As soon as I walked into the headquarters, I immediately felt the tense atmosphere before the big battle.

It was originally in the communication room next door, but it seems that it has all been moved to the headquarters. A long table was set up along the wooden wall, and several communications staff officers sat around the table, one guarding a military telephone, so that he could communicate with several subordinate divisions at any time. Two walkie-talkie operators, in a corner near the map, wearing headphones, are on standby.

The chief of staff was crouching down in front of the table and staring at the map, as if he was still further confirming the operational plan and finding out possible omissions.

I walked over to the table and coughed softly. Raskin raised his head, moved his gaze from the map to mine, nodded at me, and said lightly: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, you are here!" ”

I looked left and right, and there was no sign of Chuikov, Shumilov, or the military commissar in the headquarters, except for Colonel Raskin, communications staff officers, and telegraph operators. So I couldn't help but ask: "Comrade Chief of Staff, are they not there, commander?" ”

Raskin raised his hand and looked at his watch, and replied to me: "It's three o'clock, and our attack is scheduled for four o'clock in the morning." That is, the commander they will return to the command before four o'clock. With that, he lowered his head and looked at the map again.

Although Colonel Raskin didn't say where they went, I knew in my heart that they must have gone to rest. After all, people are not machines, and there are times when they are tired.

Since they haven't arrived yet, I'm taking this opportunity to discuss my deployment with the Chief of Staff. I stood next to the Chief of Staff and leaned down and humbly asked, "Comrade Colonel." Do you think there's anything missing from my deployment? ”

Ruskin pointed to the Reynolds area on the ground. To put it bluntly, "I think it's the least reassuring." There are still two German regiments here. What should we do if they allow us to eat the Romanian army and concentrate their forces on the 214th and 229th Divisions directly? Although we have two divisions in name, you should know as well as I do how many troops we can actually use. In the face of the enemy's frantic attack, I fear that the troops of General Biryukov and Colonel Sazhin will not be able to withstand it. ”

What Ruskin said sounded reasonable, and it made me waver a little about my plans. But after thinking about it carefully, I felt that what he said was right and strong. That's right. It was because the enemy, through reconnaissance from the air, knew that our army did not have strong fortifications in this area, so he dared to let the troops of the two regiments wedge into our army's defense area alone. According to the original battle plan, our army will be divided into several echelons and attack the enemy in turn, and once the attack is frustrated, the enemy will still launch a frantic counterattack against us.

"Colonel Raskin, don't use your judgment to influence Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina's confidence." Chuikov came to the door at some point and overheard my conversation with Ruskin. I couldn't help but interject. With that, he strode into the headquarters. He was followed by General Shumilov and two military commissars. Seeing the commander and them coming, the communications staff officers and telegraph operators sitting in the room stood up neatly and raised their hands to salute them.

After beckoning Shumilov and the military commissar to sit down, Chuikov took off his large-brimmed hat on his head, combed his hair with a comb in his hand, and solemnly and calmly ordered the staff officers: "Try the line." ”

Although Chuikov was only the deputy commander of the army group, since he had been in the army much longer than Shumilov, he naturally had a high prestige, and as soon as his order was given, the staff officers immediately shook the phone and made a phone outside to check whether the line was normal. Soon they put down their phones one after another, and one by one they reported: "Report to Comrade Deputy Commander, the line is unblocked." ”

Chuikov sat down in his place, turned to Shumilov and said: "Comrade commander, what we can do next is to sit here and wait patiently for the moment of attack. ”

Shumilov nodded, didn't say anything, just lowered his head and began to look at the map.

Chuikov looked at Raskin, who was frowning and looking at the map, and said teasingly: "Hey, I said Comrade Chief of Staff, why are you frowning all the time?" If you do this, by the end of today's battle, you'll be a little old man. His words immediately drew chuckles from several colleagues around him.

After hearing this, Raskin sighed and said: "General Chuikov, I always feel that Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina's plan is not feasible to implement, at least the 214th and 229th divisions on our left flank may encounter danger when the battle is going on. ……”

Chuikov waved his hand and stopped him from saying the following words: "Comrade Chief of Staff, there is no need to say such words. Since Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina's counterattack plan was personally approved by Senior General Zhukov, it proves that the Supreme High Command approved this plan. If Oshanina's counter-attack strategy succeeds, she will have a chance to take on a more important role. ”

From Chuikov's words, I vaguely heard something extraneous. You must know that my previous promotion was too fast, which led to an unstable foundation, coupled with my lack of qualifications, these are enough to become a stumbling block in my path. Or in the eyes of others, or even in Chuikov's opinion, my promotion depends not on ability, but more on luck, and since I have such a good opportunity now, it can be regarded as the most severe test for me.

