As soon as I put down my headphones and microphones, Kirillov, who was standing on the sidelines, rebuked me with a stern expression and said, "Comrade Division Commander, how can you order Comrade Sederikov to abandon the surface position? If the enemy occupies a regiment's position, he can divide his troops into two lines, one to the high ground where we are located, and the other to the docks of the Volga. Once the enemy's large forces rushed to the river, the thousands of commanders and residents on the docks would all be driven into the river. ”

Kirillov's words made me break out in a cold sweat. Although I thought about it for a moment and thought that he had a point, I did not call Shedelikov again. After all, I had just given the order to the 1st Regiment to abandon the high ground in the north when necessary, and just a few minutes later, I ordered the cancellation of the previous order, which would have an impact on my prestige in the troops, so I could only say to Kirillov: "Comrade Political Commissar, don't worry, the current 1st Regiment, in addition to having a regimental commander who can fight well, and a political commissar who is good at political agitation, under the command of the two of them, I firmly believe that the position will definitely be able to hold." ”

"I hope so." When Kirillov saw that I was stubborn, he did not persuade me again, but tactfully suggested to me: "But we still have to prepare for the worst." ”

Although I was calm on the surface, I actually had no bottom in my heart, so for the sake of safety, I picked up the phone again, directly dialed the 2nd Regiment, and asked the communication soldier who answered the phone to find Pugachev. When I heard Pugachev's voice coming from the earpiece, I ordered him bluntly: "Major Pugachev, I order you, wait until the enemy's shelling stops." Two companies were sent at once. to reinforce the troops stationed on the riverside positions. To ensure that the enemy breaks through the position of a regiment. It is also impossible to approach the pier on the Volga. ”

"Understood." Pugachev replied loudly, and then he lowered his voice to remind me: "Comrade division commander, I think you may have been mistaken, I am only a captain, not a major. ”

"Don't be verbose with me, do you think I'll be so confused that I can't even forget what rank you are? Let's be honest, Commander Chuikov has promoted you to the rank of major. When Pugachev's breathing became rapid because of this unexpected news. "But let me warn you that if you let a German soldier approach the docks, even if he is blown up by a bomb, I will remove you." Do you understand? ”

Pugachev hurriedly expressed his determination to me: "Please rest assured, division commander, I will arrange manpower, as long as there is still a soldier in the 2nd regiment, we will definitely not let the enemy pass our position." ”

Putting down the phone, I looked down and thought about it, trying to hold the high ground. Infantry alone may not be enough. It was time to use the artillery battalion and the tank battalion, so I called the commander of the artillery battalion, Morozov.

As soon as I made the phone call this time, I went straight to the point and congratulated Morozov: "Comrade Morozov, I congratulate you, Commander Chuikov has just promoted you to the rank of major. ”

After hearing this, Morozov smirked twice, and then asked with understanding: "Comrade division commander, you may not call me just for my promotion to the rank, isn't it time for our artillery battalion to attack again?" ”

It would be easy to talk to a commander like Morozov, who is good at understanding the intentions of his superiors, and I took his words and said: "Comrade Major, you guess a lot. According to the observation posts of the 1st and 2nd regiments, the enemy, about one regiment of infantry, under the cover of several dozen tanks, was rushing towards the heights to the north that a regiment held firm. I order you to dispatch a mortar battery as soon as the enemy's shelling ceases, to establish an artillery position on the high ground to the north, and to provide the necessary artillery support for the commanders and fighters of the regiment. ”

"Do you need to use an anti-tank gun battery?" Morozov asked rhetorically.

"No, I don't need them yet." At present, there are only ten artillery pieces left in the anti-tank artillery battery, and if we lose any more, the anti-tank strength of our division will be almost completely lost, and we will be powerless in the face of the tanks that are rushing towards us. I remembered that the anti-tank rifle company that had been withdrawn from the 107.5 heights last night had been temporarily assigned to the artillery battalion, and if it was really necessary to fight tanks, they would be the best candidates. Thinking of this, I said into the microphone: "Major Morozov, didn't you transfer an anti-tank rifle company to you last night?" Later, let them enter the position, and with them, they can still pack up the enemy's tanks. ”

"Understood, comrade division commander, I'll start arranging it."

"Do you need to call the tank battalion again?" When Kirillov saw that I had finished calling, he quickly reminded me.

"What you say makes sense, I'll fight it." With that, I picked up the phone again and called Persjian in the tank battalion. The order I gave him was simple: "Comrade Persjian, I order you, immediately arrange for the fighters to check the fuel and ammunition of the tank and prepare it for battle." Before hanging up, I added to him lightly, "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, because your appearance in battle stood out, and Commander Chuikov had just promoted you to the rank of major." Without waiting for him to react, I hung up.

