Red Moscow

As soon as Ponegelin was entrusted to tell Fumin to stop the shelling of the front of the highland, Zakharov called: "Comrade Sokov, I heard that you asked General Fomin to stop the shelling of the highland?"

"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Sokov explained to the other party: "The defenders on the high ground have rebuilt their fortifications and adjusted their deployment, which is sufficient to deal with the German attack, so there is no need to waste shells for the time being. .”

After figuring out what was going on, Zakharov gave a "hmm" and said, "If you need help, just call. Comrade Commander has already explained that we can provide you with powerful artillery support at any time."

When Sokov was looking at the map just now, he suddenly had a bold idea. He was trying to find a suitable time to call Zakharov. Since he called Zakharov first, he said smoothly: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army , I have something to ask you."

"what's up?"

"Is there a reservoir in the upper reaches of the Gniloydikich River?"

"Of course there is a reservoir, otherwise the power consumption of the surrounding towns can only be transmitted from farther places."

Knowing that there is a reservoir in the upper reaches of the Gniloydikich River, Sokov continued to ask: "Is the reservoir now in the hands of our army or the Germans?"

"Of course it is in the hands of our army. In order to prevent the Germans from destroying it, our army seized the reservoir first after entering this area." Zakharov asked, "Why do you ask this?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army," confirmed that the reservoir in the upper reaches of the Gniloydikich River is now under the control of the Soviet Army. Sokov felt that he could implement his next step: "I would like to ask, can the reservoir Close the gate and start storing water?"

"Yes." Zakharov reminded Sokov: "It is the dry season in winter. If the gate is closed to store water, although the water level downstream will drop, the water level in the reservoir will not rise much."

Sokov knew very well that the storage of water in the reservoir in winter must not be compared with that in summer, but as long as the water can be stored, his plan can be carried out: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I implore you, order the troops guarding the reservoir to stop From now on, the gates will be closed to store water, and the water level will rise as much as possible."

Seeing Sokov repeatedly mentioning the reservoir of the Gniloydikich River, Zakharov was a little puzzled: "Comrade Sokov, can you tell me what is the purpose of closing the gate to store water in the winter? "

"Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, if the Germans are lucky enough to break through our army's defense line, if they want to jump out of our encirclement, they will definitely pass through the Gniloydikich River. I plan to open the gate to release the water when they cross the river. The floods carried away the fleeing Germans."

"This is a good idea, why didn't I think of it." Sokov's words made Zakharov's eyes light up, and he said quickly: "Comrade Sokov, I will report your suggestion to the commander immediately, and I will send you a report as soon as possible." Inform the defenders of the reservoir to close the gate to store water."

As soon as Zakharov put down the phone, he couldn't wait to report Sokov's proposal to Konev.

After listening to Konev, he couldn't help but exclaimed: "Great, Sokov's idea is really great. When the German army crosses the river, our upstream reservoir will open the gate and release the water. The Germans who were crossing the river were swept away. At the same time, the rising water level will also cut off their retreat, so that we can wipe them all at leisure."

Hearing what Konev said, Zakharov immediately realized that the other party agreed with Sokov's proposal, so he tentatively asked: "Comrade Commander, since you do not object to Sokov's proposal, I will immediately notify the reservoir The defenders closed the gate to store water, after all, it is winter, and the earlier the water is stored, the water level will be higher."

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Konev added after acquiescing to Zakharov's statement: "In order to prevent the Germans from being aware of it and sending troops to attack the reservoir, you have to draw troops from other places to strengthen the tank there. Defense, to ensure that the reservoir remains in the hands of our army."

…………

In a small town more than ten kilometers away from the 239 highland, the supreme commander of the German army in the encirclement, the commander of the 11th Army, William Stemmelman, was listening to his subordinates in the headquarters.

The Walloon Assault Brigade captured the Komarovka Heights and nearby villages of the Soviet Army, allowing William Stemmelman to see the hope of a successful breakout. However, the failure of the attack on the 239 highland made the hope of escaping from the sky become slim again.

