After Semenov finished briefing on the situation, Meretskov turned his head to look at Starikov again, raised his chin, and said, "General Starikov, Colonel Semyonov has finished reporting. Next, it's your turn to tell us about the campaign readiness of your army group. ”

Starikov answered, pointed to the map and began to explain to us: "Comrade commander, generals, I will now give you a briefing on the preparations for the campaign of my 8th Army.

After attending the last operational meeting of the front, I immediately returned to the unit and gave an order to prepare for war with the troops under my jurisdiction. As everyone knows, because of the need for secrecy, none of the orders we have issued were issued in the form of written instructions, but they were all given orally, and they were issued in person by recruiting the military commanders of various units to the headquarters of the group army.

The excavation of trenches and communication trenches, the construction of artillery positions, the paving of roads, and the opening of marching routes, especially paving roads, are the most important tasks in our campaign preparations, because a good road determines whether the army can reach the designated position in time and deploy it quickly, and whether the supply of reserves and attacking troops can move in time in the course of battle. ……”

When Starikov said this, Military Commissar Zaporozhets raised his hand to interrupt him and asked abruptly: "Comrade Starikov, I have a question for you. ”

Although his report was abruptly interrupted, Starikov showed a trace of displeasure on his face, but he still showed due politeness in response to the questions of the members of the Military Commission of the Front: "Comrade members of the Military Commission, what questions do you have?" Excuse me. ”

Pointing to the map, Zaporozhyets said: "The day before yesterday, when I went to the temporary headquarters of the 8th Army, the car passed a log paved road. But I didn't hear the 'squeak' of the log road in the car. What's going on? ”

"yes. Comrade Starikov. Zaporozhyets' question intrigued Meretskov, who also asked curiously: "What ideas did you come up with on the road?" When the vehicle is driving on a log, the road is not loud at all? ”

"Don't stop it!" General Starikov replied with a smile: "Comrade member of the Military Commissar, didn't you find out? In addition to not making a sound, the log road is quite strong. Maybe in two days, you'll see that he won't shake at all. My engineers took a no-brainer, but practical, approach to preventing shaking. ”

With a surprised expression on his face, Meretskov asked with interest: "What way?" ”

"Sprinkle the diagram under the pad." Starikov gestured down and said, "Lay the crossbar on it again and it won't vibrate." Now sprinkle a thin layer of sand. It will not shake, which can also greatly increase the driving speed of the vehicle. ”

Meretskov excitedly slammed his fist on the table and asked with great interest: "Great!" General Starikov, whose idea was this? I'm going to give him credit! ”

"Colonel Gellmanovich, chief of the engineering corps of the army group. Together with his chief of staff, Sofronov, he drew up plans for the construction of a road network, which is currently under full construction. "Starikov did not take credit for the achievements of his subordinates on himself, but truthfully reported to Meretskov.

"By the way, I still want to ask." Zaporozhyets then asked: "I also saw a watchtower more than 30 meters high in the forest near your temporary headquarters, was this also the engineer's idea?" Can you observe far away? ”

"Not an engineer's idea. It was the idea of the operational staff and artillerymen, which of course was designed and built by the engineers. When the weather is nice. Signavino can be seen all the way from above. We intend to use it to observe the battlefield, correct artillery fire and aviation assaults. It's hard to say whether it will work or not. Fear forest fires, and as you know, once a battle starts, it is entirely possible to start a forest fire, and the smoke from the fire will greatly limit the view of observers. ”

Fedyuninsky, who had not spoken all this time, spoke, and he asked: "General Starikov, I would like to ask how you plan to command your troops when they are assembled in the forest and march to the starting point of the attack?" ”

Starikov smiled at Fedyuninsky and replied: "Comrade General, this is easy to do. The chief of staff of my army group, Colonel Golovchneer, specified a distinctive set of methods of command. He hit whistles of all tones, and each company commander had a whistle that was different from the tone of the others. When an order is given with a predetermined signal, the commanders and fighters can recognize it by the sound of the whistle. ”

After listening to Starikov's introduction, Fedyuninsky nodded with satisfaction, patted him on the shoulder and praised: "Well done!" General Starikov, it seems that the campaign preparations of your army group are well done. ”

Meretskov stared at the map in front of him and said to the commander of the 8th Army, who was proud of himself: "General Starikov, tell us about your offensive plan. ”

Starikov agreed again and began to report to everyone: "Yesterday the artillery commander of the Front, Colonel-General Degtyalev, transferred the artillery unit to our army. After studying the matter with the commander of the group army, Major General Bezruk, I decided to distribute the artillery units evenly among the divisions, so that we could provide the necessary artillery support in a timely manner to the troops seizing the enemy's forward support points. ”

"What is the density of artillery in the direction of the offensive?" Meretskov asked.

