Thinking of this, I asked Kirillov with great interest: "Comrade Political Commissar, how do you plan to carry out your work after you come to the independent division and take up your post?" ”

Kirillov thought for a moment and said slowly: "Comrade Oshanina, I have carefully studied the organizational structure of the independent division, and found that you and the other five regimental commanders are in charge of the division, and there are no other political workers except for the fifth regiment, which has a political instructor from the Vinnitsa Infantry Academy, Vylol. Therefore, before I came, I transferred 20 people from the political department of the group army to be used to enrich the political work force in the division. By the way, they will be able to report from the division tomorrow at the latest. ”

Hearing Kirillov's words, I couldn't help but chuckle in my heart, you know, what I hate the most is the political workers, I think that most of them have no ability, only know how to blindly obey their superiors, if there are many people in my independent division who are blindly commanding, then how will the next battle be fought? So I just hummed lukewarmly, and then asked listlessly: "Comrade Political Commissar, how do you plan to arrange for these political workers to come with you to the Independent Division?" ”

Kirillov knew how to read words and looks, and from my tone and countenance, it was obvious that I did not welcome the arrival of these political workers. But he only smiled, and then said in an unhurried tone: "Two months earlier, when it was indicated that a major battle was inevitable in the Stalingrad direction, the units of the Front were replenished with thousands of communists with extensive experience in party politics. Of the 9,000 Communist Party members summoned by the 62nd Group Army from all border regions and prefectures throughout the country, there were more than 500 secretaries of the district, prefecture, and municipal party committees, department directors and instructors, secretaries of collective farms and factories, and other party workers. Among them was me and Comrade Kruglov from the Central Committee. Deputy People's Commissar of State Farms of the Russian Federation Stupov and other comrades. Came to the 62nd Army to strengthen the political department. A strong party core was formed in the group army. Now we have basically achieved that each company has a strong party group. Many of the battalions of the 33rd, 37th and 39th Guards Divisions were made up of party members and regimental members. ”

Hearing him say this, I smiled bitterly, shrugged my shoulders, and said to him in embarrassment: "Comrade Political Commissar, the composition of the independent division, I think you should also be very clear, except for a few commanders and fighters. The absolute majority of the remaining fighters were prisoners from the Gulag concentration camps, the commanders were from the correctional camps, and there were probably no party members in the entire division. ”

Kirillov said confidently: "Comrade Oshanina, don't worry, as long as these political workers are assigned to various units, the mechanism will be gradually perfected. ”

I didn't speak, just nodded noncommittally and listened patiently as he continued.

"These political workers are all party members, and they should set an example for the commanders and fighters around them. Steadfastness should be the code of conduct for every party member in battle. If the party member appears to be panicked or timid and afraid of death, the party organization must deal with such a party member strictly according to the party's discipline. Until expulsion from the party.

At the same time, we should also take into account: In the ensuing battle, which lasted for several weeks and months, the political workers were unable to convene a large-scale meeting of commanders and fighters to preach the important resolutions of the Party and the orders of the higher commanders, and there was no place or time to make enthusiastic tirades. Propaganda and agitation for the commanders and fighters of the troops should be carried out on the combat mission in the positions, in the buildings they hold onto, and in the brief conversations with the soldiers. However, political workers often go so far as to explain to the commanders and fighters directly in battle how they should master their weapons and how to fulfill their commanders' orders. Frankly speaking, this kind of practical action plays a much bigger role than a long speech. Therefore, one of the first tasks faced by the political workers working in the independent division is to be proficient in positional warfare and street fighting tactics, and to be proficient in the use of various weapons, such as various firearms and grenades.

In my opinion, the main task of the party organization of the independent division is that, having understood the significance of the defense of Stalingrad, political workers at all levels should focus their work on companies, platoons, and squads. Individual conversations have become the main way of working for political counselors, party group leaders, political deputies, and political counselors. Only in this way can the warriors realize that even if he is the only one left behind enemy lines, he should and can fight the enemy to the end. Only by giving the fighters trust and deep trust can we arouse the enthusiasm of the vast number of commanders and fighters in a creative and innovative manner. It's a job that requires patience, complexity, and responsibility. I can say with optimism that through the efforts of the political workers in the division, every commander and fighter in the division will become an insurmountable obstacle in the enemy's way of advancement. ”

I have to say that Kirillov's words are still very convincing, at least his words made me less disgusted with political workers, and at the same time, I also increased my goodwill accordingly.

Seeing that my face had improved, Kirillov struck while the iron was hot and said: "When they receive the combat order from the division, they will go down to the company with the task, carry out the orders of their superiors to every commander and fighter, and mobilize everyone to complete the combat mission under all conditions. They will carry out mass political work with the commanders and fighters, explaining to them the important decisions of their superiors and the combat tasks of the unit, so that the commanders and fighters will feel more deeply about their responsibilities and will better understand the importance of fulfilling the tasks they have received.

