Lieutenant Colonel Muzichenko, who was appointed as the acting commander of the 233rd Division, hurried to the front by car with five cadets he selected to replace Yesenin.
Since the Soviet army had gained air superiority over the battlefield, even though the jeep was moving at a speed of fifty kilometers per hour, Muzichenko still felt it was too slow and kept urging the driver to speed up.
"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel," Major Lekashali, Muzichenko's temporarily appointed chief of staff, half-turned from the passenger seat and said to Muzichenko: "The road conditions outside are too bad, and we are driving at night.
, the speed of fifty kilometers per hour is basically the limit. If the speed is accelerated, it will easily cause an accident."
As soon as he finished speaking, the jeep bumped violently. Everyone, including the driver, jumped up and hit their heads heavily on the roof of the car. Fortunately, they were wearing helmets, otherwise they might be injured.
.
Muzichenko no longer urged the driver to speed up. He knew in his heart that if he speeded up any more, there might be a car accident, which would cause serious delays.
"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel," Lekashali held his hand on the back of the seat and asked Muzichenko curiously: "Why do you think the 233rd Division was unable to break through the German defenses?"
"I had a general understanding of the situation. The 233rd Division's attack seemed to be blocked by German obstacles. But when they were clearing these obstacles, they encountered powerful German firepower and suffered heavy casualties."
"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, you are talking about the failure of the first attack." Lekashali continued to ask: "I want to know the reasons for the failure of the second and third attacks. It is said that the obstacle area that caused confusion to the division has been
It was cleared by gunfire.”
Muzichenko did not answer. He was thinking: Sokov's decision to replace the division commander was correct. The 233rd Division was dilly-dallying in the battle, which had seriously affected the progress of the battle. But after he took over the 233rd Division,
, if the situation cannot be opened quickly, I am afraid that Sokov will soon send someone else to take over his position.
Sokov's order to himself was simple: organize his troops to continue the attack on the town of Golovanivsik, and be sure to join forces with the troops in the town before dawn and control the entire town.
At that time, in order to prevent Muzichenko from misunderstanding what he meant, Sokov also specifically emphasized that it was to control the entire town, not to occupy the town. According to the tradition of the Russian army, he planted his flag on the commanding heights of the town, even if the majority of the town
If the area is still controlled by the enemy, it means that the city has been occupied; and controlling the town means that every inch of the town must be controlled by one's own troops.
This battle order sounds simple, but it is very difficult to execute. According to the situation I know, one of the three regiments of the division has completely lost its combat effectiveness, while the other regiment that is constantly attacking has suffered casualties.
The number of people has reached more than half. Only one regiment is still at full strength. If the situation is not good, this regiment may need to be thrown into the battle.
Muzichenko was an experienced, brave and capable commander. Although he was captured by the Germans shortly after the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War, he returned to the Frunze Military Academy after being rescued by Klemenko.
I studied it again so that my tactical thinking would not become outdated and outdated due to my two years in the prisoner of war camp.
Thinking of Colonel Yesenin, who was about to be replaced by him, Muzichenko couldn't help but feel pity for him. As a commander who could not complete the combat mission and was replaced, the fate waiting for him would not be good. This point from Soko
It can be seen that the husband originally planned to let the other party serve as his deputy, but now he is ready to beat him to the end.
But as he got closer to the front line, his compassion gradually weakened and was slowly replaced by another completely opposite emotion: there were only more than 2,000 defenders in Golovanivsik town, and Yesenin commanded a force of more than 6,000 soldiers.
Even with the cooperation of friendly forces, they still could not capture the town of Golovanivsik. Isn’t this level of command too bad? If this affects the group army’s next combat plan, what will happen to his generals?
He was dealt with by military law.
The main force of the 233rd Division stayed at the breached German third line of defense. The headquarters was located in a brick house that was half destroyed by the shelling. There were four soldiers equipped with submachine guns at the door, responsible for protecting the division's command.
Department security.
Muzichenko got out of the car, took several of his subordinates, and walked towards the headquarters.
The sentry at the door saw several officers walking towards him and quickly raised his hand to block their way: "Which section are you from and what are you doing here?"
