Several German machine gunners on the opposite bank, probably spotting the tank moving down the street, ignored the danger of being destroyed by artillery fire after being discovered by the tank parked at the bridgehead, and fired more frantically in our direction. Listening to the bullets whizzing overhead, I had to crouch down and crouch in the trench to give Dubrovsky an account of my mission in order to avoid being hit by a stray bullet.

I said loudly to Dubrovsky, who was crouching opposite me: "Captain, the number of German troops on the other side is limited, and if our offensive is more fierce, the enemy will not be able to hold it." Now that our tanks are coming up, I'll give you an hour to be sure to take down the opposite position for me. ”

As soon as I finished speaking, Akhromeyev, who was squatting behind me, also added loudly: "Comrade Captain, will your battalion be able to complete the task?" If it can't be done, you can say it, and I will immediately hand over the task of attacking to another battalion to complete. ”

Although it could be heard from Akhromeyev's tone that this was an obvious agitation, Dubrovsky still fell for the trick, he stood up sharply, ignored the bullets flying overhead, lowered his head and said loudly: "Commander, regimental commander, please rest assured, even if my battalion is completely destroyed, I will take the enemy's position." ”

With that, he pulled out the pistol at his waist, climbed all over the trench, and stood in front of the trench. Looking around at the commanders and fighters who were still in the trenches, he opened his throat and shouted: "Follow me in a row!" Then he ran forward with his pistol raised, and the commanders and fighters of the first company hurriedly climbed out of the trench one after another, shouting and following closely behind.

I looked up at my arm, and it was exactly 8:30. I turned to Akhromeyev and asked: "Major, do you think Captain Dubrovsky will succeed?" ”

Akhromeyev after listening to my question. He nodded vigorously. He replied affirmatively: "Please rest assured, Comrade Commander." The 1st Battalion was the most combat-ready of the three regiments, and I am sure that since Captain Dubrovsky personally led the charge, we will soon have good news. ”

As we talked, two tanks rumbled past us, but I couldn't help but be stunned when I saw the car following behind. It took me a while to come to my senses, pat Akhromeyev on the shoulder with my hand, and asked loudly: "Hey." Comrade Major, am I dazzled, the car that followed the tank seems to be the "Katyusha" rocket launcher of our army, right? ”

Akhromeyev nodded like a chicken pecking rice and replied: "Yes, Comrade Commander, it's really our Katyusha rocket artillery. ”

Although I received an affirmative answer from Akhromeyev, this rocket launcher that suddenly appeared still made me wonder: "Hell, where did they get the rocket launcher from Perstian?" ”

"I guess it was captured by the Germans from our army." Akhromeyev frowned and analyzed for me: "Maybe they saw only one. I didn't think it was useful, so I threw it in the warehouse. Presumably after Major Perstian they captured Canivo. The rocket launcher was recaptured from the warehouse. ”

By this time Dubrovsky had rushed to the northern section of the bridge, but was blocked by the enemy's dense fire, and they were pinned down on the ground and could not raise their heads.

At this moment, my attention was focused on the two tanks that had just driven to the bridgehead, and the "Katyusha" rocket launchers, to see how they supported the infantry in front with artillery fire.

Two tanks stopped next to the original one, and the three tanks lined up and fired at the German positions opposite, destroying the machine-gun fire points that were frantically spraying death.

Seeing the "Katyusha" rocket launcher, which staggered to the side of the tank and stopped, the fighters in the cab got out of the car, and while preparing for launch, Akhromeyev could not help but exclaim: "Oh my God, they won't shoot like this, will they?" At such a close distance, the shock wave of the explosion would have hurt our own people. ”

Before Akhromeyev could jump out of the trench to stop this risky move of the artillerymen, the rockets on the rocket launchers were already flying out in flames. It was too late, and the rocket, dragged the long flame tail, flew in the air for only a second or two, and then rushed headlong into the position on the western side of the German army. Then there was an earth-shattering explosion, and the area hit was immediately enveloped in gunpowder smoke and firelight, and countless fragments of cement, weapon parts, and human stumps were thrown into the air by the air wave.

Because the explosion was so close, not only did we feel the ground trembling, but even the loud explosion shook me to the core. Akhromeyev was shouting at me so loudly that my ears felt like they were stuffed with cotton, and his voice seemed to come from far away, and I couldn't hear what he was saying.

