Although Sedelikov has already made a detailed report to us on the situation of the new replenishment of more than 2,000 soldiers in the first regiment, I am still skeptical about the current combat effectiveness of the first regiment, after all, it will take time to test whether it really has the kind of powerful combat effectiveness that he described.

Akhromeyev was still in Oberstein to give his assignment when the phone on his desk rang. I got close to the phone and grabbed it. Chuikov's voice came from the earpiece, and he asked with a grin: "Oshanina, I have already contacted General Petrov, and he promised to send you a telegram to explain this in person, I don't know if you have received his telegram?" ”

"Roger, Comrade Commander." I replied respectfully: "In the telegram, General Petrov specifically mentions this Captain Karpov and says that if he had withdrawn from Odessa with him at that time, he would have been awarded the Order of the Red Banner for his meritorious service on the battlefield. Although there is no further information from Captain Karpov, I suspect that we have any hope of success in what we are going to do next. ”

Chuikov was silent for a while, and finally said slowly: "Well, since you are so confident, then try it." Fail, we have nothing to lose; But if successful, it can affect the morale of the enemy. Who are you going to send to carry out this difficult task? ”

"After the study of the leadership of our division, it was decided to send Comrade Savchenko. He, like the political commissar Kirillov, is from the political department of the army group, and he is absolutely reliable in politics. ”

"Well, now that you have the right person, go ahead and do it. I await news of your success. ”

I just put down the phone. Kirillov nervously asked: "Comrade Oshanina." How's it going, what did Comrade Commander say? ”

I nodded at him and replied with a smile: "Don't worry, Comrade Political Commissar, the commander has agreed with us, let us do it." ”

Sedelikov didn't know what we were talking about, and when we finished speaking, he couldn't help but ask me curiously: "Comrade division commander." Do you have any big plans to execute? ”

I waved at the curious baby Sederikov and scolded with a smile: "Go, go, don't ask around, with your level, you are not qualified to know." ”

Sedelikov was scolded by me twice, his face still had a hippie smile on his face, and he said half-jokingly and half-seriously: "Division commander, political commissar, I want to tell you what kind of war you want to fight." We must not forget the regiment and know the combat effectiveness of our regiment. It's no worse than it was at its peak. ”

"Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov, is what you said true?" Hearing Sederikov once again mention the combat effectiveness of a regiment could not help but arouse my curiosity. Based on what I know about him, although I don't think he is bragging, I still ask him seriously: "Can the current combat effectiveness of your regiment really be comparable to the past?" ”

"Comrade Division Commander, I will still lie to you, of course it's true." Hearing the suspicion in my tone, Sederikov couldn't help but defend himself in an aggrieved tone: "If you don't believe it, you can go and see for yourself." ”

"Just look at it," Hearing him say this, I really moved the idea of going to a regiment, "I'll go with you now, I want to see with my own eyes how strong your regiment's combat power is now?" ”

When Kirillov heard that I was going to a group, he quickly stood up and stopped me: "Comrade Oshanina, you have only been in danger for a few hours, why did you forget about it so quickly?" In order to make me change my mind, he also persuaded me earnestly, "You are the commander of a division, and your position is in the division headquarters, not running around like a company commander." ”

Shedelikov didn't know anything about my distress, and when he heard Kirillov say this, he hurriedly asked with concern: "Comrade division commander, you are in danger today, what's going on?" ”

Akhromeyev, who had just finished explaining his mission to Oberstein, happened to hear this and immediately explained to him: "At dawn, the Germans launched an attack on the positions of the 4th regiment, and the division commander wanted to know how the battle was going, so he ran to the observation post halfway up the mountain, without even bringing a single guard. Unexpectedly, as soon as the German attack on the position of the Fourth Regiment was repulsed, a German army wearing our uniform came up the hill and exchanged fire with the commanders and fighters of the Second Regiment in the position. ……”

"Wait, you're talking about the Germans in our uniforms?" Oberstein, who had not spoken all this time, suddenly said: "Have you confirmed, it won't be a deserter from our army, right?" ”

Oberstein's words stunned me for a moment, since I was in distress, I had always disguised the attacking squad as Germans, and I had searched a corpse and found no documents to prove the identity of the other party.

