I put down the phone and saw Akhromeyev talking to a group at the intercom, while Kirillov was looking through a pile of telegrams in his hand with his head buried in his head, and did not rush to ask me why I had given an inexplicable order to the fourth regiment.

And Akhromeyev obviously did not have Kirillov as a commissar to calm down, and after he finished the call with Lieutenant Colonel Sedelikov of the 1st regiment, he quickly returned to the table and asked me impatiently: "Division commander, may I ask, why did you suddenly give such an order to Commander Gaidar?" ”

Kirillov, who was reading the telegram, raised his head, looked at Akhromeyev and chuckled, and then said lightly: "I said Comrade Chief of Staff, you have not been dealing with the division commander for a day or two, don't you know that some whimsical ideas often pop up in her head?" If I'm not mistaken, nine times out of ten, what did she think about the German tanks that were being reimbursed? ”

After listening to Kirillov's words, Akhromeyev was even more eager to know the answer, and he asked repeatedly: "Division, is this so?" ”

I didn't answer his question, but bowed my head and asked Kirillov: "Comrade Political Commissar, when I was still in the 64th Army, I once came across a battlefield repair station sent from Stalingrad, which was dedicated to repairing the damaged weapons and equipment of our army, and at the same time bringing back some German tanks or armored vehicles that had been reimbursed. Do you know that in our neighborhood there is such a battlefield repair station? ”

When Kirillov heard my question, he frowned and thought about it, then shook his head and said: "When I was working in the political department of the group army, I heard that the front army command sent several battlefield repair stations. However, as the campaign progressed. These are sent out repair stations. Some were wiped out by the enemy on the battlefield. Those who survived had already followed the front command and retreated to the eastern bank of the Volga. At this, his eyebrows jerked upward, "Do you want them to repair these German tanks?" Impossible, this is absolutely impossible. ”

"Comrade Political Commissar, why do you say that it is impossible?" His words confused me, and I was stunned for a moment. Puzzled, he asked.

"Division commander, I understand what the political commissar means." Without waiting for Kirillov to speak, Akhromeyev preemptively explained to me: "Those tanks in the open field were destroyed in battle. I have personally checked that due to the violent combustion and explosion, all the parts inside those tanks have been melted down, sintered into pieces, and cannot be repaired except for being dragged out and returned to the furnace. ”

Kirillov waited for Akhromeyev to speak, and then added: "The chief of staff is right. When you went to the headquarters the other day, I talked to Captain Trushin, the commander of the militia battalion from the Red October Factory. I want them to pick a few of the tank wreckage that can be repaired, and let the skilled workers in the factory try to repair them. Even if you can't use it to charge, you can stay where you are and use it as a firing point. But after Captain Trushin sent his soldiers to inspect them, he came back and reported that the tanks had been fully reimbursed and that there was no possibility of repair, so I had to give up this plan. ”

The reason why I just gave Gaidar such an order was that I really wanted to repair some of the tanks and leave them at the foot of the mountain as a fixed battery, and when I heard the words of Kirillov and Akhromeyev, I knew that this plan was in vain. But there are so many tank wreckage at the foot of the mountain, even if they can't be repaired as a fixed battery, they have to be used for waste. Thinking of this, I pretended to be surprised and said, "Political commissar and chief of staff, I want to repair the tank to make a fixed battery, who did you two listen to?" It's just nonsense. ”

When I said this, both of them were stunned. After a while, Kirillov hesitated and said: "Comrade Oshanina, didn't you just ask me about the battlefield repair station?" Didn't you want them to fix the tanks at the foot of the mountain? ”

Seeing that I had taken the initiative in silence, I couldn't help but feel proud. However, I still forced a smile and pretended to be serious and said: "I asked the battlefield repair station, but I just want them to pull these tanks back to the furnace, and the steel smelted can produce more new tanks for our army." ”

After hearing this, the two looked at each other, and then their faces showed expressions like this.

I coughed lightly, and then said: "There are dozens of German tanks at the foot of the mountain, although they cannot be repaired, and they cannot be dragged to the factory for refurnace in the short term, but we still have to find a way to use them." ”

"What's the use?" In order to avoid another embarrassing situation, this time it was Akhromeyev who was questioning, while Kirillov remained silent, his eyes fixed on me, waiting for me to give me the final answer.

"I'm going to have Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar send fighters into the tanks and use the machine-gun holes in the turrets to turn the remains of the tanks into points of fire. In addition, it is necessary not only to arrange manpower in the tank, but also to set up fire points at the bottom of the tank. We are to push our defensive positions as far forward as possible, and try not to get too close to the Mamayev Heights by the enemy's attacking forces. ”

"That's a good idea, I agree!" After listening to my idea, Kirillov was the first to express his support.

