As soon as Akhromeyev finished the phone call, I took advantage of the interval between the bomb explosions and when the command headquarters was relatively quiet, and asked him loudly: "Chief of Staff, how is the situation of the Third Regiment?" ”

Akhromeyev, perhaps afraid that the explosion would be too loud for me to hear clearly, bowed his head and wrote something on a piece of paper. When he was done, he walked around the table to me and handed me a note full of words. I took the note and looked at it, only to see that it read: "The positions of the 3rd Regiment are being bombarded by German platoon artillery. ”

After reading the note, I also picked up the pen on the table and continued to write: "Did you find the German infantry?" ”

After reading what I wrote, Akhromeyev shook his head with a smile and said that for the time being, no German infantry attacking the positions of the three regiments had been found.

As soon as my exchange with Akhromeyev was over, Kirillov walked up to me and opened his mouth to say: "Comrade Oshanina, a group of reports ......" Before he could finish his words, he was drowned out by the sound of violent explosions coming from outside.

I quickly picked up the pen and paper on the table, handed it to him, and gestured for him to write down the content of the report on paper. Kirillov took the pen and paper, spread it out on the table, and quickly wrote on the paper with a pen: "A regiment reports that the Germans have dispatched more than thirty planes and are bombing the Mamayev post in turn. Moreover, the positions of a regiment were also intensively bombarded by enemy tanks and heavy howitzers. Although at the beginning of the bombardment, Lieutenant Colonel Sedelikov gave the troops the order to withdraw into the Tibetan and anti-artillery holes, the casualties were still not small. ”

Under such heavy bombardment and shelling, casualties among the troops were inevitable, so I did not dwell on this issue. Instead, he asked him bluntly: "How far are the German tanks from us?" "The purpose of my question. It was intended to wait for the end of the bombing and shelling. Let Morozov send people to the positions of a regiment and teach the German tanks and the infantry that are about to appear a good lesson with the newly developed flying thunder guns.

Kirillov, apparently guessing my intentions, shook his head slowly with a straight face, and then wrote on a piece of paper: "The enemy's tanks are stopped two kilometers away, and the thunder cannons can't hit that far. ”

I straightened up and frowned when I heard the occasional explosions outside the cave. If the Germans were just shelling, I wouldn't have to worry about it. Because the bomb surface is only the northern slope of the highlands. But now the Germans are using both artillery and air strikes, putting our entire Mamayev Gang within the range of heavy firepower.

Since I was thinking about what to do with the current crisis, I didn't notice it when Kirillov left my side and returned to Nadya's side to set up the mission.

In the past, the German artillery bombardment and bombardment were concentrated on the high ground of the first regiment, and the high ground where we were directly ignored was ignored. Today, however, they are indiscriminately bombing the two heights with their planes, regardless of each other. Bombs falling from the sky exploded outside the hole, coupled with the explosion of heavy howitzer shells flying from time to time. Staying in the headquarters, I felt like I was on a small boat bouncing in the rough seas. There is a danger that the ship will capsize and people will die at any time.

From time to time, I raised my hand to look at my watch, hoping that the German air raids would end sooner, because after all, the bomb load of the plane was limited, and it could not be bombed for two or three hours in a row, right? As soon as the enemy planes left, I could risk transferring the remaining anti-tank company of the artillery battalion to strike at the German tanks.

Half an hour after the enemy's air raids, perhaps because the bombs and airborne machine gun bullets were used up, all the planes formed at high altitude and flew into the distance.

The enemy aircraft flew away, but the shelling continued. I walked out of the cave to see what was going on outside. As soon as he reached the door, he was met by Mihayev, who had hurried over, followed by a dozen or so warriors carrying things. I raised my hand to stop him and asked in a loud voice: "Lieutenant Mihayev, what are you doing at the division headquarters?" ”

Mihayev hurriedly replied: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, I was ordered to install a wooden door for the division headquarters. ”

"Install a wooden door?!" When I heard Mihayev say this, I couldn't help but turn my head and look inside, because I had never given a similar order at all, so the only possibility was that it was Kirillov or Akhromeyev.

