This sudden shelling completely dispelled the idea of Karpov and his troops to withdraw from the existing camp. From the danger I have just experienced, I am soberly aware that even if they can successfully get out of trouble, they may still suffer accidental injuries from our troops when they approach our army's defense area. If there are casualties, then those officers and men who were originally wavering will think that we are probably trying to trick them out and wait for an opportunity to eliminate them. In this way, the plan for rebellion will fall short.

Our car stopped at the foot of the hill on the high ground to the north, and when I heard no movement on the hillside, I was relieved to let the soldiers get out of the car. Although there was no movement on the position when we were down the hill, when I walked up the hill, I found that it was already in full battle, and the trenches were full of people, at least two heavy machine guns, five light machine guns, and the muzzles of more than twenty rifles, pointing in unison at the trucks at the foot of the hill, and if they noticed anything wrong, all the guns would open fire without hesitation.

As soon as our group entered the trench, we were greeted by a commander with several soldiers. After stopping a few steps away from me, the commander did not salute, but immediately reported to me: "Comrade Division Commander, Xia Ping, Political Commissar of the Fourth Infantry Regiment of the Independent Division, reports to you, welcome you back along the way!" ”

I stretched out my hand to him and said in a friendly voice, "Hello, Commissar Xia Ping, it's a pleasure to see you again." ”

After we shook hands, I asked with concern, "Are you still used to staying in the fourth regiment?" "The reason why I ask this is because in the past, from top to bottom, independent divisions, whether it was me or ordinary soldiers, they were particularly repulsive to political workers. Not to mention a commander like Gaidar who came out of a correctional camp. I'm afraid he'll make things difficult for Xia Ping at work. So specifically ask.

Xia Ping replied with a smile: "Thank you for your concern." Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar had a lot of respect for me. Not only did I be specifically responsible for political matters, but he also consulted with me about many military tasks and asked me to put forward my own opinions. ”

When I heard Xia Ping say that he and Gaidar got along well, I was relieved. After a brief exchange of words with him, he took Savchenko and Grams along the communication trench, went around to the south side of the heights, and walked in the direction of the division headquarters.

On the way. Again Grams, curiously asked, why did I give the order to the Italians at my feet? Since he was also a participant in the rebellion plan, I did not hide it from him, and told him my intention to provoke a contradiction between the German and Italian armies. After listening to this, he nodded and said thoughtfully: "Comrade Division Commander, I think this method of yours is very effective. You know, although we are allies with Italy, we have always looked down on them because of their poor combat effectiveness. But they didn't realize it. Still feeling good. The Italians were beaten by us today with their high character. I must feel that I can't afford to lose this face, so I went to the German officers and soldiers of the 44th Division to ask for guilt. If there is no restraint from a superior officer, not only will there be a brawl, but it will even cause a fight between the two armies. ”

As a German, Grahms's analysis of the relationship between the German and Italian armies is more authoritative than I suspected, and since he also said that Germany and Italy will fight each other over this matter, then it may become a reality. I smiled and nodded at him, looked him in the eye, and said in an extremely sincere tone, "Captain Grams, I see your face in tears. By the end of the Battle of Stalingrad, I'm sure you'll be promoted. ”

Who knew that Grahms smiled bitterly and asked: "Do you think that the German army will definitely lose in this battle, and the Soviet army will achieve the final victory?" ”

After Savchenko translated this sentence for him, he also asked me in a hesitant tone: "Division commander, are you really so confident in our army's victory in the Battle of Stalingrad?" ”

After Savchenko finished asking this sentence, he realized that he had said the wrong thing, and he was immediately nervous. Seeing his embarrassment, I couldn't help laughing: "Comrade Savchenko, I remind you that you are a political worker, if you are not confident in our final victory, how can you make our fighters believe that it will belong to us in the end?" ”

