The development of the war situation is becoming more and more unfavorable for our side, and the settlements, which have been calm and calm, may become the target of German attacks in the coming days. In order to find out what was going on after the first regiment was moved, I stayed after the meeting and asked Sedelikov about the current situation of the first regiment.

After the first regiment entered the new station, due to the limited strength at the beginning, the logistics unit of the group army did not let them act as temporary porters like the fifth regiment, so that they had the time and energy to immerse themselves in development, so that they could develop and grow the team in a short period of time.

In fact, when I was still in the division headquarters, I wanted to ask Xederikov, with so many people added at once, where did their weapons come from, it was impossible for everyone to bring their own weapons and dry food when they joined, right? Hearing my question, Sederikov replied with a smile: "Comrade division commander, do you know that when the Fifth Regiment was still stationed here, it often sent small detachments to the city to fight guerrilla warfare against the Germans. When they left, although most of them had moved away, the remaining part was enough for us to equip a battalion. After arming a battalion with this equipment, I sent them around the city from time to time, destroying some scattered troops from time to time, and then bringing back the captured equipment. ”

After listening to his words, I asked with some suspicion: "Even if you send hundreds of soldiers to the city every day, how many weapons can you collect, you must know that your regiment has more than 2,000 or nearly 3,000 people?" ”

Shederikov wrenched his fingers and began to calculate the accounts for me: "When our regiment withdrew from the heights, it took with it almost two battalions of equipment. Some of these weapons were collected from killed Germans, and some were left behind from the arsenal of the 35th Guards Division. We all moved here with nothing left. Political Commissar Comrade Oberstein also organized a special containment team. Every day after dark. I sent them to the city, first, to shelter the scattered soldiers and refugees, and second, to go to the place where the battle had taken place, to collect the lost weapons, and after a few days, our gains were really not small. ”

As soon as he said this, I immediately understood why the commanders and fighters I saw were equipped with all kinds of weapons, both Soviet-made and German-made. And some Soviet-made weapons. At a glance, you can tell that it was used to fight the white bandits during the domestic revolutionary period. However, in the current situation, it is obviously not obvious that all the fighters should use the same standard of weapons, so I did not dwell on this issue, but discussed with Shedelikov on the question of how to hold the settlement.

When our conversation was over, I was surprised to find that it was already dawn outside, and we had been talking all night before we knew it. I stood up and moved my hands and feet, and then said to him: "Comrade Sederikov, the defense of the settlement. I'll leave it to you to take full responsibility. I believe that with your ability, there should be no problem holding this place. ”

Shederikov saw that I was leaving. Pointing to the German weapons on the table, he said: "Comrade division commander, I see that you have no weapons on you, if you encounter the enemy, it will be a troublesome matter, why don't you pick two weapons from here and go back, and by the way, let the political commissar and them see the German equipment we have captured." ”

Not to mention that these captured guns are okay, as soon as I mention these weapons, I suddenly feel like vomiting blood, what was supposed to be a good ambush battle, the result is that because of the nervousness of a soldier, the enemy was fired in advance to expose the target, scare the enemy away, and cause our plan to fail. During the meeting, I wondered several times whether Shedelikov would have ordered him to be shot out of strict military discipline if the soldier had not been killed.

I picked up the pistol on the table, looked at it, and put it back again, the failure rate of this gun is too high, if it jams at a critical time, I guess I can't even save my life. I thought about it, picked up a submachine gun, pulled two more magazines out of the holster containing the magazine, and put them in the pocket of my coat.

When I returned to Mamayev Hill under the protection of more than two dozen guards, I met Savchenko at the gate of the headquarters. He was still wearing a German uniform, and a white towel was tied to his left arm, and he looked like he had just returned, so much so that he hadn't even had time to change his uniform.

I took him to the headquarters, and after greeting Kirillov and Akhromeyev, I sat down Savchenko and asked him to report on the implementation of the rebellion mission.

Savchenko stood straight in front of us and reported to us with a blank face: "Last night we rushed to the vicinity of the camp of the Eastern Battalion and attacked a patrol, except for the non-commissioned officer who led the team, the rest of the soldiers were tied up by us and hid in a hidden place. Then I took a few fighters to pretend to be a patrol and took the non-commissioned officer hostage and led us into the camp.

The non-commissioned officer took us to the command post in the barracks and met with Captain Karpov. When we revealed our true identity, Karpov immediately pointed his gun at us, shouting at the guards outside, trying to kill us.

Fortunately, in the nick of time, I suddenly remembered General Petrov's telegram and immediately thought that he had mentioned his former superiors. When he heard the general's name, he was visibly stunned, and then waved his hand to let the guards who rushed in leave, and warned them that no one was allowed to tell what had happened, otherwise they would be severely punished.

As a sign of sincerity, I also asked the fighters who had followed me into the camp to leave, ready to communicate privately with Karpov, after all, there are some things that are more knowledgeable, and it is inevitable that there will be leaks. ”

"Comrade Savchenko, you did the right thing!" When Kirillov heard this, he couldn't help but interject and praise Savchenko, and then urged him: "Go on, what happened?" ”

"He and I were the only ones left in the command post, and after he asked me to sit down, he looked me up and down, and then asked vigilantly: 'Who are you and what is the purpose of coming here?'

