Shortly after Mihayev left, Razumeyeva, who was sitting in front of the walkie-talkie by the wall, suddenly stood up and greeted me: "Comrade division commander, your phone call is from the headquarters of the group army?" ”

I glanced at the phone on the desk that was not moving, and couldn't help but ask Kirillov in surprise: "Comrade commissar, didn't the command give an order that we could only talk by wired telephone, and could not communicate wirelessly, so as not to leak secrets?" ”

Kirillov was stunned for a moment, and then replied to me: "Some time ago, when the headquarters was attacked by enemy artillery fire, it was possible that all the telephone lines were burned down, and they have not yet been repaired, so they can only temporarily choose wireless communication. ”

I walked over to the walkie-talkie, took the headphones handed over by Razumeyeva, put them on, and said loudly into the microphone: "Hey, hello, I'm Oshanina, who are you?" ”

Krylov's hoarse voice came from the headphones: "Division Commander Oshanina, it's me, Chief of Staff Krylov." ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff, do you have any instructions?" I asked politely.

"It's a terrible situation, Comrade Oshanina." Krylov said in a heavy tone: "In the past week, the fleet of the Volga region has been transporting less and less materials, and today it has actually stopped, and there are serious difficulties in guiding our replenishment. ”

"How so? Comrade Chief of Staff. "What Krylov said makes me absolutely very strange, although the enemy artillery is constantly bombarding the Volga, it is not the first time that they have done this. For so long in the past, our fleet was able to brave artillery fire and bombardment by enemy planes to continuously transport reinforcements and all kinds of material resources across the river, why did we transport fewer and fewer supplies during this time? Even more excessive. They actually stopped operating today. Yeremenko and Khrushchev knew about it. Won't you rebuke the commander of the fleet? Thinking of this, I tentatively asked: "Could it be that the commander of the fleet has arbitrarily reduced the number of times he transports supplies because of the excessive loss of ships?" ”

"It has nothing to do with the commander of the fleet. They sent out the same number of ships every day, transporting people and supplies into the city without stopping. Krylov said in a stern tone: "But lately the enemy's artillery has become more and more accurate, and the number of our sunken ships has risen sharply. After my analysis and that of Comrade Commander, it was revealed that the enemy might be somewhere near the Mamayev Heights, where there were concealed artillery observers who could provide firing coordinates to the artillery in depth of the enemy's defense zone at any time. ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff. May I ask, what is the task of our division? "Although I guessed that he might order me to send someone to clear out the German artillery observers, I made a point of asking.

"Your task is simple." Krylov said briefly: "Finding out the enemy's artillery observers and destroying them all, leaving the enemy's artillery without guidance, will ensure the safety of the boats crossing the river and reduce unnecessary losses." ”

"Understood, Comrade Chief of Staff." Although I knew that this task would be difficult to complete, I still took it over to Krylov in a big way, "We will do it in the shortest possible time." Find the enemy's artillery observation point and destroy it. ”

After I put down the phone, Bantai Leev asked with concern: "Comrade division commander. The chief of staff of the group army called, did he have any important tasks to be assigned to our division? ”

Instead of answering his question right away, I summoned Kirillov and them to the table, and then said solemnly: "Comrade commander, the chief of staff, General Krylov, called and said that the recent enemy shelling of the Volga River, the accuracy of the shooting was inexplicably much more accurate, and the transport ships of the flotilla of the Volga district were sunk in large numbers. They suspected that in the vicinity of Mamayev Hill there was an observation point established by enemy artillery to direct artillery fire in enemy depth. The order given to our division by the higher authorities was very clear, that is, to find this artillery observation point as much as possible and destroy it. ”

"What, the enemy's artillery observation point?" Akhromeyev was taken aback by this, and after looking at the map, he pointed to the east of the Mamayev Gang and told us his analysis: "The enemy's artillery observation point will not be the oil storage tank field destroyed by bombs on the high ground to the north, right?" You know, we didn't have troops there, and if the enemy hid a few people there, we wouldn't have found out. ”

"Then what are you hesitating about, immediately send someone there to search, and be sure to find out the enemy's artillery observers as much as possible." After listening to his analysis, Kirillov immediately hurriedly urged him: "Call the 2nd and 4th regiments and ask them to send a company each to search the tank farm from two directions at the same time, and be sure to find out the enemy's artillery observation point in the shortest possible time." ”

"Yes!" Akhromeyev agreed, then picked up the phone on the table and began to call the 2nd and 4th regiments.

Because of this sudden accident, we all automatically ignored Mihayev and them, and paid full attention to the search of the troops sent by the 2nd and 4th regiments.

Half an hour after Akhromeyev's order was given, Gaidar first called. He reported by telephone that the search force had reached the oil storage tank farm, joined up with the troops sent by the 2nd Regiment, and found no trace of the enemy for the time being.

