After Guchakov withdrew his troops, the chief of staff came out of the headquarters and reported to Koida: "Comrade division commander, Major General Malankin, commander of the Guards Division, wants to speak to you."
"Major General Malanjin?" Koida didn't know that the 81st Guards Division was now under the command of the 27th Army. When he heard the chief of staff say this, he asked casually: "Where did the call come from?
"
"The second line of defense is right behind us." The chief of staff pointed to the second line in the distance and said to Koida: "Now the remaining troops of the 81st Guards Division are deployed there."
Koida walked into the headquarters, picked up the microphone on the table, put it to his ear and said: "Hello, are you Commander Malanjin? I am Colonel Koida."
"Yes, I am Malanjin." Malanjin's voice came from the receiver: "Comrade Colonel, I didn't expect that not long ago, our two divisions would have to fight side by side again."
Because the two division commanders had jointly resisted the attacks of the 6th and 19th Armored Divisions, and today they launched an attack against the 3rd Armored Division at the same time, they could be regarded as comrades in the same trench.
Hearing what Malanjin said, Koida also laughed: "Comrade General, I was originally worried that it would be very difficult to block the German attack with just the few troops we have. But now we have you as our backing
, I feel much more at ease.”
"Colonel Koida," although Malanjin saw a new round of German attacks that were repelled by the Soviet air force, he still felt that he needed to remind Koida that the enemy was still very powerful and he must not let this happen.
Underestimating the enemy: "According to the intelligence we have, the German troops attacking us are the Grossdeutschland Division, known as the elite of the Wehrmacht. Their equipment is well-equipped and their soldiers are well-trained. Facing their attack, you must not take it lightly, right?
."
"Comrade General," Koida was very grateful for Malanjin's kind reminder. After waiting for the other party to finish speaking, he immediately added: "Don't worry, even if there are only a few German soldiers on the opposite side of us, we will not
I will take it lightly and will do everything possible to stop them."
Seeing that Koida did not become elated because of a series of victories, Malanjin's heart hanging in his throat returned to his stomach again. Before he put down the phone, he warned the other party: "Colonel Koida, if you have anything
If necessary, please feel free to call us and we will do our best to support you.”
"Thank you, Comrade General. I will call you if necessary."
When Koida put down the phone, the chief of staff came over and said to him: "Comrade Division Commander, I think it is very inappropriate to locate the division headquarters here. A single artillery fire from the enemy is enough to destroy our command system. We
Our troops are not large to begin with, and if we lose unified command, we may not be able to stop the enemy's attack."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Political Commissar Mashkov heard what the Chief of Staff said, so he interrupted and asked, "Then where do you think we should locate the headquarters?"
"I think the division headquarters can be set up on the second line of defense," the chief of staff said hesitantly: "In the artillery preparations before the enemy's attack, the targets to be bombarded are all on the first line of defense, and the second line of defense is less threatened.
We can better direct our troops there."
Koida asked expressionlessly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, if we set up the headquarters on the second line of defense, how will we command the troops once the phone line is blown down by artillery fire?"
"Don't we still have walkie-talkies?" the chief of staff said plausibly: "Even if the phone line is blown up, we can still keep in touch with here."
"What if the antenna set up outside was also blown up by enemy artillery fire?" Koida continued to ask: "Then how do we understand the situation at the front and convey the latest orders?"
"This, this..." The chief of staff heard what Koida said, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer.
"Comrade Division Commander," Political Commissar Mashkov carefully thought about the Chief of Staff's proposal and felt that what he said was quite reasonable. He had just seen the situation on the position. It was difficult to carry such crude fortifications.
Once the division headquarters is destroyed, the troops that can withstand the German heavy artillery bombardment will lose their unified command and become a mess. "I think what Comrade Chief of Staff said makes sense, you may wish to consider it.
His opinion.”
"No," Koida said firmly, "Comrade Political Commissar, I understand that you and the Chief of Staff have good intentions and feel that the headquarters should be set up in a safe place so that we can better command the troops. But.
