When the information, which had been personally confirmed by Sederikov, was reported to the division headquarters again, Kirillov was so excited that he urged me again and again: "Comrade division commander, since the information has been confirmed, then immediately report it to the army group headquarters." I believe that in the recent period, Chuikov and the others are also worried about the interruption of the shipping lane, and they should be informed of this good news immediately. ”

When Chuikov received my call, he was surprised and asked in disbelief: "Comrade Oshanina, are you sure that what you say is true?" Could it be that it was too dark for you to see the wrong observation post on the top of the mountain? ”

"No, Comrade Commander." To Chuikov's suspicions, I replied in the affirmative: "When I first heard the report of Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov, I was also incredulous, so I ordered him to personally go to the observation post on the top of the mountain to observe and confirm. After about five minutes, I received another call from him, in which he reported to me with certainty that there was indeed a fleet coming towards us. To make my words more convincing, I also explained to Chuikov that "perhaps the temperature has risen in the past two days, and the ice on the river has thinned, so the sailors of the Volga fleet took the risk of trying it." ”

After listening to my report, Chuikov was not as ecstatic as I imagined, but fell silent. After a long time, he said to me in a heavy tone: "Comrade Oshanina, I would like to inform you of something. "When I heard Chuikov speak in this tone, I couldn't help but get nervous, and I knew in my heart that what he was going to say next was definitely not a good thing.

Sure enough, I only heard him continue: "The commander of the 37th Guards Division, Major General Ruoludev, unfortunately died honorably in today's daytime battle. He is currently in command. It was his deputy, the regimental commissar, Comrade Shzerbina. I intend to assign the division to you as of today, and I will inform Shcherbina to report to you later. ”

"Understood, Comrade Commander." I heard that another commander familiar to me had died. My heart was still sad for a while, and I naturally agreed to Chuikov's arrangement, "I will stay in the command headquarters and wait for Comrade Shcherbina to arrive." ”

Kirillov, who apparently knew the senior commanders of the divisions, could not help but have a puzzled look on his face when I mentioned Shcherbina. As soon as I put down the phone, I asked curiously: "Comrade Oshanina, what did the commander say?" Why did Comrade Sherbina, the political commissar of the 37th Guards Division, come to our division headquarters? ”

I looked at Kirillov and sighed and said: "Comrade commissar, the commander of the 37th Guards Division, General Roludev. Died heroically in the battle with the fascist bandits. The commander said that from now on, the 37th Guards Division will be placed under our command. In a little while, the political commissar of the division, Comrade Shzerbina, will come to us to report. ”

After hearing this, Bandereev was a little breathless, and he said with a heavy heart: "The enemy's divisional headquarters is usually located a few kilometers away from the battlefield, or even farther away. However, the headquarters of our division was located just a few hundred meters from the position. As soon as the line of defense is breached, then our command is immediately in danger. ……”

Before he could finish speaking, Akhromeyev said: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander. I don't know why you say this, do you want to build Comrade Yì Division Commander to move our division headquarters back at such a time? ”

"It's impossible," without waiting for me to speak, Kirillov made his attitude clear in time: "In no case will our division command definitely not move back. Comrade Oshanina once said: where the troops fought. Our headquarters should be there, so far. It is not only easy to command, but also gives the troops confidence that they will win. ”

I knew in my heart that Bandeleyev had suddenly said this. It was because General Ludev's sacrifice had provoked him, and for the sake of our safety, he would have tactfully proposed to transfer the division headquarters. A major counteroffensive is imminent, and if the division headquarters is transferred at such a time, my image in the minds of Chuikov and them will be greatly reduced. As soon as Kirillov finished speaking, I continued: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, I know that you proposed to transfer the division headquarters with good intentions. However, under the current circumstances, the command headquarters cannot be moved casually, and once it is transferred, it will arouse the suspicion of the commanders and fighters below, who will think that the division leaders do not have the confidence to hold the position, so they will transfer the headquarters in advance, which will have a bad impact on morale. ”

The timely appearance of Commissar Shcherbina defused the awkward atmosphere in the command. I hurriedly stood up and walked over to him, and while I was still far away, I took the initiative to extend my hand to him, and at the same time said in a friendly voice: "Hello, Commissar Serbina, welcome to the headquarters of the independent division. ”

Shelbina was not tall, with a dark face and piercing eyes. Perhaps because of the death of his partner, General Ruoludev, he still had a faint sadness on his face. After shaking hands with us one by one, he took out a tattered piece of paper from his briefcase, handed it to me, and said, "General Oshanina, this is what our division commander left." ”

