My army is adjacent to Katukov's First Army of Guards Tanks, defending the south of Kursk. In order for the line of defense formed by our two armies to become a real barrier for Kursk, I dare not slack in the slightest. In order to obtain exhaustive intelligence in the defense zone, apart from keeping in touch with Katukov on the phone every day, I also often go to the defense line to conduct inspections. The focus of the inspection is naturally those areas that will be attacked by the Germans first. In addition to the acting chief of staff, Ras Mihin, chief of intelligence, accompanied me every time.

On this day, the place we are going to is the defense zone of the 51st Guards Infantry Division.

Since I found that every time I went on a patrol, the convoy consisting of a jeep and two trucks full of fighters was too obtrusive when it appeared at the forefront. Not only did it leave a bad impression on the officers and soldiers that they were greedy for life and fear of death, it was also easy. It was discovered by German scouts and even became their target one day in the future. Therefore, when I go out now, I take three jeeps with me. The front and back are the guards, while Bezikov and Rasmihin are sitting in the middle jeep.

On the way, Ras Mihin, who was sitting in front, turned his head and asked curiously: "Comrade Commander, please pardon me. Do you really think that our defensive zone will be attacked by the Germans?",

"This is affirmative, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." To Ras Mihin’s question, I immediately gave him an affirmative answer: "If Mainstein wants to cooperate with their Central Army Group to launch an offensive from the south, it will be the first to bear the brunt. It is our defense zone, so preparations are absolutely necessary."

"But, Comrade Commander." Ras Mihin has been with me during this period of time, and his speech is no longer as restrained as before, so he listened to me and said a little bit unconvinced: "Schumi from the east of our army The 7th Guards Army under the command of General Love. It is closer to Belgorod than we are. If the enemy wants to attack, I think the first place to withstand the enemy's attack. It should be Koroscha, although it is only a small city. It is close. The headquarters of the Seventh Army of the Guards is located there. Once the German army has captured this small city only fifty kilometers from Belgorod, it can be used as an ideal starting point for an offensive."

"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel," said Bezikov sitting next to me impatiently before I made a statement: "Don't forget, our defense zone is only a dozen kilometers away from the German army. Once a war starts, at most half a dozen kilometers. Within hours, the German tanks will be able to rush to our position."

I saw Ras Mihin open his mouth to refute. He quickly raised his hand to stop him, and said to himself: "Lieutenant Colonel, you have a point. Then, after we inspect the defensive positions of the 51st Guards Division, we will go to Korocha to meet Shu. General Milov, discuss with him about defense."

"There is one more thing, Comrade Commander." Ras Mihin asked again: "You have deployed a tank brigade and two artillery regiments on the first and second lines of defense. This is really necessary. Besides, once the German air strikes, our precious armored forces and artillery will suffer heavy losses."

After Rasmihin's question was asked, Bezikov unexpectedly did not refute him, but turned his attention to me. It seems that he has the same question. Seeing this situation, I had to explain to the two of them: "...The area near Kursk is vast, and the enemy and the enemy are equal in strength. Neither party can fully control the air, so the victory or defeat of ground combat is a large part of it. It was decided by tank warfare. In the past, our defensive operations failed because the defenders were defeated by German tanks and then surrounded and annihilated by a large number of German infantry. Therefore, the success or failure of anti-tank operations became the key to resisting German attacks. , This is the reason why I want to deploy a tank brigade and two artillery regiments on each line of defense. Do you understand?"

When I explained this, the two suddenly realized. He immediately replied neatly: "Understood."

Our car parked at the station of the 51st Guards Division, and immediately a lieutenant colonel ran over. Helped me open the door, and at the same time reported loudly: "Comrade commander. It is the chief of staff of the division. Comrade commander is in the tent over there, talking on the phone with the frontier troops. He can't come to meet you personally. Please forgive me! "

After getting out of the car, I closed the door of the car and then ordered the division chief of staff in front of me: "Comrade chief of staff, take me to see your division commander, General Tavart Kiradze."

The chief of staff who led the way in front, when he arrived outside the tent, took the initiative to open the curtain for me and invited me in. I nodded at him and walked in with Bezikov and Rasmihin.

As soon as I entered the tent, I saw General Tavart Kirazzi standing in the middle of the tent. He was furious at the microphone: "...No, absolutely not. The defensive position of your regiment must be completed within two days... What? I need manpower to add it. No, I don’t have any extra people in my hands.... If you allow me, then I will help you dig trenches..."

