Burning Moscow

The German army, unwilling to fail, launches a fierce attack on our defensive positions every day.

Before the enemy's infantry crossed the river, usually a dozen aircraft bombarded the forward positions of our army indiscriminately, and then the enemy's artillery began to bombard violently. When our commanders were under the powerful firepower of the enemy to avoid air attacks and shelling in the air-raid shelters in the trenches, the enemy infantry participating in the attack quickly boarded the ferry on the opposite bank and sailed towards us. In order to prevent accidental injuries, the enemy’s artillery would stop shelling until the enemy’s ferry approached the dock.

The fierce defensive battle has been going on for a week. Our sailors have to repel the enemy’s assaults seven or eight times a day. Although the forward position has been repeatedly fought for many times, and many areas have been scorched by enemy bombs and shells, our surviving sailors are still tenacious. Stand firmly on the ground.

Due to the bombing of enemy planes, the village was turned into ruins. So our headquarters had to move back two kilometers and set it on the back of a small hill. The engineering unit dug four earth holes, one as the division headquarters, one as the communication room, and the remaining two as temporary housing for the division personnel.

Although this hill was also bombed and shelled by enemy planes and dropped a lot of bombs and shells, the command was still intact because of the well-chosen terrain.

This morning, Saren and Panchenko, I were in the headquarters studying which unit to transfer to the sailors on the front line, and there was a violent explosion outside. Panchenko glanced outside the cave, and then said with deep feeling: "Comrade Colonel, since we passed the words of Commander Cuikov to the following officers and soldiers. They have been very brave these days. Although the enemy has repeatedly crossed the river to our army. The position was fiercely attacked. Although the battle was cruel and fierce, the enemy failed to advance in a single step. You count, the enemy's river crossing troops were killed by us alone, at least more than two thousand people."

Hearing what Panchenko said, I couldn't help grinning silently, saying that this big pie painted by Cui Koff was for these Soviet soldiers who longed for honor. Really prescribe the right medicine. In order to obtain such a supreme honor, even if the commanders and fighters are asked to pay their precious lives for it, no one will complain at all.

At this time, the phone on the desk rang, and Sarin picked up the microphone and said loudly: "I'm Colonel Sarin, is there anything to report?".

The other party shouted hoarsely: "Report to comrade commander, I am Second Lieutenant Kruglov, commander of the sailing company. The enemy has begun to attack us again under the cover of aircraft and artillery." The sailor was injured and sent off on the first day. To Stalingrad, the naval battalion with heavy casualties was reduced to a company. The newly promoted second lieutenant Kruglov, as the highest rank in the company, naturally assumed the position of company commander.

"Don't worry. Comrade Lieutenant." Sa Ren said in a calm tone: "The enemy is attacking every day. What's worth fuss about. When the enemy's aircraft bombards or artillery bombards, follow the old rules and leave a few observation posts. All the people who descend are hidden in the anti-cannon hole. After the enemy's infantry has landed, you will enter the position and start to fight back."

Hearing what Saren said, I was also a bit dissatisfied with Kruglov. It seems that a commander like him who was directly promoted by a soldier just now has a really bad command level. At the critical moment, the enemy has not yet landed. He Just messed up.

While thinking about it, I overheard another sentence after him: "...Comrade commander, today’s situation is a bit special. In addition to the ferry boat transporting soldiers across the river, there are also a large number of rubber boats on the river, which are rowing towards the left bank of the river crossing. ."

"What, rubber dinghy?!" Colonel Saren was shocked after hearing this, "Impossible, Comrade Ensign, you must be mistaken. You know, on the Don River, which is two kilometers wide and the current is turbulent, except for the ferry, The rubber boat can't be rowed over."

"It's true, comrade commander." Kruglov replied excitedly: "I am absolutely not mistaken. The entire river is covered with dense rubber boats. Although the speed is slow, they are approaching us little by little."

Colonel Saren threw the phone on the table and said to Panchenko: "Comrade Political Commissar, the division headquarters will be handed over to you. Comrade Oshanina and I will go to the observation post above." Swinging his head at me, he ran out first.

The new observation post is located under a huge rock on the hill, where the view is wide and it is also conducive to hiding. As soon as I walked into the observation post, I could not wait to raise the telescope and look towards the Don River. I saw hundreds of rubber boats rowing towards the left bank on the wide river. Due to the rush of water, most of the rubber boats have deviated from the position of the dock and washed down.