I hurriedly rubbed my ears with my hands, leaned closer to him and listened closely, only to hear clearly what he was saying: "Comrade commander, you can't let the rocket artillery fire." You see, although they destroyed the German positions in one fell swoop, the wide killing area of the rocket artillery, and the loud explosions, would have accidentally injured our own fighters. They must be made to stop shooting. ”

When I heard what he was saying, I waved my hand at him and said in a loud voice, "Go, Comrade Major." Tell Major Perstian that rocket artillery should no longer be involved in firing, except that tanks continue to increase artillery support for our infantry. ”

"Yes!" Akhromeyev loudly agreed, crawled out of the trench, bent over and ran forward.

As soon as Akhromeyev left, Yushchenko, who had been following us all along, hurriedly persuaded me: "Comrade commander, it's too dangerous here, let's go back to the temporary headquarters." ”

I looked at the smoke on the other side, the gunfire that rang incessantly, and the stray bullets that still passed overhead from time to time, and I really wanted to return to the relative safety of the temporary headquarters immediately. Just as he was about to nod, he suddenly saw that there were still many commanders and fighters of the three regiments in the trenches, so he immediately changed his mind and felt that he could not leave here for the time being. If he returned to the command post in the building in front of so many commanders and fighters, it would still have an impact on the morale of the army to some extent.

Thinking of this, I hurriedly waved my hand at Yushchenko, and pretended to be calm and said: "Comrade Captain, I will not go anywhere until Major Akhromeyev and they seize the opposite position. "Seeing that he still wanted to persuade me. I stopped him immediately. "In the shelling just now. The enemy in the position had already suffered heavy losses, and they could not hold out for long. As soon as the battle here is over, I'll go back to headquarters. ”

Seeing that I was so stubborn, Yushchenko didn't dare to continue to persuade me, so he could only agree aggrievedly, and honestly stood by the side, fulfilling his duties.

The western side of the German ring fortifications, under the blow of the rocket artillery just now. The recalcitrant officers and men inside were killed and wounded, and almost all the firing points were destroyed, and they could no longer pose a threat to us. Now only the Germans in the trenches and fortifications to the north and east were still firing at us.

Although we had three tanks constantly firing at the enemy's positions, the enemy's defensive artillery on the positions was not to be outdone, concentrating artillery fire on our tanks. Sporadic shells fell on the perimeter of our tanks and exploded, and from time to time the flying shrapnel cut down the nearby commanders and fighters.

And Captain Dubrovsky and his subordinates were still lying on the northern section of the bridge without moving, I don't know if it was the explosion just now, which temporarily deprived them of the ability to attack. When I was hesitating whether to send someone to call Dubrovsky and them back, let the rocket artillery come back for two more rounds of covered fire. When the Germans on the position are almost wiped out, it is time to attack again.

Yushchenko, who was standing in the back, suddenly grabbed my arm. Emotionally cried out: "Comrade commander, look, look, on the eastern side, on the eastern position of the German army, there seems to be chaos. It seems that someone is fighting with them. ”

After hearing Yushchenko's reminder, I muttered in a low voice: "Nonsense, our people are still lying on the bridgehead and dare not move, where will anyone rush into the positions of the German army and fight with them." As soon as I finished speaking, I suddenly remembered that in the smuggling squad last night, the whereabouts of the squad led by Captain Rosenberg, the commander of the second company, were unknown. I thought they had all died in the river, but had they managed to get to the opposite bank last night and hide themselves in the rear of the enemy? Thinking of this possibility, I quickly turned my binoculars around and looked in the direction that Yushchenko pointed out to me.

Through the lens of the telescope, I saw that in the trenches on the east side of the opposite bank, hand-to-hand combat was going on. Several machine guns, which were desperately firing at the bridgehead and suppressing our troops, suddenly fell silent, and the enemy in the trenches fell into chaos. After a period of observation, I found that some of the steel helmets that were shaking in the trenches were the standard of our army, and I immediately judged that the unit that was engaged in the exchange of fire with the Germans must be Captain Rosenberg's detachment.

Not only did I find something strange in the German position, but even Dubrovsky, who was pinned down at the bridgehead. The commanders and fighters who were originally lying on the ground stood up in a hula and braved the enemy's bullets and bullets to bravely rush towards the enemy position in front.

