The chief of staff of the artillery regiment did not dare to slack off, hurriedly agreed, quickly ran to the front of the queue, and gave a loud order: "Artillery regiment, listen to my command, all enter the gun position, and everyone is in place." ”

With the major's command, the artillerymen who were originally on the position quickly entered their respective gun positions. The major raised his binoculars and looked at the enemy queue in the distance, raised his right hand high, and shouted: "Armor-piercing shells fire." Almost as soon as he gave the command, his right hand swung violently at Lu.

Dozens of artillery pieces let out a roar in unison, and the discharged shells whistled into the distance, landing in the ranks of the enemy and exploding. I saw through the binoculars that although most of the shells had exploded around the enemy tanks, three tanks had been hit by armor-piercing shells, and the bodies had already caught fire, and tongues of fire were jumping happily in the billowing black smoke.

The trucks that were following the tanks stopped, and the Germans jumped out of their trucks in a hurry, scattered, and trotted behind the tanks, rushing in our direction.

"Attention all!" The major shouted the command in a long voice, "Reload, aim at the front tank and open fire, with armor-piercing shells." Distance, two kilometers, the ruler ......" He paused slightly, then exhaled and shouted violently: "Put!" ”

The rumbling sound of artillery drowned out all the sounds around it, and the disarmed armor-piercing shells flew into the smoke and dust in the distance, towards the tanks at the front of the enemy column. After more than 20 shells hit the ground and exploded, shrapnel flew everywhere, the flames of the explosion flickered, and the five tanks at the head emitted billowing black smoke, drove a certain distance, and then stopped in place and burned.

I'm watching. I felt someone next to me tap me on the shoulder. Turn your head to look. It turned out to be Chuikov. He pointed to the infantry position and shouted something to me, but my ears were so shaken by the high decibel sound of artillery that I couldn't hear what he was saying, and just as I was about to ask him to say it again, he had already stepped towards the infantry position.

Only then did I realize that he had asked me to go back to the infantry position with him. As soon as he took two steps, he suddenly saw the body of the artillery commander lying in a pool of blood. I immediately understood in my heart, why did Zhukov say such inexplicable things to me on the phone yesterday, you must know that Lu Dao, this is an extraordinary period, and the troubled times use heavy codes, he is worried that when I contradict that kind of unreasonable superiors, the other party will enforce battlefield discipline on the spot in the name of battlefield disobedience, and then I will die in vain, and there is no place to shout grievances. Figure this out. I added a few more gratitudes to Zhukov, and at the same time my feet picked up. chased after Chuikov's back.

Returning to the infantry position, Chuikov jumped into the trench, and the fighters of the guard company, who had been waiting next to the car, also jumped into the trench. Chuikov looked back at me, shook his head, and said, "Follow me!" "My hearing had regained, but it still felt like a ball of cotton in my ears, and Chuikov's voice was almost inaudible, and I couldn't guess what he was saying if he hadn't walked forward again.

Under the guidance of the soldiers, we came to the command post. As soon as I entered the door, I found that this so-called command post was actually a small trench, only more than one meter wide and five or six meters long, and it was difficult for people to turn around inside. Directly opposite sat a captain, in front of whom a lieutenant was standing sideways, and the two were talking something. Seeing us coming in, the top hurriedly stood up, raised his hands in salute, and reported: "Hello, Comrade General! Do you have any instructions? ”

Chuikov looked the two up and down, and asked slowly: "I said, which unit are you two from?" ”

The lieutenant preemptively replied: "Report to Comrade General, we are Colonel Lyudnikov's subordinates, who yesterday received an order from the deputy commander of the army group, General Chuikov, to let the two of us come here to take over this unit without a commander. ”

"I'm Chuikov." After revealing his identity, Chuikov glanced out from the observation port of the command post, and asked the two commanders sternly: "The enemy's troops, under the cover of tanks, are attacking here in an attempt to seize the 74th concession station, what are you planning?" ”

The captain waved his fist and said categorically: "Comrade General, what else? As long as the enemy dares to approach our position, we will use the weapons in our hands to teach them a hard lesson. ”

Chuikov beckoned to the captain to come to him, pointed to the enemy attack queue outside, which was being ravaged by our artillery, and said to the captain: "Comrade captain, you see, the enemy's tanks have been heavily attacked by our artillery. The infantry behind them was now in disarray, and if they could take advantage of this opportunity, they would definitely be able to defeat them. ”

After hearing this, the captain said with some embarrassment: "Comrade Deputy Commander, this may be a bit difficult, you must know that we only have 200 people now, and if we want to launch an attack on the enemy, it is tantamount to ......"

The captain stopped in the middle of his words, and Chuikov immediately took over the topic and said coldly: "Comrade Captain, are you worried that these two hundred people will rush forward and be a sheep?" ”

After hearing this, the captain did not deny it, nodded vigorously in agreement.

