Burning Moscow

Raskin returned to the headquarters of the group army that afternoon, leaving me in the residential area anxiously waiting for Khrushchev's thunderous fury. In fact, when talking to the military commissar of the Front Army, although he did not finish the rest of the story because of the air raid, I can guess that he would definitely say: "From now on, you have been fired!"

However, until dark, I did not receive any information from the front army headquarters, and even the communications from the group army headquarters remained silent.

After summoning Sergeikov and the others for a summary meeting of the battle, I completely figured it out. What should come is always coming, even if I want to avoid it, I can’t avoid it. Anyway, things have happened. As for what is waiting for me. My destiny is not in my control, let everything go with the flow.

Early in the morning, I was awakened by a rapid knock on the door. When I looked at my watch, it was just five o'clock, and the sky was not completely bright. I don't know if it was Razumeyeva or Telegraph 4 last night, so I asked out loudly: "Who? Is there anything?".

People outside may have heard my dissatisfaction, and the knock on the door stopped abruptly. After a while, I heard Razumeyeva's timid voice resounding outside the door; "It's me, comrade commander. The commander is online, and he wants to talk to you."

Hearing that it was the commander who was going to talk to me, I couldn't help but shudder. If I have to contact me so early, are you planning to inform me of the penalty decision of the Front Army Headquarters? After putting on my boots, I took a deep breath, walked to the door and opened the door.

Razumeyeva stopped at the door, and when he saw me going out, he quickly raised his hand to salute me. Repeat what I said earlier: "Comrade commander. The commander is online. He will also talk to you immediately."

Seeing the headset and microphone of the walkie-talkie placed on the table, I strode over. Razumeyeva took the lead, grabbed the headset and the microphone and handed it to me.

I put on the headphones, blew on the microphone, and said loudly, "I am Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina."

Immediately I heard the voice of a familiar but unexpected person: "This is Cui Koff, Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, I have an important task to hand to you." I didn't expect to call me. Not the commander Shumilov but the deputy commander Trikov.

"Comrade Commander, is that you?" Suddenly hearing Cuikov's voice, I still couldn't believe it, so I asked tentatively: "Where are you now?" I said to my heart why Khrushchev would suddenly change his sex, releasing Cuikov so soon?

"Where else can it be? Of course it is at the headquarters of the group army!" Cui Koff said loudly; "Oshanina, I heard Colonel Ruskin say that yesterday you saw that the enemy plane was about to attack Stalingrad and did not receive the superior's response. Some take it seriously, change their opinions without authorization, and report to General Zhukov by leaps and bounds, right?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." I gave Cui Kefu an affirmative answer. Finally, he said in a regretful tone: "Unfortunately, it is still a step slow. How is Stalingrad? Is the loss great?".

Cui Kefu sighed and said: "Hey. How do you say, yesterday's crazy bombing by the German army caused huge losses to Stalingrad. After the bombing, there was almost no complete building in the city. The civilian casualties were even more serious. The civilians killed in the bombing can be seen everywhere, and their stumps and limbs are scattered everywhere. The young people who are responsible for cleaning up the scene are scared to vomit on the spot when they see this tragic situation."

I didn’t want to continue this painful topic anymore, so I asked interactively: "Comrade Commander, you just said that there is a task to be given to our teacher. I don’t know what task? Although our division has not been formed for a long time, it has already been set up. It has been several battles, and the results are quite satisfactory."

"It is precisely because you played well that I am confident and bold to delegate this important task to your division." Cui Kefu seems to have forgotten. Two days before he was dismissed, he still had control over whether my division could capture the enemy. There is no confidence in the residential area, but now, he has plans to use our teacher as the main force.

I hesitated for a moment, and then cautiously asked; "General Cui Kefu, what mission do you plan to send our division to perform?"

"Yesterday morning, the enemy suddenly launched an offensive in Spardanovka. They concentrated their forces on the 158th Heights where the two battalions of the 154th Marines Brigade stood firmly. Due to the fierce fire from the enemy, the battle was carried out in the evening. The enemy was completely occupied, and the remaining troops were forced to retreat into the tunnel. I have ordered the 29th Division Commander Kolobtin to organize a counter assault this morning and restore the position that was lost yesterday.” At this point, Cui Kefu paused. , Increased his tone and continued: "The task of your division is to transfer a battalion to cooperate with Colonel Kolobutin's counterattack, and then cooperate with the troops remaining in the tunnel to recover the 158 highland."

