Burning Moscow

When Cui Kefu talked to me, he asked me angrily: "Colonel Oshanina, what did you do? Did you forget my repeated orders? Why did you use the walkie-talkie to communicate without the permission of your superiors? Don’t you be afraid of leaking our military’s secrets if you talk in words?..."

Listening to the series of reproaches from the earphones, although I was suffocated, but at this moment I could only keep silent and listen to his criticism silently. After his anger was almost vented, I tried my best to say to him in a calm tone: "Report Comrade Commander, the Germans dispatched more than 30 aircraft and carried out two consecutive rounds of bombing on Mamayev Hill. They are in. At the same time as the bombing, heavy howitzers and tank guns were used to conduct concentrated bombardment on the high ground."

Although Cui Kefu's anger has disappeared a lot after the fire, he still said to me sternly: "What is the use of you telling me this? Didn't you give you an order long ago, and never got permission from your superiors? Next, you are not allowed to retreat one step, and you must firmly block the enemy out of the city."

"That's it, Comrade Commander. I would like to ask you to ask our air force for help, so that they can send out fighters to support us, repel the enemy planes that are bombing the high ground, and destroy the enemy's tank troops...."

Without waiting for me to speak, Cui Koff interrupted me eagerly, and said in an official tone: "Colonel Oshanina, please remember that it is not just you who were bombed by enemy planes and bombarded by artillery and tanks. If every unit is attacked, it has to request the support of the Air Force, then even if we increase the Air Force Group by two more. It’s not enough."

When Cui Kefu spoke. I kept silent wittily. Listen to what he said without missing a word, and consider what has been said to him next, so that it is possible to get support from the Air Force.

Cui Koff said a lot more, and finally waited for him to finish, I mustered up the courage to explain to him: "Comrade Commander, but the importance of Mamayev Hill is unmatched by other defensive areas. Once If it is lost, the enemy will split into two troops, crossing the high ground all the way to the pier, cutting off the connection between the city and the east bank of the Volga River; the other way, you can rush into the city along the road, and join the friendly forces that have penetrated into the city from other directions, and take our The defenders were wiped out little by little."

Having said this, I deliberately paused for a moment, waiting for Cui Kefu's response to decide what to say next. Because I mentioned that the German army will rush into the city from several directions, it is tantamount to saying that we can't hold the city at all. Put it nicely. It is an absurd idea; to put it more seriously, it is a manifestation of defeatism.

There was a pause for a while. Cui Kefu's voice was not heard in the headset either. The German troops who had rushed into the city two days ago must have made him think that my words were not alarmist. Seeing that he didn’t say anything to stop, I went on and said: “The area of ​​Mamayev Hill is not big or small. The enemy has dropped so many bombs and shells in such a large area. Even if they hide in the fortifications, they will not be killed by enemy bombs, but they will be stunned. If the enemy infantry attacked immediately after the shelling, I was worried that the troops on the high ground could not be organized and effective in a short time. resistance."

Cui Kefu listened to me and couldn't help sighing softly. From his sigh, I noticed that he had moved a little bit, so I hurriedly said, "Comrade Commander, have you forgotten how the 35th Guards Division suffered a heavy loss in Mamayev Hill, their commander? How did you sacrifice?".

If what I just said just made Cui Kefu shake up, and then mentioned the commander of the 35th Guards Division, it made him completely change his mind. He talked heavily again, and said helplessly: "I understand what you said, Oshanina. It is for this reason that I placed you and your troops in Mamayev Hill. Because I believe you are capable of defending the north gate of the city. Don’t worry, I will immediately contact General Yeliao Menko, head of the front army, and try to get him to send an air force to support you.” At this point, he suddenly said sharply, “Suppose I If the Air Force is sent to you, if Mamayev Gang is still lost, what are the consequences, even if I don’t say it, you can always know it in your heart, right?"

When I heard him let go, I was also relieved and hurriedly stated to him: "Please rest assured, Comrade Commander, on behalf of the military division, I assure you that as long as there is one commander and fighter alive on the high ground, we will never leave our position to the enemy. ."

