On the evening of November 6, I received a phone call from Chuikov from the city, and his words were brief: "Comrade Oshanina, as soon as it gets dark, come to the headquarters of the army group, we have to hold an important meeting. ”

I put down the phone, turned my head to look behind me, and was surprised to find that Basmanov, who had been at the headquarters all along, was not there today. I turned my head and asked Akhromeyev: "Chief of Staff, did you see the commander of the guard battalion, Major Basmanov?" ”

When Akhromeyev heard my question, he shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands out, indicating that he had no idea. And at this time, Kirillov said: "Comrade division commander, I sent Major Basmanov to run errands?" ”

Since I didn't find out when Basmanov left the command at all, after hearing Kirillov say this, I casually asked dryly: "Comrade commissar, when did you arrange for him to leave, how do I not know??" "After saying that, I realized that I was asking this question, as if it was a little rude to Kirillov, he was the political commissar of the division, and it was completely natural to send a small guard battalion commander to do something, and there was no need to report to me at all.

However, Kirillov did not care about my attitude, but said excitedly: "Comrade division commander, have you forgotten that tomorrow is the October Revolution Day, and I asked Major Basmanov to go to the dock to find Lieutenant Colonel Spasov, who is in charge of logistics, in the hope of finding some meat from his hands, so that tomorrow the soldiers can have a full meal of 'Siberian dumplings'." ”

"Siberian dumplings?!" It was the first time I had heard this kind of statement, so I was puzzled and asked, "Comrade Political Commissar, what are you talking about?" ”

Kirillov waited for me to finish. I couldn't help but ask in surprise: "Comrade Oshanina." Have you never eaten Siberian dumplings? "When I shook my head in the negative. He enthusiastically told me: "Authentic Siberian dumplings should have at least two kinds of meat in the filling - beef and pork - and it would be nice to put some lamb or poultry in it." The second condition for Siberian dumplings to be handed is that they must be frozen before they are cooked. Perhaps because of the freezing before cooking, the Siberian dumplings become juicy and delicious, so everyone likes to eat them. Also, dumplings are usually cooked in chicken or beef broth and eaten with sour cream. ”

I always thought that dumplings came from the Celestial Empire. Even the last time I ate dumplings with Chuikov in the headquarters, I thought it was the craft of a soldier of the 88th International Brigade, but I didn't expect that Russia also has its own authentic dumplings. Hearing Kirillov say this, I couldn't help but drool and couldn't wait to eat this delicious Siberian dumpling.

Kirillov also said unsatisfactorily: "Comrade Oshanina, I think so, anyway, the weather is cold now, we can put the wrapped dumplings outside and freeze them overnight, then tomorrow when they are cooked." The taste will become more delicious and delicious. ”

After talking to Kirillov about dumplings for a few words, it occurred to me that I had to go to the headquarters for a meeting. Hurriedly instructed Akhromeyev: "Chief of Staff, call the commander of the special guard company, Captain Yushchenko, and ask him to come to the division headquarters." ”

As soon as Yushchenko walked into the command headquarters, Kirillov stepped forward and ordered him: "Comrade Captain, the division commander is going to the headquarters of the army group for a meeting, you immediately assemble a platoon and protect the division commander to the city." Remember, keep all the fighters fully armed. He also deliberately accentuated the word "fully armed."

Yushchenko heard Kirillov's order, quickly agreed, turned around and walked out of the command headquarters.

I didn't pay attention to Kirillov's accentuated tone on the word "fully armed", and when I walked out of the command headquarters and looked at the guards standing in line outside the door, I was stunned. I saw that the more than 30 warriors standing in front of me, in addition to each AK47, each wearing a piece of armor like the one worn by ancient knights. It is more appropriate to say that it is like armor, but it is better to say that it is like the body armor of later generations. Due to the metal casing, perhaps to facilitate the operation of their weapons by the warriors, the entire right shoulder was completely exposed.

Seeing this strange decoration of the guards and soldiers, I hurriedly called Yushchenko over, pointed to the strange steel plates on the soldiers, and asked curiously: "Comrade Captain, can you explain to me what the fighters are wearing?" ”

Yushchenko unusually simply reported to me: "Comrade division commander, these newly developed new bullet armors. ”

Body armor, when I heard this word, my heart trembled suddenly, and I thought: first AK47, then body armor, what do those military workers who have crossed want to do, do they want to change history?

Seeing that I was silent, Kirillov, who was standing next to me, hurriedly said: "Comrade Oshanina, this SN-42 steel-armored body armor. The body armor is two millimeters thick and weighs 3.5 kilograms, and is designed to withstand 40 mm bullets fired by the German MP-9 charge from 100 meters away. According to the latest intelligence, such body armor will be equipped in a small area, and priority will be given to assault sappers of the storming troops. ”

Hearing the parameters reported by Kirillov, I immediately became interested, I didn't expect the weight of body armor to be so light, it seems that I will also get a set to wear in the future, so that on the battlefield, I don't have to worry about being hurt by stray bullets. Although I couldn't wait for a set of bulletproof vests, I pretended to be casual and asked, "By the way, Comrade Captain, there is something I forgot to ask you." To the platoon sent to the command of the army group, are they all equipped with these body armor? ”

"Yes, Comrade Division Commander." Yushchenko replied in the affirmative: "Since we have a special mission, before departure, the whole company was equipped with this new type of body armor. With that, he beckoned into the distance, and a warrior immediately ran quickly, still holding something in his hand. It wasn't until the fighter got closer that I saw that what he was holding in his hand was actually the bulletproof vest that made my heart flutter.

Yushchenko took the bullet armor from the soldier's hand and asked: "Comrade division commander, is it okay?" "With my permission, he put on this bulletproof vest that would have saved my life on the battlefield.

After putting it on, I moved my body a little, and seeing that it had no effect on my dexterity at all, I nodded in satisfaction, and then ordered Yushchenko: "Comrade Captain, it's getting late, let's go." (To be continued......)