In this way, Karpov's troops were incorporated into the 1st Regiment of Sederikov, which was combined with Serebryanny's troops to form a new 2nd Battalion. Since Chuikov had hinted in advance that the officers who came anyway should be demoted, I appointed him deputy battalion commander and served as Sherebryanny's deputy. At the same time, in recognition of Serebryan's achievements in the battle, after consultation with several division leaders, he was promoted to the rank of captain.

Karpov readily agreed to my arrangement without any objection. As soon as the meeting was over, he did not hesitate to assemble his troops and follow Shederikov back to the garrison of the first regiment.

Soon after the Germans reoccupied the forward positions, an artillery observation point was soon established. Since they learned the lesson of the last time, this time the location of the artillery observation point was hidden under the embankment, and our mortars could not destroy them, as a result of which the transport fleet on the river again suffered unnecessary heavy losses.

On the evening of October 13, Kirillov and I were discussing whether to send a small force along the embankment to eliminate the enemy's artillery observation points, when a call from the command came in.

The call was made by Chuikov himself, and he asked on the phone: "Oshanina, what are you doing?" ”

Hearing his question, I hastened to reply: "Report to Comrade Commander, we are studying how to eliminate the enemy's newly established artillery observation points in order to ensure the safety of our army's transport convoys. ”

"To hell with the artillery observation points of the Germans!" Chuikov gritted his teeth and said viciously: "The Germans in front of you have been beaten by you, so the Mamayev Gang will not become the focus of the Germans' attack for the time being. If it's possible. I want you to draw as many troops as you can. to reinforce the troops in the city. ”

Chuikov's words made me feel a little uneasy. You know, we've been here for a month and a half, and our superiors have never asked us to send troops to reinforce the city. From what I know about Chuikov, if it weren't for the critical moment, he decided he wouldn't have done it. So I asked with concern: "Comrade commander, is something wrong?" ”

"Our scouts reported that the enemy seemed to be about to take a big action against us, and Paulus had assembled three infantry divisions and two tank divisions in front of the factory area of the city alone. The troops spread out in offensive formation on a frontal of about five kilometers. It seems to be ready to attack our defensive positions at any time. ”

"If the enemy wants to attack, just wait for him to attack, there is nothing remarkable!" Suddenly, the voice of military commissar Gurov came from the earpiece, and he was obviously saying to Chuikov: "...... And before the enemy's attack, Comrade Commander of the Army, I think you should sleep well, you haven't closed your eyes for four or five days. ”

Immediately I heard Chuikov's laughter, and he said to Gurov: "Comrade Military Commissar, even if you want to sleep, wait until I have explained the current situation to Comrade Oshanina." ”

Gurov said cooperatively, "Okay. Then you cut a long story short and finish the task. Just go and rest immediately. ”

"Comrade Commander," although I heard that the Germans had deployed five divisions in the direction of the factory area, I did not have the slightest intention of knowing the number of the other side, but only cared about which unit was about to fight side by side with us, so I asked straight to the point: "Comrade commander, can I ask which unit is currently deployed in the factory area?" ”

"There were two divisions of the regular army, the 39th Guards Division of Guryev and the 308th Infantry Division of Gurdiev, and the 37th Guards Division, and the light tanks of the 84th Tank Brigade crossed the river and were deployed on the positions of these two infantry divisions as fixed firing points. At the same time, they also built a large number of shelters, infantry foxholes, and communication trenches in front of the streets of the workers' new village and the workshops of the factories. ”

Hearing that there were only three incomplete divisions to withstand the attack of five German divisions, my heart couldn't help but sink, the Soviet army often had to lose battles when it had superior strength, and now the disparity between the enemy and our forces is so great, the disadvantage of our army is self-evident, even if I throw the entire independent division into it, it is just an egg hitting a stone. But at this moment I could not remain silent, I had to say something, I had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask: "Comrade commander, apart from these three dissatisfied divisions, there are no new troops?" As I said this, I deliberately removed the earpiece from my ear and looked at it, making sure that I was using a wired phone instead of a walkie-talkie, and that there was no danger of leaking secrets, so I put the earpiece close to my ear again.

"In order to strengthen the defenses of the 'Red October' plant, the 'barricade' plant and the Stalingrad Tractor Factory, and to establish support points in these factories consisting of armed columns of workers, as early as October 5 we incorporated the workers' armed corps of the 'Red October', 'Barricade' and the Tractor Factory into the Red Army, as well as the many fighter battalions that went to the Tractor Factory, and distributed them with provisions. At present, the workers' armed column in the 'Red October' district is subordinate to the 39th Guards Infantry Division, the workers' armed corps and fighter battalion in the 'barricade' district are subordinate to the 308th Infantry Division, and the workers' armed corps, armed destroyer battalion and workers' special armed corps of the tractor factory are subordinate to the 37th Guards Division. ”

Since my attention has recently been focused on the German positions in front of the Mamayev Gang and the Karpov battalion, and because the communication was not smooth in the early stage, I don't know much about the fighting situation in the city. Seeing that our division was about to send troops to participate in the battle, understanding the enemy situation in the city became the primary task. I then asked: "Comrade Commander, what is the combat effectiveness of these workers' armed corps, which have been incorporated into the regular army?" ”

