After everyone was quiet, Zhukov stood up and said to them: "Comrades Commander, I think Commander Oshenina's special training method is very suitable under the current circumstances. Improving the combat effectiveness of each unit is the current priority. Otherwise, once we fight with the German army, we must suffer losses. You cannot take it lightly."

Hearing Zhukov say this, all the division commanders stood up in unison and answered neatly again: "Yes!" If they were to answer me just now, they still had some perfunctory elements, facing the respected deputy commander and the Soviet Marshal, their answer was from the heart.

After the meeting, Zhukov ordered the commanders of each division to return to his troops and make pre-war preparations. He continued to stay in the headquarters and discussed some specific issues with me, Danilov, Kirillov, and Povsky.

The specific issues Zhukov wants to discuss with us are actually what I just mentioned. When the German army launches a fierce attack on our defense, in order to reduce unnecessary sacrifices, some plans for unnecessary areas can be given up when necessary.

Zhukov spoke quickly and did not go around in circles with me. He said bluntly: "Lida, the war is imminent. I think the tactic of 'not caring about the gains and losses of a city and a place' you proposed is only tested in your Guards 6th Army. Other army groups will not consider it for the time being, so as not to cause confusion." After saying this, he suddenly changed the topic and asked worriedly: "What is your current preparation for war?"

I thought for a moment and replied solemnly: "Comrade Marshal, all divisions under my army are in combat readiness and can deal with the attacks of the German army at any time."

Hearing me so confidently, Zhukov showed a distrust expression on his face. He snorted softly, and then asked, "Will the situation of losing the No. 4 position last time, really not reborn?"

"Comrade Marshal, please rest assured that the last incident will never recur." When Zhukov mentioned the incident that shamed the entire army. Danilov was so embarrassed that his face turned red. He stood up from his seat and explained to Zhukov loudly: "Since he recovered the No. 4 position, the commander and I have visited many times. We urged the regiment commander to defend the area to lay minefields in front of the position and put barbed wire on it. In this way, it is impossible for the Germans to sneak into our army's position like last time."

After hearing Danilov's words, Zhukov stared at him for a long time, then turned his head to look at me, and then said slowly: "Since you are so confident, I will believe you for the time being. I hope that when the fight really starts, this No. 4 position will not be the first position you lost on the first line of defense. First of all,"

In order to reassure Zhukov, I quickly stood up from my seat and promised him: "Comrade Marshal, please rest assured that we will firmly defend the No. 4 position at all costs. Even if only one soldier is still alive, I will never give up the position."

After hearing this, Zhukov snorted and said, "Didn't you say you should not care about the gains and losses of a city and a place? Why did it become to defend the No. 4 position at all costs? Isn't this contradictory to what you just said?"

When I heard Zhukov’s reproach for me, I did not immediately defend myself, but pushed the map in front of him, pointing to the defensive position of our army and said to him: “Comrade Marshal, we have six main defensive positions on the first line of defense. Position No. 4 is one of them. In front of these positions, we have laid minefields and tied up barbed wire; the positions have a complete defense system built on the tunnels, and are arranged to defend heavily. Even if the first line of defense is broken by the German army, as long as we stick to these six fire support points, we can cut off the German retreat when our army launches a counterattack.”

Zhukov stared at the map for a long time, then stood up and said to us, "Okay, since you have made careful arrangements, I won't say much. I just hope that after the fight, your performance will not disappoint me."

"Please rest assured by comrade Marshal," I quickly assured Zhukov, "We will definitely not let you down."

As soon as Zhukov left, I immediately called Nekrasov, who had just returned to the army. After all, the last time was because the 52nd Guards Division was not strong in defense, the Germans took advantage of loopholes. Now that the war is imminent, we can't repeat the same mistakes.

As soon as the phone was heard, I hurriedly said, "Hey, is it Colonel Nekrasov? I am Commander Oshenina."

"Hello, Comrade Commander!" Nekrasov's voice was a little distant, "I just rushed to the army, don't know what instructions do you have?"

"Comrade Colonel, I want to remind you." I know that as the commander of the group army, I need to establish my prestige and sometimes I need to be stronger in front of my own troops, otherwise these old soldiers will not buy me. "The No. 4 position in your division defense zone may once again become the focus of the German offensive, so you must strengthen your vigilance, do you understand?"

"Comrade Commander," Nekrasov said a little sarcastically: "We followed your order and laid mines on the south side of the position No. 4 and pulled wire. It would be impossible for the Germans to sneak into our position."

I didn't care about his attitude, but asked straightforwardly: "How many defenders are there on the position?"

"A reinforcement company has 185 people." Nekrasov reported to me: "Most of the troops are hidden in tunnels, and only two reinforcement platoons are placed in the trenches outside."

Thinking that the German army failed to attack and might dispatch tanks to cover infantry charges, I quickly asked again: "Are you equipped with heavy weapons?"

"There are five mortars, and three new anti-tank bazooka."

I heard that the No. 4 position was equipped with a new 4O bazooka, and I felt much more at ease. With this thing, even if the German army dispatched the latest Tiger or Leopard tanks, the bazooka would still be smashed into a pile of scrap iron by such a bazooka. Although the troops and defense deployment of the No. 4 position sound impeccable, I still asked with concern: "Do you have any difficulties?"

"Difficult?!" Nekrasov thought for a moment and replied, "Comrade Commander, there are currently half a meter-high weeds and shrubs on the south slope, which seriously blocked the vision of our army. Last time, the German army used the cover of vegetation to quietly touch our army's position. Because I ask you, should you immediately remove the vegetation on the south slope?"

