After repelling two rounds of German attacks, the communications in the observation post were so busy that after Morozov and I had finished saying that, there was no time to pay attention to him.

I thought that not only would the Germans advance towards Stalingrad from the south, but that there would be Germans in the defense area of the former 29th Division and the 70th Guards Division to the west. So I called Kosgaard, the commander of the third regiment who was in charge of guarding that direction, and asked with concern: "Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard, how is your situation there, have you found the Germans?" ”

Kosgaard immediately replied: "Report to the division commander, according to the scout's report, the German troops pressed from the west have occupied the two heights of the former 29th Division and the 154th Marine Brigade 158 and 165, respectively, as well as the west of the defense line of the 70th Guards Division, the settlement that had been recovered by our division. ”

"Is your headquarters built on the original division headquarters of Colonel Lyudnikov?" When I asked him this, I couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, and when I gave the order yesterday, I actually asked him to set up the headquarters in the division headquarters of the 208th Division, which is more suitable for Gaidar to establish the headquarters of his four regiments. As a result, when Kosgaard took over the defense at night, he discovered my mistake and, after asking me for instructions, took the initiative to transfer his headquarters to a new position.

"Yes, my comrade division commander, exactly right." After giving me an affirmative answer, he took the initiative to say: "In addition, I have sent people to help them hide the artillery battalion we received. ”

"Good, let the artillery battalion continue to be hidden. And your troops, Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard, closely monitor the enemy's movements. Suppose they don't send troops to occupy your defense zone. Just try not to get into a firefight with them. ……”

Didn't wait for me to finish. Razumayeva, who was next to her, suddenly whispered to me: "Division commander, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg is on the line, and he has an important military situation to report to you." ”

"What's the matter? Lieutenant Colonel Oleg. I asked hurriedly as I put on my headphones.

"Report to the division commander," Oleg excitedly reported, "according to the report of the scouts I sent, the main forces of the 29th motorized rifle division of the Germans are staying five kilometers away from our regiment. They may have received news that the vanguard had been repulsed, and that their advance had now been halted and that they were massing in the area. ”

The enemy's large forces immediately pounced. I don't know if we can stop it with our current fortifications, but you are so excited that you feel like you have picked up a gold ingot. Thinking about it like this, the tone of his voice couldn't help but be a little harsh: "Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, what exactly do you want to say?" ”

However, Oleg did not seem to notice my bad attitude towards him, and continued to report: "We have just captured 36 cannons from the Germans, and since the tractors are all broken, it is impossible to pull them back. I thought that instead of blowing it up in vain, it would be better to turn the muzzle of the gun and bombard the enemy who was assembling it. ”

Listening to Oleg say this, I remembered that I had also done something to hit the Germans with German shells. It seemed worth a try, and I had intended to teach the camping Germans a lesson anyway. Now give them an appetizer first. Thinking of this, I took the microphone away from my mouth, turned my head and asked Morozov: "Captain Morozov, do you know what the artillery structure of the German army is?" ”

Morozov, who was originally sitting by the wall, heard my question and quickly stood up and reported to me: "Report to the division commander, the German artillery regiment consisted of four artillery battalions with 18 guns each. Before the war, they were 2 battalions of 75-mm field guns, 1 battalion of 105-mm howitzers, 1 battalion of 150-mm howitzers. After the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War, the Germans began to systematically increase their firepower, knocking out 75-mm field guns and replacing them with 2 battalions of 105-mm howitzers and 2 battalions of 150-mm howitzers. The artillery that shelled the positions of our troops just now should have been 2 battalions of 105-mm howitzers. ”

After listening to Morozov, a professional, I nodded and said into the microphone: "Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, you first order the fighters to turn the artillery around, and I will immediately ask Captain Morozov to help you." ”

"Understood, I immediately ordered the fighters to turn the cannon around. Also, I have just sent a truck to pick up Morozov and his fighters, and with them we will be able to improve the accuracy of our shelling. ”

Putting down the headphones and microphones, I said to Morozov: "Comrade Captain, don't you want to avenge your subordinates? Now I'll give you a chance to take someone to Lieutenant Colonel Oleg at once, who has just captured the cannons of the two German artillery battalions you mentioned, and you go and help him teach the Germans a good lesson with these cannons. ”

Hearing this order from me, Morozov's eyes lit up, and after loudly agreeing, he saluted me again, turned around and ran out of the observation post.