After listening to Cui Kefu’s mission, I couldn’t help but hesitate. As a commander, I know the situation of the military division better than anyone. Let a group of soldiers who have not undergone military training and poor equipment to attack the enemy’s tightly defensive positions. It is for them to die.

Hearing my delay in replying, Cui Kefu became a little anxious, and urged: "Oshanina, what's the matter with you, why don't you speak?"

I replied somewhat stiffly: "Comrade Commander, you know that my troops are poorly equipped and lack sufficient military training. I am afraid they will not be able to take part in such battles if they are to be allowed to participate in such battles."

"Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina," Cui Koff said coldly in an official tone: "You have to figure out one thing. I am giving you an order, not discussing it with you, so you must execute it unconditionally. ."

Cui Kefu's attitude made me a little annoyed, but I could not lose my temper at him. I could only replied obediently: "Understand, Comrade Commander, I promise to complete the task." At this point, I pondered for a moment, and then went to him. Condition: "Comrade Commander, I have a request, and I hope you can agree to it. My troops are too poorly equipped. If I use such troops to fight the enemy, I may not achieve the desired goal even if I fight them all. I hope you can add some submachine guns and machine guns to our division to increase the firepower of the offensive troops."

After listening to what I said, Cui Koff smiled and said: "I thought you would make any conditions. It turned out to be this! Don't worry. I will contact Colonel Kolobutin. Let him add some more to you. In half an hour, the convoy I sent should be there, and the participating troops will take these trucks to the station of the 29th Division."

After finishing the conversation with Cui Kefu, I walked to the door and shouted at the outside: "Come here!"

As I shouted, a soldier ran over immediately, raised his hand to salute me, and asked politely: "Comrade Commander. What instructions do you have?"

I glanced at him and recognized him as a soldier in the guard squad, so I told him: "You immediately go and call the three majors, Sergeikov, Oleg, and Gaidar, and say I have something to look for them." The soldier agreed. Just about to turn and leave, I suddenly remembered two people, so I stopped the soldier and confessed to him, "Also, Lieutenant Morozov, commander of the artillery company, and Captain Pugachev, company commander of the eighth company of the second regiment. , Also call here together."

Received the notice from the soldiers. Several commanders came to the command post one after another, after they came in and saluted me. Without saying any unnecessary nonsense, I just sat down at the table and waited for me to assign them tasks.

When Captain Pugachev walked into the command post, everyone was shocked, especially the second regiment commander Oleg turned his head and asked me curiously: "Comrade Commander, what did you call Pugachev for?"

Pugachev heard these words from his head, and his whole body froze in place, with an awkward expression on his face. It's no wonder that before yesterday, he was a little-known company commander. When I deal with him, I didn't even ask his name. However, seeing his performance on the battlefield yesterday greatly changed my view of him. After he followed the troops back to the residential area, I also specially met him and asked his name.

When I knew his name was Pugachev, I also jokingly said that more than a hundred years ago, there was a leader of the insurrection army named Pugachev, and his troops have been active in the Volga River valley. You will not Is it his descendant? Captain Pugachev blushed at the time and even said that he had the same name. Although he was also a Cossack, he was indeed not a descendant of the hero.

Seeing him in an awkward situation at the moment, I quickly relieved him and said: "Major Oleg, Captain Pugachev was specially called by me. The things discussed at today's meeting are still related to him." Speaking of which, I turned to Pugachev and said, "Comrade Captain, sit down, we will have a meeting soon."

When I delivered Cui Kefu's order, the commanders present were silent. After a while, Gaidar said quietly: "It seems that no matter what our record is, the military division is an artillery force. Where there is danger, what task is the most difficult, it will all be completed by us."

"Major Gaidar, you are talking too much." Sederikov interrupted Gaidar's grievance unceremoniously, and said to himself: "Our soldiers from the punishment camp and the prisoners of the Gulag concentration camp. The formed troops were originally used to charge into battle or use them in the most dangerous places. What is the need to send these irrelevant complaints. Let me tell you the truth, if it is not the division commander who has been taking care of us all, when we are fighting, we will still There will be internal and external supervising teams to monitor closely, not to mention retreating, but if the charging speed is slower, it is possible to get bullets."

