"Stronger iron": they defended the approaches to Stalingrad

Aug. 23, 1942, German troops broke through the front line at the junction of the 4th Panzer and 62 th Army and moved to Stalingrad. At 40 kilometers from the city, near the village of Malaya Rossoshka, defense near the height of 77, 6 held a reconnaissance platoon in 1379 Regiment, 87th Infantry Division under the command of Lieutenant Shmelev, a platoon of machine gunners led by sergeant Dmitry Pukazovym and communicators that He led junior political officer Alexei Evtifeev.
After a large-scale bombing of enemy communication with the regiment he was lost, and survived only 33 fighters, who, without guidance on how to proceed, remained at the position.
The German guns were silent, however, doubts have platoon was not - this is the calm before the storm. The enemy was ordered to take Stalingrad by August 25, and he did stop at nothing to regain the height occupied by Soviet soldiers.
Surviving defenders began preparations for the upcoming fight, to the last, they were convinced. They deepen the trenches as they could, fortified and camouflaged them. Counted modest ammunition: Molotov cocktails, grenades, machine guns, rifles ...
Junior Political Instructor Evtifeev mined in nearby trenches antitank rifle and ammunition. Everyone started to explore, to feel broneboyku, touch the shutter - none of the men had ever shoot out of it.
Superiors were talking with employees, cheering their good news with the Western and Kalinin fronts, where Soviet troops broke through the enemy defenses ...



So tense and oppressive was waiting for almost an entire day. And at sunset the soldiers heard the roar of engines approaching a column of German tanks. There were about 50, followed by an infantry battalion.
When there was the first blow of the German guns, Soviet soldiers were already ready, everyone held their position and knew his task.
Thundered the first shots of the trench - a junior political officer Evtifeev stood behind the anti-tank gun. Hit by several military vehicles, weapons he trusted Georgy Strelkov. And the enemy tanks walked and walked without stopping before the loss. The fire did not cease, squad leader Mikhail Mingalev Vladimir Easter and Andrew Rudykh followed the movement of tanks and indicated targets for destruction. The Red Army fought smoothly as soon as the artillery fire reached the German tank, from which soon begins to pick Nazis Pukazova gunners shot them.
Coming right up to advanced, the Germans tried to fill the trenches with tank tracks. But in vain: for the night fighters could well deepen and strengthen them. Armed with firebombs defenders fired at enemy tanks, one by one, disabling them.
Ammunition ended. Add them was nowhere. Aid can not expect from anyone. On a question from a submachine about what to do next, Pukazov foreman replied, "fight to the last. In which case living bastards will not surrender ».
The last effort Soviet soldiers continued to fight. Late at night, having lost 27 tanks and about 150 soldiers and officers, the Germans were forced to retreat. 33 defender defended the occupied height, not allowing the enemy approaches to Stalingrad.
For the feat fighters were awarded orders and medals. The well-known writer and journalist Ilya Ehrenburg wrote about them: "Thirty-three did not flinch. They destroyed tanks bullets, grenades, bottles. They destroyed twenty-seven tanks. Once again, the heart of Russian proved stronger than iron. If a stranger will tell us that only a miracle can save Stalingrad, we answer: Is not it a miracle feat thirty-three? The enemy does not know what a Russian man, when he defends his land ».



Source: defendingrussia.ru