I knew in my heart that it would be difficult for me to make perfect preparations for this offensive by my own ability, so I had to listen extensively to the rationalization proposals put forward by commanders and fighters at all levels and adopt them.

With my encouragement, Mihayev, after reading to Gaidar and me a large number of counts of the construction of houses, boldly said: "...... According to my analysis, the thickness of the walls of these buildings is beyond the penetration of bullets from the existing equipment of our division. If we can't break into these buildings before the enemy finds out, then the enemy can take refuge in these buildings and calmly inflict condescending fire on our attacking troops. ”

Mihayev's final conclusion is exactly what I feared. Although we had a numerical advantage, the German armament and strong fortifications were enough to offset this advantage. I nodded slightly, and asked him with interest, "Comrade Engineer, do you have any good ideas?" ”

Mihayev looked at Gaidar and said with a smile: "Let Comrade Lieutenant explain the next content to you, he is a professional and knows better than me." After saying that, he sat down directly.

Gaidar stood up, held the edge of the table with his hands, leaned forward slightly, and said politely: "Comrade division commander, it is like this, I think the most effective way to deal with such enemy fortifications is to shoot artillery at close range, use artillery fire to destroy the enemy's fire points, and cover our assault team to rush into the building. Of course, if we can get the support of tanks, which can fire heavily at the enemy's fire points and buildings, and effectively support the assault team. Accelerate the speed of the assault of our troops. ”

I nodded approvingly. said, "Not bad. The bayonet on this cannon you mentioned yì is a good way to fight, and it is worth a try. "When I said this, I suddenly remembered that Chuikov had been dismissed, so it might not be so easy to get a replenishment of weapons and ammunition from the army group as before. Because of this crucial question, I seemed a little unconfident when I continued to speak, "But. Our division does not have any heavy weapons at the moment, and it seems that if we want to win a battle, we will have to ask for help from friendly forces. ”

"What is a bayonet on a cannon?" A familiar voice suddenly rushed out the door, and then a familiar figure walked into the headquarters. When I saw someone coming, I was overjoyed, and I quickly stood up to greet him, and asked in surprise: "Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff, why did you come here?" ”

Although Gaidar and Mihayev had not met Raskin, they had seen the rank of colonel on the badge of the visitor. Hurriedly stood up and saluted. Raskin and I shook hands and jokingly said, "Comrade Oshanina, I have come to see you from the headquarters. I don't know if you welcome me? ”

I shook his hand with both hands and said, "Welcome!" Welcome! Of course welcome! Chief of Staff, you're a rare guest, and we can't usually invite you. ”

After the greetings, Raskin swept his gaze over Gaidar and the two of them, and asked with a little vigilance: "Comrade Oshanina, who are the two of them?" ”

Listening to Raskin's tone, I seemed to have something to say to me in private, and I didn't want outsiders to be present, so I hurriedly introduced him: "This captain is Comrade Gaidar, the commander of the 4th Regiment, and next to him is Comrade Mihayev, a construction engineer. After the introduction, I immediately said to the two of them: "Gaidar and Mihayev, there is nothing to do with you here, you two should go back first." ”

Watching the two of them leave the headquarters, I instructed Kravdia, the operator on duty: "Hey, Comrade Kravdia, please go and bring our comrade colonel a cup of hot tea with honey." ”

Kravdia stood up from the walkie-talkie, smiled sweetly at Colonel Raskin, and ran out of command at a brisk pace.

When there were only two people left in the room, Ruskin and I, I sat down at the table and asked curiously: "Comrade Colonel, you came to my division at this time, I don't know what instructions you have?" ”

Raskin said solemnly: "Comrade Oshanina, I came to the Independent Division this time to tell you the truth about General Chuikov's dismissal. ”

"Comrade Colonel, what exactly is the reason for the dismissal? I don't quite believe the reasons you said in the morning. ”

Ruskin smiled bitterly and said: "How can I say this, the reasons for my dismissal that I told you in the morning are just official articles, and the real reason is because General Chuikov had some disputes with the newly appointed military commissar of the Front last night over the current war. Perhaps General Chuikov's words were too heavy and direct, and as a result, the decision to dismiss him was made in a fit of anger. ”

"Who is the new military commissar of the front army?" The establishment and leadership of the front army are constantly changing, and I really don't know who the new military commissar is.

