Chapter 554

The flag ceremony is over.

After a brief ebullition, I felt lost. The flag ceremony was too simple and too playful. Even if there is no military band playing "Internationale" or "holy war", even if trakov and his colleagues just said a few words, it would be over. However, after I witnessed the flag awarding several times later, I found that I had wrongly blamed trakov. In fact, he attached great importance to the flag awarding ceremony of our division. At least he was the deputy commander of the group army and was present in person with the military Commissar. When awarding flags to other units, he just handed the general flag to the top commander of the unit, and simply said: "Comrade so and so, I give you this glorious flag. I hope you can protect it as well as protect your own life, strike the enemy hard in the battle, and build immortal meritorious deeds." The flag ceremony was completed. Let's not mention it.

After the ceremony, as soon as he stepped down from the rostrum, trakov called me aside and said to me, "oshanina, I'm here to bring you 500 additional recruits and 10 trucks of weapons and ammunition."

Hearing him say so, I asked excitedly: "are all veterans with combat experience?"

Trekov shook his head, looked up at the distance, and whispered, "o'shanina, maybe I'll let you down. These new recruits, like most of the soldiers in your division, are prisoners from gulag. That is to say, they have not received any military training or combat experience. It's up to you to train them to be the main force on the battlefield. "

Although I was a little disappointed, my superior somehow gave me some additional soldiers. I quickly called captain Pugachev over and said to him, "Captain Pugachev, you go to call commander xiejerikov over and ask him to take people outside the forest to receive additional soldiers and weapons."

Pugachev agreed. He was about to turn around and leave, but he was stopped by trakov: "Comrade captain, wait a minute." Pugachev didn't know why trikov asked him to stay, so he stood where he was and turned to me for help.

I said to trikov in a hurry: "Comrade commander, I asked him to find a commander, lieutenant commander xiejerikov. The lieutenant commander is relatively familiar with receiving soldiers and weapons and equipment. He is a suitable person."

Trikov raised his hand, looked at his watch, and said, "time is pressing. Call your commanders to the headquarters immediately for a meeting. I will explain to them the current situation of the enemy and ourselves. As for the reception of soldiers and weapons, you can arrange for someone else to go. I and the comrades of the military commissar will wait for you at the headquarters first. " Finish saying, and the side of sheljiuk said a, two people then take a group of commanders to leave first.

Since shejerikov is going to a meeting, when he receives soldiers and weapons, he can only leave it to others. I looked around and thought that Pugachev was the most suitable person, so I called him over and said, "Captain Pugachev, the commander has replenished our division with 500 recruits and ten trucks of ammunition. Take some people to receive them." Then I called Willa in front of me and told her, "Willa, you go to inform the four leaders of shejerikov, Oleg, kosja and Gaidar, and ask them to rush to the headquarters immediately for a meeting. Time is running out. Let them hurry up. You go

After all this, I was about to go to the headquarters when I heard someone behind me saying, "don't you know me, Colonel o'shanina?"

I looked back and saw the captain who was carrying the flag just now. I felt very familiar, but I couldn't remember who he was.

"I'm kerimov, comrade oshanina," the captain reminded me. "It's general trakov's adjutant. Don't you forget?"

Adjutant kerimov, when I heard this address, I could see him limping under the German escort on that dark moon night. I quickly stepped forward, reached out to him and said excitedly, "it's you, comrade captain. Please forgive me for not recognizing you at the first time after I met you several times. " When shaking hands, I asked with concern, "are you all right?"

"Thank you for your concern. Although the injuries on my body when I was rescued by you looked frightening, in fact, they were all skin injuries. I had been lying in the military hospital for less than ten days and I was all cured. "

"Comrade commander is still waiting for me in the headquarters. We talk as we walk," I said, looking at my watch. "After all, I haven't seen you for a long time."

"The last time we met was half a month ago. Maybe your attention is focused on the flag today, so I have appeared in front of you several times, but you didn't recognize me. "

I laughed with embarrassment and said to myself, "yes, Captain kerimov, since you appeared, my eyes have been on your flag, and the rest have been ignored by me."