When Kirillov saw that I had made so many phone calls in one go, he could not help but say with emotion: "Comrade division commander, you have thought it out very thoroughly, if this is really arranged, even if the enemy occupies a surface position, it will not pose much of a threat to us here. ”

Akhromeyev walked over the walkie-talkie and reported to me: "Report to the division commander, I have just spoken on the phone with the commander of the 3rd regiment, Major Godunov, and asked him to prepare to send troops to reinforce the 1st regiment of heights. ”

I nodded, and said confidently, "Alright, we have done what needs to be done, and it remains to see how the enemy intends to attack the Mamayev Heights, which we are defending." ”

After hearing this, Kirillov said with a smile: "We are ready for battle, but I want to see if the menacing Germans can occupy a regiment's position." ”

Akhromeyev glanced at where the signal soldiers were staying, and then asked me in a low voice: "Division commander, do you need to send signal soldiers to check the line?" If I don't have a phone and only rely on the intercom, I'm worried that it will leak secrets. ”

I waved my hand. Said disappreciatively: "Anyway, now you can contact a group with a group through the guò intermediary." It doesn't matter if you have a phone or not. Besides, now the artillery fire is so fierce. Letting the signal soldiers check the line is tantamount to sending them to death. Even if they risk their lives to restore communications, who can guarantee that enemy artillery fire will not blow up our telephone lines again? ”

Kirillov also echoed me in a timely manner: "I think the division commander is right, there are not many communication soldiers in the division, and if you sacrifice in vain like this, it is really not worth it." As for what the chief of staff said about worrying about leaks, I don't think it's so strict. Even if the enemy eavesdropped on the phone call between the division headquarters and the first regiment, they would not have enough time to adjust the combat deployment according to the situation on the battlefield. ”

While we were talking, Razumeyeva came over and handed me a telegram she had just received. After a few glances, I handed it to Kirillov and said: "The enemy is simply crazy, they are launching a fierce offensive against Stalingrad from the north, west and south at the same time, and there is a great posture that they will not give up until they take the city. ”

Akhromeyev waited for Kirillov to finish reading and took the telegram in his hand. At the same time, he asked puzzledly: "Division commander, political commissar, you two talk about it." What's wrong with the enemy? They didn't attack sooner or later, but launched an all-out offensive against Stalingrad today? ”

Although I vaguely remember that the historical German army launched an attack on Stalingrad in the past few days and almost drove the 62nd Army into the Volga, I don't know exactly what the reason was, so I looked at Kirillov with a smile and asked: "Comrade commissar, what do you think?" ”

Kirillov's brow furrowed, and after walking back and forth in front of us with his hands behind his back for two years, he suddenly stopped, and then said in an uncertain tone: "I think of a possibility, and I don't know if it's accurate." ”

"What's possible? My good commissar, tell me about it. When Akhromeyev saw Kirillov selling the pass, he was a little breathless, and urged him to speak out.

"After the division commander went to the headquarters of the group army yesterday, Comrade Gurov, the military commissar of the group army, came to the Fifth Regiment."

Gurov went to the command post of the 5th regiment, why didn't Kirillov tell me about this last night? However, now was not the time to pursue these matters, so I asked him curiously: "Political commissar, could it be that Comrade Military Commissar went to the command post of the Fifth Regiment and gave information related to the enemy's large-scale attack today." ”

"I think this information he told me has a lot to do with the enemy's all-out offensive today." Kirillov nodded thoughtfully, and then said: "Comrade Military Commissar said that according to the confessions of the prisoners, the German commander Paulus reported the news of the entry of troops into Stalingrad to the German army base camp yesterday morning, and it is said that special parties and parades were held in Germany to celebrate the capture of Stalingrad. Perhaps Paulus thought he would be able to take all of our city by the latest before it got dark yesterday. But a whole day passed, and the enemy was still in the position of yesterday morning. I guess Paulus was afraid that he would be punished by Hitler for lying about his military situation, so he had to order his troops to launch an all-out offensive against Stalingrad. ”

"The commissar has a point." After listening to Kirillov's account, I understood why the Germans launched such a large-scale offensive because they had prematurely published the information about the occupation of Stalingrad, and now in order to save their face, they are attacking our city like crazy.

Knowing the reason for the enemy's attack, my heart became heavy. Although I said that I had confidence in the commanders and fighters of the first regiment, my heart became more and more bottomless, after all, after such a long period of fighting, the number of people in the regiment has been reduced from 2,000 when I was on the battlefield, to 600 now, which is equivalent to three-quarters of the casualties. It seems that when this battle is over, I will withdraw the first regiment from the position and replace it with the third regiment, which is more fully manned.

Kirillov raised his hand and looked at his watch, and said to himself: "The enemy's shelling and bombardment have been going on for almost an hour, and I don't know when it will stop." ”

Just when the three of us were in a hurry, the enemy air raid stopped. The enemy's artillery fire began to extend, focusing on the high ground south where the division headquarters was located. At the same time, the German infantry, approaching the heights to the north, began to attack the positions of the regiment.