"It's useless to just say it. I'll see your actions." After Cui Kefu finished this sentence, he added a special sentence: "Remember, this time you violated the order and used the radio to talk in plain language. I won't be held accountable. If I commit the crime again next time, I will definitely not take it lightly!" After speaking, the communication was terminated without hesitation.

As soon as I put down the earphones and the microphone, Kirilov and Akhromeyev who were around me couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade Commander, what did Comrade Commander say?"

I gently dusted off the soil that fell from the ceiling of the cave with my hand, and said in a calm tone: "Comrade Commander said he will immediately contact the front army headquarters to try to get the superiors to send the air force to support us." At this point, I turned my head. I looked around and felt that although the explosion sound outside, because of the barrier of the two doors, had no effect on us speaking in a normal tone, the light in the room was obviously dimmed. He turned his head and said to Akhromeyev: "Comrade Chief of Staff, look, the engineer company installed this wooden door. Although the explosion from outside was much quieter, the two lights originally used in the command headquarters Obviously, the lamps are not enough. See if you want to find two more lamps somewhere." Akhromeyev nodded immediately after hearing what I said and called Basmanov over. This task was entrusted to him.

As soon as Basmanov left, the phone on the table rang. Akhromeyev quickly walked to the table and picked up the phone. After a few words, he handed the phone to me. At the same time, he said: "Comrade Commander, it is a call from Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, commander of the Fourth Regiment."

When I heard Akhromeyev say this, I couldn't help but froze for a moment. It was the One, Two and Three Regiment that was currently being shelled and bombed by the Germans. It has nothing to do with Si Tuan. What is he calling at this time? I took the call. Asked loudly into the microphone: "Hey, Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, is there anything you call at this time? By the way, are the tanks in the tank battalion hidden?".

My series of questions silenced Gaidar, and maybe he is considering how to answer these questions. After a while, he replied: "Report to the commander, the tanks of the tank battalion are hidden in the buildings that have been bombed in half. As long as they are not directly hit by enemy aircraft bombs, even if the collapsed bricks are buried, When these tanks are needed for battle, we can also organize manpower to dig out the tanks. As for why I called you, it is because I saw that the high ground where the division command is located is being bombarded by enemy aircraft and artillery. , I am worried for your safety."

"Thank you, comrade lieutenant colonel, thank you for your concern for us." Gaidar's words made me feel warm. I went on to say: "The command post that Lieutenant Mikhayev built for us is very strong. I don't think the enemy's shells and bombs can collapse here."

"Comrade Master." Gaidar said suddenly and solemnly: "I have a request for you, I hope you can promise me!"

Hearing Gaidar’s serious speech, I’m still a bit uncomfortable, but I still instinctively asked: “What’s the request? As long as it’s within my abilities, I’ll definitely agree to you. But I’ll explain in advance that if you want to rate it now Your four regiments come to the high ground to take part in the battle. I would advise you to dispel this idea as soon as possible. If the density of the troops on the high ground is too high, it is not conducive to concealment. An enemy bomb and shell can kill and injure a dozen of us. "

"That's it. After discussing with the political commissar Xia Ping, I feel that it is inappropriate to let the division headquarters stay on the high ground. So I strongly recommend that you and your division headquarters can withdraw from the high ground. Coming from the residential area. There is a huge air defense fortification under the cemetery here, which has enough space to establish a new division headquarters."

Gaidar’s proposal made me shiver at the bottom of the cemetery that felt gloomy and terrifying when I looked at it from a distance. But in the presence of Kirilov and Akhromeyev, I was not good at angering Gydar, and other people were also kind. After deliberation, I pretended to be angrily and said, "Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, do you know what it means to withdraw the division headquarters from the high ground? This is escape. You are letting some of our division leaders be deserters. This is Absolutely not." At this point, I said in a slow tone: "Forget it, Colonel Gaidar, I also know that you have a good intention, this time I won't care. If you mention this again next time If you suggest, I will remove you from your post, demote you to an ordinary warrior, and send you to the forefront position to fight the enemy with bayonet. Do you understand what I said?".

