When they heard that they were going to replenish the troops, their eyes suddenly lit up, and Kirillov asked in surprise and joy: "Comrade Oshanina, are there new reinforcements to cross the river?" Did Commander Chuikov promise you that as soon as new troops arrive, they will immediately give priority to replenishing our separate divisions? ”

"There are no reinforcements." I replied briefly, "Not only will we not be able to get reinforcements, but even the main forces of the army group will not be able to be replenished in any way when the battle losses are so severe." ”

"But I heard just now that you want to study the matter of replenishing the troops." Kirillov asked in surprise.

I glanced at the map on the wall, sat down in my place, and then raised my voice and said, "Yes, Comrade Commissar, just now I did say that I was going to discuss the matter of replenishing the troops. But judging from the current situation, it is very difficult to get reinforcements from superiors, whether it is soldiers or weapons and ammunition, so we have to find a way to solve this matter ourselves. ”

"But...... But that'...... How do we solve this problem? As Kirillov sat down, he returned to the same topic.

"Do you think that without our superiors, we won't be able to get supplements?" After I asked a rhetorical question, I said in a relatively calm tone: "Although we can't get anything to replenish from the group army, we can think of other ways. Do you remember when a mass was pulled down from the heights to the north, and there were only a few hundred people left? And how did Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov turn a mutilated regiment into a fully staffed and combat-ready main regiment in a very short period of time? ”

When Kirillov heard me say this, he immediately came to his senses, nodded his head again and again, and said, "Comrade Oshanina." You're right. Since the army group cannot give us the supplements it deserves. Then we will find our own way to replenish the soldiers lost in battle. Some time ago, Lieutenant Colonel Shederikov implemented a very good approach. Collect the scattered small troops and armed residents trapped in the city, and form a strong fighting force in a short period of time. ”

Bandereev had not been in the independent division for a long time and did not know much about how Segerikov would replenish the troops, and when he heard Kirillov say this, he was immediately attracted. When Kirillov finished speaking, he asked tentatively: "Comrade division commander, we have taken it upon ourselves to contain those scattered stragglers and armed residents trapped in the city. Is this appropriate? ”

"Nothing inappropriate, my deputy division commander." I said with a serious emphasis: "When Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov's regiment withdrew from the northern heights, there were only two or three hundred men left, and it was in this way that the troops were expanded to 3,000 in just ten days, and the combat effectiveness increased instead of decreasing, so the group army transferred them to hold the most critical and brutal factory area. ”

Perhaps Bandereev was a cautious man, and when he heard me say this, he said worriedly: "But. Doesn't it take a prior request to the army group command? ”

"Hey, I said old man. What's wrong with you? When Kirillov saw Pantai Leev's looking backwards, he couldn't help but smile slightly, and said teasingly: "If such a trivial matter has to be consulted by the army group headquarters, then Commander Chuikov and a few of them will not be able to keep busy." ”

Although Kirillov said it lightly, I understand that things are not so simple, if they do not communicate with Chuikov and them, and then contain thousands of armed stragglers and residents to fill the ranks, I guess I will still be blamed, Kirillov said this, nothing more than to make Pantaiyev feel at ease.

After the specific implementation steps of how to replenish the troops, the next thing to discuss is the ammunition, food and various supplies needed by the troops. At the end of the day, Kirillov and Bandereev were dumbfounded, just looking at me, waiting for me to come up with a good solution.

If I was familiar with the leaders of the group army in charge of logistics, it would not have been a great deal to get the ammunition, food, and all kinds of supplies that the troops urgently needed. However, due to the long duration of the campaign, the leaders of many important posts in the group army have almost changed, just as Kirillov's post of director of the political department of the group army has also been replaced by a new leadership with his departure.

After thinking about it for a long time, I still felt that it was the best choice for Kirillov to go to the commander in charge of the logistics of the army group to receive the ammunition and supplies we urgently needed. When I tactfully said what I meant, Kirillov's face showed an expression of embarrassment: "Comrade Oshanina, the current commander in charge of logistics in the army group is a newcomer, and if I go to him, I am afraid it will be difficult to get enough ammunition and supplies. ”

"As much as you want!" In the current situation, I knew that it would be difficult to get enough equipment and supplies to equip a few thousand people at once, so I had to settle for the next best thing, "In the next week, we will have to find a way to replenish at least 3,000 troops, that is, you only need to get back the equipment and supplies that can arm half of the men." ”

"What about the deficiencies?" Bantai Laiev couldn't help but interject and asked.

"Put the armed commanders and fighters at the forefront, and when they are sacrificed, let the unarmed warriors take up their weapons and continue to fight." I said this through gritted teeth, knowing that a few weeks ago, the weapons, ammunition and various military supplies captured by the independent division were still piling up, and it was only a long time before they were exhausted in the battle, and I had to cheekily ask the logistics department for replenishment.

