Almost at the same time as this thought came to me, the grenades thrown from the dirt slope exploded in the crowded ranks of the Germans, bursting with a large field of fire and smoke. Through the binoculars, I could clearly see groups of German soldiers, lying in the vicinity of the bombing site. Some died on the spot, while others were wounded and not dead, rolling on the ground.

Before the smoke of the explosion had cleared, and before I could call out, the commanders and fighters on the hillside jumped up from their hiding places and rushed towards the German troops who had been blown up at the foot of the dirt slope with their guns in hand.

The Germans were obviously much more well-trained than the reckless recruits who rushed down the hillside, and they knew that if they did not destroy the rushing enemy, they would not be able to move on, and might even be destroyed. So after a brief panic, the scattered soldiers spontaneously organized themselves and met our team in groups of three or five, and the two teams were entangled at the foot of the dirt slope.

When I saw this scene in the observation post, I was so angry that I secretly cursed this unknown company commander, why didn't he know what to do when he used fire to kill and injure the enemy on the highway on the dirt slope, and rushed out recklessly. Originally, the Germans were just fleeing along the road, and if you rush down like this, the Germans will definitely stop and fight. Moreover, the two armies were entangled, and after Shegelikov's armored troops rushed up, they would throw themselves into the trap for fear of accidentally injuring their own people, so that the defeated Germans might have a chance to escape.

Not only was I angry, but Bantai Leev, who also saw this scene, was so angry that he jumped and pointed to the front and scolded: "How did this company commander command." Why not let the troops stay on the dirt slopes. Use fire to kill and wound the fleeing German soldiers on the road. But stupidly rushed down and fought with them with bayonets? Doesn't he know that those are all untrained recruits, and in doing so, isn't he sending them to death? ”

"Comrade Deputy Division Commander," although I was dissatisfied with the company commander who gave the order to attack without authorization, but at this moment the troops of both the enemy and us were strangled together, and there was no way to punish this commander at all, so I could only persuade Bantai Leev: "Don't be impatient, although the technical and tactical level of the Germans is higher than that of our fighters." However, their current structure has been disrupted, and the battle will almost be over by the time Shederikov's two companies press up. ”

Under my persuasion, Pandereev closed his mouth and did not curse anymore, but the anger on his face was still terrifying. My guess is that if the company commander had appeared in front of us at this time, maybe Bandereev would have killed him directly.

In addition to the German soldiers who were fighting a white-knuckle battle with our troops near the dirt slope, there were also quite a few German soldiers who were scurrying aimlessly on the road a little farther away, seeing that the battle was in full swing ahead. It seemed that they saw hope, and they also rushed to this position. An attempt to destroy our troops under the dirt slope.

As soon as they assembled, several armored vehicles of our army rushed along the road, stopped at a distance of more than 20 meters from them, formed a battle formation, and opened heavy fire from on-board machine guns. Long muzzle flames from several cars, like whips, were drawn towards the Germans huddled together, knocking them to the ground in pieces. Immediately afterwards, our fighters, who were following behind the armored car, also quickly crossed the armored car with their weapons and rushed to the Germans in front.

With the addition of this new force, the scale of victory has completely fallen to our side. When I saw the German soldiers, who still had some combat effectiveness, were beaten to pieces by us, and their morale was exhausted and they fled in all directions, I knew in my heart that we had won this battle again.

Because of the distance between us and Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov, and there was no communication equipment to communicate with, Bantai Leyev and I had to sit in the observation post and wait for Sederikov's report.

After a long silence, Bantai Leev lit a cigarette and asked thoughtfully: "Comrade division commander, what do you think is the reason why our ambush tonight was so light?" ”

"It's because of the enemy's underestimation." I did not say that it was because of the bravery and tenacity of our commanders and fighters, but I said bluntly: "It is precisely because of their light enemy that they did not expect to be ambushed by our army." So in the next battle, there is no way to talk about coordinated operations between their infantry and armored units. When they were attacked by our surprise, the German infantry, who had been caught off guard, were in a mess and could not cooperate effectively with the armored forces, and as a result, the armored troops without infantry cover were easily destroyed by our artillery fire. ”

"And what about the lesson?" Bandereev then asked.

