After waiting for everyone to be quiet, Zhukov stood up and said to them: "Comrade commanders, I think that this special training method of Commander Oshanina is very suitable in the current situation. Improving the combat effectiveness of all units is the most important task at present, otherwise we will have to suffer losses in the event of a fight with the German army, and you must not take it lightly. ”

Hearing Zhukov say this, all the division commanders stood up in unison and replied neatly again: "Yes!" "If when they answered me just now, they were somewhat perfunctory, but at this moment, in the face of the highly respected deputy commander-in-chief and marshal of the Soviet Union, their answer is from the bottom of their hearts.

After the meeting, Zhukov ordered the division commanders to return to their units and go to pre-battle preparations. He remained in the headquarters and discussed specific issues with me, Danilov, Kirillov, and Povsky.

The specific issue that Zhukov wants to discuss with us is actually what I have just mentioned, when the Germans launch a fierce attack on the defensive areas of our army, in order to reduce unnecessary sacrifices, if necessary, we can abandon some plans for unnecessary areas.

Zhukov was quick to talk, and he didn't go around in circles with me, and said bluntly: "Lida, now that the big war is imminent, the tactic of 'not caring about the gains and losses of one city or one place' you put forward is still only tried in your 6th Guards Army, and the other group armies will not be considered for the time being, so as not to cause confusion." After saying this, he suddenly changed the topic and asked uneasily: "How are your preparations at present?" ”

I pondered for a moment and replied solemnly: "Comrade Marshal, all divisions of our army group are in a state of combat readiness and can cope with an attack launched by the Germans at any time. ”

Hearing me say so confidently, Zhukov's face showed a look of distrust, and he snorted lightly. Then he asked: "Is it true that the situation of losing position No. 4 last time will not happen again?" ”

"Comrade Marshal, please rest assured that the incident of the last time will definitely not happen again." Hearing Zhukov mention the incident that brought shame to the entire army group, Danilov's face was flushed with shame, and he got up from his seat. Explained loudly to Zhukov: "Since the recapture of position No. 4, Comrade Commander and I have visited many times, and urged the regiment commander who defended the section to lay a minefield in front of the position and pull up barbed wire. In this way, the Germans will not be able to sneak into the positions of our troops as they did last time. ”

Zhukov listened to Danilov's words, stared at him for a long time, and then looked sideways at me. Only then did he say unhurriedly: "Since you are so confident, then I will believe you for the time being, and I hope that when the battle really starts, this No. 4 position will not become the first position lost in your first line of defense." ”

In order to reassure Zhukov, I also quickly got up from my seat and assured him: "Comrade Marshal, please rest assured that we will resolutely hold the fourth position at all costs. Even if only one fighter is still alive. Nor will it give up its position. ”

After listening to this, Zhukov snorted. Then he said, "Didn't you say don't care about the gains and losses of one city or one place? How did this turn into holding position 4 at all costs, isn't this contradictory to what you just said? ”

Hearing Zhukov's reproach to me, I did not immediately defend myself, but pushed the map in front of him, pointed to the defensive position of our army and said to him: "Comrade Marshal. We have a total of six main defensive positions on the first line of defense, and Position 4 is one of them. In front of these positions, we laid minefields and pulled up barbed wire; There was a well-developed defense system built on the basis of tunnels on the positions. And it was heavily defended. Even if the first line of defense is broken by the Germans, as long as we hold these six fire support points, then when our troops carry out a counterattack, we can cut off the retreat of the German army. ”

Zhukov stared at the map for a long time, then stood up and said to us: "Okay, since you have a careful arrangement, then I won't say more. I just hope that after the fight, your performance will not disappoint me. ”

"Rest assured, Comrade Marshal," I hastened to reassure Zhukov, "we will not let you down." ”

As soon as Zhukov left, I immediately called Nekrasov, who had just returned to the unit, after all, it was the 52nd Guards Division that was exploited by the Germans last time because of its poor defense, and now that the big war is imminent, the mistakes of the past cannot be repeated.

