Burning Moscow

I put down the phone and saw Akhromeyev talking with a group of telegraphs, while Kirilov was looking through a bunch of telegrams with his head buried in his hands, not in a hurry to ask me why I sent one to the four groups. Inexplicable order.

And Akhromeyev obviously did not have the commissar of Kirilov to calm down. After finishing the call with Lieutenant Colonel Sergeikov in the group, he quickly returned to the table and couldn’t wait to ask. Me: "Master, I can ask, why did you suddenly give Commander Gaidar such an order?"

Kirilov, who was reading the telegram, raised his head, looked at Akhromeyev with a chuckle, and then said lightly: "I said, Comrade Chief of Staff, it's not a day or two for you to deal with the commander, don't you know her? Will there be some whimsical ideas in her mind? If I’m not wrong, the reason she gave this order, out of ten* do you have any thoughts on the German tanks that were reimbursed?"

After Akhromeyev heard what Kirilov said, he was more eager to know the answer. He kept asking: "Master, is this the case?"

I did not answer his question. Instead, I lowered my head and asked Kirilov: "Comrade Political Commissar, when I was still in the 64th Army, I once encountered a battlefield repair station sent by Stalingrad, which was dedicated to repairing our army’s soldiers. The broken weapons and equipment also brought some reimbursed German tanks or armored vehicles back to the furnace. Do you know that there is such a battlefield repair station near us?"

Hearing my question, Kirilov frowned and thought for a while, then shook his head and said: "When I was working in the political department of the group army, I heard that the front army headquarters had sent several battlefield repair stations. However, as the battle progressed. In progress, some of the repair stations sent by the enemy were wiped out on the battlefield and survived. They have followed the front army headquarters and retreated to the east bank of the Volga River." At this point, his eyebrows were raised sharply. . "Do you want them to repair these German tanks? Impossible, it is absolutely impossible."

"Comrade Political Commissar. Why do you say that it is impossible?" His words confused me, and after a moment of daze, I asked in a puzzled manner.

"Master, I understand what the political commissar meant." Before Kirilov could speak, Akhromeyev explained to me first: "The tanks on the open ground were destroyed in battle. I went to check it myself. However, due to the violent combustion and explosion, all the parts in the tank were melted. The sintered pieces were completely unrepairable except for being dragged back to the furnace."

Kirilov waited for Akhromeyev to speak, and then added: "The chief of staff is right. When you went to the headquarters two days ago, I used to talk to the militia battalion commander from the Red October factory. Captain Shen said that he wanted them to pick a few of the tank wrecks that could be repaired, and let the technicians in their factory try to repair them. Even if they can't be used to charge, they can stay in place and do the firepower. But Trushin After the captain sent his soldiers to check, he came back to report that all of these tanks had been reimbursed. There was no possibility of repairing, so I had to give up this plan."

The reason I just gave Gaidar an order like that, I do want to repair some of the tanks. The plan to stay at the foot of the mountain as a fixed fort, hearing what Kirilov and Akhromeyev said, I knew that this plan was ruined. But there are so many tank wrecks at the foot of the mountain. Thinking of this, I pretended to be surprised and said: "Political commissar, chief of staff, I want to repair the tank for fixing the fort. Who did you two listen to? It's just nonsense."

When I said so, the two of them were all stunned. after awhile. Kirilov said hesitantly: "Comrade Oshanina, didn't you just ask me about the battlefield repair station? Don't you want them to repair the tank at the foot of the mountain?"

Seeing that I have mastered the initiative in silence. I can't help being smug in secret. However, I resisted a smile and pretended to be serious and said: "I asked the battlefield repair station. But I just want them to bring these tanks back to the furnace, and the steel produced can produce more new tanks for our army. "

After listening, the two looked at each other, and then the same expressions appeared on their faces.

I coughed lightly, and then said: "There are dozens of German tanks at the foot of the mountain. Although they cannot be repaired and cannot be dragged to the factory to return to the furnace in the short term, we still have to find ways to use waste."

"How to use it?" In order to avoid another embarrassment, it was Akhromeyev who was questioning this time, while Kirilov remained silent on the side, but his eyes were fixed on me, waiting for me to say The final answer.

"I plan to let Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar send soldiers into the tank, and use the machine gun on the turret to perforate these tank wrecks into firepower points. In addition, not only must the manpower be arranged in the tank, but also the firepower points at the bottom of the tank. We must push our defensive positions forward as much as possible, and try to keep the enemy's offensive troops from getting too close to Mamayev Hill."

"This is a good way, I agree!" After listening to my idea, Kirilov first expressed his support.

Not to be outdone, Akhromeyev went on to express his own point of view: "This is a good idea of ​​the division commander. In the face of an enemy's aggressive attack, we can form dense cross firepower at the firepower points on the turret and the bottom of the tank. Give serious damage. As for the enemy, if they don't have anti-tank weapons, it is really not an easy task to eliminate our firepower points."

