It was not the first time that Blyukhel had arrived in Mirerovo, he had inspected the city's defenses a week earlier, and he was impressed by the sight of the town - two important railways passing through the city, giving the town a strong industrial and commercial atmosphere, the city's chaotic tree-lined lanes, classical stone houses, majestic Orthodox churches and the bustling Ukrainians and Tatars in the bazaars.

Now, these picturesque landscapes have disappeared without a trace, and the city is filled with smoke, heavy gunfire and artillery fire, and the crooked houses and other ruins of the shelling speak of the cruelty of war. There was not a single living person in the streets, but dead people were everywhere.

Blyukhel, who was in the prime of his life, looked at the chaotic Milerovo with a look of the vicissitudes of a soldier, and the two brush-like eyebrows under his forehead were twisted together.

"Did you get in touch with Kulnikov?"

"Contact," the correspondent hastened, "Comrade Kurnikov and his troops were compressed by the enemy in a small area of the railway line north of the city, and were fighting with the enemy around the railway station......

Blyukhel raised his binoculars, looked through the smoke, found the direction of the train station, and immediately ordered in a sonorous voice: "Enter the city!" ”

Half an hour later, when Blyukhel found Kurnikov's command, the battalion commander, who had not closed his eyes all night, was napping in the middle of the battle, and even the rumbling of artillery could not wake him up.

Kurnikov was relieved by Blyukhel's arrival, and his troops were really unable to hold out after a night of fierce fighting with the enemy.

"The southern city has been completely lost. The enemy outnumbered us by too much. The most conservative estimates also have a brigade. If you come a little later, I will have to go to the front with the platoon of guards myself. ”

Blyukhel nodded, did not say anything superfluous, just silently examined the situation in the city. Years later, the marshal wrote in his memoirs: "In Milerovo, a few shovels of dirt from the ground and a few sandbags are considered a fortification...... The surprise attack of the enemy did not leave much time for our comrades to build positions, although the urgently dug trenches were scattered all around the city. But the depth was obviously not enough, and the Slavic man with big shoulders and round waist squatted in the trenches, arching his waist and sometimes exposing half of his head......"

When Blyukhel arrived in Mirerovo, a new round of attacks by the White Army began, and under the cover of flying shells, a large number of White troops lowered their bodies and stormed the railway station, and the battle here was fierce and even almost cruel!

The fierce battle has made the already unrecognizable train station even more desolate, with the waiting hall changing hands almost every hour. Before the White soldiers who rushed into the building could gain a foothold, they often got into a mess with the Red Army who were counter-charging. And when the Red Army had just repelled the enemy and was ready to pursue the victory, the machine guns and artillery fire outside the building would once again press them back.

Of course. The tenacity of the Red Army made an indelible impression on the commander of the White battalion, Yakovsky, who commanded the battle, in his words: "Around this bean-sized building." We've been fighting for a morning, and my lad and I have been met by a bunch of Bolshevik bandits with a very high fighting quality, and these damn bastards have broken my brain......"

However, with the arrival of Blyukhel's main forces, the White offensive was clearly contained, and the future Marshal of the Soviet Union taught the White commander a lesson with his characteristic charisma and tactical qualities, and sent Yakovsky and his friends to hell and prisoner of war camps with a beautiful roundabout.

With the railway station secured, Blyukhel's forces gradually regained several important strongholds around it, firmly holding the northern part of the city under their control. Moreover, the marshal did not blindly expand the gains and regain lost territory, he knew that the number of enemies far exceeded his troops, and increasing the area of defense would only weaken the defense.

"The enemy has sent reinforcements again?"

When he heard the news, Krasnov wanted to drop the cup again, yesterday it was easy to cripple the troops defending the city during the day, he thought that he would take Mirerovo at night, but who would have thought that another battalion would suddenly appear. Halfway through the battle, he couldn't retract, so he had to increase his investment. I had hoped that everything would be fine if this battalion was defeated, but who would have thought that at least two more battalions of red bandits would come the next day.

Nima, what's going on?

Krasnov did not know whether he should continue to refuel and increase his troops, or whether he should die down. Throw troops into it again, in case the Red Army sends another division to reinforce it, then how to get it?

But let him give up, and he was unwilling, and the communication line was not opened, and his treasures could not be transported, isn't this a rush to death!

Just when Krasnov was scratching his ears and cheeks, his adjutant reminded: "Your Excellency, General Titerichs is here!" ”

The Czechs are coming? Have they finally come to the fore? This news made Krasnov overjoyed and hurried out to greet him. However, to his disappointment, Titeririchs came alone and did not bring the Czech regiment he wanted.

"Your Excellency General, I heard that your attack was thwarted?"

