Khrushchev stood up and was about to say goodbye to us, but as if he had accidentally seen something, he stopped after just two steps, looked over my shoulder, and stayed in a corner behind me. I turned my head curiously, trying to figure out what was in there to catch his attention.

I looked closely at the corner, and saw that there was nothing but the flag that leaned against the wall, and it was this flag that attracted Khrushchev's attention.

Khrushchev walked past us to the wall, took the flag in his hand, and asked without looking back: "Comrade Oshanina, is this the flag of your independent division?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Military Commissar." Hearing his question, I hurriedly came behind him, "This military flag was personally awarded to our independent division by Commander Chuikov. ”

Khrushchev tore off the outer sleeve of the military flag, unfolded it and looked at it, then slowly rolled it up again, put it back on, and then said slowly: "It is well kept." After leaning back against the wall, the general's flag turned to me and asked, "How many soldiers have been assigned to your division to take care of the flag?" ”

"Ah, the soldier guarding the flag?!" I was confused by Khrushchev's words, and it was the first time I heard that there was a special arrangement for people to take care of the wrong military flags, so I was immediately dumbfounded by the question.

Seeing that I was at a loss, Khrushchev's face showed a dissatisfied expression, but he still patiently said to me: "Comrade Oshanina, you have been in the army for a short time, and you have been fighting, and there are some things that you do not know. It's excusable. But about the military flag. I feel the need to make a special statement to you: our army began in tsarist times. He has a strong affection for the military flag. As a symbol of the army's establishment and a symbol of honor, the military flag is issued to the troops at and above the regimental level, and in addition to being equipped with a special flagpole, flagpole head, and military flag cover, a special person must be responsible for keeping it. When the commanders and fighters of the army organization take the oath, they should ask for the military flag, and each person who took the oath should also kneel down on one leg and kiss the military flag after the oath is completed. ”

This is the first time I have heard what Khrushchev said. So I kept nodding my head while keeping it in my heart. After he finished speaking, I hurriedly said: "Please rest assured, the military commissar will do my best to form a squad of soldiers to be responsible for the custody of the military flag." ”

Hearing my statement, Khrushchev nodded with satisfaction, raised his hand to look at his watch, and said: "The business here is done, I should go back to the east coast." Good luck! With that, he held out his hand to me.

When he shook hands with Pandereev, the latter offered to him: "Comrade Military Commissar, we have captured more than 200 Germans in the north this time, do you think we can take them to the east bank by the way?" "Perhaps it was for fear that Khrushchev would not agree. He also went out of his way to emphasize that "the situation in the city is terrible right now. There were no conditions for the reception of prisoners. If we don't send them to the east coast, we'll have to dispose of them all in order to prevent them from being rescued by the Germans. ”

Khrushchev apparently understood the implications of this treatment, having disposed of thousands of captured Polish officers in the Katyn Forest two years earlier, so Khrushchev fell silent when he heard Bandereev's request.

I didn't speak, just listened quietly to the conversation between the two. At that moment, I suddenly felt someone tug at my sleeve, and when I turned my head, it was Kirillov. When he saw me turn around, he quickly pouted to the side and motioned for me to look to the side. Beside him stood Captain Basmanov, who had come in from the outside at some point, and from his expression, it seemed that he had something important to report to us.

Because Khrushchev and Bantaiyev were talking, I was afraid of affecting the two of them, so I only beckoned to Basmanov and asked him to come to my side. Basmanov walked up to my ear and prepared to report to me. At this moment, Khrushchev spotted Basmanov, he stopped talking with Bandereev, turned his head to look at the captain, and asked sternly: "Comrade Captain, what are you doing here?" ”

Basmanov probably didn't expect Khrushchev to suddenly speak to himself, he was at a loss for a while, looked at the other party and looked at each other, opened his mouth a few times but finally didn't speak, and could only be silent in a panic.

