After receiving a positive reply from Shad Herman, Lin Wei immediately sent a message to the Air Force Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Jedinek, who temporarily commanded the Seventh Air Force, saying: "I have no doubt that under the guidance of the Chief of General Staff and Marshal Loeb, With full cooperation, there will be a turnaround in Leningrad, but I don’t want to see Zhukov successfully escape. In this regard, dear Chief of General Staff, I beg you to completely block the airspace over Leningrad and not allow any Soviet aircraft to fly from Leningrad. When Gullah flies out, I must see Zhukov himself or his corpse!"
Half an hour later, Lin Wei got a call back from Lieutenant General Jedinek. The call back only had a few words; "No problem!!"
In fact, even if Lin Wei didn't say anything, Major General Jedinek was not prepared to let anyone escape from the sky. The entire Seventh Air Force's fighter jets have been divided into several batches, surrounding Leningrad tightly. The 18th Army was sniped by the 42nd Army of the Soviet Red Army and stopped 29 kilometers south of Leningrad.
At ten minutes noon, the Germans began a new attack. At 11 o'clock in the morning, the crackle of artillery shells rumbled on some of the key roads leading to the Soviet positions on the outskirts of the Pulkovo Heights and on the southern slope of the Pulkovo Heights still controlled by the Soviet army. About dozens of bombs fell on the high ground at the same time. The German artillery began,
Major General Fedyuninsky's command post is located in the tunnel on the main plateau of Pulkovo. The engineers dug a tunnel in the Pulkovo Highlands to serve as a shelter for the army commander, chief of staff and army communications hub. The tunnel has two exits. One exit leads to the foothills of the highlands, while the other exit leads to the mountains along several cuts, to the ruins of the observatory, and to the artillery firing positions.
As soon as the artillery bombardment started before the German offensive, Fedyuninsky immediately reported to the commander that the enemy had launched artillery bombardment and bombing on the mountains of the Pulkovo Highlands because Zhukov had ordered him to personally report any movements of the German army.
"Watch the right wing!" Zhukov warned. He had reiterated this to Fedyuninsky more than once in recent hours.
Regardless of the fierce shelling, Fedyuninsky went up the slope, walked into the observation post, and carefully observed the southern and western slopes of the Pulkovo ridge with his binoculars. After returning to the command post, he spoke to Zhukov on the phone again and reported to him that the enemy was continuing to shell the high ground, and judging from the roar of the engines, the enemy was still concentrating tanks in that area as before - obviously. They attempted a frontal assault on the high ground again.
Zhukov just listened to what he said without interrupting him. It was not until Fedyuninsky finished his report that he said: "Maybe you are right. But you still have to pay attention to the right wing."
The bombardment lasted for forty-five minutes and then ceased as suddenly as it had begun. Two flares, one red and one white, flew up on the German side. Then, the soldiers in gray-green uniforms lying in the shelter immediately jumped up and launched a charge towards the high ground.
Now there is no room for doubt: the enemy - more than once! —An attempt to attack the Pulkovo Highlands from the south. Rather than going around the past as Zhukov speculated.
Fedyuninsky was finally convinced of this. He breathed out easily. The Soviet army had all the advantages because they controlled the commanding heights. Violently resisted the German frontal attack. Besides, during the past week's fighting, not only field guns but also long-range naval artillery had bombarded the enemy's rear and forward lines, and this test fired with great effect. Feijuninsky saw from his command post that everything was going according to his predetermined plan: seven artillery camps blocked the shooting and the enemy lay on the ground again. Then the heavy artillery opened fire again. Isolate the attacking German skirmisher line from their rear.
Not only Major General Feduninsky, but also Major General Marx, the commander of the German 1st Infantry Division that stormed the highlands, did not know; the battle their troops were currently engaged in was not decisive but auxiliary, and neither Wundt knew it. It takes it seriously. The one that detoured to the high ground should be another regiment - the assault tank group. This unit took advantage of the opportunity when all the Russians' attention was drawn to the troops attacking the highlands, and occupied the starting position in the grove area of Fensk-Koirovo.
Reinhard's order to the division attacking the highlands was extremely clear and concise: occupy the highlands, separate the troops defending the highlands, and suppress the Soviet resistance deployed in the strategic area south of Leningrad city. .
When the enemy's offensive skirmish line was caught in the middle of artillery fire from both sides, Marx decided that the only way to do this was to rush forward and fight hand-to-hand with the Soviet soldiers. Only in this way can he save his troops who were caught in the iron pincers of artillery fire. To avoid being annihilated. He instructed the chief of staff to immediately issue orders to the commanders of each regiment to launch an attack on Xindi, but the Soviet army got ahead of him. when the fire from several artillery battalions forced the Germans to the ground. Surovtsev ordered each company to counterattack.
At this time, Pastukhov was staying in Lieutenant Gorelov's command post. After listening to the order, Gorelov said calmly: "What's the matter? So, I'll take action."
Then, he grabbed the submachine gun placed at the bottom of the bunker and jumped onto the parapet. Pastukhov wanted to stop him and remind him that only the platoon leader could personally lead the charge, but he could not make up his mind: after the conversation on the observatory, he seemed a little timid in front of this extraordinary second lieutenant. .