"Major Sergeikov is right," Morozov also helped, "I heard that in other units, soldiers of this kind in our division are organized into a commando team, which is used by the supervising team in the back. The machine gun surveillance allows them to carry out a daring impact on the enemy, and immediately make up for it after being killed. Anyway, after the battle is over, there will be no survivors in the assault team."

Morozov's words silenced everyone again, because everyone knew in their hearts that what he said was not alarmist, but **** facts. After a while, the second regiment leader Oleg asked: "Comrade commander, tell me, what should we do?"

I looked at everyone and said, "I plan to transfer five companies from the settlement to form a special battalion. Captain Pugachev will be the battalion commander...."

Hearing my name, Pugachev stood up suddenly from his seat and replied loudly: "Yes! I promise to complete the task."

I quickly raised my hand and pressed down, motioning him to sit down, and then said: "In addition to the infantry, I also plan to let Lieutenant Morozov bring two cannons with the army, because the equipment of our division is too poor and there is no artillery support. Our troops will incur huge casualties during the offensive."

As soon as I finished speaking, Gaidar stood up and offered to fight: "Comrade commander. The battle yesterday. You let Major Sergeikov take the command. Let me direct the battle today anyway."

"No, Major Heydar." Oleg immediately jumped out to express his opposition: "Your troops captured the Italian infantry battalion the day before yesterday. Yesterday, the troops under the command of Major Sergeikov wiped out the Hungarian battalion. It's my turn to command the troops!"

"Major Oleg, just because you have insufficient experience in commanding operations, you should give me alive Major Gydar to command a battle as dangerous as today." Sederikov also stood up against Oleg's voluntary recommendation. .

Hearing Sergeikov's words, Gaidar hurriedly got up and echoed: "Major Sergeikov is right. Major Oleg has inexperienced combat, and he may not be able to command a battle of this intensity. Comrade commander, still Let Major Sergeikov and I take the command!"

"Why?" Oleg said unconvinced: "If you and Major Sergeikov are in charge of the battle every time, then I don't have the opportunity to develop combat experience."

Seeing that everyone was about to quarrel in the command post, I quickly raised my hands and pressed down, and at the same time said loudly: "Be quiet, keep quiet for me!"

After everyone was quiet, I continued to arrange the task: "I declare: Today’s battle is a special infantry battalion. It is commanded by Captain Pugachev; the artillery responsible for providing fire protection is commanded by Lieutenant Morozov; I will come. As the commander-in-chief. Major Oleg came to serve as my deputy. Sederikov and Heydar stayed at the settlements to prevent possible attacks by the enemy."

The commanders here all know that I am talking about a unique character, so after I announced the list of players, although Sederikov and Gaidar were a little unhappy, they could only hide in their hearts and did not dare to argue with me in person.

Seeing Sergeikov’s frustrated expression, I comforted him and said, "Comrade Major, don’t be discouraged. From the current situation, this battle will not be over in a few months. Then there will be opportunities for you. Take the troops out to show off your skills. This time you will be wronged and stay to guard the settlement. You know, this is our foothold now. Once lost, we can only pass the Guards Division and the 208 Division in a desperate manner. The line of defense, back to your own station."

Hearing what I said so clearly, Sederikov also wanted to understand. He stood up and expressed his determination to me: "Comrade Commander, you can rest assured. As long as I and Gaidar are there, the enemy will not want to follow us. Took the settlement from his hand."

I took my troops on a truck provided by Cui Kefu. After driving for an hour, I entered the defense zone of the 29th Division and met a liaison officer who came to meet us.

When I got off the car, I couldn't wait to ask the liaison officer: "Comrade Lieutenant, where is your commander?"

"The division commander is on Height 165 and is organizing troops to counterattack the enemy." The second lieutenant saw that I wanted to return to the jeep, and quickly stopped me and explained: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, this is only two or three away from Height 165. Kilometers. There are mines planted by the enemy on the road ahead. Vehicles cannot pass. We can only walk from the small road to the 165th height.

Hearing this from the liaison officer, I had to gesture to Major Oleg, who had just gotten out of the car behind, to let the troops get out of the car. He understood my gestures, and hurriedly shouted at the back: "Everyone listen to my password, get out of the car!"

The soldiers jumped out of the truck one after another, listening to the commands issued by their company commanders, and began to line up beside the truck. I waved to Oleg again, and when he came over, I specifically told him: "Comrade Major, reserve a platoon of troops later to help Lieutenant Morozov's artillery carry artillery."

