For some time now, the main forces of our army, under the fierce offensive of the German army, have been forced to resist step by step, retreating to Stalingrad step by step, and all the units are a little unable to hold their positions, let alone take the initiative. Perhaps the current appearance of our army on the battlefield will make the Germans relax their vigilance and give our sneak attack an opportunity.

I calculated that from our defense zone to the nearest German garrison, it would not be more than ten kilometers. It was already the end of August, and it was dark around eight o'clock, when the night attack troops could be dispatched.

Once I had a rough battle plan in mind, I ordered Basmanov to take the two women to the cooking class to get something to eat. After eating, the young Zolova stayed behind and sent several tactical escorts to the elderly women and refugees out of our division's defense area.

Since the Germans did not launch any attack on the defensive zone of our division in the past two days, several regiment commanders did not rush to leave, and were gathering together to study the advantages and disadvantages of the ring fortifications that Vellor spoke of, and our common field fortifications.

Just as everyone was discussing in full swing, there was a rumbling cannon sound outside the house. Hearing the sound of artillery outside, everyone fell silent. After listening for a moment, Sederikov said in surprise: "Hell, this cannon sound is not coming from the direction of our regiment, but a bit like it is coming from the west. ”

His words surprised us all, because at noon there was a sound of gunfire from the northwest, and it was the Germans attacking the positions of the 70th Guards Infantry Division and the 157th Infantry Division. I hurriedly instructed Razumeyeva, who was on standby: "Second Lieutenant, immediately contact the forward troops of the 2nd Regiment and ask what is going on?" ”

Didn't wait for the second regiment to get in touch. The observation post on the hillside called first. The other party reported in a flustered tone: "Report to the division commander." The Germans were shelling the positions of the 2nd Regiment. ”

"Panic what!" To this panicked soldier, I said dissatisfiedly: "This is not the first time that our division has encountered enemy shelling, so there is nothing to panic about. Comrade warrior, what's your name? ”

"Leonov, Private Leonov."

After silently remembering the name in my heart, I asked, "How is the situation in the second regiment?" ”

Still in a panic, Leonov reported: "The troops of the 2nd Regiment have been crushed by the shelling, and groups of fighters are running towards us under artillery fire." ”

"What? The second regiment was defeated? "I couldn't believe what I was hearing was true. From the time the artillery was heard to the present, it did not take more than five minutes for the troops of the 2nd Regiment to collapse in the German artillery fire.

I threw away the phone in anger and shouted to the captains in the room: "Hell, the observation post reports that the troops of the 2nd Regiment have been crushed by German artillery fire, and you should immediately follow me to the observation post on the top of the hill to have a look." ”

I went to the observation post on the hillside, raised my binoculars and looked at the position of the 2nd Regiment two kilometers away, the German formation was not small, and the dense shells fell on the position of the 2nd Regiment and exploded. The trenches have been engulfed in smoke of gunpowder. Looking at this battle, not to mention the recruits who have just been added to the troops, even the veterans who have been in battle for a long time are stunned when they see this scene.

The situation reported by Private Leonov turned out to be true. The troops in the first trench braved enemy fire and ran to the rear positions without hesitation. As far as the eye could see, the open ground behind the trenches was littered with the corpses of our soldiers, groups of scattered soldiers, scurrying around like headless flies.

Seeing the collapsed fighters rushing towards the second trench of the 2nd Regiment like a tide, I suddenly lost my breath, put down my binoculars, and yelled at Pugachev and Vylol: "See for yourself, this is your 2nd Regiment, and after only a few shells from the Germans, the whole line collapsed." What are you two eating, you two are actually bringing out such a wretched army. ”

Pugachev's face flushed, and he tried to justify: "Comrade division commander, these are all new recruits who have just been added to the regiment......"

"What are you doing here?" Without waiting for him to speak, I interrupted him mercilessly, and ordered in a stern tone: "What are you still doing here, why don't you go and stop these wretched soldiers of yours, let them all go back to the trenches, and don't let the Germans rush over." ”

Pugachev and Vylor blushed and ran out of the observation post, and then the two ran out of the trench and briskly down the hill. Pugachev, despite the fact that it was still far from the fleeing fighters, drew his pistol and raised it high above his head, shooting into the air as he ran, while shouting with all his might: "Stop, you all stand for me." Stop, you cowards, all go back to the trenches for me......" He was followed by seven or eight soldiers, who followed his example, and shot at the sky as they ran forward. Seeing his move, I scolded in my heart, I have only been the head of the regiment for a few days, and I even brought the guard squad when I went out.

