After the meeting, several commanders left the office one after another. When General Frolov also wanted to leave like everyone else, he was stopped by Yumashev: "Comrade Deputy Commander, don't rush me first, I still have something to ask you." ”

Frolov, who had already walked to the door, immediately stopped, turned around and walked back to us. Standing up straight in front of Yumashev, he respectfully asked: "Comrade commander, do you have any other instructions?" ”

Yumashev glanced at Khrulev, and then asked Frolov with a serious expression: "Have you informed the army of the terrible events that happened today?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Frolov immediately replied very dryly: "I have informed the army units of my friendly neighbors to make them ready for all battles and to prevent any provocations that the Japanese state may suddenly launch." At present, in addition to making preparations on the coastline to defend against enemy landings, the garrison troops have entered defensive positions in the areas close to the Japanese army's defense zone and are ready for all battles. As long as they dare to act rashly, then the hundreds of artillery guns deployed in the depth of our defenses will blow up their positions into a sea of fire, and then the huge armored forces will launch a full-scale counterattack against them. ”

"And what about the planes of our Navy?" Perhaps it was the lesson of Germany's undeclared war against the Soviet Union that left a deep imprint on the hearts of these commanders, and after listening to Frolov's reply, Yumashev did not have the slightest relaxed expression on his face, and continued to ask: "Are they all evacuated and hidden?" ”

"Don't worry, Commander." Frolov confidently said: "The tragedy of the plane being blown up by the enemy before takeoff will not be repeated." All the planes were concentrated at military airfields, carefully camouflaged. In order to prevent a sneak attack by enemy planes, the Air Force will send a two-plane formation to conduct 24-hour uninterrupted patrols over the airport. ”

"What is this. Is there going to be a war? Khrulev, who was standing next to me and had been listening for a long time, suddenly interrupted the conversation between the two and asked unceremoniously.

"I don't know," Yumashev replied hastily, "but I think we should make the necessary preparations, because from the actions of the Japanese fighters intercepting your plane today, it can be seen that they have the intention to provoke us." ”

"Before getting the latest order from the High Command. The Far East must maintain its original state of readiness and must not arbitrarily raise its level of readiness. I heard from the side that Yumashev arranged it like this, and there was still some element of flattering Khrulev, but unfortunately Khrulev did not appreciate it at all, and actually asked with a tough attitude: "Do you understand?" ”

After Khrulev finished speaking, the room fell silent.

But after a long silence, Khrulev turned his head to look at me and said to me: "Comrade Oshanina, do you know why I did not allow them to raise the level of combat readiness at will? ”

I shook my head. Honestly replied: "I'm sorry, Comrade Minister, I don't know. But I know that if I were in the position of Commander Yumashev, I would not hesitate to give the relevant orders to the troops to prepare for battle. "I didn't say this casually, but I really don't understand what reason Khrulev had to do this, you must know that the Japanese state sent fighter planes to attack our special plane without authorization, which is tantamount to a declaration of war. Yumashev informed the Army that there was nothing wrong with the response.

Khrulev did not expect me to answer like this, his eyebrows raised high. He looked at me with a strange and dissatisfied look on his face, and said unceremoniously: "We still have a friendship treaty with the Japanese country, and if we arbitrarily raise the level of combat readiness on the border, it will be regarded as a provocation by the other side, and there is a danger of war breaking out. You also know, although not so long ago. We had just won the Battle of Stalingrad, but in the Kharkiv region we suffered a great loss from the Germans. That is, for a considerable period of time, the focus of our defense was on the western front. Instead of this Far East, we do not yet have the strength to fight on two fronts. ”

After listening to his words, I retorted angrily: "Comrade Minister, do you think that after experiencing today's danger, we will not encourage the arrogance of the Japanese people by adopting a tolerant approach to provocations? ”

After I had finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment, and all eyes were fixed on me. Khrulev, who was close at hand, looked at me intently, as if thinking about the words I had just said.

After a long while, Khrulev sighed and said to me: "Comrade Oshanina, I understand your mood at the moment. Wasn't I on the plane today, and I was almost shot down by the Japanese plane? However, we must not act rashly, I have already reported this matter to Comrade Stalin, and if it can be resolved by diplomatic means, we will try not to resort to force. ”

Probably to divert the attention of all of us, he suddenly asked Yumashev: "Where is that American pilot?" ”

Although his question was a bit abrupt, it was clear to everyone that he was asking the American pilot who had landed on the airfield of the naval base in his plane. Yumashev turned his gaze to Frolov and motioned for him to answer Khrulev's question. Frolov, who understood his understanding, hurriedly stepped forward, straightened his waist and said to Khrulev: "Comrade Chief, the American pilot is resting at the base of naval aviation. Do you need to see him? ”

Hearing his question, Khrulev nodded and said affirmatively: "Okay, General Frolov, please send that American pilot here as soon as possible." For his bravery, I would like to personally award him the medal and personally express my gratitude to him. ”

"Yes, I'll arrange it right away." Frolov agreed, and walked out the door.

As soon as Frolov left, Khrulev asked Yumashev: "Did you find the pilot who parachuted?" ”

Yumashev shook his head and replied with a wry smile: "In such cold weather, if the pilot falls into the sea, he will be frozen to death even if he does not drown." ”

"Is the search speedboat back?" I asked anxiously as I glanced at the completely dark sky outside.

"I haven't gotten the latest report, General Oshanina." Yumashev politely replied, "However, I have informed the Coast Patrol and will report to me as soon as there is news of the search for the speedboat." ”

"Haven't you ever called?" Khrulev also asked a little uncontrollably.

