Chapter 643

After reading the telegram, gurov sat in his seat with a livid face and didn't say a word. Krailov sighed with regret, while trakov tore the telegram to pieces, threw it on the ground, and went back and forth in circles in the headquarters. As a seconded person, in order to prevent trekov from venting his thunder on me, I wisely chose silence as gold.

Seeing that trakov was on the edge of the rampage, the staff who went in and out from time to time consciously lightened their pace; The messenger on the phone kept his voice down as much as possible. They were all afraid that if they startled trakov, who was in a bad mood, they would call him a curse.

After walking in the headquarters for a few minutes, trakov gradually calmed down. He went back to the table and said to krailov, "Comrade chief of staff, go to call or telegraph the commanders of the participating units, saying that there was an accident in the air force, but there was no air support. At present, they have to rely on their own strength to complete the counterattack against the German army. Tell them that all units should carry forward the fighting spirit of fearing neither hardship nor death, and fight tenaciously with the enemy. " Speaking of this, he lowered his voice and said to himself, "as long as we can hold on till tomorrow, the 13th division of rodimzev's guards can all go into the battlefield, so that we have a better chance of winning."

After receiving the order from trakov, krailov immediately went to the signalmen and asked them to convey the commander's order to the commanders of the following units.

With the order of trakov, the attack started again. At the same time, the commanders of all the troops complained to krailov one after another, saying that the casualties of the troops were heavy, and the strength of the attack began to weaken, hoping that the headquarters could send more reinforcements to them.

After hearing krailov's report, trakov clapped the table and growled: "chief of staff, tell them I don't have any reserves here. If I want to defeat the enemy, I have to rely on their own strength. The soldiers ran out and let the commanders rush forward; The commander ran out, "trikov said. He took off his big cornice hat and threw it on the table. He gritted his teeth and said," let the military officers of all units rush up with their guns! "

Gurov, after waiting for trikov to lose his temper, quickly advised: "Comrade commander, don't get angry. To tell you the truth, the number of these troops involved in the counter offensive is indeed a little small, and they are all heavy and heavy troops. Without heavy weapons, it is very difficult to conquer the German fortifications. Why don't we find a way to piece together some reinforcements for them? "

Trikov sighed, sat down and said bitterly, "I also want to send reinforcements to them, but Comrade military commissar, you also know our current situation. Where can we draw out our troops?"

Krailov, after waiting for trakov to finish, carefully suggested: "commander, comrade military commissar, can we transfer the sixth heavy tank brigade? We should know that they still have 19 heavy tanks. If they are assigned to the counterattack forces, they can enhance the current offensive strength of our army. "

Unexpectedly, trikov directly shook his head and rejected his proposal: "no, the heavy tank brigade is the reserve of the whole group army. It is currently stationed near the granary in the south of the city. At the same time, it also plays the role of protecting the left wing of our department. It is absolutely not easy to use this unit unless it is absolutely necessary."

Seeing that krailov's proposal was rejected by trakov, gurov coughed quickly and attracted our attention. After that, he said calmly, "Comrade commander, we still have an army to use." At this point, he gave me a meaningful look and continued to say, "as far as I know, the independent division of Colonel oshanina has not suffered much in recent battles. If necessary, we can use this unit to attack the 44th and 76th German divisions in the north, so as to contain the main German forces."

When I heard what guroff said, I couldn't help shivering. After a long time, it seemed that I still wanted to give my independent teacher the idea. I quickly turned my eyes on trakov, eager to know what he thought?

On hearing gurov's suggestion, trakov did not immediately express his position. Instead, he looked at me and asked, "Comrade oshanina, what do you think of the suggestion of Comrade military commissar?" He asked like this, which was tantamount to leaving the decision-making power to me.

As I know that mamayev post will be an important area for the German army to attack in the future, if the independent division is allowed to take part in the counterattack now, it will not be worth the loss. When all the troops are exhausted, how can we deploy enough troops to defend the Highlands? Thinking of this, I quickly stood up, but I didn't care what I said might offend gurov. I just said, "commander, military commissar, chief of staff, I don't agree to throw the independent division into the counterattack."