Seeing that Akhromeyev had understood my intention, and seeing that he was still standing there trying to say something, he urged him: "Since you have understood, what are you still waiting for? Why don't you call Gydar and put My plan tells him. Remember, the number of people deployed at the foot of the mountain should not exceed one company. If the formation is too dense, the casualties will be very heavy under the enemy's artillery fire."

Akhromeyev agreed, picked up the phone on the desk, dialed the four groups, and conveyed my order to Heydar.

After he finished the phone call, I had time to ask him: "Chief of Staff, when you just talked to the group, did Lieutenant Colonel Sejerikov say how well they are preparing?"

Hearing my question, Akhromeyev immediately became interested and sat down at the table. Reported to us: "Lieutenant Colonel Sergeikov said that he has selected 30 elite and powerful generals from the remaining commanders in the regiment. The regiment political commissar Oberstein is in charge of commanding, and there are five more. The commander is the same as me. He is from the ensign training team."

When Kirilov heard this, he couldn't help but frowned again, interrupted Akhromeyev's words, and said with some dissatisfaction: "Chief of Staff, what does Sederikov think, the execution of the troops is so dangerous. Mission, why would he send a political worker like Oberstein to command?" He said this and stood up abruptly. There was a hint of anger in his tone, "Could it be that there is no other candidate in the regiment, so I have to let a political commissar engaged in political and ideological work take up the position similar to the captain of a death squad?"

I didn't speak, I just cast my eyes on Akhromeyev, I believe he will be able to give Kirillov an answer that is satisfactory. After a moment of silence, Akhromeyev said solemnly: "Originally, Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov arranged someone else for the night raid mission tonight, but the political commissar Oberstein insisted on assuming this command post, thank you. Comrade Jerichov couldn’t compete with him. I had to agree.” He said that, he couldn’t help but increase his tone, “Political commissar. Although I have not been with Comrade Oberstein for long, I think he is a commander. An excellent commander of the arts, I believe that under his command in the mission tonight, he will surely achieve great results."

After Akhromeyev's words were finished, Kirilov remained silent. I lost the opportunity to say: "Well, since it was Comrade Oberstein's own request, we should give him a stage to perform. Let him fully demonstrate his military talents." When I said this, I paused intentionally. Seeing that the two didn't interrupt, he continued. "From the performance of a regiment on the northern highlands some time ago, I think this regiment's political commissar is not simple. It's not just that it knows how to play tricks, but it can really fight. You haven't seen the enemy break through our positions so many times. But soon he was beaten down by a regiment's counterattack. Although Sederikov was the highest military commander of the regiment, the Oberstein political commissar always commanded the battle at the forefront. "

I raised my hands and pressed down, motioning for the two to sit down. After they were all seated, I turned my head and asked Akhromeyev: "Chief of Staff, has Sergeikov reported on the marching route of the night raid squad."

"Yes," said Akhromeyev, pushing the map in front of Kirilov and me, pointing a pencil at the Volga River next to the plateau, and moving slowly, said: "According to Oberstein's political commissar. It is planned that when it gets dark, the team will board two small wooden boats on the river, and down the river, and then abandon the boat and land on the shore when there are still two or three kilometers away from the enemy camp. In this way, neither It will be spotted by the enemy's lurking scouts, and it can also speed up the march and save the soldiers' physical strength."

Kirilov apparently agreed with the plan reported by the group, and waved his hand: "Well, since the group has been carefully deployed, let's implement it according to their plan."

In the evening, Gaidar on the high ground in front called and reported to me: "Commander, the German Corps Recovering Team has left our position and returned to their camp after condensing all the corpses."

"Have I asked the arranged troops to arrive at the foot of the mountain for defense?"

Gaidar hesitated for a moment and said hesitantly: "Report to the commander, now it is raining heavily outside. If the soldiers are allowed to go at this time, they will have to work in the rain."

I didn't take his stubbornly and asked, "Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, do you want your soldiers to be covered in mud, or do you want them to be blown to pieces under enemy fire?"

Hearing what I said, Gaidar understood that the order I gave was that there was no room for bargaining, and he quickly stated: "Understood, I will send soldiers into the position immediately.

Seeing me put down the phone, Kirilov raised his head and asked, "It's raining outside?" Seeing me nodding his affirmation, he couldn't help worrying about the group of commanders who were about to set off. Action, I don’t know if it will be affected."

"There will definitely be an impact," Akhromeyev heard Kirilov's concern, and said disapprovingly: "But if the rain is heavy, it will affect the vision of the enemy's sentries and lurking posts, which will be beneficial to Austria. Bestan political commissar and they acted."

After hearing this, Kirilov sighed: "Oh! I hope so!"

