As the jeep entered Soviet Street, I saw Chuikov's car parked next to a relatively intact building, standing under the car, talking with his back to us and several commanders and fighters in new cotton uniforms. I hurriedly asked the driver to stop and walked towards him with two guards. When he got closer, he realized that the person who was talking to him was actually Akhromeyev.

Seeing me walking towards them, Akhromeyev stopped talking to Chuikov and nodded at me. Since I had given an order in the division some time ago that it was not allowed to salute the commander on the battlefield, he did not salute me, but only politely greeted me: "Division commander, you are here." ”

Chuikov turned his head to see that it was me and muttered, "Why is it so slow?" I've been waiting for you for a long time. "Hearing him say this, I really couldn't laugh or cry, I couldn't tell the driver in front of him, saying that for the sake of safety, the driver slowed down when he encountered a crater, and the left and right minus would delay the time. But fortunately, Chuikov did not continue, he shook his head at me and said: "Let's go, let's go to Rodimtsev, and you, Comrade Captain, come with us." ”

The road to the square of "January 9th" is under the control of our army, so we do not have to worry about being attacked by the enemy when we walk. Chuikov and I walked at the front of the group, and Akhromeyev and a few guards followed us, keeping a distance of four or five paces. Such a distance not only leaves space for me and Chuikov to talk, but also allows us to be there in time when we have something.

Chuikov glanced behind him as he walked, and then complimented Akhromeyev in front of me: "Oshanina, this chief of staff of yours Akhromeyev. It's the second lieutenant training team from the Volkhov Front, right? I just talked to him for a while. I have a good impression of him. He is a commander with a fighting spirit. ”

I glanced back at Akhromeyev, suddenly remembered about the military rank, and hurriedly took this opportunity to propose to Chuikov: "Comrade commander, I have something I want to tell you. ”

"Just say anything, you and I are so familiar with each other, there is no need to be so polite."

"You see, Comrade Akhromeyev is my chief of staff, but he still holds the rank of captain. I'm afraid of the words of those lieutenant colonels and majors under his command. Others will disobey his commands. ”

After hearing this, Chuikov smiled, pointed his finger at me and said, "According to me, you, Comrade Oshanina, are a Madaha." The last time you came to my headquarters, I gave you the rank of four majors, why didn't you mention Akhromeyev's name at that time? Forget it, there are already so many of them anyway, and it won't matter if you give one more. With that, he stopped and half-turned. He beckoned to Akhromeyev and motioned for him to come to his side.

Akhromeyev did not hear my conversation with Chuikov. So it's not known why Chuikov suddenly called him over. When he stood in front of Chuikov with a blank face, Chuikov put his hand on his shoulder, patted him twice, and then said with a smile: "Comrade Akhromeyev, just now when I was chatting with Colonel Oshanina, she said that your rank is too low, let me promote you to the rank." I know a little bit about your abilities from both Oshanina and Kirillov, so I also think you deserve a higher rank. Now I will officially announce to you that from now on, you have been promoted to Major. ”

Akhromeyev did not expect that Chuikov would be promoted to his rank at this time, and his face was flushed with excitement, and after throwing a grateful glance at me, he shouted at Chuikov: "Serve the Soviet Fatherland!" ”

As we walked two or three hundred meters, Chuikov suddenly pointed to a four-story building next to the square and said, "Look, Oshanina, if I'm not mistaken, Commander Rodimtsev should be in that building." ”

I looked at the wide square, and then at the building at the crossroads, and a thought popped into my head: Could this be the famous "Pavlov Building" in later life? In my imagination, this famous building must have seven or eight floors, or even a dozen floors high, but I didn't expect it to be a four-story building, and the roof was blown through, and I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

After Chuikov finished speaking, he immediately quickened his pace and walked towards the building. The building has four unit doors, and Chuikov went straight to the first one. Seeing that his goal was clear, I still didn't understand in my heart that this was really the famous "Pavlov Building".

As soon as we reached the door, we saw Rodimtsev coming out with two fighters. Rodimtsev wore a military overcoat, while the fighters behind him wore cotton military uniforms.