"But it's not a long-term solution." Kirillov said with a sad face: "Perhaps many commanders and fighters will have their weapons damaged by enemy fire or bombardment when they die, and those who replace them will lose Yan zhòng under the enemy's powerful fire before they become familiar with the use of weapons." ”

I knew what Kirillov was saying, but I was helpless, and when I couldn't think of a way, I could only look at the map hanging on the wall. Looking at the distinction between friend and foe at the top of the map, I thought to myself that if I had enough troops, I could carry out a small counterattack to contain the enemy in front of me and force the enemy to draw troops from the vicinity of Mamayev Hill. Go to reinforce the troops in the factory area.

I was staring at the map and thinking. Akhromeyev walked in and reported to me: "Comrade division commander. Units on reconnaissance missions at night have already been arranged. Three squads will each go to your designated area to conduct reconnaissance. The small detachment that went deep behind enemy lines by boat will be personally led by Comrade Savchenko, and the whole team will have 10 people and will be equipped with communications equipment, so that they can give us timely feedback on the information they have reconnoitred. ”

"Well, you're doing a great job!" Without looking back, I praised Akhromeyev.

"Comrade Oshanina," Kirillov asked in a low voice, "I see that you have been staring at the map. Are you planning to wait for the results of tonight's reconnaissance to take action against the Germans in front of us? ”

"Yes, Comrade Commissar." I said with certainty: "Since Mamayev Gang is the territory of our independent division, then we cannot passively stay here and wait for the enemy to attack, when and where to fight, we have the final say, we must firmly grasp the initiative on the battlefield." ”

"That's right! Comrade division commander is right! After hearing what I said, Bandereev could not help but applaud and said with confidence: "We cannot always hide in our positions and wait for the enemy to attack, since the enemy will not attack." Well, we'll fight them. They had to be beaten all over the ground looking for teeth. ”

Bandereev's words caused us to laugh good-naturedly. As soon as the laughter was heard, Akhromeyev immediately answered: "Since our division held the Mamayev post, although the enemy has launched attacks again and again, they have never been able to occupy this commanding height. ”

As she spoke, Razumeyeva suddenly walked over and handed a telegram to Akhromeyev. When I saw the telegram in Akhromeyev's hand, my heart couldn't help but hang, and I said that it should not be Yeremenko's bad news, if he had some accident on the way, I would not be able to get out of it.

Seeing that Akhromeyev's face showed joy after reading the telegram, I mustered up the courage to ask: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what does the telegram say?" ”

When Akhromeyev handed me the telegram, he excitedly reported: "Comrade division commander, the telegram was sent by the commander of the first regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov. Today, their regiment has achieved brilliant results in the battle to defend the tractor plant. According to incomplete statistics, they destroyed a total of 28 German tanks, and the Germans who attacked the factory left more than 2,000 corpses and withdrew in disgrace. ”

"Great, that's great!" As soon as Kirillov waited for me to finish reading the telegram, he eagerly took it from my hand, looked at it a few times, and then gave it to Bandereev, and at the same time said proudly: "Look, this is the regiment we just talked about, although they have replenished more than 2,000 troops in a short time, but it has not affected their original combat effectiveness at all. ”

I did not lose my temper like Kirillov, but calmly instructed Akhromeyev: "Chief of Staff, go and send a telegram to Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov and ask how the casualties of their regiment are?" Also, if possible, let him find someone to replace Captain Karpov and send him to the division headquarters. ”

"What, send Karpov to the division headquarters?" When Kirillov heard my inexplicable order, his brows could not help frowning, and he immediately raised his objection, "Comrade Oshanina, I have a different opinion about this order you have given. Karpov was not only captured, but also a shameful traitor to the Germans in the fight against us, and although he chose the wrong path in the end, I think it is better to be wary of him in case he and his men rebel again. Now that they have been sent into the city to defend the tractor factory, let them fight to the death with the Germans, and use their blood to atone for their past sins. ”

"Comrade Political Commissar......" I was just about to refute him, but I was interrupted by his raised hand, and he continued to say dissatisfiedly: "You sent someone to remove Karpov from the position, so will his subordinates withdraw?" If their troops withdrew from the defense line without authorization, would it affect the rest of the troops who were sticking to the tractor factory area, and the morale of the troops would be shaken? ”

Kirillov's barrage of questions left me speechless. After he finished speaking, I finally made a final decision after a moment of silence, so I stubbornly ordered Akhromeyev: "Chief of staff, what are you still standing here, why don't you go and send a report to Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov?!" ”

When Akhromeyev heard my order again, he looked at Kirillov and then at me. In the end, he turned around and went to Razumeeva to send a telegram.

