"When we get to the other side of the river, we'll take this road down to Schambach, and then over to Amselfing. We're going to be deployed on the eastern side of Aiterhofen. Our first fire missions should come in at about 0900 if all goes well at the crossing. The batteries will be deployed in straight lines. Nothing fancy. Our fire control computers have been acting up. We'll have to move around a bit. The enemy has been doing a lot of counterbattery firing against our artillery in this area. Now, get some sleep!"
That was an easier thing to say than to do these days. Senior Lieutenant Viktor Belov and his 2d Battery were weary to the bone. The previous day had been a long and tiring series of fire missions in support of the bridgehead. They were firing at maximum range, and their howitzers were beginning to show the strain. They would take a lot of maintenance, but there was neither the time nor the equipment to permit it.
Belov walked back to his battery along with his deputy, Lt. Aleksander Durnov. "Are the men bedded down yet, Sasha?"
The young lieutenant indicated that they were, but promised to make a final check. The battery was huddled in a big clump off the road. It would make an ideal target for enemy aircraft or artillery. Nobody cared. There just wasn't enough space here for dispersal, and NATO had better things to shoot at nearer the bridgehead — like the bridges themselves.
No rail or road bridges were still standing in this section of the Danube, so all the crossings had to be made with pontoon bridges or ferries. The river here was too deep and the bottom too soft to allow the tanks to make a crossing on their own using snorkels. So they had to be laboriously ferried over using special GSP tracked ferries, an amphibious vehicle fitted with folding pontoons. Holding the bridgehead was difficult since the flow of tanks into the area was very slow. Most of the light armor, like infantry carriers and artillery vehicles, as in Belov's battery, was amphibious. They could swim over. Artillery was needed more than ever to make up for the lack of tanks.
Belov was awakened the next morning at 0500 after about four hours of sleep. It was the most he had gotten in one night since the beginning of the war. He had slept curled up inside his 1V14 armored command vehicle.[53]
It was cold inside, but at least it was protected from the rain. There were five other soldiers assigned to the vehicle, but at night usually only Belov, the driver, and the two radio operators remained inside. There just wasn't enough space for the scout or the artillery surveyor.
It was still dark outside, but at least it wasn't raining. Belov's battery had six 2S1 artillery vehicles, all parked near the two armored command vehicles. There were also six big Ural 375 five-ton trucks, which the battery used for supplying ammunition. A single GAZ-66 truck was used to provide meals for the battery, and it was in that direction that Belov now headed.
Sergeant Badarian had lit up the small stove and was preparing water for tea. There were nearly seventy men in the battery, most of them trying to get some tea and bread. There was one line for the enlisted men, and another for the senior sergeants and warrant officers. The battery officers simply walked to the front of the lines.
The artillery battery was a microcosm of Soviet Army life. Artillery units require highly trained personnel in many of the posts. Computing firing missions and other technical responsibilities are the tasks of the officers, but many other chores require technical expertise. Artillery pieces are difficult to keep in service when a lot of heavy firing is done. The technical positions were usually filled by Russians or Ukrainians, but there were also a large number of bright teenagers from the Baltic republics, mostly from the cities. The draft boards kept their eyes out for youth with a good mathematics background. Most Russians would be scooped up by more prestigious services, whereas the youth from the Baltic republics, Armenia, and other regions would be left out. The Ground Forces were only too happy to have them for tasks like these. On the other hand, artillery units have a lot of heavy, mindless work as well. Somebody has to load and unload the ammunition. This was work for the battery's second-class citizens, mostly Uzbeks or other Central Asians.
By 0530, the engines of the 2S1 artillery vehicles were warmed up. Belov had had the troops prepare the vehicles the previous evening for the river crossing. The 2S1 and the command vehicles have special "gill skirts" that have to be attached to the front fenders. This helps direct the water flow from the tracks to propel the vehicle when it is swimming. He also had them check the various ports where water could seep in. He didn't want to lose any of his vehicles by sinking.
Second Battery was not the only unit on the move. Other divisional formations were moving forward in anticipation of the river crossing. Belov took the lead of his column in his 1V14 command vehicle, riding up in the turret to get a better view. In front of him was a PKT 7.62mm machine gun, the vehicle's only defense — hardly enough to ward off an infantry attack!
As they approached the crossing point at Huterhof, the road became jammed with vehicles. A sergeant in a black leather uniform approached Belov's command vehicle. He wore the usual traffic-control uniform with a white helmet and red band. "Comrade Lieutenant, could you give me your control papers?" Belov handed him down the papers, which assigned priority for the bridge crossing. Using a small flashlight, the sergeant inspected them and handed them back up to Belov. "Comrade Lieutenant, your tracked vehicles should proceed across the field over there to the right to prepare for the crossing. Your trucks can remain here, and we will get them across as soon as possible."
Belov looked around. The column ahead didn't seem to be moving. "Sergeant, have they completed the bridge yet?"
"Yes, Comrade Lieutenant. But we had an air strike here about an hour ago and we're just finishing clearing the wreckage."
Damn, the NATO people were already attacking the bridge. And at night! Belov was very anxious to get his vehicle across. When the dawn came up in an hour or so, the bridge would attract NATO artillery and air strikes like bees to honey. Belov used the intercom to instruct the driver. He was followed by the six 2S1 artillery vehicles; at the tail of the column was Lieutenant Durnov in the other battery command vehicle. As they passed around Huterhof, Belov could dimly see the shapes of a battery of 2S6 air defense vehicles.[54]
These big vehicles each had a pair of long radar-directed 30mm cannons. On top of the turrets the surveillance radar rotated at a slow rate, hunting for targets. Nestled on the sides of the turrets were tubes for antiaircraft missiles. A formidable vehicle. At least Belov hoped so. They would have to protect his unit during the crossing operation.
Belov's battalion arrived near the river's edge. The Danube glistened in the early dawn hours.
The moon occasionally peeked through the clouds, its light reflecting off the water. The opposite shore was totally black except for the signs of small fires and the occasional flicker of electric lights. Belov got out of the command vehicle and made his way over to the 1V13 command vehicle of Captain Gonchar, the deputy battalion commander. "Good morning, Comrade Captain."
"Hello, Viktor. So are you ready to get your feet wet?"
Belov did not laugh. He was very concerned that some of his vehicles might have problems crossing. "How soon do we go over, Pavel? I'd just as soon get this over with." Before Gonchar could answer, the sky lit up.
The 2S6 antiaircraft vehicles had found a target and were hammering away at some unseen enemy over the river. Belov, like all artillerymen, was used to noise. But the gun flashes were prolonged and spectacular.
53
The 1V14 is a version of the 1V12 family of artillery command vehicles. It is designed for battery commanders. This version carries a laser range finder in the turret as well as other specialized equipment. It is called the ACRV M-1974-2a by NATO.
54
The 2S6 is a new Soviet air defense vehicle, replacing the earlier ZSU-23-4 Shilka. The associated radar system is code-named Hot Shot by NATO. It also carries four missiles, designated SA-19 by NATO. The system was called SPAAG M-1986 by NATO until its Soviet designation 2S6 became known.