"I am the new division commander, Lieutenant Colonel Muzichenko." After Muzichenko revealed his identity to the other party with a serious expression, he asked directly: "Is your division commander, Colonel Yesenin, inside?"
"Yes, Comrade Division Commander." The sentry straightened his back and replied, "He is having a meeting with several regiment commanders inside."
Muzichenko nodded, and then stepped into the half-collapsed room. He saw Yesenin and several commanders sitting around a wooden table, looking down at the map spread on the table in front of him.
They were talking about something loudly and did not notice Muzichenko walking in at all.
Muzichenko stood silently for a while. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he coughed heavily. When everyone looked at him, he walked straight over and asked: "Comrade commanders,
What are you discussing?"
After Yesenin saw clearly that it was Muzichenko, he stood up in a hurry. He learned from the army commander Chumakov that the commander planned to replace the division commander with Muzichenko and demote himself to deputy division commander. He told Muzy
Qinke stretched out his hand and said with a forced smile: "Hello, comrade teacher, welcome to our place!"
Unexpectedly, Muzichenko did not shake hands with him, but coldly repeated the question just now: "Comrade commanders, what issues are you discussing?"
"We are studying how to capture the town of Golovanivsik," Yesenin replied: "According to my plan, we should stop meaningless offensive attempts, because with our current strength, it is simply impossible to capture the town. I strongly
The ground suggested that we should wait until daybreak and wait for the artillery and air force to conduct shelling and bombing before we launch an attack on the enemy's positions."
"Do you still want to wait until daybreak before continuing to attack the town of Golovanivsik?"
The more Yesenin emphasized the difficulties he encountered, the more dissatisfied Muzichenko became with him. Not long ago, he was still thinking that it was really difficult for him to convey the order of masturbating to the end to the other party, and it was really difficult for him to speak.
But now listening to this man who has lost confidence in himself and even expressed doubts about whether he can capture the town of Golovanivsik, Muzichenko angrily thought that even if he was dismissed now, it would be too late.
He should be removed from his command post, which can also reduce unnecessary casualties in the troops.
Muzichenko did not wait for Yesenin to finish his words, and interrupted him rudely, announcing: "Colonel Yesenin, I have been ordered to take over the position of commander of the 233rd Division."
Yesenin was stunned by the news. He opened his mouth in surprise, as if he was planning to say something, but could not say a word. After a while, he asked in a hoarse voice: "What about me?...I
What should be done?”
"You should go back to the headquarters immediately, and the headquarters will arrange a new job for you." Muzichenko replied in a stiff tone: "But before you leave, please call the division chief of staff."
Before Yesenin could speak, a bald lieutenant colonel standing nearby took a step forward, straightened his body and reported to Muzichenko: "Comrade division commander, I am the division chief of staff..."
Before the other party could say his name, Muzichenko had already raised his hand to interrupt the other party and pointed at Liekashali: "Okay, you immediately hand over your post to Major Lekashali who is coming with me.
.”
"Major Lekashali," Muzichenko said to Lekashali: "From now on, you are the chief of staff of the 233rd Division. It is up to you to decide how to arrange the several commanders who came with me.
That’s it. I’m done with what I’ve said, so please go ahead.”
After saying that, he walked to the table, picked up the receiver of a phone and put it to his ear: "I am the new division commander Lieutenant Colonel Muzichenko. Please help me get through to the group army headquarters immediately."
The call was quickly connected, and Sokov's voice soon came from the receiver: "Lieutenant Colonel Muzichenko, have you arrived at the 233rd Division?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Muzichenko replied: "Just a few minutes ago, I took over the post of Colonel Yesenin and called you specifically to report."
"Lieutenant Colonel Muzichenko," Sokov said: "The order I give you is very simple. You must break through the German defenses outside the town before dawn, rush into the town, and meet with Lieutenant Colonel Kirillov and Victor.
The lieutenant colonels gathered together and wiped out all the enemy defenders in the town. How about it? Are there any difficulties?"
"It's not difficult." Although Muzichenko felt that the situation in Golovanivsik Town was not optimistic, he still replied bravely: "Comrade Commander, please rest assured that I will definitely complete the situation before dawn."
Control the town of Golovanivsik and not let a single enemy escape."
