Chapter 629

Seeing their confused reaction, I smile and explain to them, "Comrade chief of staff just said that we are short of enough artillery. I think so. Since the superior can't send us artillery, we will try to form our own artillery."

"Sir, what does this have to do with the empty gasoline tank you want?" Asked akhromeyev curiously.

Kirilov and akhromeyev looked at each other and said, "yes, comrade oshanina, I'm confused by you. What's the connection between this empty gasoline barrel and the artillery we are going to set up?"

"I'm just going to use empty barrels to make new cannons." As soon as my words came out, their chins almost hit the table. When I saw a pen in akhromeyev's hand, I reached out to him and said politely, "Comrade chief of staff, please lend me your pen."

Akhromeyev quickly stood up, leaned forward and handed me the pen across the table.

I took the pen from his hand, said thanks, unscrewed the cap and put the pen holder on the table. I looked at the cap in my hand, thought about it, put it on the penholder, and began to explain to the two commanders the principle of the upcoming thunder gun: "my political commissar and chief of staff, this new type of cannon I mentioned is actually an explosive bag launcher with a gasoline barrel as the barrel. The main body of this kind of weapon, which can also be called explosive launcher, is an empty vapor oil barrel. After filling it with propellant, put the explosive package bundled into a disk shape into it, and then ignite the propellant. Using the impact force generated by the explosion, the explosive package weighing up to 10 kg can be thrown 150-200 meters away. "

When I introduced the principle of the torpedo to them, they were staring at the cap on the desk. After a while, akhromeyev said in an uncertain tone: "Sir, your idea is good, but we are not professionals. It is still a question whether this kind of explosive bag launcher can be manufactured."

Kirilov waved his hand and said simply, "well, since we are all laymen, don't waste our time here. We'd better call captain Morozov, the artillery battalion commander, and lieutenant mihayev, the engineer company commander, and let them give us their professional opinions again. "

"The political commissar is quite right." Their proposals were very reasonable, so I followed suit and said decisively, "in this case, I'll call Morozov and mihayev and let professionals comment on my ideas."

After my words, without waiting for my order, akhromeyev had got up and went to the telephone. He called Morozov and mihayev respectively and informed them to rush to the headquarters immediately. There were important tasks to assign to them.

After receiving a phone call from akhromeyev, molozov and mihayev dare not neglect and trot to the headquarters one by one. Before breathing, Morozov gasped and asked, "may I ask the teachers and political commissars to come to us? Do you have any new instructions?"

I quickly asked them to sit down at the table and asked akhromeyev to repeat what I had just said to them. After hearing this, their expressions were quite different. Morozov frowned and stared at the cap on the desk, as if he was considering the feasibility of my proposal. Mihayev, on the other hand, was embarrassed and kept looking around.

Kirilov stood behind mikheiev with his hands behind his back and asked with a smile, "Lieutenant mikheiev, what do you think of the teacher's idea?"

Mihayev stood up in a hurry, turned around and replied awkwardly, "report to the political commissar, I have no opinion."

"Why?" Kirilov's face changed as he said this.

Mikhail yev also saw the change of kirilov's face and explained in a hurry: "Comrade political commissar, as you know, the company commander of my engineering company is not a real engineer. I don't master the professional skills of engineers. What I am familiar with is building houses or building fortifications, and I don't understand anything else."

I saw a disappointed expression on kirilov's face and immediately asked molozov, who was thinking, "Comrade captain, what do you think of this?"

My words awakened Morozov from his meditation. He stood up in a hurry and replied cautiously: "Mr. reporter, I've thought about it carefully. Theoretically, your idea can be realized."

Molozov's words aroused kirilov's hope again. He couldn't wait to ask, "Captain molozov, you are a professional and have the right to speak more than all of us. Do you think that you can really make the kind of cannon that the division commander said with an empty gasoline tank?"

Morozov nodded hard and said with certainty: "yes, according to the introduction of the chief of staff, the explosive launcher mentioned by the division chief has some similarities with the previous heavy mortar guns. They are all used at a high elevation angle and have a short range, but the explosive power is absolutely amazing. Moreover, the caliber of this weapon is absolutely amazing. The caliber of the gun depends on the thickness of the oil barrel we use. According to my experience, this kind of 10 kg huge explosive package produces a strong explosive impact. Wherever they pass, both fortifications and soldiers will be blown up, and even those hiding in tanks will not be spared, because even if they are not blown up, they will be shocked to death alive. "

After listening to Morozov's explanation, kirilov's face showed a surprise expression. He turned his head and asked me excitedly, "Comrade division, if this kind of cannon is built, can it achieve the effect that Captain Morozov said?"