"No, comrade Colonel, don't clear the vegetation." I thought that if the south slope of the No. 4 position was really bare, our army's vision was indeed wide, but it was not conducive to the concealment of the attack team. Therefore, he decisively rejected his proposal and told him: "You immediately send someone to bury landmines at some shooting dead corners to prevent the German army from attacking at night."

"Yes," Nekrasov could only agree helplessly when he heard my order: "I will arrange for the engineers to go to bluster immediately."

Before hanging up the phone, I specifically told him: "Col. Don't forget to be in the meeting today. The training method I mentioned is that you should hurry up and train the recruits. The enemy has not left us with much time to prepare for battle."

In the next few days, the German army was calm and there was no movement at all. After returning from the enemy, Trafkin's reconnaissance team brought me another information about the German assembly site. After I simply read the information, I immediately sent Rasmixin to the Front Command, hoping to attract the attention of Vatujing.

As for Trafkin's reconnaissance team, I gave them the order. It was to rest on the spot and wait for the right time before sending them out for reconnaissance.

At 3:30 am on July 4, I was awakened by the sudden ringing of the phone. I grabbed the phone and said loudly, "Hey, I am Oshanina, where are you?"

Nekrasov's panicked voice came from the receiver: "Comrade Commander, the German army launched a large-scale attack on the No. 4 Highland!"

"What, the Germans began to attack?" When I heard this news, I couldn't help but feel a slight slap in my heart, thinking that the Battle of Kursk did not break out in the early morning of the 5th, how could it be a day ahead of time? Could it be that my appearance caused the known history to be deviated again? Because my voice was too loud, I woke up the others who were napping in the command center, Danilov, Kirillov, Bezikov, and others all looked at me nervously, trying to figure out what happened. However, in this case, as the supreme commander of the army, I must remain calm so that I will not cause panic. Therefore, after the brief shock passed, I tried to ask in a steady tone: "Comrade Colonel, report the situation and what kind of troops did the Germans attacking the No. 4 position use?"

Nekrasov may not have expected me to ask this question. After a while of silence, he replied: "Comrade Commander, according to the company commander who was holding the position, the German army dispatched at least ten tanks and two hundred soldiers, and was attacking the No. 4 position."

I heard that there were only a few hundred enemies, so I couldn't help but be stunned. It was a bit overestimated that I wanted to easily seize our position with such a small amount of troops. I was afraid that I would hear it wrong, so I asked again: "Comrade Colonel, what did you just say? I didn't hear it clearly, please say it again."

"The German army dispatched a company of infantry and was attacking position No. 4 under the cover of ten tanks." Nekrasov was no longer as panicked as before, and he reported clearly.

"In addition to the forces you mentioned, are the enemy deploying troops in other directions?" After I said this, I was not accurate enough and quickly added: "I mean, did the German army attack your other positions?"

"No, Commander Comrade." Nekrasov replied respectfully: "This enemy originally wanted to attack the No. 4 position, but stepped on the mines buried on the hillside. The explosion attracted the attention of our commanders and soldiers, and they had to turn the attack into a strong attack."

"I understand, comrade Colonel, report to me at any time if you have any situation." After that, I interrupted the call with him and also called the 51st Guard Division.

When I heard Tavalt Kiraze's voice coming from the receiver, I immediately asked: "Comrade General, the German army is attacking the junction of you and the 52nd Division. How are the three positions in your place?"

"Report to the commander." Tavalt Kiraze heard my question and immediately replied: "I had just called three positions a minute ago, and there were calm and there were no traces of the enemy."

His answer surprised me. So far, the entire first line of defense was only the Germans attacked the No. 4 position, and the rest of the positions were safe and sound. I really don’t know what the Germans were doing. After saying oh, I said to Tavalt Kiraze, “Comrade General, I understand, continue to observe, and report to me in time if there is any situation.”

After putting down the phone, I told Danilov and Kirilov about my doubts. Kirilov is a political cadre and he has no good military opinion. On the contrary, after hearing my words, Danilov frowned and thought for a while, then said carefully: "Comrade Commander, I think the battle born in the No. 4 position is not a large-scale attack by the German army, but rather a pre-war reconnaissance."

Danilov's words made me even more confused. In order to figure out what was going on, I humbly asked him: "Pre-war reconnaissance? What does this mean? I don't quite understand. Deputy Commander, do you explain it to me?"

"Comrade Commander, according to our judgment, the German army should have a large-scale offensive operation against our defense zone in the past few days." Danilov did not answer my question immediately, but asked back: "Do you agree with my statement?"

I nodded and replied, "Yes, according to all signs, the German army's large-scale attack on us is imminent. But what happened to this pre-war reconnaissance?"

"That's right, comrade Commander." Danilov explained to me patiently: "The German army chose a point in our defense line and carried out a tentative attack to test our reaction. If the attack fails, they will retreat; once one of our positions is lucky enough to capture one of our positions, then this will become their offensive point. Don't forget that the No. 4 position is located at the junction of the 51st and 52nd Divisions. If we successfully occupy this place, we can cut our first line of defense into two unconnected pieces, so that their offensive forces can defeat them one by one."

"I understand, Deputy Commander." Danilov said this to this point. If I don't understand, I would not be worthy of being the commander of the army. I turned my head and ordered Bezikov, who was standing next to me: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately telegraphed the Front Command that our army's first line of defense was attacked by a small German army. After analysis, it may be that the German army was conducting pre-war reconnaissance and requested them to indicate the next step." (To be continued.)

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