Seeing that the leaders of the headquarters agreed to Chuikov's proposal and asked him to collect the stragglers, after accepting the order happily, he asked again: "Comrade commander, during the time I am not in the headquarters, who should I be responsible for my work?" ”

Shumilov looked at me and said, "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina is the chief of staff of our army group, so you can hand over the work to her." After saying this to Raskin, Shumilov instructed me again: "Comrade Oshanina, you and Colonel Raskin will hand over the matter, and you will act as chief of staff during his absence from the headquarters." ”

As I walked out with Raskin, Chuikov suddenly raised his head and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, do a good job and complete this mission, and I will give you a great credit." Maybe before this campaign is over, you will no longer be a colonel, but a general. Chuikov's words immediately caused a burst of laughter in the command.

When Raskin heard Chuikov say this, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned upward, and it seemed that he was also very eager to become a general.

I was silently thinking in my heart that if Ruskin had become a general, then he would not have been called Colonel Raskin, but General Ruskin, to be precise, Major General Ruskin. When I thought of the title of Major General Ruskin, I suddenly had a very familiar feeling in my heart, as if I had heard this title somewhere, and I couldn't remember where I had heard it in a hurry.

It wasn't until I followed Ruskin into a low wooden house that I suddenly remembered why Ruskin had such a familiar feeling, and it turned out that Ruskin was a famous person who wrote a lot in history. In a few months, this chief of staff of the army group, who walked in front and led the way for me. Become a surrendered representative sent by the Soviet army. He stood majestically in front of the German Field Marshal Paulus. After identifying yourself. "I have been ordered to come and accept the surrender of the Germans and take you all prisoner!" ”

I didn't expect that I would have the privilege of being a colleague of this celebrity, and that I would be able to take over his job in the short term, and I wonder if I would have the opportunity to join him in accepting Paulus' surrender in a few months. Thinking of this, I can't help but have a smile on my face.

"Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, what are you laughing at?" Ruskin's voice pulled me back from my ramblings, and I scrambled to composure. He replied: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I am thinking about how to do the work that you have entrusted to me. Seeing doubts flashing in his eyes, I quickly waved my hand and smiled: "I'm really thinking about things at work, so don't guess." ”

After saying this, I had the opportunity to observe the wooden house I was in, and found that it was actually a reference room converted from a bathing room, with several large bath tubs piled up in the corner of the wall that had not been used for a long time, and the long wooden table where I drank tea and refreshments during the bath was full of all kinds of documents.

Raskin picked up a folder from the table and handed it to me, while saying, "The formation of the front army has changed too much recently. You have to get to know it well, so that when discussing the campaign operations. Only then can we provide correct advice to the commanders of the group army. When the document was handed over to me, he clapped his hands vigorously, and when the staff officers in the city focused their attention on him, he solemnly announced to everyone: "Comrades staff officers, please pay attention. I'm going to go out on an important mission in the near future, and while I'm away, Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina will take my place temporarily, and everyone has to report to her for instructions, do you understand? ”

"Understood." The five or six staff officers in the room replied in unison.

After Colonel Raskin had left, I took the folder he had given me, went to a well-lit place near the door, found a small wooden stool and sat down, and carefully read the latest documents describing the formation of the front army.

The document mentions that from August 13, the former Stalingrad Front was reorganized into two fronts, the South-East and the Stalingrad Front, under the unified command of the Chief of the General Staff, General Vasilevsky. The commander of the South-Eastern Front was Colonel-General Yeremenko, and the deputy commander was General Golikov, the former deputy commander of the Front, and the 51st, 57th, and 64th armies, as well as the 1st Tank Army, the 13th Tank Army, and the 8th Air Force Army.

The Stalingrad Front was commanded by Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Gordorff and consisted of the 21st, 62nd, and 63rd armies, as well as the 4th Tank Army, the 28th Tank Army, and the 16th Air Force Army.

Since Vasilevsky, as chief of the General Staff, had to stay in Moscow most of the time, the actual command of the armies of these two fronts was still in Yeremenko's hands. In order to strengthen the political strength of the Front, the Supreme High Command also sent Nikita, who had served as the first secretary of Ukraine. Sergeyevich. Khrushchev, to serve as military commissar of the Front.

After reading this document, I could not help but sigh to myself: In the more than a month since the start of the campaign, the ownership of the troops has always changed back and forth; today in this group army and tomorrow in another group army, even the commanders at the division level are confused, let alone the commanders and fighters at the grassroots level. But the only thing that interested me was the emergence of someone who could replace Stalin, and I had to get in touch with him when I had the opportunity to make a good impression on him, so as to lay a good foundation for my future development.

I carefully put this document aside, and began to look at the recent battle reports of the army group. Time passed little by little, but I was so engrossed that I didn't even notice it in the slightest, until a staff officer came over to interrupt me, and I subconsciously looked at my watch and found that it was already seven o'clock in the evening.

