Without waiting for the commander to speak, Chief of Staff Ma Lining hurriedly spoke: "No, no, this is absolutely not good, the tank brigade cannot be assigned to your division." Know that our troops are attacking Cumbre del Sol, and if we can have tanks to cover the attack, our chances of victory will be much higher. ”

After listening to Malinin's words, Rokossovsky looked noncommittally, then turned his gaze to Katukov and asked: "Comrade General, what do you think?" ”

"Since Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina wants my brigade to belong to her unit, she must have a reason for it, and I would like to hear her reasons for wanting to do so."

Rokossovsky nodded, then said to me, "Lida, tell me your reasons." If you can convince us, assign the tank brigade to your division; If the reasons given are not convincing to us, the tank brigade should still be thrown into the direction of Cumbre del Sol and participate in the counterattack of our army. ”

I coughed and cleared my throat before I began to explain my reasoning: "As we all know, today's counteroffensive against Sun Hill City was decided by the Front Army Headquarters on an ad hoc basis, and they did not know anything about the current situation of our group army, so they directly issued this unrealistic counteroffensive order to the troops. Because our army rushed into battle and lacked unified command, there were also big problems in the coordination between various units. In this case, no matter how many troops are invested, the battle will fall into a stalemate situation at the end of the battle. Even if tank brigades were to be put into battle at this time, they could only be used as an auxiliary to accompany the infantry assault, and they would soon be annihilated by the superior German tanks. And if it is assigned to our division, we can concentrate on the use of tanks, use them on a large scale in the operational direction that has been broken through by the Germans, and with the cooperation of the infantry, destroy the enemy who is wedged into the defense line of our division. I knew that my reasons were far-fetched, so I added: "If we take the initiative to attack in the defense zone, we can also contain a considerable number of enemies here and reduce the pressure of the attack in the direction of Cumbre del Sol." ……”

After I finished speaking, I looked nervously at the several commanders in the room who had the power to decide. The first to speak was Katukov, who said approvingly: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina has a point, as long as we fight, it is impossible for the enemy to draw troops from here to reinforce the city of Mount Sol. The actions we have taken here have also indirectly supported the counteroffensive actions of the army group. ”

As soon as Katukov finished speaking, Malinin immediately retorted: "This is absolutely not possible, the main intention of the Front Command to assign the 1st Guards Tank Brigade to us may be to involve them in the counteroffensive of Sun Hill City, and it will definitely not allow the use of such troops in other combat directions." ”

Rokossovsky said slowly: "I also agree with Leda's opinion, instead of throwing the elite tank brigade into the city of Sun Hill to fight a war of attrition, it is better to let them annihilate the enemy who broke through in the defense area of the 8th Guards Division." Then he turned to Ma Linin and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you should immediately contact the Front Army Command and report to them our idea of changing the purpose of the tank brigade and see what they mean?" ”

"Yes!" Ma Lining agreed, and ran to the walkie-talkie to contact the front army headquarters.

Rokossovsky took the lead and returned to the map on the table, and without being polite, asked Katukov straight to the point: "Where is your tank?" ”

Katukov stood in front of the map and looked at it, then decisively pointed to a place on the map: "Right here." Judging from the diagram, it was exactly the arrow where the enemy wedged into our defensive line, and we happened to fight with them-for-tat. ”

I looked at the map, and the tank unit was assembled at the junction of the three regiments, which meant that if the fight started, each regiment could send troops to support it in time. If our army is still a bomb that may explode at any time without tanks, then at this time, they are a group of turtles in an urn.

At this time, Malinin came over and reported to Rokossovsky: "Comrade commander, I reported the situation to the Front. Guess what, General Zhukov personally replied: This must be Lida's idea again, her thinking is unlimited, you just do what she suggests! ”

Hearing such a reply from the Front Command, I secretly breathed a sigh of relief in my heart, and I stood up straight and said to Rokossovsky: "Comrade commander, please allow me to go with General Katukov on the task of this counterattack!"

"No way!" Leviagin and Yegorov objected in unison: "This task is too dangerous, you are the commander of a division, you must stay in the command headquarters to coordinate the overall situation, or let's go." ”

At the critical moment, Rokossovsky supported me, and he waved his hand at the two of them and said, "Since this suggestion was made by Leda, let her command this battle!" He glanced at me and continued, "Don't you two know anything about her situation?" Although every time he was in danger in battle, and he was even injured repeatedly, which time did he not save the day after the worst?! Hearing that the commander supported me in this way, the two of them had to keep their mouths shut.

Rokossovsky walked over, patted me on the shoulder, sighed and said, "Lida, you know the current situation, I don't have any reserves in my hands, and I can't help you more." You can only find a way to make good use of the existing forces at hand and maximize their combat effectiveness to relieve the pressure of our army in the direction of Sun Hill City......"

"Report!" Rokossovsky was interrupted by a communications officer, who handed over a telegram and reported: "A telegram from General Pliev that after the stubborn fighting of our troops, the fascist bandits in the settlements have been driven out of the settlements, and we have reoccupied the three settlements of Sverchikovo, Selishevo and Maltnovo. Troops are building fortifications in the settlements to prevent possible enemy counterattacks. When the follow-up reinforcements arrive, we will officially launch an assault on Cumbre del Sol. ”

"Great!" Rokossovsky hurriedly glanced at the telegram a few times, then handed it to Malinin and instructed him: "Immediately report this news to the command of the Front, so that Comrade Zhukov will also be happy!" ”

At this time, an officer hurriedly walked in from the outside and reported loudly: "Comrade report commander, the former commander of the 289th anti-tank regiment, the current commander of the 280th anti-tank regiment, Major Yevremenko, reports to you. Our regiment has been assigned to the 8th Guards Division from today by order of the Supreme Command, and has come to receive your combat orders! Please instruct! ”