Seeing the captain tactfully saying that he could not carry out the order given by Chuikov, I couldn't help but worry about him, you must know that the artillery commander just now was better than him, he was only a captain, and the others were lieutenant colonels, and Chuikov didn't just say that he would be killed. But Chuikov was not angry, he pointed outside and said to the captain: "Comrade captain, look outside, the enemy's tanks have been beaten by our artillery, and the infantry who have lost the cover of the tanks have lost their fighting spirit, as long as we counterattack, we will definitely be able to defeat them." ”

At that moment, a loud charge was heard outside, followed by a shout muffled by the sound of gunfire. Chuikov frowned and asked puzzledly: "Comrade Captain, what's going on?" Where did the troops go on the offensive? ”

The captain's head shook like a rattle: "I don't know what to do, I want to know that I haven't given any orders to the troops, and they won't attack without permission." ”

Suddenly there was a voice shouting a report outside the door, and the captain hurriedly shouted, "Come in!" With that, he walked sideways from our side to the door.

A soldier came in through the door. After raising your hand and saluting. Report to Captain Lu: "Report to Comrade Captain. The infantry units where the division headquarters was located, under the cover of the tank battalions, charged the enemy. Comrade Lieutenant asked me to come to you for instructions, what should we do? Will they continue to hold their ground, or will they attack together with the troops of the division headquarters? ”

The captain waved his hand sharply and said loudly: "Go back and tell the lieutenant, blow the trumpet of the charge, and we will attack on all fronts." ”

Wait for the fighters to leave. The captain turned around, saluted Chuikov, and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, since the main forces of the division headquarters have already attacked, then we will also attack, and this position will be handed over to you." ”

After arranging for the guards to take over the defense, I returned to the command post and stood at the observation port with Chuikov and looked out, the enemy's attacking troops, which had already been overwhelmed by our artillery, now saw our tanks and infantry launching a counter-charge. Immediately panicked, roared and increased the throttle. Turned around and fled. Seeing that the tanks covering him had fled, large groups of German infantry began to scatter and flee.

The assault of our tanks was very fast, and in just a few minutes, they broke through the ranks of the enemy, spared the scattered infantry, and chased the butt of the enemy tanks. Several tanks, which were running slowly, soon came up with billowing smoke, stopped on the side of the road and began to burn. The infantry that followed closely behind slammed into the enemy with machine guns, submachine guns, and rifles in their hands, and the defeated enemy was knocked down piece by piece.

Just as our army gradually gained the initiative on the battlefield, swarms of enemy aircraft appeared in the air. They swooped down on our charging party, dropping bombs and strafing them, effectively stopping the pursuit of our troops. Several tanks were either torn apart by bombs or overturned in craters by the blast of the explosion.

Although many tanks were blown up and hundreds of commanders and fighters fell under the strafing fire of enemy planes, they did not immediately retreat, but lay on the ground or hid in bomb craters and fired at the enemy.

The enemy's ground troops, which had been unable to form an army, saw that their fighters were coming to help, and they also stabilized their positions, pressed up again, and fired at our troops with tank shells and infantry firepower.

Tank shells from both sides whizzed out of the chambers and flew towards each other's positions. Amid the sound of explosions and machine-gun fire, from time to time enemy or our tanks were destroyed, and from time to time soldiers or fighters from both sides fell in pools of blood.

When Chuikov saw this scene, his teeth clenched, he slammed his fist on the earthen wall, and said indignantly: "Damn the Germans, if they don't have air supremacy, our troops can completely defeat them if they charge again." ”

After bombing the battlefield by enemy aircraft, they turned around and bombed our artillery positions and the 74th Will. The bomb whistled down from the sky and exploded nearby, sending the dirt above our heads to the ground, and in a few moments Chuikov and I were disgraced.

Chuikov shook his head, shook the dirt off his hat, and then said to me: "Oshanina, let's go, go to the division headquarters of Lyudnikov, I estimate that the enemy is trying to seize this concession today, and we must resolutely hold this place." ”

When we, risking being hit by enemy bombs or airborne machine guns, bent over and trotted towards the division headquarters in Lyudnikov. On the way, I clearly saw that the artillery position was unfortunately hit by enemy bombs, and half of the position was plunged into a sea of fire, and I did not know how many commanders and fighters on the position would have survived when the battle was over.

When the two of us ran into the division headquarters in Lyudnikov, he was taken aback, and he hurriedly greeted him, not even bothering to salute the military salute, so he hurriedly asked: "Comrade commander, how did you come here?" Seeing that we were both covered in dirt, he asked with concern, "Where are you from?" Didn't get hurt, right? ”

Chuikov casually dusted off his shoulders and said disapprovingly: "I came from the position near the 74th Will, and the commanders and fighters on the position have all participated in the attack. ”

"Isn't there no one on that position?" Lyudnikov heard Chuikov say this, and immediately became nervous, "It's not okay if there is no one to guard it, in that case, the enemy can pass by there at any time to occupy the station." Then he began to shout out to his men, "Someone! Come! ”

Chuikov stopped his fuss and said lightly: "You don't have to worry about that position, I will send a company of guards to guard it, and the enemy will not want to sneak over." ”

A fighter had already run in with Lyudnikov's shouts. After saluting Colonel Lu. asked, "Comrade division commander." Do you have any instructions? ”

Lyudnikov waved his hand and said, "It's okay, you can get out of the city." ”

The warrior didn't say a word, saluted, and turned away.

