red moscow

Chapter 2833

After Bobrikov finished explaining the task, the guard platoon leader asked him: "Comrade Company Commander, although this place is not far from the headquarters, I still suggest that the entire platoon complete the escort work this time?"

After hearing the request from the guard platoon leader, Bobrykov thought for a while and felt that although the infantry brigade's defense zone had not been attacked by the German army for the time being, who could guarantee that they would not encounter the enemy on the way to the headquarters? It was for this reason that he quickly agreed to the guard platoon leader's consent: "Okay, comrade second lieutenant, I agree with your request, and your platoon will continue to carry out the escort mission."

A few minutes later, a convoy of four trucks headed towards the army headquarters.

Churxin, who was traveling with the vehicle, began to chat with the soldiers around him.

"Comrade," Churxin noticed that the soldier sitting opposite him had a radio next to him, and couldn't help asking curiously, "If I'm not mistaken, you should be a radio operator, right?"

Since everyone knew the relationship between Chulxin and the brigade commander, they all lowered their guard against him. When the radio operator heard him asking him, he nodded and replied, "Yes, Comrade Chulxin, I am indeed a radio operator."

"What about you?" Chulxin turned his head and looked at the sergeant next to the radio operator: "Comrade Sergeant, looking at the military branch insignia on your collar, you should be in the artillery, right?"

The artillery observer gave Chulxin a thumbs up and said, "Comrade Chulxin, you guessed it right. I am the artillery observer assigned to the infantry brigade by my superiors."

Churxin couldn't help but feel puzzled. The convoy was delivering things to the army headquarters, so why was there an artillery observer among the entourage?

Before Chuerxin could ask the question in his mind, the artillery observer took the initiative to say: "Comrade Chuerxin, you may be wondering. How could there be an artillery observer like me in the convoy?"

Seeing that his thoughts were guessed by the other party, Chu Erxin did not deny it. He nodded and asked humbly: "Yes, I do find it strange. Why did you appear in the convoy?"

"Actually, this is what the brigade commander meant."

"What do you mean, brigade commander?" Churxin looked puzzled after hearing what the artillery observer said. "I'm sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean. Can you explain it in more detail?"

"Of course." Seeing Chulsin's curiosity, the artillery observer naturally would not hide anything from Sokov's confidant: "The brigade commander said that when we go out on a mission, we may encounter the enemy. If the enemy's number is small, we can still deal with it. But if the enemy's number is too large, we will not only be unable to defeat them, but it will even be difficult for us to escape. Because of this, he specially arranged for me and a radio operator. Once we are entangled by the enemy, I can use the radio to report the parameters to the rear artillery position in time, call for artillery support, and use long-range artillery to strike the enemy and cover us from danger."

Chulsin was surprised when he heard this. He knew that Sokov, his superior, was very smart and could often come up with some unusual ideas. This was the first time he had heard of the artillery observer calling for artillery support. He asked cautiously, "Comrade artillery observer, do you think this is okay? Calling for long-range artillery fire to attack the enemy will not hurt our own people by mistake, right?"

Hearing Chulxin's question, the artillery observer laughed: "Comrade Chulxin, you are really worrying too much. When our artillery fires at the enemy, without the guidance of the artillery observer, the fired shells may deviate from the target. But if there is an artillery observer who continuously feeds back various shooting parameters to the artillery in the rear, then the shooting accuracy can be greatly improved. Therefore, I think the brigade commander's method is very feasible."

As everyone was talking, there were sudden explosions and intensive gunfire in the front.

The convoy stopped. The guard platoon leader sitting in the driving seat pushed open the door, put one foot on the pedal, held the door with one hand, and looked in the direction where the gunfire came from. He saw smoke and flames rising from there.

Not only was the guard platoon leader observing the commotion outside, but even the soldiers in the carriage stood up and looked in the direction where the sound came from.

Chulxin was here for the first time, so he naturally didn't know where the battle was happening ahead. He turned around and asked the college student soldier next to him: "Comrade, do you know where the gunfire is coming from?"

The college soldier shook his head and replied, "I'm sorry, I don't know, and I've never been to this place."