He hung up angrily and turned to salute me. I smiled and asked, "Comrade General, I don't know who you are angry with?"

"Who else can be, of course, one of my heads." Tawart Kiradze said helplessly: "According to the plan, they should complete the fortifications yesterday, but know that today, there are still almost a third of the fortifications. The amount of work for one has not been completed. Just for this matter, I urged him to speed up the progress, and it must be completed within two days."

"General Tavart Kiradze, you are doing the right thing." Since I know the specific time when the Battle of Kursk broke out, my worry will increase by one point every day, so I urge my subordinates to speed up the fortifications every day. The speed of construction, and inspect the positions from time to time. It was under my supervision that the commanders of the divisions were also very concerned about the construction process of the fortifications.

After sitting down on the bench next to the wooden table, I looked up at Tavart Kiradze standing in front of me, and asked, "Comrade General, I don’t know which regiment of your division has done well in building fortifications. Better?"

"Lieutenant Colonel Lukin's 309 regiment." Hearing my question, Tavart Kiradze opened his mouth and said a number. Before I could speak, he suddenly added another sentence: "Comrade Commander, this regiment leader is your old subordinate."

Old man, I heard Tawart Kirazzi say this, and quickly thought about the man by this name. After a while, the image of a person-Lu Jin, really appeared in my mind. An excellent commander who once served as a company commander, battalion commander, and even acting commander under my command. Is it really him? It's quite big here, and I can't wait to ask Tavart Kirazzi: "Comrade General, where is he?"

"Where else can I be?" Tawart Kirazzi shrugged. Said: "Of course it is on the front defensive position."

"Can you take me to see him?" He said to confirm whether Lu Jin is the same person I know. I got up from my seat and made my request to him.

"Comrade Commander." Hearing what I said, Tawart Kiradze's face showed an embarrassed expression: "The defensive position of the 309th Regiment is too close to the German line of defense. I am worried that when you pass by, there will be It may be spotted by enemy scouts, which may attract long-range artillery bombardment."

"General Tavart Kiradze, don't worry about this." I said lightly, "I am not a rookie on the front line for the first time. I know how to avoid risks. Moreover, we are in our own defense zone, even if we are confronted by the enemy. There is also a way to conceal the bombardment.” At this point, I raised my hand to look at my watch and urged the other party to say, “It’s getting late. After I have inspected the position of the 309th regiment, I will go to the Guards 7th Army Headquarters for a visit. Comrade General, please show me the way."

Tavart Kiradze at my request, although there was still an embarrassed expression on his face. But in the end I agreed with difficulty: "Well, Comrade Commander, since this is the case. I will accompany you to the forefront."

In order to prevent the target from being exposed, the jeep we were in stopped a long way from the command post of the 309th regiment. Tawart Kiradze ordered the driver to hide the car into a cave on the side of the road, and then led us to walk forward along the easy road.

I looked at the hills on both sides and said to Tawart Kiradze: "Comrade General, you remember to deploy tank units on high ground, so that when enemy armored forces attack you, our tanks can go from high ground. A condescending assault to defeat the enemy's offensive in one fell swoop. There are also artillery positions. They should be deployed on the reverse **** of the high ground. In this way, they can avoid unnecessary losses in the artillery preparation before the German attack..."

Tawart Kiradze listened carefully to my arrangement. After I finished speaking, he nodded and assured me: "Comrade Commander, please rest assured, I will definitely proceed according to your arrangement."

The closer I get to Lukin’s command post, the harder my heart beats, and my mind keeps thinking: Although Tavart Kiradze also said that Lukin is my subordinate, what should I do if I make a mistake ? Also, since Lukin separated from me by the Don River, his whereabouts have been unknown. Why has he suddenly become the commander of the 51st Guards Division?

The command post of the 309th Regiment is located in a wooden shelter half buried in the ground behind the hillside. When I saw the sentry outside the house, I knew we were there.

Tawart Kiradze and I passed through the sentinels who raised their hands to salute, walked into the regiment headquarters, and walked down the earthen steps.

Looking outside, the regiment command post was not big, but when I went in, I found that the space was not small. Outside a wooden door at the bottom of the steps, a second lieutenant stood, seeing us coming down the steps, and quickly raised his hand to salute us.