"Why?" Asked gurov and Krylov in one voice.

Staring at the map, I said thoughtfully: "judging from the enemy's current situation, mamayev post, wharf and central railway station are the key points of their attack. At present, the independent division sticks to two of the three important areas. Once it is deployed to fight back, the original defense area will become empty. If they are entangled by the enemy in the battle, "here, in order not to stimulate the people here, I deliberately change the word" encirclement "into a relatively mild" entanglement "“ Once the German troops bypass the fighting area and make a direct attack, there is a possibility that these empty defensive areas will be lost. "

"Not even one regiment?" Krailov asked reluctantly, "you know, the independent division now has five regiments with nearly 7000 troops."

"I'm sorry, chief of staff." I'm like a miser now, trying to turn down people who borrow money from me. "My troops not only defend the mamayev post and the wharf, but also the 107.5 highland and the settlements near the river. Judging from the current situation, we may not be able to get replenishment for a long time. Therefore, in the use of our forces, I should be careful and put every soldier to use. "

My words made gulov and trekov laugh. Trekov pointed at me and said angrily and funny: "I've known you for so long, but I didn't expect that you would cover your belongings like a miser and won't let go at all. Well, I won't make up your mind this time. Sit down! "

When I heard trakov's personal statement that he didn't want my independent teacher's idea, I saluted him excitedly and sat down again.

After I sat down, trakov discussed with gurov and Krylov: "at present, the front of the independent division's defense is too wide. Such a platoon arrangement will seriously dilute their fighting. Well, when rodymzev's close guard division comes, draw two regiments to take part in the counterattack, one regiment to 107.5 highland. If he still has surplus troops, he will be asked to send a battalion or company to the headquarters of the group army to work as a guard. We should know that there are not many troops outside the headquarters. "

When the counterattack was at noon, there were no more telegrams or information coming back, but one bad news after another. The general meaning is that the German troops in the counterattack area invested a considerable number of infantry and tanks, and under the cover of aircraft and artillery, they carried out a counter attack on our army. After the fierce fighting, almost all the results achieved in the morning disappeared, and the counter offensive forces were forced to retreat in most areas.

After hearing the bad news, trakov clenched his teeth and asked krailov, "Comrade chief of staff, if our counterattack department is completely defeated by the German army, in your estimation, where will the enemy attack?"

Krailov turned over the telegram in his hand, and then said in a positive tone: "report to the commander, comrade oshanina has just said that the key points of the enemy's attack will be the mamayev post and the central railway station. Judging from the direction of the German attack at present, comrade oshanina's judgment is accurate. "

"To stop the enemy, we must not let their dirty boots step into the land of our city. Chief of staff, you should immediately call the commanders who hold fast to the central railway station and ask them to lay anti tank mines on the road leading to the station and arrange more snipers in the nearby buildings. "

When trakov finished, I asked carefully“ Comrade commander, it is no longer meaningful for me to stay here. Can I go back to mamayev post? "

After hearing this, trikov waved to me and said without hesitation, "go ahead, Colonel oshanina, I ask you to remember that you must firmly block the enemy and never let them occupy mamayev post, otherwise, the guards who are going to cross the river will be blocked by the German army on the high ground."

"Please rest assured that as long as I am alive, I will never hand over the mamayev post to the German." Then, after raising my hand, I plan to turn around and leave.

But gurov stopped me at this time and told me with concern: "Comrade oshanina, it's not very safe on the road. It's either shelling or bombing. You should pay more attention to your own safety."

"Thank you, comrade military Commissar. I will pay attention to it. Please rest assured." With that, I saluted him again, then turned around and left the headquarters with great strides.

Coming out of the headquarters, busmanov, who had been staying outside, ran over and asked with concern, "Comrade division commander, where am I going next?"

