Chuikov looked around, nodded and said: "When the enemy attacks, there is no need to put too many troops on the front position, so as not to suffer unnecessary casualties under the enemy's artillery fire because the trenches are too crowded." Since this cave is so spacious, move in the necessary weapons, ammunition, and food as soon as possible, so that even if the enemy surrounds you, you can continue to fight with the favorable terrain here. ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Commander, we will carry out the work of transporting supplies as soon as it gets dark."

When the two were talking, I kept muttering in my heart, could it be that my arrival has made history deviate? The first was the commander of the 62nd Army, Kolpakchi, who was removed from his post on August 3 and succeeded by Lopatin; A month later, Chuikov replaced Lopatin. But now, although Kolpakchi's post of commander was replaced by Lopatin, and Chuikov, as a representative of the Front, removed Lopatin from his post, he did not hold the post of commander of the 62nd Army, and this post was temporarily taken by Kolpacchi, who had just been released.

Also, with the exception of Mamayev Heights, I have never heard of any battle for heights between the Soviet and German armies near Stalingrad. And the current situation seems that if there are enough weapons, ammunition and food stored in the cave, even if it is alone behind the enemy, it can hold out for a long time.

Just as I was thinking nonsense, Chuikov patted me on the shoulder and said, "Oshanina, we have to go to the position to see, what are you still standing here in a daze?" "I looked up and saw Kolobhutin and his men walking into the distance. Hurriedly gathered his mind. Follow them out.

The access to the positions was very narrow. Only one person is more than one meter tall and one meter wide, and if two people meet head-on, they must also turn sideways to pass. I heard Chuikov, who was walking in front, ask: "Comrade Colonel, are the other passages leading to the position so narrow?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander." I heard Kolobtin's succinct reply: "Because the rocks here are too hard, we will not be able to widen the original passage in a short time." But this is also good, if the enemy is lucky enough to rush in. They will not be able to spread their forces, and our warriors will easily destroy them. ”

We left the cave and went into the trenches. I looked at the dozen or twenty staff officers crowded around Chuikov and Kolobatin, and couldn't help frowning, such commanders huddled together, when the observation posts on the enemy's positions were all blind? If they had found out, a few shells would have flown over, and Chuikov and Kolobutin would have all been confessed here.

Thinking of this, I squeezed hard to Chuikov's side and reminded him in a low voice: "Comrade General. Don't you think there are too many people accompanying us on our inspection? ”

Chuikov looked around and saw the staff officers and guards crowded around him. Immediately understood what I meant by this, and then ordered Kolobtin: "Comrade Colonel, you can take two people with us and go around, and the rest will go back to their respective combat posts." ”

Kolobtin understood, and hurriedly sent away all the redundant people around, leaving only two staff officers. He led the way and led us along the trenches. After walking a short distance, I saw a small hole in the wall of the traffic trench more than half a person high, which seemed to be an anti-artillery hole built by the soldiers, and hurriedly pointed it out to Chuikov.

Chuikov hurriedly stopped Kolobtin, who was walking in front, and went into the earth hole himself to check. After a while, he crawled out of it and said with relief: "Comrade Colonel, this fortification of yours is well repaired. Although there can only accommodate two or three people in this anti-artillery hole, they are all dug diagonally, and they are dug so deep that even heavy shells, if they are not directly hit, cannot destroy such fortifications. ”

Kolobtin smiled innocently and said modestly: "Actually, this fortification is not my invention, but the credit of Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina. ”

"My credit?!" His words confused me and left me at a loss, and I asked in confusion: "Comrade Colonel, I don't think I came to your division to instruct the soldiers on how to dig fortifications, right?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Colonel, what the hell is going on? I'm all confused by you. Chuikov also asked curiously beside him.

In the end, Kolobtin solved the mystery: "Many of the newly recruited soldiers in my division have spent time in the troops under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, and according to them, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel has many strict requirements for the construction of fortifications. And it is precisely this strict requirement that the troops under her command have suffered far fewer casualties than friendly troops in previous battles. ”

"I see!" After hearing this, Chuikov suddenly came to his senses, and then he expressed his opinion on the fortifications he had just visited: "Comrade Colonel, I think you may have also noticed a problem, that is, how to neutralize the enemy's superiority in firepower under the condition that our equipment conditions have not been sufficiently improved. Today, after looking at your newly repaired fortifications, I feel that I have finally found a solution to this problem. Your fortifications, with the cave as the main body, are connected to the surface positions of our army through several passages, forming a complete defensive system. If the enemy does not attack, then we can let them have no return. ”

After Chuikov said this, Kolobtin nodded again and again and replied: "Comrade Deputy Commander, you are right. We must follow your instructions and turn the fortifications here into an impregnable underground fortress, a floodgate that the enemy will never be able to cross. ”

At that moment, there was a screaming sound in the sky. "Not good, it's the enemy shelling that has begun!" Kolobtin shouted, throwing Chuikov to the ground, and I hurriedly squatted in the trench.

