Chapter 601

I was afraid that I had heard it wrong, so I repeated the question again. Finally, I added: "Comrade commander, can you confirm that the garrison is really retreating without fighting? When you say this, you should be responsible. If it is found out afterwards that there is a discrepancy between the information you reported and the facts, you will be sent to the military court for trial. "

My words silenced Gaidar. A moment later, he answered me decisively: "yes, sir. I can guarantee with my life that the troops on 107.5 will retreat without fighting. Just before the attack, I met 70 or 80 soldiers who had retreated from the high ground.

At that time, I and a dozen soldiers blocked their way and asked them loudly, "who told you to retreat without authorization?"

The soldiers said one after another, "we retreated only after receiving orders from our superiors."

One of the soldiers even said to me, "Comrade commander, our company played very well in the morning's battle, and beat back three German charges in a row."

After listening to the soldier's words, I scanned the line with my eyes and found that all the soldiers blocked by us were soldiers. Except for two or three sergeants and corporal, there was not even a commander with a higher level. The soldier on the list who spoke to me alone was a sergeant. I quickly asked him, "what about your company commander and instructor?"

The sergeant bowed his head and answered me with some sadness: "all sacrificed."

Then I asked, "what about your battalion commander and regimental commander?"

All the soldiers on the scene shook their heads and answered neatly, "sorry, comrade commander, we didn't see them. Maybe they have retreated first."

Seeing that the situation was in crisis and knowing that the independent division had to take action, I ordered the troops to enter the attack position immediately. Originally, I wanted them to join us in restoring positions and driving the Germans down from our high ground. But then came a messenger of the army, saying that the commander himself had ordered them to withdraw immediately into the city to build new fortifications. I heard that it was the order given by the top commander of the army, so I had to let these soldiers leave. "

As I have just learned from chief of staff krailov that the friendly troops stationed at 107.5 are tank troops, since it is their commander who ordered the retreat, let alone kosja and Gaidar, even if I was present, they could not be prevented from giving up their positions. In order to prevent our division from being encircled by circuitous German forces, the first task at present is to take this highland back from the German hands at all costs, so I asked nervously, "Lieutenant Colonel gedar, how many Germans are there on the highland, and are our troops doing well in the current attack?"

"There was a company of German troops on the highland. The speed of the soldiers' climbing was affected by the steep hillside on the south side. Our two successive attacks ended in failure. But now Colonel kosga himself is in company with his guards, and I'm sure we'll soon be able to take the position back from the German hands. "

"What about our artillery, what about our tanks? Captain yegonovitch, Captain Morozov, Captain pelsjian, where are they now? " When I heard that the two regiments had attacked one of the German highlands and had not captured it, I couldn't help getting impatient and yelling at the transmitter.

"Captain perskin's tanks have been completely lost in the last two days of defense. Captain Morozov, mortar company, is using artillery fire to suppress German high ground fire, covering our soldiers for a third charge. And captain yegonovich, "Gaidar said, pausing for a moment, then said," don't you know, sir? When we retreated, we received an order from chief of staff Raskin that the heavy howitzer battalion of captain yegonovich belonged to the 64th group army. Since our division was under the command of the 62nd group army, we let the heavy howitzer battalion be built. "

When I heard Gaidar say that, I was so angry that I beat him on the table. It's true that Colonel Ruskin didn't return to build the heavy artillery battalion sooner or later. It happened that when I needed heavy firepower most, I let the artillery battalion return to build. Isn't it a cut from the bottom? It seems that my troops don't know how much to pay if they want to take back the 107.5 highland.

My actions scared the surrounding Oleg, verol and razumeyeva. They all looked at me with worried faces, but they didn't dare to speak freely, for fear of provoking my thunder. After taking a deep breath, I said to gedar, "commander gedar, you tell captain Morozov to concentrate all the mortars and bombard the Germans on the high ground. We must suppress their firepower and cover our infantry to rush to the high ground."

"Please don't worry, sir. We will certainly win the high ground."

"Cowards who are greedy for life and afraid of death," I said in a low voice after putting down the earphone and transmitter, cursing the commander of the tank army who ordered the troops to withdraw from the position without authorization. "It's time to put a supervision team in your headquarters. When you see that you want to escape, you will all be shot."

Scolded a few words, I inadvertently bowed my head, found razumeyeva just staring at me, I said angrily: "Lieutenant, what are you looking at me for? Is there a flower on my face?"

