On December 23, Zhukov's troops were forced to abandon Katliv.

On December 25, more than 150 tanks of the Chinese [***] squadron had advanced to the Turalnovo region, about 100 Chinese tanks to the Rosdino region, more than 100 Chinese tanks to the Makarov and Kargato regions, about 250 Chinese tanks to the Ponosk region, and 140 Chinese tanks to Dironov.

The dangers facing Moscow are growing. The command of the Front failed to hold the Melinsk Line. The squadron completed a breakthrough in depth in the direction of Naer-Wiminsk and Podolinsk in the central part of the defense of the Eastern Front. The 5th, 43rd and 49th armies abandoned the main line of defense in the Melinsk defensive strip. As a result, an extremely difficult situation was created in Moscow closely.

At this time, the tension in Moscow was almost unbearable. Pedestrians walked the streets in droves, because there were no buses and taxis, and all means of transport were requisitioned by the National Defense Committee. Over the city floated "black snow" - pieces of paper that had been burned out of the chimneys.

On the night of 25, Molotov summoned the diplomatic missions of various countries and informed them to leave Moscow for Minsk immediately with the political axe. But Stalin decided to stay in Moscow.

There was panic in the city, and rumors were rife that the tanks of the [***] team could storm the city of Moscow at any moment. Some stormed stores, looted trucks carrying canned goods, and others began to burn their party cards......

In order to mobilize to repel the enemy, and to put an end to the chaos caused by the destruction of the annihilators, on December 29 the National Defense Committee decided to declare martial law in Moscow and its vicinity.

The order was published in the newspaper on December 30. The order stipulates that all enemies who disrupt social order are to be immediately brought before a military tribunal, and that all enemies who are annihilators, spies, or inciting unrest are to be summarily executed. The order also said that on the defensive line 70 to 75 kilometers east of Moscow, the task of defending the capital was given to Zhukov. This period was the most intense and difficult period of Zhukov's life, and he threw himself into the work with all his might to preserve the capital of the Soviet Union.

On the defensive line from Ramsdok through Melinsk and Makaroyavets to Shelinkunov, the defending Soviet forces were still weak, and some sections of the defensive line had been occupied by the Central [***] team. In order to prevent the breakthrough of the squadron to Moscow, the Military Council of the Front selected the Northrovsky - Kachin - Ikula reservoir - the outskirts of Ikula - Wolfsky - Ratakhev - Serenpunov - Aleksandrov - as the main line of defense. Zhukov considered it appropriate to deploy the armies of the Eastern Front from the Melinsk Line to the new line of defense.

Zhukov drew up his plan taking into account that the Red Army might not be able to hold off the enemy on the Melinsk Line, in which case he would withdraw his troops to the prepared positions on the new line of defense and launch a counterattack with anti-tank weapons to hold back the enemy for as long as possible. In order to ensure the unimpeded movement of military vehicles, he ordered other vehicles not to drive in the direction of or through Moscow.

The plan, signed by Zhukov, Bulganin, and the chief of staff of the Front, Lieutenant General Sokolovsky, was presented to the Supreme High Command, approved on the same day, and secretly sent to the commanders of the armies, who drew up a detailed plan for the proposal.

After martial law was imposed in Moscow, all the citizens who remained in Moscow gathered to help organize the city's defenses. In three days, workers, engineers, scientists, writers, clerks and students had been mobilized to form 25 militia battalions with 12,000 troops. By the end of December, the militia battalion had further increased to four divisions, totaling 40,000 men. In addition, 169 street fighting groups and hundreds of tank destroyer groups, both of which totaled 10,000 people, were established. The factories in Moscow began to produce all kinds of materials necessary for the construction of fortifications - diamond-shaped horses, railroad tracks, cement, bricks and other materials. Soon 450,000 people, three-quarters of them women, were mobilized to build the defensive line around Moscow. The women toiled in the bitter cold to build a spectacular ring of defense. More than 200 kilometers of anti-tank barriers were built on various defensive lines near and within Moscow; More than 160 kilometers of anti-infantry obstacles were erected; 3,800 firing points were built, including 1,500 reinforced concrete firing points; 37,500 metal diamond-shaped repulsors were manufactured and erected. Thousands of mines have also been laid in mined areas.

Fighting was raging near west of Moscow. The living conditions of the citizens of Moscow are becoming more and more difficult. From time to time, Chinese Air Force planes flew over the city and carried out bombing and strafing. Mass evacuation of large industrial enterprises in and on the outskirts of Moscow continued, risking air strikes. 83,000 railway wagons, loaded with equipment, metal materials and various semi-finished products, workers and their families, went to Belarus and Ukraine, where new factories were built. After the evacuation, only 21,000 of the 75,000 metal cutting machines in Moscow remained, which were responsible for the production of various weapons for the Moscow front.