A cannonball exploded in front of the trench, crackling the dirt kicked by the wave of air and hitting my steel helmet. Then shells exploded near the front and back of the trenches, scattering dirt into the trenches.

Kolobtin got up from Chuikov's body and asked with concern: "Comrade Deputy Commander, you are fine, are you?" ”

Chuikov spat on the dirt and said teasingly: "I was not killed by a shell, but I was almost crushed to death by you." ”

"Let's go back to the tunnel." I yelled at the two of them.

Chuikov doesn't talk nonsense either. shouted, "Follow me!" "Bent down and run towards the entrance of the tunnel.

We followed the passage into the cave. The rumbling sound of artillery was kept out by the thick mountain. It became inaudible, and the conversation between us returned to its normal tone, and there was no need to shout loudly anymore. Kolobtin felt that he had an obligation to explain to Chuikov about this sudden shelling, so he said: "It may be that when the tunnel was being dug today, the movement of the explosives blasting was too loud and alarmed the enemy, which is why this sudden shelling took place." ”

Chuikov did not mean to blame him in the slightest. After looking up, he said with a happy face: "I didn't expect that the mountain above this cave would be so backward that the enemy's shells hit it, and it had no effect at all." ”

Kolobtin also chimed in: "Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander. If the enemy wanted to seize this position, no matter how much steel they poured on it, it would be useless unless they blew up the entire mountain. ”

Kolobtin sent me and Chuikov out of the tunnel, and Sidorin, who had been waiting outside, immediately met him and asked, "Comrade General, shall we go back to the headquarters now?" ”

The herald was seen talking to Chuikov. Kolobtin pulled me aside and asked in a whisper, "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina." What do you think the enemy will do to attack our tunnels? ”

I glanced at Chuikov, who was still talking to Sidorin, and replied: "The entrance to the tunnel will be the focus of contention between the enemy and us after the loss of the surface position. The enemy can only take the next step by firing at close range with recoilless guns at the mouth of the tunnel, blasting with explosives packets, and throwing grenades into the tunnel. You just need to have a positional to take countermeasures, and these offensive means of the enemy will not work. ”

Kolobtin nodded vigorously, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said gratefully: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, thank you so much. Now that we know the methods that the enemy may use, we have the means to defuse them one by one. ”

In order to reassure him, I also added: "Colonel Kolobtin, rest assured, the army group will not let you fight alone. When the enemy attacks the tunnels, you can call for help from the headquarters, and then provide you with the necessary artillery fire or air support. ”

Seeing that he breathed a sigh of relief, I couldn't help but continue: "Of course, you can't passively defend in the tunnels, you should take advantage of the darkness of the night to organize small detachments in squad and platoon units to attack, attack the enemy's sentry posts, blow up the enemy's fortifications, and make the enemy eat and sleep poorly, and when they are exhausted, the intensity of the attack on us will be greatly weakened." ”

After Chuikov and Sidorin finished talking, he turned around and found me and Kolobtin talking on the side, and hurriedly greeted me: "Hey, Oshanina, what are you talking about, hurry up, we're leaving." ”

I wanted to say a few more words to Kolobtin, but when I saw that Chuikov was urging, I didn't dare to delay, and after a few simple explanations, I quickly ran over to Chuikov.

On our way back to the jeep, Chuikov's mood became better than ever, and he said with deep feeling: "Oshanina, it seems that the role of this tunnel fortification should not be underestimated, maybe they can really become a nightmare for the enemy." When I return to the headquarters, I will report this experience to the front army headquarters, hoping that it will be disseminated throughout the army. ”

I also nodded, and said thoughtfully: "Yes, I don't know what else is, anyway, now I can build a tunnel fortification on the Mamayev post while the enemy has not yet reached the city of Stalingrad." ……”

Unexpectedly, I was interrupted by Chuikov in the middle of my speech, and he lowered his voice and said to me: "Comrade Oshanina, I remind you that what you just said is very dangerous, and if it is heard by the people of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, you may be sent to a military court. ”

Chuikov's words suddenly dumbfounded me, what did I say? It seems that there is nothing forbidden, and even if the people of the Ministry of Internal Affairs heard about it, they would not have sent me to a court-martialed for no reason.