Since our heights were suppressed by heavy enemy artillery fire, it was impossible to observe the enemy's offensive, and I could only be constantly reported to the situation by Shederikov, who was in command at the front. He roared over the intercom, "...... Report to the division commander, a platoon of the 9th Company in the position at the foot of the hill where we first exchanged fire with the Germans. But since the platoon commander was newly promoted from the fighters. Lack of command experience. In battle. The mistake of using forces inappropriately was made, and the whole platoon was thrown into battle at once. Under heavy fire from German tanks, the platoon suffered heavy casualties. After repulsing the first attack of the enemy, only two seriously wounded remained on the position. When the enemy launched a second attack, they resolutely pulled their grenades and perished along with the rushing Germans. ”

Although I heard that Sedelikov reported to me that all the commanders and fighters of a platoon had died, I was not alarmed, and at the moment I was not concerned about the number of casualties. But whether the high ground can be held or not, I waited for Shederikov to finish speaking, and immediately asked: "What measures did the commanders on the high ground take?" ”

"Seeing that the position at the foot of the mountain was lost, the commander of the eighth company in the mountainside position immediately organized two platoons of troops to counterattack, trying to take advantage of the enemy's unstable foothold and take back the position from their hands. But as soon as the two platoons left their positions, they were covered by German tank fire, and in the end only a dozen wounded men retreated to their positions. As a result, the counterattack of the Eighth Company was not successful, but suffered heavy losses. So much so that it was difficult to even defend the mountainside position. ”

"Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov, immediately transfer reserves to the mountainside position. Remember that the enemy artillery fire is fierce. If the more troops are put into the position at one time, the casualties will be more and faster, so only two platoons will be sent into the position at a time. If you lose a squad or casualty, you will immediately replenish a squad from the fortifications behind, so that you can withstand the enemy's attack. ”

"Comrade Division Commander, I have a request." After I finished speaking, Shedelikov suddenly said: "I hope you can agree." ”

"Say, as long as I can do it, I will promise you."

Although he was so happy to hear my promise, Sederikov still said with a twist: "Comrade division commander, you also know that our regiment has been fighting the enemy since it was stationed at the Mamayev Heights. If it weren't for the attrition of Yan zhòng in the regiment, I wouldn't have opened this mouth to you......"

"Say whatever you want, don't keep grinding and chirping." Before he could finish speaking, I interrupted him impatiently: "After talking for a long time, don't you just want a reserve?" I'll give you as much as you want. Is one regiment enough? ”

Hearing that I had actually replenished him with a regiment at once, Sederikov immediately smiled, and he said happily: "The strength of a regiment is really good. There are less than 400 people left in our regiment, and if we don't add more, by this evening, we will almost be able to cancel the formation. ”

"Alright, stop talking nonsense." I said in a stern tone: "I will immediately transfer the three regiments, and when they arrive, this regiment will be under your command." If, after being replenished, you still let the northern high ground fall, you don't have to go back to the division headquarters, you can just shoot yourself in the head with a gun. ”

After that, I threw the headset and microphone to Razumeyeva and said: "Comrade lieutenant, help me call the third regiment." Then he walked to the table and picked up the phone, dialed the second regiment, and Pugachev, who answered the phone, said: "Comrade Major, the situation in the first regiment is very bad at present, there are less than 400 people left in the whole regiment, you should immediately send a company to reinforce him." ”

Originally, I thought that Pugachev would complain to me, after all, the high ground where we are located is under heavy German shelling, but I didn't expect him to say: "Comrade division commander, since the reduction of a regiment is so great, it may not be helpful for a company to go up, otherwise, I will send a battalion to them, right?" ”

I was glad to hear that Pugachev was so knowledgeable. Although I also wanted to accede to Pugachev's request, I thought that if the northern heights could not be defended, then our heights would be subjected to the enemy's onslaught, and if we did not have enough troops, it would really be impossible to hold them, so I said to him: "No, Comrade Pugachev, I plan to drop all three regiments." Let you send a company over first, in order to alleviate the crisis of insufficient troops at Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov first. ”

As soon as she put down the phone, she heard Razumeyeva raise her hand and shout: "I have connected with the third regiment." ”

Before I could get over, Akhromeyev, who was standing near her, stepped forward, took the headset and microphone from her hand, and said, "I'm here to talk to Major Godunov." ”

Akhromeyev was heard saying into the microphone: "Hey, is it Major Godunov?" I am the chief of staff of the division, Captain Akhromeyev. "I couldn't help but feel ashamed in my heart, when I asked Chuikov for a military rank, how could I ask for two less. Take 10,000 steps back and say, even if I don't give my guard battalion commander Basmanov a promotion, how can I forget about Akhromeyev, the chief of staff who is my right-hand man. Now that he has the rank of captain, he is commanding a group of lieutenant colonels and majors, which sounds particularly awkward. No, when the battle is over in the dark, I must call Chuikov and ask him to give Akhromeyev another promotion.

Although my heart was full of guilt for Akhromeyev, he still had a nonchalant expression, and still gave various combat orders to the troops below on behalf of me and Kirillov as usual. He said loudly into the microphone, "...... The division commander ordered your regiment to immediately disperse into the northern high ground to reinforce the first regiment. After entering the positions of a regiment, your regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov. (To be continued......)

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