Despite the unusually serious situation, Stalin decided to hold the traditional military parade on New Year's Day. On January 1, 1945, Zhukov was called to the Supreme High Command. Stalin said to him: "On New Year's Day this year, in addition to the celebration of the meeting, we want to hold a military parade in Moscow, what do you think?" Does the situation at the front allow us to do this? ”

Zhukov replied: "The squadron [***] will not launch a large-scale offensive in the next few days. In the previous phase of the operation, the enemy suffered heavy losses and had to replenish its forces and adjust its deployment. In order to prepare for possible air attacks by the enemy, it is necessary to strengthen air defense and transfer fighter aviation units from friendly and neighboring fronts to Moscow. ”

Stalin, having consulted Zhukov, decided to hold a military parade.

On 6 October, the people of the capital of the Soviet Union held a solemn celebration rally at the Mayakovsky station of the underground railway. Stalin made a lengthy report. Stalin pointed out that the reserves of the Chinese [***] army were about to be exhausted, the Soviet reserves had just been fully expanded, and China had been greatly weakened compared to the Soviet Union. The large-scale offensive campaign carried out by the Chinese careerists against the Soviet Union has been completely bankrupt, and Chinese imperialism and its army are bound to perish.

On the morning of 7 January, a grand military parade was held on Red Square. On this day, from early in the morning, a heavy snowfall stained all the streets of Moscow white. The entire parade took place in the snow, tanks, artillery and cars were covered, and the shoulders and backs of the solemn Red officers and soldiers were covered with snow. They held their breath and, together with the rest of the country, listened intently to the familiar, slightly hoarse voice coming from the podium at Lenin's tomb:

"Comrades of the Red Army and Red Navy, commanders and political functionaries, partisans of men and women! The whole world looks up to you as a force capable of destroying the Chinese invaders and bandits. The enslaved peoples of Asia under the oppression of the Chinese invaders have their eyes on you as their liberators......"

It can be felt that Stalin was excited, and deep down he realized in his heart the seriousness and special significance of this military parade held at the moment of the impending struggle to the death. He went on to say to those who had gone straight to the battlefield from Red Square:

"The great mission of liberation has fallen on your shoulders. You will live up to this mission! The war you are fighting is a war of liberation, a war of justice! ”

Stalin paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and his voice became even darker and firmer:

"Let the banner of victory of the great Lenin guide you and completely crush the Chinese aggressors! Destroy the Chinese occupiers! ”

Finally, Stalin cited the names of the great pioneers and national heroes of Russia, who said that the Communist Party of the USSR and the Soviet political axe were confident in the destruction of the Chinese invaders. China is bound to collapse because of its crimes. He said:

"This group of conscienceless, impersonal, beastly people shamelessly call for the extermination of the great Russian nation, the extermination of Plekhanov and Lenin, Belinsky and Chernyshevsky, Pushkin and Tolstoy, Glinka and Tchaikovsky, Gorky and Chekhov, Sechenov and Pavlov, Repin and Sulikov, Suvorov and Kutuzov! …… The Chinese aggressors wanted to wage a war of annihilation against the peoples of the Soviet Union. All right! Since the Chinese want to fight a war of annihilation, they will definitely get a war of annihilation. In the future, the task of finding you, the task of the people of all nationalities of the Soviet Union, the task of our army and navy soldiers, commanders and political functionaries, is to annihilate all the Chinese who invaded the territory of our motherland - the occupiers - not one by one! ”

With the "Ula! "Long live the great Stalin!" "Long live Comrade Stalin!" As the slogans were sounded, the parade began, and the heavily armed Soviet Red Army marched majestically past Lenin's tomb on Red Square, inspected by Supreme Commander Stalin, and then marched directly from Red Square to the front. This military parade and celebration boosted the morale of the Soviet Red Army and the Soviet population to a certain extent. But in fact, the combat effectiveness of the Soviet army did not increase much.

The Soviet army began to make every effort to replenish personnel, weapons and ammunition, means of communication, engineering equipment and other material and technical equipment. By 15 January, the Eastern Front had replenished 100,000 officers and men. 300 tanks and 2000 artillery pieces. Units from the High Command were intensively used in the most dangerous proximity to the ground, especially in the direction of Wolfsk-Kachin and Ikula, where the main assault of the [***] Panzer Corps was anticipated. As a result of the evacuation of the factories, the Soviet soldiers did not receive all their winter rations – like short coats, felt boots, thick cotton coats and hats with ear muffs, and many of them shivered in the cold wind. On the contrary, the [***] team was given plenty of winter clothes.

Although the Eastern Front received significant reinforcements, the troops were scattered on a front of almost 400 kilometers. Zhukov wanted to ensure the security of the more threatened sectors and master a reserve of the Front in order to maneuver if necessary. However, on January 13, Stalin called, and Zhukov had to change his plans.

Stalin asked Zhukov: "What is the situation with the enemy now?" ”

"The concentration of the enemy assault group is nearing completion, and it seems that it will soon turn to the offensive." Zhukov replied.

"Where do you think the enemy will carry out the main assault?"