I replied: 'I am a political instructor of the Independent Division, and I have come to talk to you on the orders of the division commander and the political commissar, hoping that you will be lost and will abandon the darkness and turn to the light. ’

When he heard this, he was surprised and asked: 'Is it the independent division that held the Mamayev post?' ’

I nodded and said in the affirmative: 'Yes, just on the Mamayev post. The independent division that kept the Germans from advancing a single step. ’

Karpov's face turned ugly when he heard this. After a while, he said, 'What is the purpose of your coming today?' Did you persuade me to surrender? ’

So to speak! Seeing that he had broken my intentions, I stopped going around in circles with him, and said to him straight to the point: 'But I am here more for you, Captain Karpov.' I'm afraid you don't know, but in the minds of your old superior, General Petrov, you are an excellent commander, and if you had left Odessa with him, you would have been a battalion commander or even a regimental commander under him. ’

'What?! Karpov stood up with some gaffe. Pacing back and forth in the tent, the expression on his face was cloudy. After a long time, he hesitated and asked: 'After all this time, does General Petrov remember me as a little person?' ’

I also stood up, walked up to him, and whispered to him: 'Comrade General told us that he had been thinking about the battle for the defense of Odessa, and that you were talking to him when the Germans attacked. You left the walkie-talkie to fight the enemy with bayonets. ’

After listening to my words, the muscles in Karpov's face twitched violently. He stood still, as if wondering what he was going to do. ”

"It seems that your words have shaken his heart." When I heard this, I couldn't help but interject, because from Savchenko's expressionless face, I couldn't guess the final ending, so I could only ask him for an answer: "What did he say in the end?" ”

"Karpov thought for a long time, then sat down in his place again and said hesitantly: 'According to the order issued by Stalin, we, the captured commanders and fighters, belong to the traitors of the Motherland. What I would like to know now is what fate awaits us if we return to the army anyway. ’

Hearing his sharp question, I hesitated for a while, and finally could only tell him vaguely: 'Comrade Division Commander once personally stated that once you lead the troops anyway, she can ensure the safety of all your lives. ’

When he heard me say this, he hesitated for a while, and put forward several conditions, and said that if we could meet all his conditions, he could lead his troops to come over. ”

"On what terms?" Kirillov asked nervously.

Karpov put forward four conditions: First, the personal safety of all officers and men in the battalion must be guaranteed. Because they were selected from the prisoner camps, and after being incorporated into the Eastern Battalion, they fought in different places with their former compatriots, inflicting losses on those troops.

Second, the formation of the Eastern Battalion cannot be disrupted. Political workers can be dispatched, but existing officers cannot leave the unit, and soldiers cannot be dispersed into other units.

Third, it is necessary to ensure the safety of family members. As far as he knew, many of the relatives of the captured officers and soldiers had been sent to Siberia, which had a great impact on the morale of the troops. Therefore, I hope that we can contact our superiors and pardon the families of the officers and soldiers who have been exiled.

Fourth, the choice of timing. Today's troop battalions are surrounded by several German divisions, and if they move without authorization, they will be discovered by the surrounding German troops, and they will not be able to escape from their encirclement at all. Therefore, the only option was to choose when the Germans were engaged with our army and relaxed their vigilance, to ensure that the entire battalion could be pulled out smoothly. ”

After Savchenko finished speaking, he fell silent and waited quietly for us to express his opinion. I thought about the four conditions proposed by Karpov in my heart, and they are very reasonable, but in such a specific political environment of the Soviet Union, is it feasible? It was on the basis of this consideration that I did not immediately express my position, but looked at Kirillov and asked for his opinion: "Comrade commissar, what do you think about these four conditions?" ”

Kirillov, whose face was pale, slapped the table, stood up suddenly, and said angrily: "Shameful traitor, you dare to bargain with us. In my opinion, we should immediately send out a night raid force to wipe them all out, and send all their relatives and friends to Siberia to do a lifetime of hard labor. ”

Kirillov's attitude was entirely to me, and it should be the opinion of most people at the moment, otherwise Savchenko would not have been so stern when he recounted his meeting with Karpov.

I did not answer Kirillov's words, but continued to ask Akhromeyev: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what do you think of these four conditions for Captain Karpov?" ”

Akhromeyev glanced at Kirillov first, and then said cautiously: "Judging from the telegram sent to us by General Petrov, this Karpov has made achievements in battle before, and if he had not been captured by the Germans, maybe he would have made more achievements on the battlefield now." Personally, I believe that we should still strive for such a commander with rich combat experience. In the words of the division commander, if Karpov's troops can join our army, it will be tantamount to strengthening our army and weakening the enemy, and at the same time it will be a huge blow to the enemy's morale. ”

Akhromeyev's words brought a smile on my face, and it seemed that he understood what I was thinking and directly supported my point of view in his words. After he finished speaking, I nodded and said slowly: "Political commissar and chief of staff, I personally agree with these four conditions put forward by Captain Karpov. However, before making a final decision, it was reported to the group army headquarters and asked the commander and comrade military commissar to make a judgment first. ”

"Is this appropriate?" Kirillov was frightened by my words, and he habitually looked left and right first, and found that the room was full of his own people, and then he asked me with scruples about my practice of turning over the contradictions: "Comrade Stalin once declared in public that we have no prisoners of war at all, only traitors to the Motherland. Now that you have to report the four conditions put forward by the traitor to your superiors, aren't you afraid of getting into trouble? Perhaps the commanders and comrades of the military commissar will also be furious when they hear these four conditions. ”

I waved my hand and said euphemistically: "Comrade political commissar, you are too worried. I have already reported the plan to the headquarters to plot against the Eastern Battalion, and have obtained the consent of the commander and the military commissar. Besides, the four conditions put forward by Captain Karpov are not too much in my opinion, and if it were not for the limitation of my powers, I would have agreed to them. (To be continued......)

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