Burning Moscow

Arrived at Dokuchayev, it was already three o'clock in the afternoon. As soon as the army headquarters was arranged, he received an emergency telegram from the group army headquarters.

The telegram was issued by Khalitonov himself, and the telegram said: "In order to remove the obstacles in the way of advancement of the main forces of the front, your ministry should be on the west side of Dokuchayev in the evening of February 9. Enemy forces in Notzga launched an offensive to restore the smooth flow of Highway H20, and the battle must end before ten o'clock in the morning on the 10th."

After seeing this telegram, I looked up and asked Vitkov: "Chief of Staff, do you have detailed information on the German army?"

Vitkov nodded and handed me a telegram that he had just received. He said with a serious expression: "The town of Kinnotsga, Norway, is seven kilometers southwest of our city. It is 15 kilometers away from Vornovaja. Kilometers. The enemy has built a large number of civil bunkers and firepower points here to firmly control the entire highway and completely cut off the connection between our front and the southern front."

I took the telegram and didn't read it immediately. Instead, I asked casually, "What kind of force is the enemy?"

"According to our army's reconnaissance," Vitkov had already memorized the content of the telegram. Hearing my question, he immediately replied unambiguously: "The German army has set up a battalion in the town with two infantry companies garrisoned. At the same time, there is also an artillery observation post. Once the defenders are attacked, they can call for long-range artillery for support. Therefore, several operations initiated by the 6th Army to open up the lines of communication have ended in failure."

I took the telegram and quickly found the location of the Norwegian town of Kinnotska on the map. I have to say that the Germans chose this position very well. Not only does it seriously threaten our army's flank, but it also restricts our army's actions. It's like a fishbone stuck in our throat. It's really annoying.

"Comrade commander. How are you going to fight?" When Vitkov asked this, he unconsciously raised his hand and looked at his arm. Maybe he was worried that our offensive time was not enough. "You know. The friendly forces have launched several attacks on this town, but under the enemy’s artillery fire, they all ended in failure. So if we want to attack, we must find a way to destroy the enemy’s artillery observation post and let the enemy When we are attacked, it is impossible to provide shooting elements for the artillery."

"You are very thoughtful, Comrade Chief of Staff." After I seriously considered Vitkov's proposal, I said: "Well, let's send out Lieutenant Vasily's sniper team immediately and let them find a way to get the enemy's artillery. The observation post is killed. As for the next battle.” When I said this, I couldn’t help but raised my hand and looked at the watch, and found that the hour hand had pointed to four o’clock. Plan carefully."

When Vitkov accepted my order to call the commanders of the divisions, Kirilov approached me and said in a low voice, "Comrade Oshanina, the time given to us by the superior is too short. Now, if we meet in such a rush, I'm afraid our offense will..."

Before Kirilov finished speaking, I quickly raised my hand to stop him from continuing to speak, and glanced at the busy communication staff. He also whispered to Kirilov: "Comrade Political Commissar, I understand. Our troops have just arrived here and are still very unfamiliar with the surrounding environment. If you rush into the battle, you will suffer a lot. But the higher-level orders are clear. In any case, we must resolve the battle by ten o'clock tomorrow morning."

"Are you sure?" Kirilov asked worriedly.

I tried to squeeze a smile on my face, and said calmly, "Comrade Political Commissar, don't forget our independent division. Although it has not been established for a long time. It has indeed been a troop with outstanding military exploits and rich combat experience. We are covering. When the main force of the 64th Army withdrew to Stalingrad. It also severely damaged the 29th Brigade of the German motorized infantry through night attacks. They also captured their commanders. I believe that in the battle tonight, Bantai Leyev The commanders of the division will definitely make new achievements."

Since the 171st Infantry Division and the 84th Tank Brigade stationed in the Volnovakha area are too far apart from us, this military meeting did not involve the chief military officers of these two units. Only in Dokuchayev's Bantaiyev, Gurdiyev and artillery commander Kavilin participated.

Maybe it was because of the victory yesterday. From the moment Pantaiyev entered the door, I found him in a particularly excited state. He and Major General Gurtiyev next to him laughed loudly. After all, a battle Annihilated nearly three hundred people from the enemy, but none of them died. As the chief military officer of the division, he did have the proud capital.

Seeing everyone sitting down, Bantai Leyev was still pulling the next to Cavalin with excitement and talking again. Kirilov couldn't help frowning, and he patted the table twice vigorously. , Said to Bantai Leyev dissatisfied: "Comrade General, we are about to have a meeting, please keep quiet." Bantai Lev, who was trained by Kirilov, smiled at us embarrassedly, obediently He closed his mouth.

