Thanks to the defection of Captain Grams, and the rebellion of Captain Beckman by us, with their cooperation, we were able to continue to lurk at the Abganerovo station, without the slightest notice from the German side, and even the commander of the 103rd Regiment thought that the station was under the control of his men.

During this time, I did not let the Germans stop, and every night I would send small platoon units to attack the German lines of communication, bury mines on roads and railways, and make the German convoys suffer, so that in five days, the Germans managed to transport less than half of the supplies to the front.

In the early morning of September 4th, Shura knocked on my door again before I got up. As soon as she saw me appear, she immediately handed me a telegram and said excitedly: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, it is a telegram sent to you by General Zhukov. ”

I took the telegram and looked down, only to see that it read: "Leda, you and your troops have been holding out at the Abuganerovo station for five days, and have successfully completed the difficult task assigned to you by your superiors. Now I order you to act at once, to jump out of the heavy German encirclement with decisiveness and resoluteness, and to rush back to the original defensive positions to join the main forces of the division. Immediately after handing over the position to Colonel Lyudnikov's 70th Guards Division, you quickly turned north with your whole division, passing through the city of Stalingrad to Mamayev Gang to take over the defense of the 35th Guards Division. ”

I walked over to the table and sat down, put the newspaper on the table, and finally felt a sense of relief. We were hidden in the rear of the German army, and in order to prevent exposure, we could only engage in small-scale activities. This guerrilla tactic could have caused a lot of trouble for the Germans. But it could not hurt the German army, which was in full swing. To defeat them completely. It also has to rely on hard-fought positional warfare.

I looked up at my watch. The pointer was already pointing to half-past six. I calculated in my mind that it would take at least an hour for the troops to assemble and move, and if we dealt with some aftermath, we would not be able to leave the Abuganerovo station until after eight o'clock at the earliest. Thinking of this, I raised my head and ordered Shura: "Shura, you go and invite Lieutenant Colonel Oleg and Commissar Vellol." As soon as she was about to go out, I stopped her again and added: "And Second Lieutenant Mihayev." ”

"Do you need me to sue them for something?" Shura asked cautiously.

I nodded. He said: "You can tell them that they have received an order to retreat, and let them rush to the headquarters immediately, and I still have a task to assign to them." ”

Oleg and Vylor came quickly, presumably knowing that I had received an order to retreat, and the two were the headquarters that trotted in. Mihayev's movements were not slow, and almost as soon as the two of them sat down, he also walked into the command headquarters. Seeing that everyone who should have come came, Oleg couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade division commander, I heard the newspaper operator Shura say." You just received an order to retreat from your superiors? ”

"Yes, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." I said as I picked up the newspaper on the table. Leaning forward slightly, she handed him over. Oleg took the telegram and looked at it a few times, and immediately overjoyed, and said excitedly: "Great, comrade division commander, this is really good." I could hardly live this life of disguise as a German, and I was so aggrieved that I could only watch the German convoy pass by on the road outside of us, but could not do anything. Now, when we go back and join up with the main forces of the division, we can fight with the Germans in a dignified manner. ”

"Come on, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Velore said in a mocking tone next to him: "You can be content, you must know that during this time, the results of the small troops we sent were not small, and the German convoys lost at least half of their supplies. ”

"Alright, don't say any more." I was afraid that as soon as the two of them started talking, they quickly interrupted them and began to explain the task, "The task is clear, let's immediately get out of contact with the German army, return to the division's defense area to hand over the defense to friendly forces, and quickly turn around and go north to Mamayev Gang to take over the defense of the 35th Guards Division." Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, Political Commissar Vylol, first of all, tell me how long will it take for your whole regiment to start? ”

Oleg raised his hand and looked at his watch, frowned and thought for a while, and replied: "Comrade division commander, it will take at least three hours. You also know that some supplies have not yet been transferred, and it is necessary to arrange for people to bury them on the spot, so as not to cheapen the Germans. ”

