Sederikov's loud voice came out of the headphones, and even Kirillov and Akhromeyev, who were standing next to me, heard it, and they couldn't help but smile with relief on their faces. My originally bad mood became cheerful because of this report of Sederikov.

After listening to the reports of the two regiments, I had a sufficient understanding of the shape in front of me: because the positions of the first regiment had been operated for a longer time and the fortifications were relatively well-built, it was only possible to retain enough troops in the main position during the enemy's shelling and bombardment. And the positions handed over by the former tank corps received by the 3rd regiment were not well fortified in various ways, and the placement of troops in these places during the shelling and bombardment was purely for them to die, so Godunov's decision to withdraw the main forces to the southern slope was also understandable.

The three of us returned to the table and began to discuss the counterattack on 107.5 Heights. Akhromeyev was the first to ask: "Division commander, do we need to send reinforcements to the third regiment?" ”

Hearing Akhromeyev's question, Kirillov also turned his eyes to me and waited for my answer. I glanced at the map on the table, waved at him and said, "No, although the three regiments and one battalion are almost completely lost, with the strength of their regiment, it is enough to recover the 107.5 heights." You must know that there are still more than 1,000 people in the third regiment, which is more than the total strength of the disabled divisions in the city combined. ”

Akhromeyev sighed and said: "Since the third regiment still has so many troops, then there is no need to give them any more troops." I once looked at the 107.5 heights, and the width of the south slope was too narrow. You can't show too many troops. With that, he turned his gaze to Kirillov to hear what he had to say.

Kirillov said lightly: "The combat effectiveness of the three regiments. It's not bad in the whole division, and with so many troops, I don't doubt their ability to retake the heights. ”

It seemed that the opinions of the division leadership were completely unanimous, so I instructed Akhromeyev: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you call Captain Morozov and ask him to send a detachment of heavy howitzers of Second Lieutenant Tiyakonov to immediately carry out artillery shelling on the 107.5 heights. The Germans must not be allowed to gain a foothold on the high ground. ”

After chatting with Morozov on the phone, Akhromeyev covered the microphone with his hand and asked me for instructions: "Comrade division commander, Captain Morozov asks for instructions. Do you use only two guns, as you did yesterday, or do you use all the guns? ”

"Needless to say, of course, all five howitzers are used." I also went out of my way to explain to him: "Anyway, it's getting dark now, and the German planes don't pose much of a threat to our artillery positions." ”

Akhromeyev nodded. Release the hand that is holding the microphone. I was about to repeat my order to Morozov, but a timid voice came from the side: "Comrade Colonel, can I say a few words?" ”

I turned my head and saw that it was the wounded pilot, Captain Popkov. Hearing that he had something to say, I nodded and said amicably: "Say, Comrade Captain, if you have anything to say." ”

After getting my permission. Popkov boldly said: "Comrade Colonel, you don't know something. The German air force was now equipped with a large number of night aircraft, which meant that even at night they could bombard our positions as indiscriminately as they did during the day. Our troops suffered losses from such aircraft of the enemy in the Battle of Kharkov a few months ago. ”

Popkov's words made Akhromeyev, who was about to deliver the order, hesitate, and he looked at me in embarrassment to see what decision I would make. I frowned and pondered Popkov's words, if the howitzer detachment was not used, the troops attacking the 107.5 heights would have suffered heavy casualties, and if they were used, it was possible that there would really be a situation as the captain had said, and the enemy would send night planes to bombard our artillery positions, and then the heavy weapons in the division would have been lost.

Seeing that I didn't speak for a long time, not only Akhromeyev was anxious, but even Kirillov was a little anxious. Since Akhromeyev's position was relatively low, he did not dare to interrupt my train of thought casually, so he just held the microphone and looked at me anxiously, waiting for my reply. Kirillov, on the other hand, had no scruples, and when he saw that I was slow to answer, he asked unceremoniously: "Comrade Oshanina, have you thought about it?" This howitzer detachment, is it used or not? ”

At this point, I finally made up my mind, and I decisively ordered Akhromeyev: "Chief of staff, the original order remains unchanged, or put all the howitzers into battle, and tell Second Lieutenant Sù Tiyakonov that in order to give full play to the dauntless revolutionary spirit of putting life and death aside, it is imperative to crush the enemy occupying the heights with artillery fire in the shortest possible time, and cover the counterattack carried out by the third regiment." ”

Akhromeyev nodded vigorously and repeated my order loudly into the microphone: "Captain Godunov, the division commander orders to immediately put all howitzers into battle, and tell Second Lieutenant Sù Tiyakonov that in order to give full play to the dauntless revolutionary spirit of putting life and death aside, it is imperative to crush the enemy occupying the heights with artillery fire in the shortest possible time and cover the counterattack carried out by the 3rd Regiment." ”

While Kirillov and Akhromeyev continued to communicate with their subordinate units, I called Popkov aside and sat down, first asking him with concern: "Comrade Captain, is it okay with your injuries?" ”