I just sat down and wanted to say something when the phone on the table rang. I thought it was some subordinate who called, so I picked up the phone. Said lazily: "Hey, I'm Colonel Oshanina, where are you?"

"I'm Cui Kefu!" Cui Kefu's stern voice came from the receiver.

I quickly jumped up from my seat. Standing up straight into the microphone, he respectfully said, "Hello, Comrade Commander. What instructions do you have?"

"The plan you mentioned to me, I have reported to General Yeleimenko, commander of the front army, and Comrade Khrushchev, the military commissioner."

Hearing that this plan has been reported to a higher-level commander, my heartbeat suddenly quickened, and I asked with some guilty conscience: "Comrade Commander, I don't know how the front commander reacted after listening to this plan?" After asking this sentence, I have already given the answer in my heart. Yelyomenko must have scolded me, saying that I was fooling around, and might even threaten to send me to a military court.

But Trikov’s answer was far beyond my expectation: "Eleomyenko and Comrades Khrushchev informed me after research that they could not be the masters of this matter. They must ask the Supreme Command..."

When I heard the word Supreme Commander, if it wasn't for the hand that didn't hold the microphone holding the table, I guess I had been scared to sit on the ground. If so, I still feel my legs are soft and my scalp is numb, so I quickly took two deep breaths. Mustering up the courage to ask Cui Kefu: "Commander, what kind of decision do you think the Supreme Command will make after learning about this?"

After I summoned the courage to say these two sentences. Can't help but cast his gaze on Kirilov and Akhromeyev who were sitting next to him. When I heard the Supreme Commander from my mouth, Kirilov was surprised, his eyes seemed to say: This plan was actually reported to the Supreme Commander. On the other hand, Akhromeyev closed his eyes and the corners of his mouth were shaking violently. It seemed that the words I said scared him.

"Comrade Khrushchev, the military commissioner, said that after listening to the plan, Comrade Stalin hung up the phone without saying anything. At that time, he thought that the Supreme Commander himself heard the news because he hung up the phone because of anger. . So I didn’t dare to call back again. I didn’t expect that half an hour later, the Supreme Commander himself would call. He said that he had to consider the plan.” Although Cui Kefu only took a few seconds. Just answered my question. But to me, these few seconds are as long as a few hours.

I was so nervous that Cui Kefu put down the phone for a long time, but I haven't noticed it yet. I didn't hear the busy tone from the receiver until Kirilov took the call from my hand.

I sat at the table, and it took a long time to relax. Then I told them to repeat what Cui Kefu had just said on the phone, and finally said with emotion: "I didn’t expect this to use water instead of soldiers. Even the Supreme Commander himself knew about the plan. What was even more unexpected was that he was not angry when he learned of the plan. You must know that once the Volga River bursts, the city named after him may become a piece of land. Wang Yang."

"Master, do you think it is possible for the Supreme Command to approve this plan?" Akhromeyev asked.

I shook my head slowly, and replied without confidence, "I don’t know, because so far, let alone me, even Commander Cuikov, and even General Yeliao Menko from the Front Army Headquarters, don’t know the highest. What kind of decision will the commander himself make in the end."

Kirilov lit a cigarette, took a hard sip, and said: "I guess that before deciding whether to implement this plan, Comrade Stalin will find a group of experts to carry out repeated verifications to determine whether this levee breaking operation will not be implemented. He can make his final determination only after he will cause any harm to the city."

A group of night assault troops set off at around seven o'clock ~www.wuxiaspot.com~ under the heavy rain. In order to facilitate contact, I also specially asked them to carry a walkie-talkie so that they can keep abreast of their progress.

After the night raid team set off, I couldn't sit still in the command post anymore, walking back and forth in the room with my back on my back. Affected by me, Kirilov and Akhromeyev also became anxious. One kept writing and drawing on paper, while the other was performing his duties as chief of staff and calling various regiments. , To count the results of the day.

After finally getting through to eight o'clock, I couldn't hold myself any longer, and stopped and said to Kirilov: "Let’s go, Comrade Political Commissar, let’s go to the observation post on the top of the hill. If we are lucky, Maybe you can see the movement made by the night raid team." Then I turned my head and told Akhromeyev: "The chief of staff, the division headquarters will be handed over to you, if you have anything, you can handle it according to the situation. Up."

When I walked out of the cave, I saw that the rain outside did not know when it had stopped. The two of us took a few soldiers from the guard battalion and walked along the trenches to the top of the hillside.

Due to the rain, there was a lot of stagnant water in the trenches. I stepped on my boots and kept creaking. Hearing such a big movement when I was walking, I couldn't help but worry about the night raid team. I was worried that their footsteps would be too loud when they acted, and they would be spotted by the enemy, leading to the failure of the operation. (To be continued)