After Rokossovsky settled the matter of logistical supplies, he discussed with Stalin that the final date of the attack should be set at the date of the year. When all this was done, he said goodbye to Stalin and prepared to immediately return to the troops by plane.

As soon as I left the Kremlin, it began to snow. Snow powder like white sugar fell densely, and in an instant, a thick layer was piled on the front cover of the car.

Seeing this, the guard, who was sitting in the co-pilot's seat, turned his head to Rokossovsky and said: "Comrade commander, with such heavy snow, it is estimated that it will be difficult for our plane to take off. Look, are we looking for a place to stay first? ”

Rokossovsky waved his hand and said: "This snow came very suddenly, maybe it will stop in a while, let's try our luck at the airport." If the snow stops, we'll fly back to the front; If we don't stop, we'll stay in Moscow for the night. ”

When the car arrived at the airport, the snow in the sky not only did not decrease, but became heavier. Rokossovsky pushed the car door and walked down, looking at the planes parked on both sides of the runway, all covered with a thick layer of snow, and it seemed that he would not be able to walk today.

Just as he was bending down to get into the car again, a gray bus suddenly drove past him. He stood up straight, looked curiously at the vehicle heading towards the runway, and muttered to himself: What's wrong with this bus, why did it go directly to the plane parked next to the runway, is the pilot also ready to take off in such bad weather?

The bus stopped in front of several bombers, and when the doors opened, six female pilots came out of the car. He vaguely heard one of them shouting, "Girls, hurry up and get on the plane, we must rush back to the front as soon as possible." ”

When Rokossovsky recognized a group of female pilots who were about to board the plane, and that they were going to return to the front line, a thought immediately popped into his head: these girls couldn't be from the women's flying group, right?

He raised his hand to look at the snow powder that was getting denser and denser, and definitely let the female pilot take off in such weather, it would be dangerous, so he pulled his legs and ran towards the runway, shouting as he ran: "Wait a minute, wait a minute!" ”

The guard, who was still sitting in the car, saw that the commander suddenly ran towards the runway like crazy, and did not dare to continue to stay in the car, so he hurriedly pushed the car door and got out of the car, and accelerated his pace to chase after him.

The group of female pilots, with the help of ground staff, were about to board the plane, when they suddenly saw someone running towards them in the distance, and shouting as they ran, so they stopped one after another, turned their heads to look at the people running over, trying to figure out what was happening.

Rokossovsky rushed to the female pilots and asked them: "Which of you is responsible?" ”

One of the female pilots, having clearly seen Rokossovsky's rank, hurriedly took a few steps forward, walked up to him and raised her hand in salute, and said loudly: "Hello, Comrade General, I am Major Rokova, the commander of the 1st Women's Dive Bomber Regiment, what instructions do you have?" ”

"I'll ask you," Rokossovsky asked casually in a casual tone, hearing that they were all his own subordinates, "what are you going to do here?" ”

After glancing at Rokossovsky, Rokoskova said in surprise: "Comrade General, didn't you see that we are preparing to board the plane and return to the front!" ”

"Front, which front?" Hearing that these female pilots were going to take risks flying in bad weather, Rokossovsky became furious, and he asked the other party in a vicious voice: "Major, don't you know that taking off in such bad weather can be dangerous at any time?" ”

Since Rokossovsky did not identify himself, and Rokoskova did not meet him, when hearing Rokossovsky say this, one could not help but raise his vigilance: "Comrade General, which part are you?" I don't think you should have the right to stop us from flying missions. ”

"I am Lieutenant General Rokossovsky, commander of the Stalingrad Front, and of course I have the right to prevent you from taking risks that you should not have taken." After identifying himself, Rokossovsky said in a tough manner: "I order you to immediately cancel this mission, return to your respective accommodations, and return to the Stalingrad front when the weather improves." Do you understand? ”

"But, Comrade Commander." When figuring out that the general standing in front of her was the commander of the front, Roskova said with some embarrassment: "We received an order an hour ago about the support of front-line aircraft, so we were in a hurry to return, but we didn't expect such a heavy snow to fall suddenly." ”

"Comrade Major," Rokossovsky said, looking at Rokoskova with a serious expression, "every pilot is a precious asset to us, and we have no right to let them take risks." Now, in my capacity as commander of the front, I order you to cancel this mission. If your superiors blame me, let him come to me. ”

Seeing that Rokossovsky's attitude was so resolute, Rokova, who was accustomed to obeying orders, hurriedly agreed: "Understood, comrade commander, we immediately cancel today's flight plan and return to the pilot's quarters to continue resting." ”

"That's right, Comrade Major." After listening to Rokossova's reply, Rokossovsky nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile: "You go back to rest first, and when the weather improves tomorrow, you will return to the front with me." ”

Roslava turned to the female pilots standing next to the plane and shouted: "Girls, due to the bad weather, today's flight plan has been cancelled, and we will go back to the pilot's quarters to continue resting." As soon as she finished speaking, the girls cheered, and then ran towards the bus parked nearby.

To be on the safe side, Rokossovsky saw the girls get into the car, and then turned around and walked unhurriedly towards his car, while the guard standing next to him hurriedly chased after him.

After Rokossovsky got back into the car, he casually closed the door and instructed the driver: "Go to the military hostel on Arbat Street, where we will stay tonight." ”

Neither Rokossovsky nor Rokova, who was returning to the pilot's quarters by car, did not know that in real history, the three two-seater bombers led by Rokova crashed on the Volga River on the way back to Stalingrad because of bad weather and poor visibility, and all six members of the plane were unfortunately killed. And their fate now has been changed by meeting Rokossovsky at the airport today.