Red Moscow

After the enemy plane flew away from the battlefield, Ershakov quickly dispatched more men to help fill the crater so that the tank driver could drive the Tiger tank to a safe place in the shortest possible time. , so as not to be bombarded and bombed by the enemy again.

Ivanov received a report from the observation post that Lieutenant Colonel Ershakov had dispatched a large number of men to work on the northern hill of Mamayev Hill, and hurried to the observation post on the top of the mountain. When it became clear that there were at least 300 commanders and fighters filling the crater at the foot of the mountain, they quickly called Yershakov and said bluntly: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, what are you doing? Why are there so many people at the foot of the mountain? So dense In this formation, the enemy can kill or injure dozens of you with just one shell flying over."

Ershakov considered that Ivanov might not understand the situation, so he reported to him: "In order to prevent us from capturing the tanks, the enemy did not use artillery to bombard them, and even dispatched planes to bomb them. If the craters are not filled as soon as possible, let us The tankers from the headquarters drove the tanks away and risked being blown up by the enemy."

Regarding the significance of this captured German tank, Ivanov knew it well, he couldn't say anything more, he could only sigh softly, and said: "Lieutenant Colonel Ershakov, Please tell the soldiers who are busy at the foot of the mountain that once the enemy launches shelling or air strikes, they need to take cover immediately to avoid unnecessary casualties. Do you understand?"

"Understood, Comrade Deputy Commander."

"Also," Ivanov, who was about to hang up the phone, greeted Yershakov and said, considering that Sokov would soon withdraw, "Comrade Commander may lead the troops to withdraw. You order Be smart at the observation post on the top of the mountain, and report immediately when you see the division commander.”

While Mamayev Hill was busy, the German army launched an attack on Liumian Street for the third time. They learned the lesson of the previous two times, and before attacking, they first bombarded the buildings they thought were dangerous with heavy artillery fire. They didn't attack again until those buildings caught fire and even collapsed under artillery fire.

Sokov saw that two buildings equipped with anti-tank guns collapsed under the enemy's shelling, and he couldn't help feeling distressed. Knowing that it was the defense area of ​​the Second Company, he quickly picked up the phone to get in touch with Agranov, and asked bluntly: "Comrade Captain, I saw two buildings with artillery deployed, which were destroyed by the enemy's artillery fire. How about it, have all the artillery soldiers inside withdrawn?"

"I'm sorry, Comrade Commander." Hearing Sokov's question, Agranov replied with some embarrassment: "I don't know. I haven't got specific casualty data yet."

"Then hurry up and count." Seeing that the other party didn't know the casualties of his subordinates, Sokov couldn't help being furious, and shouted at the microphone: "I'll give you five minutes to give me the statistics of casualties and losses immediately. come out."

Seryozha, who had just walked in from outside the house, was startled when he saw Sokov getting angry at the microphone. Seeing Sokov put down the phone, he tentatively asked: "Misha, what happened to make you so angry?"

"Who else is there?" Sokov said angrily, "The enemy's shelling has been over for several minutes, but Agranov has not yet counted the number of casualties."

"Misha, don't worry." Seeing the reason for Sokov's anger, Seriosha quickly persuaded him, "I know you want to know about the artillery casualties, but you shouldn't ask Agranov about this, but you should Ask Porochenko. He is the commander of the artillery company, and he should know best how the artillery is doing."

A word awakened the dreamer, and Seriosha's words reminded Sokov. He raised his hand and slapped himself on the forehead, and then picked up the microphone to call Porochenko. Asked: "Comrade Lieutenant, how are your casualties?"

"The buildings where the No. 3 and No. 4 artillery positions were located were destroyed by enemy fire." Porochenko reported to Sokov: "Both positions were fired at the enemy infantry with high-explosive grenades, and lost them. It is obviously not realistic to rely on artillery alone to suppress the enemy, and to repel the enemy's attack, we have to rely on the infantry brothers."

"How about your losses?" After Suokov finished speaking, he realized that his expression was not accurate enough, and quickly added: "I saw that the two buildings were destroyed by enemy fire, I would like to ask , Has the artillery in the building been safely withdrawn?"

"Except for the two who died, the rest were safely evacuated." Porochenko replied on the phone: "It's a pity that all the artillery in the building was lost."

"Don't worry, we will seize more artillery from the enemy's hands in the future." Considering that these artillerymen are the treasures of the division, Sukov emphasized to him: "As long as people are alive, they are better than anything else." .Understand?"

"Understood." Porochenko replied loudly, "I will convey your meaning to the soldiers."

Sokov put down the phone, looked at Seryozha standing in front of him, and asked curiously, "Seryozha, what are you doing here if you're not commanding the troops outside?"

"Misha, I have good news and bad news for you." Seryozha said mysteriously, "Which one do you want to hear first?"

"Let me tell you the good news first."

"I have ordered people to build two platforms in the basement, and moved two anti-tank guns inside." Seryozha said triumphantly: "The artillery can shoot at enemy tanks or The infantry shot and the enemy had a hard time hitting us."

"This is indeed good news." Seeing that Seryozha turned his defense idea into reality, Sokov was very happy, but thinking of another bad news, he couldn't help frowning again: "Good news Now, what about the bad news?"

"The artillery shells are running out." Seryozha said with a sigh: "There are only two or three armor-piercing shells left for each gun, and seven or eight high-explosive grenades. It is estimated that after repelling the enemy's attack this time, our anti-tank The cannon will become a decoration because there are no shells."

"Anyway, we only need to hold on until it gets dark, and the friendly troops who come to take over the defense will arrive." Sokov said, raising his hand and looking at his watch, and saw that it was less than two hours before dark: "Now we are far away from the sky." There are still two hours left in the dark, Seryozha, you immediately return to your troops and command the soldiers to survive these two hours."

"Misha, do you really think that the friendly army will take over our defense after dark?" Seryozha shook his head and said, "According to my speculation, there will definitely be many uncertain factors in the future. Let things change unexpectedly. According to the worst possibility, our army may be completely lost in Liumian Street."