For days, I was annoyed. It was not only because the enemy, after repairing fortifications in front of the position, came to harass the positions of the Fourth Regiment every now and then, which annoyed the commanders and fighters of the Fourth Regiment. Moreover, since the day after the enemy repaired the fortifications, that is, on October 9, after seizing 107.5 from friendly forces again, the Karpov battalion originally stationed nearby seemed to disappear out of thin air, and there was no news at all.

At present, the enemy is stationed only a few kilometers to the west and north of Mamayev Heights, and if I had sent troops out on a mission as before, perhaps the front foot would have not been far from the position, and the rear foot would be spotted by the enemy's observation posts, and then the artillery fire would be overwhelming.

The sight of the German positions a few kilometers away from the heights of the heights was so my head that every time I wanted to do something, I had to think first of all about this nasty fortification, which was so close at hand, that I felt as uncomfortable as if my hands and feet were tied.

On the evening of October 13, Kirillov and I were in a meeting to discuss how to solve this problem, when the phone rang in the house. I thought it was the phone on the table ringing, but when I looked over, I found that it was not at all, but the sound of Basmanov calling from the door.

I turned my head to see that Basmanov was holding the newly installed telephone by the door and talking loudly to someone. After a while, he covered the microphone and said to me: "Comrade division commander, the sentry at the bottom of the mountain reported that a man in German uniform had been caught, and that he was fluent in Russian, and that he had come to deliver a letter to you. ”

"The messenger?!" After repeating the word, it occurred to me that it was the man sent by Karpov to deliver the letter. I hurriedly ordered Basmanov: "Captain. Have the sentry bring the man to the division headquarters at once. That's right. To be on the safe side, you might as well go out and pick him up yourself. ”

Seeing Basmanov leave after saluting, Pantai Leev showed a surprised expression on his face, he looked at me, then at Kirillov, and finally couldn't help asking: "Division commander, political commissar, as the deputy commander of the independent division, you seem to have a lot of things to hide from me." ”

Kirillov is thinking about it. Hearing him say this, he couldn't help but be stunned: "Something to hide from you?" Where does this begin? As soon as he said this, he immediately understood, "Oh, Comrade Bandereev, you mean this person we are going to meet later, right?" Okay, since you've been in our division for so long, I don't have to hide this from you anymore. After saying that, he turned his eyes to me and asked me for advice. See me nodded in agreement. I told him about our plan to rebel against the Karpov battalion.

Although Kirillov stressed this matter several times. It was authorized by the deputy commander-in-chief, General Zhukov, but after listening to it, he still asked uneasily: "Is it really okay to do this, it won't cause any trouble for all of us, right?" ”

When I heard him say this, I understood that he was not trying to shirk his responsibility, but was worried about us, after all, this matter is very important, and if something goes wrong, not only the future of several of us is not guaranteed, but even our lives are also worried.

In order to ease his heart, I deliberately said: "My comrade deputy division commander, you can put your heart in your belly." Not only the commander of the group army but also the commanders and military commissars of the front armies knew a little about this matter. The deputy commander-in-chief, General Zhukov, who was in favor of this matter, also said that after the success of the Karpov battalion anyway, he would report the matter to the Supreme Commander himself. ”

Hearing me say this, Pantai Leev, who may have been frightened by the purge of the previous years, wiped the sweat from his forehead and said happily: "That's good, that's good, since we have been authorized by our superiors, then we can rest assured and boldly carry out the orders of our superiors." ”

At this moment, Basmanov walked into the command with a soldier in a German uniform. The soldier entered, glanced around warily, and then focused on me. When his gaze swept over my collar badge, he couldn't help but look surprised. Without waiting for Basmanov to make an introduction, he walked straight towards me, and when he was still four or five paces apart, he stopped and asked tentatively: "Are you the commander of Oshanina?" ”

Listening to his proficiency in Russian, I was even more convinced that he was from Karpov, so I nodded and replied with a smile: "Yes, I am Oshanina." Who are you and what are you here to send me? ”

The soldier raised his hand and saluted me, and said, "Hello, Comrade Division Commander." My name is Kalinkin, and I was sent by Captain Karpov to deliver the letter. ”

"What about faith?" I asked as I held out my hand to him, "Show me what Captain Karpov has written?" ”

"I'm sorry, Comrade Division Commander." Kalinkin said politely: "Captain Karpov is afraid that something will happen on the road, so he just asked me to bring you a message." ”

"Captain, is there anything you want to say to me?" I asked lightly.

Kalinkin nodded, and then said: "Originally, we moved to the fortifications not far from the 107.5 heights some time ago, and we wanted to quickly leave the German defense area and move closer to you after getting in touch with you. But before we could establish contact with you, the Germans were transferred to the rear to guard against the Italians, and the two companies returned to their original defensive areas, greatly restricting our freedom. The German 113th Division, three kilometers north of Mamayev Heights, built a temporary fortification that cut off our road to the heights. ”

"Can you safely withdraw from the German defense zone now?" Kirillov asked nervously.