Have you ever thought about what the soldiers would think if they saw us moving the headquarters to a relatively safe place in the rear? Will it have a negative impact on the morale of the troops? "
Koida's words stopped Mashkov. He scratched the back of his head and said with a wry smile: "This is a troublesome problem. If we stay here, our headquarters will be in danger of being destroyed by the enemy; but if
Let’s move the headquarters to a safe area, as we are worried that this will affect the morale of the soldiers.”
"Otherwise, let's divide the command post into two parts." The chief of staff suggested: "I will continue to stay here to command, and the division commander and political commissar will take one part to a safe area behind to re-establish a backup command post."
"No," Koida once again rejected the chief of staff's proposal and said loudly: "I am the commander of the first division. If you want to stay, it should be mine. The chief of staff and political commissar go to the back to establish a backup headquarters."
"Division commander, you and the political commissar should go to the backup headquarters. I will take command here."
"No, I have the final say on all matters of the 188th Division." Koida said resolutely: "If the headquarters wants to be split, you and the political commissar will go to the rear, and I will stay alone to command..."
Just as the two sides were arguing, the phone on the table rang. The chief of staff picked up the phone and listened for a moment, then handed it to Koida: "Comrade division commander, this is the call from the commander."
Knowing that the call was from Sokov, Koida quickly tidied up his military appearance, then walked over, took the call, nodded, and said to his ear: "Hello, Comrade Commander, I am Colonel Koida.
Do you have any instructions?"
"Colonel Koida, have all your troops arrived at their designated positions?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander, our division has all arrived at the designated position."
After Sokov waited for Koida to finish speaking, he nodded slightly, and then continued: "I think there are not many troops left in your division now, right?"
"Including the wounded, there are more than two thousand people."
"There are only more than 2,000 people, which is a bit small. You must know that the enemy opposite you is an elite member of the German Wehrmacht. You are under great pressure."
Although Koida desperately hoped that Sokov would send reinforcements to him in his heart, he still said bravely: "Comrade Commander, please rest assured that as long as there is one soldier alive in the 188th Division,
We will never let the Germans pass through our positions."
"Are you having any difficulties?"
Sokov's words were heard by Mashkov and the chief of staff who were standing next to Koida. The two of them winked at Koida desperately, signaling him to ask Sokov for reinforcements.
Seeing the expectant looks in their eyes, Koida hesitated for a moment, and finally said decisively: "Comrade Commander, we have no difficulties. Even if there are difficulties, we will find ways to overcome them."
"Comrade Colonel, please stop insisting. Even if you don't tell me, I have some understanding of the situation of your division." Sokov said with emotion on the other end of the phone: "Your division has participated in so many battles.
, not only the troops are severely reduced, but also the ammunition is probably insufficient. But even so, you still don't want to complain to me, it's really good."
After praising Koida, Sokov paused for a moment and then continued: "I said that you will not fight alone. The main force of the group army is now rushing to your area. I believe that at dawn tomorrow
Before that, a large number of troops can rush to your defense area."
Hearing that a large number of troops will arrive at his defense area before dawn tomorrow, Koida couldn't help but smile. He quickly asked: "Comrade Commander, can you tell me which troops will be coming?"
"You'll know when the time comes." Although his troops were rushing to the fighting area, Sokov didn't know which troop would arrive first, so when faced with Koida's inquiry, he could only speak vaguely.
Said: "Anyway, the number of people is large, which is enough to make up for the shortcomings of your lack of troops."
Sokov looked out the window and saw that the sky was getting dark, so he said into the microphone: "Colonel Koida, it will be dark soon. I think the Germans may not launch a new attack. You guys
We must use this precious time to strengthen the existing defenses and prepare ourselves to fight against the German army."
"Yes, Comrade Commander!" Koida replied: "Since entering the position, the commanders and fighters of our division have been repairing the fortifications and digging anti-gun holes in important areas to avoid inconvenience when the enemy shells us.
Necessary casualties."
"By the way, Comrade Colonel, I have one more thing to ask you." When Sokov put down the phone, he suddenly remembered something important and quickly asked: "Where is your division headquarters located?"