Not to be outdone, Akhromeyev continued to express his opinion: "The division commander has a good idea, in the face of a large-scale attack by the enemy, we can form dense crossfire at the firing points on the turret and at the bottom of the tank, and inflict heavy casualties on the enemy. And what about the enemy, if they do not have anti-tank weapons, it is really not an easy thing to destroy our points of fire. ”

Seeing that Akhromeyev had understood my intentions, and seeing that he was still standing there and wanted to say something, he urged him: "Since you have understood, what are you still stunned about?" Don't hesitate to call Gaidar and tell him about my intentions. Keep in mind that it is best not to exceed one company in the number of people placed at the foot of the mountain, because if the formation is too dense, the casualties will be very heavy under the enemy's artillery fire. ”

Akhromeyev agreed, picked up the phone on the table, dialed the phone of the 4th regiment, and conveyed my order to Gaidar.

After he finished the call, I had time to ask him: "Chief of Staff, when you just talked to a regiment on the phone." Did Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov say how well they were prepared? ”

Hear me ask. Akhromeyev was immediately interested. After taking a seat at the table, he reported to us: "Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov said that he has drawn thirty elite soldiers from the remaining commanders and fighters in the regiment, and the commander is the regimental political commissar Oberstein, and five other commanders, like me, from the second lieutenant training team. ”

When Kirillov heard this, he couldn't help frowning again. Interrupting Akhromeyev's words, he said with some dissatisfaction: "Chief of Staff, what does this Sederykov think, why would he send such a political worker as Oberstein to command the troops performing such a dangerous mission?" When he said this, he stood up suddenly, with a hint of anger in his tone, "Can't there be any other candidate in the regiment, so do you have to let a political commissar who is engaged in political and ideological work take up this position similar to that of the leader of a death squad?" ”

I didn't speak. Just set his eyes on Akhromeyev, believing that he would be able to give Kirillov a satisfactory answer. Akhromeyev after a moment of silence. With a solemn expression, he said: "Originally, Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov had arranged for someone else for tonight's night attack mission, but Commissar Oberstein insisted on taking this command position, and Comrade Sederikov couldn't compete with him, so he had to agree. When he said this, he couldn't help but increase his tone, "Political commissar, although I have not been with Comrade Oberstein for a long time, I think he is an excellent commander who knows the art of commanding, and I believe that tonight's mission, under his command, will definitely achieve great results." ”

After Akhromeyev's words, Kirillov remained silent, and I lost no time in saying: "Well, since it is Comrade Oberstein's own request, we should give him a stage to perform, so that he can fully display his military talents." When I said this, I paused deliberately, and seeing that the two of them did not interject, I continued, "Judging from the table xiàn of a regiment on the northern high ground some time ago, I think that the political commissar of this regiment is not simple, not only knows how to play tricks, but can really fight. You haven't seen the enemy break through our positions so many times, but you've been beaten down the ground by a mass of counterattacks. Although Sederikov was the highest military commander of the regiment, it was always the commissar of Oberstein who commanded the battle at the front. ”

I raised my hands and pressed them down, motioning for the two of them to sit down. When they were all seated, I turned to Akhromeyev and asked: "Chief of Staff, did Sederikov report on the route of the night raid detachment?" ”

"Yes," said Akhromeyev, pushing the map in front of me and Kirillov, pointing with a pencil to the Volga River next to the heights, and moving slowly, "according to the plan of the commissar of Oberstan, after dark, the detachment will board two small wooden boats on the riverside, go down the river, and when there are still two or three kilometers from the enemy camp, abandon the boat and go ashore." In this way, it will not be detected by enemy scouts, but it will also speed up the march and save the warriors. ”

Kirillov apparently agreed with the plan reported by the regiment, and waved his hand: "Well, since the regiment has been carefully deployed, let's follow their plan." ”

In the evening, Gaidar from the high ground in front called me and reported to me: "Division commander, the German corpse collection team has left our position and returned to their camp after collecting all the corpses. ”

"Did I let the troops who arranged it arrive at the foot of the mountain to be armed?"

Gaidar hesitated for a moment, then said hesitantly: "Report to the division commander, it is now raining heavily outside, and if the soldiers are allowed to go at this time, they will have to work in the rain." ”

I didn't answer him, but asked, "Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, do you want your soldiers to get covered in mud, or do you want them to be blown to pieces under enemy fire?" ”

Hearing me say this, Gaidar understood that the order I gave was that there was no room for bargaining, and hurriedly said: "Understood, I will immediately send the soldiers into the position." ”

Seeing that I put down the phone, Kirillov looked up and asked, "Is it raining outside?" Seeing that I nodded in affirmation, he couldn't help but worry about the regiment of commanders and fighters who were about to set off, "If it rains so heavily, I don't know if the actions of the political commissar of Oberstein will be affected." ”

"There will definitely be an impact," Akhromeyev said disapprovingly, hearing Kirillov's concern, "but if it rains heavily, it will affect the vision of the enemy's sentinels and lurking posts, and in turn it will be beneficial for the Oberstan commissar to move." ”

Kirillov listened to it. A long sigh: "Alas! Let's hope so! ”

I just sat down to say something. The phone on the desk rang. I thought it was a call from a subordinate. So after picking up the phone, he said lazily: "Hey, I'm Colonel Oshanina, where are you?" ”

"I'm Chuikov!" Chuikov's stern voice came from the earpiece.