When I said this, Savchenko became more and more nervous, and hurriedly defended: "Comrade division commander, the reason why I ask this is because I see that the defense area under the jurisdiction of the group army is shrinking step by step under the attacks of the Germans day and night, and I can't help but feel anxious about the current situation. Rest assured, this is definitely not a loser's statement, and I am still confident of victory. ”

Instead of demolishing him, I sighed and said to him earnestly: "Savchenko, although the enemy seems strong at the moment, their attack on the city has not been smooth sailing. Their offensive, in many places, suffered a shameful defeat. For example, the Mamayev Height, which our division held onto, at least under the strong attack of the enemy, held out for more than a month, and still stood still, becoming an impenetrable floodgate for the enemy, and their plot to flank the city from the north and south was ruined. Although our army is still at a disadvantage from the present point of view, at the same time, it should be noted that the reinforcements, weapons, ammunition, food supplies, etc., which have been dispatched by the base camp for us, are still being transported into the city in a steady stream through the Volga River. At the time of the defense of Moscow, the enemy seemed to be even stronger than it is now, because they had never suffered defeat since they started the war, and they did not expect to end up in the city of Moscow, and not only did they lose their troops but also withdrew from the starting point of their attack. ”

After being silent for a moment, Savchenko asked with difficulty: "Comrade division commander, tell me, how long will we hold out in Stalingrad before we can wait for the big counteroffensive against the enemy?" ”

Although I clearly remember that the time of the counteroffensive in the Battle of Stalingrad was November 19, I cannot say it at this moment. Once I say it, it will not be as simple as shocking the world, maybe I will be invited to the headquarters in Moscow again by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and honestly explain how the date of the counteroffensive was known, and at the same time, the innocent Zhukov will be involved, because at this time, the specific date of the counteroffensive is known. Except for Stalin. There were only a few high-ranking commanders such as Zhukov and Vasilevsky.

Between that. I can only shake my head regretfully at this question and say regretfully: "I'm sorry, Comrade Savchenko, I don't know exactly when the counterattack will be launched, but in my estimation, it should not be more than two months." ”

"Two months!" Savchenko repeated my words, and then said with a bitter face: "Comrade division commander. In case you don't know, it was said that in Stalingrad, the life of a soldier was only 24 hours, and the commander had only a short 72 hours. Two months is 60 24 hours, 20 72 hours, not to mention ordinary soldiers, even commanders like us, I don't know how many people will be left in the end to live to see this day. ”

Savchenko's pessimistic tone made me feel depressed. I secretly said in my heart that if the person commanding the troops on the Mamayev post was not me. It may have been captured by the Germans long ago. In order to fight for this high ground, thousands of officers and soldiers on both sides die every day. Now, because of our existence, although the casualties of the German army are still large, the casualties of our army have been greatly reduced, so that the 13th, 37th, and 39th Guards Divisions and the 308th Infantry Division, which were originally used to fight the German army for Mamayev Height, can be used in other directions to make up for the weak defensive line of the group army.

Seeing that it was not far from the shelter of the guard company, I stopped and said to Savchenko: "Okay, Comrade Savchenko, after staying up all night, you are also tired, go back and rest with Grams." If there's any mission, I'll have the Chief of Staff call you. ”

I returned to the headquarters alone, and Kirillov and Akhromeyev, who had been waiting all night, hurriedly met me, looked me up and down, and saw that I was still intact, and then asked about the negotiations last night.

I beckoned the two of them back to the table and sat down, and began to brief them on the meeting with Karpov. In the end, I suddenly remembered the situation behind enemy lines, and specially added: "Political commissar and chief of staff, this time I went behind enemy lines, and I found a problem. Since the German army has air supremacy on the battlefield, they can send reconnaissance planes deep into our army's defense area at any time to reconnoiter our defense situation. However, as for the situation of the German army, since it was impossible to send scouts, we were blind to the enemy's strength and disposition. I stumbled upon the fact that the Germans were rather lax in their defenses, except for the outskirts of their camps, which was evident from the fact that the trucks we were riding in were able to enter and leave the German defense zone freely. After Karpov's troops were successfully freed from the predicament, I took the initiative to send small detachments deep into the enemy's rear, disrupting their rear and communications, disturbing their minds and disrupting their daytime offensive plans. ”

