Before Chuikov could put down the phone, I saw that the staff officer who delivered the telegram had walked into the headquarters again, and hurriedly greeted him.

I thought he was sending a follow-up report on Kolobutin's report on the discovery of the cave, so I smiled and asked, "Comrade Staff, did you bring us any good news?" ”

The staff officer replied with a serious expression: "I'm sorry, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you." Because this telegram was sent by General Kolpakchi of the 62nd Army, the Germans were storming the junction of our two armies. Due to the excessive strength of the enemy, the 98th Infantry Division, which was holding the area, was already retreating after fierce battles. ”

Hearing this news, not only me, but also Chuikov and Shumilov changed color together, and they could not imagine that the situation was so serious, if the joint between us and the 62nd Army was broken through, then the German army would be able to make a detour from the north, which would not only cut off our retreat to Stalingrad, but also deprive us of the opportunity to replenish our troops and supplies. In that case, it is a question of whether you can get out of the way, let alone stick to the existing line of defense.

When I heard the name of the division commander of the 98th Division, I couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and said in my heart that the original division commander was not Major General Grazkov, why was it replaced by this Major General Barinov, could it be because he was removed from his post because he lost the battle? It stands to reason that it won't, the last time I followed Chuikov to the Don River to command the counterattack, the performance of the division was still very eye-catching, why did the division commander change in a blink of an eye?

Chuikov saw me babbling to himself, his face suddenly sank, and he shouted dissatisfiedly: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina." Why are you always absent-minded. What are you thinking? ”

I was shouted at by Chuikov. suddenly came back to his senses and hurriedly explained: "Report to Comrade General, I was thinking about how the commander of the 98th Division was replaced?" You must know that during the last counterattack on the Don River, the division commander General Grazkov and his deputy division commander Seryokin performed well! ”

"I knew that they had done well, and in the post-battle summary, I truthfully informed the commander of the Front, General Gordorf, about their heroism. Since the 35th Guards Division, which arrived later, did not have a division commander for the time being, the commander of the Front transferred Grazkov to the post of division commander of the Guards Division. At present, this division is responsible for the defense of the northern part of Stalingrad. The division headquarters was stationed at Mamayev Height. ”

When I heard the number of the 35th Guards Division, I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows, if I hadn't been sent to the front, I would now be the rightful commander of the Guards Division, and now I heard that my position as division commander was replaced by someone else, and I was still quite disappointed. But on second thought, General Grazkov was a battle-hardened commander, and it was perhaps more appropriate for him to command this force than I did.

"Comrade Chuikov, what should we do?" Shumilov ignored my gaffe. Straightforwardly asked Chuikov for advice on how to deal with the current unfavorable situation.

Chuikov's gaze swept over the map and gave me the order directly: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina." Record Order: Colonel Kuropatenko's 157th Infantry Division and the 66th Marine Brigade, under the cover of the 137th Tank Brigade, immediately launched a counter-assault on the German flanks wedged into the junction of our and the 62nd Army. It is imperative to inflict heavy damage on this enemy, and if possible, to resolutely annihilate it. In addition, after restoring the original positions of our troops, the tank brigade and the marine brigade returned to their original positions, while the 157th Division remained behind to repair the fortifications and prepare for a long-term resistance to the enemy's attack in the area. ”

Chuikov spoke very quickly, and my recording speed couldn't keep up with the speed of his speech, so I could only pick out the important content and write a few strokes, anyway, I just knew what Lu Dao wrote. After recording his order, I deliberately asked: "Comrade General, since the 157th Division, the 66th Brigade and the 137th Tank Brigade have all been transferred, will the harassment of the German positions continue?" ”

After listening to my question, Chuikov thought for a while, and then replied very dryly: "Let Colonel Lyudnikov continue to send troops to harass the German positions, and try to contain this enemy force as much as possible, lest they send troops to reinforce the enemy who is wedged into the breach, then our battle will not be easy." ”

I walked briskly to the communications room next door, found the communications staff officer, repeated the order given by Chuikov to him, and asked him to immediately send a telegram to the 70th Guards Division, the 157th Infantry Division, the 66th Marine Brigade, and the 137th Tank Brigade, telling them to act immediately according to the order.