I took the piece of paper in his hand, and saw that the handwriting on it was still legible, so I involuntarily read it aloud: "You who are alive must know that we are desperately stationed on the dark banks of the Volga River because we do not want to leave this land and cannot leave, and our death is for your life." ”

When Kirillov had finished reading, he took the piece of paper from my hand, read it with his own eyes, and then handed it to Pantaireev. When the piece of paper turned around in the hands of Bandereev and Akhromeyev and returned to Kirillov's hands, he sighed and said: "These are the last words of General Joludev, we must keep them well, and when the war is over, we will give them to the future war memorial, so that our descendants can always remember them." With that, he took Commissar Sherbina to the table and sat down and chatted.

I was scrambling to say something to the Commissar Shelbina when the rumbling sound of cannon could be heard outside the cave. Hearing the sound of artillery, I couldn't help but shudder, and wondered if the Germans had taken advantage of the darkness to attack the Mamayev Heights?

Just as he wanted to make a phone call to ask the observation post at the top of the mountain, Akhromeyev had already picked up the phone on the table and began to dial. After a phone call, he put down the microphone and reported to me: "Comrade division commander. The observation post reports that the enemy is shelling our flotilla crossing the river. ”

If I had heard such a report half a month ago, or even earlier, I might have simply ignored it. Because we lacked long-range artillery, it was not possible to suppress the fire of the German artillery positions that were bombarding our fleet. However, this may be the only chance for the 62nd Army to obtain external supplies before the start of the major counteroffensive, and I must not allow the German long-range artillery fire to wipe out this fleet. So I decisively ordered Akhromeyev: "Chief of Staff, immediately call Major Morozov." He was ordered to push the heavy guns out of the concealment points and suppress the German artillery with artillery fire. ”

When Akhromeyev heard my order, he did not immediately carry it out, as he had done before, but said in embarrassment: "Comrade division commander, we have too little heavy artillery. If you carry out artillery bombardment with the German artillery, not only will you not be able to achieve the desired results, but on the contrary, you will be completely annihilated because the target is exposed. ”

"Chief of Staff, in order to cover the convoy transporting supplies, we must find a way to attract the attention of the German artillery." Even though I was pretending to be nothing, my heart was bleeding, perhaps. The only artillery I have is all gone. "In order to ensure that the army group can get the much-needed supplies, the necessary sacrifices are worth it."

As soon as Major Morozov's artillery battalion opened fire, it really attracted the attention of the German artillery. After leaving a few guns to continue bombarding the ferries in the Volga, most of the guns turned their guns and fired in the direction of Mamayev Hills.

At daybreak, Major Morozov came to the division headquarters and reported to us about the shelling at night. When he said that two cannons were destroyed, all the commanders and fighters of the two artillery squads were killed.

Kirillov listened to his debriefing. Turning his head to look at me, he asked, "Comrade Division Commander, shall we go and have a look?" ”

Because Kirillov's words were a clueless question. I didn't understand what was going on for a while, so I asked with a blank face: "Comrade Political Commissar." What are we going to see? ”

"When we go to the artillery position, we should go and see the artillery commanders and fighters who have sacrificed their lives." Kirillov replied.

"Everyone there is dead, Comrade Commissar." Morozov whispered to us: "Except for a few artillery squads that have been withdrawn, all the rest have been killed. Don't you believe what I'm saying? ”

"If that's the case, then I should go and see it for myself," Kirillov repeated, "and see for myself." At this, he asked me again: "Comrade Oshanina, will you go with me to have a look?" ”

Together with Kirillov, I walked out of the command headquarters and went to that makeshift artillery position at night. Morozov reported that after they had succeeded in attracting enemy fire, the rest of the heavy artillery was transferred and concealed in time, except for two cannons left to continue firing.

When we arrived at last night's artillery position, we couldn't help but be stunned. In front of me was a terrifying crater crisscrossed by craters, two cannons that had been blown up crookedly, and the air was filled with the smell of bloody gunsmoke.

Kirillov and I went into the pit and searched diligently to find the survivors of the two artillery squads, and we were here for that purpose. But what we saw was shocking, the pit was full of blood, and the dead were blown up to a bloody pulp, and their identities could not be identified by their uniforms and faces. Fragments of empty shell boxes that had been blown to shreds, rags from military coats, and bullet casings messed up in the dirt were a mix. Kirillov tugged and searched through the team of fragments and shells, as if trying to find a few survivors from here.