Gaidar's trembling voice came from the headset: "I see, comrade commander, I will never mention that you will be transferred to the headquarters in the future."

I suppressed a smile and put down the phone, only to find that Kirilov and Akhromeyev both looked at me nervously, as if they wanted to ask me what I said on the phone. Without waiting for them to speak, I said first: "Political commissar and chief of staff, the high ground where we are currently is the focus of the enemy's offensive. I think it is inappropriate for division leaders to stay here. So I suggest one of you. , Let’s retreat to the defense zone of the Fourth Regiment. In this way, even if something happens to the division headquarters, the remaining commander can continue to command the troops and fight the enemy."

After hearing what I said, Kirilov and Akhromeyev looked at each other, then he pulled out his gun from the holster, put it in the palm of his hand, and spoke in a relaxed tone like a chat. Said to me: "Comrade Oshanina, my gun is always with me. If the situation is urgent, I will fight the enemy like a soldier. I will save the last bullet for myself." , He inserted the gun back into the holster and sat down casually.

After watching Kirilov’s statement, I understand that he intends to continue to stay on the high ground with me, so I can only ask Akhromeyev to go to the Fourth Regiment to establish a new headquarters, so I set my sights on again. The young chief of staff, waiting for his decision.

Unexpectedly, Akhromeyev stared at me, and became angrily excited: "Comrade commander, how can you say that? I am your chief of staff, and you have deliberately traveled far from the Volkhov front. I was transferred, so wherever you are, I will be there. If you don't leave the high ground, I will never enter the defense zone of the Fourth Regiment."

Seeing that the attitude of both of them is so determined. Instead, I feel a little embarrassed. It seems that I am saving the abdomen of a gentleman with the heart of a villain. As soon as I rolled my eyes, I said to the two of them like a kid: "Okay, okay. Comrades, my political commissar and chief of staff, since you are not willing to leave here, we will all stay, okay?"

Kirilov listened to me, waved his hand, and said dissatisfied: "Comrade commander. If you say something like this in the future, I will report it directly to the command of the group army." After speaking, he twisted his head like a child. , Akhromeyev and I both amused.

Although Kirilov was still unhappy, I did not persuade him anymore, because I knew that he also understood what I meant by saying this in his heart, but as a political commissar of the police, how could he be in such a dangerous situation? Go back all the time? In order to prevent me from continuing to find excuses to persuade him to withdraw from the high ground, I had to choose this method to stop me.

At this time. Godunov of the Third Regiment called to report that the enemy's shelling of 107.5 heights had stopped. However, because the gunpowder has not been blown away, the visibility on the high ground is very low, and it is impossible to observe whether any German ground troops are approaching the high ground.

Listening to Godunov’s report, I simply said: "Continue to observe and be prepared for all battles."

The enemy's shelling of the three regiment positions ended, but the shelling and bombing of Mamayev Hill is still in full swing. Sederikov and Pugachev called me every five minutes, and they reported that the fortifications in a certain area were destroyed, and which company suffered heavy casualties under the double fire of the enemy, etc. .

Hearing the bad news one after another, I was so angry that I smashed the table violently and scolded angrily: "These **** Germans, do they have enough bombs and shells? Isn’t it enough to drop hundreds or thousands of tons of steel on our ground?".

Kirilov squinted at me and said disapprovingly, "What's weird about this. Since you led your troops to the Mamayev Hill, how many lessons have you taught the Germans, how many attacks have been repelled, and how many have been eliminated? Troops? Not to mention the German commander. Even if I change to me, I must first attack the defenders on the high ground with artillery as soon as possible before launching a ground attack. Of course, if there is something that can kill Mamayev Gangyi I don’t care about throwing a few more bombs on the ground."

