influence the Fuehrer in this matter …
CHAPTER 7. DIRECTION OF THE MAIN IMPACT
August 21, 1941
environs of Tikhvin
Location of the Military Council of the Volkhov Front
In a cool room, at two small tables, pushed together for convenience, were the representatives of the Military Councils of the Volkhov and Leningrad fronts. The light from a large lamp hanging over the table shone through the haze in the air from the cigarettes they lit up. Those gathered in an undertone were discussing among themselves some current issues, when the door opened and the commander of the Volkhov Front, Army General K. A. Meretskov and the commander of the Baltic Fleet, Admiral V. F. Tributs. Meretskov, with a gesture allowing the officers who had risen to sit down when they appeared, approached his seat, inviting the admiral to take a chair next to him, after which he turned to the representatives of the fronts.
- Comrades, today we have gathered here to finally work out the methods of our interaction at the stage of the beginning of the main stage of the operation, when delivering our main blow. We need to discuss together the extent to which the Nevsky Task Force, as well as the artillery and aviation of the Leningrad Front, will participate in it. At the same time, we need to take into account all the comments and recommendations of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command, which it gave to the fronts based on the results of studying their action plans. To take part in our today's meeting, I invited the Chief of Staff of the Volkhov Front, Major General Stelmakh. He will once again remind us of the current tasks of the fronts and will report on the current state of affairs. Please, Grigory Davydovich, - Meretskov passed the floor to his chief of staff.
Using the map spread out on the tables, G. D. Stelmakh briefly outlined to the members of the Military Councils of the fronts the general plan of the operation of the Volkhov Front, after which he proceeded to cover the latest events.
- According to our joint plan, in order to divert the enemy's attention from the direction of the main strike of the Volkhov Front, which will be delivered in the area between Gontova Lipka and Voronovo, the troops of the Leningrad Front need to carry out a number of private auxiliary operations. Fulfilling this plan, the day before yesterday, on August 19, the troops of the 55th Army of the Leningrad Front went over to the offensive. Using the support of the ships of the Baltic Fleet, from which the landing was landed, the advancing formations captured a bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Tosno River, in the Ivanovsky area, - Stelmakh showed on the map the direction of the strike and circled the area captured by the troops. - As a result, according to the information provided to us from the headquarters of the Leningrad Front, the enemy has already begun to transfer its reserves, including heavy artillery, to the Ust-Tosno and Ivanovsky area to carry out counterattacking actions, thereby weakening other sectors of the front. In the course of the further development of the operation, the Nevskaya Operational Group of the Leningrad Front, in cooperation with aviation, will need to engage in active actions the enemy troops located in the Shlisselburg mouth and prevent them from turning towards the advancing units of the Volkhov Front, by showing the possible direction of the Germans' strikes towards and into the flank of the advancing 8th Army, he continued. - If, for some reason, the troops of the Volkhov Front, as a result of the offensive, are unable to reach the Neva on time, the Neva task force will have to take offensive actions of its own, crossing the river.
- Perhaps our front should go on the offensive at the same time as the Volkhov front? - Terenty Fomich Shtykov, a member of the Military Council of the Leningrad Front, asked the speaker a question.
- We think that it is not advisable, - Stelmakh objected to him. - Since the Leningrad Front has extremely limited capabilities to conduct such an operation, your strike will become possible only when our front succeeds in breaking through the German defense and diverting the main forces and reserves of the enemy. The Headquarters of the Supreme High Command also agrees with this plan of action.
A certain pause that arose after the last words of the chief of staff of the Volkhov front was interrupted by General A. I. Zaporozhets, General A. I.
- Is the enemy doing anything in other directions? He asked.
“The other day our aerial reconnaissance recorded an increase in the intensity of railway traffic from the south towards Leningrad,” the Major General replied. - Fulfilling the task of the front headquarters, the partisans derailed several echelons moving in this direction. However, unfortunately, it was not possible to accurately determine the belonging of the troops transported in them to any formation. Perhaps this is another marching replenishment for the troops of Army Group "North", which has been systematically supplied to them since July, to make up for the losses of the spring-summer battles.
