Chuikov looked at it for a while, put down the binoculars and turned to Klimov and shouted: "Comrade Captain, inform Division Commander Lyudnikov and Division Commander Kuropadenko that they should quickly withdraw the troops of the second line of defense to the third line of defense." Remember, you must tell them to stop the attacking enemy at any cost in front of the third line of defense. ”

To be honest, I really don't see the mystery of Chuikov's deployment. The third line of defense was only two kilometers from our observation post, and once breached, enemy tanks would be able to drive in front of our observation post.

Chuikov probably saw my doubts and quickly explained to me: "We pretend to abandon our positions and attract large German forces to cross the river. When a large number of their forces are concentrated in one place, they can be intensively attacked with hidden rocket artillery. ”

After listening to Chuikov's words, I nodded thoughtfully, and said in my heart that I could really learn a lot of useful things by following Chuikov and the commanders of the group armies. If I had been in command, perhaps the tactic would have been to continuously put reserves on the front line, fight with the enemy, and wait until after dark, and then send small detachments to attack the enemy's camp to achieve the goal of weakening the enemy.

The Germans, who had succeeded in breaking through from the junction of the two divisions, greatly irritated their comrades in the other sectors, who believed that the friendly forces had used perfect tactics and methods of campaign, so the operation was a repeat of the same old tricks. First the bombardment by aircraft, then by the artillery, then by the infantry, followed by the tanks, launched wave after wave of fierce attacks on the first line of defense of the two divisions.

Due to the stubborn resistance of our troops, the frantic offensive of the German troops was blocked. After dark, the enemy stopped attacking.

This time. Klimov reported to Chuikov: "Comrade commander. According to the reports of my scouts and observation posts. They found a large number of enemy infantry, artillery and vehicles of all kinds massed on the defensive front of our troops, especially in the Popov Valley, presumably with the intention of launching another fierce attack on our positions after dawn. ”

Chuikov looked at the information sent by the adjutant, thought for a while, and then said to himself: "I have guessed the enemy's intentions, but I will not let them succeed, I will use actions to disrupt this enemy attack." After that, he asked me: "Comrade Oshanina." Will the telephone set left for us by the 29th Division work? ”

I looked at the communications soldier who was on the phone, nodded vigorously and said, "I think, it should be usable, Comrade Commander." ”

Chuikov directly instructed me: "Comrade Oshanina, first call the commander of the rocket artillery regiment and ask them to bombard the assembled forces on the enemy's starting position with artillery fire at two o'clock in the morning. Then call the commander of the 154th Marine Brigade and wait for the end of the shelling to drive the enemy infantry across the Aksai River with a swift counterattack. ”

After I conveyed Chuikov's order to the Marine Brigade and the Rocket Artillery Regiment, I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. Does the heart say that the enemy will so honestly crowd the established beachhead and let our artillery attack?

Although the enemy stopped attacking after dark. But they did not rest, but they were taking advantage of this truce to pass through the guò breakthrough and transport troops to the front. Perhaps in today's battle, the enemy attacked too smoothly, they were careless, the car drove with its headlights on, and was not afraid of our planes at all. As soon as the pontoon bridge over the river was erected, the tank units, which had been waiting for the river for a long time, began to cross the Aksai River from the pontoon bridge one after another.

Division Commander Lyudnikov and Division Commander Kuropadenko also came to the headquarters at this time. As soon as he entered the door, the division commander Lyudnikov hurriedly said: "Comrade commander, why did you order us to retreat. Although we did not do well in the battle some time ago, we were repelled by the enemy. However, the commanders and fighters were holding their breath in their hearts, and they wanted to use this battle to prove our ability with practical actions. ”

Chuikov beckoned the two to sit down, and said to them with a smile: "Two division commanders, don't be impatient. I also have a reason to let you retreat. At this point, he looked up at me and said, "The chief of staff will introduce the plan of tomorrow's attack." ”

I quickly stood up, pushed the map on the table to the two of them, and explained: "Two division commanders, the reason why Comrade Commander asked you to temporarily retreat in the evening was to allow the enemy's troops to cross the Aksai River in large numbers. Since it was already dark when crossing the river, the enemy, who was not familiar with the terrain, did not dare to continue and could only assemble by the river. The commander has already ordered two rocket artillery regiments, hidden in the mountains, to carry out heavy artillery strikes on the enemy's assembly area at two o'clock tomorrow morning. After the shelling is over, the Marine Brigade, which has long been on standby, will quickly make a sortie and drive the enemy across the Aksai River. ”

After listening to me, Division Commander Lyudnikov and Division Commander Kuropadenko glanced at each other, then stood up at the same time and couldn't wait to ask Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, what is the task of our two divisions?" ”

Chuikov looked at the two of them with a smile for a while, and then said unhurriedly: "Since you are eager to fight. Well, I agree. When the shelling stopped, both of your divisions simultaneously attacked from their current positions and launched a full-scale counterattack on the enemy. ”

The two division commanders excitedly agreed, asked some more details, and couldn't wait to go back to the unit to arrange preparations for the counterattack.