"Since all the artillery is evenly distributed among the divisions, so that the density of artillery on our frontal per kilometer can reach seventy to a hundred."

"How are you going to attack?"

"On the day of the campaign, that is, on the morning of the 17th, I planned to first carry out a two-hour saturation artillery bombardment of the enemy's positions, and then dispatch infantry to attack."

"And what about the heavy tanks that your army is attached to? What role should they play in the offensive? ”

"In the same way, I will distribute the tanks evenly among the divisions to provide fire support to the attacking infantry."

Meretskov nodded with satisfaction and complimented: "The plan is good. After saying that, he raised his head and asked the people present, "Do you have any different opinions?" ”

The generals present looked at each other. Then neatly answered: "No!" ”

Meretskov saw that no one objected. I want to speak. Listening to the frowning beside me, I quickly mustered up the courage to speak: "Comrade General, can I say a few words?" ”

As soon as I spoke, there was silence in the room, and everyone looked at me with amazement, wondering what I would say when I jumped out at this time. I was deeply afraid that Meretskov would not let me speak, and hurriedly added: "I have a somewhat different opinion about the deployment of General Starikov. ”

"A different opinion?" Meretskov looked at me puzzled, turned his head to look at Starikov again, and hesitated. Finally, he gave me a chance to speak: "Comrade Major, I have heard Comrade Zhukov say that you are a commander with a very strategic vision, and you are often able to put forward some ingenious suggestions on the deployment of the campaign. In that case, then you can talk about it, and we will all listen to it. ”

I didn't look at anyone, but stared at the map and said: "I think it is necessary to follow the principle of concentrating artillery on the main offensive direction, to hand over the command of artillery to Colonel-General Degtyalev of the Front, and to ensure the density of 150 to 180 guns on the front of the main assault direction.

After the end of the preparation of artillery fire for up to two hours, the artillery should be based on the pace of advance of the 8th Army. Quickly move positions and maneuver to continue to provide artillery support for the battle in depth.

Suppose we are after the shelling. The infantry was only dispatched to attack, and judging from the map, our offensive position was almost three kilometers away from the enemy's front line, and it would take our infantry about half an hour to reach an effective attack range. And in such a long time, the Germans have recovered from the panic of the initial shelling, and our troops are bound to be frantically blocked by them, causing heavy casualties. ……”

"Comrade Major," Starikov interrupted me with some dissatisfaction, angrily "in order to defend the Motherland, to defend Leningrad, our commanders and fighters are not afraid of sacrifice. ”

"General Starikov, please be quiet and listen to Major Oshanina." As soon as Meretskov spoke, Starikov honestly shut his mouth. Meretskov looked at me with a smile on his face and encouraged me to continue: "Major Oshanina, if you were the commander of the 8th Army, how would you command this battle?" ”

Hearing him ask this, I could not help but be stunned for a moment, but I quickly came back to my senses and continued along my own lines: "Before the attack, first of all, a two-hour saturation artillery bombardment of the German positions, which was also mentioned by Commander Starikov just now, and I agree with this. But the shelling was going on for an hour and a half, and I was going to order the heavy tank units to make a sortie and advance to a stop fifty meters from the German positions. ……”

"Comrade Major, I would like to ask you," interrupted me this time, General Kagan, the commander of the 4th Guards Army. "Let our tanks stop so close to the shelling area that they won't be accidentally injured by our artillery fire?"

"No, General Gagan." I replied with great certainty: "The KV heavy tanks of our army cannot even be damaged by the 88-mm anti-tank guns of the Germans, let alone shrapnel flying from dozens of meters away." At this point, I politely asked Meretskov again: "Comrade General, may I continue?" "Because this is not a formal combat meeting, let alone me, anyone who speaks may be suddenly interrupted by others, so I asked.

"Of course, of course, go on." Meretskov apparently understood what I was saying, and at the same time reminded those present: "Let Major Oshanina continue, and no one will interrupt her again." ”

After thanking Meretskov, I continued: "The reason why I wanted the tanks to reach fifty meters from the front of the German position before the end of the shelling was for two purposes: first, to clear the mines in front of the positions for our subsequent infantry units, which were laid by the Germans and would not cause any damage to the tanks. Second, after the artillery has finished the shelling, the tank units can quickly rush into the position, tear a hole in the enemy's defensive line, and cover the infantry that will follow immediately to expand this breakthrough.