“I would like to note that for the upcoming operation we are carrying out regrouping, concentration and deployment of troops in conditions of a limited number of communication routes and during active operations of enemy aircraft,” Meretskov drew attention to all those present. - At the same time, the bulk of the formations and units allocated for the operation moves along two railway lines with low traffic capacity. Therefore, when concentrating units and formations in the direction of our main attack, it is necessary to pay maximum attention to comprehensive methods of camouflaging and concealment of troop movements. It is also necessary to carry out measures to misinform the enemy regarding our plans.
“We are taking such measures, Kirill Afanasyevich,” Stelmakh hastened to assure him.- When preparing an operation, no written directives, orders or other documents are sent. All orders are given orally and only personally to members of the military councils of the armies and corps commanders, who are summoned for this directly to the front headquarters. In order to give the Germans the impression that we are preparing for hostilities in the Novgorod region, during August, by means of operational camouflage, we show a large concentration of our troops in Malaya Vishera. Troops intended for transfer to the Sinyavino area are loaded into echelons under the pretext that our front, allegedly, received the task of sending some of its units and formations to the Southern Front. To accomplish such a maneuver, trains with troops first defiantly head towards Moscow, and then, turning around, follow through Vologda - Cherepovets and go to Tikhvin. All subunits on this section of the route are transported in closed wagons with the inscriptions: "fuel", "food", "fodder", while tanks and heavy artillery are masked with hay.
“Grigory Davydovich, take this issue under your personal control,” the front commander asked him.
- This task is closely solved by me and the chief of the operational department of the front headquarters, Colonel V. Ya. Semenov, - reported Stelmakh. - He exercises direct control over the regrouping, concentration and deployment of troops.
- Good, - the front commander approved the actions of his headquarters. - Let's continue further discussion of other issues …
Two and a half hours later, when the conference finally came to an end, the members of the Military Councils of the fronts began to collect their papers and leave the office. After shaking hands with everyone in turn and wishing them luck in the upcoming operation, Meretskov detained his chief of staff.
- The main thing is that we must not forget the April events, when our unfolded offensive failed mainly due to the loss of a sense of reality by the command and staff. Mistakes have the value that you can learn from them. Once again, work with the chiefs of staff of armies and corps on all issues of deployment, concentration of troops and interaction during the operation, he ordered Stelmakh. - Over the next three to four days, I will personally check their readiness for the offensive.
“We’ll do everything, Kirill Afanasyevich,” the front chief of staff replied. “I think we can give the Germans an unpleasant surprise.
- We may be able to, but will they present us with any surprise of theirs? - the front commander asked him thoughtfully, and probably to himself. - Ask the aviation about the possibility of increasing the number of reconnaissance missions, especially over the transport hubs of the Germans.
Grigory Davydovich nodded in understanding, but noted:
- Unfortunately, the capabilities of our aviation, especially the reconnaissance, are now still much worse than that of the enemy. But we’ll come up with something,”he promised in conclusion.
August 25, 1941
Volkhov front
Temporary command post of the 8th Army.
The car of the commander of the Volkhov front, swaying a little while moving along a wooden flooring made of poles laid across the road, drove up to one of the sturdy dugouts. K. A. Meretskov had not yet had time to get out of the car, when a large figure of the commander of the 8th Army, General F. N. Starikov. Coming out with a brisk step towards Kirill Afanasyevich, the army commander saluted:
- I wish you good health, comrade general of the army!
- Old people, what have you done with the road? - Greeting the commander, Meretskov asked with interest. - When you go along this path, the car shakes incessantly, and the poles under the wheels “speak and sing”, like piano keys under the hands of a virtuoso! And here she is silent!
“She is not only silent,” the smiling general replied. - It has become much stronger, and in a few days we will make it so that the shaking will disappear altogether. My engineers applied a not very laborious, but rather practical way to eliminate it.
- What does it consist of?
- Under the flooring, - continued Starikov, - soil is poured. Lying on it, the poles no longer vibrate. If now cover the flooring with at least a thin layer of gravel and earth, then the shaking will disappear, and the speed of movement will increase significantly.
