Chapter 834

Seeing off shelbina, we sat down to study the next tasks of the independent division. Although from the beginning of the great counterattack, the offensive and defensive roles of both sides have been lost, the situation is not optimistic. Compared with us, the German army still has an advantage in strength and equipment. It's a very easy thing to change from offensive to defensive. However, it's very difficult for us to change from defensive state to offensive state. If we don't know the state clearly, we will blindly fight and rush, and there may be the danger that the whole army will be destroyed.

I knew in my heart that in the following encirclement and annihilation, it was difficult for the 62nd group army to achieve anything because of the shortage of troops, so that even the great credit of capturing Marshal Paulus had to be given to the 64th group army. The purpose of today's meeting is to unify our understanding and put an end to the idea of belittling the enemy.

As before, I didn't express my attitude first, but simply said: "our main topic today is to discuss the focus of the next work of the independent division. Who will speak first? "

After I finished, bantailiev looked around and saw that kirilov and akhromeyev were silent, so he took the lead and said, "let me say a few words. At present, the 6th army of Paulus has fallen into our encirclement. In this case, I think our independent division should actively launch an offensive and launch a final attack on the besieged German army. "

"Attack? That's easy to say After listening to his speech, akhromeyev sneered and said, "Comrade deputy division commander, you are going to launch the final attack. May I ask where we should attack the enemy and what forces we should use? "

"Needless to say, after the traffic with the east bank is restored, the headquarters of the front army will send troops to us continuously. I believe that in a week's time, our independent division will be fully loaded." Bantaileiev responded optimistically: "by then, not only will we have enough troops, but I expect that we will also be provided with a lot of technical equipment. Coupled with the cooperation of the air force, it will be an easy task to eliminate the enemy in front of us."

It occurred to me that in all the films and TV works reflecting the battle of Stalingrad, it seemed that at the beginning of the Red Army's counterattack, the German army had no resistance to the Red Army's crushing attack. Only after I have experienced the situation can I know how harmful such propaganda is. If the German army were really so vulnerable, they would not have pushed eastward from Kharkov to Stalingrad on the Volga River, and would not have been surrounded by several times their own Soviet army for two months without replenishment of troops and a lot of supplies. It was not until their ammunition, food and grass were gradually exhausted and their morale was at the bottom that the Soviet army launched the last thunderbolt to completely defeat them.

Akhromeyev continued to refute bandeleyev: "you must know very well what technical equipment we have now. The tank battalion has five tanks and seven armored vehicles, while the friendly army has 20 tanks, which is less than a full tank battalion. Our tanks were captured from the German army. Ammunition and fuel are not a problem. They can be replenished from the materials just captured. However, friendly tanks can supply them with fuel, but there is nothing they can do about ammunition supply. There are also artillery battalions. Now there are only four heavy howitzers and the same number of anti tank guns, plus twelve mortars and one anti tank rifle company. With such strength, do you think it is possible to attack German positions? "

After akhromeyev's words, kirilov and bandeleyev are both looking down and pondering. Perhaps the series of data reported by the chief of staff make them understand that the current situation is far from as good as they think.

After a while kirilov looked up at me and asked in a consultative tone, "Comrade oshanina, what do you think I want to hear?"

"I have listened carefully to the speeches of the deputy division chief and the chief of staff just now." I didn't beat around the Bush and said frankly, "I think the chief of staff made a lot of sense. Although we turned to attack, our strength is still very weak compared with the German army. Therefore, in the coming days, our division's main task is to hold down the enemy and not let them escape, rather than to attack them rashly." At this point, I turned around and told akhromeyev, "chief of staff, give a call to the second group leader Oleg and the fourth group leader Gaidar, and ask them to come to the headquarters immediately."

While akhromeyev was on the phone, kirilov asked me curiously, "Comrade oshanina, what are you doing here with these two commanders?"

When I heard kirilov's question, I immediately explained to him: "Comrade political commissar, the city of gorodyser has now become our rear. If the German army wants to attack here, it must bypass several defense areas of our army, so we should shift the focus of our defense to kongyi. It's of little significance for the division headquarters to stay here. I think the division headquarters should move to kongnieyi city as soon as possible. "

Kirilov and bandeleev immediately agreed with my views. Kirilov also said with relief: "Comrade oshanina, in fact, I wanted to mention this matter to you yesterday, but I was afraid that you would have any other consideration, so I hesitated for a long time and didn't mention it at last. Since our division headquarters is going to leave, which unit will defend gorodyser? After informing the headquarters, will it be handed over to the friendly forces? "

I shook my head and replied, "Comrade political commissar, the strength of the group army is limited at present. They not only need to defend the existing areas, but also need to dispatch troops to fight with the enemy in the street. They can't spare any manpower to take over gorodyser's defense. Therefore, I plan to leave the second regiment behind and take charge of the city's guard while trying to supplement it."