As for the infantry units that served as the attack, they were supposed to advance to the enemy's front ten minutes after the tank sortie. ”

Speaking of which, I saw Starikov open his mouth to say something, but seeing that Meretskov was attentive to it, he obediently closed his mouth again. I knew what he wanted to ask, so I hurriedly raised this question first: "Maybe some comrades in command will ask." Why don't you let the infantry and tanks attack at the same time? Know the way. Tanks are faster than infantry. Even if they depart at the same time, they will get to the designated location first. Let me explain here that if the infantry and tanks attack at the same time, there will inevitably be a problem of fighting for passages, which can easily lead to unnecessary confusion among the attacking forces.

Calculated by the speed of the infantry's advance, by the time they reached the enemy's position, our tank units should have already torn a hole in the enemy's defensive line, and then they could cooperate with the tanks. Clear the trenches and fortifications of the remnants of the enemy, consolidate the position, and then continue to attack. That's all I said. ”

After listening to this, Meretskov nodded with satisfaction again and said, "Major Oshanina's style of play is quite novel. Although our troops have not tried it before, judging by my experience, the casualties of infantry units when attacking enemy positions will be significantly reduced. ”

"I agree with Comrade Commander, since you also think that this style of play can effectively reduce the casualties of the troops, I think it should be promoted in this campaign." The first to stand up for me was an old acquaintance, General Fedyuninsky.

Then the Chief of Staff of the Front, Stepakh, and the member of the Military Commission, Zaporozhyets, also expressed their positions. Fedyuninsky's opinion was supported and it was proposed to promote this method of warfare among the troops.

I saw several heavyweights who supported me. Starikov couldn't say anything against it, so he had to agree to it.

At this moment of great joy, a few people walked in through the door. Meretskov looked up, suddenly changed color, and asked angrily: "We are holding an important combat meeting, who allowed you to come in without permission?" ”

I looked closely at the people who had entered, and I was startled to see that one of them was Lieutenant Turchinov, the head of the secret service section, who had almost shot me, but this time he was standing behind a lieutenant who was clearly of higher rank than him in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. My heart beat suddenly, and I said that this matter had not been settled by Fedyuninsky on behalf of Zhukov, why did this Turchinov come out again, did he still come to me?

The lieutenant walked up to Meretskov, first glanced at everyone present, and then said arrogantly: "Comrades, I am Captain Yevgenri of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and as far as we know, Major Oshanina here, she is a Vlasovist, and we were ordered to arrest her. ”

As soon as I heard that it was another arrest, I unconsciously took a step back, and only a few hours ago had escaped death, did the people of the Ministry of Internal Affairs still refuse to let me go? But thinking that I am surrounded by general-level figures, I should be able to suppress these little shrimps of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Thinking of this, I set my eyes on Fedyuninsky.

Seeing my plea gaze, Fedyuninsky nodded slightly, then pushed aside Starikov, who was blocking him, walked out of the alley, and went straight to Captain Yevgenry, and said coldly: "Comrade Captain, let me tell you, Major Oshanina is an excellent commander in the Red Army, and she has been awarded and promoted many times because of her courage in combat and good command. I vouch for her with her rank and honor, she is definitely not a Vlasovite. ”

"Who are you? Comrade General. Captain Yevgenri asked politely and indifferently.

"I am Major Fedyuninsky, commander of the 54th Army. Why, are you going to arrest me as a Vlasov too? Also, Comrade Captain, I would like to remind you that every commander present has a higher rank than you, and according to the regulations, you should salute us. ”

In the face of Fedyuninsky's accusations, Captain Yevgeni had no choice but to raise his hand and salute those present.

While Fedyuninsky was talking to this lieutenant of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, I had not heard Meretskov's voice, and I could not help but turn my head to look at him, and I was surprised to find that his hands were clenched into fists, and his body was trembling slightly. Seeing this scene, I couldn't help but muttered to myself, could it be that Meretskov was also arrested by people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and at this moment, when I saw people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs standing in front of me, I would behave so gaffe.

At this time, Fedyuninsky turned around, looked at Meretskov and said: "Comrade Commander of the Front, this is your command, can you allow these people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to arrest our commanders at will?" ”

Meretskov was asked by Fedyuninsky, and in the face of everyone's eyes, he could no longer remain silent, but just walked up to Yevgeni and asked with some nervousness: "Comrade Captain, are you going to forcibly take Major Oshanina away from me?" ”

"That's my job. Comrade General. Yevgenri replied coldly.

"No! I disagree. Meretskov was outraged by the arrogant expression of the captain. He raised his voice and said: "Major Oshanina was arrested yesterday by the members of the secret service, I was still in Moscow at the time, and after receiving the news, I specially reported this to the deputy commander-in-chief, General Zhukov, and Comrade Stalin, and they all said that Major Oshanina would not be a Vlasovite, and asked General Fedyuninsky to come forward and rescue her." ”

"Is that so? Comrade Lieutenant. Hearing what Meretskov said, Yevgenri hurriedly turned back to Turchinov, who was standing behind him.

