After Malanjin's troops withdrew to the designated location, they began to seize the time to build fortifications.
The time is too short, and there is no hope of building any reinforced concrete fortifications. We can only dig some trenches and traffic trenches in the main defensive areas to build the so-called defense depth.
Malanjin personally took the chief of staff and political commissar to inspect the construction status of the fortifications.
When they arrived at the 233rd Regiment, the regiment commander ran over and reported to Malankin: "Comrade Division Commander, the 233rd Guards Infantry Regiment is building fortifications. Please give instructions!"
"Please continue!" After Malanjin said this, he asked the regiment leader: "Comrade regiment leader, how wide and deep are your trenches?"
"The trenches in the completed areas are generally one and a half meters deep and one meter wide. When soldiers move in the trenches, they only need to bend down and don't have to worry about being hit by stray bullets."
"Is there an artillery-proof hole?" the division chief of staff interjected and asked: "You know, if the enemy wants to break through your regiment's defense line, he will definitely carry out violent shelling. If there is no anti-gun hole, you may suffer huge losses."
When the regiment leader heard what the division chief of staff said, he grinned and replied: "Comrade chief of staff, don't worry. This is not the first day our regiment went to the battlefield, and we have already considered this issue. I order the soldiers every day Thirty meters apart, dig a bombproof hole that can accommodate at least half the squad."
After reporting on the construction of the fortifications, the regiment leader tentatively asked Malanjin: "Comrade division commander, our regiment only has more than 700 people left. If the German army uses its superior strength to launch a fierce attack on us, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold on for long." time."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Malanjin comforted the other party and said: "I will place the 173rd Artillery Regiment two kilometers behind you. When the enemy attacks you, they can use artillery fire on the enemy's attacking troops. Interception.”
"Comrade Commander," Malan Kingang said, the division chief of staff added: "In addition to the division artillery regiment, there is also a tank unit led by General Trufanov. The tanks are buried in the soil and used as fixed forts. They can also provide you with strong fire support."
Ma Lanjin raised his hand to look at his watch and said to the group leader: "Comrade group leader, you have to remember that you are not fighting alone. We will provide support for you at the critical moment. Maybe in two hours, or even more In a short time, the enemy will attack you, so you must prepare for battle in advance."
"Aren't there friendly troops fighting the enemy in front?" Hearing what Malanjin said, the regiment leader asked in surprise: "Could they be unable to withstand it so quickly?"
"The 188th Division of Colonel Koida is in charge of the offensive," Malanjin said to the regiment commander: "However, their strength is limited. Even if they can severely damage the German 3rd Armored Division under the cover of artillery fire and tank troops, they will not be able to defeat the enemy." It’s also difficult to continue fighting. I’m afraid they will withdraw from the battlefield soon and regroup elsewhere. After all this is done, they will come to reinforce us.”
"Then how long do we need to hold on?" the leader asked cautiously.
"I don't know, Comrade Colonel." Malanjin replied truthfully: "When the reinforcements will arrive depends entirely on how quickly the friendly forces can regroup. But you have to hold on to the position for at least two hours. What can you do? Are you here?"
The regiment leader thought for a moment, straightened his back and replied: "Comrade division commander, I cannot guarantee you how long we can hold on. But I can tell you that as long as one of us is alive, we will not let the enemy pass. Our position."
After Ma Lanjin heard the group leader's statement, he punched the group leader's chest at the right spot. This is a habit in the army, which means to praise and praise: "Well done, comrade colonel. When this battle is over, I will definitely give credit to your regiment." In order to allow the regiment commander to concentrate more on commanding the battle, he He also added, "Don't worry, as many people as your regiment loses in the battle, I will replenish them for you in the future."
After inspecting the position of the 233rd Regiment, Malanjin walked towards the position of the 235th Regiment. As he walked, he asked his chief of staff: "What is the distance between the two regiments?"
"Two hundred meters." The division chief of staff replied without hesitation: "Between the two lines of defense, there are three to five communication trenches, which are convenient for the first-line troops to retreat or the second-line troops to reinforce."
"The enemy doesn't have much time left for us." Malanjin considered that it would take a lot of manpower to dig several communication trenches with a length of 1,200 meters, so he shook his head and rejected the division chief of staff's proposal: "Instead of wasting time and manpower to build traffic trenches that are of little use, it is better to use this time to build trenches properly. After all, soldiers need trenches to stop the enemy's attack."
"Understood, comrade division commander." The division chief of staff quickly replied: "I immediately informed each regiment that they will not dig communication trenches connecting the various defense lines for the time being, and will go all out to build combat trenches."
It took the three of them an hour to inspect the defensive positions of the three infantry regiments and artillery regiments, and then returned to the division headquarters located at the rear.
After entering the door, the division political commissar who had been silent said worriedly: "Comrade division commander, I just took a closer look. Our soldiers are too few. They are placed in the trenches. One person has to be responsible for at least two to three meters. Our soldiers Compared with the German army, infantry equipment does not have any advantage. Even with the cover of artillery and tanks, I am worried that we will not be able to withstand the enemy's attack for long."
"Comrade Political Commissar, don't worry." Malanjin had the same idea as the Political Commissar, but in order not to affect the morale and morale of the troops, he still said with a smile: "Since General Sokov said he would send us reinforcements, I believe He will definitely not lie to us, reinforcements will arrive sooner or later."
"No, I feel uneasy." The division political commissar said: "I have some friendship with Colonel Shepilov, the political commissar of the 182nd Division. I asked him to see if their troops have received orders to mobilize."
Perhaps because he was worried that Malanjin would oppose his proposal, the division political commissar added: "The location of the 182nd Division is only ten kilometers away from us. Even if we march on foot, we can arrive there within two hours."
"Okay, Comrade Political Commissar." Just hearing Sokov's written promise but not seeing any reinforcements made Malanjin feel a little uneasy. Since his political commissar said he knew the political commissar of the friendly army, he could use him to find out whether a division closer to him had any signs of being mobilized. "Go and call and ask to see if they have received a transfer order from their superiors."
After the political commissar went to make a phone call for a few minutes, he responded to Malankin with a serious face and said to him: "Comrade division commander, I asked Colonel Shepilov, and he said that they had received the call an hour ago. Our order to move closer is now gathering the troops, and they will be able to reach us in about three to five hours."
"Comrade Political Commissar, they are only ten kilometers away from us, why does it take so long?" the division chief of staff questioned: "Colonel Shepilov is not lying to us, is he?"
"No, Comrade Chief of Staff." The division political commissar said sternly: "Not long ago, their division just added a group of new recruits without any combat experience, which seriously diluted the combat effectiveness of the army. In order to allow the army to fully fight in battle, To exert its due combat effectiveness, the division needs to make some adjustments, so it will take some time."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, please stop asking." Malanjin raised his hand to stop the Chief of Staff who wanted to ask further, and said: "Since the 182nd Division has received the transfer order, I believe other units have also received similar orders. They are preparing to come to us. Before reinforcements arrive, we must do our best to block the enemy's attack."