Seeing that Basmanov was slow to answer his question, Khrushchev's face showed a faint look of anger, and he raised his voice and asked again: "Comrade Captain, didn't you hear me, why didn't you answer?" I asked you what you came here for and what happened? ”

Basmanov took a deep breath, then straightened up, put his hands on the seams of his trousers, took a step forward, and replied in a loud voice: "Report to Comrade Military Commissar, there is a captured German lieutenant who wants to see the division commander. ”

His words took everyone by surprise, including me. Khrushchev walked up to Basmanov and stopped, frowned, looked at him with puzzled eyes, and asked dissatisfiedly: "What kind of German prisoners want to see Comrade Oshanina?" ”

"It was the German commander who was captured during the operation to the north." In the face of Khrushchev's stern questioning, Basmanov replied in a panic: "As soon as I left the headquarters, a soldier came to report to me that a captured German officer wanted to see the division commander, and I decided to ......"

Khrushchev interrupted him and asked: "What did the German prisoners do when they saw Comrade Oshanina?" ”

Basmanov didn't answer right away, but looked sideways at me. When he looked at me like this, I muttered in my heart, which German prisoner is this who wants to see me, if I can't tell it, it is estimated that the good image I have just established in Khrushchev's mind will be greatly reduced.

"Captain, what's wrong with you, are you dumb?" Seeing that Basmanov did not speak, Khrushchev couldn't help but raise his voice and asked angrily: "Why don't you answer me?" ”

"Comrade Military Commissar." Basmanov was less nervous at the moment, and he reported in a coherent manner: "It is a German lieutenant named Braun, who, after being captured, assisted my troops in the successful infiltration of the city of Kongjian. ”

After listening to Basmanov say the name Braun. I guessed what was going on. Seeing that Basmanov was too restrained in front of Khrushchev. Speaking is also a question and answer. I didn't know how long it would take to waste this kind of time, so I hurriedly took the initiative to explain this matter: "Comrade Military Commissar, let me explain it to you. This German lieutenant was captured in the first battle of our army in the north, and perhaps because of the conversation with the defection soldiers in the unit, he took the initiative to help our troops disguised as German troops to successfully infiltrate the city, thus reducing our casualties in the battle to capture the city. ”

After listening to my explanation, Khrushchev nodded and asked Basmanov: "Did that Lieutenant Braun say that he wanted to see Comrade Oshanina?" What is it for? ”

"That's it, Comrade Military Commissar." Basmanov, who had calmed down, hastened to reply: "He said that he wanted to stay in our unit and begged not to send him to a prisoner of war camp." ”

Basmanov's words made Khrushchev sneer: "If you don't go to the prisoner of war camp and want to stay in our troops, he is too whimsical." Then he turned to me and asked, "Comrade Oshanina, what do you think?" ”

I have a good impression of this Lieutenant Braun, and if it had not been for the fact that on the day of the attack on the city of Kongpau, if he had not covered the infiltration of Basmanov's small army into the city, it is estimated that we would have paid several times the price in the battle to capture the city. Khrushchev was heard asking. I interceded for him and said, "Comrade Military Commissar, I think I can keep Lieutenant Braun." Maybe it will be useful in the future. ”

"Well, since Oshanina you think it's okay for him to stay in your division," Khrushchev heard me say this, and after thinking about it for a moment, shrugged his shoulders and said, "Then let's stay." ”

When we saw Khrushchev off the command, he walked side by side with me, and at the same time took the trouble to tell me: "...... Today's award is certainly a recognition of your achievements. But it is important that all the commanders and fighters of the Red Banner Independent Division know that any of the exploits they have made will not be buried. In this case, I can be confident that any task will be completed. Also, there is no need for you, the division commander, to always squat in the bunker on the front line, because your position should be here at the division command post, and you should lead the entire battle process from here. However, as a superior commander, when foreseeing the extremely critical situation of the battle, he should not stay away from the front line, but should get as close to his own fighters as possible. That's what Chuikov did very well. Because in this way, no matter how dangerous the situation is, the fighters will not only not complain about you, on the contrary, they will cover you with their chests and will try to complete their tasks. ”

As he shook hands with us and said goodbye, he finally told me: "Remember, everyone is worried about the fate of Mamayev Gang, and if it is captured, then the enemy will take control of the entire city and the Volga." So, I ask you, to hold on to this place. ”

When Kirillov shook hands with him and said goodbye, he also reminded him with concern: "Comrade Military Commissar, don't forget to call your son when you have time to find out how he is doing." ”

"Okay, I'll remember." These were Khrushchev's last words to us before leaving. But after he returned to the front headquarters, did he call his son, and in the days that followed, he did not say, and I did not rashly ask, so as not to arouse the pain of his son.