Hearing what he said, I couldn’t help but think in secret: It’s easy to blow up the Mamayev Hill. Just throw an atomic bomb and it will be solved. Not only the high ground is razed to the ground, but also Stalingrad and everything in the city. The defenders were all wiped out. But these shocking words, I just thought about it in my heart, and I didn't dare to say it.

After another five or six minutes, the phone on the desk rang. Akhromeyev grabbed the phone and talked with the other party. Without saying a few words, he put down the phone and said to me with a smile on his face: "Comrade Commander, Captain Pugachev, the second regiment commander, called. He said that four fighter planes of our army have flown over the high ground. Start an air battle with the enemy plane."

Hearing the news, I immediately felt a sense of exuberance. I couldn't help but patted the table and applauded: "Great, as soon as our plane comes, the enemy's plane will stop bombarding our position like just now. Let’s go out, Comrade Political Commissar, let’s go out and have a look.” Originally, I wanted to ask Akhromeyev to go with him, but I thought that it’s impossible for a divisional commander in the division headquarters to be absent, so I only called Kirilov. one person.

Just as Kirilov and I were about to go out, Razumeyeva stopped me again and handed me a telegraph. After looking down and reading the contents of the telegram, I felt better. I handed the telegram to Kirilov and said excitedly: "Comrade political comrade, look, this is a telegram from General Krylov. It is said that after the look of Commander Cuikov, the superior sent us two fighter squadrons. The eight planes are all excellent pilots with rich combat experience. I believe that with their arrival, they will be able to grasp firmly. Living in the air dominance on the battlefield, in that case, we can put the anti-tank battery and the heavy howitzer unit into battle, kill all the German tanks, and let out a good breath."

When we arrived outside the cave, the bombardment of enemy planes had stopped. Although their artillery shelled the high ground non-stop, almost all the shells fell on the northern slope, and the southern **** where we are located is relatively safe. When I reached an open place, I jumped into a waist-deep crater and raised my binoculars to look into the air.

I saw that the planes in the air were fighting fiercely. Although the number of enemy planes was several times more than that of our army, their ammunition and fuel were almost consumed. When four or five enemy planes braved the flames and planted on high ground or fell into the rolling Volga River, the remaining enemy planes did not dare to fight and turned around and flew north. Our plane was unwilling to let the enemy plane escape so easily, so it followed after it.

Kirilov looked at it for a while and said with emotion: "If our plane could arrive half an hour earlier, our troops would not have suffered such a large casualty."

Seeing the advantage of our army's fighter planes, I turned my attention to the ground, and saw those tanks parked in two rows in front of the high ground, still shelling a group of positions without stopping, and I became unfamiliar and angry. He planned to go back to the headquarters to give Morozov orders himself, but when he turned his head, he unexpectedly found Basmanov standing beside him, so he shouted to him: "Comrade Captain, you go and call Morozov right away~www.wuxiaspot .com~ Let him send an anti-tank gun company into the position and fire on the tank troops that are bombarding the position with great majesty. In the shortest possible time, the enemy's steel monsters are all broken into scrap."

After listening to my order, Kirilov reminded me in a low voice: "Comrade Oshanina, have you forgotten that heavy howitzer unit? If they are also engaged in battle, they will soon be able to wipe out all the enemy's tanks. "

I shook my head and explained to Kirilov: "Comrade Political Commissar, the howitzer unit is temporarily unavailable, and we should wait for the enemy's infantry to launch an offensive." At this point, I rushed to Bath, who was still standing in place. Manoff waved his hand: "What are you still standing here for, don't hurry to convey my orders!"

Basmanov’s movements were very swift. Within two or three minutes, he reappeared next to us, and at the same time he handed me a new tele-paper, and at the same time he reported: "Reporter, political commissar, this It's the telegram that I just received. Comrade Chief of Staff asked me to send it to you."

I heard that there was a new telegram from the command of the group army. I quickly took it and looked at it. (To be continued...)

ps: I sincerely thank the book friends for their precious monthly tickets for the bad and upside-down children's shoes! ()