Burning Moscow

Cui Kefu looked around, nodded and said: "When the enemy is attacking, you don't need to place too much force in the front position, so as not to suffer unnecessary casualties under the enemy's artillery due to overcrowding in the trenches. Since this cave is so spacious, Then bring in the necessary weapons, ammunition and food as soon as possible, so that even if the enemy surrounds you, you can continue to fight with the favorable terrain here."

"Relax, Comrade Deputy Commander, we will carry out the work of moving materials when it gets dark."

When the two were talking, I kept murmuring in my heart. Could it be that my arrival has caused history to deviate? The first was Kolpakic, the commander of the 62nd Army. In later history, he was dismissed on August 3 and was replaced by Lopatin. A month later, Choikov replaced Lopa. Beijing. But now, although Kolpakchi’s commander position was replaced by Lopatin, and Choikov, as the representative of the front army, removed Lopatin from his position, but he did not serve as the commander of the 62nd Army. This position was also temporarily represented by Kolpakchi, who had just been released.

Besides, apart from Mamayev Hill, I have never heard of any highland battle between the Soviet and German armies near Stalingrad. The current situation seems to be that if there are enough weapons, ammunition and food stored in the cave, even if it hangs alone behind the enemy, it can last a long time.

While I was thinking about it, Cui Koff patted me on the shoulder and said, "Oshanina, we are going to the battlefield to have a look. Why are you standing here in a daze?" I looked up, Kolobtin and him. A group of subordinates are walking far away. Hastened his mind. Follow them and go out.

The access to the position is very narrow. Only one person is more than one meter tall and wide, and if two people meet face-to-face, they must be sideways to pass. I heard Cui Kefu who was walking in front ask: "Comrade Colonel, are the other passages leading to the position so narrow?"

"Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander." I heard Kolobtin replied simply: "Because the rocks here are too hard, we can't widen the original passage in a short time. But this is also good. The enemy is a fluke. If they rush in, their strength will not be deployed, and our soldiers will easily destroy them."

We left the cave and came to the trench. I looked at the dozen or twenty staff members crowded around Cuikov and Kolobtin, and I frowned. When the commanders are crowded together, when the observation posts on the enemy's positions are all blind? If they found out and a few shells flew over, Cui Koff and Kolobtin would be here to explain them all.

Thinking of this, I forcefully squeezed to Cui Kefu's side and reminded him in a low voice: "Comrade General. Don't you think there are too many people accompanying us on inspection?"

Cui Kefu looked around and saw the staff and guards crowded around him. I immediately understood what I meant by saying this, and then told Kolobutin: "Comrade Colonel, you can bring two people around with us, and the rest will return to their fighting positions."

Kolobutin understood, and quickly sent the extra people around, leaving only two staff officers. He led the way, leading us along the trenches. After walking a short distance, I saw a small hole as high as half a person on the wall of the traffic trench. It appeared to be an anti-cannon hole built by soldiers, and I quickly pointed it out to Cui Kefu.

Cui Kefu hurriedly stopped Kolobtin, who was walking in front, and went into the dirt hole to check himself. After a while, he crawled out from inside and said with satisfaction: "Comrade Colonel, your fortification is well repaired. Although this bomb shelter can only accommodate two or three people, they are all dug diagonally. Deep, even heavy shells can’t destroy such fortifications without a direct hit."

Kolobtin smiled honestly and said modestly: "In fact, this fortification is not my invention, but the contribution of Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina."

"My credit?!" His words made me feel confused and at a loss. I asked inexplicably, "Comrade Colonel, I don't seem to be in your division to give instructions to the soldiers. How to dig fortifications?"

"Yeah, Comrade Colonel, what is going on? I am confused by you." Cui Kefu also asked curiously next to him.

In the end, Kolobtin solved the mystery: "Many of the newly added soldiers in my division have been in the troops under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina. According to them, the comrades There are many strict requirements for construction. And it is this strict requirement that makes the troops under her command have far fewer casualties in previous battles than friendly forces."

"It turned out to be like this!" Cui Kefu suddenly realized after listening, and then he expressed his opinion on the fortifications he visited just now: "Comrade Colonel, I think you may have also noticed a problem, that is, our equipment conditions have not yet been obtained. Under fully improved conditions, how to counteract the enemy’s firepower advantage. Today, after seeing your newly built fortifications, I feel that this problem has finally found a solution. Your fortifications, with caves as the main body, pass through several passages with me The surface positions of the army are connected to form a complete defense system. The enemy does not attack. Once attacked, then we can let them come back and forth."

After Cui Koff said this, Kolobtin nodded and replied: "Comrade Deputy Commander, you are right. We must follow your instructions to turn the fortifications here into an unbreakable underground fortress and an enemy. A gate that can never be crossed."