The Walloon Assault Brigade and the 105th Grenadier Regiment participated in the attack on Height 239, with a total strength of nearly 4,000 people. When they withdrew from the battle at dawn, the total number of the two troops was only more than 1,500 people, and Lieutenant Colonel Liputt, the commander of the Walloon Assault Brigade, was attacked by the Soviet army while he was lurking. He was seriously injured by the artillery fire, and not long after he was carried back, he died because the rescue was ineffective. He could only temporarily appoint his deputy, Lieutenant Colonel De Grele, to temporarily take over the command of the assault brigade.

Looking at Lieutenant Colonel Degrele standing in front of him, and Colonel Swift, the commander of the 105th Grenadier Regiment, William Stemmelman asked with a straight face: "Did you all know how to attack Height 239 last night?" It is a participant. Tell me how the Russians became aware of our actions and even carried out heavy shelling of our army's ambush area."

"Your Excellency," Swift was the first to speak. He said cautiously, "Many people know about this operation. I think it may be that some of the officers and soldiers involved in the operation leaked information to the Russians."

"It's impossible." Degrelle retorted: "When our brigade is in action, it has been in radio silence. Even if there are Russian spies, they don't have a quick way to pass the news out."

"In other words, something went wrong in other links." William Stemmelman asked, "Mr. Colonel, what do you think is going wrong?"

De Grayle thought for a long time, and then said cautiously: "When we were approaching the Russians' 239 Heights, a soldier accidentally stepped on a landmine. Maybe that landmine exposed our intentions."

"How far is that mine from Height 239?"

"About five or six hundred meters."

"Why would the Russians place mines five or six hundred meters away from the position?"

"Your Excellency, I don't know much about this." Degrelle said, "I think it might be a mine left by the Russians accidentally."

William Stemmelman felt that this possibility was also very high, so he did not pursue the matter any further, but said regretfully: "Unfortunately, it is because a landmine exposed our whereabouts, otherwise Height 239 has been taken by our army at this moment." occupied."

"Your Excellency, General," Swift's troops once occupied Height 239. If the Soviet army hadn't blocked the road with artillery fire, making it impossible for the follow-up troops to follow up, they might have opened a gap in the encirclement circle at this time, and the people who came to respond The troops converged. Thinking of this, he said unwillingly: "As long as you can provide me with artillery support, my troops will definitely be able to take down Height 239."

"Colonel Swift, I admire your fighting spirit very much." But his request was rejected by William Stemmelman: "But after a night of fighting, your regiment has only With such a force, even with the support of artillery and tanks, it may be difficult to break through the Russian defenses. I think this offensive mission should be completed by other units of the 72nd Infantry Division.”

After dismissing both Swift and Degrelle, William Stemmelmann asked his chief of staff, "Chief of staff, who is the commander of the Russian 53rd Army?"

"Major General Tarasov." The chief of staff replied immediately: "This man's command ability is average, and he was defeated by us in several confrontations with our army."

"Mr. Chief of Staff, to be precise, it is not us who defeated the 53rd Army, but the Viking Division, the most trusted by the head of state. In front of them, no Russian troops can take advantage. Even the former Sokov, I have suffered the defeat of the Viking Division." When William Stemmelman said this, a terrifying thought suddenly appeared in his mind: "Tell me, it is not Sokov who is commanding the 53rd Army now, right? "

"No, Your Excellency General." The chief of staff comforted William Stemmermann and said, "According to the information we have, Sokov is still studying at the Frunze Military Academy. will not appear on the battlefield."

But William Stemmelman looked at his chief of staff and said quietly: "Before we attacked Russia, the Russians also thought that we would not fight on two fronts at the same time, at least until we defeated Britain, It is possible to launch a war against them. But in the end, it is precisely because of this kind of thinking that they will be caught off guard by us."

The chief of staff of the army heard the voice of William Stemmelman's words, and asked tentatively: "Your Excellency, you mean that the commander of the Russian 53rd Army has been replaced? Even the replacement is the most troublesome for us. Sokov?"

"That's right, that's how I think about it." William Stemmelman said with a sigh: "If he really took over the command of the 53rd Army, then our plan to break out from Heights 239 will be completely destroyed. It’s a waste. Not only will it not be possible to highlight the encirclement of the Russians, but it may even be wiped out.”

"It's unlikely." The chief of staff of the army said with luck: "I think it will take at least half a year or even longer for Sokov to return to the battlefield."

