Zhukov's words made my heart pound, and I was promoted to colonel! Even though the rank is only one level higher than it is now, it is still an irresistible temptation for me. As the commander of the first division, I was only a small lieutenant colonel, commanding a group of generals and colonels with higher ranks than me, and I always felt that I lacked confidence. If I can get a higher rank for my military exploits this time, I will be able to straighten my waist when I speak in the future. It seems that if I have the opportunity in the future, I should organize a few more such attacks, or in less than a year, I may become a general.

"Comrade Division Commander! Comrade Division Commander!! The shouting of Dulov next to me woke me up from my cranky thoughts. Only then did I realize that Zhukov had already broken off the call, and I was still giggling there with headphones and microphones. Seeing that the major and several communications soldiers were looking at me with strange eyes, I couldn't help but blush, and quickly put down the things in my hand, looked at the major and asked, "Major Dulov, what's the matter with you?" ”

Dulov didn't expect me to ask such a question suddenly, so he couldn't help but be a little flustered, and quickly replied: "I just want to ask you what to do next?" ”

Without thinking, I instructed him: "You immediately get in touch with General Katukov, General Levyakin, Colonel Chistyakov, Lieutenant Colonel Sherebryakov, and Lieutenant Colonel Mlagintsev, and let them come to the headquarters immediately, I have a new combat mission to be assigned." ”

"Yes!" He said yes loudly, and immediately went to carry out my order, and notified all the regimental commanders by telephone to come to my temporary headquarters for a meeting.

In less than ten minutes, all the commanders whose names had just been called had rushed to the temporary headquarters.

Seeing everyone sitting around the table, I was not polite, I pointed to the map of Sun Hill City on the table with my finger, and directly gave them an order: "Comrade commander, we have now occupied Sun Hill City, and the next task is to hold it." At present, the three settlements of Sverchikovo, Selishevo and Maltnovo, southeast of the city, are still occupied by the Germans, and we should quickly attack and retake them. Lieutenant Colonel Serebryakov! ”

"Here!" When the lieutenant colonel heard my roll call, he immediately jumped up from his position and stood there straight.

"Your regiment is responsible for the western defense of Sun Hill City, and without affecting the defense deployment, draw out a battalion to assemble in the southwest direction of the city."

"Yes!" He said yes and sat down.

"Colonel Chistyakov!"

"Here!" The Colonel stood up in a loud voice of agreement.

"Your regiment is responsible for the defense of the north of the city, and after the deployment is completed, draw out the three battalions of Major Shedurin and assemble in the southwest of the city."

"Yes!" Although he didn't understand my intentions, he agreed very simply.

"General Leviakin!"

"Here!" The general, who was sitting next to me, immediately stood up.

"Your regiment is responsible for the defense of the eastern part of the city. A battalion of Major Dulov was sent to assemble southwest of the city. ”

"Yes!" He said yes and sat down.

"Lieutenant Colonel Mlagintsev and Commissar Slavkin!"

"Here!" The two chubby commanders stood up at the same time, and before I could speak, the political commissar Slavikin preemptively asked: "Comrade division commander, is my regiment responsible for the defense of the south of the city, and has a battalion been sent to the southwest of the city to assemble?" ”

"Comrade Political Commissar, you are only half right, the defense of the south of the city is under the control of your regiment, but you only need to leave one battalion of troops, and the rest of the troops will go to the southwest of the city to assemble."

Seeing that his political commissar asked a question, the regiment commander next to him hesitated slightly, and also mustered up the courage to ask: "Comrade division commander, how many troops have assembled in the southwest of the city, can I ask what the combat mission is?" ”

"Yes, I'll tell you now. The reason why I am gathering so many troops is to attack three settlements. ”

"What are the specific combat missions?" This time it was General Katukov who was questioned.

"My comrade commissar, what time is it?" Instead of answering the general's question directly, I turned my head and asked the commissar Yegorov, who was sitting next to me. He raised his wrist and looked at his watch, and replied, "Ten o'clock in five minutes." ”

After knowing the specific time, I proceeded to assign a new combat mission: "This operation, under the command of Colonel Chistyakov, as soon as the troops are assembled, will attack in a clockwise direction in the three settlements of Sverchikovo, Selishevo and Maltnovo. General Katukov's tank brigade led the way, tearing through the enemy's lines, followed by the infantry, clearing out the remnants of the population from the settlement. ”

"What are we going to do after we reclaim the settlements?" Chistyakov asked curiously.

"You don't have to worry about this, there are still troops sent by General Rokossovsky who are attacking the settlements. After capturing the settlement, you can only attack the next target, and the friendly forces will naturally accept the defense of the settlement. All in all, move quickly, and once you've ridden out the settlements of enemies, you'll need to return quickly to defend the city in case of a possible enemy counterattack. Do you understand? ”

"Got it!" Those present replied in unison.

"Now that you understand, let's go back to the army and prepare! I hope this offensive will start on time at eleven o'clock. ”

Everyone dispersed one after another, and I was left in the room with three commanders, Political Commissar Yegorov and General Levyagin. The two of them were studying the feasibility of my combat mission on the map, while I circled around the room, thinking about when and with what kind of forces the Germans would attack the city of Cumbre del Sol again.

At this time, I heard the communications soldier sitting in the corner of the house calling out to me: "Comrade division commander, it's the phone call of the commander of the Front, General Zhukov, and he wants to talk to you." ”

Leviagin and Egorov, too, heard the shouts of the communications men, stopped studying the map, raised their heads and looked at me nervously. I walked over quickly, took the headset and microphone from the signal soldier, and said loudly: "Hello, Comrade General! I'm Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina. ”

"I congratulate you, Comrade Leda!"

"Congratulations? Congratulations on what? Zhukov's words made me scratch my head, and I couldn't help but ask a rhetorical question.

"Comrade Stalin has already learned about you, and is very satisfied with the results of your decisive organization of the offensive and the rapid recovery of the city of Solhill, and has decided to give you a special reward. ……”

"A special bonus?" Again, I asked curiously: "What special reward, is it that Comrade Stalin passed the application of the Front Army to promote me to the rank of colonel?" ”

"Nope!" Zhukov simply gave me a negative answer.

"Ahh Hearing this news, I couldn't help but feel a little lost, but Zhukov's next words made me almost jump: "Comrade Stalin said that in recognition of your great achievements in the battle, it was decided to make an exception and promote you to the rank of major general!" ”