The troops in the Orlovka area were always in a state of combat readiness, and it took less than half an hour for two brigades of a division to complete the assembly and drive to the battlefield.

By the time the battle began, Chuikov had already contacted Kolpacchi, the acting commander of the 62nd Army, through a walkie-talkie that had just been moved into the headquarters. He shouted at the microphone: "Vladimir. Yakovlevich, I have sent troops to attack the German flank wedged into the joint, and I ask you to immediately order the troops of the 98th Division to launch a counterattack and cooperate with the actions of our army. ”

Unexpectedly, Kolpacich sighed and replied regretfully: "I'm sorry, Vasily. Ivanovich, I have lost contact with the headquarters of the 98th Division and cannot give them combat orders for the time being. ”

Chuikov was shocked when he heard this, and asked in surprise: "How can this be?" Was the 98th Division crushed by the Germans? ”

"According to the Forward Observation Post, the enemy carried out heavy artillery shelling of the divisional headquarters of the 98th Division before the offensive, and it was at that time that we lost contact with Major General Barinov." "Perhaps the division headquarters was destroyed by enemy artillery fire, and the troops that lost their command could not stop the enemy's attack. ”

Shumilov, who had been pointing at the map with a red and blue pencil, was so angry that he slapped the pencil on the table in anger when he heard Kolpacic say this, and said angrily: "Nonsense, nonsense." Before the war began, a division headquarters was terminated, and thousands of commanders and fighters were defeated and retreated by the enemy without command. ”

Chuikov glanced at Shumilov, who was furious, and said to the microphone with a bitter face: "General Kolpakchi." You'd better find a way to continue to contact the 98th Division. If it weren't for them to contain the enemy. Our assault from the flanks. It is difficult to achieve large results. ”

After handing over the headset and microphone to the operator, Chuikov also said to Shumilov with a displeased face: "I have dealt with the commanders and fighters of the 98th Division, and they have all shown tenacity in battle. ”

Shumilov waved his hand and said: "Leave the 98th Division alone, or ask Colonel Kuropadenko when they will be able to attack the enemy's flank." Consolidate positions with the 98th Division, which covered the retreat. ”

I hurriedly instructed the operator to call Colonel Kuropadenko of the 157th Division, intending to ask where their troops had arrived. Unexpectedly, I couldn't get in touch again and again. Seeing that the troops could not be contacted, not only Shumilov, but even Chuikov became anxious. He angrily ordered the operator: "Keep contacting, keep calling." ”

Ten minutes later, the operator handed the headset and microphone to Chuikov and excitedly reported: "Comrade commander, I have already contacted Colonel Kuropatenko. ”

Chuikov heard Kuropadenko's voice coming from the earphones, and immediately asked in a dissatisfied tone: "Comrade Colonel." Why have you not been in contact with the army group headquarters? ”

The voice of Colonel Kuropatenko, muffled by the fierce gunfire of gunfire, came from the headphones: "Comrade commander, we have been fighting. Because they could not find a suitable place to set up a radio station, they did not get in touch with the headquarters in time. ”

Chuikov didn't bother to greet him, and said simply and clearly: "Report on the progress of your battle." ”

"Report to Comrade Commander, after the tank brigade attacked, it quickly cut off the German troops wedged into our defensive line into two sections, and at the moment we are dividing our troops into two lines and simultaneously launching an attack on the enemy on the east and west flanks. Due to the heavy artillery fire of the enemy, our troops suffered heavy casualties during the attack. ”

"Quickly take the position and consolidate it."

"Understood, I'll do it immediately."

