Without waiting for the German ground troops to appear, the enemy planes in the air circled several times at high altitude, and then turned around and flew towards the pier with bursts of black smoke from fierce anti-aircraft artillery fire.

When I saw the enemy planes turning around and flying towards the docks, I secretly screamed in my heart that it was not good, because there were so many people and supplies gathered on the docks, and if the enemy planes bombed, it would inevitably cause heavy losses.

Kirillov, who was standing next to me, suddenly made a strange sound in his throat that drew my attention. The telescope in his hand had already left his eyes, and he just stared out with wide eyes.

"What's wrong with you, Comrade Commissar?" I am slightly dissatisfied with his gaffe, and it's not the first time I've seen enemy planes bombing the dock, is it worth making such a fuss?

"Don't you see what the enemy plane is trying to do?" Kirillov said in an agitated tone.

I nodded expressionlessly and replied, "See, enemy planes are preparing to bomb the docks." Alas, it is hoped that the troops and civilians gathered on the docks will be able to hide in time to reduce their casualties in the air raids. ”

"No, not the dock." His fingers, trembling with excitement, pointed farther away, "You look further afield, into the Volga." There are a dozen of our boats in the river, heading towards the dock. ”

I raised my binoculars again and looked at the Volga River, which was next to the heights, and saw a dozen or so steamers full of soldiers, with black smoke from their chimneys, heading for the dock at full speed. And those enemy planes, which had just flown away from the high ground, were hovering above the flotilla at the moment.

Watching the enemy planes fly closer, the anti-aircraft machine guns mounted on the steamboat opened fire. Together with the anti-aircraft guns on the shore, a dense network of fire was formed under the group.

But judging by the appearance of the enemy aircraft, these pilots are all experienced in combat, and they are hovering in the air. As soon as he found the opportunity, he emerged from the dense black smoke formed by the anti-aircraft shells and dived down towards the flotilla that was moving in the river. As soon as the bomb dropping and strafing maneuvers are completed, the nose of the aircraft is immediately raised and it flies to a high altitude to readjust the formation.

As the bombs fell, the rushing waters of the Volga River suddenly splashed in all directions, setting off high columns of water around the steamboat. Sailors piloting steamboats in order to avoid bombs dropped by enemy planes and strafing from airborne machine guns. Begin to take evasive routes on the water. Although the sailors are skilled in stance, they can't stand up to the many enemy planes in the sky, and they don't have much effort. Several steamboats were shot and caught fire.

While I was worrying about the sailors and commanders of these steamboats, one of the steamboats at the front of the fleet was hit by another bomb. The steamboat with a bullet in the tail quickly burst into flames, and its bow slowly cocked and began to sink downwards little by little. And the surviving commanders and fighters on board. Began to plop and jump into the water. When he got into the water, he waved his arms and swam desperately towards the pier.

Seeing that the enemy planes were constantly bombing our river-crossing troops, Kirillov was so angry that he gritted his teeth and scolded: "This damn German, when our air force comes, we will clean up all of you." After saying that, he walked over to the telephone, picked up the microphone and called Akhromeyev: "Comrade Chief of Staff. I'm Kirillov, please send an urgent telegram to the command of the army group. It is said that a large number of enemy planes are attacking our fleet on the Volga River, and if the air force cannot quickly come to support, our river-crossing troops will be completely wiped out by enemy planes in the river. ”

Looking at the enemy planes that were rampaging in the air, I couldn't help but wonder why God didn't let me bring some advanced weapons beyond this era when I crossed over. If there were dozens of air-to-air missiles, all these enemy planes in the sky would have been shot down like flies.

When Kirillov returned to me, he was afraid that I would have any thoughts about his self-righteousness, so he specially explained to me: "Comrade division commander, I have just called Chief of Staff Akhromeyev and asked him to immediately send a telegram to the headquarters of the army group, asking his superiors to send another plane to support us. Due to the urgency of the matter, I made my own decision without consulting you, and I ask for your forgiveness for my recklessness. ”

"You're doing the right thing, Comrade Commissar." As soon as I finished speaking, I immediately made my attitude clear, pointed to the enemy planes flying over the Volga, and added: "If I had been replaced, I would have asked my superiors for help." You see, the newly formed anti-aircraft artillery group from above will not help such a large German machine gun. Without the Air Force, we would have to hide in the fortifications and be beaten passively. ”

"By the way, Comrade Oshanina, enemy planes have been carrying out shelling and air strikes on Mamayev Hill and the 107.5 heights today, what do you say?"