As we spoke, we came to the gate of the headquarters unconsciously. I reached out to him again and said, "Captain kerimov, I'm going in for a meeting. We'll talk again when we have a chance. Goodbye. " After shaking hands, I turned and strode into the headquarters.

I went into the headquarters and saw lieutenant razumeyeva, the new communications company commander, pouring tea for trakov and sheljiuk. Seeing her move, I couldn't help nodding with satisfaction. She came out of the logistics department after all. She had insight and knew how to receive leaders.

As soon as I had a chat with trakov, the four leaders of chejerikov went into the headquarters. Trikov quickly called them: "comrades are coming. Don't stand. Sit down. We'll have a meeting right away."

After the four leaders and I were seated, after announcing the meeting, trakov said solemnly, "comrades, I have some unfortunate news for you. Just the day before yesterday, the enemy broke through the defensive positions of the 62nd group army in welchic and biskovatka, and three infantry divisions, two motorized divisions and one tank division of the enemy's 14th and 8th Army of tank and infantry swarmed into the breach. The vanguard of the enemy, under the cover of more than 100 tanks, has advanced to the Volga River. "

Hearing what trakov said, several commanders who didn't know much about the enemy were surprised and began to whisper. I glared at them and said impolitely, "comrades, please keep quiet and listen to the commander."

After waiting for the room to be quiet, trakov continued: "we are facing a very critical situation. In this case, any panic will bring unimaginable consequences. The crafty German saw this point, in order to cause our army's panic, and skillfully used this point to attack Stalingrad. During the day, the enemy sent a large number of bombers to Stalingrad and bombed the city nearly 2000 sorties.

Since the outbreak of the war, the enemy has never carried out such a large-scale air raid on any of our cities. In the air raid, Stalingrad, a big city stretching 50 kilometers along the Volga River, suddenly turned into a sea of fire. The disaster and the shadow of the fourth five year plan shrouded thousands of Stalingrad families. The enemy's bombing continued until dark. Although it caused us heavy losses, the enemy's air force also paid the price. At least 120 enemy planes were shot down by our Air Force fighters or anti-aircraft artillery units.

***The rampant bombing of Stalingrad by the bandits did not cause panic and confusion among the city's defenders. At the call of the military committee of the front army and the city party organizations, the soldiers and the citizens worked side by side to protect the factory while producing weapons. The veteran soldiers, steelmakers, tractor factory workers, railway workers, sailors on the Volga River, stevedores, shipbuilders, ordinary staff and housewives in the war of defending the city all took active actions and joined hands. At present, they have turned Stalingrad's famous factories, such as tractor factory, barricade factory, Red October factory and power station, into impregnable defensive fortresses. "

When trakov took up the teapot to drink, I lost no time to ask, "Comrade commander, what is the next task of our independent division?"

Trikov put down the teapot, pushed a map which had been open for a long time, and said anxiously: "some time ago, according to Comrade oshanina's proposal, our group army let the troops in the front send small troops to harass the enemy, which made them unable to take care of themselves and launch new attacks. Since I was temporarily dismissed, this small-scale harassment operation has stopped, and the enemy has been able to mobilize troops calmly, concentrate superior forces and artillery fire to attack the defense area of our group army. The loss of 158 highland the day before yesterday was the result of the enemy's accumulated strength.

According to the Scout's report, Goth's tank 4th Army was the main force of the attack, and one of their troops carried out its main assault through dutovo from the south. At present, their troops have wedged 15 kilometers into the junction of our group army and the 57th rear group army. This greatly increased the risk of the Gothic army breaking through Stalingrad and Volga from the south.

In order to remedy this unfavorable situation, general yeliaomenko, commander of the front army, was forced to transfer four anti tank annihilating artillery regiments, four close guard mortar regiments and the 56th tank brigade from the lines of the 62nd group army and the 4th tank group army to strengthen the dangerous zone south of Stalingrad defended by the 57th group army. These troops effectively prevented the attack of the Gothic group army, but this transfer was noticed by Paulus, who increased the strength of the attack and broke through the 62nd group army's defense line from many areas.