Gaidar called again and said excitedly on the phone: "Report to the division commander, the results of our regiment have been counted, a total of 775 German soldiers were killed in the two battles, 200 were wounded, 138 were captured, 81 mm mortars and 300 shells were captured; 12 heavy machine guns, 237 submachine guns, and more than 1,000 rifles. Our regiment lost 110 people killed in the battle, 83 wounded. ”

After listening to the results of the battle he reported, I also asked a special question: "Comrade Gaidar, the seizures you mentioned were all captured by your regiment, or were they captured by the second regiment?" ”

"Report to the division commander, all of them were captured by our regiment, and I asked the soldiers to send all the materials captured with the second regiment to the second regiment."

I nodded with satisfaction and said with satisfaction: "Very good, I will count the capture of the second regiment again, and then I can report it to the group army headquarters." ”

I first contacted the commander of the tank detachment, Pelsjian, and I didn't care about greetings, but asked straight to the point: "Captain Pelsjian, I have seen the table of your tank detachment, and it is a good fight!" Now you report to me the results of the tank detachment. ”

Hearing my direct question, Pelsjian was visibly stunned for a moment, and then replied: "Report to the division commander, my detachment destroyed a total of 25 enemy tanks and 115 trucks, and captured 36 German howitzers. ”

I was shocked when I heard him say that more than 100 trucks had been wrecked. The heart said I didn't see that many trucks from the enemy? But think about it. Maybe these trucks were used to transport troops. In order to avoid being destroyed by our artillery fire, it stopped in a place where I could not see. I could not help but have a few words of encouragement for his success, and at the same time gave a new order: "Captain Perskan, I now give you a new task, you immediately lead the tank detachment to the artillery position where Lieutenant Colonel Oleg is located, provide them with cover, and prevent the enemy's sneak attack. Wait for the task to be completed. Together, you withdrew to the defensive zone of the 4th Regiment. ”

When talking to Oleg, I didn't wait for him to speak, so I preemptively said: "Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, report to me the results of your regiment, remember, there is no need to report the matter of 36 howitzers, say something I don't know." ”

Hearing me say this, Oleg smirked a few times, and then said: "Report to the division commander, after the attack of our regiment." 538 enemies were killed and 129 wounded. 74 people were taken prisoner. captured 3 81-mm mortars with 200 shells; 4 heavy machine guns, 185 submachine guns, 127 pistols, and more than 400 rifles. The regiment lost 11 casualties and wounded 25 others. ”

I summarized the results of two infantry regiments and one tank detachment with an artillery company and reported it to Chuikov. After hearing Chuikov's deep voice coming from the earphones, I immediately happily reported to him the results of the battle: "Report to Comrade Commander, the results of our division have been counted. After two battles, our division destroyed a total of 37 German tanks, 5 armored vehicles, and 140 trucks, killed 1,460 enemies, wounded 542 people, captured 229 prisoners, captured an armored vehicle, captured 36 105-mm howitzers and their supporting shells, 11 81-mm mortars, 500 shells, 16 heavy machine guns, 422 submachine guns, 127 pistols, and more than 1,400 rifles. ”

After hearing this, Chuikov laughed, and he said excitedly: "Oshanina, it seems that after I left your division to break off, I really chose the right person, and in such a short period of time, I almost killed a motorized infantry regiment of the Germans." Speaking of this, his tone changed and he asked with concern: "How are the casualties of the troops?" ”

"There were more than 200 casualties, of which 121 were killed." Although I understood that fighting would lead to death, I still felt a little uncomfortable when I reported the number of casualties of my division to my superiors.

"It's a pity that the main force of the group army withdrew too quickly, otherwise, I can still provide you with some help." Chuikov said with some regret.

When I heard him say this, I thought to myself: No, if the main force of the group army did not retreat so quickly, as long as the two Guards rocket artillery regiments under the command of the group army fired two salvos at the 29th Motorized Infantry Division, which was advancing alone, it would be possible to inflict heavy damage on this German division.

I was thinking about it when I suddenly heard Chuikov say: "Oshanina, remember, after dark, withdraw the troops another thirty kilometers to the north, build a new defensive position, and achieve the goal of delaying the advance of the German army towards Stalingrad in the course of the continuous resistance." ”

"Yes!" I replied very reluctantly, because according to Chuikov's disposition, as long as we retreated, the troops of our division would be completely exposed to the enemy, and then the fate that awaited us was to be bombed by artillery in the trenches, and the troops would be consumed little by little by the enemy's heavy artillery fire.

I looked at the battlefield with black smoke everywhere in the distance, and thought to myself: In the face of a superior enemy army, we must not put our troops in the trenches to be bombed, but must take an active and active defense. As soon as it gets dark, I will send out the hidden artillery battalion and let them teach the sleeping Germans a lesson with artillery fire, so that the intensity of the enemy's attack on our positions during the day tomorrow will be greatly weakened.