"Sir, who are you going to contact next?" Razumeyeva asked wrongly.

"Who else can I get in touch with? Of course, with the headquarters of the group army. I'm going to ask commander trakov to report the retreat of the tank army without fighting." Although I'm disgusted with those who make small reports, the situation is different at the moment. If he doesn't let trakov know about the unauthorized withdrawal of the tank army in time, he will always think that the army is still holding high 107.5 and covering the side of mamayev post, which will lead him to make a wrong decision in the next command.

When I spoke to trakov, I was still trembling with anger at the tank commander's fear of death. The abnormality of my voice was noticed by trakov. He didn't know why I was like this. He laughed at me and said, "Colonel oshanina, did the German air attack your position and frighten you?"

"Comrade commander," I said solemnly, "I have some sad news for you!"

Trekov was startled by my tone. He quickly asked, "o'shanina, what's the matter?"

"When the German army launched another attack, the defenders who held fast to the 107.5 highland on the left side of our division had retreated without fighting and were retreating to Stalingrad. The highland had been occupied by the Germans."

After a long time, he asked tentatively, "Comrade oshanina, the commander of the tank army has not reported the retreat to me, and I have not received any relevant information here. Are you wrong? Or is it that a German spy sneaked into your division and deliberately released the news, just to cause panic in your division? "

"No mistake, comrade commander." I solemnly replied: "this information is reported by my head. At this moment, he and his troops are fighting back to the German occupied highland, trying to take this position back from the German hands."

After a second hesitation, trakov asked, "how's the battle going? Have our troops recaptured their positions?"

"Not for the time being, comrade commander. Although our troops launched two charges, because the terrain on the south slope was too steep, the soldiers had to slow down when climbing the slope. As a result, they became the targets of the Germans. Although they paid a lot of casualties, they did not take back the position for the time being. "

"Colonel oshanina," came trakov's serious voice from the earphone, "please tell your commanders and fighters that the 107.5 highland is very important to keep Stalingrad, so let them play the spirit of fearless and fearless, and take it back at all costs."

"Comrade commander, I see. My troops will take the Highlands back."

After the end of the call, I felt that what trekov gave me was a very arduous task. We should know that my troops were originally weak in fighting, and it was OK to fight defensive and sneak attacks. We should fight tough battles in places with unfavorable terrain. Even if we recaptured the Highlands, it would be a tragic victory.

Just want to order razumeyeva and Gaidar contact, ask about the situation of attacking the Highlands, did not expect Gaidar to contact us first. As soon as he heard my voice, Gaidar said in a hurry, "no, comrade division. Our third charge failed again, and commander kosga was wounded in the battle."

"What?" I can't believe what Gaidar said. When the two regiments beat each other, they trampled each other to death with their feet. As a result, the current attack has been repeatedly frustrated. One of the regiments is still injured. I asked angrily, "Gaidar, how did you talk about kosga's injury?"

"Our troops were overwhelmed by the heavy machine gun fire of the German army when they were halfway up the mountain. After the death of a heavy machine gun group that we provided firepower cover for the attacking troops, Lieutenant Colonel kosga rushed up and personally lay down behind the heavy machine gun, operating the machine gun to fire at the Germans. Under his precise strike, the Germans on the hillside fell one after another. As the enemy's firepower weakened, our soldiers doubled their courage and rushed up the mountain.

At that moment, a mortar shell fell on kosja's side and exploded, and his heavy machine gun went dumb. The German army on the hillside also slowed down. Their strong firepower brought down our soldiers who rushed up the hillside

I don't care how the troops were beaten back. I only care about cosga's injury, so I can't wait to ask, "how's Colonel cosga now?"

"The left leg and back were hit by some shrapnel, which had been snatched from the hillside by the health workers. At present, he is still very sober. It is estimated that in less than half a month, the injury will be cured. "

Hearing that kosja's injury was not serious, I breathed a sigh of relief and then ordered Gaidar: "Comrade commander, now the three regiments and four regiments are under your unified command. You immediately organize your troops to prepare for the fourth charge. Remember that the formation of the attack should not be too dense. That is tantamount to putting it on the hillside as a target for the Germans. "

"I see. I'll set up a fourth attack immediately. I'll get the high ground back."

Putting down the earphone and the transmitter, I couldn't help thinking. If I lose the frontal attack again, it will affect the morale of our army. If the German army can't be solved in a long time, as soon as the German reinforcements come up and heavy weapons are added, then my two regiments may be destroyed. What should I do? What should I do?

