Burning Moscow

Before Cui Kefu put down the phone, I saw the staff sending the telegram walk into the headquarters again and hurriedly greeted him.

I thought he was sending the follow-up report of the Kolobtin report on the discovery of the cave, so I smiled and asked, "Comrade Staff, did you bring us any good news?"

The staff officer replied with a serious expression: "I'm sorry, lieutenant colonel, I am afraid I will disappoint you. Because this telegram was sent by General Kolpakchi of the 62nd Army, and the Germans are attacking the joint of our two armies. Because the enemy’s forces were too strong, Major General Barinov’s 98th Infantry Division, who was holding on to the area, had already retreated after fierce fighting."

Hearing this news, not only me, but also Cuikov and Shumilov were all discolored together. I didn’t expect the situation to be so serious. If the joint between us and the 62nd Army was breached, then the German army would be able to turn around from the north, not only. Cutting off our retreat to Stalingrad also made us lose the opportunity to replenish our troops and supplies. In that way, it is a question of whether you can retreat completely, let alone stick to the existing line of defense.

When I heard the name of the commander of the 98th Division, I couldn't help but stunned. I wondered if the original commander was not Major General Glazkov. Why was it replaced by Major General Barinov? Could it be that he was dismissed because of his defeat? It stands to reason not. The last time I followed Cui Kefu to command the counterattack by the Don River, the division's performance was still very eye-catching. Why did the division commander change in a blink of an eye?

Cui Kefu watched me muttering to myself, his face sank suddenly, and he shouted in dissatisfaction: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, why are you always absent-minded, what are you thinking?"

I was yelled by Cui Koff, and I immediately came back to my senses, and quickly explained: "Report to Comrade General, I am thinking how the division commander of the 98th Division has changed? You must know that during the Don counterattack last time, division commander Glazko General Husband and his deputy commander Xie Liaojin. They performed well!"

"I know they performed well, and when I reported the post-war summary, I truthfully introduced their heroic performance to the then commander of the Front Army, General Golddorf. Because the 35th Guards Division that arrived later did not have a commander for the time being. , So the commander of the front army transferred Glazkov as the commander of the Guards Division. At present, this division is responsible for the defense of the north of Stalingrad. The division headquarters is stationed in Mamayev Hill."

When I heard the number of the 35th Guards Division, my eyebrows could not help but raised. If I were not sent to the front, now I would be a well-known Guards Division Commander, and now I heard that my position as a Division Commander was being replaced by others. After replacing it, I was still quite disappointed. But then I think about it, General Glazkov is a commander who has experienced many battles, and he may be more appropriate than me to command this force.

"Comrade Cuikov, what should we do?" Shumilov ignored my gaffe. Straightforwardly ask Cui Kefu how to deal with the current unfavorable situation.

Trikov’s gaze scanned the map and issued an order directly to me: “Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, record the order: Colonel Kuropardenko’s 157th Infantry Division, Marines 66th Brigade, in the Tank No. Under the cover of the 137th brigade, we immediately attacked the side of the German army wedged between me and the 62nd Army. We carried out a counter-assault. We must severely damage this enemy, and if possible, we must resolutely annihilate it. In addition, restore our army’s original position. Later, the tank brigade and marine brigade returned to their original locations, while the 157th Division left emergency repairs to prepare to fight the enemy’s offensive in the area for a long time."

Cui Kefu spoke quickly. My recording speed can't keep up with the speed of his speech. I can only write a few strokes of important content. Anyway, I know what I'm writing. After recording his order, I deliberately asked: "Comrade General, since the 157th Division, 66th Brigade, and Tank 137th Brigade have all been transferred away, then the harassment of the German positions. Will it continue?"

After listening to my question and thinking about it for a while, Cuikov replied simply: "Let Colonel Lyudnikov continue to send troops to harass the German positions, and try to contain this enemy force, lest they deploy troops to reinforce them. The enemy wedged in the breach. In that case, our battle would be difficult to fight."

