Red Moscow

The area where the 1st Battalion of the 124th Regiment was stationed was attacked. As Sokov’s old unit, Colonel Starcha, the head of the regiment, strictly complied with a series of standards specified by Sokov when arranging defenses. Minefields and barbed wire fences were arranged on the surface, and warning mines were deployed in some hidden areas to prevent German sneak attacks.

The German troops who came to attack, with the help of the cover of night, the engineers first opened up a passage in the minefield, then cut the barbed wire, and quietly approached the position of the Guards Division, preparing to launch an attack by surprise and destroy the fortifications The Soviet commanders and fighters who were resting in the camp regained their positions.

Unexpectedly, when there was more than a hundred meters away from the position, an unlucky soldier accidentally triggered a landmine. In an instant, the dazzling flames exposed the German officers and soldiers near the bombing point. Now that they were exposed, the German officers and soldiers no longer hid their figures, but got up and rushed towards the front position, trying to rush into the trenches before the Soviet army recovered.

If it is a position held by other Soviet troops, it is entirely possible that the Germans will rush into the trenches. However, the commanders and fighters of the 124th Regiment responded in a very timely manner. In just a dozen seconds, there was the roar of a machine gun on the position, and a machine gun fired wildly at the exposed German position. A dozen bloody holes were punched out by the dense bullets.

Before the machine gunner finished firing a round of bullets, a sharp whistle sounded in the trench, and at the same time two people shouted loudly: "Enemy attack, enemy attack!"

It didn't take long for the firepower on the position to become dense, suppressing the Germans who were trying to get up and charge again. The leader was a German captain. He didn't understand why the Soviet army could make defensive preparations in such a short period of time, and suppressed their troops with intensive firepower so that they could not move forward.

The German captain quickly ordered the radio operators around him to ask for help from the battalion headquarters through the portable radio, saying that he was suppressed by the intensive firepower of the Soviet army and could not continue to move forward, and asked for artillery support.

There is also a reason for the timely response of the Soviet army. Not long ago, when the 126th regiment was holding on to the 239th highland, it encountered a similar situation. However, the location where the German sneak attack hit the mine was so far away from the position that many commanders and fighters thought that it might be a beast in the forest that accidentally touched the mine.

Fortunately, Sokov was not influenced by these people, but he clearly insisted on his point of view, believing that the German army was preparing to carry out a night attack on Height 239, and used artillery to cover the area where the mine exploded. His approach has attracted criticism from many people, and even he himself is mentally prepared to be punished.

Fortunately, later facts proved that Sokov's judgment was completely correct. It was the German troops preparing to launch a surprise attack that accidentally triggered a warning mine while moving, which exposed the target in advance. It was after experiencing this incident that the 41st Guards Division paid special attention to night defense. Soldiers from two squads were on duty every night, so that after discovering the enemy's night attack, they would have enough time to support them until further notice. More commanders and fighters entered the position.

As soon as the guns fired on the ground, Stalcha in the rear regiment command post was alarmed. He rushed to Major Okunev who answered the phone and asked, "Comrade Chief of Staff, what happened?"

"Comrade Commander," Major Okunev quickly covered the microphone with his hand, and reported to Starcha: "The first battalion reported that a German position appeared in front of their position, and the second company is blocking."

Starcha's position at the moment only had the strength of the second company and one company. He was worried that the German army would be too numerous to resist, so he quickly ordered Okunev: "Chief of staff, inform the first battalion commander to send him to the third company." Support, be sure to hold your ground."

Before Okunev finished conveying the command of the regiment commander, he heard the sound of rumbling artillery from outside. He hurriedly asked the first battalion commander, "First Battalion Commander, what is the sound of the artillery outside?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff," the 1st Battalion Commander replied loudly, "the Germans are bombarding the Second Company's position with mortars, asking for artillery support, asking for artillery support."

Knowing that the German army was bombarding the Second Company's position with mortars, Starcha felt that the situation was serious, and quickly ordered Okunev: "Chief of Staff, let the mortar platoon fight back, and the German artillery fire must be suppressed."

Although the mortar platoon of the regiment had only 20 or 30 shells left, Okunev still did not dare to neglect after hearing the order from the regiment commander. He quickly called the mortar platoon and ordered them to report to the German army When firing from the mortar position, it is necessary to destroy the German artillery and reduce the casualties on the position.