Although the soldiers of the 2nd Regiment escaped from the trenches shrouded in the smoke of artillery fire, they were not bombarded by German artillery. A cannonball fell, and the soldiers near the explosion point fell with blood and flesh flying down. In just two or three minutes after Pugachev left the trenches, at least a hundred more fighters fell in pools of blood.

Seeing this scene, I was so angry that I slammed my fist on the log wall, gasping in pain. When I calmed down a little and turned my head, I saw that Shedelikov, Kosga, Gaidar and others were still standing behind me honestly and did not move. I frowned and asked a few people, "What are you doing standing here if you don't go back to your own troops?" As soon as the words came out, I knew that I had said the wrong thing, I had asked them to come to the observation center just now, and none of them dared to leave without my permission. Seeing that I had asked them to leave, several people saluted me with relief and turned to leave the observation post.

When only me and Razumeeva, as well as that Leonov, were left in the observation post, I ordered Razumeeva: "Immediately contact Colonel Lyudnikov, the commander of the 70th Guards Division." ”

After connecting it, I didn't care about the code name, and shouted directly at the microphone: "Hey, hey, Colonel Lyudnikov!" Can you hear me? I'm Colonel Oshanina. German artillery was shelling the positions of the right flank of our division, looking from the direction from which the shells were flying. Artillery positions of the Germans. It should not be far from your division's defense area. Please provide us with artillery support. Knock out the German artillery positions! ”

"Colonel Oshanina, you are not the only one who is being shelled," Lyudnikov's voice sounded through the headphones: "The German artillery is also shelling the positions of our division, and tanks and infantry are pressing on us. But rest assured, I'll do my best to support you. ”

Putting down the headset and microphone, I walked over to the observation port and held up my binoculars to look at the retreating troops. I saw Pugachev and Velol at this moment, as well as a few fighters they were carrying. Already close to the retreating troops. Those fighters who were fleeing suddenly fell down in front of Pugachev, and those behind also slowed down and stopped in front of Pugachev.

As for these fighters who fell suddenly, I looked carefully through the binoculars, and they were all shot down by the soldiers of the guard squad who were following Pugachev and Vylol. At this moment, I suddenly understood why Stalin, after Order No. 227, had asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs to build up so many overseers. It seems that in order to stop the troops from escaping on the battlefield, the Warlords are indispensable.

As the German artillery fire became sparse. The fighters who originally fled, were driven by Pugachev and his guards squad fighters. Turned around and ran past the corpses of his comrades and returned to the trenches.

As soon as Pugachev entered the first line of trenches, he called me and loudly reported: "Report to the division commander, I brought the retreating troops back to the trenches. ”

"See," I said coldly, looking at the smoky battlefield, "what about the casualties of the troops?" ”

After I finished asking these words, Pugachev actually had no voice, so angry that I raised my voice and asked dissatisfiedly: "Pugachev, what's wrong with you, are you deaf?" Why not answer my question? ”

"The casualties are heavy," replied Pugachev, in a voice I could barely hear, "I had eight companies in the first line of positions, and now there are less than three companies left, and only one company commander remains, and the rest have died in the shelling." ”

"What's the name of the remaining company commander?"

"Khrushov, Captain Khrushov. He had participated in the Battle of Kharkov and had extensive combat experience. ”

"Form the remaining three companies into two regiments and one battalion, let this Captain Khrushov be the battalion commander, and you and Velore will both return to the second trench for me." When I was about to interrupt the communication, I suddenly remembered another thing, so I asked: "Where is Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, the original commander of the 2nd Regiment?" ”

"Report to the division commander, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg and his company in the second line of trenches."

"Well, got it. Remember, you have to tell Captain Sù Khrushov to hold your ground at any cost. I will provide them with the necessary assistance. ”

I then called the commander of the artillery battalion, Jegonovich: "It's me, Captain Jegonovich. It's me, Colonel Oshanina. I now order you to send artillery observers to the high ground where our division headquarters is located, to provide the artillery with a number of shots, and to use artillery fire to intercept the attacking German troops. ”

After hearing this, Jegonovich replied succinctly: "Understood, I will immediately send the observer to you." ”

After the German shelling stopped, Pugachev, Velol, and their guard squad had no time to return to the second line of trenches before the German ground offensive began. Behind the armored detachment of eight tanks, there were patches of infantry, striding towards the positions of the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Regiment.