I walked quickly to the communications room next door, found the communications staff, and repeated the order given by Cui Koff to him, and asked him to immediately give the 70th Guards Division, the 157th Infantry Division, and the 66th Marine Brigade. , Tank 137th Brigade sent a telegram, asking them to act immediately according to the order.

The troops in the Orlovka area have been in a state of combat readiness. It took less than half an hour for a division and two brigades to complete the assembly and set off on the battlefield.

When the battle started, Cuikov had already contacted Kolpakchi, the acting commander of the 62nd Army, through a walkie-talkie that had just moved into the headquarters. He said loudly into the microphone: "Vladimir Yakovljevic, I have sent troops to attack the German flanks wedged in the joint, please immediately order the 98th Division to launch a counterattack. Cooperate with the actions of our army."

Unexpectedly, Kolpakic sighed and replied regretfully: "I'm sorry, Vasily Ivanovich, I have lost contact with the 98th Division, and I cannot give them combat orders for the time being."

After hearing this, Cui Kefu was shocked and asked in surprise, "How could this happen? Has the 98th Division been defeated by the Germans?"

"According to the Frontier Observatory, the enemy fired fierce shelling on the headquarters of the 98th Division before the attack. It was at that time that we lost contact with Major General Barinov." Kolpakchi said gravely. Said, "Maybe the division headquarters was destroyed by enemy fire, and the troops that lost command could not stop the enemy's attack."

Shumilov was originally holding a red and blue pencil and pointing on the map. Hearing Kolpakci's words, he slapped the pencil on the table and said angrily: "It's just a nonsense. Nothing. At the beginning of the war, one division headquarters was taken down. Thousands of commanders and fighters were defeated by the enemy steadily without a command. What's wrong with this?"

Cui Koff glanced at Shumilov who was furious, and said with a bitter face to the microphone: "General Kolpakchi, you should still find a way to continue to contact the 98th Division. If they do not contain the enemy, we will flanks. It is difficult to achieve greater results in a surprise attack."

After handing over the earphones and microphone to the operator, Cui Kefu also said to Shumilov with a displeased expression: "I have dealt with the commanders of the 98th Division, and they all behaved tenaciously in battle. Why did you change to a division commander? The troops can no longer fight?"

Shumilov waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about the 98th Division. Just ask Colonel Kuropardenko when they can attack the enemy's flanks. The 98th Division that retreats is covered to consolidate its position."

I quickly ordered the radio operator to call Colonel Kuropatenko of the 157th Division, intending to ask where their troops arrived. Unexpectedly, but couldn't get in touch again. Seeing that the troops could not be contacted, not only Shumilov but also Cuikov became anxious. He angrily ordered the operator: "Continue to contact, keep calling."

Ten minutes later, the operator handed the headset and microphone to Cui Koff and reported excitedly: "Comrade Commander, I have already contacted Colonel Kuropardenko."

Cuikov heard Kuropardenko's voice in the earphones, and immediately asked in a dissatisfied tone: "Comrade Colonel. Why have you not been in contact with the group army headquarters?"

The voice of Colonel Kuropardenko, who was suppressed by the fierce gunfire, came from the earphones: "Comrade Commander, we have been fighting. Because we couldn't find a suitable place to set up a radio station, we didn't communicate with the headquarters in time. get in touch."

Cui Kefu ignored the greetings with him, and said in a simple and clear way: "Report the progress of your battle."

"Report to Comrade Commander. After the tank brigade attacked, it quickly cut the German troops wedged into our defense line into two sections. At present, we are divided into two groups, and at the same time we launched an offensive against the enemies on the east and west sides. Due to the enemy’s The artillery fire was fierce, and our troops suffered heavy casualties in the offensive."

"Quickly occupy the position and consolidate it."

"Understood, I will execute it immediately."

