Burning Moscow

Although the commander of the 64th Army was General Shumilov, Cuikov was only the deputy commander. But in my opinion, Cui Koff is more like a commander, he is giving orders most of the time, and Shumilov is almost a soy saucer. The reason for this phenomenon may be that before the formation of the group army, when it was the reserve army of the base camp, it has always been under the leadership of Cuikov, so his prestige among the commanders is much higher than that of Shumilov.

Hearing Trikov’s talk about strengthening the defensive force in the Reynok-Orlovka area, I couldn’t help but ask curiously: “Comrade Commander, our group army has two to three divisions and brigades in each section of the above-mentioned area. The troops? Could it be that so many of our troops can't defend the existing line of defense?"

Cui Kefu sighed slightly, and said helplessly: "Although these troops have been strengthened to a certain extent, because they are recruited by recruits, the combat effectiveness of the troops has not only not increased, but has weakened. In the days to come. , We will face a more cruel battle. I know you have many ideas. Do you have any good ways to improve the combat effectiveness of the troops in the short term?"

I stared at the number of the 229th Division in the Reynock area on the map, and said thoughtfully: "Comrade Commander, I followed Colonel Saren in the day before the enemy’s encirclement. A new tactic: wheel warfare!"

"Wheel war?!" When Cui Kefu heard this new term, his eyes lit up, and he asked quickly: "This is the first time I have heard this statement. Hurry up and give me a detailed introduction. What is going on?"

Wheel battle, this was created in Shangganling. And in the two-mountain round battle to carry forward the tactics. It is not known at the current stage. In order for this tactic to be available in advance and to be promoted, I began to spare no effort to promote to Cui Kefu: "At that time, I discovered that after the cruel battle, the troops under Colonel Sarin had many organizational names, in order to avoid the command confusion caused by multiple organizational systems. , I suggested to the colonel to adopt wheel warfare, one company after another, and each company would only fight for one day regardless of casualties. Then they would withdraw to rest, and the company commander would stay as an adviser to the latter company commander. Circulation. In this way, not only can we avoid command confusion, but also each company can save a group of combat backbones. Once recruits are added to these companies, their combat effectiveness will increase rapidly."

Cui Kefu asked faintly, "How is the effect of this tactic?"

I nodded vigorously and replied: "The effect was not bad. Since we only had to stay on that position for one day, each company would withdraw to rest after only one battle. As for the combat effectiveness of Colonel Sarren’s troops. You probably saw it in this counter-assault."

Cui Kefu nodded approvingly and said: "The battle has improved the combat effectiveness of the troops. At the same time, it also retains a group of valuable combat backbones. Yes, yes, this style of play is really good!" After he finished his last stroke, He looked up at me and asked, "Is there any other way?"

I thought for a while, and then said: "Because the Germans attacked too fast in the early offensive, their armored units are currently facing the situation of lack of fuel, insufficient ammunition, and the soldiers are extremely fatigued, so they will not be in two or three days. Launch a large-scale attack on the defense area of ​​our group army. We can use this favorable opportunity to organize small teams to carry out uninterrupted night attacks on the enemy, so as to exhaust the exhausted enemy army and buy time for the main force to adjust and deploy to prepare for a large-scale counterattack."

Originally thought that after I finished speaking, Cui Kefu would express his own opinions and pointed out the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of fighting. Unexpectedly, he asked intently: "Anything else?"

It seems that the tactics I proposed aroused Cui Kefu's interest, but it was not comprehensive enough, so he asked this question. Instead of answering his question immediately, I lowered my head and meditated, trying to recall the information I saw in the afternoon.

Seeing that I hadn't responded for a long time, Cui Kefu was a little anxious, and urged: "Apart from the two methods of wheel warfare and night attack, do you have any other ideas?..."

In just a short period of time, I have worked out a detailed plan in my mind based on the information I have in the afternoon. I smiled and said to Cui Kefu: "Comrade Commander, I have a plan and I want to report it to you."

"Plan?!" Cui Kefu glanced at me in surprise, stretched out his hand to make a sitting position, and then asked: "What plan? Let's listen."

After I sat down next to him, I moved the map in front of him, pointed at the defense areas of the divisions, and introduced him: "Comrade Commander, please see, whether it’s the 214th Infantry Division or the 229th Infantry Division’s defense. The Reynok area is still the Orlovka area defended by the 70th Guards Division and the 157th Infantry Division. Except for a few hilly areas, almost all of them are grasslands. It is impossible to build strong fortifications. In order to last as long as possible To block the Germans’ attack, they must increase the depth of their defenses. The terrain of the Spardanovka area is much more complicated. The two highlands of 158 and 165 in this area can build strong fortifications. If we focus on the defense of the group army here, not only will it consume a large amount of enemy forces, but it will also relieve the pressure on the troops defending Stalingrad."