Hearing Kirillov's question, I shrugged my shoulders and said disapprovingly: "Isn't it very clear, they just want to destroy us with all kinds of shells and bombs, and then send ground troops to easily occupy this high ground." And with the Mamayev Gang as the starting point of the attack, an attack was launched on the city. ”

After listening to my words, Kirillov habitually said another cliché: "Our fighters will stick to their positions like nails and will not retreat a single step." ”

I looked at my watch, and in a few hours it would be dark, so I said to Kirillov: "Let's go, Comrade Commissar, the German ground forces are not moving, and we won't see anything if we stay here, so let's go back to the headquarters." ”

Kirillov frowned, unwillingly raised his binoculars and looked into the distance, and finally reluctantly agreed: "Okay! ”

The reason why I want to return to the headquarters at this time is that for the sake of my own safety, it is better to stay in the headquarters where the bomb cannot be blown up than to stay in this observation center that may be destroyed by shells or bombs at any time; Second, they can contact each regiment through the radio to keep abreast of the latest situation.

As soon as I walked into the command headquarters and saw Akhromeyev sitting at the table, I asked in a loud voice: "Comrade Chief of Staff, how is the situation in the regiments?" ”

Akhromeyev hurriedly picked up the notepad in front of him, stood up and reported to me: "Comrade division commander, the commander of the 3rd regiment, Captain Godunov, reported that the enemy's shelling of the 107.5 heights has completely stopped. Within a few kilometers of the front of the position, the enemy's ground forces were not detected. ”

I listened to his report as I walked over to the table and sat down to wait for his report to finish. I looked up and asked, "What are the casualties of the three regiments?" ”

Hearing my question, Akhromeyev was stunned for a moment before replying: "Due to the lack of strong fortifications in the positions received by the three regiments, the first battalion on the high ground has already suffered casualties when the enemy bombards and shells. And the shelter of the acting regimental commander, Captain Godunov, was also hit by a shell, and the captain was slightly wounded. ”

"So how many troops are there on the 107.5 heights now?"

Akhromeyev did not look down at the notepad in his hand. Without hesitation, he replied: "There are still 129 people on the high ground, including 45 wounded." I have ordered Comrade Godunov to transfer the second battalion to take over the defense after dark. ”

I listened and nodded. Then he asked, "What is the situation with the group?" ”

Having just had the experience of the conversation, Akhromeyev reported to me in detail: "Report to the division commander, the first regiment has suffered more than 500 casualties, of which nearly 400 have been killed. The regiment commander Shederikov and the political commissar Comrade Oberstein were adjusting the armament. to prevent a possible ground offensive by the Germans. "Seeing me open my mouth, I want to ask something. Hurriedly preemptively said: "Because the fortifications of the Second Regiment are well repaired, except for small casualties among the infantry units, the technical equipment of the divisional artillery battalion has not suffered any losses in the battle. ”

"Report to the division commander," I was talking to Akhromeyev when the commander of the communications company, Lazumayeva, shouted a report behind me, and when I turned around, she continued: "There is a call from the headquarters of the army group. With that, he handed me a well-written telegram.

I took a look. There are really a lot of telegrams sent by Chuikov. He first praised us in the telegram. The battle plan proposed to him is very much in line with the reality of the present. Then the decision of the military council of the army group was conveyed:

"1. First of all, it must be clear to the defenders of all the cities that there is no way to go back, and there is nowhere to retreat. The enemy's offensive must be crushed. Slingdagrad is our last battleground, and in order to defend the city, we have to fight against the enemy. We, the Soviet soldiers, must respond to the call of the Party and carry out the orders of the people, either to hold the city or to die on the battlefield. We don't have a third way. It is necessary to publicize this decision to the entire population through the guò party organization.

2. In the major enterprises of the city, an armed contingent of workers and clerks shall be established, who shall defend the factories in conjunction with the army group units or by their own strength. They are to be issued weapons and other equipment according to the standards of the army. The workers and clerks who braved the bombardment of airplanes and artillery to repair damaged technical equipment were, of course, organized into militarized contingents under the leadership of the Party and Soviet organizations in the organization of companies and battalions.