After some time, Chuikov raised his hand to look at his watch and nodded at Ruskin. Raskin immediately comprehended and ordered the communications staff officers: "Immediately connect the command posts of the divisions." ”

The communications staff officers quickly reported readiness, and the commanders of the divisions and brigades were waiting for orders to attack. Only then did Chuikov turn his gaze to me and say, "Comrade Oshanina, all the attacking units of the army group are ready and are waiting for your offensive order. ”

I nodded a little nervously, walked up to the communications staff, took a deep breath, stabilized my emotions, and said loudly: "Start attacking!" ”

The communications staff officers said yes and quickly conveyed my words to the commanders of the divisions and brigades.

The unbearable wait is over, and the battle begins.

After giving the order, I returned to the wooden table. I want to command from the map. Let's be honest. Just now the order was given through the communications staff officer. It's not like giving orders, it's like helping others to pass the word, and there is no momentum at all.

Since we are too far away from the battlefield here, although we have given the order to attack, we cannot hear the roar of guns, and the next thing we can do is to wait, waiting for the battle report sent back to us by the forward troops. Then, based on these battle reports, we will grasp the progress of our army and further adjust our deployment based on this information.

I was satisfied that there were no accidents before the battle began. Before I started the attack, I was concerned about whether the battle would go smoothly, and after it started, I was concerned about how to win the battle.

It took at least twenty minutes to receive a call from Colonel Lyudnikov. On the phone, he excitedly reported: "Report to Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, the troops of our division, under the cover of tanks, have broken through the first line of defense of the enemy. Advances are currently being made to the second line of defence. ”

"What about the casualties of the troops?" The first thing I asked about was the casualties of the troops, because it was a matter of whether the division could fight continuously

"Since the enemy did not have strong fortifications. We broke through the enemy's lines with great ease, and the casualties were almost negligible. Now the enemy is in the process of fleeing, and the officers and men of our division are following and pursuing. ”

"Well done, Comrade Colonel." I complimented him and then reminded him, "Control the speed of your attack and don't eat them all too quickly." In that case, we would not be able to mobilize the German forces at Reynolds. ”

"Understood, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Lyudnikov replied very cheerfully.

I put down the microphone and asked the communications staff officer to take the telephone away, and then made a few strokes in Orlovka with a red and blue pencil, and reported to Chuikov and them: "According to the report of Colonel Lyudnikov, his troops have already routed the defenders of the enemy's first line of defense and are advancing in depth. In order to allow the Romanian army to send a distress signal to the Germans, I have asked Colonel Lyudnikov to slow down the attack in order to achieve the purpose of transferring to the Germans. ”

After hearing this, Chuikov nodded and said, "I agree with your approach. If the Romanians were to be wiped out too quickly, the Germans would abandon the rescue of friendly forces and concentrate on storming the Reynolds area, which would put our forces in danger there. ”

From the moment I received Lyudnikov's battle report, the battle reports of the various units were put on the table like flowing water. The 214th and 229th Divisions in the Reynolds area each sent small company-sized units to harass the Germans. As soon as the Germans attacked, they retreated. As soon as the Germans withdrew, they immediately entangled themselves again, annoying the Germans.

Then the good news I had been waiting for finally came, when the operator delivered a telephone call from a scout saying that the Germans had dispatched almost two battalions of infantry, in trucks, under the cover of three tanks and seven armored vehicles, and were heading for the Orlovka area.

Seeing this telegram, Shumilov excitedly slapped the table and said loudly: "It's amazing!" Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina's fishing plan was successful, and as soon as German reinforcements entered our ambush circle, then our troops could launch a full-scale offensive in the Reynoch area. ”

The battle went according to my vision, and the stone hanging in my heart fell to the ground. I immediately called Colonel Lyudnikov and told them: "Comrade division commander, German reinforcements are heading towards your side, and it is estimated that within an hour they will enter the ambush circle of our troops. I would like to ask you, when will the fighting be over and the troops will be drawn to the Reynoch area? ”

"The Reynolds area?" When Lyudnikov heard the name of the place, he was visibly stunned for a moment, and asked in bewilderment: "Aren't there the 214th and 229th divisions there?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Colonel, you are quite right, these two divisions are responsible for the frontal attack. I hope that you and Colonel Kuropatenko's troops will leave the 66th Marine Brigade behind to clean up the battlefield after the battle is over, while your two divisions plus the 137th Tank Brigade will quickly turn south and join up with the 29th Division and the 154th Marine Brigade ambushing German reinforcements, and quickly rush to the Reynok area to encircle the remnants of the German army. ”

"Understood, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel."

Before I was about to hang up the phone, I suddenly remembered something and asked: "Comrade Colonel, how is the morale of the troops?" ”

"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, please rest assured that the commanders and fighters are full of fighting passion. As soon as you encounter the enemy, you will be stubborn. When our offensive was thwarted. There are always fighters who stand up. Shouting: Comrades, brethren, do not forget our compatriots who have been killed by the enemy, we will avenge them and honor them with the blood of the enemy. With such a shout, the commanders and fighters, who were originally suppressed by the enemy's firepower, all stood up bravely and rushed forward with a shout, and the enemy was crushed in one fell swoop. Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. The pre-war agitation you did last night was fantastic! ”

Chuikov apparently heard Lyudnikov's words as well, and when I put down the phone, he raised his hand and patted me on the shoulder, praising me: "Comrade Oshanina, well done, I didn't expect that your agitation last night really mobilized the enthusiasm of the commanders and fighters." ”

Chuikov's words made Shumilov and the two military commissars confused, and hurriedly asked what was going on. So Chuikov told them exactly what had happened last night. I heard Shumilov, Serdyuk, Abramov giving me a thumbs up for forsythia.