"Report!" There was a shouting of a report at the door.

Before I could turn around, I heard Pugachev, the commander of the guard battalion, asking, "What's the matter?" ”

"Report to the battalion commander, there is a commander outside who wants to see the division commander." It turned out to be a sentry on duty at the door, and when he saw someone coming to look for me, maybe a stranger he hadn't seen before, he came in and asked me for advice.

"Did he say he was?" Pugachev continued to ask for help.

The sentry replied respectfully: "It is a captain, and he said that he is the commander of the artillery battalion." ”

"Artillery battalion commander? What artillery battalion commander? Why didn't I know that there was an artillery battalion commander in the division, you went out to sue him, saying that the division commander was very busy and didn't have time to see him. Let him go back. ”

"Wait a minute." Saw that the sentry was going out. I hurriedly stopped him, because I thought that it might be the commander of the artillery battalion that Chuikov had left for me, and ordered: "Comrade sentry, go out and invite the captain in." ”

No sooner had the shadow of the sentry disappeared from the doorway than an officer wearing a large-brimmed hat walked in. He was tall, and when he stood up straight, his head almost touching the roof of the observation post. He raised his hand to salute me and reported, "Hello. Comrade Colonel. Let me introduce myself, I am the commander of the artillery battalion, Captain Jegonovich, and I was ordered by the deputy commander of the army group, General Chuikov, to stay under your command. ”

"It's good you're here, Comrade Captain." I shook the hand of the burly captain, beckoned him to sit down, and then asked with concern, "Are all the artillery battalions hidden?" ”

The lieutenant nodded, and then said a little unwillingly: "Comrade Colonel, I don't understand a little, since our battalion is here to assist you in the battle. Why not give us combat missions, but let our entire battalion commanders and fighters hide in improvised earth pits? I just heard the enemy shelling the positions of our troops. I wanted to rush out of the ground and direct my soldiers to use artillery to take out this damn artillery position of the enemy. ”

I waved my hand and said disapprehantly, "Comrade Captain, you are too impatient. The reason why I did not put your battalion into battle is because there is more important task for you to complete. ……”

Hearing me say that I had a task to be handed over to him, the captain stood up suddenly, straightened up, and said loudly: "Please give an order, Comrade Colonel, my artillery battalion guarantees to complete the task you have assigned." ”

"Come and see," I said, spreading out the map on the table, pointing to where we were, "Look, this is our defensive position," and then moved my finger a little to the side, and continued, "and the German 29th Motorized Rifle Division is gathering here at the moment, and although it is not clear that they will continue to attack, it is better to stay here." But in my judgment, they should have camped in this area for the night. My task for your battalion is to go out to the vicinity of their camp at night, and to teach them a hard lesson with artillery, so that the German soldiers, who have been awakened from sleep, will dance under our artillery fire. ”

The captain who leaned over to look at the map showed a pleased smile on his face, and said in a loud voice: "Great, great." The Germans certainly did not expect us to go back at night and attack them, the defense must not be too tight, and there is a great chance that this plan will succeed. After speaking, he straightened up and asked me: "Comrade Colonel, can I leave?" Perhaps afraid that I would not understand why he would say this, he deliberately added: "I arranged for artillery observers to go over to reconnoiter and provide our artillery with accurate firing coordinates." ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Captain, please wait a minute, I still have something to explain to you." I made a gesture to him, motioned for him to sit down, and continued: "The 2nd Regiment of our division captured the enemy's artillery positions not so long ago, capturing 36 105-mm howitzers. As you know, there are not many people in the infantry who can operate artillery, and although I sent the commander of the artillery company, Captain Morozov, to help, it is obvious that the number of gunners may not be enough, and I wonder if you can draw some skilled gunners from your battalion to help them? ”

"No problem," Yegonovich stood up abruptly and said excitedly: "Comrade Colonel, I'll go back and make arrangements." As he spoke, he was about to go out. I had to stop him again, and said angrily: "Comrade Captain, you are in a hurry to leave before you finish listening, do you know where that artillery position is?" ”

Jegonovich scratched the back of his head and smiled embarrassedly: "I'm sorry, Comrade Colonel, but I was too impatient. Please arrange a guide for me, and I'll go back and get the manpower. ”

I turned my head to look at Vera, who was sitting next to me in a daze, and called out to her, "Vera! ”

"Here!" Vera immediately jumped up from the stool, came to me, and asked, "Comrade Division, do you have any instructions?" ”

I pointed to the captain next to me and said to her: "Vera, you and Comrade Captain go together to the artillery position occupied by the 2nd Regiment. If you can't find your way, you can ask someone from the second regiment and they will take you to your destination. ”

"However, this place is too far from the artillery position, how can I get there, can I walk over?" Vera asked, pouting.