"If it's a lesson." I thought about it for a while, and said with a stern expression: "The soldiers of the third regiment abandoned their defensive positions without authorization, rushed down from the dirt slope and fought a white-knuckle battle with the Germans. Because of their unauthorized attack, the results of our ambush operation were greatly reduced, and I just saw in the telescope that at least hundreds of German soldiers managed to escape. My personal opinion is that although we won this battle, we must not spare the company commander lightly, and we must deal with it severely. ”

Pantai Laiev looked at me and asked briefly, "How to deal with it strictly?" ”

Although I verbally said that I would deal with this company commander who was arrogant, but when Pantai Laiev asked what to do, I couldn't say it, and I couldn't just shoot that company commander for this matter, after all, we were fighting a winning battle, not a losing one. After a moment of silence, I said tentatively, "Why don't you remove him from his position as company commander and let him go to the squad to be the squad leader?" ”

After listening to my handling opinion, Pantai Laiev thought about it, and nodded slowly: "Okay, I think that the result of such a treatment should be a lesson for him." Perhaps because he was afraid that I would be too careful, he also deliberately emphasized, "The reason why I asked him to be dealt with strictly is to prevent other commanders from following his example, patronizing heroes and ignoring military discipline." If we let it go, we will suffer a great loss in the future battle. ”

While we were talking, Serebryanny took Shederikov to the observation post.

Sederikov walked quickly in front of us, raised his hand and saluted, and reported excitedly: "Division commander, deputy division commander." Our division has successfully completed the ambush of the German troops. I'm here to listen to your next command. ”

Bandereev stood up and walked in front of Shederikov. While shaking hands with him, a left hand patted him on the shoulder and said approvingly: "Well done, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." You guys are doing a very good job. He turned his head to look at it and said with a smile on his face, "The division commander and I just saw clearly in the telescope, and you grasped the timing of your attack very well, and you blinded the enemy in one fell swoop." If it weren't for the three regiments, I believe you would have achieved greater results. ”

I sat in my position and didn't get up, but asked with a faint smile: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, how are the casualties of the troops?" How many enemies were destroyed, and what about captured? ”

Sederikov hurriedly and gently broke free from the hands of Pantai Reev, came to me, stood up straight and replied: "Report to the division commander, the regiment suffered 35 casualties, of which 7 were killed, and seven German tanks and two armored vehicles were destroyed. One armored vehicle was captured, 187 enemy people were killed and wounded. 61 people were captured, a large amount of weapons and ammunition were seized, and a briefcase was seized. As he spoke, he took off the satchel he was carrying and handed it to me.

I took the briefcase and opened it, pulled out a thick stack of papers, and flipped through them casually. The text jiàn was both handwritten and printed, but I didn't know a word, so I had to put it on the table with a wry smile, and then asked Pantai Laiev: "Comrade deputy division commander, they are all German texts, can you understand them?" ”

After hearing this, Bandereev also shook his head with a wry smile, turned around and asked Serebryane: "Comrade Captain, do you know German?" ”

Serebryanny hurriedly shook his head and replied: "Report to Comrade Deputy Division Commander, although I know a little German, I only stay on the basis of being able to speak but not write. ”

Pantai Laiev walked to the table, picked up the stack of texts, flipped through them, and said regretfully: "It seems that we can only wait until we return to Mamayev Gang and find someone who understands German to translate these texts." It's a pity, we don't know what the Germans will do next. ”

"Comrade Deputy Division Commander, please don't worry." "We interrogated several prisoners, and learned from them that the Germans, after learning that we had occupied the city of Kongpui, drew a tank battalion and two artillery battalions, as well as a regiment of infantry, from the area where the Don Front was engaged in fierce fighting, to turn south and try to take the city from our hands in one fell swoop. We were routed tonight only by a leading battalion of the German army, and the armored vehicle in which the battalion commander was riding was destroyed in the first round of fire from our tank crews. ”

I wanted to ask him if he had caught the German battalion commander or something during the battle, but he had already given the answer. I was a little disappointed to hear that the German battalion commander had been charred in the wreckage of the burning armored vehicles, because I could learn more from his mouth.

"By the way, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Pantai Laiev seemed to remember something, and after putting Wen Jiàn back on the table, he turned around and asked Sederikov: "What about the casualties of that company of the Third Regiment, it seems that I didn't hear you mention it in your report just now. ”

Hearing this question, Sederikov lowered his head and replied with some sadness: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, the situation in the third regiment is very strict, and there are only 17 people left in the company who can still fight, and almost all the rest have been sacrificed. ”

"What?" Hearing this from Sedjerikov, I immediately jumped up from my seat. Unexpectedly, in just a few minutes of fighting, the company of the three regiments suffered such heavy casualties, and it seems that it is not an exaggeration to shoot the company commander. I pressed my aching temples, took a deep breath, gritted my back molars and asked viciously, "What about the company commander?" ”

"Sacrificed." Sederikov was frightened by my fierce expression, and he nervously and incoherently replied: "The company commander died heroically in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. According to the surviving fighters, he was very brave, with at least five or six bayonet wounds on his body, as well as a dozen gunshot wounds. ”

"Comrade division commander," said Bandereev, who came to help me sit down and comforted me, "since this company commander died in battle, there is no need to hold him accountable." ”

I nodded at Bandereev's suggestion, and then asked Sederikov: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, are there any other commanders in that company?" ”