Colonel Kolobtin of the 29th Division also called Chuikov soon after, in which he excitedly reported: "Report Comrade Commander. As soon as the enemy's reinforcements entered our ambush circle, I decisively ordered the troops to open fire. Under the powerful fire of us and the 154th Marine Brigade, many of the enemy were killed in trucks before they could even come back. After we had destroyed the tanks and armored vehicles covering the convoy, the commanders and fighters had already rushed onto the road and were engaged in melee combat with the enemy. ”

"Great, Colonel Kolobtin." Chuikov shouted excitedly, "How much time do you think you have left to settle the battle once and for all?" ”

"Twenty minutes, Comrade Commander. In half an hour at most, I can completely eliminate the enemies on the road. ”

"That's great, Comrade Kolobtin. After destroying the enemy, leave the Marine Brigade to clean up the battlefield, and you immediately take your fighters in unbroken trucks and quickly rush back to the Reynolds area, cutting off the German retreat. By the way, the forces of Lyudnikov and Kuropadenko will soon be able to completely annihilate the Romanian army in front of them, and then they will also rush to the Reynok area to join you. Remember to have the Marine Brigade clear the road so that we can pass through the convoy of commanders and fighters. ”

By the time Chuikov put down the phone, I was completely reassured, although in the Reynoch area, there were still German regiments and battalions, but they had become turtles in the urn, and when the other divisions rushed over, they would have no way to retreat.

Seeing that the effect of the combat deployment was almost achieved, I picked up the phone, and at the same time called Bilyukov and Sazhin, and said to them: "General Biliukov and Colonel Sazhin, I have good news for you two. First, the Romanian army had already been heavily damaged by the troops of Lyudnikov and Kuropadenko, and it was only a matter of time before it was completely annihilated; Second, the German troops who went to reinforce the Romanian army were basically wiped out. Soon the troops of the 29th, 138th, and 157th Divisions will rush to the Reynolds area and join you in encircling and annihilating this German army. Now I command you to attack the Germans at once, and to be sure to contain them and prevent them from escaping. ”

The all-out offensive launched by the 214th and 229th Divisions is the final battle of today's battle, and whether or not they can completely annihilate this enemy force depends on how well these two divisions fight.

At the beginning, the battle went well. Because the Germans in the first line of defense thought that they were coming to harass again, and they did not take it to heart. It was because they were too light on the enemy, and as a result, they were rushed by the assault troops of several battalions of our army, and the first line of defense changed hands in an instant.

The ensuing battle became more and more brutal, and in order to ensure that this enemy force was not eaten by our troops, the enemy sent out air forces to bomb and strafe our attacking forces. Our offensive was suddenly stalled.

Soon the unfavorable battle report came, and a telegraph operator ran over and reported with a somewhat nervous expression: "Report to Comrade Commander, the 678th Regiment was bombarded by enemy planes in turn during the attack, and the troops suffered heavy casualties. The regimental commander was wounded, the commissar was killed, and the commander of the fourth battalion, Captain Slavin, was commanding the troops in place of the regimental commander. ”

When I heard that the attack of the troops was blocked and the regimental commander, Captain Lukin, was wounded, I couldn't help but feel shocked, and secretly said that this was the second time he had been wounded, and God forbid, he must not be fine.

I walked up to the operator and said to him, "Let me speak to Captain Slavin." Then he took the microphone and headphones in his hand. Putting the headphones to his ear, he raised the microphone in one hand and said loudly: "Comrade Slavin?" I'm Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina. ”

The headset first came the sound of violent gunfire, and then came Slavin's familiar voice: "Hello, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, it's me, what instructions do you have?" ”

"Comrade Captain, you did the right thing! Let the attacking forces spread out and use the craters to approach the enemy's position step by step. Remember that your task is to entangle this enemy at all costs so that they cannot easily flee from the battlefield, and when friendly forces arrive, they will all be annihilated. Having said this, I turned around and asked Chuikov and Shumilov: "Comrade commanders, is there anything else that needs to be added?" ”

Chuikov shook his head and said, "No! ”

Shumilov nodded in complete agreement.

So I simply added: "Execute it immediately, Comrade Captain." ”

After returning the microphone and headphones to the operator, I walked up to Chuikov and said nervously: "Comrade two commanders, the situation has changed now, and if we can't get air support, today's offensive may fail. At that time, although we have paid heavy casualties, we will not be able to completely annihilate this enemy, and it will be a bit more than worth the loss. ”

Before Chuikov could speak, Shumilov had already stood up and said decisively: "I will call General Goldov and ask him to send an air force to support us." (To be continued......)