Trikov tilted his head and stared at Spardanovka on the map, and looked left and right for a long time without speaking. After waiting for a long time, he took a cigarette in his mouth, took a deep breath after lighting it, and finally said, "Tell me about your plan!"

I pointed to Spardanovka and said to him: "Comrade Commander, in order to strengthen the defense system in the area, I would like to organize a large number of digging pits on the basis of the existing fortifications on the 158 and 165 highlands. Road. The tunnel can not only store materials, but also become a concealed place for the commanders and fighters to air defense and artillery. The garrison mainly relies on the tunnel and uses the existing fortifications on the position to defend. The enemy's tanks are limited by the terrain. Provide artillery cover for the attacking troops at the foot of the mountain. Without tanks directly participating in the fortification, we can quickly eliminate the infantry who went up the mountain."

"If the enemy attacked the mountain with superior forces. It occupied our position. What should our troops do? Retreat into the tunnel and wait to be passively beaten. Will the enemy be wiped out a little bit by the enemy?" Cui Kefu deserves to be experienced in battles. The rich commander pointed out the disadvantages of tunnel warfare sharply.

After talking about his worries, Cuikov yelled to the outside: "Come here!" Then he ordered the staff who came in: "Comrade staff, you go to Commander Shumilov, as well as military commissioners Serjuk and Abu Ramoff and the others called and said that Cuikov had important things to discuss with them."

After the staff left, he might have seen a disappointed expression on my face, and he even comforted me: "Comrade Oshanina. I think your plan has a certain degree of operability. Wait a moment. After Commander Shumilov and the others came, we discussed and discussed together."

The staff's actions were quite fast. In less than five minutes, Shumilov, Serjuk, and Abramov all arrived one after another. At this time, I definitely didn't dare to sit still in Tuoda, and quickly got up and saluted the three of them.

Shumilov walked to Cui Kefu's side and asked strangely: "Comrade Cui Kefu, you have hurried to call a few of us at this moment. Is there anything important?"

After waiting for a few people to sit down, Cui Kefu gave some suggestions I just made. Especially the excavation of tunnels on the 158 and 165 highlands in Spardanovka, I said it again.

After Cui Koff finished talking, the three people who had just arrived stared at the map for a long time, and Serjuk took the lead and said: "Comrade Oshanina, I want to ask a question: If the enemy has occupied our fortifications, our What should the troops do? Should they withdraw into the tunnel or continue to withdraw into the city of Stalingrad? If they retreat into the tunnel, they may be blocked by the enemy in the tunnel as General Cuikov feared and be wiped out little by little; to Stalinger If we retreat, won’t we make the Germans cheaper if we hoard the materials in the tunnel?"

"Yes, I also think that the concerns of Comrade Military Commissioner are quite reasonable." Shumilov immediately echoed Serjuk's statement.

Seeing that the four giants of the group army were all there, they were all waiting impatiently for my answer, so I calmly said all my thoughts: "Commander, deputy commander, two military comrades, I Now I will introduce my thoughts to you in detail.

This is what I think: In future battles, the garrison will mainly rely on tunnels and use the existing fortifications on the position to defend. As for Comrade Military Commissioner’s concern about where our troops will withdraw after the enemy has occupied our positions, I can answer you very clearly here and withdraw into the tunnel.

Of course, sticking to the tunnel is just a last resort method to preserve vitality, exhaust the enemy, and win the time necessary for counterattack preparations when the surface position is lost. Moreover, the struggle in the tunnel must be maintained for a certain period of time when the personnel and material conditions in the tunnel permit, and the communication with the superior is unblocked, and the opportunity must be taken to replenish the combatants and materials needed in the tunnel in a timely manner. The tactical, firepower, material, and spiritual support of the deep forces.

At the same time, the tunnel troops must also actively organize small-scale sneak attacks, assaults, harassment and other combat activities in squads and platoons to counterattack or contain the enemy occupying the surface position. The deep force must organize snipers or artillery to suppress the possible damage to the tunnel entrance by the enemy, and effectively protect the integrity of the tunnel.

As for the basic method of restoring a surface position, it is to organize a strong counterattack. The specific method can be the troops in the tunnels, and the reinforcements we send out to cooperate with each other, and the inside and outside should be combined; you can also move the troops into the tunnels in advance, and then rely on the tunnels to launch a counterattack. .

Of course, our counterattack against the surface positions does not necessarily work every time, so we also need to educate the troops that persist in fighting in the tunnels, and have sufficient mental preparation and sufficient material to fight for positions repeatedly, so as to ensure our position. Become an unbreakable fortress. "

After listening to my words, all four of them were stunned. Four pairs of eyes stared at me intently, and I lowered my head in embarrassment.

With a loud "pop", I looked up and saw that it was Shumilov who was screaming for my plan: "Genius, Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, you are a genius. If you just mentioned the plan, If it can be implemented immediately, I believe that the enemy's offensive will be effectively suppressed by our troops in the Spaldanovka area." That said. He turned his head and asked Cui Kefu: "Comrade Cui Kefu. What do you think?"

