Although I could see the displeasure on the faces of many division commanders or division political commissars who attended the meeting, in the face of Chuikov's counterattack on November 7, everyone could only pinch their noses and express unconditional obedience because of the regulations that were not allowed to be discussed by the orders of their superiors.

After the meeting was dismissed, Chuikov deliberately left me behind to discuss whether he could transfer troops from Mamayev Gang to support the counterattack in the area. Hearing Chuikov say this, my heart suddenly flooded with difficulty, to be honest, at such a time, I really don't want to hand over my troops to Chuikov's command. Not to mention Persjian and Pugachev, who are still lying in the military hospital, and even the strongest regiment of Sederikov, in just over a day under his command, there are not many of the 3,000 people left. Now that the great counteroffensive at Stalingrad is only a few days away, if I had handed over these troops to Chuikov to squander, it would have been difficult for the independent division to achieve any dazzling results in the final stage of the campaign.

After much deliberation, I said tactfully to Chuikov: "Comrade commander, I understand that the situation in the city is very bad, but the Mamayev post is also very important. After several fierce battles, the attrition of the troops of the independent division was also very strict. If we were to send troops into the city, I feared that the remaining forces would be difficult to withstand the fierce German offensive. ”

After listening to my prevarication, Chuikov slammed the table, stood up and was about to have a seizure, but Gurov, who was sitting next to him, quickly grabbed his hand, signaled him not to get angry for the time being, and then said to me amiably: "Comrade Oshanina, I know that what you say is true, but have you thought about the area defended by Lyudnikov's 70th Guards Division. Once breached. The enemy could not only advance to the Volga River. It will also occupy the logistical supply depots of our army group. In that case, our commanders and fighters will no longer be able to sustain themselves. ”

Gurov's words made me hesitate, it seems that Chuikov is still quite polite to me, and actually discussed with me in a consultative tone about the transfer of troops, if it is replaced by other troops, maybe the two of them will directly order: how many companies will be transferred from the division and directly assigned to Lyudnikov's troops. There is no room for negotiation at all.

In this case, it would obviously be unwise for me to be stubborn, so I could only bite the bullet and say: "Comrade Military Commissar, since this is the case, then I will definitely find a way to transfer troops, but support Colonel Lyudnikov." ”

Seeing that I agreed with him, Chuikov turned his head and shouted outside the door: "Come in, Comrade Colonel." With his shout, Lyudnikov walked in through the door. Watch my gaze fall on him. He became a little overwhelmed, and after a dry laugh. Suppressed a nonsense: "Comrade Oshanina, you haven't left yet." ”

I thought to myself, if I leave, who are you looking for troops to strengthen your defense area? You must know that under the current situation, except for my independent division, which is relatively complete, although the rest of the troops in the city still bear the number of divisions, the actual strength is only about one battalion.

Chuikov coughed and said sternly to Lyudnikov: "Comrade Colonel, don't you want to borrow some troops from Oshanina?" I have conveyed your intention to her, and she has agreed. Next, you can go to the next room to negotiate the transfer of troops. ”

"Yes." Lyudnikov breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Chuikov say this, and after saluting Chuikov and Gurov, he stretched out his hand and made a gesture of invitation to me.

We came to an unoccupied room next door, and I didn't want to stay at the headquarters for too long, so as soon as I sat down, I said straight to the point: "Comrade Colonel, you and I are acquaintances, and we have fought side by side more than once. ”

"That's right, Comrade Oshanina." Lyudnikov smirked and said: "What is the situation in the city now, I think you know as well as I do. After a brutal battle, the attrition of the divisions and brigades was very strict, and some divisions even had only one or two hundred men left, and it was difficult for them to defend the existing positions, let alone help us, so I could only ask you for help with a cheeky face, because I was afraid of being rejected by you, so I asked the commander to help me pass the word. ”

"Alright, Comrade Colonel," I interrupted his later words, and said to myself, "In the recent battles of the Independent Division, the number of troops reduced is also very strict, and at present, the Second Regiment basically has only one empty number left, so even if I want to send troops to replenish it, the number of troops I can draw is very limited." ”

Lyudnikov heard me say this, and a disappointed expression appeared on his face, but he asked unwillingly: "Comrade Oshanina, I would like to know, how many troops can you send me?" ”

I held out a finger and said in an understatement tone, "A company." ”

"What, a company?" Lyudnikov jumped up from his seat in shock, and said unwillingly: "You just gave me a company, what are you doing with this little force?" If they were placed in position, they would have been wiped out with just one round of enemy shelling. ”

I coughed lightly, and then explained to Lyudnikov: "Comrade Colonel, you don't know anything about the situation with the independent divisions, our formation is a little different from other divisions, and each company is a reinforced company of two hundred people. And the company I am going to transfer to you is one of the most combat-ready units in our division. ”

Lyudnikov was still a little reluctant when he heard me say this: "Comrade Oshanina, just now you also heard what Comrade Military Commissar said, behind us is the logistics warehouse of the army group, and once it is captured by the Germans, it will be a great disaster for the entire army group. ”

I knew that what Lyudnikov said was the truth, that once the logistics warehouses of the army group were occupied by the Germans, we would face the tragic fate of running out of ammunition and food, so after hesitating for a moment, I gritted my teeth, and with one last blow, I raised two more fingers and said to Lyudnikov: "In this way, Comrade Colonel, I will give you two more companies, so that your strength will almost double, and you will have a greater grasp of dealing with the Germans." Seeing that Lyudnikov seemed to want to say something, I hurriedly raised my hand to stop him, and said in an unquestionable tone: "Colonel, just three companies, this is still for the sake of us as old friends, and I take special care of you." If they were to be replaced by other divisions, I don't think a single soldier would support them. (To be continued......)