After the troops were assembled, we continued on our way. After walking for about 20 minutes, the battalion commander who was at the front of the line sent someone to report that he had contacted the third regiment and that they were waiting for us in the fortifications. In order not to keep Kosgaard and them waiting, I hurriedly left the queue with Pandereev and walked forward quickly.

When we approached the fortifications, Kosgaard was greeted by several commanders. After listening to his brief report on the troops, I looked at the few dark buildings between the two trenches in the distance and asked, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, what are those buildings?" ”

Kosgaard turned his head and looked at me, then replied: "Comrade division commander, these are concrete pillboxes with walls more than a meter thick, which can withstand direct fire from 76-mm guns. You must know that this is a key national defense project, and even the walls of the trenches are concrete. ”

Hearing what Kosgaard said, I looked around curiously, although I couldn't see far in the night, I didn't feel the slightest trace of the battle here, so I couldn't help but ask in surprise: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, since this is an important national defense project, why didn't we send troops to stick to this place in the first place?" Also, since this area fell under the control of the German army, why didn't they send troops to this important area? ”

My barrage of questions stunned Kosgaard, who was dumbfounded and didn't know how to answer my question. In the end, it was Bantai Leev who relieved him, and he said with a smile: "Okay, comrade division commander, don't embarrass Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard anymore, let me introduce you." The reason why we did not hold on to this fortification in the early stage is because almost all the troops we withdrew from the direction of the Don River have lost their formation. So such a crucial fortification was abandoned in vain. As for why the enemy after occupying this area. No troops were stationed at this fortification. I think it's because of the characteristics of the fortification. At this point, he pointed ahead and said, "The main direction of defense of this fortification is to the north, and it can still be used against the enemy from the north." And if the attacking enemy comes from the south, then the effect of this fortification will be greatly reduced. This is probably one of the reasons why the enemy did not leave troops here. ”

"Report to the division commander, deputy division commander," after receiving the relief of the siege from Bandereev. Kosgaard reported to us: "After we entered this fortification, we searched carefully and found signs that there was a shelter that had been inhabited. According to observations, there is no more than one squad of troops guarding this place, but it is not known why they all withdrew. ”

"Has anyone stayed here?" Bandereev asked curiously: "Can you tell if it is our people, or the Germans?" ”

"It's German," replied Kosgaard without hesitation, "and we found in the shelter a pair of discarded broken boots, German; In addition, flour bags and other items left by the Germans were found in the trenches, and these remnants were analyzed. The Germans were stationed here. ”

"Alright. It doesn't matter if it was the Germans who used to stay in this fortification, or if it was our own, now it's all our own. I bluntly ordered Kosgaard: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, take us to the trenches to see." ”

Guided by Kosgaard, we entered the trench and watched as some of the fighters sat on the ground resting, while the other put their guns on the edge of the trench and vigilantly monitored the northern side of the position.

Kosgaard led us into a pillbox, and I saw five or six fighters inside, with a light machine gun in front of the firing hole in the black hole. When they saw us coming in, the warriors hurriedly raised their hands in salute, and Kosgaard waved his hand and motioned for them to leave. After the soldiers left, I walked quickly to the shooting hole, raised my binoculars and looked out, although it was dark and shathy, but I could vaguely see the open field outside. Seeing this situation, I couldn't help but secretly curse the German commander for having a broken head, such a good fortification, if you put one here, it will make us have some scruples. But it would be good for us to calmly pass through Guò and continue northward to join the troops of the Don Front.

Before I could put down my binoculars, I heard Bantai Leev say in the back: "Comrade division commander, it has been almost three hours since we left the Mamayev post, and according to the pre-schedule, we should receive a telegram from the political commissar. ”

I put down my binoculars, turned my head, nodded, and said, "Okay, let the telegraph operator in, and receive the telegram from the commissar right here, and find out what is new in the situation in the city." Captain, you go out and call the operator in. "The last sentence I said was addressed to the commander of the guard battalion, Basmanov.

While Basmanov was out to look for the operator, I called Kosgaard to him and instructed: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, you will leave a battalion of troops later to take charge of the defense here." ”

Before I could finish my sentence, Kosgaard said in surprise: "What, leave a battalion behind? He was afraid that I would not be able to figure out the current state of affairs, and he made a point of emphasizing to me, "Before our regiment left, you let Major Godunov and the third battalion stay. I only brought with me the 1st Battalion, the 2nd Battalion, and the direct subordinate troops of the regiment, and if we had left one battalion to guard the position, our troops would be thin in the north. ”

"You don't have to worry about that," I comforted him, "you leave Captain Dubrovsky's battalion behind, and that Captain Rosenberg, I see that his wounds have not healed and he is not fit for the rest of the long march, so let him stay as well." When the time comes, combine that battalion of the 4th Regiment with your 2nd Battalion and continue north, and even if you encounter the enemy's troops, the strength of the two battalions can compete with the enemy. As long as it can hold out for more than half an hour, the regiment led by Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov should rush to the battlefield. ”

As soon as the assignment was finished, Basmanov came in with the telegraph operator, and Pantai Leev pointed to several stacked ammunition boxes and said, "Just put the walkie-talkie on this." ”

Since the march was long, I did not ask Razumayeva or Nadya to come, but found a random telegraph operator from the communications company. This operator seems to be a monk halfway, and he is not very familiar with the business, and he is in a hurry to set up a machine and an antenna.