Just when I was very anxious, Oleg suddenly asked: "Comrade division, I want to ask, where is the base of our fifth regiment?"

When I heard Oleg mention the fifth regiment, I suddenly had an idea that if we can't attack by force, we can outwit. Anyway, many of the officers and men of the fifth regiment were wearing German uniforms, which could be used for their own purposes. Thinking of this, I calmed down a lot. I stood up and asked Oleg, "Comrade commander, how many officers and men in your regiment are wearing German uniforms now?"

Oleg was stunned by my question. After a long time, veroll said calmly, "Comrade division, at present, there are two companies in German uniforms, and nearly half of them are real Germans."

"Come and see," I called Oleg and verol to myself and said to them, "highland 107.5 is two kilometers to the west of us. If you take a troop up the north slope of the highland, I think you can get rid of them quietly and get the highland back."

"But, sir." After listening to my plan, Oleg said with some embarrassment, "if you march in the open during the daytime, you may be found by the Germans on the hillside before you get close to the high ground. In this way, we will have to fight a tough battle. If the German reinforcements come from behind, we will be completely destroyed in the enemy's attack. "

"Commander Oleg," verol said before I could speak, "don't you understand the master's plan? She wants us to lead this army that pretends to be German, to touch it quietly from the north slope, and then attack the high ground. "

"Political commissar verol is absolutely right. That's what I think." In my influence, many Soviet women are much smarter than men. At least they are not as rigid as men. When I heard verol's accurate analysis of my intentions, I gave her a generous compliment“ Next, who will lead the army? "

"Comrade division, this operation is too dangerous. You can't go!" I haven't said who will be in charge of the force yet. Captain busmanov, the commander of the guard battalion, has taken the lead in opposing.

"The captain is right. This operation is too dangerous for the division commander to go." Pugachev, who had just entered the headquarters, also heard the following words and timely expressed his support for basmanov.

Then Oleg and verol agreed one after another: "yes, yes, we can handle these things. Comrade division, you'd better stay in the headquarters and command the troops."

I raised my hand and pressed down. When the headquarters was quiet, I asked, "who do you hear that I am going to lead the troops to fight back? I'm just thinking about the importance of this operation and who should be sent to direct it. "

When I said that, busmanov said with a shy smile: "Sir, you used to do such risky things, so when you think about who will lead the team, you habitually think that you will take risks. How about that? I'll lead the army. What do you think? "

"What do you mean, Captain busmanov?" Hearing what the guard battalion commander said, Oleg next to him was not happy. He retorted, "this is my army. It's not your turn to command."

"Yes, commander Oleg is right." I don't know how verol usually gets along with Oleg, but at this time, she is on the same front with Oleg. "Captain basmanov, although you are the battalion commander, you are the guard battalion commander, not a member of the fifth regiment. Our troops of the fifth regiment are not under your command."

Seeing the tendency of several people to continue to bicker, I quickly raised my hand to stop them and said, "don't fight. This small unit will be under the command of commander Oleg. However, there are too few companies. Add another company to let the commanders and fighters change into German uniforms and run to the high ground. I'll give you an hour to get the Highlands back. "

"But, sir." After listening to my order, Oleg said in embarrassment: "one of the companies is a real German. They have not surrendered to us for more than a week. If they are allowed to fight with their compatriots at this time, will there be a sudden defection?"

In fact, I have considered this problem for a long time. However, seeing that Oleg was baffled by this small problem, I said with some dissatisfaction: "during the attack, you set up the overseers behind the German company. If anyone wants to run away, then..." I waved my hand down and said, "kill them all."

"I see, sir." "Don't worry, I promise to take the Highlands back from the German hands," Oleg said

"To prevent misunderstanding, you take the flag of the independent division. Once the highlands are occupied, put the flag on the top of the mountain, so that lieutenant colonel Gaidar on the south slope will understand what's going on

"Do you want me to send someone in advance to inform commander Gaidar?"

I waved my hand and said, "no, I'll inform Gaidar myself. It's getting late. You can lead the troops and set out. "

As soon as Oleg left, before I could get in touch with Gaidar, razumeyeva reported to me in a hurry: "Comrade division commander, the headquarters of the group army has sent an order for you to go to the headquarters immediately and confront the friendly troops about the loss of 107.5 highland."

