Burning Moscow

After repelling the two rounds of the German offensive, the communications in the observation post suddenly became so busy that after I finished speaking with Morozov, there was no time to pay attention to him.

I thought that the German army would not only advance from the south to Stalingrad, but even the defense zones of the former 29th Division and the 7th Guards Division in the west might also have Germans. So I called Ke Sijia, the commander of the third regiment who was in charge of guarding that direction, and asked with concern, "Lieutenant Colonel Ke Sijia, how is the situation there? Are you German now?"

Corsica immediately replied: "The report division commander, according to the scout report, the German army pressing from the west has occupied the two highlands of the original 29th Division and the 158th and 165th of the 154th Brigade of the 6th Navy of the Navy, and the Guards To the west of the 7o Division’s defense line, the settlement that was once recovered by our division."

"Is your headquarters built in the original division headquarters of Colonel Lyudnikov?" When I asked him these words, I couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed. When I gave the order yesterday, I was confused and asked him to set up the headquarters. The division headquarters of the 2o8th Division, you know, that position is more suitable for Gaidar to establish his fourth regiment headquarters. As a result, when Corsca took over the defense at night, he discovered my mistake. After asking me for instructions, he took the initiative to transfer his command to a new position.

"Yes, my comrade commander is absolutely correct." After he gave me an affirmative answer, he took the initiative to say: "In addition, the artillery battalion we took over, I have already sent manpower to help them hide."

"Very well, let the artillery battalion remain hidden. And your troops, Lieutenant Colonel Corsca, closely monitor the enemy's movements. If they have not sent troops to occupy your defense zone. Try not to engage them...."

I didn't wait for me to finish. Razumeyeva next to me suddenly said to me in a low voice: "Teacher Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg is online. He has important military information to report to you."

"What's the matter? Lieutenant Colonel Oleg." I put on the headphones and asked hurriedly.

"Report to the commander," Oleg reported excitedly: "According to the scout report I sent, the main force of the 29th Division of the German Motorized Infantry is staying five kilometers away from our regiment. They may have gotten it. After the news that the vanguard troops were repelled, they have stopped advancing and are gathering in the area."

The enemy's large forces immediately rushed over. I don't know if we can stop it with our current fortifications, but you are as excited as if you have picked up a gold ingot. Thinking about it this way, the tone of his speech inevitably became a little harsh: "Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, what on earth do you want to say?"

But Oleg didn’t seem to notice my bad attitude towards him. Instead, he continued to report: “Just now we captured 36 German cannons. Since the tractors were all broken, it’s impossible to pull them back. That’s what I think. Instead of blowing up in vain, it’s better to turn the muzzle and bombard the assembled enemy."

Listening to Oleg said that, I remembered that I had also used German shells to hit Germans. It seems that this matter is worth a try. Anyway, I planned to use gunfire to teach the Germans who were camping. Now serve them an appetizer first. Thinking of this, I took the microphone away from my mouth and turned to ask Morozov: "Captain Morozov, do you know how the German artillery organization is?"

Morozov was originally sitting by the wall. Hearing my question, he quickly stood up and reported to me: "Report to the commander, the German artillery regiment consists of four artillery battalions, each with 18 artillery pieces. Before the war, they were Two battalions of 75mm cannons, one battalion’s 10.5mm howitzers, and one battalion’s 15omm howitzers. After the Great Patriotic War broke out, the Germans began to increase their firepower in a planned way and eliminated the 75mm cannons. It became two battalions of 10.5mm howitzers and 2 battalions of 15omm howitzers. The artillery that shelled our positions just now should be two battalions of 10.5mm howitzers."

After listening to Morozov this professional, I nodded and said into the microphone: "Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, you first order the soldiers to turn the artillery over, and I will let Captain Morozov go over and help you immediately."

"Understood, I immediately ordered the soldiers to turn the cannon around. Also, I have just sent a truck to pick up Morozov and his soldiers. With them, the accuracy of our shelling can be improved."

Putting down the earphones and microphone, I said to Morozov: "Comrade Captain, don't you want to avenge your subordinates? Now I give you a chance to take someone to Lieutenant Colonel Oleg immediately. He just took you The cannons of the two German artillery battalions mentioned were captured. Go and help him teach the Germans with these cannons."

Hearing my order, Morozov's eyes lit up, and after a resounding agreement, he saluted me again, turned around and ran out of the observation post.

