Gordorf walked around the table, sat down in the comfortable lap chair behind the desk, then leaned back, leaned back in the chair, raised his hand and pressed it down, and said with a pleasant face: "Comrade Oshanina, don't stand, sit down." ”

Seeing Gordorf speak to me in such a friendly manner, I felt like I was in a dream, you must know that the last time I walked into his office with Chuikov, I saw him scolding Chuikov without saying anything, and at this moment, he was not so much a commander of the front as a kind old man. Since he asked me to sit down again, you're welcome. I walked in front of the wooden bench across from him and sat down, legs together, hands on knees, straight, and seated upright.

Goldov looked at me and said, "Comrade Oshanina, please go on." According to General Chuikov's report to me, the 229th Division inflicted heavy losses on the enemy when it broke through. Comrade Deputy Commander and I are very eager to know what happened to Lu Dao, can you tell us? ”

Since Goldov gave me an opportunity to sing the praises of myself, I naturally did not waste it stupidly, so I smiled and said: "Comrade commander, this is the situation. Having repelled the enemy's attack during the day, we quietly began to break through that night. When our troops had marched only a kilometer or two from the defensive positions on the Don River, they were spotted by enemy scouts, who called for artillery support and bombarded our passage with artillery, forming a death blockade. ”

Originally sitting on the other side of the table, leaning back and leaning back in the chair. Half-closed eyes with a nonchalant face Deputy Commander Glikov. When it was heard that we were intercepted by artillery fire. He opened his eyes suddenly, leaned forward slightly, and asked curiously, "The enemy has set up a death blockade line on your path with artillery fire. How did you get through? Did they break the troops into pieces, disperse and rush over? Speaking of this, he shook his head vigorously, and immediately denied what he had just said, "Words of heavy artillery fire. Even if they scattered and rushed over, the casualties of the troops would not be small. ”

"Comrade Deputy Commander," I looked at him, and said politely, "when I first saw the death blockade formed by enemy artillery fire, the division commander, Colonel Sazhen, tentatively sent a platoon of fighters to try to see if they could successfully rush through. At this point, I deliberately paused, sighed, and continued in a regretful tone, "The result is not yet halfway there. All these soldiers were killed under enemy fire. ”

"And how did you get through the blockade?" Compared with the steady General Goldov, Glikov, the deputy commander, is obviously a little anxious.

"Colonel Sazhin saw that all the soldiers who had tried the shock were killed. Suddenly his eyes turned red. He wanted to hand over the command of the troops to me, and then he himself rushed forward with his soldiers, and I stopped him in time. ”

"What about after you stop it?" This time it was General Goldov who was questioned.

"Comrade Commander," I hastened to reply, "after stopping the Colonel, I told him that, according to my observations, the enemy's artillery positions should not be far from where we are, and that the line of death blocking us would cease to exist if a small force was sent to take off the enemy's artillery positions. ”

"If I'm not mistaken, the commander of this small unit must be you, Comrade Oshanina." Deputy Commander Glikov asked amicably.

I nodded at him and replied with a smile: "Comrade Deputy Commander, your guess is completely correct. I led the soldiers of the sailor battalion to sneak into the vicinity of the enemy's artillery position, and unexpectedly found that the enemy's artillery was not covered by infantry, so I launched a surprise attack, completely annihilated the enemy's artillery, and captured all the artillery. At that time, the commander of the sailor battalion advised me to immediately lead the troops to move to the river, join the main forces of the division, and then cross to the left bank of the Don after blowing up all the enemy's artillery. ”

"Did the cannon blow up?" Glickoff asked slowly.

"Of course it blew up, Comrade Deputy Commander." I smiled, "But before the bombing, I found that there were still a lot of shells on the enemy's positions. I said to myself, since there are so many shells left, don't waste them, and give them all back to the Germans. The battalion commander was ordered to draw from the sailor battalion those who had served as artillerymen, turn the muzzles, and shell several enemy camps according to the markings on the captured map. Although it is not possible to count the results of the battle, according to my estimates, at least one tank camp and two infantry camps of the enemy were destroyed by artillery fire after the shelling. ”

"Well done, Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina." Goldov sat up straight, crossed his arms on the table, and said to me with a serious face: "It is undeniable that the effect of your shelling is very obvious. According to General Lopatin's report to me, the enemy's attack during the day, except for a brief preparation of artillery fire, the attacking infantry was not covered by tanks at all, and our troops easily broke the enemy's charge. ”

After speaking, he stood up with his hands on the table, and said to me with a serious expression: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, do you know why Lu Dao will suddenly recall you from the front to the front headquarters?" ”

Seeing that the commanders were all standing up, I couldn't continue to sit, so I quickly stood up, shrugged my shoulders, and replied: "Comrade commander, I don't know very well, it seems that I am going back to the front army headquarters to report to you." ”

Goldov laughed twice and said: "Debriefing, although you were sent by Comrade Zhukov to our front, you did not hold any specific positions in the army, and you have any duties to describe. ”

"Then what did you call me back to the Front Headquarters?"

