After sending Shcherbina away, we sat down to study the next task of the independent division. Although from the beginning of the major counteroffensive, the offensive and defensive roles of both the enemy and us have dropped one by one, the situation is not optimistic. Compared with us, the German army still has an advantage in terms of strength and equipment, and it is a very easy thing to switch from offensive to defensive. However, it is difficult for us to move from a defensive state to an offensive state, and if we do not understand the state, we will blindly fight and rush, and there may be a danger of total annihilation.

I knew in my heart that in the encirclement and annihilation battle, the 62nd Army would not be able to achieve anything because of the lack of soldiers, so that in the end, even the great merit of capturing Marshal Paulus had to be surrendered to the 64th Army. The purpose of today's meeting is to unify everyone's understanding and put an end to the emergence of the idea of underestimating the enemy.

As before, I did not first express my attitude, but simply said: "Our main topic today is to discuss the focus of the next step of the independent division's work. Who will speak first? ”

After I finished speaking, Pantai Leyev looked left and right, and seeing that Kirillov and Akhromeyev were silent, he spoke first: "I'll say a few words." At the moment Paulus's 6th Army is already encircled by us, and in this case, I think that our independent division should actively launch an offensive and launch a final offensive against the besieged German army. ”

"Attack? That's so light. After listening to his speech, Akhromeyev sneered, and then said □ the urn: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, you are going to launch the final attack. Excuse me, where should we be and what kind of troops should we use? What about launching an attack on the enemy? ”

"Needless to say. and the east coast after the resumption of traffic. The Front Command will soon send us a steady stream of troops, and I believe that in less than a week, our independent division will be fully manned. Bandereev responded optimistically: "At that time, not only will there be enough troops, but I will also give us a lot of technical equipment, and with the cooperation of the air force, it will be an easy matter to destroy the enemy in front of us." ”

It occurred to me that in all the films and television works that reflected the Battle of Stalingrad, it seemed that the Red Army's counteroffensive had begun. The Germans had no resistance to the devastating offensive of the Red Army. It wasn't until I actually experienced it that I realized how harmful this kind of propaganda was. If the German army was really so vulnerable, they would not have advanced step by step from Kharkov to Stalingrad on the Volga, and they would not have been surrounded by Soviet troops several times their own, without replenishment of troops and a large amount of supplies, for two months. It was not until their ammunition and food were gradually exhausted and their morale was at rock bottom that the Soviets launched a final thunderous blow to completely crush them.

Akhromeyev continued to contradict Bandereev: "...... What kind of technical equipment we have now, you must know very well. The tank battalion had five tanks and seven armored vehicles. The friendly forces had twenty tanks, which added up to less than a full tank battalion. Our tanks were captured from the Germans. Ammunition and fuel are not a problem and can be replenished from freshly seized supplies. But as for friendly tanks, in addition to replenishing them with fuel, but ammunition supplies are powerless. And the artillery battalion, which now has only four heavy howitzers and the same number of anti-tank guns, plus twelve mortars, and an anti-tank rifle company, with such strength, to attack the German positions, do you think there is a certainty of victory? ”

After Akhromeyev's words, Kirillov and Bantaiyev both bowed their heads in contemplation, perhaps it was the series of numbers reported by the chief of staff that made them understand that the current shape was far from being as rosy as they imagined.

After a long while, Kirillov looked up at me and asked in an inquiring tone: "Comrade Oshanina, what would I like to hear your opinion?" ”

"I listened carefully to the speeches of the deputy division commander and the chief of staff just now." Without going around in circles, I said straight to the point: "I think the chief of staff has a good point, although we have switched to the offensive, we are still weak compared to the Germans, so in the coming days, the main task of our division is to hold back the enemy and not let them escape, and not to attack them rashly." "At this point, I turned around and instructed Akhromeyev, "Chief of Staff, call Oleg, the commander of the second regiment, and Gaidar, the commander of the fourth regiment, and ask them both to come to the headquarters immediately." ”

While Akhromeyev was on the phone, Kirillov asked me curiously: "Comrade Oshanina, what are you doing with these two regiment commanders here?" ”

Hearing Kirillov's question, I immediately explained to him: "Comrade commissar, the city of Gorodishe has now become our rear, and if the Germans want to attack here, they must bypass several defense zones of our army, so we must shift the focus of our defense to Kongpini. There is little point in the division headquarters staying here any longer, and I think the division headquarters should move to Kongjiao Yicheng as much as possible. ”

To my opinion, Kirillov and Bandereev immediately agreed. Kirillov also said with relief: "Comrade Oshanina, in fact, I wanted to mention this matter to you yesterday, but I was afraid that you would have other considerations, so I hesitated for a long time, and finally did not mention it. Since the headquarters of our division is leaving, which unit will defend Gorodishe, after informing the command, hand it over to friendly forces? ”

I shook my head and replied: "Comrade Political Commissar, at present the strength of the army group is limited, and they have to not only defend the existing positions, but also have to draw troops to fight street battles with the enemy, and there is no surplus manpower to take over the defense of Gorodishe, so I intend to leave the 2nd Regiment behind, and try to replenish it while taking care of the rest of the city. ”

"Do you think our superiors will give us additional troops?" After hearing what I said about the second regiment to resupply, Kirillov seemed to see a glimmer of light, and he couldn't help but bring up the old story.

