Chapter 476

A lieutenant commander, listening to me, retorted somewhat displeasantly: "Lieutenant Commander oshanina, I trust my soldiers. As long as there is one person left, they will never let the enemy move forward. I believe they can stop the enemy."

"This is Comrade gogoly, the commander of the 804th regiment. During this period of fighting, his regiment has been very tenacious and has fought back countless attacks launched by the enemy," said Colonel sarin

When I heard the name of 804 regiment, I immediately thought that I had heard trakov say that two battalions of this regiment were attacked by enemy infantry and tanks as soon as they entered the battle. Because they didn't have time to dig trenches to escape and couldn't withstand the enemy's attack, they were forced to give up two highlands 161 and 156 and retreat to savnsky village on the right bank of the Qier river. When I think of this, I can't help worrying about whether the 229 Division will be able to withstand the enemy's crazy attack in the daytime tomorrow.

At this time, a captain in a marine uniform frowned and said, "Comrade division, I also believe that with the brave and indomitable fighting spirit shown by our commanders and fighters, we can stop the enemy's crazy attack. But we are running out of ammunition. Now there are less than ten bullets per gun. If we don't replenish the ammunition for the soldiers, we will have to fight for bayonets with the enemy. "

"Don't worry, comrade captain. I'll supply ammunition for your battalion." After comforting the captain, Colonel salen quickly introduced him to me and said, "this captain is from the 66th marine brigade. In yesterday's battle, the 66th marine brigade was forced to retreat south after dogged fighting. Because the battalion of the captain wanted to cover the retreat of the whole brigade, it was surrounded by the enemy and retreated into our division's defensive area. "

I gave the captain a polite smile, and then asked SA Ren, "Comrade division commander, how wide is your division's defensive front?"

SA Ren pointed to the map and said to me, "our division's defensive position is on this mountain. If the enemy wants to attack, the front line can only expand a company's forces at most, and the slope of the hillside is steep, so tanks can't drive up." I was relieved to hear that the enemy's troops were limited every time and that the tanks couldn't get on.

I didn't expect sarin to add: "the enemy's forces are limited every time, and we can't deploy too many forces in the positions. Otherwise, so many people will be crowded in the narrow trenches, and the enemy will bombard us for a while. Without waiting for the attack, we will be able to recoup most of our troops. "

Commander gogoli also added: "Comrade division commander, there is another problem. Now, in our division's defense area, there are more than a dozen serial numbers of various units. Because they were not subordinate to each other before, it is easy to cause confusion in command when fighting. Commander o'shanina, you are from the headquarters of the group army. Do you have any good idea? "

I recognized that Gogol meant to make trouble, but I didn't care with him. What he worried about was really nothing for a passer-by like me. I said lightly, "Comrade commander, this is a small problem. You don't have to worry about it. In order to avoid command confusion caused by multiple organizational systems in combat, I suggest that all units be reorganized into a number of companies, one company by one, and put into combat. Because we haven't held fast for a long time, I suggest that every company, no matter what the casualties are, only fight for two hours and then withdraw to the back to rest. The company commander will stay as an adviser to the later company commander. In doing so, we not only avoided confusion in command, but also preserved a number of backbone fighters in each company. As long as there are backbone fighters, we will be able to quickly form combat effectiveness after being supplemented and rehabilitated in the future. "

When I finished, there was a complete silence in the cave, and I felt that all the people, including Colonel sarren, Lieutenant Colonel gogoly, and the captain of the Navy, were watching me. I'm a little embarrassed by them. I don't know what to do. After a while, I coughed awkwardly and asked tentatively, "why, am I wrong?"

Saran slapped the table and cried out, "great, commander o'shanina, your advice is great. In this way, our troops not only have the necessary combat experience, but also maintain the backbone of the fighting. Even if we withdraw to the rear and replenish all the new recruits when we rest, our troops will be able to form combat effectiveness in a short time. "

"Yes, sir." Just now Gogol, who made trouble for me, echoed: "this proposal is really wonderful. I've fought many battles, so why can't I think of such a good way. Lieutenant commander o'shanina is worthy of being from the headquarters of the group army, and the command level is high. "

In the face of flattery, I tried to keep smiling. In fact, my heart was full of shame. I shamelessly plagiarized the tactics of the future volunteer army.

The commanders who attended the meeting left one after another and went back to the army to regroup. When there were only two people left in the cave, I felt dignified again.

Sarin found me abnormal and asked with concern, "Comrade o'xanina, what are you thinking about, you look like you are full of worries?"