After the phone call, Okunev reminded Starcha again: "Comrade Commander, the Germans' surprise attack on our regiment's position needs to be reported to the division commander immediately so that he can be mentally prepared."

Before Okunev picked up the phone, Sidolin called first. Knowing that the person who answered the phone was Major Okunev, the chief of staff of the regiment, he asked straight to the point: "Comrade major, I heard gunshots and explosions coming from your place. What happened? Was it attacked by the German army?" sneak attack?"

Seeing that Sidolin had already guessed, Okunev naturally would not hide it, so he replied truthfully: "Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff of the division. The first battalion was attacked by the enemy, and the commanders and fighters of the second company who stood firm were fighting with the enemy. Start the battle. I have given an order to the commander of the first battalion to send the third company up for reinforcements."

Sidolin gave a "hmm" and then asked, "How many troops are there in the sneak attack?"

"I can't see very clearly, but not less than one company."

"Are you sure you can hold your ground?"

"Yes, Comrade Division Chief of Staff, we are fully capable of holding our positions." Okunev thought that the German mortars were bombarding the position, and the mortars in the regiment might not be able to suppress the opponent, so he tentatively asked: "However, it would be great if we could provide us with some artillery support."

"Comrade Major, I also want to provide you with artillery support." Sidolin is now a clever woman who can't live without rice. Even if he intends to use artillery to support the 124th Regiment, the premise is that the divisional artillery regiment must have artillery and shells. Today's Artillery is used as infantry, where can it provide artillery support for the opponent. "But we don't have artillery at all now, so you can only rely on your own abilities to resist the enemy's attack. Of course, if you can't defend, I will send other troops to take over your defense."

Hearing what Sidolin said, Okunev immediately became anxious: "Comrade Chief of Staff, we are capable of holding the position, and we don't need friendly troops to change defense."

After Sidolin ended the call, he first reported to Kurishenko that the 124th regiment was attacked by the German army, and then reported to the army commander Afunin, hoping to get help from him.

Seeing Sidolin put down the phone, Kurishenko couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what did General Afunin say?"

"Let us try our best to hold our position firmly." Sidolin replied with a wry smile, "He said that after dawn, he would send troops to reinforce us."

"If the enemy's strength is stronger than ours, we may lose our position before dawn." Kurishenko said angrily after hearing this: "If we can stop the enemy, what reinforcements do we need?"

"Comrade commander, don't be angry." Colonel Afanasy, the political commissar of the division, said, "Although the artillery regiments of the other two Guards divisions can provide us with artillery support, if the artillery bombardment is carried out at night, it is very likely that our artillery will be exposed." The position of the position, so that the long-range artillery fire of the German army can suppress them. If their artillery regiment is destroyed by the enemy, we will not get any artillery support in the ensuing battle."

"The political commissar is right." Sidolin echoed, "It is only the mortar units of the German army that are bombarding the 124th Regiment's position today. It would be too much of a trivial matter for us to use heavy artillery to destroy them. And once the artillery position is exposed, it is very easy to It is possible to attract the artillery protection of the German army, and the artillery of the friendly army will be completely lost at that time, how will the next battle be fought?"

When the three of them were at a loss for the battle, the phone on the table rang suddenly. Sidolin thought it was the army headquarters, so he picked up the microphone and stuck it to his ear: "I am Sidolin, where are you from?" ?”

Unexpectedly, Sokov's voice came from the microphone: "Hello, Colonel Sidolin, I'm Sokov. I heard that your division's defense area was attacked by the German army?"

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Sidolin straightened his back and replied respectfully: "The position of the 1st Battalion of the 124th Regiment was attacked by the German army, and the battle is continuing."

"Can you keep it?"

"We can hold it." Sidolin replied in an affirmative tone: "But the German army is using mortars to bombard the position, causing us some casualties."

"Have you used artillery fire to suppress the enemy?" Sokov frowned and asked, "Should our commanders and fighters be passively beaten in the fortifications?"

"The mortar platoon of the 124th Regiment is firing back at this moment." Sidolin replied with some hesitation, "But they don't have a lot of shells, and it's still unknown whether they can effectively suppress the enemy."

