As soon as I returned to the division headquarters, I gave orders to Akhromeyev and asked him to immediately bring Captain Karpov. Seeing my stern look, Akhromeyev did not dare to ask more, so he picked up the phone and called the command post of the guard battalion and informed the officer on duty to ask the deputy battalion commander Karpov to come to the division headquarters to accept the task.

When Akhromeyev was on the phone, Kirillov hesitated for a moment, and then asked nervously: "Comrade Oshanina, why did you come back from a meeting with such a stern expression, is something wrong?" ”

"The commander said that tomorrow was the October Revolution Day, and in order to let every commander and fighter in the group army eat delicious Siberian dumplings, he informed the divisions at the meeting to collect the materials needed to make dumplings." I didn't say anything about the transfer of troops directly, but first threw out a light topic. He also made a point of emphasizing that each fighter should ensure a minimum of two hundred grams.

As soon as I said this, Kirillov and Bandereev both had knowing smiles on their faces. Pantai Laiev also said with emotion: "It's really good, so that the commanders and fighters of the division can change their tastes and eat a delicious meal of dumplings during the festival." ”

Kirillov was not only happy, but he was still keenly aware of my heavy concerns, so as soon as Pantai Leev finished speaking, he immediately asked: "Comrade Oshanina, this is a good thing, but why do I see that you are still preoccupied?" ”

I smiled bitterly and said with difficulty: "The commander intends to launch a small counterattack against the Germans tomorrow in the defensive area of the army group. In order to complete this counterattack, he wanted to draw troops from our division to strengthen the friendly troops. ”

As soon as my words came out. All of them were silent. After a while. Akhromeyev muttered: "Recently, the German offensive on Mamayev Hill and the 107.5 heights has become more and more intense. And our troops are only attrition in the battle, and cannot be replenished, if we draw troops, how will we fight in the next battle? ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff, you can't say that." "Although the attrition of the independent division in recent battles has been very severe, you should also see the friendly troops fighting in the city. Their casualties were even heavier. If we don't help them, there will be little hope of success in this counterattack launched by the headquarters. ”

"Yes, the deputy division commander is right." Kirillov sighed and echoed: "I believe you still remember the battle report a few days ago, in order to strengthen the troops that were fighting, the commander even sent out the guard company around him, so that later he had to borrow a platoon from us to be responsible for the security of the headquarters. ”

Hearing Kirillov say this, everyone fell silent. I also secretly reflected in my heart. Chuikov can even send the guard company around him to the front without hesitation, then draw three companies from my division. To strengthen Lyudnikov's troops, what is not to do?

"Comrade Division Commander, what are you going to do?" Kirillov knew that I had to take the final idea, so he turned to me and asked, "Shall we send troops to support friendly forces?" ”

"I personally promised Colonel Lyudnikov that I would send three companies to reinforce his troops." If a few minutes ago, I was still a little reluctant to transfer troops to the 70th Guards Division, but after thinking of Chuikov's selfless act, I was no longer stingy, but said generously: "After my consideration, if only three companies are sent, even if they are all reinforced companies, the strength is still very limited, so I decided to send another company to Colonel Lyudnikov." ”

"And from which regiment should we draw troops?" After listening to what I had said, Pantai Laiev then asked cautiously: "You must know that there are quite a lot of attritions in the regiments at present, and it may be a little difficult to transfer troops in an organized manner. ”

As for how to transfer troops, I already had a clear idea of how to transfer troops, and at this moment I heard Bandeleyev asking, so I casually said: "At present, the 2nd Regiment of Lieutenant Colonel Oleg has the most serious attrition, so I will not draw troops from them." The first regiment has the largest number of troops, drawing two companies, and the third and fourth regiments each drawing one company. The four companies were transferred to form a mixed battalion, and the battalion commander was Captain Karpov. ”

As soon as I finished speaking, Karpov walked into the command headquarters. He came to me, raised his hand and saluted, and then asked cautiously: "Comrade division commander, you called me here, I don't know what instructions you have?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Captain." "We intend to draw troops from the 1st, 3rd, and 4th regiments to form a mixed battalion, with you as the battalion commander and assigned to Colonel Lyudnikov of the 70th Guards Division. Got it? ”

"Understood, Comrade Deputy Division Commander." Karpov replied loudly. Then he turned his gaze to me again and asked respectfully, "I don't know what the troops can do?" ”

I raised my hand and looked at my watch and replied, "Captain Karpov, it's one o'clock in the morning." For the newly formed mixed battalions, the departure time shall be no later than 4 a.m. ”

On November 7, 1941, a military parade of great significance was held on Red Square, which greatly boosted the morale of our army and strengthened the confidence of all commanders and fighters in defeating the enemy. The Germans were afraid that we would repeat our old tricks and make some surprise moves in Stalingrad, so the enemy's large-scale attack on Stalingrad began before dawn.