Raskin said with a bitter face: "The new military commissar of the Front is the former first secretary of Ukraine, Nikita. Sergeyevich. Comrade Khrushchev. ”

Khrushchev, when I heard this name, I almost jumped up from the stool, I did not expect that the new military commissar of the Front Army was actually him. He was an important person I had always wanted to get acquainted with, but I didn't expect that as soon as he appeared, he would decisively dismiss Chuikov from his position because of a dispute. If I go to get close to him in the future, won't it cause displeasure in Chuikov's group?

At this moment, Kravdia walked in from outside the house with a teapot, and we quickly shut our mouths, so as not to let the female soldier hear something that should not be heard. Kravdia held the teapot in both hands, carefully placed it on the table in front of Raskin, and said with a smile: "Comrade Colonel, please drink tea." ”

After hearing Raskin thank Kravdia, I waved my hand to her and said, "Comrade Kravdia, I have important work to discuss with the chief of staff, so you should go out first." By the way, I told Vera, the guard squad leader at the door, that no one is allowed to enter without my permission. ”

After Kravdia left, I lowered my voice and couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade Colonel, do you know what they are arguing about?" ”

Ruskin looked at the door, shifted his body to my side, and whispered, "The specific content of the quarrel." I learned this from the commander of the Guards Division, Lyudnikov. He said that the two of them were still talking and laughing at first. I don't know what Khrushchev said. Then Chuikov was furious, and angrily said to Khrushchev: Our passive situation could have been avoided, and if the judgment of the shape was correct at that time, we would have smashed their nest a long time ago. I always thought that the Germans would attack Moscow, and this was the first time that they had been deceived.

After hearing this, Khrushchev retorted and said: How can you talk like this? You are the deputy commander of the army. The decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief is not something you can comment on casually. ”

After listening to Raskin's words, I was puzzled and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff. I think General Chuikov is completely right, and even if he says something a little extreme, it will not fall to the point of being dismissed? ”

Raskin picked up the teapot and blew on the heat dissipation, and said: "If he really only said the above, it would not have provoked Khrushchev to turn his face." It's a pity that General Chuikov was dizzy in the quarrel and actually uncovered Khrushchev's scars, which caused the other party to turn his face and mercilessly sign the order to dismiss General Chuikov. ”

"What scars, can you tell me about them?" My curiosity made me want to break the casserole and ask the end.

Ruskin put down the teapot in his hand. After a moment's hesitation, he finally made up his mind and said, "Okay." I'll tell you what's going on. But you have to promise me one condition, what I say to you is top secret, and you can't tell anyone, otherwise you and I will be in big trouble. When he saw that I would keep it secret, he said in a low voice: "When the war first broke out, Senior General Zhukov, who was also the chief of the General Staff, tried to persuade the Supreme Commander to withdraw the Southwestern Front in Kiev, so as not to fall into the encirclement of the German army. Unexpectedly, when the Supreme Commander-in-Chief asked Khrushchev for his opinion, he replied with a resolute attitude that Kyiv could be held. Speaking of this, he couldn't help but snort heavily, "As a result, the nearly one million troops who were holding Kiev, except for Khrushchev, Budyonny, Timoshenko and 150,000 people who successfully broke through, the rest of the troops were completely annihilated by the German army." Among them, the commander of the Southwestern Front, General Kirponos, the chief of staff, Tupikov, and the political commissar Bulmyshtenko were in the breakout. 660,000 people, including the commander of the 5th Army, General Potapov, were captured.

The Battle of Kharkov three months ago, commanded by Timoshenko and Khrushchev, turned out to be another fiasco, with the main forces of the 6th and 57th armies, the 9th army, and the Bobkin battle group being annihilated, 250,000 people captured, more than 600 tanks lost, and many other high-ranking generals including Lieutenant General Kostenko, deputy commander of the Southwestern Front, were killed. ”

After listening to Raskin's inside information, I couldn't help but be silent, these defeats were replaced by someone else's words, and it is estimated that he would have been executed immediately after being tried by a military tribunal like General Pavlov. Only people like Timoshenko and Khrushchev, who were highly regarded by the Supreme Commander, would be reactivated even if they suffered repeated defeats, at most they would be hidden for a period of time. Although they have caused great losses to the country and the army, these things are a forbidden area that cannot be touched, and anyone who does not want to mention it must bear their thunderous wrath. General Chuikov was unfortunate enough to fall victim to such a thing.