The Germans bullied us that we did not have anti-tank weapons, and the tanks stopped five or six hundred meters from the trenches and shelled the positions of the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Regiment with tank guns, covering the forward charge of the infantry.

Seeing the Germans approaching their positions, the soldiers of the first battalion fired back after a brief panic. For a time, light and heavy machine guns, rifles, submachine guns, and pistols on the position all joined the ranks of shooting, turning the front seventy or eighty meters of the position into a death zone, and knocking down the German soldiers who rushed up piece by piece.

The German soldiers, who had been hit, did not retreat immediately, but lay down on the spot, lying on the ground in groups of three or five and shooting back. There were also several machine guns hiding in craters, firing incessantly at the positions of our troops.

I couldn't help but panic a little when I looked at the tanks that were parked in the distance and shelled a battalion of positions, and the infantry that were getting closer and closer to the positions. Judging from the table of the 2nd Regiment just now, once the German soldiers rushed into the trenches, they might collapse again. Then it's out of control.

I called Jegonovich again. Hurriedly asked, "Comrade Captain." Where are your observers? Did you enter the designated viewing position? ”

"The observer has just entered the designated position and is giving us the number of shots. All the cannons are already in place and ready for battle. Jegonovich said unhurriedly.

"Comrade Captain, order all the artillery to fire at the German tanks first, do you hear?" I decisively gave him an order, and in order to prevent him from delaying, I also deliberately added: "Can the 2nd Regiment hold its position?" It's all up to you, and the fate of the whole division is in your hands. ”

As soon as I hung up, I saw an explosion next to a German tank in the distance, and the air wave lifted the dirt high. Although it did not hit the target, I knew that it was the artillery battalion of Captain Jegonovich that was test-firing. Sure enough, after a while, seven or eight shells whistled down on the German tank queue and exploded, except for one tank that was directly blown off the turret, and another was blown to the ground by the explosion wave.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the remaining vehicles stopped shelling the positions of the first battalion and tried to turn around and flee on the spot. It's a pity that it's too late. Another wave of shells flew over, enveloping them all in the flames and smoke. Yegonovich's artillery battalion after destroying the German tanks. The target of the shelling was turned to the German infantry.

After half an hour, the battle was over, the destroyed tanks in front of the position were burning, and the German infantry, in the face of our fighters who rushed out of the fortifications, obediently raised their hands and surrendered.

Seeing that the German attack was thwarted, I looked up at the sky, it was already getting dark, and it seemed that the Germans would not launch a new offensive. So I called Pugachev and asked him: "What part of the German army is it?" ”

Pugachev, apparently having checked the documents of the German soldiers who had been killed or captured, and had even interrogated the prisoners, reported very quickly: "Report to the division commander, the German troops who came to attack were from the 40th Tank Brigade, and we took 57 prisoners, one of whom was the brigade commander, Major General Stummy's adjutant, Heinz. Captain Martin. What should we do with these captives? ”

Without hesitation, I replied: "Send a company of fighters and send these prisoners to the headquarters of the army group." ”

After giving the order to Pugachev, I called the headquarters of the army group again, and since Chuikov was not there, I reported directly to the chief of staff, Raskin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I am Colonel Oshanina. We have just repelled the attack of the German 40th Tank Brigade and captured 57 German soldiers, including the brigade commander, Major General Stumé's adjutant. Captain Martin, I have ordered the fighters to send the prisoners to the headquarters of the army group. ”

"Well done, Comrade Oshanina." Ruskin complimented me, and was about to go on when he suddenly gave me a strange sigh, and then there was no sound in the headphones.

"What's the matter, Comrade Chief of Staff," I hurriedly asked, "is there anything wrong?" ”

"Hell, hell." Raskin said uncertainly: "The German 40th Tank Brigade, which belongs to the battle sequence of Paulus's 6th Army, should be in the defensive zone of the 62nd Army at this moment, how could it suddenly appear to you?" ”

I thought that this unit belonged to the Hult Army, but I didn't expect it to belong to Paulus, and as for why they suddenly appeared in the defense area of our division, I really can't figure it out. However, I cautiously said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I have already sent the prisoners of the brigade to the headquarters of the army group, and if you have any questions, you can get answers after interrogating the prisoners." ”

After the battle, I returned to my division headquarters, and at the same time called Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, who had been demoted, and I planned to let him command the night attack troops.

Although I haven't seen him for two days, Oleg's whole person looks a lot haggard, he hasn't even shaved his beard, and his original little white face has turned into a beard. He stood in front of me, not saying a word, just looking down at his toes.