I hurriedly jumped up from my seat, straightened up and said respectfully into the microphone: "Hello, Comrade Commander, what instructions do you have?" ”

"The plan you mentioned to me, I have already told the commander of the Front, General Yeremenko. I reported to Comrade Khrushchev, Military Commissar. ”

When I heard that this plan had been reported to a higher-level commander, my heart suddenly beat faster, and I asked with some weakness: "Comrade commander, I wonder what the reaction of the Front Army Command will be after hearing this plan?" "After asking this question, I have already given the answer in my heart, Yeremenko must have scolded me, said that I was messing around, and even threatened to send me to a military court or something.

But Chuikov's answer was far from what I expected: "Comrades Yeremenko and Khrushchev informed me after studying. They can't make the decision on this matter, and they must consult the Supreme Command......"

When you hear the word High Command. If it weren't for the hand that didn't hold the microphone on the table, I guess I would have been scared to sit on the floor. I quickly took two deep breaths and mustered up the courage to ask Chuikov: "Commander, what kind of decision do you think the Supreme Command will make after knowing about this matter?" ”

After plucking up the courage to say these two sentences, I couldn't help but look at Kirillov and Akhromeyev, who were sitting next to me. When he heard the Supreme High Command come out of my mouth, Kirillov looked surprised, and his eyes seemed to say: This plan was actually reported to the Supreme High Command. Akhromeyev, on the other hand, closed his eyes and the corners of his mouth twitched violently, as if the words I uttered scared him.

"Military Commissar Comrade Khrushchev said that Comrade Stalin, having heard about this plan, did not say anything and hung up the phone. At that time, he thought that the Supreme Commander himself had heard the news and hung up the phone because he was angry, so he didn't dare to call back. Unexpectedly, half an hour later, the Supreme Commander himself took the initiative to call and said that he still had to consider that plan. "Although Chuikov answered my question after only a few seconds. But for me, those seconds are as long as hours.

I was so nervous that Chuikov put down the phone for a long time, and I didn't even notice it. It wasn't until Kirillov took the phone from my hand that I heard a busy tone coming from the receiver.

I sat down at the table, and it took a long time for me to regain my strength, and then I asked the two of them to repeat what Chuikov had just said on the phone, and finally said with emotion: "I didn't expect that even the Supreme Commander himself knew about my plan of 'replacing troops with water'. What he didn't expect was that he didn't get angry when he learned about this plan. Know that if the Volga River bursts, the city that bears his name could turn into an ocean. ”

"Division commander, do you think it is more likely that the Supreme High Command will approve this plan?" Akhromeyev asked.

I shook my head slowly, and replied without confidence: "I don't know, because so far, let alone me, even Commander Chuikov, and even General Yeremenko of the Front Command, do not know what decision the Supreme Commander himself will make in the end." ”

Kirillov lit a cigarette, took a hard puff, and said: "I estimate that before deciding whether or not to implement this plan, Comrade Stalin will find a group of experts to repeatedly verify that this embankment-breaking operation will not cause any danger to the city before he can make up his final decision." ”

A regiment of night raiding troops set out at about seven o'clock, taking advantage of the heavy rain. In order to facilitate contact, I also deliberately asked them to carry a walkie-talkie so that I could keep abreast of their progress.

After the night raiders departed, I couldn't sit still in the headquarters anymore, walking back and forth in the house with my hands behind my back. Under my influence, Kirillov and Akhromeyev also expressed anxiety, one writing and drawing on paper, the other performing his duties as chief of staff, calling the regiments and counting the results of the day.

I finally managed to stay up until eight o'clock, and I could no longer hold my breath, so I stopped and said to Kirillov: "Let's go, Comrade Commissar, let's go to the observation post on the top of the hillside." If you're lucky, you might be able to see the Night Raiders doing something. Then I turned around and instructed Akhromeyev: "Chief of staff, the division command will be handed over to you, and if there is anything, you will handle it according to the situation." ”

When I walked out of the cave, I saw that the rain outside had stopped for some time. The two of us, with a few fighters from the guard battalion, walked along the trench to the top of the hillside.

Because of the rain, there was a lot of water in the trenches, and my boots squeaked and creaked when I stepped on them. Hearing such a loud movement as I walked, I couldn't help but worry about the night raiding team again, worried that their footsteps would be too loud when they were moving, and they would be discovered by the enemy, leading the operation to fail. (To be continued......)