Red Moscow

Hearing what Ma Lining said, the commanders of the group army present fell into new confusion, and they felt that what they heard was untrue: "What, there are still troops in the encirclement who can jump out of the encirclement and successfully capture Enemy position?"

"That's right, the 73rd Infantry Brigade is occupying the German position." Rokossovsky confirmed to everyone: "According to General Chuikov's telegram, this unit was originally stationed in Orlovka, waiting for us to rush forward." However, our troops failed to break through the enemy's defenses, and their retreat was cut off. In desperation, they had no choice but to break through. Unexpectedly, they did not go east or south We broke through, but chose to break through to the north. Not only did we successfully break out of the enemy's encirclement, but we also captured the enemy's position that gave us a headache."

"Comrade Commander," Kuznetsov felt that he should stand up and make some suggestions to make up for the embarrassment that his troops could not break through the German defense line and join forces with the defenders in the encirclement: "I think we should send troops to rush to fight with the defenders." Friendly forces muster and fortify the fortifications there against possible German counterattacks."

"I have given an order to General Kachanin to immediately send capable troops to that area to join the 73rd Infantry Brigade to consolidate the defense there." Rokossovsky explained to everyone: "There Everyone should be very clear about the terrain. If we want to deploy the armored forces on that position, we have to overcome many difficulties. Not only do we have to cross a river tens of meters wide, but we also have to climb up a steep slope..."

Facing the question raised by Rokossovsky, several commanders looked at each other in blank dismay, and no one could make a good suggestion. Kirichenko, who was silent, saw that everyone was silent, so he said: "Comrade commander, it seems that we have to let the engineers build two to three pontoon bridges on the river so that the tanks of the tank brigade and the artillery of the artillery regiment can pass through." river."

"Comrade Military Commissar, you may not be aware that our army's attack to capture the German position failed entirely because the terrain there was too special." Although Kirichenko took office on the first day, Kuznetsov He had already guessed his identity from the military rank of the political worker he was wearing, and said politely: "The north side of the hill is too steep, and it is very difficult for infantry to climb, let alone tanks and artillery."

"Then what should we do, Comrade General?" Kirichenko looked at the unknown general in front of him and asked, "Can't we put tanks and artillery on the hillside because of the steep terrain?" At this point, he turned his gaze to other headquarters, "Is the engineer commander there?"

"I am Proshlyakov, Commander of the Engineering Corps." As soon as Kirichenko finished speaking, a burly general took a step forward, "What instructions do you have?"

"Comrade General," Kirichenko asked, looking at him, "I would like to ask, how do you plan to transport tanks and artillery up the hillside?"

Hearing Kirichenko's question, Proshlyakov did not answer immediately, but turned his attention to Rokossovsky who was standing aside. Rokossovsky waved his hand at him, and said: "General Proshlyakov, since Comrade Military Commissar is asking you a question, you can just answer it, and see what I do?"

After obtaining Rokossovsky's permission, Proshlyakov straightened his body and reported: "Comrade Military Commissar, it is quite simple to allow tanks and artillery to pass through the river. You only need to build a few pontoon bridges on the river. That's fine. As for getting the technical equipment up the hillside, it will be relatively troublesome, we need to use explosives to blow up a passage on the hillside,..."

"General Proshlyakov," Rokossovsky immediately interrupted Proshlyakov after hearing this, and said to him: "The Germans may launch an attack at any time, and you must complete the attack as soon as possible." The erection of floating bridges and the opening of roads."

After Proshlyakov agreed loudly, Rokossovsky shouted to the crowd again: "General Orel!" The commander of the Armored Forces of the Front whose name was called hurriedly stepped forward and straightened his body. Wait for the other party to issue an order.

"General Orel," Rokossovsky said to him, "immediately assemble two tank brigades, and immediately deploy the tanks to the positions as soon as General Proshlyakov has paved the road."

"Comrade Commander, what about our artillery?" Seeing that Rokossovsky had assigned tasks to the commander of the engineering corps and the commander of the armored corps, but seemed to have forgotten himself, the artillery commander of the Front Army Kazakov hurried out, Actively asked: "Do you also need to move forward?"

"Not for the time being." Rokossovsky shook his head and said, "Our main task right now is defense, and the assistance of the tank brigade is enough. When we turn to the offensive again, your artillery can send a large use."