After Ruskin finished speaking, he took a sip of tea from the teapot and said to himself: "There is too much honey, a little too sweet." After putting down the teapot, he looked at me and said, "Comrade Oshanina, I have finished saying what should be said and what should not be said." You talk about your opinion, I want to hear what you really think. ”

My fingers tapped lightly on the table, and my mind raced to wonder, why did Ruskin say that, did he have any deeper considerations? After thinking about it for a long time, I still felt that I should speak to Ruskin, after all, I still have to deal with him many times in the future.

Having made up my mind, I said decisively: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think that General Chuikov's criticism of Comrade Khrushchev is correct. The reason why we have suffered one defeat after another and lost a large part of our territory under the enemy's attack is not that our soldiers are not brave, nor is it that the commanders of our various units have not properly commanded their tactics, still less that the enemy is too strong, but that the strategic thinking of the supreme command organ has deviated, thus pushing our army into dangerous situations again and again. ……”

Before I could finish my words, Ruskin had already slapped the table heavily and shouted loudly: "Good, well said, well said!" General Chuikov was right. Comrade Oshanina, after General Chuikov left, repeatedly told me to take care of your division, and if there is any difficulty, even if you ask me. It can be solved within my purview. I'll settle it for you at once; It can't be solved. I will intervene for you. ”

Hear him say that. I was secretly relieved that I had made the right bet. Since he asked me to make a request, I was not welcome, so I moved the map on the table to him, pointed to him and explained to him the plan of our division to attack the settlements, and at the end of the day I pleaded with him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, my division does not have any heavy weapons. If you want to attack the fortification, you will inevitably pay huge casualties. You see, can you provide us with the necessary support? ”

After hearing this, Ruskin said with some embarrassment: "The army group also lacks heavy weapons, and I think it may not be able to meet your requirements." ”

Raskin's answer was already expected by me, and when I heard him complain to me, I quickly explained: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you misunderstood what I meant, I am not asking you to provide our division with such heavy weapons as tanks and artillery, we do not have professionals. Even if it is equipped with these technical equipment, none of us will use it. ”

"And what do you mean ......?" Ruskin asked, surprised.

"I want you to come forward. Coordinate with the 137th Tank Brigade and the 157th Infantry Division, respectively, and let them provide one or two tank brigades and artillery batteries respectively to increase the necessary fire support for the attacking troops of our division. What do you see? ”

Raskin nodded his head to my request without hesitation: "No problem. On the day of the attack, I asked the 137th Tank Brigade to provide five tanks to your division, and at the same time the 157th Infantry Division sent two more artillery batteries. ”

"Enough is enough!" I originally thought that he could provide me with three or five artillery pieces and take a tank with me, but I didn't expect him to be so generous and give me several times more technical equipment at once.

The faint sound of shooting and the explosion of grenades outside caught Raskin's attention, and he curiously pointed out the door and asked me: "Comrade Oshanina, what is the sound of gunfire and explosions outside?" ”

"Report to Comrade Chief of Staff," I said with a smile, "it was the troops who were conducting live firing and live throwing of grenades." ”

"What, live firing and live shooting?" Ruskin's eyebrows were raised, and he said with some displeasure: "Comrade Oshanina, is this necessary?" ”

Although I thought that my approach was beyond reproach, I couldn't help but blush when I heard Raskin say this, and explained: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you don't know that most of the soldiers in my division are absolutely new recruits who have not undergone any military training and have no combat experience. In order to prevent them from being frightened by the sound of the enemy's guns and cannons after going to the battlefield, I adopted a special training method and used live-fire training to train their courage. ”

After hearing this, Ruskin still complained to me: "If you do this, aren't you afraid of causing unnecessary casualties in training?" ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff, no." I said confidently, "The number of people who are training is not much, only 2,000 commanders and fighters who will participate in the battle. They train in companies and in different regions. In each company, there is a certain proportion of experienced veterans, and with them as a gatekeeper, safety during training can be guaranteed. ”

Ruskin looked outside the door and said with some unease: "Otherwise, you should take me to the training ground to have a look." ”

I was embarrassed by his suggestion, because my training method was so ingenious that he might criticize me on the spot after reading it. I thought about it for a while, and said to him: "Why don't I call the three regiment commanders and those company commanders who organized the training, and let them personally report the training situation to you?" ”

He waved his hand and said resolutely: "No, I want to go to the training ground to see it myself." If I don't see the training of the commanders and fighters with my own eyes, I still don't feel at ease in my heart. ”

Seeing Raskin's resolute attitude, I couldn't object anymore, so I had to reluctantly agree: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, I'll take you to the training ground to have a look." ”

As soon as Raskin and I walked out of the door, we saw two fighters with submachine guns outside, chatting around Vera. Seeing us go out, the two soldiers hurriedly straightened up on the spot and put on a posture of waiting for the dispatch. Needless to say, these two fighters must have been Raskin's guards.

