Burning Moscow

"Understand, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Kolobtin said solemnly: "I will tell the officers and soldiers that our battle is not only to defend our motherland, but also to fight for the honor of our soldiers."

Then, in the headset, I heard him tell the people around him: "You go and inform the commander below, saying that the opportunity to build merits lies in front of us, and whether we can make meritorious deeds depends on their respective performance." The person he had ordered gave an emotional agreement, and then I heard a rush of footsteps drifting away.

Seeing that Colonel Kolobutin understood what I meant, I politely said: "Good luck!" Then I broke off contact with him.

Seeing that I had deployed the mission to Kolobin, Cuikov and Shumilov went back to the table one after another and sat down. They sat there with Serjuk and Abramov who remained silent. A military commissioner chatting. To be honest, the four heads of the group army did very well today. Except for the mobilization of the air force, after the two commanders and deputy commanders called the front and air force commands, they almost remained silent for the rest of the time, completely reassured and bold. Let me command this battle.

I grabbed the belt around my waist with both hands and started to circle around the wooden table. The outcome of this battle is no longer my main concern. What makes me headache is that the German army not only has more tanks and artillery than us, but also their air force firmly occupy the air supremacy on the battlefield. In today's battle, if our army is not the main offensive side and has the advantage of force, perhaps it is our army that will be annihilated in the end.

While turning in circles, a communications staff officer stood up and reported to me: "Comrade lieutenant colonel, according to the report from the Frontier Observatory, our army's fighter plane has reached the battlefield and is engaged with the enemy. Fierce air combat. Since the enemy’s air strikes ceased, our participating troops have accelerated their attack speed."

This good news. Everyone could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. I asked again. After verifying the accuracy of this information, I raised my hand and looked at the watch, and told the operator: "Immediately get in touch with the two division commanders, Lyudnikov and Kuropatenko. Ask their troops. Where have you reached?"

The operator said loudly, picked up the microphone and started calling out loudly. Because the communication equipment carried by Lyudnikov was blown up in the airstrike, only the 157th division of the two divisions was left with a radio, so the operator called the communication code of the Kuropatenko division.

Unexpectedly, the radio operator almost screamed hoarse, and did not get a reply from the other party. My heart suddenly mentioned my throat again, and said that Lyudnikov and Kuropardenko would not be so unlucky. They had suffered an air strike just now, and now they can’t contact them anymore. It won’t be another accident. Right?

Seeing that we couldn't get in touch with the 138th and 157th Divisions, Cuikov and Shumilov couldn't sit still. The two came to the walkie-talkie side by side. Cui Kefu loudly ordered the operator: "Continue calling until you can contact them." The operator nodded quickly and speeded up the call.

Standing next to Cui Kefu with his hands behind his back, Shumilov said worriedly, "Comrade Cui Kefu, do you think these two divisions will encounter any unexpected situations?"

Cui Kefu looked at the operator who was calling. He turned his gaze to me again, raised his chin to me, and asked, "Comrade Oshanina, what do you think?"

Although my heart is like fifteen buckets fetching water-seven ups and downs, but still pretending to be calm and replied: "The two commanders, comrades, can't get in touch with the 157th division, maybe because they are marching. The radio doesn't have it. Power on."

"Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina," Shumilov was obviously a little uncomfortable compared to Cuikov's calmness. He hurriedly asked: "Are you sure you can't contact the two divisions because they are marching." , Is it because the radio is not turned on?"

I was a bit too full just now. When Shumilov asked, I could only bite the bullet and replied: "Yes, Comrade Commander, I can almost conclude that this is the case."

Shumilov narrowed his mouth and asked disapprovingly, "Is it really like this? Comrade Lieutenant Colonel."

"Comrade Commander." Cui Kefu stood up in time to relieve me. He said with a more certain tone: "I think Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina makes sense. You think the enemy's air attack was so violent, Lyudniko. He and Kuropardenko were both safe and sound. Now that the German plane has left the battlefield and there is no long-range artillery to support their infantry, the reason why we can’t communicate with these two divisions is the troops. During the march, the radio was not turned on, so we could not contact us for the time being. At present, all we can do is to wait and wait for Kuropardenko to contact us after they turn on..."

As soon as Cui Kefu said this, the operator's voice suddenly became sharp with excitement: "...Yes, yes, I am the command of the group army, I am the command of the group army." Then the operator turned around and reported to me excitedly. Said: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, we have contacted the 157th Division."

I quickly grabbed the headset and microphone that the operator gave me, and said loudly, "Hey! Hey! Hey! I'm Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, and are you Colonel Kuropatenko or Lyudnikov? Colonel?"

Colonel Lyudnikov’s familiar voice came from the earphones. He said slowly: “Report Comrade Lieutenant Colonel that the radio was not turned on because we were marching just now. At present, our two divisions have reached the designated positions, and the leading troops have already arrived. Turn fire to the enemy."