"The division commander is right," Akhromeyev first agreed, adding: "Our eyes are not only on the north side of Mamayev Hills, but also on the enemy in the city." After all, the current garrison of the first regiment is on the edge of the city, and they have a large number of troops, and they are fully capable of harassing and attacking the enemy. Even if it encounters a battalion-sized enemy, a regiment has the ability to fight them. ”

Kirillov also nodded and said: "Comrade Oshanina, I now find that you and General Petrov's combat style is very close. From the information I received from the army group, he took up his new post without any reserves at his disposal, nor from the base camp of Kiri, and not only that, but all his divisions were greatly weakened by losses in fierce battles with superior enemies. In the face of a superior enemy, in a situation where he was almost desperate militarily, he adopted very special tactics. In addition to the usual defensive operations, small forces of division and regimental level were sent deep into the enemy's rear on their own initiative. Destruction of the enemy's rear and communications. It was with this trick that he blocked the enemy who couldn't parry in the positional battle. ”

In the face of Kirillov's compliment, I just waved my hand and said modestly: "Comrade commissar, you have won the award, how can I compare with General Petrov?" Others are senior commanders who have repeatedly made meritorious military achievements, but I have only been in the military for one year and have not made any great military achievements, so it is not worth mentioning. Let's move on to the difficulties we are facing. ”

As soon as I said this, both of them fell silent. After a long while, Akhromeyev said in a heavy tone: "The artillery battalion has insufficient shells. Especially those captured cannons, all the shells were used up, so they could not be in battle. Provide the necessary artillery support for our infantry. Also due to brutal battles. The wounded in our division were quite numerous. The medicines are complete, and if they are not replenished in time, many wounded people will die due to infection. ”

I have never seriously considered these things mentioned by Akhromeyev before, after all, there are so many people in a division, and the daily consumption is a very staggering figure. I took a deep breath and asked lightly, "Is there any solution?" ”

Kirillov took over the topic and said: "We have already reported this matter to the command of the army group. The logistics department replied to us that our division would be resupplied in ten days. ”

"Ten days?!" This irresponsible reply from the logistics department made me angry, and if the enemy had not attacked, I would have no problem waiting for ten days; But if the Germans attacked, when all the ammunition was gone, would the fighters rush up and fight the bayonets with the Germans? Ammunition was a problem, as well as the much-needed medicine for the wounded, which had to be addressed as much as possible, and their injuries could be delayed for less than ten days.

Just when I hesitated to call Chuikov and report these things to him. The phone on my desk rang first, and I grabbed it.

Krylov's voice came from the earpiece. He said briefly: "Colonel Oshanina, immediately come to the headquarters of the army group to receive a new task. After that, before I could speak, he had already hung up the phone.

Seeing that I was holding the microphone in a daze, Akhromeyev asked curiously: "Comrade division commander, who called me?" ”

"It was a call from the Chief of Staff of the Army Group, General Krylov, who asked me to immediately go to the command to accept a new assignment."

"What kind of task is it, not on the phone, but also for you to go to the headquarters of the group army to collect it in person?" Kirillov muttered discontentedly.

I looked at my watch, it was already ten o'clock in the morning, and in order to avoid long nights, I decided to leave for the headquarters at once and report to Chuikov and them about Karpov's situation.