Gaidar called again and said excitedly on the phone: "Report to the commander, the results of our regiment have been counted. The two battles killed 775 German soldiers, wounded 2oo people, captured 138 people, and seized 81mm mortar 8 Door, 3oo shells; 12 heavy machine guns, 237 submachine guns, and more than 100 rifles. Our regiment killed 11 people and injured 83 people in the battle."

After listening to the results he reported, I also specifically asked: "Comrade Gaidar, did all the seizures you mentioned were seized by your regiment, or were they seized by the second regiment?"

"Reporter commander, it was all seized by our regiment. All the materials seized with the second regiment, I asked the soldiers to give it to the second regiment."

I nodded with satisfaction and said with satisfaction: "Very well, I will count the seizures of the second regiment, and then I can report to the group army command."

I first contacted Perskin, the commander of the tank squadron. I didn't care about the greetings, but asked straightforwardly: "Captain Perskin, I have seen the performance of your tank squadron, and played well! Now you report to me the results of the tank unit."

When Perskin heard my question so directly, he was obviously taken aback, and then replied: "Report to the commander, my unit has destroyed 25 enemy tanks and 115 trucks, and captured 36 German howitzers."

I was shocked when I heard that he had destroyed more than 10 trucks. Xin said I didn't see the enemy have so many trucks? But think about it again. Maybe these trucks are used to transport troops. In order to prevent it from being destroyed by our artillery fire, it stopped in a place where I could not see it. Regarding his achievements, I can’t help but encourage a few words, and at the same time issued a new order: "Captain Perskin, I will give you a new task now. You will immediately lead the tank detachment to Lieutenant Colonel Oleg. The artillery position where they are located provides cover for them to prevent the enemy's sneak attack. After the mission is completed, you will withdraw to the defense zone of the Fourth Regiment."

When talking to Oleg, I didn’t wait for him to speak, so I said first: "Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, tell me the results of your regiment. Remember, you don’t need to report about the 36 howitzers, just say something about me. What you know."

Hearing what I said, Oleg smirked a few times, and then said: "Report to the commander, after my regiment attacked. 538 enemies were killed and 129 were injured. 74 were captured. Three 81mm mortars were captured. , Shells 2oo; 4 heavy machine guns, 185 submachine guns, 127 pistols, and more than 4oo rifles. The whole regiment sacrificed 11 people and wounded 25 people."

I collected the results of two infantry regiments and one tank unit with artillery companies and reported them to Cui Kefu. After hearing Cuikov’s low voice in the headset, I immediately reported to him happily: "Report Comrade Commander, the results of our division have been counted. After two battles, our division destroyed 37 German tanks. 5 armored vehicles and 14o trucks killed 146o of the enemy, wounded 542 people, captured 229 people, and seized an armored vehicle, seized 36 10.5-mm howitzers and supporting artillery shells, 11 81mm mortars, 5 artillery shells , 16 heavy machine guns, 422 submachine guns, 127 pistols, and more than 14oo rifles."

After listening to Cui Koff, he burst into laughter. He said excitedly: "Oshanina, it seems that after leaving you to cut off, I really chose the right person. In such a short period of time, I took almost the Germans. A motorized infantry regiment was killed." At this point, his tone changed and he asked with concern: "How about the casualties of the troops?"

"More than two hundred casualties were made, of which 121 were sacrificed." Although I knew that fighting would kill people, I felt a little uncomfortable when I reported the casualties of my teacher to my superiors.

"It's a pity that the main force of the group army withdrew too quickly, otherwise, I can provide you with some help." Cui Kefu said with some regret.

When I heard him say this, I thought to myself: No, if the main force of the group army does not retreat so quickly, as long as the two guard rocket artillery regiments under the command of the group army will shoot two salvos against the 29th Division of the Motorized Infantry, which is advancing alone. , You can severely injure this German army division, and with the cooperation of our division, even if this enemy is wiped out, it is not impossible.

I was thinking about it, and suddenly I heard Cui Kefu say: "Oshanina, remember, when it gets dark, retreat the troops to the north for another 30 kilometers, build a new defensive position, and reach stagnation in the constant resistance. The purpose of the German advancement towards Stalingrad."

"Yes!" I replied very reluctantly, because according to Cui Kefu's deployment, as long as we retreat back, the troops of our division will be completely exposed to the enemy, waiting for our destiny at that time, that is, nesting in the trenches and being bombarded. After being blown up by the plane, the troops were gradually consumed by the enemy's fierce artillery fire.

