Two days passed in a flash, and before I knew it, the day of the decisive battle was approaching.

In order to plan for the first battle after the establishment of the independent division, I not only personally went to the front line to conduct reconnaissance, but also repeatedly studied the information we had with several regiment commanders under my command and worked out a targeted battle plan.

Seeing that tomorrow would be the day when the settlements would be attacked, I specially gathered all four regiment commanders in the afternoon and held another pre-battle meeting to check the preparations for battle.

The heads of delegation, like me, were in a state of great excitement. As soon as he saw me, Captain Oleg, who was in charge of the first attack, could not wait to ask: "Comrade division commander, I am looking forward to this day." Please advise when we depart? ”

"Yes, Comrade Division Commander, we have been looking forward to this day." Captain Kosgaard, who was walking behind him, followed suit.

I raised my hand and pressed it a few times to beckon them: "Sit down first, let's have a meeting first." After so many days of waiting, can't you even wait for these hours? The four of them couldn't help but laugh heartily when they heard me say it so easily.

After they all sat down, I stood up with my hands on the edge of the table and said solemnly: "Comrade regiment commander, in a dozen hours, our division will launch an attack on the residential areas. This is the first battle after the establishment of our independent division, so everyone should be cautious. I summoned you this afternoon to check how well preparations for the battle were going. ”

As soon as the words fell, the anxious Oleg stood up and said first: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, 20 commandos are ready, as long as you give an order." You can immediately go into battle. The commander of the 2nd regiment, Captain Oleg, is at your disposal at all times. ”

Look at Captain Oleg, who is eager to fight. I laughed silently: "Comrade Captain. Well done, whether we can break through to the settlements tomorrow depends on the commandos you lead. ”

Seeing that Captain Oleg was the first to show his face, Sederikov also stood up and said not to be outdone: "Comrade division commander, our support detachment is also ready, ready to follow behind the assault team at any time to consolidate those positions occupied by our troops." ”

"Comrade Oshanina. Your division's morale is quite high! "While he was talking to several regimental commanders, the familiar voice of Chief of Staff Raskin suddenly came from the door.

Seeing Ruskin enter the door, I hurriedly stepped forward, raised my hand and saluted, and was about to report to him on the preparations for battle, but I didn't expect him to wave his hand, smile affectionately and say: "Comrade Oshanina, needless to say, I understand the situation, let's go on as usual." ”

Wait for Raskin to sit down. I took the initiative to inform him about the plan of attack of the troops, at the last moment. I took the initiative to mention to him a hardship faced by the troops: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the garrison of our division is too far from the place of attack, and if the soldiers are allowed to go on foot, by the time they reach the lurking place, they will be exhausted. By the time dawn came, I didn't know if there was enough body to take part in the attack. ”

After hearing what I said, Ruskin pointed at me and said, "I knew you were going to ask for me, so I took the initiative to send it to the door, what else do you want?" As long as it's within my power, I'll do it for you. ”

In fact, I waited for this Ruskin to say this, and since he had spoken now, I was not welcome, so I pointed my finger at him and said, "Comrade Chief of Staff, I really want a lot of things." First of all, it was necessary to have a convoy to transport the 2,000 commanders and fighters of our division to the garrison of the Guards Division; Secondly, we need a batch of smoke bombs, which are fired by mortars into residential areas before the attack, so that the smoke generated interferes with the enemy's field of vision and covers the approach of our assault teams to the target; Thirdly, the tanks and artillery that you promised last time, I hope you will be able to see when you arrive at the garrison of the Guards Division; "When it came to the fourth point, I felt that I had asked too much for Ruskin, and I began to hesitate to make one last request.

Ruskin smiled understandingly and said, "If you have any other requests, please put them forward." I warn you that if you had asked me again after today, I would not have been so happy to agree to you. ”

Since his words have been said to this point, I no longer have any scruples and said bluntly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I don't know if you can provide us with a few walkie-talkies, which can be carried by individual soldiers, so that I can contact the commander at the front in a timely manner in the command division." ”

When Ruskin heard this, he laughed: "I thought you were embarrassed to mention this to me." Don't worry, I've got you covered. At this he stood up and shouted at the door, "Hey, I say, don't stand at the door, come in." With his shout, five warriors walked in from outside the door and quickly lined up facing us.

