After Captain Sederikov finished speaking, I did not express any opinion, but moved my eyes to the three regimental commanders present and carefully observed the expressions on their faces.

Gaidar stared intently at the map on the table, as if considering the feasibility of the plan that Shederikov had said.

After Oleg and Kostya glanced at each other, Oleg asked: "Captain Sederikov, according to what you just said, in terms of the number of attacking troops, one assault detachment plus one support detachment is exactly the strength of a company. Am I right? ”

Sedjerikov nodded, agreeing with what Oleg said.

Oleg hurriedly asked again: "Do you think our existing company is capable of fulfilling the task you just mentioned?" ”

Shederikov shook his head slowly, and replied earnestly: "Comrade Oleg, I can tell you very responsibly: no, at least at the current level of the divisional troops, not to mention that one company cannot produce a ready-made commando, even four or five companies cannot do it. So we should require every platoon, every squad, every soldier to learn assault tactics, and this will be the focus of our training in the next few days. ”

After Sedjerikov finished speaking, Gaidar took his attention off the map, looked at me with his eyes and said: "Comrade division commander, I would like to ask you a question, what is the purpose of the army group command to seize this settlement?" You know, judging from the map, the settlement is five kilometers west of the line of defense of our army, there is no danger to defend around, and even if it is captured, it will not be easy to hold because of the enemy's attacking forces. It is possible to cut off the connection between our garrison and the main force very lightly. ”

I have to say about Gaidar's problem. Asked to the point. Several of the regimental commanders turned their eyes to me, quietly waiting for me to give an answer. Gaidar would ask such a question, in fact, I expected it a long time ago, after all, several of them had just been released from the punishment camp and did not know much about the current battle situation. Taking 10,000 steps back, even if they stayed in the army all the time, with their rank, it was impossible for them to understand the operational intentions of the leaders of the group army. All they can do is to direct the troops to attack or move according to the orders given by their superiors.

But since they were now my commanders, I wanted to make them aware of the true intentions of the army, so I stood up, leaned forward, pointed to the map and said: "You see, the army group has built fortifications along the line of Reynok-Spardanovka-Orlovka, relying on villages and hills. Judging by the information currently available, the enemy is massing heavy forces in the Spaldanovka area. An attempt to break through the line of defense of our army group from here. ”

"But, Comrade Divisional Commander. What does this have to do with our seizure of settlements? Cosgaard asked, puzzled.

"As a result of the new fortifications we have built on the heights 158 and 165 of Spaldanovka, the enemy will pay a terrible price if he attempts to break through in this area. Once the enemy's attack here has been frustrated, according to their usual style of play, they will certainly turn the spearhead of the attack to the Reynoch and Orlovka areas, these two sections are plains, there is no dangerous terrain to defend, and the enemy, with their superior forces and weapons, can completely break through the defenses of our army. In this way, they can make a detour back to Spaldanovka, encircle our defenders here, and annihilate them. The commander of the army group understood this sinister intention of the enemy, and ordered the troops in the defensive areas of Reynolds and Orlovka to actively attack, pin down the enemy in front of them, make it impossible for them to divert forces to concentrate in the Spaldanovka area, disrupt the enemy's plans, and buy precious time for our troops to accumulate forces for a counteroffensive. At this point, I deliberately paused to observe everyone's reactions, and seeing that their faces showed expressions of understanding, I continued: "And the operation of our division to attack the residential areas is only a small part of the entire diversionary operation of the group army. ”

After listening to me, Sederikov first stated: "I understand, comrade division commander. Over the next three days, the focus of our training should be on teaching the soldiers how to capture buildings occupied by the enemy. ”

"That's right, Comrade Captain." I promptly expressed my support to him in public, "Then you will be responsible for the training of the whole division." All three of you, you have to obey the command of Captain Sederikov, understand? "The latter sentence, I looked at the other three regiment commanders and asked.

"Understood!" The three regiment leaders hurriedly stood up, straightened their bodies and replied neatly.

I turned my head and asked Kosgaard, who had just commanded the unloading of the truck: "Comrade Captain, what are the things on the convoy that came back with me just now?" ”

Kosgaard, who had just sat down, quickly stood up again when I asked this, and replied respectfully: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, a total of twenty trucks have come. In addition to two vehicles carrying troops, one transporting communications equipment. The remaining seventeen vehicles, except for five transporting food, were all weapons and equipment of all kinds, including two hundred boxes of grenades......"

"Oh my God, two hundred boxes of grenades! It's amazing! Sedelikov couldn't wait to interrupt Kosga's words and excitedly said to me, "Comrade division commander, grenades are an indispensable weapon for fighters when they assault. When striking from a distance, the smoke from the explosion of the grenade can play a role in shielding the enemy's view; When we get close to the building where the enemy is located, the fighters can throw grenades through the window and kill the enemy hiding inside. ”

Hearing Sedelikov speak so methodically, I couldn't help but feel a stir in my heart, his talent has been appreciated by Chuikov, and at the same time, he plans to promote him to deputy division commander after completing this mission, so I might as well simply hand over the command of this battle to him, let him draw up the battle plan, and by the way see what his ability is.

