"No, Comrade Commander, we don't have a single extra tank." Andryushchenko's crying voice came from the earpiece: "The German 11th Panzer Division pressed from the direction of the Kuban, and in order to prevent them from seizing the city and cutting off the rear of our army, Major Akhromeyev with the remaining six tanks and a battalion of infantry went to reinforce the third regiment of Lieutenant Colonel Koska, who had just arrived in the Kuban. ”

"Comrade Colonel," when I heard that the Kuban had also been attacked by the Germans, my heart immediately rose to my throat, and I hurriedly asked: "Do you know what kind of troops the Germans are attacking the Kuban?" ”

Hearing my question, Andreushchenko was stunned for a moment, and then replied loudly: "Comrade commander, we received a call from Lieutenant Colonel Koska, saying that the Germans had been found near his position and that there was a possibility of attacking the city, so Major Akhromeyev hurriedly set off with his troops. ”

"I see, I see." I knew that I didn't know much from him, so I didn't want to ask any further, but commanded him: "Comrade Colonel, you must hold the airfield and resolutely block the German attack. At this point, I accentuated my tone, "If the airfield is lost, then the Germans can rush to the city of Zaporosh." ”

"Understood!" After listening to my order, Andreushchenko immediately replied decisively: "Please rest assured, commander, as long as there is still one commander and fighter of the 171st Division alive, we will nail it to the position like a nail and will never take a step back." ”

If the land is lost, the people and the land are lost; If people lose land, people and land will survive. Hear Andreushchenko say this. Suddenly these words popped into my head again. At the moment our armament is inferior to that of the Germans. If you fight hard, you will definitely suffer a big loss, if you just want to hold the position and consume all the troops, how will you fight the next battle? Thinking of this, I slowed down and said to Andreushchenko: "Comrade Colonel, judging by the current situation, under the strong attack of the German army. The airfield could not be held at all, and could only play the role of slowing down the advance of the German army. So you have to be flexible with your tactics, consume as many German troops as possible, and reduce the pressure on our army in the next battle. ”

"Understood." Andreushchenko agreed in an affirmative tone, and then asked cautiously: "Comrade commander, if the airfield is really lost, what will happen to the German general on the plane?" Will you take him with you and withdraw to Zaporosh, or will you dispose of him on the spot? ”

"Comrade Colonel, the next battle will be very hard, and there will definitely be many commanders and fighters who will be wounded or even killed." I've had a deal with Ike in my mind. Hearing Andreushchenko's question, he immediately said without hesitation: "We are now very short of supplies. Not only is there a shortage of weapons and ammunition, but there is also a shortage of medicines, and it is impossible to waste precious medicines on a German general who is dying, and I don't know how many of our wounded commanders and fighters will be saved. So I now authorize you to blow up this German general along with the planes as soon as the airfield is in danger. Got it? ”

"Understood." Andreushchenko replied resolutely: "I promise to complete the task!" ”

Putting down the phone, Kirillov immediately asked with concern: "Oshanina, how is the situation at the airport?" ”

I shook my head and said with a stern expression: "Comrade Commissar, the situation over there is very bad, they are being attacked by an SS unit, I guess it may be the 'skeleton division' that suddenly disappeared yesterday. The 171st Division was currently lacking in anti-tank weapons, and it would have to pay heavy sacrifices if it wanted to hold off the German armored forces. ”

"Isn't Major Akhromeyev still a couple of tanks?" Kirilov, who apparently remembered Akhromeyev's armoured detour tactics some time ago, immediately raised his own questions when I told me about the difficulties of the airfield: "He could have used the same method of fighting outside Poloy, detoured back to the flank of the German attacking troops, and took advantage of the fact that they were still on the march and had not yet formed a battle formation, and gave them a harsh lesson." ”

After listening to Kirillov's question, I waved my hand at him and said helplessly: "Long before the battle broke out, they received a call from Lieutenant Colonel Koska, saying that the Germans had been spotted near the Kuban and that there seemed to be signs of attacking the city, so Major Akhromeyev went with his troops to reinforce them. ”