The staff officer politely reported to me: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, there is a female soldier looking for you outside. ”

"Female soldiers?!" I didn't come back to my senses for a while, and subconsciously asked, "Did she say what her name was?" ”

The staff officer replied, "She said her name is Gyalka." ”

Jiaerka, could it be the hygienist Jialka who shared a room with me the other day? I put the document in my hand on the table next to me and asked, "Is it a female hygienist?" ”

The staff officer shook his head and said, "I don't think so, you know, I know almost all the female hygienists in the group army health camp." But this female soldier has never seen it. ”

I stood up. Stretched. I politely thanked the staff officer, and walked straight out of the hall to see who was looking for me.

At a glance, I realized that it was really not the female hygienist Garka, but the female anti-aircraft artillery Garka who was rescued by me today, and there were too many people with this name, which made me confused. I walked over and took the little soldier by the hand. Kindly asked, "Dear Galka, you came to me, is there anything you can do?" ”

The skinny Galka nodded vigorously and replied, "Yes, Leda." ”

"What's the matter?"

Garka hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Lida, you have arranged a combat post for us, but it seems that you have forgotten to arrange a place for us to stay. ”

When I heard that they didn't have a place to stay at night, I couldn't help but pat my forehead, and I thought to myself, I was really too rough. With such young girls, they must not be allowed to live with the male soldiers. Hurriedly said, "Garka, let's go, take me to your place to have a look." ”

Garka led me and hurried towards the anti-aircraft position. After walking a short distance, I saw a group of people gathered around the air defense position in the distance, and I couldn't help but slow down and asked Jiarka next to me: "Why are there so many people in your position?" What do they do? ”

Galka looked at it and replied, "Lida, they are all male soldiers from the anti-aircraft machine gun company, and they know that a few of our female soldiers have come, and they are all coming to get close. ”

I looked at my watch, looked up at the still bright sky, and muttered, "It's just nonsense, if the enemy's planes come to attack at this time, so many people are huddled together, isn't it a live target?" So he quickened his pace and walked towards them.

When I was still twenty or thirty meters away, I heard a crisp singing voice from the crowd, and it was a female soldier singing "Little Road":

"A path that winds and turns, thin and long

All the way to the distant land of the mist

I'm going to follow this slender path

Follow my lover into battle

I'm going to follow this slender path

Follow my lover into battle

Snowflakes covered his tracks

There are no footsteps and no singing can be heard

……”

Hearing the singing, Garka excitedly said to me, "Leda, did you hear that?" It's Vera singing, and she's the best at school. ”

As soon as the song ended, the male soldiers collectively applauded, and as soon as the applause stopped, someone shouted: "Girls, sing one more."

Vera's voice rang out: "No, I've already sung a song, and now it's your turn to sing it." ”

"Yes, yes, yes, say yes and sing a song, it's time for you male soldiers to sing it."

In response to the request of the female soldiers, one of the male soldiers immediately replied: "Brothers, isn't it just singing, can we lose to these girls?" ”

"Can't!" The male anti-aircraft machine gunners replied en masse.

"Okay, then let's sing a song of the Komsomol together. I'll get started, listen! The battle horn sounded the alarm. Ready, sing! ”

The male soldiers neatly sang the "Song of the Komsomol":

"Listen, the horn of battle sounds the alarm

Put on your military uniform and take up arms

The youth league members gathered and embarked on the journey

Defend the country with one heart

Let's see you again, dear mother

Kiss your son goodbye

See you again, Mom, don't be sad, don't be sad

Wishing us a safe journey

I saw my dear hometown again

The Victory Star will shine on us

See you again, Mom, don't be sad, don't be sad

Wishing us a safe journey

We are free to love everything

It is better to die than to give it to the enemy

The youth league members armed themselves and set out on the march

Defend the country with one heart

Let's see you again, dear mother

Kiss your son goodbye

See you again, Mom, don't be sad, don't be sad

Wishing us a safe journey

I saw my dear hometown again

The Victory Star will shine on us

See you again, Mom, don't be sad, don't be sad

Wishing us a safe journey! ”

I was supposed to stop them, but when I heard the men start singing, I dismissed the idea. As far as I can remember, the average survival time of a soldier in the brutal Battle of Stalingrad was no more than 24 hours, and the average survival time of most rank and file commanders was only about three days. Since they are so happy now, let them continue to be happy, no one knows if they will be able to live in this world tomorrow. So I stood at the back of the line. Listen quietly to them singing to their heart's content.

After the men's songs were sung. Just as they were coaxing the female soldiers to sing the next song. A male soldier inadvertently turned around and saw me, and hurriedly shouted: "The commander is here, everyone is upright." ”

With his shout, the male soldiers gathered around the air defense position quickly quieted down, straightened up, and stood still like a telephone pole.