3. Without the consent of the commander and chief of staff of the group army, it is strictly forbidden to withdraw from the existing positions without authorization.

4. The command of the army group remained in the city of Stalingrad on the right bank and under no circumstances was it allowed to retreat to the eastern bank of the Volga or to the island. ”

After reading the contents of the telegram, I casually handed it to Kirillov and at the same time said to him: "Comrade commissar, look, this new decision of the Military Council of the Army Group is very helpful for us to hold the city. ”

Kirillov took the telegram, nodded as he read it, and shared his opinion with me without hesitation. We were so engrossed in the conversation that we didn't bother to answer the phone that rang on the table, and it was Akhromeyev who answered the phone in the end.

After Akhromeyev put down the phone, he excitedly said to us: "Division commander, comrade political commissar, our air force has arrived, and at this moment it is engaged in a fierce battle with the enemy's planes outside, and I believe that it will not be long before they can drive these damned enemy planes away from our heights and docks with the cooperation of antiaircraft artillery units." ”

"That's great!" Although I said this, I was secretly muttering to myself in my heart, the enemy has nearly fifty planes, and it will not be easy to defeat the enemy if there are no equal fighters.

While waiting for the results of the air battle outside, the three of us were not idle, or used the telephone or walkie-talkie to contact several regiments of the division in order to keep abreast of the situation on the battlefield in a timely manner.

After about ten minutes, the phone on the table rang again, and I was closest to the phone, so I grabbed the microphone casually and said loudly: "Hey, this is the division headquarters." ”

Pugachev's excited voice came from the headphones: "Report to the division commander, our air force rushed to the battlefield. After a battle with the enemy planes, the enemy planes had already begun to turn around and flee one after another. ”

When I heard that all the enemy planes had been beaten away, I couldn't believe it was all true. To defeat so many enemy planes, how many fighters should our army dispatch? So he asked one after another: "How many fighters did our army dispatch, did it lose anything in the battle, and what kind of results did it achieve?" ”

"Our army dispatched sixteen warplanes, perhaps because the enemy planes were running out of fuel and ammunition, so they fought with our air force for only a while, and then retreated in a hurry. As far as I observed. At least 10 enemy planes were hit by our fighters or anti-aircraft fire, and were planted from the sky in flames and with thick smoke. As for our army's fighters, it seems that there are no losses. ”

I put down the phone. Proudly said to Kirillov and Akhromeyev: "Political commissar, chief of staff, just now the commander of the third regiment, Pugachev, called to report that our army dispatched sixteen fighters and shot down at least ten enemy planes. After driving the enemy aircraft away from us. It's already trailing and chasing down. ”

Hearing this good news, Kirillov was full of smiles, but Akhromeyev was full of sadness, and he said to himself: "Strange, why is this the case? When enemy planes were bombing us, as soon as they saw our fighters appear, they would fight perfunctorily for a while, and then turn around and flee north. Could there be some conspiracy? ”

Akhromeyev's words made me also frown and think. The Germans are indeed strange today, just shelling and bombing the positions of our division, but not sending ground troops to attack, what is going on?

Before we could come up with an answer, there was a loud bang outside the cave, like the sound of a heavy object falling to the ground, and the ground under our feet trembled slightly. Hearing this, Kirillov immediately asked vigilantly: "What's going on, is something wrong?" ”

I turned my head and saw Basmanov standing next to me, so I ordered him directly: "Comrade Captain, you go out and see what is going on, and then come back immediately and report to us, do you hear?" Basmanov nodded in agreement, then turned and opened the wooden door and walked out.

After the commander of the guard battalion left, Akhromeyev walked up to me and said cautiously: "Could it be a bomb dropped from the sky by the enemy that did not explode?" ”

As soon as Kirillov heard what he said, he immediately retorted: "Impossible, how can a bomb make such a big noise." Moreover, the main targets of the enemy planes coming this time were the river-crossing troops sailing on the Volga River and those anti-aircraft artillery positions deployed in our rear, so how could a bomb fall outside our division headquarters? ”

Before the three of us could analyze the reason, the wooden door was pushed open from the outside, and at the same time, Basmanov's panicked voice came in: "Division commander, political commissar, chief of staff, come and see, it's the pilot, it's our own pilot." Then Basmanov and a soldier from the guard battalion appeared at the door, and together they supported a man in a pilot's uniform.