Vitkov stood up and said to the participants with a serious expression: "Comrades, commanders, in order to open up the H20 highway and restore the connection between our southwest front army and the south front army. The commander of the group army asked us to be entrenched in Kinno, Norway tonight. The German forces in the town of Tsgar launched an attack and will resolve the battle by ten o'clock tomorrow morning."

After listening to Vitkov's order, Pantai Leyev stood up. He frowned slightly, staring at Vitkov with serious eyes, and said in a low tone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, our troops Dada Kuchayev’s time is still short, and the commanders have not had time to familiarize themselves with the surrounding environment. I would like to ask how our commanders can command troops to attack the enemy’s town in an unfamiliar environment?"

"General Bantai Leyev, please sit down." Before answering his question, Vitkov politely asked him to sit down, and then said: "Because there is a German artillery observation post in the town, we sent The sniper squad of Lieutenant Xili, in addition to sniping the German artillery observers, will also set up two fires outside the town to guide the shooting targets for our artillery."

In response to Vitkov's answer, Bantaiyev nodded in satisfaction and did not speak any more. Kirilov looked at Gurtiyev and said, "Comrade Gurtiyev, you can also talk about your opinion."

Gurtiyev thought for a while and replied: "Comrade Political Commissar. I want to know the offensive sequence of the troops. What is the mission of our division this time, as the main attack or as a reserve team?"

Kirilov did not answer his question, but turned to look at me. Waiting for me to give Gurdiev an accurate answer. I stood up and coughed. Said to Gurtiyev: "Comrade General, since your division has a large number of recruits, if you are allowed to serve as the main attack in such a night battle, the effect may not be very good. Therefore, according to the arrangement, your division will continue to serve as a reserve. The team, the main attack is taken care of by Major General Bantai Leyev’s troops.” Seeing Gurtyev’s calm expression on his face, I comforted him again. "The reason why I chose them to take on the main offensive mission is because their division has always maintained enough combat backbones. As long as there are recruits to add in, it will not take long for the entire unit to form combat effectiveness, and they have a rich night. The assault experience is perfect for dealing with the enemies in the town."

After I finished speaking, Vitkov asked me for instructions: "Comrade Commander, the 171st Infantry Division and the 84th Tank Brigade stationed in the Volnovakha area, do you have any arrangements?"

"Chief of Staff. Record the order." After seeing that Vitkov had prepared pen and paper, I continued to say: "The 171st Division drew out a regiment under the command of Colonel Bolvinov, the chief of staff of the division. Colonel Lei’s tank brigade took advantage of the night to move towards the Norwegian town of Kinnotsga. After our army’s artillery preparation was over, it immediately launched an assault on the town.” Seeing that he had recorded the order, I waved at him and said, "Send the order by telegram immediately."

The bombardment before the offensive was scheduled at 7 o'clock in the evening. When the bombardment began, the assembled 22nd Guards Division would quickly approach the Norwegian town of Kinnotska in a truck. Get off at about two kilometers from the town. As soon as the shelling was over, they immediately charged towards the city.

Kirilov and I were standing at the fourth floor window of a building on the edge of the city. Looking at the direction of the Norwegian town of Kinnotskar in the distance. Outside, the moon was covered by dark leaden clouds. The sky is extremely low. The snow on the wilderness outside the city only faintly reflected light. I held the binoculars for a long time, but I could only see the dark outline of the town, and could not see the rest.

After a long wait, I suddenly saw two flashing fire lights outside the town. Almost at the same time, Kirilov also saw the campfire lit by Lieutenant Vasily and the others. He pointed to the distance and said excitedly to me: "Comrade Oshanina, look at it, the fire in the distance must be The fire that guides the artillery."

I nodded, turned and walked to the middle of the room, picked up the phone on the table, and after shaking it twice, I heard Lieutenant Colonel Cavillin’s voice, and I decisively ordered him: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, let's start!"

"Yes!" After I heard Cavillin's promise, I yelled at others: "Start shelling!"

As soon as I put down the phone, there was a thunderbolt outside, and then the sound of dense artillery sounded like thunder. The cannons of the 266th Artillery Regiment and the heavy howitzers of the Artillery Battalion of the Pantai Leyev Division fired violently at the Norwegian Jinnotskar from different distances and positions at the same time.

The battle started, and the impatient wait was over.

Before the start, our actions were not discovered by the Germans, which made me very satisfied. Before it started, what I cared about was whether it could start smoothly. After it started, what I cared about was how to win. In order to properly deal with the various accidents that may occur in the battle, I tried to re-read my plan in my mind, and found that there were no mistakes, so I was relieved to breathe a sigh of relief.