"Not bad," said Chuikov with emotion, "I never thought that the battles that these militiamen came out of were no worse than our regular army. Throughout the day of October 5, the enemy continued to launch wave after wave of attacks on the positions of our troops in the new village of workers of the Stalingrad Tractor Plant. Their air force bombed our positions incessantly, and the number of sorties of planes bombing reached 700 in a single day. But not only did our commanders and fighters resolutely hold back the enemy's frenzied attack, but an infantry regiment of the 37th Guards Division, with half of the militia, repelled the enemy and resolutely counterattacked, occupying a defensive position from the cemetery through Bazovaya Street, along the ditch bank to the street of the printing house.

Fierce battles also took place with the enemy on the edge of the workers' new villages and on individual streets in the 'Red October' and 'barricade' districts. The Germans routed the remnants of our 42nd, 92nd Infantry Brigade and 6th Guards Tank Brigade. And occupied the 'silicate' plant. Part of the company of the 308th Regiment of the 339th Infantry Division, although it was besieged. But they are still fighting stubbornly. And with the help of the 284th, 95th and 193rd Infantry Divisions and the 39th Guards Division, they repelled several enemy attacks.

The Germans, who had been repulsed by our troops, were not reconciled to their defeat and, on the next day, October 6, dispatched aviation to bomb our battle formations for a full day. The commander and political commissar of the 339th Regiment and all the staff officers of the regimental headquarters died heroically in the bombing.

At noon on 7 October, the Germans, who had gathered a large number of troops, resumed their attack on our positions. With the strength of three infantry divisions and more than 50 tanks, they launched a fierce assault on the positions of our troops located in the new village of the workers of the tractor factory. My valiant commanders and fighters of the 37th Guards Division repelled the first few German attacks. But the enemy, having frustrated the offensive, brought in their reserves and relaunched one attack after another on the positions of our troops. By late afternoon. The Germans, after fierce battles, managed to wedge into the battle formations of our troops, occupied a block of the new village of the workers of the tractor factory and approached the stadium. However, our commanders and fighters are still fighting stubbornly, and the fascist invaders have to pay a huge price for almost every step they take.

The battle for the bathhouse building in the new workers' village of 'Red October' was particularly fierce, and the four-storey building changed hands several times. After a day of fighting, the Germans had lost a large number of men and weapons, and then they began to mobilize new forces and reassign their own troops to carry out new attacks. The enemy is launching a military offensive at the same time. A large number of provocative leaflets were also fired at our positions with mortars in an attempt to trick our commanders and fighters into giving up resistance. Obediently be their captive. But they didn't know that we, the defenders of Stalingrad, had never thought of a sneak attack, but held our positions and resolutely defended every inch of Stalingrad. ”

Chuikov kept talking as if he had opened a conversation, and I felt too tired to stand and listen, so I sat down and listened: "...... The 37th Guards Infantry Division, the 308th, 95th, 193rd Infantry Division, and the Northern Cluster under Colonel Gorokhov held off the German offensive outside the building of the tractor factory, the workers' villages of 'Red October' and 'Barricade', which bought our army group time to adjust its forces in order to continue preparing for battle.

We took all the measures we could and built an impenetrable defensive position. In the depth of the forward positions and the battle formations of the troops, even anti-tank and anti-infantry obstacles, numerous fire support points were constructed in buildings and factory floors.

After a long period of fighting, we found that the concentrated use of artillery is becoming more and more effective. Due to the strengthening of the artillery forces of the army group, the fierce artillery counterattack of the enemy was carried out smoothly. With 300 cannons, we shelled the enemy for forty minutes on the enemy, who was preparing to break through to the Volga from between the tractor plant and the 'barricade' plant. The German units, which were three kilometers wide and spread out on a frontal front, suffered heavy casualties under heavy artillery fire from our troops, which brought the fighting here to a halt for a week.

During this time, the enemy, unwilling to be defeated, remobilized his reserves and pressed on our factory area, trying to fight us to the death here. When he said this, Chuikov's voice suddenly became confident, "Since we were able to defeat them last time, then I firmly believe that this time they will not want to get the slightest advantage except for the loss of their troops." ”

Chuikov's words made me feel a lot more at ease, after all, in a city defense war, it is always the defender who has the advantage. It's really like what Chuikov said, since we were able to defeat them last time, then in the next battle, their attacks will also be repulsed by us. Thinking of this, I cautiously asked Chuikov: "Comrade commander, do you know the latest information on the strength of the German army?" ”

"I know," Chuikov replied crisply, "I just received information from the Front Command. Despite the fact that our resistance in Stalingrad has not stopped, unwilling to abandon our fanciful enemies, we are still trying to seize the city. In preparation for a general offensive, Hitler's command sent a large number of troops from the reserve to Stalingrad to replenish the divisions that had been weakened by us in the battle. In the first ten days of October alone, 200,000 trained replenishment, 90 artillery battalions (50,000 people) arrived here. more than 1,000 artillery pieces of various types) and 46 engineer battalions (about 30,000 people) airlifted in for the siege. Meanwhile. Our scouts also found. The enemy massively readjusted his forces and drew out some of the troops that had suffered heavy casualties in the early stage to form a campaign reserve.