"Germans found near the Kuban?" When Kirillov heard this, he couldn't help frowning, he stared at the map on the desktop for a while, and said worriedly: "If the Kuban is lost, then our back road will be cut off, so we must hold there for now." ”

I nodded approvingly to Kirillov's concerns, and then said: "Comrade commissar, I see it the same way. Once the Kuban is occupied by the Germans, our supplies will not be able to come in, and with our existing ammunition stockpiles, it may not take more than two days. If we run out of ammunition and food, we will have to stay in the city and obediently become prisoners. ”

"Comrade Oshanina," Kirillov said to me in a stern tone, "how can you say that, this is all defeatist rhetoric. Not to mention that the Germans have not cut off our rear route, even if they cut off our rear route, all our commanders and fighters will bravely fight to the last man. As he spoke, he took out a pistol from the pocket of his coat, clenched it tightly in his hand, and said in a resolute tone, "This gun has been with me since the Battle of Stalingrad, and as long as there is one bullet left, I will never let myself be a prisoner of the Germans." ”

I have the impression that Kirillov was probably the first time he had spoken so harshly to me, because I had upset him by complaining that we would be taken prisoner. Seeing this, I quickly changed the subject: "By the way, I will immediately call Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard and ask about the situation in the Cuban." With that, he picked up the phone on the table.

After contacting Lieutenant Colonel Koska, I didn't talk nonsense with him, and said straight to the point: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I'm Oshanina. Report to me immediately about the situation of the Germans there of you. ”

Unexpectedly, after listening to my words, Kosgaard was silent. When I heard him slow to speak, I impatiently urged, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. Why don't you speak? I'm asking you how the Germans are moving near the Kuban. Did they attack the city? ”

"Here's the situation. Comrade Army Commander. Hearing my stern tone, Kosgaard replied in a panic: "It was my men who reported to me that German troops had been found near the city. So I decided to call Colonel Andreushchenko, who was stationed at the airport, and hoped that he would send troops to support us......"

"What exactly is the situation with the Kuban?" I interrupted him and asked unceremoniously.

But he actually took a silent attitude towards my question.

Seeing that he didn't answer my question for a long time, I couldn't help but become angry, so I raised my voice and asked, "Lieutenant Colonel." What's wrong with you, deaf, why don't you answer my question? ”

"Comrade Commander!" Kosgaard finally calmed down and reported to me clearly: "The caller who reported to me was a company commander stationed in the east. He affirmed that the Germans ......"

"What kind of troops were the Germans, with tanks and artillery?" Listening to Kosgaard's report, I realized that this reinforcement of Akhromeyev might have run the wrong way, so I interrupted him impatiently again.

"I don't know yet." Kosgaard's answer became a little hesitant. But he went on in a proper manner: "But I heard that there were Germans nearby, and I thought that I must lose no time in asking for help from friendly forces." So as not to delay the fighters. ”

"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel," Kosgaard's report made me listen to the more I listened, "I'll give you five minutes to report back to me after I have figured out the situation." Remember, it's only five minutes. After saying that, I didn't bother to listen to his nonsense, so I hung up the phone directly.

Putting down the phone, I said to Kirillov and Vitkov, who were standing nearby: "Lieutenant Colonel Koska, who did not know anything about the situation, but heard from one of his company commanders that there were Germans nearby, so he hurriedly called Colonel Andryushchenko to ask for reinforcements. ”

"Comrade Commander," Vitkov said with great caution after listening to my words, "if this is the case, it is possible that Major Akhromeyev's troops have made a trip in vain. However, it was because of Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard's irresponsible phone call that the important defense forces of the airport were diverted, and in this way, the defensive pressure on the defenders increased. At times like these, I feel that this kind of thing should be dealt with strictly. ”

"I agree with the Chief of Staff." As soon as Vitkov's words were finished, Kirillov promptly chimed in: "If the loss of the airfield is caused by the departure of Major Akhromeyev's troops for reinforcements, then Lieutenant Colonel Koskaa should be brought to a military court and punished with the severest punishment." What about your opinion, Comrade Oshanina? ”

