Chapter 770

Since we have equipped the reconnaissance team with vehicles such as motorcycles or trucks, their reconnaissance area is much larger than that of walking. Just after eleven o'clock, the report of the Scout came back by telegraph.

According to the report of the scouts, there is a small city called gorodyse 20 kilometers northwest of the mamayev post, where a large number of German troops are stationed.

"What kind of forces is the enemy?" After hearing akhromeyev read the telegram, I asked back without expression.

"I... I don't know," akhromeyev answered me in a flurried way, perhaps not expecting that I would ask, "I just received a telegram from the reconnaissance team and thought it was necessary to report to you immediately, so..."

"Call back the reconnaissance unit and ask them to report to us immediately what they have detected in detail. With these short words, we can't judge the scale of the enemy, and we can't work out the corresponding combat plan." Having said that, as soon as I looked up and saw that akhromeyev was still standing in the same place, I urged him: "chief of staff, what are you still doing here? Don't you immediately send a message to the reconnaissance unit?"

While akhromeyev went to telegraph, I continued to discuss with kirilov and bandeleyev about the recruitment of troops. During the discussion, bandeleyev pointed out to me that it was a bit difficult to grasp the scale of what kind of citizens should be armed. As soon as he finished speaking, I immediately retorted, "Comrade deputy division commander, you think the problem is too complicated. To join the army, we need to be qualified in all aspects, but to arm the citizens is very simple, as long as they are qualified in the same way. Our commanders in charge of conscription, just ask them if they want to defend the motherland? Can you carry a gun? If they say yes or yes, then send them a gun and let them join us. "

"The attack will be launched on the 21st. Can the new fighters be trained in time?" Kirilov asked anxiously.

Instead of answering his question immediately, I put the map on the table in front of him. First I pointed to the mamayev post where we are, and then I pointed to the front army of the Don river which is still near the Don river. Then I said, "Comrade political commissar, you see, the straight-line distance between our division's defense area and the friendly army is about 180 kilometers. Do you think the Don front army, without the air supremacy and the supplement of heavy weapons such as soldiers, tanks and artillery, can advance a long distance in a day if they attack the German defense line with solid defense depth? "

Bantai leiev drew a hand on the map, measured the distance between our division and the Don front army, and then regretfully said: "Comrade division commander's analysis is very reasonable. Due to the loss of air supremacy, the comrades of the Don front army will fight cruelly after the attack. Even if they seize part of the enemy's front positions in the shortest time, they will pay a heavy price under the intensive bombing of German aviation. In this way, even the most optimistic estimate is that the daily speed of the troops will not exceed five kilometers. "

"What, five kilometers?" Kirilov was startled by the data given by bantailiev. After looking at the map, he was surprised and said, "Comrade deputy division commander, if you follow your algorithm, it will take at least a month for friendly forces to advance to mamayev post."

Bantaileiev added: "of course, if our division has enough strength to follow the command of the group army headquarters and attack northward, it will greatly shorten the time for us to meet with our friendly forces."

I listened to their conversation. The more I listened, the heavier my heart became. I felt that it was a bit like hitting a stone with an egg to finish the task of joining forces with our poorly equipped and poorly trained troops.

Seeing that I was silent, they stopped discussing. Kirilov asked, "Comrade oshanina, what are you thinking?"

"I wonder how many German troops are stationed in the city of gorodyser." Speaking of this, I thought of the question kirilov asked me just now, and quickly answered it for him: "Comrade political commissar, although the group army command ordered us to cooperate with the friendly forces to launch an attack on the 21st, judging from the current situation, the attack time of our division may have to be delayed. In this way, we can spend two or three more days on the training of our troops. "

"I'm afraid that these new recruits will be scared out of courage by the Germans and will not have the courage to take up guns and fight face to face with the Germans," kirilov once again expressed his worry: "if there are new recruits who are deserting on the battlefield, it will affect the morale of the whole army and lead to the loss of morale of our army."