"Didn't call me, Andrey. Vasilyevich. Yumashev replied. It's been a long time since you arrived at my office, and if there's a phone call, you should know about it. ”

Khrulev looked at his watch, then turned his gaze to me and said with emotion: "Comrade Oshanina, such a long time has passed. If there is no more whereabouts, it is estimated that the pilot will be more than lucky. Then he gestured to the seat next to him and gestured to sit down. Sit down, all of you, and we have to save our energy and wait for the arrival of the American pilot who saved our lives. ”

When the three of us were seated again, Khrulev suddenly smiled and said to Yumashev: "Dear Ivan. Stepanovich, I think I would like to congratulate you in advance. ”

When Yumashev heard Khrulev say this, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and asked in surprise: "Are all those rumors from the Far Eastern Front command true?" ”

"Yes." Don't look at the two of them just now, they have become good friends who talk about everything, and it seems that nothing unpleasant has happened at all. "If nothing else, you'll get orders in early May."

"Comrade Minister and Commander," I could not help asking, as if I had forgotten about me, "what are you talking about, why don't I understand it at all?" ”

Hear my whining. After the two looked at each other, Khrulev made a gesture of invitation to Yumashev. At the same time, he said: "You should tell Oshanina about this." ”

Yumashev did not shirk either, smiled and said to me: "General Oshanina, it is like this. According to information from the Far Eastern Front, I will be promoted to the rank of general in the near future. ”

When I heard that Yumashev was about to be promoted, I quickly got up from my seat and offered to extend my hand to him. Amicably, he said: "Comrade Commander, please accept my congratulations on receiving a higher rank. ”

After I shook hands with Yumashev, Khrulev continued: "Comrade Yumashev, Oshanina and I must rush back to Moscow as soon as possible. Can you arrange a plane for me tomorrow? ”

"No problem, Andrey. Vasilyevich. Yumashev readily agreed: "In addition, I will arrange four warplanes to escort you to avoid another attack by the Japanese air force." ”

Although Khrulev did not refuse Yumashev's kindness, he said very casually: "Ivan. Don't be too nervous, Stepanovich, for I estimate that the main forces of the Japanese have already moved south to compete with Britain and the United States for oil and rubber, and they are not at all in a position to provoke us at the moment. ”

When I heard Khrulev say this, my heart couldn't help but be full of admiration for him, and I didn't expect that he could see the situation so thoroughly that he could know that the Japanese country did not have the strength to go north at all.

"But what is the explanation for what happened today?" Yumashev still remembered the attack of the dictatorship, and as soon as Khrulev finished speaking, he immediately raised the issue again.

"I guess it's just a misunderstanding." Khrulev frowned and said in an uncertain tone: "You must know that the United States and the Japanese are now at war, and it is reasonable for the Japanese to send planes to block the air routes of the United States and attack the American planes they saw, and besides, the passenger plane we were flying on at that time was indeed an American passenger plane. ”

From Khrulev's tone, I could hear a hint of calm, and just as I was about to say a few words, the telephone on my desk rang. Yumashev stood up, walked to the table, picked up the phone, and said into the microphone: "I'm Yumashev, what's the matter?" ”

“…… Hey, what do you say? Keep talking, keep talking! ......" Yumashev suddenly cried out excitedly after a pause.

His unusual behavior immediately attracted the attention of me and Khrulev. When we turned our heads to look at him, we heard him still saying, "...... Great, that's great. On my behalf, Captain Smurray, please express my gratitude to your soldiers, they are all doing well, and send him here at once......"

When I heard Yumashev say this, the first thought that came to my mind was that the American pilot who had parachuted had been found. Because when Yumashev, who was full of smiles, put down the phone and walked towards us, he preemptively asked: "Comrade commander, what's the matter, did you find the American pilot who parachuted?" ”

"That's right, that's right, General Oshanina." Yumashev said to me excitedly: "Just now Captain Smurray called and said that the speedboat he sent had found the American pilot who had parachuted out at sea. ”

After receiving his confirmation, I was secretly relieved, and at the same time I felt that the life of this American pilot was really big enough, and it was a miracle that he could survive soaking in the icy sea water for several hours.

Just as I was about to ask for details, Khrulev preempted me and said, "Yumashev, where did you find this pilot?" It's a miracle that he survived soaking in the icy waters for hours in such cold weather. ”

Yumashev waved his hand and explained: "Comrade minister, you guessed it wrong, when you found him, he did not run in the sea. You must know that on such a cold day, even if the gods descend to earth, it is estimated that they will be frozen long ago. When our fighters found him, he was on an outcropping reef, and although he was covered in a parachute, he was almost completely frozen when he was rescued from the boat. If it had been a few minutes too late, he would have frozen to death. ”

Hearing that the situation of the American pilots was very bad, Khrulev anxiously asked: "Did our sailors take any first aid measures?" ”

"Don't worry," said Yumashev, grinning, "our sailors are very experienced in these things. They stripped the pilot naked, rubbed him with vodka, and only after his body was warm did they put him back on clothes. I have ordered Senior Captain Smurray to immediately and personally bring the American pilot to my headquarters. ”

At this moment, the door, which had been closed by General Frolov when he left, was silently pushed open. When Yumashev saw the officer on duty who appeared at the door, he immediately raised his voice and asked, "What's the matter?" ”

"Comrade commander," the officer respectfully reported, "the American pilot has arrived, is it necessary to let him in immediately?" (To be continued.) )