Half an hour later. Kuropardenko once again reported that due to the enemy's fierce artillery fire and intensified counterattack, a newly occupied position was retaken by the enemy. The company that held the position returned only five people, three of whom were wounded.

"Comrade Colonel. Immediately organize troops and continue to attack the enemy under the cover of tank troops. We must take back the position and take it back!" Cui Kefu shouted hoarsely into the microphone.

Information sent back from Kuropardenko. We know that the battlefields are competing repeatedly one by one. Just as I was worried about the stalemate in the battle, there was an unexpected turnaround in the battle. Kuropardenko reported excitedly: "Comrade Commander, it seems that the troops of the 62nd Army have launched a counterattack, and the enemy in the east has begun to rout. "

"Great, Comrade Colonel!" Cui Kefu was also a little excited. "We must join forces with the friendly forces as soon as possible to eat all the enemies, and then turn around to eliminate the enemies in the west."

Cui Koff then contacted Kolpakchi via a high-frequency telephone: "Comrade General, my subordinates just reported to me that your troops are counterattacking the enemy. The enemy in the middle of our two troops is always in support. Can't help it."

"Vasily Ivanovich, I got a report half an hour ago that General Barinov, the commander of the 98th Division, was seriously injured in the battle just now, and the troops were temporarily under the command of the deputy commander Colonel Sergeykin. Because of them The army was defeated in the battle, so Colonel Selekin is currently gathering the army and is temporarily unable to cooperate with you, so I sent Colonel Yelmolkin's 112th Division to the battlefield."

I heard it next to me. Well, whether it's the 98th or 112th Division, they originally belonged to the 64th Army's combat sequence, and later they were assigned to the 62nd Army. Although the original division commander of the 112th Division was sacrificed, the commander of the division was taken over by Colonel Yermolkin, who has extensive combat experience, so the troops still maintained their original combat effectiveness. The 98th Division also changed a division commander, and the combat effectiveness of the unit was greatly reduced. It seems that there is really a raging soldier, and a raging nest.

With the participation of the 112th Division, the victorious scale quickly fell to our side. An hour later, Kuropardenko reported to us that the battle had ended successfully. The two German battalions wedged in our defenses were completely wiped out. The 157th Division is currently regaining the fortifications on the ground.

Now that he had won, Cuikov talked to Kolpakchi again.

Kolpakic asked curiously: "Comrade Cuikov, I would like to ask, why when the enemy attacks your preset position, sometimes it is difficult to capture your position even with heavy casualties?"

Cui Koff said lightly: "It's also very simple to say. When the enemy started shelling, apart from leaving a few observation posts. The rest of the commanders and soldiers were hidden in the fortifications. When the enemy's artillery stopped and the infantry began to attack, they jumped out to block. enemy."

Kolpakic said in a puzzled way: "Comrade Cuikov, I know this play was first thought of by Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina. But the question is. Everyone is playing this way, why our fortifications were destroyed by artillery fire. , And your fortifications have not been destroyed?"

"Perhaps there is a difference in the construction of the fortifications." Cui Kefu may have thought of the tunnel fortifications I have repeatedly recommended at this time, and replied vaguely, "In fact, we also use some methods. For example, the advancement of troops. Light and heavy, the front and the back are light in the weapon configuration. There is also the necessary retreat and decisive counterattack to restore some of the lost positions..."

After Cui Koff finished the phone call, he called me to his side and said, "Oshanina. Get ready. Let's go to Colonel Kolobutin and see how well his tunnel is repaired?"

Shumilov nodded when Hearing Trikov said this, and said, "I am here to take the overall picture. You can go to the front line with confidence. If this tunnel fortification really resembles what Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina said. If it is so effective, we can promote it in the entire army. Having a solid fortification can not only kill the enemy in large numbers, delay their offensive speed, but also reduce unnecessary casualties of our army."