Rodimtsev said from afar: "Comrade commander, why did you come here?" It's too close to the Germans, and if you stand at the window on the second floor, you can see the Germans moving at the other end of the square, so you better hurry back to the headquarters of the army group. After saying that, his eyes turned to me again, and he said with a stern face: "I said, Colonel Oshanina, even though your troops have recovered most of the Soviet Street, you can't bring the commander here?" ”

"Comrade Rodimtsev," Chuikov waved at him, defending me, "it was not Comrade Oshanina who brought me here, but I called to your division headquarters, and the commander who stayed behind told me that you had come to the front, so I called Oshanina to accompany me to come and see." ”

With Chuikov to speak for me, Rodimtsev didn't say anything more and led us into the building. After leaving all the guards downstairs, he took me, Chuikov, and Akhromeyev cautiously down the bombed-out staircase to the third floor.

As we walked into a large room, I was startled by a group of fighters who had risen from the ground with a bang. I thought that Pavlov and his fighters were only a few people, but I didn't expect that there were so many of them, and I roughly counted them, and the number was at least thirty or more.

Rodimtsev called a young sergeant to Chuikov and introduced him: "Comrade commander, this is Sergeant Pavlov, the defender of this building, the fighters in the platoon with him. He who took the building out of the hands of the enemy. "Speaking of which. A smile hung on Rodimtsev's face. "I heard from other fighters that Comrade Pavlov, after destroying all the enemies in the building, once stood at the window of the top floor and shouted: "Sergeant of the Red Army of our Guards Yakov. Fedotovich. Pavlov, from the hands of the enemy, took back this edifice of the Motherland! ”

After listening to Rodimtsev's introduction, Chuikov stepped forward and shook Pavlov's hand vigorously and said: "Good job, good comrade sergeant." For your bravery and tenacity, as well as for the recapture of the building of the Motherland from the hands of the enemy. I salute you! With that, he took a step back and raised his hand to give Pavlov a solemn military salute.

Seeing the commander of the army group saluting him, the young sergeant and his comrades behind him were taken aback, and they also hurriedly raised their hands to return the salute to Chuikov.

When they all put their hands down, I took two steps forward and reached out to Pavlov in a friendly manner, "Hello, Sergeant Pavlov." ……”

Before I could say the rest of the words, Pavlov actually raised his hand and saluted me. Unexpectedly said: "Hello, Colonel Oshanina. It's a pleasure to see you here! ”

My outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and my heart said what was going on, how could this ordinary sergeant know me before Rodimtsev had time to introduce me? Could it be that my fame has reached the level of a household name?

Seeing that I was standing in a daze, Pavlov hurriedly stretched out his hands to hold my hand and reminded me in a low voice: "Comrade Colonel, have you forgotten the Pavlov father and son you met in Borodino?" ”

When the sergeant said this, I suddenly remembered that when Chuikov and I went to inspect the front, we had seen a Pavlov father and son in the Far Eastern Red Banner Division of Colonel Porosushi, who seemed to be workers from the sickle and hammer factory, and the father was killed in the battle soon after, and I do not know what happened to the son. I didn't expect to meet an old friend here today who has long been forgotten by me, which really makes me overjoyed.

Chuikov and Rodimtsev next to me looked at each other, wondering how I could know an ordinary warrior. In the end, it was Chuikov who asked: "Oshanina, did you and this Sergeant Pavlov know each other before?" ”

I let go of Pavlov's hand and explained to Chuikov and Rodimtsev: "That's it, comrades generals. During the defense of Moscow, I served as an assistant to General Zhukov and accompanied him to many places. And this Sergeant Pavlov, whom we met during our inspection of the Borodino battlefield, when he and his father were both from the sickle and hammer factory. In the ensuing battle, despite the glorious death of his father, Sergeant Pavlov and his comrades turned their grief into strength and continued to fight stubbornly, repelling enemy attacks again and again. ”

After listening to my story, Chuikov and Rodimtsev went up to shake Pavlov's hand and pay their respects to him and his father, who had died.