Seeing that I instinctively glanced into the headquarters, Mihayev immediately understood and hurriedly reported: "Comrade division commander, this is the case, Comrade Political Commissar just called me and said that because the explosion outside is too loud, you can't command, so let me bring the soldiers of the engineer company to install two wooden doors for you, so that the noise can be isolated from the outside and facilitate your command." ”

I nodded with satisfaction at Kirillov's thoughtful consideration, and then said to Mihayev: "Okay, Comrade Lieutenant, you can bring someone in." Remember, move quickly, and you don't know what kind of attack the Germans will launch later. ”

Mihayev beckoned his men into the long corridor and unloaded what they were carrying from their shoulders. I stood by and watched the wooden door cleared, and even the door frame, it seemed that Mihayev, the commander of the engineer company, was quite well prepared. While the sappers were installing the wooden door in the corridor, I walked out of the cave.

After the bombing just now, as far as the eye can see, the hillside is full of craters emitting green smoke, and it seems that the enemy has dropped a lot of bombs. I turned my gaze to the communications room closest to the headquarters, and saw that the curtain hanging from the door had been cut by shrapnel in several places. Worried about the safety of the girls in the communication room, I hurriedly walked over, lifted the curtain, and bent down to walk in.

When I entered, I saw a female hygienist bandaging Razumeeva's arm. Seeing this scene, I couldn't help but nervously ask: "Comrade Lieutenant, what's wrong with you?" ”

With a smile on her face, Razumeyeva deliberately said to me as if nothing had happened: "Comrade division commander, it's okay, it's just that shrapnel just flew over, pierced through the curtain at the door, and made a small cut in my arm. ”

Although Razumeeva said it lightly, I was still not at ease, so I turned my head and asked the female hygienist: "Comrade hygienist, is Lieutenant Lazumeeva okay?" ”

The hygienist had already finished dressing Razumeeva's wounds and was packing up her medical kit when I asked. Hurriedly straightened up and reported, "Report to the division commander." Comrade Lieutenant's arm was only grazed by shrapnel. I have had debridement and bandaged. As long as you change the dressing on time, you can get better in a week at most. ”

When I heard that Razumeyeva's injury was fine, I felt much more at ease. Looking at the hygienist in front of me, I couldn't help but ask curiously, "Comrade hygienist, what's your name?" How many female hygienists do you have in your health team? ”

The hygienist hurriedly replied, "Report to the division commander, my name is Tamara. Shmakova. There are two female hygienists in the health team, in addition to me. There is also a man named Walya. Pakhmova. ”

"Alright, it's okay here, let's go." When I sent Shmakova away, I also told her that many commanders and fighters had been wounded in the airstrikes that had just ended, and that she and her comrades in the health team should hurry up and treat her.

After Shmakova left, I turned to Razumeyeva and the other two female soldiers in the communications room and said, "Girls, it's too dangerous here, you better move all the communications equipment to the division headquarters." ”

Hear my commands. Razumeyeva replied loudly, and then ordered her female soldiers to start packing. Prepare to move into Headquarters.

When I re-entered the cave, the two door frames on the corridor had already been installed, and Mihayev was installing the wooden door on the door frame. As I passed by them, Mihayev stopped me and cautiously asked me: "Comrade division commander, you see, these two wooden doors are more than three meters apart, so it is better to dig a small room of one meter square on the wall next to them, so that the officers on duty can stay here." ”

I looked at the distance between the two door frames, and felt that Mihayevti's construction was very reasonable, so I nodded and said affirmatively: "Well, since you are an expert in architecture, then do as you say." ”

When I walked into the headquarters, I felt that the light in the room was much darker, but the sound coming from outside the cave was much quieter. This way, when you make a call, you don't have to yell hoarsely at the microphone.

In addition to Kirillov, Akhromeyev and the operator Nadya, the commander of the guard battalion Basmanov and the commander of the 2nd regiment Pugachev stood at this time. When the latter two saw me come in, they hurriedly saluted me.