Shederikov shook his head again and said: "No, all the commanders died in the battle, and the rest were warriors. ”

If such a company with heavy casualties belongs to a regiment. I will certainly not hesitate to merge the remaining fighters into other companies. Anyway, there are quite a few companies that need to be replenished. But they belonged to the third regiment of Kosgaard. If I hastily merged them together, Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard would have had something in mind. So I thought about it again and again, and finally announced to Shederikov: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, since there is no longer a commander in that company, let Corporal Zhukhovetsky take over the command of the troops." ”

"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, have you finished cleaning the battlefield?" Bandelyev asked Shederikov with concern: "If the cleaning is completed, immediately gather all the troops and prepare to immediately move to the rear of the high ground to hide." lest after dawn be blown up by enemy planes. We only have this little armor, and we can't sacrifice it in vain. ”

When I heard about the transfer of Bandelyev to Sederikov, another thought suddenly crossed my mind, I remember as if there was a good commander who once commanded his troops to set up ambushes in the same place twice, and on both occasions inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. Although we have just finished an ambush battle, there is no need to transfer, and we can completely rely on the gourd to ambush again. From what I know about the Germans, they would not have imagined that we would be after their ambush. He also dared to ambush the troops in place and ambush them again. Thinking of this, I stood up and said to Bantai Leev: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander. Let Lieutenant Colonel Sedjerikov cancel their plan to transfer, and let them remain where they are and lurk, ready to ambush the Germans attacking the heights again. ”

"What? Commander, what do you say? My words frightened everyone present, and after a long time, Bandeleyev cautiously asked: "Comrade division commander, what you said is to let the troops stay where they are, ready to fight another ambush by the Germans, did I hear you right?" ”

"I heard you right, Comrade Deputy Division Commander." Seeing such an exaggerated expression, I felt very proud in my heart, and my bold plan could not be guessed even by my colleagues and subordinates who had been with me for so long, and even more so by the old-fashioned Germans, so I said with certainty: "Yes, you heard me right, I just let Lieutenant Colonel Shedelikov lead the troops to continue to lurk in the same place, preparing to ambush the Germans again." ”

"However, our troops have just ambushed the Germans in that area!" Bandereev was probably frightened by my crazy plan, and tried to persuade me to change my mind, "Maybe the troops lurking there will be wiped out by German artillery fire and bombardment." We only have a few newly captured tanks and armored vehicles at the moment, and we can't afford to lose them here in vain. ”

I saw that Bandereev wanted to say more, so I hurriedly raised my hand to stop him and asked: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, if this is an ambush mission under your command, after the battle, will you let the troops evacuate after cleaning up the battlefield?" ”

"Exactly, Comrade Division Commander." Pandereev shrugged his shoulders and replied: "I will undoubtedly give such an order, even if it is other commanders, I believe they will give the same order." You say, "Is that so?" His last words were for Shederykov and Sherebryan.

Hearing his question, both of them nodded and replied in unison: "Yes, Comrade Deputy Division Commander." When we complete our mission, we will order the troops to retreat. ”

Hearing the same answer from all three, I smiled and said to them: "Comrade commanders, since you all think the same way, I think that the commanders of the Germans in our vicinity will make a similar judgment that our troops have all withdrawn after the ambush. I just wanted to take advantage of this habitual thinking of the German commanders and fight the same ambush again in the same place. ”

After I finished my analysis, Pantai Leev asked half-convinced: "Comrade division commander, do the Germans really think so?" ”

Before I could speak, Sederikov was the first to speak in support of me: "Comrade division commander, I agree with your plan. After saying this, he turned to Pandereev and explained, "Deputy Divisional Commander, since I have known the Divisional Commander, she has made the right decisions, so her plan sounds risky, but I still think it can be tried." ”

"The regimental commander is right." As soon as Sederikov finished speaking, Sherebryanny also said: "I also firmly support the division commander's plan, and I believe that it will be successful." ”

Seeing that both Shederykov and Sherebryanny expressed their support for me, Bandereev, after hesitating for a while, finally nodded and said: "Okay, comrade division commander, since you have made up your mind, then we can only carry it out unconditionally." Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov. Shedelikov, who was named by him, hurriedly stood upright, straightened up and waited for him to give the order.

"Immediately go back and organize the troops, re-prepare the camouflage and lurk." Bandereev decisively gave him an order: "Tanks and armored vehicles are still hidden in the grass, and as for the infantry, my opinion is that it is placed on that dirt slope and can be used to kill the Germans who are fleeing along the road." ”

"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel," I saw that Shederikov, after listening to Bandeleyev's arrangement, turned his eyes to me, quickly stood up and said: "Since Comrade Deputy Division Commander has given the order, then you go and carry it out." (To be continued......)