"Comrade Comrade Political Commissar," Fomenko said quietly before Manokhin could speak: "You wouldn't suggest that we look for the blueprint of the fortress, would you? You know, this fortress was built hundreds of years ago, even if
If there are any damn blueprints, I probably won’t be able to find them.”
"Comrade Commander, you guessed wrong." Manoxin shook his head and said: "Even if there are design drawings left, it is probably in the hands of the Germans at this moment. We can only lock the underground passage through other methods.
Location."
He picked up a pencil, drew a line between the two bastions on the map, and said to Sokov and Fomenko: "Look, the shortest distance between two points is undoubtedly a straight line. This point is
We should have learned it when we were studying."
When Sokov heard this, he immediately guessed what Manokhin wanted to express: "Comrade Political Commissar, do you mean that the tunnels between these bastions are all straight lines?"
"That's right, Comrade Commander." Manoxin said in an affirmative tone: "Although we have no way of knowing how many meters from the ground the tunnel built by the German army is, as long as we choose the middle of the two bastions and send people to dig, we can
Find out what the Germans are like."
"Comrade Political Commissar, I think your idea is really ridiculous." Fomenko expressed dissatisfaction with Manokhin's proposal: "Have you ever thought about it, if our soldiers carry out soil work between two bastions?
, it is possible to be attacked by fire from two bastions at the same time, and a heavy price will inevitably be paid. For the sake of the safety of the soldiers' lives, I cannot agree to your proposal."
Seeing that Fomenko vetoed his proposal, Manokhin could only turn to Sokov for help, hoping to get support from him: "Comrade Commander, what do you think of this matter?"
"I think General Fomenko is right." Sokov stared at the map for a long time and felt that if he really followed Manokhin's method and sent a group of soldiers to dig a tunnel between the two bastions, it would be purely to let them
To die, he agreed with Fomenko's opinion: "We have no right to let our soldiers die in vain."
Seeing that Sokov rejected his proposal, Manokhin showed a disappointed expression on his face. He smiled bitterly and asked: "Comrade Commander, what can you do?"
"I have two ways."
"Oh, you have two good ideas?" Fomenko's eyes lit up when he heard what Sokov said, and he quickly asked: "Tell me quickly, what are the ideas?"
"I agree with what Colonel Manokhin said. The shortest distance between two bastions is a straight line. As long as the center points of the two bastions are measured, the location of the German tunnel can be found."
"But didn't you just say that you don't want our soldiers to die between the two bastions?"
"Yes, I did say that." Sokov never denied what he said. He said truthfully: "We can use other methods to deal with the German tunnels."
"Comrade Commander," Fomenko lost his temper when he saw that Sokov kept trying to pass things off, and kept urging: "You should speak quickly."
"According to my observation, there are five or six hundred meters between each bastion, right?"
"Yes, it's more than five hundred and thirty meters."
"The Germans have built such a long tunnel, so they must find a way to solve the ventilation problem, otherwise it will easily cause suffocation." Sokov picked up the pencil and clicked a few more times on the location where Manokhin had drawn: "If I
The Germans will definitely build some vents along the way to circulate the air in the tunnel."
The words awakened the dreamer. After listening to Sokov's words, Manoxin said excitedly: "Yes, yes, comrade commander, you are so right. If the Germans want to build such a long tunnel, they must have every other section."
distance, there will be an exhaust hole to ensure air circulation in the tunnel and avoid suffocation incidents."
But within a few minutes of his happiness, his expression darkened again, "Even if we find an authentic exhaust hole, what should we do with it?"
"It's very simple," Sokov already had an idea in his mind: "Send someone to pour gasoline into the exhaust hole, and then throw a grenade down to detonate it. The violent combustion will deplete the oxygen in the channel and make the Germans inside
People were suffocated to death.”
"Comrade Commander, what if we don't find the exhaust vent of the enemy tunnel?" Fomenko asked Sokov tentatively: "Then what should we do?"
"What else can we do? Of course we can only attack by force." Sokov shook his head and said: "Launch new rockets close to the bastion. I believe that after this weapon explodes in the bastion, it will also
Because of the violent combustion, a large amount of oxygen was consumed, which was enough for the Germans in the bastion."