"Do you think the superior will give us more troops?" When kirilov heard what I said to let the second regiment supply, he seemed to see a glimmer of light and could not help mentioning the past.

I shook my head again and said to him with a bitter smile, "Comrade political commissar, maybe you don't know. Before this counterattack, commander rokosovsky's Don front army was supplemented by only three infantry divisions, all of which were 60% of the troops. Not only did our group army not get replenishment from its soldiers, but even the badly needed ammunition and materials were not replenished much because of the damned freezing of the Volga River. Although traffic on the Volga River has been restored, the priority for the additional soldiers coming from the east bank must be the divisions or brigades still fighting in the city. Besides, I also heard that the commanders are now concentrating their forces to launch an attack on the German army and prepare to rescue the ludnikov division, which is besieged by the German army. "

Kirilov was surprised by what I said. He asked in surprise, "what, Captain lyudnikov's troops are still surrounded by German troops, so isn't the battalion under captain Karpov dangerous?"

"There is no way, comrade political commissar." Bantaileiev helped me and said: "the fighting in the city is far more cruel than that in our mamayev post. Don't you forget that there are more than 3000 officers and men in shejerikov's regiment. They can be transferred to the factory area for only one day, and the rest of them, including the wounded, are less than 200. Since the day captain Karpov's mixed battalion was transferred, I have removed them from the establishment of the independent division in my mind. "

After listening to Bantai leiev's words, kirilov said with a sigh: "well, if other commanders and fighters died, it's OK to say, but Karpov was the first commander of the eastern battalion who wanted to fight against our army. His name was even known by the Supreme Commander himself. If anything really happens to him, I'm afraid the higher authorities will blame Comrade oshanina. "

Kirilov's words really startled me. When I think about it carefully, the tasks I assigned to Karpov are the most dangerous every time. It seems that I intend to weaken his strength by fighting. Before I could speak, akhromeyev, who came back after the call and heard the whole story clearly, gave me some advice: "Comrade division commander, do you think you can call the commander and ask him to discuss with colonel lyudnikov to let captain Karpov come back to our division?"

"Comrade division commander, I think the chief of staff's proposal is very good," Bantai leiev, who has always been fond of contradicting akhromeyev, saw that this matter involves my interests, and also expressed support for akhromeyev's opinions. "We should immediately contact the commander and try to find a way to transfer captain Karpov back. We need to know that his existence is no less than a few divisions. "

Kirilov was amused by bantaileiev's remarks. He asked with a smile: "Hey, old man, you are exaggerating. Karpov is just a little captain. How can he be equal to several divisions? "

"Comrade commissar," although kirilov was an old friend of his own, Bantai leiev said discontentedly at the moment, "don't you forget what happened to captain Nikolay and his battalion last time? It's just because of Karpov's role model, otherwise there will be no more Nikolay camp in the current regiment, and the 1700 prisoners of war will not successfully return to our troops. "

While bantailiev was talking, an idea came into my mind that I would call trakov immediately and bring captain Karpov back from the most dangerous place before he died. As soon as bantaileiev finished, I quickly stood up and reviewed with several people: "the deputy division commander is quite right. Captain Karpov is a typical example we set up. His existence can have an unexpected effect on the disintegration of the eastern battalion forced to serve for the German army. It's my thoughtlessness to put him in an extremely dangerous position. I'll call commander trakov and try to find a way for the captain to come back to our division. " Then he told razumeyeva, who was sitting not far away, "Comrade lieutenant, connect me with the headquarters of the group army."

But I seem to be out of luck. Not only is trekov out of the headquarters, but also is military Commissioner gurov out. Krailov, the chief of staff who spoke to me, asked strangely, "Comrade oshanina, what's your emergency?"

After hearing what krailov said, I quickly told him the importance of Captain Karpov. I hope he can discuss with lyudnikov to see if captain Karpov can come back, even if he comes back from the 70th guard division alone.

I didn't expect that krailov said to me with a smile: "Hey, comrade o'shanina, you won too many battles. Are you a little confused with your joy?" After he made fun of me, without waiting for me to speak, he continued, "don't you forget who you are now? You are the deputy commander of the group army. You can give orders directly to Colonel lyudnikov to let Karpov under his command return to the army. "

"Is that all right?" I asked suspiciously, "if captain Karpov is transferred back, will it affect the overall defense of the 70th guard division?"