In response to Kirillov's questioning, I nodded and said approvingly: "I also agree with the strict handling of Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard." It turned out that he was very good at commanding battles, and he was also very brave in battle. But since he was wounded in the attack on the 107.5 heights and was discharged from the hospital and returned to the army, it was as if he was a different person. Not only was it timid in doing things, but even its command level was greatly reduced, and the 3rd Regiment became the weakest unit in combat effectiveness in the entire 22nd Guards Division. The Kuban, for us, is a very important city and must not be thrown away lightly. But to keep Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard as the supreme commander of the Kuban garrison, I don't think it's appropriate, and someone should be found to replace him. ”

"Who is the right person to take over this position?" After listening to my mention, Vitkov began to frown and think.

"I think it's up to Major Akhromeyev to take this position." Kirillov suddenly spoke: "I have worked with the major, and knowing his level, being a regimental commander is more than enough. Moreover, he was leading his troops to the Kuban, and it was most appropriate for him to take over the command. ”

After discussing who would be the supreme commander of the Kuban garrison, I then looked at the map and announced the new order: "The troops of the 308th Division, except for one that continues to hold its original position against the attack of the 'Imperial Division', the remaining two regiments, one regiment, continue to withdraw into Zaporosh according to the opportunity, while the other regiment changes the direction of the march and is deployed in the middle of the Kuban and the airfield as a reserve for the whole army. ”

"But, Comrade Commander." Hearing my arrangement, Vitkov said with a look of embarrassment: "If you do this, the defense in Zaporosh will be weakened, and it may not be able to stop the German attack......

"Comrade Chief of Staff," I interrupted, and went on to myself, "at present our 308th and 171st Divisions are holding the two SS divisions of the German army in check, respectively, so that the attack on the city is currently coming only from the north and west. The pontoon bridge over the river was blown up by the Germans, and heavy equipment such as tanks could not pass through the guò ice, and they could only rely on the infantry to charge us, and with the combat strength of one and four regiments, it was not at all difficult to hold them back. ”

As we talked, the phone on the desk rang. I grabbed the phone at any moment, put the receiver close to my ear, and said loudly, "Hey, I'm Oshanina, where are you?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." The timid voice of Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard came from the earpiece: "I am reporting to you on the movements of the German troops near the Kuban. ”

"Say, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." I said coldly with a businesslike emphasis: "What kind of troops is the enemy. ”

"The enemy is probably a reconnaissance squad, with three motorcycles, seven people." Kosgaard reported loudly on the phone: "After a short battle, they have all been wiped out." ”

"Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard, remove the company commander who originally reported to you the enemy situation, and let him go to the squad as an ordinary fighter." If it weren't for the current crisis, I would definitely not hesitate to order the company commander who reported the military situation to be shot and killed, and now I, let him be an ordinary soldier and give him a chance to make meritorious contributions, whether he can grasp it depends on himself.

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Kosgaard hurriedly replied: "I immediately remove him from his position and send him to the squad to be an ordinary fighter." ”

"And you, Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard." After disposing of the unknown company commander, it was Kosgaard's turn, and I said angrily: "Because of your mistake, the defenders of the airfield are in a dangerous situation. For this, you also have to be punished as you deserve. ”

"Comrade Commander, I was wrong." Kosgaard said in a low voice, "I am willing to take a qiē responsibility and accept your punishment." ”

"Well, since that's the case, then I'll remove you from the position of regiment commander and take over the position of that company commander." After announcing his punishment, I asked: "Where is Major Akhromeyev?" ”

"The major is on my side, he has just arrived in the Kuban with his troops." Kosgaard hurriedly replied.

"Give him the phone." I commanded briefly.

Soon, Akhromeyev's voice came from the earpiece: "Hello, Comrade Commander, I'm Akhromeyev. What are your instructions? ”

"Major, I officially announce to you that from now on, you will officially take over the post of head of the third regiment and be responsible for the defense of the Kuban region, do you understand?"

"Understood, Comrade Commander!" (To be continued......)

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