Then, I picked up the phone again and made a phone call to the commander of the 1st regiment who remained at the station, Sederikov: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, come to me, I have an important combat mission assigned to you. ”

"Great, Comrade Divisional Commander." Sederikov excitedly agreed: "But wait until this moment." Please wait, I'll be there for you in ten minutes to accept the task. ”

I said it was ten minutes, but just five minutes later, the warlike Sedelikov appeared at my observation post. As soon as he walked into the observation post, he raised his hand to salute me and asked impatiently: "Comrade division commander, all the commanders and fighters of the 1st Regiment of the Independent Division are ready to go into battle at any time and wait for your orders. ”

"Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov, don't worry, sit down and wait for a while, and when everyone is ready, I will assign the task."

Although Sederikov sat down, because he had something on his mind, he kept restless, and kept turning his head to look at the door, trying to see if the person I was waiting for had appeared.

As soon as Captain Morozov and Captain Jegonovich walked into the observation post, before they could finish speaking, a violent explosion was heard outside. I rushed to the observation port with one lunge step, raised my binoculars and looked out, only to see that the German planes that had finished bombing the artillery positions were bombing the positions of the four regiments.

Four German planes circled above the positions of the four regiments, and then one by one they swooped down and dropped bombs on our positions. Dense bombs fell near the trenches and exploded, and a large cloud of gunpowder smoke with the light of fire suddenly joined together above the position, drowning the positions of our troops in smoke.

"This damn German plane, bullying us without anti-aircraft weapons. to dare to be so arrogant. If only I had even one anti-aircraft gun. Beat them all down. "I heard someone talking next to me. Turning his head, it turned out to be Captain Jegonovich, who was staring at the enemy planes that were wreaking havoc in the air, and said this through gritted teeth.

I waved my hand and said, "Comrade Captain, don't be so angry, although we can't do anything with the enemy's planes, but for their infantry," said this. I paused and snorted heavily before adding, "We have a way to beat them to the point of crying daddy and mother." ”

"Comrade Division Commander, do you have any plans?" Although Shedelikov had known for a long time that I was planning to attack the German camp at night, he still made a point of asking me at this moment to make sure that my determination had not changed.

"Come and see," I said, pointing to the three men at the table, pointing to the map, "we have taught the German 29th Motorized Rifle Division here today, and in my estimation they may camp near the present assembly area at night." So I planned. After dark, the artillery battalion of Captain Jegonovich. Quietly move the artillery to a distance of two or three kilometers from the enemy camp. By half-past eleven o'clock in the evening, when the Germans were almost asleep, the artillery battalion opened decisive fire and shelled the enemy's camp. And Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov, taking advantage of the chaos of the Germans who were suddenly attacked, led your regiment to a decisive attack and rushed towards the enemy. ”

When Shederikov heard this, a smile appeared on his face, and he added: "If only a few more tanks of our army could cooperate in the assault, the enemy's battle formation could be completely planned." At that time, if we rush forward, there will be no more organized resistance, and sporadic resistance will soon be buried by our swarming commanders and fighters. ”

"Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov," I said with some regret, "although I would like to equip you with a few more tanks, but no." In the battle just now, Captain Persjian's tank detachment suffered heavy losses, leaving only five tanks. But I think that since the enemy is dazed by us in his sleep, even if only five tanks rush forward, it is quite certain that the Germans will be destroyed. ”

"Five is five, it's better than nothing." Although the number of tanks is a little less, Sederikov clearly does not care, knowing that in such a night attack, artillery alone is enough for the enemy to drink a pot.

Next, I asked the three commanders involved in the battle to study the details of the battle on their own. While the three of them were discussing, I called the commander of the third regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard, and asked him how the situation was on his side.