I coughed and tried to draw his attention, but he didn't react at all. When I saw his appearance, although I was dissatisfied, I couldn't say anything, after all, I was demoted from regiment commander to company commander, and whoever I changed would be a little emotional. I said to myself: "Comrade Oleg, I have an important task for you. ”

Hearing me say this, he raised his head and said with a stern face: "Comrade Division Commander, I am waiting for your instructions!" ”

I nodded, and then said, "I'm going to send a force tonight to attack the German camp." You know that, too. There were not many good commanders in the division. And Shederikov, Kosga, Gaidar them. Now they are all the leaders of a group, and the responsibilities are very heavy, and I cannot leave my post without permission, so after careful consideration, I feel that I will entrust you with this glorious and difficult task. ”

After hearing this, Oleg quickly straightened up and replied loudly: "Please rest assured, I promise you, commander." Be sure to complete the tasks you have been given. ”

I gestured to Basmanov, who was standing by the door, and asked him to bring the guide Zorova. The commander of the guard battalion was quite clever, and immediately understood my intentions, and quickly turned around and went out to find Zorova.

Watching Basmanov leave, Oleg asked curiously: "Comrade division commander, I don't know how many people there are in this unit you handed over to me to command?" ”

"Each regiment drew a company, a total of four hundred men. In terms of firepower, each company had four light machine guns, ten submachine guns. And equipped with the necessary communication equipment to contact me in a timely manner. ”

"What is our main task?" Oleg then asked.

"Bypass the heavily fortified German camps. Go fight the poorly defended camps. Try not to attack, focus on sneak attacks, hit and run. "Considering the rapidly changing situation on the battlefield, I simply told him how to fight, and how to fight is still up to him.

As soon as I finished talking to Oleg, Basmanov came in with Zolova.

I beckoned to Zolova to come to me and introduced Oleg: "Comrade Oleg, this is Comrade Zorova, she was a former clerk of the Stalingrad Survey Bureau, and she knew a trail to the German camp. Tonight, she will be your guide to the German camp. ”

After listening to my introduction, a smile appeared on Oleg's face, he stepped forward, shook Zorova's hand, smiled and said: "Hello, girl! I'll ask you to show us the way tonight. ”

Zolova also smiled politely at Oleg and said half-jokingly: "Comrade commander, you must protect my safety then!" ”

"Hehe, no problem, no problem." Oleg smirked at Zolova.

I saw the two flirting next to me, and I couldn't help but feel funny, this was the first time the two met, and they actually looked at the mung beans on Wang Ba.

The moon is bright in the sky, and the stars are brilliant. Improvised, night raid units assembled on the hillside.

Seeing my arrival, Oleg and three other commanders, who were standing at the front of the queue, hurriedly walked over, stood still in front of me, raised their hands and saluted, and said loudly: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, the night attack troops have been assembled, please instruct!" ”

I did not say anything grandiose to the soldiers who were about to go on the expedition, but shook hands with the four commanders one by one, and then said decisively: "I will not say any more, comrades, I hope you can return triumphantly as soon as possible." With that, I took a step back and raised my hand to salute them with a standard military salute.

The four men returned the salute in a neat manner, then turned and ran back to the front of their group, giving orders to the warriors.

Looking at the troops in the distance, Basmanov, who was standing behind me, asked worriedly: "Comrade division commander, will they succeed?" ”

I looked back at my guard battalion commander and replied without hesitation: "Yes, Comrade Captain, I have a feeling that they will return triumphantly." ”

Returning to the command, I ordered Razumeyeva: "Ensign, call the four regiment commanders and ask them to come to the command immediately, I have important tasks to assign to them. ”

Ten minutes later, four regimental commanders came to my headquarters one after another. As soon as Sederikov entered the door, he asked with concern: "Comrade division commander, the night raid unit led by Lieutenant Colonel Oleg has set off?" ”

"Yes, let's go." I replied vaguely.

When they were all seated, I announced to them: "I have summoned you all here to tell General Sù that each regiment should draw another company to form a new night raid battalion to attack the German camp." ”

As soon as I said this, everyone was taken aback. After a moment of silence, Pugachev asked on behalf of everyone: "Comrade division commander, didn't Lieutenant Colonel Oleg's night raid battalion set off, why did you have to form another night raid battalion?" ”

"yes, yes, what the hell is going on?" Everyone raised questions.

"The new night raid battalion will be commanded by Commissar Vylol, and her task is to raid the camps that have been attacked by the Oleg battalion again."

When I said this, all the people in the room were petrified. (To be continued......)

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