Akhromeyev held the microphone in his hand, looked at me with his eyes and asked: "Comrade division commander, what should I do next?" ”

Hearing his questioning, Kirillov and Bandereev also turned their eyes to me, waiting for my order. I looked down and thought about it, maybe it was because it was too dark, so our commanders and fighters couldn't spot the hidden enemies for a while. Thinking of this, I instructed Akhromeyev: "Sue Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar and let the soldiers carefully search the oil storage tank farm, even if they dig three feet into the ground, and find these damned Germans." ”

Akhromeyev nodded, let go of the hand covering the microphone, and ordered Gaidar into the microphone: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, the division commander ordered, let the commanders and fighters search carefully, even if they dig three feet into the ground, they must find these hiding Germans." ”

Before Akhromeyev could finish speaking, I heard Gaidar ask again: "What are we going to do with these Germans?" ”

"Do you need to say that?!" Akhromeyev said impatiently: "We do not have the conditions to take prisoners now, so after discovering them, not a single prisoner will be left." ”

Gaidar soon made a second call. He reports to us. It is said that the commanders and fighters of the two companies have thoroughly searched the oil storage tank farm. When he still found nothing, Akhromeyev, who answered the phone, was anxious: "What, not a single German has found out?" Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, how did you manage to make the Germans slip out of your noses when more than 200 people searched such a small area? ”

"My commanders reported to me that they searched very carefully, even in the thick grease. They were all stabbed with bayonets, and he assured me that there would be no hidden Germans there. Gaidar strenuously argued: "Could it be that the enemy's artillery observation point is not located here at all?" ”

Since we all wishfully believed that the enemy's artillery observers were hiding in the tank farm, Kirillov was also angry when he heard Gaidar's justification, and he thought that Gaidar was making his own incompetent sophistry, so he walked over and took the phone from Akhromeyev's hand, and said angrily: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, since the fighters of the two companies have not been able to find the hidden Germans from here, then you should draw more manpower." Assist them in their searches. Slowly search for me inch by inch, and you must find out all these Germans for me. ”

Hear such a harsh order from Kirillov. Gaidar could only reluctantly agree: "Yes, I will immediately transfer people to assist in the search." ”

"You personally lead the team." Kirillov added again, huffingly.

"Yes, I'll go myself." Gaidar did not dare to refute, so he had to honestly agree to go out in person.

The search continued until dawn, and there was still no progress. In the middle of the process, Gaidar called twice to report, but was scolded by Kirillov or Akhromeyev, so he also learned wisely and did not dare to call again until he discovered the German artillery observer.

did not wait for Gaidar's final report, but unexpectedly waited for Mihayev's arrival. Seeing him walk into the command in high spirits, I knew that his operation last night had been a success. I looked at him and asked with a grin, "Comrade Captain, I guess I gained a lot last night, right?" ”

Mihayev replied with a happy face: "Yes, comrade division commander. During last night's operation, the deputy company commander led his men to raise all the mines under the river embankment, and buried them all in the path behind the enemy. And I also led people to dig out about seventy or eighty mines near the riverside area, and buried them at the exit of the German barracks and under the forward positions of the 4th Regiment. ”

As he spoke, the telephone on the desk rang at an inopportune time, and he turned his head to look at the place where the voice rang because he thought it might be a call from Gaidar. Seeing that I was distracted, Mihayev also closed his mouth in time and did not continue.

The call turned out to be from Gaidar, who reported to us again in frustration that the tank farm, after repeated searches by three companies of soldiers, did indeed have no signs of hiding inside. At the same time, he asked me whether to withdraw his troops now that it was already dawn, otherwise there would be a danger of air raids when the enemy's planes came.

"Comrade division commander," Akhromeyev asked, looking at me, "Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar asked to withdraw the troops to the position, I wonder what you think?" ”

After a night of searching, nothing was found, and when dawn came, if the troops remained in place to search, they might be bombed by enemy planes, in which case I had to nod at Akhromeyev and said helplessly: "Let Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar leave a few fighters in the tank farm, and the rest will go back to their positions first." ”

Seeing that a group of us were all looking dejected, Mihayev couldn't help but ask me curiously: "Comrade division commander, what's wrong with you, why are you all with such expressions?" ”

Mihayev was not an outsider, and I did not hide this from him, but said to him bluntly: "That's the case, Comrade Captain. According to the judgment of the superiors, it was possible that the enemy set up an artillery observation point near the Mamayev Gang to provide firing parameters for the artillery in their rear, and the transport ships of the fleet in the Volga zone were massively sunk. Therefore, the higher authorities ordered us to find this artillery observation point in the shortest possible time and destroy it to ensure the safety of the transport ship. ”

"Have you found the enemy's artillery observation point?" After listening to this, Mihayev asked carefully.