I went to the table and sat down, and asked Pugachev straight to the point: "Comrade Captain, how is the situation in your regiment?" Did you lose a lot of money in the air raid just now? ”

Pugachev took a step forward and replied respectfully: "Report to the division commander, in the air raid that has just ended, we probably suffered more than a hundred casualties. However, the technical equipment of artillery has not lost the slightest loss because it has been hidden in solid anti-aircraft fortifications. ”

"Except for a few observation posts, let the remaining commanders and fighters continue to stay in hidden fortifications." Speaking of which, I said with some discouragement: "We now lack anti-aircraft weapons, and in the face of enemy air strikes, we can only resort to this way." ”

"Comrade Oshanina, I think this is the right thing to do." Kirillov stood up in time to encourage me: "In the enemy's fierce air raid just now, if there were no strong air defense fortifications, it is estimated that the troops would have been crushed in the air raid long ago." Now let the soldiers stay in the fortifications to recuperate, and when the enemy infantry attacks, we will teach them a hard lesson. ”

After listening to Kirillov's words, I nodded, turned my head and asked Akhromeyev again: "Comrade Chief of Staff, how is the situation in the 1st and 3rd regiments?" ”

"Report to the division commander," Akhromeyev said fluently, "the positions of the 1st and 3rd regiments are still under German shelling. However, judging from the current situation, the high ground guarded by the first regiment will become the focus of the enemy's attack. ”

Akhromeyev's analysis made me curious, so I couldn't help but ask: "Why, Comrade Chief of Staff?" ”

"Comrade division commander, please come and see." After Akhromeyev finished speaking, he walked around the opposite side of the table with a map, spread it out in front of me, pointed to it and began to explain to me: "According to the reconnaissance of our army and the confession of the prisoners, we can now know that the German Heinrich is stationed directly north of our division. Anton. Lieutenant General Deboy's 44th Infantry Division; To the northwest, is Karl. Lieutenant General Rodenburg 76th Infantry Division. ”

After a few days of fighting with the Germans, I learned for the first time the number of the German army and the name of the commander. When I heard this, the corners of my mouth couldn't help but turn upward, it seems that after having a chief of staff, it is not the same as before, at least a lot of enemy intelligence. Someone will take the initiative to ask me to report.

"44th Infantry Division. There was a tank regiment. Although they were in yesterday's battle. There was a tank battalion that was badly damaged by us, but it didn't hurt much. At present, it is this tank regiment that is staying in front of a regiment of positions for artillery bombardment. And in the positions of the 3rd regiment, except for long-range strikes from enemy artillery, no enemy ground forces were found. So I analyzed that when the enemy's shelling is over, the infantry of the 44th Division will be under the cover of their tanks. Charge at the positions of a regiment. ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Kirillov humbly asked, "although there are enemy tanks in front of the positions of a regiment, but there are no enemy infantry?" You know, tanks alone can't occupy our heights. ”

"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." Kirillov's statement made me feel a sense of kinship, so I asked Akhromeyev rhetorically: "Although no enemy infantry has been found in front of the positions of the two regiments at present, it is possible that by the end of the shelling, both directions will be attacked by the Germans." ”

"That's right, comrade division commander and political commissar." Questions for both of us. Akhromeyev patiently replied: "The Germans bombed more than thirty planes at the same time as they shelled the Mamayev post. In my judgment. The enemy was trying to break through the positions of a regiment and go straight to the pier to cut off Stalingrad from the outside world. ”

Although the enemy's intention to seize the dock was very obvious, I still had some doubts in my heart about Akhromeyev's judgment. Since the Germans used so many heavy weapons, their goal was definitely not only to capture the Mamayev Hill and the docks, but also to occupy the 107.5 heights of the three regiments at the same time and open the way to the city.

Seeing that I was slow to speak, Kirillov cautiously asked: "Comrade Oshanina, I wonder what you think about the analysis of the chief of staff?" ”

I pointed to the location of the 76th Division on the map, looked up and asked Akhromeyev: "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you know the person Rodenburg?" ”

Hearing my question, Akhromeyev hesitated for a moment, then replied: "According to our information, this lieutenant general is an old Prussian soldier, and his tactical characteristics tend to be a little conservative. I estimate that he will not put his troops into battle again until the 44th Division captures Mamayev Height, after all, his troops suffered a lot of losses in last night's battle. ”

After Akhromeyev finished speaking, I frowned and shook my head, and said slowly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you must know that we are currently holding the northern gate of Stalingrad, and once the defense line here is broken through by the Germans, the consequences will be unimaginable, so we must not underestimate the enemy." ”

"So what do you mean?!" Akhromeyev heard my stern tone, so he became cautious as well.