"Lieutenant Colonel Muzichenko," although Sokov knew that Muzichenko knew the situation in the town, he still said to him seriously: "Now Kirillov and Victor are leading troops to fight in the town, attracting
You have to seize the opportunity to attack. If you delay repeatedly and the troops in the town are wiped out by the enemy, I don’t think I need to say more about the consequences.
?”
"Yes, Comrade Commander, I understand." Muzichenko knew that Sokov's words were not alarmist, and at the same time he was also concerned about the safety of Kirillov who was now in the town, so he asked tentatively: "I don't know, Kirillov
How is the situation at Lieutenant Colonel Husband's place?"
"The center of the town, the three areas east of the town and the north of the town have been controlled by Lieutenant Colonel Kirillov." Sokov said: "But due to limited troops, they are temporarily unable to expand their results. In other words, they have to
If we want to take over the entire town, I'm afraid I can only rely on you."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander, I will deploy a new attack immediately." Muzichenko assured Sokov on the phone, "Try to join forces with Lieutenant Colonel Kirillov's troops as soon as possible."
After putting down the phone, Muzichenko saw Yesenin, who was still standing there motionless: "Comrade Colonel, why are you still here? Comrade Commander is still waiting for you at the headquarters."
Although Muzichenko is only a lieutenant colonel now, he once served as the commander of the group army after all, and he has a calm and powerful aura in front of Yesenin. After hearing this, the latter quickly nodded and bowed and said: "I know, China
Comrade Campus, I’ll be there right away.”
Mujichenko turned around and faced the commander standing at the table: "Comrade commanders, let's get acquainted again. I am the new acting division commander Mujichenko. You can also introduce yourselves."
Soon, the commanders present introduced themselves to Muzichenko and introduced him to the three commanders of the 699th Regiment, the 700th Regiment and the 701st Regiment.
Thinking that the 699th Regiment was responsible for the first failed attack of the army, he asked the leader of the regiment with a straight face: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, tell me why your attack failed?"
"It's because we didn't understand the enemy's defense deployment," the commander of the 699th Regiment said with a blushing face: "The enemy held a large number of barbed wire fences in front of their positions, and our soldiers were blocked by these barbed wire fences. But they were crowded in
When we were unable to move forward in front of the barbed wire fence, the enemy fired intensive firepower, causing our troops to suffer heavy casualties."
"What about you, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Muzichenko turned his attention to the commander of the 700th Regiment again, "After the 699th Regiment's attack failed, the superiors ordered to use artillery fire to blast several gaps in the barbed wire area so that our soldiers could go smoothly.
I rushed over. Please tell me, why did your attack also fail?"
"Comrade Division Commander, the situation is more complicated." The regiment commander replied with a somewhat flustered expression: "Although artillery fire opened several gaps in the barbed wire area, there were too many bodies of soldiers from the 699th Regiment, and our soldiers passed through them.
At this time, I had to slow down my speed, and as a result, I was also killed by intensive firepower from the German army."
After listening to the accounts of the two regiment leaders, Muzichenko had a preliminary understanding of the current situation. He puzzled and asked the former chief of staff of the division who was handing over the work to Lekashali: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, since you come from a
The local breakthrough didn't work, so why don't you attack at another location?"
Muzichenko's words stunned the former division chief of staff. After a long time, he finally said: "Comrade division commander, the offensive route was designated by the previous division commander. Even if I am the chief of staff, I have no right to make changes.
"
"Why?" Muzichenko asked the question in his mind.
The former division chief of staff opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but when the words reached his lips, he swallowed them back.
Upon seeing this, Muzichenko quickly said: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, just say whatever you have to say. Even if you are wrong, I will not blame you. I just want to know what happened here."
"The reason is very simple." The former division chief of staff, who was encouraged by Muzichenko, shrugged and said: "The previous division commander felt that launching continuous attacks at the same location can effectively eliminate the enemy's effective forces and successfully complete the breakthrough mission.
.”
"Absurd, simply ridiculous." Muzichenko said angrily: "Choosing a fixed location to attack every time does not mean telling the Germans that I will not attack other areas. You can completely mobilize all your forces.
Come over here, go to our fixed attack location, and intercept us?"