As soon as the phone rang, I asked with concern, "Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard, how are you doing there?" Where are the reconnaissance detachments of the German army that you are talking about? ”

"Report to Comrade Division Commander, after receiving your instructions, I quietly withdrew the fighters lurking in the first line of defense to the second line of defense. The vehicle of the German reconnaissance detachment stopped next to the first trench, and a few German soldiers got out of the motorcycle, jumped into the trench and walked around, but found no trace of our troops, and then turned back to the settlement. ”

"Good. However, you must not let your guard down, and send more scouts to the vicinity of the settlements to monitor the enemy's movements, so that as soon as the enemy moves, you will have information from there and you can make corresponding arrangements. ”

Putting down the phone, I saw that the three commanders who were still discussing just now had quieted down, so I asked with concern, "How is it, is the discussion over?" ”

Yegonovich raised his hand and looked at his watch and asked: "Comrade Colonel, when will our artillery battalion leave at night?" ”

"It's about ten o'clock when it's dark, so let's set off at ten o'clock in your artillery battalion." Speaking of this, I suddenly remembered that I didn't know what kind of artillery the artillery battalion used, so I asked again: "Comrade Captain, I forgot to ask you, what kind of artillery did your regiment use, cannon or howitzer?" ”

Hearing me ask myself, Yegonovich quickly straightened up and replied: "Report to Comrade Colonel, my battalion has eight 122-mm howitzers. ”

"What, only eight howitzers?" I couldn't help but be a little disappointed to hear that there were so few trees for artillery, and I turned my head and asked Morozov: "Comrade Captain, why is there so little artillery in the artillery battalion of Captain Yegonovich?" You know, you still have ten cannons in your artillery battery. ”

Morozov smiled and replied: "Comrade division commander, in fact, my company was strengthened before it was assigned to an independent division, and the number of artillery pieces was increased from the original four to ten. ”

I nodded as if I didn't understand, and asked Jegonovich again: "Comrade Captain, how are your howitzers going to move to the designated position?" ”

"Report to the colonel, we have towing trucks. This makes it possible to quickly move the howitzer into place. ”

At this time, the voice of a report was heard at the door. I didn't look at who came at the door. He casually shouted, "Come in!" ”

Unexpectedly, it was Captain Persjian who came in, he limped in from the door, raised his hand and saluted, and said with a shy face: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, it was all because of my recklessness, and as a result, the tank detachment was almost wiped out. I have come to plead guilty to you, please punish me. ”

Instead of criticizing Captain Persjian, I looked down at his legs. He asked with concern: "Comrade Captain, I heard that you were wounded, where are the injuries, are you strict?" ”

Pelsjian hurriedly replied: "When I got out of the tank, I was cut by shrapnel in the thigh. I had already dealt with it just now, and although it still hurt a little to walk, it was decided that it would not affect me to sit in the tank and charge at the enemy. ”

"Well done! Attaboy! Captain Persjian, you are so good! I listened to him, patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him, and then changed the subject. said: "It's so good that you came, so I don't have to send someone to find you later." ”

I called the four to the table. Again began to assign tasks: "At half past eleven in the evening, our night attack on the 29th Division of the German motorized infantry officially began. After the battle began, the artillery battalion opened fire on the enemy's camp, trying to cover the entire area where the enemy was located with fire. Then Sederikov's regiment launched a fierce assault on the camp, and under the cover of Captain Persjian's tank detachment, launched a centripetal assault on the enemy's camp, making sure to destroy the German chain of command and plunge their troops into a chaotic situation in which officers could not find officers, and soldiers could not find officers. ”

"Comrade division commander," Sederikov cautiously mentioned to me, "see if the second or third regiment is also thrown into the night attack, I think that the results achieved in this way will be greater." ”

I waved my hand and said, "No, Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov." Although I also want to annihilate this German division, but no, the Germans still have two divisions of troops in the west, and once they know that the 29th Division is under heavy attack from us, they will definitely pounce on us at night. As you know, our fighters are generally untrained and not highly combative, and if they can't eat the 29th Division in a short time, they will easily be surrounded by German troops who come to help. Therefore, our goal tonight is to annihilate the German army, so that they have to stop and rest for a while, so as to achieve the goal of delaying the advance of the 4th Gothic Tank Army towards Stalingrad. ”

Seeing that everyone was nodding their heads after listening to my words, knowing that they had already listened to my words, he waved his hand and said passionately: "Four comrades commanders, I hope that tonight's battle will be to play the prestige of an independent division and not to live up to the bright red military flag that General Chuikov personally awarded us; The second is to beat the Germans hard and scared, so that when they hear the name of our independent division in the future, they will be afraid from the bottom of their hearts. ”

After I finished assigning the task, I said to them: "I will only make a general deployment, how to set up specific artillery positions, how to conceal the troops, it is all your business, I will not make too detailed deployment." At this point, I looked out from the observation and continued: "The enemy's air raid is over, so return to your respective units and go to combat deployment." ”

The four of them saluted me happily, turned around and walked out of the observation post.