The German troops, who were suppressed by our artillery fire, were already struggling to support, but they did not expect that a small detachment of our army would suddenly rush out from their flank, and they were suddenly in chaos. Seeing that the commanders and fighters who were suppressed by them at the head of the bridge with firepower rushed over like tigers descending from the mountain, they immediately lost their morale, and either turned around and climbed out of the trench and ran to the north, or stayed in the trench and obediently raised their hands and surrendered.

After the battle, I took Yushchenko towards the bridgehead. At this time, the medical team, with the assistance of some commanders and fighters, carried down the bodies of the wounded and martyrs in front of them one after another.

Standing at the mouth of the bridge, I first saw the bodies of our commanders and fighters lying on the bridge, and then I saw the wounded lying on stretchers covered in blood, being carried past me. What worries me the most is a second lieutenant who has been carried down, his skull has been torn open by shrapnel or bullets, and his snow-white brain is flowing down the stretcher with bright red blood. When I saw this scene, I couldn't help but shudder and quickly looked away.

Fortunately, at this time, I saw Akhromeyev with Dubrovsky, as well as Captain Rosenberg, who had just established his merits, walking briskly towards me. I hurriedly greeted them, and while they were still far away, I took the initiative to extend my hand to them, and at the same time said loudly, "Major, I congratulate you. Congratulations on your success in capturing the enemy's positions. ”

The three of them stopped in front of me in unison, straightened themselves and replied: "Serve the Soviet Fatherland!" ”

I went up and shook hands with them one by one, especially when I shook hands with Captain Rosenberg, and I said in a friendly way: "Comrade Captain, I am very relieved to see that you are still alive. By the way, since you managed to cross the Dnieper last night, why didn't you signal the regiment according to the regulations? It also caused your regimental commander, Major Akhromeyev, to think that you had died. ”

Captain Rosenberg heard my question and replied with a wry smile: "Report to Comrade Commander,...... Commander" At this time, Akhromeyev interrupted him, reminding: "Now it is not time to call the commander, but to call the commander." Our corps commander was promoted yesterday to commander of the newly formed campaign group. ”

Hearing Akhromeyev say this, Captain Rosenberg's eyes lit up, and he immediately reported to me again: "Comrade commander, allow me to report to you on last night's crossing of the river. Seeing that I nodded in approval, he continued, "When our boat was in the middle of the river, it was smashed by the ice floe, and the commanders and fighters swam desperately to the north shore with the broken planks. As for why I didn't send a signal according to the regulations, it was because the flashlight I was carrying accidentally fell into the river, so I couldn't send a signal to the regiment according to the regulations. ”

"I see." Hearing him say this, I immediately understood the whole thing, and then asked with concern, "What about the casualties of the squad?" ”

"When crossing the river, one of the soldiers went missing, presumably killed." Rosenberg said of the soldiers who died in the river when he was smuggling with him, and his face showed a sad expression: "In the battle just now, two fighters were wounded and three were killed. ”

"Whether it's a martyr or a living survivor." As soon as Captain Rosenberg finished speaking, I immediately said: "They are all our heroes, and I will give them credit and decorations, and let them record their deeds, so that our children and grandchildren will always remember them." Captain, you will report their names to me later, and I will let Comrade Political Commissar personally follow up on the matter. ”

"Yes!" Captain Rosenberg, with excitement on his face, replied loudly in a loud voice.

When Akhromeyev and I returned to the temporary headquarters, we saw that the ground floor had been turned into a makeshift hospital. Almost all of the wounded who were carried back were lying here, and the few hygienists were busy with their feet on the ground, nervously bandaging the wounds of the wounded. I stood there and watched for a while, and after the bandages and tourniquets in the medical kit of one of the hygienists had been used, he had torn his shirt into strips of cloth to bandage the wounded.

Seeing this, I turned to Akhromeyev and said: "Major, immediately send someone to the hospital in the city to see if you can find enough bandages and tourniquets, as well as the necessary medicines, and send them here immediately." Since our warriors did not die on the battlefield, we must not let them die here. Do you understand? ”

"Understood," Akhromeyev replied in a whisper, "I will immediately arrange for men to do this." (To be continued......)