Burning Moscow

43 Cruel Battle (4)

Less than five minutes later, there was a strange screaming sound in the sky, and then, the arrow-like fire light cut through the sky. I know this is the guards rocket battalion firing at the enemy. Although rocket launchers are still strictly confidential weapons and equipment in this era, I know better than others how powerful it is.

The rocket shells drawn a beautiful rainbow in the air, and then disappeared into the enemy’s attack queue in front of our army’s position, and then there was a terrible rumbling sound. Dozens of rockets blasted into a sea of ​​fire within a radius of several hundred meters. Not only was the German infantry blown to the ground, but even the tank was like a paper toy that was overturned and torn in the violent explosion. Become piles of burning scrap iron.

“It’s great!” A voice suddenly sounded beside me. Turning to see, it turned out that the two hygienists who helped Lelyushinka bandage were standing next to me. They were also admiring the masterpiece of the rocket launcher. They couldn’t help but yell. come out.

“How’s the situation with the commander?” I asked the two soldiers in front of me sternly, and at the same time I glanced at Lelyushinka who was lying on the camp bed. Seeing his ruddy complexion and steady breathing, it seems that there should be no life-threatening.

“Report to Comrade Major.” One of the hygienists replied at once: “Comrade Commander’s wound has been bandaged and the blood has stopped. We have just injected him with morphine, and there will be no life-threatening for the time being. But for his health. For this reason, he should be sent to the rear hospital for treatment as soon as possible.”

“Well, when the battle is over, I will arrange a few soldiers to send the commander to the rear with you.”

“Yes!”

“Major Lida.” Lelyushenka’s weak voice came from the side. He half-opened his eyes and slowly raised a hand. I quickly came to his bed, squatted down beside him, grabbed his raised hand, and said a little excitedly: “Comrade Major General, are you awake? Did you hear the rumble of cannons? That’s ours. The new rocket launcher is showing off.”

“Well,” he nodded hard and said, “I heard it. I have heard of this powerful artillery a long time ago, but unfortunately I have never seen it. This is strictly confidential technical equipment. In order to keep Porokino, Commander The ministries have invested a lot of money.”

The phone on the desk rang, I stood up and picked up the microphone, and said, “I am the Special Commissioner Major Oshanina. Where are you?”

“Report Comrade, I am the commander of the 230th Reserve Regiment. The German army in front of the position has been defeated by the artillery fire just now. Can we attack?”

“Who is calling?” Before I could answer the other party, General Lelyushinka who was next to him rushed to ask. I covered the microphone with my hand and told the general in a low voice: “It was a call from the head of the 230 Reserve Regiment. He asked if he could take the opportunity to attack.”

“Major Lida, what do you mean?” Lelyushenka did not express his own meaning directly, but instead asked me.

“I can’t attack for the time being.” I explained: “I just ordered the Guards Rocket Battalion to make two salvos, and this completed the first round. Although the power of the Rockets is great, it is too time-consuming to reload. It is estimated that it will take half a time The second round of volleys can only be carried out after a few hours. If you attack now, it is easy to rush into your own artillery bombardment range and cause unnecessary casualties.”

“Understood.” The general nodded, closed his eyes and continued: “Then you will be in charge on my behalf. I am tired and want to rest.”

“Yes!” I agreed, letting go of my hand covering the microphone, and ordered the head of the reserve regiment: “Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, don’t attack for now. But let the soldiers prepare and wait for the second place in our army. After the round of artillery fire, we will attack across the board. Do you understand?”

“Understood, comrade commissioner.” After speaking, she put aside the phone for convenience.

I put down the phone and stood in front of the observation hole to check the battlefield situation. Although the bombardment just stopped the German offensive, they still showed no sign of retreating. If only the 230th Reserve Regiment was sent to attack with heavy casualties. Otherwise, it is difficult to get the effect, on the contrary, they may be eliminated by the superior German army.

I thought about it again and again, walked to the table, grabbed the handle of the phone and shook it vigorously, then picked up the microphone. The voice of the female operator was heard on the microphone Lima: “Hello, where do you want?”

“Fetch me Colonel Polo Suhi.” After a while, Colonel Polo Suhi’s voice came from the other end of the telephone line: “I’m Colonel Polo Suhi, who are you?”