Lyudnikov beckoned Chuikov to sit down, brought him a cup of hot tea, and began to complain: "Comrade commander, I wonder when our fighters will be able to dispatch?" You see, there is no air supremacy. Our counter-shock operation will not succeed. If the enemy plane had arrived five minutes late, I believe that the enemy would have been completely defeated by us. ”

Chuikov snorted and said angrily: "I also want to know where our air force is." Without air supremacy, it would be useless for us to have more tanks and artillery than the enemy, and if they only had to come with one round of bombardment, the charge we had managed to organize would be repulsed. ”

Both of them were silent, and I could only stand beside me stupidly, not daring to speak.

After a while, Chuikov took a sip of tea. When he put down the teacup, he asked: "Colonel Lyudnikov." Do you still have reserves in your hands now? ”

Lyudnikov nodded and replied: "There are two more guard companies, I wonder to which position Comrade Commander Lu intends to send them to?" ”

Without hesitation, Chuikov replied, "Send them to the 74th meeting to give way." Judging from today's situation, the goal of the enemy's attack is to give way. If the enemy is allowed to seize the station, then the troops we have transferred from will not be able to complete the assembly by rail. ”

Lyudnikov did not immediately reply to Chuikov's order, and after a while of silence, he said tentatively: "Comrade commander, the enemy is currently engaged in a fierce battle with our counterattacking forces, and it should not be able to launch a charge against the counterforce in a short time. In this case, I will call the commander of the military movement, ask him about the deployment there, and then decide whether to send these two companies to Huirang Station. ”

Seeing that Chuikov nodded slightly, Lyudnikov hurriedly picked up the telephone on the table, dialed it and said loudly: "Is it the commander of the military movement?" I'm Colonel Lyudnikov, how is the situation with you there? Have you spotted the enemy's tracks? ”

The commander of the military movement politely replied: "Report to Comrade Colonel, according to my observations, the enemy has no possibility of launching an attack on the Huilin station for the time being. At the moment I have ordered the two platoons of men standing in the garrison to enter the position, ready for all battles, ready to inflict heavy losses on the invading enemy. ”

Lyudnikov said: "Well done, comrade commander of the military movement." After saying that, he hung up the phone, and then said to Chuikov: "Comrade commander, the commander of the military transport has ordered the troops directly under the defense station to enter the position, and I believe that they will be able to resist the enemy's attack in a short time." In this case, we will not need to send these two companies to the Huirang station for the time being, but will leave them behind and use them in more important areas. ”

Battle reports from the front, from time to time by telephone to Lyudnikov. After Lyudnikov answered the phone, he reported the battle situation to Chuikov word for word.

With the departure of the enemy planes, the battle between the enemy and the enemy began between the tanks of the two armies, and the infantry of both sides did not charge the other. A few hours later, with the loss of tanks on both sides, the battle entered a stalemate.

Lyudnikov asked Chuikov for instructions: "Comrade commander, at present, the ammunition consumption of both the enemy and us is very large, and the morale has begun to decline, do you want to order the troops to temporarily withdraw to rest?" ”

Chuikov shook his head and said resolutely: "No, you can't withdraw." We are tired, and so is the enemy. Once we retreat, if the enemy catches up from behind, our forces will crumble. ”

"So what to do?"

Instead of answering him, Chuikov turned his gaze to me and asked: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, what are you going to do if you are the commander?" ”

"Immediately put two companies that were in reserve into position. The enemy is exhausted, they will not be able to stop our new force, and I am confident that as the reserves enter the battlefield, the enemy will be routed by us. ”

"Are you sure that these two companies will be able to achieve the effect you said they would be able to put into the battlefield?" Chuikov stared at me and asked solemnly.

I nodded without hesitation, for now that both sides had reached the last moment, the input of this new force was bound to become the last straw that overwhelmed the camel of the Germans.

Seeing that I was extremely sure, Chuikov nodded with satisfaction, turned to Lyudnikov and said, "In that case, Comrade Colonel, you should send these two companies to attack." ”

Lyudnikov sighed helplessly and said: "Okay, I'll give the troops an order." ”

He picked up the phone, and before he could ask for the handle, a commander rushed in in a hurry. At a glance, he knew that Lu Dao had run from the battlefield, his whole face was blackened, he was sweating profusely, and he was still panting heavily.

When Lyudnikov saw him, he put down the microphone, walked up to the conductor from the table, and asked: "What happened?" ”

The commander was overjoyed and shouted excitedly: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, reinforcements, reinforcements, it is our reinforcements that have arrived!" ”

"Reinforcements!" Not only did Lyudnikov and I take it by surprise, but even Chuikov jumped up from his seat, came to the commander with an arrow, grabbed him by the shoulder, and asked loudly: "What reinforcements, where did they come from?" ”

The commander shook his head and replied, "Report to Comrade General, I don't know which part of them they are." Anyway, they had just stepped down from the column at the Huirang station, and the vanguard had already launched a charge towards the stalemate between the enemy and us. (To be continued......)