Krasnov was very unhappy with this, he thought that the Czechs had come to see the joke, and immediately said angrily: "This is not a setback in the attack, after two days of fighting, I have eliminated thousands of Red Bandits, but the Red Bandits have repeatedly increased their troops to defend them, so that they are saved from destruction...... But it's only a matter of time before they are eliminated, and my troops will soon open up lines of communication and advance towards Moscow! ”

Krasnov told a lie in order to save face, after two days of fighting, he had no courage to develop northward at all, with his few men, it was difficult to gnaw a battalion of Red Army, so it was better to hurry eastward and get the support of the Entente before making plans.

"I have to warn you." Titerikhs said worriedly, "In the past two days, the activities of the Red Bandits in the Slavyansk and Severodonetsk directions have been extremely intense, and they have frequently begun to attack and harass our army, and it is said that there are also signs of a large number of Red Bandits mobilizing in the Kharkov direction, and we must pay attention to it!" ”

Krasnov looked at him and asked: "Attention?" Saying that, he sneered and asked, "How do you pay attention?" ”

"Your troops should no longer act alone. We have to huddle together...... In the absence of an order from a superior. It's no longer time to take risks! ”

Krasnov said in his heart: "your grandmother!" "You told me that the Red Army in the Kharkov direction was not honest. What does this mean? It shows that the Red Army has begun to tighten the encirclement, how can Lao Tzu continue to stay in Donetsk and Luhansk and wait for death?

Before Titerichs said this, Krasnov was really hesitant to consider whether to go back, but now, he didn't hesitate at all, and was determined to take Mirerovo so that he could run away.

So is the Red Army really tightening the encirclement and tying pockets? It should be said. No. Although in terms of overall strategic vision, there is indeed this intention. But it is clear that the situation did not allow it, the Frunze troops did not have enough food, grass and ammunition to support a campaign-level military operation, and the Red Army recruits were also poorly trained and not yet fully concentrated in Moscow. In this situation, even if Frunze wants to tighten his pockets, he is more than willing to do it.

The military movement in the Kharkov direction, as well as the large-scale activities of Voroshilov, are more like to share the military pressure on Mirerovo. After Blyuhel arrived in Mirerovo, the first telegram sent to Frunze was a request for help. It is very clear that the enemy in front of him is quite strong, far more than a regiment. Most likely, there is a division or more. Relying only on the strength of the 1st Machine Gun Regiment, I am afraid it will be difficult to hold out in Milerovo.

Moreover, Blyukhel's telegram to Frunze also pointed out the most crucial point - the enemy had a large number of troops, and even if his troops could hold Milerovo, they would not be able to prevent the enemy from fleeing to the east. In case such a situation arises, there is nothing he can do.

This made Frunze very nervous, and the central government gave him the task of annihilating the White Army in the area near Donetsk and Luhansk, and emphasized to him that the enemy must not be allowed to flee in the direction of the Volga River.

If Blyukhel was right, and the White Army ran away like this, then Frunze really couldn't afford this responsibility. However, he had no way to throw more troops into Milerovo, and even if he had, it would take time to rush over. In desperation, he could only let Voroshilov intervene to stir up the situation.

Hold off the Whites as much as possible in the Luhansk direction, distract them as much as possible, this is the only thing he can do to help Blyukhel.

At that time, Frunze sent a telegram to Voroshilov, which seemed so helpless and tragic: "...... Comrades of the Red Tenth Army fighting in Luhansk and Donetsk, you must play a more important role in the offensive of the White Bandit Army. As the first barrier of the Red Army against the White Bandits, it is your duty to stop and delay the advance and transfer of the White Army, and to contain and weaken the enemy as much as possible. The Soviets and the Party need you to prove your worth with bravery and sacrifice! ”

Of course, Frunze was not just trying to find a way in other directions, Blyukhel's regiment was indeed too small, and the most fundamental way was to immediately transfer troops to support him. From the moment he received the telegram for help, Frunze waited restlessly by the telephone all day, asking his staff officers every once in a while: "How is it?" How long will it take for the troops to reinforce Blyukhel to leave? ”

The order of the Central Committee and the grim situation in Mirerovo put a heavy psychological burden on his back, and the direction of the battle situation was largely in his hands, and it was not okay to be careless at all!

At the Moscow Paveletsk railway station, a full hundred tons of ammunition, food and medicine were already piled up in a twenty-car military train, and the only thing that had to wait was the rescue force. Frunze decided to send his best troops, and the Pyotrpavlov regiment was coming from the direction of Rzhev, and as soon as they arrived, they would immediately drive to Mirerovo.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Grigory. Ivanovich finally arrived in Moscow with his boys, and Frunze personally received him: "...... Grigory. Comrade Ivanovich, Mirerovo is waiting for your troops, which has become a key node that will determine the direction of the battlefield...... I ask you to advance at full speed, cooperate with Comrade Blyukhel to hold it for me, and not let go of a single soldier of the White Army to escape in the direction of the Volga! I wish you a victorious completion of your mission, and I look forward to hearing from you! ”

After listening to Frunze's bitter nagging, stepping on the drizzle, Grigory. Ivanovich set off with his troops, and along the railway his troops were transported directly to Lisky. Further on, the railway line was not easy to walk, and after the defeat of Karekin, Krasnov retreated with his remnants to the lower reaches of the Don. Destruction of railway lines along the way. This part of the road can only be opened by horses and legs.

