After listening to Ehrenburg's words, Kirillov smiled and said, "Old man, you don't have to say anything about the rest of the story. From what I know about Comrade Oshanina, she certainly did not forgive you at that time. Don't say it's her, even if it were me, I won't forgive you. You must know that an excellent commander with a bright future is almost imprisoned because of an irresponsible report by you, and no one can stand it. ”

After listening to the criticism of his old man, Ehrenburg nodded again and again, and said: "If Comrade Oshanina still refuses to forgive me, I am willing to apologize to her again in public." With that, he straightened up, as if ready to bow again and apologize to me.

He bowed to me twice in public and apologized, a treatment that even Stalin himself did not enjoy. If the fact that he bowed to me three times in a row and apologized was known to those with ulterior motives, and reported it to Stalin, I would not have been able to eat and walk away. So I hurriedly stood up, raised my hand to stop his movements, and said in a relaxed tone: "Okay, okay, Comrade Ehrenburg, this matter has been a long time coming, and I haven't paid attention to it, so you don't have to apologize to me again." ”

As soon as my words came out, Verdowin, who was sitting next to Ehrenburg, hurriedly stood up and played a round: "Yes, Comrade Ehrenburg, since Colonel Oshanina has said so, don't worry about the past. Besides, today we went to the headquarters of the independent division for an interview, not to apologize. ”

Verdowin's words immediately relieved us all from our embarrassment, and I hastened to follow his words and said, "Yes, Comrade Ehrenburg. I heard that you have been inside the city of Stalingrad all day today. Interview with the commanders and fighters who are fighting stubbornly against the fascist invaders. Can you tell us about your thoughts after the interview? ”

What I said immediately attracted Ehrenburg's attention, and instead of insisting on apologizing to me, he sat down with Verdowin, took off his top hat and put it on the table, and said with great emotion: "I have been running around the city for a day today, although I have not been much because of the time. The number of commanders and fighters interviewed was also limited. But I have a feeling that the commanders and fighters of the 62nd Army who held Stalingrad were really not simple, and they did a really great job! ”

"Old man, can you elaborate on that?" When Kirillov waited for Ehrenburg to finish speaking, he hurriedly urged him: "Don't say that in Stalingrad, even on all the battlefields of the country, countless heroic commanders and fighters are fighting tenaciously against the invaders armed to the teeth in order to defend our great Motherland. ”

"Before I came to Stalingrad, I heard a commentary on the British BBC radio on the radio, which stuck with me: after the start of the war. Poland fell in 28 days, while the Germans could only capture a few houses in Stalingrad in 28 days; France fell in 38 days. And the Germans were able to occupy only a few streets in Stalingrad in 38 days. Ehrenburg said excitedly: "From the conversation of the soldiers, I know that although many enemies have stormed the city, our soldiers have set up the battlefield everywhere on the roofs, stairs, walls, windowsills, and basements, and are fighting stubbornly against the enemy all the time. ”

Hearing Ehrenburg's words, Kirillov did not express any opinion, but a happy smile appeared on his face. I only heard Ehrenburg continue: "What impressed me the most was the 'Red October' tractor factory and the 'barricade' factory, and the enemy now occupied most of the factory, but what are our comrades workers doing? Outside the factory, the commanders and fighters of our 39th Guards Division were fighting fiercely with the enemy outside the factory; Workers were in the factory, using lathes, milling machines to repair broken guns, and even some broken tanks. ”

As Ehrenburg said this, Kirillov leaned close to my ear and whispered: "Colonel Lyudnikov's 70th Guards Division, because of heavy losses, has now withdrawn their defensive positions to the dormitory area between the 'barricade' factory and the Volga. ”

I nodded silently, judging by the losses of the Lyudnikov division, even if it was withdrawn to the existing area, it would be very difficult to hold back the enemy's advance to the Volga.

I have to admit that Ehrenburg was very eloquent, and in the short time that Kirillov had spoken to me, he had already made a number of more statements: "...... According to what I have learned at the headquarters of the group army, the headquarters once issued a stern order requiring all commanders and political personnel of the units under its command to not leave the forward positions, bunkers, and trenches in an inch, to form the detachments into battle formations, and to fight until the last bullet.