While I was silent, Akhromeyev had already picked up the phone on the table. From his name, I could tell that he was calling the command post of the 2nd Regiment, after all, today's battle was taking place in the regiment's defense area, and the dozens of German corpses were still on their positions, to know the identity of the attackers, the 2nd Regiment was the most appropriate.

But before Akhromeyev could come up with a reason, I had already figured out the idea in my head, and I said to Oberstein with confidence: "I can confirm that it was the Germans who attacked us." Because when I was trapped in an artillery hole with the commander of the second regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, I heard the voices of the soldiers outside, all of whom spoke German. ”

After Akhromeyev put down the phone, he reported to me: "Comrade division commander, political commissar Velol, reported that from the bodies of the sneak attackers, more than a dozen military certificates were found. From the above content, it shows that they are all from the 184th Infantry Division. ”

"184th Infantry Division, Colonel Koida's troops." Kirillov read the number that Akhromeyev had just reported to him, shook his head with a sneer, and then said regretfully: "This division was ordered to withdraw to the east bank of the Volga River as early as September 15 because of the attrition of Yan Zòng in the battle. There is no doubt that this detachment must have been disguised by the Germans, but unfortunately we do not know from which unit they came from. ”

I turned my face to Shederikov and said: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, Commissar Oberstein will not go back with you later, he will stay and have more important work to do." During the time he was away. You are responsible for everything in the group. "Finished. It doesn't matter if there is a look of resentment on his face. Then he turned to look at Kirillov and said: "Commissar, I plan to go to the first regiment to have a look and find out what the real combat strength of their regiment is at present." ”

When Kirillov heard me say this, he surprisingly did not object any further, he pondered for a moment, and finally said to me solemnly: "Comrade Oshanina, I have no objection to you going to the first group, but it is not safe on the road. Let's take a few more guards with you. In this case, Major Akhromeyev and I will feel at ease. Speaking of this, he turned to Akhromeyev and asked: "Do you say yes, Comrade Chief of Staff?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commissar." After Akhromeyev answered this, he casually grabbed the phone on the desk again and said: "I'll call Captain Basmanov and ask him to take two guard squads and follow the division commander into action." ”

Before I was about to leave with Sederikov, Kirillov pointed at me with his index finger. Once again, he kindly reminded me: "Comrade Oshanina, I ask you to remember. You are the commander of the division, don't be reckless, don't start a battle, just like an ordinary soldier, face to face with the enemy with a gun. ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Commissar." After taking one look at me, Shedelikov said to Kirillov: "I am responsible for protecting the safety of the division commander, and I will never let her have an accident." ”

After listening to Sederikov's words, Kirillov walked over, stretched out his hands and grabbed his arm, and slapped him twice vigorously to express his inner gratitude. Then he smiled at me and nodded, as a kind of acquiescence.

When we reached the foot of the mountain, although it was not yet dark, there was no one in sight, and it was a little scary.

When Sederikov came, he brought five guards, and I brought another twenty or so guards, and when the people on both sides got together, there were really a lot of people. Shedelikov looked at the sky and said to me in a pleading tone: "Comrade division commander, so many of us are going together, the goal is too big. If enemy planes appear, we will be the target of air strikes. ”

"What do you say?" I knew that he cared about my comfort, and although I was dissatisfied, I still gave him the command of the small unit temporarily.

"Divide the existing people into three groups of ten people each. When marching, each group was spaced thirty meters apart. So that our goal on the march will not be too big. ”

"Okay, well, listen to you, just do as you say." I readily agreed with him.