I walked to the window and raised the telescope to look at the town in the distance. A very magnificent picture was immediately shown in front of us. The fire in the town blazed into the sky, reflecting the nearby sky into orange-red. One building after another collapsed under the light of the fire.

Seeing this, Kirilov said excitedly: "This Lieutenant Colonel Cavillin has done a good job of artillery preparation! I want to wait until the shelling is over, the troops will be able to rush into the town to eliminate the remnants."

Seeing that the town occupied by the German army was blown into a sea of ​​flames by our artillery fire, I should be very happy, but at this moment there is an unclear premonition in my heart, so I said noncommittal: "Comrade political comrades, we cannot be too optimistic. Knowing that we are fighting in an unfamiliar area after all, it is still hard to say whether we can completely wipe out the German forces in the town."

"Yes," Kirilov said approvingly: "The Germans are not reconciled to their failure. After our troops rushed into the town, they might still encounter the enemy's stubborn resistance."

I stared at the burning town in the distance and said thoughtfully: "Comrade political comrades, under our fierce shelling, apart from the heavy casualties of the German army, the destruction of the town must have been extremely serious. If the tank brigade of Colonel Bere arrived at this moment, It can't be deployed in the town. Instead of doing this, it's better to let them change their missions and detour to the sides of the town to cut off the German army's retreat."

"Comrade Oshanina, you are very considerate, I have no opinion." Kirilov has always been very supportive of my work, and he agrees with my proposal most of the time, and it is no exception at this moment. "I immediately called the Chief of Staff and asked him to inform Colonel Belé that the tank brigade would turn to the sides of the town and must cut off the German retreat. It must be cut off." After speaking, he walked to the telephone and made a call. went.

After the shelling lasted for half an hour, it finally stopped. The infantry attack that determines the outcome of the battle has finally begun. Since the town is still burning, I can see the black crowd, rushing into the town like a tide from all directions.

Seeing more and more people entering the town, I breathed a sigh of relief and went back to the table in the middle of the room to sit down, and at the same time gently beat the leg that had become sore from standing for a long time. Suddenly a walkie-talkie operator who was sitting in the corner walked up to me, and said nervously: "Comrade Commander, the first unit of the Second Regiment that rushed into the town was blocked in the attack!" He saw me looking up. He swallowed nervously before finishing the rest of the story. "The second regiment's deputy commander, Major Yamin, died, and the first battalion commander, Captain Khorushov, is taking command of him."

Hearing that the second regiment's offense was blocked, and the second regiment's deputy commander sacrificed, Kirilov and I both jumped up from their seats. To be honest, since Major Yamin came from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, although he showed remarkable courage and command in the battle to defend Mamayev Hill and 107.5 Heights, he has never been reused by me, even He didn't even raise his rank. At this moment, hearing the operator say that he had sacrificed, my heart seemed to be pierced hard by something. I took a deep breath and said to the operator: "Call Captain Horusov to talk to me!"

When the operator contacted Khorushov, he handed me the microphone and headset. I put a set of earphones on my head, holding the microphone in one hand, and said, "Comrade Captain, you are doing the right thing! The troops cannot be confused because of the sacrifice of a commander. Regarding the enemy’s firepower point, first One, destroy it with mortars! Second, leave a small amount of troops to contain it, and large forces temporarily bypass it to eliminate enemies in other areas, and don't let a fascist bandit escape from our hands."

After I returned the headset and the microphone to the operator, UU read www.uukānshu.com and picked up the place on the table, dialed the army headquarters, and decisively ordered Vitkov: "Chief of Staff, please be with you immediately. Colonel Lei contacted. After their tank unit completed the encirclement of the town, they should use tank guns to support the infantry who stormed into the town and provide them with necessary artillery support." At this point, I covered the microphone and asked when standing on the opposite side. Kirilov: "Comrade Political Commissar, are there any corrections and additions?"

Kirilov shook his head and said, "No."

Seeing that Kirilov had no objections, I decisively ordered Vitkov: "Well, Comrade Chief of Staff, just give my order to Colonel Bere. At the same time, I ordered the troops of the other three regiments to speed up the attack. !"

The battle was going on tensely. The German artillery seemed to understand that our army was attacking the Norwegian town of Jinnotskar. Several artillery shells sparsely fell in the middle of our offensive team and exploded, causing us some casualties. More shells fell on the empty wasteland and exploded, raising a stream of snow pillars mixed with mud. (To be continued)

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