- Who suggested it?
- Chief of the Army Engineering Troops, Colonel A. V. Germanovich. Together with his chief of staff, RN Sofronov, he developed a road network development plan, and now its implementation is in full swing.
- Good idea. The laying of roads and column tracks, especially in the conditions of the forthcoming operation, is of particular importance. - the front commander approved the initiative of the engineers. - Your 8th Army is our first echelon, both the timely exit and rapid deployment of troops, and the supply of the advancing units depend on good roads. And giving you reserves will be easier. And I have no doubt that you will ask them, - and the army general winked at Starikov cheerfully.
In the conditions of the wooded and swampy terrain of the Volkhov Front, both opposing sides used a variety of materials and methods of road construction - for example, there were track tracks made of logs, plates or boards laid along transverse poles. In a muddy road, such roads went under the water, after which the illusion was created that soldiers, horses and carts move directly on its surface, and cars, like ships, cut the waves in front of them.
Descending into one of the trenches, Kirill Afanasyevich walked along it, assessing the development of the system of communication routes. Soon his gaze rested on a high tower rising not far from the army's temporary command post.
- Did the engineers suggest this too? he asked Starikov, who was accompanying him. - And you can see it far from it?
- No, it was suggested by the operators and artillerymen, and, of course, the engineers built it. Its height is 30 meters, which allows viewing from it almost the entire area up to Sinyavino in good weather. We are thinking of using it to monitor the battlefield, adjust artillery fire and air strikes. How much we will be able to do this is difficult to say. There is a fear that forest fires - and they will certainly occur - will significantly narrow our observation horizon, - added the army commander.
At that moment, the distant hum of motors was heard in the sky. Meretskov, raising his head and covering his eyes from the sun's rays with his palm, peered in the direction from which this sound was emanating. The commander of the 8th Army did the same with him.
- German! Starikov soon exclaimed.
“Yes, Philip Nikanorovich, he is the one,” Kirill Afanasievich confirmed to him. - And not just a German, but a scout! Apparently, the flow of our railway echelons, directed to Lake Ladoga, nevertheless attracted the attention of the Fritz command.
One of the most recognizable German military “symbols” is the Focke-Wulf FW.189 reconnaissance aircraft (“Focke-Wulf” 189), nicknamed “frame” by Soviet soldiers. Throughout the war, the German command paid increased attention to reconnaissance aircraft, which significantly helped the Germans to timely reveal the intentions of their enemy. Since the beginning of the war with the USSR, the production of such aircraft in Germany has steadily increased, and by the middle of the summer of 1942, this type of close reconnaissance aircraft became the most common on the German Eastern Front.
The plane, having described several circles over the forward positions, began to slowly move away to the north. After some thought, the front commander said to his companion:
- I think in such conditions it becomes too risky to continue preparing for the operation until all troops are fully concentrated. The enemy can reveal our cards and get ready to repel the blow. For a final decision on the question of starting the operation, tomorrow we must gather for a conference the commanders and commissars of the formations of the first and second troop echelons.
“I think my commanders will not object to the start of the operation in the morning of August 27,” Starikov said with conviction. - Almost all our units and formations are ready to start the offensive.
- Well, that's good. Taking into account the fact that we need to have time to carry out command-staff games on topographic maps with everyone, we have time, Philip Nikanorovich, as they say, "just barely enough."
After these words, the commanders hurried back. They knew that the counting of time before the start of the operation from that moment had already gone on the clock, each of which was worth its weight in gold.
The commander of the Volkhov front, General of the Army K. A. Meretskov among the soldiers, summer 1942.
CHAPTER 8. "PENALTY BATTALONS GO INTO THE BREAKTHROUGH …"
August 26, 1942
Volkhov front, location of the 1st separate penal battalion.