“Hello, Comrade Colonel, I am Major Oshanina.” I first identified myself to him, and then gave him a combat order: “I have taken over the command of the group army. In half an hour, we will Carried out a round of artillery fire on the German army. Once the shelling is over, you will immediately lead your troops to counterattack across the board. Understand?”

Hearing what I said, the other party was silent for a moment, and then replied decisively: “Understood, Comrade Major.”

Then I gave the commander of the 4th Tank Brigade Colonel Karotov and the commanders of several other units the same combat orders.

After giving the order, I looked at General Lelyushenka, who was lying on the camp bed with his eyes closed and rested. I felt that it was inappropriate to make such a big thing. I should ask him for advice, so I walked to him and whispered. Call him: “Comrade Major General, I plan to organize a counterattack, do you think it is appropriate?”

“Now you are in command of the group army, everything is up to you, and I will support you unconditionally.” Although he said to support me, I still have no bottom in my heart, thinking that this will not be another moment. It’s impulsive, it’s better to call Zhukov to get some ventilation.

I dialed Zhukov’s phone, heard his familiar voice, and couldn’t help speaking nervously. He hasn’t heard anyone talking here, and he can’t help but become impatient: “Who is it, talking!”

“It’s me, Comrade General!” I replied timidly.

“Oh, it’s Lida.” Zhukov’s laughter came from the other side of the microphone, and he teased me: “Have you seen the power of a rocket launcher? Did the huge explosion scare you?”

“Georgy Konstantinovich!” I called Zhukov’s honorific title, and said solemnly: “I have something important to report to you, and I want to hear your opinion.”

“If you have anything, just say it.” When he heard me say this, his tone became serious.

“I plan to organize the army’s troops to carry out a counterattack and restore as many of the lost positions as possible.”

After hearing what I said, Zhukov was silent for a long time, and I thought he had hung up the phone for a long time. I tentatively asked: “Comrade General, are you still there?”

“Tell me your reasons?” he said dryly.

“I think we should change our current combat thinking. We can’t hide in the trenches as before. If the Germans don’t attack, we are happy; if the Germans attack, we will resist to the death and not retreat. I think it should be Germans. We resisted during the offensive. If the Germans stopped moving and stopped the offensive, then we would not have to wait passively. We should not be happy when we have a chance to catch our breath. We should actively look for fighters to attack the enemy….”

“Well said,” Zhukov simply supported my point. “Since you have such a view, then go ahead and do it boldly, and I will support you. Also, I have sent an ambulance to your place, ready to take General Lelyushenka to the back hospital.”

As soon as I put down the phone, General Lelyushenko opened his eyes and asked me with concern: “What did Comrade General, do he support your plan?”

“Yes, Comrade Major General. General Zhukov has agreed to my battle plan.” I replied very happily, and then conveyed Zhukov’s meaning to him: “Comrade General Zhukov has specially sent an ambulance to pick you up, and soon That’s it.” Then I instructed the two health workers: “You two should take care of General Lelyushenka responsibly When an ambulance arrives, **** the general to the rear. I understand. ?”

“Guaranteed to complete the task!” the two hygienists replied in unison.

“Then let’s see you again, Comrade Major General. And I,” I grabbed General Lelyushenka’s hand, shook it gently, and said, “I’m going to the front and personally direct this counterattack.”

“Ah?!” Hearing what I said, Lelyushenka was taken aback, and clung to my hand tightly, persuading me: “Lida, you are a commander, you can’t just go to the front line. , It’s too dangerous there.”

“It is because of danger that I should go even more. The commander should take the lead and charge ahead, so as to inspire the morale of the soldiers.” Seeing that my attitude was so determined, he knew that nothing else would make me change my mind. , Let go of my hand, and said with concern: “Be careful, we will see you after the war.”

“Goodbye, Comrade Major General.” I stood up straight, saluted him, turned and ran out of the command post.

Before going to the forward position, I went to the place where Lelyushenka was injured and looked for the submachine gun that was left there. Although the Soviet army was equipped with a large number of Bobosha submachine guns in the latter part of World War II, this weapon has only come out soon, and a total of no more than a hundred have been produced. I still received one because of Zhukov. Weapons with strong firepower can be used for great purposes.

I was lucky. I just got next to the burning German tank and saw my submachine gun on the ground. He quickly picked it up a few steps forward, hung it around his neck, and then turned and strode towards the position of the 230 regiment.