I arranged for Basmanov to accompany Khrushchev to the garrison of the 3rd Regiment to take over the German prisoners, and then returned to the headquarters with Kirillov and began to study the current situation near Mamayev Hill.

When I saw that the members of the division were all there, I asked Kirillov curiously: "Comrade commissar, I would like to ask, how did the forward position occupied by us be recaptured by the Germans?" ”

Hearing my question, Kirillov smiled bitterly, turned his head to Akhromeyev and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, it's up to you to report to the division commander." ”

"Okay," said Akhromeyev, rising from his seat, taking out his notebook and putting it on the table, turning a few pages and reporting to me: "The day before yesterday, that is, during the day of the 25th, the Germans suddenly launched an attack on our forward position and the 107.5 heights at the same time. Since the forward positions of the 4th Regiment did not have strong fortifications, after the enemy's shelling and bombardment, there were not many commanders and fighters left who could still fight on the positions. Faced with a swarming enemy under the cover of tanks, our fighters put up a stubborn resistance, but were outnumbered. In the end, all of them died heroically. ……”

Akhromeyev reported. I didn't speak, just listened silently. At the same time, I did not blame the commander of the 4th Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, for not sending troops to reinforce his forward position when he saw that his forward position was precarious. I thought to myself: in such a flat open field, the reinforcements we sent would become targets for German tanks and artillery. Since I knew that even if I paid a heavy sacrifice, I might not be able to hold that position, so it was better not to send reinforcements, and if I were Gaidar, I might have made the same decision.

"What are the casualties of the troops holding on to the 107.5 heights?" Wait for Akhromeyev's remittance report to lag behind for a while. I asked a question that I was concerned about, "In addition to the battalion of the 2nd Regiment that is holding on to the high ground where the division headquarters is located, how many troops are currently available on the 107.5 heights?" ”

"Report to the division commander, in these two days of fighting, the three battalions that held the 107.5 heights have suffered a great attrition." Akhromeyev glanced down at the number in his notebook and replied: "There are currently 179 people left in the 1st battalion of Captain Khrushov, 95 in the 2nd battalion, and 46 in the militia battalion of Captain Trushin. ”

I silently calculated in my heart that there were only about 300 people left, which was equivalent to a two-thirds reduction in the number of personnel. "This little bit of troops. Can you hold the high ground? I asked unsteadily.

"The deputy commander, Major Yameen, called the division headquarters yesterday evening," Kirillov said, "and he assured us. Even if there was only one person left on the 107.5 heights, he would definitely not lose his position to the Germans. At that time, our troops were limited, and even if we wanted to send troops to reinforce the high ground, we could not do it. But now that you have returned with the troops that have gone north, Comrade Division Commander, so that the defense of our division has been strengthened again, I consider whether it is possible to transfer one or two battalions of troops from the Third Regiment to the 107.5 heights......"

