Burning Moscow

After reading this telegram, Gurov sat in his seat with a sullen expression, Krylov sighed in pity, and Cuikov was so angry that he tore the telegram to pieces and threw it to the ground. Back and forth in a circle in the headquarters. ~Top~Point~Small~Say~~ And I belonged to the seconded personnel, in order to prevent Cui Kefu from venting his thunderous anger on me, so I wisely chose silence is golden.

Seeing that Cui Kefu was on the brink of rampage, the staff officers who came in and out from time to time consciously relaxed their steps; the correspondent who called, also kept his voice down as much as possible. They were all afraid that if they disturbed Cui Kefu, who was in a bad mood, they would provoke a scolding for themselves.

After Cui Koff walked in the headquarters for a few minutes, his mood gradually calmed down. He walked back to the table again and said to Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you go call or send electricity to the commanders of the participating troops. The newspaper said that there was an accident in the air force and that air support was gone. At present, to complete the counterattack against the Germans, they can only rely on their own strength. Tell them that the troops must carry forward the fighting spirit of not being afraid of hardship and not being afraid of death, and the enemy Start fighting tenaciously.” At this point, he lowered his voice and said to himself: “As long as the 13th Division of Rodimtsev’s guards can be put on the battlefield, we have a chance of winning. It's higher."

After receiving Trikov's order, Krylov immediately walked to the side of the communicators and asked them to convey the commander's order to the commanders of the following units.

With the order of Cui Koff, the offensive that had been stalled started again. While good news spread frequently, the commanders of the various units also complained to Krylov, saying that the troops suffered heavy casualties. The intensity of the offensive began to weaken. I hope the headquarters can send additional reinforcements to them.

After hearing what Krylov reported. Cui Kefu slapped the table and roared: "The chief of staff, tell them that I don’t have a reserve team here. If I want to defeat the enemy, I can only rely on their own strength. The soldiers are all up, so the commanders will continue to rush forward; It's gone," Cui Kefu said, taking off the big brimmed hat on his head. He fell heavily on the table and gritted his teeth and said: "Let the military chiefs of the various units rush up with their guns!"

After Gurov waited for Cuikov to lose his temper, he quickly persuaded him: "Comrade Commander, don't get angry. To be honest, the number of troops participating in the counter-offensive is indeed a bit small, and they are all light and heavy troops without heavy weapons. It is very difficult to conquer the strong German fortifications. Or, let's think of a way. Give them some reinforcements?"

Cui Kefu sighed, sat down, and said bitterly: "I also want to send them reinforcements, but Comrade Military Commissioner, you also know our current situation. Where can we deploy troops?"

Krylov waited for Trikov to finish, and cautiously suggested: "Comrades, commanders and military comrades, can we transfer the 6th heavy tank brigade? You must know that they still have 19 heavy tanks, if they are assigned to counterattack. As far as the army is concerned, can it increase the current strength of our army?"

Unexpectedly, Cui Kefu directly shook his head and rejected his proposal: "No, the heavy tank brigade is the reserve team of the entire army. It is currently stationed near the large granary in the south of the city. It also protects the left wing of our ministry. It is not a last resort, absolutely This force cannot be used easily."

Seeing that Krylov’s proposal was rejected by Trikov, Gurov quickly coughed, and after drawing our attention, he calmly said: "Comrade Commander, in fact, we still have a unit that we can use. "Speaking of this, he glanced at me with a meaningful look, and continued to say, "As far as I know, the independent division of Colonel Oshanina has not lost much in the recent battle. When necessary, we This force can be used to attack the 44th and 76th divisions of the Germans to the north, in order to contain the main force of the Germans."

When I heard Gurov say this, I couldn't help but shiver suddenly, and I thought about it for a long time. It seemed that I still wanted to hit my independent teacher's idea. I quickly turned my gaze to Cui Kefu, eager to know what he thought?

Hearing Gurov’s suggestion, Cuikov did not immediately express his position. Instead, he looked at me and asked, "Comrade Oshanina, what do you think of Comrade Military Commissioner’s suggestion?" He asked like this, which was tantamount to handing over the decision. In my hands.

Since I know that Mamayev Hill will be an important area for the German offensive in the future, if the independent division is now involved in the counterattack, it will not be worth the loss. When the troops are all gone, how can we deploy enough troops to defend the high ground? Thinking of this, I stood up quickly, ignoring that what I said might offend Gurov, or bluntly said: "Commander, military commissar, chief of staff, I do not agree to put the independent division into the counterattack. go with."