"It is expected that the enemy may carry out a powerful surprise attack on Kachin and Ikula. It is likely that Lin Yuying's tank army will try to bypass Tuwala and carry out surprise attacks on Orff and Katurasin. ”

"I believe with Shaposhnikov," said Stalin, "that the enemy should be preceded by a counter-assault in order to crush the assault that the enemy is preparing." It was necessary to encircle Ramsdok from the north with one counter-assault and another from the Serimpunov area to the flank of the 4th Army of the Central [***] Group. It seems that the enemy has massed a large number of forces there, preparing for a surprise attack on Moscow. ”

"What forces are we going to use to carry out these counter-assaults?" Zhukov asked, "The Eastern Front does not have any spare forces. We have only the strength to hold the line of defense that we have occupied. ”

"In the Ramsdok area, the corps of the right flank of the Rokossovsky Army, the 58th Tank Division, the Reading Cavalry Division and the Cavalry Corps under the command of Dovator can be used. In the area of Serimpunov, Belov's cavalry corps, Gertman's tank divisions and part of the forces of the 49th Army could be used. Stalin proposed.

"You can't do that right now." Zhukov replied, "We cannot throw the last reserves of the Front into a counter-assault that is not sure of victory." When the enemy's assault groups begin to attack, we will have no way to come to reinforce our various army groups. ”

"Your front army has 6 group armies, is this still less?"

"However, it is important to know that the entire line of defense of the Eastern Front has been greatly lengthened, plus the bend is currently 400 kilometers long. We have very few reserves in depth, especially in the center of the defensive line. ”

Stalin said in an indisputable tone: "On the question of counter-assault, it was decided so much. I'll report my plans tonight. ”

Zhukov tried to convince Stalin to cancel the counter-assault, as this would consume the remaining reserves, but the telephone line was broken - Stalin hung up.

Zhukov was frustrated by this conversation, not because Stalin did not take his opinion into account, but because the consequence of throwing the last reserves into a counter-assault with great uncertainty of victory would be to exhaust the reserves so that they could no longer reinforce the weak points of the defense.

About 15 minutes later, Bulganin walked into Zhukov's office and said: "This time I was severely reprimanded. Comrade Stalin said to me: 'You are proud of Zhukov. But we will try to restrain you! He insisted that I come to you immediately and organize a counter-assault immediately. ”

Zhukov sighed and said to Bulganin: "Alas, what can be done, so be it!" You may be seated, let me call Sokolovsky and inform the commanders of the army group Rokossovsky and Zakharkin in advance. ”

Two hours later, the command of the Front issued an order to the commanders of the 16th and 49th armies, as well as other main commanders, to carry out a counter-assault.

The counter-assault was carried out, but the Squadron [***] resumed its offensive against Moscow almost simultaneously. They launched a surprise attack on the left flank of the 30th Army of the Kalinin Front, northeast of Moscow, and at the same time on the right flank and center of the 16th Army of the Eastern Front. More than 600 Chinese tanks attacked at the same time, while the Soviets were able to mobilize only 156 tanks, many of which were light tanks with poor firepower. The Soviet line could not withstand the onslaught of Chinese tanks and was quickly breached.

From the morning of January 16, the Chinese [***] team began a rapid offensive from the Wolfsk region towards Kachin. The Soviets had no reserves in this area, because the reserves had been transferred to the Ramsdok area to carry out a counter-assault by order of the Supreme High Command, and were pinned down there.

Rokossovsky and Lobachev saw from the observation post that, after heavy shelling and aircraft bombardment, dozens of tanks of the squadron [***] rushed towards the positions of the 316th Division. The anti-tank guns of Panfilov's 316th Division opened fire, and the Chinese tanks that rushed ahead began to burn one after another. But there were more and more Chinese tanks, and soon hundreds of them were gathered, and under the heavy bombardment of Chinese tanks, the Soviet anti-tank gun positions were destroyed one after another, and the Soviet positions were quickly broken through.

The Soviet infantry tried to stop the advance of the Chinese tanks, jumping out of the trenches in the rain of bullets from the tank machine guns, and attacking the Chinese tanks with explosive packs, grenades or "Molotov cocktails", but many of them were knocked down by the dense machine-gun bullets before they had barely a few steps, and only a few of them rushed down the Chinese tanks and completed the blasting. The Red Army fighters showed perseverance and tenacity, trying to repel the ferocious attack of the [***] squadron. But these heroic sacrifices still could not stop the forward advance of the [***] team.

As a result of the battle on January 16, the squadron retreated the troops of the 316th Soviet Infantry Division to the second line of defense, but the front could not avoid being broken through anyway.

From the early morning of January 17, the [***] team resumed the offensive. In several narrow sections, the [***] squadron concentrated tanks and infantry, with the strong support of artillery and dive bombers, violently stormed the battle formations of the 16th Army in an attempt to break through the Soviet defenses and expand the offensive in the Ramsdok-Ikula direction. On the same day, in recognition of the heroic tenacity of the 316th Division, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet awarded the division the Order of the Red Banner. The next day, January 18, the 316th Division was named the 8th Guards Division. However, the division commander did not manage to lead the Guards into battle, and he was killed by shrapnel during the battle near the Tusenev settlement.

(To be continued)