When I saw that Saren was not an outsider, I didn't hide from him. I told him my worries frankly: "Sir, I'm worried about two things now. One is about breaking through. I think we should inform the commander of the 147th division before breaking through. Otherwise, as soon as we break through the encirclement, his left wing will be empty. If the enemy drives straight in and attacks them on both sides, they will be in danger of being annihilated. "

After hearing this, Saren said, "well, you have a point. What's the other thing? "

"The war is coming, but the 62nd group army is changing generals. This is a big taboo of military strategists. The new commander, lopagin, knew the situation of the army, so he gave the army a dead order not to retreat. At the same time, in order to prevent the army from withdrawing without authorization, he blew up the pontoon and cut off the only way for the group army to retreat. By doing so, the troops that had been besieged on three sides had to fight against each other. In the end, it is still unknown how many officers and men can successfully stand out from the encirclement. "

"Is that what you're talking about?" Saren asked in a puzzled way, "you are not the commander of the group army. You can't object to his orders."

I quickly waved my hand and replied, "no, the second thing I want to say is not this. What I want to say is general kolpakchi. After all, he has been commanding the troops for three weeks. Under his command, our troops have seriously damaged and delayed the enemy's attack. He knows the troops of the group army, and the commanders and fighters below also know him. If the news of his dismissal and arrest spreads, it will be a fatal blow to the taxi air of the army. "

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to report this to my superiors. For the time being, I'll let general kolpakchi stay and continue to command the troops. After the troops successfully jump out of the encirclement, cross the Don River and enter a new defensive zone, I'll consider how to deal with him."

I didn't expect that Saran would sneer after hearing what I said. He said impolitely, "Comrade commander, who are you? Zhukov or Timoshenko? It's your turn to decide whether a group army commander will go or stay. To tell you the truth, kolpakchi was dismissed and arrested. It was absolutely with the permission of the supreme commander. Do you think your opinion can influence the decision of the Supreme Commander himself? "

After listening to what Colonel salen said, I knew I was taking things for granted, and I couldn't help getting depressed. I felt as if my body had been pulled out of my spine and I was sitting on the bench by the table.

Seeing my lost look, sarin came over and patted me on the shoulder, comforted me and said, "Comrade o'shanina, I know you are also kind, but you and I are too low-level to do many things."

Although kolpakchi had scolded me before, I didn't want to see him come to such an end, so I asked reluctantly, "Comrade teacher, is there really no way out?"

Sarin pondered for a moment, then said with regret, "if we can contact General trakov and let him go out and beg for mercy from the headquarters of the front army, this may have a better chance."

Hearing him mention trekov, my heart suddenly lit up hope, I suddenly stood up and asked excitedly: "Sir, do you have a telephone here? I have commander trakov's call code. I can talk to him directly. "

I was just a fluke to ask casually, but I didn't expect that Saren really had a telephone here. The messenger put the phone on the desk and started calling trakov according to the call code I provided.

He soon got in touch with trakov. He asked strangely, "I'm trakov. Where are you?"

Saren took over the conversation and answered in a loud voice: "Hello, comrade commander. I'm the commander of the 229th infantry division, Colonel sarin. I'm glad to be in touch with you. "

"It's you, comrade colonel. What's the situation there? "

"Very bad, comrade commander. Our division is surrounded by the enemy. I've just discussed with lieutenant commander o'shanina, and we're going to lead our troops to break through the encirclement to the South tomorrow evening, and then we'll go to the ferry to the left bank of the river. "

"What, o'shanina, why is she with you? I had her sent to 62nd army headquarters. You ask her to come and talk to me. "

I took the headset from sarin and listened to the familiar voice inside. My nose was a little sour. I took a deep breath and tried to make my voice steady: "Hello, comrade commander, I'm oshanina."

"I said, comrade oshanina, didn't I send a driver to take you back to the 62nd army headquarters? Why did you appear in the division headquarters of the 229th division? "

"Comrade commander, this is the situation. When the driver took me back to the headquarters, he was just in time for commander kolpakchi to hold the last military meeting... "

"What? I beg your pardon? What was the last military conference? " Before I finished, trakov couldn't wait to interrupt me, asking, "what's the matter? You've confused me. Don't worry. Tell me slowly. "

I quickly told him what had happened after I returned to the 62nd army headquarters. Finally, I mentioned the case of kolpakchi.

After listening, trikov was silent for a moment, and then asked faintly, "o'shanina, how do you want me to help him?"

As for this matter, I have already had a thorough consideration, so I went straight to the point and said, "Comrade commander, if I go to ask general gordov, commander of the front army, about general korpakchi, I don't think there will be any result. I think you should report this to general Zhukov and ask him to make a decision. " The reason why I don't recommend trikov to ask gordov is that I think he is a headstrong and unsustainable little old man, and he is not as reliable as Zhukov in Moscow.

Trekov agreed to my proposal, and then said, "I'll report to Zhukov about korpakchi in a moment. I hope he can help. As for your breakthrough action tomorrow night, you must report to the 62nd group army command in advance. Otherwise, when you withdraw from the battle, the 147th division next to you will not know, and the empty defense line will be exposed in front of the enemy, and the troops may suffer heavy losses after a sudden attack. " Without waiting for me to say anything, he added, "good luck and bring as many troops as you can." The call was then interrupted.