Half an hour later, we came to the residential area where a regiment was stationed. Since the last time I visited, it has been bombed many times, some houses have been blown down, some houses have only one or two walls have been blown down, and the intact houses are completely out of sight.

Bypassing a half-collapsed house, I came to an open field full of rubble, and I saw a team of hundreds of people gathered here. When we came, they were in a line. Seeing this scene, I couldn't help but ask Sedelikov curiously: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, what are they doing?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Division Commander." Shedelikov explained to me: "On the side of the building on the side of the road, we have a company of fighters on duty and on guard. The reason for this arrangement was to take into account the inconvenience of access, and if there were only a few men, by the time they raised the battle alarm, the enemy would have almost rushed into our station. In the case of a company, even if the enemy has a large force coming, it can block the enemy while sounding the battle alarm and wait for the main force of the regiment to enter the position. ”

I nodded with satisfaction at this arrangement of Sederikov, and then asked: "How often do the troops on guard change their guards?" ”

"Change every eight hours. Three battalions take turns in guarding duties. Each battalion has three companies, so that each company can be involved in the duty mission. ”

The appearance of such a large group of us immediately attracted the attention of the commanders and fighters who were assembling, and the captain, who was standing at the front of the queue and giving orders, saw that the soldiers were already standing in order, so he trotted all the way to meet us. He came to us, raised his hand and just wanted to salute Sederikov, when suddenly he found a higher rank of me standing next to him, and he couldn't help but freeze in place.

Seeing that the captain was stunned in a daze, Sederikov hurriedly smiled and said to him: "This is our division commander, Colonel Oshanina, you can report to him." ”

The captain hurriedly raised his hand to salute me, and at the same time reported loudly: "Comrade division commander. Captain Grakov reports to you. The three battalions and nine companies were assembled. I'm about to exchange defenses with friendly forces, so please instruct me! ”

"Captain Grakov," I replied politely, looking at the unfamiliar captain in front of me, "go on a mission!" ”

The captain agreed, turned and ran back to the line, beckoning his men to take over the defense of the friendly forces. Looking at his back as he left, Sederikov introduced to me: "This captain is from the 87th Infantry Division, which was ordered to retreat on September 14 to rest and replenish. He did not leave with the troops, but remained in the city with a dozen fighters to continue the fight. Two days ago, after he and his comrades were scattered by the enemy, they inadvertently broke into the defense zone of our regiment. I saw that he had a lot of combat experience and was a commander, so I left him in the regiment as a company commander. Speaking of this, he pestered me again, "Comrade division commander, my regiment is indeed too short of commanders now, can you find a way to transfer a few for me?" ”

"Where did you get it from?" I said angrily, "Otherwise, I'll come over and be your company commander." ”

"No, I can't. No," I said, causing Shederikov to wave his hand in fright. He said in a loud voice: "At your level, if you come to my regiment to be a company commander, I can only go to the company to be a soldier." Then he continued to say in a pleading tone, "Think of a way, division commander, I still lack a battalion commander in the second battalion, so you can help me solve the candidate for this battalion commander, okay?" ”

"Where am I going to get you a battalion commander back?! I won't change a big life......" As soon as I said this, I suddenly remembered a candidate, so I stopped the following words in time, and said cautiously: "If you really want a battalion commander, I have a suitable candidate?" ”

Hearing me say this, Shederikov was overjoyed and asked repeatedly: "Who is it?" Do I know each other? ”

"That man's name is Serebryane, a second lieutenant of the 2nd Regiment, and some time ago I asked him to lead troops into the Soviet Avenue to assist the 42nd Guards Regiment in the defense. In order to strengthen their determination to hold their positions, I promoted Serebryanny to the rank of lieutenant at that time, and announced in public that if they could hold out until the 5th of October, I would give each of the whole company a rank of first rank. ”

When Shederikov heard me say this, he was first overjoyed, then a trace of worry appeared on his face, and then he asked hesitantly: "Division commander, if you transfer the commander of the 2nd Regiment to my regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg will not have an opinion, right?" ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." I said with a big grin: "When Serebryanny and his subordinates were transferred to Soviet Street, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg was still serving as the commander of the Fifth Regiment at your present station, and he did not know that there was such a person as Serebryanny. It was thus decided, and after the fifth I will transfer Captain Sherebryanny and his company to you. ”

"Division commander, didn't you just say lieutenant, why did you become a captain again?" Shederikov asked confusedly.