"I don't think it can be done, Comrade Commissar." Kalinkin smiled at Kirillov and explained: "At present, the task of our battalion is to hold the junction between the 113th and 71st divisions, so as to prevent the defense zone of the two divisions from being split in the possible counterattack of the Soviet army." To the left of our battalion, were two companies of the German 113th Division; On the right is a battalion of the 71st Division, which, as soon as we move, immediately attracts the attention of the enemy. We lacked heavy weapons, and we couldn't fight our way out of the middle of the German army. ”

When Kalinkin finished, no one spoke. Instead, they turned their neat gaze to me. Waiting for me to come up with an idea. I smiled wryly. Regretfully, he said to Kalinkin: "Kalinkin, please go back and tell Captain Karpov that since you are now the defense of the junction of the two German forces, it is unlikely that you will be allowed to enter the war in the short term, so I suggest that you continue to maintain the status quo for the time being." When we clear the way that will allow you to pass through Guò safely, we will send someone to inform you when you should act. ”

Hearing my ambiguous and unnutritious words, Kalinkin's face took on a look of disappointment. From the look on his face, I think he must be regretting that he shouldn't have made this trip. We have nothing to say, and we see that we are planning to abandon them. In order to prevent him from bringing this mistake back to the Eastern Battalion and causing undesirable consequences, I hurriedly added: "At the same time, I ask you to tell Captain Karpov that I will personally visit him in the barracks in two or three days to discuss how to get you out of trouble." With that, I waved my hand at him and said, "It's all right, Kalinkin." You can go back with confidence. ”

After listening to my next few words, Kalinkin's face showed a hint of joy. He saluted me and went out accompanied by Basmanov.

When we were back at the table, I stood up with my hands on the table and said: "Comrade commanders, I feel that the reconnaissance of the German forward positions in front of the Mamayev post must be carried out immediately, and it is best to send experienced scouts to the enemy's positions in the next two days to see what is going on. ”

"But what about the mines in front of the enemy's positions?" Kirillov asked worriedly: "We don't have many experienced scouts, and if we step on a mine and get a few more casualties, we can't replenish them in a short time." ”

"Comrade Political Commissar, you don't have to worry about this." While talking to Kalinkin, a well-thought-out plan popped into my head, so I intercepted Kirillov in time, "It's just a few mines, and we don't have no way to deal with him." ”

With a look of astonishment, Kirillov asked: "Ah, Comrade Oshanina, have you already figured out how to deal with enemy mines?" At this, the expression on his face became relaxed, "According to the reports of the scouts sent back on these two occasions, the enemy has densely planted mines on the river embankment, and the number is very large, and there is no place to put his feet at all. The enemy was still firing flares at the river, exposing our reconnaissance team to the bright light. ”

I waved my hand, smiled at him and said unhurriedly: "Comrade Political Commissar, don't we still have a company of engineers?" When it comes to digging mines, they're experts, and they might even be able to bring them back for us to use. ”

"I agree with the division commander." Immediately after expressing his position, Akhromeyev asked me for instructions: "Do you need to call the commander of the engineer company and ask him to come to the command headquarters to receive the task?" ”

"Yes," I immediately agreed, and at the same time instructed Akhromeyev: "Before Mihayev comes, let his deputy screen out the sappers who know how to clear mines." ”

Mihayev seemed to have been waiting for my call, and less than two minutes after the phone was down, he was already running into the command headquarters out of breath. Walking up to me, he raised his hand and saluted and said loudly: "Comrade division commander, Captain Mihayev, commander of the engineer company, has come to report to you, listen to your instructions, and ask you to give a new combat order." ”

"Very good," I complimented Mihayev on his scrappy spirit, and then said to him: "Comrade Captain, I order you to screen out the sappers who know how to clear mines. "I ask this because most of the commanders and fighters of the engineer company are halfway home, and when it comes to repairing houses and fortifications, and even erecting pontoon bridges, they have a complete set of techniques, but when it comes to mine clearance, it is estimated that it is a bit difficult for them, so I asked this question.

Unexpectedly, Mihayev replied to me confidently: "Comrade commander of the report, there is no need to go so much trouble in screening, there are only seven people in the whole company who know how to clear mines, and I have already formed them into a mine-clearing squad." However, because we are all passively defending, they have not been able to come in handy, and can only dig trenches and dig tunnels every day like ordinary sappers, and they have long been aggrieved. They were overjoyed to know that you were going to send them on a mission. ”

Since Mihayev had already made preparations, I saved a lot of things, so I ordered him bluntly: "Captain Mihayev, it is so, I plan to send your men to take advantage of the night." Go to the river embankment and lift up the mines planted by the enemy. Create a safe passage for the Scout Squad. ”

"Comrade division commander. Rest assured. Mihayev confidently said: "I will personally take them and make sure that before dawn all the mines planted by the enemy on the embankment will be cleared." ”

I raised my hand and looked at my watch, it was already eleven o'clock, so I nodded and told him, "Since that is the case, you should go back at once and take your men into action." ”

"Yes!" Mihayev agreed, turned and walked away quickly.