"How many troops in the two divisions are in place? Two regiments or three regiments?" I am worried that the trucks of the two divisions lost so much in the air strike by the enemy planes that it would affect the entry of most commanders and fighters. Time on the battlefield.

"More than that, except for two or three battalions still on their way, the rest of the commanders and fighters have entered the battlefield on standby. Just waiting for your order, they will pounce on the enemy like tigers down the mountain."

"Didn't you say that many trucks were destroyed by enemy planes in air raids? How can you and Colonel Kuropardenko put so many troops on the battlefield at once?"

"That's it, comrade lieutenant colonel. Our troops encountered the 137th tank brigade coming from behind as they marched into the battlefield. After consultation with the tank brigade commander, some of the walking commanders and fighters took the tanks. Some of them were driven quickly by trucks carrying ammunition and fuel. In this way, most of our troops arrived at the battlefield almost at the same time."

"The tank brigade is coming up too?!" I didn't expect that this tank brigade, which was not included in the plan at all, gave me a big surprise. I stabilized my emotions and said to Lyudnikov: "Comrade Colonel, don’t hesitate. Put you and the troops of Colonel Kuropardenko and the tank brigade into battle immediately. The action must be violent. We must destroy all the enemies in the shortest time."

Lyudnikov still replied unhurriedly: "Understood. Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. I will go and convey your order to both of them."

"Wait, Comrade Colonel." When I heard his lazy voice, I was always a little unsure. When I felt that he was about to interrupt the communication, I quickly called him again.

"Is there anything else to order?" From the earphones, I could hear Lyudnikov's tone with some perfunctory tone.

"Colonel Lyudnikov, whether you can completely wipe out this lonely and deep German army depends on whether your attack is swift and decisive. Tell the soldiers that the opportunity for meritorious deeds lies in front of them, and whether to strive for what belongs to them? Honor. It depends on their own efforts.” At this point, I deliberately paused, turned my head and looked at Cuikov and Shumilov standing beside me with a guilty conscience, and then pretended to say mysteriously: “According to reliable sources After the victory of this battle, the Supreme Command may select one of the several troops participating in the war to confer the honorary title of Guardian. Think about it, Comrade Colonel, this is an incomparable glory."

"Guardian!" Lyudnikov's breathing became thick, and it seemed that he was greatly stimulated by this honorary title. Then I heard him and the person next to him whispering because the voice was too small. I did not hear what they were talking about. After a while, his breathing gradually returned to normal. He coughed slightly and said in a firm tone: "Please rest assured, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, the 138th Division, the 157th Division and the 137th Tank Brigade must go all out. Never let an enemy escape."

"Good job. Comrade Colonel." I could not help but breathe a sigh of relief when I saw that my aggressive method had worked, but I still tried to maintain my composure, and said nonchalantly, "Now that I understand, then act now. I wish you again. good luck!"

When I put down the headset and microphone. Cui Koff laughed loudly and pointed at me with his finger and said: "Oshanina, you are so courageous, you dare to lie to them that the outstanding unit will be promoted to the guard division, and you are not afraid to wait for the battle. When it's over, they will come to you to settle the account after they find that they are fooled."

"Comrade commanders, I think Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina has done a good job." The military commissar Serjuk, who had been sitting at the table silently, stood up and said good things to me. "This is also a morale booster. Method. As long as this news reaches the ears of the commanders and fighters, the combat effectiveness and morale of the troops will be greatly improved."

Cui Kefu folded his hands on his chest, lowered his head and thought for a while, then raised his head and said affirmatively: "If Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina's method can really improve the morale and combat effectiveness of the troops, we can really. He raised his hand to look at his watch and continued to say, "I guess the battle will be over soon. I want to go ahead." Take a look."

"I'll go with you, Comrade General." Although I commanded this battle, I always talked about soldiers on paper. What was going on on the battlefield, and what I learned through telegram and telephone, I never saw with my own eyes. Come true.

Cuikov did not object, but said to Shumilov: "Comrade Commander, I will leave it to you here. I will go to the Reynock area with Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina."

Shumilov glanced at me and nodded in agreement: "Okay, I agree, and leave it to me. You must be careful when you go out and be safe."

Cui Kefu nodded, raised his leg and walked out. After saluting Shumilov and the two military commissars, I picked up the submachine gun leaning on the table and rushed out.

As soon as I left the house, I saw that little soldier Sidolin was standing beside Cui Kefu, raising his head to report something to him. Seeing me walking by, Sidorin smiled at me and asked in a friendly manner: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, hello! Do you want to go to the front with Comrade Commander?"

"Yes." I answered him with a smile. Then he turned his head and asked Cui Kefu: "Comrade General, will Private Sidolin also go with us?"

Cui Kefu nodded vigorously, instead of answering me immediately, he asked Sidorin to find the jeep first. After Sidolin left, he whispered: "Comrade Oshanina, you should remember what I said last time. I want to help Lieutenant Colonel Sidolin take care of his son, so no matter where he goes, I will take him with me."

There were not many people who followed me and Cui Kefu. There were only two drivers, Cidolin, a telegraph carrier, and a dozen guards.