Seeing this scene, I couldn’t help feeling very anxious and said to Sarin quickly: “Comrade Commander, you see, the enemy’s rubber boat was rushed downstream by the current. Once they land, they can easily detour back to the flank of our division, and The troops landing at the pier flanked Ensign Kruglov's troops back and forth."

Sa Ren put down his binoculars, nodded, and said, "You made a lot of sense. It seems that the enemy is bound to win our position today. You see, their troops can not only land downstream, and detour back to our first place from the south." Behind the line of defense, intensive artillery fire was used to block the open space between the second line of defense and the first line of defense to prevent us from drawing troops from the second line of defense to reinforce the front."

"Comrade Teacher, what should we do next?" I asked calmly.

Saren lowered his head and thought for a while, then ordered me: "Call Captain Lukin of the 678th Regiment and ask him to send a battalion quietly to the south to stop the enemy troops landing downstream. Order the Ge of the 804th Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Guoli, withdrew his troops to the hill where the division headquarters are located to build a new position."

"Withdraw Lieutenant Colonel Gogoli's regiment to the hills to build a position?" I was afraid that I had heard it wrong, so I asked rhetorically. "What about the vacated positions of the 804 regiment?"

"Let the 678th Regiment retreat and enter the original position of the 804th Regiment. At the same time, order the 783th Regiment to strengthen its security to prevent the enemy crossing the Koska River from rushing from the north."

Although I do not understand the series of orders he issued. But it is still implemented to the letter. Called the three heads respectively. Passed Sarin’s orders to them one by one.

After I gave all the orders, Sa Ren suddenly asked: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, do you know why I gave this order?".

I really don’t understand his orders. Didn’t this allow the enemy to land smoothly and establish a beachhead position by the river? If the enemy gains a firm foothold, we will not be sure to defend this area at all. Hearing his question, I just looked at him blankly. He shook his head and said, "Comrade commander, I don’t understand your purpose for doing this. I know that as long as the enemy gets on the left bank and establishes a strong beachhead, it will continue to bring more infantry and tanks. Transported from the other side of the river. After they are assembled, we can't stop them with our existing equipment."

While I was talking, the enemy's kayaking unit was already close to the heart of the river, and I suddenly had an idea and thought of a countermeasure. Hurriedly said to Saren: "Comrade commander, I have a way. I can inflict heavy damage on the German troops who are crossing the river."

After hearing this, Sa Ren looked at me with interest, and asked curiously: "What is the method? Let's listen."

I pointed at the kayaks in the river and explained to him: "The enemy's rubber boats move slowly. We can order the artillery company to fire and use mortars to kill German troops crossing the river."

Saren looked at the dense kayaks on the river and hesitated and said: "The enemy's formation is very dense. I also believe that mortars can kill them a lot, but once the artillery fires, it exposes the location of our artillery company. It is bound to attract enemy bombardment and long-range heavy artillery bombardment. If the artillery company is exhausted, our battles will be difficult to fight in the subsequent battles."

It is undeniable that Sarin’s concerns are justified. If there is no artillery, we will suffer a bit in the next battle. But seeing the rubber boats on the opposite side that move slowly like targets, I feel uncomfortable if I don't hit them. After deliberation, I think Sarin suggested: "Comrade commander, let’s do it. Order the artillery company to fire five rounds per gun, and immediately move the position. Even if the enemy finds our artillery company, Unable to find their exact location."

After listening to my suggestion, Saren nodded in satisfaction and said readily, "Well, since you said that, just do what you said. Remember, you must tell Lieutenant Rozhkov to let his artillery fire. After five bursts of fire, the position was immediately transferred. The artillery company is the treasure of our division, so I can't afford to lose."

Less than five minutes after my order was given, the artillery company opened fire.

The mortar shells roared into the enemy's rubber dinghy. Soon one after another tall water columns rose from the enemy's rubber dinghies. Some ferry boats full of soldiers that were hit by artillery shells were mixed with fragments of the rubber boats and bombed into the sky. Fortunately, the soldiers who were not hit by the bomb were so scared that they had to cling to the rubber dinghy sideways and rowing desperately, hoping to get to the shore as soon as possible and escape the fire from our army.

Looking at the rubber boats that were blown to pieces and the corpses floating on the river, Saren exclaimed in excitement: "Great, our artillery soldiers are really great! Comrade Oshanina, you Look, after only a few rounds, at least a quarter of the enemy's rubber boats were killed."