"Why?" Gurov and Krylov asked in unison.

I stared at the map and pretended to say thoughtfully: "From the current situation of the enemy forces, Mamayev Hill, the wharf, and the central railway station are the focus of their offensive. At present, the Independent Division is sticking to three important areas The two of them, once they were mobilized to participate in counterattack operations, the original defense zone became empty. If they were entangled by the enemy in the battle," At this point, I deliberately "enclosed" in order not to irritate the people present here. Such words are replaced by relatively mild "entanglement." "Once the German troops bypass the fighting area and rush forward, then these defensive areas may be lost."

"Isn't even one regiment OK?" Krylov asked unwillingly: "You know, the independent division now has five regiments with nearly 7,000 troops."

"I'm sorry, Comrade Chief of Staff." I am now like a miser, trying to refuse people who ask me to borrow money. "My troops not only defend Mamayev Hill and the pier, but also 107.5 heights and close to the river. From the current situation, we may not be able to get supplements for a long time. Therefore, in the use of troops, I have to plan carefully and put every soldier in use."

My words made Gurov and Cui Kefu laugh. Cui Kefu pointed me with a finger and said angrily and funny: "I have known you for so long. I didn't expect you to be like a miser. Put yourself. His belongings are tightly covered. Don't let go at all. Okay, I won't take your idea this time. Sit down!"

Hearing Cui Kefu's personal statement not to hit my independent teacher's idea, I saluted him excitedly before sitting down again.

After I sat down, Cuikov discussed with Gurov and Krylov: "At present, the defensive front of the independent division is too wide. Such a formation will seriously dilute their battle. Let's just wait. After Rodimtsev’s guards arrived, he drew two regiments to participate in the counterattack, and one regiment went to the 107.5 heights to take over. If he still had surplus troops, he was asked to transfer a battalion or company to the group army. The headquarters serves as a security guard. You must know that there are not many troops outside the headquarters."

When the counterattack progressed to noon, there were no more telegrams or information feedback to report victory, but bad news one after another. It basically means that the Germans in the counterattack area have invested a considerable amount of infantry and tanks under the cover of aircraft cannon. A counterattack was carried out on our army. After fierce fighting, almost all the results obtained in the morning vanished. The counterattack forces were forced to retreat in most areas.

After hearing the bad news, Cuikov bit his molars and asked Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, if our counterattack is completely defeated by the Germans, in your estimation, where will the enemy's offensive target be?"

Krylov flipped over the telegram in his hand, and then said in a positive tone: "Report to Comrade Commander, Comrade Oshanina just said that the enemy’s offensive focus will be Mamayev Hill and the Central Committee. Railway station. Judging from the current direction of the German attack, Comrade Oshanina’s judgment is accurate."

"To block the enemy, we must not let their dirty boots step into the land of our city. Comrade Chief of Staff, you immediately call the commander who sticks to the Central Railway Station and let them be on the road to the station, Put anti-tank mines and place more snipers in nearby buildings."

After Cui Kefu finished speaking, I asked carefully; "Comrade Commander, it doesn't make much sense for me to stay here. Can I go back to Mamayev Hill?"

After hearing this, Cui Kefu waved his hand at me and said without hesitation: "Go, Colonel Oshanina, I ask you to remember that you must block the enemy firmly, and you must not allow them to occupy Mamayev Hill, otherwise. , The guards who were about to cross the river would be blocked by German troops on the high ground."

"Please rest assured, the commander, as long as I am still alive, I will never give Mamayev Gang to the Germans." After speaking, I raised my hand to salute, and I planned to turn around and leave.

Gurov stopped me at this moment and warned me with concern: "Comrade Oshanina, the road is not safe, either shelling or bombing. You have to pay more attention to your safety."

"Thank you, Comrade Military Commissioner, I will pay attention, please rest assured." After saying that, I saluted him again and then turned and strode out of the command post.

After coming out of the headquarters, Basmanov, who had been staying outside, ran over and asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, where shall I go next?"

"Where else can I go? Of course it's back to Mamayev Hill."

"But, Comrade Commander," Basmanov said embarrassedly, "Don't you hear that guns are being fired in many parts of the city? It is certain that the Germans have rushed into the city. If we go out at this time , I met them head-on, what should I do?"