I stood still and stared at the place for a long time, and I knew in my heart that these sacrificial artillery commanders and fighters, in the face of the enemy's fierce artillery fire, did not panic, but fought tenaciously to the last moment of their lives.

"Comrade Division Commander, your call." The shouts of Major Basmanov came from above the crater, and I looked up and saw that he was crouching on the edge of the crater, and when I saw that I noticed him, I quickly added, "It's the command of the army group." ”

Hearing Basmanov say this, I knew it was time to leave, so I greeted Kirillov, who was busy: "Comrade commissar, it's time for us to go, it's a call from the command of the army group." ”

I returned to command with a heavy heart. He took the microphone from Akhromeyev's hand and politely said into it: "Hello, Comrade Commander, I'm Oshanina, what instructions do you have?" ”

Chuikov's voice came from the earpiece: "Comrade Oshanina." I heard that in order to cover the convoy of transports along the Volga River, you decisively ordered the artillery to open fire on the enemy, pinning down most of the fire of the enemy artillery. How about it, did the artillery casualties of your division be large? ”

"Two cannons were destroyed by enemy fire, and the fighters of both artillery squads died heroically."

After listening to my report, Chuikov was silent for a long time. Only then did he continue: "Comrade Oshanina, the sacrifices of these fighters are worthwhile. Last night the Volga District Flotilla sent the 11th, 12th, 13th, 61st, 63rd armored ships to open the way for ships transporting troops and supplies. Thanks to the cover you provided in time, in addition to one steamer that was sunk by artillery fire, the other steamers 'Pugachev', 'Spartak', 'Panfilov'. They have all arrived at the dock by the way. On board, in addition to the large quantities of supplies that the army group urgently needed, there were two battalions of troops. ”

"Did the ship go back?" After listening to Chuikov, I instinctively asked.

"Not for the time being, because of the ice of the Volga, these ships could not return to the east bank during the day, otherwise they would have become targets for German aviation and artillery. So the boats stayed on the dock for the time being, and we camouflaged them in the colors of ice and snow with parachutes, white sheets and pockets. "After Chuikov said this, he informed me again." Oshanina, in the evening, come to the headquarters. You are now the deputy commander of the army group. There are some important meetings that you have to attend. ”

Fortunately, the Germans did not attack Mamayev Hill today, so I arranged for Basmanov to send men to assist Morozov in collecting the bodies of the fallen artillery commanders and fighters.

In the evening, I took Yushchenko and a platoon of guards into the ruins of the city, carefully bypassing the German-guarded area. Hurry to the headquarters.

When I walked into the headquarters, I saw that there were quite a few people in the room. In addition to Chuikov, Gurov, Krylov, there were artillery commanders, General Hogarsky, director of the political department, Vasilyev, deputy head of the armored forces, and Lieutenant Colonel Weiinrub, deputy head of the armored forces. They were sitting around the table listening to Chuikov's account of today's battle.

After I saluted everyone, I also found an empty seat and sat down, and quietly listened to Chuikov's introduction to the situation in the city: "...... The divisions of Colonel Vachuk, which had been replenished, and the 92nd Infantry Brigade were constantly launching counterattacks against the Germans between the main forces of the army group and the Lyudnikov division. At the same time, the rest of our troops in the city were gradually retaking from the enemy's hands in other sections of the front of the army, or rather, on the entire front. The North Cluster was attacked by the tractor factory; Sokolov and Guryev divisions attacked the Red October factory, and Rodimtsev's divisions captured buildings occupied by the Germans in their sections. Judging by today's offensive, the results were not bad, each unit captured booty and captured prisoners. ”

After Chuikov finished speaking, everyone talked about the possibility of further positive action, and I, as a newcomer, did not rush to express my own opinions, but listened carefully to everyone's speeches. Just then, the telephone ringing on the side of the wall, and Krylov, who was closest to him, stood up and went over to pick it up. After listening for a while, he put down the phone, walked back to the table, and reported to Chuikov: "Comrade commander, it is a call from the headquarters of the Front, informing us that there is an important order to be issued soon, and let us wait by the telegraph machine. ”

Everyone present was confused about this inexplicable notice from the superiors, and in the end, it was General Hokalsky who spoke first: "Hey, I said, what important order will the superiors give us at this time?" ”

While everyone was still pondering the question raised by Hogarsky, my heart couldn't help but beat faster, and the great counteroffensive that I had been waiting for for months was finally coming.

