"Major General Bantai Leyev, please tell all the commanders and fighters of the Guards Division." In order to let Bantai Leyev accurately understand the importance of this order of mine, I did not call his position any more, but broke the world. Calling his rank, "After the offensive is launched, the attack on Hama city must be faster! The position where your division's main force crosses the river, and the defensive position outside Hama city, is not more than seven kilometers in total. Call commanders at all levels to give I seize the time to attack with all my strength. First, don't worry about the consumption of ammunition, and second, don't worry about the casualties of the troops, just launch a fierce attack on the enemy's position. Before dawn, I want to see the city of Hama being occupied by our troops."

After I put down the phone, Kirilov said to me in surprise: "Comrade Commander, in the past, every time you gave an order, you would consider how to complete the higher-level order while reducing the casualties of the troops. For an order like today's uncharacteristic, I can This is the first time I have heard from you."

Not only was Kirilov confused by my order, but even Vitkov looked at me in surprise. Seeing the expressions of the two of them, I can only explain to them: "The political commissar, chief of staff, the German'Imperial Division' and the'Skull Division' are oppressing from the east and south of the city, with the 171st division present. With the strength, equipment, and combat effectiveness, these two elite German divisions cannot be stopped at all. So what we can do now is to seize one or two footholds on the opposite bank and transfer all the troops to the west bank of the Dnieper."

In response to my statement, Vitkov immediately expressed support: "Comrade Commander is right. After the entire army has crossed the river, we can blow up the pontoon bridge on the river, so that the German armored forces cannot be in the shortest possible time. , Use the pontoon to rush to the west bank."

"The chief of staff is right." Seeing that Vitkov understood my combat intentions, I continued to explain to Kirilov: "The temperature has recently picked up. The ice on the river bank has begun to gradually thin. Wait two more days. , As the ice melts. Their infantry can’t go to the other side of the river unless they swim. It’s such a cold day. Even if we don’t shoot and let them swim over, it’s estimated that when they go ashore, they will be bitterly cold. The river is so frozen that it loses its combat effectiveness. That is to say, as long as we make it impossible for the Germans to repair the pontoons, then we can stabilize the front line on the Dnieper River in a short time. As long as we contain the German troops here for a period of time, then the higher-level leaders can use it. This precious time is used to deploy troops, adjust the deployment of troops, and reverse the unfavorable situation on the battlefield in one fell swoop."

Although Bantai Leyev assured me. It is said that the main force crossing the river can just arrive under Hama within an hour and cooperate with the three regiments commanded by Major Akhromeyev to attack the German forces in the city together. But because the road was slippery in dark, their speed to Hama was affected. After an hour and a half, the main force was still three kilometers away from the city of Hama. At this time, through the battle report sent back by Major Akhromeyev, I knew that the battle between the third regiment and the German army had fallen into a stalemate.

I asked the radio operator to call Akhromeyev directly, and I want to get the latest situation from him. After I got in touch, I didn't care if I was tapped by the German army, and directly spoke in plain language: "Hey. Comrade Major, it's me. How is the situation with you?"

"Report to the commander," maybe the call is not working well. Akhromeyev yelled, "Captain Dubrovsky’s first battalion in the southeast of Hama, rushed into the city first. However, his troops were blocked by German fire and could not continue. Moving forward, they are currently sticking to a few blocks to the southeast of the city."

"Major, where is the main force of the Third Regiment?" I heard that some troops have already rushed into the city, but because the German forces are so powerful, they cannot continue to advance. I anxiously asked Akhromeev: "Are there any troops sent? Reinforce them?"

"No, comrade commander." Akhromeyev said embarrassedly: "Because the enemy's firepower is strong. The force is more than us. At present, we and the first battalion have been separated by the Germans. But it came from the front. From the sound of guns and guns. I can hear that my troops are still fighting tenaciously."

