Burning Moscow

"Ah?! Two German generals?" Cui Koff's words confused me, and I asked confusedly: "Comrade Commander, what happened on earth? They all confused me."

Kirilov and Akhromeyev next to me heard the conversation between Trikov and me. Their faces were also at a loss. They didn't know what happened, and they all moved their heads curiously, wanting to hear Trikov clearly. Next, I will tell some shocking news on the phone.

Cui Koff continued: "A few minutes ago, General Yeremenko, commander of the Front Army, called me and said that the Front Army Intelligence Service had intercepted a telegram from the enemy that mentioned Erich Rath, commander of the German 389th Division. Major General Mann, while talking with Major General Von Anim, the commander of the 113th Division, was suddenly attacked by artillery fire. Major General Ratman was critically injured in the shelling and is now in the field hospital for rescue. ; Seven staff officers in the command of the 113th Division, including Lieutenant Thurlo Besger, were killed on the spot, and the commander Anim was also slightly injured. We can confirm according to the news reported by the German that the shelling incident was By our troops."

"Haha!" Hearing the news, Kirilov excitedly patted the table and exclaimed, "Awesome! What a great job! I didn't expect Oberstein and the others to have a few shells that almost killed the enemy. A division headquarters was completely destroyed."

After Trikov heard what Kirilov said, he smiled and said to me: "Oshanina, since the German 113th Division is deployed in the front of your independent division defense zone, as soon as I received a call from the commander, I First of all, I guessed that it might be the task you sent people to perform. I didn’t expect that I guessed it right. Let’s talk about it, how many people did you send to perform this night attack mission?"

When Cui Kefu asked about the night attack of our division, I quickly and honestly reported to him: "Report to Comrade Commander. This is the situation. Because the current strength of our division is becoming more and more tight, in order to reduce the pressure on the enemy's offensive. . Disrupt their offensive steps and take the initiative on the battlefield in our hands. So since yesterday, I have sent a small-scale night attack team to harass the enemy.

Last night's action, because there was no right breakthrough, the results were not great, only an enemy patrol squad was eliminated and a German sergeant was captured alive. However, through the interrogation of the prisoners, we have a preliminary understanding of the layout of the enemy camp. So tonight's action can be carried out in a planned way.

One of the main tasks of the night raid team tonight is to destroy an artillery position on the west side of the village occupied by the enemy. Before the troops set off, I specifically instructed them that after occupying the enemy’s artillery positions, they would immediately turn their guns to fire at several villages where the enemy was stationed. When the artillery shells were almost consumed, I would blow up the artillery. Unexpectedly, Oberstein and the others had good luck, they actually killed the German division headquarters in a crooked beating. "

"Good job, Comrade Oshanina!" Cui Kefu complimented me. Then he said: "By the way, let me tell you one thing. Based on your independent division’s actions tonight, the enemy’s command system has been chaotic. And the great results achieved, the Front Army Command will award a group of independent divisions. Medals. Awarding honors to those who have performed well on the battlefield is also a way to improve the morale of the troops. But these medals do not have your share for the time being. After all, you now have a lot of medals, and they are almost all red flag medals. There are more medals than mine, so I can only wrong you." Maybe I am afraid that I am worried, he also specially explained: "According to the analysis of the current battle situation, there will be a lot of fierce battles to be fought next. You merit the promotion. There are still many opportunities. Work hard, I believe it will not be long. Your superiors will restore your major general rank."

Listening to what Cui Kefu said, I quickly expressed my attitude: "Comrade Commander. Please rest assured, I don’t care whether I will be awarded or not and when my rank will be restored. It’s just that the many commanders under me have been established since the establishment of the independent division. He has made countless contributions. Without their support, how can the independent division achieve one victory after another? So, Comrade Commander, I beg of you for a favor and give these commanders the medals they deserve. ! Otherwise, this is really unreasonable."

After hearing what I said, Cui Kefu gave a wry smile: "Since you have said everything for this purpose, if you don't agree to you, will you curse in your heart?"

"No, Comrade Commander, don't get me wrong. Even if I have any opinion on you, I won't..."

"Okay, okay, stop talking." Cui Kefu didn't wait for me to speak, and interrupted me unceremoniously. "What do you think in your heart, maybe I don't know? Okay, stop talking nonsense, just take you Report me the names of the commanders who can get the medal."

Listening to Cui Koff’s words, I was overjoyed, and quickly reported the name I had thought of a long time ago: "The commanders who have made great contributions are: the commander of the regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Sergeikov, the regiment’s political commissar, Second Regiment Commander Major Pugachev, Second Regiment First Battalion Commander Captain Khorushov, Third Regiment Commander Lieutenant Colonel Kosca, Third Regiment Acting Commander Major Godunov, Fourth Regiment Commander Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, and Fifth Regiment Commander Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, regiment political commissar Vellore, artillery battalion commander Major Morozov, tank battalion commander Major Perskin."

"Are these people?" Cui Kefu asked back: "Is there nothing to add?"