When I walked into the headquarters of the army group, I was startled by the fact that there were at least a hundred female soldiers standing in the corridor from the entrance to the entrance to the headquarters of Chuikov. As I passed through them, I thought to myself, "What the hell, where did so many female soldiers come from?" What did Chuikov do when he summoned them here, now was not the time for a sorority. ”

I walked to the door, and before I could enter it, I was stopped by a female soldier, who asked in a low voice: "Comrade commander, are you the commander of the separate division, Colonel Oshanina?" ”

I turned my head to look at the strange female soldier in front of me, and from her collar badge, I saw that she was a second lieutenant, so I nodded politely and said, "Yes, Comrade Second Lieutenant, I am Oshanina." Is there anything you can do? ”

The second lieutenant raised his hand and saluted me, pouted, and said, "Comrade Colonel, I am Second Lieutenant Vallia of the Signal Corps of the Army Group Headquarters. Tokareva, the commander has just suddenly given an order to send all the female soldiers in the group army, regardless of rank, to the east bank of the Volga. See if you can persuade him that we are not afraid of death and cannot leave at such a time, and ask him to take back this order. ”

The second lieutenant's words surprised me, I really didn't expect Chuikov to give such an order, maybe he summoned me to the headquarters in a hurry, and it had something to do with it.

I didn't bother shouting a report, so I strode into the headquarters. When I entered the headquarters, I saw Krylov standing next to the male communications soldier who was walking against the wall to answer the phone, and Gurov was sitting listlessly at the table. And Chuikov sat shirtless with his back to me by the wall, and was drugged by a male hygienist.

Seeing this scene, I hurriedly stepped forward and asked with concern: "Comrade commander, what's wrong with you, are you injured?" ”

Gurov waved his hand and helped Chuikov explain: "Colonel Oshanina, you are mistaken, Comrade Commander is not wounded. He's getting eczema because he's been in this damp headquarters for a long time, and the hygienist is medicating him. ”

When I heard that Chuikov was not wounded, my heart fell in my throat, and then I asked Gurov in a low voice: "Comrade Military Commissar, do you have any important task to summon me here in such a hurry?" ”

After listening to my words, Gurov's expression became stern, and he said: "Comrade Oshanina, I think you are also well aware that the situation in the city is now complicated, the distance between the front line and the Volga is getting shorter and shorter, and in order to avoid unnecessary losses, the military council of the army group was forced to withdraw some units and organs to the left bank, and decided to send the women to the left bank first. The Military Council ordered commanders and heads at all levels to temporarily withdraw the women soldiers to the Left Bank, where they would rest and recuperate, and then return in a few days. ”

As soon as I heard him say that he was going to evacuate the female soldiers, I understood the purpose of their calling me over, and I guess I belonged to one of these retreating female soldiers, and it seemed that what Tokareva said just now was true. I asked tentatively: "Have all the female commanders and fighters in the army group withdrawn to the east bank?" ”

"Exactly, all withdrawn, not a single one can be left." After taking the medicine, Chuikov turned around and walked towards me while getting dressed, and he said, "I called you here just to put you in charge of this evacuation mission?" ”

Hearing him say this, my heart chuckled, and my heart was finished, if I really withdrew to the east bank, staying at Mamayev Gang for so long would be in vain, and my dream of making a contribution to Stalingrad would be completely shattered.

Seeing that I was slow to speak, Chuikov misunderstood what I meant, and he probably thought that I was worried that I was not up to such a task, and hurriedly explained to me: "Comrade Oshanina, you have been called here because you hold an important command position in the army, and you are the most suitable person to successfully organize this evacuation. ”

"Comrade Commander, may I come in?" Before I could speak, the voice of the second lieutenant came from the door.

Gurov nodded outside and said loudly, "Come in." ”

When Tokareva came in, she raised her hand and saluted several of us, and then said loudly: "Commander, Comrade Military Commissar, on behalf of all the female signal soldiers of the group army, I have come to you to report the situation. ”

"Second Lieutenant Tokareva," said Chuikov, after buttoning the last button on his coat, to the female ensign, "say whatever you want, if you want me to cancel the order, it will not be possible." ”

Hearing Chuikov's words, the second lieutenant's face showed a disappointed expression, but she still boldly said: "Comrade commander, why did you drive us out of the city? We are willing to share life and death with all of you, and defeat the damned enemy. Why do you want to divide men and women? Are we worse than male soldiers at work? In any case, we will not reach the Volga. (To be continued......)

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