"I received a call this morning from the Supreme Commander-in-Chief himself, in which he mentioned you. Say that long before the enemy pounced on the Don valley, you pointed out that the enemy's offensive target was Stalingrad, where we are. Speaking of this, he turned his head to look at Glikov and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, judging by the current situation, the enemy is trying to capture our Stalingrad. But the hundreds of thousands of troops we deployed between the Don and the Volga are not vegetarians, and even if they sacrifice their own lives, they will not let the enemy move forward. They will surely be able to crush this attempt of the enemy once and for all. ”

Listen to Gordorf when he mentions Stalin. A thought crossed my mind. Did you recall me to Stalingrad, or let me obey Stalin's early orders to hold the Mamayev post? It's a pity that the ensign training team promised by General Meretskov was not handed over to me, otherwise, with these junior commanders with a lot of combat experience in a hundred battles, plus the troops that were replenished to me, I would have been able to train an elite division.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that Goldorff called me out a few times. I didn't even hear it. It wasn't until he coughed heavily that I woke up, I quickly straightened up, looked at him a little nervously, and said, "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina is waiting for your instructions. ”

Goldov restrained the smile on his face and said to me with a straight face: "According to the order of Comrade Stalin, let me draw a division from the reserves of the Front Army and put it under your command. Your task is to lead this force to hold the Mamayev post, and of course the symbolism of your presence there is far greater than the actual meaning. According to my analysis. It is simply impossible for the enemy to break through the defensive line formed by our hundreds of thousands of troops and approach Stalingrad. In this case, Mamayev Hill is a relatively safe place. ”

Hearing Gordov say this, my good impression of him that I had cultivated with great difficulty suddenly plummeted to a negative number, I have never seen such a conceited commander, obviously our troops were defeated by the enemy, he was still blindly optimistic, thinking that the enemy would not be able to reach Stalingrad at all, and I very much doubt that the commander of his front army was only made by patting on the back.

I looked at the gray-haired commander in front of me and asked calmly: "Comrade commander, may I ask about the position I am about to take?" ”

Gordorf replied: "After consulting with the deputy commander, General Glikov, it was decided that you should be the commander of the 35th Guards Infantry Division. The division is now on its way from Siberia to Stalingrad by train, and if all goes well, the troops will be able to assemble in a week's time. ”

Guards Division, actually asked me to be the commander of the Guards Division. I can't believe this is true, you must know that although Lu Dao is the same division, the Guards Division is far superior to ordinary divisions in terms of equipment and combat effectiveness. I secretly pinched my leg, and the pain I felt made me realize that it was all true. I

I looked at Goldov and calmly asked: "Comrade commander, do you have information on the division here?" I would like to get to know my troops first. ”

Goldov waved his hand and said, "Although I have no information, I can tell you something about the division. At present, since there is no official division commander in this division, it is temporarily commanded by the deputy division commander, Colonel Dubyansky, and the political commissar is the regimental political commissar Lisichkin, both of whom are veteran commanders with more than 20 years of party and military experience. ”

I hurriedly agreed: "Yes, Comrade Commander, I will definitely live up to your expectations." ”

Just as I was pondering whether I should say goodbye to him, the door was pushed open without warning, and the Chief of Staff of the Front, General Nikishev, burst in with a telegram. He walked to the table, and without bothering to salute Gordorf and Glikov, he handed the telegram in his hand to Gordorf, and at the same time whispered: "Comrade Commander of the Front, something is wrong. ”

Goldov took the newspaper, picked up the reading glasses on the table, put them on, and looked down at the contents of the paper. After a quick scan of his eyes on the paper, he slammed the telegram on the table and scolded, "Fool, it's a super fool." He has been a general for so many years, do you know how to command the Lu Dao troops! He had only been in office for a few days, and 50,000 or 60,000 troops were buried by him. After yelling, he walked up and down the room with his hands behind his back and huffing.

I heard Glikov ask Nikishev in a low voice: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what happened?" ”

Nikishev glanced at me, and although he knew me, he lowered his voice and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I have just received a telegram that the defense line of the Koska River of the 62nd Army has been occupied by the enemy, and several divisions of the defensive positions have been completely crushed. Since the pontoon bridge erected by Comrade Korpachchi over the river was blown up by order of General Lopatin, those troops could not break through from the river. According to intelligence, except for less than a thousand people who managed to break through, the remaining tens of thousands of troops were either killed or captured. ”

"Where is Lopatin now?" Glikov asked.