"Comrade political commissar, it is your strong point to do political and ideological work." The only way to prevent the newly armed citizens from becoming deserters on the battlefield is to make clear their fierce relationship and let them have the courage to fight with the enemy. So I solemnly said to kirilov, "let the political workers tell every soldier that the German people should not only occupy our city, but also destroy all living creatures, It is necessary to erase the name of the city from the map. If the whole land where the city is located is restored to its original ecology, it will become a difficult to walk swamp, and a toxic miasma will rise above the swamp. Let them understand that this battle is not only to protect the motherland, but also to protect Comrade Stalin, but also to protect their homes and relatives. "

While we were talking, akhromeyev reported to us: "report to Mr. division commander, the reconnaissance team has sent back the detailed investigation."

I nodded and said, "chief of staff, read us the telegram." After that, I did it, moved my notebook on my desk to my side, turned to kirilov and Bantai leiev and said, "let's listen to what kind of intelligence the reconnaissance team has brought us."

"The reconnaissance unit reported that the enemy's headquarters were in the school in the city," ahlomeyev read the telegram for the three of us, staring at the telegram in his hand. "On the school playground, there were five cars and two tricycles. In the 20 minutes we observed, three arrived and three left

"Comrade division," Bantai leiev interjected, "what level of headquarters do you think this is the enemy?"

"What do you say, comrade Deputy teacher?" Instead of answering his question, I asked in reverse.

"After hearing all the information, we'll be able to judge." Bantailiev said, looking up at akhromeyev, "in addition to the cars parked on the playground, do the scouts see the German officers?"

"Yes, during the period of reconnaissance, we saw nine of them, some going in and some coming out. Among them are two captains, a lieutenant commander and a general. There are also officers who are too dim to distinguish their ranks. "

When I heard this, I quickly asked, "are they all officers?"

"Yes, all officers." Akhromeyev did not read the telegraph any more. Instead, he looked at me and replied, "in the dark, you can see that they are all wearing big eaves hats."

"Chief of staff, I have a problem that I haven't made clear." After listening to ahlomeyev's report, kirilov asked confusedly, "since the scouts say that the light is too dark to distinguish the ranks of enemy officers, how can they identify the ranks of the officers just reported?"

"Comrade political commissar, it's very easy," bantaileiev said for kirilov. "Maybe when they were waiting outside the building, the car lights reflected their military ranks on their shoulders, so our scouts hiding in the distance could easily identify the military ranks of individual officers. Moreover, don't forget that one of these scouts turned out to be German. They are very familiar with the rank of the old troops. "

"Have you read all the telegrams?" When bantailiev finished, I asked akhromeyev.

"Tell me, there's still one more paragraph I haven't read." After akhromeyev's report, he continued: "during the reconnaissance period, there were two motorcycles of combat signalmen, both of which drove directly in front of the building, and then someone got off the motorcycles and walked into the building."

Bantailiev seems to pay special attention to the details. As soon as akhromeyev finished reading, he immediately asked, "are these two motorcycles coming at the same time?"

Akhromeyev shook his head and replied, "no, it's separate. The first came ten minutes after the latent reconnaissance, while the other came when the scouts were ready to retreat. "

Seeing that akhromeyev dropped his hand holding the telegram after answering this question, I knew in my heart that he had finished reading all the telegrams, so I asked kirilov and bantailiev, "political commissar and deputy division commander, what grade do you judge the headquarters stationed in the school?"

After asking, they looked at each other, but no one said anything. I had to ask leiev: "Comrade Deputy teacher, tell me about your judgment."

Bantaileiev heard me call his name, bowed his head and thought about it, then said with uncertainty: "I think it may be the brigade headquarters of a motorized brigade."