Gorelov bent down and ran to where the soldiers of his company were lying, jumped over the trench, turned around and shouted to the soldiers in a suddenly louder and younger voice: "Third Company, for Motherland, for Stalin, move forward!" Pastukhov understood how difficult it was to stand up under the roar of bullets and the explosion of mortar shells; he also understood that the first few seconds were decisive, and the soldiers either lost their sense of responsibility. Driven by the will of their company commander, they mustered up the courage to stand up and face death, or remain in the shelter.
Pastukhov was delighted to see dozens of warriors jumping out of the trenches. He looked at Gorelov and rushed forward. It seemed that the sound of guns, explosions, the trampling of leather boots, and the combined shouts of lofty calls and heartfelt curses had reached the level of shaking the earth...
It was only then that Pastukhov realized that he was also running forward, waving the captured Balaberen gun while rushing past the soldiers who were running and shooting, towards where the gray-green silhouette of the Germans could be seen. rush to the place.
The telephone line between Surovtsev's observation post and the regimental command post had been interrupted countless times. Several signal soldiers traveling between the battalion command post and the company commanders have died on the hillside, and the wall of the observatory where the battalion observation post is located has been bombarded into a large pile of rubble, but the battle continues. In this fierce battle, it seemed that it was neither the orders issued by the company commanders nor the military knowledge learned from the drills and teachings, but something else that dominated the people. Surovtsev had left his observation post long ago. He also joined the battle formation, trying to rely on the help of the signal corps to issue instructions to the company commanders. The soldiers have already rushed into the trenches of the German first line of defense and are bayoneting with the enemy soldiers. Now the slogans and calls can no longer be heard. Only the most terrible curses vibrated in the air, which was as hot as the desert with the heat of machine-gun barrels and mortar barrels, with the burning tanks and armored transports, with the rage of hundreds of men. The air inside was so ordinary... It wasn't until the German soldiers who were lucky enough to survive retreated to the battlefield of the second line of defense that Pastukhov seemed to suddenly wake up. He still held the pistol tightly, even though the bullets were long gone. My ears were ringing and my eyes were filled with dust.
Pastukhov did not know where Surovtsev and the company commanders were currently, nor did he know the losses of the entire battalion. All he knew for sure was that the enemy had been driven back, at least from their position.
Pastukhov walked almost without bending, wearing a steel helmet that slid to the back of his head, a sweat-soaked lining cap, a torn military jacket, and clutching the useless Parabellum gun. There was no thought that stray bullets or shrapnel might hit him.
Suddenly he saw a puff of smoke covering the Pulkovo Heights. This is a strange, dirty yellow smoke. The smoke spread over the lowlands, slowly covering the high ground.
Since the commander of the 42nd Army, Fedyuninsky, reported to Zhukov the German artillery shelling before the start of the offensive in the Pulkovo Highlands area, the commander of the front army had not left the phone.
Twenty minutes later Zhdanov came in to see him.
"Georgi Konstantinovich," said Zhdanov. "Of course you know that the Germans are firing on the Pulkovo Heights again, right?"
"Yes."
"The 42nd Army requested the Baltic Fleet Command to concentrate Kronstadt's artillery fire on the strategic highlands. Zhukov nodded.
"But the fleet answered them this way," Zhdanov continued. "It is said that you once ordered all the artillery squads to focus on the Fensk-Koylov area. In short, the sailors affirmed that the superiors ordered them to prepare to target this area and prepare for other targets. Just don’t shoot anymore.”
"I don't know who is complaining to you," Zhukov said grimly. "But everything is just as you just said. There is a difficult situation in Kronstadt. The Germans are bombing warships. Tributz reported that as many as 270 German aircraft participated in the air attack. Here Under these conditions, the only task I could give the sailors was to ensure an intensive bombardment of the Fensk-Koylov area. Please note another point: the storage capacity of Kronstadt's heavy artillery ammunition is not unlimited. "Zhukov was sitting by the table, and Zhdanov sat down on a leather armchair next to the table, tapping the solid armrest with his fingers.
"Georgi Konstantinovich, do you still stick to your previous idea?" he asked.
"Yes," Zhukov replied stiffly. "And we don't have to wait long now. The future will be known in the near future."
"However, the fate of Leningrad will soon be decided in the near future." Zhdanov said softly.
"As long as we are alive, we will not leave Leningrad. If we are killed, we will not be able to leave." Zhukov sneered angrily.
Marshal von Küchler had to ask the Third Armored Army, which was attacking northeast, to come to the rescue, so General Hott detached an armored corps force to help the Eighteenth Army attack. A few hours later, the Eighteenth Army Successfully broke through the defense of the Soviet troops. The outline of Leningrad has appeared in front of the soldiers of the Eighteenth Army. In front of them is the Moscow Arc de Triomphe Square in downtown Leningrad.