Yesterday, October 12, the Army, by order of Commander Yeremenko, launched a counterattack against the enemy with the 37th Guards Infantry Division and the 95th Infantry Division, and launched a surprise attack on the enemy in the direction of the west of the workers' village of the Stalingrad Tractor Plant, in order to whitewash a new offensive prepared by Hitler's bandits. However, due to the stubborn resistance of the enemy, our counterattack forces only advanced a few points in a few sections.

However, these results were not easy to achieve. Under the frantic counterattack of the Germans during the day, it was reduced to nothing, and our troops, after the battle, had to retreat to the starting position of yesterday.

Well, Comrade Oshanina, I've said everything that needs to be said. I order you to draw out all the troops that the Independent Division can draw before dawn and take them to the city to hide until the enemy begins to attack the factory area. You are striking decisively, striking the enemy from behind the flank. As for you. As soon as you bring the troops to the city, come to my headquarters, and I have something to tell you. ”

When I put down the phone, I saw Kirillov and the others all around me, looking nervously at me, waiting for me to announce the order of my superiors to them. After sighing secretly in my heart, I repeated what Chuikov had just said to them, and then asked: "Comrade commander, the commander asked us to send troops to the city for reinforcements, can you talk about your opinions?" ”

After listening to my question, Akhromeyev frowned and thought for a while and said: "The command just asked us to send troops to reinforcements, and did not say how many people we should send." Comrade division commander, how many troops do you think will be transferred? You must know that our Mamayev Hill is also a defensive point, and if it is lost, the entire defense line in the city will be shaken. ”

"Comrade division commander," said Pantai Laiev politely to me, "At present, of the four regiments of our division, the second and fourth regiments are holding the Mamayev post, and they will definitely not be used. As for the 1st and 3rd regiments stationed in the settlements, if they are all transferred, the enemy may take advantage of the situation and copy our rear route, so I think it is enough to transfer only one regiment. ”

"What, only one regiment was transferred?" Surprised, Kirillov asked, "Is this appropriate?" After saying this, he looked at me again and asked, "Comrade Oshanina, what is your opinion?" ”

I weighed the pros and cons in my heart, and finally decided to adopt the advice of Bantai Leyev, so I looked at him and nodded, saying, "I agree with the deputy division commander. The main task of our division is to hold the Mamayev Heights, and if we drain our defending forces for the sake of reinforcing friendly forces, so that the enemy has an opportunity to take advantage of the Mamayev Posts, we will have to pay a huge price if we want to recapture this place, so I think it will be enough to send only one regiment to the battle. Seeing that Kirillov opened his mouth to persuade me, he decisively raised his hand to stop him, and said resolutely: "What we will discuss next is not the question of how many troops to send, but whether one regiment or three regiments should be transferred." Comrade commissar," I asked, looking into Kirillov, "which regiment do you think should be transferred?" ”

When Kirillov heard my question, he was stunned for a moment, and then he said carefully: "Although the three regiments have just replenished their strength not long ago, almost all of them are new recruits, and it is estimated that they do not have much combat effectiveness. And the combat effectiveness of a regiment in the battle some time ago is still very satisfactory. So I'll send a regiment for this reinforcement operation. ”

When Kirillov finished speaking, I turned my head to look at Pantai Leyev, smiled and asked politely: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, I don't know what you think about which regiment to send for reinforcements?" ”

"Comrade division commander, I agree with the political commissar." Bantai Laiev replied very simply, "Judging from the table of the first regiment a few days ago, their combat effectiveness is not weak, and they are fully capable of this task. ”

I didn't speak, just nodded, turned to look at Akhromeyev again, and asked: "Chief of Staff, what is your opinion?" ”

After glancing at Kirillov and Pandereev, Akhromeyev quickly straightened up and replied: "Comrade division commander, my opinion is the same as everyone's, and I also think that it is most appropriate to send a regiment. In order to prove that he is not a crowd, he also made a special statement, "Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov's command ability can be seen when his regiment holds the high ground to the north, and their regiment has recently been replenished with many veterans with rich combat experience, so I think they are fully competent." ”

"Okay, now that everyone's opinion is unified, then we'll send a regiment to reinforce the friendly forces in the factory area." Speaking of this, I paused for a moment, turned my head to look at Akhromeyev, and said to him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please call Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov and inform him to immediately assemble the troops and prepare for departure. ”

As soon as I finished speaking, Kirillov added next to me: "I also want to call Major Godunov of the 3rd regiment." ”

As soon as Kirillov reminded me, I suddenly remembered that if one regiment left, then their defense area would be vacated, so it was necessary for the three regiments to draw troops to fill this vacancy, so as not to be taken advantage of by the Germans. He immediately instructed Akhromeyev: "The commissar is right, after calling the first regiment, then call the commander of the third regiment, Major Godunov, and ask him to send someone to take over the defense of the first regiment." (To be continued......)