Inside the city of Haiwum, the fierce battle continued. The two German infantry divisions intensified their assault on the Russian forces, undeterred by the departure of the main contingent of the 8th Panzer Division. In fact, their attacks grew even more ferocious.
Colonel Rommel led the main force to assist the 51st Infantry Division in their offensive against the 22nd Russian Infantry Army, leaving fewer than twenty tanks in Haiwum to support the 49th and 50th Infantry Divisions. The absence of a substantial tank presence diminished the Germans' striking power, yet they persistently advanced, constricting the Russians' remaining space and inflicting further casualties.
"Class One, provide cover fire; Class Two, launch a frontal assault; Class Three, maneuver around!" commanded a German platoon leader.
"Da-da-da!"
The platoon's heavy machine guns and mortars opened fire, with the squad's machine guns joining in. A hail of bullets enveloped the Russian barricade at the end of the street, choking it in clouds of dust. The Russian soldiers, pinned down, could barely lift their heads.
"Boom!" A mortar shell struck the Russian barricade, obliterating many of the defenders within. Seizing the opportunity, a squad of Germans charged the barricade, successfully breaching its defenses. Following a brutal close-quarters combat, the Germans secured the position, using it as a stronghold from which to launch further attacks, systematically clearing the area of remaining Russian troops.
Within the city of Haiwum, the Russian positions continued to be lost, with mounting casualties. This made it increasingly difficult for the Russians to maintain their hold on the city. Many wounded Russian soldiers lay unattended, enduring their injuries in agonizing silence, feeling their lives slowly ebb away.
"General, we've lost our positions. The German offensive is too fierce; we cannot hold them back! My forces are down to fewer than a thousand," reported a major general, his face ashen.
"The German attacks grow ever more intense, and our troops are in full retreat. If this continues, we will not withstand the German onslaught. Soon, the entire Haiwum will fall into their hands," Major General Feodor said, his eyes reddened. He had scarcely rested over the past two days, having exhausted every possible tactic, yet the situation remained dire for the Russians, deteriorating by the hour. He felt the specter of defeat looming ever closer.
"Where is the 22nd Army? Why haven't they arrived yet?" asked Major General Golovin.
The 22nd Army, dispatched to provide reinforcement, had become their only hope. If they could arrive in time, perhaps the fresh troops could stave off the German advance. Otherwise, the forces currently stationed in Haiwum stood no chance against the German onslaught.
"I don't know; I've already sent telegrams inquiring about their status. But there's been no response. Only God knows when that fool Boris will reach Haiwum. Let us hope he is not merely coming to collect our bodies," Feodor replied with a bitter smile.
"Damn it!" Golovin cursed.
They felt like trapped bears, having fought with all their might but still powerless to halt the enemy's relentless advance, watching as death encroached ever closer.
At that moment, a panicked staff officer burst into the room.
Both Major Generals Feodor and Golovin's hearts sank upon seeing him; they knew ill tidings awaited them.
"Report! The 22nd Infantry Army has sent a message. They are under heavy German attack. Their forces have suffered tremendous losses, and the entire army has collapsed," the officer stated.
"What? How is that possible?"
"This must be some excuse fabricated by that fool Boris. The main German forces are still in Haiwum; how could they have attacked them? I will report this to General Dmitriev and expose that shameless wretch Boris!" Golovin erupted in anger.
"General, the 22nd Infantry Division reports they are not only facing overwhelming German infantry and tank assaults, but also a significant number of German aircraft participating in the attack. This is what led to the collapse of the 22nd Army," the staff officer continued.
"A multitude of aircraft and tanks? Has another German division joined the fray? The 8th Army cannot consist solely of this small contingent," Major General Feodor remarked.
Golovin's expression darkened further. Whether the collapse of the 22nd Army was true or not, it was disastrous news for them. The 22nd Army had become their lifeline. But now, before they could even reach Haiwum, they had been annihilated by the Germans, leaving them without reinforcements. If they were to continue holding out in Haiwum, they would have to rely solely on their own dwindling strength, which seemed utterly impossible. The Germans' aggressive offensive had made it clear that their resistance was futile against such overwhelming firepower.
"Feodor, what are we to do now? Can we still hold out?" Golovin inquired.
Feodor shook his head. "Given the intensity of the German assault, we will likely be completely annihilated by tomorrow."
"No, this cannot continue. We must break out!" Golovin proposed.
"Break out?" Feodor was taken aback. General Dmitriev had ordered them to hold Haiwum at all costs; breaking out would be a direct violation of his orders.
Yet, prioritizing their lives, Feodor ultimately acquiesced to the suggestion.
That evening, the remnants of the Russian forces in Haiwum attempted a southern breakout in a desperate bid to escape. Unfortunately, they collided head-on with the German 51st Infantry Division and several tanks from the 8th Panzer Division, which had already routed the 22nd Army.
This inevitably shattered the Russian breakout attempt, akin to a fragile egg striking against stone.
In the wake of catastrophic losses, the remaining Russian troops were forced to retreat back into Haiwum, while the Germans completed their encirclement. The trapped Russians found themselves unable to escape.
As despair permeated the atmosphere among the Russians, many soldiers, not wishing to face death, united in demanding that Major Generals Feodor and Golovin surrender to the Germans.
Under immense pressure, Feodor and Golovin conceded to this suggestion, sending envoys to negotiate terms of surrender with the Germans.