Bantai Leev asked in a low voice: "Comrade division commander." Why would you want to leave a battalion to hold on here. So. Will our forces soon be scattered? When fighting behind enemy lines, it is most forbidden to divide troops at will. ”

I just smiled bitterly at Bantaireev's concern, and then replied: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, you must have also seen that this is the only way for us to return to Mamayev Gang, and if we don't send troops to hold on, once our troops are discovered by the enemy." They are bound to send troops to occupy this place and cut off our retreat. How long do you think that when the time comes, our isolated and helpless troops, who are short of food and ammunition, will be able to hold out in the enemy's encirclement? Seeing the thoughtful expression on his face, I struck while the iron was hot and said: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, I will set off with the comrades of the 3rd and 4th regiments later, and you will stay and wait for the first regiment, and when Shederikov's regiment arrives, let them rest and rest first, and then come to chase us." ”

I talked to Bandereev for a while. Seeing that the clumsy operator had finally set up the walkie-talkie, I raised my hand and looked at my watch. Urging him: "Hurry up and turn on the machine, and see the political commissar send a telegram." Then he instructed Basmanov, "Captain, use a flashlight to illuminate the comrade operator, so that he can copy the telegram." ”

Not long after we turned on the phone, Kirillov's telegram arrived. I took the telegram from the telegrapher, and then the light of the flashlight in Basmanov's hand, and with great difficulty read the contents, only to see that it read: "In order to delay the German offensive and relieve the pressure of our wrong defense, our artillery carried out a heavy artillery bombardment of the enemy's tanks and infantry assembled near the ground at the 'Red October' factory half an hour ago, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. ”

After handing the telegram to Bantaireev, I stepped out of the bunker and looked in the direction of the reddish city, and although I could not see it, I could still imagine the intensity of the battle from the dull sound of artillery from time to time. Looking further to the east, there was no movement in sight, and it seemed that Sederikov's troops might still be on slow-moving trucks, and it was not known when they would arrive.

I re-entered the bunker and began to give orders: "Captain Basmanov, send someone to help the operator remove the antenna of the radio." Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard, go and convey my order, the first battalion stays, and the second battalion sets out with the regimental troops. As for you, Comrade Deputy Division Commander, as we have just decided, you should stay and wait for a group, and after they have rested, then come north to catch up with us. ”

Since I had temporarily decided to let the three regiments and one battalion stay, the troops of the three regiments fell into confusion in the darkness for a time when they set out, and the commanders at all levels took great pains to gather the troops, and when it was time to set off, the shadow of the first regiment could be faintly seen in the east.

When the troops of the 3rd and 4th regiments joined forces and set off north again, Kosgaard came to my side and said in shame: "I'm sorry, comrade division commander, I really didn't expect that there would be chaos when the troops set off after a short break, and this is all my responsibility. I assure you that the training of the troops will be strengthened when you go back, and a similar situation will definitely not happen again. ”

"Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard, it's not your responsibility, don't blame yourself so much." I said kindly to the old commander of the Third Regiment: "After the brutal fighting of the Third Regiment, there are not many veterans left, and now the regiment is full of newly replenished soldiers. Originally, there was not enough time to train them, but now they are still organizing their marches at night, and it is very good to be able to reach such a level. ”

Seeing that I didn't blame myself, Kosgaard became relaxed, and then he asked curiously: "Comrade division commander, if we go north like this, can we join forces with the friendly forces going south?" ”

When I heard his question, I first turned my head to look left and right, and saw that they were all people I trusted, so I lowered my voice and said to Kosgaard: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, we must find a way to find a place to hide before dawn. Otherwise, if we are discovered by the enemy's reconnaissance planes, we will be in danger of being completely annihilated before we see friendly troops. ”

My words startled Kosgaard, who, after looking around, said worriedly: "This is a savannah, and if the enemy discovers it, they will send an armored force to surround us, and we will have no way back." At that time, it will be true that not only will you not be able to join forces with your allies, but you will also be wiped out by the enemy. ”

Thinking of the map that Akhromeyev had given me before leaving, I hurriedly instructed Kosgaard: "According to the reconnaissance of the previous two days, there is a hilly area ten kilometers away, which is the weak link of the German defenses, and we can hide our troops there before dawn." Lieutenant Colonel, you immediately send a small detachment to speed up and move northward to confirm whether the information fed back by the reconnaissance detachment is correct. ”

"Okay, I'll send someone to do it." Kosgaard agreed, ran away from me, and hurried towards the front of the group, ready to arrange for a reconnaissance. (To be continued......)