We were discussing which troops to send to reinforce the heights when the phone on the desk rang out at an inopportune time. Akhromeyev grabbed the phone casually and said loudly into the microphone: "Hey, this is the division headquarters, where are you?" ”

I was about to wait for Akhromeyev to finish talking on the phone before continuing to talk about how to strengthen the defense of the 107.5 heights, but Akhromeyev covered the microphone with his hand and handed it over, and said in a low voice: "Comrade division commander, comrade commander of the group army." ”

I quickly stood up, took the phone from Akhromeyev's hand, and said respectfully: "Comrade commander, it's nice to hear your voice again, how are you?" ”

"I'm fine," Chuikov's hearty laughter came from the microphone, "I called you today to congratulate you on your appointment to the post of deputy commander of the group army." ”

"Thank you, thank you, Comrade Commander." I politely thanked him, and then asked him: "I would like to ask, from today onwards, whether my command post is at the Mamayev post or at the headquarters of the army group?" "Although Khrushchev told me just now that he could continue to stay at Mamayev Gang to command the troops, if I didn't communicate with Chuikov about this matter, I was still not very sure, so I took this opportunity to ask.

Hearing my question, Chuikov fell silent, and after a while, he continued: "Oshanina, what is the situation here at the headquarters of the group army, I think you know very well, my personal opinion, it is better to stay at the Mamayev post, so that it is convenient for you to command the troops." ”

With Chuikov's permission, the stone hanging in my heart fell to the ground, and after secretly breathing a sigh of relief, I then asked: "Comrade commander, what is the current situation in Stalingrad?" ”

"The onslaught of the Germans in the factory area had weakened by the evening before yesterday. According to the reports of our scouts, the Germans began to transfer some of their forces out of the city, and I guess they were transferred to the area of Kongjiaoyi, where your headquarters is located. "On the evening of the 25th, after the German offensive against us was completely stopped, the military council held a meeting to study and judge the shape of the city. In the end, we agreed that Paulus's current limited forces made it impossible to relaunch a powerful offensive like that of 14-25 October. In addition to sending troops to encircle you, it will also take a long breather to replenish the shells, bombs, and tanks that the troops need, which will take about 10 to 20 days. At the same time, however, it is clear to us that the enemy has about two divisions in reserve in the area of Gumlak and Voroponov that can be put into battle. We believed that after three to five days of fighting, the two German divisions would be weakened, and Paulus would have to be forced to weaken the offensive. At that time, our army group will be able to use this time to recuperate, redeploy forces and strengthen fortifications. But the question now is, if we hold out for three to five days with a lack of troops?

You must know that although the group army has the 37th Guards Division, the 308th Infantry Division, and the 193rd Division, in fact, these troops are only numbers, and each division has only two or three hundred people. We paid a terrible price for resisting the onslaught of the Germans. ”

Although I have long known that the several divisions that held the factory area fought extremely hard, I did not expect such heavy casualties, according to Chuikov, it is estimated that many of the regiments under these divisions are only numbered, and all the commanders and fighters have died. If I were only the commander of an independent division at the moment, maybe I would stay out of the situation and guard my own defense zone. But now that I am the trusted deputy commander of the group army, if I don't do a little bit on the surface, it is estimated that the commanders of several other divisions will be unconvinced, so after a moment of silence, I asked stubbornly: "Comrade commander, do you need me to take some action?" ”

For my self-volunteering, Chuikov laughed and said happily: "Comrade Oshanina, I was thinking about how to talk about this, but I didn't expect you to say it first. "When I heard Chuikov say this, I really wanted to slap myself in the mouth, I really didn't talk through my brain, didn't I find myself unhappy.

Only to hear Chuikov continue: "Since your troops captured the city of Kongjiaoyi, the Germans rarely carried out night attacks. It seems that they are convinced that the attack at night will not achieve the desired results, but will be attacked by us. As a result, the enemy changed his tactics, used the night time to rest, and prepared for the daytime battle. In view of this change in the enemy's tactics, the command of the group army is considering whether it is possible to disrupt the enemy's planned offensive preparations by using the night attack of small detachments and the surprise of artillery and aviation to disrupt the enemy's planned offensive preparations, so that the enemy will not be at peace day and night, and the night will become a world of our activities. ”

It seems that he does not advocate launching a counterattack during the day with no hope of victory, but intends to focus on night attacks to achieve the goal of containing and consuming the enemy. When I had finished speaking, I immediately replied: "Rest assured, Comrade Commander, that after dark tonight I will send troops to attack the enemy's camp." (To be continued......)