When Chuikov saw that I was still looking at him innocently, he couldn't help but ask, "Oshanina, don't you know what you said wrong?" Seeing that I shook my head again and again, he said bitterly, "You just mentioned the need to build fortifications at Mamayev Heights. It is important to know that if anyone mentions the need to build fortifications on the Mamayev Heights, it is tantamount to saying that the enemy is likely to approach the city, which bears the name of the Supreme Commander himself. Well, to put it well, this is a ridiculous idea. It's not a good way to put it. It's a sign of defeatism. Are you in the recent briefing. Don't you see that many soldiers, including some civilians, were executed for treason by the people of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for bragging about the speed of the advance of the German army on our territory and the forced retreat of our troops? ”

After listening to Chuikov's words, I was scared out of a cold sweat, is this still reasonable? I just said a few words from a military point of view, and I was charged with a trumped-up crime. Fortunately, Chuikov heard it. If it is heard by the people of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, then what I have said about the theory of retreating when necessary, exchanging space for time, and some of the complaints against the commanders who are ineffective in command, are not equally charged with treason? Because by saying this, I am glorifying the Germans and smearing the leaders of the Party, the state, and the Red Army.

Because of Chuikov's words, my mood was greatly affected, so that when I returned to the headquarters of the group army, the whole person was still in a state of depression and unhappiness.

When Shumilov saw Chuikov returning, he was a little emotional and said: "Comrade Chuikov. You're back. I have good news for you. ”

"Good news?" Chuikov, who was pouring tea with a quilt, looked at Shumilov with a happy face. Tentatively asked, "Could it be that the front army has sent us reserves?" ”

Shumilov nodded vigorously and replied, "Yes, there are 20,000 people." ”

"20,000 people?!" Chuikov was taken aback by this amount, his hands trembled, and a lot of them were spilled at once, and I quickly took a rag to help him wipe the tea on the table. Chuikov put the teacup on the table, shook the tea in his hand, went over and grabbed Shumilov's arm, and asked anxiously: "The front army command really replenished us with so many people?" ”

Shumilov first nodded, then sighed and said: "Although there are 20,000 people, the number of fighters who really have combat experience is not many. ”

Chuikov took the tea I handed him and said disapprerovingly, "Even if it's all recruits, I'm not afraid." Disperse them into various units, fight two battles, and become veterans with combat experience. ”

Shumilov smiled bitterly and handed a document to Chuikov and said, "Look at it, my old fellow. By the time you've read it, you'll understand everything. ”

Chuikov tilted his head and took a sip of tea, put the teacup on the table, and then took Shumilov's papers. After reading it, his brows couldn't help frowning, and he said to himself: "Among the 20,000 people, except for the 500 soldiers and grassroots commanders from the punishment camp, the rest are actually labor prisoners from the Gulag concentration camp. Whose idea was this, how can you stuff all these people into the army? ”

Shumilov withdrew the document from his hand and instead of handing it to me, he placed it in front of him, holding it down with his elbows crossed with his hands. From his subtle movements, I guessed that this must be an extremely important document, and no one except him and Chuikov had permission to read it, including me.

Shumilov said to himself: "When I first heard that we would be replenished with 20,000 people, I was also very excited. Unexpectedly, the command of the front army specially emphasized that after these people arrived, they could not be supplemented with our existing troops, but would form another independent unit to be used in the most dangerous areas. ”

"yes!" "And if you can't replenish them with enough weapons, do you want them to fight the Germans armed to the teeth with their bare hands?" After saying that, he slammed his fist on the table, shaking out the teacup next to him again.

"Comrade Chuikov, don't get excited." Seeing that he was so excited, Shumilov hurriedly reassured: "I guess the intention of the superiors is to use these 20,000 people as cannon fodder and put them in the most dangerous area to consume the ammunition of the Germans." ”

"Consume ammo!" Chuikov said in a mocking tone: "Don't say 20,000 people, even 2 million people, the Germans' bullets can kill them all." ”

"Calm down, Comrade Chuikov, please stay calm!" Shumilov gave me a wary look and persuaded Chuikov: "Since this is an order from above, then we are not allowed to discuss it in private, and we can only carry it out unconditionally." Are you right? Comrade Oshanina. His last sentence was to ask me directly.

After a moment of panic, I immediately pretended to be confused: "What did you say? Comrade Commander. You can also see that I am wiping the tea on the table, and I did not hear at all what the two comrades in command said. "I say this because the two of them are discussing military secrets, and I have overheard their conversation at an inopportune time, and at the moment I am worried that Shumilov will not be able to kill me on a whim.

Chuikov waved his hand vigorously and said, "All right, Comrade Shumilov." It doesn't matter if Oshanina knows about this matter, she is now the acting chief of staff of the group army, and she will still come into contact with this group of soldiers. Rather than making a mess then, it is better to think about how to place this group of soldiers in advance. At this point, he turned his head and asked, "Comrade Oshanina, I seriously ask you, how do you think this group of soldiers should be settled?" ”

Seeing Chuikov speaking for me, the expression on Shumilov's face also softened, and he echoed: "Yes, Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, let's talk about it, even if it's wrong, it doesn't matter. (To be continued......)