"Eight-thirty," I interrupted Oleg, adding another half an hour to my calculations, and then instructed Oleg: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, the main forces of the 5th Regiment must be pulled from the station at 8:30. The regiment was divided into three, and the vanguard was under my personal command, and I, together with Captain Grams, Captain Beckman, and Second Lieutenant Gretka, led a company and two companies to drive in front of the road. The middle troops, consisting of three companies, four companies, and five companies, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, marched in four columns, leaving those German soldiers who were unwilling to surrender in the middle, while our soldiers and those who had surrendered walked on both sides and escorted them to the defense area of our division. The broken rear force of six companies and seven companies was commanded by Commissar Vellol and Second Lieutenant Mihayev. ”

"Comrade division commander," Mihayev said cautiously, "what to do with the more than two hundred mines left in the warehouses of the station, and eight tons of explosives?" ”

"There are too many things, and we can't take them with us, so let's give them to the Germans." I replied without thinking.

"Huh?!" My words surprised not only Mihayev, but also Oleg and Vylol. Seeing the way the three of them opened their mouths wide, I suddenly remembered that I hadn't made things clear, no wonder they had such exaggerated expressions, and quickly explained: "I may not have made it clear, I mean that these mines and explosives can't be taken away anyway, so they are simply laid in the station, just to see which German unit is more unlucky, and walk into the station to enjoy the special treatment of taking a dirt plane." ”

That's all I said, and the three of them still don't seem to understand. Seeing their blank expressions, I was really speechless, so I could only try to explain in more detail: "Don't you still understand what I mean?" I mean, let Mihayev organize the men to bury mines and explosives in the station by hand. By the time the new Germans drove in, as soon as one person stepped on a mine, the entire station would be blown into ruins in an instant. My words. Do you understand? ”

Although I'm going to be a bit general this time. But the three of them clearly understood. Mihayev listened to my plan. The whole person suddenly became excited, and he said excitedly: "Comrade division commander, don't worry, I will definitely bury all the mines and explosives in the station, even if the Germans reoccupy this place, all they get is a ruin." I don't dare say anything else, but I can guarantee that it will only be after the earth-shattering explosion. The Germans were denied access to rail lines of communication for at least three to five days. ”

I turned my head to look at Oleg and Vylol, and just as I was about to say something, Vylor opened her mouth first, and she asked hesitantly: "Comrade division commander, I would like to ask why we don't execute them on the spot and take the risk to bring them back to our defense zone since there are more than forty of Captain Beckman's men who refuse to surrender?" ”

After Beckman was captured a few days ago, although he tried to persuade his men to lay down their arms, after repeated persuasion, more than forty German soldiers refused to join us. For these diehards. Whether it's Oleg or Vylol, or even Captain Grams. They persuaded me several times to have them summarily executed, but I rejected them all.

Now that Villore had brought up the matter again, I felt compelled to take the opportunity to explain it to them, so I said: "Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, Commissar Vylol, Second Lieutenant Mihayev, you may find it strange that since these stubborn German soldiers refuse to surrender, why have I kept them locked up and not dealt with, and now I have to take the risk of bringing them to our defense zone?" ”

Seeing that the three of them nodded desperately, indicating that they wanted to know the answer, I continued: "Everyone knows that although Beckman and his seventy or so officers and men have surrendered to us and expressed their willingness to join our ranks. But they are not sure-footed and are always wary of us, and when they see us execute former colleagues who refuse to surrender, they will be discouraged. I can responsibly tell you that whenever these new Germans wavered and encountered an unfavorable situation on the battlefield, they would not hesitate to turn their guns and strike us. ”

After I finished speaking, the three of them were silent for a long time before Villore asked tentatively: "Comrade Division Commander, is it because of this that you want to take the risk of bringing these prisoners back?" ”

"Yes, Commissar Vellore." "Although only Captain Grams, Captain Beckman, Second Lieutenant Gretka, and a hundred or so of their men have joined our ranks. But in time, as more and more German troops are captured, their power will become stronger and stronger, and they will become a force to be reckoned with. ”

"Since that's the case, Comrade Division Commander." After listening to my explanation, Oleg looked suddenly enlightened, and hurriedly said: "Please rest assured, I will definitely bring this group of German prisoners back to our defense area." ”

"Now that the mission is clear, let's carry it out." With that, I waved at the men and told them to go back to their respective units.