I looked at the battlefield with black smoke everywhere in the distance, and thought to myself: In the face of superior enemy forces, you can’t put your troops in trenches and get bombed, you must take active defenses. When it gets dark, I will send out the hidden artillery battalion and let them teach the sleeping Germans with artillery fire. In this way, the intensity of the enemy's attack on our army's positions during the day tomorrow will be greatly reduced.

"Report!" A voice calling for a report came from the door.

Before I turned around, I heard the guard battalion commander Pugachev asking: "What's the matter?"

"Report to the battalion commander that there is a commander outside who wants to see the division commander." It turned out to be a sentry on duty at the door. He saw someone coming to me, maybe a stranger he hadn't seen, so he came in to ask me for instructions.

"Did he say who he is?" Pugachev continued to help me ask.

The sentry replied respectfully: "It's a captain, he said he is the artillery battalion commander."

"Artillery battalion commander? What artillery battalion commander? Why didn't I know that there was an artillery battalion commander in the division. You went out and told him that the commander was very busy and didn't have time to see him. Let him go back."

"Wait a minute." Seeing the sentry about to go out. I hurriedly stopped him, because I thought that it might be the battalion commander of the artillery battalion that Cui Koff had left me, and ordered: "Comrade Sentinel, you go out and invite the captain in."

As soon as the sentinel's shadow disappeared from the door, an officer wearing a large brimmed hat walked in. He was very tall, and when he stood up straight, his head almost touched the ceiling of the observation post. He raised his hand to salute me and reported: "Hello. Comrade Colonel. I will introduce myself. I am Captain Yegonovich, commander of the artillery battalion. I am on the order of General Cuikov, deputy commander of the army, to stay and obey you. Directed."

"It's a good time for you, Comrade Captain." I shook hands with the burly captain, asked him to sit down, and asked with concern: "Are the artillery battalions concealed?"

The captain nodded, and then said reconciledly: "Comrade Colonel, I am a little bit confused. Since our battalion is here to assist you in combat, why not assign us combat tasks, but let our entire battalion commanders hide in temporary excavations. Where’s the pit? I heard the enemy shelling our army’s position just now. I can’t wait to rush out of the ground and direct my soldiers to use cannons to kill the enemy’s damned artillery position."

I waved my hand and said disapprovingly: "Comrade Captain, you are too impatient. The reason why I didn't let your battalion go into battle is because there are more important tasks for you to complete...."

Hearing I said there was a task to be given to him, the captain stood up, straightened his body, and said loudly, "Comrade Colonel, please give orders. My artillery battalion promises to complete the task you assigned."

"Come and see," I spread the map on the table and pointed to our position and said, "Look, this is our army's defensive position." Then I moved my finger to the side a little, and then said: " The 29th Division of the German Motorized Infantry is gathering here at this moment. Although it is not clear that they will continue to attack, they still stay here. But according to my judgment, they should camp in this area at night. I will give you The mission of the battalion is to take advantage of the darkness, go to the vicinity of their camp, and use cannons to teach them severely, so that the German soldiers who wake up from their sleep will dance in our artillery fire."

The captain who leaned over and looked at the map showed a gratified smile on his face, and said repeatedly: "Great, great. The Germans must have never expected us to attack them at night. The defense will not be too tight. This plan is likely to succeed. After speaking, he straightened his body and asked me for instructions: "Comrade Colonel, can I leave?" Maybe I am afraid I don’t understand why he said that. He also added a special sentence: "I will arrange artillery observers to go over to reconnaissance. Our artillery provides precise shooting coordinates."

"Don't worry, Comrade Lieutenant, please wait a minute, I still have something to tell you." I gestured to him, motioned him to sit down, and continued: "The second regiment of our division seized the enemy artillery position not long ago. Captured 36 10.5mm howitzers. As you know, there are not many people in the infantry who can operate the artillery. Although I sent the artillery company commander Captain Morozov to help, it is obvious that the number of gunners may not be enough. I don’t know you. Can you deploy some highly skilled gunners from your camp to help them?"

"No problem," Yegonovitch stood up abruptly and said excitedly: "Comrade Colonel, I'll go back and make arrangements." He said he was about to go out. I had to stop him again and said angrily: "Comrade Captain, you have to leave before you finish your words. Do you know where the artillery is located?"

Yegonovitch scratched his head and smiled embarrassedly: "I'm sorry, comrade colonel, I am too impatient. Please arrange for a guide for me, and I will go back and deploy the staff."

I turned my head and glanced at Vera who was sitting next to me, and called her: "Vera!"