After hearing this, I nodded and told razumeyeva: "Lieutenant, you should contact commander gedar immediately and tell him that one of the troops led by commander Oleg will attack from the north of the highland as German troops. Let him pay attention to identification and avoid misunderstanding." Then I waved my head to basmanov and said, "come on, comrade battalion commander, take some soldiers with me to the headquarters of the group army."

Half an hour later, I arrived at trekov's headquarters.

Because the signalman and the Group Commander work in the same room, it seems very noisy here. There are so many telephone rings and telegrams that when chief of staff Krylov asked me, he had to raise his voice again and again: "Colonel oshanina, you just reported to the commander, Is it right to say that the friendly forces on your left, without the permission of the group army headquarters, withdrew the headquarters from the 107.5 highland to the city and left the highland to the Germans? "

When general krailov asked me, trakov sat silent and smoked. Seeing that trakov did not speak, I understood in my heart that what krailov asked me was obviously approved by trakov, so I honestly replied, "yes, comrade chief of staff. My three regiments and four regiments met the troops who had been withdrawn from the Highlands in the process of moving. In order to ensure the security of the left wing of the mamayev post, the third and fourth commanders, Col. kosja and Col. Gaidar, after urgent consultation, resolutely launched an attack on the German troops occupying the high ground. "

"How's the battle going? Has the highland been taken down?" At last, trikov could not help asking.

I shook my head and said regretfully, "because the hillside on the south side of the highland is too steep and we are short of heavy weapons, the army's three successive charges ended in failure. And the third commander, Lieutenant Colonel kosga, was wounded in the battle

"How is the injury?" Krylov asked with concern.

"The left leg and back in a few shrapnel, but after the treatment of health workers, may be able to recover within half a month."

Krailov turned and said to trikov, "comrades of the headquarters, according to the report of Colonel oshanina, the fact is very obvious that the tank army, without the permission of the superior, arbitrarily issued the order to let the troops withdraw, which led to the German army easily seizing 107.5 heights."

Just then, the military commissar gurov came in from the outside and saw that I was also in the headquarters. He was obviously stunned for a moment. Then he said to me with a friendly smile: "aha, Colonel oshanina, I didn't expect that we would meet again so soon."

I quickly stood up to salute him and politely said, "Hello, comrade military Commissar."

Gurov went up to trakov and asked in a low voice, "Comrade commander, is the situation confirmed?"

Trakov dropped the cigarette end on the ground, stamped it out with his feet, and said in a positive tone: "there is no doubt that the situation reported by Colonel oshanina is true. The tank army retreated without permission and left our position to the Germans."

A staff officer came in and reported to several leaders of the group army: "report to the commanders, comrades, the commander and political commissar of the tank army are here, waiting for your reception outside."

"Let them in." Krailov orders the staff.

After a while, two middle-aged commanders walked into the headquarters. The general on the left is obviously a soldier, and the political workers around him should be the political commissar of the tank army.

Trikov stood up, walked up to them, and angrily asked, "commander and political commissar, I want to ask you why you changed the position of your headquarters without the permission of your superiors."

"Well, comrade commander." The general explained somewhat flustered, "I did this because our troops in the Highlands were bombarded by German mortars, and the casualties were very high. In addition to continuous fighting, the soldiers are very tired, and their morale has also been affected to a certain extent, so I made the decision to withdraw the headquarters temporarily. "

"Comrade General, have you asked for instructions from your superiors?" As soon as trikov finished, gurov asked impolitely.

The general shook his head with a red face, indicating that he had not asked anyone for instructions on the retreat.

Trakov then asked him, "you are a Soviet general and the head of a combat area. If the commanders and headquarters of your subordinate forces retreat to the rear without your permission, what would you think? According to order No. 227 of the people's Commission of national defense, how should your action be evaluated? What is the problem that you withdraw your command post to the rear of the group army command post without authorization? "

The tank general didn't answer trakov's question. Both he and the commissar were ashamed. I can see that in their eyes. He warned them that "I think your action is to escape. If you don't move the command post to 107.5 before dark today, you will be sent to the military court."

Gurov and krailov said "yes" together to express their approval of trakov's decision.

Just then, a signalman came up to Krylov and handed him a telegraph paper. He gave me the telegram with only one look, and said, "Colonel o'shanina, this is the telegram forwarded by your men."

I took the telegram, read it at a glance, and then excitedly reported to trikov, "Comrade commander, I have good news for you. My troops have taken highland 107.5 back from the German hands!"