"Don't worry, little girl," said Captain Jegonovich with a smile, "my motorcycle is parked at the bottom of the hill, and we can get there on it without much delay." "Finished. He restrained the smile on his face. Straighten up. Yan asked sternly, "Comrade Colonel, since I have a guide, can I leave?" ”

"Go ahead, be careful on the road."

Half an hour after Captain Jegonovich and Vera left, there was a rumbling of artillery in the distance, and it seemed that Oleg had begun shelling the German assembly sites.

At this moment, the roar of the motor was faintly heard in the air, and my heart immediately rose to my throat. Secretly scolded: This damn enemy plane, sooner or later, our artillery just opened fire, you came out, this is the end, the casualties of the troops on the artillery positions must not be small.

I was going to use the walkie-talkie to remind Oleg to be careful, and if it really didn't work, they would abandon the plan of shelling the enemy and reserve a little more combat backbone for our troops. Unexpectedly, I accidentally looked out of the observation port, and happened to see a fighter plane passing through the sky. When I found out that it turned out to be two fighters of our army, I immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

However, I was able to contact Oleg via the intercom. I asked aloud, "Hey, I say, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, where are you now?" ”

Oleg also replied loudly: "Report to the division commander, I took two companies and laid out a line of defense two hundred meters south of the artillery position, so that the enemy would not jump over the wall in the event of an artillery bombardment, and send troops to attack our artillery positions. ”

"Well done." I was very happy with his set-up. Judging from these battles, these commanders and fighters under my command have become more and more mature and know how to adjust their deployment according to the changes on the battlefield. "By the way, the number of artillery is not enough, so how to shoot?"

"Comrade division commander, you don't have to worry about this. Captain Morozov and his numbers were small, but they adjusted the firing coordinates in advance and loaded the shells, and the infantry who went to assist only had to pull the gun ropes. Not to mention, although the shooting speed is a little slower, it is still quite accurate. From here, I saw through my binoculars that the shells exploded in the middle of the enemy's ranks, sending the enemy fleeing in all directions. As soon as he said this, he suddenly exclaimed: "Oh, no, the enemy has sent a force and swooped down on us." Then the communication was cut off.

Oleg's words worried me, the troops of our division lacked anti-tank weapons, and for the tanks or armored vehicles that rushed up, they could only wait until they got closer, and the fighters rushed out and threw Molotov cocktails to burn them. And the only one who can help them at this moment is Captain Perstian's tank detachment. Thinking of this, I hurriedly asked Razumeyeva to switch the frequency and call up Persjian's tank detachment.

As soon as I heard Persjian's voice, I ordered him bluntly: "Comrade Captain, there is a German unit that is rushing towards our artillery positions. I order you to immediately lead a detachment of tanks to attack, and at all costs, to keep this group of enemies firmly out of our artillery positions. ”

"Understand, comrade division commander, I will lead the tank detachment to attack."

Putting down my headphones and microphones, I walked to the observation port, and although I knew that it was far away and I couldn't see anything, I still raised my binoculars and looked into the distance, wanting to see where the temporary artillery position of our army was, and Oleg, who was about to start a fierce battle with the enemy.

It's a pity that after watching it for a long time, I couldn't see anything except the faint sound of artillery and the smoke of gunpowder rising from time to time. Just when I was anxious, Razumeyeva screamed excitedly, and then called out to me: "Comrade division commander, they have made contact with Lieutenant Colonel Oleg." ”

I snatched the microphone, put the headphones to my ear, and asked loudly: "Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, how is the situation in your place, has the tank detachment arrived and blocked the enemy?" ”

"Report to the division commander, block it." Oleg said excitedly: "Although the tank detachment did not arrive, two fighters of our army arrived first. They swooped down from the sky and opened fire on the rushing German columns. Under the bombing and strafing of our planes, the Germans were immediately beaten to the ground, and the damaged tanks, armored vehicles, cars, and motorcycles were scattered everywhere, and the German infantry was also beaten to the ground. In a word, the enemy attack was repulsed, and our artillery positions were safe. ”

After listening to his report, I breathed a sigh of relief, drew a cross on my chest, and said to myself: "Thank God! (To be continued......)