"Where else? It's back to the mamayev post, of course. "

"But, sir," busmanov said with some embarrassment, "don't you hear that guns are firing in many parts of the city? The Germans must have rushed into the city. What if we go out and meet them face to face at this time? "

I was flustered to hear that the German troops had rushed into the city, but I soon calmed down. I tried to say to him in a smooth tone: "Comrade captain, although the German army rushed into the city, I still hope to return to mamayev post smoothly when I leave the city at this time. If you stay here until more and more German soldiers rush into the city, then you just can't go away. "

Basmanov saw that I had made up my mind to go, and he didn't insist any more. He rushed to the distance to wave, and a jeep, which had removed the tarpaulin all around, rushed over. As soon as the bus arrived, busmanov helped me to sit in the back row. He himself sat in the front co driver's seat, while the other two soldiers sat beside me left and right.

Although the distance from the headquarters of the group army to the mamayev post is not far, the speed can not be raised at all because the road is full of craters and debris. Basmanov, sitting in the front row, with his submachine gun, watched the movements on both sides of the road with vigilance, as if afraid that a few German soldiers would suddenly emerge from behind the rubble.

Half the way, though the guns were louder and louder, no German soldier appeared. Seeing that the road was safe, I gradually relaxed my vigilance.

At this moment, suddenly from the back of the nearby building, there was a roar of the motor, and I immediately became alert again. When I sat up straight and pulled out the pistol, busmanov, who noticed my action, asked: "what's the matter, sir?"

I pointed my gun at the location of the voice and said aloud, "haven't you heard me yet? It's the motor. There's the motor of the tank over there. "

Basmanov listened for a moment, with a relaxed expression on his face, and then said to me as if nothing had happened: "Comrade division, it's OK. Just listen to the sound of the motor, you know it's our T-34 tank."

As soon as his voice dropped, our car came to a crossroads. The sound of the tank motor came from the road on the left. I couldn't help looking in that direction curiously. It didn't matter. I was in a cold sweat. Although our tanks were coming, the German soldiers were sitting on them.

Not only I was watching, but also busmanov and the driver were watching. When they saw the German soldiers sitting on the bus, their smiles froze on their faces. Without waiting for them to respond, a tank shell flew over, flew over my roof, landed in the open space seven or eight meters away and exploded.

At this time, even fools know that they are German, but they are riding on tanks captured from our army. I yelled at the driver, "come on, rush over." Then I yelled at basmanov: "Damn, comrade captain, this is not our tank, it's German tank."

Before our jeep burst into the firing corner, the German tank fired another shot. The shell fell four or five meters behind us and exploded. The flying shrapnel rattled my helmet. The soldier on my left was not as lucky as I was. At the end of the explosion, he tilted his head back and rolled off the bumpy jeep.

The infantry on the tank jumped out of the car, carrying guns and shouting to catch up. I picked up the submachine gun that the sacrificial soldier had left in his seat and pulled the trigger at the German soldiers who came after me. Daddada, after a series of bullets were fired, a soldier rushed to the front, threw his rifle in his hand, covered his chest, hit the spot for two turns, and fell to the ground.

When I saw that one blow worked, I wanted to fire again. I didn't expect to pull the trigger again, but I found that the bullets had already been fired. I was so angry that I threw the gun under my feet and crouched down to avoid the bullets whizzing over my head. Basmanov and another soldier, with their guns on their seats, kept shooting at the German soldiers who were catching up.

When we left the pursuers behind without a trace, I was relieved and said happily, "fortunately, we came out one step earlier, otherwise we would be intercepted by German tanks." At this point, I can't help but think of the humiliating experience of being captured last time, so I stopped talking about it in time and didn't talk about it any more.

The soldier sitting on my right side suddenly whispered: "I think these German soldiers are drunk. If they are not drunk, it may not be so easy for us to get out of danger."

"What do you know?" The soldier's words were heard by basmanov, who may be afraid that I would be unhappy. He turned to reprimand the soldier and said, "it's cold now. The Germans can only drink to keep out the cold because they can't adapt to the climate here."