At this moment, there was a screaming noise in the sky. "No, the enemy's shelling started!" Kolobtin shouted and threw Cuikov directly to the ground. I also squatted in the trenches in a hurry.

A shell exploded in front of the trench, and the mud that was lifted by the air wave crackled and hit my helmet. Then there were shells exploded near the front and back of the trenches, and the mud that was lifted up was scattered into the trenches.

Kolobtin got up from Trikov and asked with concern: "Comrade Deputy Commander, are you okay?"

Cui Kefu spit out muddy saliva and said jokingly: "I was not killed by a shell, but I was almost crushed to death by you."

"Let's go back to the tunnel." I shouted at the two of them.

Cui Kefu is not nonsense. Shouted: "Follow me!" Bend down and ran towards the entrance of the tunnel.

We entered the cave along the passage. The rumble of cannons was blocked by the thick mountain. It became inaudible, and our voices returned to our normal tones, without yelling loudly. For this sudden shelling, Kolobtin felt that he had an obligation to explain to Cuikov, so he said: "It may be that when the tunnel was excavated today, the blasting with explosives was too loud and disturbed the enemy. That's why. This sudden shelling."

Cui Kefu didn't mean to blame him at all. After looking up, he smiled and said: "I didn't expect that the mountain above this cave would be hit by enemy shells, and it would have no effect at all."

Kolobtin also echoed: "Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander. If the enemy wants to seize this position, unless the entire mountain is blown up, no matter how much steel they pour, it will be of no avail."

Kolobtin escorted me and Trikov out of the tunnel, and Cidolin, who had been waiting outside, immediately greeted him and asked, "Comrade General, shall we return to the headquarters now?"

Seeing Lingbing talking to Cui Kefu. Kolobtin pulled me aside and asked quietly, "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina. What do you think the enemy will use to attack our tunnel?"

I glanced at Cui Koff, who was still talking to Sidorin, and replied: "The entrance to the tunnel will be the focus of the battle between the enemy and us after the surface position is lost. The way the enemy can take is nothing more than recoilless at the entrance of the tunnel. The cannon fires at close range, explodes with explosives, and throws grenades into the tunnel. You only need to take countermeasures with a position, and the enemy's offensive methods will not work."

Kolobtin nodded vigorously, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said gratefully: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, thank you so much. Now that we know the methods the enemy may use, we can solve them one by one. ."

To calm his heart, I added: "Colonel Kolobutin, please rest assured that the group army will not let you fight alone. When the enemy is attacking the tunnel, you can ask the headquarters for help, and we can provide you with the necessary information. Artillery fire or air force support."

Seeing him let out a sigh of relief, I couldn’t help but continue to say: “Of course you can’t passively defend in the tunnel. You should use the night to organize a small group of platoons to attack the enemy’s sentry and blow up. The enemy’s fortifications must make the enemy difficult to eat and sleep. When they are exhausted, their attack on us will be greatly weakened."

Cui Koff finished talking with Sidorin, and turned around to find Kolobtin and I were talking to the side, and hurriedly greeted me: "Hey, Oshanina, what are you still talking about, hurry up, we're leaving."

I wanted to say a few more words with Kolobtin. Seeing that Cui Kefu was urging, I didn't dare to delay, and after a few brief explanations, I ran to Cui Kefu quickly.

In the jeep we went back, Cui Kefu's mood became better than ever. He said with deep feeling: "Oshanina, it seems that the role of this tunnel fortification is really not to be underestimated. Maybe they can really become enemies. Nightmare. When I return to the headquarters, I will report this experience to the front army headquarters, hoping to promote it throughout the army."

I also nodded and said thoughtfully: "Yes, I don't know other places. Anyway, we can hurry up and build tunnels on Mamayev Hill before the enemy reaches Stalingrad. ......."

Unexpectedly, I was interrupted by Cui Kefu when I was halfway through. He lowered his voice and said to me: "Comrade Oshanina, I remind you that your remarks just now are very dangerous. If they are heard by someone from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. , You may be sent to a military court."

What Cui Kefu said suddenly made me dumbfounded, what did I say? It seems that there is no prohibition. Even if the people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs heard it, they would not be able to send me to a military court for no reason.

Cui Kefu saw me still looking at him innocently, and couldn't help asking: "Oshanina, don't you know what you said wrong?" Seeing me shaking his head again and again, he said bitterly, " You actually mentioned the construction of fortifications on Mamayev Hill. You know, if anyone mentions the construction of fortifications on Mamayev Hill, it is equivalent to saying that the enemy is likely to approach this building, named after the Supreme Commander himself. The city. Well, it’s a ridiculous idea to put it better. It’s a ridiculous idea. It’s a sign of defeatism. Didn’t you see in the recent bulletin that there are many soldiers, including some civilians. Was it executed by the people of the Ministry of the Interior for treason for boasting of the speed of the German advancement on our territory and the forced retreat of our army?"

