"Understood, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Kolobtin said solemnly: "I will tell the commanders and fighters that our battle is not only to defend our motherland, but also to fight for the honor of our soldiers. ”

Then, in the earphones, I heard him instruct the people around him: "You go and inform the commanders below that the opportunity to make meritorious deeds is in front of all of us, and whether or not you can make meritorious deeds depends on their respective performances." The man he commanded excitedly agreed, and then I heard a rush of footsteps drifting away.

Seeing that Colonel Kolobhutin understood what I meant, I said politely: "Good luck!" Then he cut off contact with him.

When Chuikov and Shumilov saw that I had finished their assignment to Kolobatin, they also returned to their tables and sat down one after the other, chatting with the two military commissars, Serdyuk and Abramov, who were sitting there and insisted on not saying a word. To tell the truth, the four leaders of the group army did a very good job today, except for the time when the air force was mobilized, after the two commanders and deputy commanders called the front army headquarters and the air force headquarters, they remained silent for the rest of the time, and they were completely relieved and boldly asked me to command this battle.

I grabbed the belt around my waist with both hands and began to circle around the wooden table. Winning or losing this battle is no longer the main thing I have to worry about. What gave me a headache was that not only did the Germans far outnumber us in tanks and artillery, but their air force also firmly held air supremacy on the battlefield. In today's battle, if our army is not the main attacker and occupies the advantage of troops, perhaps our army will be the last to be annihilated.

When I was spinning in circles. A communications staff officer after answering a phone call. Stood up and reported to me: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. According to the report of the Forward Observation Post, our fighters have reached the sky over the battlefield and engaged in fierce aerial combat with the enemy. Since the enemy's air raids have stopped, our participating units have accelerated their offensive. ”

This good news made everyone breathe a sigh of relief. I inquired again, and after verifying the accuracy of this information, I raised my hand and looked at my watch, and instructed the operator: "Immediately get in touch with the two division commanders, Lyudnikov and Kuropatenko." Ask where their troops have arrived? ”

The operator answered loudly, picked up the microphone and began to call loudly. Because the communications equipment carried by Lyudnikov was destroyed in the air raid, only one walkie-talkie was left of the 157th Division of the two divisions, so the operator called the communication code of the Kuropatenko Division.

Unexpectedly, the radio operator was almost hoarse, and he didn't get a reply from the other party. My heart suddenly rose to my throat again, and my heart said that Lyudnikov and Kuropatenko would not be so unlucky, they had just been hit by an air raid, and now they can't be contacted, so it won't be another accident, right?

Seeing that we could not get in touch with the 138th and 157th divisions, Chuikov and Shumilov could not sit still. The two walked side by side to the walkie-talkie. Chuikov ordered the operator in a loud voice: "Keep calling until you can get in touch with them." The operator nodded hurriedly. At the same time, the speed of calls is accelerated.

Shumilov stood beside Chuikov with his hands behind his back and said worriedly: "Comrade Chuikov, do you think these two divisions will encounter any unexpected situations?" ”

Chuikov looked at the caller, turned his gaze to me, tilted his chin to me, and asked, "Comrade Oshanina, what do you think?" ”

Although I was now like fifteen buckets of water, I still replied calmly: "Two comrades commanders, I can't get in touch with the 157th Division, maybe because they are on the march and the radio is not turned on. ”

"Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina," compared to Chuikov's calmness, Shumilov was obviously a little out of breath, and he hurriedly asked, "Are you sure you can't contact these two divisions because they are on the march and the radio is not on?" ”

I had just spoken a little too much, and Shumilov asked this, and I could only reply with a hard head: "Yes, Comrade Commander, I can almost conclude that this is the case." ”

Shumilov pursed his lips and asked disappreciatively: "Is this really the case?" Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. ”

"Comrade Commander," said Chuikov, who stood up in time to relieve me, said in a more affirmative tone, "I think Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina has a point. You think that the enemy's air raid just now was so fierce, and Lyudnikov and Kuropatenko were all safe and sound. Now that the Germans' planes have left the battlefield, and there is no long-range artillery fire to support their infantry, the reason why we cannot contact these two divisions can only be that the radio is not turned on during the march, so we cannot be contacted for the time being. At the moment, all we can do is wait, wait for Kuropatenko to contact us when they turn it on......"

As soon as Chuikov said this, the voice of the telegraph operator suddenly became shrill with excitement: "...... Yes, yes, I am the command of the army group, I am the command of the army group. Then the operator turned around and excitedly reported to me: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, we have made contact with the 157th Division. ”

I hurriedly grabbed the headset and microphone handed to me by the operator, and said loudly, "Hey! Feed! Feed! I'm Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, are you Colonel Kuropadenko or Colonel Lyudnikov? ”

The familiar voice of Colonel Lyudnikov came from the headphones, and he said slowly: "Comrade Colonel Report, the radio was not turned on just now because it was on the march. At present, our two divisions have reached the designated positions, and the vanguard has exchanged fire with the enemy. ”

"How many troop movements are in place in two divisions? Two regiments or three? "I'm worried that the trucks of their two divisions have lost so much in the air raid by enemy planes just now that it will affect the time for most of the commanders and fighters to enter the battlefield.