I shook my head and said disappointedly: "After receiving this order from our superiors, we judged the enemy's artillery observation points. It should be located on the Mamayev post. The most likely area is the former oil storage tank. There was a great view there, and it was possible to descend the Volga River along the eastern slope, where it was best for the enemy to hide. ”

After listening to this, Mihayev thought about it with a frown, and then said to me tentatively: "Comrade division commander, have you ever thought that the enemy's artillery observation points may not be on our heights at all. ”

"Huh?! What do you say. The enemy's artillery observation points were not on the heights. Although Mihayev's voice was not loud, it alarmed Pantai Leev next to him, and after pondering for a moment, he slapped his thigh sharply, and said with a sudden realization: "Oh, what a word to wake up a dreamer." The division commander, the political commissar, and the comrade chief of staff, we all got into the horns, thinking that the enemy's artillery observation point must be the highest place, so we preconceived that it was on the Mamayev post, and that was why we had the futile search operation last night. ”

"Wait. Comrade Deputy Division Commander. Hearing this, Akhromeyev could not help but interrupt Bandereev's words. He asked rhetorically: "What do you mean is that the enemy's artillery observation point is not in our defense zone at all, and last night's operation was purely useless." I say that, right? ”

"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." Bandereev nodded in agreement, and then expressed his opinion: "If you want to provide the artillery with firing parameters, then their observation point must be located in a place where the target can be seen, so that the artillery can be continuously provided with corrective parameters. Think about it, where else could they set their observation points besides the high ground? ”

"It's hard to guess what's going on. In addition to the high ground, it was naturally the forward position of the German army, which was only three kilometers from the position of the Fourth Regiment. Under the guidance of Bandereev, Akhromeyev said the answer in his heart without thinking. As soon as the words came out, he was stunned, and after a while, he cautiously asked us: "Did the enemy really set up their artillery observation point in that forward position?" ”

Akhromeyev's words made my mind suddenly clear, yes, how when we talk about the enemy's artillery observation points, we only think of the Mamayev post, and we don't think of the forward positions of the German army in the north, which are only a few kilometers from us. The enemy, having established observation points there, could still provide the artillery with accurate firing parameters and use artillery fire to wipe out the convoy of transports on the Volga.

I nodded with a heavy heart and said to him, "This may be a good thing, but we will not be able to confirm it until we send someone to conduct reconnaissance." At this point, I raised my hand and looked at my watch, and said regretfully, "It's a pity that we didn't think of this possibility sooner, and now that it's dawn, if you want to send someone to scout, you can only wait until evening." ”

"Comrade division commander, don't wait until the evening." Just as our group was despondent, Mihayev suddenly said: "Maybe I can provide you with some useful information. ”

"Tell me, Comrade Captain." Pandereev took over and said encouragingly: "Tell me what you have found, maybe it will be really useful to us." ”

"That's right, Comrade Deputy Division Commander." Mihayev said respectfully: "When the mines were raised last night, I followed a few sappers and quietly sneaked into the German minefield. As the flares rose into the air, I could faintly see what appeared to be a cannon mirror at the lookout hole of a civil fortification near the river. ”

"Yes, it must be here." Hearing Mihayev say this, Akhromeyev, who had always been in a doldrum, suddenly became excited, and he said loudly: "The enemy will not put a gun mirror near the river for no reason, and there is no doubt that this is the enemy's artillery observation point. ”

Kirillov sighed at this time and said with a little guilt: "I didn't expect the enemy to be so cunning and actually put the artillery observation point there." As a result, Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar was scolded several times by me and the chief of staff. ”

Akhromeyev was a cheerful man, and when Kirillov said this, he said dryly: "It seems that we are wrong to blame Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, so I will call him and apologize to him for this." With that, he reached for the phone on the table.

I raised my hand to stop him, and then ordered him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you don't have to worry about the apology, I will personally go to the command post of the Fourth Regiment to apologize to him later." Now you first call the commander of the artillery battalion, Morozov, and ask what the caliber and range of the existing mortars are, and how many shells are left. ”

Although Akhromeyev did not understand the purpose of my remarks, after making a phone call, he relayed the question I asked to Morozov to the letter. After listening to Morozov's answer, he simply removed the microphone from his ears and reported to me: "Major Morozov reports that there are three medium mortars of 81 mm caliber in the artillery battalion, each with twenty shells and a maximum range of six kilometers. ”

"Why are there only so many mortars left?" Kirillov asked, frowning.

Without asking Morozov, Akhromeyev replied directly: "Report to the commissar, the 1st and 3rd regiments built six new types of fortifications, and the artillery battalion transferred six mortars to two of their regiments. ”

When I saw that Akhromeyev had turned his attention to me again, I instructed him: "Chief of Staff, tell Sù Morozov that he should take the remaining three mortars and immediately rush to the position of the 4th Regiment to join me." (To be continued......)