Garka and I squeezed to the side of the female soldiers, smiled at the male soldiers who were standing upright, and asked, "Soldiers, I was very happy listening to you singing just now." How did it stop? Go on! ”

The male warriors looked at each other, and none of them dared to speak first. Vera, who was still active, was the first to speak: "Since you don't want to sing anymore, then you can go." ”

Seeing that the female soldiers gave the order to evict the guests, the male soldiers were unwilling, and finally saw a few people of the opposite sex on the battlefield to chat, so they left like this, and they were really unwilling. A lieutenant came out of the ranks, came up to me and saluted, and said: "Comrade Colonel, I am Lieutenant Stenin, the commander of the anti-aircraft machine gun company. Could you please sing a song for all of us? ”

With this lieutenant taking the lead, the soldiers below immediately echoed: "Yes." Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, please sing a song for us. Then there was thunderous applause.

Seeing everyone's enthusiasm, I raised my hands and pressed down, and when the applause had completely subsided, I said loudly, "Okay, since everyone wants to hear me sing, then I'll sing a song for everyone." At this point, I paused deliberately, and said to myself with a thoughtful expression, "But what song should I sing?" ”

"The Path!"

"Lights!"

"Red Plum Blossoms"!"

The male warriors shouted a series of song titles in an instant, and some even asked me to sing "Holy War".

I smiled at them and said loudly: "I will sing you a new song "Evening on the outskirts of Moscow" today. ”

Hearing the title of the song I reported, whether it was a male or female soldier, he immediately whispered in his ear: "I haven't heard this song, have you heard it?" ”

"I haven't even heard the title of the song, isn't it a new song I just wrote?"

I heard their discussions, and my heart said that I haven't heard it, you know, this song only came out in 1956, and you are also lucky, with the light of me, a traverser, to hear this song more than ten years in advance. After clearing my throat, I sang "Evening on the outskirts of Moscow":

"Late at night there was silence in the garden

Only the wind is singing softly

How nice the night is, how cheerful it is

In this enchanting evening

How nice the night is, how cheerful it is

In this enchanting evening

The creek flows quietly and gently rips the waves

The surface of the water is printed with silver moonlight

A breeze came to sing

What a secluded night

A breeze came to sing

What a secluded night

My sweetheart sat next to me

Silently looked at me silently

I wanted to talk to him, but I was embarrassed

How many words remain in my heart

I wanted to talk to him, but I was embarrassed

How many words remain in my heart

The long night was almost over, and the sky was bright

Best wishes from the bottom of my heart, hello girl

I hope you and I will never forget it from now on

Evening on the outskirts of Moscow

I hope you and I will never forget it from now on

Evening outside Moscow"

As soon as I finished singing my song, the soldiers immediately applauded enthusiastically, and some of them even whistled and shouted: "What a wonderful, comrade lieutenant colonel, another one!" One more! ”

I waved my hand and said, "Okay, I'll sing this one, and I'll leave the rest of the time for you to sing as much as you want." Then I walked up to Lieutenant Stenin and whispered to him: "Comrade Company Commander, come with me, I have something to tell you." ”

When we squeezed out of the crowd and came to the back of the line, the female soldiers inside sang other songs to the cheers of the male soldiers. I looked at the joyous crowd and said to the lieutenant, "Comrade company commander, the mood of the soldiers is very high. ”

Lieutenant Stenin nodded again and again and said, "Yes, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, as soon as these female soldiers came, the morale of the soldiers was immediately boosted, and it seems that we should ask our superiors to send us more female soldiers." ”

I didn't answer his topic, but said bluntly: "Comrade Company Commander, I called you out alone, because I have something to tell you. ”

Stephen hurriedly straightened up, stood upright, and said respectfully: "Lieutenant Stepin is waiting for your instructions. ”

I pointed to the crowd and said, "Comrade Company Commander, these five female fighters are new here, and they don't have a place to stay at night. You have to arrange for them as soon as possible, so that they don't find a place to sleep at night. ”

Steinin hurriedly replied loudly: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, please rest assured, I will arrange for the best shelter to be vacated for them to live in." ”

"Well done, Comrade Lieutenant." After complimenting him, I turned to leave, and at the same time dropped a sentence, "Let the soldiers not play too late, rest early, maybe there will be a combat mission tomorrow!" ”

I looked at my watch again, and it was just eight o'clock, and I was about to go back to the reference room to continue reading the battle report, but I was stopped by the captain's staff officer. He said to me anxiously, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I have found you." Just now, General Chuikov asked me to come to you and say that I have something important to explain to you. Hurry up and follow me to the headquarters, for such a long time, it is estimated that Comrade General should be in a hurry. ”

I walked into the headquarters and saw that Chuikov was the only one, and the rest of the leaders were not there. Seeing me come in, Chuikov asked with a displeased face, "Oshanina, where have you been?" Why are you here now? ”

Seeing that Chuikov was about to get angry, I hurriedly held my attitude and replied respectfully: "Report to Comrade Deputy Commander, I just went to arrange accommodation for the female soldiers rescued today, so I am late, please forgive me!" ”

Chuikov waved his hand and said, "Don't talk about that, come and see how we can strengthen the defense of the Reynold-Spardanovka-Orlovka line." (To be continued......)