The ranks of the soldiers of the 1st separate penal battalion of the Volkhov front, lined up in several rows, froze in anticipation of the commander's order. The sun was slowly declining, gradually disappearing behind the high tops of the trees and from time to time sending the soldiers, through the thick gray clouds, their last rays of the day. The smell of summer grasses was still in the air, but in the cool evening wind, the imminent approach of autumn was already felt. The privates and sergeants standing in the ranks silently looked towards the battalion commander who had come out into the center of the formation in front of them. Soon loud commands were heard:
- Battalion, be equal! Attention!
Now, when the soldiers looked only straight ahead, they could only listen.
- Fighters! Our Motherland decided to give all of you a chance to atone for your guilt before it, - the voice of the battalion commander, a tall, lean elderly major, was loud and harsh. - It doesn't matter for what misconduct or violations of military discipline you were sent to our penal battalion. Now you are all equal, regardless of who held what position before and what stripes were in his buttonholes. Therefore, the only thing you need to think about now is how to complete the task set by the command. Only selfless and fearless execution of the order will give you the opportunity to deserve restoration in your previous ranks, to return previously received awards. And only with your blood can you prove that you are worthy of such forgiveness by your Motherland. Tomorrow our battalion will go into battle on one of the most dangerous and difficult sectors of the front. Will go ahead of everyone else. And I want to believe that by your deeds you will show how the commanders of the Red Army know how to fight, even if they go on the attack in the form of ordinary soldiers! (14)
(14) - Contrary to some well-established beliefs, not only civilians convicted of any criminal or other crimes, but also junior commanders (especially ordinary soldiers) were never sent to the penal battalions of the Red Army. According to Order No. 227 of July 28, 1942, only commanders of the middle and senior levels, as well as political workers of the corresponding ranks, were sent to the shrafbats. Junior commanders and privates were sent to penal companies, which were a completely different type of military unit. That is why the penal battalion was often a kind of elite infantry unit, staffed exclusively by officers. The fact that in the event of the death or serious injury of a soldier of such a battalion, he received full restoration in rank and rights, and the family of the deceased received a corresponding pension from the state, served as an additional significant incentive for displaying courage and dedication in battle.
After these words, the battalion commander looked around the formation of his fighters. They stood silent and motionless, their faces stern and focused. Finally, the major commanded:
- Battalion, at ease! I allow the personnel to rest - 30 minutes. Company and platoon commanders come to me for further instructions.
Then, turning abruptly, the battalion commander with a brisk pace went to a small edge, on which his command post was, in haste, organized. Behind him, trying to keep up, other commanders followed in a line. Just a few hours ago, the battalion was alerted, quickly assigned a mission, and ordered to move to forward positions immediately. Now the battalion commander had no other choice but to give orders to his subordinates directly during the march.
The soldiers, who at that moment were still in the ranks, began to disperse a little. Some sat down on the relatively dry lawns they had chosen not far from the road along which they arrived here, having walked for more than three hours in the marching columns. Others preferred to go a little deeper into the forest in order to sit on stumps or trunks of fallen trees. Among the latter was Orlov, who was able to find a place for himself on the trunk of a dry tree lying on the ground, half buried in the ground. Taking off his duffel bag and placing his rifle beside him, he saw a large soldier of about sixty, who approached him and sat down on the same log.
- Yes, we see we have a hot day tomorrow, - he turned to Orlov. - The Germans are already here like moles buried, I guess. Nikityansky, Sergei Ivanovich, - he introduced himself to Orlov and held out his big, calloused hand to him.
- Alexander Orlov, - he answered, shaking hands with the interlocutor. - Unfortunately, most likely, not only buried. And mines with obstacles in several rows, and every bush was shot. And this is only on the front line, and how many lines of defense they have in the depths … - Orlov gestured in the direction where the forward positions of the Germans were supposedly located. Then, changing the subject of the conversation, he asked, - How long have you been in the battalion?
One of the features of the German defense on all fronts of the war was the saturation of the front edge with numerous disguised machine-gun points, especially in key defense nodes. Using both frontal and flanking fire, they inflicted heavy losses on the advancing infantry. In the photo - a German easel machine gun in a position in the foreground (Volkhov Front, 1942)
- Yes, almost from the very beginning of the formation - from the end of July (15). Vaughn, on the recommendation of the company commander, has even been "promoted" to squad leader, - with an ironic grin, the gray-haired soldier nodded at his buttonholes with a lonely triangle of the junior sergeant. - Although, of course, this is not my merit - after all, in our battalion, in positions from a platoon and above, there are only uncondemned commanders, including youths directly from military schools. But someone also needs to command the squads. So they decided to appoint me.