After Tawartkilasze raised his hand in return, he asked, "Is your head in?"

"Yes, comrade commander." When the second lieutenant replied, he glanced at me and added: "The regiment commander is calling the battalion commanders for a meeting."

"Let's go, Comrade Commander. Let's go in." Tawart Kiradze said to me, and then opened the door and walked in.

In this somewhat dull command room, I saw a lieutenant colonel with his back to me, and several other commanders around a wooden table. They all looked down at the map spread on the table and whispered. Discussing something, I didn't find Tavalt Kirazzi and I who had just entered the door.

Tawart Kiradze wanted to greet them, but I shook his head to stop him. I stood at the door silently, looking around this not too big room, under the shining of two bright lanterns, the furnishings in the room were clearly visible. I listened for a while, and found that they were discussing things related to building fortifications, so I couldn't help but ask: "Comrades, what are you discussing?"

When several commanders heard my voice, they all looked at me at the same time. After seeing clearly that it was Tawart Kiradze and I standing at the door, they immediately stood up straight and raised their hands to salute us.

When the lieutenant colonel turned around, I had already seen the commander clearly. Sure enough, it was my old acquaintance-Lu Jin. After raising his hand in return, he rushed in front of him. He grabbed his hand and shook it vigorously, and said excitedly, "Lu Jin. My good brother, I didn't expect that I could see you here."

"Hello, Comrade Commander." Lu Jin held my hand tightly with both hands, and said emotionally: "I am also very happy to see you here."

I raised my free left hand, clenched my fist and punched his arm twice, and asked with a smile, "Lieutenant Colonel Lukin. Since I separated by the Don River, I have not been where you are. I thought you were sacrificed."

Lu Jin smiled honestly and replied: "Comrade Commander, not long after we were separated in the Don, I withdrew from the fight because of the injury, and then spent four months in Kuibyshev's wounds. I am here. In the hospital, I often hear from the mouths and broadcasts of the wounded that you commanded the troops to beat the Germans. It is a pity that my injury will not get better, otherwise I will go to Mamayev Hill. Follow you to teach the Germans well After recovering from injury and leaving the hospital, I came to Moscow’s reserve front army. During the reorganization two months ago, I was transferred to the 51st Guards Division and was appointed commander of the 309th Regiment.”

Tawart Kiradze also came over and said: "Comrade Commander, at that time my division had just completed the repair, and commanders at all levels were lacking. I just heard that Lieutenant Colonel Lukin was once your subordinate, and he was An excellent commander with rich combat experience, so I proposed to my superiors to make him the commander of the 309th regiment."

"Comrade General," the Bole who reused Lu Jin for promotion. I said gratefully: "I believe that in the next battle, you will be proud of the right decision you made."

"Comrade Commander." The conversation between the three of us had just come to an end when a major next to him suddenly asked: "Can we leave?"

"Leave. Why are you leaving?" Lu Jin was puzzled by the request of his subordinates.

The major smiled embarrassedly and replied: "Comrade commander, we are afraid to disturb you and the commander's recollection, so we plan to avoid it."

"Comrade Major, there is no need to avoid it." I reduced the smile on my face and said to the major in a steady tone: "I'm here to learn about the construction of your regiment's fortifications. It just happens that everyone is here, so let's start reporting." Here, I looked around the people present and asked, "Who will come first?"

"Comrade Commander, let me report to you." Lu Jin finished this sentence, and then said to me: "Before reporting, please allow me to introduce my subordinates to you." Then he pointed to The major who just spoke, "This is Major Nikola, Chief of Staff."

"The first battalion commander, Major Chuklik, the second battalion commander, Major Selibitzji, and the third battalion commander, Major Gilkin." Every time Lukin introduced someone, the other person stepped forward and raised his hand to salute me. After the ceremony, they returned to their respective positions.

After Lu Jin introduced his subordinates to me, he officially began to report on the construction of fortifications and the deployment of troops. He pointed to the place on the table and said to me: "Comrade Commander, please see, there are three relatively large high grounds in our regiment’s defense zone. On these high grounds, in addition to the necessary surface fortifications, there are also According to your deployment, according to the characteristics of the highlands, two types of tunnels of'h' and'x' have been dug..."