We have an unwavering belief in victory, and we must not turn our backs on this belief for a minute: our cause is just, and what we defend is a progressive society and a bright life for future generations. Although the enemy is rampant now, what awaits them in the end is a certain fate! This is not a slogan, not a speech at a mass rally, but our eternal conviction, the driving force of our combat effectiveness and the source of our courageous combat. ”

Listening to Kirillov's words, I couldn't help but applaud the case, which was really wonderful, after all, he came out of the Central Committee, and his speech was level, and even I, who had never had a good impression of political workers, was persuaded by him.

Razumeyeva next to her was afraid that Kirillov would feel thirsty after saying so much. Hurriedly took a cup of hot tea. Said enthusiastically: "Comrade commissar. You must be thirsty after talking for so long, so please drink a cup of hot tea with honey. ”

Kirillov took the tea from Razumeyeva's hand, thanked him, took a sip of it, then put the tea jar on the earthen table, and then said to me: "Comrade Oshanina, I have another idea. It is to install radio broadcasts on our positions, and often play some songs full of fighting passion to the soldiers. Boost their fighting spirit. ”

His remarks immediately reminded me of Alexandrov's Red Banner Song and Dance Troupe that had performed in Rokossovsky's troops during the Battle of Moscow, although they were only a small group of only 12 people, but their potential on the battlefield even exceeded several divisions, and the combat effectiveness of the troops on the battlefield immediately increased exponentially after hearing them sing, no wonder Rokossovsky was pleased to say when he heard the arrival of the song and dance troupe: " This is tantamount to sending us reserves. ”

Come to think of it. I nodded vigorously and said without hesitation, "Comrade Political Commissar." I have no opinion on your suggestion. It's up to you to set up the radio station and install loudspeakers in each position. ”

When Kirillov saw that I had given him the authority to deal with this matter, he readily agreed: "Okay, I'll go to the commander in charge of propaganda in the group army tomorrow to handle this matter." ”

While the two of us were talking, a familiar voice came from outside the door: "Comrade division commander, Second Lieutenant Mihayev, commander of the engineer company, reports to you, can I come in?" ”

Mihayev, when I heard him report to his house outside, I couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and said in my heart, I didn't look for him, what did he come to do? But the others were already outside, and I couldn't let him go back like this, so I shouted loudly outside: "Come in, Second Lieutenant Mihayev!" ”

When he came in and saluted Kirillov and me, I asked curiously: "Comrade second lieutenant, you came to the division headquarters, is there anything you can do?" ”

Mihayev hurriedly replied: "Report to the division commander and comrade political commissar, our company has almost completed the task at present, and I have come to request the next task." ”

Kirillov smiled at him and said with concern: "Comrade Ensign, I think you and your fighters are probably tired after being busy for so many days, so let's give you half a day off and have a good rest." ”

Kirillov showed his attitude, I wanted to echo him, and I was about to speak, when I suddenly saw that my low and narrow division command was obviously not suitable to continue as a command center in the later brutal battles, so I ordered Mihayev: "Comrade second lieutenant, the political commissar is right, you have worked hard for so long, you should be allowed to rest well. But now it seems that it is not possible, if you look at my division headquarters, do you think it can withstand German shells or bombs? ”

Mihayev looked up at the log on the roof, looked around, and then shook his head slowly.

"Since you also feel that the division headquarters is not up to standard, should you lead the soldiers of the engineer company to find us a safe place and re-carve a new headquarters?"

When Mihayev heard me say this, he quickly nodded and said in a resolute tone: "No problem, Comrade Division Commander, if you give me five hours, I will definitely repair a safe and comfortable new headquarters for you." ”

Even Kirillov nodded with satisfaction at Mihayev's decisiveness and simplicity, and he turned his head to look at me and said: "Comrade division commander, since a new headquarters is going to be built here, then I will first go to the residential area and meet with the commanders of the three regiments, and get acquainted with everyone." ”

Although from here to the settlements were the defense areas of the separate divisions, in order to ensure the safety of Kirillov, I offered to take the initiative: "Comrade commissar, I will send a platoon of guards with you." ”

Unexpectedly, Kirillov waved his hand and said disappreciatively: "No, no, it's not far from here to the settlement, and besides, when I came to take office, I also brought a guard squad, and it was enough for them to accompany me." ”

Seeing that he had rejected my kindness, I stopped insisting and allowed him to leave with his guard squad.

Kirillov went to the settlement, Mihayev was renovating my headquarters with a group of fighters, and I left the command post to inspect the newly built fortifications on the hillside with the guard squad of Basmanov and Vera, who had just returned.