At half past eight, the vanguard I led set out.

Our fleet consists of ten trucks plus a car and two three-wheeled motorcycles. Captain Beckman and I sat in the cab of the first truck, and Captain Grams sat in the cab of the last truck. His subordinate, Second Lieutenant Gretka, sat in a car driven by Boris and followed the two motorcycles that opened the way, driving at the front of the entire convoy.

As the car was moving on the road, I curiously asked Beckman: "Mr. Captain, you speak Russian awesomely!" I don't know where you used to learn? "Among the Germans I have dealt with, there are quite a few people who can speak Russian, from von Tolmann in the distance, to Beckman in front of me, and Ensign Gretka in front of me, so I am particularly curious about where they learned Russian.

Beckman, who was looking out the window, his head swaying with the shaking of the body, after listening to my question, he turned his head, a smile appeared on his face, and said to me in a friendly manner: "Your Excellency, my unit was a member of the military delegation in Brest and the Russian army, and I spent almost a year in your army, and I learned Russian during that period. ”

After listening to his words, I secretly said in my heart, so it turns out that this is the case, if it is after the capture of Berlin in the future. I spent several years there as a commander of the occupation forces. I don't know if I can speak German fluently.

When I was thinking cranky. Beckman suddenly asked, "Your Excellency, I want to ask you a question in private, okay?" ”

I nodded at him and said politely, "Mr. Captain, if you have any questions, please ask." As long as I can answer, I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer. ”

"Do you think the Russian army can really hold off the two-sided attack of General Paulus's 6th Army and General Hort's 4th Tank Army and hold Stalingrad?"

See my words the other day. Beckman was not really convinced that his submission was merely a stopgap measure, and in order to dispel his unrealistic illusions, I replied firmly: "Yes, Captain Beckman." Once again, I will seriously answer you that although the forces of Generals Paulus and Hort are now in the driver's seat on the battlefield, the momentum of their offensive is weakening little by little, and the reserves of our army are gradually gathering towards the Volga Valley, and the victory or defeat of the war will be won or lost. Can't you see it yet? ”

Beckman, apparently not convinced by my brief sentence or two, continued unconvinced: "The combat effectiveness of General Hort's tank 4th Army. I won't say it, as you must know, they once had a brilliant record of one division defeating and annihilating five or six divisions of the Russian army. ”

"So what?" I said disapprenantly: "Won't Hoth's troops still run into a bloody battle in front of my independent division?" You must know that the day after the 29th Motorized Rifle Division was heavily damaged by our division, Hort dispatched three divisions and launched an attack on our division's defense area from three directions, what was the result? Apart from the loss of troops, not even a single trench was occupied, let alone encircled or annihilated even one of our regiments in formation. ”

Hearing my words, Beckman was silent, and after a long time, he said with difficulty: "Your Excellency, maybe you are right. However, the victory or defeat of this battle is still only for time to explain. ”

As he was talking, there was a sudden sound of gunfire ahead. Hearing this sudden sound of gunfire, my heart couldn't help but tremble, could it be that the moral army began to launch an all-out attack on our division's defense area? In this case, isn't our plan to return to the defense zone about to fail? Thinking of this, I hurriedly ordered the driver: "Stop!" ”

As soon as the driver hit the brakes, our truck stopped directly on the road. The car of the second lieutenant in front of him also stopped, and I saw him shouting something to several soldiers on the motorcycle, and the motorcyclist nodded, and with a bang on the accelerator, he quickly rushed forward.