Ruskin shook his head at them as he walked and said simply, "Follow me!" ”

Vera saw the two male fighters following Ruskin in the direction of the training ground, and hurriedly caught up with me and asked, "Leda, will I go with you to the training ground too?" ”

I shook my head and said, "No need, you better stay in Command." This forest is full of our warriors, my safety, you don't have to worry. With that, I hurried to chase Raskin in front of me.

After a short period of effort, we arrived at the training ground where I had just arrived, where a regiment of five companies was currently training in bomb throwing.

Ten fighters with grenades in their hands rushed forward a few quick steps, then suddenly stopped and threw the grenades in their hands forward. Ten smoking grenades, tumbling in the air, landed in the newly marked drop zone. Suddenly there was a roar of explosions, smoke and flames, and an unlucky birch tree fell to the ground with a bang in the explosion.

After a group of fighters finished dropping bombs, the lieutenant shouted the command: "The sixth squad has finished dropping bombs, and immediately enter the ranks." The seventh squad is out of the ranks, ready to drop bombs! Following the lieutenant's command, the ten fighters just now trotted back to the queue, and at the same time, ten more fighters holding grenades came out of the queue.

After the fifth company finished dropping bombs, I heard the lieutenant shouting again: "The bombing training is over, and the shooting training will be carried out below." All of them, turn right. One squad went into firing positions, and six went into sandbag fortifications for concealment. ”

Following his command, two teams of fighters first ran out of the queue, one squad of fighters with rifles stood in front of the queue, while the other squad ran to the sandbag fortifications dozens of meters away.

I stole a glance at Ruskin, and saw him staring blankly at the soldiers of the squad that was running. It wasn't until he saw the figures of those soldiers disappear behind the sandbags that the soldier with the gun half-crouched down and aimed the muzzle of the gun in the direction of the sandbag, his face suddenly turned pale, and he turned to me and said sternly: "Oshanina, didn't you promise me that there would be no casualties in the training of your troops, but now do you know what they are doing?" You let our soldiers shoot at your own people, and if there are casualties, then the only fate that awaits you is to go to court-martial. You immediately go and order them to stop. ”

Military courts, and military courts, I found that since I arrived at Stalingrad, I have heard threats at every turn to bring anyone to a military court, but in the end, I have not seen anyone to be court-martialed. I can understand Ruskin's nervousness, after all, this kind of training is too unbelievable.

Before I could explain, gunshots rang out one after another, and bullets whizzed over the sandbags, and a few missed misses, causing small pillars of mud to splash on the sandbags.

After firing five rounds, the fighters stood up one after another. The lieutenant saw that all the fighters had put down their guns, and only then did he take out a whistle from his pocket and blow it vigorously. As his whistle sounded, fighters began to emerge from behind the sandbags.

Hearing the lieutenant's whistle, I couldn't help but pat myself on the forehead, and realized that I really didn't think about the problem comprehensively, and I didn't think about how to contact the troops when they attacked in the smoke. The lieutenant's whistle reminded me that every commando team should be equipped with such a simple communication tool.

Look at Ruskin again, from the moment the first fighter appeared in the sandbag, he was nervously counting the numbers. When all the fighters leaned out from behind the sandbags, I heard him let out a long breath and said to himself, "Thank God! In the end, there were no casualties. As soon as he turned around and saw that I was staring at him, he smiled a little embarrassedly and said, "I'm sorry, Comrade Oshanina, I just blamed you." I have to admit that although this training method of yours is ingenious, it does have an effect, allowing the soldiers to feel the atmosphere of the battlefield. At this point, he paused for a moment and continued in a voice that only me and he could hear: "You know, the first time I went to battle, when I heard the gunshots, I was so frightened that I peed my pants. After speaking, he reached out and patted me on the shoulder, shook his head at the guard again, and ordered: "Comrade soldier, let's go back." ”

He walked a few steps, stopped again, and said to me in a friendly manner: "Oshanina, let me remind you. When the battle begins, Lyudnikov's Guards Division will be able to provide you with some necessary help. (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank the book friend winxxx for the support of the first monthly pass of this month!