The next morning, sarin and I were having breakfast in the cave when we heard the fierce gunfire outside. The enemy's heavy guns and tank guns were on the other side of the hill where we were. Sarin put down his breakfast and said to me, "come on, comrade commander, let's go to the observation post on the top of the mountain."

Before we got out of the command post, the telephone on the desk rang suddenly. SA rushes to the table, grabs the phone and says in a loud voice, "I'm Colonel SA Ren. What's the matter?"

The phone call came from lieutenant colonel gogoly, who reported in the phone: "Comrade division, without artillery preparation, about a company of infantry under the cover of more than 20 tanks launched an attack on our position."

"You must stand firm and never allow the enemy to move forward." Sarin yelled at the microphone. Before he spoke, his words were covered by the rumbling of the motor of the plane.

A communication soldier stood at the door, looking up at the sky, and kept counting: "one, two, three, four... Eighteen, nineteen. My God, the Krauts really look up to us. They sent so many planes. "

Sarin and I went to the entrance of the cave and saw that many German planes circled over the hill and then dived to the position on the other side of the hill.

Sarin looked at me and asked, "Comrade commander, do you dare to go to the observation post on the top of the mountain with me?"

"Come on, go to the top of the mountain and have a look." I know it's dangerous to go up the mountain, but I can't show weakness in front of sarin. Even if there is a sea of fire ahead, I can only go through it with a stiff head.

We came to the observation post at the top of the mountain along the mountain path. From here, we can clearly see that the enemy tanks are stopping at the foot of the mountain, firing tank guns at the position halfway up the mountain. One after another, they dive to the position, dropping bombs and strafing, and the exploding bombs and shells puff up black smoke one after another.

At this time, the phone rang in the observation center. Sarin picked up the phone and asked, "Colonel sarin, did the enemy launch a fierce attack on your defense area?"

I stood by and heard that the caller was military Commissioner gurov, who was very polite to Saren. Saren also wanted to say: "Hello, comrade military Commissar. You can rest assured that although the enemy's offensive is fierce, it is not so easy to break through our defense line. We're going to make sure they're going to have a head injury here. "

"I can't be careless! The enemy will not be willing to fail. After their attack fails, they will soon launch a more violent attack. " Gurov kindly reminded him, "in addition, your division does not belong to the organizational system of our group army. If you have the opportunity, I suggest you take your troops to stand out and reserve more seeds for our front army."

After hearing gurov's words, sarin was silent for a moment, and then said loudly in front of the microphone: "please rest assured that before we break through, we will resolutely block the enemy's position and never let them move forward."

His confident voice clearly satisfied gurov. The other side was silent for a moment, and said: "before you break through, you must communicate with the 147th division, so that they can prepare in advance, so as not to encounter the enemy's sneak attack."

"I see. Our division must contact friendly forces before breaking through."

"Good luck, then!" With that, gurov hung up.

At this time, gogoly reported by telephone that the enemy's first charge had been repulsed, infantry and tanks were retreating, and planes in the air had flown to the defense area of the 62nd army. The company in the position suffered more than half of the casualties. He asked if he could use this short time to exchange guards?

Saren held the microphone in his hand and asked me, "Comrade commander, do you think it's appropriate to change the guard at this time?"

I quickly nodded, said with a smile: "let the company commander stay in the position, the troops withdraw, for a new company up."

After listening to this, Saren said to the microphone like a messenger: "Comrade commander, change your defense. Remember to keep a secret and don't let the troops suffer unnecessary casualties during the change of defense."

Shortly after the change of defense, the enemy began to bombard our positions with heavy artillery. After the retreated tanks and infantry adjusted their formation, they began to charge for the second time. More than ten minutes later, gogoly called again. He said in panic: "due to the lack of ammunition, we can't stop the enemy's attacking troops. The enemy's infantry have rushed into the trench and are fighting for bayonets with our soldiers."

Sarin roared at the microphone: "you idiot, send another company immediately. We must drive the enemy out of the trench or destroy them on the spot, otherwise we will not be able to hold out until dark."

In a short time, we can see through the telescope that after the new forces entered the positions, the soldiers used submachine guns and rifles to wipe out all the enemies who rushed into the trenches. Only after dark did the enemy's attack stop completely. During the day, we repelled more than 20 enemy attacks. More than a dozen companies fought one round, and some even fought two battles in their positions. Seeing that the enemy did not attack, sarin quickly organized troops to transport the wounded and collect the weapons left by the German army in front of the position to supplement our commanders and fighters. After all this, it's already midnight. The army's breakthrough began. The battalion of the marine brigade was responsible for the task of opening the way. Next came the 804 regiment of Colonel gogoly. Sarin and I, with the rest of our troops, walked slowly as guards of the whole division.