(15) - The 1st separate penal battalion was one of the first to be formed - it was officially included in the troops of the Volkhov Front already on July 29, 1942.
- And who were you before such a "promotion"? - Orlov looked into the eyes of Nikityansky.
- How by whom? Just like you, a private. You see, I immediately "jumped" over the corporal, - he grinned. - But even earlier - the regiment commander. Well, and you, since such a frank conversation has begun, what position did you serve before the penal battalion?
- Commander of a rifle battalion, major. True, I was appointed to this position only in the spring, - said Alexander.
“Well, I’ve already been a colonel since the beginning of the war,” Nikityansky answered him. - Now I'm starting my career in the second round, - he laughed and, lightly slapping Orlov on the shoulder, continued, - you look, and you will soon leave the rank and file as corporal.
Alexander nodded back and smiled. From his own experience, he knew that at the front, one step away from death, one should never lose a sense of humor. Taking a cigarette case from his pocket, he handed the former colonel a cigarette. Having lit a cigarette, then they sat next to each other in silence, each immersed in his own thoughts …
At the command post, under a small makeshift canopy, covered with a camouflage net, was the car of the commander of the penal battalion. Next to her, the staff officers in a hurry set up a table. The battalion commander approached him, took out a map from his tablet and, spreading it out on the table, turned to the company and platoon commanders standing behind him:
- Please come to the map, - he gestured to everyone closer to the table. - By the decision of the front command, our battalion was assigned to the 265th rifle division of the 8th army. The task of our battalion is to break through the enemy lines of defense and to break through to a strong enemy stronghold in Tortolovo with a swift throw, thereby ensuring the possibility of bringing the main forces of the division into battle, the major drew with a pencil over the red arrows, which indicated on the map the directions of action of individual battalion companies. - To strengthen the battalion, a sapper, machine-gun platoon, as well as a battery of 45-mm cannons and one howitzer battalion will be assigned.
The assembled lieutenants and captains, who also took out maps from their tablets, listened to the battalion commander and made notes on them.
“Before an offensive, it is vital for us to find the maximum number of enemy firing points and assess the enemy's defense system,” the major continued. - Therefore, tonight, four hours before the start of the main operation, I order a reconnaissance in force. To do this, the first, second and third companies should be separated from their composition by one reinforced platoon and carried out attacks in the directions indicated in the operation plan. Record the coordinates of the identified firing positions of the Germans and immediately transfer them to the artillerymen, for which to establish a stable connection with them. That's all for now. We will discuss the rest of the details of the operation when the battalion reaches the designated area of concentration. Any questions?
- No way! - the battalion commander heard in response.
“Okay,” he looked at his watch. - In twenty minutes, pick up the people and move on. We should be there by nightfall.
Half an hour later, again lining up in a column, the battalion again began to move. He had yet another transition, which would soon end at the very front line. The soldiers, talking quietly and adjusting their shoulder straps, looked apprehensively at the gray sky. On the march, given the swamps and dense forest on both sides of the narrow road, they represented a good target for the German air force. However, the sky was clear, and the approaching darkness soon hid the ranks of the fighters going west …
August 27, 1942
Volkhov front, Tortolovo
The offensive zone of the 265th Infantry Division
The battle had been going on for almost 10 hours. The fines, having successfully carried out reconnaissance in force at night in their sector, revealed most of the enemy's firing positions on the front line, which contributed to their destruction by artillery and the subsequent rapid breakthrough of the first lines of the German defense. Forcing the Chernaya River, they wedged into the German defenses for 1-2 kilometers. But by the middle of the day, the enemy, pulling up reserves, launched strong counterattacks and even pushed the battalion somewhat back. The fighters managed to take the initiative again and resume their advance when the main forces of the 265th Infantry Division joined the attack on Tortolovo. However, the defense of the Germans had not yet been completely broken - it was not possible to overcome the fortified line on the approach directly to Tortolovo. The attackers were especially annoyed by the heavily fortified enemy bunker located right in front of the sector in which Orlov's company was advancing. Around the approaches to the firing point were already several dozen killed and wounded soldiers. In addition to the machine-gun nest, an enemy platoon dug in the trenches around it, preventing the attackers from approaching closer or bypassing the bunker from the flanks with their fire. Practically pressing himself into the ground, Alexander crawled on his bellies to a small bump, which provided at least minimal protection from enemy bullets. Now to the right, then to the left of him, explosions of mortar mines were heard, covering everything around with shrapnel and earth. Now there was only open space ahead, well-shot by the Germans. Orlov looked slightly to his right. In a fresh crater from the shell, Nikityansky lay there, whose helmet only occasionally appeared above ground level.