Half an hour later, Kuropadenko again reported that, as a result of heavy enemy artillery fire and intensified counter-offensives, a position that had just been captured had been recaptured by the enemy, and that only five men had returned, three of whom were wounded, from a company that had held the position.

"Comrade Colonel, immediately organize the troops, under the cover of the tank troops, continue to attack the enemy, and we must take back the position, take it back!" Chuikov yelled hoarsely into the microphone.

With the information sent back from Kuropatenko, we know that the positions of the Dao are being fought over and over again one by one. Just when I was worried that the battle was in a stalemate, the tide of the battle took an unexpected turn, and Kuropadenko excitedly reported: "Comrade commander, it seems that the troops of the 62nd Army have launched a counterattack, and the enemy in the east has begun to break and flee. ”

"Great, Comrade Colonel!" Chuikov's mood was also a little excited, "We must join forces with friendly forces as soon as possible, eat all this enemy, and then turn around and destroy the enemy in the west." ”

Chuikov then contacted Kolpakchi by high-frequency telephone: "Comrade General, my subordinates have just reported to me that your troops are counterattacking the enemy, and the enemy in the middle of our two troops is no longer able to support it. ”

"Vasily. Ivanovich, I received a report half an hour ago that the commander of the 98th Division, General Barinov, had been seriously wounded in the battle just now, and that the troops were temporarily under the command of the deputy division commander, Colonel Seryokin. Since their troops were routed in the battle, Colonel Seryokin is currently gathering his troops and is temporarily free to fight with you, so I sent Colonel Yermolgin's 112th Division to the battlefield. ”

I listened to it next to me, okay, whether it is the 98th Division or the 112th Division, they originally belonged to the combat sequence of the 64th Army, and later they were assigned to the 62nd Army. Although the original division commander of the 112th Division was sacrificed, the division commander was replaced by Colonel Yermolkin, who had rich combat experience, so the unit still maintained its original combat effectiveness. The 98th Division also had a new division commander, and the combat effectiveness of the troops was greatly reduced. It seems that it is really a soldier, and it will be a nest of bears.

With the participation of the 112th Division, the balance of victory quickly tilted in favor of our army. An hour later, Kuropatenko reported to us that the battle had ended without incident, that the two battalions of the Germans wedged into our lines had been completely annihilated, and that the 157th Division was now reinforcing fortifications on the recaptured positions.

Now that he had won, Chuikov spoke to Kol Pakchi again.

Kolpakchi asked curiously: "Comrade Chuikov." I'd like to ask. When an enemy attacks your predetermined position. Sometimes, even with heavy casualties, it is difficult to capture your positions? ”

Chuikov said lightly: "It's also very simple to say, when the enemy began shelling, except for a few observation posts, the rest of the commanders and fighters were hidden in the fortifications. As soon as the enemy's artillery fire stopped and the infantry began to attack, they jumped out to block the enemy. ”

Kolpacic was puzzled and said: "Comrade Chuikov, I know that this style of play was first thought up by Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina. But here's the thing. Everyone is fighting this way, why is it that our fortifications have been destroyed by artillery fire, but your fortifications have not been destroyed? ”

"Maybe it's because of the difference in the construction of the fortifications." Chuikov, perhaps remembering the pit fortifications I had repeatedly recommended, replied vaguely, "In fact, we also use some methods. For example, the front is light and the rear is heavy, and the weapon configuration is heavy and the rear is light. There is also the necessary retreat and decisive counterattack to recover some of the lost positions......"

After Chuikov finished the call, he called me to his side and said, "Oshanina. Ready, we set off at right for Colonel Kolobtin. See how his tunnels are doing? ”

When Shumilov heard Chuikov say this, he also nodded and said, "Here I will stay and take charge of the overall situation, so you can rest assured to go to the front line to have a look." If this tunnel fortification is really as effective as Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina said, we can promote it throughout the army. Having a strong fortification, in addition to killing and wounding a large number of enemies, slowing down their attack, can also reduce unnecessary casualties of our troops. ”

On this departure, apart from me and Chuikov, there was only the herald Sidorin and a driver. Due to the lack of prior notification, our jeep drove to the vicinity of the 165 heights in Spaldanovka, where it was discovered by a patrol of the 29th division.

