"Comrade commanders, I think you all heard what the chief of staff just said, the commander of the front has given the order to shell the German troops." I tried to speak in the same tone as I always would, trying to make the commanders feel like I was just assigning a routine task. "However, we should not expect too much from this shelling, because we cannot grasp the specific area where the German troops are gathering for the time being, and it is unrealistic to completely destroy the enemy through artillery bombardment. The shelling was only intended to disrupt the enemy's offensive plans and give us more time to prepare. ”

"I'll say a few words." After waiting for me to finish, Danilov took over the topic and said: "Although we have been given three months to deploy in the Kursk region, a large number of fortifications have been built in the defense area, and soldiers and new weapons and equipment have been replenished. But compared with the enemy, who has excellent equipment and rich combat experience, our army is still at a disadvantage. The shelling in the early hours of tomorrow morning will only delay their offensive, but will not stop their frantic offensive. Therefore, the commanders of the divisions, after returning to their respective units, should immediately raise the battle alarm and make all combat preparations, preparing to meet the crazy attack of the German army. ”

Speaking of this, he paused for a moment, fixed his gaze on Tavart Kiradze and Nekrasov, and then asked: "Comrade two division commanders, your two divisions are deployed at the forefront of the entire army group. If the war starts, you will be the first to withstand the German assault, are you ready? ”

The two division commanders who were named looked at each other and replied in a firm tone: "Please rest assured, Comrade Deputy Commander, that we are all ready to fight together and are ready to attack the German army at any time." ”

"The scale of this battle. Maybe it's more than we think. "I heard the statements of the two division commanders. I felt compelled to say a few words. Then he continued: "Therefore, the combat policy I have given you is to fight protractedly, to defend actively, and to obtain greater victories at the lowest cost. In defensive operations, don't care about temporary gains and losses, even if the Germans break through your defensive line, it doesn't matter, just give me those defensive positions to defend firmly, this is absolutely not allowed to be lost. Because in the future counterattack, we will have to rely on these defensive support points to achieve the goal of closing the door and fighting the dog. ”

"Two comrades of the division commanders." As soon as I finished speaking, Kirillov also stood up and asked with a smile: "The meaning of the commander is that it is necessary to seriously solve some problems tactically, in other words, to be able to find some ways to hold it, so that we can achieve a greater victory at a small cost." ”

"In order to defend effectively, we have developed a number of measures." Tawart Kiradze, who has a calm personality, said: "For example, in the deployment of troops. Heavy in front and light in the back in terms of armament; There is also the organization of appropriate retreats and counterattacks of troops to recapture lost positions, and so on. ”

"General Tawalt Kiradze. You're quite right, these measures sound very good. Kirillov took it and said: "To fight a defensive war, you can't blindly defend it." We must not defend for the sake of defense, but must adopt an active defensive operational mentality, give full play to our subjective initiative, and come up with practical and effective methods to offset the superiority of the German army in strength and firepower......"

Kirillov deserves to be a political cadre, and he spoke in a set of ways, and the commanders present nodded their heads again and again. Danilov whispered to me next to him: "Comrade commander, this old partner of yours, in addition to doing a good job in his profession, is not low in military affairs. ”

Hearing Danilov's compliments on Kirillov, I didn't speak, just smiled and nodded. Looking at Kirillov, who was still talking non-stop, I was really glad in my heart that I could have such a tacit cooperative deputy, so that when commanding the operation, there would be no constraints due to disagreement.