This time, apart from me and Cui Kefu, there were only Sidorin and a driver. Because there was no notification in advance. Our jeep drove to the height of 165 in Spardanovka before being spotted by the 29th Division patrol.

A sergeant stood in the middle of the dirt road, waving his hands to block our way. On the side of the road stood seven or eight soldiers with various weapons. The driver slowed down, and at the same time turned to look at Cui Kefu, waiting for his final instructions. Cui Kefu looked at the soldiers outside. He didn't say anything, just nodded to the driver. The driver immediately parked the car on the side of the road, knowingly.

The sergeant trot over, slightly bent over and looked into the car, then walked to the driver's window and asked politely, "Which part of you are you?"

Did not wait for the driver to speak. Sidolin, who was sitting in the passenger seat, said loudly: "I said Comrade Sergeant, don't you see General Cui Kefu sitting in the car?"

The sergeant bent down again and looked back, stood up straight and took a step back, and raised his hand to salute: "Hello, Comrade Deputy Commander."

Cui Kefu pushed the car door, leaned out and asked the sergeant, "Comrade sergeant, where is your division commander Colonel Kolobtin?"

The sergeant turned around and pointed to the hill behind, and said loudly: "Report to the deputy commander, the division commander is on 165 high ground, checking the construction of the tunnel fortification."

"Get in the car and take us over!" After Cui Kefu said this, he retracted his body and closed the car door smoothly.

Although Cui Koff let the sergeant get in the car, he couldn't really get in the car. He grabbed the door and stepped on the pedals, standing outside the driver's door, and showing the way for our driver.

We got off the car more than a hundred meters away from the cave. Before we reached the entrance of the cave, Kolobtin, who had received reports from his subordinates, greeted us from the cave. Still staying far away, I greeted Cui Kefu enthusiastically: "Hello, Comrade Deputy Commander, what do you think of coming to our division's defense?"

Cui Kefu replied lightly: "I'll come to you to see how well the tunnel fortifications have been repaired?"

Hearing that Cui Koff was here to inspect the fortifications, Kolobtin said excitedly: "It's almost repaired, Comrade Deputy Commander, please come with me, and I will show you the way."

We followed him into a cave that was as tall as one person and five or six meters wide. Walking along the wide passage for more than a hundred meters, the view suddenly became clear. This is simply a wide underground square. Even if a group of people stand here, it will not appear too crowded. With the help of a few steam lamps hung on the wall inside the cave, I saw that in the corner on the right, there were hundreds of large wooden barrels piled up, and the gunpowder inside should be the gunpowder reported by Kolobtin on the phone. There are white cloth bags piled in the corner on the left, possibly moldy flour.

Kolobtin also triumphantly introduced to Cui Kefu: "Comrade Deputy Commander~www.wuxiaspot.com~ You see only the first floor, and there is a warehouse of the same size below, and seven or eight lines extending in all directions. Passage. After a day's hard work, the engineers have connected two of them to our position."

Cui Kefu watched all this with interest, and asked Kolobtin enthusiastically: "Comrade Colonel, have you figured out, why is there an underground arsenal here?"

"I understand it all," Kolobutin said, and took a large book that seemed to be old from the officer next to him. He patted the dust on it. After turning a few pages, he opened the book. Passed it to Cui Koff, and continued: "Comrade Deputy Commander, you see, there is a record on it: In order to incorporate Chechnya into the territory of the Russian Empire, the Tsar fought a war with Persia and the Ottoman Empire, which was trying to encroach on here. This arsenal. It was built secretly by an army of Tsarist Russia. If we don’t dig tunnels fortifications, it is estimated that this arsenal will still sleep silently on this hill."

Cui Kefu took the book and flipped through it, and asked, "Comrade Colonel, if you are allowed to stay in this cave, how long can you stick to it?"

Kolobtin hurriedly straightened his body and replied confidently: "As long as there are two regiments and sufficient supplies, I can stay here for at least three months."