When I heard Danilov ask this, I couldn't help but regret a little in my heart, when I first took up the post of commander of the Sixth Guards Army, Vatutin was ready to arrange a few anti-tank artillery regiments for me, but I took it for granted that as long as the troops were equipped with anti-tank weapons such as bazookas, they would be enough to deal with the German tank clusters. So, he politely rejected his kindness. After today's battle, I understand that no matter how good the bazooka is, the range is always limited, and if the German tanks stop out of range, our anti-tank fighters can only stare dryly.

I thought about it for a while, and was about to discuss with Danilov whether to be cheeky enough to ask Vatutiny for an anti-tank artillery regiment or two. Unexpectedly, he spoke up again: "By the way, according to the report provided by the superiors, the German army is attacking the defense area of our army group at the same time, and it is also attacking the defense area of the Seventh Guards Army, and the battle is currently going on near Korocha. In order to stabilize the front, the Front Command sent several artillery regiments to the area, including two anti-tank artillery regiments. ”

The thought that just came to me was dispelled by Danilov's simple words. The situation in our zone is not good, and the fighting in the friendly zone is no less intense. Although Vatutin is the commander of the front army, he does not know how to spread beans into soldiers, and the two tank armies that have been replenished to us should be the limit of this stage.

If you can't get an anti-tank artillery regiment, then what equipment should I use to deliver long-range strikes on German tanks? Even if I can be cheeky enough to go to Ustinov for equipment, it will not quench my thirst. Just when I was at a loss, Kravchenko suddenly said to me: "General Oshanina, although you don't have an anti-tank gun, you can use a tank instead?" ”

"Tank?!" I didn't understand what Kravchenko meant, so I looked at him blankly. Rhetorical question: "Comrade General, what kind of tank are you talking about?" ”

"Our army also has some T-34s, which can be handed over to you for use as fixed batteries." Kravchenko confidently said: "Although these tanks are on the plains and are not opponents of the Tiger tanks, if they are deployed on the position, they can still cause certain problems for the German armored forces." Let them take care of themselves, and at such times you can send anti-tank crews, quietly approach the enemy's tank, knock it out with a bazooka. ”

Although I was also in favor of using tanks as fixed batteries in defensive operations, I was worried that this would affect the strength of the tank army, so I asked Kravchenko worriedly: "Comrade General, transfer the T-34 as a fixed battery." It won't affect your combat effectiveness, will it? ”

"It doesn't matter," Kravchenko replied with a big grin, "since we are equipped with a large number of new tanks, some of the T-34s that have been replaced can be handed over to you for use as batteries." ”

"Comrade General, thank you so much." When Danilov heard Kravchenko say this, he was overjoyed, and quickly stood up and shook the latter's hand vigorously.

I looked up at my watch and saw that it was almost eleven o'clock. He politely said to Kravchenko: "Comrade General, it's not too early. I think you and your men must be tired, so go back and rest early. ”

"Comrade Commander," as soon as my words fell, I heard the voice of the chief of communications, Lopukhov, ringing in the room: "I have just received an urgent telegram from the commander of the 375th Infantry Division, Colonel Govorinenko. ”

As soon as I heard the urgent telegram, my heart chuckled, and my heart said that there would be no accident with the 375th Division, right? If that's really the case. The situation is very dangerous, and perhaps the tank Armageddon in the Prokhorovka area will break out early. I snatched the telegram from Lopukhov's hand and scanned it quickly with my head down.

Colonel Govorinenko's telegram said that half an hour earlier, the Germans had suddenly launched a fierce attack on his defensive area. The 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 1243rd Infantry Regiment, located in the Prokhorovka salient, were surrounded by the Germans.