"Major Akhromeyev, the offensive cannot be stopped." I said sternly to him: "The main force of the Guards is rushing to you. If you hold on for another half an hour, reinforcements will arrive."

"Understood, comrade commander." Akhromeyev assured me, "As long as there is one person in the third regiment, our attack on the German positions will not stop."

Listening to Akhromeyev’s words so tragically, I said impatiently: "Okay, Comrade Major, don't say this in front of me. There are still many battles to be fought. You can't just die like this. . Remember that when the reinforcements arrive, you must cooperate with them to wipe out the remnant enemies in the city. The first thing to do now is to send someone to get in touch with the first battalion and ask them how things are going on there. Do you understand?"

"Understood," Akhromeyev replied very bluntly: "I will send a correspondent to contact the first battalion immediately."

After finishing Akhromeyev's call, I asked the new Kazakhstan telegraph operator to contact Gurtyev's division and ask them what's going on there.

The radio operator in Kazakhstan yelled at the microphone for a long time, put the headset and the microphone on the table, then walked to the table and raised his hand to report to us: "Comrade Commander, I just talked to the 308th Division. We have contacted them. They are currently approaching the town of Crilowe along the h08 highway. About ten minutes later, the attack on the town will start."

"Comrade Telegraph operator," seeing the telegraph operator turning to return to his position, Vitkov reached out and took him, and asked with concern: "Did they conduct reconnaissance on the situation in the town?"

The telegraph operator nodded and replied affirmatively: "According to the report, they have mastered the distribution of German forces in the town, and Division Commander Gurtyev is assigning combat tasks to commanders at all levels."

"Very well, Comrade Telegraph, you are doing a good job." After listening, Vitkov patted his shoulder lightly, and then said to him: "There is nothing for you here. Go back to work. ."

After the telegraph operator left, Vitkov looked at the map on the table, then raised his head and said to me: "Comrade Commander, our two main divisions have already crossed the Dnieper River and are advancing into the depths of the German army. But as a result, our place becomes empty. There are only more than four thousand people from the 171st Division in the city. They have to block the attack of the German'Imperial Division' and the'Skull Division'. I think this is an impossible task."

Regarding Vitkov’s analysis, I nodded in agreement, and then said: “Chief of Staff. You are right. The city of Zaporos is extremely empty, waiting for dawn. Even if the Germans only launched a wave of offensive, maybe the city Will be occupied by them. So we must speed up the attack, take down the nearest city of Hama, and use this as the center to build a new defensive position to resist the German attack."

"Comrade Oshanina, do you really intend to fight a tough battle with the Germans in Zaporoshri?" Kirilov could not help but asked anxiously when he saw that I gave the order to abandon the city. Just fight for the 171st Division. If you drag the Germans in the city for a day or two, there should be no problem."

"Comrade Political Commissar, although we are not fighting a battle with the Germans in the city today, we will continue to stay on the west bank of the Dnieper River in the near future to contain the German forces and prevent them from deploying more troops to attack our 6th Army. ."

About half an hour later, the old radio operator stood up and reported to me: "Comrade Commander, General Pantaiyev, Commander of the 22nd Guards Division, wants to talk to you."

Hearing that Bantai Leyev was looking for me again, I couldn't help but whispered in my heart. He came to me at this time, and he must be begging me for something. So when I heard his voice, I didn't talk nonsense with him. Instead, he asked bluntly: "Major General Bantai Leyev, is there anything else?"

"That's it, Comrade Commander." Bantai Leyev began to spit out bitterness at me: "The first, second, fourth, and new third regiments of our division have all reached their designated positions. The second and third regiments. The commanders of the regiment attacked the enemy together. However, due to the fierce firepower of the German troops relying on the fortifications for defense, our several offensives have failed and ended. I ask you to provide the necessary artillery support for our attacking troops, even if it is. A few mortars will do."