Raskin pointed to these soldiers and said to me: "Comrade Oshanina, they are all signal soldiers of the group army headquarters, and it just so happens that the superiors have issued us a batch of walkie-talkies, so I will first lend them to your division for use in this battle." How's that, are you satisfied? ”

I looked at the communication soldiers standing neatly and the walkie-talkies on their backs, and suddenly became excited, and quickly stretched out my hands to hold Raskin's right hand, a little out of breath, and even stammered a little: "Thank you, Comrade Chief of Staff, you are so good, you have thought so well for us." ”

Ruskin patted the back of my hand with his left hand and said, "You're welcome, this is what I should do." Because I promised General Chuikov that I would take good care of you. ”

Hearing him mention Chuikov, I couldn't help but ask with concern: "How is General Chuikov now?" ”

Ruskin shrugged his shoulders and said: "I don't know much about this, anyway, the person is still locked up in Stalingrad, and he has not been sent away, nor has he been sent to a military court." He obviously didn't talk too much about these sensitive topics, and when he said this, he immediately diverted the topic: "How are you going to distribute these walkie-talkies?" ”

I nodded, pointed to the signal corps, and said to several regiment commanders: "The signal corps is numbered from left to right, from No. 1 to No. 5. The first machine was assigned to Captain Oleg's commando; Aircraft No. 2 was equipped with a support detachment for Captain Sederikov; Aircraft No. 3 followed Captain Gaidar in action. The rest of the No. 4 and No. 5 machines remained with me. ”

Speaking of this, I bowed my head and asked Raskin in a low voice: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I don't know about the convoy that transports the commanders and fighters of our division. When will I arrive? ”

"Comrade Oshanina. Let's go and gather your troops first. Raskin said with a calm expression: "As for the convoy of troop transporters. They've come with me, and they're out of the forest now. Because all the troops needed trucks, I tried my best to recruit only 50 trucks. ”

"Fifty?!" This figure was far beyond my expectations, and although it was not possible to transport all the troops at once, it was possible to transport the troops to the garrison of the Guards Division in batches. "Fifty, that's a lot. Thank you, Comrade Chief of Staff. ”

Ruskin said with some concern: "If it's two thousand." Maybe the truck won't fit in. ”

I waved my hand and explained to him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, we can have half of the fighters in a car, half on foot. After the truck transports the commanders and fighters to their destinations, they will return to pick up the commanders and fighters who are still walking. ”

"Okay, just do as you say." At this point, Raskin raised his hand and looked at his watch, and said to me, "It's already five o'clock, isn't it time to gather your troops and prepare to go?" ”

I nodded. Began to give orders to the four regiment commanders: "Captain Sederikov, Lieutenant Oleg, Captain Gaidar, you three go and assemble the troops." Remember to ask the warrior to bring enough dry food for the day. Go ahead! After they left, I instructed the radio operator on duty, Razumayeva: "Comrade sergeant, take these five fighters out and test whether the walkie-talkie is in good condition." Captain Kosga, you go out and help Sergeant Razumeyeva. ”

When only me and Ruskin were left in the command headquarters, I cautiously asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, are you not afraid of encountering air raids by enemy planes on the road when you bring such a large convoy to me in broad daylight?" ”

Ruskin said disapprerovingly: "It's okay, I don't know what's going on in the past two days, I haven't seen the shadow of an enemy plane in the sky." That's why I dare to come to you with a convoy in broad daylight. ”

"There are no enemy planes in the sky?" In the past few days, I have been training in the forest, and the situation outside is really unclear, but when the war was in full swing, the enemy planes did not move for several days, and it was obvious that some big conspiracy was brewing. But these are just my guesses, I can only think about it in my heart, not say it.

After a while, Captain Kosga and Razumeyeva returned and reported to me: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, communication is unimpeded. ”

Then Oleg also ran in and reported: "Comrade division commander, the assault team has been assembled. ”

I picked up the submachine gun leaning against the table, turned to Raskin and said, "Comrade Chief of Staff, let's go." Let the assault team get into the car first, and follow us to the station of the Guards Division. ”

Raskin hesitated and said, "What about the rest of the troops?" ”

I waved my hand and said, "Don't worry about them, the commandos are small in number, so assemble quickly." The other troops were too numerous to assemble in less than an hour. Instead of waiting for them here, we should first rush to the garrison of the Guards Division and wait for them. After saying that, I instructed Captain Kosga, who was standing upright: "Comrade Captain, after the troops of Shederikov and Gaidar have been assembled, you will arrange for them to rush to the garrison of the Guards Division partly by car and partly on foot. ”

In this way, the jeep in which Raskin and I rode opened the way in front, followed by a convoy of fifteen trucks, and marched mightily towards the station of the Guards Division.