"Comrade deputy division commander, I don't agree with your judgment." Akhromeyev put the telegram on the table and expressed his opinion: "because the scout has no report on the enemy's tanks or armored vehicles in the report, I judge that this unit will not be a motorized brigade. According to the telegram, there was a general, a lieutenant commander, two captains, about a dozen cars, and motorcycles for combat signalmen. So I think it should be a division of the enemy. "

"Well, comrade chief of staff," kirilov hesitated to agree with akhromeyev's judgment, and then asked, "since it's a division, where are their troops stationed? Will this German army pose a threat to us when we attack? "

As for kirilov's question, akhromeyev was stunned for a moment before he hesitated and said: "the specific deployment of the German army can only be known after the rest of the reconnaissance teams have fed back the information. However, judging from the position of the unit, once our division attacks to the north on the prescribed day, it is bound to fight against this unit. "

Before kirilov finished, I suddenly heard razumeyeva's voice calling for a report. As soon as I looked back, she reported to me, "report, sir, I just received a telegram from the reconnaissance team." Then he handed over a piece of telegraph paper.

I took the telegram, nodded to her to express my thanks, and then concentrated on reading it. The telegram was sent by another detachment. It said: "my detachment found a German camp 15 kilometers north of highland 107.5. Judging from the scale, there was probably a regiment of troops stationed in it. At the moment, the camp is full of lights, the troops are moving, and it seems that something is about to be done. At the back of the infantry line, we also send messages about tanks, armored vehicles and artillery. " The signature on the back of the telegram is unit 03.

After I handed the telegram to kirilov, I asked akhromeyev, "Comrade chief of staff, have you numbered all the reconnaissance units sent tonight?"

"Yes, sir." Akhromeyev replied positively, "I have organized the five reconnaissance teams into No. 01-05. The telegram I read for you just now is from No. 04 team."

After reading the telegram, kirilov handed it to Bantai leiev, raised his head and said to akhromeyev: "chief of staff, team 03 called and said that they had found a German camp, in which there was probably a regiment garrison. Now they are making a tense transfer. It seems that there is something important. They see tanks, armored vehicles and artillery in the infantry line

"How do you judge this matter, sir?" When bantailiev handed the telegram to akhromeyev, he politely asked me, "do you think the Germans are going to go north to strengthen their defense, or are they going to turn around and take part in the tough battle in the city?"

"There are both possibilities," I said, turning to ask razumeyeva, who was sitting in front of the telephone: "Comrade lieutenant, continue to keep in touch with reconnaissance unit 03, let them closely monitor the movement of the German army, and try to find out the enemy's number."

Kirilov raised his hand, looked at his watch, looked up and said to me, "Comrade oshanina, it's getting late. The materials from the east coast should have arrived. I'll take people to the dock to pick up the equipment. You three know more about military affairs than I do, so you are in full charge. " Then he stood up, nodded to bantaileiev, and walked out.

Soon after kirilov's departure, reports from the other three reconnaissance units came in succession. After summing up the reconnaissance reports of all the units, we finally found out that the 295th German infantry division was originally stationed in gorodyser. The three regiments of the division are stationed in the west, North and south of the city. There are only some directly subordinate troops and logistics organs in the city.

When bantaileiev knew the name of the other party, he did not hesitate to name the commander of the other party: Major General Otto kofes. When he heard that there were only some directly subordinate troops in the city, he said with regret: "Alas, it's a pity that we are too far away from the city. Otherwise, if we send a battalion with strong fighting capacity into the city, we may be able to capture the German general alive."

From the bottom of my heart, I agree with his "decapitation tactics". However, our division does not have the conditions to carry out such tactics now, so I can only pour cold water on him mercilessly under the condition of his blind optimism: "Comrade deputy division commander, although there are only a few directly subordinate troops in the city, once there is an exchange of fire and our troops can not withdraw in time, it is easy to be surrounded by German troops coming from several directions. At that time, not only did they not catch their teachers, but they lost a main camp in vain. "

"If we were sending someone to meet us, would it be better?" Bantai leiev reluctantly asked: "as long as there are troops to take over, I believe the battalion that attacked the city can still retreat completely."

"Comrade deputy division commander, have you ever thought that our division is all infantry at present, without the cover of artillery and tanks, how can our soldiers resist the enemy's armored forces once they come forward?" Speaking of this, I timely changed the topic and asked akhromeyev, who was standing by the telephone: "Comrade chief of staff, is there any latest information from team 03? Have they found out in what direction the enemy is going to move? "

"Report to the division commander," akhromeyev quickly replied, "Lieutenant razumeyeva is receiving the report. We will get the latest information soon."