I kicked him in anger and scolded: "What are you doing when I was talking, didn't you hear me say that if his troops hold out on the streets of Soviets until October 5th, I will give them all the first ranks." ”

As he was talking, the soldiers who had been replaced by the Ninth Company walked out of several nearby buildings one after another. I looked at these miscellaneous units dressed in different costumes and holding different types of weapons, and asked Sederikov with interest: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, these are the troops you have just gathered, right?" Looking at their clothes and weapons are messy, I don't know what their combat effectiveness is? ”

"Don't worry," said Sederikov confidently, "although many of them have only only taken up arms for a short time, all of them have trained hard, and in less than a day, all of them have learned to shoot. ”

When I heard Sederikov say this, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him, and said that when I participated in military training at school, it only took me ten minutes to learn how to shoot a gun, and I was able to skillfully disassemble a gun in one day. Just as I was about to count him down, I suddenly saw a young girl with a strap on her head passing in front of me with a rifle on her back.

I hurriedly shouted, "Girl, please wait a minute." ”

The girl stopped, turned around, and after looking me up and down, the round-faced girl raised her hand and saluted me with a military salute that was not too standard, and asked politely with a smile: "Comrade commander, did you call me?" ”

I nodded, pointed to the bandage on her head and asked, "How did you get this wound on your head?" ”

The girl's smile froze on her face, and she gritted her teeth and said, "They were the ones who were injured." ”

"Who? Who is it?! The girl's words made me furious, and I wondered in my heart if it was some soldier who saw that someone else was beautiful, and tried to resist her and was injured by the resistance, so I looked from side to side, and asked angrily, "Who did it?" ”

My fierce expression startled everyone present. After a while, Shederikov, who was standing next to me, first came to his senses and quickly explained to me with a smile: "Comrade division commander, you have misunderstood. The wound on the girl's head was wounded by the Germans. ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander, it was wounded by the Germans." The girl also understood that I had made a fuss, and hurriedly said to me: "The place where my family lives has been occupied by the Germans, and I and my neighbors who are hiding in the basement have been seized by the Germans. When they asked us to dig the fortifications, I took advantage of the German soldiers on guard to pay attention, called a few companions, and ran out along the half-dug trench. Halfway through the run, we were spotted by the Germans, who swept at us with machine guns mounted on armored vehicles, killing several of our companions on the spot, and wounding me. Luckily, there was a crater next to it, and I jumped into it without hesitation. ”

"Are you used to it here?" I asked with concern: "Do you need me to arrange for you to go to the east bank of the Volga?" ”

The girl shook her head like a rattle, and replied resolutely: "Thank you, comrade commander, for your kindness, I will stay and fight the German devils with you and avenge our sacrifices." With that, he turned around and ran away without looking back.

Looking at the girl's back, I thoughtfully asked Shederikov: "Are there many female soldiers like this in your regiment?" ”

Sederikov shook his head and said, "Not much, only a dozen." Since they were all militia trained and knew some military skills, I temporarily integrated them into the combat unit. ”

"Let them stay in the combat unit for a while," I said, sighing, "and then arrange for them to go to the health team or the communications company after a while." For female soldiers, those units are the best fit for them. ”

"Yes, I will arrange this matter myself." After Shedelikov said this, he looked left and right, and then said to me in a pleading tone: "Comrade division commander, it's not safe outside, let's go to the regimental command post first." (To be continued......)

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