After passing by the dangerous area a few days ago, I pointed to the bombs on the side of the road that had not exploded, and said to Raskin with great interest: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you can see that the bombs on the side of the road were dropped by German planes. When I saw that the convoy carrying the material was blocked by these guys, I had an idea and asked the soldiers to find something to get the wind fins in the tail of the bombs, and then dragged the bombs to the side of the road with a rope. ”

Ruskin turned his head to look out the window at the bombs, frowned slightly, and said in a low voice: "You have to do everything you can to get rid of these bombs, they are always a threat on the side of the road, and they may explode at any time." ”

Our convoy came to the station of the Guards Division, and I asked Oleg to direct the troops to get off the car, and I walked with Raskin to the headquarters of the Guards Division.

Seeing us walk into the command, Lyudnikov left the table and greeted us. When shaking hands with Raskin, he said with a stern expression: "Comrade Chief of Staff. Something you want us to prepare. It's ready. Ruskin nodded. While I was shaking hands with Lyudnikov, I reached out to shake hands with Titov next to me.

After everyone had greeted each other, Ruskin said to me: "Comrade Oshanina, before I left, I asked Colonel Lyudnikov to prepare 200 smoke bombs for you. Now that he has the smoke grenades you need, he plans to draw a company from the Guards Mortar Battalion to help you with the smoke release. ”

Hearing this, I understood when Ruskin left that day. Why did you suddenly say that I would contact the Guards Division, there would be unexpected gains, it turned out to refer to this matter. I hurriedly extended my hand to Lyudnikov again and thanked him.

When night fell, all the participating units of our division arrived, and at the same time, the tank detachment and two artillery batteries assigned to us were also in place. I divided the troops into three echelons: the first echelon, the commando units under the command of Captain Oleg, who were responsible for opening the way for the whole army; the second echelon, the support detachment of Captain Sedjerikov, as well as the artillery company; Third echelon. It was me and the fighters of five other companies led by Gaidar. As for the tank detachment, I also repeatedly told the commander of the tank corps. As soon as they heard the fire coming in the direction of the settlement, the tank detachment immediately went out and rushed to the vicinity of the settlement to provide fire support to our attacking troops.

Perhaps there has been no fighting in this area recently, so the enemy has also relaxed its surveillance of these kilometers and turned his attention to other directions. In this way, it has brought convenience to the actions of my division. More than 2,000 people, after an hour of rapid marching, managed to enter this forest of several square kilometers next to the settlement, without the enemy noticing.

While waiting for the dawn, I entered a state of euphoria, sitting unsteadily, standing uncomfortably, and constantly walking around in place, hoping for the dawn sooner.

As the hour hand pointed to five o'clock, the sky began to light up. The commanders who participated in the battle gathered around me, waiting for me to give the order to attack.

I looked at the commanders in front of me, Captain Sedrikov, Captain Oleg, Captain Gaidar, the commander of the Guards mortar company, and the commander of the artillery company. I raised my hand again and looked at my watch, and first ordered the mortar company commander: "Comrade company commander, order your artillery to prepare, and in five minutes, fire smoke grenades at the residential areas occupied by the enemy. ”

After the mortar company commander left, I turned around again and asked Oleg: "Comrade Captain, are the commandos ready?" ”

Oleg nodded vigorously and replied in a low voice: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, the assault team is ready, and then it can launch an attack on the enemy's entrenched settlements. ”

I nodded with satisfaction and commanded him, "All right, Comrade Captain, assemble your troops." As soon as the mortar battery starts firing smoke, you lead your troops closer to the settlement. As soon as we approach the settlements, we must immediately launch a charge at the buildings occupied by the enemy with lightning speed, and strive to occupy several footholds for our troops in the shortest possible time. ”

Oleg excitedly promised "understood" and turned to leave.

"Comrade division commander, what is the task of our support detachment?" Seeing that two people had already taken the task and left, and I hadn't called his name yet, Shedelikov couldn't help but be a little anxious.

"Don't be in a hurry, Comrade Captain." Although I was a little anxious, but on the surface I still had to remain calm, and I said to Shederikov unhurriedly: "Your support detachment is going to consolidate the building occupied by Captain Oleg's assault team, and you will set off again five minutes after his troops have left." ”

Sedjerikov saluted me expressionlessly and turned to leave.