I shook my head again and said to him with a wry smile: "Comrade commissar, maybe you don't know. Before this counteroffensive, Commander Rokossovsky's Don Front was supplemented by only three infantry divisions, and all of them had sixty percent of the strength. And our army group not only did not receive replenishment in terms of troops, but even the much-needed ammunition and supplies were affected by this freezing on the Volga River. And not much supplementation. Nowadays, traffic on the Volga has resumed. But the reinforcements that came from the east coast. The priority is definitely to replenish the divisions or brigades that are still fighting in the city. Also, I heard that the commanders are now concentrating their forces to attack the Germans, preparing to rescue the Lyudnikov Division, which is besieged by the Germans. ”

Kirillov was taken aback by my words, and he asked in surprise: "What, Colonel Lyudnikov's troops are still in the defense of the German army, so isn't that battalion under the command of Captain Karpov also dangerous?" ”

"There's no way around it, Comrade Commissar." Bandereev spoke for me and said: "The battle in the city. Far more brutal than on our Mamayev posts. Have you forgotten that Sederikov's regiment had more than 3,000 commanders and fighters, but they had only been fighting for one day in the work area, and the rest of the people, including the wounded, were less than 200 people. From the day of the transfer, the mixed battalion under Captain Karpov was removed, and I mentally removed them from the establishment of the independent division. ”

After listening to Bandereev's words, Kirillov sighed and said: "Alas, it would be better to say if other commanders and fighters were sacrificed, but Karpov was the first commander of the Vostok battalion to turn against our army. His name is known even to the Supreme Commander himself. If something happens to him, I'm afraid that my superiors will blame Comrade Oshanina. ”

Kirillov said so. It really startled me, and when I think about it, the tasks I assigned to Karpov were the most dangerous, as if I was deliberately trying to weaken him by fighting. Without waiting for me to speak, Akhromeyev, who came back after the phone call and heard the ins and outs of the matter, gave me advice: "Comrade division commander, can you call the commander and ask him to discuss with Colonel Lyudnikov and let Captain Karpov return to our division?" ”

"Comrade division commander, I think the chief of staff is very good," Bantai Laiev, who has always been fond of opposing Akhromeyev, saw that my interests were involved in this matter, and also expressed support for Akhromeyev's opinion, "I should immediately contact the commander and find a way to transfer Captain Karpov back." To know that his existence is no less than a few divisions for us. ”

Pieryov's statement made Kirillov laugh, and he smiled and asked, "Hey, I said old man, you're exaggerating." Karpov was only a small captain, how could he be worth several divisions? ”

"Comrade Commissar," although Kirillov was his old friend, at this moment Pandeleyev said dissatisfiedly: "Have you forgotten what happened to Captain Nikolai and his battalion last time?" Isn't it because of Karpov's example, otherwise the current regiment would not have an additional Nikolai battalion capable of fighting well, and the 1,700 prisoners of war would not have succeeded in returning to our troops. ”

As Pandereev spoke, a thought crossed my mind to call Chuikov immediately and bring Captain Karpov back from the most dangerous place before he died. As soon as Bantai Leyev finished speaking, I quickly stood up and reviewed it to several people: "The deputy division commander is right, Captain Karpov is a model set by us, and his survival can have an unexpected effect on the disintegration of those Eastern battalions that were forced to serve the German army. I didn't think it well enough to put him in a position of extreme danger, so I called Commander Chuikov and tried to find a way to get the captain back in our division. Then he ordered Razumeyeva, who was sitting not far away: "Comrade lieutenant, give me the headquarters of the army group." ”

But I don't seem to have had any luck, not only Chuikov is not at the command, but even the military commissar Gurov is not there. The chief of staff, Krylov, who was on the phone with me, asked strangely: "Comrade Oshanina, are you in any hurry?" ”

Hearing Krylov say this, I hurriedly told him about the importance of Captain Karpov, hoping that he could discuss it with Lyudnikov to see if he could let Captain Karpov come back, even if he came back alone from the 70th Guards Division.