When the two of them came to us with the pilot in their arms, I realized that the pilot was wounded. He covered his eyes with one hand, blood running down his forehead through his fingers. I hurriedly ordered my guard battalion commander: "Hurry up, Comrade Captain, help Comrade Pilot to sit down." Then he turned to Razumeyeva and shouted: "Comrade lieutenant, hurry up and call the hygienist Shmakova." This comrade pilot is wounded and bleeding. ”

After helping the pilot to sit down in his seat, Basmanov took out a first-aid kit from his briefcase, removed the pilot's hand, and directly put a roll of gauze on his head, and then reported to me loudly: "Comrade division commander, it was the plane that crashed, and it was the comrade pilot's plane that was shot down and made a forced landing not far from our cave. ”

Because I didn't know when the hygienist would arrive, and seeing the pilot's painful expression, I hurriedly asked guò to divert his attention: "Comrade pilot, what's your name?" ”

The pilot looked up at me and replied weakly, "My name is Vitaly. Popkov, was a squadron leader in the Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. ”

I glanced at his rank and continued to ask: "Captain Popkov, how did your plane get shot down?" ”

Hearing my question, Popkov smiled wryly and said, "My flying squadron and I were ordered to support you. In the air battle just now, I took the lead in attacking the enemy planes that were bombing our fleet, and after beating down a bomber with an airborne machine gun, I pounced on a fighter escorting the ship. Engaged in an aerial chase with him. After two or three minutes of aerial fighting, I managed to get his plane into a volley that exploded. At this moment, tracer bullets were fired at me from three sides. It flew right outside my window. I looked down and was startled, oh my God, it was our own anti-aircraft guns firing! Exactly why they fired at me, I don't know at all, the anti-aircraft gunners must have just entered the battlefield, maybe they wanted to hit the German planes and hit the wrong target. Anti-aircraft fire exploded around me. I still don't know who hit me, whether it was them or the Germans. All I know is that my gas tank is on fire. To know. The plane was our pilot's closest companion, and although the flames had rushed around the cockpit, I had no intention of parachuting, so I piloted my old buddy. Crash-landed in the open space outside your headquarters. I'm obviously lucky. Although the plane was shattered, it did not explode, and then the comrade captain next to you, along with several other fighters, dragged me out of the dilapidated cockpit. Speaking of this, he nodded at Basmanov and said sincerely: "Thank you, thank you." Comrade Captain, thank you for saving me. I will never forget your kindness. ”

After listening to Popkov's words, I really couldn't laugh or cry, the pilot in front of me who came to support us was actually shot down by our own artillery fire, which is really funny, but it was really like what he said, his luck was good, although during landing, the plane was broken, but the person was lucky to be alive.

In order to hide the embarrassment on my face, I deliberately turned my head and yelled loudly at the back: "What's the matter, why hasn't the hygienist come after so long?" ”

As soon as the words fell, the door was pushed open again, and Razumeeva immediately jumped in, panting and said: "Commander, I have brought the hygienist." With that, she leaned to the side slightly and let out Shmakova, who was standing behind.

Seeing that Shmakova was about to salute us, I hurriedly raised my hand to interrupt her and hurriedly ordered her: "Comrade hygienist, you have come just in time, this pilot captain is wounded, hurry up and bandage him." ”

While Shmakova was bandaging Popkov's wounds, Kirillov pulled me aside and whispered: "Comrade division commander, what do you think about this matter?" ”

"What to do?" Kirillov's words confused me, so I asked in confusion.