After listening to Cui Kefu's words, I was scared into a cold sweat. Is there any reason for this? I just said a few words from a military point of view, and I was charged with an unreasonable charge. Fortunately, Cui Kefu heard this. If it is heard by the people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, then the theory of retreating when necessary and trading space for time, and some complaints against commanders who are ineffective in command, shouldn't they also be charged with treason? Because my statement is to beautify the Germans and discredit the leaders of the party, the country, and the Red Army.

Because of Cui Kefu's remarks, my emotions were greatly affected, so that when I returned to the group army headquarters, my whole person was still in a state of depression and anxiety.

Seeing Trikov's return, Shumilov said emotionally: "Comrade Cuikov. You are back. I just have good news to tell you."

"Good news?" Trikov, who was pouring tea under the quilt, looked at Shumilov with a smile on his face. Tentatively asked: "Could it be that the front army sent us a reserve team?"

Shumilov nodded vigorously and replied, "Yes, there are 20,000 people."

"Twenty thousand people?!" Cui Kefu was taken aback by this number, his hands trembled, and a lot of spilled suddenly, I quickly took a rag to help him wipe the tea on the table. Cui Koff put the teacup on the table, shook the tea in his hand, and grabbed Shumilov's arm and asked anxiously: "Does the Front Army Headquarters really provide us with so many people?"

Shumilov nodded first, then sighed and said, "Although there are 20,000 soldiers, there are not many fighters with real combat experience."

Cui Kefu took the tea I handed him, and said disapprovingly: "Even if all recruits are recruited, I am not afraid. If they are scattered and integrated into various troops, after two battles, they will become veterans with combat experience."

Shumilov smiled bitterly and handed a document to Cui Koff, and said, "Let's take a look, my old buddy. When you finish reading it, you will understand everything."

Cuikov took a sip of tea with his head up, and after putting the teacup on the table, did he accept Shumilov's file. After reading it again, his brows frowned, and he said to himself: "Out of the 20,000 people, except for 500 soldiers from the correctional camp and grassroots commanders, the rest are actually from Gula. Re-education prisoners in the Ge Concentration Camp. Who made this idea? How can these people be packed into the army?"

Shumilov retrieved the document from his hand. Instead of handing it to me, he placed it in front of him, and pressed the document with his elbows with his hands folded. From his subtle movements, I guess this must be an extremely important document, except for him and Cui Kefu, including me, do not have the permission to read it.

Shumilov said to himself: "When I first heard that we were supplemented with 20,000 people, I was very excited. I did not expect that the front army headquarters specially emphasized that after these people arrive, they cannot be added to our existing troops. , But to form an independent force, dedicated to the most dangerous locations."

"Yeah!" Cui Kefu said in an interface: "And they can't add enough weapons to them. Are they going to fight with the Germans armed to their teeth with bare hands?" After speaking, he slammed his punch on the table. The tea cup next to it was shaken out again.

"Comrade Cui Koff, don't get excited." Seeing him so excited, Shumilov quickly calmed and said: "I guess what the superiors meant was to treat the 20,000 people as cannon fodder and put them in the most dangerous place to consume the Germans. ammunition."

"Consumption of ammunition!" Cui Kefu said in a mocking tone: "Not to mention 20,000 people, even two million people, German bullets can kill them all~www.wuxiaspot.com~ Calm, Comrade Cui Kefu, please keep it up. Calm!" Shumilov gave me a vigilant look and persuaded Cui Koff: "Since this is an order from a higher level, then we are not allowed to discuss it in private and can only execute it unconditionally. Are you right? Oshanin Comrade Na." His last sentence actually asked me directly.

After a moment of panic, I immediately pretended to be confused: "What are you talking about? Comrade Commander. You have also seen that I was wiping the tea on the table. What did the two commanders say, I did not hear at all. "I said this because the two were discussing military secrets. I heard their conversation at an untimely time. At this moment, I was worried that Shumilov would be on a whim and call someone to kill me.

Cui Koff waved his hand vigorously and said, "Okay, Comrade Shumilov. It doesn't matter if Oshanina knows about this. She is now the acting chief of staff of the group army, and she will still come into contact with this group of soldiers. . Rather than making a mess by then, it’s better to figure out how to arrange this group of soldiers in advance.” Having said that, he turned his head and asked me: “Comrade Oshanina, I ask you seriously, for this group of soldiers, do you think you should How to settle?"

Seeing Cui Koff speaking for me, the expression on Shumilov's face also became soft, and he agreed: "Yes, Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, let's talk about it, it doesn't matter if you make a mistake." (To be continued. ...)