After they left, I used my binoculars to look at the line that had just been bombed. As the smoke slowly cleared, I saw that the first trench of the Fourth Regiment had been blown up to a pulver, and there were people walking around inside, presumably busy treating the wounded. I moved the camera to the small village where the regimental headquarters was located, and found that it had also been bombed by German planes, and almost all the buildings in the village had been blown down, and the collapsed wooden houses were burning.

I hurriedly called Gaidar, but I couldn't get through. Seeing that I couldn't get in touch with Gaidar, I couldn't help but worry about his safety, and hurriedly asked Razumeeva to use the walkie-talkie to contact the communications squad of Gaidar's regiment to find out what was going on.

Fortunately, the walkie-talkie was in touch with Gaidar, and as soon as the communication was connected, I couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, how is your situation there, why can't the phone get through?" Also, I saw that your village was blown up by German planes and was burning everywhere, are you okay? ”

"Thank you for your concern." To my series of questions, Gaidar replied unhurriedly: "Maybe the telephone line was blown up during the bombing just now." I can't connect with the frontier here. We dug quite a few bomb shelters in the village last night. When enemy planes come to bomb. We all took refuge in bomb shelters, so there were no casualties in the village. ”

"Your regiment is really powerful," I said with emotion, "and in one night, not only have you built trenches, but you have also dug so many trenches in the village, and your actions are really swift." ”

"Yes, as you know, most of our fighters are from the Gulag. The people there have no other skills, and the speed of playing trenches and repairing fortifications is definitely faster than that of professional engineering troops. ”

I heard him say this, but no, it is true, the concentration camp is a day and night of endless civil engineering, and these fighters have long been trained. This time, they were asked to dig fortifications and dug air-raid shelters, but they were just returning to their old business, and it is not surprising that they had such high efficiency.

I didn't talk nonsense with him either, I just told him: "Let the communications corps immediately overhaul the telephone line." Restore communication with the frontier, and at the same time allow the soldiers to rush to repair the bombed-out fortifications. Maybe the enemy will attack later. ”

My words were soon fulfilled, and the Germans began shelling again shortly after the plane bombardment was over. This time they may have put the remaining two 150-mm artillery battalions into battle, and their shells blew up the front of our positions in a dusty manner, and the soldiers, who had not yet completed the repairs, had to lie down in the trenches to avoid the shrapnel flying everywhere.

After the end of the enemy's shelling, the infantry went on the offensive again. About a battalion of infantry, under the cover of seven or eight tanks, pounced on the four regiments of unevenly bombed trenches.

The tanks in front of them opened fire on suspicious targets as they moved forward. The shortcomings of our division's lack of training were exposed at this time. Some fighters panicked when they saw the tanks approaching, stood up straight in the trenches, and shot at the tanks with their weapons in hand. As a result, the bullets hit the tank's armor plate, splashing only strings of sparks, and the German tank only needed to fire a single shot and hit the target, blowing the fighters to pieces.

Seeing that their comrades kept falling beside them, more and more fighters were red-eyed, and jumped out of the trench with their guns in their hands, and rushed towards the enemy's tank, only to be knocked down by the tank's machine guns before they could go far.

Seeing the commanders and fighters rushing forward one after another, I was so angry that I almost wanted to curse, is there such a war? Can the flesh and blood of man stop the iron behemoth of the enemy? It's not like hitting a stone with an egg.

Seeing that the enemy's tanks were about to cross the trenches of the fourth regiment, it was here that a group of our tanks rushed out of the oblique spurs, rushed towards them, and opened fire while rushing, and after two rounds of firing, five of the originally invincible German tanks were reimbursed in front of the trenches, and the remaining two turned around and wanted to run, but they were also chased by the soldiers of the fourth regiment and killed with Molotov cocktails.