Due to the retreat of friendly forces, our group army is now surrounded by the enemy Goth 4th tank group army and Paulus 6th group army. In order to avoid the fate of annihilation of the whole army after being encircled, commander shumilov and I decided that the group army would begin to retreat to Stalingrad tonight. The task of your division is to act as the guard of the whole army and cover the main force of the group army to complete this retreat. "

"Comrade commander," after listening to trekov's words, I know how arduous the task our division will undertake. Even if the independent division's existing equipment and training level is exhausted, it will not be able to block the rolling iron flow of the Goth tank army. So I want to take this opportunity to ask trekov to make some conditions: "our division lacks heavy weapons, especially anti tank weapons, It's very difficult to block the enemy's armored forces. "

"Comrade oshanina, you don't have to worry about that." Sheljiuk stood up to comfort me and said, "I know that this task is extremely arduous for your division. So tonight your division will be transferred to the defense division of the former 208 division to receive an artillery battalion and a tank unit with 10 tanks. I hope this equipment will help you. "

After seeing off trakov and sheldyuk, I said to the four infantry commanders and the temporarily recruited artillery company Capt. molozov and tank company Capt. pelsjian with a worried face: "comrades, the tasks are clear. The main force of the group army will begin to retreat tonight, while our division will sit at the back to cover the retreat. I believe we all know that with our division's current equipment and training level, it is an impossible task to block the advance of the enemy's mechanized forces. "

"What shall we do?" Shejerikov looked at the silent commanders around him and asked first, "do you know that this kind of beating is like hitting a stone with an egg, and we're going to fight it with a stiff head?"

"Yes, comrade commander." Calling him his new rank, I said in an indisputable tone, "the reason why the group army headquarters entrusted our division with the task of covering the retreat is that they trusted us. No matter how much we sacrifice, we must finish the task to the letter. "

As soon as my words came out, Jerry cofton was silent. Seeing the commanders here, I said with great sincerity: "comrades commanders, I fully understand the difficulty of this task. It is possible that after the war, the independent division will have to withdraw to the rear for recuperation and replenishment, and some of us here will die. I call you all together not to say whether we should be this defender or not, but to discuss how to fight tomorrow and how to minimize the casualties of our division. "

"What else can I do?" "Build fortifications in the main blocks and fight face to face with the enemy until we all die," he muttered

Seeing everyone's depression, I coughed and said, "don't be so pessimistic. The headquarters of the group army has not only supplied our division with soldiers, but also weapons and ammunition. When we arrive at the 208 division in the evening, we can receive an artillery battalion and a tank unit. " At this point, I turned to look at Morozov and pelsjian, and said to them with a smile: "artillery company commander, tank company commander, in this way, your two forces will grow."

"Comrade division," pelsjian stood up and said frankly, "even if we have added ten tanks, it is impossible to block the enemy's armored forces with our dozen tanks."

"Yes Morozov also stood up and echoed: "even if we add an artillery battalion, we are still at an absolute disadvantage compared with the German army in firepower. As long as they carry out a round of shelling on our position before the attack, our artillery will be completely destroyed. "

When I heard the argument of defeatism from several people, I slapped the table fiercely, stood up abruptly and roared angrily: "I thought you would become heroes in the battle, but now I know that I am wrong. You guys are just a bunch of cowards who are afraid of death."

Perhaps my words were a little harsh. Gaidar immediately stood up and retorted, "Comrade commander, I'm not a coward. You can rest assured that even if the other three regiments become deserters, our fourth regiment will fight with you to the end. "

Without waiting for me to speak, Gaidar's words have aroused the public indignation of the other three commanders. First of all, Lieutenant Colonel shejerikov jumped out and retorted, "chief gedar, what did you say? You four regiments are not afraid of death. Are we all cowards? I'll leave my words here today. As long as there is one person in the regiment, we will decide not to leave our position to the Germans. "

"Yes, there are no cowards in our second regiment to escape." Second group leader Oleg is not willing to be outdone.