Listening to Lu Jin’s endless introduction, I smiled and nodded, and said to myself: My old subordinates are reliable. You don’t need to tell them what to do, you just need to give a few simple explanations. , They will be able to successfully complete the tasks I have delivered.

After Lukin finished speaking, I asked, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, how is your regiment's equipment?" I asked because during my recent inspection, I found that the troops equipped with Kalashnikov rifles were not equipped. Many, most of the commanders held in their hands, or *sha submachine guns or Mosin Lagan rifles.

When Lu Jin heard my question, he didn't answer it immediately, but instead turned his attention to his teacher. Tavartkilasze noticed that Lukin and the other commanders had their eyes on him, so he waved his hand and said impatiently: "You all watch what I do? Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, what's the matter? Just say something, I believe Comrade Commander will not be surprised if he hears it."

With Tavart Kiradze’s permission, Lukin didn’t have the guts, so he reported to me: "Comrade Commander, I had said that we would equip us with a new type of infantry weapon. Who knows until now? , We didn’t even see the shadow of the new weapons. At present, the troops are equipped with Mosin Lagan rifles, *sha submachine guns, Jagdyalev light machine guns, and a small number of heavy machine guns.” At this point, he seemed to think of it. What? I added another sentence, "By the way, we still have a few seized Czech light machine guns."

"Czech-style light machine gun?!" The weapon mentioned by Lukin surprised me. I turned my head and looked at Tavart Kiradze and asked in surprise: "Comrade General, if I remember correctly, the Germans The equipped machine guns are either mg34 or mg42. Where is there any Czech light machine gun?"

"Come here!" Lu Jin suddenly yelled at the door.

As he shouted, the ensign we had just met at the door came in. He stood straight at the door, waiting for Lukin to give him orders.

Lu Jin pointed at him with his hand, and ordered: "Second Lieutenant, go get the German machine gun we seized, and let the commander and division commander see what it looks like."

"Yes!" The ensign agreed, turned and walked out.

Less than a minute after going out, the ensign reappeared at the door with a light machine gun in his hand. With sharp eyes, I recognized it at a glance. This is the Czech type light machine gun that I used to see in film and television dramas.

After Lukin sent the second lieutenant to leave, he explained to me with a smile on his face: "Comrade Commander, what do you think, the entire Czech army has surrendered to the German army, and all the arsenals in the country have also been taken over by the German army. This kind of Czech light Machine guns, they can produce as many as they want."

After listening to Lukin’s analysis, I nodded and said, “Well, it is possible. During the Defence of Stalingrad, the independent division I commanded once seized the standard equipment of the Italian and Hungarian troops.” I After taking the light machine gun and looking at it, he asked, "Is there enough bullets?"

Lu Jin shook his head and said with a little regret: "We have not captured many bullets, probably only three magazines per gun.",

When I heard this, I was immediately disappointed. The 20-round straight magazine for this machine gun, and the three magazines are only 60 rounds. It is estimated that even the enemy’s attack will not be able to fight back, and it will become inferior to a fire stick. Up. I handed the machine gun back to Lu Jin with uninterested interest, and said disapprovingly: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, you can only use this light machine gun for a while before the new weapon is officially equipped with the troops."

I raised my hand and looked at my watch, and said to Lukin, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, General Tavartkilasze and I are here to inspect your fortifications. Come and see us."

When I said this, I thought that Lu Jin would shirk my fear of my safety, but he did not expect that he would just ponder for a moment~lightnovelpub.net~ and readily agreed: "Okay, Comrade Commander. I'm here. Take you to inspect our defensive positions." After speaking, he turned to the third battalion commander and said, "Third battalion commander, the regiment headquarters is closest to your battalion’s position. We will ask the commander to visit your battalion’s defenses later. Is there a problem with the fortifications?"

"Report, Comrade Commander," the third battalion commander Major Gilgin who was named by him immediately replied loudly: "No, there is no problem." After saying this, his eyes turned to me and said, "Comrade Commander. , You are welcome to check the work at our three battalions."

"Okay, don't talk nonsense." Tawart Kiradze was afraid that his subordinates would never finish talking, so he quickly interrupted and said: "Comrade Commander has other things. We will leave after the inspection. let's start."

"Yes, comrade commander." Major Gilkin promised. He walked quickly to the door, leaned on his side and made a gesture of asking outside, and said politely: "Please, commander, commander, I will take you to me. To visit the camp's position." (To be continued.)

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