"Not only that, except for two or three battalions still on the road, the rest of the commanders and fighters have already entered the battlefield and are on standby, just waiting for your order, they will pounce on the enemy like tigers descending from the mountain."

"Didn't you say that quite a few trucks were damaged by enemy planes during air strikes? How can you and Colonel Kuropatenko throw so many troops into battle at once? ”

"That's right, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. Our troops, on their way to the battlefield, encountered the 137th Tank Brigade coming from behind. After our consultations with the tank brigade commander. Some of the commanders and fighters on foot rode in tanks. Part of the rapid advance in trucks transporting ammunition fuel. So. Most of our troops arrived on the battlefield almost simultaneously. ”

"The tank brigade is also up?!" I didn't expect that this tank brigade, which was not included in the plan at all, actually gave me a big surprise. I stabilized my mood and said to Lyudnikov: "Comrade Colonel, don't hesitate, immediately put you and Colonel Kuropatenko's troops, as well as the tank brigade, into battle, move quickly and fiercely, and be sure to destroy all the enemy in the shortest possible time." ”

Lyudnikov replied, still unhurriedly: "Understood." Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. I'll go and relay your order to both of them. ”

"Wait, Comrade Colonel." I heard his lazy voice, and my heart was always a little unsteady, and when I felt that he was about to cut off communication, I hurriedly called him again.

"Is there anything else you want to command?" From the headphones, I could hear a hint of perfunctory in Lyudnikov's tone.

"Colonel Lyudnikov, whether or not you can completely annihilate this lone German force in depth depends on whether your attack is swift and decisive. Tell the fighters that the opportunity to make contributions is in front of them, and whether they will strive for the honor that belongs to them. It's up to them. At this point, I paused deliberately. Turning his head and looking at Chuikov and Shumilov standing beside him, he then pretended to be mysterious and said: "According to reliable information, after the victory of this battle, it is possible that the Supreme Command will select one of the several units participating in the battle to award the honorary title of Guards Division. Think about it, Comrade Colonel, what an incomparably honorable honor. ”

"Guards Division!" Lyudnikov's breathing became heavy, and it seemed that he was violently stimulated by this honorary title. Then I heard him and the people next to me whispering, because the voice was too low for me to hear what they were saying. After a long while, his breathing gradually returned to normal, he coughed lightly, and said in a resolute tone: "Please rest assured, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, the 138th Division, the 157th Division, and the 137th Tank Brigade will go all out and never let an enemy escape." ”

"Well done, Comrade Colonel." I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when I saw that my agitation had worked, but I still tried to keep my composure and said casually, "Since you understand, let's act immediately." Once again, I wish you the best of luck! ”

When I put down the headphones and the microphone, Chuikov laughed, pointed his finger at me and said: "Oshanina, you really have the courage to lie to them that the outstanding troops will be promoted to the Guards Division, and you are not afraid to wait for the battle to end, and they will come to you to settle accounts after they find out that they have been fooled." ”

"Comrade two commanders, I think Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina has done a good job." Serdyuk, the military commissar who had been sitting at the table without speaking, stood up and said good things for me, "This is also a way to boost morale." As long as this news reaches the ears of the commanders and fighters, the combat effectiveness and morale of the troops will be greatly enhanced. ”

Chuikov crossed his hands in front of his chest, lowered his head and thought for a while, then raised his head and said with certainty: "If Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina's method can really improve the morale and combat effectiveness of the troops, we can really make a request to the superior Lu to promote the troops with outstanding combat achievements to the Guards Division." At this point, he raised his hand to look at his watch, and then continued: "I estimate that the battle will be over soon, and I want to go to the front to see." ”

"I'll go with you, Comrade General." Although I commanded this battle, I have always talked about the situation on paper, and what I knew about the battlefield and what I knew through telegraph and telephone calls was never as real as I saw it with my own eyes.

Chuikov did not object, but said to Shumilov: "Comrade commander, I will leave it to you here, and I will go to the Reynoch area with Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina to have a look." ”

Shumilov glanced at me and nodded in agreement: "Okay, I agree, I'll leave it to me here." You should be more careful and stay safe when you go out. ”

Chuikov nodded, raised his legs and walked out. After saluting Shumilov and the two military commissars, I picked up the submachine gun leaning against the table and rushed out.

As soon as he went out, he saw the little soldier Sidorin standing beside Chuikov, looking up to report something to him. Seeing me walking over, Sidorin smiled at me and asked in a friendly manner, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Hello! Are you also going to the front with Comrade Commander? ”

"Yes." I replied to him with a smile. Then he turned his head and asked Chuikov: "Comrade General." Will Private Sidorin also go with us? ”

Chuikov nodded vigorously. Instead of answering me right away, he asked Sidorin to fetch the jeep first. After Sidorin had gone away, he whispered: "Comrade Oshanina, you should remember that I said last time that I would help Lieutenant Colonel Sidorin take care of his son, so I will take him with me wherever I go." ”

There were only two drivers, a herald Sidorin, a telegraph operator with a walkie-talkie, and a dozen guards.