As soon as the phone called, I hurriedly said: "Hey, is it Colonel Nekrasov?" I am Commander Oshanina. ”

"Hello, Comrade Commander!" Nekrasov's voice was a little distant, "I just rushed back to the troops, I don't know what other instructions you have?" ”

"Comrade Colonel, I would like to remind you." I know that as the commander of the group army, I need to establish my prestige, and sometimes I need to be strong in front of my subordinates, otherwise these old soldiers will not buy my account, "The No. 4 position in your division's defense area may once again become the focus of the German offensive, so you must strengthen your vigilance, understand?" ”

"Comrade Commander," said Nekrasov, a little in a strange way, "we have laid mines to the south of position No. 4 in accordance with your order, and have drawn barbed wire, and it is impossible for the Germans to sneak into our positions again." ”

I didn't care about his attitude, but asked bluntly: "How many defenders are there on the position?"

"A reinforced company, 185 people." Nekrasov reported to me: "In peacetime, most of the troops are hidden in the tunnels, and only two reinforced platoons are placed in the trenches outside. ”

Thinking that the German sneak attack would not succeed and that it would be possible to send tanks to cover the infantry charge, I hurriedly asked: "Are you equipped with heavy weapons?" ”

"There are five mortars, and three new anti-tank rocket launchers."

When I heard that the No. 4 position was equipped with a new 40 rocket launcher, I suddenly felt a lot more at ease, and with this east, even if the Germans dispatched the latest Tiger or Leopard tanks, they would still be beaten into a pile of scrap metal by such bazookas. Although the strength and defensive deployment of Position 4 sounded impeccable, I still asked uneasily: "Do you still have any difficulties?" ”

"Difficult?!" Nekrasov thought for a moment and replied: "Comrade commander, at present there are weeds and shrubs half a meter high on the southern slope, which seriously obscure the view of our troops, and last time the Germans used the cover of vegetation. Quietly touched the position of our troops. Because I ask you, should the vegetation on the southern slope be cleared immediately? ”

"No, Comrade Colonel, you don't need to clear the vegetation." It occurred to me that if the southern slope of Position No. 4 was really bare, our army's field of vision would indeed be broadened, but it would not be conducive to the concealment of the attacking team. Therefore, he decisively rejected his proposal and instructed him: "You immediately send men to lay mines in some of the firing corners to prevent the German attack at night." ”

"Yes," Nekrasov could only reluctantly agree, hearing my order: "I will immediately arrange for sappers to go to minelay." ”

Before I hung up the phone, I also specifically told him: "Colonel, don't forget the kind of training I said at the meeting today, you should hurry up and train new recruits." The enemy has not much time left for us to prepare for battle. ”

For the next few days, when the German side was calm and there was no movement at all, Travkin's reconnaissance detachment, after returning from behind enemy lines, brought me another piece of information on the location of the German army's assembly. After briefly reading the information, I immediately sent Rasmikhin to the headquarters of the Front, hoping to attract the attention of Vatutin.

As for Travkin's reconnaissance detachments, I gave them the order. It's just to rest in place and wait for the right time. Send them out again to reconnoitre.

At half past three in the morning on July 4th, I was sleeping on my desk when I was awakened by the sudden ringing of the phone, I grabbed the phone and said loudly: "Hey, I'm Oshanina, where are you?" ”

Nekrasov's panicked voice came from the earpiece: "Comrade commander. The Germans have launched a major attack on Heights No. 4! ”

"What, the Germans are on the offensive?" When I heard the news, I couldn't help but chuckle in my heart, and said that the Battle of Kursk didn't break out in the early morning of the 5th, how could it be a day earlier? Is it because of my presence? Causing the known history to deviate again? My voice was so loud that it woke up the rest of the command who were napping, and Danilov, Kirillov, and Bezikov all looked at me nervously, trying to figure out what was going on. However, in this case, I, as the supreme commander of the group army, must remain calm so as not to cause panic. Therefore, after a brief period of consternation, I asked in as calm a tone as possible: "Comrade Colonel, report the situation, what kind of troops did the German troops use to attack position No. 4?" ”