Fomenko was overjoyed after hearing this, and quickly ordered the chief of staff to call the commanders of each regiment, asking them to first send people to look for tunnel vents between the two bastions. Once found, they would immediately pour gasoline into it and use grenades.
It detonated, causing the Germans inside to suffocate from lack of oxygen.
After Sokov waited for Fomenko to finish assigning the task, he said to him: "Comrade General, your choice of headquarters was not very good, and it was actually discovered by the Germans. When I came in just now, I almost got hit by a shell, if it hadn't been for Samoy
Lieutenant Love tackled me in time, and I was probably drinking coffee with God at the moment."
"Ah, is this happening?" Fomenko said in surprise: "Why didn't I know?"
Manokhin learned that Sokov was almost hit by a shell when he entered the door, and said in surprise: "Comrade Commander, is this true? If it is true, it proves that the location of our division has been discovered by the Germans. It must be moved immediately
, it will be too late."
"I don't think it's necessary." Sokov waved his hands and said, "When your artillery enters the fortress, I'm afraid the enemy's artillery will have no chance to fire. Don't ignore it. We'd better discuss how to capture the fortress."
matters."
It is said to be discussing details, but in fact there is not much that can be discussed. After all, at the pre-war meeting, Sokov allowed the commanders participating in the war to speak freely, raise their own questions, and formulate relevant countermeasures one by one. Fu
If Menke and the others encounter any problems during their attack, they can just follow these rules.
Sokov thought that the troops attacking the fortress were not just the 84th Division. They knew how to deal with the German tunnels, but the other troops did not. In order to avoid other troops taking detours, Sokov used the phone here.
, connected to the group army headquarters, and said to Sameko who answered the phone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, record my order immediately."
"Comrade Commander," seeing Sokov urging him so urgently, he quickly took out a pen and paper and asked nervously: "I'm ready, please tell me."
"The 84th Division encountered a problem when attacking the German bastion in the fortress." Sokov told Samyko about the problems the 84th Division encountered during the battle. Then he talked about himself
Countermeasures. Finally, he told Sameko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately teach these methods to the division leaders of several other divisions and let them use the same methods to deal with the German tunnels."
"Okay, Comrade Commander, I will immediately transfer all these methods to deal with the Germans to the subordinate units." After Samyko promised Sokov, he finally added: "Commander Konev just attacked
Called."
"Does he have any latest instructions?"
"He asked us when we can take the Merefa Fortress and the railway hub." Samek asked tentatively: "Can it be done today?"
"No, definitely not." Sokov shook his head and replied: "There are a total of five bastions in the fortress, plus a railway hub outside the fortress. Although we have basically invested all our troops, we still have to capture so many targets.
, it still takes a lot of time.”
"Comrade Commander, how long do you think it will take us to capture the Merefa Fortress and the railway hub?"
Sokov thought for a while and replied: "I think according to the current fighting style, the battle should be resolved in 30 hours."
As the chief of staff, Sameko naturally understands how difficult it is to capture a fortress. The time required for other commanders to capture a fortress is basically measured in weeks. If the attack does not go smoothly, it will take two or three months.
This is also normal. After Sokov finished speaking, he asked cautiously: "Comrade Commander, can our troops really capture Merefa Fortress within 30 hours?"
"Of course." Sokov gave the other party an affirmative answer.
"Then if Commander Konev calls again to inquire, can I report to him for 30 hours to resolve the battle?"
"No, I don't think we can give him this number." Sokov explained to Samyko: "The 30 hours I mentioned are quite tight. Once there is some small problem, Commander Konev asked
When the time comes, remember to tell him that we hope to resolve the battle within three days."
Samyko is also a smart man. He knew that Sokov said this to leave room for himself, and quickly echoed: "I understand, Comrade Commander, when Commander Konev calls again, I will tell you
He, it will take us at least three days to deal with the enemies in the fortress."
After the German army drove the commanders and fighters of the 84th Division out of the bastion, the fortress commanders suddenly became arrogant. According to their thinking, the Russians had no way to deal with such strong fortifications.
But the good times didn't last long. Not long after he was happy, the commander of the fortress received a call from his subordinates: "Your Excellency, Commander, something serious has happened!"