Does it need to be said about the role and significance of higher-level commanders and political staff talking to soldiers in bunkers and forward positions? From my own experience, I know that when you talk to the fighters in the bunker, share their pain, and share their joys; Or smoke a cigarette. Analyze the battle situation together; or come up with ideas on how to fight; That is, it is sure to build up confidence among the soldiers: 'Since the commander is also here, then he should stubbornly hold on to this position!' In this way, the warriors will never retreat until they have received an order from their superiors, and they will fight the enemy to the last breath.

It is important that all servicemen know that none of their exploits will be buried. In this case, it can be confident that any task will be completed. Despite the losses suffered by the troops, the organization of the Party and the regiment continued to develop and become stronger. Dozens, hundreds, or even hundreds of fighters submitted applications to join the party on the firing line. Everyone was eager to fight, and if the need needed be, they would die as valiantly as the Communists and Komsomol members. ”

At this point, he paused, looked at me, and then said with a smile: "Comrades, speaking of which, I inevitably have to mention Comrade Oshanina. In both the 62nd and 64th armies, the commanders at your higher levels unanimously agreed that you were an excellent and brave commander, and you often took the lead in fighting with the commanders and fighters on the front line. Here, I would like to give you a reminder that as a division commander, you don't have to always squat in the bunkers of the first line. Because your place should be in the command post. From there, you should lead the entire course of the battle. Of course, I'm not against you going to the forefront. Under special circumstances, as a good commander, when foreseeing an extremely critical battle situation, one should not stay away from the front line, but should get as close as possible to one's own soldiers. In this way, instead of complaining about you, the warriors will cover you with their chests. They will work hard to complete their tasks. ”

As soon as Ehrenburg finished speaking, Kirillov chimed in: "Old man, you are so right. Oshanina is a brave and excellent commander full of fighting passion, but her shortcoming, as you just said, is that she always likes to run to the front and command the troops to fight like a company commander or even a platoon commander. If she were only a company commander or platoon commander, this would undoubtedly be commendable. But as the commander of the first division, it is a dereliction of duty for her to leave her post. Not only should you not be praised, but you should also be criticized. You say yes. My old buddy? ”

Ehrenburg laughed a few times and did not express his opinion. Instead, he diverted the topic in a timely manner: "The reason why I took the initiative to ask your independent division to come to interview this time is firstly to apologize to Colonel Oshanina, and secondly, because your independent division has made great achievements since its formation to the present, which are incomparable to other troops. If nothing else, let's just talk about the Mamayev Gang that you are holding, the enemy has been storming this place for more than a month, but the battle flag of your independent division is still flying high in the position, I just want to understand, how did you achieve such a brilliant result? ”

As for Ehrenburg's question, in fact, I already had the answer in my heart, but after glancing at the propaganda minister of the municipal party committee sitting next to him, I hesitated again, after all, there are outsiders present, and many words are not so convenient. When I was hesitating, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind me: "Yo ho, you guys are quite lively here." ”

I turned my head and saw that it was actually Chuikov standing at the door, so I quickly jumped up from my seat and greeted the two of them, and at the same time asked curiously: "Comrade commander, why did you come to us?" ”

Chuikov didn't answer my question, but asked to himself: "Mamayev Gang seems to be quite quiet these days, and the enemy on the front has not launched any offensive against you?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Akhromeyev hurriedly took over the topic and reported: "Since the Germans were subjected to our night attacks and artillery shelling, the frontal assault on the Mamayev Hill was stopped. But their long-range artillery continued to bombard the Volga inexplicably, and planes flew over our heights to bombard the docks, trying to cut us off from the other side. ”

After shaking hands with Ehrenburg and Verdovin, who came over, Chuikov said in a friendly manner: "Comrade Ehrenburg, welcome to Stalingrad. I'm sorry I couldn't greet you when you came, so please forgive me! Then, shaking hands with Kirillov, he continued, "I received a call from Comrade Gurov from the headquarters of the Front that he would cross the river and return to Stalingrad tonight, so I will come to you and wait for his return." ”