As we walked towards the main position, Basmanov asked with a worried face: "Comrade division commander." At this time went to the positions of a regiment of Shederikov. Is it appropriate? In the event of a German attack. The safety of your life is not guaranteed. ”

To Basmanov's concern, I said indifferently: "It's okay, Comrade Captain. Today, the main forces of the German army have been drawn to the northwest by the three army groups organized by General Zhukov, and the Germans in front do not have enough strength to attack our positions. ”

Despite this, Basmanov asked worriedly: "What if the Germans carry out air strikes or artillery bombardment of our heights again?" ”

I waved my hand and said lightly: "The Germans are in the air raid in the morning." Although destroying our anti-aircraft machine-gun positions, they also lost six aircraft. They have suffered such a big loss, and they will definitely not take any more risks in a short time. As for the shelling, it is even more impossible, we have been to the Mamayev Gang for two or three days, have you seen the Germans shelling our positions? Without waiting for Basmanov to speak, I was already asking myself and answering, "No." Their artillery and tanks are currently concentrated in the north-western direction, and they are used to organize the counterattack carried out by our army with all their might, and now they can do it. It is to ensure calm in the area so that more troops can be deployed to reinforce the areas under attack. ”

Listen to me about this. Basmanov's face finally showed a smile, and he smiled a little embarrassedly and said: "Comrade division commander, hearing you say this, I don't have to worry about it. ”

When we were still more than a hundred meters from a regimental position, I stopped. Basmanov, who was right behind me, didn't expect me to stop suddenly and crash into me. After apologizing to me, he asked me curiously: "Comrade division commander, why did you stop?" ”

I pointed to the position in the distance and said to him, "Comrade Captain, come and see." Do you see any difference in the fortifications built by a regiment? ”

Basmanov looked at it for a long time, shook his head, and said: "I can't see it, isn't it just one or two trenches, with a few large hiding caves, nothing unusual." At this point, he paused suddenly, and after a short silence, he exclaimed, "Hell, how can a regiment of positions be cultivated like this?" Comrade division commander, look at that trench, isn't it a bit like a winding mountain road? The starting point is connected to the cave at the back of the hillside, and it spirals up in a clockwise direction, passing halfway up the mountain, and then reaching the fortification at the top of the mountain. ”

"Yes, Comrade Captain, you are very observant." I nodded at his careful observation, praised him, and explained to him: "This trench of the Sedelikov regiment is very cleverly built. When German shells or bombs fell in the mountainside trenches, the commanders and fighters who stayed inside could leave only a few observation posts, and the rest followed the trenches to the hiding caves for shelter, and waited until the enemy attacked, and then they re-entered the position. It didn't matter if the Germans broke through the hillside position, when the enemy charged to the hilltop position, the commanders and fighters in the hidden caves could rush up along the trenches, retake the mountainside position, and fire from behind the enemy, and flank the defenders holding on the top of the hill to eliminate the enemy. ”

While Basmanov and I were discussing the merits of a regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov, who had been informed by the fighters, had already walked towards me with several fighters.

After Shedelikov saluted me, I pointed to the position in the distance and asked straight to the point: "Comrade Sederikov, why did the trenches of your regiment be built like this?" ”

Since I did not express my attitude, Shedelikov did not know whether I wanted to criticize him or praise him, and after hesitating for a moment, he still replied to me stubbornly: "Report to the division commander, this method of building this trench in this way was proposed by the commander of the engineer company, Second Lieutenant Mihayev, and I saw that the defensive effect of the trench built in this way was good, so I agreed. Comrade division commander, if you want to blame, blame me, and don't blame Second Lieutenant Mihayev, he also acted on my orders. ”

Seeing the panicked expression on Sederikov's face, I couldn't help but laugh, and I asked rhetorically: "When did I say that this trench is bad?" After seeing him stunned for a moment, I shook my head desperately, and then I said, "I think the cultivation of this trench is very good, even if the Germans occupy the position on the mountainside or the top of the mountain, our troops can rely on this trench to quickly recapture the lost position, and at the same time will not cause too many casualties." ”

When Shedelikov heard me say this, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Under the leadership of Sederikov, I made some rounds around the positions of the regiment, and then went to inspect the hidden army caves behind the hillside, and saw that the fortifications were fully at the level I expected, and then I returned to the division headquarters with Basmanov with satisfaction.

As soon as I reached the hill where the division headquarters was located, I saw a large number of soldiers shouting trumpets and pulling something up the hillside. Without looking back, I said to Basmanov: "Comrade Captain, let's go and see what is going on?" ”

Not far away, I saw a qiē on the hillside, and it turned out that the soldiers were struggling to pull artillery up the hillside. As soon as Basmanov and I stopped, a man ran out of the crowd and ran towards us.

After running to a stop in front of us, he raised his hand and saluted, and said excitedly: "Comrade division commander, artillery captain Morozov reports to you that two anti-tank companies equipped by the army group command for my division have arrived. (To be continued......)