Chuikov looked at the two divisional commanders standing in front of him, his expression was very solemn, he slowly raised his hands, put them on the shoulders of Bilyukov and Sobaoli, and said in a hoarse voice: "Go back and arrange the defenses, remember that you must hold your position at all costs, you must not allow the enemy to approach our crossing, and you must completely eliminate the danger of the enemy's attempt to storm Stalingrad from the Nizhny Chilskaya region." Do you understand? ”

Bilyukov nodded vigorously and said, "I understand everything, we will definitely hold our position." After speaking, he turned his head to look at the political commissar beside him, and said again: "Comrade commander, I still want to ask you for something. ”

Chuikov removed his hand from the shoulders of the two, looked at him and asked with interest: "Say, Comrade Division Commander, I want to hear what you are asking me for?" ”

"Comrade commander, you also know that the commander of that regiment has almost suffered casualties, and without the commander's command, the troops will not be able to fight, please see if you can add a few commanders to me."

Chuikov looked at the few staff officers in the observation post, then sighed and said, "General Biryukov, can't you see it?" I don't have a single superfluous commander here. "In my heart, Biryukov's request is not excessive, but it can be mentioned at the wrong time. You must know that a few hours ago, Chuikov had just lost a large number of commanders, and there were not enough staff officers around him, so where were there any extra people to serve as grassroots commanders.

Bilyukov's eyes glanced at me and Semykov, and then he pouted at us and said: "Comrade commander. Isn't that still an idle commander? ”

Chuikov turned his head to look at it, his eyes lit up suddenly, and he smiled softly and said to Kolpacic: "Old man, I want to discuss something with you, can you lend me one of your subordinates?" You know, General Biryukov's division is in great need of a commander who can be the commander of the regiment. ”

As Chuikov and Korpakich spoke, I turned my head to look at Semykov beside me, thinking that he was the right person to be the commander of the regiment, who had been fighting stubbornly behind enemy lines with a detachment of troops a few days earlier, leading a large number of enemy forces that were trying to attack the Koska line of defense. In addition to having a lot of combat experience. He was also Chuikov's savior.

Almost without hesitation, Kolpakchi agreed to Chuikov's request, and he generously said: "Well, dear Vasily. Ivanovich. For the request made by you, an old comrade-in-arms. I don't think I can find a reason to refuse. ”

Chuikov took his hand and shook it vigorously. Say loudly: "Dear Vladimir. Yakovlevich, you are so good that I know that you will not refuse my request. So be it. Let Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina go to the division of General Biryukov to serve as the commander of this regiment. ”

Hearing that Chuikov chose me, Kolpakchi's smile froze on his face, and he asked with some disbelief: "I'm sorry, Comrade Chuikov, who did you choose, can you repeat it again?" ”

"Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, as far as I know, has a lot of combat experience and has held many important positions in the army, and I believe that she is fully qualified for the position of regiment commander," said Chuikov. ”

I looked at Kolpakć's embarrassed expression, and secretly prayed in my heart: Comrade commander, don't agree to Chuikov's request, I'm not a panacea, I need to be wiped wherever I want. Two days ago, if I hadn't been hiding under the tank and then happened to blow up the Germans' firepower, I would have been one of the dead.

Just when Korpakchi was thinking, Biryukov next to him was in a hurry, he originally wanted Chuikov to arrange a commander with combat experience to be the regiment commander, but he didn't expect Chuikov to choose me, he reminded Chuikov in a low voice: "Comrade commander, what I need is a commander with rich combat experience." But you have assigned me a female commander, can she be qualified for the post of regimental commander? ”

Chuikov beckoned to me, asked me to come over to him, then turned around, still smiling gently, patted Bilyukov on the shoulder very considerately and said: "Comrade division commander, do you know the 8th Guards Division?" ”

General Biliukov nodded vigorously and said: "Zhiludao, it turned out to be the 316th Infantry Division of General Panfilov, which was renamed the Eighth Guards Division because of its outstanding fighting spirit in the battle to defend Moscow and achieved great results. What impressed me the most was the division's political instructor of the first class, Crochkov, who, before his death, shouted: 'Russia is big, but we have no way back, because behind us is Moscow.' This famous sentence of his is known to every commander and fighter in the division. ”

Chuikov smiled and said: "Comrade Biryukov, maybe you don't know that Oshanina once fought side by side with Crochkov, when one of them was a battalion commander and the other was a political instructor. In addition, after the 316th Division was awarded the honorable title of the 8th Guards Division, the first division commander was Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina. "My experience of fighting side by side with Crochkov made Byrykov feel different about me, and when he heard that I was the first commander of the 8th Guards Division, he was completely stunned.

Sobaoli, the political commissar of the division, who had not spoken, walked up to me, took the initiative to stretch out his hand, and said in a friendly manner: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, welcome to the 214th Infantry Division. ”

I am now riding a tiger, so I have to shake hands with him with a smile, and say in my heart that in this situation, going to your 214th Division is to send you to death. After shaking hands, I turned my head to look at Kolpakchi next to me, hoping that he would refuse Chuikov's proposal, so that I could legitimately stay in the headquarters of the 62nd Army.

I didn't expect Korpakch to misunderstand what I meant, maybe he thought that when Chuikov proposed to let me work in the 64th Army a few days ago, I was a little moved, and when I was invited again today, I would be very eager to go, so he generously made a favor: "Comrade Chuikov, since Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina has no objection, then I will temporarily send her to the 214th Division." But I can tell you in advance, as soon as I have the right person, I will send her back to my 62nd Army. ”

"Okay, that's it. I thank you for your selfless assistance. After shaking hands with Kolpakchi again, Chuikov turned his head and said to Biryukov: "Comrade division commander, what are you still doing here, hurry up and take Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina back to the division." You also have to hurry up and prepare to resist the German attack tomorrow. ”

"Yes!" Biryukov agreed, and then said to me: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, let's go." ”

Seeing that everything was irretrievable, I really wanted to cry without tears, so I could only squeeze out a smile and salute goodbye to Chuikov and Kolpakchi. (To be continued......)