Gurov, who was sitting across from me, was perhaps inspired by the joy on my face, and he slapped himself on the forehead and said excitedly: "I see, this order must be about a great counteroffensive!" ”

When Chuikov heard Gurov say this, he didn't say a word, got up and walked out, and we hurriedly followed. We followed Chuikov to a nearby communications room, where a crowd huddled together impatiently as the operator crackled out the long-awaited order on the "Hakata" telegraph.

and so on. It was more than two hours, until about 12 midnight, and we finally looked forward to the important order from our superiors!

I stood behind the operator, my heart beating wildly, and I saw the letters jumping. On the slender telegram strips, lines of text were formed, one by one, and the orders were ordered: In the early morning of November 19, the South-Western Front and the Don Front switched to a counteroffensive in the direction of Karachi from the area of Kretskaya and Ilovlinskaya; Later on 20 November, the Stalingrad Front would move on the counteroffensive from the Regorod area and from the Sarpa, Chacha and Balmanchak lakes in the direction of the Soviet town and then to Karachi. The mission is: to break through to the front of the enemy. Surround and annihilate.

The telegram that had just been received was snatched by Chuikov before it could be pasted on a special piece of paper. After he had read it, the telegram was passed among all of us. Although every letter on the telegram, everyone knows it. But when put together, everyone is confused, and it is impossible to figure out the meaning of the upcoming event at once.

We returned to headquarters and continued to study this important telegram. Even so, it took a long time for the leaders of the group army to truly understand that this counterattack was unlike any other in the past. The order of the Front depicted the outline of the entire intention of the Supreme High Command of the Soviet Union. The order was about a counteroffensive, about encircling and annihilating all the enemy under Stagrad. This battle was no longer a battle in the local sense, because there were three fronts of armies that entered the attack. Visible. The High Command had mobilized and assembled heavy forces to carry out this assault, the purpose of which was to completely destroy the German forces in Stalingrad.

After figuring out the intentions of his superiors, Chuikov said: "Comrades commanders, we hold on to the struggle at Stalingrad, and the stubborn resistance of our troops to the attacking enemy is showing signs of coming to an end. As long as the enemy is deeply trapped in street fighting. As long as batches of German troops were pinned down at Stalingrad, its flanks would be mortally threatened. ”

"The commander is right." Krylov continued: "Our army group has limited forces and wants to launch a large-scale offensive against the Germans. is unrealistic. So what we can do at the moment is to act like a magnet to attract the German troops in the city firmly, so that they cannot escape from the city lightly. ”

Chuikov waited for Krylov to finish speaking, and then said: "The two primary tasks of the army group: first, to destroy the enemy who had advanced to the Volga and to join up with Lyudnikov's division; The second is to continue to hold the Mamayev Gang and the 107.5 heights in order to maintain the defensive depth at the existing 4.5 kilometers and to eliminate the enemy observation posts monitoring the battle formations of our army group and the approach to the Volga River. ”

Gurov looked at his watch and said: "It is already the early morning of the 19th, which means that the offensive of the Don Front and the Southwestern Front, in a few hours, will officially begin." We should do our best to convey this news to all divisions, so that the division commanders can be aware of it, so that the strategic intention of attracting the enemy into the city and not being able to retreat can be realized. ”

Chuikov nodded, agreed with Gurov's proposal, and then instructed Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you do your best to convey the order of the counterattack to all divisions, so that everyone is ready for battle." After speaking, he turned his head and looked at me and said, "Also, Comrade Oshanina, immediately rush back to Mamayev Gang overnight, so that the troops can prepare for battle, but we must not lose Mamayev Gang and Heights 107.5 before the start of the major counteroffensive." ”

"Please rest assured, commander!" I quickly stood up and assured him: "As long as there is a single soldier on the position, we will never hand over the Mamayev post to the Germans." (To be continued)

PS: Heartfelt thanks to book friends and book friends 141122053526815 children's shoes for their two votes! Thanks to book friends Wubinlong, character 123, wzzhnag68, dead hedgehog, hzhang, zhang_zs, book friend 111018224708442, voice of miracles, ahg? Vote for children's shoes! Thanks to the book friend Lonely Night God no children's shoes tip 588, the book friend hypp1014 children's shoes tip 200, and the book friend Wang's lazy and old godfather children's shoes tip 100