"This plan sounds very attractive. But it is not so easy to implement." Cui Kefu hesitated for a moment, but poured cold water on all of us, "I believe everyone knows how much work is needed to excavate the tunnel. Excavation on the two high grounds of 158 and 165 alone would not be completed in less than ten and a half months. After the tunnel is completed, it will take another three to five days to transport materials inside. You think the enemy will give us this. Long time?"

Cui Kefu's words. Suddenly everyone became silent, because they all understood that what he said was the truth. Although I also think that Cui Koff made sense, I still don’t want to give up easily. After all, I am copying a "Shangganling" for Stalingrad. Once it can be implemented, this place will become an insurmountable gate for the moral army. .

After a long period of silence, Serdjuk first opened his mouth to break the silence in the headquarters: "Although what Comrade Cuikov said is true, I think I should try Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina's plan once. After all, this kind of defense system, It is far beyond the common understanding between us and the enemy. Even if the enemy takes over the surface position of our army, a large number of troops are bound to be contained in this area. In this way, the pressure on the defenders in Stalingrad can be greatly reduced. ."

After Serdyuk finished speaking, Abramov also said carefully: "Yes, I agree with Comrade Serdyuk. Although our existing engineering force cannot complete two highland tunnels at the same time, we can choose one for construction. We can gradually complete the remaining one in the gap between the battles."

After hearing the words of the two military commissars, Cui Koff did not express his opinion again, but asked Shumilov: "Comrade Commander, I don't know what instructions you have?"

Shumilov was sitting in his place, staring at the map on the table, and spinning a pencil in his hand. After hearing Cui Kefu's question, he threw the pen in his hand on the table, leaned back in the chair, closed his eyes and meditated. Seeing that the commander was considering the problem, no one disturbed him, just watching him silently, waiting patiently for his answer.

After a while, Shumilov opened his eyes and sat up abruptly. After his eyes were swept over everyone, he said: "I think this matter should be reported to the Front Army Headquarters immediately. And the opinions of Deputy Commander Golikov.” When Shumilov said this, my heart was chilled. It seems that he is an indecisive commander, and he is not well known under his command. , I have a chance, I still think of a way to quit.

Shumilov grabbed the phone on the desk, dialed a number, and said politely: "I am General Shumilov, commander of the 64th Army. Please transfer me to Comrade Commander of the Southeast Front. I have important things. Need to report to him immediately."

The operator also said politely: "General Shumilov, please wait a moment, I will connect you to General Glikov, the deputy commander of the front."

After a short wait, General Golikov’s familiar and somewhat unfamiliar voice came from the microphone: "Is it General Shumirov? I’m Glikov. Call me so late, what can I do? Is it important?"

"Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Shumilov replied politely: "We are just now studying how to strengthen the defense along the Renok-Spardanovka-Orlovka line. power."

"Did you find any results?" Golikov asked coldly, perhaps because of the dissatisfaction that Shumilov had disturbed him at this time.

Shumilov didn’t care about his indifferent attitude, so he told Golikov about the plans I just made, and at the end, he repeatedly emphasized the importance of digging tunnels on existing defensive positions. He added: "...This plan of Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina is to use tunnel fights and squad counterattacks as the main means to consume exhausted enemy forces and buy time for the main force of the group to adjust and deploy to prepare for a large-scale counterattack."

After listening to Golikov, he did not immediately express his position, but his attitude towards Shumilov was much more relaxed. He cautiously said: "General Shumilov, please wait a moment, I will report this plan to Ye. Commander Leomenko, ask for his opinion. After he has specific instructions, I will call you again." After speaking, he hung up without waiting for Shumilov to speak~www.wuxiaspot.com~ Phone.

During the ten-minute wait, the five of us stared at the phone on the table intently. In my heart, I hope that the phone will ring sooner, but I am afraid that it will ring. When the phone rings, I can know whether my plan has been passed in the front army headquarters; I am afraid that the phone will ring, but I am worried that it will be directly rejected by the superior. The Soviet army has no experience in relying on tunnels for defense. It's hard to say that the style of play that only appeared after a year.

So when the phone on the desk rang again, I was nervous and could hardly breathe. I covered my chest with one hand and held the edge of the table with the other, panting heavily. Cui Kefu patted my back lightly and asked with concern: "Oshanina, what's the matter with you?"

I tried to squeeze a smile on my face, and replied calmly, "Comrade Commander, I'm nothing but a little nervous."

Golikov's answer on the phone was also quite concise: "General Shumilov, Commander Yeremenko, after hearing your plan, only said two words: absurd, confused!" He just hung up after speaking. Phone.

Shumilov put down the phone and said with a ferocious face: "Comrade Oshanina, sorry, your plan was rejected by the commander of the front army." (To be continued...)