Seeing that Ensign Gretka had already sent someone to reconnoitre, Beckman and I also got out of the cab and stood next to the truck, quietly waiting for the motorcyclist's reconnaissance report. Seeing that the convoy suddenly stopped, Captain Grams, who was in the last truck, was not at ease, and trotted all the way over, anxiously asking, "What's going on, why did you stop?" ”

Captain Beckman, having translated for me, began to brief Grams in German. Listening to the sound of gunfire in front of me, I became more and more nervous, if the front really became a battlefield, then we would not be able to return to the defense zone in a short time.

The two motorcycles that had gone to reconnoiter soon returned, and after stopping in front of Ensign Gretka and saying a few words, a soldier got off the motorcycles and walked after the ensign and walked towards me.

The second lieutenant reported to me: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, about two companies of infantry in front are attacking the positions of the Russian troops? ”

I didn't bother to correct Second Lieutenant Grettka for not calling our army Russian troops, but anxiously asked: "What weapons and equipment do the Germans have?" ”

The soldier who went to reconnoiter hurriedly replied: "The Germans originally had five or six tanks and two armored vehicles, but now they have been blown up by our fighters, and the attacking troops are all infantry." They have just been repulsed by our troops, and now they are gathering a kilometer from here, ready to attack again. ”

When I heard that the other side did not have heavy weapons, I felt much more at ease, so I hurriedly called the commanders who had just surrounded me, as well as Grahms, Beckman, and Gretka, to the front and gave them the latest combat order: "Comrade commander, according to the report of the scouts, there are now about two companies of German infantry in front of us, which are attacking the position of my regiment. Our task is to surprise them from behind and catch them by surprise. ”

As soon as I finished speaking, the company commander could not wait to say: "I will immediately let the fighters get out of the car and assemble, and then attack from behind the Germans." ”

I stopped him and said, "Comrade Company Commander, don't get out of the car. The Germans, who did not have heavy weapons, now lined up the trucks and attacked from behind the enemy, and when charging, the fighters only had to stand in the compartments of the trucks and shoot with machine guns, submachine guns, rifles. ”

"Is this appropriate?" The company commander asked uncertainly.

"Yes, of course it is. Don't say more, let's all go back to their respective units. After I said this, I specially told Second Lieutenant Gretka: "Second Lieutenant, you also go to the bed of the truck, and leave the car here." ”

When everyone had dispersed, and only me and Beckman were left with the truck, I asked him with concern, "Mr. Captain, are you going back to the bridge, or are you going to the car with me?" ”

Beckman replied almost without thinking: "Your Excellency, I will go wherever you go, and I will be consistent with you." ”

The ten cars in a row increased the throttle and rushed towards the battlefield where the battle was being fought. From a distance, I saw a large group of German soldiers under black pressure, striding towards our army's position with their weapons in hand.

When I saw that I was still more than 50 meters away from the enemy, I suddenly shouted: "Fire!" "The machine gun next to me on the roof of the bridge opened fire first, and then the soldiers in my car opened fire the first and shot at the Germans in the back.

The gunfire was an order, and seeing that the signal had been given here, the remaining nine cars opened fire. At such a close distance, there was almost no need to aim, and under such dense fire, the unsuspecting German soldiers were taken by surprise. Whether it's a machine gun, a submachine gun, or a rifle, as long as you fire, you can almost hit the target. The German soldiers were knocked down by us in pieces, whether they were striding forward or lying in craters with machine guns ready to shoot, all of them were beaten into a sieve by our dense bullets.

When our trucks rushed through the German attacking procession, the original black-pressed attacking team had disappeared and were all corpses lying on the ground.

Perhaps it was to see us shooting from the rear of the German army, and the regiment of fighters holding the position did not shoot, but a few commanders and fighters crawled out of the trenches and stood outside the trenches waving signal flags at us. (To be continued......)