The artillery observer interrupted and said, "That's where the army headquarters is." Perhaps worried that no one would believe him, he added, "You know, I just came here from the headquarters yesterday with the artillery staff."

His words were heard by the guard platoon leader standing at the car door: "What, you said the place where the battle is happening ahead is where the army headquarters is located?"

"Yes, that's where the army headquarters is located." The artillery observer added again: "I came from there yesterday."

As soon as the artillery observer finished speaking, the driver echoed: "Comrade Lieutenant, that's right, the place where the battle is taking place ahead is where the army headquarters is located."

"Damn it, how could such a thing happen?" The guard platoon leader frowned and thought, since a battle had occurred in the area where the army headquarters was located, should he still drive there according to the original plan?

"Comrade Second Lieutenant," Chuerxin saw the guard platoon leader's hesitation and quickly reminded him, "How about you contact the brigade commander and see what he says?"

The guard platoon leader was awakened by this. When he heard what Chu Erxin said, his eyes suddenly lit up: Yes, I can contact the brigade headquarters through the radio and see how the brigade commander arranges it.

Soon, the radio station contacted the brigade headquarters.

Because time was tight, the guard platoon leader used the radio to report what was happening here to Sokov in plain language.

Upon learning that a battle had broken out in the area where the army headquarters was located, Sokov became very anxious. He quickly asked, "How far are you from the headquarters?"

Among the guards that Sokov brought out from the headquarters, this platoon leader was the only one who joined the army later, so he was not familiar with the location of the army headquarters. After hearing Sokov's question, he could only look to the artillery observer for help, hoping that he could provide him with useful information.

The artillery observer saw the embarrassment of the guard platoon leader and quickly told him: "It's less than two kilometers away."

"Report to the brigade commander," the guard platoon leader gave the artillery observer a grateful look, and then reported to Sokov, "It's less than two kilometers away." After receiving the report, Sokov thought for a moment, and then ordered the guard platoon leader, "Comrade Lieutenant, let the truck with the aircraft engine stay where it is, and then you take the other three trucks to provide support."

"Comrade Brigade Commander," Hearing Sokov's order, the guard platoon leader was shocked and broke out in a cold sweat. From the sound of gunfire coming from the front, he could tell that the battle was very fierce. If he went to rescue with such a small number of people, wouldn't he be sending himself to death? He quickly reminded Sokov, "Comrade Brigade Commander, we are too few in number. Even if we rush over, I'm afraid it won't be of any use."

Hearing the timidity in the guard platoon leader's tone, Sokov felt dissatisfied. But considering that the other side was the closest to the headquarters, he had to slow down his tone and said, "Comrade Lieutenant, fighting is not just about fighting and charging, you also need to use your brain more. Use your brain more, do you understand?"

The guard platoon leader's mouth twitched, and he thought to himself, if I knew what to do, would I need to contact you specifically?

Fortunately, Sokov knew that the Soviet commanders at that time did not dare to make decisions without orders from their superiors, so he continued: "Comrade Lieutenant, aren't there radio operators and artillery observers accompanying you? When you arrive at the place, you can call for artillery support and launch artillery strikes on the enemy attacking the army headquarters."

Although he was nervous, Sokov had already said so much, so even if he was timid, the guard platoon leader could only bite the bullet and answer: "I understand, Comrade Brigade Commander, I will immediately lead my men to the battle area to support the army headquarters."

Sokov, who was in the command center, finished talking to the guard platoon leader and immediately ordered someone to call Lieutenant Artyom, the artillery staff officer.

"Comrade Lieutenant," Sokov said straight to the point when he saw Artyom walk into the tent, "A platoon leader we sent to the army headquarters reported that the headquarters is under attack by the enemy. How about you launch an artillery attack on the enemy that appears there?"

"If there are artillery observers to provide shooting parameters, there should be no problem." Artyom answered straightforwardly.

Although Sokov didn't know what happened at the army headquarters for the time being, he knew that the situation was definitely not favorable for Rokossovsky and his men. If they could use artillery fire to severely damage the enemy attacking the headquarters, the headquarters would be saved. So he said to Artyom: "Get the heavy artillery of the Second Artillery Battalion ready. Once the firing parameters are obtained, launch a fierce artillery bombardment there."