I have participated in a lot of battles, and even if the offensive troops are not covered by artillery fire, and just brave the enemy's guns and bullets to charge with their flesh and blood, it is bound to pay a heavy price. And this is something I don't want to see. Thought of this. I said to Pantai Leyev: "Comrade Commander, don't worry. I will solve the problem of artillery support for you."

Putting down the phone, I thought to myself that although we still have five battalions of artillery in name, the number of artillery we can use is very limited. Even if artillery support is provided, the effect will not be very good. After deliberation, I asked the operator to connect to Perskin’s tank battalion.

When I heard Perskin's voice mixed with the roar of the tank motor, I asked loudly into the microphone: "Hey, Comrade Major, where have your troops reached?"

"Report to Comrade Commander," Perskin had to shout because of the loud noises: "Our battalion has all passed the pontoon bridge smoothly and is heading to Hama. It is only two miles away from Hama. Three kilometers, we only need a few minutes to rush to the battlefield and provide our troops with artillery cover during the offensive."

"Great, this is great." Hearing Perskin's words, I was overjoyed. As long as the tank battalion arrived under Hama on time, the next attack would be much simpler. So, I yelled into the microphone and said: "Major, order your troops to speed up and move closer to Hama. When you reach your destination, you will rush directly into the city to change the structure of the German army. The command system is slack, and the enemy is thrown into chaos on the battlefield, so that we have a chance."

The tank battalion is about to arrive in Hama. If the friendly forces are not ventilated and the infantry cannot actively cooperate, then the tanks that rush into the city will be destroyed by enemy anti-tank fighters like targets. . So next I was looking for Bantai Leyev, and I said loudly to him: "Comrade Commander, Major Perskin’s tank battalion will soon arrive outside Hama. You immediately order the attackers The second and third regiments suspended to make way for the tank battalion. At the same time, the infantry units were allowed to trail behind the tanks and attacked the city."

"Understood, Comrade Commander." Bantai Lev replied in a loud voice: "I immediately called the commanders of the 2nd and 3rd regiments and asked them to temporarily stop the offensive and make way for the tanks."

Seeing that I have explained the issues that I should explain to the following, I have finished explaining. Witkov asked me tentatively: "Comrade Commander, I would like to ask, when will our military headquarters be transferred?" Seeing me looking at him with a puzzled look, he quickly added: "Once dawn, the German army may There will be shelling and bombing. If we wait until then, we will pay some unnecessary casualties. Therefore, I suggest that the headquarters be divided into two first, and you and the political commissar will bring some of the personnel in the headquarters. And communication equipment, to the other side of the Dnieper River; and I will take the rest of the people, continue to stay in this headquarters, responsible for the command tasks before you implement the command.

Regarding Vitkov’s proposal ~lightnovelpub.net~, I did not immediately express my position, but turned to ask Kirilov: "Comrade Political Commissar, how do you think about this matter?"

Kirilov stared at Vitkov for a long time, and said: "Comrade Oshanina, I agree with the chief of staff. You are the commander of the army, and you should lead some command personnel and communications equipment as soon as possible. Go to the other side of the river. And I stayed with the Chief of Staff and commanded the 171st Division's battle against the German offensive."

"Comrade political comrade, what are you talking about? You are going to stay in the command post and not go to the other side of the river with me to build a new command post?" I heard that Kirilov was going to stay, and I couldn't help but get anxious and kindly reminded me. He said: "Once it's dawn, the city will definitely be the focus of the German aircraft bombing. It is too dangerous for you to stay here, or come with me to the other side of the river?"

Kirilov waved his hand and said resolutely: "Comrade Oshanina, I have decided to stay in the city with the chief of staff to stabilize the military, and try to block the German offensive for a longer period of time, for you Fight for more precious time on the other side of the river." Seeing that I still want to persuade him, he waved his hand again and snarled at Pugachev who was next to him. Put it into use. It's getting late, you should take someone away as soon as possible, otherwise it will be too late when the day breaks." (To be continued)