Burning Moscow

After Kolpakchi made this difficult decision with a solemn expression, it seemed that his strength had been emptied. His shoulders fell and he leaned forward, staring blankly at the map in front of him in a daze. Seeing his frustrated expression, I tried to persuade me, but when I was about to lift my foot, thinking of the scene where he was almost beaten by the collar, I couldn't help but shrink back.

He sat there for a long time, then took out a cigarette case from his pocket and drew a cigarette in his mouth, perhaps because he was too emotional, his hand was trembling and even struck a few matches, but he failed to light the cigarette. At this moment, I couldn't continue to stand by and watch, and quickly gathered the courage to walk over, took the matchbox in his hand, and drew a match from the box, struck it and leaned in front of him. When he saw that it was me who struck the match, he was taken aback, but he still brought the cigarette to him and asked me to light him.

After the cigarette was lit, he only took two puffs, then threw the unfinished cigarette butts on the ground and trampled them out with his feet, raised his head and said to me: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, tell me, is this retreat order I made correct? ?"

I nodded vigorously and said sincerely: "Comrade Commander, I think your decision is correct."

"What's the reason? Come and listen."

"The position currently occupied by our army is located on a bare plain. There is no danger to defend. You know, to defend such a wide position on the front of the defense, we must send a large number of troops in. For the Germans , The number advantage we have is not worth mentioning in the face of their air supremacy and powerful weapons and equipment. If they want to reoccupy these positions, they don’t even have to send ground troops to attack. They only need to send air forces or Artillery positions are arranged on the surrounding hills. Indiscriminate bombing of our positions can achieve the goal of destroying the positions occupied by our troops."

He heard me say this, nodded thoughtfully, and said, "You are very reasonable. Letting the troops stay on the open ground is undoubtedly asking them to die. But you have also seen this position. We took a big sacrifice before we took it down, so we gave up in vain. I am a bit unwilling."

Before I could answer his topic, Semikov came over and reported: "Comrade Commander, I just received a call from Lieutenant Colonel Tarantsev that the 102nd Naval Infantry Brigade led by him has entered the predator on the bank of the Koska River. Set up positions, they received the defeated troops of the 184th and 192nd divisions, and fought with the vanguard of the German forces that broke into the area."

"Comrade Captain, have you asked him about the details of Colonel Harchenko's sacrifice?"

Hearing Kolpakchi's question to Semikov, I couldn't help but feel a little surprised. How could a lieutenant colonel commander from the Navy know that the commander of the 192nd Division died. But I know this is not the time to ask questions randomly. Then they listened quietly to each other next.

Semikov replied: "I asked, Lieutenant Colonel Tarantsev reported. He heard that a German motorized unit had pounced on Upper Buzinovka, where the division headquarters is located, and immediately took the troops to reinforce it. . I didn’t expect to hurry up quickly. It was still a step too late. When they arrived, the German motorized troops had already destroyed the divisions of my 184th and 192nd divisions. The whereabouts of the personnel in the two division headquarters were unknown. He They can only lead the troops to walk while fighting, contain the dispersed commanders along the road, and return to the preset position by the Koska River to stop the German army from continuing to advance."

"The measures taken by Lieutenant Colonel Tarantsev are correct." Kolpakchi nodded approvingly, and then told Semikov: "You go and call Lieutenant Colonel Tarantsev to immediately take over as the 192nd Division. Division commander. At present, there are three things he has to do: First, organize active defense and resolutely prevent the German motorized troops from continuing to advance to the Koska River; Second, gather as many troops as possible from the 192nd Division; , Send someone to find Colonel Harchenko immediately and bring his body back. That's all my orders, you go to convey it!"

When he talked about retrieving the body of Colonel Harchenko, I accidentally found a crystal teardrop falling down his cheek. Maybe he noticed that I was watching him, and quickly raised his hand to wipe the tears from his face, then turned around and said to me: "Comrade Oshanina, I have decided. After the 85th Regiment withdraws from the position in the evening, let them Come up to this hill to arm your defenses. This way you can catch German troops unprepared when they pass under the hill unpreparedly."

After finishing speaking, he personally called Colonel Farnasyev, the commander of the 33rd Guards Division, and arranged for the 85th Regiment to be moved to the hill where the temporary headquarters was located, and he was ready to give a severe lesson to the arrogance tomorrow. Germans.