"Here!" Vera immediately jumped up from the stool and came to me, asking for instructions: "Comrade Commander, do you have any instructions?"

I pointed my finger at the captain next to her, and said to her, "Vera, you and the captain will go to the artillery position occupied by the second regiment. If you can't find the way, you can ask someone from the second regiment and they will It took you to your destination."

"But, here is too far away from the artillery position, how do I get there, can I walk over?" Vera asked with a pouting mouth.

"Little girl, don't worry," Captain Yegonovich said to her with a smile: "My motorcycle is parked on the hillside. We can ride the motorcycle over. It won't take long." Finished. He narrowed the smile on his face. Straighten your body. Seriously asked: "Comrade Colonel, now that there is a guide, can I leave?"

"Go ahead, be careful on the way."

Half an hour after Lieutenant Jegonovich and Vera left, there was a rumble of artillery in the distance, and it seemed that Oleg and the others had begun shelling at the German assembly site.

At this moment, the roar of the motor was faintly heard in the air, and my heart came up to my throat. Secretly cursed: This **** enemy plane will not come early or late. As soon as our artillery fired, you came out. This is over. The casualties of the troops on the artillery position must be small.

I was planning to use the walkie-talkie to remind Oleg to be more careful. If it doesn't work, we would abandon the plan of bombarding the enemy and keep a little backbone for our troops. Unexpectedly, I accidentally looked out of the observation port and saw a fighter plane passing by in the air. It turned out to be two fighter planes of our army, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

But I still contacted Oleg through the walkie-talkie. I asked loudly, "Hey, I said, Colonel Oleg, where are you now?"

Oleg also replied loudly: "Reporter Commander, I took two companies and arranged a defensive line two hundred meters south of the artillery position to prevent the enemy from jumping over the wall and sending troops to attack ours. Artillery positions."

"Good job." I am very satisfied with his arrangement. Judging from the past few battles, these commanders and fighters under me have become more mature and know how to adjust their deployment according to the changes in the battlefield. "By the way, the artillery is not enough, how do you shoot?"

"Comrade commander, don't worry about that. Although Captain Morozov has a small number of them, they adjusted the shooting coordinates in advance and installed the artillery shells. Those infantrymen who go to assist only need to pull the artillery rope. Don't say it. Although the firing rate was a little slower, the shooting was quite accurate. I saw from here with a binoculars that the cannonball exploded in the middle of the enemy's queue, causing the enemy to flee." He just said this, he suddenly screamed: " Oops, no, the enemy sent out a force and pounced towards us." Then the communication was interrupted.

Oleg's words made me worried. The troops in our division lacked anti-tank weapons. For tanks or armored vehicles that rushed up, they had to wait until they got close, and the soldiers rushed out and threw Molotov cocktails to burn them. And at this moment, only Captain Perskin's tank detachment can help them. Thinking of this, I quickly asked Razumeeva to switch the frequency and called Perskin's tank detachment.

As soon as I heard Perskin’s voice, I ordered him straightforwardly: "Comrade Captain, there is a German army rushing towards our artillery position. I order you to immediately lead the tank unit to attack, at any cost, also We must keep this enemy firmly out of our artillery positions."

"Understand, comrade commander, I will lead the tank unit to attack."

Putting aside the earphones and the microphone, I walked to the observation port. Although I knew it was far away and couldn't see anything, I still raised the telescope and looked into the distance, wanting to see the temporary artillery position of our army~www .wuxiaspot.com~ Where is Oleg, who is about to start a fierce battle with the enemy.

It's a pity that after watching for a long time, I couldn't see anything except the faint sound of cannons and gun smoke from time to time. Just when I was very anxious, Razumeyeva screamed excitedly, and then called to me: "Comrade Commander, I have contacted Lieutenant Colonel Oleg."

I grabbed the microphone, put the earphones to my ears, and asked loudly, "Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, how is the situation with you? Has the tank detachment arrived and blocked the enemy?"

"Reporter Commander, blocked." Oleg said excitedly: "Although the tank detachment did not arrive, two of our fighters arrived first. They swooped down from the sky and fired at the incoming German formation. Under the bombardment of our military planes, the Germans were immediately beaten up and down. The damaged tanks, armored vehicles, cars, and motorcycles were scattered all over the place, and the German infantry was also beaten into embarrassment and scrambled. In a word, the enemy's offensive has been repelled, and our artillery positions are safe."

After listening to his report, I took a deep breath, drew a cross on my chest, and said to myself: "Thank God!" (To be continued...)