"Both of you are members of the Supreme High Command," said Stalin, facing his two old subordinates, without going around in circles, but straight to the point: "I have called you here because I have an important matter to arrange for you." Pen ~ Fun ~ Pavilion www.biquge.info"

Voroshilov turned his head to look at Budyonny, who was dazed, and then turned to Stalin and said: "Comrade Stalin, please give orders, we will definitely complete your task successfully." ”

Stalin nodded, and then repeated what he knew about Chistyakov to the two of them. Although this story has been retold several times, it has been very different from the real content, but it still infected the two marshals. Voroshilov was the first to speak: "Comrade Stalin, I understand. Do you intend for us to use this first-class instructor as a model and carry out propaganda throughout the army to achieve the goal of rallying the morale of the army? ”

Seeing that this empathetic subordinate could correctly understand his intentions, Stalin nodded and said with satisfaction: "That's right, that's what I meant." At the same time, I also announced that all the commanders and fighters who died together with Krochkov at the Dubosekovo Concession Station would be awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. You have to immediately publicize the deeds of these heroes throughout the army, understand? ”

"Understood." After Voroshilov had finished answering, he saw Stalin walking back to the table, picking up the match that had been placed on the table, preparing to light his pipe, and hurriedly suggested to him: "Comrade Stalin, I have a better proposal. ”

Stalin, who was about to light a match, stopped what he was doing, turned his head and asked Voroshilov: "What advice?" ”

"The 316th Infantry Division of General Panfilov, in the battle for the defense of Volokolamsk, behaved very heroically." Voroshilov took two steps forward and continued: "You see, is it possible to award them the title of Guards Division? ”

Stalin thought about Voroshilov's proposal with a frown, struck a match, lit a cigarette butt, took a deep breath, and said slowly: "We have just awarded the division the title of Hero of the Soviet Union to almost thirty Soviet Unions, and immediately promoted them to the Guards Division, won't other units have an opinion?" ”

Voroshilov, who was good at observing words and feelings, saw that Stalin looked a little reluctant, so he could only say euphemistically: "Since this is the case, then I think we should wait a little longer, and after they have blocked this round of German attacks, we will consider awarding them the honorary title of Guards Division." ”

Seeing that after Voroshilov finished speaking, he turned around and was about to leave with Budyonny, Stalin stopped him again: "The matter of awarding them the title of Guards Division, you can wait for a while." However, the division has performed very well in more than a month of fighting, and we should also give due recognition. Well, then, you should inform these commanders and fighters today of the award of the title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union', and wait until tomorrow to award the division the Order of the Red Banner in recognition of their meritorious service in the defense of Moscow. ”

"Yes!" Voroshilov agreed, and left Stalin's office side by side with Budyonny.

……

When Rokossovsky was in Bulganin and learned that Crochkov and the commanders and fighters who died at the Dubosekovo Concession Station had been awarded the title of "Hero of the Soviet Union", he could not help but applaud. Bulganin then asked him: "Comrade Rokossovsky, I would like to ask you, how many commanders and fighters died in the battle to defend the Dubosekovo Concession Station?" ”

Bulganin's words stunned Rokossovsky, and he carefully recalled that when Panfilov reported the situation to himself, he did not seem to mention how many commanders and fighters died together with Crochkov in Dubosekovo. He had to reply embarrassedly: "Comrade Military Commissar, I'm sorry, I need to check this matter with General Panfilov again before I can report the exact amount to you." ”

After Rokossovsky dialed the command of the 316th Infantry Division, as soon as he heard Panfilov's voice, he immediately asked: "General Panfilov, I would like to ask, how many commanders and fighters died with Comrade Krochkov at the Dubosekovo Concession Station?" ”

"Comrade Commander, what are you asking for?" Hearing Rokossovsky's question, Panfilov replied in a bit of a panic: "Anyway, the commanders and fighters who held the position have all died. ”

"Give me an accurate number," Rokossovsky did not perceive the panic in Panfilov's tone, but urged: "The higher authorities intend to award the title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union' to all the commanders and fighters who died at the Dubosekovo Concession Station, and I will report the accurate number as soon as possible." ”

Hearing Rokossovsky say this, Panfilov became even more flustered, he covered the microphone and asked Yegorov: "Political commissar, Comrade Commander is asking how many commanders and fighters are holding the Dubosekovo Will, how should we report?" ”

"Comrade division commander," Yegorov looked up at Panfilov and said with a serious expression, "I think it is better to tell the truth, this kind of thing cannot be concealed at all." ”

Hearing what his political commissar said, Panfilov let go of the hand covering the microphone and said to Rokossovsky with a sad face: "Comrade commander, to tell you the truth, the commanders and fighters who held the Dubosekovo Will, plus Crochkov, there are 30 people in total. But only 28 people died......"

"There were 30 people and 28 people were sacrificed?" Hearing that there were two more survivors, Rokossovsky's eyes lit up, and he said that his superiors were planning to carry out large-scale propaganda against Crochkov and them, and if there were survivors to show up to say, maybe the publicity effect would be better, so he asked in surprise: "Where are those two survivors?" ”

"Captured, Comrade Commander." Panfilov said a little embarrassed: "Our 1075th regiment has recaptured the Dubosekovo meeting station, and only 28 bodies have been found on the position......"

Hearing that two fighters had been captured by the Germans, Rokossovsky suddenly felt as if he had swallowed a dead fly, and felt particularly disgusted. However, he still said with a fluke mentality: "Comrade Panfilov, maybe you did not find the bodies of the two fighters, who were blown to pieces when the enemy shelled them, so you could not find their bodies. ”

"No, Comrade Commander." Panfilov knew that in the current situation he could not hide anything from Rokossovsky, otherwise the consequences would be very serious, so he honestly replied: "At the observation post in our positions behind us, I saw with my own eyes that two fighters were captured by the Germans and took them away during the retreat. ”

Having received confirmation from Panfilov, Rokossovsky realized the seriousness of the problem, he thought for a moment, and then decisively said to Panfilov: "Comrade General, from now on, no matter who asks how many commanders and fighters hold on to Dubosekovo will give way, you can only say 28 people, understand? ”

"Understood, Comrade Commander." Seeing that Rokossovsky was willing to help him cover up this matter, Panfilov said with great gratitude: "Thank you! ”

"Well, Comrade Panfilov," Rokossovsky said impatiently, "according to my judgment, with the results achieved by your division, it is possible to be promoted to the Guards Division, so your honor must be preserved." (To be continued.) )