As you get closer and closer to the battlefield. The rumbling of gunfire became clearer. When the jeep was moving forward, Chuikov reached out and patted the driver's shoulder, pointed to the right front, and said, "Comrade driver, park the car next to that small hill." ”

We got off the bus and went up the hill. The battle is going on intensely, and the field of view here is particularly wide, and through the telescope, you can clearly see the battlefield filled with gunsmoke and the two officers and soldiers who are fighting desperately.

A few shells landed sparsely in the open space in front of our hillside, as the site of the explosion was still a little far away. So Chuikov and I still calmly looked at the battlefield in the distance with binoculars. Unexpectedly, Sidorin was frightened, and he pounced. He took Chuikov's arm and pulled him behind the hill.

With a shake of his hand, Chuikov threw little Sidorin away, and shouted dissatisfiedly: "What are you doing, don't you see that the place where the enemy's shells landed is far from us?" ”

Enemy shells fell irregularly on the open ground one or two hundred meters in front of us and exploded, but they posed no danger to us at all. Sidorin was in a hurry, and with the explosion of the shells, he jumped in front of Chuikov for a while, and stood behind Chuikov for the next, apparently fearing for Chuikov's safety and ready to protect Chuikov with his body at any time.

Chuikov put down his binoculars, pointed to the craters in the distance that were still smoking, and explained to me: "You see, Oshanina, the enemy's shells are scattered and prove that their regimental artillery has suffered heavy casualties under the attack of our troops. This aimless rambling of their actions is nothing more than a death throe. ”

As he spoke, on the battlefield filled with gunsmoke, red signal flares rose into the sky one after another. Sidorin, who had been jumping around us and was worried about the safety of Chuikov, excitedly pointed to the sky and shouted: "Commander, lieutenant colonel, look, the sky is our signal flare. Our worst general assault has begun, and the enemy is almost finished. ”

"Look at you." Chuikov deliberately kept a straight face and said to Sidorin in a slightly reproachful tone: "Comrade soldier, although our army has taken the initiative on the battlefield, don't you hear the gunfire still fierce? This proves that the enemy is not willing to lose, and is resisting stubbornly, and also fantasizes that there are reinforcements to rescue them. ”

"Comrade Commander, do you think the enemy's reinforcements will come?" Sidorin asked curiously.

Chuikov touched the steel helmet that Sidorin was wearing, raised his chin at me, and said, "You can go and ask Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina for advice. You know, she commanded today's battle, and General Shumilov and I fought for her. ”

Seeing Sidorin walking up to me, I smiled and took the initiative to explain to him without waiting for him to ask: "Sidorin, you don't have to worry, according to my analysis, the enemy's reinforcements will not come at least today. ”

"What are you doing?" Although the question was asked by Sidorin, from Chuikov's expression, he also wanted to hear the answer that came out of my mouth.

"In my judgment, the enemy's tank 4th Army had just been transferred back from the Caucasus, and after a long period of non-stop marching and fighting, they had to stop and find a suitable place to replenish the much-needed ammunition and fuel. And the two regiments that are alone in the depths should not carry much ammunition, otherwise our troops will not have such an easy fight. ”

"Oshanina, what do you think about what might happen next?"

Chuikov's question was tantamount to another temporary investigation of me, so before I answered, I first considered what I wanted to say in my mind before I said in a hurry: "Comrade commander, I think like this: First, after the battle is over, except for a small number of troops left to clean up the battlefield, the rest of the troops will quickly return to their original defense areas and build fortifications to resist a larger offensive that the enemy may launch. Second, it is necessary to make a request to the higher authorities to strengthen the necessary air defense of our group army, so that we can make the enemy planes have some scruples and dare not attack us as recklessly as they do now. That's all I have in mind for now, and I'll report back to you when I think of the rest. ”

"Well said!" Chuikov said loudly, reaching out and patting me on the shoulder, "Oshanina, after this battle, I believe that the commanders at all levels of the group army will have a better sense of identification with you, and I intend to suggest to the higher authorities that you be officially appointed as the deputy chief of staff of the group army." ”

The deputy chief of staff, although not as famous as the chief of staff and commander of the 8th Guards Division of the 20th Army in the past, at least there is no need to worry about being sent everywhere to various grassroots units like a soy sauce to serve as a temporary regiment commander, brigade commander, division commander and the like.

Hearing the sound of gunfire in the distance gradually thinning out, Chuikov breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The battle is coming to an end. Let's go, Oshanina, let's go to the battlefield. With that, he took a big stride towards the jeep down the hill. (To be continued......)

PS: Heartfelt thanks to book friends: Old Godfather, Lonely Guest, jamestf, Mengyun Regret Stone, banshouwang, xinhujj, I love off-road vehicles, peterzyj, moung, drifting in the wind の一叶小boat、Hengfei の板brick、Nianguofeng、kjs12、jamestf voted for monthly ticket support。