Compared with Saren’s ecstasy, I still maintain a clear mind. Even if the enemy’s rubber boats are half destroyed by our artillery fire, the remaining soldiers will still be a force that cannot be ignored after landing.

As soon as the enemy’s shelling ceased, the rubber boats and the enemies on the ferry went ashore one after another, charging towards the position of the Kruglov Marine Company.

When the enemy was fifty or sixty meters away from the sailor's position, there was still no movement in the position. Seeing the **** crater surrounded by the small crater, my heart was squeezed, and I thought to myself: What's the matter? Why didn't Kruglov and the others fight back? Could it be that under the double blow of the enemy's bombing and artillery, all the sailors and commanders died?

The German soldiers, who were wearing helmets and holding guns, had slowed down and approached the trenches cautiously. At this moment, two machine guns suddenly roared on the ground, knocking down a dozen German soldiers in front, and then dozens of grenades flew out of the trenches, falling into the enemy's queue and exploding. In the sound of explosions one after another, the enemies with heavy casualties were frightened and fled. Dozens of sailors stood up in the trenches, shooting violently at the enemy with their submachine guns and rifles. The enemy fled in embarrassment and fled back to where they started. Prone to fight back to the sailors by the river.

Although the enemy's attack was repelled by us. But I can see it too. The casualties of the sailing company were not small. As long as the enemy launches another attack, they will almost be wiped out.

At this time, Lukin called the observation post and reported to me: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, the guard force southward has been dispatched. It is the fourth battalion of Captain Slaven. The main force of the regiment has also retired in accordance with your orders. Entered the position of the original 804 regiment."

I silently put down the phone and looked at the position of the sailing company hanging alone by the river, feeling extremely sad. I watched these dozens of sailors in a situation where they had no reinforcements. Once their ammunition was all gone, what awaited them was the fate of the entire army being wiped out.

Maybe the Germans were scared by us. After they retreated to the river and fired a few random shots, they stopped shooting. Although they showed no signs of continuing their offensive, they could not see any signs of retreat. Hundreds of soldiers lay all over the river, seeming to be waiting for something.

My worries soon became reality, and several barges carrying tanks appeared in my field of vision. I immediately understood. It turns out that the Germans did not retreat, they were waiting for their tanks to cross the river. For our army that lacks anti-tank weapons. A certain number of tanks is enough to defeat us.

Thinking of this, I once again proposed to Saren: "Comrade commander, I suggest that the sailing company be withdrawn from the forward position immediately."

"Why?" Sa Ren put down his binoculars, looked at me, and asked puzzledly.

"At present, the sailing company has suffered heavy casualties. There are only dozens of people left in the company. In addition, their positions are already dilapidated, and they cannot stop the attack of the infantry covered by tanks. If they retreat into the second line of defense, then they can. Relying on relatively complete fortifications to block the enemy's offensive, buy time for the division's main force to build new fortifications."

Sa Ren thought for a while, then nodded and said decisively: "Well, just do as you said. The traffic trench between the second line of defense and the third line of defense has not been damaged. Once the sailor company can't stop it. , You can order Captain Lukin to send troops for reinforcements."

After getting permission from Saren, I quickly called Kruglov. As soon as the phone was connected, I couldn't wait to say: "Comrade Ensign, I am Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina. I order you to immediately lead the remaining soldiers out of the position, retreat to the second line of defense, and organize a new defense there. "

Kruglov listened to me, and remained silent. Hearing his voice, I became a little anxious and shouted loudly, "Hey, Comrade Lieutenant, can you hear me? Why don't you speak?"

He replied slowly: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, we have sacrificed hundreds of brothers here, and their flesh and blood have been integrated into the ground under my feet. But you gave me such an order at this time. Nope, I absolutely cannot retreat, and my conscience will not allow me to retreat."

Hearing what they said, I suddenly became annoyed and shouted at him furiously: "Comrade Lieutenant, the commander's orders are not allowed to be discounted. I order you to lead the remaining soldiers down immediately. Immediately, immediately." After that, I put down the microphone angrily.

Fortunately, Kruglov didn’t have the guts to disobey my orders. A few minutes later, he took dozens of soldiers out of the trenches, using the bomb craters everywhere, alternately covering the retreat to the second line of defense. .

Before they withdrew to the second line of defense, the barge carrying the tanks had already reached the dock, and several medium tanks slowly sailed from the barge to the shore. But fortunately, these tanks did not immediately cover the infantry charge, but gathered on the shore.