Wait for Akhromeyev to leave. I tried to squeeze a smile out of Kirillov. Then he said earnestly: "Comrade Political Commissar, what you said is reasonable. But have you ever wondered how much effort we have made to get Karpov's troops anyway? Although this plan was opposed by the superiors when it was escalated, have you ever wondered why they all agreed to our crazy plan? It is because the superior leaders know that this is not just about winning over a force. ITS IMPORTANT MEANING IS TO SHOCK THE ENEMY'S MILITARY HEART, AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT IN ZHENGZHI. ”

Hearing me say this, Kirillov quickly calmed down and took the initiative to apologize to me, saying: "I'm sorry, Comrade Oshanina, but I didn't think it properly, and I apologize to you." After saying that, he took a step back and wanted to bow to me and apologize, but I was stopped in time. I grabbed his arm and said amicably: "Comrade commissar." If you can understand that Karpov is alive, he will play a role far beyond our imagination. It was on the basis of this consideration that I gave the order to Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov to send Captain Karpov back. ”

Karpov was sent back after dark by Basmanov, who was escorting Yeremenko to the headquarters of the army group, and when we saw him, several of us were taken aback. I saw that Karpov, who was originally handsome, had his cheeks blackened by gunsmoke at the moment, and he couldn't see his true face clearly, and the military uniform on his body was not only full of dust, but also had a big hole in his waist and back. Kirillov first walked over and shook hands with him and said politely: "Comrade Karpov, welcome back." After speaking, he commanded Basmanov, who was standing stupidly aside: "Hey, I say, what are you still standing here?" Why don't you go and get a basin of water for Captain Karpov to wash his face, and find a clean and tidy military uniform to change him into. ”

Karpov, who had finished shaking hands with Kirillov, walked up to me, raised his hand and saluted, and then said loudly: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, Captain Karpov, deputy commander of the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Regiment, has been ordered to come and listen to your orders. ”

As I shook his hand, I asked with concern, "Comrade Captain, the battle must have been hard." How's it going, do your men suffer heavy casualties? ”

Karpov didn't seem to expect me to ask such a question suddenly, first nodded instinctively, and when he realized that something was wrong, he shook his head desperately, and finally replied: "Comrade division commander, there are only a dozen fighters left who followed me from the Germans, and the rest died in battle." I sincerely beg you, let me go back to the tractor factory, even if I die, I will die with those comrades of mine. ”

Kirillov was moved by Karpov's statement, he walked up to Karpov's side, raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder, and said with concern: "Comrade Captain, it is not only the tractor factory that is the battlefield, but also the Mamayev Hill under our feet. The division commander personally ordered you to be recruited back because there was an important task to be entrusted to you. "Speaking of which, he used Karpov's blind spot to keep glancing at me.

I understood Kirillov's purpose in doing this, and hurriedly followed his words: "Yes, Captain Karpov, we are in such a hurry to recruit you from the front because we have an important task entrusted to you. ”

"Comrade division commander, I don't know what the task is?" Before I could finish my sentence, Karpov asked. "Are you going to open fire with the Germans north of Mamayev Heights? I know the terrain well, and if you're going to fight back, don't forget about me. ”

Originally, I just wanted to perfunctory him so that he could naturally stay at the division headquarters, but I didn't expect that hearing him say this, I really made up my mind to fight a battle north of Mamayev Gang and contain the enemy, so I nodded and said in an affirmative tone: "Comrade Captain, you guessed right. In a few days, we will carry out a counterattack against the German troops in front of us, pinning down more German troops near Mamayev Heights, and there are not many commanders like you who are familiar with the terrain in the division, so we can't wait to recruit you back from the tractor factory where the fighting is fierce. ”

"Great, that's great!" When Karpov heard my words, he was overjoyed and said excitedly: "In this way, we can teach the Germans a hard lesson, and by the way, avenge the revenge they took for chasing us at that time." Speaking of this, he hesitated for a moment, and then said in embarrassment: "However, will our existing strength be too small, you must know that the main force of the division has gone to the tractor factory with Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov, and has been pinned down there by the enemy's heavy troops." ”

"Comrade Captain, you don't have to worry about that." Although I don't know how many troops I can replenish in a few days, in front of Karpov, I still said with a swollen face: "When the battle begins, I can at least let you command a battalion, and your rank can be raised accordingly." However, my only request to you is that I hope that the troops you lead can achieve good results in our counterattack operations, do you have confidence? ”

"Please rest assured, teacher!" Karpov replied in a loud voice: "I will definitely live up to your trust!" (Want to know more about "Burning Moscow"?) Open WeChat now, click on the "+" sign in the upper right corner, select Add Friends to add an official account, search for "Qidianzhongwenwang", follow the official account, and never miss every update! (To be continued......)