In the rest of the day, I didn't pay much attention to the battle of the 22nd Guards Division, and since they were able to completely annihilate the German troops that stormed the city yesterday, they would not be too bad in today's battle. At present, I am most concerned about whether the 171st and 308th Divisions, as well as the three regiments under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Koskay and Major Akhromeyev, will be able to withdraw into the city safely.

Almost every half hour, Vitkov had to call the observation post set up in the city and ask them: "Did you find the Germans' plane in the air?" "See the retreating troops of our army going into the city?"

"No, Comrade Chief of Staff." The other party answered him with the same words every time.

Seeing that Vitkov was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, although I was also anxious in my heart, I still had to comfort him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, why are you in a hurry? You must know that the retreating troops are not one or two companies, but two divisions, enough for seven or eight regiments, where can it be said that they can be withdrawn? In addition, there were no enemy planes in the sky, which was a good thing, and at least the chances of our troops successfully retreating to the city were greatly improved. ”

Vitkov sat down in his seat and said dejectedly: "Comrade commander, before the troops withdrew to the city, my heart was never steady. Without them, the 22nd Guards Division alone would not have been able to defeat the enemy. ”

Kirillov waited for me to finish speaking, and said cautiously: "Comrade Oshanina, we can't just wait here, shouldn't we do something to prepare?" ”

"Comrade Political Commissar, when you say this, you remind me." After saying this. I immediately instructed Vitkov: "Comrade Chief of Staff. Please call the commander of the artillery regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Kaverin. Let him come to my headquarters with his battalion commanders, I have important tasks to assign to them. By the way, there are also the commanders of the artillery battalion to which the Guards Division belongs, Major Morozov and Captain Kurishenko, so that the two of them will also come to the meeting. ”

"Bring all the artillery commanders to a meeting?" As soon as Kirillov heard these names from me, he immediately asked strangely: "Are you going to discuss with them about the preparation of artillery fire before tomorrow's attack?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commissar." To his question, I did not hide the slightest and answered truthfully: "The number of artillery pieces available in our army is limited. There are also not many shells, and they must be used intensively in order to play the most effective role. ”

When the six artillery commanders, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Kaverin, were standing in front of me, I pointed to the map on the wall and said to them: "Comrade artillery commanders, tomorrow morning our troops will cross the Dnieper and launch an offensive against the German defenses. Seeing the overjoyed expressions of several people, I continued, "Before the attack, you will be the first to shell the German defensive areas. ”

"Comrade Commander." Hearing me say this, Lieutenant Colonel Kaverin stepped forward. Articulate and clearly asked: "May I ask where is the target area of our shelling?" ”

"It's right here - Hama!" I pointed to the city called Hama on the map and said to him: "The 22nd Guards Division will send a reconnaissance unit to reconnoiter the vicinity of the city." and clearing the German patrols to clear the way for our next river crossing. As soon as our shelling begins, only God knows what the shells will hit, it may be the German devils, or it may be open space. But, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I need your shells to hit the target, so tonight you will also send artillery observers to cross the river with the reconnaissance unit to indicate the exact target of attack for our artillery. Do you understand? ”

Lieutenant Colonel Kaverin nodded vigorously and said loudly, "Understood, Comrade Commander. I will definitely send experienced artillery observers to cross the river at night with our scouts. ”

"One more thing, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." I pointed my finger at Morozov and Kurishenko and said to Kavilin: "The two of them are the commanders of the artillery battalion of the 22nd Guards Division, and in tomorrow's battle, their troops will also be under your unified command. Morozov, Kurishenko. "When I had finished speaking, without waiting for Kaverin to speak, I called the names of the two artillery battalion commanders to myself.

"Here!" The two of them agreed in unison, and took a step forward, standing in front of me with their backs straight.

"From today onwards, your two artillery battalions will be placed under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Kavilin." After announcing this decision, I was still worried about what concerns the two of them had, and added: "I will personally tell General Bandereev about this matter." ”

The two nodded, turned to face Kaverin, and at the same time raised their hands in salute and said, "Hello, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, we are waiting for your orders!" ”

After returning the salute to the two, Kaverin said politely: "Please take a moment, on behalf of the 266th Artillery Regiment, I welcome you to join!" ”

After arranging the artillery, I then summoned the commander of the tank battalion in the city, Persjian. When he stood in front of me, I said to him solemnly: "Comrade Major, as you may already know, our tank brigade has been wiped out by the indiscriminate bombardment of German planes in order to rescue friendly troops in the previous day's battle. The few remaining tanks of your battalion and the 171st Division are the only little armored strength left in our army. ”

After listening to my words, Pelsjian said with a solemn expression: "Comrade commander, please rest assured, our tank battalion has been fighting a tough battle since it was formed. In the defense of Stalingrad, our tanks were lost several times in the battle, but as soon as we were replenished with new tanks, the troops were immediately able to form combat effectiveness. ”

I understood what he meant, that is, no matter what kind of difficult task I gave them, the commanders and fighters of the tank battalion would go forward without hesitation. I nodded, and with a smile on my face, I continued: "Tomorrow, when the artillery regiment's shelling of the enemy is over, you will lead your tank battalion from the position of the first regiment and rush to the opposite bank along the pontoon bridge laid by the enemy to cover the attack of our troops. ”

"But, Comrade Commander." After listening to my order, Pelsjian became a little hesitant, and he asked cautiously: "The Germans have deployed quite a few tanks on the other side of the pontoon bridge, and possibly anti-tank guns of different calibers. Just with our few tanks. Can you rush through? ”