As we get closer and closer to the battlefield. The rumble of guns became clearer. When the jeep was driving forward, Cui Kefu reached out and patted the driver on the shoulder, pointed to the front right, and said, "Comrade driver, park the car by the hillside."

After we got off the bus, we boarded the hillside. The battle is going on tensely. The view here is particularly wide. Through the telescope, you can clearly see the battlefield filled with gunpowder and the officers and soldiers of the two armies who are fighting to the death.

A few shells landed sparsely on the open space in front of our hillside, because the explosion site was a little far away from us. So Cui Kefu and I calmly looked at the battlefield in the distance with binoculars. Unexpectedly, Sidorin was frightened, he rushed forward, and took Trikov's arm to the back of the hillside.

Cui Kefu waved his hand and threw Xiao Xidolin away, shouting dissatisfiedly: "What are you doing. Didn't you see the enemy's shell landing far away from us?"

The enemy's artillery shells accidentally landed one or two hundred meters in front of us and exploded, but they did not pose any danger to us at all. Sidolin was anxious. With the explosion of the cannonball, he jumped in front of Cui Kefu for a while, and stood behind Cui Kefu for a while. Obviously he was worried about Cui Kefu's safety and was ready to use his body to protect Cui Kefu at any time.

Cui Kefu put down the telescope. Pointing to those bomb craters in the distance that were still emitting blue smoke, he explained to me: "Oshanina, you see, the enemy’s shells were scattered very scattered, which proves that their regiment’s artillery suffered heavy casualties under our army’s attack. . Their aimless beating is nothing more than a dying struggle."

Talking. On the battlefield filled with gunpowder smoke, one after another red flares rose into the sky. It turned out to be worried about Cui Kefu's safety, but Cidolin, who had been jumping around us, excitedly pointed to the sky and shouted: "Commander, Lieutenant Colonel, look at the sky. The sky is our flare. Our final attack has begun. The enemy is almost finished."

"It makes you happy." Cui Kefu deliberately sullen his face and said to Cidolin in a slightly reproachful tone: "Comrade soldier, although our army has taken the initiative on the battlefield, you haven't heard the gunshots but it is still very intense. Does this prove that the enemy is not reconciled to defeat, and is stubbornly resisting, still dreaming of having reinforcements to rescue them."

"Comrade Commander, do you think the enemy's reinforcements will come?" Sidolin asked curiously.

Trikov touched the helmet that Sidorin was wearing, and raised his chin to me and said, "Well, you can go to Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina for advice. You know, today's battle was under her command, General Shumilov and I It was for her."

Seeing Sidorin walking in front of me, without waiting for him to ask, I took the initiative to explain to him with a smile: "Sidorin, don’t worry, according to my analysis, the enemy’s reinforcements will not be available today at least. Coming."

"Why?" Although Cidolin asked this question, from Cui Kefu's expression, he also hoped to hear the answer from my mouth.

"According to my judgment, the 4th Army of the enemy’s tanks has just been transferred back from the Caucasus. After a long period of uninterrupted marching and fighting, they consume a lot of materials, so they have to stop and find a suitable one. The location to replenish the urgently needed ammunition and fuel. The two regiments that are deep alone should not carry much ammunition, otherwise our troops will not be so easy to fight."

"Oshanina, what do you think of what might happen next?"

Cui Kefu’s question is equivalent to another temporary investigation of me, so before I answer, I think about what I want to say in my head, and then calmly said: "Comrade Commander, this is how I think about it. : First, after the battle is over, except for a few troops to clean the battlefield, the rest of the troops quickly return to the original defense zone and build fortifications to counter the larger-scale offensive that the enemy may launch. Second, higher-level offensives are needed. Make a request to strengthen the necessary air defense force for our group army. Only in this way can we let the enemy planes be scrupulous and dare not attack us unscrupulously as we are now. I think of these two points now, and others. I’ll report back to you when I think about the content of ."

"Good point!" Cui Kefu said loudly, reaching out and patting on my shoulder, "Oshanina, after this battle, I believe that commanders at all levels of the group army will have a better sense of identification with you. I I intend to suggest to my superiors that you be formally appointed as the deputy chief of staff of the group army."

Although the deputy chief of staff is not as loud as the former chief of staff and commander of the 8th Guards Division in the 20th Army, at least there is no need to worry about being sent to various grassroots units like a soy sauce. That kind of temporary regiment commander, brigade commander, and the like.

Hearing the sound of guns in the distance gradually diminishing, Cui Koff let out a sigh of relief and said, "The battle is over. Let's go, Oshanina, let's go to the battlefield and have a look." After speaking, move away Stride towards the jeep down the hillside.

ps:

My heartfelt thanks to the book friends: old godfather, lonely guest, stf, dream cloud regret stone,,, I love off-road vehicles, rzyj,, drifting with the wind の一叶小舟, Hengfei の slab, Nian Guofeng, kjs12, jamestf The voted monthly ticket supports.