Thinking of this, I no longer hesitated, and said decisively: "Comrades regiment commanders, I plan to have Captain Sedelikov draw up the battle plan and command this battle, do you have any different opinions?" ”

After I finished speaking, the four of them fell silent. After a long while, Senior Lieutenant Kosgaard was the first to speak: "I agree with the division commander's suggestion. No comments. ”

"I don't disagree either." Next to speak was Captain Oleg.

"I'm okay with that." The last to speak was Captain Gaidar.

Shederikov came to my side. He lowered his voice and said, "Comrade Division Commander." Is this appropriate? You know, I only held the position of battalion commander before, and if I want to command a division, I'm afraid I can't do it. ”

I glanced at him, waved at him, and said lightly, "Needless to say, I trust you." From now on, when to train. When to attack, it's up to you to decide. That is, you are solely responsible for the command of this division. ”

I just said a few simple words, which actually made the light in his eyes flash, and seemed to have admiration for me. After a brief loss, he quickly regained his composure, straightened up and said to the other three regiment commanders in a calm tone: "Comrade regiment commanders, let's continue the meeting next.

First of all, everyone knows that even if the commanders have brave commandos, if they are not fully prepared for the attack. It would be in vain to win. Our assault should be carefully prepared, every detail must be taken into account accurately. Study assault targets. Specify the two main elements of the assault plan, which is then prepared.

Secondly, time and suddenness are two extremely important factors for the successful maneuver of the commando. What every commanding commando has to learn is how to use the factors of time and suddenness. It is decisive in battles for the capture of settlements, especially in melee battles that may take place later in the city. Saying this, he paused and looked at Captain Gaidar, who was sitting across from him, "Comrade Gaidar. ”

Gaidar hurriedly stood up and asked respectfully: "Comrade Sedjerikov, do you have any instructions?" ”

Before speaking, Sederikov looked around and then at the ceiling before he continued: "Comrade Gaidar, judging by the headquarters of this regiment you built, there should be construction engineers in your regiment, right?" ”

Gaidar nodded vigorously and replied in the affirmative: "Yes, there are about a dozen architectural engineers, and among them there are two well-known architects, and in Stalingrad there are houses and sculptures designed by them." Do you need me to call them all here? ”

Why did Sedjerikov suddenly ask about the construction engineer, knowing that we don't need to repair the fortifications at all? Although I was puzzled, I remained silent and watched them quietly, waiting for the final answer to be revealed.

Sederikov waved his hand at Gaidar and said with a smile: "Architects don't need to, they are the precious wealth of our country, and when the war is over in the future and we rebuild our homeland, we will need them to give advice." Comrade Gaidar, after the meeting is adjourned later, you go back and select a few clever fighters, organize a reconnaissance detachment with a construction engineer, and set out to reconnoiter the vicinity of the settlement where we are going to attack.

Keep in mind that the scouts should find out the type of building in the settlement, the thickness of the slabs and walls, the presence of basements, the location of entrances and exits, the nature of the fortifications constructed by the enemy, the location of concealed shooting holes, the location and shape of obstacles, and the possibility of communication between enemy defenders at the fire support point and other friendly forces. ”

Gaidar said with a grim face: "Comrade Captain, maybe our scouts simply cannot get close to the population and provide this information you need. ”

Sederikov said confidently: "Comrade Gaidar, the reason why I asked you to have a construction engineer in the reconnaissance team sent is to let him observe the construction of the settlement. You should know that any expert architectural engineer can answer most of my questions just by looking at the exterior of the building.

With this information, the commander commanding the commando unit can quickly ascertain the configuration of the enemy's firing points, its strafing sectors, and its dead ends. If we do not reconnoiter the daily life of the enemy defenders and the lethality of the fire of the adjacent buildings, then we cannot be said to have a complete understanding of the targets of the attack. And the complete information will undoubtedly have a direct impact on how we choose the most favorable time for the assault. ”

After explaining the task to Gaidar, he nodded to Oleg, who was sitting on the left side: "Captain Oleg!" ”

"Here!" While standing up, the captain answered loudly, and then asked politely: "Comrade Captain, I don't know what instructions you have?" ”

"If I'm not mistaken, there are more than a hundred veterans with combat experience in your regiment." Shedelikov was also not polite. Straight to the point.

"Exactly. Comrade Captain. Oleg replied: "There are 300 commanders and fighters from the punishment battalion in the whole division. In addition to the 84 commanders, including us, there are 216 people. Among them, there were 23 people in one regiment, 47 people in the third regiment, 31 people in the fourth regiment, and 115 people in our regiment. ”

When I heard Captain Oleg's report, I was grateful to Chuikov, and among the 20,000 soldiers who were replenished this time, there were commanders and fighters with combat experience. There were only 500 men, and he added 300 of them to my independent division. If I can't satisfactorily complete the task he gave to my division this time, I won't have the face to see him in the future.