Having lost the cover of the tanks, the infantry behind also lost the courage to continue the attack, and they retreated and placed their guns indiscriminately, gradually moving away from our positions.

I was also relieved to see the German attack repulsed. Fortunately, the tank detachment attacked in time, otherwise the enemy infantry would have followed the tanks and rushed into the positions of the 4th regiment.

After dark, Sederikov's regiment, the artillery battalion under the command of Yegonovich and Morozov, and Persjian's tank detachment all set out from their respective hidden positions and hurried to the starting point of the night attack.

Just after eleven o'clock, I had not waited for news of the night attack on the troops, and Chuikov contacted me first. In the headphones, he said angrily: "Comrade Oshanina, what are you doing? ”

I was just stunned, what kind of fame, didn't I report the night attack plan to him, did it make him angry? Since I didn't know exactly what he was trying to say, I could only ask vaguely: "Comrade commander, I don't know what you mean?" Can you make this clear? ”

"Hmph, you're knowingly asking. Let me ask you, I asked you to lead the troops to retreat thirty kilometers north after dark, why didn't you carry it out? You know, the 214th Division, which is responsible for receiving you, is still waiting for you. ”

It turned out to be about the retreat, and I was startled, so I wiped the sweat from my forehead and hurriedly explained to him: "Report to Comrade Commander, the retreat of my division may have to be postponed. ”

"Delay the retreat, why?" He asked, puzzled.

"Because I had just sent a regiment, an artillery battalion and a tank detachment to attack the camp of the 29th German motorized rifle division. If they want to retreat, they will have to wait for the three forces to return safely. ”

"What, you said you sent troops to attack the enemy's camp?"

"Exactly. Comrade Commander. I replied cheerfully.

Unexpectedly, there was a loud noise from the headphones. In my experience. Chuikov was slapping the table again, and so were these leaders, who slapped the table when they were angry, and they didn't know how to vent, such as throwing a teacup or pulling out a gun and firing a few shots into the sky. Just thinking about it, I heard Chuikov roar angrily: "Nonsense, it's nonsense." Oshanina, do you know? How strong is the strength of the Gothic 4th Tank Army, even if our two main divisions can't beat one of them, it's good for you to send a regiment to fight someone else's division, didn't you let the commanders and fighters of this regiment send them to death? ”

When I heard Chuikov's thunderous fury, I didn't immediately defend it, because I knew that it was adding fuel to the fire, and it was easy to backfire. After he finished speaking, he said slowly: "Comrade commander. Please don't get angry and let me explain. In daytime battles. Our division fought with the German 29th Division, repelled three of their attacks, wiped out one of his regiments, and captured a large amount of weapons and ammunition. They never dreamed that the troops who fought with them during the day would actually use the night to sneak attack them. Under our surprise attack, they will definitely be caught off guard. ”

"No," Chuikov said reluctantly, "you immediately give an order to the troops, tell them to withdraw immediately, if they don't withdraw, if they are surrounded by the German army, they will not be able to withdraw even if they want to." ”

I raised my hand and looked at it, and saw that it was already half past eleven, so I said to Chuikov euphemistically: "Comrade commander, I'm sorry, the operation of the troops has begun. As soon as the battle started, I just wanted them to withdraw, but they couldn't. Well, I'll get back to you in an hour and report back to you on the progress of the battle. After that, I didn't wait for Chuikov to make a statement, and immediately stopped contacting him.

Then I called Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard of the 3rd Regiment and sternly told him: "Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard, I have one regiment launch a night attack on the German camp to the west. The Germans who are attacked may call for help from their allies, and if the troops stationed in the settlements are dispatched, I command you to hold them back at all costs and ensure victory in the night raids. Do you understand? ”

"Understood, Comrade Division Commander." Kosgaard replied simply: "I will immediately order the troops to enter the battle position, ready to fight the incoming enemy. As long as there is still one person in the three regiments, we will never allow the enemy to cross our defense zone. ”

"Very well, I'll remember you." As soon as I hung up his phone, I asked Razumayeva to contact me with Oleg, the commander of the 2nd Regiment, who was stationed at the former headquarters of the army group.