After I handed the telegram to Danilov. His eyes swept over the commander in the room, and he found Colonel Bere, who was sitting in the corner. Since he has not said a word since I returned to the headquarters, I have ignored him. At this moment, he was needed, so I pointed at him with my hand and asked loudly: "Colonel Berey, in the Prokhorovka region, how many tank units do your army have at their disposal?" ”

Bere stood up, stood up and said: "Report to Comrade Commander, at present the 101st Tank Brigade has two tank battalions, which can be engaged in the battle to relieve friendly forces. ”

"Comrade Colonel, this is wonderful." When I heard that there were two tank battalions at my disposal, my heart was much more reassured. I picked up the phone on the desk, dialed the 375th Division, and as soon as I heard Godorunenko's voice, I said to him in a loud voice: "Hey, Comrade Colonel, I'm Oshanina. I order you to send troops at once to relieve the encircled troops, and Colonel Bere will send two tank battalions to assist you. ”

Hearing me say this, Govorinenko's voice became lighter. He said excitedly: "Comrade commander, as soon as our tank unit arrives, I will immediately organize the troops to carry out a counter-assault and rescue the encircled troops." ”

I was worried that after he rescued the besieged troops, he would withdraw to the main position as a whole, so I told him: "When the siege is lifted, you can replenish the troops of the first and second battalions and let them continue to hold out." ”

"But, Comrade Commander." When Govorinenko heard my order, he said with some embarrassment: "The position of the 1242nd Regiment is far from the main force of the division, and if you do not shrink your forces, it is easy to be surrounded again. ”

"Comrade Colonel," I could not help but feel angry at the repeated emphasis on the difficulties by Govorunenko, and I said unceremoniously into the microphone: "Please remember that if we abandon our positions there, then the Germans will gain a foothold in the Prokhorovka area." Once they're on their feet, they can use that as a starting point for attack, and then you'll be under more defensive pressure. ”

"I see, Comrade Commander." In response to my tough attitude, Govorinenko had no choice but to say obediently: "After the enemy besieging the 1st and 2nd battalions has been repulsed, I will strengthen the defensive forces of the position so that it can be firmly controlled in our hands." ”

"That's right, Comrade Colonel." Whether Govorunenko willingly or was forced to agree to strengthen the defense of the position. At least he didn't dare to order the troops to retreat without my permission. "I'm just waiting for your good news."

After putting down the phone, I said to Danilov: "Comrade Deputy Commander, the situation is not good. The enemy, attacking the Prokhorovka area, was supposed to rush through the gap in the defense line of the 51st Guards Division. They are really bold enough, and they are alone behind the depth of our army's defense. Dare to attack our positions with ease. ”

Danilov's eyes looked at Kravchenko and asked in a tentative tone: "Comrade General, can your tank corps send even one battalion of troops to support us?" ”

Kravchenko's face showed an expression of embarrassment, he scratched the back of his head, and said in an uncertain tone: "Comrade Deputy Commander, you also know that I just sent someone back to arrange the maintenance of the tank, at least in four or five hours. My tank army is not capable of going into battle. ”

"Comrade General, it should be possible." Colonel Bere, who had not had time to leave after accepting my order, suddenly spoke: "According to my experience, those new tanks can still maintain good condition even after driving two hundred kilometers in a row. So even if you don't need to do maintenance, you can go into battle right away. ”

After Colonel Bere's words, the whole room fell silent. After a long while, Kravchenko hesitated and asked, "Colonel." Is everything you say true? ”

Bere nodded vigorously and said affirmatively, "Yes." Comrade General. I also have a lot of new tanks in my troops, and I know their performance very well. ”

"Since that's the case," Kravchenko said, he glanced at me and then made up his mind, "then I'll go back and make arrangements at once." Tank battalions were drawn to repel the enemy besieging our positions. ”

Colonel Bere, who had left the command with Kravchenko, had gone to the telegraph room next door to send a telegram to his subordinate troops, conveying to them the decision we had just made.