When Chuikov sat down at the table, Basmanov and Razumeyeva were clearly not fit to sit down any longer, so they reluctantly returned to their respective posts. After waiting for all of us to sit down, Chuikov asked Ehrenburg with great interest: "Comrade Ehrenburg, what were you talking about before I came?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Ehrenburg glanced at me and said to Chuikov with a smile: "I would like to interview Colonel Oshanina to find out how such brilliant results of the independent division were achieved?" But judging from her expression, she seemed to have some concerns, so she didn't accept my interview for a long time. ”

Hearing what Ehrenburg said, Chuikov turned his gaze to me and asked strangely: "Oshanina, why don't you accept the interview with Comrade Ehrenburg, do you have any concerns?" ”

I smiled bitterly and said: "Comrade commander, there are a lot of military secrets involved, is it appropriate to say it here?" After saying that, my eyes unconsciously fell to Verdowin, who was sitting next to Ehrenburg, and I couldn't figure out where he came from, so I didn't dare to say something casually.

Unexpectedly, Chuikov waved his big hand and said with a big grin: "Comrade Oshanina, you can say whatever comes to your mind, don't have any scruples." There are no outsiders here, and even if you say something wrong, no one will blame you. ”

With Chuikov's permission, I was much more confident, and after sorting out my thoughts, I began to speak officially: "As we all know, the independent division has not been formed for a long time, and almost all the soldiers are from the Gulag concentration camp. And the commanders at all levels came from the punishment battalions in the army. Speaking of equipment. Of course it's also bad. Although the group army headquarters has replenished us with a batch, most of the commanders and fighters are still bare-handed. The equipment of the troops, except for a small part of the rations from the superiors, the guns, artillery and even tanks used by the commanders and fighters of the independent division were captured from the enemy. ”

When I said this, Chuikov interjected: "Actually, when we formed an independent division, its purpose was to create a logistics force with a large number of people. Since it is a non-main logistics force, then in terms of the distribution of weapons to them. It's certainly not comparable to the rest of the troops. It's just that I didn't expect that this unit, under the command of Comrade Oshanina, would become such a powerful force. With that, he gestured at me and motioned for me to continue.

I made up my mind and said, "I have the weapon, but how will I fight the next battle?" This question made me ponder for a long time. After much deliberation, I decided that in the brutal Battle of Stalingrad, if our division did not want to be destroyed by the enemy, it would have to adopt a very different style of fighting from the rest of the troops. We should avoid fighting wars of attrition in which casualties and results are small, and we should fight more targeted battles with fewer casualties and more captures and greater results. ”

When I saw Ehrenburg writing in his notebook. I was afraid that he wouldn't be able to keep up with my speech, so I deliberately slowed down my speech. Unexpectedly, he immediately noticed it, and he immediately raised his head and said to me: "Colonel Oshanina, please speak at the usual pace, I remember to come here." ”

I nodded, and followed my own train of thought, "I am well aware that my subordinates lack sufficient training and have little combat experience, and that individual soldiers are obviously inferior to the enemy. In addition, if our army does not have air supremacy on the battlefield, and even the number of artillery is not the same as that of the locals, if we do not wisely adopt the usual tactics of dense crowds to attack the enemy with superior firepower, or mechanically hold on to every inch of land at any cost, it is bound to destroy the entire army under the enemy's powerful firepower. Therefore, in the early days of the formation of the independent division, I always used the tactics of ambush or night attack to attack the weak links of the German army, and to consume the German army's strength and capture their military supplies to the greatest extent. In this way, our fighters can improve their overall morale in victory after victory, and at the same time establish the belief that our army will win. ”

"I'll say a few words." Akhromeyev waited for my words to come to an end, and couldn't help but interject: "I think that the independent division can achieve such results is related to an excellent division commander. First of all, he is very good at promoting military democracy, and he has to discuss with us those immature tactics before making a final decision. Second, she often delegated the power in her hands, and gave full play to the subjective initiative of front-line commanders as much as possible, allowing them to adjust the deployment of troops according to the actual situation on the battlefield. This is evidenced by the fact that the Germans were never able to occupy the heights north of the Mamayev Heights. ”