I was afraid that Cui Kefu would say that I had too many people on the list and would delete a few forcibly, so I hurriedly replied, "No, no, there are just so many people."

After hearing this, Cui Kefu snorted and said to me in a lesson tone: "Oshanina, let me tell you what is good. Apart from your old men, is there really no one else who deserves the medal?"

Cui Kefu's words caught me for a moment. It turned out that he didn't think that the number of people I reported was too large, but that the number of people I reported was not enough, so I cautiously asked: "Comrade Commander, I don't know who else is missing from the list?"

"Why are there no names for the division political commissar Kirilov, division chief Akhromeyev, and fourth regiment political commissar Xia Ping in the list you just reported?"

In fact, I also wanted to add the names of the three people mentioned by Cui Kefu to the original list, but I was afraid that Cui Kefu said that the number of people I reported was too much, and forcibly squeezed out the honor that other commanders deserved, so I had to Choose to ignore. At this moment, hearing Cui Kefu's initiative to mention their order, I hurriedly said, "Comrade Commander. It is better that you have considered thoroughly, and you found the names of the commanders I missed at once, so please. Please call them. Add your name too."

After talking about the medal, Cui Kefu changed the topic. Ask me: "Comrade Oshanina, let me ask, if you were to launch a counterattack against the frontal enemy from Mamayev Hill, what chance do you think of success?"

Although our night assault team shelled the German headquarters and caused the enemy's command system to fall into chaos, it is impossible to think that the enemy has become vulnerable and become a lamb for us to slaughter. So I resolutely replied to Cui Kefu: "Comrade Commander. If you want to counterattack the frontal enemy with the existing forces and weapons and equipment, I can tell you that the counterattack force has no chance of success."

My words silenced Cui Kefu, and he was obviously thinking about the reasons for what I said. After a while, he said: "If the counterattack is not an independent division, but all the troops north of Stalingrad, including the 193rd Infantry Division under the command of Major General Smekhotvolov who arrived last night, They are all gathered and handed over to you to carry out a large-scale counterattack against the German troops in front of you. At the worst, you will have to launch several large-scale night attacks on the enemy’s premises, completely disrupting their offensive deployment to the city."

I waited for Cui Kefu to finish speaking before I spoke: "Commander, your suggestion is very good. Judging from the current situation, our army can only have these two types in addition to staying in the fortifications to resist the enemy's attack. How to play. But please forgive me bluntly. Both play methods are not advisable. We lack the artillery necessary for the counterattack and do not have the air superiority. In this way, when a large-scale counterattack is carried out, our troops will be on the offensive. The enemy will be attacked. It was destroyed by artillery and bombing. Speaking of night attacks, if it were to be successful before tonight. But the Germans suffered such a big loss tonight. They will definitely increase their vigilance in the situation where the enemy is highly vigilant and tightly guarded. Down. If we do any night attack, the gain will not be worth the loss, and even the night attack troops may even be wiped out."

"Then you tell me what to do?" Cui Kefu said displeased after hearing this: "The troops in other locations are launching battalion-scale counterattacks almost every day. Although the casualties are a little bit larger, they have also achieved certain results. Dang. When all the friendly forces are actively moving, your independent division can't keep squatting in the Mamayev Hill. There is no action at all, right?"

While I was thinking about how to answer Trikov’s question, Kirilov, standing next to me, reached out to me and motioned to hand over the microphone to him, and he would answer Trikov’s question. I nodded, didn't agree with him, and passed the microphone directly. He picked up the microphone and greeted politely: "Hello, dear Vasily Ivanovich."

Cuikov suddenly heard Kirilov's voice in the receiver, and he was obviously flustered, but he quickly stabilized his emotions and said politely: "Hello, Comrade Kirilov!"

Kirilov did not continue to polite with him, but said straightforwardly: "Comrade Commander, I have heard the conversation you just had with Master Oshanina. Last night, the political commissar of the Independent Division, I wanted to speak for her. With a few words of justice, considering the current strength of the independent division, it may be just right to stick to the Mamayev Hill. It has already been deployed to support the friendly forces, and it is a little too weak."

Although Cuikov was the commander, he seemed to respect Kirilov. After the other party had finished speaking, he explained: "Comrade Kirilov, as the commander of the group army, the current situation of the independent division is very clear to me. Although. The downsizing in the division is very serious, but compared with other divisions, your organizational system is fairly complete. If you don’t make any moves when friendly forces frequently counterattack, it is possible that the commanders of other units will There are opinions."

Hearing what Cui Kefu said, I smiled bitterly while standing next to me, saying that in order to satisfy the commanders of other troops, I must disregard the actual situation and let my commanders and fighters go to death? I only heard Kirilov say again: "Comrade Commander, I haven't finished what I just said. Although our current military strength is stretched, the division commander still discusses with us and prepares to deploy troops from the division to help the defense of the friendly army. A company of the 70th Guards Division should have entered the defense zone of Colonel Lyudnikov at this moment."