After glancing at the pilot, Kirillov whispered: "Our anti-aircraft gunners have shot down their planes, and if they are according to the regulations, those anti-aircraft gunners may be shot." ”

Shot! This long-lost word startled me, and I hurriedly glanced over at the pilot, and saw that the people around me were watching Shmakova bandage her wound intently, not noticing that Kirillov and I were whispering. I said tentatively: "Comrade Political Commissar, otherwise, when there is no one in the command headquarters later, we will discuss it with the pilot again, and try to hide this matter and not report it." I believe that those anti-aircraft gunners did not mean it either, and in that chaotic situation, it was inevitable that there would be a misfire. ”

Kirillov nodded, looked in the direction of the crowd, and said approvingly: "Well, I'll talk to Captain Popkov later." Also, Colonel Yershov, who commanded the anti-aircraft artillery group, also needed to be informed, so that he knew what to expect. After all, our fighter plane was shot down, and there are definitely not a few people who saw it, and if we were stabbed by someone with ulterior motives, you and I would be in trouble. ”

Shmakova's hands and feet were very nimble, and she quickly bandaged Captain Popkov. After she had been injured in the medical kit, she came to us, raised her hand and saluted, and reported: "Division commander, political commissar, Comrade Captain's wound has been bandaged, he only bears a skin injury, and he will be fine after a period of recuperation." ”

Kirillov nodded, and then said to the hygienist, "I see, you can go back." ”

Shmakova saluted us again and turned away.

The Germans had been shelling and bombarding Mamayev Hill and the 107.5 heights since the morning, and when I saw the twilight falling, I was secretly relieved in my heart, saying that the Germans had been tossing for a day, and it was time to be quiet and quiet. Unexpectedly, as soon as I thought of this, there was another rumbling cannon sound outside.

The sudden sound of artillery not only caught the attention of Akhromeyev and me, but also Kirillov and Popkov, who were chatting privately in the corner of the command headquarters. Popkov abruptly stood up from his seat and asked in surprise: "What's the matter?" Where is the enemy shelling again? ”

Akhromeyev, who was standing next to the walkie-talkie, hurriedly instructed Nadya: "Comrade newspaper operator, immediately get in touch with the 1st and 3rd regiments and ask what happened?" ”

"Yes!" Nadya agreed. Begin to call a group.

Hearing Nadya say that a group was connected, I walked quickly to the walkie-talkie, picked up the microphone and shouted loudly: "Hey, is it Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov?" I'm Colonel Oshanina. Answer me, what happened, where are the Germans shelling? ”

Shederikov's reply soon came from the headset: "Report to the division commander, the Germans are shelling the positions of our regiment on the northern slopes. The commissar and I were leaving a handful of observation posts. The remaining commanders and fighters were evacuated to bomb shelters and bomb shelters. Perhaps because he was afraid that I would be worried, he finally emphasized, "Commander." Rest assured, we will never let the enemy's feet set foot on our high ground again. ”

After talking to Sederikov, I spoke to the third regiment again. Godunov calmly reported to me: "The enemy is shelling the positions of our regiment, since the positions on the northern slope have already been completely destroyed during shelling and air strikes. So I left only one squad of fighters on it to serve as a guard. The rest of the men were evacuated to the southern slope. ”

Remembering the situation of the three regiments that Akhromeyev had just reported to me, there were only more than 100 people on the high ground at present, and if the Germans launched a fierce attack at this time, they would not be able to stop them, so I asked with some concern: "Captain Godunov, where is the second battalion of your regiment now?" ”

"The 2nd Battalion is currently in the residential area, and according to the plan, they will be in two hours. Take advantage of the darkness to enter the high ground and change guards with a battalion. ”

"No, I can't. Comrade Captain, the time for the change of guard of the 2nd Battalion must be brought forward. I said in a stern tone: "Immediately order the 2nd Battalion to proceed from the settlement, rush to the southern slope of the high ground and stand by, and as soon as the enemy's shelling stops, immediately enter the position." ”

Hearing my stern tone, Godunov did not dare to mention any objective reasons, so he could only honestly agree: "Yes!" ”

The enemy's shelling came to an abrupt halt after 10 minutes.

Listening to the sudden silence outside, Kirillov and Akhromeyev and I looked at each other, we were all confused by this inexplicable way of fighting by the Germans, just shelling and bombing, and not sending ground troops to attack, what is the meaning of this, in addition to depleting their ammunition reserves, it will not have much impact on us.

Just when we were puzzled, the walkie-talkie in front of Razumeyeva and Nadya suddenly rang. I heard the two of them shouting loudly at the microphone: "Hey, this is the division headquarters, where are you?" "My heart chuckled, and my heart said it was time to come, but at last it came, and the enemy's ground offensive began.