Due to the heavy frontal investment of the Germans at Mamayev Heights, they launched a frenzied attack on the northern heights defended by the 4th Regiment and the 107.5 Heights held by the 2nd Regiment.

Listening to the rumbling of artillery from outside the cave, Kirillov said angrily: "Damn the Germans, they have attacked us again, and in this way, our plans have been completely ruined. ”

Hearing Kirillov say this, Akhromeyev cautiously asked: "Do we still carry out the counterattack order issued by the army group command?" ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff," said Bandereev angrily, "you can guess how fierce the enemy's attack is without hearing how dense the artillery is outside, and at such a time, let our fighters carry out a counterattack, do you want them all to die?" ”

"Alright, don't talk about it." I saw that Akhromeyev seemed to want to refute two sentences, so I hurriedly stopped him, and continued: "As a commander, you can't blindly obey the orders of your superiors, you must know how to adapt to changes in the situation on the battlefield, so that you can win the battle." Don't look at the fierce offensive of the German army, but since they have not been able to take the Mamayev Gang from our hands before, then in the days to come, the Mamayev Gang will still be firmly in our hands. ”

The German offensive began to weaken at noon. By about two o'clock in the afternoon, the German offensive had ceased completely. As soon as the battle was over, Gaidar of the 4th Regiment and Oleg of the 2nd Regiment called me separately to report to me what was going on there.

Gaidar excitedly reported to me: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, the enemy who attacked the positions of our regiment has all retreated. According to incomplete statistics, there are at least 400 corpses left by the enemy in front of our positions. ”

"Good results, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." I believe in the combat effectiveness of my troops, and if they want to block the enemy's attack, there is still not much of a problem. So, after complimenting him, I asked, "What are the casualties of your regiment?" ”

"More than 200 people were killed and more than 100 were wounded." When Gaidar heard me ask this question, he immediately became slurred, and at the same time tried to argue: "The vast majority of the casualties of our regiment were inflicted during German shelling. ”

"Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, your casualties are still too great." When I heard this casualty ratio, I couldn't help but worry again, if such an attack happened again, it is estimated that we would not survive the day of the great counteroffensive, and those who fell before the victory were the saddest tragic figures, so I especially stressed to Gaidar: "Remember, rely on the strong fortifications of the position, and at the same time save yourself, and kill and wound the enemy in large numbers." Do you understand? ”

"Understood, Comrade Division Commander."

As soon as Gaidar hung up the phone, Oleg's call came in. I couldn't see his expression, but from the voice coming from the earpiece, I guessed that he must have a dejected expression at the moment.

I asked with a stern face: "Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, the fourth regiment has eliminated more than 400 enemies in today's battle. What about your regiment, and how many enemies have you destroyed? ”

After Oleg was silent for a long time, he muttered: "Comrade division commander, in the recent battles, our regiment has been reduced by three-quarters, and if you don't give me additional reinforcements, I think it will be difficult for us to resist the next strong attack of the German army." ”

I ignored his complaints, but asked bluntly: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I will replenish your troops when necessary." But now, tell me, what are the results of your regiment in today's battle, how many enemies have been destroyed, how much equipment has been captured, and what are the casualties of your regiment? ”

"Report to the division commander, in the battle that has just ended, we have eliminated more than 200 German soldiers and captured more than 100 rifles and submachine guns. And the casualties of our regiment," Oleg hesitated for a moment before he continued: "Due to the lack of strong fortifications in our regiment, the troops suffered heavy casualties in the enemy's shelling, and according to statistics, the number of casualties should be more than three hundred."

When I put down the phone, Kirillov looked at me and asked worriedly: "Comrade Oshanina, do you think we will finally be able to hold off the German attack?" ”

After listening to him ask this question, I replied with a smile on my face: "Comrade commissar, don't worry, although the enemy is crazy now, I believe that our independent division will definitely be able to block all their attacks. And now," I paused for a moment as I said this, and then confidently said, "It's just the darkness before dawn." (To be continued......)