When Bezikov saw that there were only a few of his own people left in the house, he couldn't help but say angrily: "What the hell does this damn German want to do, he is still running around in the middle of the night." Is it a deliberate attempt to cause trouble for us? ”

After his grumbling was over, Kirillov suddenly said slowly: "Lida, I think we should send a battle alert to all the troops in the front line, so that they can beware of the night attack of the German army. ”

Night Raid, when I heard this word, I couldn't help but smile bitterly. In the past, during the defense of Stalingrad, I often sent troops to attack the German army at night, and the enemy was miserable. Who knew that after arriving in the Kursk region, the Germans also learned this trick and used it against us.

I nodded and said to Bezkov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, did you hear the words of the military commissar?" Immediately send a battle alert to all units of the first and second lines of defense, so that they can be vigilant and prevent a night attack by the Germans. ”

When Danilov saw that Bezikov was going to call, he said in a suspicious tone: "Comrade commander, are you making a little fuss?" You know, is it necessary for just one German unit to attack Prokhorov and put all the units of our first and second lines of defense on alert? ”

"Very necessary, Comrade Deputy Commander." Seeing Danilov's disapproving look, I hurriedly reminded him: "Manstein is very cunning, and since his troops have not taken advantage of him during the day, he may have to make some moves at night." ”

After listening to my analysis, Kirillov and Akhromeyev, who knew me well, nodded their heads again and again, but Danilov pursed his lips in disapproval, and did not seem to take my words to heart at all.

At this moment, Bezikov, who was on the phone from the side, suddenly shouted loudly, and after attracting the attention of all of us, he hurriedly said: "Comrade commander, Colonel Baksov, commander of the 67th Guards Division, reports that half an hour ago, the Germans again stormed Butov. Our troops, after stubborn fighting, had to withdraw from the city again. ”

This unexpected bad news shocked everyone present. The most surprising thing was me, in order to strengthen the defense of Butovo, I even put Sederikov, a man who is good at street fighting, in the city. Unexpectedly, the Germans occupied the city again.

I pointed my finger at Bezikov and said angrily: "Chief of Staff, you ask Colonel Baksov how he did it, why did he lose the city to the Germans again?" ”

Bezkov waited for me to finish speaking, and said with a wry smile: "Comrade commander, Colonel Baksov withdrew from the battle due to wounds, and he was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov. ”

When I heard that Baksov was wounded, I couldn't help but be stunned, and then, after walking back and forth in the house twice, I decisively said to Bezikov: "Chief of Staff, you tell Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov to organize a counteroffensive overnight, and at all costs, to take back Butovo from the Germans." ”

Even though I had never been willing to fight such a tug-of-war with huge casualties, in order to prevent the Germans from gaining the starting point for attacking Oboyan, I had to give this cruel order uncharacteristically.

Before Bezikov's call was finished, the phone in front of us rang again. I grabbed the microphone and asked angrily: "Hey, this is the headquarters of the army group, where are you?" ”

The voice of Tavart Kiradze came from the earpiece: "Comrade commander, it's not good, something is wrong!" ”

Tawart Kiradze's words made my heart sink and I nervously asked, "What's going on, what's going on?" Could it be that your No. 1 position has been captured by the Germans? "Although I am using a hypothetical tone, if the Germans really occupy all the positions of the 51st Guards Division, even if the 52nd Guards Division continues to hold its position, then the first line of defense will exist in name only, and the plan I formulated earlier to "close the door and fight the dogs" will end in failure.

After a moment of silence ****** Kiradze of the opposing tower, he first said something that reassured me: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, Position No. 1 is still firmly in our hands, and there is nothing left in front of the position except the corpses of the Germans and the blackened wreckage of tanks. ”

Just as I was breathing a sigh of relief, he went on to say something that frightened me: "The Germans bypassed our positions after their failure to attack our positions. It happened to encounter the 10th Tank Brigade of our 100th Tank Army, and because our tank crews were not familiar with the terrain, they were soon surrounded by enemy armored forces. With the exception of one company of tanks that managed to break through, the rest of the tanks were destroyed. (To be continued.) )