I nodded and said seriously, "yes, comrade political commissar. After this kind of gun is manufactured, we can use it to attack German tanks, armored vehicles, field fortifications and dense attack formations. And this kind of gun is easy to make, as long as there is a gasoline barrel. When our forward forces are equipped with this kind of weapon, will they be afraid of the intensive charging of German tanks and infantry? "

Kirilov was very excited when he heard what I said. He said, "it's really wonderful. I'll call the commander immediately and ask him to provide us with enough explosives."

"Wait a minute, comrade political commissar." Kirilov went to the phone. As soon as he picked up the phone, he was stopped by Morozov. He looked back at Morozov and asked, "Comrade captain, do you have anything to say?"

Morozov turned his head and looked at me with a sad face and said, "Comrade division, the old heavy mortar guns used to use explosives to hit out are all iron balls. There is no problem of detonation. I haven't come up with a good way to detonate the explosive bag. "

I thought it was a technical problem. I didn't expect it was such a small problem. I waved my hand and said, "Comrade captain, don't worry. It's easy. At the same time, the fuse on the explosive package is ignited. Remember, the fuse should be a little longer, otherwise it will explode before it flies out of the gun, or it will hurt our own people

"I see, sir. Now I understand everything." Molozov rubbed his hands excitedly, showing an eager look, "I'll go to the gasoline tank and find another place to do the experiment. Teachers and political commissars, please rest assured that I will complete the production of this explosive launcher before dawn. "

Kirilov picked up the phone again. When he was about to call the headquarters, he suddenly heard it and asked me, "Comrade oshanina, this new weapon is called explosive launcher. It's a bit too awkward. Can you give me a simple name?"

I pretended to think for a while, and then solemnly said: "it's called" thunderbolt. " Originally, I wanted to give a new name, but because of my lack of talent and learning, I still used the old name of this weapon.

Kirilov called trakov and excitedly reported to the other party: "Comrade commander, division oshanina is going to make a new weapon for the defense of the highlands. I hope you can help."

Attracted by kirilov's words, trakov asked with great interest, "what weapon is it?"

"Comrade o'shanina named this new weapon" the thundergun ", which is to put an empty gasoline barrel filled with propellant, put the explosive package bundled into a disk shape, and then ignite the propellant. Using the impact force generated by the explosion, the explosive package weighing up to 10 kg can be thrown 150-200 meters away. According to her introduction, this kind of weapon can deal with German tanks, armored vehicles, field fortifications and infantry intensive attack formation, but I think if this kind of weapon is used in street fighting, it can also destroy the buildings occupied by the enemy and reduce the casualties of our counterattack troops. "

"Well, that sounds good. But I don't know what kind of help I can offer you? "

"We need dynamite, a lot of dynamite." Kirilov said rudely to trikov: "as far as I know, there is a large amount of explosives stored in an underground warehouse near the group army, which was originally intended to be used when the enemy attacked the city and destroyed important facilities. However, the plan to destroy the city is now obviously shelved, so the explosives are forgotten there. Comrade commander, I ask you to give this batch of explosives to our division. With the newly manufactured "thunder guns" and enough explosives, we will have more confidence in guarding the mamayev post. "

Trikov was moved by kirilov. Almost without thinking, he said, "well, I'll make the decision. Let the transport team transport you four tons of explosives. If it's not enough, I'll continue to supplement you." Speaking of this, he suddenly remembered another thing and went on, "by the way, when you see Comrade oshanina, please tell her that after repeated reconnaissance by our army's scouts, we found that her station at abganerovo, where she had been stationed, had been flattened by explosives, and the German army had lost at least a thousand people here. The headquarters of the front army will soon reward her for her achievements. "

Kirilov put down the phone and said to me with a smile, "do you hear me? Comrade division. On behalf of general trakov, I have the honor to inform you that the explosions caused by the explosives you planted during your evacuation from the abganerovo station have caused great losses to the German army. The headquarters of the front army intends to reward you. Here, I would like to congratulate you first Then he reached out to me.

After kirilov and I finished shaking hands, akhromeyev, Morozov and mihayev also came forward to shake hands with me to express congratulations. As I shook hands with them, I thought: Lao maozi is so polite. Besides saying thank you and congratulations, he shakes hands frequently.

I raised my hand and looked at my watch. Seeing that it was getting late, I told Morozov: "Comrade captain, the explosive truck of the group army headquarters is expected to arrive in an hour. Remember to send some soldiers to meet it. At the same time, you should make use of this time to organize people to prepare empty oil barrels. If there are not enough people, you can ask Mikhail yev or Pugachev for help. Also, don't use ordinary wires to tie explosive bags. I'm afraid they will fall apart in the air. It's better to use wires to tie them. " Seeing that all the things to be explained were almost done, he waved to him and mihayev and said, "well, it's getting late. You'd better hurry back to the army and get ready."

As the saying goes: no doubt about people, no doubt about people. So after the task was assigned, I didn't follow molozov to ask him about the progress of the manufacture of the torpedo. When the time was almost up, kirilov and akhromeyev and I were resting at the desk in the headquarters.