"Our division headquarters and troops are together." Koida replied briefly.
"Nonsense, it's just nonsense." Sokov said displeasedly: "You actually set up the division headquarters on the first line of defense without solid fortifications. This is simply nonsense. Have you ever thought about what would happen if the German army attacked you?
What should I do if the position is heavily bombarded and destroyed by the division headquarters? Without the unified command, can the troops still be able to block the crazy German attack?"
Sokov's series of questions left Koida dumbfounded, and she didn't know how to answer them for a while.
After a long time, he said: "Comrade Commander, our three division leaders have just discussed that we should divide the headquarters into two parts. One part will stay on the position to directly command the troops, and the other part will be moved to a safe area to establish
New command post. When you called, we were discussing who would stay in command."
"Has the outcome of the discussion been reached?" Sokov asked calmly.
"Not yet." Koida replied with some embarrassment: "I proposed that I stay on the position to take command, and the chief of staff and political commissar were transferred to the backup headquarters in a safe area; but the chief of staff proposed that he stay on the position to take command.
, and asked the political commissar and I to be transferred to the backup headquarters. We have never argued about this matter and come up with a result."
"Colonel Koida, you don't need to argue anymore." Sokov waited for Koida to finish and said in a tone that left no room for doubt: "Don't divide the division headquarters into two parts anymore. Evacuate it to a safe place immediately."
Go where you want, this is an order, execute it immediately!”
"But," Koida seemed a little hesitant when he heard Sokov ordering him in such a strong tone: "If the division headquarters retreats to the rear, will it affect the morale of the troops?"
"If the division headquarters is destroyed by German artillery fire, it will affect the morale and morale of the soldiers." Sokov was afraid that Koida would continue to argue with him, so he quickly said in an ordering tone: "Colonel, don't
I forgot that orders from superiors can only be executed, not discussed. Execute my order immediately and move the division headquarters to a safe area."
After Sokov said this, he raised his hand to look at his watch and continued: "I will give you an hour. When the time is up, I hope to hear that your division headquarters has been moved to a safe area."
After Koida ended the call with Sokov, he said to the Chief of Staff and Political Commissar, somewhat dumbfounded: "Comrade Chief of Staff, Comrade Political Commissar, we don't have to argue anymore. Comrade Commander has already issued an order to move our division headquarters immediately to
A safe zone, he will call specifically to inquire about it in an hour."
"Comrade Division Commander," the Chief of Staff hesitated after hearing the order relayed by Koida: "Comrade Commander, did you really give the order like this?"
"Yes." Koida nodded, looked at the chief of staff and said, "Don't you believe it?"
"No, no." The chief of staff waved his hand quickly and defended himself: "I'm just worried that the transfer of the division headquarters will have a negative impact on the morale of the troops."
"Chief of Staff, you don't have to worry about this." Koida said with a wry smile: "Comrade Commander said that if we insist on going our own way and have to set up the headquarters on the position, once it is destroyed by German artillery fire, we will truly
It greatly affects the morale and morale of the troops."
He glanced at the communications soldiers who were still busy, then called the communications company commander over and told him: "Comrade Captain, the work here is suspended. We have to establish a new headquarters elsewhere."
Naturally, the communications company commander would not ask too much about why the headquarters should be transferred. He just straightened his back and said, "Yes, I will carry out your order immediately!" After saying that, he went to greet his communications soldiers and stop the phone line.
Laying and antenna erection work.
"Comrade Chief of Staff," the division was about to retreat, but before leaving, Koida still had work to do. He said to the Chief of Staff: "You let the commander of the 562nd Regiment serve as the commander-in-chief of the former enemy.
All troops. At the same time, let them find a way to lay mines in front of the position to prevent the Germans from touching our position at night."
"But, comrade division commander, where should I ask them to find landmines?" the chief of staff said in a dilemma: "You know, we have been on the offensive, and we don't even carry such cumbersome things as landmines."
"As for the landmines, leave it to the group leaders below to find a solution." Koida said with a smile, "I think they will be able to find a way to get the mines."