Popkov raised his hand and touched his forehead, which was wrapped in gauze, shook his head with a smile, and replied lightly: "Comrade Colonel, thank you for your concern, I have all suffered skin wounds, which does not affect my ability to go into battle as soon as I return to the unit." ”

Hearing that he himself said that the injury was not serious, I was much more relieved, and then changed the subject: "Captain Popkov, do you know where the field airfield of the German army is?" ”

Popkov was a clever man, and when he heard me ask, he immediately understood what he meant, and asked tentatively with a smile on his face: "Comrade Colonel, if I am not mistaken, you are planning to send troops to attack the enemy's airfield, right?" ”

It's easy to talk to smart people, and before I could ask about the subject, he actually guessed what I wanted to ask. I nodded, acquiescing in my intention to send troops to attack the German field airfield. At the same time, he asked rhetorically: "Captain Popkov, do you think this plan is feasible?" ”

Originally, he would have supplemented me with some details of the sneak attack, and even provided me with information on the location of the German field airfield. Unexpectedly, he shook his head and said regretfully: "Comrade Colonel, although your idea is very bold, in my opinion, there is no possibility of implementation at all? ”

His words surprised me, and I quickly asked rhetorically: "Captain Popkov, why do you say that?" ”

Popkov stood up. He politely made a gesture of invitation to me, then took the lead to the table, leaned down and pointed to the map on the table, and said, "Comrade Colonel." You see, from the direction from which the enemy planes are flying, the field airfield of the German army must be located west of the Don River. If you're going to send troops to sneak attack. It was necessary to pass through the enemy's battle ranks, march for one or two hundred kilometers and then cross the Don. And you can't send less troops, otherwise you won't be able to break through the German alert at all. A force of considerable size had to march one or two hundred kilometers on foot in the middle of the enemy's battle ranks, and unless the Germans were all blind and deaf, it would never have been impossible to find this force. ”

After listening to Popkov's words, Kirillov sighed, and said with a worried face: "Captain Popkov is right. If the German airfield is not far from our lines, we will make a sneak attack. There is also hope for success. Judging from the current situation, the airport is most likely to be on the west bank of the Don River, and it is unlikely that we want to make another sneak attack. ”

Although I knew that both of them had a point, I still asked Popkov unwillingly: "Comrade Captain, has your air force bombed the enemy's airfields and logistics bases?" "I'm thinking that the infantry can't sneak up on the German airfield and use our air force to bomb the headquarters, right? As long as we blow up the enemy's airfield and destroy the planes on the airfield, at least for a period of time to come, we will not have to be blown up by enemy planes.

Popkov thought for a moment and said with a solemn expression: "We have bombed German airfields before, but because the air defense of the airfields is very strong, the bomber groups on our mission have to take tactical actions to evade the anti-aircraft fire network prematurely at a distance from the airfield, so they rarely effectively destroy the enemy's targets. In other words, the air raids we have taken often lead our planes to and fro in vain between our airfields and bombing targets. ”

When I heard Popkov mention the tactical maneuvers of evading the anti-aircraft fire network, a flash of inspiration suddenly flashed in my mind, and I thought of Curtis, an air force general in the United States. Li May, as well as his bold innovations in bomber formation and bombing techniques, and the famous staggered flight formation. Thinking of this, I confidently said to Popkov: "Comrade Captain, I will propose a proposal for your Air Force, which will allow you to destroy more targets with minimal losses. ”

When Popkov heard me say this, he looked at me with a puzzled look on his face and an expression of disbelief. I can also understand his reaction, no matter what, I am an infantry commander, and I am an out-and-out layman to the air force, and it is indeed a bit of a class to give them a sense of being axe-in-class.

Seeing that not only Popkov, but also Kirillov and Akhromeyev had suspicious expressions on their faces, I said to myself: "The next time you bomb the enemy, don't take evasive tactical moves. ”

"Comrade Colonel, do you mean that our bombers, in the face of enemy ground anti-aircraft fire, do not make any evasive tactical moves?"

"Yes!" I replied in the affirmative.

"Do you know that in this way, it is possible that our planes will be completely shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire before they have even reached their destination." Popkov said angrily, if it weren't for the fact that I was so much higher in rank than him, he might have yelled at me.

"Captain Popkov, don't be nervous, please sit down." After beckoning him to sit down, I patiently explained to him: "I used to be an anti-aircraft machine gunner, and I know very well that in the contest between the air defense forces and the fighters, it is always the air defense forces that have the upper hand. If the aircraft wants to attack the opponent's target after carrying out evasive tactical maneuvers, it still needs to return to the distance to face the anti-aircraft fire network from the ground. ……”

Before I finished speaking, Popkov suddenly became enlightened, quickly took over the topic and said excitedly: "Comrade Colonel, I understand that instead of wasting time when implementing evasive tactical actions, it is better to pounce directly on the target of the attack. Anyway, the enemy's anti-aircraft fire network is albeit dense. But the threat to us is nowhere near as great as we thought, so that we can hit more targets with the latest losses. ”

I heard him grasp my intentions. I nodded with satisfaction, and secretly praised in my heart: The children can be taught.