"Chief of Staff, you call the 1st and 3rd regiments and ask them to strengthen their vigilance to prevent the Germans from attacking our positions after the shelling is over." When Akhromeyev picked up the phone on the table and was about to give orders to the 1st and 3rd regiments, I said to Kirillov again: "Comrade commissar, please send a telegram to the commander and ask him for support from the Air Force. ”

"Air Force support?" Kirillov didn't expect me to say this suddenly, and hurriedly reminded me: "Comrade Oshanina, our 8th Air Force Group has already lost everything, and even if General Chuikov goes out, he may not be able to get support from aircraft. ”

Although I knew that it would be very difficult to get support from the air force, but in the present situation, I had no choice but to rush to the hospital, so I resolutely said: "Comrade Political Commissar, please make it clear to Comrade Commander that due to the enemy's air raids and artillery bombardment, our troops are unable to move in the suppressed fortifications. If we do not have the support of the air force, perhaps our troops will be crushed under the blow of the enemy's double fire, and the consequences will be unimaginable. ”

"Is this appropriate?" Hearing me say this, Kirillov became more and more hesitant.

"Go, my Comrade Political Commissar." I stood up and pushed Kirillov to the walkie-talkie, "You don't want to see our troops being crushed by enemy aircraft and artillery." As long as we can control the air supremacy on the battlefield, then these invading German troops are not our opponents. ”

Kirillov couldn't resist me, so he reluctantly agreed. When he walked to the walkie-talkie, Razumeyeva had also come in with another female communications soldier and was debugging another walkie-talkie. Seeing Kirillov standing there a little bewildered, I forced a smile and said to him: "Comrade commissar, use Nadya's walkie-talkie to send a telegram to the headquarters." ”

After the telegram was sent, Kirillov and I were waiting for a call back from the command. Mihayev, who had just finished installing the wooden door on the road, suddenly shouted loudly: "Division commander, come and see, enemy aircraft." ”

Hearing Mihayev's shout, I was suddenly shocked into a cold sweat, and I thought to myself, what is this German going to do? Not long after the last batch of planes flew away, the second batch of planes came again! I rushed to the entrance of the cave and saw Mihayev standing outside the cave, counting the number of enemy planes with his face up: "One, two, three, four...... O Virgin Mary! There are quite a few, at least more than 30 of them. ”

When I looked up at the sky, the enemy planes had already flown over the high ground, one after the other swooping down towards the high ground. After the shells that fell from the air exploded on the northern slope, the pulled up enemy circled in the air and swooped down towards the southern slope.

My feet were a little weak as I looked at the enemy planes that were diving towards us, and I was about to turn around and run into the hole. Before I could lift my feet, Mihayev next to me had already pounced and dragged me into the hole.

We entered the first wooden door, and just as we were about to close it, a bomb had already landed seven or eight meters outside the entrance of the cave and exploded, and a slower engineer soldier was blown into the hole and landed at our feet impartially. Looking at the bloody warrior on the ground, who was moaning in pain, I gritted my back molars and ordered Mihayev: "Lieutenant, find someone to carry him away." ”

Then, I pulled my legs and ran to the headquarters, until I ran to Nadya's side before stopping, and then I couldn't wait to tell her: "Nadya, help me call the group army headquarters immediately." ”

Kirillov didn't know why I suddenly asked the operator to call the headquarters, but kindly reminded me: "Comrade Oshanina, don't the superiors have a rule that you can't talk to the command in plain language?" ”

Seeing Nadya looking up at me in front of me, with a blank expression, I didn't bother to explain to Kirillov, and yelled at Nadya: "Hey, what are you still doing in a daze, don't call immediately!" ”

Nadya was taken aback by my expression, and quickly grabbed the microphone and called the group army headquarters loudly.

At this time, Kirillov asked with concern: "Oshanina, what happened, why did you call the command?" ”

"The enemy's air raids have begun again!" I said with a solemn expression: "If we don't send the air force to drive these damn enemy planes away, our position may really not be able to hold it!" (To be continued......)

PS: Heartfelt thanks to the book friend Mao Litong! 、peterzyj、Precious commuter pass support of dead piggy children's shoes!