I didn't expect to be fooled by me.

Listening to Kolpakč, he was not polite, and said to the commander of the Zhouqiao battalion straight to the point: "Comrade Captain, I order you to erect three pontoon bridges on the Koska River overnight, one of which must be able to pass through tanks and other heavy technical equipment, understand?" What the?! Having difficulties and running out of manpower and materials? Speaking of this, he paused, as if listening to the other party's report, and after a while, he suddenly raised his voice and said in an unquestionable tone: "Comrade battalion commander, I need to remind you that these are your problems, you go and find a way to solve them yourself, anyway, after dawn tomorrow, I will see the pontoon bridge on the Koska River." ”

After making the call to the Boat Bridge Battalion, Kol Pakchi sat down at the table, beckoned me to sit down, and said in an appreciative tone: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, I have seen your performance in the battle today through the high-powered telescope. Yes, very well done, you behaved very bravely, and even blew up one of the enemy's most threatening machine guns with a grenade, which is not easy for even a male warrior to do. ”

Just as Kol Parkucci was raving about me, the phone on the desk rang. When the commander picked up the microphone, I couldn't help but feel resentful of the caller, saying that I finally got the praise of my new superiors, but you came to make trouble, don't let me meet you in the future, otherwise as long as I have the opportunity, I will definitely give you small shoes.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Kolpacchi heard the other party's voice, he quickly stood up, straightened his waist, and said respectfully: "Hello, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." ”

"General Korpakchi," General Gordorf did not greet him politely on the phone, but said straight to the point: "I will call you at this time." Yes, there is good news for you. ”

"After a few days of preparation. The Front Command has now assembled a considerable number of troops. Meantime. The reserves of the Supreme High Command have also arrived, including the newly formed 1st and 4th Tank Armies, the 126th, 204th, 205th, 321st, 399th, 422nd Infantry Divisions, and other branches of the Army. ”

Hearing that there was a new reserve, Kolpacchi was overjoyed and hurriedly asked: "General Goldov, I wonder which divisions will Lu Dao add to my 62nd Army?" You also know that in these two days of fighting. The attrition of the troops was severe. ”

General Gordov thought for a moment and replied: "In this way, I will transfer to you the 23rd Tank Army of Major General Hasin, as well as the 399th Infantry Division of the Far Eastern Red Banner Infantry of Colonel Travnikov, and the 87th Infantry Division of Colonel Kazartsev." ”

After listening to Goldov's words, there was a faint hint of disappointment on Korpakchi's face, and he sighed and said: "Commander Goldorf, can you give me more troops?" You also know how wide the defensive area of our group army is, and it is really not good to have fewer troops. Give me two more divisions. Even if it's for a division. ”

Listening to Korpakč and Gordorf haggling, I couldn't help but want to laugh. Xin said that you think that the commander of the front army will scatter beans into soldiers, and if you want a few divisions, you can give you a few divisions, and your request will definitely be rejected by him.

After listening to Korpakchi's request, Goldov said: "No, General Korpakchi, I cannot agree to your request, you must know that several army groups deployed by us on the Don defense line have been reduced in the recent battles, and they also need reserves to replenish them. ”

After the end of the call with Gordov, Kolpakchi called Gurov, who remained at the headquarters, but the officer who answered the phone reported that the comrade military commissar had received an order from his superiors to resolutely hold the Koska River defense line, and he was not at ease with the current situation, so he rushed to the Koska River defense line with reinforcements.

Kolpacic put down the phone and said to me with a wry smile: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, did you hear that?" Worried that this line of defense could not be held, the comrades of the military commissar have already rushed to us in person. ”

When I heard that Gurov was coming, I thought to myself that since this military commissar was coming, it happened that several division commanders had been summoned to study how to strengthen the defense of the Koska River area. Thinking of this, I suggested to Kolpakchi: "Comrade commander, I propose to summon several division commanders of the Koska line to the headquarters, and everyone will sit together and discuss how to repel the German attack on the defensive zone. ”

After hearing this, Korpacchi thought about it, nodded in agreement: "Well, what you said makes sense, I'll call a few division commanders and ask them to come over for a meeting." At the meeting, it was necessary to make it clear to them that we had to hold the Koska line at all costs, otherwise the Germans could calmly cross the Don and go straight to Stalingrad. ”

At two o'clock in the morning, first the military commissar Gurov, who had set off with the reinforcements, arrived, and then several division commanders in the defense area also rushed to the headquarters one after another.

After a brief pleasantries, everyone sat down. Because the tables in the headquarters were too small, Korpakchi had to huddle aggrievedly with Gurov on a bench, with Major General Volkhin and Major General Novikov sitting to his right, Colonel Fanasyev and Lieutenant Colonel Tarantsev on his left, and Colonel Jahua, commander of the 131st Division, whom I had never met, and Colonel Avelin of the 196th Division.

The first to speak was Colonel Fanaseyev, who pointed out sharply: "Comrade commander, I don't think we can fight like this anymore, although the German attack was repulsed by us, but the casualties of our troops are too great. In just two or three days, our 33rd Guards Division suffered nearly 8,000 casualties, and it can be said that it has completely lost its combat effectiveness. ”

When Gurov heard him say this, he was taken aback and asked in disbelief: "Ah, Colonel Fanaseyev, the casualties of the Guards Division are so large?" You're not mistaken, right? ”

Fanasyev waved his hand and replied affirmatively: "Comrade Military Commissar, you can't be wrong, my 83rd and 85th regiments are almost all gone, and the 84th regiment, which is currently fully formed, has less than 200 people left. ”

Major General Volkhin continued: "In today's battle, our division has suffered very serious attrition. A regiment sent to reinforce the friendly 229th Division was attacked by German armored forces on the way back to reconstruction, and all troops were destroyed. The two regiments that remained in their positions also suffered heavy casualties under German artillery fire and aircraft bombardment. If we do not send more reserves, it is still a question whether we will be able to hold our positions tomorrow. ”

Major General Novikov, commander of the 181st Division, also said: "Yes, the Germans firmly hold air supremacy, and as soon as our artillery opens fire to suppress the enemy's attacking troops, it will invite indiscriminate bombardment by enemy aircraft."

Kolpacic interrupted them and said unceremoniously: "Okay, don't go too far, let's talk about how to strengthen the defense of the Koska River defense, to resolutely block the German attack." Just now, the commander of the Front, General Goldov, called me and said that the tank corps and infantry divisions replenished by our army group would be able to enter our defense zone within two days. ”

Fanasyev was once again the first to speak: "Comrade commander, I would like to ask, can you give priority to replenishing the 33rd Guards Division?" You know, my troops are still stationed in several key positions, and as long as I am replenished with reserves, I will definitely be able to hold these places. ”

Gurov was very satisfied with his statement, he nodded and said: "Comrade Colonel Fanasyev, don't worry, I will give you a replenishment of reserves tonight, but you have to promise me that I must resolutely hold the position." ”

Fanasyev stood up and replied loudly: "Please rest assured, Comrade Military Commissar, as long as there is still one person in the 33rd Guards Division alive, he will definitely nail himself to the position and will never take a step back." ”

After Gurov beckoned Colonel Fanasyev to sit down, he turned his head and discussed with Kolpakchi and said: "Comrade commander, I propose that the infantry regiment of the infantry school directly under the army group be placed under the command of the 33rd Guards Division. ”

Hearing Gurov say this, Korpakchi agreed almost without thinking: "No." In this way, after the meeting, I asked these infantry regiments to go to the defense area of the 33rd Guards Division. (To be continued......)