This move of Chuikov was a stroke of genius, and the enemy, who was carried away by the victory, did not expect our army to suddenly launch a counterattack.

At two o'clock in the morning, hundreds of rocket artillery pieces of our rocket artillery began to fire at the area where the enemy was massing.

Chuikov and I stood on the high ground and saw that the area where the enemy had gathered was blown into flames. First the enemy infantry, then the baggage and artillerymen, crawled out of the valley and the sheltered fortifications, and fled for their lives.

As soon as the shelling stopped, and with the sound of the military trumpet, the troops of the Marine Brigade, Division Commander Lyudnikov and Division Commander Kuropatenko charged the enemy from their positions. After a slight resistance, the enemy fled south in a panic.

Thanks to the excellent command of Chuikov, our troops inflicted heavy losses on large forces of the enemy almost without any losses. The number of killed, wounded, and captured was high. We also captured a large number of rifles and machine guns, as well as eight cannons.

When reporting the battle situation to the headquarters of the Front, Chuikov said excitedly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, in this battle, I clearly see that although this unit was gathered in retreat, they did not lose their fighting spirit, they still fought bravely, they worked together when attacking, and they were calm and calm when facing the enemy. And this is the most valuable. In this way, we not only stopped the enemy's attack, but also beat them severely. ”

When the two were about to end the conversation, Nikishev suddenly said: "Comrade Chuikov, I forgot to tell you." General Kolpakchi of the 62nd Army, I hope you can get his adjutant Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina back. He needs a grassroots commander with a lot of combat experience. ”

And just like that, because of a word from the Chief of Staff of the Front, Nikishev, I was sent back to the 62nd Army. Chuikov specially sent the driver named Sidorokov to drive me back to the headquarters of the 62nd Army overnight.

The officer on duty at the door with the sentry was Captain Semilov, and when he saw me coming, he raised his hand and saluted, and without hindrance, let me into the headquarters of the army group.

When I walked into the headquarters, I saw that the wooden table was full of people, and I was in a military meeting. Kolpacchi saw me at a glance and hurriedly beckoned me to say, "Comrade Oshanina is back, we are in a meeting, you can also sit down and listen." Gesture to the side and say, "Just sit there." ”

He was referring to a position on his left against the wall, and I didn't care about it, so I walked over and sat down, and when I sat down, I nodded and smiled at Military Commissar Gurov, which was kind of a greeting.

After I sat down, Kolpacic continued to say to the commanders present: "Comrade commanders, the current shape is very bad. The defensive line of the 64th Army on our left flank was broken through, and the enemy came around from our south and encircled the main forces of our army. ”

Hearing the news that the troops were surrounded, my heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and I secretly said that I was so unlucky, and I arrived at a surrounded army again, and I didn't know if I could successfully break through. I looked left and right, and the commanders present had calm expressions, as if they had known about this unfortunate news for a long time.

At this time, there was a commotion at the door, interrupting Kol Parkucci's words, he looked at the door in displeasure, and asked in a loud voice, "What's going on outside?" ”

The first to enter the command was Captain Semykov. After saluting Kolpakchi, he said with some embarrassment: "Report to Comrade Commander, there is a general outside who tried to break in, but I stopped him. The soldiers he brought with him got into a fight with our sentries and confiscated our guns. ”

"Who is so bold as to take our sentry's gun?" Korpacki snapped up and asked sharply.

"Yes, General Kolpakchi." With the voice, a chubby general walked in, followed by four soldiers with submachine guns.

"It's you, General Lopatin. I don't know what kind of coaching you are here? Why do you want to take our sentry's guns? Kolpacic clearly knew the general, but his tone of questioning remained stern.

General Lopatin walked up to Kolpacchi, took off his hat, revealing a pale yellow hair, and looked very serene, and he said slowly: "General Kolpacchi, I was ordered to take over the command of the 62nd Army. As he spoke, he took out a copy of Wen Jiàn from his bag and handed it to Kol Pakchi.

Kol Parkucci glanced at Wen Jiàn and sat down in his seat. After a long while, he said weakly: "Comrade commanders, let me introduce you, this is the new commander of the 62nd Army, General Lopatin. ”

Four fighters who had been standing behind Lopatin came over and said politely to Kolpakć: "Comrade General, we are NKVD, please give us a ride." (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank the book friends: Crystal goblins, the monthly pass of the Hengfei slab brick, and the update ticket of the book friend う Black Street Maple ルう.