Then Chuikov said to Pavlov in a casual tone: "Sergeant, tell me about your situation here." ”

Pavlov agreed, and then began to introduce the situation: "Report to the commander, in last night's battle, the platoon lieutenants and senior non-commissioned officers withdrew from the battle due to wounds or sacrifices, and I took over the command of the platoon. After a fierce battle, we succeeded in capturing the building and holding it as a fortress. ”

"Comrade Sergeant, let me ask you, there are still many buildings in the vicinity, but why do you want to use this place as a fortress that can be defended?" Chuikov's question, to me, seems to me to be a test of Sergeant Pavlov's command skills.

Pavlov made a gesture to Chuikov and said politely: "Comrade commander, please come here." With that, he took the lead and walked to the window, pointed outside, and said, "According to my observations, this building can become a key area to guard the city. Its tactical advantage lies in the fact that it is located at a crossroads, giving us a view of about a thousand meters to the north, south, and west. From the moment I occupied the building, I was ordered to build fortifications and prepare to defend the building. You see, the building is surrounded by barbed wire and minefields, and we have machine guns deployed at every window facing the square. ”

"What if the enemy's tanks come?" After hearing this, Chuikov continued to ask noncommittally.

"We also have PTRS-41 anti-tank rifles on the roof, which are very effective against German tanks. You see, a couple of destroyed tanks downstairs. It was destroyed by our anti-tank gunners hiding on the roof of the building. Enemy tanks as soon as they approached the building. The thinner armor on top of their turrets was exposed to the fire of our anti-tank guns. And because it was too close to the building, it was impossible to raise the elevation angle of the artillery for counterattack, and it could only become a target for our firing. ”

"It's amazing!" After giving a heartfelt compliment, Chuikov asked with concern: "How many troops do you have now?" ”

Pavlov guided us back to the middle of the room and told us: "After the capture of the building, only four people were left in the platoon: me, Private Alexandrov, Glushchenko and Chernogorov. This morning, reinforcements arrived, including a seven-man machine-gun platoon of Lieutenant Alfanasyev and a heavy machine-gun platoon. A 6-man anti-tank gun team headed by Sergeant Sobugaida and 3 automatic gunners with a total of 3 anti-tank guns, and a 4-man mortar group led by Second Lieutenant Chernushenko with 2 50-mm mortars. ”

After hearing this, Chuikov shouted into the crowd and asked, "Who is Lieutenant Afanasyev?" ”

"Report to the commander, it's me." As he spoke, a thin, short captain with a full beard squeezed out of the crowd and stood in front of Chuikov.

"Comrade Lieutenant," Chuikov asked with a smile on his face, "you have a higher rank than Sergeant Pavlov." Let you accept his command, you won't have any complaints in your heart, right? ”

Lieutenant Afanasyev shook his head like a rattle and replied: "Please rest assured, comrade commander. I will definitely obey the command of Sergeant Pavlov and resolutely hold this building. ”

"Very well," Chuikov nodded with satisfaction when he heard the lieutenant's statement, then patted him on the shoulder and said, "When the battle is over, I will ask for credit for you heroes." ”

Pavlov was extremely excited when he saw that Chuikov had entrusted him with the task of holding the building, and immediately expressed his determination to Chuikov and Rodimtsev: "Please rest assured, commander, division commander, I, Pavlov, promise you that as long as we stick to this building, we will never let the enemy swagger past us." ”

After glancing at the commanders and fighters in the room, Chuikov asked Pavlov: "How many people are in your team now?" ”

Hearing Chuikov's question, Pavlov hurriedly shouted: "All of them, line up!" ”

When the commanders and fighters were lined up in two neat columns, Pavlov began to introduce us to the composition of the team: "Commander, division commander, let me introduce you to our garrison.