Bantai leiev suddenly said behind me, "Comrade division commander, I think it is more likely that the enemy will mobilize troops in the middle of the night to sneak attack on Highland 107.5."

"Why?" I asked without looking back.

"If the enemy wants to transfer their troops to the north, they can transfer them to the north and west of gorodyse, but now they are transferring their troops to the south of the city, so I think the enemy may carry out a sneak attack on Highland 107.5."

"You are right in your analysis." If we had not received reports from several other reconnaissance units just now, we would not be sure what the enemy really wanted to do. However, after knowing the enemy's deployment, the enemy's actions became obvious. I turned to Bantai leiev and said, "in this case, you should call major Yaming, the deputy head of the second regiment on the 107.5 highland, and tell him the situation, so that they can be ready to fight all night."

"OK, I'll call right away." With that, bantailiev picked up the phone on the desk and called the first battalion of the second regiment stationed on the 107.5 highland.

Without waiting for his phone to be dialed, akhromeyev had already run to me with a telegram and newspaper, nervously reporting to me: "Comrade division commander, the analysis of deputy division commander is completely in vain. According to the information sent back by the 03 unit, the enemy had about a battalion of infantry, who drove south by truck under the cover of armored vehicles and tanks. Judging from the direction, the enemy's goal is our 107.5 highland. "

When I got the exact information, I felt at ease. The soldiers came to block the water and cover the ground. Since the enemy really wanted to attack the 107.5 highland, we should let them suffer a lot. I asked again, "how many tanks and guns are there with the enemy?"

Ahlomeyev looked down at the telegram and replied, "there are six heavy howitzers, fourteen tanks and the same number of armored vehicles." I silently calculated the remaining heavy weapons in the division. In addition to a few anti tank guns in the fourth regiment, there were three heavy howitzers in the second regiment, but there were few shells left. Each gun probably had only a few shells. Originally, I didn't plan to use the artillery battalion, but I thought kirilov had already taken people to collect weapons and equipment, and maybe later he could bring back the shells we needed urgently, so I finally decided to put all my eggs in one basket. Seeing that Bantai leiev had finished calling major Yaming, I then told akhromeyev: "chief of staff, immediately call major Morozov, artillery battalion commander, and ask him to inform the anti tank artillery company on the 4th regiment position and the heavy howitzer unit on the 2nd regiment position to prepare for battle." After hearing my order, akhromeyev was stunned and then reminded me in a low voice: "Sir, we don't have many shells left, especially the shells used by the three heavy howitzers are all dependent on capture. Although the political commissar took people to collect weapons and equipment, there was no need for such shells. Once there are no shells, these guns will be a pile of scrap iron. " I knew in my heart that akhromeyev's words were very reasonable, but the German troops who came to sneak attack were fierce, and the commanders and fighters of the first battalion of the second regiment had just captured the position for a short time, and they had not yet built a perfect defense system. In the face of the fierce attack of the enemy, they were bound to suffer heavy casualties. In order not to let the second regiment fall into the mire of fighting for the 107.5 highland too early, we must teach the sneaking enemy a good lesson. We have to beat them hard. Before they attack the 107.5 highland again, they will think twice and dare not be so unscrupulous as they are now. After receiving the phone call from akhromeyev, Morozov also raised the same question. I had to take the phone call from akhromeyev's hand and said to him earnestly: "major, I understand what you mean. I also know that there are few shells left in those heavy howitzers seized from the German army. But if we don't use artillery fire to suppress the German firepower attacking highland 107.5, the defenders on the highland will lose a lot. If you think about it, how many shells are important, or are the lives of our commanders and fighters precious? " After listening to what I said, Morozov did not dare to be opinionated any more, so he had to honestly reply, "I understand, sir. I'm going to order the anti tank artillery company and the howitzer unit to prepare for battle."