"Did General Afunin order the artillery regiment of the Airborne Division to provide you with artillery support?"

"No, the friendly army did not provide us with any artillery support." Probably worried that Sokov would misunderstand what he meant, after Sidolin finished speaking, he added: "Commander Afunin did not ask the friendly army to provide us with Artillery support is absolutely correct. The Germans used small-scale mortar squads to bombard our positions. If our army used heavy artillery to destroy these scattered combat units, it would be too wasteful. At the same time , the use of heavy artillery at night will also expose the location of our artillery positions, thereby incurring German retaliation."

In any case, the 41st Guards Division is his own old unit, and Sokov naturally won't watch it suffer. After thinking for a while, he made a decision: "Colonel Sidolin, you immediately send some capable subordinates to my advance command post, I have something to explain to them."

"Your advance headquarters?" Sidolin didn't know that Sokov had established an advance headquarters near the army headquarters, and said with a confused face, "I don't know where it is?"

"It's right next to your army headquarters. After the people you send come, you can find my location by asking." Sokov said into the microphone: "Remember, you must find someone who is familiar with the terrain and is particularly reliable." people come over."

When Sidolin heard this, he wondered if Sokov was planning to provide something to his troops, otherwise he would not have given such an order specifically. He tentatively asked, "Comrade commander, can you tell me something?"

"Don't ask so many questions," Sokov didn't reveal what was going on to the other party, but urged: "Send someone over as soon as possible, I'll wait for them here."

After putting down the phone, Sidolin reported to Kurishenko: "Comrade commander, the commander informed me that we should send someone to his forward headquarters to say something important."

"Forward headquarters?" Kurishenko frowned and asked, "Where is it?"

"It's near the army headquarters." After Sidolin finished speaking briefly, he asked, "Comrade commander, who do you plan to send to the headquarters?"

Kurishenko thought for a while and replied: "The 122nd regiment is now deployed at the rear of the division. I think the deputy head and chief of staff of the regiment should go to see the commander."

After receiving Kurishenko's instruction, Sidolin called the command post of the 122nd Regiment. Hearing someone talking, he immediately said straight to the point: "I am Colonel Sidolin, the chief of staff of the division. Is your regimental commander there?"

Originally, Commander Papchenko had already rested, but the sound of guns from the front position woke him up. Although the defense area of ​​the regiment is far away from the front line, the fight ahead is in full swing. As the commander of the regiment, he naturally cannot sleep a lot. Who knows if the commander will suddenly issue an order to call himself up for reinforcements, so he sits at the table while drinking Sipping strong tea, while waiting for possible orders from the teacher.

Hearing that the staff officer said that Sidolin was looking for him, he quickly got up and took the microphone: "I'm Papchenko!"

"Comrade Colonel," Sidolin did not go around in circles with him, but said bluntly: "I have just received an order from the commander, asking me to send some reliable people to his headquarters to accept the task. I discussed it with the division commander and decided that your regiment will send people to carry out the task."

"Did you rush over overnight?" Papchenko asked: "Can you wait until dawn before going over? You know, the front line has already exchanged fire with the enemy, so it is somewhat unsafe to drive at night. Besides, it is more than 100 kilometers from here to the headquarters. , no one can guarantee that we will not encounter enemy scouts on the road..."

"The forward headquarters where Comrade Commander is now is located next to the army headquarters." Sidolin interrupted Papchenko's words: "It is only a few kilometers away from you, not to mention taking a car, even walking, within an hour can arrive.”

Knowing that Sokov's headquarters was actually next to the army headquarters, Papchenko couldn't help being taken aback. He hurriedly asked, "Comrade division chief of staff, do you know what tasks the commander has to assign?"

"I don't know, Comrade Commander didn't tell me." Sidolin said: "It's getting late, you should send someone there quickly, don't make Comrade Commander wait in a hurry."

Since Sokov had something to tell, Papchenko naturally did not dare to neglect, he quickly called the deputy head of the regiment Victor and the chief of staff Sukharev, and said to them: "I just received the report from the division headquarters. Order, let us send people to the forward headquarters to receive orders from Comrade Commander."

Without waiting for the two to ask, he took the initiative to say: "The commander's forward headquarters is located next to the army headquarters. The two of you will know when you go over and ask."