I heard that the German troops had already rushed into the city. I panicked a bit, but soon calmed down. I tried to say to him in a calm tone: "Comrade Captain, although the German troops rushed into the city, I am out of the city at this time, and I still hope to return to Mamayev Hill smoothly. If I continue to stay here, wait until I rush into the city. There were more and more German soldiers. At that time, you couldn't leave even if you wanted to."

Seeing that I had decided to go, Basmanov didn't insist anymore, and hurriedly rushed to the distance to beckon, and a jeep with the surrounding tarp rushed over. As soon as the car arrived, Basmanov helped me to sit in the back row. He himself sat in the front passenger seat, while the other two fighters sat next to me.

Although the distance from the headquarters of the group army to Mamayev Hill is not far, the speed of the vehicle is not raised at all due to the craters and rubble on the road. Basmanov, sitting in the front row, was holding a submachine gun, watching the movement on both sides of the road vigilantly, as if he was afraid that a few German soldiers would suddenly appear from behind the rubble.

Halfway through, although the sound of guns became louder and louder. But none of the German soldiers appeared. Seeing that the road is safe and sound. I gradually relaxed my vigilance.

at this time. Suddenly, from behind the nearby building, there was a roar of motors, and I immediately became alert again. When I sat up straight and pulled out the pistol, Basmanov, who noticed my movements, quickly asked vigilantly: "Comrade Commander, what's the matter?"

I pointed my gun to the place where the sound was coming from, and said loudly, "Have you not heard it? It's the sound of a motor, there is a motor of a tank over there."

Basmanov listened attentively. With a relaxed expression on his face, he said nonchalantly: "Comrade Commander, it's okay. Just listen to the sound of the motor and you know it's our T-34 tank."

As soon as his voice fell, our car drove to a crossroad. The sound of the tank's motor came from the road on the left, and I couldn't help but glance in that direction curiously. It didn't matter that it didn't matter, I was shocked in a cold sweat. Although the tank of our army was driving over, the German soldier was sitting on the tank.

It's not just me watching. Even Basmanov and the driver were watching when they saw the German soldiers sitting on the car. The smile froze on his face. Before they could react, a tank shell flew over, flew over the roof of my car, and exploded on the ground seven or eight meters away.

At this time, even fools knew that the Germans came, but they were in tanks seized from our army. I yelled at the driver: "Hurry up and rush over." Then I yelled at Basmanov again: "Damn it, Comrade Captain, this is not our tank, it's a German tank."

Before our jeep rushed into the shooting blind spot, the German tank fired another shot. The shell fell four or five meters behind us and exploded, and the flying shrapnel clinked the helmet on my head. The soldier on my left was obviously not as lucky as I was. At the same time as the explosion ended, his head leaned back vigorously, then his body tilted, and he rolled off the bumpy jeep.

The infantry on the tank jumped out of the car, holding a gun, and chased after him, screaming and shouting. I picked up the submachine gun that the sacrificial soldier had landed on the seat, and squeezed the trigger at the German soldier who was catching up from behind. Da Da Da, after a series of bullets were fired out, a soldier rushed to the front, threw the rifle in his hand and covered his chest. After making two turns, he fell to the ground.

Seeing that the blow worked, I wanted to fire again. I didn't expect to pull the trigger again, but found that the bullet had already been shot. I was so angry that I threw the gun to my feet and squatted down to avoid the swooshing bullet that passed over my head. Basmanov and another soldier put their guns on their seats and kept shooting at the German soldiers who were catching up from behind.

When we left the chasers behind without a trace, I finally breathed a sigh of relief and said fortunately: "Fortunately, we came out a step earlier, otherwise we would be intercepted by German tanks." Having said that, I Can't help but think of the humiliation experience of being captured last time, so he stopped the topic in time and didn't say anything further.

The soldier sitting on my right suddenly said in a low voice: "I think these German soldiers seem to be drunk. If they are not drunk, it may not be easy for us to escape the danger."

"What do you know?!" The soldier's words were heard by Basmanov, who was at the tip of his ears. He might be afraid that I would be unhappy. He turned to reprimand the soldier and said: "It's cold now, and the Germans are not used to the climate here. ."