Basmanov's words made me think of last year's Moscow defense war. If it was not for heaven's sake, a sudden drop in temperature would freeze the German army out of combat effectiveness, the final outcome of that battle would still be unknown. Thinking of this, I couldn't help asking, "Captain, do you know when it starts to snow here?"

Basmanov frowned and thought about it, then said in an uncertain tone: "maybe it's snowing in October, just like in Moscow. But when I was a student, I read about the Volga River. It freezes in November every year. "

I went back to the division headquarters on the mamayev post without danger. When I entered the room, kirilov and akhromeyev, who were sitting there, stood up one after another and welcomed me. They asked with concern, "Comrade division commander, are you back? There was no danger on the way, was there? "

Without waiting for me to speak, basmanov had already preempted and said: "report to the political commissar and chief of staff, we have just encountered a German tank on our way back from the group army headquarters, and a soldier died in the battle."

Basmanov's words frightened them. Kirilov grabbed my arm and asked nervously, "Comrade oshanina, are you ok? Are you not hurt?"

"I'm fine." As I said this, I went to the table, sat down, and then asked, "what's the situation on this side of the highland?"

"It's strange to say that today the Germans are neither attacking nor bombing our highlands." After akhromeyev reported the situation on the position, he asked, "Comrade division commander, what's the situation with the counterattack today?"

I shook my head and said reluctantly: "at the beginning of the attack, our troops had made some progress, but because of the lack of the cooperation of the air force and artillery, and because of the limited number of troops, the attack of our troops stalled near noon. The German troops, at noon, invested a considerable number of infantry and tanks, and under the cover of aircraft and artillery, carried out a counter attack on our troops. At present, they have forced our counterattack troops to retreat and further approach the city. "

"Is the headquarters assigned any tasks by our division?" Kirilov is worthy of being a commander from the headquarters of the group army. He always considers the overall situation and says, "you know, there are not many troops in each combat unit. If our division can fight, it can at least contain the two German divisions in the front, so that they can't dispatch troops to reinforce the friendly forces. "“ Comrades of the military commissar once suggested to the commander that our division should be put into combat, but when the commander asked for my opinions, I directly rejected this proposal. " I was deeply afraid that kirilov would have any bad ideas because of my opposition to the transfer of troops, so I specially stressed: "as the strength of the group army to fight back is limited, the results will not be too great. Next, the enemy will launch a crazy attack on our city, and the mamayev post, wharf and 107.5 highland that we stick to will become the focus of the enemy's attack. Therefore, we should not randomly deploy our division's forces, so as not to create opportunities for the Germans. "“ The teacher has a point As soon as I finished, akhromeyev agreed with me in time. Seeing that akhromeyev and I agreed, kirilov could not say anything more, so he had to ask, "did the commander assign us any tasks?" I shook my head and just wanted to say that the superior did not assign us any tasks except to stick to the mamayev post. Suddenly, I thought of the 13th division of the guards, which will arrive in the evening, and quickly added: "by the way, this evening, the 13th division of the guards of general rojmtsev will cross the river to the city. At that time, he will transfer a regiment's troops to exchange with the third regiment that we hold fast to 107.5 highland. "“ what? Is general rojmtsev's army coming When kirilov heard the news, he immediately jumped up from his seat and said excitedly to me, "I have dealt with him before. I know that he is an excellent commander with rich combat experience. If I give him the position of the third regiment, I will be sure." I was about to ask kirilov more about rodim ZEV when the telephone rang on the desk. Akhromeyev picked up the receiver, listened to a few words, his face became serious, he said to the receiver: "I know." He hung up. He looked at kirilov and me and said solemnly, "division commander, political commissar, the phone call is from a regiment of forward observation station. He said that he found our army troops in a state of rout two kilometers from the front of the position. They are retreating to the mamayev post."“ Are there any Germans behind them? " I asked nervously. Akhromeyev shook his head and replied, "no, no enemy troops were found behind them. The enemy only bombarded the fleeing troops with sporadic artillery fire." I stood up, shook my head at kirilov and said, "go, comrade political commissar, let's go to the observation post."