You are often told that Soviet commanders in WWII relied on sheer numbers, with little regard for casualties. Yet, in the autumn of 1941, when Moscow itself was under threat, one of the Red Army's defensive actions told a different story.
"He took Minsk, Smolensk, and Kiev, but he couldn't take Tula. October 1941. Guderian's 2nd Panzer Group advances from the south. The goal is to bypass Moscow and close the ring. Suddenly, Guderian's path is blocked by Colonel Katakov's tankers, the 4th Tank Brigade, just 49 vehicles against 300. Near Mtsensk, Katakov sets tank ambushes. He strikes from cover and changes positions. The Germans lose dozens of tanks. In four days, Katakov's brigade destroys 133 tanks. Guderian was stopped for the first time. The tank guards were born here. The Germans push toward Tula, but the city is awake. Workers, militia, anti-aircraft crews, everyone joins the defense. Tula turns into a fortress. On October 31st, Guderian's tanks reach the outskirts. They are met with fire. Not a single German soldier entered the city. Guderian tried to bypass Tula from the east, but it was too late. Moscow's southern flank held firm. Tula held out for 43 days. Guderian retreated. His tanks never saw Moscow."
💬 Discussion
You are often told that Soviet commanders in WWII relied on sheer numbers, with little regard for casualties. Yet, in the autumn of 1941, when Moscow itself was under threat, one of the Red Army's defensive actions told a different story.