After finishing all these arrangements, I turned to the liaison officer and said, "Let’s go, Comrade Lieutenant, take me to your teacher."

The second lieutenant looked at the soldiers who were gathering, and said hesitantly: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, are we waiting for your soldiers?"

I waved my hand and said, "No, let's go to the division command post first, and they will catch up soon."

When I walked into the headquarters of the 29th Division in the 165 highland tunnel and saw me appear, Kolobtin immediately walked around the wooden table to greet me, gave me a bear hug, and said excitedly, "Too Alright, Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, as soon as your new force arrives, we will have greater confidence in regaining the 158th highland."

"Colonel Kolobutin," I ignored the continued exchange of greetings with him, but said straightforwardly: "Let’s talk about the current situation."

Kolobtin drew me to the table, pointed to the map above and said to me: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, come and see, after the enemy has occupied the 158th high ground defended by the 154th Marine Brigade, except for reinforcement In addition to the fortifications on the top of the mountain, a trench was built on the hillside to the east of the highland to connect the two lines of defense through traffic trenches. Since the distance between the 158 highland and the 165 highland where we are located is only 1,500 meters, once they regard it as a starting point for the offensive The pressure on us will increase exponentially. That’s why I reported to the group army headquarters and prepared to launch a counter assault today to try to take this high ground back from the enemy."

"What is the enemy's strength?" I asked coldly.

"According to the reconnaissance, the enemy has one company on the mountainside position. There may be two companies on the top of the mountain. At the same time, there are two tanks and a lot of mortars. The enemy's fortifications can be condescending when our army is attacking. Our troops carried out fire killing."

"Then what measures did you take?" Hearing that the enemy's defenses are so tight, I doubted whether my troops could rush to the 158th high ground.

"Before the attack, I plan to conduct shelling for half an hour on the enemy's fixed mountainside and mountaintop positions." At this point, he smiled embarrassedly, and then continued: "We must know that our cannonball reserves are also Not much, half an hour’s shelling is already our limit."

"Then how many troops do we have?" I continued to ask what I wanted to know.

"The Marine Brigade can deploy one battalion of troops, and I have two battalions in my division, so that almost one regiment of infantry will take part in the counterattack. Of course, I also have a tank detachment, and I will also let them charge with the infantry during the offensive. The infantry provides the necessary artillery cover." He said here, paused for a moment, and asked me: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, what is the strength of your division?"

"Five companies of infantry, with a platoon of artillery," I followed his tone after talking about the troops I brought, "These are the elite and powerful generals of my division, and they are also what I can send. The limits of troops."

After listening to my words, Kolobtin laughed loudly: "Yes, yes, five more infantry companies, at least our odds of winning are higher."

At this time, a lieutenant colonel walked to him and asked him in a low voice: "Comrade Commander, the attack time is up, can the shelling begin?".

Kolobtin raised his hand and looked at his watch, then nodded, and said in an affirmative tone: "Let's get started!"

The lieutenant colonel agreed, ran to the side quickly, picked up the microphone placed in the corner, and shouted loudly: "Hey, artillery battalion? The commander commanded the shelling!"

It didn't take much time~www.wuxiaspot.com~ There was a low explosion sound outside. Kolobtin shook his head at me and said, "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, let's go, let's take a look outside."

We walked along the tunnel to the trenches on the mountainside. Kolobtin led me to an observation station to observe the effect of our army's shelling on enemy positions.

At this moment, the 158th Highland, whether it is the mountainside or the mountaintop position, is enveloped by our army's artillery fire. Watching the rising flares and gunpowder, I nodded secretly and saw that the artillery of the 29th Division was not bad. The artillery shells It was very accurate, at least most of the shells fell in the enemy's trenches.

I pulled the sight of the telescope back and found that a circle of barbed wire was pulled at the foot of the mountain. Our army would definitely not place obstacles behind their positions. It seemed that they were all laid by the Germans overnight. Knowing that the Germans were behind the barbed wire, would they have planted mines.

Pulling his gaze back again, he saw the open ground between the two high grounds, full of craters dotted with stars. Regardless of whether it was bombed by artillery shells or by planes, anyway, when our tanks attacked, they would be affected by this special terrain, and would not be able to travel fast. I don't know if they will become targets for enemy anti-tank fighters. (To be continued...) ()