As soon as Sokov said this, Belkin shuddered in fear: "Comrade Brigade Commander, this is not appropriate. If we launch a heavy artillery bombardment on the area where the army headquarters is located, if it hits our own people, it will probably cause huge casualties."

Although the Chief of Staff Karsokov next to him did not say a word, it could be seen from his anxious eyes that he had the same worries as Belkin.

Sokov did not immediately explain to the two men. He knew very well that in order to dispel their concerns, they had to be persuaded by professionals. He turned to Artyom and asked, "Comrade Lieutenant, what do you think?"

Artyom naturally knew the level of the artillery observer who followed the convoy. When Sokov asked him the question, he quickly replied, "Comrade Brigade Commander, don't worry. The artillery observer who followed the convoy to the army headquarters is an experienced veteran. As long as he provides the artillery with firing parameters, the shells of the Second Artillery Battalion will never fall on our own people."

After receiving Artyom's promise, Sokov nodded slightly and said, "Comrade Lieutenant, if you can use artillery fire to repel the enemy attacking the headquarters, I think someone will be able to receive a medal after the battle is over."

Hearing Sokov's words, Artyom showed a pleasant surprise on his face. For Russia, which is keen on honor, what could be more attractive than a medal representing honor? He quickly straightened up and said to Sokov: "Comrade Brigade Commander, I will immediately go to the Second Artillery Battalion and ask them to prepare to support the headquarters with artillery fire."

"Go ahead, I'm waiting for your good news."

Artyom rushed to the position of the Second Artillery Battalion as quickly as possible.

Major Levan, the commander of the Second Artillery Battalion, saw Artyom running over and hurried over to him, asking with concern, "Comrade artillery staff officer, what can I do for you?"

"Major Levan," Artyom pulled Levan aside and whispered to him what had happened in detail. Finally, he said, "You immediately order the soldiers to get ready and fire at the enemy as soon as the artillery observer provides the firing parameters."

When Levan learned that the army headquarters was under attack by the enemy, he was also secretly surprised. He nodded and said quickly, "Comrade artillery staff, don't worry. I will immediately arrange for the soldiers to prepare to fire."

After running back a few steps, Levan stopped again and turned to ask Artyom who was following behind him: "Comrade Lieutenant, how many artillery pieces do you plan to use?"

Artyom knew that the Second Artillery Battalion had 14 122mm howitzers, but there were less than 50 skilled artillerymen. If he ordered all the heavy artillery to fire, he could not guarantee that the shells would fall on the designated area. If the shells fell on his own people and caused unnecessary casualties, not only would he and Major Levan be sent to a military court, but even Sokov would be implicated.

It was for this reason that Artyom said cautiously: "Major Levan, if I were you, I would concentrate the experienced artillery. In this way, the number of heavy artillery involved in the bombardment may be reduced, but the hit rate can be improved. Do you understand what I mean?"

Major Levan was also a smart man. He understood Artyom's implication in seconds: "I understand, Comrade Lieutenant. Although more artillery will cover a larger area, some of the artillery soldiers are unskilled and inexperienced, which may cause the shells to hit their own people, causing unnecessary casualties."

After seeing that Major Levan understood what he meant, Artyom nodded vigorously and continued, "I think four or five artillery pieces will be enough for the bombardment. After all, we are using heavy artillery, which is enough to cause huge casualties to the enemy attacking the army commander."

Levan nodded, then called a soldier over and ordered him to call over several artillery company commanders, intending to assign tasks to them personally.

While the soldiers were calling several artillery company commanders, Levan brought Artyom to his command post.

As soon as he entered the room, Levan ordered the signalman sitting in the corner: "Contact the brigade headquarters immediately to see if the communication is smooth."

Artyom followed him in and wanted to remind Levan to check whether the communication with the brigade was unimpeded. But when he saw that Levan was already doing this, he did not say anything and found a place to sit down.

After confirming that the communication with the brigade was smooth, Levan turned to Artyom and said, "Comrade Lieutenant, our communication with the brigade is normal. We can open fire on the enemy after the artillery observer provides us with data."

(End of this chapter)