After calling Fanasiyev, he called Gurov again and issued a new combat order: "Comrade Military Commissioner, the current situation is very unfavorable for us. The 33rd Guards Division has suffered heavy casualties and is unable to hold on to the current situation. I have ordered them to withdraw after dark and build a new defensive position on the hill where the command headquarters is located to block the German troops passing under the hill. In addition, the 184th and 192nd divisions were It was defeated, and the 192nd Division Commander Colonel Harchenko died. I have ordered Lieutenant Colonel Tarantsev, the brigade commander of the 102nd Naval Infantry Brigade, to take over as the division commander and set up a position on the Koska River and the German army. The vanguard started the battle. Now I order: Cannon No. 1103 Regiment, 1105th Regiment, 1158th Regiment, immediately open fire, stop and shoot the German troops attacking the Koska River position of our group army. These fascist bandits must not rush in. Our position."

"Understood, Comrade Commander." Gurov replied very bluntly: "I will immediately give orders to the three cannon regiments to provide necessary artillery support for our troops guarding the Koska River position. In addition, I suggest that the 508th and 552th regiments of the anti-tank destroyer artillery be transferred to the Koska River position to strengthen the anti-tank forces there."

"You have a good idea, Comrade Military Commissioner. Then do as you say!"

After he hung up the phone, he looked down at the map on the table. After Semikov, who was on the phone, came back again, he ordered: "Captain Semikov, you can call Colonel Jahua of the 131st Division and Colonel Sologubu of the 112th Division and ask them to draw out one. The regiment’s forces to reinforce the defensive positions on the Koska River."

"Comrade Commander, is it necessary to redeploy reinforcements in the past? You must know that the Koska River Defense Line is not only defended by Major General Volkhin’s 147th Division and Major General Novikov’s 181st Division, today they have been defended. The remnants of the 102nd Naval Infantry Brigade and the 192nd Division have been strengthened, and the existing forces are fully capable of holding positions."

I gave Shemikov a vain look, and said that you, a captain, would dare to gesticulate in front of the commander of the group army, and be careful to be scolded later. However, Kolpakic seemed to be very tolerant of Shemikov. He just explained: "Comrade Captain, you are right. But we are planning for the worst. The two German motorized divisions are defeating the 184th and the first. After the two infantry divisions of 192, they have approached the Koska River defense line." He pointed the map with his hand and said. "It borders our army on the right wing of the 64th Army. Although there is the 229th Infantry Division deployed by Cui Koff, as far as I know, the division’s defensive front is nearly 15 kilometers away, but there are only 5 battalions on the battlefield. The other 4 battalions are still marching on the road. In the depth of defense of this division, although the 21st Brigade of tanks is deployed, the number of tanks in this brigade is very small, only 5 kb heavy tanks, 9 T-34 tanks and 20 tanks. The t-60 tank can't compete with the German tank troops at all."

"Understood, Comrade Commander, I will call now."

From Kolpakchi’s giving orders, I unexpectedly discovered that he was also a commander with rich combat experience and excellent commanding ability. The troops know everything well, and when giving orders, they don’t have to look at maps and flip through notebooks like other commanders do. I always think about hopping to Cui Kefu's place, so I have never noticed that there is an outstanding commander by my side. Although the counterattack he personally commanded did not achieve the desired results today, it was not his responsibility, but was caused by the uncoordinated combat actions of the 13th Army of the newly formed tanks and the inability to cooperate well with the infantry offensive.

As the sky gradually darkened, Kolpakic raised his hand to look at his watch, and then said to Shemikov: "Comrade Captain, the 85th Regiment will come over later, UU reading www.uukanshu.com, you are responsible for and their commander. Contact and choose a suitable location to build a new fortification."

After Semikov agreed, he asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, are you planning to return to the headquarters of the group army?"

Kolpakic shook his head and said: "The headquarters will not go back for the time being. I don't worry about the Koska River Defense Line. I guess tomorrow morning, the Germans will concentrate their superior forces on our positions and launch a fierce attack. I will go there. Direct yourself."

Shemikov asked, "Do you need me to accompany you?"

Kolpakic shook his head again and said, "Let’s let Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina accompany me this time. You will stay in the 85th Regiment as a liaison officer. If you have any updates, please report to me at any time." I waved my head and said, "Let's go, Comrade Oshanina, come with me to the Koska River Defense Line."

I followed Kolpakchi and walked out of the headquarters, and I heard Shemikov say loudly inside: "Everyone quickly pack up, and then all go to the Koska River defense line with Comrade Commander." (To be continued... )

ps: bow to thank book friends:, Simon, t00030003 for their precious votes