The information of the first and third regiments came one after another from the intercom in front of Guò Razumayeva and Nadya. Both regiment commanders reported that the enemy's infantry, under the cover of a dozen tanks, launched an attack on our heights.

In this case, the order I gave was very brief: "The order is clear, at all costs, resolutely hold the position." ”

When discussing the combat deployment with Kirillov and them, Akhromeyev took the initiative to propose to me: "Comrade division commander, since it is already dark, it is estimated that the enemy's planes will not be dispatched again. At this time, can our artillery battalions and tank battalions be dispatched to deal a head-on blow to the invading enemy? ”

Akhromeyev's words immediately resonated with Kirillov, who quickly nodded and said approvingly: "I agree with the chief of staff, since the enemy's planes cannot be dispatched, then we can also take out our secret weapons and teach the Germans a hard lesson." ”

"I have no problem with the use of artillery battalions. But the tank battalion," I only approve of the use of the artillery battalion for their mention, and explained his reasons to the two, "because we have limited fuel and ammunition, I mean not to use it for the time being." After all, the battle has only begun now, and if our strength is revealed too soon, it will attract more enemies in our direction. At that time, with the current strength of our division, it will not be able to hold the Mamayev post. ”

After listening to my statement, Kirillov did not insist on his opinion any longer, and after thinking for a while, he nodded and said: "Okay, then send out our artillery battalion, I think with our heavy howitzers and flying thunder guns, we can crush the enemy who is coming to attack." ”

Just as we were talking happily, Razumeyeva suddenly nervously shouted: "Commander, come over quickly!" ”

Seeing her panicked, I hurriedly walked up to her, bent down and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?" ”

She handed me the headset and microphone while whispering, "The position of the third regiment has been lost!" ”

"Lost position?!" Razumeeva's voice was small, but it was like a thunderbolt from the blue, almost knocking me to the ground.

I put on my headphones and shouted at the microphone: "Hey, hey, is it Godunov?" ”

Godunov's weak voice came from the headset: "Comrade division commander, the enemy's infantry quietly touched the position while the artillery bombardment was over and the smoke of gunpowder had not yet dissipated. When a squad of soldiers of our regiment who remained in the position found out, they started a stubborn battle with them, but they were outnumbered and all of them died heroically. ”

"Take it back, take it back for me! As soon as your second battalion arrives, immediately organize troops to carry out a counterattack and take back the position for me. I yelled at him angrily, "If you can't take the position back, you won't come back, so live and die with the position." ”

I threw the headphones and microphone onto the table in a huff, and said to Kirillov and Akhromeyev who were gathered around: "Godunov's position is lost. ”

My words surprised the two of them, and Akhromeyev asked in surprise: "There are still more than a hundred people on the high ground, how can you say that the position is lost?" ”

I said angrily: "At the time of the shelling, Godunov said that the positions on the northern slope of the 107.5 heights had been completely destroyed by the enemy's shelling and bombardment, so he left only one squad of fighters on guard, and the rest were withdrawn to the southern slope to stand by. Unexpectedly, after the artillery bombardment, the German infantry took advantage of the smoke that had not yet dissipated to touch the position. The soldiers of the squad that held the position, although they were very heroic, were all sacrificed because they were outnumbered. I have ordered Godunov to organize a counterattack as soon as the troops of the 2nd Battalion arrive, and to take back the positions from the enemy. ”

When I said this, Nadya timidly called out to me again: "Division commander, the commander of the first regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Sedelikov, wants to talk to you." ”

I had not yet been freed from the fury of the loss of the position of the Third Regiment, and when I heard that the commander of the First Regiment was looking for me again, I was worried that it would be the same problem, so I spoke rather unceremoniously: "Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov, what do you want to report to me?" Wouldn't it also be a sue to me, saying that your position was occupied by the Germans? ”

"Huh?! What positions were occupied? Comrade division commander, I don't understand your words. Sederikov's tone was a little nervous, and after a moment of silence, he said to me in a loud voice: "Report to the division commander, just now there was a force of the enemy who tried to touch our position while the smoke of gunfire had not yet cleared, but we found it and repulsed. Now Comrade Political Commissar, with the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, is carrying out a counter-charge, striving to wipe out this group of enemies. (To be continued......)