When Kirillov let go of my hand, he turned to the side and introduced me to the two political workers behind him, who were about the same height and thinness, and said: "Comrade Oshanina, let me introduce you to my deputies, Kokunov and Rogulev, who turned out to be government functionaries in the Eastern District of Moscow and will soon be assigned to serve in the reconstructed 33rd Infantry Guards Division. ”

Hearing the name of the 33rd Infantry Guards Division, I suddenly remembered the last time the division was in an offensive operation, because there was something wrong with the coordinated operation of the infantry and the tank I mentioned, and the ideal goal was not achieved, which provoked the commander General Korpakchi to be furious and said that he would send me to the division as the commander. Although I am now serving as the acting commander of the 64th Army, it is only in the nature of a secondment, and as soon as this is done, I will be transferred back, and it is possible that I will be immediately sent to the newly replenished 33rd Guards Division to take up a position, so that I will have the opportunity to partner with these two political workers.

I glanced at the collar badges of the two of them, and found that they were both first-class instructors, and I couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed when I thought of them as ordinary soldiers just now, and hurriedly took the initiative to stretch out my hand to the one on the left, and said politely: "Hello, Comrade Kokunov." ”

Kokunov looked like a shy man, and he just smiled politely at my overtures, reached out and shook my hand a little before letting go.

In contrast to Kokunov's taciturnity, Rogulev was noticeably much more active. He took my outstretched hand with both hands, shook it vigorously, and said, "Hello, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. I had heard of your glorious achievements in the defense of Moscow, but I did not expect to meet you here, and it is a great honour for me. ”

For the compliments of Rogulev. I laughed a little embarrassed twice. Then I looked at Kirillov. Deftly switch the subject: "Comrade Kirillov. Why haven't you crossed the river yet? You must know that our regiment has been given the task of covering you and your companions to cross the Don safely to the other side of the river. ”

"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I also want to cross the river immediately." Kirillov frowned and replied dissatisfiedly, "But do you see the situation by the river?" After the bridge over the Don River was blown up by enemy planes, there were only a dozen motorboats capable of crossing the river. As a result, during the day, enemy planes bombed and strafed the ferry all the time, sinking seven or eight ships, and one was hit by bombs. The crew struggled to get the boat back to the dock, only to be half-sunk as soon as they reached the shore. Now we can only rely on the remaining ten motorboats to transport the commanders and fighters along the river to the other side of the river little by little. ”

Hearing him say this, I asked curiously, "Are the casualties of the troops large?" ”

Kirillov nodded vigorously and said with a stern expression: "Yes, the casualties of the troops are very large. In the two days of yesterday and today, at least eight or nine thousand soldiers died along the river, not counting those who sank in the river with the ferry boat in the process of crossing the river. ”

Although it has long been known that the troops suffered heavy casualties, I heard Kirillov say this. I was still taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "Why are there so many casualties?" ”

Kirillov explained bitterly: "Formed units were lost. It was a mess along the river and became the target of enemy bombing. In particular, after the bridge was blown up, the soldiers had to cross the river by guò ferry, and as soon as they saw a boat entering the pier, they immediately crowded over and rushed to the ferry. You must know that the ferry must have taken off slowly, and the enemy planes discovered this, and as if they were shooting targets, they strafed and bombed the troops that were boarding the ship. Some of the commanders and fighters who had escaped the enemy's air raids by the river died in vain during the boarding process. ”

I looked up at the sky, it was getting darker and darker, and according to the order, as long as this group of political workers crossed the Don River, our regiment could retreat and cross the river. Thinking of this, I urged Kirillov and said: "Comrade political commissar of the regimental level, it is already dark and tired, you and your companions should hurry up and cross the river." ”

Unexpectedly, he shook his head and said, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I can't cross the river now?" ”

"Why?" I asked, puzzled.

"Now the commanders and fighters along the river have all been withdrawn from the front line, there is no unified command, and morale is very low. At such times, it is all the more important for me and my comrades-in-arms to stay, to make contact with these commanders and fighters, to sit down with them and talk to them, to boost their morale, and to restore their confidence in victory. ”

I have also participated in the conversations between senior generals and junior commanders and soldiers, and I know that senior generals can boost the morale of their subordinates by talking to them and having heart-to-heart talks with them. In my heart, Kirillov's approach was understandable, but at the moment, I was anxious, hoping that they would cross the river as soon as possible, so that after our regiment had completed its mission, it could follow them to the other side of the river. Otherwise, when dawn comes, our regiment will be able to withstand the double blows of the enemy's artillery and air force on open land where there is no danger to defend, and it will not be so easy to cross the river again.

"Comrade political commissar at the regimental level," I said to him, holding on to a glimmer of hope, "you can cross the river first, and as for the work of talking to the soldiers, you can leave it to other political workers to complete." ”

"No, Comrade Oshanina." Unexpectedly, Kirillov replied with a smile: "I am a commander, and in such a dangerous moment, I should lead by example, how can I casually leave my subordinates and flee to a safe place first?" If I escape, will they still trust me when I do the work of agitation to the fighters in the future? Seeing that I was still trying to say something, he quickly raised his hand to stop me, and then said: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I know that you have good intentions and are for my good." But at this time, I really can't leave, please don't mention it again. ”

Hearing that Kirillov said this, I could not continue to persuade him, and after a few casual words, he returned to the position of our regiment.

At this time, Lukin and the commander of the second battalion, Slavin, had already commanded the troops to dig a trench and set up a simple command post in the trench. Seeing me come back, Lukin came out with two people and asked with concern: "Comrade Regiment Commander, how is the situation by the river?" ”

I smiled wryly and shook my head, and replied, "It's not good, Comrade Captain. Thousands of commanders and fighters from various units were gathered along the river, but less than ten motorboats were transported on the river. And the political workers who want to cover the crossing of the river are all newly replenished to the 62nd Army, and they are maintaining order along the river and agitating the soldiers, hoping to improve the morale of the troops. I proposed to Comrade Kirillov, the regimental political commissar of the regimental level, who led the team, to let him cross the river first, but he also rejected it. ”

Lukin asked, "Then what is the mission of our regiment?" ”

"What other tasks can there be?!" I said angrily: "Carry out the orders of the division, hold on to this place, and stop the enemy from advancing to the river." Remember, having the fighters dig a few more anti-artillery holes in the trenches will reduce casualties in the event of enemy shelling and air strikes. ”

Seeing the second battalion commander and Slavin standing in the room, I suddenly remembered the first battalion commander and asked Lukin: "By the way, where is the first battalion commander?" I haven't seen him since I returned? ”

Without hesitation, Lukin replied: "I saw that the commander of the first battalion did not have many men left, so I ordered him to stay in his original position and assist the troops who came to pick up the defense to carry ammunition to the division headquarters." ”

"How's his injury?"

"It's not a big deal, it's just that my ears are deafened by the shell, and it is estimated that it will take a while to recover to normal."

"What about the fortifications?"

"Comrade Regiment Commander, allow me to report back to you." The commander of the second battalion stood up and volunteered to report to me. After seeing me nod, he said: "We have dug two trenches, and two companies are placed in each trench, so that when the front is tight, the troops behind can move over through the guò communication trenches for reinforcements." ”

"Very well, Comrade Captain, well done!"

"Comrade Commander," Slavin then asked, "what are we going to do next?" ”

I sighed and said helplessly, "What else can we do in this situation?" The only thing we could do was to wait, and when all the troops on the river had crossed the Don, we would follow the crossing and establish a new line of defense on the left bank of the Don. (To be continued......)