Act One: The Volga River
Soviet Side:
Volga River, Stalingrad
September 18, 1942
1100 hrs
The city was ablaze in the distance, what was once a proud symbol of Soviet Victory and might after the battle of Tsaritsyn now nearly lied in ruins after bombardment during Operation Barbarossa. The boats slowly moved down the river to the other side. Each was filled with conscripts, commissars, and other soldiers of the Union intent on reclaiming the city for the Motherland. However, this would not be an easy task. Hitler's forces were dug in and had garrisoned the city as the boats approached. Nervous and yet eager young men as well as members of the People's Commissariat of Defense were all trying to get across the river to reinforce the Soviet battle-lines that had come under fire and need more bodies to the front.On oar driven raft to ferryboat, these ships were slowly proceeding towards the coast. Unfortunately, they were without defense and easy targets.
"Comrades! Today will be one of the greatest moments in Soviet history! You will fight and kill the fascist Nazis invaders who so foolishly dare to have attacked the Motherland! For every one of you who dies you shall make the Nazis pay ten fold with one of theirs! There will be no mercy for defeatist cowards, or traitors! By order of Comrade Stalin, anyone caught deserting his post or fleeing shall be shot! Remember Great Comrade Stalin's Order, 277. 'Not one step backwards'. You shall be well armed and quipped for the battle ahead. You will have the resources available provided to you by the Union, what do you think the Germans have? Nothing! They starve and cower like rats in hiding! Hitler's supply lines have stretched too thin. Their advance to the Volga has left them stranded and without the means to defend their doomed army. They cannot hope to stand against the might, of the Soviet Union!" Volkov said as he shouted into his encouraging microphone to the soldiers aboard the ferry as the boat slowly made it's way towards the shoreline, along with other rafts being used to transport forces.
Did he believe everything he was saying? Perhaps, perhaps not. However, Volkov was a strict member of the Bolshevik party and would fulfill the orders given to him by Stalin regardless. He could see the look in his mens eyes, most were nervous and inexperienced, some looked angered and eager to fight for the Union and to purge Stalingrad of the fascists. Still, there were hints in the eyes of some of fear and cowardice. Volkov glanced at these men for signs of mutiny or insubordination as the ferry continued into range of the German warmachine
German Side:
After the bombing by the German Luffewaffe, the city was cut off from the Union and occupied by Hitler's Wehrmacht and SS Waffen divisions. They had but one objective, to hold off the ferry amphibious operation and to route the Soviet forces attempting to retake the city. Der Fuhrers orders were clear, hold the city long enough for reinforcements to arrive. Operation Barbarossa could not falter. However, this was an order easily more said than done. The Blitzkrieg had lost steam and now German forces were cut off from their supply lines. However, they had the element of defense on their side and held the city in a position that would be able to potentially hold of the Soviet forces swimming and rowing
Soviet Side:
Volga River, Stalingrad
September 18, 1942
1100 hrs
The city was ablaze in the distance, what was once a proud symbol of Soviet Victory and might after the battle of Tsaritsyn now nearly lied in ruins after bombardment during Operation Barbarossa. The boats slowly moved down the river to the other side. Each was filled with conscripts, commissars, and other soldiers of the Union intent on reclaiming the city for the Motherland. However, this would not be an easy task. Hitler's forces were dug in and had garrisoned the city as the boats approached. Nervous and yet eager young men as well as members of the People's Commissariat of Defense were all trying to get across the river to reinforce the Soviet battle-lines that had come under fire and need more bodies to the front.On oar driven raft to ferryboat, these ships were slowly proceeding towards the coast. Unfortunately, they were without defense and easy targets.
"Comrades! Today will be one of the greatest moments in Soviet history! You will fight and kill the fascist Nazis invaders who so foolishly dare to have attacked the Motherland! For every one of you who dies you shall make the Nazis pay ten fold with one of theirs! There will be no mercy for defeatist cowards, or traitors! By order of Comrade Stalin, anyone caught deserting his post or fleeing shall be shot! Remember Great Comrade Stalin's Order, 277. 'Not one step backwards'. You shall be well armed and quipped for the battle ahead. You will have the resources available provided to you by the Union, what do you think the Germans have? Nothing! They starve and cower like rats in hiding! Hitler's supply lines have stretched too thin. Their advance to the Volga has left them stranded and without the means to defend their doomed army. They cannot hope to stand against the might, of the Soviet Union!" Volkov said as he shouted into his encouraging microphone to the soldiers aboard the ferry as the boat slowly made it's way towards the shoreline, along with other rafts being used to transport forces.
Did he believe everything he was saying? Perhaps, perhaps not. However, Volkov was a strict member of the Bolshevik party and would fulfill the orders given to him by Stalin regardless. He could see the look in his mens eyes, most were nervous and inexperienced, some looked angered and eager to fight for the Union and to purge Stalingrad of the fascists. Still, there were hints in the eyes of some of fear and cowardice. Volkov glanced at these men for signs of mutiny or insubordination as the ferry continued into range of the German warmachine
German Side:
After the bombing by the German Luffewaffe, the city was cut off from the Union and occupied by Hitler's Wehrmacht and SS Waffen divisions. They had but one objective, to hold off the ferry amphibious operation and to route the Soviet forces attempting to retake the city. Der Fuhrers orders were clear, hold the city long enough for reinforcements to arrive. Operation Barbarossa could not falter. However, this was an order easily more said than done. The Blitzkrieg had lost steam and now German forces were cut off from their supply lines. However, they had the element of defense on their side and held the city in a position that would be able to potentially hold of the Soviet forces swimming and rowing