I quickly gathered my mind and continued to listen to Sederikov continue: "...... The tactics of the commandos are based on the swiftness of each fighter's actions, excessive bravery, and initiative. For the commandos, it is necessary to adopt the most flexible tactics, because suddenly the enemy's fortified buildings will encounter a series of unexpected situations after entering the intricate rooms occupied by the enemy. It is possible that the enemy will turn to counterattack in the building. But if the commandos are all veterans, then don't be afraid! Because we have seized the initiative, it is already in our hands. We will fight fiercely with grenades, rifles, submachine guns, daggers, shovels. The fighting in the house was fierce. Therefore, you should always be prepared for the unexpected and not take it lightly. ”

Oleg listened to Sederikov's words. He replied loudly: "Please rest assured, Comrade Captain, that tomorrow we will gather together the veterans, and then equip some of the able-bodied recruits to form a number of commandos." The combination of old and new forces for joint training allows the commandos to form combat effectiveness in a short period of time. ”

Sederikov nodded with satisfaction, and then said to the anticipatory Kosga: "Captain Kosga. ”

Kosgaard almost jumped up from his stool, raised his hand in salute, and said loudly, "Here! Comrade Sedjerikov, Captain Kosgaard reports to you and is waiting for your instructions! ”

Listening to Sedelikov's clear and methodical orders to the three regiment commanders, I couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. It seems that it was a wise move for me to hand over the command to Sederikov, and his addition not only corrected several loopholes in my original plan, but also proposed a number of refreshing proposals, which, in my opinion, were made more perfect by his additions. Although the plan would not have failed without his participation, as a commander with rich combat experience, his grasp of the details of the battle and the adjustment of the key sequence played the role of the finishing touch, which immediately made my eyes shine. I can't help but secretly sigh that he is a grassroots commander who has been in the army for more than a dozen years, and since he can be transferred from the punishment camp and entrusted with important tasks by the people of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it proves that he is indeed outstanding.

The combat meeting ended quickly, and Shederikov turned sideways and asked me for instructions: "Comrade division commander, the meeting is over, can we adjourn it?" ”

Seeing that everyone's eyes were on me, I quickly stood up and said to them, "Commanders, wait a minute, I still have something to announce." From now on, my division headquarters will be set up at the regimental headquarters of a regiment, and if each regiment has anything to report, it can directly contact me by telephone or telephone. ”

"Comrade division commander," Captain Oleg cried bitterly, "but my regiment has no communications equipment!" ”

"Don't worry, there will be communication equipment and communication soldiers." After comforting him, I shouted outside: "Sergeant Lazumeeva! ”

At my shout, Razumeyeva, who had been waiting for a long time, strode into the headquarters. After raising his hand and saluting me, he stood quietly at the door.

I introduced to the four regiment commanders: "Comrade regiment commander, this is Sergeant Lazumayeva, the head of the communications squad sent by the command of the army group. She would distribute her subordinates and the corresponding communications equipment to the regiments. At this point, I looked at Razumeyeva again, raised my voice and asked her, "Are you ready?" Comrade Sergeant. ”

"Report to Comrade Division Commander, the communications squad has long been on standby."

"Good! Then you can assign the men to the regiments now. ”

Razumeyeva agreed, leaned slightly to the side, and shouted outside: "Corporal Nadya, Corporal Gulyaeva, Private Taya, you three come in." The female communications soldier, whom she had called by name, walked in quickly, and as soon as she entered, she stood in a neat row beside her.

Razumeeva kept giving orders: "Nadya, you take a male soldier, carrying a walkie-talkie and ten telephones, to Captain Oleg's 2nd regiment; Corporal Gulyaeva, you also take a male soldier, carrying a walkie-talkie and a telephone, to the 3rd Regiment of Captain Koska; Private Taya, you and the male soldier carry the walkie-talkie and the telephone to Gaidar's 4th Regiment to report. The rest of the communications corps, with me, remained in the regiment of Captain Sedjerikov. ”

Listening to Razumeyeva's orders, I couldn't help but nod my head secretly, she was not idle during the time she was outside the door, and she actually figured out the organization of the independent division so quickly, and even the names of the commanders of the regiments were not wrong.

Seeing that she had finished allocating manpower, I hurriedly urged Oleg, Kosga, and Gaidar: "Hey, I said Comrade Regiment Commander, what are you still doing in a daze?" Why don't you hurry up and bring the communications corps back to your regimental headquarters. ”

The three of them agreed, first moved a walkie-talkie in the corner, and then left with the female soldiers assigned to their regiment. (To be continued......)

PS: Heartfelt thanks to book friends: children Yang, Li Yunxi, and Drifting in the Wind の Yiye Xiaozhou for their valuable monthly ticket support.