…………

While Rokossovsky was dispatching troops, Sokov received a telegram from General Kachanin. The general asked Sokov in the telegram not to abandon the position for the time being, but to build new fortifications and prepare for defensive warfare. And promised that he would soon send troops to take over the defense.

After seeing the telegram, Sokov said to Bely and Gurdiyev: "Comrade colonels, I have just received a telegram from the commander of the 24th Army, General Kachanin, asking us not to abandon our positions. On the contrary, we have to build new fortifications here, waiting for the troops he sends to take over the defense here."

"Comrade Brigadier, I think General Kachanin's consideration is completely correct." As soon as Sukov finished speaking, Bely continued: "Look at the terrain here, the south is gentle and the north is steep. Once we give up If you want to regain the position, I don’t know how much you will have to pay.”

"Comrade Brigadier, the terrain in the south is too flat. Except for an unfinished trench, we have no barbed wire fences, minefields, civil fire points, and artillery holes." Gurdiyev asked worriedly: "Once the Germans attack us Onslaught, can we defend it with only our existing troops?"

"If you can't hold it, you have to hold it!" Bely glared at Gurdiyev, and said in a stern tone: "It's very easy to abandon the position. As long as Comrade Brigadier gives an order, we can immediately withdraw from the position. But Once the position is abandoned, the Germans will reoccupy it, and if the friendly forces want to take it, I am afraid they will have to fill in another division or two."

"Colonel Bely, you made a mistake." Gurdiyev quickly defended himself and said, "I'm not talking about giving up the position, but I'm saying that with our current strength and weaponry, I'm afraid it will be difficult to resist the German attack. .”

"With our tank battalion here, what do you have to worry about." Bely continued: "We still have 11 tanks. In addition to being used as fixed turrets, when enemy tanks rush up, they can also rush up and fight them. decisive battle."

"Colonel Bely is right." Not long ago, Sokov was still hesitating whether to hold on or retreat. Now that he saw the telegram from Kachanin, he made up his mind decisively to stay and hold on. Because he knew very well in his heart that Rokossovsky would never refuse to save him, and would definitely send reinforcements to him in a steady stream. "Although our fortifications are not perfect, as long as we have these tanks, it will not be easy for the enemy to regain their positions."

"If the Germans launch a fierce attack, how long can we last?" Gurdiyev was afraid that the two would be dazzled by the victory, and specially reminded them: "You know, the remaining ammunition and fuel in the tank are all Running out."

The speaker was not interested but the listener was interested. Gurdiyev's words reminded Sokov. He slapped his forehead with his hand and said repeatedly: "Damn, damn, why did I forget this most important thing." He hurriedly ordered to sit down. The radio operator not far away said, "Immediately send a report to General Jia Xuening, saying that the ammunition and fuel of our brigade tank battalion are running out, and ask him to find a way to solve part of it for us."

When the radio operator sent a report to General Kachanin, Gurdiyev took out a cigarette and gave Sokov and Bely one each. General Xiaoning replenished ammunition and fuel for the tank, how long can you hold on here?"

After taking two puffs of cigarettes, Bely said dumbfoundedly: "Colonel Gurdiyev, it depends on the accuracy of the German artillery fire. If their artillery fire covers the area with firepower, how many can there be?" Whether the tank survived is still unknown."

"The enemy will definitely bombard our positions before they attack." Gurdiyev sighed after hearing Bely's words, and said, "In this way, how many tanks can we have after the enemy's bombardment is over?" Survival is all a problem, let alone assisting in defense and participating in counterattacks."

"Colonel Gurdiyev, your words reminded me." Sokov came up with a way to save the tank in the shortest time, and he said to the two: "The enemy wants to bombard our position, the shells will definitely If it falls on the front slope on the south side, and the reverse slope on the north side, the enemy's shells will definitely not be able to hit it."

"That's right, that's true." Gurdiyev looked at Sokov like an idiot, and asked back: "But does this have anything to do with how to save tanks from artillery fire?"

"Why is there no contact?!" Sokov squatted on the ground and drew a sketch on the ground with his hands: "If we hide all the tanks on the north slope, can't we escape the enemy's shelling?"

Biely frowned and asked back: "Comrade Brigadier, I wonder if you have considered that the hillside on the north side is so steep, if we drive the tank over, even if we don't turn down the hillside, but when we need to go into battle, we can't drive it." Come up, what should I do?"

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