"The Chief of Staff is right." As soon as Akhromeyev finished speaking, Kirillov spoke again: "I came to the independent division, and after getting along with Comrade Oshanina, I understood the backwardness of tactical consciousness and the great deviation in the understanding of the master. I always thought that as long as we could defend our city and hold our defenses, it would be worth the sacrifice. But as my understanding changed, I realized that many of my previous views were wrong. Those commanders and fighters who blindly threw their most elite troops into senseless attrition regardless of the actual situation on the battlefield, although they were very brave, in the end they did nothing to the whole situation except for a tragic end. I believe that in order to achieve victory, we must first know how to preserve ourselves, and only by saving ourselves can we destroy more enemies. ”

After Kirillov's words, the room fell into a terrible silence, I did not expect Kirillov to be so bold that even the opinions that I usually instilled in him were said in front of Chuikov. You must know that Chuikov, like other senior commanders, likes to use carpet tactics of crowds and use human lives to fill in one victory after another, and what Kirillov said is undoubtedly a slap in the face of the other side.

I watched Chuikov's expression carefully, and saw that his face was blue and purple and changed for a while, and his breathing became rapid. Seeing his expression, my heart rose to my throat, and my heart said that Kirillov exposed his shortcomings in public, and he wouldn't be angry at Kirillov, right?

Chuikov slapped the table on the ground, then stood up and glared at Kirillov. Just when I thought he was going to get angry. He burst out laughing. At the same time, he said loudly: "Well said." Comrade Kirillov, what a great thing you said! ”

Chuikov's expression startled me, and I thought to myself that he didn't mean to say the opposite, and then he should be furious. Unexpectedly, he walked around the table, walked in front of Kirillov, took the initiative to extend his hand to him, and said sincerely: "Thank you, Comrade Kirillov. You said it very well. At the same time, it also reminded me that in such a brutal battle, if we continue to use the old methods of warfare, our troops will pay even greater sacrifices. ”

Seeing the two hands clasped tightly, my heart hanging in my throat fell, it seems that Chuikov is also a commander who knows his mistakes and corrects, and it is precisely because of his excellent quality that he can go higher and farther in the future.

After the interview with Kirillov and me, Ehrenburg went to the walkie-talkie to interview Razumeeva and Nadya, and Vdowin was afraid that the two girls would say the wrong thing. I also came over.

There were only four people left at the table: me, Chuikov, Kirillov and Akhromeyev. Chuikov looked around, then looked at me and asked, "Oshanina." I would like to hear your thoughts on how we should deal with an enemy who is stronger than us next, now that the army group is overstretched? ”

I thought for a moment and replied: "With our existing forces and weapons, a counterattack against the enemy will not only have no effect, but will consume our precious soldiers in vain. Therefore, I built the YÌ Group Army to organize capable detachments in the troops under its jurisdiction, and at night with sudden and rapid counterattacks, constantly encroaching on the positions occupied by the enemy, and continuing to contain and consume the German army's vital forces and technical equipment. In this way, the pressure on the defensive front of our group army will be reduced, so that the group army can be successively organized into units with broken and broken formations and exhausted commanders and fighters, and withdraw across the Volga River for rest and replenishment. ”

After hearing this, Chuikov nodded again and again, and said with satisfaction: "Comrade Oshanina, your mention coincides with General Krylov's ideas, and he also said that the current group army is insufficient in strength, and heavy weapons are not superior to the Germans, so I will change the tactics and use the existing forces to consume as many Germans as possible who rushed into the city." ”

After talking to Chuikov for a long time, I didn't hear him mention when reinforcements would arrive, and I couldn't help but feel a little frustrated. Kirillov and Akhromeyev's expressions were no better, and after the two glanced at each other, they also frowned, staring at the map in front of them in a daze.

