Captain Gusev's analysis, like a slap in the face, woke me up from my complacent. I stared at the map on the table, re-examining my battle deployment, on the map, I seemed to see our positions under the dense bombardment of German artillery fire, everywhere there was fire and gunsmoke, and the soldiers who had been blown up were running around like headless flies, and none of them were spared in a pool of blood.

I was so engrossed in my thinking that Gusev shouted several times before I came back to my senses. I stabilized my mood and humbly asked him: "Comrade Captain, if you are asked to fight this defensive battle, how will you deploy your troops?" ”

In response to my inquiry, Gusev was not polite, but pointed directly to the map and said to me: "Comrade division commander, please see, there is an open field on the dirt road between our village and the village of Pyatnitsa, about three kilometers from the village. If I were to command the troops, I would send a force to build fortifications here. After digging the trenches, it was necessary to lay minefields in front of the positions as soon as possible in order to delay the rapid advance of the German tanks. Since the infantry battalion of the Shirov Regiment was composed of four companies, I would place two companies at the front and the other two companies in the nearby forest, ready to reinforce the forward defenders. Also, there are no rolling hills in this area, so the second line of defense should not be too close to the first, otherwise once the battle starts, both lines are within the range of the limited artillery fire of the Germans, and they can destroy the defensive positions of our troops with artillery fire from a great distance. In this way, we will suffer a great loss if we lack heavy weapons, and we may be completely wiped out. ”

"How do you lay out a minefield?" Hear him say that. I think it makes a lot of sense. So I continued to consult him.

"Due to the dense forests nearby. If the Germans sent tanks, they could only advance along dirt roads, so we had to plant anti-tank mines on dirt roads, and in front of the trenches ordinary mines that could kill and injure soldiers. ”

"If I now have two infantry battalions, plus two tank companies, how are you going to deploy them?"

Gusev waved his hand and said: "No matter how many troops there are now, only two companies can be placed on the front. You must know that the Germans were under heavy artillery fire, and the denser the troops in the trenches, the greater the casualties at that time. As for the rest of the troops, according to the plan just mentioned, the two companies are hidden in the forest, and if necessary, they can go to reinforce the front line. Another battalion and tank company could lie in ambush on the flank of the Germans and attack them from the flank while they were attacking our positions. ”

Listen to Gusev. I nodded in satisfaction and beckoned him to sit down. began to chat with him: "Comrade Captain, from your conversation, it can be seen that you have a lot of combat experience. Participated in the Soviet-Finnish war, right? ”

"Yes, in addition to that war, I fought with the Japanese in Nomenhan, and with the Poles in Brest."

"Have you studied at any military academy before?"

"Because of my outstanding performance in the army, I was sent to the Frunze Military School for two years. After graduating, I returned to the army and served as a company commander in a unit. ”

I looked at the rank on the Gusev collar badge and asked with some puzzlement: "Oh, you have participated in so many wars and studied at the famous Frunze Military Academy, how can you be a captain?" ”

Gusev's face flushed slightly, and then he said with some embarrassment: "A few years ago, I was arrested. ”

Arrested?! When I heard this word, I was stunned at first, and then I realized that he was not arrested by the enemy, but that he had been imprisoned and examined in the Great Purge a few years earlier, but he was lucky that he was not purged, but survived and returned to the army.

Because the topic inadvertently touched on the Great Purge, we all fell silent. Just as I was trying to find a new topic, trying to keep our conversation going, I heard a voice at the door. I looked up and saw the Chief of Staff, Captain Boroda, walking in with the Chief of Staff, Major Antonov, and Captain Avtukhov of the Independent Telephone Company.

When I saw a few people entering, I quickly stood up, and Gusev also stood up. I approached a few people, and took the initiative to extend my hand to Antonov, greeting him warmly: "Hello, Major Antonov. ”

Antonov hurriedly stopped, raised his hand to salute me, and then stretched out his hand to shake my hand.