As soon as I heard Oleg's voice, I said coldly into the microphone: "Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, a regiment is about to attack the enemy's camp, maybe they will call for help from nearby friendly forces. In this way, the enemy stationed on heights 158 and 165 will pounce directly on you after receiving a rescue order. All you have to do now is order your warriors to enter their positions and be ready to stop this reinforcement of the enemy. ”

"Yes, please rest assured, I promise to complete the task."

The defense to the west had been arranged, and it was time to contact the commanders who participated in the night attack. After taking a deep breath, I said to Razumeyeva: "Comrade second lieutenant, give me Captain Jegonovich from the artillery battalion." ”

Because it was so loud that the captain had to say to me in a loud voice: "Report to Comrade Colonel, we are shelling the German camp." ”

"Is the target of the shelling clear?" I was afraid that the Germans would camp without lights, and the artillery would not be able to find their targets.

Unexpectedly, the lieutenant replied: "The target is very clear, and there are searchlights near the tanks, armored vehicles, and cars of the Germans, so we chose this place for our first firing targets." After our shooting, there was nothing left of the tanks and armored vehicles that the Germans could use. ”

When I walked to the observation port, I looked through the telescope to the west, which was half red by the firelight, and although I could not see anything, I could hear the faint rumbling of cannonballs, and it seemed that our artillerymen were using their shells to teach the Germans a hard lesson.

Twenty minutes later, Sederikov's battle report came over the intercom, and he excitedly told me: "Comrade division commander, the enemy's camp is in complete disarray. Tanks, armored vehicles, cars, artillery were blown up into piles of burning scrap metal by the shells of our artillery battalions, and the German soldiers, awakened from their sleep, scurried around like headless flies. My regiment, led by a tank detachment, was charging towards the German command. ”

I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard such a battle report, and although the other party couldn't see my expression, I nodded first before I continued: "Go ahead, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." If it is possible, don't let any of these Germans go. ”

"Understood, Comrade Division Commander." Shederikov replied loudly.

As soon as the call with Shedelikov ended, reports from the 2nd and 3rd regiments followed, all of which reported that enemy reinforcements were advancing towards their positions, and since the Germans did not find anyone on these positions, there was no artillery bombardment. Hearing Oleg and Kosga's report, I just said lightly: "Resolutely block them, don't let them take a step forward." ”

After another half hour, Shederikov excitedly reported to me: "Comrade division commander, the enemy's camp is occupied by us. Except for a few of the enemy who fled, the rest were either killed by our shells or infantry, or obediently raised their hands as prisoners, and we were counting the booty. ”

After complimenting Shederikov, I confidently asked Razumayeva to give me the command of the army group, and I also spoke to Chuikov. As soon as the communication was reached, I did not wait for Chuikov to speak, but preemptively reported to him the victory, saying: "Comrade commander, I have good news for you, that the heroic regiment of our independent division, under the cover of artillery battalions and tank detachments, has successfully occupied the camp of the enemy's 29th division, and except for a few enemies who have escaped, the rest have been killed or captured by us. ”

After listening to my good news, Chuikov was stunned for a moment, and then suddenly said excitedly: "Colonel Oshanina, I congratulate you on such a great victory. I will report the results of the independent division to the front army command as much as possible. ”

Before he could speak to Chuikov, the commander of the third regiment, Kosga, called again to report, and he said excitedly: "Report to the division commander, the attack of the invading enemy reinforcements, after being repulsed twice by our regiment, has retreated to the residential area in disgrace. According to the reports of the scouts, in front of the positions of our troops, there was not a single German soldier left alive. ”

"You let the commanders and fighters sleep peacefully." I said lightly: "Lieutenant Colonel Sedjerikov has successfully completed the task of capturing the enemy camp, and these German soldiers know that there is no point in reinforcing the friendly forces and that there is no point in reinforcing them, so they retreat in dismay." ”

Putting down the phone, I stretched and ordered Lazumeeva: "Call Lieutenant Colonel Oleg and tell him that if the enemy retreats, let the fighters rest." (To be continued......)