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Krylov said to me with a smile: "Hey, I said Comrade Oshanina, you have won too many battles, and you are a little confused with joy, right?!" He teased me, didn't wait for me to speak, and continued, "Have you forgotten who you are now?" You are the deputy commander of the army group, and you can give an order directly to Colonel Lyudnikov to return them to Karpov under him. ”

"Is this appropriate?" I asked worriedly, "If Captain Karpov and them are transferred back, will it affect the overall defense of the 70th Guards Division?" ”

"After fighting for so long, that battalion you sent. It is estimated that there are not many people left now. "What Krylov called me. From the honorific title "you" just now, it has become a more intimate "you". "I also understand the importance of this Captain Karpov, maybe it is true, as your deputy division commander said, he can take up several divisions by himself, to those officers and soldiers of the Eastern Battalion who are still serving the German army, after knowing his experience, they will be shaken, so that we can weaken the enemy at the same time. Strengthen our own strengths. Comrade Oshanina, do it boldly, I will report this matter to the commanders when they return. ”

With Krylov's permission, when I called Lyudnikov, I was much more confident. When I heard Lyudnikov's familiar voice coming out of the headphones, I said to him in a loud voice: "Hello, Comrade Colonel, I'm Oshanina, how are you?" ”

It's my voice that I heard. Lyudnikov was stunned for a moment, and then said excitedly: "Hello. Comrade Deputy Commander, it's a pleasure to hear from you. Do you have any instructions? ”

"That's right, Comrade Colonel." I spoke into the microphone about Karpov's importance to Lyudnikov, and finally I said to him in a regretful tone: "...... So, Comrade Colonel, in any case, I need him to immediately return to the Independent Division. As for the commanders and fighters who went with him to the 70th Guards Division, in order not to affect the overall defense of your division, I will not withdraw it. ”

"I can't do that, because he's fighting, Comrade Deputy Commander!" Unexpectedly, Lyudnikov said unexpectedly: "Moreover, I beg you to let him stay with me, our division has not only lost 80 percent of the soldiers, but even the commanders are not left, and I want him, Captain Karpov, to be my regiment commander." ”

"However, Comrade Colonel ...... "I wanted to emphasize the importance of Karpov again, but he preemptively interrupted my later words," dear Leda. Mushdakova, I'm sorry to interrupt you, Captain Karpov is a commander with a fighting spirit, and his troops are holding on to the positions where the Germans do not want to move forward, no matter how fierce the attack is. I don't think it's right to leave such a commander at your division headquarters as a deputy commander of a guard battalion. ”

"Colonel Lyudnikov, my independent division does not need you to give orders!" I also interrupted him unceremoniously, "Do you think I want to leave him in the guard barracks?" It's just that there is no suitable position in the combat unit for a while. Well, the matter of Captain Karpov, we will talk about it later. I have only one task to give you - to keep his life safe, no matter what. ”

When I put down the headset and microphone, I also knew in my heart what a big problem I had given to Lyudnikov, in such a brutal battle, even the life of Major General Ruoludev, the commander of the 37th Guards Division, could not be saved, let alone a small captain. Thankfully, Oleg and Gaidar walked into the command, and I was able to put this annoying thing aside for a moment and give them a new mission.

I walked up to the two of them, and without waiting for them to salute, I preemptively said: "Two comrades lieutenant colonels, I have called you here because I have a new task to explain to you. ”

Hearing that there was a new mission, Gaidar was overjoyed and asked in surprise: "Division commander, is there a new offensive mission?" ”

I shook my head with a wry smile and said to the two of them: "Although our encirclement is like a chain around the neck of the Germans, our division is only a small iron ring in this long chain, and the task of strangling the enemy is not yet our turn, our task is only to ensure that our own iron ring does not break when the enemy's neck is tightened." Well, now I announce to you a new task: the 2nd Regiment will be responsible for the defense of the city of Gorodishe, with a minimum of troops, and at the same time try to replenish the troops; The Fourth Regiment immediately packed up and prepared to follow the division headquarters to the north and enter Kongjiaoyicheng. ”

After listening to me, Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar was full of joy, but Lieutenant Colonel Oleg looked dejected, because he knew in his heart that the chances of the remaining troops to build up meritorious service were far less than those of the combat units. I stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder and comforted him: "Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, there are still many battles to be fought in the future, as long as your regiment can quickly complete the replenishment, and there will be battles for you to fight in the future, are you still worried that there will be no chance of meritorious service?" ”

Oleg, who was struck by what I was talking about, smirked twice, raised his hand and saluted us, turned around and left the division headquarters with Gaidar.

As soon as the two of them left, I immediately instructed Akhromeyev: "Chief of Staff, hurry up and pack your things, we will leave in an hour." ”

As soon as I finished instructing Akhromeyev, Razumeyeva, who was sitting next to the intermediate, stood up again and called out to me: "Comrade division commander, the commander of the 1st regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov, is on the line, and he wants to speak to you." ”

Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov, when I heard the name of the commander of the regiment, I couldn't help but chuckle in my heart, and began to think crankily: "Could it be that the moral army has concentrated its superior forces to launch an attack on the city of Kongjianyi?" After walking over and taking the headset and microphone, my voice changed slightly because I was nervous: "Hey, Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov?" I'm Oshanina, what's wrong? (To be continued......)

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