What Kirilov said surprised Trikov: "What, you have actually sent troops to reinforce Lyudnikov and them?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Kirilov replied affirmatively: "The decision to send troops to reinforce. It was made by Commander Oshanina himself. However, after this company arrived at Colonel Lyudnikov's defense zone, Instead of participating in head-to-head battles, you use your own familiarity with the city. In the division’s defense zone, engage in street or sniper combat with the enemy."

"Except for the defense zone of the 70th Guards Division. Where else have you sent troops?"

"Apart from the company just now, we also transferred a battalion from the Second Regiment, commanded by Captain Khorushov, the 1st Battalion Commander of the Second Regiment, to support those friendly defense areas that are struggling to fight."

"Very well, now that you have made careful arrangements, I can rest assured." At this point, Cui Koff paused for a moment, and then continued: "There are still a few hours before dawn. You have time to rest."

The three of us slept for less than three hours before being awakened by Basmanov, who ran over in desperation. I slept soundly. I was awakened from my sleep. I couldn’t help getting up. I stared at the anxious guard battalion commander in front of me and asked angrily: "Captain Basmanov, you rushed into the command post. Come on, what's the matter?"

"Commander, the situation is not good. The observation post of the guard battalion on the top of the mountain reported to me: The enemy who occupied the 107.5 heights rushed down from the hillside. He rushed into Soviet Avenue from the east and is currently fighting with the guards standing there. The 42nd regiment started a fierce battle."

"What, the enemy is attacking again?" I heard the news. I was completely awake from half asleep and half awake. I quickly picked up the phone, dialed the second regiment, and hurriedly asked Pougachev who answered the phone: "Second regiment commander, I’m asking you, your observations are all Did not report to you the situation of the German troops occupying the 107.5 heights."

Pugachev hurriedly replied: "Reporter Commander, I just received a report from the observation post that the enemy was rushing down from the hillside and was coming from the east side of Soviet Street. It attacked the 42nd Guards Regiment, which was standing in the building complex. . Since I haven’t had time to verify this news, I haven’t reported it to you."

I hung up his phone angrily. He also dialed the four groups on the northern high ground. It was Xia Ping, political commissar of the regiment who answered the phone, after he heard my voice. Asked politely: "Comrade teacher, do you have any instructions?"

The situation was urgent, and I didn’t even care to ask where Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar was, and I asked nervously: “How is the situation on the high ground? Has it been shelled by the enemy? Also, has the observation post on the hillside spotted the enemy? Ground troops?"

"Comrade commander, as far as I know, our high ground has not been shelled or bombed by the enemy so far, and the observation post on the top of the hill has not found enemy offensive troops. Perhaps it was the night attack we carried out last night. , Completely disrupted their offensive arrangements."

"Understood!" After I finished speaking, I hung up the phone, and raised my head and ordered Basmanov who was standing upright next to him: "Comrade Captain, go and gather the guard camp immediately. We are going to help Colonel Ye Lin. The 42nd Guards Regiment."

When Basmanov went out to gather troops, Akhromeyev persuaded me: "Commander, it's too dangerous, let me lead my troops to reinforce it!"

I waved at him and said involuntarily: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't fight with me. I am the head of the first division. I have the final say here." Then, without waiting for him to refute, I decisively ordered him, "Give Mo Major Rozov called and asked him to bring a mortar company with me."

Basmanov soon came in and reported to me that the guard battalion had been assembled. Before I lifted my leg and walked out, I specifically instructed Akhromeyev and Kirilov: "Comrades, Comrades, Chief of Staff, I brought the troops up, and you two will be responsible for this."

Kirilov and I have been together for a long time. Knowing my temper, he didn't persuade me. He just nodded and said with concern: "Be careful!" Then he raised his voice and told Basmanov: " Captain, the safety of the commander is up to you. You have to assure me that she must come back here unscathed. UU Reading www.uukanshu.com"

Basmanov hurriedly came to stand at attention, and replied loudly: "Please rest assured, the political commissar, as long as there is one person in the guard battalion, ensure that the division commander can return to the headquarters safely."

It was said that it was a guard battalion, but in fact there was only one company of guards, and the remaining two companies were transferred to the fifth regiment. As I descended the hillside along the traffic trench, I looked back at the all-male commanders behind, and couldn't help but curiously asked Basmanov: "Captain, where are the two of Vera? Why didn't I see them? "

Basmanov gave me a strange look and then muttered, "Didn't you send them to the sanitation team?"

Due to the busy fighting, I can't remember whether Vera and the others were really sent to the sanitation team by me. They just screamed, and at the same time speeded up their pace and walked down the hillside.

Coming to the bottom of the hill, Major Morozov and his mortar company had assembled. Seeing my arrival, Morozov hurriedly stepped forward to salute me and reported: "Comrade commander, the artillery battalion mortar company has been ordered to assemble. Please give instructions!"

I didn't even pay the gift. I just waved at him and said loudly: "Major, take your man, we are going to reinforce Soviet Street now." (to be continued)