Zhukov in the Lenin Square headquarters can even see the thick smoke south of the Neva River. Now, Zhukov not only cannot destroy the German armed SS troops that have already occupied the Kirov Islands, but even Leningrad There is no way to save it. The situation has deteriorated beyond the ability of any individual to save it, not even Zhukov. However, the guarantee he made to Stalin before leaving still lingered in his ears. At the last moment, Zhukov was not one to give up easily. When he walked to the phone, Zhukov picked up the phone and said coldly, "Mobilize the 10th Reserve Division to Moscow." Defense on the streets, focus on defending the Arc de Triomphe Square in Moscow!" Putting down the phone, Zhukov's hands trembled slightly. This is already the last unit in Leningrad. If it fails, even if Zhukov has the ability to change Leningrad, he will not be able to change Leningrad. It's fate to miss.
At the same time, in order to prevent the armed SS on the Kirov Islands from rushing out, Zhukov ordered the internal security forces to blow up the bridge connecting the Kirov Islands and the city of Leningrad. This bridge was occupied by two divisions of the armed SS. The bridge that the soldiers had protected for half a month was finally blown up. It was blown up by Zhukov who thought he could destroy the trapped German troops.
The 56th Armored Corps arrived at the Baltic Railway Station and Warsaw Railway Station southwest of Leningrad. This became the most intense battle between German and Soviet troops. Tanks and heavy artillery were ineffective here, and grenades and The rifle has become a magic weapon for soldiers on both sides. Snipers from both sides are shooting back and forth at the train station. The price of a slightly slower response may be life. Amidst the repeated explosions of grenades, the soldiers of the 56th Armored Division gradually began to approach the train station.
The Soviet soldiers at the Warsaw Station blew up the Warsaw Station and destroyed the train station without receiving orders from their superiors to prevent the well-preserved train station from falling into the hands of the 56th Armored Corps. General Huth's Third Armored Army drove rapidly along Obrev Street. Their target was Leningrad's Southeast Railway Station, where the railway leads to Moscow. Controlling the railway station will cut off the connection between Moscow and Leningrad. contact.
Directly to the south, the 56th Armored Army, the 18th Army and the 3rd Armored Army in the southwest were advancing almost in tandem and had penetrated a quarter of the city of Leningrad. At this time, no one could have imagined that Zhukov was planning a counterattack. Among the three-way offensive force, the 18th Group in the center had a large number of soldiers, while General Hoth's 3rd Armored Group was well-equipped, and Obrev Street along the Neva River was not conducive to defense. So Zhukov set his sights on the 56th Armored Army that captured Warsaw Station and Baltic Station, because from the current point of view, the two railway stations have been lost to the three Baltic countries and Poland, so their status is not very important, Zhukov I believe that Marshal Loeb never imagined where he would place the breakthrough. In fact, Zhukov's idea was right. Not only did Marshal Loeb not expect that Zhukov would counterattack, he now even believed that Leningrad would be captured within three days. This cannot be said to be arrogant, because many people think so now.
On the night of October 1st, Zhukov ordered the 42nd Army to keep an eye on the German 18th Army and the 3rd Armored Army, and then secretly transferred troops from the positions defending the Finnish army on the northern front to mobilize the 23rd Army. Attack the 56th Armored Corps from the south on Piskarev Street. The 56th Armored Corps was very exhausted after a day of fighting. Moreover, the success of capturing two train stations had made them relax their vigilance. At two o'clock in the morning on the 2nd of the month, this is the sleepiest time of the day, and it is also the preferred time for many sneak attacks. However, the German army, which had always attacked others secretly, became the target of a sneak attack tonight.
Just after two o'clock, thousands of artillery pieces flew towards the train station with the sound of wind. The German soldiers stationed at the train station suffered heavy casualties. The 23rd Army immediately attacked and recaptured Warsaw Station in just an hour. Although it had become A piece of rubble, but still proved the success of this sneak attack. The 23rd Army, which had just recaptured the train station, immediately attacked the Baltic Station non-stop. The 56th Armored Army, which was already in chaos, had to continue to retreat.
Suddenly, urgent telegrams from the 56th Panzer Army flew everywhere like snowflakes, including von Küchler's Eighteenth Army, General Hoth's Third Armored Army, and the headquarters of Army Group North in Tallinn. Even Marshal Loeb was awakened from his deep sleep, which shows the shock Zhukov caused to the entire Leningrad war situation.
"Where did the 56th Armored Corps retreat to?" Marshal Loeb asked while getting dressed.
"We have almost retreated outside the city. The Soviet counterattack force is very huge. We are obviously not prepared!" the staff officer explained carefully.
"This is no reason!" As he spoke, Marshal Loeb had already arrived in front of the map. After looking at the situation, he drew an L shape on the map. If the 56th Armored Corps was defeated, the 18th Armored Corps on their right would The flanks of the Army Group and the Third Armored Group Army will be exposed. At that time, the Soviet Red Army only needs to advance to the right, and the troops entering the city of Leningrad will be in danger.
"That's not right! Defeating the 56th Panzer Army requires a large number of troops. Where did Zhukov create the troops?" Marshal Loeb asked doubtfully, "Did the Leningrad Front Army and the Volkhov Front Army in the east come from there?" Entering Leningrad through a narrow passage!" The staff officer shook his head and rejected Marshal Loeb's conjecture.