Burning Moscow

After giving the order to Baksov, I gave Babahin the order to attack.

Akhromeyev looked at the troops of the three divisions with binoculars. They all rushed out from their respective defensive positions. Under the guidance of our tanks, they launched a pursuit to the fleeing enemy. He couldn't help asking me with some worry. "Comrade Commander, we are attacking from all fronts. Isn't the existing defensive position empty? If our counterattack is not smooth and the German army turns into an offensive in a certain area, how can we stop them?"

"Don't worry, Major." I think Akhromeyev's worries are completely unfounded. I confidently said to him: "Although I gave the three division commanders the order to attack, I also ordered them to leave a regiment each and stick to the existing defensive positions. Even if the German army moved into a certain area. Defense, it is not so easy to break through our defense in a short period of time."

I guess the reason why the German army sent tanks to assist in the sneak attack, I guessed that our army did not have a strong position, as long as their tanks rushed, they would be able to destroy our defense line. But I didn't expect that there would be such a big killer as a self-propelled artillery in our position, which happened to be able to restrain their tanks from attacking. The German attack tonight can be regarded as a steal.

Our counterattack went smoothly at first, but as we approached the commanding heights where the German troops were stationed, the situation changed. After the initial chaos, the defenders holding on to the commanding heights began to use mortars and machine guns to intercept our counterattacks.

The sound of guns, which had become sparse, suddenly became intense. Our commanders and fighters followed behind the tank, against the bombardment of oncoming bullets and artillery fire, in the smoke of gunpowder, they erected their bayonets to form a dense wave formation. In the sweeping rain of bullets, they fell in series; in the violent explosion, they flew up one by one. Although on the way to counterattack, layers of corpses have been laid down, but the soldiers still charged forward high ground one after another.

In the observation post, I saw through the telescope that the tank's suppression of the commanding heights of the German army was limited. On the contrary, the casualties of our commanders and fighters were constantly increasing under the attack of the enemy's firepower. Although as the battle progressed, there were flaming fires everywhere, which could illuminate the battlefield that was fighting, but now it is night after all, and visibility is limited, and it is difficult for commanders at all levels to command their own troops.

In order to prevent the troops from suffering more casualties, I immediately told Akhromeyev: "Major, call the three division commanders and order them to immediately stop the offensive and withdraw all the troops to the defensive position."

"Comrade Commander, why do you want to retreat?" When Akhromeyev saw the fiercest battle, I actually gave the order to retreat, and asked me in a puzzled manner: "The enemy's defenders on these commanding heights are not There will be more troops, at most one or two platoons, as long as our soldiers rush several times, they will definitely be able to win."

"Darkness is not conducive to the command of commanders at all levels." After I briefly stated my reasons, I repeated my original order: "Immediately ask the divisions to withdraw their troops, and the tank brigade will be responsible for the interruption. The Germans launched a countercharge."

After receiving my order to retreat, the two division commanders, Sergeikov and Babahin, had no objection, and immediately ordered the attacking troops to retreat to their original defensive positions alternately. But Baksov specifically called me and said reluctantly: "Comrade Commander, my troops are fighting very well. In half an hour at most, they will be able to take the commanding heights of the Germans. But You suddenly ordered to retreat. Didn't this make us fall short."

"General Baksov," I said with a straight face after listening to his complaint: "Did you not see that our commanders paid a huge price under the German artillery and machine gun fire?"

"But, Comrade Commander." Baksov didn't understand what I was saying. He asked in a vague way: "A war will definitely kill people. As long as we can win the enemy's high ground, even if we make some sacrifices, it will be worthwhile."

"Have you forgotten?" I said dumbfounded: "We won't get any support for a period of time. Weapons, ammunition and military supplies are still the case, let alone soldiers. If your division has been burned out. , Then in the next battle, you can only stay behind as spectators."

When I said this, Baksov suddenly realized, "Yes, Comrade Commander, I understand, I will let the troops withdraw immediately."

After the troops of the 51st Guards Division had withdrawn to the defensive position, Sederikov called me. He reported to me on the phone: "Comrade Commander, many officers and soldiers of our division were injured in the just offensive operation. However, due to the limited number of health personnel, many wounded are still on the battlefield. What should we do now? ?"

"What else can I do?" When I heard Sergeikov say this, I suddenly lost my breath. I raised my voice and yelled at him: "Colonel, have you forgotten that the tradition of our troops is under any circumstances? , Can’t even leave one of his comrades-in-arms? I order you to immediately organize manpower and take advantage of the fact that it is still dark, which is not conducive to the favorable opportunity for German observation to lift all the wounded on the battlefield."

As soon as I put down the phone, Akhromeyev added: "Comrade Commander, your retreat order was a bit abrupt. I guess it is not only the 51st Guards Division, but also the 67th and 71st Guards. Teacher, there are many wounded still left on the battlefield. You should also call the other two commanders and ask them to send someone to carry the wounded down."

Just as I was about to call the other two commanders and ask them if any wounded were left on the battlefield, the phone on the table rang. Akhromeyev and I looked at each other and said, "Major, guess who made this call."

"I can't guess who made the call." Akhromeyev stared at the ringing phone and said, "But it must be one of the two commanders. Someone in the 51st Division left the defensive position and re-entered the battlefield, so I called to inquire."