Our troops consisted of 24 people, all of whom were multi-ethnic: Alexandrov, Afanasyev, Bondarenko, Vorolov, Grigin, Kiselev, Saraev, Sverin, Sobgaida, Chernushenko;

Ukrainians: Glushchenko, Dovzhenko, Ivashchenko, Chernogorov, Shapovalov, Yakinako;

Georgians: Insyashvili;

Kazakhs: Murzaev;

Uzbeks: Turdeev;

Tajiks: Turgunov;

Tatar: Roma Zhanov

Jew: Khanty. ”

When Pavlov introduced us, I was surprised to find that there was a young hygienist at the back of the line, I hurriedly walked over, took her hand, and asked kindly: "Comrade hygienist, what is your order!" ”

The female hygienist hurriedly stood up and replied loudly: "Report to Comrade Colonel, I am Maria, the hygienist. Ulyanova, listen to your orders, please instruct! ”

Thinking that the building would be under constant German attack in the next few months, I couldn't help but worry about the young girl in front of me, so I turned to Chuikov and said, "Comrade commander, it's too dangerous here, I'd better let this comrade hygienist go to the back." ”

Without waiting for Chuikov to speak, Ulyanova had already preemptively said: "Comrade Colonel, thank you for your kindness. I am a hygienist, and my duty is to care for the wounded on the battlefield, and as long as there is one of our soldiers here, I will never leave my post. ”

I was about to persuade the hygienist again, but Chuikov spoke in the back, "Oshanina, this comrade hygienist is right, her job is to treat the wounded, since she wants to stay, let her stay." ”

After Pavlov introduced us to the commanders and fighters of the whole department, we arranged for the men to carry out their respective defensive positions. When everyone had dispersed, there was nothing but me, Chuikov, Rodimtsev, Akhromeyev, Pavlov, Ulyanova, and another warrior with his arms hanging from his chest.

After listening to Pavlov's introduction, Chuikov also thought that this was an important defensive area, so he specially told Rodimtsev: "Comrade General, in order to ensure that our troops can hold this building, I hope you can provide them with sufficient weapons and ammunition. ”

"Comrade commander," Ulyanova, who heard Chuikov's words, suddenly said boldly: "In addition to weapons and ammunition, food and water are needed." You know, it's far from the river, and the water supply system was destroyed in the bombing, so the water problem had to be solved. ”

After the hygienist finished speaking, Rodimtsev suddenly looked back at me and asked, "Colonel Oshanina, I have a question that I would like to ask you." ”

Since he was my immediate boss, I could only say very politely: "Please speak, Comrade General." ”

"Your troops have been holding the Mamayev Heights for almost a month. Although I also know that you often collect weapons and ammunition from the corpses of the enemy, for a division, that is a drop in the bucket after all. What I want to ask is, where does the weapons, ammunition and food supplies of your division come from? ”

Rodimtsev's question really stopped me, since I had a commissar and a chief of staff, I no longer have to do everything as before, so I don't know how to answer this question yet. Just when I was embarrassed, I caught a glimpse of Akhromeyev standing aside, and quickly pushed him out: "Comrade General, these things are all in the hands of my chief of staff, Major Akhromeyev, let him explain it to you." ”

Rodimtsev's question also caught the attention of Chuikov, who stared with interest at Akhromeyev, who I had pushed out, waiting for him to explain.

Fortunately, Akhromeyev was a qualified chief of staff, and I didn't even know how to answer the question, so he reported to the two without thinking: "Report to the generals, comrades, that there are two ways for the ammunition supply of our division: one is to rely on the stocks of friendly arms and the arms delivered to the docks across the river to replenish a part. For example, when we entered the Mamayev post, we received an ammunition storage point of the 35th Guards Division, from which we replenished almost a regiment of weapons and ammunition; Secondly, the weapons and ammunition that were brought from across the river, and I usually asked the logistics troops for some to replenish the troop's consumption. ”

"What about the other channel?" Chuikov asked.

"Another option is to rely on seizures. As General Rodimtsev said, we collected too little weapons and ammunition on the corpses of the enemy to equip the troops. By capture, I mean that before the Independent Division was transferred from the 64th Army to the 62nd Army, a lot of weapons and ammunition were seized, and these things were stored in the settlements behind the heights, ready to replenish the troops on the heights. (To be continued......)

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