Seeing that something was wrong with the atmosphere, Chuikov hurriedly started haha: "Comrade Oshanina, Comrade Kirillov, I know what you are thinking, aren't you just worried that the existing strength of the group army is not enough." Speaking of this, he lowered his voice and revealed to us, "Let me tell you the truth, the Front has assigned to us the 24th Division, which was originally subordinate to the 308th Army, which has just been transferred from Siberia, and the division commander is Colonel Gurdiev, and the division's political commissar, Comrade Sverin, are commanders with rich combat experience. ”

Hearing that reinforcements were coming, Kirillov and Akhromeyev suddenly came to their senses and leaned their heads towards Chuikov, who smiled and asked, "Since there are reinforcements coming, can you add some troops for us?" "Hearing that they were haggling with Chuikov, I was amusefully silent, intending to wait until the two of them hit a wall.

Chuikov really shook his head like a rattle, and unequivocally rejected Kirillov: "No, Comrade Kirillov. The losses of your independent division are large, and the losses of other troops are not small. Your division still has more than 2,000 people anyway, and the rest of those divisions or brigades, only 3,500 people remain. In some divisions, in addition to the divisional leaders who had to personally participate in the battle, even those wounded who had slightly improved their injuries took up arms again. Even if new recruits come in, I will give priority to replenishing them. Kirillov and Akhromeyev, who had hit a wall, sighed in disappointment and sat back in their places listlessly.

I looked at the factory area on the map, and suddenly remembered that Kirillov had mentioned to me earlier that Lyudnikov's 70th Guards Division had been transferred to the open area between the factory area and the Volga River, so I asked Chuikov curiously: "Comrade commander, at present the German army is fighting fiercely with our army in the factory area, and Colonel Lyudnikov's troops are on the verge of exhaustion after a long battle, so they may not be of much help to this battle for the factory area, right?" Perhaps when Colonel Gurdiev's 308th Division came, it would have to immediately throw itself into this area and assist the 39th Guards Division in destroying the enemy who stormed the factory area. ”

Chuikov waved his hand and denied my claim: "Although the situation in the factory area is very tight, the 308th Division cannot be put into this area for the time being, because today the German pincer offensive in the Orlov area was successful, and the 3rd Battalion of the Andreuschenko Infantry Brigade, several companies of the 2nd Motorized Infantry Brigade and the 315th Infantry Battalion were encircled. We had to put the 308th Division into fortifications east of Orlov and prepare for enemy attacks from all sides. At the same time, when the time is right, attack Orlov and rescue the encircled troops. ”

"But Comrade Commander," I kindly reminded Chuikov when he had finished speaking, "if the enemy is allowed to occupy the factory area, then all access to the docks of the main forces of the army group will be cut off, so that the independent division stationed at the Mamayev post will become a lone army, and with our existing forces, we will not be able to resist for long in the face of simultaneous attacks from all directions." ”

"Don't worry, Colonel Oshanina." "Although I will not put the 308th Division in the factory area, other units will be responsible for the defense of this area," said Chuikov. ”

Chuikov's words kindled a new hope in our hearts, and Kirillov couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade commander, are there any other reinforcements?" ”

Chuikov nodded and said: "Yes, according to the orders of the superiors. Major General Ludev's 37th Guards Infantry Division will be transferred from the 4th Tank Army, cross the river to reinforce us, and enter the city no later than the evening of October 3. After entering the city, the regiments under the command of the division were to immediately occupy the defensive line and begin the battle early the next morning, and their main task was to defend the factory area, to assist the 39th Guards Division and the militia units fighting there, and to destroy all the enemy in the area. "The arrival of two new reinforcements means that the defensive pressure we are under at Mamayev Hill will also be greatly reduced, and my mood will suddenly become lighter.

After interviewing Razumeyeva, Ehrenburg and Vdowin came back and said goodbye to us. Kirillov hurriedly called Basmanov over and instructed him: "Comrade Captain, send a squad to Comrade Ehrenburg and escort him safely out of the heights." ”

Ehrenburg, after thanking Kirillov, said goodbye to everyone one by one, and when he finally walked to my side, he turned his head to look at Verdovin, who was with him, and saw that he was saying goodbye to everyone, and suddenly whispered to me: "Comrade Oshanina, please come with me." So saying, he walked towards the door.

When he came to the door, the nearest person was also five or six paces away, and he lowered his voice and said to me: "Comrade Oshanina, I secretly tell you good news, and it may not be long before you can resume the rank of general." (To be continued......)

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