After he finished speaking, he raised his hand and grabbed the phone and said loudly in his ear: "I am Major Akhromeyev, Chief of Operations. Where are you? ... It's Colonel Babahin, hello! May I ask you something? Is it?...Yes, that's right, the 51st Guards Division was dispatched with the permission of the commander. They were not attacking the enemy, but were preparing to bring back all the wounded who remained on the battlefield... What is the situation of your division So, have all the wounded been brought down?...Not yet? Why is this happening?...The commander ordered that your division should also immediately organize manpower to rescue all the wounded..."

Following my order, the three divisions successively dispatched a large number of hygienists and stretchers to bring back most of the wounded of our army on the battlefield, and even rescued some of the wounded of the German army. Regarding how to deal with the wounded German soldiers, Sederikov called to ask me for instructions: "Comrade Commander, the health rescue of our division has rescued more than one hundred German wounded soldiers. How should we deal with them?"

It was originally something like this, even if I didn't say it, he should know that it must be done out of humanitarian considerations to treat these wounded German soldiers. But the reason he called me was because I had ordered the execution of captured German soldiers several times, so he felt it necessary to call me for instructions. After obtaining my approval, he decided to treat the wounded. Or simply shoot them all.

As the war situation develops in favor of our side, I have seldom issued orders such as shooting prisoners. Therefore, in response to Sergeikov’s request, I said lightly: “Colonel, since these Germans have become our captives, as long as they don’t cause any damage, you can just let the military doctor treat them. When the time comes, send someone to send his mother to the rear."

After dawn, Kistyakov and Bezikov rushed to my headquarters. When the two saw the defense zone where fierce fighting had taken place, they couldn't help being surprised. Kistyakov asked nervously: "Comrade Commander, what's going on? Have you already fought the Germans?"

"Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander." I replied with a smile: "Last night the Germans sent out tanks to sneak attack on our positions, but we found them. Then we first used artillery to attack the German offensive forces. The artillery intercepted and destroyed their artillery. After the enemy’s offensive was frustrated, we launched a full-line counterattack, causing considerable casualties to the enemy. It’s a pity..."

Having said that, I stopped, sighed, and continued: "Unfortunately, our counterattack troops were hit by the German troops deployed on the commanding heights, and suffered a lot of casualties. In order to avoid the troops from suffering. More casualties, so I ordered the troops to stop the attack in time."

After I finished speaking, Bezikov nodded repeatedly and said in agreement: "Comrade Commander, your determination is very timely. Before coming to the headquarters, I and the deputy commander observed the German army in the distance. From the commanding heights, they found that there were many dead bodies of our commanders and fighters in front of their positions. This shows how fierce the battle last night was."

"The chief of staff is right." Kistyakov waited for Bezikov to finish, and then continued: "According to my observations, the casualties suffered by the troops when they counterattack are almost negligible. But going on. A few days ago, many corpses of our soldiers began to appear. The closer you are to the commanding heights of the Germans, the more corpses on the battlefield. If you hadn’t stopped the attack in time, I guess some troops might be killed in the battle. Disabled."

After he finished speaking, he raised his hand and grabbed the phone and said loudly in his ear: "I am Major Akhromeyev, Chief of Operations. Where are you? ... It's Colonel Babahin, hello! May I ask you something? Is it?...Yes, that's right, the 51st Guards Division was dispatched with the permission of the commander. They were not attacking the enemy, but were preparing to bring back all the wounded who remained on the battlefield... What is the situation of your division? So, have all the wounded been brought down?...Not yet? Why is this happening?...The commander ordered that your division should also immediately organize manpower to rescue all the wounded..."

Following my order, the three divisions successively dispatched a large number of hygienists and stretchers to bring back most of the wounded of our army on the battlefield, and even rescued some of the wounded of the German army. Regarding how to deal with the wounded German soldiers, Sederikov called to ask me for instructions: "Comrade Commander, the health rescue of our division has rescued more than one hundred German wounded soldiers. How should we deal with them?"

It was originally something like this, even if I didn't say it, he should know that it must be done out of humanitarian considerations to treat these wounded German soldiers. But the reason he called me was because I had ordered the execution of captured German soldiers several times, so he felt it necessary to call me for instructions. After obtaining my approval, he decided to treat the wounded. Or simply shoot them all.

As the war situation develops in favor of our side, I have seldom issued orders such as shooting prisoners. Therefore, in response to Sergeikov’s request, I said lightly: “Colonel, since these Germans have become our captives, as long as they don’t cause any damage, you can just let the military doctor treat them. At the time, I sent someone to send his mother to the rear~www.wuxiaspot.com~ After dawn, Kistyakov and Bezikov rushed to my headquarters. The two saw the fierce battle that had taken place. The defense zone was surprised. Kistyakov asked nervously: "Comrade Commander, what is going on? Have you already had a battle with the Germans? "

"Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander." I replied with a smile: "Last night the Germans sent out tanks to sneak attack on our positions, but we found them. Then we first used artillery to attack the German offensive forces. The artillery intercepted and destroyed their artillery. After the enemy’s offensive was frustrated, we launched a full-line counterattack, causing considerable casualties to the enemy. It’s a pity..."

Having said that, I stopped, sighed, and continued: "Unfortunately, our counterattack troops were hit by the German troops deployed on the commanding heights, and suffered a lot of casualties. In order to avoid the troops from suffering. More casualties, so I ordered the troops to stop the attack in time."

After I finished speaking, Bezikov nodded repeatedly and said in agreement: "Comrade Commander, your determination is very timely. Before coming to the headquarters, I and the deputy commander observed the German army in the distance. From the commanding heights, they found that there were many dead bodies of our commanders and fighters in front of their positions. This shows how fierce the battle last night was." (To be continued.)