Burning Moscow

Chapter 1167: Consolidating the Defenses While Selugin and I were waiting for Belyaev at the division headquarters, he poured me a cup of tea and then began to complain: “Comrade Commander, although our division has only been in existence for a short time, you really can’t play favorites when it comes to equipment.” I had just taken the hot tea and was about to drink it when I heard him say this. I quickly set the cup down and asked curiously, “Comrade Colonel, what kind of equipment are you referring to when you say ‘favoring some over others’? I don’t quite understand.” “Comrade Commander,” he said, sitting across from me and deliberately drawing out his words with a look of grievance on his face. “I won’t even mention the fact that other divisions have been equipped with large numbers of assault rifles. I’ve heard they’ve also been issued a new type of anti-tank weapon that’s more effective than the anti-tank rifles we’re currently using. Apparently, it can easily take out enemy tanks within a range of 200 meters.” I didn’t deny his claim. Instead, I nodded and confirmed, “That’s correct. The 51st, 52nd, and 67th Guards Divisions, currently deployed on the first line of defense, are all equipped with large quantities of assault rifles and anti-tank rocket launchers. The reason these new weapons were assigned to them is because they…” Before I could finish, Shlyukhin interrupted me with understanding: “Comrade Commander, you needn’t say more—I understand perfectly. They are on the front lines facing the main German forces, while we serve as the reserve. If it were me, I would also equip the front-line units with all of these limited new weapons.” Xie Liujin’s magnanimous attitude put my mind at ease. So, after taking a sip of tea, I said calmly, “Rest assured, Comrade Colonel. You will receive anti-tank rocket launchers, and you will receive assault rifles. Whatever new weapons other units are equipped with, your division will have as well.” “Excellent, that’s truly excellent.” Shlyukin rose from his seat, straightening his back, and assured me, “Comrade Commander, once our division is equipped with these new weapons, our combat effectiveness will rise sharply. At that point, you’ll be able to deploy our division as a main force.” “Comrade Colonel, isn’t your division already a main force?” As I said this, I couldn’t help but recall the brutal, bloody battle I had witnessed, and my mood grew heavy: “Seeing the Germans launch such a fierce assault on your positions today, I was genuinely worried they might break through. Fortunately, you held your ground in the end.” “Comrade Commander, that’s right—we didn’t let the enemy breach our positions.” Seryugin analyzed today’s battle for me: “First, we made timely preparations for defense—we built fortifications and laid minefields. Second, our officers and soldiers remained composed; although we have many new recruits, not a single one wavered or retreated a single step. Third, our tank detachment arrived at just the right moment; it was they who destroyed the German armored units, leaving the infantry attacking our positions without the courage to continue fighting…” Before Shlyukin could finish speaking, several people suddenly walked in through the door. I recognized Bezikov and Basmanov following behind him, but I didn’t recognize the portly lieutenant colonel standing beside them with a smile on his face. Bezely stepped forward, stood up straight, and reported to me: “Comrade Commander, Colonel Bezely, commander of the tank detachment, reporting for duty. My tank detachment and I are at your command. Please give your orders!” I stepped forward, excitedly took his hand, and said with emotion, “Hello, Comrade Colonel! Your tank detachment has arrived just in time. If you’d been any later, the enemy might well have broken through our positions.” Belye grinned and replied, “Comrade Commander, it’s my duty.” ” “Tell me, Comrade Colonel,” I asked curiously. “Did you receive intelligence in advance that the enemy would attack the positions of the 89th Guards Division, which is why you rushed here to provide support?” ” As I said this, I deliberately turned my gaze toward Sherukin beside me, wanting to find out if he had notified Colonel Belay in advance. To my surprise, Sherukin shook his head and replied, “No, Comrade Commander, I had no idea the colonel was operating in this area—how could I have contacted him? Perhaps he obtained the intelligence through other channels?” Seeing my inquiring gaze turn toward him, Belyaev quickly explained, “Comrade Commander, no one notified me, and I hadn’t received any intelligence beforehand. While we were out searching for German transport convoys, we suddenly saw smoke rising here, obscuring the sky, and heard the sound of intense gunfire and artillery. I guessed that our troops must be engaged in fierce combat with the enemy, so I led my unit over to investigate.” ” At this point, he shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands wide. “I never expected that, by a twist of fate, we’d end up coming to the rescue of our comrades in the 89th Guards Division.” “Colonel, please don’t stand there—have a seat.” After warmly inviting Belyaev to sit down, Xie Liujin turned to the lieutenant colonel still standing nearby and said to me, “Comrade Commander, let me introduce you. This is Lieutenant Colonel Yermoshin, the division’s political commissar. He returned to the division just a couple of days ago, so you probably haven’t met him yet.” ” After hearing Xie Liujin’s introduction, I quickly stood up from my seat and shook hands with the division political commissar. Once everyone had sat back down, I said with a smile, “Ever since the military ranks were revised, it’s impossible to tell from the uniforms alone who is a military officer and who is a political officer.” “Comrade Commander, isn’t that a good thing?” Yermoshin said with a smile. “You must know that we political officers aren’t just good for talking and giving political pep talks to the soldiers. When necessary, we also take up arms and fight just like ordinary soldiers.” ” Although I’d never had much regard for political officers, Yermoshin’s words made me add him to my list of people worth getting to know. After Yermoshin finished speaking, Seregin looked at me and asked, “Comrade Commander, what is our division’s next task?” “Of course, it’s to fortify our positions here and prepare to continue our defense. ”Fearing that Selyukin might not take this seriously, I specifically emphasized: “The orders I’ve received are to establish a solid defense here and resolutely block the path of the German 32nd Infantry Division’s advance northward. Although we’ve eliminated quite a few enemies today—at most a single regiment’s worth—their main force is still behind them. So the coming battles may be even more brutal for you.” “Rest assured, Comrade Commander,” Xie Liujin stood up and declared with conviction. “As long as a single man remains, we will resolutely hold our positions.” After speaking, he asked somewhat nervously, “Comrade Commander, I’d like to ask: when will our troops be able to launch a counteroffensive?” As soon as he spoke, everyone’s eyes in the room turned to me. I waved my hand and said, “Don’t worry. When the time comes to counterattack, we will do so naturally. Your division’s current task is to resolutely block the northward advance of the 332nd Division. Once the 5th Guards Tank Army, stationed in the Prokhorovka area, has defeated the German armored forces, our counteroffensive will begin.” Xie Selyukin turned to Yermokhin with a gentle smile and said, “Comrade Political Commissar, I’m entrusting you with full responsibility for the political work among our officers and soldiers. You must ensure every soldier understands the significance of our holding this position. Even if we all fall, we absolutely cannot let a single enemy through, because the fate of the entire campaign may well rest in our hands. The entire campaign—do you understand, Comrade Political Commissar?” “I understand, Comrade Division Commander,” Yermoshin replied with emotion. “I will make sure every officer and soldier knows this.” After the two of us had spoken, I continued: “Colonel Xie Liujin, to strengthen your defensive capabilities, I have decided to attach Colonel Belyaev’s tank detachment to your unit.” At this point, I turned to look at Belyaev and said with a smile: “Comrade Colonel, starting today, the mission to harass German supply lines is temporarily suspended. The tank detachment’s mission is to remain here, supporting the 89th Guards Division in consolidating our defenses and resolutely cutting off the Germans’ route north.” Belyaev sprang to his feet from his seat and replied loudly, “Rest assured, Commander. I will do my utmost to support Colonel Sheryugin’s defenses and will not let a single enemy pass through here!”