Basmanov’s words reminded me of the defense of Moscow last year. If it weren’t for the beauty of the sky, the temperature dropped sharply and the German army was frozen and lost its combat effectiveness. It’s still unknown what the final outcome of that battle would be. . Thinking of this, I couldn't help but ask: "Captain, do you know when it starts to snow here?"

Basmanov frowned and thought about it, and then said in an uncertain tone: "Maybe it snows in October like Moscow. But when I was studying, I read about the Volga River in my book. According to the introduction, the river freezes in November every year."

I returned to the division headquarters on Mamayev Hill without any risk. When I walked into the room, Kirilov and Akhromeev who were sitting in the room stood up one after another and greeted me. , Asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, are you back? Didn't you encounter any danger on the road?"

Before I could speak, Basmanov had already said: "Report to the political commissar and chief of staff. We have just encountered a German tank on the way back from the headquarters of the group army. A soldier died in the battle."

Basmanov’s words frightened the two of them. Kirilov grabbed my arm and asked nervously: "Comrade Oshanina, are you okay? Are you injured?"

"I'm okay." I said as I walked to the table, and after sitting down, I asked again: "How is the situation on the high ground now?"

"It's strange to say that the Germans did not attack our highlands today, nor did they send aircraft to bomb them." After reporting the situation on the position, Akhromeyev asked again: "Comrade commander, today What happened to the counterattack operations carried out?"

I shook my head and said helplessly: "In the early days of the offensive, our troops made some progress. However, due to the lack of the cooperation of the air force and artillery, and the limited strength of the troops, the offensive of the troops stopped at noon. Before. The German troops, at noon, put in a considerable number of infantry and tanks, under the cover of aircraft cannons, carried out counter-attack against our troops, and has now forced our counter-attack troops to retreat and take further steps. Approaching the city."

"Is there any task assigned to the headquarters by our division?" Kirilov deserves to be a commander from the headquarters of the group army. He considers the problem from the overall situation. "You must know that the troops participating in the war are not very strong. If so, If our division can go into battle, at least the two German divisions on the front can be restrained, so that they cannot deploy their troops to reinforce their friendly forces."

"Comrade Military Commissioner once suggested to the commander to put our division into battle, but when the commander solicited my opinion, I directly rejected this proposal." I am deeply afraid that Kirilov will have something to happen because of my opposition to the deployment of troops. Bad thoughts, he specifically emphasized: “Because the group army has limited forces in the counterattack, the results won will not be too great. Next, the enemy will launch a frantic attack on our city, and we will stick to it. Yevgang, the wharf, and the 107.5 highland will all become the focus of the enemy’s offensive. Therefore, our division’s forces cannot be arbitrarily deployed, so as not to give the Germans a chance.

"The teacher is right." As soon as I finished speaking, Akhromeyev echoed my opinion in time.

Seeing that Akhromeyev and I were in agreement, Kirilov had no choice but to say anything. He had to ask: "Has the commander assigned us any tasks?"

I shook my head. I just wanted to say that besides sticking to the Mamayev Hill, the superior did not assign us a task. I suddenly remembered the 13th Guards Division that was arriving in the evening, and quickly added: "Right, today evening, The 13th Division of General Rodimtsev’s Guards will cross the river and come to the city. At that time, he will mobilize one regiment and exchange defenses with the three regiments that we are holding on the 107.5 heights."

"What? General Rodimtsev's troops are coming?" Kirilov heard the news, UU reading www.uukanshu. Com immediately jumped up from his seat and said excitedly to me: "I have dealt with him before and know that he is an excellent commander with rich combat experience. If I give him the position of the third regiment, I My heart is also at ease."

I was trying to learn more about Rodimtsev from Kirilov, when the phone on the desk rang. Akhromeyev picked up the microphone. After hearing a few words, his face became serious. He said into the microphone: "I see." Then he hung up the phone.

He looked at Kirilov and me, and said solemnly: "The commander, political commissar, the call was made by a group of forward observers, saying that they found our army in a state of rout two kilometers in front of the position. Retreating to Mamayev Hill."

"Are there any Germans behind them?" I asked nervously.

Akhromeyev shook his head and replied: "No, no enemy troops were found behind them. The enemy just bombarded the routed troops with sporadic artillery fire."

I stood up, shook my head at Kirilov and said, "Go, Comrade Political Commissar, let's go to the observation post." (To be continued.)