Facing Fedyuninsky's angry eyes. Turchinov bowed his head and replied in a low voice: "Yes, Comrade Captain." In the morning, when we were executing the Vlasovs, General Fedyuninsky suddenly appeared and stopped us, saying that he had been ordered by the deputy commander-in-chief to halt the execution and let all the suspects go. ”

Hearing Turchinov say this, Yevgenri looked a little embarrassed, maybe it would be easy for him to arrest an officer of my rank, but a commander in such a high position as Fedyuninsky. But he didn't dare to offend easily, not to mention that there was such a general as Meretskov here. He didn't dare to act rashly.

After hesitating again and again, he made a difficult decision in the end, and after raising his hand to salute Meretskov, he asked in a consultative tone: "Comrade General, we will ask Major Oshanina a few questions here, and leave after asking them, do you think it is okay?" ”

Meretskov did not answer his question right away, but turned his head to look at me, asking for my opinion with his eyes. Seeing this, I nodded vigorously in agreement. So he said, "Okay, Comrade Captain, you can ask here!" ”

After getting permission, Yevgenri walked up to me and asked with an indifferent expression: "Major Oshanina, may I ask if you were once a subordinate of Vlasov?" ”

"Yes," the question was nothing to hide, and I answered truthfully: "In the great counteroffensive under Moscow, he was the commander of the 20th Army, and I was the chief of staff of the army. ”

"I heard you're close?"

"Close?" Hearing this question, I shrugged my shoulders and asked rhetorically, "Comrade Captain, I wonder what kind of intimacy is considered according to your understanding?" ”

"I've heard that when he usually calls you, he always calls you by your nickname, Leda, not Oshanina's."

Hearing him say this, I really couldn't laugh or cry, and a slightly more affectionate title became the basis for me to be a Vlasov element. I said with a bitter face: "There are many people who call me by my nickname, and Vlasov is not the only one. ”

"Tell me what people call you by your nickname." Saying this, Yevgenri turned back and instructed one of the fighters behind him: "You take notes. The warrior agreed, took out a pen and paper from his bag, and prepared to take notes.

"When I participated in the siege of Moscow, there were people who called me by my nickname," I thought for a moment and decided to start with a person of low rank: "Instructor Krichkov of the 315th Infantry Division......"

"The one who said: Russia is big, but we have no way back, because behind us are the heroes of Moscow, right?" Starikov's eyes lit up when he heard the name of the first person I finished, and he hurriedly asked.

"Write it down!" Yevgenri commanded the warrior, "Go on, Major." ”

"The commander of the 315th Infantry Division, General Panfilov." "Write it down!"

"General Lelyusshank, commander of the 1st Guards Rifle Army." "Write it down!"

"The commander of the 1st Guards Tank Brigade, General Katukov." "Write it down!"

Every time I said a name, Yevgenri asked the warrior to write it down, but his face became more and more ugly.

"General Rokossovsky, commander of the 16th Army." "Write it down!"

"Commander of the Western Front, General Zhukov!" "Write it down!" When he said this, Yevgenri obviously looked lacking in confidence, he raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, gritted his teeth and said, "Go on, who else?" ”

"Leda." Fedyuninsky also called me by my nickname intimately: "Tell him who else." Then he asked Yevgeni in a mocking tone: "Comrade Captain, I also call Major Oshanina by his nickname, do you want to write down my name too?" ”

"There is one more important person, he never calls me by my last name and rank, whether it is when we meet or call, he always calls me by my nickname."

"Who is he? Say it. Yevgenri snatched the pen and paper from the soldier's hand, waiting to write down the name of the last man.

"Joseph. Vissarionovic. Stalin. When I uttered the name word by word, Yevgeni threw the pen and paper on the ground and shouted loudly: "You lie, how could Comrade Stalin know such a little person as you and still call you such affectionately?" ”

"Comrade Lieutenant," said Meretskov, who spoke this time in the affirmative, "I can testify to this, for when I spoke to Comrade Stalin about Major Oshanina, he always used the title Lida. If you don't believe me, I can call Comrade Stalin right away and ask him to explain this to you personally. With that, he raised his leg and walked to the high-frequency phone, posing as if he was going to make a call.

Yevgenri suddenly panicked, and he waved his hand desperately and said: "No need, Comrade General, I believe that what you said is true. Then he glared at me fiercely and said reluctantly, "Let's go!" With that, he walked out of the headquarters with a few of his men. (To be continued......)