After hearing this, the fortress commander said disapprovingly: "Why panic? Our fortress is so strong. Even if the Russians attack it for a hundred years, they will not be able to capture my fortress."
"Your Excellency, Commander," the subordinate said in a tearful voice, "the Russians have discovered the ventilation holes in our tunnels and are pouring gasoline into them. If they light a fire, we will be completely ruined."
"What, the Russians poured gasoline into the exhaust holes?" The subordinate's report frightened the fortress commander out of his wits. He shouted in panic: "Quick, quick, use machine guns to kill all these damn Russians."
"No." The subordinate replied: "The Russians have sent snipers to serve as cover. As soon as our people show up, they will be killed by their snipers."
Knowing that the Soviets poured gasoline into the exhaust holes and also sent snipers to serve as cover, this made the fortress commander very worried. He knew very well that if the Russians ignited the gasoline poured into the tunnels, a raging fire would result.
, then the officers and soldiers in the basement and tunnels will suffocate to death due to lack of oxygen.
"Mortars, use mortars quickly." The fortress commander shouted hoarsely: "We must wipe out all those damn Russians."
In order to use mortars to destroy the Soviet troops filled with gasoline, the Germans had to establish a firing position on the top of the bastion. Therefore, as soon as they received the order, several mortar groups quickly headed towards the bastion along the stone stairs.
away from the top.
Before the German mortar team could reach the roof of the building, the Soviet army had already completed the work of pouring gasoline into the exhaust holes. After all the soldiers had moved to a safe area, a soldier who stayed behind poured gasoline into the air vents.
After pulling the string of the grenade, he quickly threw it into the vent, then ran away.
He didn't run very far when a dozen fire snakes suddenly sprang out from behind him and suddenly jumped to a height of twenty or thirty meters. After a few seconds, the flames gradually weakened and slowly retreated to the position of the exhaust hole.
, continue to burn blazingly.
Colonel Rusuf, the commander of the 254th Regiment who was commanding the troops nearby, saw the rising fire and waved his fist excitedly. Then he turned around and ordered the operator, "Report to the division commander that our regiment has successfully ignited the fire that was poured into the tunnel."
gasoline."
"Is this true?" Fomenko asked excitedly: "Comrade Colonel, isn't this a rumor you made up specifically to make me happy?"
"Of course not, Comrade Division Commander." Rusuf, who had just been appointed as the commander of the 254th Regiment, quickly replied: "What I said is true. You didn't see the spectacular scene at that time. A dozen flames were like flaming snakes.
It shot straight into the sky. At that moment, I knew in my heart that the Germans hiding in the tunnel were doomed."
After Fomenko reported the situation to Sokov, he asked him for instructions: "Comrade Commander, what should we do next, continue to attack the bastion?"
"It is definitely necessary to continue the attack, but don't be so hasty." Sokov said to Fomenko: "For the sake of safety, I think a few more new rockets will be fired into the bastion to make the Germans in the bastion
People also have a taste of our power."
"Did you hear that, Comrade Colonel?" When Fomenko was talking to Sokov, he did not cover the microphone deliberately with his hand, but let the other party hear clearly the conversation between him and Sokov, and finally emphasized into the microphone.
: "Immediately launch new rockets at the German bastion. Remember, you must hit it through the door. This will easily cause a fire and lead to a lack of oxygen in the bastion occupied by the Germans."
Although Sokov's tactics were unethical, they were very effective. As a result, not only the German officers and soldiers in the bastions or tunnels were faced with two choices, one was to stay where they were and patiently wait for the fire to extinguish;
Whether you can survive depends on your luck; secondly, if you don't want to sit still and wait for death, you must rush out and fight with yourself. By then, the firepower network has been laid out and will mercilessly massacre the enemies who escaped from the fortress.
The Soviet army set fire to the location many times, causing all the bastions to emit billowing black smoke. Anyone with a little knowledge knows that strong bastions and basements can certainly block the attack of Soviet infantry.
But if the oxygen inside is consumed due to the intensity of the fire, whether it is soldiers or civilians left inside, the chance of survival is very small.
However, when the commanders and fighters of the 188th Division were preparing to launch an attack on the bastion, a large number of people came out. After Koida saw the situation clearly, blood could not help but rush to his head. He put his hands on his waist and prepared to