Finally, after Kirillov finished speaking, I raised my hand and asked Tavart Kiradze and them to sit down, and after scanning the whole room, I said: "After the division commanders go back, hurry up and check their respective fortifications." For those unqualified fortifications, we must seize the time to reinforce, otherwise when the Germans' artillery bombards the planes, the fortifications will collapse with a bang, and then how will the next battle be fought? ”

Taking into account the focus of this battle in Prokhorovka, I specifically asked Govorinenko, commander of the 375th Infantry Division stationed there: "Comrade Colonel, how is your defense there?" ”

Colonel Govorinenko hurriedly stood up and replied: "Report to Comrade Commander, all the fortifications in the defense area of our division meet the defense standards, and when defending, they can also be supported by artillery and tanks. Artillery and tanks deployed on the heights could inflict considerable casualties on the attacking units of the German army. ”

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Danilov interjected: "I once went to Prokhorovka to inspect it, and I saw that there was a well-established defense system there, which was completely capable of withstanding the ferocious attack of the German army. In addition, the Supreme Command also deployed the 183rd Infantry Division as a mobile force in the rear of the 375th Division, so that after the defense line here was breached, it could be immediately transferred to fill the gap, and at the same time, this division was also a considerable counteroffensive force that could be put into battle at the right time. ”

"The 183rd Infantry Division?" Hearing this unfamiliar nickname reminded me that Vatutin, in order to ensure the safety of the defense line on the southern side of Kursk, placed several units in the rear of our army group as reserves. At this moment, I couldn't help but ask curiously: "What kind of troops are they and what is their combat effectiveness?" ”

The purpose of my question is to understand the strength of the friendly army, and I am afraid that a pig-like teammate will come and wait for the battle, not only can I not help, but I will have to divide my forces to help them, which will be a headache.

"Lieutenant Colonel Rasmikhin," Danilov turned his head and called the name of the chief of intelligence, and instructed the other man: "You tell Comrade Commander about this division." ”

"Yes." Rasmikhin agreed, stood up and said: "The 183rd Infantry Division was formed from August to September 1940 on the basis of the former Latvian Army's Latgale and Zemgari Infantry Divisions. Because of his outstanding performance in battle, he was once awarded the Order of Lenin. ......"Rasmikhin sat down again after giving a brief account of the division.

I was a little unimpressed. Later, however, I heard that the division had been awarded the Order of Lenin. My heart is much more steady. Troops that can earn medals. I believe that their combat effectiveness will not be much worse, and it will be sooner or later when they are reorganized into a guard division.

The meeting lasted for more than half an hour, and when I saw that I had almost finished explaining the things that should be explained and what should be advised, and that it would be meaningless to go any further, I announced the adjournment of the meeting and asked the division commanders to immediately rush back to their units and make the necessary preparations for battle. Prepare for a ferocious German attack.

While I waited for the shelling to begin, I anxiously walked back and forth in the headquarters. Although I knew the exact time of the German offensive and knew that the Germans had finally become the big losers in the Battle of Kursk, I was never sure until the battle really began.

It was not until one o'clock in the morning that Povsky reported to me that all the artillery had entered the assigned positions and was ready to open fire. Although the artillery was in position several hours later than I had set the time, I did not reproach Povsky for this. Because I know in my heart that the big army fights. The movement of troops is not an easy task.

I thought about it and said to Povsky: "Comrade Artillery Commander, according to the order, we are going to carry out forty minutes of shelling of the area where the enemy is massed. When the shelling is over, you have to order the artillery regiments to quickly retreat to their original positions. While ensuring speed, there can be no confusion in the troops. Can it be done? ”

In response to my request, Povsky's face showed a look of embarrassment. Seeing his reaction, I said with some dissatisfaction: "Comrade Colonel, after our shelling is over, the Germans will definitely attack. If we put the artillery units in their current position, then as soon as the German armored units come to the last assault, there will be a danger of total annihilation. The scale of this battle will be very large, and without artillery, we will suffer a big loss. ”

Hearing me say so seriously, Bovsky's brow furrowed. After a long time, he asked tentatively: "Comrade commander, it will take at least two hours to withdraw the artillery from the existing positions. I just don't know if the Germans will give us such a long time. ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Colonel." I clearly remember that the German offensive on the southern front was launched at six o'clock in the morning, and in addition to the fact that they had to take time to break through our first line of defense, so within five or six hours, as long as the Germans did not send out air bombing, the artillery positions deployed in front of the second line of defense were relatively safe. Although I can't tell the truth, I still have to say a few words about Khubovsky's heart: "I think we will be able to buy at least three hours to transfer after our shelling is over." For such a long time, it is no problem to transfer all the artillery regiments back to their original positions, right? ”