Nekrasov, probably not expecting me to ask such a question, replied after a moment of silence: "Comrade commander, according to the telephone report of the company commander who held the position, the Germans have dispatched at least ten tanks and two hundred soldiers and are attacking position No. 4. ”

When I heard that there were only a few hundred enemies, I couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and it was a bit too self-sufficient to easily seize our position with such a small number of troops. Fearing that I had misheard, I asked again: "Comrade Colonel, what did you just say?" I didn't hear clearly, please say it again. ”

"The Germans sent a company of infantry, under the cover of ten tanks, and were attacking position four." Nekrasov was not as flustered as he had just now, and he reported clearly.

"In addition to the forces you mentioned, does the enemy have troops deployed in other directions?" After I said this, I realized that I was not accurate enough, and quickly added: "I mean, did the Germans attack several of your other positions?" ”

"No, Comrade Commander." Nekrasov replied respectfully: "This group of enemies was supposed to make a sneak attack on position No. 4, but they stepped on the mines we had planted on the hillside, and the sound of the explosion attracted the attention of our commanders and fighters, as a result of which they had to turn the sneak attack into a strong attack." ”

"I understand, Comrade Colonel, report to me at any time if there is a situation." After that, I interrupted the call with him and made another call to the 51st Guards Division.

As soon as I heard Tavart Kiradze's voice coming out of the earpiece, I immediately asked: "Comrade General, the Germans are attacking the junction between you and the 52nd Division, how are your three positions there?" ”

"Report to Comrade Commander." When Tavart Kiradze heard my question, he immediately replied: "I just called three positions a minute ago, and they were all calm and there was no trace of the enemy. ”

His answer surprised me, so far, the entire first line of defense, only the Germans are attacking position No. 4, and the rest of the positions are safe and sound, I really don't know what the Germans are doing. After I sighed, I said to Tavart Kiradze, "Comrade General, I understand, continue to observe, and report to me in time if there is any situation." ”

As soon as I put down the phone, I told Danilov and Kirillov about my doubts. Kirillov was a political cadre, and he did not have any good opinions on military affairs, but after listening to my words, Danilov frowned and thought for a while before he said cautiously: "Comrade commander, I think that the battle that took place in position No. 4 was not a large-scale attack by the German army, but rather a pre-war reconnaissance. ”

Danilov's words made me even more confused, and in order to find out what was going on, I humbly asked him for advice: "Pre-war reconnaissance? What does this mean, I don't quite understand, Comrade Deputy Commander, can you explain it to me? ”

"Comrade commander, according to our judgment, the German army should launch a large-scale offensive operation against our defense area in the next few days." Instead of answering my question right away, Danilov asked rhetorically: "Do you agree with my statement?" ”

I nodded and replied, "Yes, according to all indications, a major German attack on us is imminent. But what about this pre-war reconnaissance? ”

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Danilov patiently explained to me: "The Germans chose a point of our line of defense and made a tentative attack to test the reaction of our troops. If the attack fails, they just retreat; If one of our positions is captured by chance, then this will become the starting point for their attack. Don't forget, Position 4 is located at the junction of the 51st and 52nd Divisions, and if it succeeds in capturing it, it will cut our first line of defense into two disconnected sections that can be broken through by their attacking forces. ”

"Understood, Comrade Deputy Commander." Danilov's words are all said for this part, and if I don't understand it, I am not worthy of being the commander of this army group at all. I turned my head and instructed Bezikov, who was standing next to me: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately send a telegram to the headquarters of the Front, saying that the first line of defense of our army has been attacked by a small group of German troops, and after analysis, it may be that the Germans are conducting pre-battle reconnaissance and ask them to instruct them on the next move." (To be continued.) )