- Ivanych, can you cover it? - Alexander shouted to him.
- Come on, - he could hear in response, through the noise of the battle.
Literally a couple of seconds later Nikityansky appeared sharply over the crater and fired a long burst towards the bunker from his PPSh. At this moment, having jumped from his seat and crouched as low as possible, Orlov made another dash, jumping over motionlessly lying fighters on the move. It seemed a little more, and he would be able to approach the machine-gun point at a grenade throw distance. But he did not have time to run even a few meters, when a strong blow to the hand practically turned him around and made him fall to the ground. Blood immediately began to appear on the right sleeve of my tunic. Clutching the wound with his hand, Alexander turned on his side. Despite the rumble around him, he heard the groans of wounded soldiers lying around him. An ominous whistle of bullets was heard incessantly overhead, and grenades exploded not far away, which the Germans threw in the direction of the advancing. It seemed that their attack here was completely drowned. Suddenly, from somewhere behind, the rumble of an engine and the clang of tank tracks was heard. With difficulty overcoming the pain and trying not to raise his head, Orlov looked back. Overcoming slush and dirt with the help of its wide tracks, the KV tank confidently moved towards them. The Germans feverishly transferred all their fire to him. But the tank, despite this, stubbornly crawled towards their position. Anti-tank gun shots rang out from somewhere. The shells could be seen slamming into the armor, emitting sparks from it. However, even after such hits, the tank froze only for a moment, as if it were bumping into an invisible obstacle, after which it went forward again. Finally, stopping almost next to Orlov, the KV suddenly fired a long fiery stream from the tower towards the enemy bunker. It seemed to Alexander that from the heat emanating from this yellow-red snake, his clothes, completely soaked before, dried up on him in an instant. Heartbreaking screams were heard from the German positions. Turning his head, he saw that the Germans, tearing off their burning uniforms on the move, were running away from their shelters.
- Infantry, follow me! - he heard the familiar voice of Sergei Ivanovich, who jumped out of his shelter.
- Urr-rr-ra! - the fighters, who rushed forward, picked up after him.
Leaning back exhaustedly, Orlov watched the renewed attack. Now he had no doubts that the German stronghold in Tortolovo would soon be taken, and that the Soviet offensive would then begin to develop rapidly.
Initially, the task of installing the ATO-41 flamethrower on a serially produced KV-1 tank was worked out in the summer of 1941 at the Kirov plant in Leningrad. This modification of the machine received the KV-6 index. After the evacuation of the main part of the plant to Chelyabinsk, work on a similar tank continued, as a result of which the first prototype of the tank, designated KV-8, was manufactured in December 1941. On it, a flamethrower was installed in the turret of the tank, along with a 45-mm tank cannon and a DT machine gun. So that the flamethrower tank did not differ from the linear ones, the outside of the gun was covered with a massive camouflage casing, creating the illusion of arming the KV with a 76-mm gun. The first combat use of such vehicles successfully took place in August 1942, on the front of the 8th Army of the Volkhov Front. The photo shows the first Soviet KV-8 flamethrower tank captured by the Germans (Volkhov Front, September 1942).