"Comrade Oshanina. What do you think? Watching Mihayev's departure, Bandereev suddenly asked curiously: "What are you going to do after our scouts have completed their reconnaissance of the enemy?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Deputy Division Commander." I politely replied to him, "As soon as the mines on the embankment are cleared, our scouts will be able to sneak quietly into the enemy's positions." Once we have figured out their defenses, we can send two or three companies of troops to enter the German positions along the river in batches and destroy the German troops who are holding here. ”

"How sure are you?" Bandereev asked cautiously.

"Less than 30 percent." I sighed and added: "And it will have to wait until Mihayev's engineer company." It was only after the successful realization of the mines planted by the enemy on the river embankment that it was possible to carry out this plan. ”

Because in a short period of time. There was no report on the demining of Mihayev's engineer company, so for the rest of the year we were discussing how to get Karpov's troops out of the middle of Germany.

Minutes and seconds passed, and until four o'clock in the morning, the phone on the desk never rang as if it were broken. I could not sit still in the headquarters, so I stood up and said to Kirillov and them: "Comrade commissar, I don't worry about Mihayev them, I want to go to the observation post on the mountainside. ”

Kirillov did not object, but first said to Akhromeyev: "Chief of Staff, call the commander of the second regiment, Oleg, and say that the division commander is going to the observation post and ask him to arrange manpower to act as a guard." Then he turned his head and ordered Basmanov, who was sitting on a bench by the door: "Captain, take a squad and protect the division commander to the observation post on the mountainside." ”

Seeing that Kirillov had arranged everything properly, I smiled gratefully at him, went to the wall, took off the military coat hanging on it, put it on, tied it with a belt, and then put on the submachine gun, and then walked outside.

Although I was dressed a lot, as soon as I walked outside the door, I was still frozen by the fierce cold wind and sneezed several times, and Basmanov, who had been waiting outside with the guards and soldiers, hurriedly walked over and asked with concern: "Comrade division commander, you are cold, why don't you go to the observation post?" ”

"No," I said stubbornly, waving my hand at him, "I will never be sure if I don't see Mihayev and them come back safely." Captain, don't stand here, take your warriors with me. With that, I lifted my leg and walked forward. Behind him came the voice of Basmanov shouting a command, and then a neat footstep followed.

But I came to the observation post on the mountainside, and Oleg was already waiting there with seven or eight fighters. Seeing me pass, he hurriedly guided me into the observation post, and then he dispersed the soldiers and went around to hide and take charge of the guard.

I raised my binoculars and looked at the river, but I saw that it was dark and dark, and I couldn't see anything clearly, and the Germans didn't know how to do it.

Oleg stood beside me and said in a low voice: "Comrade division commander, the enemy is very strange tonight, before one o'clock in the morning, they were still firing flares, but now there is not a single one, how strange it is. ”

As soon as his words fell, a flash of fire suddenly flashed in the distance, followed by a loud boom. Amid the fire and smoke rising from the foot of the hill in the northern heights, I saw several figures falling, and I groaned in my heart, saying that it was Mihayev that they had stepped on a mine.

Who knew that if you look closely, around the unextinguished fire, there are many black shadows shaking, and they seem to be bending down and rushing towards the hillside. At this moment, there was another loud bang, and several black shadows were blown away in the firelight, and then the machine guns on the mountainside clicked and began to strafe the black shadows at the foot of the mountain.

"It turned out that the Germans had taken advantage of the night to sneak attack the positions of the Fourth Regiment again." Seeing this scene, Oleg breathed a sigh of relief, "Every time the enemy sneaks up from both sides of the heights, he doesn't take advantage of it, so tonight he will switch to a sneak attack from the front." Strange, I remember that the minefields in the positions of the four regiments were cleared long ago under the shelling of enemy artillery, where did these mines come from? ”

I originally thought that no matter how fierce the German artillery fire was, there would be more or less two or three mines left in the minefield, but the German troops who attacked by sneak were unlucky and happened to step on them. But the explosions that happened one after another made me change my mind, even if there were remaining mines, it would not be possible to bury them so densely. From the first explosion to now, in just two minutes, at least seven or eight mines have exploded, and more than two dozen German soldiers have fallen in the explosion.

While I was puzzled, the phone in the observation center rang. (To be continued......)