Although the third group leader kosja was the last one to speak, he was not willing to lag behind and made a positive statement to me: "Sir, comrade, I'm here to make a statement to you. If a deserter of the third group appears, you will shoot me."

Seeing that everyone's fighting mood is high, I feel more at ease. I raised my hands and pressed them down to make them all sit down. After everyone sat down, I spoke out my own idea: "our division is at a disadvantage compared with the enemy not only in terms of firepower but also in terms of strength. Therefore, we can't fight hard battles, we can only fight skillful battles..."

"Fight skillfully? That's quite a new statement. " Oleg was particularly surprised by my statement, so he couldn't wait to ask, "what's the way to play, sir? Let's have a long experience. "

"Although there were field fortifications built by the 208 division, their defense direction was mainly aimed at the enemy coming from the west, while there were no fortifications in the South except for a few checkpoints. After we took over the defense, commander Gaidar said, "hearing my name, Gaidar stood up and looked at me without strabismus, waiting for my order." after you take over the defense of the 208 th division, you build two trenches in the South overnight, with an interval of 500 meters, and connect them with traffic trenches. Remember, in order to reduce the damage of the enemy's artillery fire to our commanders and fighters, we need to build more gun holes in the trenches. I'll leave it to you to stick to these two lines of defense. In order to speed up the construction, the newly established engineering company is under your command. "

"I understand!"

I went on to call the roll: "Lt. Oleg, Lt. pelsken." After the two men got up, I continued to give orders, "commander Oleg, you lead your second regiment to build an underground tank depot by the side of the road one kilometer to the south of our army's newly built trench, and hide captain perskin's tanks overnight. When the enemy's armored forces rush towards our defensive positions, you will attack decisively after you get the order, hit the enemy's flanks and take them by surprise. "

"Underground tank depot?" Perrskin looked at me blankly, then at Oleg, and asked hesitantly, "does this work? Won't the Germans find out? "“ As for the underground tank depot, you can ask Oleg to give you a detailed explanation later. Yesterday, when we participated in the battle to recover 158 Highlands, we saw the 29th division use this underground bunker to hide tanks. " Then I named Morozov and told him, "Captain Morozov, your artillery position is behind our second line of defense. And in the battle in the daytime tomorrow, only your original cannon artillery company will be used, and the newly received artillery battalion will be hidden for the time being. " Seeing Morozov's expression of pain, I explained to him: "according to general trakov, this artillery battalion has relatively strong artillery fire, and the artillery shells are extremely abundant. For the Germans, we naturally need to teach them by cannons. The only thing we need to worry about is how to avoid German planes. You should know that in the vast area between the Don River and Volga River Basin, except for a few forests and hills, the rest are grasslands and plains, with a wide field of vision, it is difficult to hide large troops. Therefore, the artillery battalion can't let them fight until night. It's better to push the artillery battalion near the enemy's camp and bombard them when the Germans begin to sleep, so that the Germans who are dreaming can dance in the artillery fire of our army. " After listening to my words, Morozov felt relieved. He wiped the sweat on his forehead and replied loudly, "please rest assured, sir. I promise to finish the task you gave me." Seeing that I had assigned tasks to the second and fourth regiments, artillery companies, artillery companies, and even the newly established engineering companies, the leaders of the first and third regiments, Xie jerikov and kosja, could not sit still. They stood up and asked me anxiously, "Comrade division commander, what about the tasks of our two regiments?" I took a look at them, sat down and said slowly, "the third regiment draws two companies to help the newly received artillery battalion transfer their guns. Another five companies were drawn to guard the original line of defense of the 208 th division. The regimental headquarters of the third regiment are located in the small village where the former division headquarters of the 208 division are located. " Seeing that kosja also had a task, and I had not called him, xiejerikov was a little worried. He asked in a voice: "Comrade teacher, what is the mission of our regiment I picked up the teapot in front of me and took a sip of tea. Looking at him, I said faintly: "as the reserve team of the whole division, Yituan continues to stay in the forest. I will decide when to use your reserve team according to the change of the situation