Then I brought everyone to the table, pointed to the map on the table, and said to Antonov: "Major Antonov, I have a difficult and honorable task for you. ”

Antonov hurriedly straightened his body and replied respectfully: "I follow your instructions, Comrade Division Commander. ”

Because of the urgency of time, I would not be polite to him, and said straight to the point: "We are going to prepare for a battle with the incoming Germans in the north of the village." After my deliberations with Comrade Chief of Staff, I felt that you should be in command of this battle. ”

Hearing me say this, Antonov's facial expression did not change in the slightest, he just asked lightly: "Comrade division commander, do I want to know what kind of troops I command?" ”

"At the moment I can offer you two infantry battalions of Colonel Sholov and two tank companies of Colonel Donskoy, which are currently building fortifications three kilometres north of the village. In addition to this, there were the 1st and 2nd companies of the guard battalion under the command of Captain Gusev, as well as a newly formed combat battalion. ”

Antonov's eyes were fixed on the map and he asked: "Comrade division commander, I also want to ask, are so many troops placed in one line of defense, or are they preparing a second line of defense?" If there was only one line of defense, I don't think such troops would be needed, you must know that the artillery fire of the Germans was very fierce, and if our army discharged such a dense formation, the casualties under the artillery fire would be a very terrible figure. ”

"Where are you going to put the second line of defense?" When I asked, I also wanted to test him.

He pointed to the location of the first line of defense, then moved slightly to the south, and said, "I think the second line of defense should be built about two kilometers from the front line, and the guard battalion and the new combat battalion should be deployed here." At the same time, a tank company was placed here, and the tanks could be used as a fixed battery to provide the necessary artillery support for the defenders when the forward positions were attacked by German infantry. ”

"Good!" Seeing that his consideration was more comprehensive than mine, I immediately praised him without hesitation: "In that case, I will officially appoint you as the commander-in-chief of the former enemy, responsible for commanding this battle. After defeating the German offensive, I personally ask the commander of the front for credit! ”

As soon as he heard the request for credit, Antonov's eyes lit up with excitement, snapped upright, and said loudly: "Please rest assured that the division commander and the chief of staff will complete the task well." ”

At this time, Boroda spoke: "Captain Avtukhov, the communication between the division headquarters and Major Antonov will be entrusted to you. I would like to borrow here a sentence from Comrade Comrade Division Commander: If you can ensure smooth communication between the division headquarters and the front line, after the battle is won, I will personally ask for credit from my superiors for you. ”

For a soldier who is eager to make meritorious contributions, there is nothing more attractive than honor, hearing Boroda's wish to him, Avtukhov also came to stand upright, and said excitedly: "Please rest assured that the division commander and the chief of staff will use the honor of a soldier to assure you that even if we make great sacrifices, we will ensure that the communication between the division headquarters and the forward positions is always unimpeded during the battle." ”

"Comrade division commander, I'm still a little worried." Antonov suddenly added: "If you put so many troops under my command, then the defense of the village will be greatly weakened. It is very difficult to ensure the security of the division headquarters with only one guard company. You see, should one or two companies of troops be drawn from the front to strengthen the defense of the division headquarters. ”

I shook my head and said, "Major Antonov, you only need to think about how to block and destroy the incoming enemy, and you don't have to worry about the safety of the division headquarters. At this point, I raised my hand and looked at my watch, and said, "It is now one o'clock in the afternoon, and it is estimated that the troops sent by the 1132nd and 1133rd regiments will soon arrive in the village, and then these troops will not only be able to take on the task of defending the division headquarters, but will also be able to serve as a general reserve and go into battle when necessary." ”

Hearing me say this, Boroda also chimed in and said: "Yes, Major Antonov, you don't have to worry about the safety of the division headquarters." It's not early, you better get to the front as soon as possible and see if the fighters of the Sholov regiment have repaired the fortifications. The trenches at the front were to be extended as far as possible to the sides, to control the dirt road leading to the village, and to block off the part of the forest where the Germans might detour. ”

"Yes! Understood, Comrade Chief of Staff. Antonov agreed loudly, then saluted us again and asked: "Division commander, chief of staff, can I leave?" ”

I returned the salute, nodded at him, and said, "Comrade Antonov, you can go to the front with confidence." Remember, stay in touch with us at all times. ”

"Yes!" He said yes, then turned back and left. Captain Gusev and Captain Avtukhov also hurriedly stood up and saluted, and then turned around and left with him.

After several people had left, I asked Boroda: "Comrade Chief of Staff, is there any news of the Germans?" ”

Boroda nodded, handed over a telegram, and said, "This is a telegram from the partisans that there are Germans assembling in the village of Pyatnica at the moment, because the security in the village is too tight for the partisans on reconnaissance missions to get too close. However, judging from the movements of the German army, there should be two or three companies of troops, as well as a certain number of tanks and armored vehicles. ”

I glanced at the telegram in my hand, couldn't help but sigh, and said to Boroda: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I have a feeling that this battle that is about to start will be a vicious battle. (To be continued......)

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