"Immediately send someone to carry out reconnaissance." William Stemmelman said with a serious expression: "I have read the report of Lieutenant Colonel Degrelle, their lurking troops detonated a landmine hundreds of meters away from the position, according to common sense , the defenders on the position will send personnel to check. But the actual situation, the other party did not send people to check, but directly shelled the area where the mine exploded. When did the Russians have such ample ammunition reserves? "

Hearing what William Stemmelman said, the chief of staff also realized the seriousness of the problem, and quickly said: "Understood, Your Excellency General, I will immediately send people to carry out reconnaissance to find out whether the Russian 53rd Army has changed its commander. official."

After a short pause, he asked cautiously, "Your Excellency, which troops do you plan to send to capture Height 239?"

"Let the Viking division go." William Stemmelman said without hesitation: "If you want to break through the encirclement of the Russians, you must put this kind of powerful troops into battle. The performance of this division on the battlefield has always been impressive. The Russians have a headache, and I hope this performance will not disappoint me."

With the order issued, the 9th Panzergrenadier Regiment of the Viking Division, under the cover of the 5th Assault Gun Battalion, launched an attack on the 239th Heights where the Soviet army was stationed.

Seeing the start of the German attack, the defenders standing on the high ground immediately used 12 Bofors field guns that had just been deployed on the position to bombard the German tanks below and the infantry following behind.

The shells landed in the queue of the German army and exploded. With every explosion, several or even a dozen soldiers would be overturned by the blast. The shell hit the tank, and a dazzling fireball rose on the armor plate of the body, but due to the distance, it could not destroy the tank, so that the tank that was shot could continue to move forward with flames.

The German tanks and assault guns stopped at a distance of more than 500 meters from the position, raised their muzzles and fired at the position on the top of the hill, suppressing the firepower of the Soviet army on the position and covering the charge of the infantry behind.

The officers and soldiers of the Viking Division jumped over the tanks and assault guns that were shelling, and rushed towards the top of the hill with a cat on their waists. After advancing to the position of 300 meters, the machine gunner found a suitable position, immediately established a machine gun position, and used the intensive firepower of the MG42 to cooperate with the artillery fire from behind to shoot at the smoky and riddled position.

At the moment, the 1st Battalion of the 248th Regiment of the 116th Division is holding on to the high ground. The battalion commander is staying in the observation post, holding a telescope to check the movement at the foot of the mountain through the smoke. Throw him to the ground.

At the same time that the battalion commander was thrown down, a series of machine gun bullets came in from the lookout opening, and a correspondent who hadn't had time to dodge was shot and fell to the ground on the spot.

The battalion commander sat up, glanced at the correspondent lying in a pool of blood, and shouted outside: "Hygienist! Hygienist!!"

Following the shout of the battalion commander, a female health worker with a medical kit rushed in from outside and replied loudly, "Comrade battalion commander, I am here."

The battalion commander pointed at the correspondent who was lying on the ground, and said, "Hurry up and bandage him."

The female hygienist squatted beside the correspondent, put her finger on the correspondent's nose to check if he was breathing, then raised her head and said to the battalion commander, "Comrade battalion commander, he has already died."

The battalion commander didn't believe it, and stretched out his hand to detect the breath of the correspondent, and found that the other party had no signs of life. With a dejected expression, he waved to the soldiers next to him and told them, "Carry him out."

After saying this, he stood up and walked to the wall, took off the phone hanging on it, and said into the microphone: "I am the first battalion commander, pick up the regiment commander for me."

As soon as the phone call was made, he reported directly: "Comrade commander, the enemy tanks stopped at the foot of the mountain and shelled our camp. There are several German machine gun positions at a distance of 300 meters. They are powerful. The firepower is so suppressed that our commanders dare not raise their heads. I ask for artillery support."

The head of the regiment knew in his heart that the artillery support requested by the first battalion commander certainly did not refer to the 12 Bofors field guns on the position. Those guns could only hit far away, and it was difficult to defeat the enemy at the foot of the mountain. Only the mortars of the artillery company can destroy the machine gun position hundreds of meters away from the position.

"Don't worry, commander of the first battalion." The head of the regiment replied: "I immediately ordered the mortar company to fire at the German machine gun fire points in front of you and destroy them all."