A sergeant stood in the middle of the dirt road, waving his hands to block our way, and on the side of the road stood seven or eight warriors with various weapons. The driver slowed down and turned his head to look at Chuikov, waiting for his last instructions. Chuikov looked at the fighters outside and didn't say anything, just nodded at the driver. The driver immediately pulled over to the side of the road.

The sergeant trotted over, bent slightly to look into the car, then walked to the driver's window and asked politely, "May I ask which part of you are from?" ”

Without waiting for the driver to speak, Sidorin, who was sitting in the co-pilot's seat, said loudly: "I said Comrade Sergeant, didn't you see that it was General Chuikov who was sitting in the car?" ”

The sergeant bent down again and looked at the back row, stood up straight, took a step back, and raised his hand in salute: "Hello, Comrade Deputy Commander." ”

Chuikov pushed open the door, leaned out and asked the sergeant: "Comrade sergeant, where is your division commander, Colonel Kolobutin?" ”

The sergeant hurriedly turned around and pointed to the hill behind him, and reported loudly: "Report to Comrade Deputy Commander, the division commander is on the 165 heights, inspecting the construction of the tunnel fortifications. ”

"Get in the car and take us there!" After Chuikov said this, he retracted his body and closed the car door with his hand.

Although Chuikov let the sergeant get into the car, he couldn't really get into the car, he stepped on the pedal with his hand on the door, stood outside the driver's door, and showed the way for our driver.

We got out of the car more than a hundred meters away from the cave, and before we reached the entrance of the cave, Kolobutin, who had already received a report from his subordinates, came out of the cave. Still in the distance, he greeted Chuikov warmly: "Hello, Comrade Deputy Commander, why did you think that you came to the defensive ground of our division?" ”

Chuikov replied lightly: "I'll come to you to see how the tunnel fortifications are doing?" ”

Hearing that Chuikov had come to inspect the fortifications, Kolobtin said excitedly: "It's almost repaired, Comrade Deputy Commander, please come with me, I'll show you the way." ”

We followed him into a cave that was more than one man tall and five or six meters wide. Walking forward more than a hundred meters along the wide passage, the view suddenly opened up, this is simply a wide underground square, that is, a group of people standing here, it will not seem too crowded. With the help of a few gas lamps hanging on the walls of the cave, I saw in a corner on the right hundreds of large barrels piled up, which were supposed to contain the gunpowder that Kolobutin had reported on the phone. In the corner on the left is a pile of white cloth bags, which may be moldy flour.

Kolobtin also triumphantly introduced to Chuikov: "Comrade Deputy Commander, what you see is only the first floor, and below there is a warehouse of the same size, as well as seven or eight passages leading in all directions. After a day's hard work, the sappers had connected two of them to our positions. ”

Chuikov watched all this with great interest, and asked Kolobhutin with great interest: "Comrade Colonel, have you figured it out, why is there an underground arsenal here?" ”

"Got it all." Kolobtin said, took a large book that looked old from the officer next to him, patted the dust on it, turned a few pages, handed the open book to Chuikov, and continued: "Comrade Deputy Commander, you see, it is recorded that the Tsar fought a war with the Persian and Ottoman Empires that tried to get their hands on Chechnya in order to annex it to the Russian Empire. This arsenal was secretly built by an army of Tsarist Russia. If we hadn't excavated the tunnels, it is estimated that this arsenal would still sleep silently on this hill. ”

Chuikov took the notebook and flipped through it casually, and asked rhetorically: "Comrade Colonel, if you are allowed to hold on to this cave, how long can you hold on?" ”

Kolobtin hurriedly straightened up and replied confidently: "As long as there are two regiments of troops, plus sufficient supplies, I can hold out here for at least three months." (To be continued......)