Popkov picked up the pen and notepad on the table, looked up and politely asked me, "Is that okay?" I knew he wanted to write down what he had just said, so I readily agreed.

Watching him bury his head in the notepad and write quickly, I wanted to tell him about General Li Mei's "staggered" formation flight tactics, but I thought that I only knew this term, but I didn't know the specific content. If he had asked a few more times, I would have goofed it, so I didn't mention it again.

Razumeyeva walked up to me at some point. A telegram was handed to me and reported in a low voice: "Comrade division commander, a telegram from the command of the army group to you. ”

When I picked up the telegram and read it, Kirillov nervously asked: "Comrade division commander." And what new orders does the commander have? "I understand his gaffe. It was caused by the loss of the 107.5 heights and the shooting down of their own fighters by anti-aircraft guns.

After reading the contents of the telegram, I hurriedly comforted him and said: "Comrade commissar, don't worry, the commander has informed us that the counterattack on the enemy will be launched in the early morning of the day after tomorrow, and that our division must ensure that the Mamayev post is not taken by the Germans before the counterattack begins." With that, I glanced at Popkov, who was writing a book on his notepad. He whispered to Kirillov: "The commander should not know about the loss of the heights and the accidental shooting of our fighters by anti-aircraft guns. ”

Kirillov shuddered. Whispered for my opinion: "Comrade Oshanina, the incident of anti-aircraft artillery fire can be left alone for the time being, after all, it is not our responsibility, but what to do about the loss of the heights, do we need to report it to the commander?" ”

When I heard him say this, I nodded hurriedly and said in an affirmative tone: "The loss of the high ground must be reported to the commander, otherwise you and I will be in trouble when they know the news through other channels." Speaking of which, I called Razumeyeva over and instructed her: "Comrade lieutenant, please immediately send a report to the headquarters of the army group that the Germans have captured our heights 107.5 and that we are organizing troops for a counterattack. ”

Although I pretended to be casual on the surface, I was still nervous in my heart, fearing that Chuikov would remove me from my post in a fit of anger when he heard the news. But my fears were apparently unnecessary, and Chuikov's telegram was quickly replied with only a short sentence: "When will the positions be recaptured?" ”

Holding the telegram I had just received in my hand, I turned my head and ordered Akhromeyev, who was standing at the table: "Comrade Chief of Staff, call the artillery battalion and ask them to immediately shell the 107.5 heights. Then he turned his head and said to Nadya, the operator who had been looking at me, "immediately contact the 3rd Regiment and say that I am going to talk to Captain Godunov." ”

When Nadya called the 3rd Regiment, I suddenly remembered something again, and hurriedly shouted at Akhromeyev: "By the way, Comrade Chief of Staff, let Morozov send a few more thunder artillery teams to the southern slope of the high ground, even if our shells can't hold the enemy on the position and kill all the enemies, then our explosives bags can send them to God." By the way, let them bring more explosives bags, and if they don't have enough manpower, let Captain Pugachev send a battalion of Khrushov to help them carry explosives bags. ”

When everything that should be ordered was ordered, Nadya also contacted Godunov, she hurriedly handed me the headset and microphone, and said at the same time: "Division commander, I have been in contact with the 3rd Regiment, and Captain Godunov is waiting for your order." ”

My words to Godunov were brief: "Comrade Captain, when the shelling of the artillery battalion is over, you will immediately launch a counterattack on the high ground as a company, and you must retake the position for me. ”

Kirillov walked up to me and cautiously asked: "Comrade Oshanina, how should the commander reply?" ”

He didn't warn, I really forgot the telegram that Chuikov had just sent, and after calculating the strength of both the enemy and us, he decisively ordered Razumeyeva: "Lieutenant, send a telegram to the headquarters, saying that we will definitely take back the position from the enemy within two hours." ”

"Are you really sure that you can take back your position in two hours?" Kirillov asked with some skepticism.

Although I was not sure whether I could regain the position at the moment, I could not hesitate at such a time, and I still replied stubbornly: "Comrade Political Commissar, I believe in our fighters, and I believe that with their combat effectiveness and tenacious fighting spirit, we will definitely recapture the position that belongs to us within the specified time. After saying that, rushing to Lazumayeva and decisively ordered her, "immediately send this telegram to the command." ”

In this way, a telegram with the words "recapture the position in two hours" was sent to the command of the army group through the hands of Razumeeva. At the time of her report, the rumbling of artillery was heard outside the cave, and it was a detachment of heavy howitzers of Tiyakonov, which began to shell the German units occupying the heights. (To be continued......)

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