When Povsky heard me say this, a smile immediately appeared on his face, and then he said confidently: "Comrade commander, since you can have such a long time, then there is no problem in transferring the artillery safely. In order to enhance his persuasiveness, he also deliberately emphasized that "the reason why the artillery regiment takes so much time to enter the position is because they have to build bunker fortifications, so they waste a lot of time." ”

"Got it, Comrade Colonel." I was afraid that he would not be finished when he said it, so I hurriedly urged him: "Hurry up and call the artillery regiment, so that they can be mentally prepared first, lest as soon as the shelling is over, they will announce their retreat, which will cause unnecessary chaos." ”

At two o'clock sharp, Vatutin called me personally. He asked in a steady tone: "Comrade Oshanina, how are you preparing there?" ”

"Report to Comrade Commander," I replied confidently at once, hearing his question, "we are ready for all battles, and we will be able to give your orders." ”

"Good, you're doing well." After complimenting me, Vatutin continued: "Let's check the watch, it's 2:01 a.m. on July 5. Remember, at 2:20 a.m., artillery was fired at the possible concentration area of the German troops. ”

"Understood, Comrade Commander."

Putting down the phone, I called Povsky over and asked him to check my watch. No, I don't know, the couple was shocked that his watch was actually five minutes slower than mine. After adjusting the timing, he said happily: "Comrade commander, fortunately the time is right, otherwise we would have opened fire five minutes later than the other artillery units." ”

Seeing that the time of Povsky's watch was not accurate, I was even more uneasy about the commanders of the artillery regiments below, and hurriedly instructed him: "Comrade Colonel, immediately call the commanders of the various artillery regiments and check the time with them, and don't delay the fighter because the watch is not accurate." Knowing the seriousness of the matter, Powsky immediately agreed and called his subordinates.

With the last five minutes left before the start of the shelling, Major Lopukhov, the chief of communications, brought in a radio and called all the commanders of the artillery regiment and rocket artillery battalion in turn. When all the calls were completed, Major Lopukhov straightened up and reported to me: "Comrade commander, all the artillery commanders have been contacted. ”

I nodded, looked up at the time, and seeing that there were only two minutes left, I ordered Bovsky: "Comrade Colonel, the time is almost up, get ready." ”

Following my order, Povsky took the microphone from Lopkhov's hand and put it to his ear, while staring intently at me, waiting for me to give the order to open fire.

My eyes were fixed on the fast-moving second hand on my watch, and I couldn't help but hold my breath because I was nervous when I saw a little bit towards 12. Almost as soon as the second and minute hands pointed to 12 at the same time, I gave the decisive order: "Fire!" ”

At the same time, Povsky, who received my order, shouted into the microphone: "Commander's order, all artillery, open fire!" ”

A moment later, the entire defensive zone of the Voronezh Front fired in unison, and in addition to the artillery of our army, the artillery directly under the front army also opened fire at the same time. The sound of heavy artillery bombardment and the explosion of "Katyusha" converged, shaking the heavens and the earth, thrilling.

The famous Battle of Kursk has officially begun!

Listening to the faint sound of explosions outside, Danilov seemed a little absent-minded, and after walking back and forth in the house with his hands behind his back a few times, he stopped in front of me and asked worriedly: "Comrade commander, will our shelling really be effective?" ”

At this time, I was sitting in the headquarters of my army group, and my mood was much calmer than before the artillery was fired, and when I saw that Danilov was so nervous, I comforted him with a smile: "Don't worry, comrade deputy commander, the Germans would never have imagined that we would strike first and fire at them first, and we would definitely be beaten to the ground." Don't worry. (To be continued.) )