"This thing. You don't have to worry about it. "Although our large forces have not yet withdrawn into the city, I am confident in tomorrow's attack. I comforted him confidently, "Major, I believe that the German troops on the other side of the pontoon bridge have been wiped out by our reconnaissance troops who have dived over the ice before you enter the battle. If you're lucky, you might be able to capture a few intact German tanks. ”

"Comrade Commander, this is wonderful." After Pelsjian said this, he took the initiative to say to me: "Please allow me to return to the army immediately." Check the condition of existing tanks and carry out replenishment in terms of ammunition and fuel. ”

"Go, Comrade Major." I reached out to him and said in a friendly way, "Good luck!" ”

Looking at the back of Persjian's departure, Kirillov, who was standing aside, said with emotion: "Oshanina, a commander like Persjian is relieved. As a result, the success rate of our combat operations across the river tomorrow will be greatly increased. ”

I nodded and looked at Vitkov, who was on the phone next to me. Judging by the change in the expression on his face. It seemed that he heard some good news, so he waited for him to put down the phone. I immediately asked, "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you have any good news for us?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Vitkov replied with a smile: "The commander of the new 3rd regiment, Major Godunov, called and said that two regiments of the 171st Division had entered his positions one after another, and he was arranging defense areas for the newly arrived troops. ”

"Where is General Gurdiev's 308th Division?" When Kirillov heard that the 171st Division had been in place one after another, he couldn't wait to ask: "And the three regiments under the command of Major Akhromeyev, where has it reached now?" ”

Vitkov took off his big-brimmed hat, raised his hand and scratched the back of his head, and said slowly: "General Gurtiev reports that the troops of the German 'Reich Division' are attacking his defense area. Due to the ferocity of the German offensive, the regiment that had been withdrawn with him also had to return to standby to prevent the Germans from breaking through their first line of defense and rushing straight to Zaporosh. As for Major Akhromeyev's troops, they have now arrived at the airfield and have joined up with the regiment of the 171st Division that remained at the airfield, preparing to withdraw together to the city after a short rest. ”

After listening to Vitkov's report, Kirillov and I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Although the 308th Regiment is in a bad situation at the moment, as long as the main force of the 171st Division and the third regiment of the 22nd Guards Division return to the city, then our offensive plan for tomorrow can proceed as usual.

Vitkov's thoughts were obviously not in sync with mine, and he asked worriedly: "Comrade commander, if the main forces of the 308th Division do not successfully withdraw to the city before dark, will it affect tomorrow's offensive battle?" ”

"No, Comrade Chief of Staff." I said confidently: "Even if the 308th Division is entangled by the enemy, we can adjust the deployment in time and switch their tasks with the 171st Division." The task of protecting the right flank of the 22nd Guards Division was carried out by the 171st Division, and the task of holding the city was carried out by the 308th Division of General Gurdiev. ”

"I agree." As soon as my words fell, Kirillov was the first to agree.

Vitkov frowned and thought about it, nodded as well, and said helplessly: "Since this is the case, I don't disagree, just do what Comrade Commander said." At this point, he remembered another thing, and immediately reported to me: "There is another thing, the captured German General Ike has been sent into the city, and I have asked Major Godunov to find a temporary basement to house him." ”

"Comrade Oshanina," Kirillov couldn't help but ask again when he heard Vitkov say this, "in the current situation, I think we should still dispose of this general as soon as possible." ”

"Dispose of it? How to dispose of it? Although I hated the SS, when I heard Kirillov say this, I could not help but ask angrily: "If you want to shoot a dying man, can you do this?" ”

Kirillov shook his head, and then said helplessly: "I can't do it either." Alas, forget it, let him fend for himself, whether he can survive or not depends on his personal creation. ”

As we spoke, the phone on the desk rang suddenly. Vitkov walked over and picked up the phone, listened to it, and then handed it to me, and at the same time said: "Comrade commander, it's Major Akhromeyev, he seems to have something urgent to report to you. ”

I took the phone and said into the microphone: "Hello, Major Akhromeyev, I'm glad you made it to the airport without any problems. How about it, how long will the troops have to rest before they can withdraw to Zaporosh? ”

"Comrade commander, the time for the troops to rest and recuperate is almost up, and they can withdraw to the city at any time. However, just a few minutes earlier, the German 'skeleton division' had suddenly shelled the airfield. ”

"Shelling of the airfield?" Hearing Akhromeyev say this, I was taken aback, since Ike has always been in my hands, the "Skeleton Division" always threw a rat bogey when attacking the airfield, and did not dare to hit the airfield with artillery, what is going on with them today, have they gone crazy? I nervously asked, "Comrade Major, are there any casualties in the troops?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Akhromeyev replied: "A battalion of the 171st Division, deployed on the runway of the airfield, suffered heavy casualties under German artillery fire. The people who had been shelled on the runway had become headless flies, not knowing where to run. The German shelling made them frightened, and the troops that lost their formation were not even as good as ordinary people, they had no brains, no thinking, and all that was left was instinctive running, and they ran wherever there were many people. When Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard went to direct their evacuation, he was also unfortunately hit by flying shrapnel and was wounded again. ”

"What, Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard is wounded?" I was taken aback again and asked emotionally, "Is the injury serious?" ”

"He was hit with about a dozen pieces of shrapnel in his back, and the military doctor is currently treating him, but he may not be able to fight again in a short time." (To be continued......)