As time went by, more and more infantry and tanks landed by the enemy. In terms of numbers, the infantry has reached two battalions, and the number of tanks has increased to 28.

Although the enemy was still transporting soldiers and tanks to the left bank, there were already three tanks aggressively rushing towards our second line of defense, followed by infantry from Yomo's company.

When the enemy's tank got closer, several sailors crawled out of the trench. They crawled forward and hid in several craters in front of their positions. Judging from their actions, I immediately understood that they wanted to wait for the enemy's tank to approach and then use Molotov cocktails or anti-tank grenade to destroy the enemy's tank.

The foremost tank drove past the lurking soldiers. A soldier stood up quickly and slammed a Molotov cocktail on the body of the tank. The tank was immediately surrounded by fire and drove forward for a while. After the distance, Crook stopped next to a bullet crater. Then the top cover of the turret was opened, and several people in black tank uniforms emerged from inside. They were knocked down by the machine guns on the ground just as they jumped out of the tank.

Seeing that the second tank was also approaching, a sailor eagerly jumped out of the crater and rushed up with an anti-tank grenade. Before he raised his hand thunder, the German infantry following the tank opened fire. The dense bullets beat the soil around him like a pot. The sailor shook his body and fell into the crater on his back. .

When the tank rolled over from the crater, there was a muffled noise, and then a large cloud of smoke rose from the body, and the tank stopped on the crater. Although I didn't see what happened just now, I guessed that the sailor must have rang the grenade before his death, and died together with the enemy's tank.

Seeing the reimbursement of two tanks in a row greatly encouraged the sailors. The remaining sailors jumped out of the tank desperately, and threw the grenade and Molotov cocktail at the remaining tank and the enemy's infantry.

After a few dull explosions, the remaining tank was also reimbursed. After being killed and wounded dozens of infantrymen, they also retreated griefly.

The stubborn battles of the sailors angered the enemy, and after receiving new supplements, they launched an offensive again.

At this time, there were as many as thirty German tanks. They opened their way in front, followed by thousands of infantrymen, pressing toward the sailor's position in darkness.

The roar of aircraft motors was faintly heard in the air. I raised my binoculars and looked at it. I found that a large number of fighter planes were flying from the west, obviously enemy planes. Needless to say, they are here to bomb our army positions.

Thinking of the number of sailors left in the company, if it were bombed by a plane again, the entire army would be almost wiped out. So after I asked for instructions to serve as colonel, I ordered Kruglov to immediately lead the sailing company to withdraw to the third line of defense through the traffic trench.

Seeing the enemy's strength, Kruglov didn't dare to neglect after receiving my order, and quickly led his subordinates, rushed to the third line of defense along the traffic trench, and joined Lukin's troops.

Not long after they left, German tanks and infantry reached our second line of defense. After the enemy tanks passed the trenches, they stopped and waited for the infantry who had occupied our positions to clear their positions.

The enemy's plane has reached the sky above the battlefield. I counted it roughly. There were at least thirty. If the bombs were tossed in turn, it is estimated that the position of the second line of defense would soon be razed to the ground.

At this moment, the enemy's planes dispersed in the air, changing their formations, and then dived down one by one, dropping bombs and strafing at the German troops occupying our positions.

This sudden change ~www.wuxiaspot.com~ not only stunned Colonel Sarren and me, but also stunned the German soldiers on the ground. So that when the first wave of bombs fell, they hadn't made any response, and they were blown up.

After the enemy plane was pulled up, they did not leave. They apparently regarded the troops on the ground as our army, and then dived down, continued to bombard and shoot, exploding their own infantry and tank soldiers.

At this time, the German infantry on the ground recovered. They launched dozens of white flare bombs into the sky, meaning: "Your own people, your own people." However, the enemy planes did not give up, and continued to bomb them reluctantly. Stop, the bombing continued for half an hour, and the bombing continued until there were no bombs.

Seeing that the enemy plane that had thrown out the bombs and the airborne machine gun bullets re-climbed, re-formed in the air, and flew into the distance. Colonel Saren, who had been watching the excitement with me, finally couldn't help but laughed, and said with a smile: "Damn Germans, you have today. You have also tasted the taste of being bombed by planes."

After laughing, he waved at me and decisively gave an order: "Comrade Oshanina, immediately call Captain Lukin and Lieutenant Colonel Gogoli, let them attack all the lines, and drive all the enemies to the Don River. Go inside." (To be continued...)