The Don River in April. As the land thaws. With the arrival of the spring flood season, it has almost become a swamp country. The soldiers, who had just experienced the baptism of the morning rain, were miserable to the soldiers of Petropav's regiment, and every once in a while carriages got bogged down in the mud, and after trying to get them out, they had to continue this great waste of physical labor in less than ten minutes.

In Grigory. Ivanovich and his boys were struggling with the muddy road. The battle for Mirerovo was also going on, and the battle around the center of the city continued until the evening of the same day, when the Red Army and the White Army engaged in a repeated tug-of-war near the square before the railway station. Kurnikov's troops were twice broken through the line and were almost driven back to the railway station. Fortunately, Blyukhel mobilized reserves in time, and it took a few fierce and timely counterattacks to stabilize the already precarious front.

However, good luck near the railway station was not transmitted to the Red Army units west of the city, and the 3rd Battalion and 2nd Company stationed there were in considerable trouble. At five o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, 10 White armored vehicles, surrounded by nearly a battalion of infantry, penetrated fiercely and began to flank the battalion defending the railway station.

Bulyuhel, who heard the news, heard the news and took a shot: "How did you let the White Army in!" Where is Alexander (commander of the 3rd battalion), I'm going to shoot him! ”

But angry to angry, Blyukhel immediately calmed down, he knew very well that he must stay sober at this critical juncture, panic is the biggest taboo of a commander!

Blyukhel immediately ordered the reserve to turn in the direction of the 3rd battalion. They were ordered to repel the White Army and secure the flanks of the first battalion. All night. The sound of artillery in the west direction of the city never stopped, and the two sides repeatedly fought over every street and every house. The kind of unusually brutal street fighting that existed in the Battle of Stalingrad was staged in Mirerovo more than 20 years in advance.

Krasnov was surprised to find that his opponent was becoming more and more tenacious and combative, and even if he committed an entire division, he could not gain the upper hand. His enemies occupied the corners of the streets and the ruins of houses as defensive supports, beating his troops dizzy with cold guns, grenades, and surprise roundabouts.

The soldiers of the White Army were very unaccustomed to this type of fighting, and they were more accustomed to crouching in the trenches and firing at each other, or waiting for their own artillery to destroy the enemy's defenses, and then rushing to pick up the bargain. Now, they can only watch as their opponents stealthily advance on the other side of the block, digging trenches and preparing for their next counterattack.

Anywhere can be a battlefield, anywhere can be a position, and even anywhere there may be an enemy suddenly killed. Such a battle makes them scared and makes them hear.

By the morning of the third day of the battle, Krasnov's expected victory had not yet arrived, and to make matters worse, with the attrition of two days, the greatest advantage he had at his disposal, the artillery, was greatly weakened.

First of all, the ammunition is almost at the bottom, every shell of the White Army is counted, and without the support of the industrial base, their ammunition is one less than one shot, excluding the captured income. After two days of attrition, Krasnov's cannon basically became an ornament.

What made Blyukhel happy was not only the mute of the opponent's cannon, but also the fact that the fierce battle made the fighters grow up quickly, and their combat methods were no longer limited to those shallow things in training, they understood a lot...... The fighters were no longer satisfied with being beaten passively, and they infiltrated many reconnaissance groups in the direction of the blocks where the White Army was attacking, and they were generally young and strong veterans with extensive combat experience. Using the darkness of night or buildings as cover, they quietly approached the White lines, observing and harassing the enemy at very close range. To these brave Red Army scouts, no praise can be overstated.

However, the stalemate and tug-of-war continued, Krasnov was determined to take Mirerovo, he continued to throw his troops into the small city, and the fighting became more and more brutal and bloody.

The two sides fought over each house one by one, and more often than not, in the kitchen and bedroom of a house. The White Army soldier with a cigarette in his mouth and the Red Army boy with a dagger in his arms often inadvertently take a photo, and then it depends on who is fast, and the first to shoot may not survive, only the first to throw a grenade is the king!

Overall, the tide of battle was in Blyukher's favor. Relying on the great superiority of the White Army, the use of a front-to-back oppressive style of play made it difficult for Blyukher's young men to continue for a long time, and could only gradually shrink in the direction of the north of the city.

In response to this "cowardly" behavior, some self-righteous regimental commissar Alexei constantly criticized the fighters for not being resolute and strong enough to disgrace the Red Army, but the commander at the front replied: "Comrade commissar, as long as you can find a young man in my unit who is not injured or can jump alive, I will shoot him with my own hands immediately!" ”

Years later, Blyukhel's guards recalled the situation and said: "Comrade Blyukhel and we both know that it is very difficult to maintain the existing positions, and if reinforcements do not arrive sooner, our collapse will only be a matter of time." (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank Juventus and Comrade Potato for the second kill!