Nikishev shook his head and said: "This is not clear, some people say that he died." It is also said that before the enemy breaks through the lines of our army. Just under the cover of several guards. Crossing the Koska River with rudimentary means of crossing the river, it retreated eastward. ”

Goldov sat down behind his desk, his face solemn, his gaze swept over the three of us, just the right way to show the majesty of a commander of the front, and suddenly, he "snapped" the table and announced loudly: "I have decided to immediately remove General Lopatin from the post of commander of the 62nd Army." Let the deputy commander of the 64th Army, General Chuikov, immediately take his place. …… Is there anything for General Glikov to add? ”

Glickoff shook his head, indicating that he had nothing to add.

Goldov nodded and instructed Nikishev: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you immediately call the command of the 64th Army and ask them to inform Chuikov that they should immediately go to the headquarters of the 62nd Army to take over the command of Lopatin." ”

Nikishev agreed, and just wanted to turn away, but was stopped by Goldov, who pointed to the phone on the table and said to the chief of staff: "Don't go, just use my phone to call General Shumilov." Let him quickly convey my orders to Chuikov. ”

Nikishev picked up the phone, dialed a number, and said: "I am General Nikishev, Chief of Staff of the Front. Please give me the commander of the 64th Army, General Shumilov. The phone call with the 64th Army was quickly connected, only to hear him say again, "Is it General Shumilov?" I am the Chief of Staff Nikishev, and I now convey to you the latest order of the commander: immediately let General Chuikov rush to the 62nd Army and take over the command of the army from General Lopatin. ”

The deep voice of General Shumilov came from the microphone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I regret to report to you. Chuikov disappeared and lost contact with the command of our army group. ”

"What, Chuikov is missing?" Goldov also heard Shumilov's words, snatched the microphone from the hand of the chief of staff, and asked loudly: "What did you say, Chuikov is missing?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Hearing the voice of his immediate superior, Shumilov replied honestly: "After we lost contact with Chuikov, some troops found in the steppe that the vehicle he was riding in was destroyed, and there were charred corpses on it. Since the commanders and fighters did not know Chuikov, I had already sent staff officers who knew him well to identify the body. ”

Hearing the news of Chuikov's possible sacrifice, Gordorf roared: "General Shumilov, I believe that with Chuikov's wit, it is not so easy to sacrifice, and your people must be mistaken." I now order you to immediately send people to the steppe to look for Chuikov, who will see people alive or dead and corpses.

After putting down the phone, Goldov sat down in his chair with a disastrous look on his face, as if he no longer had any energy, and did not move a minute for a long time. After half a ring, he regained a little energy, shook his head and said: "General Glikov, what do you think of this matter, you must know that if Chuikov is sacrificed, we will not be able to find a suitable candidate to take over the command of the 62nd Army for the time being." ”

Seeing that Glikov did not speak, I hurriedly interjected: "Comrade commander, allow me to say a few words. ”

Goldov looked up at me and said angrily, "What do you want to say?" ”

"Comrade Commander, I think General Chuikov did not sacrifice, maybe it was just because of the failure of communication equipment and he temporarily lost contact with us, and I believe that he will soon be able to contact us through the communication tools of other troops."

"Are you sure?" Goldov asked suspiciously.

I replied in the affirmative: "The last time General Chuikov and I left the headquarters of the Front, we had a situation where the communication equipment was out of order and we lost contact with the troops. I guess this time it was a similar situation, and I can guarantee that General Chuikov will return to the army safe and sound. "Just kidding, if Chuikov had died at this time, the Battle of Stalingrad might have had a different outcome.

Goldov took two cigarettes from the case, threw one to Glikov and held one to his mouth. He sat behind his desk, smoking a cigarette and contemplating, without saying a word. He didn't speak, and General Glikov didn't speak, just smoked with his head stuffed. Seeing that neither commander spoke, I was even more afraid to express any opinion, so I could only remain silent.

Seeing that a cigarette was finished, Goldov extinguished the cigarette butt in the ashtray at once, as if he had made up his mind, waved his hand, and said: "Well, since Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina is so confident, then I believe that Chuikov has lost contact with us, and I will urge General Shumilov to increase the scope of the search and find Chuikov's whereabouts as soon as possible...... Is there anything else General Glikov would like to add? ”

Glikov shook his head again, indicating that he had nothing to add.

Only then did Goldov turn his gaze to me again, and after glancing at me, he said to Nikishev: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I have officially appointed Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina as the commander of the 35th Guards Infantry Division. Take her downstairs to find a room that will serve as a temporary division headquarters. ”

Nikishev looked at me and said with some embarrassment: "Comrade commander, do you need to equip Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina with staff officers at all levels of the division headquarters?" You must know that the commanders and fighters of the 35th Guards Division are still on their way to Stalingrad. ”

Goldorff waved his hand and said, "No need to equip it, she will only stay here for a few days temporarily." When the vanguard of the 35th Guards Division arrived, she could go directly to take up her post. (To be continued......)