Just as I was sleepy, there was a loud noise outside. Because it is in the silent night, the decibel of the sound is increased in disguise, which makes my drowsiness disappear. I sat up straight, looked at kirilov, who was also in a state of unconsciousness, and asked feebly, "Comrade political commissar, what's the matter?"

Kirilov and I woke up at about the same time. Naturally, he couldn't know what was going on, so he shook his head and turned his eyes to akhromeyev. The chief of staff is not much better. After a moment's hesitation, he tentatively said, "is it captain Morozov who is experimenting with the 'thunderbolt'

After all, he said that he would complete the manufacture of the torpedo before dawn. Maybe he is really testing new weapons. Thinking of this, I leaned slightly and listened to the voice coming from outside the headquarters.

After a while, there was another loud noise, and then the explosion started one after another, almost without interruption. Hearing this, I couldn't help shaking my head with a smile and said, "this Morozov really thinks that the explosives sent by the group army headquarters are free of charge and are just open to play. However, in just a few hours, he made so many thunderguns that they could bear when the German army attacked after daybreak. "

While I was talking to myself, akhromeyev suddenly roared, "Oh, No. Teachers and political commissars, don't you recognize it? The voice did not come from the east or the north, but from the West. Could it be that the German army was shelling the 107.5 highland jointly defended by the second and third regiments? "

"What? It's the German artillery Although I instinctively didn't want to believe that everything ahlomeyev said was true, I still reached for the phone on the desk and wanted to ask horushov and gordonov on the high ground what had happened.

As soon as I got hold of the phone, the phone rang. As soon as he put the receiver close to his ear, he heard horushov's hoarse roar: "report, sir, the Germans are shelling our highlands fiercely!"

"How is the work I asked you to do?" I asked aloud.

I didn't expect that after listening to my question, horushov was silent for a moment. When I heard that he didn't speak, my heart sank. My heart was broken. They must have been lazy. They didn't carry out my orders and built fortifications overnight. As a result, they were blinded as soon as the German Army started shelling.

After a long time, horushov hesitated and said, "report to division commander, we have only repaired the fortifications in some areas, which can't accommodate all the soldiers." Speaking of this, his speaking speed suddenly accelerated, "Comrade teacher, what should we do now? If the troops remain in the position, there will be few left when the German bombardment is over. "

Although I would like to slap him twice, it is obviously inappropriate to do so now. The most urgent task is to withdraw the troops from the positions without solid fortifications, otherwise they will be sacrificed in vain under the enemy's artillery fire. Thinking of this, I ordered him cleanly: "in addition to leaving a few observation posts on the position, the remaining commanders and fighters, no matter from the second or the third regiment, will withdraw from the position on the North Slope in batches and temporarily hide on the south slope." Before putting down the phone, I specially told him: "report to me every ten minutes."

After I put down the phone, kirilov came up to me and asked anxiously, "Comrade teacher, what should we do now?"

I sighed and said, "we don't know the purpose of the sudden shelling of highland 107.5 by the German army. We can only wait and see what actions the German army will take after the shelling." With that, I took a look at Najia, who was sitting beside the wall's telephone. I quickly went to the door and yelled out: "Lieutenant razumeyeva, come to me!"

After razumeyeva came in, I just gave a simple command: "Comrade lieutenant, you stay here to ensure that the communication of the headquarters is unblocked at any time."

Ten minutes later, horushov called me again and told me, "report to the division commander, the troops of the second and third regiments, except for a few observation posts, the rest of them have been withdrawn to the south slope for concealment and standby."

"How are the casualties in the army?" Hearing this question, horushov's voice suddenly faded down: "after the shelling started, there was probably a company of casualties. In the course of the transfer, nearly another company was injured and killed. "“ Where is your command? " At the moment, I am not concerned about the loss caused by his dereliction of duty, but about his safety: "if your headquarters is also within the scope of German artillery fire, you can also withdraw to a safe place."“ Please don't worry, sir. The German artillery can't hit me in the southwest of my commanding highland. I'm very safe. "“ It's the old rule to call every ten minutes... Hello, Hello! " Before I finished, there was no sound in the microphone. I turned around and handed the receiver to razumeyeva, who was standing not far away. At the same time, I said with a slight dissatisfaction, "Lieutenant, come and listen. What's wrong with this phone? Why is it suddenly silent?" Razumeyeva took it over and listened to it. She immediately handed the microphone back to me and said politely: "report to division commander, it's not the telephone that is out of order, but the circuit that is out of order. Maybe it was broken by German artillery fire. Just a moment, please. I'll send someone to check the line right away. " Then she turned around and ran out of the headquarters, and soon her voice came in from the outside: "stringer, you immediately check the telephone line from here to 107.5 highland." Within two minutes, she came in from the outside and said respectfully to me, "Mr. reporter, I have sent someone to check the line. In a quarter of an hour at most, you can resume communication with highland 107.5."