"After fighting for such a long time, the battalion you sent to is estimated to have few people left." Krailov's address to me has changed from "you" to "you". I also understand the importance of Captain Karpov. Perhaps, as your deputy division commander said, he can hold up several divisions by himself, even to the officers and soldiers of the eastern battalion who are still working for the German army. When they know his experience, they will waver, We can strengthen ourselves while weakening the enemy. Comrade oshanina, do it boldly. I will report this to the commander when they come back. "

With Krylov's permission, I had a lot of confidence when I called lyudnikov. When I heard lyudnikov's familiar voice coming out of the earphone, I said to him in a loud voice, "Hello, comrade Colonel, this is oshanina. How are you?"

Hearing my voice, lyudnikov was stunned and then said excitedly, "Hello, comrade deputy commander, I'm glad to hear your voice. Do you have any instructions? "

"Well, comrade colonel." I spoke to lyudnikov about the importance of Karpov on the transmitter. At last, I said to him with regret: "so, comrade Colonel, in any case, I need him to return to the independent division immediately. As for the commanders and fighters who went with him to the 70th division of the guards, in order not to affect the overall defense of your division, I will not withdraw them. "

"I can't do that because he's fighting, comrade deputy commander!" I didn't expect lyudnikov to say unexpectedly, "besides, I ask you to let him stay with me. Our division has not only lost 80% soldiers, but also few commanders. I want him, Captain Karpov, to be my commander."

"But, comrade Colonel..." I wanted to emphasize the importance of Karpov again, but he interrupted me in advance. "Dear Rita mushdakova, I'm sorry to interrupt you. Captain Karpov is a commander with fighting spirit. No matter how fierce the German attack is, his troops are holding fast to the area, Don't even think about moving forward. I don't think it's right to leave such a commander in your division as the deputy commander of the guard battalion. "

"Colonel lyudnikov, my independent division doesn't need your orders!" I also impolitely interrupted him, "do you think I want to leave him in the guard camp? It's just that there is no suitable position for him in the fighting forces. Well, we'll talk about captain Karpov later. I have only one task for you - to keep his life safe in any case. "

When I put down my earphone and transmitter, I knew in my heart what a big problem I had given lyudnikov. In such a cruel battle, the life of major general roluev, commander of the 37th division of the close guard, could not be saved, let alone a little captain. Fortunately, Oleg and Gaidar walked into the headquarters, so I could put this annoying thing aside for a while and give them new tasks.

I went up to them, and without waiting for them to salute me, I said, "two comrades of the lieutenant colonel, I have called you here because I have a new task to give you."

When he heard that there was a new mission, Gaidar looked happy and asked in surprise: "Sir, is there another new offensive mission?"

I shook my head with a bitter smile and said to them, "although our encirclement is like a chain around the neck of the German, our division is just a small iron ring in the long chain. It's not our turn to strangle the enemy. Our task is to ensure that our own iron ring does not break when we tighten the neck of the enemy. Well, next, I'd like to announce a new task to you: the second regiment, with the least troops, is responsible for the defense of gorodyser City, and at the same time, try to supplement the troops; The fourth regiment immediately packed up and prepared to follow the division headquarters and turn north to kongniayi city. "

After listening to me, Col. gedar was full of joy, while Col. Oleg was downcast, because he knew that the opportunities for the left behind troops to build meritorious deeds were far less than those for the combat troops. I stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, comforted him and said, "Lieutenant Commander Oleg, there are still many battles to fight next. As long as your regiment can quickly complete the replenishment, there will be many battles for you to fight in the future. Are you worried about not having the chance to make contributions?"

Oleg, who I said was on his mind, giggled twice, raised his hand to salute us, turned around and left the division headquarters with Gaidar.

As soon as they left, I immediately told akhromeyev, "chief of staff, hurry up and pack up. We will start in an hour."

As soon as I finished commanding akhromeyev, razumeyeva, who was sitting by the telephone, stood up again and called to me: "Comrade division commander, Lieutenant Colonel xiejerikov, the first group leader, is online. He wants to speak to you."

Sergeant shejerikov, when I heard the name of a group leader, I could not help but feel a thump in my heart and began to think wildly: "did the German forces concentrate their superior forces to attack konaiyi?" After I went to pick up the earphone and the transmitter, my voice changed slightly because I was nervous: "Hello, commander xijerikov? I'm o'shanina. What's the matter? "