I looked at Gaidar and the commander of the artillery company, who were still beside me, and instructed: "Comrade Captain, when our troops start to attack later, you can ask your subordinates to help this company commander push their artillery as far forward as possible." Their artillery is all small-caliber, and five or six people can push it away. ”

At this moment, the operator No. 4, who was carrying a walkie-talkie on his back, came to me and reported to me: "Comrade division commander, Colonel Raskin, chief of staff of the group army, wants to talk to you. ”

As soon as I put on my headphones, I heard Raskin's anxious voice coming: "Comrade Oshanina, it's dawn, why haven't the troops attacked yet?" ”

I blew into the microphone and was about to explain to Raskin when the sound of a mortar shell coming out of the chamber was heard not far away, and I immediately excitedly said into the microphone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, did you hear me?" Our offensive began, and the Guards mortars were firing smoke at the settlements, covering the approach of our assault forces to the settlements. ”

Hearing the sound of the cannon, Raskin also became agitated, and he said loudly: "Great, Comrade Oshanina, then I will wait for your good news." Good luck! With that, he ended the call with me.

Smoke grenades exploded in the settlement, and the gray-white smoke slowly rose, and the originally clearly visible settlement was slowly enveloped in smoke. Seeing the beginning of the shelling, the assault team commanded by Oleg, divided into several squads, bent over with weapons in hand, trotted towards the settlement. Looking at the weapons in their hands, I couldn't help but feel ashamed, after all, there were only a few fighters equipped with submachine guns, barely a third, and the rest of the fighters were holding shovels, axes, and carrying a backpack with grenades in them.

The speed of 400 meters is not far away, and at the speed of the commando fighters, in less than two minutes, they are approaching the settlement. I saw through the binoculars that Captain Oleg, who was in the middle of the line, suddenly straightened up, raised his pistol high above his head, seemed to shout something, and then rushed into the smoke first. Under his leadership, the figures of three hundred commandos also disappeared into the smoke.

Seeing that the assault team had disappeared into the smoke, Shedelikov behind could not hold it back, he also brandished his pistol and rushed towards the settlement in the first place, and behind him, dense commanders and fighters swarmed up.

When Sederikov's troops also approached the settlement, the enemy in the settlement did not react at all. Neither the foxhole we had observed nor the firing point on the roof of the building had seen any movement. At that moment, I even thought that the enemy in the settlement had all retreated.

When Gaidar saw this scene, he was also extremely puzzled, walked up to me, and asked in a low voice: "Comrade division commander, what is going on?" Did the enemy feel that there was no intention of holding out here, and quietly withdrew without our troops noticing? ”

When I saw the smoke like a huge monster, swallowing most of Sederikov's troops, my heart was a little flustered, could it be that the enemy had really withdrawn. After a brief moment of panic, I regained my composure and calmly gave the orders: "The Guards mortar company stops firing. Captain Gaidar, join me in the attack and help the artillery company push the artillery near the settlement. Speaking of this, I couldn't help but say fiercely: "I'm going to see why these damn Germans haven't moved yet, are they going to heaven or to earth?" ”

Gaidar commanded his men to help the soldiers of the artillery company push the small cannons and quickly advance towards the settlement. I gritted my teeth and followed behind with a submachine gun, wondering how I would report to my superiors if there was no enemy in the settlement. After preparing for such a long time, I also borrowed troops and equipment from friendly troops, but I didn't expect to pounce.

At this time, the No. 4 operator came to my side again and silently handed me the headset and microphone. I stopped, put my headphones on, and heard Raskin nervously asking, "Comrade Oshanina, how is the situation?" Is the enemy's resistance fierce? Is our team approaching the settlement? ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff," I replied somewhat helplessly, "not only Captain Oleg's assault detachment has already stormed the settlement, but even Captain Sedjerikov's support detachment has rushed in. ……”

"Great." Without waiting for me to finish, Ruskin exclaimed excitedly: "It seems that the settlement will be taken down this morning." Comrade Oshanina, I congratulate you in advance. ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff," I said with a bitter face, "the situation is not what you think. From the time my troops launched the attack to the time they stormed the settlements, the Germans inside did not move at all, and perhaps they all retreated. ”

"Retreat?! How is this possible, our scouts also reconnoitred in the vicinity of the settlement yesterday and saw that there were German troops coming and going. Since they're not moving, you can worry, maybe there's some trap waiting for you. (To be continued......)